Re: Chapter 16.2: The Price of Power
John was not terribly stealthy, at least not like some of the natives he had encountered, or some of the practitioners of the Black Arts of Gung Fu his sifu had told him about, but he had a way of going unnoticed by simple merit of being silent and keeping his thoughts to himself. He wasn't dumb, per se, but his time being nursed back to health from whatever event had stolen his memory, made him think long and hard about things, often giving the illusion of simplicity. In any case, while he couldn't sneak up on most people, he tended to fade into the background when he felt he had nothing to contribute.
As the discussion went on he thought of his part in it. He wanted nothing to do with the bottled sunlight they had discussed, so he didn't ask for one, and hoped to stay well clear of it when it went off. He also was considering their 'enemies'. He had saved Abrahams life, and while he might not hold as much value on life as Alouette, he had been taught that it meant he was somewhat responsible for that life. The Doctor had also risked himself in helping him save his Sifu, and while honor was something sketchy at best, he had an obligation towards the man to some degree, one that was modified in no small part by his Sifu's continued presence on the Ranch. Things were getting complication.
"Abraham and the Chinaman, my Sifu, shouldn't be harmed." He said to no one in particular. "I should warn you, I'll defend against him when necessary and if'n I'm able, but I cannot raise an offensive hand against Dr. Ward himself unless absolutely necessary. He saved Sifu when he had no cause to, even risked himself and his people t'do so, I owe him that much." he said, looking finally at Evans. "Just layin' my cards out on the table as it were."