“Saganuey, that's the largest of the Temples isn't it? Also the largest hospital and if I'm not mistaken, it holds the largest collection of books in the world” said Wex, his face lighting up at the very thought.
“Yes indeed you're correct young man” said Jubarin “a mere day's journey from here following the Path. That's why there are so many people from all walks of life here, scholars, believers, bakers, soldiers, you name it, this is the busiest Mu and the one that needs the most of my people, especially now that people are fleeing towards the west.”
“Don't get him started on books” punching Wex's shoulder and laughing as she snapped him out of his dreams of getting lost in an ocean of books and the chance to pick the brightest and smartest brains.
“Excuse me when I say this and I mean no insult to the hospitality you are showing us” said Hekriam as they reached the bottom of the slope and found themselves at the town's edge. Men and women were sitting under the shade of the buildings, many beehive shaped while the younger ones ran naked about, laughing as they played games with a few stopping to glance at the newcomers.
“But we must depart as soon as possible, if possible shortly after sunset” said Hekriam to Jubarin who frowned.
“At the very least, you must stay for supper” said Jubarin “And I will ask for one of our members to escort you on your journey, we can't have one single man looking after all these six boys and girls can we now?”
“No, it's fine, I've got them under control. I'm a soldier of Lemekia, they'll be safe with me” said Hekriam and Jubarin looked at Hekriam for a few moments before shaking his shoulders and wiping his brow.
“Very well, it is not my position to argue, come now, follow me to the Madrisa” he said as they walked through the Mu and Manny noticed how some of the buildings had such deep cracks in them that he was sure if he had blown on them they would have crumbed to dust.
They were fast approaching the largest building of the village, outside of which were numerous wooden tables filled with people eating and drinking, swinging tankards in their hands, women were dancing on a couple of tables as everyone around them banged on the tables in rhythm as several flute, drum and guitar players gave them all a tune to sing by.
There were no doors to this place, just an arched doorway where every moment someone was entering or leaving the place, those that left had redder faces than those pale ones about to enter and the smells of cooked meat, fish and other spices filled the air and he lifted his noise to the air, taking in the smells as a flock of crows flew over them.
“So who was this Alluanda?” said Isa.
“Why, Alluanda was a noble woman. Back in the old days when Urok had a single wall, it's said she climbed over it, giving up her past life to lead a humbler and simpler one, it's a classic story but a long one, I'll tell you the short version later” said Jubarin the entrance and he saluted a busty woman sat beside a giggling midget who waved at him, them too dressed in the colours of his order though not wearing the suits of armour.
“She led a life where she helped everyone who needed helping and she never expected anything from it. If someone was able to repay the kindness, well that only made the gift that much more meaningful when you don't expect anything” he said “Unfortunately, most of the accounts of Alluanda that dive deeper into her story were carelessly lost centuries ago.”
They entered the inn, a small elderly woman walked up to them and Jubarin asked for a table and they stood by as they waited for her return, a sea of people all cramped inside the place made Manny kept shake his shirt as sweat started to drench his back.
Finally the woman squeezed out of the crowd and told them to follow her as a table was now available.
Hekriam was the first behind her, pushing the people aside as he got through with Dasha, Wex, Isa and Manny following and he kept getting bumped back and forth as he tried to follow them when he spotted a fat juicy pouch hanging off of someone's waist and a sense he hadn't felt in a while returned to him but he quickly shook it off.
'Manny you fool, you can't get away with it, not in here' he thought to himself when he realised he had lost the others.
He looked behind him and that's when he realised Jubarin had lingered behind along with Dakar, who was talking animately to him and he saw how Jubarin called out and three of his companions came to him and they quickly started heading towards the others.
'Oh no' he thought to himself as he quickly tried to get to the other's before them but found it a struggle to push through the large amount of people inside this crammed inn and when he finally caught sight of them, he knew he was too late.
He saw Jubarin and the other three approach the table and the entire inn fell silent as Jubarin fiercely announced “Hekriam, if that is even your real name, we, The Knights Of Alluanda, Protectors Of The Poor, The Quenchers Of Thirst, The Saters Of Hunger and The Healers Of Body, Spiritual & Physical, place you under arrest for the act of abduction of six youth and deserting your position in Lemekia. Surrender yourself immediately and we will treat you with respect and mercy.”
Hekriam sprung to his feet and he saw the others sat at the table look back and forth uncomfortably as all eyes in the room were on them and that's when Manny spotted another pouch, ripe for the plucking.
“Very well” he heard Hekriam say after a long silence and he turned round to see Hekriam lower his arms before him as the midget tied his hands together with a thick length of rope and he saw Dakar step from behind the Knights and stare down Hekriam as they pulled him from out the table and he saw hurt on Hekriam's face which sure looked genuine.
“You're making a mistake” were the last words he said before being escorted out of the premises and the Madrisa, for the first time that night was in complete silence. Then the whispers came. Then the noise grew louder than before.
ChiarOscuro Book Two - Episode Five - New Destinations Page 4