The scorching desert sand left marks on his skin. But Kind did not feel them.
"Master... I cannot..." His apprentice, Wilis, croaked from behind.
Kind did not turn. "You can. The alternative is you die. Do you want to die, Wilson?"
"No..."
"Then keep moving. The observatory is in sight."
Wilis was a young lad, capable but naive. Naive to the world and to his own potential. Of course, Kind thought that about many of his boys. Few managed to survive his expectations of greatness.
They climbed a ridge and there it stood—huge, white, round. The Observatory of the Sands lay before them.
"We make camp!" Kind shouted to Wilis. "That rock formation over there!"
"Yes, sir!" Willis answered, eager.
Rest was prudent, tomorrow was going to be a long day.
The sun soon fell, taking the endless winds with it. The duo slept under calm starry skies, the warmth of the rock keeping them company.
That is until spears rudely interrupted their slumber.
"State your affairs."
The spears were well-made, ornate. Kind recognized their robes from the descriptions in the texts - Observatory guards.
"We-we-never meant -"
"Shut up, Wilis." The sting on Kind's neck did not make him flinch, nor did the spilled blood. "Honorable guard, my name is Kind. This here is my apprentice. We are... researchers, you might say."
"I will say nothing. Speak!" The eyes staring at Kind through those robes screamed death. "I will not say this again!"
"Researchers and adventurers," Kind said hurriedly. "Among my travels, I have heard of the wonderous Observatory hidden in this desert. Overlooking matters that they only knew. I am a knowledge seeker, you see. And I feel, I can offer the Observatory something as well."
The spear tips started to shine, and the eyes behind the robes smiled.
"You lie..."
The spear retreated, then hit Kind in his skull.
Darkness followed.
Kind awoke in a dank, dreary cell. The air was foul and the floor was vile. A small candle, nearly extinguished, only served to annoy his eyes. Squingint, Kind saw Wilis still in a heap against the wall.
Kind checked his apprentice's body; no wounds. He prodded him awake.
"Master? Where..."
"We've been imprisoned by the guard, Wilis."
Wilis's eyes snapped open.
"Do not fear," Kind helped him up. "The alternative was death. Remember? If we're alive, we still have a purpose."
"Yes, master..." Willis said, sounding profoundly unconvinced.
Truth be told, Kind wasn't convinced much himself. But one had to keep his spirits up in times like these. And the guard could've just ended them. That enough was true.
A door opened in the darkness. Two guards barged into their cell and dragged both master and apprentice out, through a small courtyard, and inside a smaller study.
"The fool finally arrived at our doorstep," an ominous voice said behind a tall char. "Kind, I presume? What doom do you bring?"
The white stone of the study shone like the afternoon sun. Kind noticed the shelves stacked with tomes upon tomes; the painted windows depicting battles unknown; the copious amounts of gems haphazardly scattered throughout the chamber.
Their bonds were cut, and the pair started massaging their wrists.
"Why would I bring doom?" Kind asked.
"It is your nature." The wizened voice said.
He said it with such conviction that for the first time in a long time: Kind was afraid.
"Struck a nerve have I?" The chair swung to depict an old woman sitting regally, her face a frown. "We don't have that which you seek!"
"You must..." Kind heard himself saying. "If you do not, then -"
"We do not." The woman said, firm and unyielding.
Kind's eyes saw red as his rage took over. As he tried to invade the woman's mind, the unthinkable happened - he was repelled.
The woman flinched and the pair flew outside into the courtyard.
The sand was hard as Kind and Wilis rolled through it. Wilis stood, dagger out and eyes narrowed. The boy wasn't fazed... Kind let the moment of appreciation pass, however.
The woman stood in the doorway, royal and angry and alone. For a being such as her, mortal guards were only a distraction.
"Master! I can help!"
"Your master cannot help himself, boy!" The woman roared, her voice like the Endless Sands themselves.
As Kind struggled to keep his footing, something shifted in his mind. The Endless Sands, it was her! Kind found what he was looking for after all...
"The Covenant prohibits me from ending you here, Kind." The sand underneath Kind's feet started to swirl. "Never. Return."
The swirl became a churn as both Kind and Willis got absorbed by the sands. They struggled to no avail, as the Endless Winds sent them on their way to darkness.
When Kind awoke his head was spinning. He had expected his mouth to be filled with sand but there was nothing. He raised his head, only to see the mangled body of his once apprentice.
Wilis was a good lad, a smart lad, yet Kind killed him all the same.
For knowledge gained... Kind tried to convince himself. A worthy Sacrifice, Wilis...
The Mind Twister started slowly making his way out of the desert, his faith stronger than ever.
Obligatory shout-out to the 🍕PIZZA🍕 gang, 🤙 gang. 🤙
The start of a new series and a new format of writing I am trying out. Hope you guys enjoyed and thanks for reading!
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Return from The Ednless Sands | 🔷 Mind and Matter 🔶 to Јоцко's Web3 Blog
