3 Arash - Something Foolish

Arash groaned in frustration as he hung his coat on the wall. He closed his eyes and deeply inhaled. Seeking some refuge in the silence, but the words of his brother still rang in his ear, tugged at his conscience, frustrated him. He needed something to keep himself busy, his fingers dug into the pockets and he felt the texture of the wood in his hand. A satisfactory smile streaked his face.

Arash glowered in anger as he saw the tiny flaw on the wooden stick, he shoved it in the deep of his pocket. His leg constantly shaking to a nervous rhythm as he burrowed his face in his palms, peering at his brother from the gap between his fingers. Suddenly it hit him, a mischievous smile played on his face as he scooped the wooden rod from his pocket.

"Do you know where the mana stones are?" Arash tested.

Firuz pulled a blanket over him and refused to utter a single word. Arash walked over to his bed and sat across him on the ground. He pursed his lips in frustration and shook his head in dismay.

"and here I thought he would be interested to meet you" pretending to have a conversation with the wooden stick. Stealing furtive glances at his brother.

"... Don't talk to me." a muffled voice came from under the blanket. Firuz shifted a little, pulling his blanket taut over him.

"I am not talking to you," Arash said offhandedly.

"So, what I was saying is. I wanted you to meet my little brother. He is usually a good boy, but sometimes he..." Arash noticed some movement under the blanket.

A smile played on his lips as he increased his volume. " he is angry at me now. So I can't say anything. I mean you understand why I had to do what I did. I mean you have a little brother. They sure are a handful. How do you do it? I mean your little brothers adore you. They listen to your every single word… I wish my brother was like that too."

Firuz couldn't suppress his curiosity. He slightly raised the blanket to peer at his brother.

Arash sat with a pained expression on his face as he pretended to listen to the wooden stick in his hand. Nodding and shaking his head accordingly. Firuz frowned in puzzlement, he threw away the blanket and came closer for a better look.

"Why are you talking to a wooden stick?"

Arash looked up as if he had heard the damnedest thing in the world. His eyes popped out in surprise while his eyebrows stretched so far back that they almost joined his hairline.

"How dare you call him a stick?" He turned back to the wooden stick. "Please forgive my little brother. He is young and doesn't know the way of the world. Please forgive him."

"You are acting weird." Firuz tried to look unconvinced, but his eyes kept peering at the Light Rune on the engraved stick. "You are trying to fool me... aren't you."

Arash gave him a level stare that made him think otherwise. "Preposterous. Trying to fool you. I wanted you to meet Mr. Stick but you..." Arash wore a pained expression on his face. He stared at Mr. Stick in anguish and started spewing some nonsense about the bringer of light and the great hero.

"Can... I talk to him?" Firuz couldn't tame his curiosity.

"He doesn't want to talk to the one who hates is big brother," Arash said after consulting with the wooden stick.

"but… but he is dying. It's the truth. You won't listen to me. I saw him... beyond the mana deposits. He was crying for help." Firuz noticed the expression on Arash face and his face turned contorted in pain. Tears slipped down his cheeks. "…but you don't believe me. You never do. I know what I have seen. I do."

"Firuz… you have never been outside of this house. How can you know what's beyond the mana deposits?"

"I do… I was there. I was there I promise. I am not lying. He will die. If we don't help him. Why won't you listen to me." Firuz burst out in tears.

Arash heart broke at the sight of his brother. He pulled him into his embrace and gently patted his back. Something was wrong. He could feel it in his bones.

"Hey… don't cry. Don't cry. I believe you. I believe you."

Firuz pushed himself away from him, staring at his brother in disbelief. "You do?"

"I do…" Arash nodded in agreement. He let his words hang for a while. Rummaging his mind for an explanation. "…but you have to promise me one thing. I am believing you. That means I am putting my faith in you. So I will give a chance now. Tell me the truth."

"I am telling you the truth I—"

"I know you are... you wouldn't lie to me would you." Arash cocked his head waiting for an answer, but the boy stood resolute, not flinching at all. Arash scrambled to his feet and slipped into his woolen coat. He picked a hunting knife from the table by the kitchen. Tested its edge, felt the weight of its black handle. "Tell me exactly where you found him."

"He was lying north from the mana deposits." Firuz put on his own set of cloak and found himself a little pocket knife. "I will show you the way. It's just beyond the mana deposits— "

"You would do no such thing. You will stay here like a good boy. If what you say is true. The winds beyond the town are fiercer than you think. It would take you with it. If there is a man to carry. I can't look after you. So you would be staying here."

"No… You won't be able to see him. The wind and the dust make it impossible to see. You need me. I have seen the place."

"Exactly no one can see in the storm. So how can you?" Arash eyed his brother. But he kept his doubts to himself.

"Enough… don't make me regret believing you. I am already risking my life walking into a wind storm. If you keep behaving like a child. I would change my mind. You will stay here and that's final."

"But—"

"No means no and don't you dare follow me. I will know." Arash picked up a bundle of rope and slung it over his should. "Stay inside. Lock the door and don't open it for anyone besides me. Give me your word"

"… I won't go outside."

"and?"

"I won't let anyone in… but what if its mother. What if she comes when you are out? I can't let her stay outside."

"No one means no one. I don't care if it's the chosen of the prophecy. You would not open the door." Arash stuffed a soft leather mask in his pocket, felt the knife at his waist. Clenched the rope on his shoulder. He inhaled a bit courage and he smiled bitterly. "I can't believe… I am going outside the mana deposits. " He shook his head and arranged his thoughts.

"I swear to the land that we stand upon. Firuz if I don't find a man. I swear I would throw you to the winds."

Arash steeled his heart and slipped out the door.