*****

From beneath the curtain of hair, a voice belonging to the individual named Pejman responded monotonously, "Thanks."

Pejman's reply carried an array of emotions, none of which resembled gratitude. After the man left, Abtin and Babak exchanged glances, waiting for Pejman to initiate a conversation. However, Babak's patience wore thin rather quickly. He seized some cheese and butter for himself, then playfully patted Abtin on the shoulder and exclaimed, "Look! They've even provided millet for your little chick!"

Before he could complete his sentence, Sana jumped from Abtin's collar and eagerly began savoring the fresh millet. Abtin, while taking a bite, studied Pejman with his head bowed, only his hair visible. He then responded, "First and foremost, I don't think Sana appreciates it when you refer to her that way."

In agreement, Sana emitted a chirping sound while continuing her rapid pecking at the millet bowl.

Abtin continued the conversation, noting, "Also, did you notice there isn't a separate table, like perpendicular to the rest, where higher-ranking individuals, or at the very least Zal Mardas himself, sit at the head?"

Babak, having raised himself slightly on his knees, surveyed the crowd while speaking with a mouthful of food. He concurred, "You're absolutely right. So, it seems that the old man and the principal members sit right among the crowd."

"It's a shame."

Not having heard this remark from either Abtin or Babak, they both turned their attention to Pejman. Babak still had a morsel of food at the corner of his mouth, rendering his cheek appear plump. As Pejman remained motionless for a few moments, Babak, in jest, shifted his gaze towards Sana, which elicited a smile from Abtin. Eventually, from beneath the hood and curtain of hair, Pejman spoke, his voice as subdued as ever but far from "expressionless": "When you mingle with the crowd, they forget your greatness. When you stand apart, they either forget you or label you as arrogant."

Pejman raised his head, revealing a normal face of a young man around the same age as Abtin. Honey-colored eyes, a petite nose and mouth, and arched eyebrows gave his visage a youthful quality. He had yet to grow facial hair, and his appearance, coupled with his slumped posture and fingers that hovered above the table but never touched it, exuded an air of carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders.

"Seems one cannot invest too heavily in any noble endeavor," Pejman concluded his brief discourse. He extended his hand towards a piece of bread, picked it up, inspected it briefly, and after contemplating for a moment, an enigmatic frown briefly crossed his face before he began nibbling at the bread, doing so at a pace even slower than his initial handling of the piece. Babak, growing impatient with this leisurely consumption, devoured his food with rapid and vigorous chewing, oblivious to his own transformation, and commented again, his mouth still full, "Well, what you said isn't necessarily wrong, but I'm not in the mood to argue. First, I'd like to know, how old are you, my friend?"

Pejman, whose gaze seemed to move even more slowly than that of the average person, met Babak's eyes, or rather, appeared to fixate somewhere around his nose, and responded, "I'm younger than you guys, in case you were thinking of offering me advice."

His words held no trace of offense, and his manner was devoid of any dismissive gestures. It was the unhurried movement of his tongue while forming words and the despair that resonated in his tone throughout their conversation that stood out. With his eyes, Babak silently signaled to Abtin for assistance in dealing with Pejman. Abtin assumed Babak's role in the conversation and said, "Babak was merely inquiring about your age; there was no mention of offering advice. So, Pejman, right? Can you tell us what you do here? I've noticed that your attire resembles Babak's. Is this some form of uniform? As for Hutan and Siamak, are they interns or apprentices of some kind?"

Pejman responded, following Babak's calculations, after what felt like approximately a hundred and fifty-four years, "I apologize if I seemed a bit abrupt."

The statement itself was fine, yet the tone and demeanor remained consistent with his previous responses.

"Even before I arrived here, many people advised me to adopt a more positive attitude."

With this concise phrase, Pejman addressed a series of questions and perplexities that had surfaced in the minds of Abtin and Babak. However, throughout their conversation, whenever it was Pejman's turn to speak, Babak still gazed at him with a slight furrow on his brow, which revealed his impatience for Pejman to complete his sentences.

Pejman continued, "Your assumption was accurate. These are training garments, so I'm essentially a nobody here. I'm just an intern."

"Great. Can you describe what you do as an intern?" Abtin inquired.

Pejman replied, "I'm aware that my way of speaking may irk you, so I'll provide a concise summary: Horseback riding, archery, swimming, wrestling, hunting, rock climbing, sprinting, endurance running, various strength and endurance exercises, along with mathematical drills. If there are additional activities to be included, I am not privy to that information."

Babak attempted to envision Pejman participating in these activities, musing to himself, "Being the last person in the class must surely impact his disposition, and his disposition, in turn, affects his standing." Abtin inquired, "So, you folks are well-read?"

Pejman shrugged nonchalantly, remarking, "If mere literacy qualifies us as such."

Abtin sought clarification, "So, does this imply we can also become members? What are the prerequisites for joining?" Abtin posed these questions as he believed Ardeshir's eventual arrival was likely, but the timing remained uncertain. He considered that the best use of their time might involve acquainting themselves with this group and its offerings.

Pejman responded, "If someone like me can become a member, then certainly you can as well. I was informed that the primary criterion for acceptance is a genuine desire to be part of it – although I suspect they may have said that to appease me or something.

Babak made another earnest attempt to kindle Pejman's enthusiasm, saying, "My friend, I recognized from the very beginning that this group is no jest. Surely, they've seen something in you if they accept you!"

Pejman shrugged once more, conveying his skepticism, and continued to enjoy his meal. Abtin, feeling a desire to make a difference, blinked several times and added a new item to his extensive to-do list: "Assist Pejman in improving his educational skills," along with the reflection, "Of course, provided we actually become members of the association and reach a reasonable level!" Moments later, he reconsidered, "It seems he might require help in all educational aspects, but if our workload increases, we must support him across all domains." He arched an eyebrow, acknowledging the doubt within himself who raised the possibility of his own underachievement.

On the other hand, Babak had a similar list to Abtin's, titled "Things I Wish to Witness in My Lifetime." Despite not knowing its contents prior to his memory loss, he now added, alongside "Abtin's sculpture creations" and the highly acclaimed "Nana Ison's storytelling nights," the entry: "Hearing the laughter of this young lad, Pejman."

"By the way," in the midst of all the influence that Pejman had effortlessly exerted upon them, a question suddenly crossed Abtin's mind, "What was the name of the man who brought us here? We completely forgot to inquire."

Pejman replied, "He's one of the genuinely kind individuals in this vicinity. It's rather poignant for me, though, seeing him, because even though I don't consider myself particularly good or wise, I can envision the challenges that good and wise people face when among others. I can't vouch for the veracity of what I've heard, but it's been said that he resided beyond the known borders for an extended period."

Babak, displaying his expected patience, inquired, "But what is his name?"

"Bozorgmehr," came the response.

Babak remarked, "Seems fitting for him."

Following this exchange, conversation subsided, and they endeavored to enjoy their breakfast in silence, much like Sana. The breakfast offerings were of exceptional quality and freshness. However, during the meal, without uttering a word, the two young men occasionally poked each other's arms to draw attention to something new they observed. Amid these exchanges, Abtin observed that those who finished their breakfast would go to one of the long walls in the foyer and dispose of their leftovers in the narrow, deep channels provided there.

Babak also managed to identify at least twenty individuals in the crowd who appeared to be of their own age. The remainder of the crowd, apart from a few individuals even younger than the two of them, consisted mainly of teenagers and young adults. Abtin found the various appearances of the group's members particularly intriguing. For instance, he spotted a one-handed, bald man with a short knife featuring a teardrop-shaped hole in the middle of its blade, hanging from his waist sash. There was a young woman wearing a velvet band tied around her forehead, with a trail of fabric descending down her back between her shoulders. A blue emblem on her loose crimson shirt gleamed like gold, and its shape was indistinguishable from their current distance. He also noticed a boy, approximately nine years of age, who, after disposing of his breakfast into the channel, suddenly leaped onto the wall in front of him with one leg, executed a mid-air spin, and landed gracefully on the other leg without slipping. His cream-colored attire included rectangular, wide pieces of cloth in various sizes, creating captivating shapes in the air as he moved. With a quizzical arch of his eyebrow and a paused bite halfway to his mouth, Abtin observed as a friend of roughly his own age approached the boy. Based on lip-reading, it seemed the friend chided him with something akin to "show off!" before the two of them left the hall. When he refocused, only a handful of individuals remained at the tables, and it became evident that one of them was Bozorgmehr, who rose and approached with an elderly man.

Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings.

Pejman, who was seated facing Abtin and Babak, had once again retreated into his own thoughts, tracing invisible patterns on the carpet with his finger. The other two boys, filled with eagerness to catch a glimpse of Zal Mardas up close, unconsciously stood up and fixed their gaze on him.

Zal Mardas was unlike any of the elderly men Abtin had encountered in Farnas. Babak doubted he could find a match even if his memory were to return. There were no age-induced wrinkles on his face; only his forehead exhibited the telltale furrows of a thoughtful person. If he possessed any hair beneath his dark-hued headscarf, it remained concealed. Instead, his eyebrows had grown so prodigiously that they partially descended from the corners, and the structure of his elongated skull cast his eyes in shadow beneath those brows. As for the color of his eyes, Babak mused, "It's an indescribable hue." Yet, Abtin perceived more than just that; He sensed that the color of Zal Mardas's eyes was in constant flux, changing myriad times each moment. As he approached, he fixed his gaze directly on the two young men. Fortunately, despite the sensation of two unseen, robust men subtly keeping their bodies upright and polite from behind, their ocular curiosity remained under their control, allowing them to scrutinize Zal Mardas from head to toe during at least one full circle.

Zal Mardas had a mustache that tapered in the center but expanded towards the edges of his lips, acquiring its own identity as it descended, distinct from the long beard that cascaded down to his chest. He wore a black undershirt concealed beneath a long-sleeved and plush robe as white as snow. The transition between his upper and lower garments was marked by a broad dark brown waist sash, from which dangled a remarkable sword. The sword's magnificence lay not in gold or ornaments but in its sheer purity: a green cloth was wound around its slender hilt, its free end fluttering with the owner's movements. The leather sheath, while aged, bore intricate, fine stitching, featuring inscriptions akin to those on the doors and walls of Sepidaran. Zal Mardas, with his upright and commanding posture, slightly taller than Bozorgmehr, bore a sword that, descending to his leg, appeared longer and narrower than the average blade. His legs were snugly encased in dark-colored fabric, bound at the hems of his white trousers. His plain, heelless leather shoes were white, and the rest of his feet were obscured by wrapped cloth.

As Abtin was captivated by the seemingly unremarkable yet strangely powerful sword, Babak fixated on the staff held in Zal Mardas's left hand: equal in height to himself, crafted from an unidentified wood, engraved with the same inscriptions as the sword, but it appeared to possess nothing more than that. A cloth, matching the material and color of his waist sash, was tied to both the upper and lower ends of the staff, muffling the sound when it hit the ground.

After a few moments of scrutinizing with their eyes, they finally drew close enough to engage in conversation. Zal Mardas spoke, "Welcome, Abtin, son of Bahram, and you, Babak, the Stranger of Farnas, for whom I wish actions as elevated as your name suggests."

Both Abtin and Babak were so taken aback by this address that they could not bring themselves to meet each other's gaze. Zal Mardas extended his right hand towards them after his initial statement, leaving them no choice but to shake it and, in doing so, involuntarily incline their heads in a slight bow.

During the handshake, Abtin and Babak observed that the same dark-colored fabric tightly wrapped around Zal Mardas's legs also enveloped his forearms with the same degree of tightness, tied securely around his sleeves. His palms and the tops of his hands were similarly covered, leaving only his long, bony fingers exposed. When Abtin shook hands with him, he felt a warmth more pronounced than a typical person's body temperature at the point where their skin made contact. In contrast, when Babak shook hands with the head of Sepidaran, he experienced a sensation akin to mild frostbite at the points where his hand's skin met Zal Mardas's fingers, although neither case escalated to anything dangerous. Zal Mardas, as if satisfied with the handshake, smiled, transforming his countenance into one far kinder, and stated:

"Of course, I've spoken with Bozorgmehr, but I'd like to hear your thoughts on the matter in your own words."

Abtin and Babak finally exchanged a quizzical glance.

"I ask because, based on Ardeshir the Carpenter's account, you had intended to leave Farnas for Jangar in search of a trace of Babak's past," Zal Mardas continued.

Abtin, somewhat surprised to have regained his ability to speak before Babak, responded, "That's correct. However, Ardeshir never appeared. Are you aware of this?"

Bozorgmehr shifted his gaze from Abtin to Zal Mardas. "Ardeshir had an urgent task, and we had to arrange your transport here. You can inquire about it when he arrives."

Babak, still feeling the lingering effects of Zal Mardas's touch more intensely than Abtin, rubbed his right hand and inquired, "But it seems that some individuals here know precisely who I am and are aware of my past. Ardeshir seemed to have some knowledge as well. Don't you?"

Zal Mardas fixed a peculiar expression on Babak as he delivered his response: "Many here are acquainted with your past, even if they may not recognize your face. But for now, it's best for you not to recollect it yourself. In due course, everything will become clear. And who knows, perhaps that time is imminent. Time is an enigmatic entity. Sometimes one of its games unfolds over an extended period, while at other times, it orchestrates ten games in the briefest moments. For instance, the moment for Abtin to encounter Sepidaran might have been decades away, or it could have already transpired, or it may never occur. There are motives behind time's capriciousness that we don't easily discern."

"Well, did you send Ardeshir on a mission?"

Zal Mardas replied, "Yes."

Babak pressed on, "I apologize, but couldn't someone else have handled it?"

Zal Mardas responded firmly, "Absolutely not!"

Babak persisted, "If he had enough time to descend here and convey the news, he could have allocated time to coordinate with us. His failure to do so implies there must have been other reasons!"

Bozorgmehr conveyed Babak's question to Zal Mardas and explained, "The reason is the same as Zal Mardas mentioned—insufficient time. Ardeshir used a hoopoe to dispatch his message. One of our common methods for clandestine communication involves the use of hoopoes."

Babak, now focusing on Sana, opted to remain silent, allowing Abtin to inquire further, "What did you mean when you said that you arranged for us to come here? How were you certain we would comply?"

Zal Mardas responded, "Last night, the Spring Tree exhibited peculiar behaviors, didn't it?"

This time, Abtin swallowed and blinked before replying, "Yes."

Zal Mardas spoke, "We have our own methods to ensure that tasks are carried out according to our preferences. Whether you will learn some of these methods hinges on the initial question I posed."

Abtin, recalling the brief call he had heard from the woman in the midst of the wind and noticing the meaningful expression in Zal Mardas's gaze along with the raised eyebrows, turned to Babak and stated, "I still want to help you. However, I believe the only place where I can uncover information about my parents' past is here. Moreover..."

Abtin glanced at Bozorgmehr for a moment and then at Zal Mardas before returning his focus to Babak, adding, "I'm drawn to this place and the cause I believe they are championing; it resonates with my spirit. Now, please tell me what you require so that I can gauge whether we should first conclude the Jangar matter or complete our training here – assuming Ardeshir arrives earlier."

Babak fixed his gaze on Abtin for a few moments. Both of them understood their mutual indebtedness, and their sincerity was palpable in their looks. Just as Babak was about to provide a response, Bozorgmehr interjected:

"One of the advantages of our training is that the time it takes to complete it is entirely up to the individual. So, the more effort you invest, the sooner you can transition from a trainee status."

Babak nodded in acknowledgment, but before he could speak, Bozorgmehr added:

"However, I must also mention that membership in this association comes with certain conditions. The foremost and most critical requirement is that you swear not to divulge any information about this place to outsiders."

Both Babak and Abtin promptly responded with an "OK." Abtin waited for Babak's reply with a heart full of concern, which he couldn't help feeling embarrassed about. Babak enunciated his words with clarity, "You've been living in a mystery for five years. However, I only lost my memory a few days ago. I don't know if this is a convincing reason for you to stop thinking that I pity you or that I'm making sacrifices, but for me, it's sufficient."

Abtin swiftly started to scratch his forehead, partially to conceal his eyes with his hand, fearing that the moisture that had gathered might be embarrassing. Wasn't everything going splendidly? He had found a trustworthy friend, someone his father had faith in. In the coming days, he would receive training to protect himself and his loved ones in the adventures he had always dreamed of. And at the end of this journey lay the culmination of a five-year-long anticipation. His thoughts and emotions did not allow pessimism this time. Lost in such reverie, he expressed his gratitude to Babak. Babak, sensing Abtin's emotional state, pretended not to notice and turned his attention to the elders of Sepidaran, both Bozorgmehr and Zal Mardas seemed pleased.

Babak inquired further, "The past that you know about and that I shouldn't know at present, doesn't it render some of this training unnecessary?"

Bozorgmehr sought permission with his gaze from Zal Mardas before responding, "This is a question we must ponder as well. It will become clear once you begin your training."

Babak pressed further, "When do we start?"

Bozorgmehr answered with cheer, "Today! Pejman will guide you to the Fardis waterfall. Master Hitasb is a capable mentor."

Pejman, who had remained hunched over, alternately tracing invisible patterns on the carpet and embracing his knees in contemplation, slowly rose upon hearing his name and turned to face them. Zal Mardas shifted his gaze from one to another and nodded in approval, remarking, "What adventures lie ahead for you three!"

The comrades from Farnas cast a glance at Pejman. He turned his face towards the two and, peering from beneath his unruly hair, spoke, "I apologize in advance for myself, in a general sense."

Babak and Abtin, who had grown quite fond of him, smiled with contentment. Zal Mardas lightly tapped the ground with his staff, remarking, "Off you go now! Master Hitasb isn't known for his patience."

And with the second gentle tap of his staff on the ground, Zal Mardas formally concluded their meeting.

*****