Wayfinding | Aaravos x Reader |

⚜ NEBULA ⚜

Fortunately, Inyah had caught quick sight of the figure barricading the path a few meters ahead. It was the last type of interference she expected. She planned this trip several suns prior. She even ensured that the route was unknown and hidden from human civilization. Still, with her impressive reaction time, the female snatched the reins from her partner and hauled with all her might till the mouthgears of the horses jolted them back. The loyal creatures came to a sudden halt - huffing, once at rest, a malodorous breath over the head of a boastful-looking man. From the way that his wrinkles lined his umber hues, it was evident that smug grins - or any nefarious expressions, for that fact - rarely grazed his features. He looked like a kind man with an uncharacterly decision buzzing in his mind.

"In a hurry, huh?" He bellowed, stepping briefly aside from the horses' path to better study the ones in operation of the vehicle. "You lads wouldn't be doing something illegal, would you?"

The miscreants traded a flabbergasted expression - one that looked rather cartoonish. "First of all," the lout cleared his throat, averting his perplexed gaze back to the intruder. "If we were doing something illegal, we probably wouldn't tell you. And second, uh . . . we aren't . . . doing . . . like, anything illegal, or anything."

Despite the disappointing execution of the lie, and Inyah's very dramatic roll of the eyes, the villager surprisingly didn't clue in. "Oh," the man muttered, scratching behind his ear. "So you didn't happen to steal my shipment of charcoal and silvers?"

"Oh, no! Pft, of course not. I mean, silvers sounds tempting but we certainly strive for more than just plain old turf-- ow!" Gliden yelped as he felt his partner's heel grind into his pinky-toe.

"I . . .  well, in that case I suppose I don't have a reason to make you idle." Arkeus muttered, pursing his lips into a thin line.

Baffled by his miscalculations, the honey-skinned man directed his focus to clearing the massive, log he used to obstruct the path. He was disappointed in himself. Not only did he behave rashly, but his instincts were incorrect. And so, by the end of the day, not only was he a poor smith but he had also made a fool of himself. Arkeus huffed a sigh and clapped the muck off his meaty palms. He raised the soot-stained cloth that rested on his shoulder and swabbed the grains of sweat that littered his forehead.

Maybe it was the Devil's sick play.

Maybe it was a blessing from the Heavens.

Whatever it was - if Arkeus had not mislaid the fabric on his shoulder for it to fall - if Arkeus had not leaned over to retrieve it - your demise would have been an established kismet.

Naturally, no one would understand the repercussions of such a small and insignificant accident. But fate did.

Although he did not intend to peer behind, the villager was pleased that he did. The couplet seemed to be frantically scheming something unbeknownst to him. And beyond their burlesque conversation, Arkeus noted that in the feeding door behind their heads, there was a motile, black silhouette. However, with the inaudible, illiberal command from the female - the figure seemed to sink completely out of sight. As oblivious as the man was, it was virtually impossible to miss the hysterical expressions that painted onto their features. Hence, Arkeus's skepticism was restored just as promptly as it parted him.

"Say - you both look rather new around here. Where's home?" The male investigated, approaching the stagecoach with hands folded behind him.

"Del Bar," the female replied with the confidence and wit that her counterpart lacked. "And yourself?"

"Katolis," he responded with equal haste. "You know - if isn't too much to ask, I'd love if I could hitch a ride back with you folks-"

"Uh, we're in quite a hurry, sir. Hope you can understand."

"Please," Arkeus cooed, "I'm barely a mile away from the route you were heading! Besides, do you really have the heart to leave a poor, old man in this scorching heat?"

"I mean . . ." the male hesitated, before the pinch at his waist discharged his doubt. He turned to his partner and mouthed a very animated 'that hurt!' before he commenced with his excuse. "We wouldn't mind, but we barely have any space for another."

"Oh, that's hardly an issue. I'll have no trouble squeezing into the back!" The villager shouted as he made his way to the end of the vehicle. If the exporters were not alarmed before, they certainly were now. Especially knowing that you were not as dead as they hoped.

Inyah elbowed Gliden straight off the bench, throwing a filled scabbard to his chest. "Go get him!"

"What?" The male whispered harshly, perching to his feet. "Who, in the size of him, would be intimidated by a puny little dagger like this?"

The woman was not a fan of how close her counterpart had gotten to her. But she utilized it to her advantage. "You don't have to intimidate him. You just need him gone."

"You want me to - what!" He hollered in return, hands clutching tightly onto the frame of the vessel. Fortunately, the two imbeciles pursued the argument long enough for Arkeus to reach the hasp at the back of the stagecoach. He knew that if these strangers were criminals, that time could not be squandered. Yet, standing before the - now - open trailer, he could not help but soak up every detail of the murky cage. The roof of the vessel was moldy and sunken in; most likely from damp wood caused by the recent, consecutive rainstorms. The parts of the vehicle that had metal were completely oxidized. Nothing but maroon paint flakes and rust held the structure together. Arkeus studied the items in the storage, discovering, right off the bat, the misdeeds of the foreigners. The ancient relics and body parts of Xadian specimens made their trade a simply mystery to be solved.

If honest, the Katolian wouldn't have cared. In fact, he would have latched the door back up and permitted the outlaws' departure. But when he saw curious nickel-hues gaping timidly from behind the crates, he knew that he was obligated to do more.

Though that realization did not dawn on him immediately. In fact, at first, he was afraid of the moving figure. Fear choked every vein and artery in his being. But then came the denial - the inability to believe that whatever creature he saw was anything but fiction. After all, who in their right mind would transport a living being in such cruel conditions? Arkeus finally levied enough valor to further investigated. Sunlight pooled into the trailer as the man leaned in to get a better look.

It was not until then - when you were squinting agitatedly at the light - did he realize that the creature he saw was merely a child. Upon initial observation, he wouldn't have called you that considering your chiffon-flesh and pearly, dishevelled locks. It was your moon-round face and rosey, pouted lips that gave it away. Despite how it sounded - Arkeus did not have any ill intent or judgement when he first laid eyes on you. In fact, through all the guck that was smothered upon your features, and the rat's nest of hair that you had, the villager thought you were the prettiest little gem he had ever seen.

And trust that he had seen many gems and jewels during his forty-eight years of existence.

"What on earth have they gotten you into?" He muttered, combing cautiously through the assets as he paced through the storage.

But unforgivingly, his mission to reach you was short-lived.