The journey was silent and uneventful. But even as they got tired, they just ate something to recover their stamina.
In no time they reached the edge of the desert. A solid, vast ground with cracks in some places.
It was reddish brown in colour. Old Man Luno went ahead and they followed him. He avoided some places and cautioned them, too.
He was tense throughout their journey on the brown land. Soon, they reached where there were some trees. They stopped to rest.
Mima was beyond tired.
She only got to drink a sip of water before she fell asleep like a log.
Lawa, on the other hand, was not. He was tired but his dilemma was just too great for him to rest.
'We have gotten too far from the clan. I should turn back!'
Old Man Luno made a stew and woke up Mima to drink and gave Lawa a cup too. Mima went back to sleep the moment she drank it up while the man sat beside Lawa
"You seem lost?" His voice was soft, and he felt like he didn't really need the answer. It was just a word of concern.
"Maybe I should go back home!" Lawa said what was in his mind. He then snapped back and looked at the old man.
He felt exposed.
"You people are quite blessed you know!" The old man said as he sipped his stew. "For as long as I remember, I never had a home. My mother gave birth to me while running."
He looked at Lawa and said, "She was running when I was born. After a pause of a second, she pulled me out and dashed ahead. Running she pushed her teat milk to me."
He took a deep sigh and then a sip. "I grew up in a long migration of people that escaped from the black desert. When we finally left it, I was 34 years old. Many of our people have long perished along the way of old age and beast hunt"
He shook his head, "The audacity of my mother was she even had the guts to make more children after me. I wish I had her courage!"
"Where is she?" Lawa asked curiously.
"She went back to get my youngest brother—that was 45 years ago!" He said with a rueful smile.
There was history behind that, and Lawa wanted to ask more, but he refrained from that. From what he can infer, Old Man Luno loved his mother dearly, but she did things that were not his style.
"She used to say female jobs was giving birth and taking care of them. She will not leave a single child alone until they come of age. And that's how she was. Strong, firm on her beliefs and unwavering on what she deems necessary."
'Lucky you. My mother just left for no apparent reason and never came back!' Lawa thought. He was at the tender age of three when she left.
"I bet you never left the wall before?" The man asked. Coming back to the topic, Lawa nodded.
"Here is my advice. You should go back home!"
"Really!" Lawa said with a smile. Finally, what was inside his heart resonated with that.
"Yes." The old man nodded with all seriousness.
Lawa nodded his head, feeling at ease. "It will be fine if I go home. Sister will not have to worry about me."
Lawa stood with enthusiasm but he stopped. A new emotion came to him. It was not fear of going back but the embarrassment he may feel, the cowardice of his actions.
He will be going back on his promises to himself and also painting himself unworthy of trust as well as commitment.
Marmara Clan was noble and amazing from the outside as well as inside but that was due to its underlying culture of the people being rigid and cutthroat.
A man must show bravery and commitment and stay by his words. If a man boasts about doing something they should stay on that.
A slight mistake will spiral one toward deterioration of honour.
Certainly, only a select few knew he left but who knows if word goes out. But that wasn't the problem; the main problem was if the elders were not appeased by you, then you were done for.
He clenched his miracle stone and thought for some time before he sat down. The moment he went back his miracle stone might not be his anymore.
He will lose the respect of the old man gatekeeper as well as Master Brass Tone.
'Maybe I don't need to go back now. I can spend a month before I go back, right?' Lawa nodded.
This new plan made him feel more relaxed than the first one.
The old man was busy reading maps while also writing something on it.
'I can stay with them for as long as they stay in a yellow desert. All I had to do now was help this girl reach City's City.'
Lawa thought as he nodded at his great plan.
'I don't need to ride Throw Destination to any dangerous place.'
Lawa felt another wash of relief, a smile came to his face and said, "Is it possible for me to stay with you for some time."
"Of course. My humble abode will always welcome you."
"Good. Then we will take her to the City's City then we go back!"
"If that's what you wish!" The old man was happy with the decision.
Having a scion like this at his settlement was a boon, not to mention the scion has that pendant that can deter away Silver Grade Beast.
It's an added protection to his people.
Lawa opened his bag and went through some stuff while avoiding the scribe tablet that had his plans and other information.
He pulled out a dry ration and shared it with the old man.
An hour later, Mima woke up and they resumed their journey.
"Why did we change direction?" She asked.
No one answered. She looked at Lawa and was surprised to find there was a smile on his face.
He was happy.
But then he came to a halt. There were groups of people running toward them.
"Chief. Greetings!" They said and the old man reciprocated. They exchanged information and moved ahead.
"They are my scouts!" The old man explained.
"Ah. I think. Just take me to the Throw Destination!"
Lawa said. The uncertainty had suddenly returned and the smile on his face vanished, replaced with an expression of worry.
Mima was more confused.