While Gina was thinking about what Farlow had said, Agiel was watching Jason and Farlow leaving with a frown on her face. Agiel knew who Farlow was. In fact, out of everyone here, Agiel was probably the person who knew more about Farlow than anyone else. Because when she was still just a child, Agiel would sometimes spend her days on Farlow’s world whenever her mother was there visiting the Queen of the elves. But Agiel didn’t want to remember her past, and that was why she refused to acknowledge Farlow. The things that had happened back then were just too traumatic for her to think about them again, and even telling Jason about her past had almost been too difficult for her! Agiel was just grateful that Farlow didn’t try to talk to her. At least Farlow understood that there were some things that were just best left in the past!
....
"Did your father tell you of me?"
"He mentioned you in passing."
Jason and Farlow had finally walked far enough from the group, and they were standing at an arch in the hallway that opened into the clear sky and a long drop down the mountain. Jason could only guess that this area was used by flight-based fighters to take off from the castle, but the view from there was absolutely breathtaking and Jason found himself watching the clouds floating past them as he spoke with Farlow.
The first question that Farlow asked Jason was about how he knew who he was, and Jason had answered in a cryptic way that wouldn’t give away much about what he knew. Even though Richard told Jason that he could trust Farlow, Jason still didn’t fully trust the man, and Jason decided that he wouldn’t tell Farlow about the [Book of the Apocalypse] that his father had been using to send him messages. Farlow’s eyes narrowed slightly at Jason’s answer, and he turned to look out at the passing clouds as he spoke.
"Your father... have you heard anything from him since he disappeared?"
Jason shrugged.
"I haven’t heard anything. I can only assume that you haven’t heard anything either."
Once Jason said this, he saw Farlow’s face tighten into an even deeper frown, and Jason immediately knew that he had said something wrong. Farlow spoke up in irritation.
"I do not mind you keeping information from me, but I do not appreciate being lied to. If you do not wish to tell me about your father’s whereabouts, then you can simply say so rather than insulting my intelligence."
Jason narrowed his eyes at Farlow, and Jason realised that Farlow had somehow realised that he was lying. Jason wondered how Farlow had done it. Jason knew that he didn’t give away anything obvious in his voice and actions, so the only way Farlow could have figured out he was lying was through magic!
’I guess I have to be more careful when speaking then.’
This thought passed through Jason’s mind before Jason spoke up calmly.
"I’m not trying to insult your intelligence, King Farlow. I simply don’t know you well enough to tell you anything. It’s true that my father told me about you, but I am not my father. I’ll need to judge you for myself and figure out if I can trust you or not."
Farlow’s expression remained unchanged as he stared down at Jason, and for a moment, Jason thought that Farlow would get angry at what he said. But Jason was surprised when Farlow suddenly scoffed and turned away from him while speaking.
"Well, at least I can be sure that you have a better head on your shoulders than that father of yours. You should nurture that skepticism and utilize it in all future interactions. Trusting blindly is a certain way to find an early grave in this world."
Jason could tell from Farlow’s tone that he was talking from experience, but before Jason could say anything, Farlow spoke up again.
"From what I’ve heard, the reason we are here today is because you involved yourself in a matter that was no business of yours. You might have sharp instincts when it comes to trusting others, but it appears you are a lot more like your father when it comes to minding your business."
For some reason, Jason felt a little sheepish about the way Farlow was talking to him. It almost sounded like Farlow was a father reprimanding his child, but at the same time, there was a bit of pride in Farlow’s tone that told Jason that Farlow wasn’t angry at what he did. Jason spoke up with a small shrug.
"I couldn’t sit back and do nothing. Besides, I didn’t know that helping Radagan was going to make us break any laws. The Primordial Expanse is something I only learned about a short time ago."
Farlow was a little surprised when he heard that Jason had only known about the Primordial Expanse for a short time, but then Farlow remembered who Jason’s father was, and he realised that he shouldn’t even be surprised.
"Of course, your father wouldn’t give you such important information promptly. That man is as unreliable as ever. But do not pretend like knowing about the treaty would have stopped you from helping Radagan. It would have changed nothing."
Jason smiled, and Farlow huffed silently before shaking his head and turning away. The two men were silent for a while before Jason finally asked.
"How well did you know my father?"
Farlow had a look on his face that made it seem like he was constantly annoyed by everything around him, but when Jason asked about his father, Farlow’s frown seemed to grow even deeper. There was a strange emotion on Farlow’s face that Jason couldn’t figure out, and Farlow seemed to think for a long time before he finally spoke calmly.
"He is a man who is far too kind for his own good. And the only thing that saved him from an early death is the fact that he has the power to justify his kindness. He is a friend. A good friend who did not turn me away when I needed his aid. He is a good man."
Jason felt a smile spread on his face when he heard this about his father. Jason had been hearing a lot of people around the Primordial Expanse talk about his father like he was a demon that only brought death and destruction to everything he touched. Both Alpha and Evon spoke about how the Avaran race had destroyed the Demon race in the massive Raksha war and how his father had been at the front of that war. Azrael told Jason about how his father had once been a conqueror who destroyed many worlds and even faced off against the Primordials in battle. And Agiel had told Jason that his father abandoned her mother when she needed him most. It was almost like every single person had something bad to say about his father!
So hearing Farlow talk about his father in such a good light was a nice change, and Jason was grateful that there were people out there who knew his father for who he really was. Jason nodded to Farlow in thanks, and Farlow gave Jason another one of his blank looks before he turned his back on him to leave. But before Farlow could walk away, he gave Jason a few more words.
"Your father was there for me when I needed him, so as his heir, I believe it is only right that I repay his kindness through you. If you are ever in need of anything, now or in the future, then do not hesitate to ask. So long as you do not go against what your father has taught you, you can trust that I will always be on your side."
Jason was shocked to hear such an obvious declaration from Farlow. Jason remembered his father telling him that Farlow was the sort of person who had a stick up his ass, but he was also a dependable person. And at this moment, Jason couldn’t help but believe his father’s words.