The Narrow Road Between Desires (The Kingkiller Chronicle, #2.6)

by Patrick Rothfuss

“Can I give it to my mum?” Rike interrupted again, looking up at Bast. His dark eyes serious. “— want to protect its terr…What?” Bast stumbled to a halt. “My mum should have it,” Rike said with sudden certainty. “What if I was off away with the charm and my da came back?” “He’s going farther away than that,” Bast said, his voice heavy with certainty. “It’s not like he’ll be hiding around the corner at the smithy….” Rike’s face was set now, his pug nose making him seem all the more stubborn. He shook his head. “My ma should have it. She’s important. She has to take care of Tess and little Bip.” Bast waved a hand. “It will work just fi—” “It’s got to be for HER!” Rike shouted, suddenly furious, his hand making a fist around the stone. “You said it was for one person, so you make it be for her!” Bast scowled at the boy. “I don’t like your tone,” he said grimly. “You asked me to make your da go away, and that’s what I’m doing….” “But what if it’s not enough?” Rike’s voice was quieter, but his face was red. “It will be,” Bast said. He absentmindedly rubbed a thumb across the torn knuckles of his hand. “He’ll go far away, and soon. You have my word—” “NO!” Rike said, his face going red and angry. “What if sending him en’t enough? What if I grow up like my da? I get so…” His voice choked off, and his eyes started to leak tears. “I’m not good. I know it. I know better than anyone. Like you said. I got his blood in me. She needs to be safe. From me. If I grow up all twisted, she ne...