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19. Visitors

They had never spoken much about their relationship.
They had their bond, similar goals and respect for each other. They knew that if one of them perished no one could tell what would happen to the other and that Fharan had the upper hand since he was not as dependent on Afrit as his bond was on him.

Over the years they had learned more about each other than others did in a whole lifetime and they had started to accept eachothers presence.
They had never really talked of how far they would go for one another though.
It was the first time that either of them spoke about it openly, implying how strong their bond had grown. Not only were they coexisting, coping with each other, but they had become friends, maybe even more than that.
Fharan had of course noticed how Afrit had more and more adapted to his moods, had become more supportive, especially since they had, at least, physically separated. He had not thought much about it.
Neither of them had and still...

At first he only stared at the others silver-white eyes, tried to decide if he was serious or not. He guessed and even felt as much, but he wanted to make sure of it.
Afrit stayed silent as well and observed his counterpart, waited for his reaction.
Fharan had always closed himself off emotionally, kept his distance from others, but he had seen enough of his memories to understand why.
He cared for the boy. He had already realized that a while ago.

"Thank you.", Fharan then simply replied and finally looked away.
Never before had someone indicated him even remotely that he was important to them.
Afrit just smiled and moved aside to make more space in the bed. He could feel the others surprise and uncertainty.
They did not talk much more that evening, but were lost in their own thoughts.

Much later, maybe about four hours before sunrise, Afrit started to feel restless and opened his eyes. He had changed back into his cat form at some point and was lying at the end of the bed.
There was a quiet sound on the window that attracted his attention.
A small shadow squeezed itself through the crack that they always left open to circulate the air.
It seemed to carefully look around before silently tapping on the glass, apparently signalling a companion to enter as well.
The moon broke through the clouds and revealed the form of a black bird.
Behind the raven appeared a dark and long snake.
Afrit slowly sat up, but stayed silent to observe their uninvited visitors.
It did not take them long to realize that they were not the only ones awake.
They momentarily froze. Then the Raven, apparently male, started to excitedly whisper to his companion: "See! I told you I was right."
"I only asked if you were sure, nothing more.
Let's get rid of the human and take him back.", the snake calmly replied and slithered downwards.
As soon as it touched the ground, it transformed into the form of a slender woman, which stood up and slowly stepped towards the bed.

Afrit concluded that it was time to step in. He got up as well, but remained in his animal form.
"I do apologize, but I fear I can't let you harm him."
His comment instantly caught the intruders attention. Both seemed rather surprised by this development.
"You speak our tongue!? Since when do you posses your own mind?", the raven asked wide eyed, excitedly flapping its wings. "Rasha, he already learned to speak!!"
"I noticed.", the snake woman, apparently named Rasha, replied and fixed her gaze on Afrit.
"I only wonder, why would you protect a human?
When we kill him you will be free of his rule.", she then asked still holding her dagger, that she must have drawn unnoticed, close above Fharan.
"Give me a reason why I shouldn't end his life with my dagger in his throat?"
"Because I would have to kill you before you do.", Afrit replied lightly.
"And why would you do that?"
"Since I would probably die with him I think it to be a quite reasonable reaction."

He chuckled quietly while the snake took a step back from Fharan. Then she examined him as well as the human more closely.
It took her but a few seconds until she caught on.
"A bond!", she exclaimed surprised.
"What?", the raven asked confused.
"A bond, stupid! A soul-bond.", Rasha replied annoyed.
"You have a good eye.", Afrit commented and sat down again. The shrika had loosened her hold on the weapon.

"And what now?", the raven asked.
"Let me just make things clear.", Afrit interrupted before Rasha could answer.
"I won't be going anywhere, especially without him. I'll be staying here.
He was not the one to initiate the bond anyway.
Besides, I don't really see the point of following two people that broke into our bedroom in the middle of the night planning to kill off my bond. Doesn't make the most trustworthy first impression don't you think?"
He yawned.
"I think it's time for you to leave now, it's quite late.", he then pointed out.
"Ah, and please use the door should you feel the urge to visit us again."

All of the sudden the shadows in the room started to bend as the two shrika once again stared at him in surprise.
With a mere thought of him the window was pushed open and an invisible force drove both of them outside.
Before they could even react the window was shut and they dropped to the ground.

"You could have been more gentle.", Fharan pointed out.
Afrit walked up to him and lay down close by his side.
Where would have been the fun in that?
Maybe it will help them remember to use the door next time., Afrit refuted dismissively.
"We'll see.", Fharan replied and closed his eyes.