Page 88 of Tiger's Trek
“You mean you’ve never been happy?”
“Well, I’ve had moments, I suppose. But true bliss? No. You?”
“I’m not sure, I guess.”
“Of course you haven’t,” Pasha declared, interrupting. “You two are babies still sucking at the teats of the world. Does a baby feel bliss? No. A baby is content, or a baby is upset. Bliss can only be achieved by those who are enlightened enough to understand the hardships of the world. How can you know the difference between joy and pain, between sadness and happiness, if you don’t have enough life experience to compare the two? What you need to do is to stop wallowing in your tiny little life puddles and go for a swim in the big people’s pool. There’s an entire ocean of experiences waiting out there for you. Put a few decades beneath your boots, and then I’ll listen to you talk about sorrow. Right now, at your age, there’s too much life ahead of both of you to give in to that beast.”
“But you don’t know what I’ve?—”
“Been through? Son, don’t forget who I am.” Pasha leaned forward. “I’m the Bringer of Misery, remember? I’ve cursed them young and old, and I’ve seen it all. The thing is, a curse can be broken, and even a one-eyed demon of disaster can find love. I’ve seen it. Do you know there are some people in this world who are so determined to be happy that they can find it no matter how difficult their life circumstances? They are special souls indeed. I call them the ‘cream of the crop, for they rise to the top.’”
“I’ve heard of people like that,” Nik said. “They ‘paint the world in roses,’ or so the expression goes. That means they’re ignorant of reality. Simpleminded.”
“No, boy. Not simpleminded. Not ignorant. They simply have a gift for finding the good. They let the bad fall away from them and hold on to the good no matter how small it may be and learn to find joy in that little thing. That’s why they’re the cream. Cream rises to the top of the milk jug. It’s all the fat. All that’s good in the world. You just need to learn to find the joy, boy. Float on it. Float to the top. Let the rest sink away like dregs.”
“Find the joy, you say? Float to the top?”
“That’s right.” Pasha leaned back. “And there’s no better place to float than the Novgorod Games. And don’t think of running either. I see it in your expression. A deal’s a deal. Trust me. You don’t want to get on my bad side.”
Nik frowned. “Fine. I’ll stay through the end of the Games.”
“That’s all I ask.”
A faint cheer rose in the air, and Polina clapped her hands. “We’re almost there! Can we place some bets?”
“Of course, my dumpling,” Pasha said. Turning, he called through the window, “Take us straight to the gambling section.”
“Yes, sir!” the driver replied.
Nik glanced out the window and was shocked to see not only huge mountains but many such vehicles in the sky circling the largest of them. There were even what appeared to be dragons flying in the air.
“Incredible!” he mumbled as he leaned out further to take in the sights.
Banners of multiple colors flew from every direction, and as they passed over many arenas, he saw a myriad of creatures gearing up for battle games as well as spectators of all types waving flags, queuing at vendors, buying souvenirs, or heading to tents or coaches or chariots that hovered or were parked at various places all over the mountain. Smoke rose from multiple cookfires, bringing with it the smells of succulent roasting meats and vegetables or baked goods and sweets. Suddenly, he found he was anxious to get out and see everything.
“Glad you came, boy?” Pasha said with a too-smug grin on his face.
“I am. Though I’m still holding you to your promise to teach me a bit of magic.”
The man held up his hands. “A bargain’s a bargain.”
They pulled up alongside the main thoroughfare and the door opened. Pasha got out and helped Polina. Once Nik and Pushka were on the cobblestone path, the birds screeched, and the carriage took to the sky. Pasha tucked Polina’s arm in his, then tossed Nik a small bag. “Here. This is for you and Pushka. Show her around a bit. Place a few bets. Get something to eat. We’ll meet you back here in a few hours.”
Nik hissed. “We’re supposed to stick together, remember?”
“It’s only for a while, boy. You don’t want to watch us doeverything, do you?” Pasha said, his eyes wide.
Wincing, Nik said, “I suppose not. Fine. Two hours. No more.”
“Six hours. See you around, boy. Have fun. Find somethingjoyousto do.”
“Right. Joyous.” Nik and Pushka watched them leave, and then Nik offered her an arm and said, “Well, shall we find something joyous and floaty?”
Pushka laughed, and it didn’t make him nervous like when he was with Veru. She was a bit taller than her sister but still on the short side, which made Nik feel rather tall. She took hold of her purple veil and tossed it over her head. She had two eyes like her sister. They were blue. Not a deep blue, like Veru’s, but they were still nice. Her jaw was very square, but she had a nice smile.
“Would you like to place some bets or get something to eat?” he asked politely.
“Eat, definitely. But I’m also happy to follow your lead.”
