Life at the Top

No longer confined to bed rest, Jasper got off the bed and respectfully invited the old man to take a seat.

“Please have a seat, Mr. Coine. Moving is still a little difficult for me and this place really isn’t appropriate, so I’ll skip out on asking you if you’d like some coffee this time.”

Jasper smiled. “Next time, then. I promise I’ll invite you to a cup of hot coffee next time, Mr. Coine.”

Peter smiled gently and waved him off. “Don’t worry about it. I’m not used to drinking coffee anyway. Alcohol, on the other hand, is always a good choice. But I’ve grown old and my body can’t take that anymore, so I’ve quit it.”

Jasper nodded. “That’s good, then. Seniors like you, Mr. Coine, are important people to us. It’s good to see you taking care of yourself.”

Peter was surprised by Jasper’s attitude. “I thought that our meeting would be an unhappy one, but I like you a lot, young man. Most importantly, I can tell that everything you’re saying and doing now comes from your heart—it’s genuine respect.”

Jasper spoke sternly, “It is truly what I think, after all. People like you are old heroes, Mr. Coine. Your generation is the reason why we can live such great lives. Your heroic achievements are things anyone of Somer descent should never forget.”

“Very good. Thank you for remembering our hard work,” Peter smiled softly and spoke.

At that, Peter pulled up his sleeve and showed a deep knife scar as well as a few bullet wounds. He explained, “These are from three different battles. See this scar? It was from a bayonet that had pierced right into the bone. These few other bullet wounds were also from the enemy troops. I have more wounds on me, but I’ll spare you the sight.”

Jasper looked at his own tightly wrapped shoulder and smiled. “Looks like I’m just weak, then.”

Peter waved him off and spoke slowly, “People grow old and their thoughts change as well. Look at me and the tough life I’ve lived. Despite the enemies’ bayonets and bullets, I lived to 80 only to send my children off instead of the other way around.”

Jasper remained silent.

“Mr. Laine…”

Coine. Just call me

that I’m asking you, could you at least leave

result in the death penalty. I can’t be certain of the judge’s ruling because I’m not the judge, nor do I have any power to change their

A word from you and they’ll be out in a year or two. I may be old, but I still have a year or two in me. It’d be nice to have someone send

looked at Mr. Coine and spoke, “Logically speaking, Mr. Coine, considering your identity, such a request is in no way overboard. But I

in stopping them? They did this to themselves. Who

Mr. Coine, but your heroic achievements should not be used to forgive the mistakes of your descendants. Mistakes should be stopped and corrected once

but they’ve done their part to educate

course, it’s not that I’m being unreasonable or inconsiderate. I can openly admit that there is resentment between me and them, and I must seek revenge. Think of it this way. If

fell silent at Jasper’s

as long as he pays up the tax he has evaded, I’m sure the judge will be merciful when he gives the verdict. Marcus, however… Let’s not discuss his issue

stood and turned to Jasper. “If that’s the case, very well

up, it’s

sending him out and

by the window, Jasper shook his head as he watched Peter slowly

‘Is Peter pitiful?

old man like him should not need to send off

people are distasteful in

to

instead of the symptoms. Jasper did not

least three to five years

…