Their faces were hidden, wrapped in cloth underneath a net of leaves.
One could hardly distinguish them from the natural foliage around as they emerged from the woods. Their camouflage was just so well done. One could take them for two bushes that simply got up and left their home.
Like two rebellious teenagers.
"This the place?" the shorter of the two bushes asked.
"Yes."
"And my camel?"
"Tomorrow. We' early."
"Alright. Wanna make camp here? I'm dying of hunger."
"...Yes. But first, pay."
The shorter bush started to shed its leaves, reveling a clear white surcoat with chain-mail underneath.
"Once the camel gets here I'll pay up right away. No need to be so jumpy. Go get some firewood, I'll get started on the meat."
The chestnut-haired man swung around throwing a small dagger in the direction of a nearby tree. The man-bush didn't need to look. He heard the cry of the collared dove that just got nailed to the tree trunk well enough.
"Fine."
In half an hour the smell of cooked meat filled the air.
The two men didn't worry about attracting predators. None of those would venture this close to the edge.
"Say my dear Zar'ko, are all your people as talkative as you or can some of them string more than two words together?"
"..."
"My friend, we'll be parting way by the morrow. Do you not feel sadness while saying goodbye to a companion?"
"No."
"I know that stone cold exterior is just a facade. You can let it all out. It's alright. We clergyman do not condemn tears."
"..."
"You know, tears are a byproduct of a rusty heart. A heart that is rarely used , tucked away inside a chest and forgotten. If you use it more often and become proficient in it you..."
"Women use the heart, men the arms."
The old olive-skinned man kept looking into the fire.
"..."
"By the Lord, seven! I counted seven! It's a miracle! Hahaha!"
The clergyman took a big bite out of the roasted dove and added a new log to the fire. Three more golden birds of different sizes sizzled in response.
"Say, Zar'ko, one thing was bothering me but I didn't want to put my nose in your business till now. But.."
Another bite.
"...since we'll be parting way and my curiosity is killing me, I have to ask."
Two roasts remaining.
"Your people use the weapons they use and they look very effective to me.."
*Bite*
"For hunting and protection of course. But how come..."
*Swallow*
"... How come you asked for my gun as payment? What will that do for you once you're out of powder? I haven't seen any of you in Maharani till you showed up..."
One bird remained on the fire.
"What do you need the gun for?"
"Our weapons are for animals of the forest and beasts of the desert. They do not defile the body, the body is needed to feed the people. Our weapons free the spirit so it can return to Iris. Where she can birth it a new life, a new body. But my pray is no animal, no beast. I need a gun to kill it."
The old man took the last bird.
"Hooolllyyy... Saints and wonders! Sentences, full sentence. Hahaha! Now that's more like it!"
The young clergyman slapped his knee.
"Looks like you are a big softy after all. Hahaha! And what is that pray of yours? A demon?"
"Yes, in the skin of a man."
The young man started looking for something in his backpack.
"Ahaaa, I see. Then it makes sense. Our monastery does make the finest weapons. For man or demon."
His fingers found what they were looking for and he pulled it out with bravado.
"Tadaaa!"
It was a flute. The fire danced in its metallic reflection.
"I see you walk a righteous path my friend and I hope you fulfill your goal. Now..."
The young man brought the flute close to his lips.
"A song to lighten our hearts. There's some strong spirit in my pack by the way, if you want some."
While the young man painted the air with a merry tune the old Gra-Ni-char began work on the bottle of booze he was offered.
The next morning a lone camel rider was nearing the meeting spot. Heading east, as was discussed, he shielded his eyes from the morning sun.
He never saw the blade that hit him straight to the side of the head.
His spirit would never return to Iris and be given new life, since the blade was not of bone but of Maharani steel.
The rider didn't fall but just slumped across his steed as the camel continued straight ahead. Slow and steady.
His assailant was in no haste as well. He just got up from underneath the sand dune, whipped himself of sand and walked casually to the camel. Taking its rains from it's former master.
After his preparations were done, he was now two weapons richer. As well as several tinctures and antidotes to some unknown poisons.
He saddled comfortably and made his way west.
Whistling last nights tune once more.
"Tucked away in moonlit sorrow
A thread to find a path to follow
We children are of little knowledge
Let mother guide us pass the foliage
Homeland calls from oh so far!
Its halls unlocked by falling star
But be wary now my little one
The guardsman wakes with the setting sun"
He took one last glance at his unmoving companion. Still in the same position as last night.
Had his skin been a lighter tone, maybe one could see the coloring of poison a bit better. But, oh well.
"Although his words may sound like choir
Trust him not for he's a liar
His hands are those that lit the fire
Leave me now my little one
So what had passed may be undone
Rain shall quill the falling ember
What time forgets let song remember"