Book of Valors

6-Reo

      Reo lays out on Calliope's sofa, a wave of thoughts running through his tired mind. A part of him wants to do this to get money and his 'freedom', but another part of him doesn't want to betray his people more than he already has. The words Sen'na Laeo keep repeating themselves in his head. Why have the gods given him such an estranged path of atonement? He had been wishing for so many years that he had Castor back so much that it ached. Reo could always count on his big brother for anything, but he's gone. He's gone and is never coming back. It's all because of Reo and his foolishness.

"I hope this is the right thing to do, Castor." Reo mumbles before succumbing to sleep.

The next morning, they meet a giddy Clementine and her son who is cradled in her arms. The boy looks much better than the last time he saw him, but the boy is very frail.

"I take it you know your way to Allori?" She asks him.

"Yeah, I know." He says dismissively. He notices Calliope staring at a large mansion that is situated on the outskirts. She's grabbing at the two long braids in her hair and her eyes reflect a feeling of unease like she wants to leave as soon as possible. He wants to ask her what was wrong and try to help her but Clementine forces his attention back to her.

"As you know you have cross the Sunarai Desert to get to Allori which will be too difficult for you on foot. When you arrive, there will be a caravan waiting for the two of you to get you to Allori safely and without getting caught." Reo sucks in a breath as her words stab at his heart. Before he can retort back, Clementine shoves a leather bag in his hands. "Here is some travel money, now off you go. I expect that book in my hands very soon." For some reason, those words made him feel nauseous. She sees them off, the two of them beginning their journey to Allori. Calliope assumes that the journey will take two months both ways, hopefully quicker with the Suna caravan. They'd have to cross the entirety of Roscha and Sunarai before they even brush the Allori border.

They've been walking for a few hours now, making small talk. Vast fields and small villages pepper the Roschan countryside. Calliope seems to be feeling better after leaving the city. He thinks about her upset face back at the mansion.

"Hey Calliope can I ask you something?"

"Sure."

"At the outskirts, you seemed to be really put off by that mansion we were by, what's up with that if you don't mind me asking?" She looks down at her feet and twirls her hair in her fingers. Reo is beginning to notice that she twirls her hair when she's distressed. She has a focused look on her face as if she's thinking about what to say.

"I just don't really like that place, it gives me a bad feeling." She says softly. They don't say anything about it afterwards. The due continues travelling through Roscha for the next two weeks, only stopping to camp for the night. They spend their time on the road coming up with plans and getting to know each other. Actually, it's more like Reo trying to get something out of Calliope. She asks him about his interests but when the topic of her comes up, she changes the subject. The more time Reo spends with Calliope, the more fascinated he becomes with her. He studies her constantly, eager to learn everything about her. But Calliope with her guarded nature, doesn't reveal much. She has a nice habit of perfectly answering a question without giving an actual answer. It frustrates Reo just a little bit. It's like she doesn't even want to attempt to make friends with him. All she really does is plan their next move for this mission, like she's obsessed with it.

They soon enter a village at around sunset where they decide to turn in for the night. It's not very big, just some houses, a few farms, and a corner store. Calliope doesn't seem impressed. She stares at Reo while he looks around eagerly. He's been here before, after escaping the ju haleer, he lived here for a few weeks with an Allori woman named Nita. He soon spots her home, a small building with a sizeable garden surrounding it. Reo ushers Calliope over.