“Well, given the fuss we caused, it would be best to leave the city. So first we shall fetch my shopping, and then we will be on our way. Fortunately I secured most of my supplies before the scuffle.”
“Wait, we’re leaving the city?” Naji questioned, “Doesn’t that seem a bit drastic? Why not simply lay low?”
Malik turned to meet his eyes. “I am a drifter. I only stop in the cities when I am low on supplies. It is better, and easier, for me to stay on the move.”
Naji frowned. Something about the wording...“Are you on the run from something?”
“Not exactly. Nonetheless, my situation is a little complicated. Now, stop dawdling. We will speak more once we’re on the road.”
He groaned. What had he condemned himself to?
For someone who claimed not to spend much time in the cities, Malik seemed to know them like the back of his hand, easily mapping them through the alleys and backways and out of the sight of any guards. Eventually he took them around a corner where a small pile of bundles lay nestled in a shadowed crook of a building. What startled Naji though was the large eagle that sat perched on a crate, like a safeguard. He gave a squawk when he saw them and Naji jumped.
“What the—what is that? Why is it here?” he said, shuffling back as the bird flapped it’s wings briefly as though to shoo him off.
Malik made a clucking sound with his tongue and reached out an arm, inviting the bird to it, which it took quickly and shuffled its way onto Malik’s shoulder. He stroked its feathers briefly before letting his hand drop.
“This is my companion,” he explained, “He was guarding my belongings.”
A Long Time in Coming- Favorable Chance Encounters 7/?
“So…Malik…where are we going?”
“Well, given the fuss we caused, it would be best to leave the city. So first we shall fetch my shopping, and then we will be on our way. Fortunately I secured most of my supplies before the scuffle.”
“Wait, we’re leaving the city?” Naji questioned, “Doesn’t that seem a bit drastic? Why not simply lay low?”
Malik turned to meet his eyes. “I am a drifter. I only stop in the cities when I am low on supplies. It is better, and easier, for me to stay on the move.”
Naji frowned. Something about the wording...“Are you on the run from something?”
“Not exactly. Nonetheless, my situation is a little complicated. Now, stop dawdling. We will speak more once we’re on the road.”
He groaned. What had he condemned himself to?
For someone who claimed not to spend much time in the cities, Malik seemed to know them like the back of his hand, easily mapping them through the alleys and backways and out of the sight of any guards. Eventually he took them around a corner where a small pile of bundles lay nestled in a shadowed crook of a building. What startled Naji though was the large eagle that sat perched on a crate, like a safeguard. He gave a squawk when he saw them and Naji jumped.
“What the—what is that? Why is it here?” he said, shuffling back as the bird flapped it’s wings briefly as though to shoo him off.
Malik made a clucking sound with his tongue and reached out an arm, inviting the bird to it, which it took quickly and shuffled its way onto Malik’s shoulder. He stroked its feathers briefly before letting his hand drop.
“This is my companion,” he explained, “He was guarding my belongings.”