Extra 21: Discussion of the Desperate
Retlafeh opened his mouth to begin speaking to Taresh, but like so many times before, his body failed his mind and prevented a word from leaving his throat. Taresh quirked an eyebrow and waited a second, before going to say something himself. The intruder stopped him, however, Retlafeh couldn''t come here just to lose control of the situation, so he shoved the star-silver coin into his companion’s hands and let that do the talking.
The instant Taresh’s eyes fell upon the metal he frowned in thought and rushed to get a book from the shelf without saying a word, engrossed in the unexpected development With the direct pressure lessened, Retlafeh managed to force out some words.
“We need you to convert that into proper money, one way or the other. We also need you to give us guidance as to how and where we can hide. I''m sorry.”
The other man slowed to show he was listening, but did not stop his study, quickly skimming a volume he took from the shelf, The History of Currency in the Empire and the Lesser World, and comparing its information to the coin. Finally, he finished and turned to stare directly into Retlafeh’s eyes.
“This coin was freshly minted only a year after the meteor, back when Andromio was abundant and a coin of this size wouldn''t have bankrupted mayors. Where the Shrarkrkhera did you get this!” He said with a sudden intensity bordering on manic.
Retlafeh told the only answer he had, the truth, how a malformed Golem had given it to them after beating their driver within an inch of his life. Taresh made to reply, but the other figured if he was to tell the nature of the coin, he may as well tell the rest too. In as little time as he was able, and as quietly as he was able, Retlafeh imparted the whole of his journey and his decision making, hiding nothing from his companion. If Taresh were to betray them, they were dead from the beginning and there was nothing to be done. Once finished, the more learned man did little but nod and think for a moment, before coming to a decision.
“By all means, what you have told me is the ravings of a madman, but I do not doubt you. You have never lied to me and I doubt you are now, so I have little choice but to help you, even if only to make up for what I have done.”
“I will see what I can do about the coin, as well as basic provisions for your journey. But here and now is not the time to be talking about the complex matters of destination. I will find you at the field you mentioned tomorrow and we can talk in safety.”
Retlafeh nodded, it was unreasonable to expect Taresh to do anything now, to have all the answers and capabilities however capable he was.
With this all said, the two fell into an awkward silence, neither knowing what to do. Eventually Retlafeh figured there was nothing left that was going to be said, and began to ask for help in getting out of the mansion, but was quickly interrupted.
“Just… just wait one moment, I have something I need to say.”
Retlafeh stopped.
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“I… I can never forgive myself for what I did to the group, to you most of all, it has haunted me these twenty years. But life has to go on for me despite that, and it should go on for you too. For both of us, it is best that we leave the feelings we had so long ago and move on, that is the one decision I made back then that I still stand by now.”
The older of the two did nothing but nod in reply, unable to decipher his own feelings in the moment. Taresh filled the ensuing silence once again.
“I will help you escape now, but before I do there is something that I need to give to you.”
He walked back over to the bookshelf and pulled out a rather plain book on agriculture, certainly nothing Retlafeh would be interested in. Then he opened the book and Retlafeh found that it was not a book at all, but a secret storage chest. From inside he took two items, both of which were intimately familiar to Retlafeh despite how long it had been since he had seen them last.
The first was a deep purple gem that pulsed with light and power, with such regularity and nuance that it almost seemed as if there was something living trapped inside. That, however, was a ridiculous thought, Retlafeh knew.
The other was a book, thick and set in blue dyed leather of the finest quality. It had no title nor marker as to its purpose other than a large number one inlaid in silver-white metal on the front cover.
“You, you kept this? How, why?”
Taresh placed the items back into their hiding place, then handed the false book to Retlafeh.
“I told the Earliag that we had destroyed them in spite, when in reality I had hid them in the forest and picked them back up a later.” the finer man said.
“As for why I kept them, they were of too much value, sentimental and monetary, to throw away. And, in truth they felt like destroying my last connection to you.”
Retlafeh shook his head.
“These were never mine, they never belonged to me, they were for the whole group of escapees.”
Taresh laughed in reply, as if he were recalling some element of his former partner he had long forgotten.
“There was not a human being in all fourty of those slaves that had any claim to this but you. Not one of us had any talent in magic, I myself have studied this book for years and have only picked up one or two spells. But you managed to master the art of magic in only the three days you had, learned a spell which you still use even now, when all others never stood a chance.”
“It was always yours Retlafeh, you deserve to have it back after all this time.”
The man in question saw little point in arguing any longer, and wasn''t willing to sabotage himself out of pride, taking the book with humility. WIth that done, Retlafeh finally began the process of escaping the mansion, both him and his companion having much to think about, each leaving with a weight off their shoulders.
The night had passed with little event for Shreshka and Hureheh, eventually the two managed to get some sleep and woke up early morning, just in time to see the rise of the sun. Both were hungry, but there was little to eat and even less to drink, so they had to sit and deal with it until Retlafeh’s return, as they both dared not to leave their hiding spot until they were sure of the result of their companions mission.
They had thought a few times of eating the crop in front of them, but other than its basic life cycle, neither were certain of how edible the plant was before it was harvested, and knowing that many Earliag foods were poison when improperly prepared, decided not to risk it.
So there they sat, watching the rising sun, anxious and scared and incredibly hungry. The two were cycling through quiet conversation when they heard the snap of a twig coming from behind the little cave they were hiding in. Instantly, both went dead silent, hoping it was some variety of mundane animal. Slowly, coherent footsteps faded into range, as well as the knowledge that the encroacher was definitively human. The two were hoping to hope that it was Retlafeh, but they would not reveal themselves until they had seen his face. So the two just sat in anxiety until, finally, a familiar man walked around into view.
To the relief of the two, Retlafeh stared down at them, finally having returned, and to Retlafeh’s relief, the two were exactly where he had left them.
“So?” Shreshka asked.
The questioned man nodded, “It''s done, he will help us get on our feet and convert the coin into usable money. I will be meeting him tomorrow to get some basic supplies while you all stay back in case he betrays us.”
Hureheh raised an eyebrow, “Is he likely to betray us?”
“No, he will not, this time I''m certain.”
The oracle scoffed but changed the subject, suddenly pointing a finger to the false book given to Retlafeh. All three of Hureheh’s eyes opened to stare at the former slave, half bewildered, half interrogatory.
“Retlafeh, what the Harsk is that.”