Desert Roses

[lack_luster_soul]

Ialu felt his heart sinking inside of him. Ialu had never thought about when he and Eladrian would part ways. He knew Eladrian had his mission and Ialu was coming along to help protect him. But it was true, at some point, the mission would be over and Eladrian would return to his own land. And Ialu would-... Well, he wanted to join Eladrian, and stay with this amazingly entrancing man. But he had never heard of outsiders being allowed into the land of the Eldern. Ialu could only sit back for so long and pretend their adventure would never end.
He looked to Eladrian, his voice soft, "Should I leave?"  

[Claude Faustus]

He was at a loss as what to stay he wanted Ialu to stay with him, but then...he didn't want his friend harmed. He could fight true but this mission could get dangerous. Eladrian was torn, the responsible thing to do is leave him in Odessa and then come back later to retrieve him. He wasn't sure if Ialu would agree, a part of him wanted him to stay with him, to face the unknown south.
The young man sighed, "I really would like you to stay behind. Perhaps when my mission is complete, I can come back for you but....the choice is yours Ialu, it has always been yours, to risk coming with me means that I would not have the luxury of knowing that you are safe in what ever I do, no harm will come to you."
"...Otherwise, if you do decide to come with me, I would have no-other as my companion in this journey."  

[lack_luster_soul]

Ialu listened to Eladrian speak, then his eyes began to narrow. He wanted to stay with this man, no matter what. They didn't understand his concern. He wanted to throttle both of them. They were treating him like a child. Ialu had been a slave before. He had never put so much value on his life that he'd back away from an adventure. If he died, no one would miss him and he'd at least have experienced something more than his life before. He glanced to Amal, "I'm asking if I should leave because it seems your superior doesn't want me with you. I ask because I don't want you to violate some arbitrary code or law against fraternizing with someone who isn't of your kind." He looked back to Eladrian, "I don't want to leave you. I'm not worried about danger, I know the risks and I can defend myself. I don't even know what I'd do on my own, and I-..." He took a deep breath, "I don't want you to walk out of my life. I will leave if it's more convenient for you, but otherwise, I believe I'll stay."  

[Claude Faustus]

Eladrian let out the breath that he didn't realize that he was holding. "Ialu....I....I am grateful..."
Amal shrugged, "There is no code of honor saying that we Eldrien cannot become friends with humans, it's just old-fashioned talk. But if you really want to go with him, please remember that you must protect him."
Here the silver hiared elf frowned at his words.
"...He's still young yet Ialu. He'll make mistakes."  

[lack_luster_soul]

Ialu felt a bit strange, being such an outside between these two men. He kept wanting to interrupt them, but he quelled his quick temper and let them talk. He watched Eladrian, giving him a small smile. But his attention was stolen away once again. He swallowed hard, "I understand. But he's saved me a couple of times as well... We work as a team, I suppose... I will do my best, Amal... If that is your name....?"  

[Claude Faustus]

Amal simply smiled. "My name.....is something that I cannot tell you until my mission is done. Perhaps if we meet again I will introduce myself to you under my true name."
"It would be an honor...." Eladrian said. "...d-does My Lord require my assistance?" He asked nervously.
Amal shook his head. "No I do not, thank you for offering anyways." he laughed, amused by Eladrian's courtesy, his strange silver eyes glittering in thinly veiled attraction.
The younger knight felt his face grow warm. Well aware that it was most likely a long time since Amal had seen another man of his kind, never mind an elf of any kind and was probably eager to get closer to the young man. Eladrian could feel Ialu was watching him blush over Amal's comment and approving gaze.
He turned away from Amal, his cheeks still flushed,"If....If we are done talking....Then-then we should get going."

(( LLS; We have 1441 and 1414 posts in this forum respectively, cool eh?))  

[lack_luster_soul]

Ialu could feel the strange tension of the moment, watching the both of them. He reached back, scratching the back of his sweaty neck, feeling sand sticking in places he would rather it not be, the sweat rolling down his skin beneath his robes, his toes curled in his sandals, trying to escape the heat. He suddenly turned, rolling his eyes as he steadied himself against Sadiki. Strangely, he had never felt so alone.

He gathered his calm again easily before moving past the two of them to begin packing up the tent.  

[Claude Faustus]

With the disguised lord watching Eladrian was clumsy, fumbling with things as he helped Ialu pack camp. Feeling those strange silver eyes watching his every move when his back was turned, Eladrian self conscious and embarrassed.
On Amal's part, he thought the actions and blush of the younger man was endearing and charming.
They mounted up and where soon trekking across the sand again. as the sun starting to sink towards the horizon. Amal took up his endless chatter again, this time telling more of the great southern imperial city, of how grand the Imperial palace was.

Eladrian listened with half an ear, mostly concerned with his outburst earlier that day. He didn't like the feeling of jealously that arose whenever he thought about Ialu being held by the older man.  

[lack_luster_soul]

Ialu rode Sadiki peacefully, his thoughts spinning through his head. All the same, he kept a mask of peace on his face, trying not to let any emotions show. He was utterly confused by Eladrian's behavior. One moment he was protective of Ialu as his own, but the next he was fawning all over Amal. Ialu stole glances to the disguised elf every few moments though, not really blaming Eladrian. The elf was beautiful, dark hair and soft light tanned skin. He was almost a cross between Ialu and Eladrian. Ialu felt a little self-conscious though, now. His skin looked so dark compared to their's, even though he was pale compared to most Egyptians. And his hair so dark black, it was almost blue. He sighed and glanced up to the Sun in the sky, judging it to be around late afternoon. His stomach was beginning to rumble as well, so he pulled Sadiki to a halt, "We should stop for food, since we never ate when we woke."  

[Claude Faustus]

"Good idea." Amal agreed, looking towards Eladrain, as if the idea should have come from the young man in the first place. The silver haired elf quickly nodded and pointed to a low laying brush, the terrain was transforming from sand to a rocky terrain. There where more vegetation to take shade now.
Eladrian found a patch of high bush, shade enough to get out of the bright sun.
"Here's fine. let's unload the animals and give them a drink." He dismounted, but the camel had other ideas, the animal grunted and suddenly got up, sending Eladrian stumbling, he lost his footing and fell into the thorny brush.
Amal flinched, then looked away suddenly finding a flock of birds very interesting.  

[lack_luster_soul]

Ialu got off of Sadiki easily and was filling a bowl with water when he saw Eladrian fall. He bit his tongue and pursed his lips so as not to burst into laughter, setting the bowl down and walking over naturally. With no undue attention, he took Eladrian's arm and hoisted him back to his feet, a warm smile on his lips. Almost doting, he began brushing the elf off, picking at some of the thorns, "There you go--- Oh my, gods above, those horses are going to kill my Sadiki. He's too nice not to let them run all over him."

True, the other horses had bustled Sadiki out of the way to suck up all of the water. But the red Arabian stallion simply watched, letting the others get the water and going over to nibble at some thistles. Ialu sighed and walked back over to the stallion, stroking his neck. He retrieved a brush and ignored the thought of food to begin brushing the horses. All were so overheated, the sweat had stained their coats and foamed over their fly-bitten flanks. He groaned, "We need to find civilization soon. Horses were never meant for long trips through the desert."  

[Claude Faustus]

"True" Eladrian agreed, his face beet-red with embarrassment, He avoided looking at Amal when he rubbed his face, noticing a few small cuts there from the thorns. "What the horses need is a good bath...But that will have to wait."
Amal gave a sigh and dismounted, "What I wouldn't give to have a unicorn create a spring for us."
Eladrian paused. yes a unicorn could create a spring out of nowhere but Maya was only half a one...would it be possable to.....
The young elf truned to Amal. "Can a hybrid do it?"
"Do what?"
"Create a spring?"
Amal scratched his chin and looked towards Ialu tending to the horses. "A hybrid can but....they would need help."
"What kind of help?"
The older man laughed. "Why magic of course, we could use our magic to help the hybrid create a spring. but where will we find such a creature?"
Eladrian smiled and whistled.
Amal paled. "You don't mean your mount is a..." His silver eyes where drawn to the sound of hoofbeats.
Maya nickered inquiringly, her ears flattening back as she came closer to the stranger.
"Maya's a Hybrid....one of the few successfully foaled." Eladrian Smiled as he wrapped his arms around the creature. "If we aid her, could we draw up water enough for all of us?"

(Sorry if I'm ignoring Ialu, we'll get rid of Amal in the next city.)  

[lack_luster_soul]

Ialu turned, watching them. Maya could create a spring for them? This was news. He looked around to the horses and smiled. If they could create a spring enough for all of them to drink, then things would change.

Sadiki's eyes immediately lit up with Maya's reappearance. He lowered his head and watched her, whinnying softly. Ialu wanted to laugh and somehow tell the horse that he didn't have a chance, but the animal would never understand. He looked to Amal and Eladrian, "If we can create a spring, it might be best to stay in this spot for a full day, at least, just to make sure they're all fully hydrated and recovered before leaving again. I-... Magic really is wonderful, isn't it?" he turned back to the pack horses, murmuring, "I'll just set up camp then." He went about unloading the horses and setting up the tent. He wasn't any help as far as magic went, and it was no point in trying to pretend they needed him.  

[Claude Faustus]

"Hmm, yes, that is a good idea..." Eladrian looked at the horses, their coats where dusty ragged and dull, a bath would improve their appearance and would sure to fetch a better price.
"After we're done unpacking, we'll get to the spell." Amal said. "And take your time. I need time to remember how it goes." He said, setting himself down on a flat rock.  

[lack_luster_soul]

Ialu worked quickly and efficiently, but soon looked overheated and sweaty. Frustrated, he tugged off the long, robe-like tunic to work in just his linen pants, tossing the tunic off to the side. The sun wasn't intense enough to pose any harm to his skin, and he didn't mind much working without his clothes. He began hammering the stakes into the rocky ground, sweat rolling slowly down the defined muscles of his back. He shivered, wiping the sweat from his brow. It only took a few minutes to get the tent up, and Ialu was soon at work unpacking their food stores and building a small fire near the tent to cook with.