Brave Story - Miyuki Miyabe [216]
Wataru didn’t have an answer.
“Dr. Baksan says that no matter how difficult it is to bear, or how evil the news, everyone in Vision has a right to know. There were two schools of thought at the debate in the National Observatory in Sasaya: those who sided with Dr. Baksan, and those who claimed that ignorance is bliss. They argued for days and days. Some of those opposed to spreading word of Halnera wanted to take it a step further. They felt that all reseach should be banned. If we do not know about it, they claimed, then it is as if it didn’t exist at all.”
Shin, still standing by the window, cradling his head in his arms. “I am frightened,” he said. “I did not want to know of this. The more I learn about Halnera, the less I want to know. I regret that Dr. Baksan told me. I even regret having become a starseer.”
It was more than loneliness that prompted Shin to tell Wataru all this. It was his fear. If Wataru had not been a Highlander, perhaps he would have held it back.
“I’m not worried only for myself, of course. I’m worried for my parents, my brothers, my fiancée, my new colleagues at school, everyone that I know and love. What would I do if someone I knew was chosen? I think about this at night and I cannot sleep.”
Who wouldn’t go crazy thinking about it, Wataru thought. Then he realized that Yacom wouldn’t. What if Satami were chosen as the sacrifice? Wouldn’t he be pleased? People only worried about the well-being of those they knew when they also happened to like them.
Wataru was the same. He certainly didn’t want to be sacrificed, but what if it were Kenji Ishioka instead? He could see himself living with that. Thinking back, he hadn’t been all that concerned when the school delinquent was consumed by that Vision creature.
“I’m sorry, I have spoken overmuch,” Shin said, rubbing his eyes. “I did tell you I was a coward.”
“I don’t think you’re a coward, Shin. We’re all like you inside.”
“You should rest now. You must be tired. I’m sorry to talk so much.”
“It’s okay. Actually, I was wondering—is your observation equipment in the loft up there?”
Shin nodded.
“And you are using it to watch the Blood Star? Might I see it too? Or would I need some special knowledge?”
“I’m not sure. We could certainly give it a try. The Blood Star rises after midnight. Go to sleep now, and I will wake you when it is time.”
As promised, when the night had grown deep, Shin Suxin nudged Wataru awake, and he let him peer through his telescope. It was a very powerful telescope, and the night sky was like luxurious velvet, studded by countless stars. Still, even with Shin’s careful instruction, Wataru was unable to pick out the Blood Star from among them.
Chapter 26
To Sakawa
The next morning, after eating a simple but delicious breakfast, Wataru was ready to leave.
“You’re welcome to rest longer if you’d like. Are you sure you’ll be okay?”
“I feel much better, thanks.”
Kee Keema and Meena weighed heavily on Wataru’s mind. What had happened to them? He hadn’t seen them captive at Triankha Hospital, so they must have escaped, but to where? Now that he knew Halnera was coming, he wanted to see them again more than ever.
“If one of your friends is a waterkin darbaba driver, they might have gone to the town of Sakawa,” Shin suggested. “That’s the darbaba drivers’ base of operations for much of the shipping that goes on in the south. Even if he’s not there, someone might know where he is.”
Both Sakawa and Gasara were equally distant. “You might try going to Sonn and speaking with the karulakin there. They’re quite proud, and if it was a Highlander asking, they very well might lend a helping hand. A karulah could get you to Sakawa in, oh, two days or so. You are pretty light, after all.”
Now that he had thought of it, Shin Suxin agreed Wataru should make all due haste. “The United Nations will soon be summoning the karulakin to carry word of Halnera across