Myself [Ishara]

[Serrif Von Chatlyn]

He admired her statement for more than just what she said, but for her blunt honesty. She told him exactly what she felt, what she was. It was in her eyes and body language that she missed home. It was unmistakable that she still had strong ties to home. Sure, he could travel wherever he wanted because he had no ties anywhere really. Everything before the camp was less than a memory for him; and what happened there was a nightmare. So he had no ties to home like Ishara did. No when she spoke of her brothers she could see her gaze grow somewhat distant and a faint light come to her face.

But then it faded, and she grew almost weary and homesick. Would taking her further away from home really do her any good? He had no way of knowing if it was exactly what she needed…only she would know that for sure. Only she knew that. Was she running away from something? He knew in a way he was; but for likely different reasons. He had been paying attention to her neck and wrists for a good time now. He had seen no marks on them indicating she wasn’t a runaway slave. And he saw no bracelets on her so she was no Nakivak. So she was here on her own accord for her own reasons. She had come far from wherever she was. He knew because he had never seen anyone like her here nor on his travels as of yet. So she was from lands he had yet to discover for himself. And there was plenty to be discovered for him because he remembered none of it.

“I know.”

The answer held with it a simple understanding. He knew she was steadfast, that she would stand for what she believed in and would use what skills she had. She was strong, yet caring as well. She had good character from what he could tell. But…she would have to learn and he would have to teach. Before he could commit to anything though he would have to learn more. He still knew little if anything of Windreach. And yet he was still supposed to go there and study medicine somehow.

“I am willing to teach, but if you decide to come with me you will have to reflect some. We both know the journey will not be easy in the least.” He looked into her deep blue hues and spoke softly.

“Think about it, only you know if you want this. But I would enjoy the company of you and your loyal companion.”

[Ishara Dossari]

Ishara nodded thoughtfully, the weight of his words sinking in. This was no easy task to consider. This was no joy ride into the great unknown. There were dangers aplenty. While her head spun with all that could possibly go awry, there was a gentling sensation centered somewhere next to her heart... I will go. Without having fully decided upon it, Ishara knew. She knew deep in her bones that this was the path emerging anew, the task that Yahal had placed upon her shoulders, to step forward and keep stepping forward, because eventually it would carry her from the grief that threatened to swallow her whole. Eventually it would give her new purpose, new hopes, fresh perspective... Awash in the dire implications that this well-intentioned adventure could end in tragedy, Ishara dwelled in silence for a short spell, folding her hands together atop the table. She would need a horse. She would need additional supplies. She would undoubtedly need a weapon and the knowledge to wield it. Already calculations and plans were buzzing between her ears, and her pale eyes grew distant for the count of several heartbeats. Shaking her head, Ishara brought herself back to the here and now. "I will think on it, Serriff. It is not a decision I will make lightly. In the meantime, I would like to learn more about defending myself," the corner of her mouth teased into that familiar half-smile. She had a lot to learn.

[Serrif Von Chatlyn]

She was calculating, he could see her eyes go distant as if she was detached fitting all the little pieces together in her mind. She was really thinking about it. Which was good, one needed to ponder such things seriously if they were going to really dedicate themselves to them. It was good to really toil over such decisions and weigh what you were committing yourself to before just knocking off to do something you didn’t understand. It would take time for her to finally make up her mind. This he knew and accepted. Perhaps she would give him an answer sometime soon so they could come together and correlate what they needed along with what they had. If they were to travel together they would need things, and he knew this to be more than true. He knew what he was asking her to consider was no small task. There would be plenty of danger in the travel, the only reason he would attempt this journey in the first place was because the Order had asked him to do so directly. She had no commitment to such an ideal, she hadn’t been asked to accompany him by any but him. She could refuse him and not feel to horrible about it.

“That I can help with.” He enjoyed seeing the corner of her mouth tease into a half smile. She was eager to learn, and teaching helped him perfect what little he had learned.

He thought some and well it was getting to be mid-day and he knew there was still plenty to be done at the Sanctuary. Who knew what chaos had erupted while he was here? There was still re-building to be done and things to set into motion. But he needed this break, and had met a very unique personality along the way. If she was to travel with him she would definitely need to know how to defend herself as well as how to hunt. Those two skills would be pivotal in survival in the trip. And doubtlessly very difficult as well because of all the landscape changes seen at the hands of the storms.

“Tell you what. I work as a doctor at the Sanctuary. I usually go for a run every morning before the sun rises. If you meet me along the shore I will teach you something every day you show up until I depart. We will learn at your pace. If I don’t show up come looking for me instead in the Sanctuary, the staff knows how and where to find me.” He said with a smile seeing if she was up to it; his emerald depths shimmered some in the possibility of training her…the possibilities of having someone travel with him all the way to Windreach. He didn’t think he would get any company except for Hasmere.

“And you just promise me you will let me know when you have made up your mind if you will join me or not.”

[Ishara Dossari]

Ishara nodded. There was much to think about if she was going on this journey...and many ways in which she would have to prepare for it. The enormity of it had not quite hit her, as it surely would over the next few days...and what better way to spend those days than greeting the dawn with a lesson in combat? "That sounds good. I'll be there." As if on cue, Raj appeared at her side, his slender muzzle thrust beneath her arm in an insistent nudge. As Ishara gazed down at her sighthound thoughtfully, she ran her fingertips between his brows, a deep sigh resonating with the thoughts churning in the back of her mind. "I will let you know soon, Serriff."

OOC: Sorry, its a bit short, but I figured here was a good spot to end it.

[Serrif Von Chatlyn]

She fascinated him in many ways. She was small, but strong and determined…but determined to do what? He had told everything he was willing to tell her. For now; the rest would come in time as he got to know her better. But as it stood now he knew little of her. He did know she loved riding horses, she had a brother or two…or more. And she had that wonderful sighthound Raj. Every little bit he saw of that animal made him realize just how intelligent animals could be. He was her traveling companion there for her through the thick and thin.

“You’ve come a long way to Ishara, I know because I have never seen another woman nor man like you around here. With eyes like yours…like still clear water in the desert.” Beautiful eyes he added mentally.

That line seemed to apply so well to her, but he knew not where he had read it. Only that it came from one of the many writings he had stumbled across while in the library in Mura. Someone had written it, and it was more than true when he saw her eyes. They were wonderfully soothing; like deep glacial pools of water. They reminded him of the sea, of water in a deepwater hole…of peace and tranquility. So many things reminded him of the peace he found in Mura.

“And your partner there traveled with you all that way.” He said admiring her sighthound. He was a wonderful dog, slender and obviously intelligent. He could tell this from the actions he took while around Ishara. He didn’t lay on her feet, no he found somewhere nearby where he could be out of sight and still watch over her. A guardian; Raj was her loyal guardian.

He had never thought of a dog that way before, even for being around Rath and his pack for as much time as he had. He hadn’t seen a bond between an owner and a dog that was quite this interesting. She loved the dog, but at the same time he seemed to carry with him somber memories of some kind. He saw it every time she talked about Raj; she would be happy, elated…then something dark would creep in. Somber thoughts of something. And he knew that something would not be easily nor openly shared with strangers. Just like he still kept the camp to himself. Some things were better kept private until you knew you could trust someone.

[Ishara Dossari]

Ishara ducked her head as Serriff's words drifted over her. He was trying to draw her out, seeking a little information on her own background and how she came to be here...that she could tell. After all, it was only fair. Give and take... Still, she hesitated. So much of her time spent beyond the sands of her desert home was channeled towards the effort of remaining ahead of the grief that stalked her... "Raj was a gift." Abyar's gentle features hovered in the back of her mind, his bright smile flashing as his enthusiasm about the slender silkena hound he'd presented her with shined through his eyes. Ishara's throat thickened, but she swallowed it back, forcing a smile as she met Serriff's curious gaze once more. "We are both from the desert sands of Eyktol, well beyond the sea of grass. Life is...so different there. Not so much water, as there is here. Many old customs, and much of our lives are centered around faith and religion. It is why they let me leave..." She took a deep breath, warring with how much she could share with this man who was barely more than a stranger to her. "Yahal visited me in a dream, and told me I must leave the desert...My brothers did not want me to go. There are six of them, so their discontent was rather...great," she flashed him a quick smile, the light in her eyes attributed to the love she bore for her brother's and their reluctance to let her journey across Mizahar by herself. "But Yahal's message was there, and before long, they came to know it was something I must do," Before the sadness ate away my heart, she finished silently to herself, recalling the long months following Abyar's death during which she'd seemed to waste away...wraith-thin and listless. The ache had dissipated since then, but it was still a poignant reminder at times, visiting unannounced and sometimes lingering...

[Serrif Von Chatlyn]

Home was a good distance away for Ishara; and that was only made worse by the fact that she had a wonderful close family waiting for her back in Eyktol. “Six brothers…” He mirrored repeating her words in somewhat astonishment. “They must have loved you very much; it had to be hard for them to let you go…even if Yahal send the vision to you.”

That explained why she enjoyed the more adventurous things in life. She likely enjoyed hunting as well. He could only imagine how hard it had to be for her six brothers to let her leave. They would want to protect her just like brothers would. But what he saw before him was a little different. She was stern in her footing; driven by her religion and faith in her vision. That she was to find something outside the desert; a purpose maybe. She was driven, much like he was by his Goddess. However he couldn’t imagine having faith like hers.

To trust your god so much to blindly leave your home to find something outside of what you have known your entire life! That took devotion, and trust in your god. Something he was just really beginning to learn for himself. Faith…sometimes you had to blindly trust in order to be faithful. You had to realize that there are greater forces at play other than your own and the reasons are unfathomable for you. His life had certainly been like that. And it was again something he was growing more comfortable with.

“Your faith is refreshing.” And it was, he hadn’t met anyone dedicated like she was. Someone who would leave home and venture out to the world like she had done.

“It is difficult to understand the greater plan at times, and even if we knew it is the journey that makes the trip worth taking…and the victory worth having.” That had certainly been what he had experienced in his life. He never would’ve imagined setting foot in Mura after that slave camp. Of melting away the torture and giving his life meaning and direction.

[Ishara Dossari]

Understanding the greater plan... "Mm," Ishara murmured in agreement, her chin dipping in a nod as her fingertips rose to interlock and cradle it. Her elbows on the table, she brought her eyes down to study it's intricate wooden patterning...while her thoughts were wrestled into submission by a state of eerie calm. He has my trust, Ishara realized in astonishment, finding the words she could not find before... "I was to be married," her voice carried low, barely discernable over the backdrop of bar patronage. "But something happened on the nights before our...wedding," even admist the cold tremor of grief quaking through her heart, Ishara struggled for the social equivalent to her people's marriage ceremonies, the binding of one's heart and life to another... "He disappeared for days, and when we realized something was wrong...it was too late." Her voice was even, though hesitant. It occurred to her that this was the first time she'd spoken of it since leaving her family behind, and the realization brought with it a dizzying tide of relief. It was like lancing a wound. Like being able to draw the first, full breath in a long time... "He was killed." The admission was a heavy weight drawn off of her chest. The relief of it tugged loose the frown furrowing her brow and replaced it with that tentative, half-smile. The storm had passed. Admitting it aloud had actually...repaired something. Somehow. Her eyes rose to meet Serriff's in an expression that was bittersweet. "It was for this that Yahal sent me my dream."

[Serrif Von Chatlyn]

The loss… his mind echoed as he saw the expression on her face as she took the first leap for him to figure out who she was. Not what, but who. He knew she was a desert dwelling woman, who had received Raj as a gift…likely from her betrothed as some kind of wedding gift. She had a large family and was among many loving brothers; and she was now following a vision that her God Yahal had sent to her. His respect and understanding for her grew…slowly piecing together the who from the what.

He understood loss, he had nothing from before the camp. Not even his name. He didn’t know who he was before that; almost as if the slate was wiped with blood and disfigured with scars till the slate was no longer able to be read at all. Only once arriving in Mura was he able to gently wash the crimson blood of the slate and see what it hid…only to discover that his memories were tattered. Unlike her, he had no decision in leaving his past way behind him…he couldn’t go home…he didn’t have one in his memories. There was an understanding about him for the depth of loss she had experienced.

He spoke heavy low words to her as he looked into her deep pools, there was a very interesting understanding for loss in his emerald depths that dripped from his words...he wouldn't ask how he died. “Tell me…tell me how he lived…what was he like? And of this dream…what was it?” He asked her seeing that talking about his death relieved her. Her features lit up some and she seemed far more at ease…not composed…no at ease.

He almost envied her for receiving a message from her god directly, he had gotten his rather indirectly in the form of a charge. Maybe…just maybe he would be received into the order after this journey. Lym had told him that it was almost set in stone if he returned he would be welcomed by the order with open arms. But he cared little for the order and more for Rak’keli. He didn’t want to disappoint her.

The two of them were very alike, both charged by their gods to do what each believed to be rather impossible. But if they worked together, maybe they would both find what they were looking for out here. Maybe…

[Ishara Dossari]

How he lived... The words conjured up a handful of images that tightened a knot in Ishara's throat. How he had lived? He'd barely begun to live. They'd both been cheated out of a remarkable journey. She had hardly even begun to know how he had lived before he was snatched away... "I...well, he had been to see many places. His father was their caravan's leader, and they traded out of many cities." She smiled to think that only a handful of years ago, Abyar could have been sitting in this very tavern with his father. The possibility was there... "It was this that made my decision to acknowledge my dream and follow it out of the desert. I...I thought that he had been all of these places, and by visiting them I could still feel he was with me," she dropped her eyes to Raj, running her palm from the crown of his head to his slender neck. "My dream stated simply...I must leave. I must leave the desert. I got the impression that...Yahal will pave the way. He will show me where to go and provide the way. It is faith in this that has carried me thus far." It struck her, too, that they had a very significant event in common. Being touched by one's God or Goddess left a profound mark on some one's life and will. Some could even argue it changed them, or set about to at least. They were both carried forth by their faith, and Ishara was comforted by the thought.