7

  It was a cool, quiet night and the half moon coasted the thin, whispy clouds like a surfer on the waves. Long, dim shadows lay about the land and swayed with the breeze under the tree. Night birds squawked now and then and the little rustle of mice and insects filled Garad’s ears. His back grew tired of the rough tree despite his robes being between his skin and the bark and he knew by his drooping eyes that he’d lasted half the night. Just as he was about to shift to wake Gany he remembered they were a trio and another could’ve added to the night watch. He stepped out from under the tree and tilted his head back to see the other woman who accompanied them.

  “Hey,” he called, loud enough for it to hear but quiet enough to not wake Gany. “Mede was your name right? Take next watch.”

  A hunched shadow near one of the top branches stirred then bright purple eyes bled through the branches. He staggered back in shock, arms raised instinctively to throw a punch. He could just made out the shadowy outline of a snake or a tail in its mouth. He squinted more. It wasn’t a beast as he thought. It was the woman. It crawled to the end of the branch and with lithe, unnatural movements it twisted back over itself, gripped the branch and swung down with a light thump.

  “What the hell were you doing?” He said.

  It came closer until its toes were upon his and quickly, swiftly, had its hands around his temples. Its purple eyes glowed a tone brighter, like a flame fed with more oil, and flitted all over his face like a lioness evaluating the Sahara. His heart sunk into his chest, heavy as stone. This was no woman — it wasn’t even human. Why on earth was Gany travelling with this thing? What was it? Was it a creature of the night? Worse yet, a Djamon? Its grip tightened. He reached for the long, thin swords by his hips and slashed at its arms. No resistance. It was like slashing through air. Then he realised the pressure on his head abated. It was no longer holding him. He jumped back two paces, silver swords out and legs bent. The creature’s form shifted, growing and darkening like a rolling smog surrounding an enormous lizard. It was taller than him now, and it craned its neck down to see him. His breath caught in his throat but he didn’t budge. He glanced at Gany who began to stir. Was this it for them?

  “I do not heed that from which comes beneath me.” It said in a low, growling voice. It lifted its head and twisted upward, until it reached the tree canopy once again, and settled til it was a shadowy figure indistinguishable from a large bird or a honey badger.

  He straightened his legs and sighed out the breath he was holding, arms slapping his sides. He kept his eyes on the tree for some time and when he was sure it likely wouldn’t come out again he sheathed his swords and walked over to Gany. Hundreds, no, thousands of questions spun his head. He squeezed his eyes for a moment to compose himself before nudging her shoulder with his knuckles. She stirred then opened her eyes.

  “Hm.. is it my watch?” She said.

  He opened his mouth, the breath of a hundred words jamming his throat. Who was she really? What was this thing with her and why? How could she trust it? What were they doing together? Where were they going?

  Despite all that, this was not the safest time to ask these things. Being in earshot of the creature opened them to danger and he was unwilling to face it again until he was sure of what it was. He shoved the questions under the folds of his mind for another time.

  “Yes, it’s your turn.” He said, defeated. She sat up and without a word sauntered over to the tree where he’d been and assumed his position. She was so at ease, so loose, so relaxed, that it almost made him doubt the danger above. Had he really seen that monster change or had the deprivation of sleep drawn fantastic illusions over his eyes? His hands touched his temples. That pressure on his head was unmistakably real, he could almost feel it again. Perhaps now wasn’t the time to ask anything at all. He decided he would wait. There was a lot he didn’t know. She could be a prisoner or slave or under some other duress. No, he would wait, and when the time was ripe he would free her.

  —

  The next morning he woke to a touch on his shoulder. He sprung back in defence. Gany gasped, fingers splayed by her chest. His eyes flitted to the tree, checking for the creature, then he scanned all around him. When had he fallen asleep? He’d spent most of the night thinking and on guard in case the creature attacked him again. He’d been so riled up and on high alert that he thought he’d never sleep and even considered relieving Gany to take watch instead but somehow he’d dozed off. Despite this, he was still on high alert because just a tap had woken him with force.

  Gany gave him a questioning look.

  “I had a nightmare.” He said, straightening up. She scanned him, unsure if he was really okay.

  “We’re heading off again,” she said as she stood. She glanced at him again. “Are you sure you’re okay?”

  He searched for the creature. It was crouched behind the tree, poking at the root with an elongated finger.

  “Yes yes. Let’s go.” He said.

  The sun had only just risen so the cool of the night lingered in the air. Early morning and late night was the best time to travel because of this. Because the sun wasn’t strong still, he didn’t need to cover his head and face. The creature walked behind them, covered in robes and gazing around at the arid rock and sand like it was seeing earth for the first time. As much as he wanted to start shooting questions at Gany it was still not the right time.

  “What was it about?” Gany said after a while. He frowned. “The nightmare.” She added.

  “Ah,” he said. “I’d rather not talk about it. You know what they say.”

  “‘Dark dreams are divined when spoken?’” She said. “You really believe that?”

  “There’s some truth to it. I dislike bringing bad omen from my dreams into my waking life if it means just not talking about it.”

  “I didn’t take you for the superstitious type.”

  “Superstition has gotten us this far.”

  Gany glanced at him, searching for a joke but instead found that he was serious. It was fair game as most people in the land were actually superstitious. The reason she was surprised was that most well diggers knew better than the general populace. They had measurements and logic to their job that had the responsibility of hundreds of lives in their ability to find water. She couldn’t imagine him knocking on wood three times or circling a house spider around his head or anything of the sort before a trek in the heat of the desert for water.

  Mede, who had been slinking along behind them, appeared in the front in a flurry of black smoke and pointed to the left. There was a fork in the road now and to the right flat ground that seemed to lead to the ocean and the left lead to the canyons they’d caught from the tree earlier. They were at the foot of the cliffs now. Mede continued on ahead and they followed suit, gazing up ahead at the towering rock and peaks of green. Maybe there was water here and even fruit or berries to forage.

  “She doesn’t talk much does she.” said Garad.

  “Not at all sometimes,” Gany said. “What are you gonna do after we reach the sorcerer.”

  “Sorcerer?”

  “Yes, that’s who we’re visiting.”

  “I thought they were all killed.”

  “I said the same thing. Mede knows someone. Is there something you wish to achieve?”

  The sun was blocked by the face of the canyon and at last they could stop squinting their eyes. As they walked, various paths and passages forked and wound through the rock, with obvious signs of use from the flattened patchy grass, though they couldn’t tell if it was by man or animal. The air took on a dustier, pastier taste filled with humidity and sand alike. Branches both leafy and bare trailed down the canyons and the silence was slowly cut by the trickle of water in the distance somewhere. They perked up at the thought of filling their bellies and water skins and maybe even dipping in to cool off.

  Garad lowered his hood and rubbed the back of his smooth head. Perhaps this was not the time nor the people to divulge this to but, having lost everyone he’d ever known, it was better to confide in at least someone about his goals. Besides, their paths would likely diverge once they met the sorcerer and he took off for the city.

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  “I want to take someone’s life,” he said, a muscle ticking in his jaw. “He’s the reason why our family, our village, had to burn.” He looked at Gany expecting an appalled look but was met instead with a knowing nod.

  “How do you know exactly who it was? What if you kill an innocent?”

  “There are no innocents. They either burned us or stayed silent and I find that both are the same.” His eyes held a darkness she’d not seen till now. Conviction clouded his normally easy going expression.

  “Whoever it is, stab them twice for me and bring me their thumb.” She said

  He smiled, almost chuckling. “Aren’t you against this? Killing someone?”

  She sighed, then shook her head. “I’m about to do something unspeakable right now. I have no say in what’s right or wrong.”

  “What will you do?”

  She assessed him, his intentions, his eyes, seeming to weigh whether she should really tell him.

  “I wont say. Not until i succeed.”

  Garad shrugged, not believing they’d even meet again in this vast land by the time either had achieved their goals. If he was still alive that is. He pulled a gold bangle from his robe and held it out to her.

  “I was going to shove this into the mouth of the man I’m after but i think it looks better on you. It belonged to my sister. You can barter it if you want, i have no other use for it.”

  Just as she took the bangle, the sound of water suddenly loudened as they turned a corner and the waterfall rushed straight into their ears. A long, winding river cut through the canyon and a thin but powerful waterfall fell from the sky. It was unlike anything they’d ever seen nor heard tales of. No wonder, it being tucked away in this maze of passages, it seemed only those who knew could ever find it. And following Mede, it was all but apparent that it knew and sought something here.

  It lead them down to the bank side. Down stream, a herd of wildebeest lapped at the water, some swimming in it and others perched in the greenery beside the water. Near the mouth of the waterfall the river was wider and deeper, and the water rushed both toward the animals and to some unknown place beneath them though a well or other depression wasn’t visible from the surface. The entire environment was nothing short of magical and it unnerved Garad.

  “I have never seen something like this in all my years of digging, and I’ve seen a lot.” He said.

  Mede pointed across the river to a curved part of the canyon shrouded by the falling water. It was unremarkable, but it knew something they did not.

  “There. The door to the sorcerer. I wait outside.” It said.

  “How do we cross this?” Gany wondered, peering into the water. “Is it deep?”

  Mede stood between them and grabbed them both by the wrists. Large, shiny wings shot out from its back and with one, sweeping motion it took flight and carried them across the river. Gany yelped, feeling her arm sting from the strength of its grip, and to her surprise, found it loosen. It set them down on the other side and retracted its wings, appearing human again.

  “Tell him Medegral sent you.” It said.

  “There’s nothing here..” Gany rubbed her neck as she stood next to the rock face. “Hold on, that’s your full name?”

  Mede stared blankly at her. “What?”

  “No wonder why you didn’t tell me. Your name sounds alien.” She said as she reached her arm out to touch the wall.

  “Close your eyes when you touch it.” Mede said.

  With her eyes closed, she touched it again. Despite the rough texture it felt very smooth now. She explored the surface, looking for a way in, until she felt her hand grasp a cool, smooth handle. She pushed down and a door opened up to a dark passage ahead. She glanced behind her at the two companions she’d been travelling with.

  “Garad will you wait too?” She asked.

  He quickly glanced at Mede, who was still as a statue for once, and raised a shoulder.

  “I suppose. I’m curious to see what you gain or lose from this.”

  Gany nodded and turned back to the door. Cool air streamed in, swaying her dress gently and cooling the light sweat on her skin. Whatever lay ahead was what she came all this way to seek out with her own two hands, so no matter the cost, it would be her doing, and she found some sense of comfort in that. She walked in, letting the door shut behind her. Her eyes began to adjust to the dimness here until she could see the rocky walls beside her. Then light flooded in again behind her. It was Garad who had somehow changed his mind to follow her in.

  “I couldn’t let you go alone.” He said, gesturing to the swords at his hips. She couldn’t say she wasn’t comforted by the help.

  Their eyes both adjusted to the dimness and the way became clear. At least now it was just one way and not the splitting and winding paths they’d taken here through the canyons. It slowly got brighter and brighter until it was enough that their eyes no longer strained to make out the shapes. The passage opened into a wide room with no corners. It was brighter here and sparkling shapes danced on the sandy ground and the sparse furniture. They followed it up to where beams of light, sunlight, came from above, filtering through water. The room had a serene and calming atmosphere and she almost wanted to close her eyes and rest for a while. The round table in the middle soaked up most of the light, with a depression in the corner possibly for water and various bowls and utensils and herbs scattered across the surface. A pair of wicker chairs were on either side and a coal stove underneath it towards them. The place smelled strongly of herbs and sea and something else they couldn’t quite place.

  “Isn’t the water just beautiful?” Came a voice. They looked around, unable to place the origin. A shadow appeared behind them. They turned and saw a man, average in everything but his flowy white clothes. His deep skin was a stark contrast to the fabrics and the wide hem of his trousers revealed simple black sandals. His top was also simple, sleeves ending about his elbows and a round high neck and more fitting than his trousers. His arms were like that of a farmer’s, compact but strong from consistent physical labour.

  “Are you the sorcerer?” Asked Gany. The man stiffened slightly. “No, no. Mede sent me- us. She knows you.” Her hands were raised, showing no harm.

  “Mede?”

  “Medelan? M-medegin? M-“

  “Medegral.” Garad finished. She glanced at him thankfully.

  The man scratched his stubble and ran his hand over his buzzed hair. “It’s been a while since she’s even seen me, why didn’t she come in…” he seemed to be lost in thought for a moment, then he looked them over, analysing the pair. “It seems you both have desperate needs to have been sent to me. I don’t suppose it relates to life and death?”

  “I am only accompanying her.” Garad said.

  The man shrugged. “Then you’re here for life.”

  Gany turned from Garad before she could see the friend on his face. She felt a limp in her belly, apprehension or fear or embarrassment she couldn’t tell. Somehow, she didn’t want him to know anything despite the fact that they were practically strangers and that he was also out to do something unspeakable. Perhaps it was that she hadn’t intended to have anybody next to her in all of this. Either way, why did it matter so much that he saw? There was nothing he or anybody could do to stop her. Nothing. She’d lived all this time on these terms and she would continue to do so.

  She steeled her shoulders, shoving her emotions deep down. “Yes.”

  The man paused. In his eyes bloomed an understanding. He almost whispered the what he said next. “A mother’s love knows no bounds.”

  He strode to his table and cleared a section. He pulled a hand crumpled sheet of paper and a thin pencil and began writing. She walked over to the table to see but he was already done. He held up the paper then folded it into his hand. He disappeared under the table for a moment, moving things and returned with some wood which he tossed into a small furnace in the right side of the table. It was then that she saw the metal grid and the charred wood and ashes beneath and a fan beside it. He lit some kindling and tossed it in too, then began to flame it.

  “I know your heart is strong, and your mind is set — but have you really thought about what you’re doing here?” He said.

  Gany clenched her fists. She opened her mouth to answer but he cut her off.

  “Life and death are not fickle things. Grief is also betrayal, and no amount of love may make a bad thing good. I see in your heart that you have lost a great thing. They used to call me Waris for how I spoke the language of the soul. But some lines once crossed and cut forever. There is no return from this path.” As he spoke he set about preparing what seemed like tea in a pot and had it on the stove. He placed both hands on the table either side of him and looked up through his eyebrows. His gaze was strong and probing, like a doctor was purposefully peeling apart her skin and sinew. He had the demeanour of a man with far too many years of experience in the moral standings of life. She could imagine him in a mosque or monastery, not this humble cave with questionable items strewn about the place.

  “My husband and I were married for a very long time until I was finally able to conceive. And before that, I had always, always, dreamed of having a family. My mother used to joke that my soul was family bound and told me stories of how I’d collect toys like children. There was nothing I wanted more in this world. Do you know what happened to them?” She took a deep breath, already feeling the trembles begin in her fingers. “I couldn’t even hear my baby cry. Everyon and everything was burned to ashes.” She lifted her skirt from the hem, revealed the webby, scarred skin start from her left ankle all the way up to her ribs. Her left arm was also covered in scar tissue and the back of her neck had a curving bald spot where the fire had eaten into her scalp.

  Waris did not budge.

  “I may not know the risk I am taking, but I wholly accept whatever happens now. I don’t believe anything will be worse than that night.”

  The whistle of the pot broke Waris from the frozen spell he’d been under and he set three brown, handleless cups onto the table. As he poured the tea, a soft frown perched on his brows. A flurry of thoughts swept across his mind like a brief but strong hurricane. He had met determined people before but this woman was leagues more than determined. He could feel it.

  He pushed the cups towards them. “It’s a calming tea from the north.” He took a sip, as if to prove there was nothing wrong with it, and crossed his arms.

  “When God creates, he gives life. When we create, we take it. Life is the purest, highest form of power on this plane of existence. There are a few others but comparing them to life is like holding a candle to the sun,” he leaned forward, forearms resting on the table, a cautious look flickering in his eyes. “When we were hunted, it was because we had meddled in the power of life. I find myself agreeing with the murder of sorcerers back then. Now, I haven’t cast anything in relation to life for decades. If it wasn’t for Menegral I’d have killed you both but I saw her outside and took a risk. However, make no mistake, this is by no means a risk to my existence, I can go wherever I wish at the drop of a hat. What’s truly on the line is the danger on your life and possibly many others. What we will do here is simply dark magic and this form of magic has no cap to the price it comes with.”

  She could feel the heaviness, the anvil like weight of the consequences at hand that he was trying to convey to her. Dark magic was known very well and for good reason, and sorcerers were despised across the land. She’d heard stories about their genocide when she was a little girl and it was always paired with the treacherous acts that they had committed. If it was any other situation she may have felt a primal disgust standing in front of one. But right now he was explaining the gravity of something so large, so above her, so beyond her comprehension that in her right mind she’d have backed down completely.

  “As I said, I accept what becomes of me.”

  He took a sip and gestured that they should too. Garad slinked forth from behind her and reached for the cup. Gany looked at the dark, steaming liquid, unable to tell it’s colour because of the brown vessel.

  “I have written some things here that you must retrieve. The minute I sense something is off, I will leave this place and not even Medegral can find me. She may know where to find some of the items so make use of her, though I must say I’ve never seen her be so nice for so long to humans. And make sure to finish this tea, it will help you see at night. I expect you here tomorrow morning before the sun reaches zenith.”

  Gany glanced at Garad then continued drinking until she finished it and was left with the warm aftertaste of well steeped tea in his throat. Garad, though tentative at first, also finished the drink. Having seen the man drink it himself had really set his qualms aside but also the fact that tea was such an honoured custom that only the truly wretched would try something bad.

  Waris handed them the paper he’d folded away and walked them back to the exit.

  “Tell Medegral to come see me, I don’t know why she’s hiding.” He said on their way out.