The Voices of Goray

Chapter 3

He made his way past the alleyways, searching for the Magi Tower, once there his hand slipped into his bag searching for the instructions he had written down hastily after the mysterious man had left his book shop, to not forget.

Shortly after he also found the thick wooden door. With another good inhale, Es finally started to knock 5 times, he paused and then remembered fast to circle the door with his palm.

A very young girl opened the door and bowed, her silver hair falling into place onto her shoulders. She must’ve been one of the young ones he thought to himself.

Es fixed his outer linen layer and nodded to her.

- I’m..I’m here for Murin.

-Oh...Oh. I’ll, OH! I know.. I’ll be right there.. Don’t … Don’t move. Please don’t ...Don’t leave.

She hastily moved her hair to one side and rushed to another part of the living space where Es couldn’t see.

-He’s here… Murin, he made it. He...It’s just like Frell said… He’s here.

-Would you keep it down dear? Don’t need to scare him already!

A voice of a woman older beyond time and wisdom reached Es’ ear.

-So bring him in, where is he? Did you let him stand in front of the door like an i***t? My dear. Get him.

With a haste rush the young girl swiftly ran back to Es to the door.

-Come in please, I apologize.

-It’s fine, don’t worry, I’ve had worse pick up places.

-Worse?

The young girl gestured to a small corner with a table and three chairs.

- Nothing worth mentioning.

Es sat down on one of the dark maple chairs and placed his bag onto the table. At that moment an older woman walked through the door frame connecting to a bedroom.

- I’m so thankful you made it. By the graces, we were already worried you belonged to the dunes now.

The woman exclaimed with relief. Es felt awkward and out of place and sorry he couldn’t get there sooner.

- I would’ve come earlier but something came up.

- Don’t dwell on it boy. You’ve made it here after all. That’s all that matters.

The young girl walked up to the small kitchenette that stood out of place across from the room and prepared a small kettle of water. Es nodded to the old lady.

- I’m Murin, by the way.

- You need to take it as soon as you can.

The young girl said loudly and turned from the kitchenette.

- Be quiet, no need to rush the boy, look at him. He’s been through a lot.

A quiet apology filled the room.

- Anyways, she is right though.

The woman reached into a cupboard and pulled out a sealed envelope and placed it in front of Es. She left the space and came back from the bedroom carrying a silver cube as a basket case the Graces would get for their inauguration.

Es swallowed looking at its size, he wasn’t sure if the cube would’ve fit into his bag.

- No need to panic, it’s very light and should not cause you any inconveniences. The sealed letter? That’s what you open once you’ve reached Eray again. Before you reach Eray, you should under no circumstances open the letter.

Murin looked at Es with utmost seriousness. He nodded in agreement.

- The first task for you is getting this cube through the dunes, untouched and in one piece. Understand?

- I understand.

Es felt a sense of fear run through his veins. What was this cube? The corners were thickly reinforced and the top carried the full blood moon mark of the Goray, meaning it must’ve belonged to one of the Goray back in Eray. Whatever it was, it must’ve meant more to them than any book or possible other sentimental object.

- Good, my dear. Don’t worry, it is sealed tightly enough, you should have no issues with it. The seal should not break until you arrive in Eray safely. Should you lose your way, I advise you to open the letter. BUT only if you for sure know that you’ve lost your path.

- What if I lose my mind?

- Then it just was not meant to be.

She glanced at the young girl bringing cups of tea to the table and sighed.

- Who should I deliver it to?

- All in due time.

Murin reached him with a wooden cup from the silver tablet. Es nodded in appreciation, taking the cup and pressing his lips against the rim. He sat there in silence, looking into the cup and occasionally shifting between it and that cube.

It reminded him of the cube back in the ruins of Goray, when Nao smashed it. He placed his arms onto the table holding the cup.

- I know this is much to ask of you, but please be responsible. Make good choices.

The old lady placed her gentle hand onto Es’ arm and closed her eyes reassuringly.

It felt all too much to Es, like carrying an entire world with him. They all three sat around the table, exchanging various stories and wisdoms, drinking tea and munching on the bread the young girl had gotten from the cupboard.

Es watched as the sun fell through the small window across from the kitchenette.

- I should be going now.

- Oh of course, I completely forgot the time.

To which Murin and the young girl laughed very amused. Es got up and started to gently grab the cube and place it in his bag, realizing it weighed lighter than any feather he’s ever held. The old lady noticed his surprise.

- Weight lifted for your travelling convenience.

She threw him a warming smile. Es smiled awkwardly back, still unsure what kind of burden he must be taking onto himself. The young girl wrapped up her silver hair and followed Es to the door, Murin got up from the table and watched Es leave, wishing him safe travels.

- Please take care of this one for me.

She whispered as she walked back to the bedroom and the young girl closed the thick wooden door tightly.

As much as Es wished he could’ve gone right out there into the dunes, Alstor was right. He shouldn’t be going out there just yet. So we passed the alleys watching the guards light up the street lantern, the metal of their hooks creating monotone sounds around the whole town. He walked out of the alley and stopped at the entrance of Rach, when he noticed the Inn lit up with more lanterns than any other house had around it. With relief and tired eyes he made his way up the stone slabs and pushed open the large bulky bark door.

People sat around, the Goray, Humans and Birgu alike commoting and talking, spilling their cups. Others sang, some drank and in another corner played cards. One could hear occasional laughter fill the room from each table. The chairs rumbling and moving across the floor boards, wild stories being told and a bard singing at a column that only seemed to have the lyrical capability of mentioning Princess Alsia in every third sentence. Sometimes you could watch the people gathering or getting up just to shout in unison Princess Alsia’s name with the bard.

Es passed the tables and walked up to the massive Inn counter.

- What can I getcha’ ?

A large tall man asked without moving away from the barrel that he filled up all the mugs with.

- I need a room for the night.

- Comin’ riiii--ght up.

The man patted his stomach after he sat down the barrel and turned to Es. The Innkeeper looked surprised at him.

- You’re the bloke that caused all the commotion, aren’t cha?

Es turned his head in shame.

- Ah, don’t sweat it. Alstor came over and got you a room already. Said to tell ya, that he’s still gonna pay it. But between you an’ me, I don’t mind you paying me too.

With a deep belly laugh he handed Es the key. Es uncomfortably took the key and tried to force a light chuckle.

- Up the stairs and to the left.

The keeper turned around and vanished in the back to grab another barrel.With tired feet Es made his way up the wobbly wooden stairs to the rooms. He wasn’t sure if he could get any sleep that night. He closed the door behind him after entering the small room with a bed in one corner and a desk and chair placed in front of the only window.

He placed his bags to the side and slipped off his shoes, undressed all his linen layers and took out Nao’s old shirt to sleep in tonight. With that he took a deep breath to clear his mind for what he had to endure tomorrow, on his way back.

***

The smell of grass after a long night of rain filled the tent, the grass scratching across the outer layer, while Es was cuddled up underneath a thick blanket. He shifted from side to side, out of embarrassment of what happened back at the lake days prior.

- You know, it's not the end of the world.

- Hm?

- Well, you're nervous and you know. It happens.

Es gave off a shameful grump and pulled the blanket over his head. Nao sat up next to him, taking off his dark grey linen shirt that hardly left much to the imagination. Es' eyes occasionally would peek out and watch Nao in secretive silence. He was still embarrassed about what happened at the lake. He chalked it all down to bad timing. Out in the wild. He felt exposed rather than seduced. It was so embarrassing to him, that it just couldn't have worked. Right guy, wrong time is what he kept telling himself. Nao ran his hand through his long luscious waved hair, sighing to himself content and turning down to Es'.

- I might not be omnipotent, but I can still feel you staring.

He threw Es' a mischievous smirk, his vibrant hazel eyes staring at him, which only made Es hide his head further. Nao gave him a soft pat over the blanket and laid onto his back staring up at the tent lantern.

- One day.

That's what Es thought to himself too, one day to not see Nao as this incarnation of a God and rather as a normal Eternal like himself. He was just so used to his Gods being seen as holy, hardly even touched by mere full bloods. They learned to love their Gods as higher beings rather than an equal. It conflicted with Es' feelings for Nao.

- It's just...weird, you know?

Es muffled from underneath the blanket.

- What is?

- You being an incarnation of God.

- Oh, right. I forgot that for the Amori you are very veeeery arrogant. At least your Gods are.

- We are not!

- You are! You and your, ''Oh, please don't disturb Amori. They're very busy, but leave your offerings at the door.'' Your people wouldn't even shake hands with your Gods. I mean just look at you. You can hardly look at me because of your whole perception of what a God is to you.

- I CAN!

Es jumped up from under the blanket and stared straight at Nao's face. His cheeks turned red as he watched Nao smirk at him, raising one eyebrow.

- I figured you'd take that bait.

He laughed and placed his thumb onto Es' chin gently stroking it, holding it in place. For Nao it had been quite the sight, having a guy like Es' being so flustered by his existence. Deep down he knew though, had he stayed back at Rach, the same would've happened to him. Staying in, having his servants, not lifting a finger. While everyone else brought offerings that were of no use to him. Nao wanted to see the world, travel all of Uzesh, and spend his days under the stars, wondering what else was out there other than himself.

Before all this, Nao had heard rumors about the prophecy coming true once more, how Goray was the one to save the Kingdoms from what was to come. He eavesdropped on one of the advisors about the guards they were picking out to get his power. Nao had protested and said, if one were to go take his power, it should be himself.Despite countless others and his advisers' remarks and consultations, Nao could not have been swayed. It didn't take long till he made his way out, searching for anybody that could've helped him get past the Eterniwall.

Just like Es at first, he was met with objections until he heard someone mention Es, a scoundrel back in Eray. Running errands and small thief jobs to stay afloat. Nao handed a letter one night to a bard that was known for travelling occasionally through Eray, coming back to sing how their woman never looked as pretty as home.

It took weeks to get ahold of the scoundrel, but at last, they met.

Nao leaned closer to Es' gentle face, while Es stared back at Nao's strong eyes. Nao tilted his head slightly, moving Es' chin left and right in total admiration.

- I wish the milk back home was this white. It would always remind me of you, once we depart to our normal lives again.

He sighed wishfully.

- You mean... You mean we wouldn't keep in touch?

- If it were to me, I'd touch you every chance I get.

Nao winked at Es' with an expressive tongue click.

- But sadly once I'm back, I doubt I'd be allowed out so soon again.

- I could come to visit you?

- I might need to send you an invitation first.

Es started to burst into intense laughter.

- AND YOU SAID ONLY THE AMORI ARE LIKE THIS; YOU LIAR!

Nao pushed Es' head back playfully.

- Can't have a scoundrel like yourself run around unattended.

- Nomad.

- What if I am?

Nao chuckled and got on his knees, positioning himself over Es', moving the blanket to the side while he gave Es another one of his mischievous smirks.

***

The first rays of sunshine kissed Es' face good morning through the round window in his room. It felt like a warm beautiful day outside, while Rach lived and breathed once more. The smell of ale lingered coming from the downstairs kitchen of the inn. It was quieter than before besides the sounds of the innkeeper hurdling barrels in and out.

Es' got up and fixed his bedding, he checked his bag to make sure he hadn't forgotten anything before taking off Nao's shirt and putting on his layers of linen again for his journey back to Eray.

He prayed he wouldn't have to experience the same he did days ago. Es just wasn't ready for the agony and the thought of failing his mysterious client. At this point, it wasn't for the coin that it would make him. The man just seemed so desperate, that it would break his heart to fail him. The cube was neatly packed into his bag, with the envelope on top. Es stared at it for a bit, plagued by the urge of wanting to open it early, to be prepared. To know where to instantly rush to once he got back to Eray, but he calmed himself down. Everything would go alright, he told himself.

To not waste another second, he grabbed his bag and hung it across his shoulder, making his way down to the counter. He waved to the innkeeper, to which he took notice and nodded to him as he gestured that he'd be leaving.Es walked down the stone slabbed steps, looking ahead to the Townsquare, He fixed his linen and wrapped one layer tightly across his nose and mouth after taking a heavy breath. Now or never he thought to himself as he walked past the huge fountain of the Goray, a depiction of full blood and Goray intertwined. It reminded him of Nao and himself. A half and a whole. Once he got over his memory, Es pressed further along and walked up to the passage, leading up to the gate, which led back out to the dunes. He knew he wouldn't survive another encounter like last time.

The guards at the gate looked at him in surprise.

- Leaving already? Are you sure?

- What about an escort? We can walk you half the way. That'll at least keep you safe for bit.

Es' was unsure if he should take the offer or not, but the guards seemed very determined about getting him back to Eray. He feared they might even want to know why he came. Or why he was out there, to begin with. On second thought, it would save him a lot of time though.

- That'd be highly appreciated.

He accepted the offer and adjusted his bag tightly. The guards nodded and stepped on each side of the gate. Es watched as the boulder shifted to the side, revealing once more the vast void of the dunes. One could hear the winds of the dunes soar through the sound, yet it seemed calmer than it had when Es' first set out to Rach. It was the opposite of what he recalled.

- Looks like we're lucky today.

The smaller one of the guards said before placing his layer of cloth over his nose and mouth.

- Clear skies, seems like someone watching over you.

The other chuckled and did the same.

Es still felt uneasy about the whole experience. He never had an escort, usually, nobody does. It's the dunes, the guards' jobs were to keep people from going out there. To save lives, not follow one unfortunate soul halfway through it.

The smaller one rubbed his hands together and motioned across all three. Es watched a thin layer of air form like a dome.

- Just stay in this, no more than 6 meters away. This should get us through with no issues. We'll bring you up to the Filonea Temple. That should help you immensely.

The tall guard patted Es' back as they went forth to step out into the dunes. He didn't know what to think of it all. The entire experience felt more awkward than he liked to admit, for a long way Es couldn't even bring himself to strike up a conversation. Yet here they were, crossing the dunes. Now and then Es would reach his hand on the sides, trying to catch how it kept them safe from the grains of sands that smacked against the invisible separation between the three and the harsh reality of what was on the outside.

Once in a while, Es would shift his bag, trying to find a more comfortable way of carrying it, without the cube inside bumping into his back. He questioned whether the guards knew he was getting something across for one of theirs or not. Occasionally the guards would look back at Es and ask if he's okay, worried the same thing might happen as last time, to which Es would nod and carry on.

At night they'd sit on the sand, telling stories about before the dunes. How they missed seeing the valleys again, and what a shame it would be to have all the temples forever buried underneath all this layer of unbearable sand. It only made Es think of Nao more, how the last memories were the valleys out here. Not knowing whether he'd ever see him alive again, made the thought of the valleys only hurt more.

Es being the much more secluded type hardly chimed in on the conversation. He didn't know whether he should feel safe or worried. They could've left him every night, they could've even taken the cube back to Rach, claiming he had stolen it. If Nao saw him as a scoundrel, why wouldn't they? They went on for days, exchanging niceties until one of the guards stopped along the way and looked out into the distance.

- I think I saw something out there.

- We all see things out here. It's the sand, it makes you go crazy, remember?

- It wasn't sand. It looked like someone was standing out there, watching us.

- You've lost your mind. I can't see anything out there. It's just sand and oh even more sand.

While the guards were arguing, Es looked in the same direction; trying to make out something himself, but to him, it just looked like nothing but sand too.

- Maybe it's just a mirage. I've had one too out here. It scared me. I still don't recall how I ended up in front of the gate.

- I believe you were just too exhausted to remember how you got to the gate. Too bad we never found out if someone else was really with you.

- It's just all a blur to me honestly. Like going to sleep in your bed and waking up in a stranger's house.

The guards nodded sympathetically and tried not to push it any further. After a short rest, they continued and walked up to a small rod sticking out of the sand.

- This should be it.

- If you walk straight ahead, without turning back, you should not get lost on your way.

Es took a deep breath and looked straight up into the vastness of the dunes. Any turn could indeed put him on the wrong path, no matter how often he had gone back and forth, it always seemed like a new challenge.

- Thank you for walking with me.

- It was the least we could've done after your arrival.

He nodded in response and grabbed his bag tightly. They departed with enthusiastic pleasantries and safe travels. Es looked at the rod, while a guard showed him the way he should carry on. With heavy steps, Es started to carry on, mentally preparing himself for the voices to reach him after the guards had walked out of sight. Everything kept quiet, too quiet he thought to himself. Like the calm before the storm.

It had been hours before the first sand started to whip into Es's direction, layering over his clothes. He readjusted his fabric over his nose and mouth, breathing heavily. Along with the sand whipping around, he was preparing to hear the agony voices of self-doubt and deception, but the voices were quiet. In an odd sense, it scared him, how for days the voices kept quiet. Out in the distance, he could make out various dancing mirages of figures. Nothing but the sound of the whipping dunes ready to claim him.

He watched his feet leave deep footprints, watching them vanishing after taking each step. As if nobody ever was out there. If he got lost again, nobody would be able to find him this time.

***

Across a vast landscape of treetops and green scenery, flower fields, and neighboring small villages, Es and Noah stood atop of a cliff, overlooking the valleys. Nao placed his arms around Es' waist, resting his chin on top of Es' head gently.

- I hate the thought of missing all this. You and this view. Having to tend to the offerings, fake a smile about how useful it will be to me. Thank them for the thousand of flowers and get marriage proposals by countless women and mothers wanting to arrange it. I want to be free. I want to stay here and run wild through the valleys without thinking about everything else. I want you.

Es sighed listening to Nao's wishful conflict.

- What if I come back with you? We'll go together. That way I'll still be with you. You go back with your power and I'll come with you as a friend you've made along the way.

- You call yourself a friend?

- You're the one that called me a scoundrel and thought they wouldn't accept me.

- Technically, considering the coin… That could work, you wouldn't be a scoundrel afterward.

Nao lifted his head and looked up towards the village's paths thinking over the whole idea.

- It's such a genius idea Es. As we walk up the stairs, I'll give them an elaborate speech about how you've helped me. They'll never think twice over it.

His voice filled with excitement, while he pressed his lips to Es' neck in glee.

Es' heart skipped with every beat, enjoying each kiss of Nao's affection towards him. He imagined his life in Rach's castle along with the king and queen. Spending the nights with Nao in an actual bed, imagining the silk sheets run across his bare skin while he'd feel Nao grip him tightly, pressing him into the pillows. A dream of luxury and contentment.

***

Es carried on through the dunes, as the wind carried the voices once more. Harsh and filled with the deception of his lover's voice.

- They lied to you.

- You're carrying the death of me.

- We will never see the end of the world.

- They gave you a ticking time bomb.

- YOU WILL BE THE DEATH OF ME!

His knees shivered while he tried to ignore the devious attempts. Watching the sands form into a new storm.

- YOU WILL NOT TAKE WHAT IS NOT YOURS!

The wind whipped him harshly and threw Es onto his back, his bag flung from his shoulder, and landed meters away from him. The sand underneath him burned hot and stung like needles punching through the palms of his hands as he tried to get up.

- IT'S OURS!

Es panicked, as he tried to get closer to his bag while he watched the sand carry out the cube in a distinct formation, sliding it from side to side as he watched on in fear of a cardiac arrest.

In horror he watched the cube moving further and further away from him, the envelope flying around in the dust and wind, making it hard to focus Es' eyes on it. With anger and desperation, he finally pushed himself back up, confused about what to grab first, the envelope or the cube, that's moving further and further away from him.

In a split second, Es tried to run for the cube, desperately trying to catch up to it, but with each step, the cube flung further and further away from his sight, until he watched it get swallowed across the horizon. Defeated and lost in the direction he stopped and tried to recollect his thoughts. His heart pumping viciously as he gasped repeatedly for air, trying to hold back the tears. Es turned around in search of his bag, hoping the envelope would still be somewhere around. He walked up to a mound, parts of his bag stuck out from the sand. He inhaled deeply, picked it up, and tried to get rid of all the gritty sand before flinging it back over his shoulder.

A few meters ahead he watched the envelope still soaring through the wind, he ran up to it with determination. With a swift calculation, he jumped and gripped it just barely, letting it sink mid-motion and catch it on its fall. Es wanted to open it right then and there but he feared staying any longer out there than necessary. The cube was lost, after all, it made no difference to him whether he'd opened it now or when he reached the gate.

Es began to walk, whether the direction was right or not, he had no idea anymore after the whole commotion the dunes had put him through once more. The sun was blazing hot onto his face, his cheeks burning and his eyes hardly able to focus. In the distance he watched mirages of people, dancing around like the dunes were their only freedom. He watched figures run around him, sand whipping him from all sides into one direction and another afterward. The dunes once more had not only claimed the cube but also his sense of direction. Now and then Es wanted to give up and just succumb to the dunes. He wanted it all to stop. Along the way he swore he'd never go out there again, let alone he didn't know how he'd explain this to whoever was supposed to receive the cube. He didn't want to be the reason why somebody else might die due to his incompetence. Losing the cube meant more to whoever didn't get it, than what it meant to Es.

His deep solid footsteps along the way represented his anger more than he had ever felt, it was the mere fact it being the first thing he ever lost out in the dunes. Up to that point, he had never lost an item. Nor seemed any other item as important than this. Along the horizon, he finally watched the stonewalls of Eray slowly emerge. While his heart still fought over his loss. Es walked further through the blazing heat, parched and completely covered in sand by now. The wind was still raging on as it had been throughout. His hands and face were bruised and burnt, grains of sand filling his wounds like salt with each movement.