Chapter sixteen

“What!? “ *cough* *cough* Chief Rahai found himself on the verge of chocking on the beef stew he had just swallowed. The mild spiced soup had now landed directly in the midst of his throat causing a rather painful experience.

Next to him his wife patted his back for an entire five minute in an attempt to alleviate the chief of his unfortunate predicament and then offered him a bowl of water to drink. Slowly the flames within started to die down from his throat and comfort started to settled in.

However before he could address the situation that had been the cause of all this, Chief Rahai overheard his first wife mumble “What a dramatic…”

Ah, truly a woman’s tongue was capable of shooting the most poisonous arrows that penetrated ones heart. Only the master of the heavens was the most compassionate to man.

‘Guess I’ll always suffer for that second marriage of mine’

Releasing a sigh Chief Rahai turned to face the two individuals that sat before him and shared with him his meal. To be more precise it was the a youth and an old man that sat in his tent.

Both of them had extraordinary identities that commanded some form of respect even though he held the rank of Chief of Samra.

“ I see that you are quite serious” Upon seeing the solemn faces in front of him Chief Rahai realized that the intentions the party had arrived with had not changed

“Yes” The old man amongst them replied in a firm and composed manner as he put down his bowl.

Chief Rahai felt his heart sink, this old man was one other than the famed expert blacksmith Taysa al Ahram. Although he had retired now and lived a low key lifestyle, his actual status was that of an senior elder. No one dared to upset him as he commanded the favor of many.

The former Chief and chief Rahai’s father was a close childhood friend of the blacksmith. The two had contributed much to the development of Samra to reach where it is today.

Thus many had been quite happy that the old man had almost never directly interfered in the political aspect of Samra let alone enter the chiefs own tent.

“I request again that you allow this boy to participate in this year’s Mirage of the swirling Dune.’

“This,,, its not something that anyone can just participate in, the risks are quite high” Chief Rahai tried to reason with the old man “ And the boy is but a stranger, if something happened to him then his tribe might hold us accountable “

Perhaps if it was some other youth that Taysa al Ahram had recommended then Chief Rahai would be inclined to accept, but the boy that the old man spoke of other was none other than the red haired who was most likely to be the son of the Jaha.

Chief Rahai was not willing to take any chances at all, the Jaha were not a people that some village like Samra could offend.

While the two men were in a deadlock, Arin who had been sitting on the side was in a deep focus.

After his actions at the blacksmiths shop, the last thing both Arin and Avrak had expected was that his selfish request was accepted by Taysa al Ahram. He had agreed to give the sword to Arin on the condition that he successfully participates in the event that was known as the ‘Mirage of the swirling Dune’.

The first thing that Arin felt was joy that he had finally gained a fighting chance to acquire something that could help him draw closer to his mother’s origin.

However surprisingly Avrak who accompanied him back home had a solemn and serious face all the way back.

“ Arin,” Avrak declared “ you should probably give up on getting that sword.”

“What, why?” Arin was puzzled, was this event so difficult that he had no chance of succeeding. Wait, he had overheard the same words earlier in the morning when Avrak had given him a token of sorts. “ What is this Mirage of the uh Dune?”

“Mirage of the swirling Dune,” Another voice interrupted Arin. Yomel had overheard their conversation and corrected Arin.

“Brother, you’re back” Avrak put away the solemn attitude and smiled cheerfully.

“Don’t even try and hide it,” Yomel walked into the house with the other two in suit, he understood this idiotic brother of his was trying to hide something. “What have gotten the boy into?”

After relating the events that had occurred during the day, Yomel fell into silence. Waiting for him, the two boys waited for him to speak.

“The event that of the swirling Dune is an annual event held by the people of this part of the desert in which the participants are sent to the eastern most parts of the desert where they remain for a month’s time “Arin listened attentively as Yomel spoke “ It is a kind of test that allows those that have successfully participated in to hold the honorable title of Hami or protector of the desert “

“It is a valuable title as those who have earned it are trained warriors and a source of pride, as such many tribes both nomads and those of the neighboring villages all have youths that are trained from a young age to compete.”

“They are experts in all forms of combat, swordsmanship, archery, in the way of the spear. Among them are individuals that can take on at least ten men at once, qualities that you obviously lack”

“But still I can give it a try” Arin responded “maybe I won’t succeed but I will not regret giving it a shot later.”

He did not want to look back after 20 years and ponder on whether he could have gained the sword if he hadn’t backed down the offer.

“How naïve” Yomel chuckled sarcastically” Clearly you’re not familiar with the ways of the desert, are you?”

A tiny bit of curiosity appeared in Yomel’s eyes, perhaps Chief Rahai might not be totally off the mark in guessing this kids identity.

Seeing the confused expression on Arin’s face, Yomel explained “The eastern part is not like the western parts of the deserts that we reside in that you can just ‘try’ and come back.”

Arin didn’t understand the underlying meaning behind that statement. What was wrong with the eastern desert, all he had heard from the guide that he was travelling with was to that the eastern parts of the shaz-daf was where the savage tribes resided, were they that violent.

“Haah, really” Yomel started feeling annoyed, to think that this kid wanted to participate in the Swirling Dune event.” The eastern parts are filled with bandits, outcasts, savage tribes. Years of the competing in the swirling dune have given rise to blood feuds and cruelty, enemies lie in wait every year to exact some form of revenge or even just meaningless slaughter. Out of the 40 people who compete every year, at least half are scarred permanently or just never make it back.”

Arin felt a shiver run down his spine, the participants were deliberately ambushed and killed or slaughtered. Even those who possessed the strength of ten men were risking their lives confronting killers and barbarians. He was in the range of people who would probably die in the first wave of the attack.

“ Now that you understand that this isn’t something within your range, give up” Yomel stood up and prepared to end the conversation” Perhaps old Taysa will take you to the chief to request your acceptance, decline it then.”

Recalling these events, Arin fully understood the implications of trying to participate in the Mirage of the swirling Dune event as well as why Chief Rahai was unwilling to let him take part.

“If I may” Arin spoke up for the first time since he had arrived” I know fully well that I am not capable or even skilled enough.”

The other two men looked towards the boy. Taysa al Ahram had already knew that the boy would realize the difficulty of the task and give up, it didn’t really matter. He was only giving this kid Arin a chance because he had some sort of resemblance or possible tie to his master. The rest really was up to fate.

“However the desert was never a place of ease and comfort” Arin looked up with a determined look” Everyone has to strive and endure hardship one way or the other, I cannot give up just because it is difficult. If I am to be eliminated then so be it, perhaps the True God above will provide a better abode in the next life.”

These might just be fancy and shallow words but coming from someone who was looked as if he faced death head on at such a young age was admirable. Even Chief Rahai’s wife subconsciously started to see him as a potential suitor. She had to know her candidates for all her daughters beforehand.

“But-“Chief Rahai was still adamant, the boy’s words were to enough to outweigh the possibility of making enemies with a major power.

“As for my tribe, I assure you that I am not as important as you think I am.” Arin reaffirmed “I am merely the one of the many sons from my father’s wives, I carry no actual position within the Jaha tribe.”

Arin hoped Chief Rahai would be satisfied with this response, he had even disclosed his identity to convince him.

“Ah,” Both the old man and the chiefs wife let out a surprised gasp while chief Rahai’s brows sunk as his suspicion was proven true. Perhaps the boy was really not as important as the rumors suggested, it would explain why Arin was so far away from the capital without a proper entourage or even protectors and companions.

The others had different views. Taysa al Ahram really didn’t care as at his age that kind of stuff didn’t appeal anymore to a person with one foot in the grave.

However Arin’s position in the Chiefs wife’s mind travelled by leaps and bounds. The boy had shown good character so far and was connected to a prominent power even if it was a distant one.

Her thoughts had already wandered to silencing the guards standing outside and her husband to prevent her rival wife from finding out. One had to pick the best for her own daughters first you know.

The person of interest Arin himself was relieved that he could come up with this sort of white lie. True he was of the 27 sons of his father but he was one of only two sons that his father had with his mother whom his father had loved dearly. That’s why although he had no actual duty to serve he could still access a great amount of pocket money to spend on his lavish lifestyle.

Technically he had only stated facts that would mislead those who did not understand the context behind him, so it was their fault for misunderstanding right?.