Sarina stared at him. His cool gray eyes met her stare and her breathing turned shallow. Every time they had been together since the desert, he would look at her like he was trying to read her soul. He seemed very nice but very intense, she couldn't tell how he was really feeling most times. Not able to take it anymore, she looked down and tried to collect her thoughts. She wanted to know more about him.
'Nasir is interesting' she began. Caspar's gaze changed from meaningful to empty at her words.
'Oh, you think so' he said, his voice holding no emotions.
Sarina was confused by the change of tone in his voice, but she continued on. 'Yes, how did you two meet?'
'Our mothers were close friends. We grew up with one another.'
'And that was in Bamm' she confirmed.
'Mm hmm' he said, taking a seat at the table on the patio and he looked at the greenery around him.
Sarina stared at him thoughtfully, wondering if it would be rude to ask why he had left. He didn't seem to want to offer the information, but she was desperately curious about it. He was from the same place as she was, after all. She was thinking of a way to ask him without offending him when she suddenly stiffened. All of her hairs stood on end as she watched a black panther stalk closer to them, seeming to just appear out of nowhere. She opened her mouth to warn Caspar, not sure if he had seen the creature, but nothing but air came out. Goodness, couldn't she do anything right in crisis! She scolded herself internally. The panther drew closer and she took a step, intending to touch Caspar's shoulder and warn him silently.
Caspar shocked her once again, turning his head and smiling widely at the beast.
'Ah, hello Banu' he called to the panther.
Sarina's eyes widened once again. If she kept getting shocked, her face was going to get permanently stuck this way, she thought.
Caspar reached out his hand and the panther walked to him and rubbed its enormous head against his palm affectionately. Banu then turned her eyes towards Sarina and looked at her curiously.
'Banu, this is Sarina. Sarina, this is one of my most loyal companions.'
Sarina didn't know what to do. Should she curtsy? Say how do you do? What is proper for one to do when introduced to a wild animal. She settled for raising one hand meekly, as if to wave to the terrifying creature. Banu walked over to Sarina, taking slow steps and building Sarina's anxiety. Caspar watched warily. Banu did not usually pay the guests he entertained any mind, content to watch them from his feet.
Banu paused when she was close to the girl, sniffing her dress curiously. Sarina held her breath as Banu continued to examine her, hoping the exchange would end quickly. Just when Sarina thought she could take no more, Banu leaned in to her, pressing first her head and then the side of her body onto Sarina's side, walking and caressing the girl. This time Caspar was shocked, but he schooled his expression, not wanting to make Sarina nervous, who had her eyes on him with a terrified expression.
Finally, Banu quit her affections towards the girl and went back to Caspar, taking her usual spot by his feet and falling promptly to sleep. Sarina shuddered, trying to regain her composure after her encounter with a panther. She stared at Caspar with questioning eyes, saying without words that she wanted to know how on earth he had come to form a friendship with a wild panther.
Caspar relaxed, seeing that Banu approved of Sarina, and made him wonder more about the girl. Could she really be it, he questioned to himself. He also saw the question in her eyes.
'I met Banu in the desert.'
'Oh?'
'It was shortly after Nasir and I had left Bamm. We had been traveling for days and were short on food and water. We were actually on the brink of death and had no clue where to go. Nasir had grown too weak to go on and desperate, I left him in search of help. I had gone a little ways away when Banu came and stood face to face with me. I was sure that was my end, but she simply nudged me and took me back to Nasir. She started to walk and I helped Nasir to follow her until she brought us here. The people welcomed us, we were still quite young so I don't think they were worried about us too much' he finished.
'That is incredible' Sarina said with a look of wonder on her face. 'What do you think drew her to you?'
'Magic' he said simply and smiled.
'Now that you mention it, can you please tell me more' she asked. 'I still cannot even believe that it exists. And so close to home!'
'Well, it's pretty complicated, but from what the people of Azzaran have explained to me, magic comes from the Earth. The extreme climate here, with intense heat during the day and freezing temperatures at night created a, how do you describe it?, pressure I suppose would be the word, and the magicians here are able to draw and manipulate that pressure with concentration and practice.'
'Have you been able to practice magic' she asked.
'No, it also takes special bloodlines. I was endowed with enhanced abilities later, but not from the people. That again happened in the desert' he said and then did not elaborate.
'I noticed you do seem very strong' Sarina said quietly.
'It was my greatest need.'
Sarina noticed he had a habit of saying just enough to make her want to know more, but the night was growing later and later and she remembered Nasir's taunt about how scandalous it was for them to be alone together.
'Thank you for satisfying my curiosity a bit' Sarina told him. 'It's nice to not be as confused.'
'Of course.'
'Well I should probably get some rest.'
'Okay, have a good sleep. After the meeting with the council, I will come and tell you their decision. I am going to ask for aid for Bamm.'
'That would be wonderful!' Sarina said with feeeling. 'Please let me know as soon as you know of anything.'
He nodded and she took her leave of him.
Caspar stayed on the patio, enjoying the restful presence of Banu and thinking of Sarina. He liked her, he decided. He had told her she looked beautiful earlier, but she was actually stunning. Her dark hair fell like a waterfall, reaching to her waist which from what he could tell was shapely. Her golden eyes entranced him every time he looked into them. But it was her curious and uncomplicated mind that he liked the most. She expressed herself freely, not trying to hide anything. Her face exposed her, but her words followed, showing that she had no ulterior motives. With how he had grown up, it was a welcome change. He would learn a little more, but he already knew, this woman would be his wife.