The Blinding

Chapter 60 - Tissa

The dissonant symphony of violence outside the tent was unsettling, but it paled in comparison to the distressing conversation I had overheard moments ago.
Who was the mysterious man Loyaan had been speaking with? Could my childhood friend truly be the traitor that Samakaab accused him of being? I had yearned to peek beyond the shelter's confines, to grasp the unfolding events. Still, an overwhelming sense of danger emanating from the enigmatic man's words had deterred me. I had listened as Loyaan pleaded with the stranger not to pursue me, insisting that I posed a grave threat. But did he truly believe that? I had wondered if the sudden intensity of my aura had prompted his words. However, I detected no familiar sparks or the usual signs preceding my magical outbursts. I had prayed that Loyaan's words were spoken to protect me, to dissuade the man from harming me. Yet, the turmoil of battle erupting so close to our shelter seemed to quash any hope of another private conversation with Loyaan.
With the clamor of battle now echoing from the other side of the tent, I had considered it safe to take a cautious look outside, now that the enigmatic man had departed. I had been meticulous in my efforts to conceal every inch of my body, ensuring that even my eyes remained hidden behind the blanket that draped over my face. I had gingerly drawn back the tent's opening, gazing out through the minuscule gaps in the fabric at the horrific scene.
A gasp had escaped my lips in astonishment. If this was the crucible through which my friends had fought, it was a marvel that any had survived. I had observed the chaotic theater of war for a fleeting moment, my eyes taking in the gruesome tableau. Then, amidst the bloodshed and chaos, I had discerned the familiar forms of my companions, Hani and Elmi, stationed on either side of my modest refuge. Relief had washed over me, a silent acknowledgment of their continued existence. Although I had longed to converse with them, to convey my relief at their survival and hear their tales of valor, I had reluctantly withdrawn and sealed the tent once more. The grim panorama of warfare etched itself indelibly into my memory.