They say a good man never dies. Do you believe that? I do not believe that to be the case. You see, a good man is forgotten. Eventually. A great man on the other hand? He will die, but it will take so much more to kill him. Not literally, of course. A bullet between the eyes will end any man, good or bad, doesn’t matter if he’s a saint or the devil. If he’s a banker or a beggar. A great man, well, his story lives on for generations to come.
And you, they say you’re a good man. That you’re noble, just, reasonable. Reasonable. You love God, your wife, your son and your daughters. People ask of you so much and you ask so little. Well, I’d say you’re a good man, too. If not for…
Hmm. Complete this riddle for me. If you’re such a good man, then why have you deceived me so? What have I done to earn your distrust?
And Madvan Conrad, the man in the pin-striped suit, sits in the ornate mahogany chair across from his unrestrained captive. His name is Valen.
Madvan reaches for a pipe and a pouch. He offers some to Valen, to which Valen declines. Fair enough. Rather addictive. The smoke can’t be good for my health. But what’s in it, oh does that make me feel alive.
He lights the pipe and inhales, then slowly exhales the smoke. He stands and smokes by the window, staring at the dark navy skies, illuminated by faint orange lights and lightning in the distance. So again I ask, why did you deceive me? I’ve treated you with nothing but respect. I’ve been nothing but honest. You’re a reasonable man, and I’d like to think I am too. So I’m sure you had a good reason.
Indeed, I did have a good reason. You want something you can’t have. It’s as simple as that. Not in my life can I allow you access into that cave. Or to have you know its location.
I wouldn’t have taken you for a man afraid of legends.
Great, powerful beasts exist. Oowas and spectursas. The Great-Horned Serpent. Stone Giants. Legends before they became real. You can’t deny that. Spirit energy was more abundant back then, and there is no doubt in my mind that they were powerful enough to lock away something that is unimaginable to modern society.
Likewise, I have no doubt. However. I know I’m not on the side of you and your people. I’m not against you, either. But those mushrooms, if they are real, they can change humanity as we know it. We’d experience a golden age with no equal. We have no other option but to try.
You are no use to me dead. Your family is no use to me dead. Your community is no use to me destroyed. But maybe. Just maybe, I am the monster you fear me to be.
I have a deal for you. You are a man of your word, no?
I am.
As am I. I heard you’re a good fighter. So, the deal is, we fight. You will have to kill me to stop me. If I win, I won’t kill you, but you will show me where the cave is. Is that a deal?