“We can’t just kidnap him, Renelle.” Levan said.
“You don’t understand yet, Levan. We must do what is required of us for the betterment of all.” Renelle replied as she tore off a chunk of stale bread.
Levan shook his head, “The least we could do is offer him a choice.”
Renelle shook her head, continuing to eat the bread. Levan stared in awe, How can she just sit there! Talking about kidnapping so casually! Hyrum had not returned back yet, he had said that he was going to speak with Ibilsin, try and reason with him. For his sake, Levan hoped that Hyrum would be able to get him to willingly come along.
“I can swing a sword, I can learn magic, I can do whatever you want me to do. But kidnapping, I don’t want to do that.” Levan said.
Renelle didn’t seem to care what he had to say, her mind was already made up. Ibilsin was coming whether he liked it or not. Levan grabbed another date and chewed on it, the fruit wasn’t very satisfying but it was better than stale bread and smoked deer.
“Are you going to kidnap all of the Yoldi if they don’t agree to come with you?” Levan asked.
“We are not kidnapping them Levan.” Renelle said, “They would arrive where they need to eventually.”
“So why not let them arrive on their own?”
“Because we cannot trust that they will arrive timely.” Renelle explained.
“So we kidnap them.”
“No.” Renelle said pinching the bridge of her nose.
“Than what do you call it?” Levan asked.
“Suggesting.”
“That’s not what that means.” Levan said, throwing up his hands.
Renelle glared at him, “I do not care.”
“Why don’t you show him something from another Yoldi’s past. Like you did to me in the forest?” Levan asked, though he didn’t believe it would work on Ibilsin.
Who despite being younger than Levan was a very serious and stoic man. He had hardly spoken throughout the discussion in the elder’s tent. Though he too didn’t say anything, he didn’t know why but his mind felt cloudy during the interaction. He couldn’t think straight, nor conjure any words when he was asked a question by the elder, thankfully Hyrum answered for him.
“And what would that show him?” Renelle asked.
“I don’t know, that the others are like him and have simple lives before you show up and destroy them.” Levan said.
Renelle gave him another glare, and returned back to her food. Levan picked at another date, the juice running down his fingers. He knew that what he had said was not smart, nor was it what she wanted to hear. But he didn’t care, she needed to hear it, she needed to understand the lives she was destroying by dragging him and these others around on her journey.
It was a wonder why he had even accepted to travel with her. Ever since he made that choice his life has gotten worse, even in spite of the Trog attack. The travel to the Poortgang the realm between realms, which Renelle had finally explained was called The Expanse. He had gone multiple nights without much food, barely enough water, and his body temperature had fluctuated so much that he wasn’t sure if it was summer or spring.
But as he sat and thought, he couldn’t help but notice the similarities between himself and Ibilsin. They were both young, both had their own careers that they were working in, though Ibilsin seemed to be much more proficient in whatever tasks he was doing as a Sayf than Levan was at smithing. Regardless, it made him wonder if all of the Yoldi were so young, were there some that were older, were they any younger?
“Renelle, how many Yoldi are there?” he asked.
Renelle looked up to him, for once not to glare or chastise him, “There are four Yoldi.” she explained, “One has already come to us of his own volition, the other three have not been so forthcoming.”
“Do you know who the others are?” Levan inquired.
“We know of one, she too is many many miles away. Though she will be next after Hyrum and I drop you off at Fort Gilnak.” She said.
“Wait, your leaving?”
Renelle nodded.
“Why?”
“Thought it was clear.” Renelle said, “Hyrum and I are going to get the third Yoldi.”
“But we just traveled to the middle of a desert for no other reason than to pick up Ibilsin, and now you want to drop me off somewhere. Couldn’t you have done that first?”
“I could have. But it was important that you meet Ibilsin.” Renelle said.
“And it’s not important I meet the others?”
“It is.”
Levan again threw up his hands, “Then what the fuck are you dropping me off for?”
“For your safety and training.” Renelle replied.
“What if I want to meet the third Yoldi first?”
Renelle cocked a brow, “And why would you want to endanger yourself like that?”
“I don’t know, maybe I just want to die.” Levan blurted out.
Clearly that wasn’t what Renelle wanted to hear. She stood quickly and stood him up by grasping him by the shoulders, “Never say that.”
“Say what?”
“Do not play coy with me Levan Anzorov.” She hissed.
“Okay, sorry.”
Renelle let him go with a forceful shove that knocked him back to the ground. As he hit the ground the tent flap fluttered as Hyrum walked in. Renelle quickly interrogated him regarding the conversation. Hyrum put up a hand, putting his other one on her shoulder, quietly saying something to her as he sat her down. Levan was in awe, he hadn’t seen Hyrum do anything like that before. Nor had he seen someone take command over Renelle in anyway either.
Hyrum looked at him, “Ibilsin will come with us. But he would like to speak with you Levan.”
Renelle interrupted him, “Wonderful, they can speak while we return to the Poortgang.”
Hyrum again put his hand up, “He wishes to speak with Levan alone, before we leave.”
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Renelle began her objections, while she was doing so Hyrum nodded his head, “I’ll deal with her, Ibilsin is awaiting you outside.”
Levan nodded and stood leaving the tent. The outside air was cold almost frigid, it reminded him of the winters in Zoidiv. It was shocking how cold the desert became once the sun went down, he thought it would remain unbearable hot throughout the night as well. And to be sure, it was still very hot even at night, but the wind was cool and refreshing.
As he looked around he couldn’t see Ibilsin, though he also had no idea what Ibilsin looked like. When he came into the Shayik’s tent, he was wearing the same face mask as Hyrum had been wearing in Zoidiv. And he wore the same robes as Abbas, and some of the other Sayfs that he had seen around their camp. Levan began to walk away from the tent, working his way down the empty sand street. He could only wonder what this camp looked like when it wasn’t packed up to leave, even now he could smell all of the spices, see elements of the goods that they crafted.
As he walked his fear grew, he had no idea where he was nor who he was meeting with. Did Ibilsin want to talk? Or did he want to slay him? When Levan’s hand instinctively fell to his sword his heart dropped when he felt nothing and remembered that he was not allowed to have his weapons. According to Hyrum, only the Sayfs were allowed to be armed, and non Qafilites were especially not allowed their arms.
Levan continued to walk down the path, though now his steps were slow and methodical. He took in his surroundings as he walked, studying each shadow that was thrown against the fabric of the tents. Trying to see down the dark paths that lay between the tents. As he made his way to the end of the row of tents he looked around; the sand storm still raged on, sending grains of sand into his hair, face, and eyes. He put up a hand to block the sand grains but it proved futile.
“The sand is a vexing beast, it will get through no matter what you do.” a voice behind him said.
Levan turned quickly, when he did a cold steel was pressed against his throat, in front of him stood a man wearing the same robes as Hyrum, his face covered by a red mask. His black hair peaked out from beneath his head wrap. Levan could only assume that this was Ibilsin, though all of the Sayfs wore the same thing so he couldn’t be sure.
“Ibilsin, I don’t mean to hurt you.” Levan said.
“That’s kind of you, but I cannot say the same.” another voice said from behind him. Levan turned his head slightly to see another man in Sayf robes walking towards him. How Levan didn’t see him the first time he didn’t know.
“Which one of you is Ibilsin?” Levan asked.
“That would be me.” the man behind him said.
“I was told you wish to speak with me.”
“I do. Thank you Sayf Ibrahim, you may leave.”
The man nodded sheathed his sword, turned and walked away. Levan massaged his throat and turned around to see Ibilsin, who had still not removed his mask or head wrap. Though he stood with his hands clasped in front of him, his hazel eyes pierced out like that of a hungry wolf stalking a roe.
“What do you want to discuss?” Levan asked.
“Many things but those are for another time.” Ibilsin said, “First, how do you know the tongue of my people?”
“Truthfully, I don’t.” Levan answered, “Renelle taught me a way to comprehend your language with magic before we came here.”
Levan remembered it well, Renelle was adamant that he learned how to do it, since as she had said, “We’ve neither the time, nor the care to learn multiple different tongues. This will allow you to converse with Ibilsin and his people. In time you and the Yoldi will be able to converse with anyone despite their language.”
Ibilsin nodded, “So you know not my language, yet I speak with you.”
Levan stared at the young man, unsure of how to respond.
“This Renelle seems to have a great understanding of her powers.” Ibilsin said.
“She does, though I d-”
“I care not about her power. I want to know who she is as a person.” Ibilsin interrupted.
His stomach churned, Levan wanted to be honest with him. Renelle was certainly not someone most would gravitate toward for any reason. She was cold, straight to the point, arrogant at times, and above all forceful. She had her way, whether or not others agreed. But he figured that’s not what Ibilsin wanted to hear, but he also felt like he would know if he lied to him.
“Answer me, Levan.” Ibilsin said, “What kind of person is she?”
Levan took a breath, “She’s…strange.”
“Strange?”
“Yes, strange. Sometimes she seems caring and understanding, but at other times she seems wholly focused on her mission and goals. She doesn’t seem to have a care for others, or perhaps she does in her own twisted way.”
“How do you mean?” Ibilsin asked.
Levan sighed, “She wants you and I because we’re destined to save the world. The day I met her, my village was attacked by Trogs. She said that the deaths of the villagers and of those nearby would be worth my safety, since I would save the world. Lives of the few for the lives of the many is how she put it.”
Ibilsin nodded, he walked over to him and stuck out his hand, “I appreciate your candor, Levan.”
Levan grasped his forearm, “I appreciate you not killing me.”
“It was a precaution, I do not fully trust Renelle.”
Levan chuckled, “That makes two of us.”
----------------------------------------
The next morning they were up early, before the sun had crested the horizon. Ibilsin thankfully, didn’t try and kill him in the night again, though he seemed strangely eager, and worried about the travel. The Qafil was nice enough to give them some dates, dried camel, and an assortment of nuts to eat while they traveled. Luckily for him, the Poortgang wasn’t a far journey from the campsite only about an hour and a half worth of travel.
Hyrum and Renelle rode in front of him and Ibilsin, which he was glad for. It was clear that he and Ibilsin had enough of Renelle from last night. And it gave him the opportunity to ask Ibilsin some questions, though he didn’t want to delve to deep he figured he should at the least know who he was more. Especially if they were supposed to save the world together.
“So do you not have a home, Ibilsin?” Levan asked
Ibilsin gave him a look that made him feel stupid, “The Qafil is my home. I do not have a stationary place of living if that is what you mean.”
Levan nodded and chewed on his tongue. “So, any thing you do outside of being a Sayf?”
“No. My life was devoted to keeping my people safe.” Ibilsin responded.
What a closed book. Levan thought, “I was a smith back home.” he said, hoping it would arouse some sort of conversation.
“Good for you.” came Ibilsin’s lackluster reply.
“You typically this short with people?” Levan asked.
“Only those I do not know.”
Oh how wonderful that. Levan thought.
The ride had been quiet, every question that Levan threw at Ibilsin in an attempt to crack him open and learn more about him was met with an uninteresting response, or just a grunt. He hoped that after they were on the road for a little longer he would open up and provide some more insight into who he was as a person. But at this rate Levan figured he’d probably learn very little about Ibilsin.
The Poortgang in the desert didn’t look anywhere near as elaborate as the one back on the hill. If that one could even be called elaborate. Regardless, the one here in the desert looked only like a rock atop a sand dune. Though as we neared it Ibilsin did offer some words, mostly saying that the Aubuks were only a few dunes away from their position. And while that was important to know, he didn’t think they’d be here long enough for it to matter anyways.
While Levan leaned against his donkey he saw that Ibilsin and Hyrum were speaking. It was too quiet for him to understand, but it sill vexed him. He had done all he could to converse with Ibilsin, all Hyrum had to do was simply exist it seemed. Though in the end, they were of the same culture, and Hyrum himself used to be a Sayf Almira, so they had much in common. Maybe these other Yoldi will be friendlier.
Renelle had opened the Poortgang once again, the novelty of it had already begun to fade on Levan. He walked his donkey over, as Renelle finished her spell. She took her own donkey over to the Poortgang, grasping his hand as she did. As they entered he again closed his eyes and waited for the experience to be over.
It seemed to be going by faster than it did the last two times, he wasn’t sure if that was true but he was happy either way. The inky waves crashed onto the stone, he could still see the ship out in the distance though he still didn’t dare to look at it for prolonged periods. If Renelle was to be believed he’d rather spend as little time possible in the Expanse. A few moments later Hyrum and Ibilsin came through the Poortgang, Ibilsin’s face was red and he almost immediately sat down onto the stone floor. Levan put out a hand to help him up, but he was ignored, What is his problem?
After Ibilsin regained his constitution he fell in line behind Renelle, Levan walked behind him, and Hyrum tailing. He didn’t know where they were trying to get to, he didn’t know where he was going last to be fair. Though if what Renelle said the previous night was true, they were making their way to Fort Gilnak, wherever that was. Though the idea of a lone fort atop a mountain housing a secret society of wizards and warriors provided some excitement.
The traversal of the Expanse this time was much longer, apparently they were traveling not only east, but upwards as well. But despite all of Renelle’s talk about how they could cover thousands of miles in the Expanse, they had spent all day riding through the place and they still hadn’t reached the Poortgang that Renelle wanted. And in spite of her warnings, she decided to take rest for the night, mostly at Hyrum’s request.
They had lit a small fire, it’s flame was blue and smoke white but it gave off heat and cooked food as well as any other fire Levan had known. He set up his bed roll near some pillars and he rested against them. He gazed into the blue flames that were licking the darkness of the expanse. Levan could still hear the unearthly screams and calls that filled the air, and he did his best to ignore them as Hyrum and Renelle had repeatedly told him. He did his best to sleep, he knew he would be getting little in the next few days, and even less in the Expanse, so any he could get would be good.