A Crying Shame (192 page)

Oh, shut up!”

Jon blew a dozen of the openings, blocking the Links's escape. Karl was silent during the entire operation. He looked up only when No Name Island came into view. A sad smile creased his lips. He pointed.

Look, Jon. See what you have wrought.”

Jon nosed the boat onto land. He got out and walked to a line of dead Links—among them, several human women. They were lying on the ground, holding hands.

They were all dead.

Jon knelt down, inspecting the dead. He could find not one single wound on any of them.
I wonder what killed them?”

They took their own lives, mercenary.” Karl's voice was harsh. He pointed to a bark container of red liquid.
Poison, probably. They knew you were coming after them. They chose to take their own lives. My, how very proud you must be on this day.”

Jon rose to his feet.
I've had just about enough of your moralizing, Karl. I told you I was not going to kill the normal Links. They killed themselves. Now you get off my back.”

Go, warrior,” Karl sneered.
Go earn your blood money and prove once again your manhood. Kill them all. Kill the little babies and the women. Maybe then you will satisfy your blood lust.”

Like your people did in the concentration camps?” The words tumbled from his mouth before Jon could control the awful damning flow.

Karl paled. He raised the muzzle of the AK slightly.
I should kill you for that, you pig! It is not I who is the barbarian here this day.”

Jon shook his head, disgusted at what he had said to his friend of almost thirty years. He watched Karl lower the muzzle of the AK.

We appear, old friend,” Karl said, embarrassment. on his face,
to be speaking words we really do not mean. I cannot blame this on you. I know you would have let live any who did not attempt to harm you. I am truly sorry for my words spoken in anger.”

I, too, am sorry, Karl.”