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There were a lot of people walking towards the docks. The city had gone into a lock down after the raid, and the Pharaoh had only just let travelers pass freely that same morning. The disappearance and disgrace of Uongo looked poorly on the government. The Failure of the Serpent Guard sent ripples of crime through the city as those trapped inside revolted at the idea they were not allowed to come and go as they pleased.

"The Serpent guard had been recalled." Amethyst heard as she moved to the flow of the crowds. "I heard they may be disbanded." Another voice said in a loud whisper. "Did you hear that Uongo was killed in his own home by rebels?" The rumor and hearsay had spread through the crowd like wildfire. Yet there was no word of what had truly happened. The bodies, The Aqueducts, the people Uongo tortured or had tortured, there wasn't even a hint to what had really happened.

Amethyst couldn't blame the government for covering up what could have crippled West Ashara. If the people had known that one of the top vizier's to the Pharaoh had spoiled the city's water The country would come crumbling apart. Amethyst was still disappointed though, she felt it was important that the people knew what was happening. But Both Hofu and Stochastís assured her it was for the benefit of the people and that a civil war may spark a regional conflict with the tribes and the East Asharan Sultan.

Amethyst didn't really care for politics. She found them to be important, but as a slave, she was at the mercy of her master's whims. To her, the government didn't seem different from her previous master. "I guess everyone is a slave to something." Amethyst thought as she listened to the roving crowd.

The sun had crested the horizon nearly two hours prior, and yet the frost still crept in the shadowy places. Brilliant rays stretched slowly along, devouring the shadows and vaporizing the frost. The day had really just started, but Amethyst was not looking forward to the day of walking.

The group would have to make fifteen miles before meeting with the caravan. The crowd, however, made that very challenging. Constantly starting and stopping, creating roadblocks that were difficult to maneuver around. The occasional broken wheel holding up the narrow walkway.

Stochastís had brought along three carts, but it was faster to just walk. The servants of Stochastís had agreed to take the carts along and reach the sea when they could. So Stochastís had chosen to grab a small satchel and a water skin with a walking stick. He parted with the walking stick about an hour into the journey when he saw an old man walking with difficulty.

To make matters worse, there were several merchants who had not been allowed into the city during its lock down. Between the posted vendors taking up large swaths of the road waiting for outbound travelers, there were also a lot of people trying to make their way in.

By the middle of the morning, most of the traffic had cleared away. Travelers were bound towards the docks which, after meeting the caravan, would be another twenty or so miles north to the sea. Then they would have to load the ships and set sail a few days later.

The Voyage would last nearly three weeks before they would arrive at Neopolis. That, Of course, depended on what the weather had decided. "All up to the wind." Stochastís had said. Amethyst was tired of traveling. She found the process fun at first, the freedom to walk on her own, but the journey had lost its allure somewhat. She recalled the last time she had been on a boat to be quite unpleasant. She hoped this time would be better. Perhaps that is what had her feeling so down.

Though her joy hadn't been lost long as the fun of talking and listening to other travelers stories settled onto her. She was happy to be entertained and converse. The time didn't feel quite as slow when she could share it. Though Amethyst was not aware of it, her tail had been swishing side to side and she had a lot more bounce in her step.

Amethyst walked happily along with Busara while Tenya and Ebba were walking ahead of them. Wa Chini had gone further ahead to see where they would be meeting the caravan. Nuru clung lazily to her camel as it shifted side to side through the sand covered road.

"What is it like on the other side of the sea?" Busara asked nervously.

"I don't know much about Melydaesos." Amethyst responded, looking forward at Tenya. "But Hyperia Is lush and green all over, at least during most of the year."

"Sounds beautiful." Busara said in his best Hyperian accent.

Amethyst laughed. Although Busara had been practicing, he had made no progress on the accent. Hyperian locals would find his thick accent off putting, and would likely be distrustful of him. But Nuru had the same issue. Though she tried, She couldn't quite make her tongue work with her. Wa Chini had made the best progress. He was no master by any stretch, but he could carry on a long conversation. He had also taken up with Stochastís to learn the language of Melydaesos.

Stochastís came up beside Amethyst and Busara. "My country is beautiful! Neapolis, the city we are going to, is a province of the nearby the capital." Stochastís smiled eagerly as he continued. "Built along a rounded cove over the sea. And there is a great old temple that sits on the mountain above." He stepped in front of them and turned sharply around. He kept in pace, but walked backwards. "Of course no one uses that since the new temple was built from the cliff." He had a look of longing as he spoke. "My father's villa is at the top of the cliff a couple miles along the road through the rolling hills of the upper city."

"You certainly seem excited." Busara said happily. He gestured for Stochastís to turn around and watch what he was doing.

Stochastís spun back around and slowed back to his audience's sides. "Wine flows like water there, and it always smells of salt water. Not to mention it's considered the cultural center of the world at the moment."

"Fascinating." Amethyst said with a smile.

"Oh certainly, though honestly it is a matter of opinion, but I would say from my travels I have to agree." Stochastís said confidently.

"Well you have been to a lot of places, so I'll take your word for it." Amethysts smiled remained strong, though her eyes remained forward. She could hear Stochastís talking still, but she had stopped registering his speech. This time it wasn't Tenya who caught her eye, but a man whose face seemed somehow familiar. She couldn't quite tell, so she stepped away from stochastic mid-sentence and approached the man.

The man was wearing a long cloak and had a few weapons' dangling at his side with a large satchel slung over his shoulder. The cloak didn't cover his face, but was rolled up under what looked to be a shawl. Instead his head was wrapped with a shemagh.

He had a confident stride and his hand clung to the reins of a camel which was packed full of bundled goods. His long, yet slow strides had made it easy for Amethyst to catch up to him. With the remaining travelers passing at random speeds the man hadn't noticed Amethyst.

Amethyst walked up to the man's side and looked over to his face. She studied it for a moment, his gaze never faltering from the road ahead. "I thought I recognized you." Amethyst said with a smile.

The man took a quick glance down at Amethyst. His dark eyes glossed over her in nearly an instant. "You must be mistaken." The man said before quickly glancing back at Amethyst. "No, wait I do remember you." He said a hint of a smile tugging at his lips. His face lit up at seeing her, the excitement showing without any filters.

Amethyst mirrored the smile as her face lit up too. "Well, now how are you?" Amethyst asked eagerly. She let her tail flail behind her as she played with her hands behind her back. She synced her pace with the man as they spoke.

"Good." His smile rose more as he spoke. "I took your advice and dropped the alcohol. I also abandoned Uongo." His shoulders tightened back, and Amethyst could see the pride in his eyes. "Took me a few months to really save up, but now I am going to be working with a caravan that is headed towards the east."

"That is amazing!" Amethyst felt her heart swell with joy to see this man taking on a new beginning. "I go north, to Melydaesos and then back home to Hyperia."

"This makes me happy to hear. How fortunate my friend that we should meet one last time before parting these lands." His hand extended to Amethyst as he stopped to face her.

"We may still see each other until the sea, should we save our goodbyes for now?" Amethyst stopped. She turned to face the man, her tail finding its way into her hands.

"Alas, our meeting was fated, for the road ahead splits towards a different dock, It is unlikely that we will see each other again." His smile softened as he looked into Amethyst's eyes.

Amethyst felt tears welling up. She may not have known the man, but she knew his heart, and was happy to see his choices. Amethyst took the man's hand as they both firmly held tightly for a moment.

"If I do ever visit Hyperia, I may seek you out. For now I'll bid you a safe journey. May the sun forever light your path and warm your soul." The man bowed before letting her hand fall to her side. He gave one more smile before turning and walking away.

"Wait!" Amethyst called after the man. "What is your name?!" She shouted.

The man answered as he turned around. "I have none, I left it behind the last time we met." He waved once more before he turned away again and disappeared into the crowd.

Amethyst waved a goodbye and stood still in the sea of people she had found herself in. Her heart ached with the goodbye. She had never liked goodbyes. Their drunken meetings in back alleys in the middle of the night felt like a lifetime ago, and yet seeing him now was like seeing an old friend she had always known. She had the feeling that he was right. They wouldn't be meeting again.

Amethyst returned to Stochastís and Busara. Stochastís had continued along as though he hadn't noticed Amethysts parting, while Busara acknowledged Amethyst with a short not before returning to Stochastís's story about one of his fathers victories over the invading forces from the east before Stochastís was born.

After an hour or so of walking, Amethyst decided to move up beside Tenya who was holding Ebba's hand and listening to her go on about a wonderful merchant man and his cat who had taught her how to read and write in Asharan. Tenya cooed over Ebba's accomplishments. Amethyst was content to walk in silence.

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The sun had already crossed its Zenith hours when Ebba began squirming around and shouting out "Bontu! Bontu!" She pulled out of Tenya's grip and rushed over to a man just ahead of them. Ebba gripped the man's hand and started tugging on his sleeve.

"Ebba!" Tenya shouted after her before rushing to Ebba. Tenya's voice was panicked and she had a wildness in her eyes as Amethyst caught up to them.

The man had turned and wore a wide smile at Ebba's call. Before Tenya could catch her, she had already jumped into the man's arms for a hug. He laughed before putting Ebba down.

"I am so sorry! Ebba!" Tenya said sternly. "Don't run away from me like that! I just got you back." Desperation filled her words as she took Ebba and pulled her firmly back back into her arms.

Busara and Stochastís stopped not far behind. Both of them took a more defensive stance as they slowly approached. Nuru, who had relaxed most of the day, looked to have more energy as she came up along with them guiding the camel instead of riding it.

"It's not a problem." The man said in perfect Hyperian. He had a long face with a long nose to match. He was draped under tan robes with many beads attached. He had a short beard that was finely trimmed and deep golden eyes. He stood at least a foot above Amethyst.

"Mom!" Ebba squealed. "This is Bontu, the man who taught me!" Ebba smiled widely before looking around. "Where is Obbo?"

"Sorry, Who are you?" Tenya asked, looking up at the man, forgetting her broken Asharan in favor of Hyperian. She let Ebba go before standing. Her hands were tucked tightly onto her chest and she looked at Bontu with narrowed eyes that were like fire.

"I am Rajul Eazim, but Bontu is more familiar." He introduced himself with a low bow. "May I presume from your complexion and the tufts of hair that won't cooperate, that you are the fabled mom I've heard about."

"Sure." She said briskly. "What are your intentions with my daughter?" Tenya asked, stepping into his bubble, still looking up at him. Her face was carved with venom.

"Sorry, uh... Bontu." Amethyst interrupted. "The journey has been long, and Tenya can forget to say thank you." Amethyst said, looking at Tenya. Her eyes pleading for Tenya to back down.

"It's a valid question." Tenya retorted, her eyes narrowing on Amethyst before returning to Bontu. "Now answer me."

"I have no intentions." Bontu said with a smile. His hand in an upwards position gesturing innocence. "She was simply a... rambunctious child, who needed someone to look out for her." Bontu said, lowering his arms and taking a step back. "For Ebba's question... Garba... Has gone on ahead for me."

"So he didn't get sold off?" Ebba asked excitedly, her feet tapping in rapid succession. Her hands were balled up and she had a toothy grin as she squealed quietly.

"I bought him after all, yes. He is very good." Bontu said, crossing one arm to hold his elbow while he stroked his beard. "I'd rather him to be bound to me than someone with ill intent."

"Mom, Obbo is a big kitty like Wa Chini!" Ebba's smile was huge as she spoke, her bouncing making small holes in the sand below. She tugged on Tenya's shirt.

Tenya let her arms fall to her side and her body relaxed as she stepped back. She glanced at Amethyst, who gave a small nod and then back to Bontu. her watchful eyes looking the man up and down as she was looking for any ill intent of his own.

"Garba." Bontu corrected again. "His name is Garba Morkataa." His arms crossed seriously, mirroring how Tenya's arms had looked seconds ago. "You know he doesn't like being called Obbo."

Ebba's excited demeanor fell away and she looked down to the sand. "Sorry Bontu." She said while nudging at the sand. She put her arms behind her back like Amethyst had, then raised her head to look Bontu in the eyes. She had big eyes that were watery.

Amethyst could tell that this was not the first time Ebba had done this. And from Bontu's reaction, She had done it frequently.

Bontu nodded in acceptance. "Well I apologize for the disruption my presence has caused." His wide smile returned. "The docks are further along, I imagine that you are going home. By what way do you travel?"

"Neopolis." Stochastís answered, his defensive stance melted away. "I am Stochastís, Son of Íroas, I believe Mr. Eazim that you are the merchant we hired to take us across the sea. Unless I am mistaken." He held his hand out to Bontu.

"Just Bontu, and you are not mistaken." Bontu had started to speak in the language of Melydaesos. He grasped Stochastís's hand and they had a firm shake before Bontu looked around.

Stochastís Introduced the present company, but Bontu's eyes widened when he introduced Amethyst last.

"Amethyst, I know of you." Bontu continued in the language of the Anesdari, his face drawn sorrowful. and he returned one hand across his chest while the other stroked his beard.

Confused, Amethyst stepped back as her stomach dropped. and her tail flicked quickly into her grasp. "How?" She managed to whisper matching his tongue.

"Before I knew of his cruelty." Bontu said as he spit in the sand. "I was a guest of sorts in the home of Gros Salaud." He kept his head low and his voice hushed as he moved slightly closer to Amethyst.

The others regained a defensive position. Amethyst had not taken into account what reaction speaking in an unfamiliar tongue would garner from the rest of the group. But she could see as she flashed her vision around, that they were on high alert. They seemed to be waiting for any signal to jump to Amethyst's defense.

Amethyst stepped back again, fear washing over her face. Tenya moved between them, her right hand resting on Amethyst's arm while the left was balled up, ready to strike. Her back was straight and her knees were slightly bent. Amethyst could see the hilt of Tenya's sword sticking out from her cloak, ready if the need for violence was called for.

"I swear, I did not know who or what he was." Bontu explained. His hands went up quickly and his smile was a distant memory as he pleaded his ignorance. "He was a customer, the dinner I had with him was the dinner I had heard what happened to you." Bontu's head hung low in shame. his arms draping to his side loosely. "He taught me of the hatred of men that day... He... Tried to convince me to buy you. I wish now that I had. At least once I learned the truth. But... then he would have expected more deals from me." He stared down at his feet, refusing to look up at Amethyst. He looked more like Ebba as his feet pressed into the sand. "I didn't want to become a slaver."

Amethyst would not have considered Bontu to be an old man, but it was clear from the hints of white in his beard and hair that he was at least her senior. Here, however, She could see a boy who was ashamed to learn the world was much more cruel than he had imagined. She could feel his heart whimper for forgiveness. But she felt Bontu had nothing to apologize for.

"You were a victim too." Amethyst said calmly in Asharan. "It was best you didn't buy me. Who knows how far he would have asked you to go." She grabbed Tenya's hand firmly as she stepped around to Bontu. The fear vanished from her as she stepped calmly up to Bontu offering her hand onto his arm.

Bontu looked up at Amethyst. She looked into his golden honey eyes. She could see the good man through the tears he held back. "I do know where it would have gone, my apprentice took his offer." He said glumly in Asharan.

"Then?" Tenya asked as she took hold of Amethyst's free hand.

"He is dead, killed merely days later when soldiers raided the ship he stole from me." Bontu said angrily. "Boy was a fool." His tone slipped into regret. He placed his hand onto Amethysts.

His hands were rough and calloused, not the hands of the standard merchant. Amethyst could see the small specks on his hands where splinters and small cuts from paper.. Like her hands, his showed the honesty of hard work.

Amethyst tightened her grip on Tenya's hand as well as Bontu's arm. "You did the right thing." She nodded her head and let a soft smile cross her face.

"Thank you for understanding." Bontu wiped his face and looked towards the road ahead. "Night is coming. We are nearly to the meeting place, we should continue." He turned and walked ahead of them.

Everyone agreed wordlessly as they began to walk along. Amethyst clung tightly to Tenya's one hand while Tenya used her other hand to cling tightly to Ebba's. The rest of the trip was silent, except for those that passed by them.

Amethyst wondered about what he had heard, how much of her time with Gros her last master Bontu had been forced to suffer through before he was able to leave without consequence. She thought about what the others must have been thinking, having secret conversations with a stranger. Whatever their thoughts, no one asked about the private words her and Bontu had briefly shared.

§

There was a crowd circling around an opening in camp cheering. Bontu, seeing this, rushed into the center, yelling and trying to break the crowd away. As the people parted, Amethyst could see Wa Chini. He was locked in combat with a larger Cat-folk as she had learned they were called. Their claws were out and they were snarling and making a disgusting noise as each tried to claw or bite the other.

Amethyst couldn't see blood or any scratches. for all the noises and yelling there was not a lot of damage. She knew how deadly his claws and bite were and how swift he could be. The larger black Cat-folk Seemed to only have one eye while the other was wrapped. He favored his right paw and she couldn't see any claws protruding from that one, while the other hand claws were as large as Wa Chini's teeth.

Amethyst joined Bontu as the two rushed to pull the two cats away from each other. Wa Chini offered no resistance as he backed up with Amethyst. His voice however increased.

"Murderer!" Wa Chini squealed in his native language. His chest heaving and his claws still outstretched far, taking swipes past Amethyst at thin air.

"One to talk Killer!" The other Cat screamed. Bontu pushed him back while his one clawed paw mimicked Wa Chini. His other hand placed firmly on Bontu's shoulder.

"That is enough!" Bontu Shouted with little struggle holding back the other cat.

Amethyst stood in front of Wa Chini, holding him back only by his own grace to not charge over Amethyst in his fury. He felt like an oven as Amethyst pressed him backwards. Stochastís joined Amethyst, both petting and stroking Wa Chini's shoulder and neck, attempting to calm him down.

"He is our client Garba!" Bontu yelled. "Let him be!"

"Keep him away from me!" Garba continued to yell in the shared language both her and Wa Chini shared. Garba huffed but made no attempt to retreat or press forward.

Amethyst felt her throat itching deeply as her rune worked to translate their shouts over the crowd of onlookers.

"Fuck you! Garba!" Wa Chini screamed. "You murdering bastard!"

"Stop fighting!" Ebba screamed. Her hands clenched at her sides as she stomped. Her screaming voice had cut through not just the cats, but also through the crowd. Everyone had gone silent as Ebba sobbed.

Tenya wrapped her arms around Ebba to comfort her while she cried. The two cats looked at Ebba. Their shoulders dropped as each chuffed.

"Do not concern yourself Ebba." Garba said. "I am leaving anyway." Garba chuffed again as he turned away from the circle.

The crowd disbanded, their fun had dried into murmurs as they went about their duties. The desert wind flowed gently through the few palm trees scattered by the river nearby. Crickets and frogs were starting their evening performance and the sun was slowly laying down to rest. Some tents had windchimes which reminded Amethyst of her childhood

Amethyst let out a sigh and stepped back from Wa Chini. "What was that about my friend, I've never seen you like this, not even in battle."

"Nothing to concern yourself with." Wa Chini growled. He watched Garba depart while Bontu followed after. After a few deep breaths he continued. "Just... one I thought was my friend long ago." Wa Chini's claws retracted. He looked down at Ebba.

Ebba's face was red and puffy. Amethyst was reminded of the fit Tenya had when she was still fighting her addiction problem. She and Ebba were like mirrors of each other. Ebba sniffled a few times before Tenya squeezed Ebba even tighter, then planted a kiss on top of her head,

Wa Chini's ears fell down and he looked ashamed. "Sorry, everyone." He said pitifully. "This will not happen a second time." He turned slightly then gestured to follow. "We have been assigned a pavilion over here." He then let his back face the group fully as his tail sagged behind him. If it were only slightly longer, it would have carved a small winding trail through the sand.

Amethyst looked back to Garba and Bontu, who were across the camp. Garba was sitting on a crate while Bontu kneeled in front of him. Garba had his arms crossed and wasn't looking at Bontu. Instead he was looking towards Wa Chini. Amethyst decided she would have to talk with them both and find a resolution.

The night took the day and everyone retreated to their shelters. The sounds of laughing and merriment could be heard, but no one was wandering the camp loudly. Amethyst watched Wa Chini, who was curled up in a small ball facing the wall of the tent. He had been there since they stepped inside and showed no signs of moving.

Everyone had taken spots along the perimeter of the tent and they sat amongst themselves and talked. Tenya sat near Amethyst, brushing out Ebba's long hair. Amethyst had been brushing Tenya's hair but had become distracted. Tenya was also too distracted to notice. Amethyst watched as Wa Chini shifted subtly, then settled back down. Amethyst tried to focus on brushing Tenya's thick curls, but her mind would land back on Wa Chini. Even as she laid down for bed, She remained unable to sleep. So she lay in wait, while her mind conjured a million scenarios before she decided that she just couldn't sleep and stood to go for a walk.