Forget Where We Were (reupload!)

Chapter 3

"Stay here for another day. You should not go back out there yet. There's a sandstorm coming in a few days."

Alhaitham was about to drink from his cup, yet what was said to him made him sigh, "I shall not impose any longer. You have been a good host, Candace."

The Guardian of Aaru Village shook her head, "Anything for a friend."

She then looked a bit bewildered, as if she was hesitating to speak some more. It lasted for a few seconds before she decided to press on. "Dehya told me... what happened, and what she has been doing to help. If you require the aid of more scholars or scouts, let me know."

"No need," replied Alhaitham after he finally finished his meal. "You have helped enough."

"Assistance given to things like this should not be measured or quantified," said Candace. "Look. I know how it feels to lose someone very important to me. I know you might deny his significance in your life, but it was obvious with the way you chase each lead that may lead you to him. Even if the Matra issued the official statement six months ago."

"It became a tourist attraction, those ruins, down there," frowned Alhaitham. "The people of the forest and the desert alike go down there on the daily to offer flowers and wine. I knew he was loved by many. I just never expected the worship he received. If they really revere him as they claimed to, they should have extended help when he was still around and struggling to get commissions to support himself. Not now, when they all believe he's dead."

Candace looked completive, "Unfortunately, Alhaitham, people see the value of things and people once they're gone, once it's too late. Regret is poison, even more so than the curse of falling in love. Oh, right. Dehya also wanted to ask you if you remain sure that you want to continue the search. It's been half a year, after all. We're all getting worried."

Alhaitham raised an eyebrow.

Candace sighed, "Accept it. We're your friends. And... even if I never got the chance to be close to him, this village was among the many recipients of Kaveh's generosity and kindness. People were right to call him that title of his. He indeed brought light wherever he went."

Right. Kaveh did a lot of pro bono work to restore and fortify Aaru Village buildings to prepare them for future sandstorms. He also taught scholars and teenagers how to repair simple things around - doors, roofs, window locks, and whatnot. People loved him as he could not help himself but take care of others, mostly at his own expense.

Perhaps that was what ultimately led Kaveh to this predicament. Maybe, right now, he was out there, stuck helping people he could have left well alone. Maybe he could not afford a trip home. That was something very possible, considering Kaveh's charitable background. That was why Alhaitham just needed to find him and bring him home. The Acting Grand Sage has been gone from onsite work for far too long, and he could not bear the taste of not-Kaveh-made coffee in the mornings.

And yes, Kaveh needed to come back to pay off his debts. He had to do more than just go missing one day and escape all of his financial responsibilities in the city. As the Acting Grand Sage, someone trying to ditch a whole pile of debts should not be given a leeway. They should be located and brought back to the city to continue being accountable for their debts. This was just the right thing to do.

"What of the two things, then?"

Candace shook her head, "I could not give you a proper update, since it's been two weeks since they came by. Dehya continues to search for Zamir's whereabouts after the Tanit tribe denied his affiliation with them. Cyno's pursuing a trail of stolen artifacts to the northeast."

"That Eremite," spat Alhaitham. "He followed Kaveh everywhere he went, and now no one knows where he is. If he was the one who took Kaveh..."

"The Eremites would not attack unprovoked, especially not if he was hired as part of Kaveh's team. Unless he was strategically placed there by someone to keep watch of a prey."