Dark clouds hovered over the thatched roofs of the little cottages and businesses that made up the town of Mimma. There was no approaching storm. Little towns such as this simply didn't warrant the enchantments required to disperse the cloud cover, at least in the eyes of the king. On the outer edge of the town, one stone building was lit and lively, with music and raucous voices echoing through the darkness. It appeared to be night, but it was actually the middle of the day.
This was the inn, where residents would come for wine, and strangers for wine and a bed. This inn was far from serving quality wine. It was cheaply made and cut with water, but it was the only option in town. Seated at a bench before the fireplace in the middle of the room sat Anak. He was warming his hands on the flames, and watching the door every time someone new entered. Today was the third day after he had arrived, and he was awaiting the person that voice told him about. Problematically, he hadn't gotten even a hint of a description. Just who was he waiting for?
As he was was leaning over the fire, a careless passer-by bumped into Anak and sent his hand directly onto the searing embers within. Anak rapidly withdrew his hand, shaking it and blowing on it. It didn't hurt at all, this was just for show. He wanted to avoid looking like anything other than an ordinary person for the time he remained here.
"Oh, I'm so sorry! Are you alright?" The drunk old man good-naturedly slurred in concern.
"Yes, yes. It was quick. I think I avoided any harm." Anak smiled and quickly reassured him.
"Oh," The man drunkenly squinted at Anak's hand in suspicion. " Well, I guess that's alright then." He smiled up at Anak. "Say, how would you like to come have a drink with me?" offered the old fellow.
Anak's eyes flashed. Was he inviting him to go somewhere? Perhaps this was who he was waiting for. "Sure, I'll drink with you old guy."
"Call me Karanu." The old man belched.
"Alright, Karanu." Anak nodded, "I'm Anak." The pair approached the bar where the innkeeper was wiping down pewter cups that had just been used.
"Give us two full ones." Karanu tapped two fingers down on the bar expectantly.
The innkeeper nodded, and after finishing wiping out the cup with his woolen cloth, he poured wine from a skin into it and served it to Karanu. He grabbed a fresh cup and served Anak.
Karanu nudged Anak while winking, "This ol' cheapskate and I have an understanding. He won't water down your drink if you're drinking with me."
Anak smiled and took a sip of the wine, noticing a marked improvement over what he'd tasted these past three days. "Wow. Karanu, do you need a drinking buddy?" Anak joked, but Karanu looked back at him seriously.
"You mean it?" Karanu was staring at Anak oddly.
"Huh?" Anak was a little taken aback. "Well, yeah. Why not?"
"I'd love a drinking buddy." Karanu suddenly burst out beaming. "Hey, Amel, two more please," he addressed the innkeeper. Somehow, between the brief exchange of words, Karanu had drained his cup. Amel brought over two more full glasses before Anak could even protest he hadn't finished his first. Anak laughed and chugged the remnants of his cup.
"Haha. Now that's how you do it!" Karanu's eyes lit up as he drained his new glass in one go, one-upping Anak.
Anak raised his brow at the clear challenge. "You trying to go, old man?" He teased.
Karanu's eyes twinkled, "Maybe I am." He raised his finger like he was about to order more drinks, when the door to the inn suddenly swung open with a bang. Anak and Karanu swung their heads in unison at the sound, Karanu nearly falling out of his seat as he did.
The form of a young woman with long dark hair burst through the door. She was panting and bent over wearily, like she'd been walking without rest for days on end. She raised a scratchy, pained yell as she entered. "Has anyone seen a canoe sailing the Sea of Non past this way?"
Seeing her enter Anak froze, and when he heard her voice he was certain. He leapt from his seat at the bar, "Tzipora?!" Her weakened state concerned him greatly, and hearing her question, he knew it was because she was chasing after him. She hadn't even taken the time to remove her slave collar after running away.
"No? Okay. Sorry for troubling you." Tzipora muttered weakly before turning away, like she hadn't heard him. Then she stopped in her tracks. "Wait... Anak?" She said his name like it was most pleasing sound in the world before passing out right on the floor in front of the door.
Anak rushed to her side and held up her head. He felt a sense of deja vu at this sensation. It was just like when he had hurt her by accident and held her like this before he ran way. He shook his head as his heart ached. It seemed he had hurt her again. Perhaps it would've been better to bring her along?
Then, another thought jolted his tipsy mind. Was she the one the voice meant? This felt completely right to him in his heart. Then what about Karanu? Just some nice old guy with a drinking problem, he supposed, looking back at the place they were sitting, however Karanu had vanished.
Anak lifted Tzipora up into his arms and walked to the bar, "Excuse me? Amel?" He called for the innkeepers attention. "Have you seen where Karanu went?"
Amel the innkeeper shrugged apathetically, before responding, "But you still owe me for six drinks."
"What? Six? We only had four between us!" Anak protested.
"Well he ordered two more before leaving, said you were covering it." Amel explained.
"Dammit." Anak swore under his breath. He had a feeling he knew the understanding between Karanu and the innkeeper now. It seems he was just a mark. Pulling out a single kazur gem, he set it on the counter. "Keep the excess. I'll be taking your best room as well." Anak stated like it was already determined. Since he had to pay, he might as well let this conniving innkeeper know he could more than afford it.
Amel's eyes glittered with greed upon seeing the kazur gem. "Right this way, Sir." He didn't even ask anything about the unconscious woman in Anak's arms. That wasn't his business, and his actual business was being paid with a kazur gem.
They were led to a room barely twice the size of the room that Tzipora's house in Ischuros consisted of. It was nicely furnished however, with a large bed, some cushions to sit on, and even a mirror.
"Bring us a big meal." Anak ordered while handing over another kazur gem.
Amel's heart nearly exploded. "At once!" He ecstatically declared, before rushing towards the inns kitchen.
Anak set Tzipora onto the bed and swept her bangs from her eyes. He noticed a scab on her brow, and he felt another twinge of guilt. When he stays she's in danger, when he leaves she's in danger. What could he do? The words of the voice within the water floated to the surface of his mind.
'Whatever you may think, you aren't a tool of destruction. Follow my instructions, and you will learn the truth.'
What truth would he find? What purpose did he have? Anak thought over the circumstances of his strange life as he watched Tzipora's sleeping form. She had passed out only from lack of sleep and hunger. Both would be coming in abundance for her soon, so her health wasn't in any danger.
Finally the meal arrived, piled with basically every item of food the inn possessed. It still couldn't cover the value of the two kazur gems, but Anak didn't care at all about that. He waited patiently for the pleasant aroma of roasted meats and vegetables, sliced fruits, and aromatic cheeses to enter Tzipora's nostrils and wake her. He even waved his hands over the food in her direction, trying to waft the smell her way.
Tzipora's eyelids slowly flickered open, as she took note of the fragrant food smell. She looked up with blurry eyes, and a ham-hock rose into her vision. She lunged at it with her teeth hungrily, tearing away a piece and furiously chewing. Anak's laugh entered her ears and she froze. She remembered the last thing she heard before she passed out and jolted upright.
The sight greeting her was Anak, holding out a lump of meat, and smiling happily. Concern lingered in his eyes, but her energetic reaction to the food made him optimistic.
Tears formed in Tzipora's weary eyes. "Anak. I've finally found you." She whispered almost to herself. She suddenly jumped from the bed and embraced Anak. "It wasn't your fault!" She cried out, "You deserve a life of happiness as much as anyone else." She poured the words of comfort she had gone over in her head for days out onto Anak, who had left in horror and despair.
Tears spilled from Anak's eyes as he returned the embrace. "You really think so?" He asked raspily.
"More than anything. More than anyone. You deserve to be happy, Anak." Tzipora looked up at Anak and smiled. "That's why I want you to know... I love you."