But when West rose to his feet, his face was bleak. "He was new here," he said as if this explained something that he felt needed explaining.
Somewhere a woman was screaming. West listened to the sound, then started toward it. Zen caught his arm.
"The invaders have guns." His tone conveyed the impression that West was at fault because no weapons existed inside the mine. "Or do you want to go join him?" He nodded toward the body on the floor. Blood had stopped spilling from that body now. The essence of life had gone elsewhere and the tides of life had ceased flowing.
"Yes," West said bluntly. "I want to go with him." His face had grown more black. Heat lightning was dancing in his eyes.
Zen caught the impulse to say that this made two of them who wanted to join the bronze-skinned youth. He knew how to deal with this reaction.
"Okay," he said. "Good bye."
West blinked startled eyes at him.
"Run along," Zen said.
"Eh?"
"I'll take over here and fight the battle you are running from," Zen continued.