Desert Wind

Chapter 6

***

People often say that laziness is part of human nature. But few ponder what this truly means. Our minds absorb thousands of new pieces of information daily, while simultaneously managing vital functions such as breathing and pumping blood. This is why the mind favors habits-they simplify its work. Actions performed repeatedly require minimal attention and become automatic. For instance, your hand instinctively grabs the handle when you see a door because you've already done it several times that day. We don't consciously think about how to drink a mug of beer or how to put on clothes.

And so, there I was, sitting on a satin sofa in a small room within a lavish tenement house-somewhere I never imagined I'd be. Exhaustion overwhelmed me, as if I had been ill for a long time. I felt the fatigue that makes even the smallest movement require immense effort, despite the desire to act.

"Kasander," a voice echoed in the room. A young man approached a small chest of drawers in the corner, opened one, and retrieved a few items. He walked over to me.

"That's my name. If he's keeping you here, the least I can do is tell you that," he said with a smile. I shrugged.

"It doesn't matter. Everything you say might be a lie."

"Do you really think so? Why would I lie? I can't tell you why you're here or many other things, but I can tell you my name. Why doubt me?" He knelt in front of me and grabbed my hand, but I pulled it away.

"Are you afraid of me?" he asked, tilting his head as his hair fell into his eyes. He brushed it away.

"Probably," I admitted. He must have noticed my expression because he quickly added, "Don't get me wrong. I don't intend to harm you. Listen, I know this is a strange and unpleasant situation, but believe me, there's no other way."

"There's always a way out," I blurted out, immediately regretting it. I was supposed to stay silent, comply, and escape at the first opportunity. Damn it...

"Not this time." He looked at my hands. I let him hold it, thinking I had nothing to lose. He pulled my hand closer and examined it.

"It needs to be cleaned," he muttered. He picked up a device resembling a pair of scissors.

"What are you going to do?" I asked nervously.

"You have tiny shards of glass embedded in your skin. If they stay there, they'll need to be cut out." I felt a wave of nausea but nodded.

"Go on," I whispered, closing my eyes. The pain was undeniable. Kasander worked in silence, pouring a foul-smelling substance on my hands and using surgical forceps to remove the fragments. He repeated the process on my knees.

"Now for the interesting part," he said, standing and gathering the tools. "I'll be right back." He left the room.

Before I could process everything, the door opened again. Kasander returned with a man I had never seen before. His appearance was striking, unlike anyone in Aram. He was as tall as Kasander, but had red hair, dark brown eyes, and extremely fair skin.

***

"I'm Amon," he said in a low voice as he walked toward me. He looked at my hands. "You could have sent someone for me. You didn't have to do it yourself, Prince... Kasander."

"I know," replied Kasander. "I wanted to practice."

Amon turned to me and pointed to the sofa I was sitting on. I nodded, unsure of his purpose. He sat beside me and gently took my hands, barely touching them. He closed his eyes and began reciting something under his breath. What is this about?

I was about to pull my hands away when I felt Kasander's hand on my shoulder.

"Don't move," he said, his tone making it clear I shouldn't. Amon finished his recitation and released my hands. I stared in shock. No scratches, no scars. Even the dried wound from the explosion outside the fairy's hut had disappeared. Magic-that word floated in my mind.

"Did it all work out? It looked bad," Kasander said, bending down to examine me carefully.

"Didn't you say you found her in that quiet town? Aram, perhaps?" Amon asked.

"Right," Kasander laughed. "Yes, they fear magic there, let alone magicians."

I'm in a room with a living, breathing magician. I need to leave. If anyone finds out, they will kill me. There's a guard downstairs in the square. Oh my God. I glanced at the door, imagining the guards already charging up the stairs. The penalties for any contact with magicians were severe.

"Klelia," Kasander's soft voice broke through my thoughts. "Are you okay?" I looked at him with terrified eyes. "Won't you thank me? See, your skin looks like new." He laughed, and Amon rolled his eyes, standing up and heading towards the door. "Amon is a master at his craft." I hadn't even noticed when he finished treating my knees. Fear had taken over my body. I jumped up from the sofa and ran towards the door, which was still ajar. Amon hadn't locked it. I reached for the doorknob, thinking I would be free. I'd make it.

My fingers touched the cool metal, but the door slammed shut. I couldn't stop my momentum and crashed into the door. I closed my eyes, feeling a strange buzzing in my head, like a hive full of bees. There was a loud bang, the sound of breaking glass, and a cacophony of noises.

"Shit," Kasander's voice added to the chaos. My face felt hot. I opened my eyes just as some invisible force pulled me back. I fell on my butt, the fall painless compared to what could have happened if I'd hit the door. But wait. Where there had been a wooden door moments ago, there was now a hole. Single boards lay on the floor, remnants of the entrance, burning. The windows were shattered, glass scattered everywhere. I looked at Kasander in horror. His eyes were darker than before, one hand raised. What happened? My gaze shifted from him to the hole. Someone ran up the stairs, bucket in hand, and doused the flames. They hissed and went out.

"Now I definitely won't let you go," Kasander said angrily. "I should have known this would happen. Damn it. The explosion was too loud. The entire guard will be here soon." He glared at me. I curled up on the floor, terrified. "If I hadn't pulled you away from that door, do you know what would have happened?" Was that force him? That means he's... a magician.

Kasander went back to the chest of drawers and started rummaging through it.

"You'll have to forgive me, but we don't have time after your performance. The whole plan... everything from the beginning. Pray we make it in time." I looked at him, unmoving, sitting on the cold floor. Kasander pulled something out of the drawer and threw it against the wall. "Where is it?" He suddenly turned to me and took a few quick steps. He was incredibly fast.

"I'll see you there. If we survive." Before I could understand what he was doing, he grabbed me by the waist with one hand and covered my mouth and nose with a cloth using the other. I started to struggle, trying to kick and push him away. But darkness took over too quickly.

***

Dear Reader,

I'm glad to see you here! I hope this chapter makes your Friday evening more enjoyable.

Thank you for all your support, for the stars, and the wonderful comments.

In the meantime, I'll continue writing. Have a nice weekend!

Yours Czekoladowa...