Journey to Yesod
Art drawn by: Bintang Hamal
Written by: Hunter Ake
Edited by: Lilliana Steele and Dee Dee Davis
Chapter 9 (Part 1)
Quadect 37th, 1258
“So, you three came from Banaka before you made it to Ydalia? I had only been there once, it was beautiful, but I’d never want to live there,” Pirouz walked alongside Zenebe behind Sook and Dulani.
Zenebe concurred, “I grew up in Abada, another large city to the East of Banaka. Despite being similar sizes, Abada was not nearly as popular with nobles and so it was quieter and more… inviting, I would say.”
“What about you, Sook? Where is your hometown?”
Sook continued walking, taking a second to respond; measuring her answer, “I don’t really have a hometown. My mother told me we came from the far Northeast. Almost the complete opposite side of the World from here.”
Pirouz’ eyes widened, “That’s incredible Sook! You must have seen so many wonderful things!”
“I grew up in the Southwest. Our community would pick up and move all the time. I was so young I didn’t really understand why our community grew smaller and smaller. Until my friend, Yeong, was kidnapped when I was a teenager that is…” The group continued to walk quietly, waiting for Sook to continue. “We were hunted by slavers, just as Borzou said. Nobody would help us. Most cities also had laws against our kind, just like Ydalia. We moved around so much. I regret not admiring the lands we traveled. That’s why I try to take in everything I can; for myself and for Yeong. He’s a couple years older than me. I looked up to him so when the slavers came for us that night, he stayed behind to slow them down. But I know he’s out there somewhere. He’s strong. I know he found a way to survive. My mother was also… Anyway, that’s why Yesod means so much to me; I wish to find Yeong and my mother.”
Zenebe and Dulani were silent as Pirouz looked down at the twisted weeds that had clearly been squashed over and over on this well-trodden path, “I’m so sorry Sook. I didn’t mean to bring up such painful memories.”
Sook looked back at him and smiled, “There is still hope and they are always with me. Don’t apologize for making me reminisce about those I love most.” Pirouz smiled to himself. Sook had an uncanny ability to lighten the mood.
“And Dulani? Where are you from?”
Zenebe interjected and added to Pirouz’ question, “You had been to both Banaka and Ydalia before, hadn’t you? That Dakuou woman mentioned your surname. It’s obvious you come from nobility.”
Dulani promptly changed the subject, “Have you been able to open that chest box yet, Pirouz?”
Zenebe and Sook looked at each other as Pirouz shook his head, “No, unfortunately lockpicking wasn’t exactly something we were taught in the military. I would have assumed as a thief that you would be more proficient.”
Dulani turned back just in time to see a sizable feliz with long ears pulling a dead fawn along up onto the rock formations to their right. She put out her hand for the others to stop and watch. The animal looked back at them, making eye contact with Dulani specifically, before turning and disappearing into the short forest of stones. Sook could barely contain her excitement and Dulani continued speaking once the event had played out, “Yeah, well I’m completely self-taught and I haven’t quite cracked it yet. We’ll just have to find someone who can pick locks along the way.”
Quinect 1st, 1258
The quartet arrived in the small town of Hawrumad. Dulani and Zenebe went to ask around about supplies and services while Sook and Pirouz took in the view, though there wasn’t much to write home about. Pirouz was still nursing his arm while Sook’s cut in her side had mostly healed. Zenebe had told her it would likely result in a badass scar.
“Have you ever been here before, Pirouz?”
“I’ve flown over a few times, but I’ve never stopped in the town, it’s… quaint.”
Sook looked at him and smirked, “Not impressed? Is it too small for your big city mind?”
“No, it’s not that it’s just… this town is so close to the capital and yet it looks as though it hardly sees any funding. I already noticed a couple farm tools that need repair and there are essentially no defenses against monsters. These people are lucky the thralls never came out here.”
“Excuse me you two,” a stranger, a seemingly middle-aged man in rough but well-kept clothing, approached them and put them both slightly on edge.
“How can we help you sir?” Pirouz stood up straight, his military manners kicking in.
“You look like a traveler, young lady, what with your colorful skirt and all. I assume this soldier is escorting you.” Pirouz attempted to speak but the man kept going, “I was wondering if you are familiar with that witch who came through here a couple weeks ago.” Sook and Pirouz looked at each other to see if the other one knew anything. “I was asking because the enchanted ring she gave my son really helped clear away his rash and I wanted to thank her more properly.”
“Our apologies, sir, but we aren’t familiar with a witch.”
“Oh, well, if you happen to catch up to her, let her know that I’m grateful. Have a wonderful day!” The local waved as he took leave.
Sook and Pirouz watched as the man made his way down the lane. Sook said, “What a kind man. I’m happy for his son.”
“I’m surprised this town was so welcoming of a witch. Furthermore, I’m surprised there’s a witch in this area at all. They’ve been persecuted under heresy laws for years in Ydalia.”
A group of rather stern looking men walked past Sook and Pirouz in the town. They were wearing plain clothes, but looked like they meant business. Pirouz and one of the men met each other’s gaze. The man just smirked and kept walking as if he recognized Pirouz but had something more important to attend to.
Dulani and Zenebe walked out of a small market a block over, “Ugh, nobody in this backwater town can help us unlock this thing.”
“Dulani, could you please speak a bit more respectfully about people? You don’t even know this town.”
“I know that it’s small and-“
The entourage that Pirouz and Sook had just encountered came striding around the stables down the block from them, pointing at Dulani. “Uh oh.”
Pirouz and Sook heard shouting from the other side of a row of buildings. “That doesn’t sound good, does it, Sook?” Dulani sprinted around the corner with Zenebe following shortly after.
“We gotta get out of town!” Dulani shouted at her two companions who just stood and watched.
“What do you think she did this time, Pirouz?”
“If I had to guess,” The group of plain-clothed henchmen ran around the corner, shouting at Dulani and Zenebe to stop and return the chest box, “It’s Dulani’s fault.”
Dulani ran right by them at full speed, “Move it you two!” Zenebe ran up to Sook and Pirouz who picked up and began running with him.
“Something tells me that chest box was rather valuable and enchanted with tracking magic.” Zenebe smiled as he ran, “Which means that if we can open it up, it should fund our travels for quite a while.”
Dulani shouted at them from far ahead, “Yeah, well we need to get out of here first!”
Zenebe panted and hunched over once he caught up to the other three who had gathered behind a crumbling wall. “Damn you for making me run, Dulani.”
“Oh please, you could use the exercise. What if it’s some monstrosity chasing you next time; will you just give up?” The quartet sat and listened as the men ran past them.
Once the sounds of their feet pounding the cobblestone faded away, Sook finally spoke up, “Why don’t you just break it open and be done with it?”
Dulani looked at her as if she were a simpleton, “Because the box itself is worth a ton of money. I want to sell the whole thing but if it’s locked it’ll be obvious that I stole it. And the trader will either refuse to do business with me or threaten to turn me in just for a lower price.”
“Ooh that’s pretty cool, so we just need to find some locksmith or whatever.”
Pirouz spoke up, “Firstly, we need to disenchant this thing because that’s how they found us to begin with. They’ll likely be back soon. Who did you even steal this from?”
Dulani was quiet for a second before speaking flatly and looking away as though it wasn’t a big deal, “The Kabiris.”
Pirouz’ expression was of complete stupor, “You stole from the Kabiris?!”
"Shhhh you idiot!” Dulani hissed.
Zenebe chimed in, “We can worry about that later; for now, we need to find a way to disenchant this box as well as find a means of unlocking it.”
Dulani peaked over the wall to see that the group of men were coming back towards them, this time with a carriage and troops. “Okay so good news and bad news.”
Pirouz sneered, “In my opinion, you are bad news.”
“Oh, get off your angelic flying high horse, soldier-boy. The Kabiris’ private goon squad is on their way and they brought military with them, most likely looking for you.”
Pirouz and the other two looked at her for a moment, “And the good news?!”
“Oh right! With their war carriage, we’ll likely have better luck trekking through the forest! Let’s go.” Dulani got up and started heading into the deeper woods.
Zenebe patted Pirouz on the shoulder, “She can be a bit much, but she’s dependable and endearing in her own way.”
Dulani shouted at them as she moved away, “I heard that! Pick up the pace if you don’t want to get arrested!”
“This terrain is rough, Atchar forgive me my sins of complicities, deliver me from this untamed wilderness.”
Dulani rolled her eyes, “We really had to get another whiner like Zenebe?”
“I just want to fly over the tree line so badly.”
Zenebe spoke up, “Not if you want to give away our position.”
Sook just picked Pirouz up like he was light as a feather, “Is your shoulder alright? I’m not hurting it am I?”
Pirouz looked up at her and blushed, “I apologize I can walk just fine. I don’t want to impose.” Sook put Pirouz down and he fixed his tunic, trying to avoid the eyes of Dulani and Zenebe who were clearly amused.
“Sorry for wounding your warrior’s pride, Pirouz, I only meant to be helpful.”
“It’s quite alright Sook. Thank you for your consideration.”
Dulani cracked up, “I hadn’t thought about how you’re the shortest one of us until Sook picked you up like a baby. How tall are you, Pirouz?”
Pirouz blushed, “5’3”, if you must know.”
“Oh, don’t feel bad, Pirouz, I’m only 5’5” so we’re practically the same.”
Zenebe leaned over, “I’m 5’8”, not exactly a walking tree. Her on the other hand.”
Sook leaned down as if to show off her height and flashed a huge smile, “I’m 6’2”, which is actually pretty average for my people.”
The group continued moving through the forest as the sun began to set behind them. “Do you even know if there’s anything in this direction, Dulani?” Zenebe asked.
“Ugh, must you always doubt me? I have a keen sense of direction.” The day wore on, the forest started to blend together. It felt like they were in an endless sea of identical trees.
“We should be far enough away that I can fly above the tree line and get our bearings now.”
“Have at it, you’ll see more trees, but from the top this time.” Pirouz took off his coat and let his wings stretch out.
“Ahhh, so refreshing to let them loosen up after folding them for so long.” Pirouz took off for the treetops, flying high above the canopy to look around. The road they had entered this forest was still in sight. After travelling for so long they should have gotten much further. Something was wrong. Pirouz flew back down to the ground.
“So? What can you tell us, Pirouz?” Zenebe asked.
“There looks to be a mountain pass further ahead of us-“
“Just as I predicted,” Dulani interjected with sarcastic self-importance. “But we’re still far closer to the road than we should be after traveling for so long.”
“Maybe you’ve just forgotten what it’s like to walk on the ground like us normal people,” Dulani chided.
Pirouz continued, “I don’t have a better explanation. I think we should press forward as Dulani says.”
The group continued until the sun set completely and night fell over the forest. “We really need to start buying torches if we’re going to travel at night”, Dulani stated.
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