Unproven

2 || Returning to the Village

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Returning to the Village

Some People Don't Just Stare Death in the Eye and Quickly Recover

Raz'oolenay sported his own version of camouflage. Known to disappear into the edges of social gatherings, he could effectively remain unnoticed by anyone - all while carefully observing his ever-changing surroundings. Shying away from attention had earned him the nickname "Shadow." And today, for the first time in his life, he felt like he was living up to it - albeit for a new reason. Today, he was running from one dark area of the forest to another, carelessly venturing over uneven terrain, hopping over large buttress roots, and consciously ignoring protests from his burning feet. Today, he stayed in the shadows to save his own hide. And he didn't miss the irony of his situation.

Somewhere in his heart, Shadow knew he was needlessly fearful. He knew no kotrakoy were following him. He'd felt their ambition. He knew it overshadowed any interest in the lone azh'nahn who watched them escape their prison and he knew they felt little loyalty to their liberator. Nevertheless, Shadow couldn't govern his feelings. Some people just don't stare death in the eyes and quickly recover. Some people get scared and stay that way. Today, Shadow was that kind of person. Today, he was hiding.

As he lost himself in the pointless footrace, Shadow pondered over last week's training session. Calling him anything more than a disappointing failure might have been overstating the case: he'd failed to ignite a fire any child could have started. He'd resorted to kindling dry leaves with a bow. His father had been so embarrassed that Shadow had expected a first rate lashing. Instead, he hadn't heard his father's voice for nearly a week. Shadow probably deserved that. Siring a powerless mage brought deep shame to Hiwalani families. Azh'nahn were considered little more than distant relatives of Trayki and it brought into question the value of the entire family. Some Hiwalani would believe their villages would be better off without such a flawed bloodline among them. Possible suitors of Shadow's sisters would choose to never show any interest. Young women would refuse to associate with his younger brother and limit his opportunities to marry. At least, his older siblings had married already. But Shadow couldn't overlook the repercussions of his failures upon the rest of the family. True enough, the archives bore record that azh'nahn relatives commonly remained among the Hiwalani. However, some few felt a duty to preserve family honor by leaving their homes and village. Demands for their exile would inevitably come - though none would be taken seriously if Shadow took action first. For him, there was no real choice. For Shadow, leaving was the only honorable thing to do.

He considered changing course. Perhaps it was best not to return. If his people already believed him self exiled, they'd be disappointed to see him - especially if he bore bad news. And perhaps he would be bearing old news. Kotrakoy would arrive before him if they flew towards Hiwalani villages. They could have already raided the outer rim of homes - perhaps an entire village had been decimated. But, if the kotrakoy had flown a different direction, his people would be grateful for the opportunity to prepare themselves for an attack. It would come sooner or later. His mind raced back to the Hinzwala'amakan mage. Why would she risk kotrakoy raids on her own people? Surely she didn't believe she could control them. Ali'ikiswan hadn't been able to keep control of them with a small host of mages bracing themselves along his side. Sure, he controlled them for a time but ultimately, only burial fully tamed the beasts. It seemed prodigiously prideful for anyone to aspire to greater power than Ali'ikiswan - especially with only two Hinzwala'amakan mages for support.