The Azimar Archives Book One- The Book of Death

Hasani

Hasani stepped into a brightly lit room, noting with a bit of surprise the numerous candles dotted around on every available surface. Areanath sat hunched over a writing desk, scribbling onto a bit of parchment. He wore simple clothing- Areanath was not one for fancy fabrics or heavy robes- and his long, slightly greying hair had been brushed and pinned back into a knot between his shoulder blades. His beard, usually scraggly and a tad unkempt, had been trimmed and oiled.

At the sound of Hasani's entrance, Areanath straightened, "Ah, good, you're here." He looked up, surprised to see his adviser there. "My apologies, Hasani, I'm expecting the Lady Matriarch."

"She's just outside, my lord." Hasani gestured to the door. "Ajax is with her."

"Then send her in, of course." Areanath turned back to his writing.

Hasani stepped closer to Areanath. "Actually, I was hoping I might have a moment of your time." Areanath looked up at Hasani again, an eyebrow raised. "I wondered if you might be able to better explain this to me." Hasani reached into his vest, pulling out the little book

Areanath leapt up from his chair. "Oh, put that away, you fool." He hastily shoved it back into Hasani's vest. "I told you to keep it hidden away, didn't I?" Areanath shook his head, frowning down at Hasani.

"So you did bring it to me! In the middle of the night?" Hasani grimaced. "I thought I was mad, you know."

Areanath's eyebrow raised again. "We're all a bit mad, I suppose."

Hasani shook his head. "But what does it even mean? The writing is nonsense."

"No offense taken," Areanath said, smirking. "So, you've read it then?"

"Well it's a book, isn't it?"

Areanath snorted. "Don't worry about it yet. Just remember that it's there. Someday it'll make more sense." He turned away from Hasani, back to the desk. He shuffled a few loose papers almost idly. "Was there something else you wanted to discuss?"

"There was, actually..." Hasani briefly thought about asking if Nevina knew about the book as well, she had seemed so coy... No, surely I'm just imagining it... He instead addressed the other news Silvana had brought him. "This hunting trip with your brother..." Areanath straightened at the mention of Mothlenor. "...Do you have everything you need?" Hasani sighed. "Something for your knee, for example?"

Areanath turned back to Hasani. "I am well equipped, yes. Thank you for mothering me, Hasani." He smirked a little, his bright green eyes glinting.

"If you are prepared for the journey, then I suppose that's all I can do."

Areanath placed a hand on Hasani's shoulder. "You've done quite a bit." Areanath paused. "After all these years..." He gazed into Hasani's eyes, searching. "I've placed a heavy burden on your shoulders, and I apologize."

Hasani smirked. "On days like today, I must agree with you."

Areanath gave his shoulder a gentle squeeze before letting his hand drop away with a soft sigh. "Please bring the Matriarch in, Hasani."

"Of course, my lord."