Write your own story

18. Not alone

Afrit was in his human form as he returned to his dorm room and they picked up where they had last stopped.
"We will have a few visitors soon.", Afrit started.
"It was a rather curious thing actually.
I could sense shrika nearby, powerful ones.
They should have been close enough to pick up my aura."
Fharan nodded in understanding.
Shrika might not be known for their tendency to live in groups but they were rare and powerful enough to keep an eye on each other. Humans on the other hand were either entertainment or a threat.

It was inevitable that something like that would happen.
The shrika Afrit possessed had been quite powerful.
Maybe they would be able to turn it into something useful.
"And we were right by the way.", Afrit added.
"The bloodhounds picked up your scent this morning. It seems as if the academy's defence mechanism will keep them busy for a while."
"The planned kidnapping will distract them as well. Did the viscount take the warning seriously?"
"Yes. The little one will be sent away by tomorrow."

While Afrit had followed his target he had picked up multiple things.
For one it was obvious that they were still searching for Fharan and had somehow picked up the rumours from the palace.
They had just not known where exactly he had gone and started to carefully search the palace, finding nothing in the process.
It was not clear if they had finally received the information that he went to the academy from there or if it had come from the academy itself. Rumours did not travel fast outside the academy walls.
It did not matter much though.
Another point of interest had been the planning of a kidnapping.
Afrit had delivered a warning to viscount Ehren after confirming that their aim lay on his second daughter. It would hopefully disrupt any further plans with the girl.
There had also been talk about a bigger project but no one had talked about details. The only thing that Afrit had been able to find out was that it would take place rather soon and involved the capital.
There had also been other things, but they had been of little interest to them.

Afrit changed the topic.
"What did the prince talk to you about?", he asked.
"I didn't know you had met before."
"I did not, but it is impossible to walk around without hearing a few things. He arrived last week if I remember correctly."
"He was sent to invite me to Hélion.", Fharan replied.
"Interesting choice for a messenger."
"Yes."
"Will you accept?"
Fharan stayed quiet.
"It would certainly be easier to move around."
His bond stayed silent still.
"On the other hand, I'm sure there a quite a few troublesome things attached. It would probably still be safer to make some connections, Hélion or not, in case anything goes wrong."
A bitter smile appeared on Fharans lips. "I'm not sure what kind of difference that would make."
He was surprised when Afrit suddenly grabbed his hand and flinched back a little.
He tried to keep it to himself, but he was not very fond of physical contact. Non human creatures seemed to be the exception.
"My dear boy,", began Afrit and sounded just a bit more serious than usual, "there is a whole world outside, if you admit it or not. I do understand the reluctance to put ones trust in others, but it's not like anyone will force you to do so.
The reason we choose the academy was the possibilities it provided. I do believe we should use them to their fullest.
Let them try to harm you again in a crowd of well bred aristocrats.
It will be quite the spectacle, I'm sure.
Furthermore, it can never hurt to be close to people that have resources as vast as the palace.
The Jaheræ are on their way as well, but as convenient as they may be Seranian 'Crishnas' have limits."

He had lost much of his seriousness towards the end of his speech, but Fharan knew what he meant.
It was also clear that Afrit understood why he hesitated, even if he did not show it outright, his words hitting the mark as well as the things he did not speak out loud.
They were still one after all.
It might not seem like it, but there was technically little need to speak to each other.
They did it anyway, it felt less foreign that way.
And the Jaheræ...

He had escaped alone with Afrit that day, that much was true, but in the months that followed, he found out that he was not the only one that was looking for answers.
Fharan had stumbled upon the Jaheræ while he had observed another facility belonging to his kidnappers which he had yet to identify.
While doing so he became aware that he was not the only one keeping watch over the building.
They were a group of desert wanderers, descendants of a former warrior clan that had ruled over most of it for decades.
Two of their children had disappeared as well. Although they might have been peaceful for the last years that did not mean that they stood by while one of their own was wronged.
They managed to build a partnership, uniting their goals to one.
Afrit was rather inclined to portray them as useless, but even he was unable to deny that they had been quite beneficial to their cause.

"Then it seems that I should try to find out why exactly Hélion is interested in me.", Fharan concluded.
"It does seem so doesn't it?!" Afrit chuckled.
"On the other hand, who even cares about power anymore. Everything that counts nowadays is fear and I think we have quite enough of that but it's never wrong to plan ahead."
Fharan just raised a brow. "Sometimes I wonder if you ever find a topic to be serious about."
His bonds newly bloomed smile faltered a little.
"I think you should know by now that there is something I would never joke about."
"You tell me there is something that you deem so important?", Fharan asked and looked at him questioningly.
Afrit met his gaze, his smile now completely gone.
"..... Yes............. You."