Respite
Yanig watches Doa and Taek's approach with parental pride. Saqwe, standing beside him, notices his grin and stabs him in the ribs with her elbow. "You will make Ruben here feel bad if you keep making it obvious that Doa is your favourite," she chastises him.
Frowning, Yanig leans back to peer behind Saqwe. Ruben follows his lead and leans back too, then Yanig whispers conspiratorially, "Don't mind her Ruben, she is just fishing for me to say that she is my favourite."
Ruben just smiles and nods. Having concluded their gossip, everyone is quiet for an awkward moment. "Don't worry Saqwe, you are my favourite." Ruben finds the courage to say.
"I know." She responds simply and turns to leave, a few steps, then turns back knowing Ruben will be watching. She flashes him a simple smile that Ruben knows will linger in his heart for eternity.
"Doa my boy!" Yanig exclaims, snapping Ruben back as his friend arrives. Doa is dishevelled and clearly in need of rest, made even more evident by the fact that he does not correct Yanig for addressing him as a boy.
Blowing past Ruben, Doa heads directly for his tent. He makes a mental note to thank Ruben for setting it up and crashes on his sleeping mat without a second thought.
Taek remains by Yanig and Ruben to debrief the tribe leader. "It was a good day, but a hard week for the yungun; he pushes himself more than I ever could."
Ruben nods in agreement, knowing better than anyone the work Doa puts in long after the whole camp has retired for the evening.
"Good to hear. Doa has a lot to learn and little time. He and Ruben especially are not as physically strong as they should be," saying this Yanig gives Ruben a knowing look. Ruben has always seemed to find ways around physical training, despite Yanig impressing its importance on them both.
"I did my workout today, and trained with the hunters in combat!" Ruben quickly interjects defensively. Keeping to himself that he spaced the sets out over the whole day rather than pushing through a single session.
"Oh I know you did what you were supposed to, but I would argue you did not in fact get a workout." Yanig shuts Ruben down.
"I will go check on Doa," Ruben replies, already a few steps away with no intention of being called back.
"Damn lucky he is clever," Yanig tells Taek, who stands there grinning at the duo. Taek has not seen Yanig this boisterous in a long time and welcomes the change in his chief. His thoughts turn sombre a moment as he recalls a saying, 'Dark clouds always find the sun.'
Taek glances in the direction Ruben left. "He won't be joining scouts at all then?"
"No, he is doing very well with the research team, and the kids love his classes about his realm. To be honest it all sounds a bit magical, with the mobiles and webs he calls them. Quite bizarre…" Yanig trails off, and Taek knows that is his cue to pull him back.
"Ah, so you approve of Ruben sharing spells with Doa from research?" Taek confirms for himself. Nothing in the tribe is secret per se, but common sense is usually applied when sharing knowledge.
Yanig finds the question odd and decides to cut to the chase. "Yes, I don't see a problem. Is he able to manage it? You have been with him for three weeks now, can he break through?"
"I think so, but we would need more than him…" Taek pauses for something insightful to add but settles on "obviously."
Yanig smiles, "Yes, obviously. I do prefer when you are just you, Taek. Leave beating around the bush to me. Can you take care of 'obviously' for me?" Before Taek can answer Yanig slaps him on the back playfully, only to realise the gesture barely registers on the big man. He then tries to nudge him forward the way you would urge a friend; which fortunately for him they are. Instead Yanig finds himself almost falling on his ass, Taek unmoving. He settles for, "Come, we will talk seriously tomorrow." and walks off.
Taek, confused by the last couple of seconds, just nods. Within two steps he catches up to Yanig, who is still glancing around to see if anyone was watching.
Doa wakes with a start, his body feeling drained. He knows it is not from the combat training, no muscles are sore and his joints feel fine. 'I must have used too many incantations,' he decides. Taking a moment to go through his usual morning routine, he eventually makes it outside ready for the new day. Mostly.
"No shirt today?" A woman asks in passing. Doa gives her an odd look, then glances down at himself, then rushes back inside to put on the rest of his clothes.
Ruben, having watched Doa stumble around like a lost deer, heads over and calls from outside the tent, "Are you ok?"
"Dandy, thank you. Have you seen my hat?"
"You had it on when you were outside just now. Sure you ok?" Concerned but knowing he won’t get an answer, Ruben heads off to fetch Yanig.
When he returns with Yanig by his side, Doa has already packed and disassembled his belongings. Yanig gives Ruben an agitated look.
"I said I was dandy." Doa growls at Ruben.
"Ok, my bad, just trying to look out for you." Ruben raises his arms and heads toward his own tent, still talking. "You two need to be more clear about things. We all know dandy means leave me alone, dandy means I don't know how to ask for help so help me anyway, dandy means this tea is nice but where is the sugar. Dandy mean…" His voice trails off as he disappears inside, leaving the two just shrugging.
Since he is already there, Yanig asks Doa about his fatigue and assures him there will be no scouting for the day. A minimal squad has gone out ahead, since they are close enough to the next major oasis and expect to arrive before nightfall. Before leaving he tells Doa to meet up with Taek and him after duties. "Also Doa, put a shirt on."
Midday, everyone meets at the front of the caravan, walking side by side with Doa and Ruben flanking the other two. "Consider today a research day. We will be casting spells, but more so we will be observing." Yanig shares with the group. Doa and Ruben groan at the word observing. Yanig gives each a cursory glance before clearing his throat and continuing. "I want us each to cast a spell, known ones. Here is the tribe grimoire if you need it." He raises a thick leather bound book.
"Then we will each take turns rephrasing it. In spirit it must remain the same, but the incantation will be new. I think you all understand?" Yanig pauses for confirmation.
Knowing Saqwe leads research, Ruben wonders why she is not present. As though reading his wandering eyes, Yanig simply says it will be only them for this session. He turns from a disappointed Ruben to Taek and asks if he will begin.
"From ground to sky, like fog, rise." Taek chants, causing a small cloud of dust to rise before them exactly as described.
Yanig rolls his eyes. "Maybe not the best choice, seeing as we are about to walk right into it. A visual spell is good for observing though, I suppose," he says - but thinks, 'If the sand does not blind us that is.'
They cycle through a few more spells. The second sand spell causes the surrounding dunes to avalanche due to the compound usage, earning them a scolding from those at the back. All spells from that point need to be beyond reproach.
After a couple of hours they stop. Ruben, keeping an eye on Doa, nudges Taek and nods in Doa's direction. Just before Doa hits the sand Taek grasps him and lifts him like a toddler.
"Is it serious?" Ruben asks, walking beside the lizard carrying Doa.
"No, he just needs rest. In fact if I am right, it is good news. I will explain when we reach the oasis." Yanig then points to the horizon. The caravan's pace noticeably increases as the first greenery in months, other than cactus, comes into view. Ruben thinks he can even smell cool water on the breeze.
Saqwe comes up behind Ruben and spanks him, drawing him out of his reverie. Ruben once made a joke about sexual harassment in the workplace which she has seemingly taken as a challenge; he is yet to lay a complaint.
Doa awakes feeling fresh as a daisy. Bolting outside fully dressed, he stops short at the sight of palm trees and flowers. He takes a slow breath and savours the cool air, then forgets entirely where he was heading and decides to just walk. The tribe is more spread out than usual, the tents and communal areas arranged into clear winding paths. He follows them, cataloguing each section as he goes, from the "ladies corner" to the "men's den" for all the singles.
Coming around one tent, Ruben spots him. "How are you feeling?"
"Good, good. I must have still been a bit sleepy yesterday. Thank you for taking me to the tent." He pats Ruben on the shoulder awkwardly and pivots. "This place is nice, right?"
"Yes, it is dandy." Ruben retorts. "Come, Yanig will want to see you."
"Much better!" Yanig exclaims at first glance of Doa. "I think you will like the news." He slaps his hands together and settles onto his mat. His tent's front area fits ten people comfortably, and though he is the chief, it is one of the few luxuries he keeps.
"We are staying over a month? Is that normal?" Doa enquires, surprised. The tribe has not stopped for more than two evenings the entire time since he and Ruben joined, so he wants to be sure he is not in a fever dream.
"Yes, this place is a fortunate find. Now, about exciting things. Your magic, or talent, has grown significantly. It is very likely the reason you were so drained yesterday." Yanig speaks quickly, evidently in a rush. "Ruben, you will likely be next. Now I know you two want answers." Taek coughs from the side. "And you. I am still working through a few things but soon, I promise."
After the chat, Doa and Ruben find themselves indecisive outside the tent. It has been a long time since they have had nothing in particular to do.
"Want to see the pool?" Ruben offers after a minute.