Bringer of Chaos
This scene from Bringer of Chaos marks a major turning point in the story.
Six and Pietas have been reluctant enemies, and now move into being reluctant friends.
It still doesn't mean Six trusts him enough to tell him his name.
Excerpt "My Name is Pietas"
Days passed into weeks.
Six spent time hunting, fishing, gathering wood for the fire, hauling water. The man gave no indication of impatience, ever. Six was at his side, offering, assisting, without Pietas having to ask.
One evening after dinner, they stretched out side by side near the fire, staring up at the stars.
"Thank you, Six."
"For what?"
"You've been good to me. I appreciate it. I don't say that enough."
He folded his hands over his waist. "No problem. Glad to do it, Three Point One Four."
"Three point..." Pietas grappled with what the number might indicate. "Pardon?"
"I've decided that's your name. Now that we're friends."
"What are you talking about?"
"Your name." Six sat up. "Since you call me Six, I'm going to call you Three Point One Four."
"I fail to see the significance of the number."
"Really?" A big smile crossed Six's face. "And here I thought you were good at math. It's pi."
"No!" Pietas sat bolt upright. "I forbid you to call me that. I am Pietas. Pee-ah-toss."
"I dunno. I'm partial to Pi. I think I'll keep it."
"No. You may not call me Pi. My name is Pietas."
"Why not?"
"It is not my name!"
"Oh, you mean like Six isn't my name. It's a number."
"Simple remedy. Tell me your name."
The quiet lengthened, but then Six stretched both arms over his head, and gave a wide yawn. "Nah. I don't think so."
"Fine, then." Pietas settled himself on the ground once more. "Six it is."
"Guess I'm stuck with it." He grinned at Pietas as he stood. "Pi."
The rest of this story is found in Origin of Pietas: Bringer of Chaos, and continues in Forged in Fire. To get a head start, sign up for my newsletter and you'll get the prequel Lights Out, which introduces Six, for free. It comes with an illustrated behind-the-scenes book that describes characters, weapons, ships, and contains links to some of my research. The weaponry art was commissioned from Nano-Core, an artist on DeviantArt, specifically for this series.
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You'll find these characters mentioned in many books in my story universe.
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