Seed Of Speed

Within the meeting room of the Bastion, Barru, Anoe, and Toba sat with a stranger who was wearing a set of furs from a Sheol Wolf which were burnt red in color. Half of his face had been burned by acid, likely from a Vok Lizard who were known to spit an acid venom. Despite the old wound, his eyes radiated an infectious happiness and his natural charisma was very inviting. While the four waited on Diego to arrive, Barru had his servants serve some of their local specialties.

"Ah! This Gimu Wine is wonderful! We also make a wine from the gimmi fruit, but our brew master can't bring out its nutty flavor like yours," the Quko messenger praised.

"That may be, but the Quko's Yunla Ale is known throughout the entire desert," Barru replied.

"I thank the Patriarch for his kind words," he replied, raising his cup.

Diego jogged in just as the messenger lowered his arm, and he bowed to his father. "Lord Father, I have come as requested," Diego said.

"Good, take your seat and we will begin," Barru said, motioning to the chair beside him.

Diego nodded and took his seat next to Barru while the messenger set his cup down as his expression turned serious.

"A week ago, one of our hunters stumbled across a Crystal Void Passage. I won't lie and say we didn't consider taking it for ourselves, but it is near the Langu Clan and they discovered another entrance into the pocket world. They ambushed the miners we sent in, killing everyone but two of our warriors who managed to escape.

"Patriarch Polun also sent out a messenger to the Bolxi Clan to relay the same offer. In return for sending your warriors, we will let you send fifteen of your miners into the passage to harvest as much of the elemental crystal as you can before it closes," the messenger said.

Anoe gave a snort of annoyance while Toba kept an expressionless face. Barru tapped the arm of his chair for a moment while he weighted the man's words then turned to Diego.

"Ishu, how would you handle this?" Barru asked.

"May I?" Diego asked and waited for a nod from Barru before he continued. "Thank you, Lord Father. You say you discovered this Void Passage a week ago, but how long was it open before that?"

The man frowned and replied, "Our shaman places the date four days prior."

"And is it a week ago from its discovery today, or the day you were sent out?" Diego asked with a relaxed smile.

"When I was sent out, young lord," the man sighed as he had been seen through by a child.

"So, with a three-day ride from Timick Oasis, that places the current age of this Void Passage at fourteen days old, and it would take another four to travel with all of our people which brings us to a total of eightteen days. The Quko offer of fifteen miners for twelve days seem to be lacking some sincerity when the Langu will obviously call on their close allies, the Yung Clan, just as you are calling on us," Diego replied, still sporting a relaxed smile.

Barru gave a chuckle as he nodded his head in approval. "The boy has seen through your ploy, Tunba. Give me your true offer from your Patriarch or enjoy the sun upon your journey home."

The man heaved a large sigh and replied, "Twenty-five miners for fifty warriors."

"Now, that sounds better," Barru replied. "Let your Patriarch know we will ride out once the sun rises!"

"Thank you, Telryn Patriarch," the messenger replied, clasping his hands in salute.

"Please rest while we make the arrangements," Barru said, waving to a servant.

Tunba stood up and bowed then followed the servant out of the room. Barru waited for a moment then pressed the rune on the table that sealed the room, and, only then, did he let out a laugh. Anoe shared the laugh while Toba revealed a small smile.

"Not bad, boy. Tunba is a smooth talker, but you saw right past his little trick. Since you passed this little test, I'll send you onto your next. Toba, pick out some warriors for this trip and you'll be under Ishu's orders, but I trust your experience to keep our people safe, understood?" Barru ordered.

"Yes, Lord Patriarch," Toba said respectfully.

"Lord Father, if I may, could I choose four of warriors?" Diego asked.

"Who do you want to bring?"

"Tovao, Peyni, Jastrab, and Catro. This would be a good chance for each of them to get some experience against our true enemies and not just sparring partners or beast."

"I understand the first three, but Catro? Why him and not Bako?"

(Because Bako would kill me in my sleep, just as I plan to do to Catro.) Diego thought to himself then replied aloud, "Catro is a son of the Lizard Faction and therefore would better at coordinating with our miners through their common background."

"Hmm…" Barru responded while tapping his chair with his finger. "Granted. Go see Shaman Firesand for some message talismans before you leave, and you are responsible for gathering your brothers."

"Thank you, Lord Father," Diego said as he stood and bowed.

Barru waved him off with a light smile on his face as he unsealed the room. Toba followed silently behind Diego until they left the grounds of the Bastion, where he took a sharp left towards the barracks where the unmarried warriors lived.

Diego's first stop was the Hovel since his four brothers could be anywhere in the oasis, but all would return to their homes by dusk. He had become a regular here in the Hovel with his daily practices with Firesand, so none of the servants stopped him, but they did greet him respect as he passed. It was strange to him at first with how everyone changed their attitude towards him after dueling his elder brothers, but Katalina would remind him that in this world, strength is what matters most. He found Firesand in his study, reading a scroll, as normal for the old man. He looked up from his scroll when he heard Diego enter and gave him a surprised smile.

"I thought you would be sparring with your brothers at this time of day," Firesaid said as he motioned to the chair across the table from him.

"I was, but I was summoned to the Bastion. The Quko have discovered a Crystal Void Passage, but the Langu also have a way in. I'll be leading fifty of our warriors plus twenty-fifty miners with Captain Toba as my second into the pocket world. Father sent me to collect some message talismans," Diego replied as he took a seat.

Firesand made a grasping motion and a white cord with three small disks of red, blue, and green. "You must use these with care, but with luck, you will return them whole. Break the red one if you are betrayed by our allies, break the blue if your team takes heavy casualties and won't be able to return under your own power, and break the green if there is a danger coming for the clan which will lockdown the oasis. I carry the sisters of these talismans, so I will instantly be alerted if you break one of yours."

"I understand and won't use them foolishly," Diego replied as he took the cord from Firesand.

"Before you go, why not see if Rainshower would be willing to accompany you? Although I've taught you some things about magic, she has been able to learn far more due to her birthright into the sect. She has a few arcane spells that could uncover any secrets the pocket world may hold," Firesand suggested.

"Do you think she would?" Diego asked surprised as Rainshower rarely left the grounds of the Hovel.

"The girl has been wishing to go explore the area so much that I was forced to restrict her to the grounds where I can sense her presence after the last time she snuck out," Firesand said with an exasperated sigh.

"Rainshower, sneaking out?" Diego laughed.

"Yes, she was twelve when she last snuck and, when I found her, she was being chased by a fledgling Sand Drake. Needless to say, not only did she learn her lesson, I've also been very protective, but she is ready now," Firesand replied with a sigh and a smile.

Diego chuckled as his heart warmed because of the care he had for his daughter. Although he had never had a kid of his own, he had raised Emily for five years on his own before he had died and could empathize with the feeling.

"Then I will. Do you know where she is?" Diego asked.

"Already on her way as I sent her a message through the wards. She can't agree without my permission anyways, so we might as well save a step by having her come here," Firesand chuckled.

"Thanks."

Rainshower opened the door to the study a few minutes later and gave Diego a curious look while she walked in. "You called me, father?"

"Yes, Ishu was telling me about a Void Passage that appeared in our ally's territory. He will be leading our reinforcement and miners and I thought you might be interested in going as well."

Rainshower's emerald green eyes sparkled like gems as she smiled and exclaimed, "Really?!? I can go to a Void Passage?!?"

Firesacd chuckled, "Well, we still have to talk to your mother, but I don't think she will argue. You must remember though, you must follow Ishu's orders just like the warriors will. He is the next patriarch of this clan, and you must respect him as long as we will within this oasis."

"Of course! It's only when we are in the workroom that he is junior-apprentice brother," Rainshower replied with a big smile.

"When will you be leaving?"

"At dawn," Diego replied.

"Good, that will give you plenty of time to gather your things. Go find your mother and talk to her," Firesand said.

"Thank you, junior-apprentice brother!" Rainshower exclaimed.

"Thank you for coming, senior-apprentice sister," Diego replied with a chuckled.

She beamed at him one last time before she rushed out the door. Diego excused himself shortly afterwards and made his way around the oasis as he hunted down his brothers.