The Search for the Red Dragon - James A. Owen [28]
“I’m afraid the rest of what they’ve told us only makes things worse,” observed Bert.
“Not sure how it can get worse,” said Charles.
“The story they told,” Bert said, “about Time itself being broken—I can’t think of anything more dangerous.”
“We haven’t noticed so far,” reasoned Charles. “So I don’t know why it would bother you so.”
“Two reasons,” Bert said, his face darkening. “One—you’re correct. We wouldn’t notice if history had been changed, because everything that follows will change accordingly, including our own memories. But the second reason is worse.”
“Why?” asked John.
“Because,” Bert explained, lifting his head, “if the change was indeed our fault, caused by something that happened nine years ago, then it’s possible our memories of that event have also been altered.”
John slapped his forehead. “Meaning there might be no way to know what caused the damage to begin with.”
“Exactly,” said Bert. “We must battle the effect, even though we may never know the cause—because in our ‘Time,’ it may never have happened at all.”
It took less than a half hour for the companions to make their way back to where the Indigo Dragon was anchored, and there was no further discussion of what had transpired in the cave. This was in part because each of them was turning the revelations over and over in his head, thinking; and in part because the Green Knight never stopped complaining.
“But why?” Magwich whined. “Just tell me what they said. It was my question, after all.”
“Oh, for heaven’s sake,” Charles said, rolling his eyes. He turned and took the shabby knight by the shoulders. “Do you want to know why life is so unfair? Well, I’ll tell you. It’s because you are a bitter, twisted, heartless villain with a lump of coal for a heart, who has never done a damned thing except for the most selfish reasons, no matter the suffering it has caused those around you.
“What’s more, you never learn from your mistakes. You just keep doing the same stupid things over and over and over, and will probably end up spending the rest of eternity all alone on this island, until you finally crumble away to dust, having perished alone, unmourned, and unloved.”
Magwich stared at Charles, who was breathing hard from his extended rant, before he finally blinked, then blinked again. Then, without warning, Magwich burst into tears and collapsed against Charles, sobbing.
“Oh, good job, Charles,” declared Jack. “You’ve completely destroyed the poor fellow.”
“Arrgghh,” said Charles, as he dragged the whimpering, slobbering knight over to a rock, where he sat him down.
“Here,” he said to Magwich, offering a handkerchief. “Do wipe the, er, sap off of your face. That’s a good fellow.”
“But, but, you’re absolutely right!” wailed Magwich. “I’m a terrible person, and I deserve everything that’s happened to me. Why, if there were any justice in the world, you’d just chip me up for firewood right now. And even then, the embers from my fire would probably burn a hole in your coat.”
He threw up his arms and started such a pitiful keening that even Bert had to cover his ears.
“Kindling! That’s all I’m good for! I’ll never do anyone any good!”
“Now, that’s not true,” said Charles. “I’m, ah, I’m sure you’re not completely devoid of redeeming qualities.”
“Really?” Magwich said, sniffing. “Like what?”
“Don’t look at us,” John said to Charles. “You opened the door.”
“Well, er,” Charles stammered, rubbing his temples. “Give me a minute—I’m sure I can come up with something.”
“You have to think about it?” sobbed Magwich. “I’m irredeemable, aren’t I?”
“No one is completely irredeemable,” said Charles. “But I must say…” His face went slack and his eyes widened as an idea occurred to him.
“You know, Magwich,” he suggested, “perhaps we’re looking at this the wrong way.”
“How so?” sniffed the knight.
“Every story has a villain or two,” Charles replied matter-of-factly, “and while you are more of a minor villain, I have to say you’re far more irritating than the Winter King ever was. In fact, being despicable may just be your great talent in life.”