Chapter 350: Initiation into a Healer (5) (1/2)
”Duty,” The Shishya muttered, the voice of the Guru resounding in her mind, seemingly stirring up something from within her. She pondered, ”What is duty? Is it something imposed on me by others? Is it something I wish to do? Is it something required from me for a greater cause? Is the land depending on me to perform it? What exactly defines my duty?”
Hearing her mumbles, the Guru smiled. Her eyes narrowed as she noticed something stir up on the Shishya's back, a pale blue hue visible under the shades made by the folds in her dress. It lasted for less than a breath before disappearing.
The Guru's eyes became filled with resolve, her breathing turning rough for a moment before relaxing. She clenched her fist, gently ruffling the sand near her feet, watching some of it fall on her shoe.
'I guess it is time.' The Guru stood up, taking a couple of steps before turning around, watching that the Shishya remained unmoving, immersed in her thoughts. Followed by a smile, the Guru strode forward, beckoning for the leader stationed nearby.
The leader was stationed there to protect the duo, after all, the Divya Vaidya was of the utmost significance to their Clan or any Clan for the matter. So, protecting their safety was a must. With a leader protecting them, there wasn't any possibility of them suffering from an attack.
It was easy to sense the presence of the Divya Vaidya, something that was etched in the minds of every warrior. No Clan had any enmity towards her, instead, they were happy to curry favour with her. So, the chances of them even attacking her through a misunderstanding was nil. Therefore, the only foes the leader had to guard against were the beasts and wild animals.
Seeing the Divya Vaidya beckon for him, the leader took a flurry of steps, swiftly arriving before her, performing a mild bow, ”Do you need something?”
”Can you summon your Chief? I have something important to tell him.” The Guru nodded, speaking with a tone of respect.
”Of course,” The leader nodded, turning around before shouting a couple of words. Immediately, a warrior setting up the tent left his position and arrived in a hurry. The leader relayed the instructions immediately as the warrior rushed into the Clan.
Ten breaths later, the Chief walked out, his face mildly surprised at the sudden call. After all, they had just conversed. So, the chances for a topic of importance to arrive in the short time frame was negligible. Suppressing his surprise and confusion, the Chief looked at the Guru, ”I heard you wished to convey something important?”
”Yes, please come with me. It is something only a Chief should know.” The Guru said.
”But,” The leader was slightly hesitant in sending their Chief alone.
The Chief laughed in response, patting the shoulder of the leader, ”It won't take long.”
He then noticed the Guru looking at the pillars located a fair distance away, cueing the leader of the location he would proceed towards. The leader nodded solemnly, intending to take action should anything amiss occur.
The Guru didn't seem bothered by the delay, patiently waiting for the Chief to accompany her. ”Also, please protect my Shishya and ensure he is not disturbed. He's currently in a state of enlightenment that's necessary to become my successor.”
The Chief and leader were pleasantly surprised by the news, their faces brimming with joy. The Chief made eye contact with the leader who bowed in response, ”I'll guard him with my life. The arrival of another Divya Vaidya is the fortune of our Crimson Desert.”
The Guru and the Chief began to walk, taking a glance at the Shishya as they passed by, soon traversing towards the pillars peaking out of the sand. They were uneven, their heights varying from the height of a grown man to thrice the height of a grown man. Their width was similar to a child, a reason they hadn't been used as a fortification.
The pillars were broken when needed to be used for housing purposes in the Meka Clan. There seemed to be an inexhaustible supply as the pillars stretched across the entire horizon. Seeing her gaze, the Meka Clan Chief couldn't help but comment, ”Even if we cut off a pillar, it grows back to its former height in the span of 4-5 years. It's a mystery the Meka Clan has been unable to solve.”
The Guru nodded, not commenting on the matter, soon passing through the gap between two pillars. The floor was still composed of sand, the gaps between the pillars wide enough to comfortably pass through.
The Guru continued to walk, heading deeper and deeper without pause, as if she was familiar with the terrain. The wind blowing past made faint drumming noises, accompanied by the sounds of a flute as they headed deeper. It was because of the shape and arrangement of the stone pillars, affecting the flowing wind to produce sounds.
All manners of sound resounded, from the footsteps of a man to the wailing of a baby. The Chief walked right behind the Guru, his stance alert, his hands clenched, ready to retaliate at a moment's notice.
The gap between the rock pillars varied, from a wide passage to a narrow one where they had to squeeze through sideways. After squeezing through a narrow section, the Guru slowed down, taking a couple more steps before stopping.