Chapter two ^_^" I'd love to know what anyone thinks about this!
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The Dead Lands
Chapter 2
“How much do you know about him?” Janon asked. His tone was serious and demanding short, precise answers. He was seated at the head of a long stone table with three High Councilors to either side of him, each turned to face him directly. The room they were shut in was bare and hardly visited.
“Not much, unfortunately,” started the Earth Councilor. “He has a brother who also lives in Hollow, named Leo, who is a respected Fire User in our militia. Both of them claim to be Hollow citizens.”
“How did he come to be Eliazar’s pupil?”
“Some years ago he was admitted into service because of his Elemental prowess as a Fire User, along with his brother,” explained the Ice Councilor with a dissatisfied look. “While in the palace he caught Eliazar’s eye, and has been his student ever since.”
“Lot of good it has done him,” butted in the Lightning Councilor as he sat back and crossed his arms. “The man’s uneducated and it is evident that he is very illiterate.”
“Really now…” Janon mused. “The man does come off as a charity case, doesn’t he? Though one thing does concern me…despite his less than perfect status this Ryo has still won the Steward’s favor and currently holds Melody’s hand in marriage. Tell me, how did this come to pass…?”
“It is irrational. But Eliazar insists that the man is qualified,” said the Earth Councilor.
“To think, he would be leaving our country to-be in the hands of an illiterate commoner who doesn’t even possess a last name!” snarled the Wind Councilor who spit in the floor thereafter.
“No last name?” Janon asked, mildly interested. He then laughed slightly. “He must be a slum rat then. It’s not surprising, the man had such a crass mouth…”
“He should pose no problem,” the Water Councilor assured Janon.
“Certainly. Does he have any mentionable skills?”
“He practices with a sword daily,” mentioned the Fire Councilor. “Though when he first started he was visually without technique. It was a wonder he has not severed his own foot.”
Janon smirked, leaning further yet back in his chair and staring at the stone ceiling. His cold blue eyes glistened as he raised a single hand and swirled it slowly in the air.
“And I thought coming to this silent purgatory was going to be difficult…” he mused out loud to himself. A shard of Ice formed in his palm and Janon gripped it tightly. Silent content radiated from the seven men in the room and the Ice shard crumbled in Janon’s hand, falling to the floor and disintegrating away.
MAY 18TH, YEAR 140
The sun was hardly visibly from the horizon but Ryo was already awake and had left the palace. He walked briskly through the streets of Hollow, nodding greetings to the people he passed as they got ready to start their days and their businesses.
The streets were paved for the most part due to Eliazar’s influence and drive to modernize the city. Only the side streets were still made of dirt or gravel and the buildings made from clay bricks and some with stone and concrete. Exiting from the Hollow palace the streets were wide with carts, taverns and shop owners on either side. Ryo passed all of these until the streets trickled out and led into small two way alleys for carts and the occasional donkey. The air was still cool from the desert night, but within an hour or so Ryo knew the earth would warm and the early summer sun would burn from above. Despite this fact, Ryo still wore his gloves, boots and jacket, as it had become a part of him.
Heading West, Ryo turned onto a less crowded street that lead into a residential district and eventually the Western Gate. On the crumbling corner sat an older man dressed in dusted rags and a worn leather hat. He lifted his brim, waking up with soggy eyes and saw Ryo just walking past. Out of practice, the man lifted a hand to Ryo.
“Alms for the poor, good sir?” the older man asked with an aged, crackling voice.
“What? Oh, yeah,” Ryo stopped and dug into his pocket. The old man, surprised by Ryo’s charity, sat up in suspense. Ryo drew out two bills of Hollow currency, a one and a fifty. For a second Ryo stared at them, trying to read the difference in value. Unable to do so, he handed both to the beggar.
“W-what…?!” the old man stammered when he saw the value printed on the bills placed in his hand.
“You’re welcome,” Ryo said rather mindlessly and began walking again.
“Thank you, kind sir! Thank you! Thank you!” the old man shouted as Ryo walked away
Ryo waved his hand good bye without looking at the old man as he headed towards the western gate of Hollow. He watched the people around him, noticing that there were fewer and fewer of them as he neared the edge of the city. Two soldiers were positioned in the gate’s outposts. One side greeted the wanderers and allowed them passage in and out of Hollow, while the other side held the mechanism to open and close the gates. As Ryo stepped at the foot of the gate, a familiar voice called his name.
“Ryo!” The voice greeted pleasantly.
Ryo turned around to notice that it was twin brother, Leo. Though they were twins, both brothers were visibly different. Leo’s hair was slightly longer but held back by a plain red headband with a Fire emblem on the forehead. A more subtle difference were the eyes. While Ryo had dull green eyes Leo’s were a vibrant crimson. Though Leo’s eyes were calm and displayed no hostility towards anything or anyone. He wore a red shirt with white borders that pined on the right shoulder and a slightly tattered scarlet scarf with a gold clasp. His pants were plain white with brown leather boots.
“Hey Leo,” Ryo said lightly, “What are you doing out here?”
“I wanted to see you off, since you are going to be gone for a couple of weeks.”
“Who told you?”
“Eliazar. He told me that you were going to run an errand for him and then join up with him later on in the desert. He also said you were going back to Weane, and searching for other survivors.”
“Oh, yeah…sorry about not really saying anything, it slipped my mind.” Ryo admitted as he looked over his shoulder towards the gate. Leo noticed his gaze,
“You know Dimi is going to be mad that you didn’t tell him you were leaving, right?”
“I don’t care…” Ryo scoffed, “He’ll get over it, he always does. He‘ll be mad at someone for two minutes and then forget what the whole thing was about right after.”
Leo laughed weakly. “Yeah, but I don’t think he will be to happy when he finds out about Weane though…”
“He is not going to find out! Eliazar didn’t tell Dimi, did he?”
“Don‘t worry, he didn‘t tell Dimi or Kalon…I can‘t really guarantee whether or not Caza knows about it either…”
“Well, as long as Dimi doesn’t know about Weane. Those poor women don’t deserve to deal with that idiot. He’d just sleep with them and leave. And after what I saw, that might be exactly what they want too.”
“And then half the city would be related in 9 months and a week…” Leo chimed in, jokingly.
“Why the weird number?”
“Oh, right…I never taught you anatomy or biology yet…”
“Don’t care…” Ryo interrupted Leo before he could go on. “Oh, I needed to ask you something…what’s a mausoleum?”
“What?” Leo looked confused.
“I need to know what it is in case I can’t find the Old Relic.”
“Ryo, a mausoleum is a tomb. The kind they put dead bodies in. Why do you need to find one of those?”
“Oh, makes sense..” Ryo murmured thoughtfully to himself. “Thanks Leo…oh, and one more thing. Eliazar said the wedding will be right after we get back.”
“Congratulations,” said Leo happily. “I’ll be sure to tell the others about it before you return. Does this mean you will be taking over for Eliazar soon?”
“Not entirely. I think he just wants to secure everything…” Ryo said with his voice trailing off near the end. Leo took notice and tilted his head slightly.
“…you are happy about it, right?”
“Mel was talking about baby names again,” Ryo stated dully. Leo’s eyes slightly grew in mild surprise.
“Oh…has she been doing this often?”
“A few times.”
“Does it bother you?”
“Not really?”
Leo smiled to himself, though Ryo’s eyes narrowed. “What?” Ryo asked.
“It’s nothing,” Leo assured him quickly with a mild-mannered, devious smile. He quickly changed the subject. “Did you want me to accompany you on this journey? I’m certain that Eliazar would have no objections.”
“No, you have no reason to drag yourself across the desert with me. Just stay here and take care of Davis and Shell.”
“If you’re sure,” Leo responded. “I really wish you would let me go along with you, since I’ve done a lot of field work for Professor Bob and Eliazar…I would be able to help you take the most direct route to the Ocean Community.”
“It’s fine, Leo. Just keep an eye on Mel for me, there is that creepy rich guy the council is backing up and he is trying to marry her too.”
“Who’s that?” Leo asked inquisitively.
“Janon Groesbeck…do you know anything about him?”
“Other than he is a highly skilled Ice User that the Council has been supporting and he has been helping Hollow’s modernization efforts, I know nothing else about him.” Leo said matter-of-factly. “So, he’s chasing after Mel, huh?”
“Yeah, but for all the wrong reasons…I think he wants to marry her for power…”
“What makes you say that, Ryo? That’s a pretty bold accusation, and one that Eliazar should be informed of…” Leo said with growing concern.
“He knows…not for a fact, but he doesn’t like Janon very much…Eliazar admitted that to me when Janon was first recommended to him by the Council. He said that he seems too easily corruptible…” Ryo spoke silently so the guards at the gate wouldn’t hear him as well.
“I see…” Leo started thoughtfully and touched his thumb to his lip. “Eliazar must have a really good sense of judgment then.”
“Yeah, he does…keep an eye on Mel for me, I want her to be safe from that guy while I’m away.”
“I understand, Ryo. I have some people who owe me some favors back in the militia, I will get them to help me monitor him… just remember, Ryo, I will do everything I can legally…”
“I know, Leo…and I know that nothing I say will make you change your mind on that even if it was needed. Just don’t get yourself caught, I don’t know what Janon can do to you since he has the Council at his side.”
“I’ll be okay, Ryo. You better get going, I’ve taken enough of your time already.”
“Yeah, I’ll see you after it’s all over…” Ryo said as he turned to leave.
“Yeah…” Leo said quietly, “see you when it’s over…” Leo watched his brother go the gate and speak with the guard. Ryo pulled out a small leather piece from his jacket and showed a special emblem that Eliazar gave him to bypass all security measures. The guard at the desk made haste to help Ryo leave Hollow as soon as possible and signaled the other guard to start the mechanism to open the gate. Once Ryo was outside, the guards outside of the wall helped close the gates. Leo sighed, watching his brother leave. Be careful, Ryo… Come back soon…
“Hello, sir. I have this white donkey here for you and a list of instructions of how take care of him with a bag of supplies for you to help you do so.” The young soldier informed him politely.
“No, thanks…” Ryo said just loud enough for the young soldier to hear him. “I’m not too good with animals and as bad as this heat is, I don’t think I could take care of him properly even if I could.”
“Are you certain, sir?” The young soldier asked respectfully.
“Yeah…can I ask you something about the donkey?”
“What would that be?”
“What’s his name?”
“I think his name was Lightning,“ the older, graying guard mentioned.
“See to it that Lightning is well taken care of…” Ryo said as he left without another word.
“Sir…” the younger guard tried to call out, but the older guard stopped him with a gaze.
“Leave him be, he has his reasons… Eliazar wouldn’t loan out that donkey to anyone…” the older guard mentioned, “take it back to Eliazar’s stables…I’ll keep an eye on things here until you get back…”
“Yes sir…” the younger guard took Lightning to the gate as the older guard watched Ryo leave.
“It’s been seven months since I saw him leave like this…” the old guard muttered to himself before he stopped focusing on Ryo and went back to keeping watch.
Ryo traversed about a mile from Hollow within the short time he started walking. The sun was burning brightly overhead, but Ryo was used to the heat that would break a normal man. He walked onward gazing at his surroundings, seeing nothing but a few large dunes of sand, cactuses scattered around desert few and far between, and the starting of several light dust devils. There were a handful of large rocks, but the sight of those rocks were more scarce than the cacti.
Ryo sighed at the sight of nothingness, walking as fast as he could without exerting himself much. The northern winds blew the sand around him, but he did not waver and kept moving west.
All Elementalists were expected to sign up for the Hollow militia once they reached age eighteen. If they did not do so voluntarily they were usually recruited. And though Water and Earth Users were the most coveted Elementalists due to the desert terrain they found themselves in, Hollow still needed and recruited Fire Users.
Two years prior, Kalon had become a soldier, and the year after him, Caza joined as well. When Leo had told Ryo that it was their turn, Ryo had turned sullen at the thought of having to work in the palace nearly every day. Living practically alone and unattended for nearly five years without responsibility had its effect on him. But the years had not swayed Leo, and he was still responsible for the both of them.
“What are we supposed to do?” Ryo asked Leo. The two of them were walking to the palace, though Ryo was making it a point to drag his feet.
“That will probably depend on where they need us,” Leo answered quietly. He didn’t bother looking up from the book he was reading as they walked. His crimson eyes scanned the pages feverishly and his fingers flipped the pages by at an exhilarated pace.
“Then they may not really need me.”
“No Ryo, they’ll still find something for you to do,” Leo said firmly, but with a friendly tone.
The Hollow palace was closed from the public on most days, and until then, Ryo had only seen the palace from afar or from rooftops. The guard at the front gate was shown the letter by Leo, requesting them to enter the palace and as easy as that Ryo was standing in the courtyard before the palace of stone and marble. Several other young adults were loitering about, some women, but mostly men. With them in the courtyard were several women with scrolls, asking for names and writing them down. Despite years of living in Hollow, Ryo still found himself in awe with his mouth open, turning around in circles, taking in everything. Leo took notice and sighed gently.
“Please don’t bring unwanted attention to us,” Leo mentioned. Ryo scoffed.
“No one’s going to find us.”
“I know, but still, it wouldn’t help to keep a low profile…”
“Leo. It’s been, what? Five years? We’re fine. Besides, it was your idea to come here. I wanted to stay home.”
“You don’t need to be that blunt about it…” Leo said quietly. They stopped talking when a women, slightly younger than them approached, looking rather shy and quiet.
“Um…I need your names, please..” she said quietly, holding her scroll to her chest and staring downward. Her black hair was long and loosely tied back, but neat at the same time. Her eyes were a gentle brown and her cheeks lit up as she stared downward. Leo stared at her for a second, his mouth open slightly.
“Oh, right…” he said. “There’s two of us. I’m Leo, and my brother’s name is Ryo.”
“Leo…” the girl murmured to herself and opened the scroll.
Several feet away, Ryo’s eyebrows lowered and he stared between Leo and the young woman with
“Do you have a last name?” the girl asked, blushing more and dared to look directly at Leo.
“No, actually…” Leo said with a small, awkward smile. “I wanted to talk to you about that. We don’t have last names, but if you could please just help us get through this I would be very grateful.”
“Oh…well…yes. I could do that for you…”
“Do you have a name?”
“Shell…”
“Traitor…” Ryo muttered to himself and walked away to leave Leo and the girl, Shell alone. He turned his attention elsewhere and stared around at the other people gathered before the palace. Most were in small groups giving their names to people with scrolls. Here and there a man or woman let go a small burst of flames, or stirred up a small whirlwind, or summoned rocks to their hands from nothing, demonstrating their user abilities for recording.
Ryo watched a nearby man hold out his palm, and within an instant, a spear of water was created, suspended in air before him. The men flexed his fingers and the summoned Water that danced around his knuckles, eventually falling to the ground when he lowered his palm and stopped concentrating. Around him, several people clapped lowly and gave him words of praise. Water Users were the most valuable in Hollow.
Apart from this, Ryo found himself bored and made his way to a wall to lean against. For a while he remained there, gazing at the different people, not knowing what to do with himself. After what seemed an eternity Leo joined Ryo with a small, shy smile on his face.
“You did real good leaving me out over there,” Ryo said sarcastically.
“Shut up, she was nice,” said Leo, looking the other way.
“You’re going to be as bad as Dimi someday.”
“No I am not. Unlike Dimi I have self-restraint. And I don‘t think anyone could be worse than Dimi.”
“Uh-huh.”
“But I do have a date with her tonight.”
“You ARE getting as bad as Dimi.”
“Leave me alone.” Leo whined a little.
Ryo’s attention shifted from his brother to a man walking towards them. Though clearly older, the man wore his hood up and was looking side to side, examining the people without appearing hostile. Curious, Ryo watched him a little closer. The man was old with short grayed hair and worn blue eyes wearing a plain light gray cloak with the hood drawn up. Around him several others had taken notice and were staring as well.
It took a minute for Ryo to realize that two palace guards were walking a step behind the man to either side. Out of respect and an old habit, Ryo lowered his head and stared at the ground. In that instant, the Steward took notice of Ryo and stopped in front of him.
“There is no need to lower your head in that fashion,” stated Eliazar. “I would prefer it if you would stand and face me.”
“Sorry,” Ryo muttered, but habit kept him from fully raising his head. Eliazar stared, confused.
“…tell me, what is your name?”
Ryo bit his lip and drew a long hesitant breath. He looked Eliazar’s eyes and spoke truthfully and regrettably.
“My true name is Demon…” he said lowly. From the side Ryo saw his brother’s head turn quickly to look at him.
“Ryo…” Leo whispered with growing concern.
Eliazar stared into his eyes with compassion and sorrow. He seemed confused, but at the same time, intrigued.
“Please, walk with me…” he said kindly and then turned to face the guards that walked with him. “You two, I ask you to leave me alone in the company of this young man.”
Leo turned to his brother. “Where are you going?” He mouthed to Ryo, eyes displaying concern.
“I don’t know! He said to follow him!” Ryo silently mouthed back. Without long, the guards remained where they were and Eliazar had started walking away, waving for Ryo to follow.
“Young man, follow me close, if you would…” Eliazar asked politely.
“Yes sir…” Ryo spoke carefully and followed him closely. The two walked together, leaving the courtyard and going deeper into the palace. Ryo tried not to gaze ignorantly around at his new surroundings as Eliazar led the way, taking Ryo past the first few audience halls of the palace to a corridor lined with doors. There, Eliazar opened a specific, worn-out door with an engraving Ryo could not read. With an assuring smile, Eliazar signaled for Ryo to enter.
The room contained a simple wooden table with a single white candle upon it and two simpler chairs. Beyond the table, was an old door made of an extravagant wood that Ryo had never seen before. Eliazar reached for the candle and walked outside the way they entered and lit it with a small torch on the wall. Eliazar returned shutting the door they entered from, which was made of an old, thick but worn wood; and then he placed the candle gently back upon the table and had a seat on the chair with the extravagant door behind him. Eliazar examined Ryo carefully and removed his hood, further showing his graying hair.
“Would you like to have a seat?” Eliazar said, gesturing to the other seat with an open hand. Ryo took a breathe and nodded, before seating himself in front of Eliazar. He looked around a little, unsure of what to do with himself.
“Tell me something…where is your home?” Eliazar started leaning one elbow in the table.
“I don’t know…”
“You do not know where your home is?”
“I don’t know where it is,” Ryo admitted. Eliazar eyed him curiously.
“Do you mean to speak abstractly, as if to say you are unsure of where you belong?” he asked slowly. “…or do you truly not know where your homeland is?”
“Both…” Ryo said, though confused as to what exactly he was answering.
“Hmm…so you were not born in Hollow.”
“No sir…”
“And you did not come from the Ocean Community to the west?”
“I’ve never been there.”
“I see…” Eliazar said thoughtfully as he rubbed his temples with his thumb and index finger. “How did you arrive in Hollow?”
“I’m not sure…” Ryo started slowly. “My brother is the only one who can really say how we got here…”
“Your brother? The other young man with you, who bore a striking resemblance?
“Yes. He’s my twin.“
“I see…“ Eliazar looked interested. “Can you describe your home?”
“Um…“ Ryo thought back, suppressing certain thoughts to recall scenery. “…I remember harsh winters with lots of snow…I remember flat green fields being surrounded by large mountains, small trails, and there were caves. And a lake, right in the middle.” Ryo spoke honestly.
“I haven’t heard of such a place…” mentioned Eliazar rather quietly. “But it sounds foreign indeed. Now, tell me about your father.”
“My father…” Ryo searched carefully for the words to not offend Eliazar, “..was an angry man who beat me a lot…”
Eliazar’s eyes dimmed at the words and let out a long sigh. For a moment Ryo believed he was at a loss for words.
“And your mother? What of her?” Eliazar asked.
“Died sometime after I was born…I don’t remember her at all….”
Eliazar stopped immediately and looked into Ryo’s steady eyes. Eliazar knew he was speaking the truth. “You said your name was?…” Eliazar started to ask again and open his hand to Ryo, gesturing for him to speak it.
“My true name is Demon…” Ryo replied again, with his head dropping down in shame.
“I have a feeling that your name is not befitting, nor does it do you any justice…I sense no malice in your being.” Eliazar paused for a moment and then smiled. “Tell me…do you have a last name, son?” Eliazar respectfully asked. The title ‘son’ caused Ryo to lift his head slightly.
“The last name that my brother and I gave up was Razada.”
“I feel as if you are telling me secrets,” said Eliazar. “Why is this?”
“I feel like I shouldn’t lie to you,” Ryo confessed sincerely. Eliazar smiled.
“I believe the heavens sent you to me for a reason, even though I know not why; I will not question the will of God.”
“I’m not sure I understand…”
“And for the first time in all my life, I can frankly say that neither do I…but I feel that you are someone special. Renounce your name, my son, and speak clearly to me a new name for yourself.”
“My brother gave me the name Ryo…”
“Ryo.” Eliazar spoke softly and then chuckled, “Ryo, answer me a few more questions if you would.”
“Yes sir…”
“And, enough of this ‘sir’ business, just call me Eliazar,” he said sternly, yet in a friendly tone.
“Yes, Eliazar.”
“That’s more like it…tell me, what is your brother’s real name?”
“Lion…”
“Lion….what name does he go by now?”
“I call him Leo now.”
“And your father’s name?”
“Steel…”
“Was he a man, cold and unforgiving, only to you or to all?”
“He was bitter to all…but I was the only one to feel his wrath. He’s the one who named me Demon.”
“Did he scar you with his wrath?”
Ryo nodded slowly. “He would whip me until I passed out…”
Eliazar’s eyes reddened he looked at Ryo with a sincere gaze of pity.
“Ryo, that is enough stories for one night. However, I would very much like to keep your company if you would oblige this old man’s request.”
“If you are asking me to visit you again, I will do as you ask.” Ryo said politely.
“Revisit? No, my boy, not revisit…” He spoke gently and he rose from his chair, turned and walked to the large wooden door behind him. He glanced over at Ryo and slowly began to open it. “My boy…I am asking you to live…”
Beyond the door was a large bedroom filled with the furnishings that one would ever need. A bed that looked as soft as a cloud; numerous dressers, tables and chairs; a wardrobe that seemed fitted for someone roughly Ryo’s size; and shelves of books that stretched out along the entirely of the room as far and as high as Ryo could see. Everything inside was extravagant, and brought up memories of denied luxuries in Ryo. Unable to say anything, Ryo’s eyes began to tear up and looked down in shame and modesty.
“I don’t deserve this…” was all Ryo could say.
“Look at me,” Eliazar‘s voice commanded Ryo to look up and directly at him. “You did not deserve the fate you were given, but everyone deserves happiness. It is time that you are no longer denied yours and that you start anew.”
Ryo looked into Eliazar’s eyes. The joyful eyes of a man who found a new son.
“Ryo, my boy, I want you to rest for tonight…and tomorrow, I would like you to meet my daughter…”
Before Ryo could say anything Eliazar had turned away and was leaving out the way they had come in; through the old crooked door. He paused at the door, looking over his shoulder.
“I will see you here tomorrow, my son.” Eliazar then closed the door behind him. Ryo remained staring at the worn door for a minute before turning his attention back to the room with the decorated, new door. It took time, but Ryo picked himself up and slowly walked into the room, taking in everything. Shutting the door behind him, Ryo pressed his back against the wooden door and slid to his knees, gripping his head with both hands and pressing his forehead to his knees.
Why? he thought Why, why did I tell him everything?
Nobody knew about him. Nobody knew about Ryo’s true name being Demon, or about Leo’s name being Lion. Leo and Ryo together had made it a point to not tell anyone. Not the Professor, and not even Dimi, Kalon or Caza.
Why would I tell him that…? Ryo asked himself again. I had no reason to…I just wanted to.
Ryo sat there for a long time, thinking.
The harsh summer sun had set, and the earth was slowly cooling off in the darkening sky. Ryo had walked relentlessly since that morning, when he had left Hollow. All the day he had walked directly westward towards the Hollow Ocean Community that was still another two days away. But as the sun set, Ryo had turned west by southwest, eyeing the distant horizon carefully.
Feelingly slightly thirsty in his trek, Ryo held up a palm to his chin, pausing momentarily to focus. With some concentration, he summoned a small, controlled sphere of water that he quickly drank up from the air. Once he was done, Ryo released his hand, leaving only a few drops of Water to evaporate away into the air. Being alone in the desert made Ryo comfortable enough to use more than just Fire for awhile.
After half an hour into the darkening night, Ryo squinted and saw in the distant horizon a small string of lights. The sight made Ryo grin a little, recognizing the lights as Weane, and knew that within two days Eliazar would be arriving there. Just seeing that the town was still alive secured Ryo, and he turned westward again, occasionally glancing over at Weane until it disappeared into the horizon once more.
Ryo had nothing with him; no bag or weapon or even supplies. He had left Hollow with nothing, but he preferred it. It left him free to travel as quickly as he chose, and Ryo walked into the cool night even though the sun had vanished and only a few stars and a sliver of a moon were in the sky.
The scenery was dark, but not invisible to Ryo. He had traveled the road before, going as far as Weane once. Eliazar’s teachings had taught him to recognize cactus and the few species of dry grass that grew in the desert in a few spots and what animals were hidden beneath the sand. Ryo had no fears, walking through the dark as the warm night air eventually gave way to cool breezes and faded scenery.
“I’ll just walk another hour…” Ryo spoke quietly to himself. He glanced again back at where he knew Weane was located. “I wonder…whatever happened to that child…”
