Oraden and Tahir stood in the shade of the trees bordering Elysi. Before them, the scorching heat wavered over the barren land. Not since he was very young had Oraden hesitated before setting foot in that hot sand. He was eager to begin their adventure, and confident that Demetrius knew what he was doing. Still, that nagging feeling kept his feet in place.
Tahir understood; despite Demetrius’ promise of safe passage, the threat of wizards and ogres hot on their trail was intimidating. Any danger to Oraden would be a danger to him too. More so, he was apprehensive about his friend’s safety. He’d sworn to protect magical creatures. Oraden was more than his partner in this adventure; he was a brother. He swore now, that nothing would happen to Oraden without it happening to him first.
He stroked the unicorn’s neck and felt the muscles twitch at his touch. Tahir smiled, and vanished before Oraden’s eyes. Oraden understood, nodded and dematerialized as well. They slowly, one invisible step at a time, walked out into the desert.
They followed the river, just as Demetrius instructed. Tahir looked back to see the lush oasis reduced to a solitary tree: Nayani. Her branches waved at him before she gracefully sank into the sandy earth.
They walked slowly and kept close together. Tahir kept his hand on Oraden’s shoulder so they’d both know the other was there. The day was clear and bright, allowing them to see for miles in every direction. The desert was always quiet; they’d be able to see and hear if someone were to approach them. It seemed silly to be afraid of a place you’ve been many times before, but that’s how they walked for a good part of the morning.
Atop a majestic tree perched a giant bird. Its gaze seemed to pierce their invisibility.
“Do you think it sees us?” Tahir whispered to Oraden.
“I don’t know, but now it definitely hears us.”
“Maybe it’s Alexander. He was a fennec fox once.”
“It’s possible. He did say he was watching us.”
“Alexander!” Tahir called. “Alexander, is that you?”
The bird cocked its head.
“It isn’t nearly as interesting to watch someone once they know they are being watched.” The bird spoke in Alexander’s gruff voice.
“How did you see us?” Oraden asked.
“A truly powerful wizard sees all. As for me, I trust my nose as much as my eyes.” Alexander stretched his wings. “There is nothing to fear. I am never more than a moment away, but don’t expect me to fly to your aid every time you think you need it. This is as much a test as it is training. Do not disappoint us, young warriors.”
With that, the bird took to the sky. Tahir and Oraden watched him circle a few times before soaring into the distance.
“I don’t like Alexander’s tests,” Tahir said, reappearing. “Remember the last one?”
“You bet I do.” Oraden laughed. He too, agreed it was no longer necessary to remain invisible. “You should have seen your face!”
“I’ve never seen anything like that monster even in my worst nightmares! What was it?”
“I’m pretty sure he turned into Cerberus. It’s a dog-like creature that guarded the gates of the dead, long, long ago.”
“Did fairies tell you about him too?”
“Sure did.”
“What do fairies look like and how do you find them?”
“They find me. Usually they’re dancing in the sky, but sometimes they float down to our level and make birdsong noises. You know, those twinkling lights that hover just below the treetops in Elysi.”
“I’ve seen those! I always thought they were beautiful.” Tahir turned backwards so he could face his friend as they talked. “I never knew what they were though. Another thing, why was it such a big deal that you knew about Demetrius?”
“I don’t know. No one ever said I wasn’t allowed to talk to the fairies. They have all these stories about magic and interesting creatures; they told me about him. Well, they don’t really talk—it’s more like singing. And they sing about Demetrius a lot.”
“What about Alexander?”
“They sing about him, too. He’s supposed to have just as much magic as Demetrius.” Oraden paused. “I’ve never heard of Kraven, though.”
“You know what? Alexander could be anything. For all we know, Jeverre could have been Alexander, as could any of the sprites or bunnies or butterflies we play with.”
“I doubt that, Tahir. He doesn’t seem the type to play.”
“It’s strange that he rescued me all those years ago and I’m only now finding out about him. I bet he was one of the wizards that saved your parents, too. You’d think we would’ve stumbled upon that house; it’s so close.”
“Who says they live there? That’s just where we met them. That house and everything in it could have been made by magic.”
“You think so?” Tahir asked.
“I’ve been everywhere there is to go around here and I’ve never seen that house.” Oraden turned to find Tahir was no longer there. His ear flickered and he heard Tahir muffle a giggle. A mischievous smile crept across his face and he rammed his shoulder to the side.
“How did you know where I was?” Tahir asked, now visible face down in the sand.
Oraden pointed at the ground behind them marked by two sets of footprints.
“Besides,” Oraden added, “you breathe loud and you stink.”
Tahir twisted his face into a frown. “Look who’s talking, cactus breath!”
“Cactus breath?” Oraden was flabbergasted. “How could you say such a thing? After all my parents have done for you?” he tried to imitate his mother’s voice. They both to burst into laughter.
They continued along the riverbank, laughing and teasing each other until dusk was upon them. There was so little vegetation outside of Elysi; they hadn’t come across any place that would provide shelter from the elements either. Deciding that one spot was just as good as another; they simply stopped when the sun had nearly disappeared behind the horizon.
“Did it make you angry that Li’Ang used her magic to lead you here?” Oraden asked, as Tahir made a small fire.
“I’ve been thinking about that. I’m not sure. It did make me wonder…if they are so powerful, could they have saved my mother and our village but chose not to just so they could use me for their purposes? And your parents? Could Ramah and Diamond have been freed sooner?”
“That’s a good point. Maybe they needed time to come up with a strategy to rescue them. Why didn’t you ask?”
“I considered it.” Tahir fed the small flame with dry palm bark gathered along the way. “But that would be kind of like accusing them of murder. Even I know when not to ask a question.”
“Well! That’s a first!” Oraden laughed.
“Maybe one day, if I get to know them better, I will ask.”
“You know, you may not like the answer. Some things are best left a mystery.”
Tahir stirred the fire with a stick before tossing it into the growing blaze. He unrolled his blanket and stretched it over the sand. Oraden knelt nearby. After a day’s walk in the merciless Saharan sun, it wasn’t long until sleep consumed them both.