Chronicles of Akhani - 17 - A Near Miss
The bone-chilling breath of the dark, isolating desert night smothered Agystos as he trudged through the loose sands of the dunes. Making sure he never strayed too far away from the road, yet far enough away to not be easily tracked, his serpentine path exhausted him far more than he had anticipated. Having left without any food, water, or supplies of any kind, his situation seemed more desperate by hour.
As the gray light of early dawn disseminated across the desert floor, a new sense of urgency fell over Aystos. He stared towards the western hills that ran parallel to the desert road and wondered if the wolves were stalking him. The trees on the hills would provide enough shade during the day to prevent dehydration, but they also supplied cover to the cunning wolves. He faced the choice: die from exposure in the desert sun or from the vengeful, bloodthirsty wolves. As the sun rose over the dunes, he made his decision.
As he walked parallel to the road, he surveyed for a spot that would be blind from either direction. It just so happened, it was the same spot that Akhani had crossed just a day prior. Passing through the woods, he decided it would be safer to head into the savanna where the wolves were less likely to venture. Before long, he spotted what appeared to be a farm on the distant plain. Hope finally filled his exhausted and battered heart.
–
Black smoke began to rise from Akhani as his anger grew ever more all consuming. Daggers shot from his eyes into Zhorovna for her impudence. He was her master, and how could she dare make claims that others were becoming masters over him. He was his own man. He was in control. No one had influence over him. Or, at least, so he thought.
“Wench, --” Akhani began, but suddenly a hard hit came to him from behind.
Iosodoros had excused himself from the group just moments before. He did not understand what he was witnessing, but he understood that it must be stopped before it began. He calmly had made his way over to the tools and grabbed a medium sized shovel from the rack. As quietly as he could, he had made his way up to Akhani from behind. Motioning for the others to not look at him, they had kept their eyes fixed on Akhani so as not to arouse suspicion. Iosodoros’s quick thinking, and mightly swing with the shovel, had incapacitated the threat.
With a thud, Akhani fell to the ground. Unsure of the success of the strike, Iosodoros proceeded to poke Akhani with the handle of the shovel. After about three or four prods, he felt certain that Akhani, in fact, was unconscious. All three let out a sigh of relief in unison.
“Well, that was exciting,” Iosodoros cracked in a dry tone. Seeing that the sarcastic comment was not appreciated, he continued, “I believe that we need to restrain him. I do not know how long he will remain unconscious and what those… invisible people… will make him do when he does wake up. What was that smoke, anyways?”
While Iosodoros was speaking, Zhorovna had already made her way to Akhani and her supply. She retrieved the same rope that she had used to bind him before. She examined it wondering how many more times it would be of use in this same way.
“While you two bind him, I will go get some eggs from the hens. That is, if they too haven’t been ruined by these… Spirits? Is that the word, Zhorovna?” Kodomi asked, and received an immediate affirming nod to her question. “Good, I do not wish to misspeak like some people around here.”
Iosodoros rolled his eyes as he bound Akhani with the rope. Having tied up his friend, he continued kneeling with a look of dismay. His eyes slowly rose to Zhorovna’s, and betrayed a level of distress for which Zhorovna was unprepared.
“We had planned on making our way to Karioni before you two had arrived. We were trying to find if any of our wine would be suitable for sale, but it all was corrupted. We will not be able to financially sustain ourselves, let alone the two of you.” He paused and looked with pleading eyes to Zhorovna, which unsettled her deeply. “We will need to devise a plan to keep the two of your hidden when we get within the paroled proximity to the town. Normally Xotokians would not be of note, but, in light of recent behavior, we cannot risk Akhani coming with us into town. As for you,” he gave another pause before continuing, “it is never safe for a Syverenian in a Doiketian settlement. Let alone for a young woman such as yourself.
“I guess what I am saying is, we will not be able to take you with us, and we cannot leave you here alone. Both are far too risky,” Iosodoros said, then quickly paused and motioned for Zhorovna to stay still. He squinted as he looked through the open barn door. “There’s someone coming from the hills. Quick, get Akhani down into the wine cellar. Kodomi and I will handle this.”
After helping lower Akhani down the ladder, Iosodoros shut the trap door on the floor and quickly covered it with an old rug. It had been a long time since he had encountered any roving bandits, but he was always prepared to hide their precious supply in case any should stumble upon their humble vineyard.
Kodomi, having retrieved the eggs, made her way towards the kitchen, and noticed that Zhorovna and Akhani were missing. She shot a questioning look to her husband who nodded in the direction of the barn door. She saw a Doiketian man stumbling his way towards them, but he was still perhaps fifteen minutes’ walk away. Kodomi nodded to her husband, and put away all signs that they had guests present. They quietly and inconspicuously hid Akhani and Zhorovna’s supplies. Just before the stranger had made his way to the door, they carried on like any other day on which they had no visitors.
Iosodoros looked over at the disheveled man who appeared to be on the brink of collapse. Shooting a questioning glance towards Kodomi, Iosodoros addressed the stranger, “And who might you be, friend?”
“Agystos, head of military training at Akraessi,” he coughed, and collapsed onto the barn floor.
Iosodoros and Kodomi rushed to their visitor. Kodomi offered him a cup of water as Iosodoros held Agystos up in a sitting position. Agystos choked and coughed as he struggled to drink the water, but after a few sips he was able to compose himself.
“I am Agystos. Akraessi has been attacked by the Xotokians and their wolves. I am on my way to Karioni, but am in need of aid,” he said still with a barely audible hoarse voice.
“What aid would you have of us? As you can see, we have been quite devastated as of late. We have few resources to spare,” Iosodoros calmly stated.
“I would have you take me to Karioni with one of your mules. I will pay you handsomely upon arrival, and perhaps that will be of some relief to your troubles,” Agystos replied.
“Very well,” Kodomi chimed in without waiting for her husband. “I was about to send Iosodoros to town to fetch us supplies. You can accompany him and perhaps pay for all the wares of which we are in need.”
“I am much obliged,” Agystos said while sitting up on his own strength. “When were you planning to go to town?”
“This very instant,” Kodomi again replied before allowing any input from her husband. She shot a knowing look that let him know that she would take care of their guests while he was away. “I will pack you food for your journey as Iosodoros readies the wagon. In the mean time, drink water and rest. If you need anything I will be in the kitchen nook over there.”
“Your hospitality will be well rewarded,” Agystos said as Iosodoros guided him to a chair. “And don’t worry yourselves. I will make sure that the infamous Xotokian behind this is killed before he darkens your doorstep.”
“Who might that be?” Iosodoros asked in a friendly, curious tone.
Agystos straightened himself up, and made a glare. As though consumed by rage, the name escaped his lips, “Akhani.”
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