Stolen Enchantment

Chasing Tails

"Bandits, either we keep moving or leave and take a long way. Which do you-"

Alhaitham appeared dead serious, his gaze was directed at where the arrow had been shot from but nothing appeared to be there. Whoever these people may be, they were using the ravine's details to their advantage against them. He turned his head back to Kaveh, who appeared unfocused, although his brows furrowed intensely. Alhaitham followed his line of sight and saw three figures holding blades to their sides. They were blocking the exit, their body language was apparent in their intentions. They had zero interest in letting these two escape. Barely he managed to identify them as the Eremites, surely they recognized who the two were. So why shoot? Alhaitham reached down for his blade, but Kaveh gripped his arm and pulled him deeper into the Valley.

"Those are Eremite bandits, it's quite obvious that they aren't just here for us."

Kaveh spoke between hasty breaths, giving Alhaitham not much of a chance to look back. But he allowed Kaveh to pull on his own ambitions.

"Elaborate, Kaveh."

Kaveh had finally let go of his arm, understanding that he'd willingly run with him. Their boots kicked up dirt as they both settled into a speedy jog.

"I figured, that in the beginning, they attempted to kill me. But when you pulled me away they had changed their mind, then closed our closest exit. Why do you think that is?"

Kaveh had pieced together the majority of the problem, and Alhaitham didn't need another second to think before he responded calmly.

"I see, they know who we are. Attempted to kill us to get it out of the way, clearly, they were here before us."

Alhaitham stopped, and Kaveh nearly fell over trying to halt himself so suddenly. He spun around catching his breath, to be fair he wasn't much of a runner. He was used to working out in the heat because of his job. But other such activities weren't his strength. Alhaitham on the other hand didn't appear to have trouble at all, he placed a hand under his chin and pondered lightly.

"There must've been cargo passing through here to Sumeru, bestowing a chance for the bandits to attack. They're smart, but with the two of us, they'll have a new problem."

Alhaitham's eyes narrowed down fiercely, he appeared almost furious. His hand shook and he began to roughly walk the path at a quick pace. The thought of playing dirty like that with Sumeru's supplies made him irritated. Kaveh followed beside him this time, he shook his head and frowned annoyed.

"I believe so if that's the case. This situation will end in us facing battle, don't get yourself hurt."

Kaveh made a snarky remark at Alhaitham, but he didn't appear to take it very lightly as his pace silently got faster.

"I do not plan on it, but if anyone should be careful it would be you. Wouldn't want to fall over in another coma."

When Alhaitham's gaze turned back to Kaveh, it was clear their argument from before had left a burning imprint behind his neck. Kaveh shut his mouth as the two traveled down the valley, the walls were decorated and layered in an abundance of colors and designs. All from hundreds of years of abuse from the weather. Upon turning a round corner, the two were faced with a chaotic scene. A cart flipped, and a dead stallion with its insides spilled out onto the sand. A few scrapes of past items were scattered over the ground in a frantic manner. Alhaitham approached and took a further examination of the silently haunting scene while Kaveh approached the cart. He poked his head around and saw a disheveled old man, his knees up to his chest as he held his head down.

"Sir are you-"

He was immediately cut off by the man in question, who sounded horrified to the core.

"No, please! That's all I have I swear, I'm not keeping a single cent. I beg if you plan on killing me make it quick, mercy on my life!"

Kaveh hastily bent down to the man's side and put his hands out trying to calm him. He placed them on one of the man's knees in an attempt to ease his mind.

"No no I'm not here to harm you, my partner and I came across the path and wanted to see if there were any survivors. If you can, tell me what happened. And where the culprits could have gone?"

The man slowly stopped shaking and raised his head up to meet Kaveh's gaze. His skin was stained with dry tears as he put his hands out in prayer. He shook his head up and down thanking Kaveh as if he were a god. Kaveh continuously explained everything was alright to the man, and soon enough he took the time to explain.

"See I came with four other carts, some weren't even with the supply route but were headed to Sumeru anyway. Most carried children and families. When I saw the group of bandits behind us I stayed to try and hold them off in time for everyone else to escape. But I failed to do so, now I fear they are in danger."

Kaveh's eyes raised, this was a much more serious matter. Dozens of people were involved in this situation with the bandits, it had only been 30 minutes or so after the man himself was attacked. The carts of people were likely found by now! No time to waste, Kaveh thanked the man and ran back off to Alhaitham. His body posture was tense and widened compared to how he usually stood, which was the poise and closed in, unlike now.

"We need to hurry down the valley now, this isn't just supplies we're talking about its people! I'm already assuming the bandits caught up."

Alhaitham nodded his head and sprinted off down the valley with Kaveh, who kept a few feet behind struggling to meet his pace. The two took five minutes to reach their next location, the scene was laid out perfectly. They were late for the running party.