The Blinding

Chapter 42 - Samakaab

I awoke that morning with my arms instinctively wrapped protectively around Tissa's form. Startled, I gently withdrew to avoid disturbing her slumber. As I began to pack our belongings, the rest of our group stirred awake. Miandi was now within sight, and an unspoken agreement seemed to hang in the air—we would not address the events of the previous night directly. Yet, with the heaviness slightly lifted, the atmosphere felt somewhat lighter. While Anab's tragic demise still cast a shadow over us, especially Beydan, we engaged in casual conversation during our journey.
To her credit, Tissa appeared less apprehensive about her newfound abilities. Although she made sure to keep her body covered as we trekked, she seemed less preoccupied with the fear of inadvertently harming those around her. Even Idil utilized her powers to conjure playful images for the children, who responded with gleeful giggles. I couldn't help but notice Hani, too, crack a hesitant smile.
In what seemed like a blink, we arrived in Miandi. I took a deep breath, attempting to push aside the memories of my past within the city. It remained largely the same, with a few modern buildings scattered in the elite districts—home to shifters and Seers. Beyond those regions, the dilapidated slums, reminiscent of Bulhar and Sarapion, sprawled out. As we traversed the more affluent neighborhoods, our presence drew a few hostile glances from the locals. Fortunately, it appeared that the city had yet to fully awaken, sparing us from too much scrutiny.
Lacking information on Elmi's whereabouts, we decided to establish a makeshift camp near the slums. Finding proper lodging was out of the question, given Tissa's conspicuous appearance. While Beydan and Idil settled the children down for a nap, Gadiid, Hani, and I ventured out in search of sustenance. Although Tissa appeared somewhat disappointed to stay behind, she understood that her condition made joining us impossible.
We meandered through the bustling bazaar, eventually stumbling upon a bakery wafting the tantalizing scent of freshly baked bread into the wind, provoking an involuntary rumbling in my stomach. Alongside a steaming pot of tea, we waited for the young woman who owned the shop to prepare the bread, lost in our own thoughts.
Hani broke the silence, her mouth full of bread samples offered by the generous shop owner. "Where are we supposed to find this Elmi, anyway?"
I shrugged absentmindedly, my mind drifting as memories of my parents treating Aweys and me to sweets from a similar bazaar resurfaced.
"I suppose this is as good a place as any to start," Gadiid replied, gesturing toward the heart of the city. "Though he may be a Seer, I doubt he'd reside among the residents of the slums."
I grunted in agreement, my attention still divided.
"Wouldn't he be able to find us?" Hani inquired between leisurely bites of roti.
The question left me pondering. Unfamiliar with Seers and their abilities, I couldn't provide a conclusive answer. "I'm not sure," I mumbled, chastising myself for overlooking Elmi's Seer powers during our arduous search.
"Most Seers can't selectively choose their visions; it's a gift limited to only a few," Gadiid offered, prompting my curiosity about where he had acquired such knowledge about Seers. What an intriguing addition to the Council he would make.
As we sat in silence, savoring more samples of the delectable, soft bread, my thoughts returned to the enigmatic figure of Elmi. I wondered about his identity and appearance, and as if conjured by my thoughts, an eccentric character walked in, exuding a vibrant aura.
"Hello!" the man announced with unbridled enthusiasm. "What a splendid morning we're having, isn't it?"
Dumbfounded, Hani, Gadiid, and I exchanged bewildered glances. The newcomer was an elderly man, around sixty, with a henna-dyed beard that cascaded down his chest. His hair, mirroring his beard's hue, featured a bald patch at the crown. Unlike the attire common in the slums, he wore loose linen pants and, quite oddly, a vividly colored dashikihi. Completing the ensemble was a mismatched kufi that did little to conceal his balding.
"Well," he continued, seemingly unfazed by our bafflement, "Am I too late for breakfast?" He inquired, his voice brimming with animation.
"Erm, no," I replied, realizing that we were in a bakery, where breakfast fare was served throughout the day.
"That'll be 20 coins," the owner interjected, snapping us out of our trance.
Hani moved to pay, and a man took the spot she had just left. His gaze swept the room. "Ah, Samakaab!" he exclaimed, eyes widening upon seeing me.
"You must be Elmi," I remarked with a hint of indifference. If this man was our savior, we were in dire straits.
"The one and only!" he declared with enthusiasm.
Hani returned, a bag of pastries in one hand and a pot of qahwa in the other. I shot her a frustrated glance, to which she merely shrugged. "At least he's found, and we don't need to search anymore," she muttered.
"Indeed, I am a Seer, after all," Elmi interjected, having overheard our conversation.
"But how did you..." Gadiid began, curiosity marking his features.
"As I mentioned, I'm a Seer," Elmi reiterated animatedly. "Let's proceed; we have much to discuss."
With his trousers flapping at each step, Elmi confidently exited the hut, appearing to know our camp's direction. Yet, as we soon realized, he didn't. He quickly sidestepped and trailed us as we led the way.
Awil and Asli greeted us with joyous expressions as we neared. The children had grown attached to Hani, Gadiid, and me. They took refuge behind our legs upon seeing Elmi. Unperturbed, Elmi bent down to engage them. "Hello there," he greeted Asli tenderly. "What's your name?"
"Asli," she murmured, peeking from behind Hani's baati.
Elmi's smile widened as he patted her soft hair. Reaching into his dashiki pocket, he presented her with a sweet. This gesture won her over as she emerged from her hiding spot to cautiously accept his offering.
Amused, Elmi chuckled. Shortly after, Idil and Beydan approached. "Who is this?" Beydan inquired, her eyes red-rimmed.
Studying her intently, Elmi bowed slightly. "I am Elmi. My condolences for your loss," he whispered, grasping her hand. The revelation of Elmi's insight startled both Beydan and Gadiid, as well as the others. Though visibly unsettled, Beydan whispered her gratitude before distancing herself.
Tissa soon entered the scene, having overheard our exchange. Clad from head to toe, she made her presence discreetly.
"And who might this be?" Elmi inquired, a puzzled crease forming on his forehead.
Upon revealing her face, a radiant aura illuminated her features. For once, Elmi was taken aback, a mix of realization and another emotion, elusive to me, crossing his face.
"You are a..." He paused, awe shifting to confusion, then recognition. "You must be Tissa."