The vaxuum, along with Riniock, stood transfixed as fire and magick clashed violently between the two combatants. Linry and the Ikshari maegi traded spells like seasoned brawlers exchanging blows, their duel an unrelenting spectacle of raw power.
Yet, as the battle raged on, the gap between their skill levels became painfully evident. Linry outmatched him in both speed and precision, and with each passing moment, his struggle to keep up grew more desperate.
After nearly ten gruelling minutes, both were nearing their limits. The maegi, realising he was on the losing end, made a desperate decision – he broke the standoff and sprinted towards a gap in the vaxuum's encirclement.
He barely made it a few steps before an arrow whistled through the air and struck his leg, sending him crashing to the ground. Within seconds, two vaxuum warriors descended upon him, pinning him down as they turned to their vayu for orders.
Ishan regarded Linry with a calculating stare. 'Enxan,' he addressed her, his voice even. 'Execute him. Prove your allegiance.'
Linry didn't hesitate. As soon as the words left his mouth, her focus locked onto her fallen opponent.
With measured steps, she closed the distance, her expression void of sympathy.
'Wait, wait…' the maegi stammered, his voice laced with desperation. 'I didn't mean any of that – I take it back! Please, I –'
She wasn't interested in his pleas.
Her hand shot forward, seizing him by the throat. Her nails dug deep into his skin, and his breath hitched as she cut off his air. Then, without warning, flames erupted from her palm. In an instant, his head was reduced to little more than ash, scattered by the desert wind.
Ishan watched impassively, arms crossed, before offering a low grunt. 'Enxan are wicked and devious,' he mused, 'but loyal to their own. You hesitated not once. I am convinced – you are no ally of the Academy.'
Linry flicked the blood from her fingers, her face unreadable, revealing no hint of regret.
Ishan turned to his warriors. 'Any objections to my judgment?'
The entire tribe responded in unison, pounding their fists against their chests in silent approval.
At that moment, the two vaxuum scouts returned, dropping to one knee before their leader.
'Vayu,' one of them reported, striking his chest in salute. 'Male enxan speaks truth. Many corpses – some burned, others cut or crushed.'
Ishan nodded, the verdict final.
'Then it is decided. The enxans shall keep their lives.'
Riniock was unbound afterwards, as Ishan and three others approached them. Both he and Linry instinctively lowered their heads, careful not to offend their hosts now that they had worked so hard to earn their goodwill.
'Enxans,' Ishan called, drawing their attention. 'These are the elders of each family. The eno vaxuum, my kin, are under the care of Elder Azaam.'
Azaam stepped forward – a vaxuum with wide, flapping ears and a sturdy trunk. Two short, curved tusks protruded from his lower jaw, and he carried a peculiar-looking staff.
'He is the Spellmaster of our tribe,' Ishan continued.
'Delighted,' Riniock and Linry each said, nodding in greeting.
Ishan gestured to the next elder, a vaxuum distinguished by a long, pointed horn on the bridge of her nose. A set of pronged spears rested across her back.
'This is Elder Maian of the riu vaxuum,' Ishan introduced. 'Despite her years, she remains our finest Spearmaster.'
'Greetings, enxans!' Maian said, striking her clawed fist against her chest in salute.
'Lastly, our Bowmaster,' Ishan said, gesturing towards the final elder. 'He is the Elder of the hepi vaxuum.'
The vaxuum stepped forward and bowed. His large maw concealed two prominent mandibles, which clicked faintly as he moved. A bow and quiver hung across his back, whilst a curved broadsword rested at his waist.
'I am Elder Tarv. A pleasure.'
With the introductions complete, Ishan lowered himself onto the sand, motioning for everyone to join him. Young vaxuums pressed forward, distributing bowls and cups. Soon after, one of them approached, carrying a large case.
Dried meat was portioned into their bowls, whilst milk was poured into their cups.
'Custom dictates that, as allies, you are now our guests,' Ishan said.
'We are grateful, Vayu Ishan,' Linry replied.
'Our god, Randak, teaches that travellers are sacred,' he explained. 'Turning one away is taboo, a grave sin in His Grace's eyes. So please, help yourselves. Meat is abundant, and milk flows freely – blessings of Lord Randak's favour.'
At his words, the vaxuum raised their bowls ceremoniously before drinking deeply from their cups.
Riniock took a sip and recognised the taste immediately. 'This is stellaridon milk. I remember it from Ikshar.'
Ishan nodded. 'We herd stellaridons. Even politami and dinones roam the rock barrens with us. Praise be to Randak for his blessings.'
Riniock seemed genuinely intrigued by their customs.
'Forgive my curiosity, but what kind of entity is Randak?'
'Ah! Lord Randak is the patron of travellers and wanderers,' Ishan declared proudly. 'He watches over those who walk the road and bestows his favour upon nomadic tribes such as ours. Every beast we herd, every weapon we wield, every meal we eat – these are his gifts to us.'
The tribe leader continued his teachings, describing their god in a way that sounded eerily similar to a divine patron worshipped by humans.
'Some humans give thanks and offer prayers to a deity we call Rwindek…' Riniock mused.
Ishan nodded, closing his eyes thoughtfully. 'Perhaps same god, different names. Perhaps enxans and vaxuums are not so different after all.'
'Hm. You might be right – the names even sound alike.'
As they exchanged their knowledge, they found several striking similarities between their descriptions. Before long, it seemed highly likely that Randak and Rwindek were one and the same.
More food was shared that day in honour of the growing camaraderie between them.
'So,' Elder Tarv of the hepi vaxuum asked, 'who do enxans worship and revere?'
Riniock and Linry exchanged uneasy glances.
'Well,' Riniock began carefully, 'humans have many deities – so many, in fact, that it's difficult to keep track of them all. But we don't worship all of them. Some people don't worship any at all.'
'You don't say…' Tarv murmured, his mandibles twitching slightly in confusion.
'How can enxans live without a god's favour?' the Bowmaster interjected, her tone laced with scepticism. 'Without Lord Randak, the eno vaxuum would have no spellcraft to wield. Isn't it the same for you?'
'Not at all. Maegis don't draw their power from gods,' Linry explained. 'We harness what is already around us, shaping it through our own will.'
'But surely, you must believe in something,' Elder Maian pressed.
Linry hesitated. 'I suppose I've never given it much thought.'
'This is blasphemy,' Elder Azaam scoffed. 'How can one lead a life without a god? No wonder enxans are arrogant. This is why we vaxuums are superior.'
'Azaam!' Ishan barked, his tone sharp. 'Your words insult our guests' customs. Apologise at once.'
'I – I apologise,' Azaam muttered begrudgingly. 'I meant no offense.'
Riniock waved a dismissive hand. 'No harm done.'
'Good,' Ishan said, setting his cup down. His eyes darkened with intent. 'Now, let's get to the heart of the matter. Why do you betray your own kinsmen?'