Free Nocturna League (Episode 2: The Mist Hour) by Kell Inkston Page B

just one, a creator,
if you will. This God would prefer have its creations learn things
by experience, by their own choices and mistakes, than for the
deity to fix everything for the creature. In this manner, sentient
creatures- humans, I suppose- will become better, and thus bring
glory to this creator. You see, the creator would prefer the human
do it for herself, as that would mean the creator’s abilities as a
creator are validated- making a being that can have the will to do
right or wrong, and continuously learn from their
mistakes.”
    Colette looks perplexed. “You’d rather
have me make those mistakes, rather than you fix stuff for
me?”
    “ Yes, though I did see your
need- but even if I didn’t, you still inhaled me so there wasn’t
much you could have done about that. Regardless, it developed you
through experience; that’s why I held information from
you.”
    She pushes her fingers against her
skull. “Alright… I guess that does make sense…” She sighs, and
looks out to the port hole, the sun rays lazily dancing through.
“Do you… believe in a creator?”
    The Captain pours himself another
shot. “I haven’t the slightest clue.”
    “ I’d like to think there
is,” she says.
    “ That’s lovely, but I
didn’t ask for your opinion, Miss Ketiere. It was an analogy, not a
sermon.”
    “ Sir.” The two are quiet
for a moment, Colette looking around the cabin subtly, and The
Captain taking another sip. Colette speaks up again. “So, why did
the guy at the bar think there was only one gauntlet?”
    “ He was either misinformed,
drunk, or lying.”
    Colette nods. “Fair
enough.”
    The Captain gulps down his second
glass of Dugal’s and sets it aside. “Now then. I’m going to presume
you’ve had enough time to ruminate, so I’d like to ask you a more
important question.”
    “ Sure.” She leans
in.
    “ Did you play the clear
game that everyone saw, or did you also play below the
table?”
    Colette winces- remembering The
Captain’s words at the poker game. “I… I played
honestly.”
    The Captain scoffs with
poise. “And as such you were made a pawn for more deceptive, more skilled players. I
don’t know if God, be there one or many, makes rules, but I
certainly don’t see them being enforced- so how can we know where
the line is in what others call cheating? What is right, is to play in the way you
know works best- you respond to other peoples' playing styles, Miss
Ketiere. Play on their level and you can always be a match for
them. When you started listening and believing- be it because of
your rebellious fancy, wanting to believe the Kalamests some
righteous underdogs, or simply your desire to take pity on others-
you were hooked, probably by compassion, and belittled into a
playing piece, rather than a player. An upstanding captain must
know when she is being taken advantage of and when to spot a lie,
Miss Ketiere.”
    Colette nods. “Sir… Do you think the
people on the island will be okay?”
    The Captain shrugs. “We removed a
piece of conflict in a civil war. I’d say we improved the living
situation. I’d say we will be remembered fondly by most- though
their happiness is not what we were there for.”
    She nods again, staring at the floor.
“Is there a reason for all this? Is there a purpose to being a
captain?”
    “ I’ll remind you. Being a
captain is being a commander of humans- a being of powerful will,
commanding those of lesser wills. There are good captains and bad
captains, and the decision is up to you as to which one you may
become. As a captain, your reason for living is reason
enough.”
    She sighs. “So, would you consider
yourself a good captain?”
    “ I would consider
myself the best captain, Miss Ketiere. I do appreciate your humility after
being made a pawn of, but you really should walk this
off.”
    “ But… I mean, sure , but I was just a
goddamn idiot.” She rubs her shoulder and looks aside in some form
of embarrassment.
    The