Hide You Fool … Hide

Despite the unpleasant reality that they had to do a sudden relocation and Voah performed a night watch to side with caution, Gonyaul was able to fall asleep quickly and drift away into the world of dream. Emuy is what the Vauxians called it. It was the same state of mind that they trained to reach during their deep meditations. Beyond the void of surrendering one’s thoughts, feelings, and senses, would emerge the Emuy; an unpredictable place that had no allegiance to anything dealing with reality. Unless it did.

He didn’t remember much of the dream he had when in the Emuy, but he did recall the sound of the color yellow, the taste of laughter, and the smell of moonlight. He smirked as he stretched, trying his best to remember more details than those strange snippets; however, he wasn’t able to. The early morning was spent in meditation inside their camp. Then a few nuts for breakfast before he prepared himself to head out towards the docks. He unfortunately had to wake Voah, wishing he could let her sleep longer. It didn’t seem like a good idea to leave her alone and vulnerable should trouble come knocking while he was away at work.

While at the docks, Gonyaul found the bullying to be exceptionally high today. He always turned the other cheek in order to keep the peace. Someone intentional shoved into him rudely, he would bow in respect and apologize even though it wasn’t his fault. Another spit, or hurled insults, into his face and Gonyaul would once again respond kindly. The worst though was the disdain that negated him from being able to acquire work. To those spectators with more empathy, they could sympathize with Gonyaul’s situation; however, they weren’t going to go so far as to get themselves likewise ostracized on behalf of a foreigner.

One kind ferryman, that had given Gonyaul consistent work throughout last week, did take enough pity on the gracious and hardworking lad, to attempt to warn him why the tides of local attitudes had changed so drastically. The language barrier made it more challenging, but his message rang loud and clear thanks to body language and tone. Some type of suffering, death, had occurred in the city and foreigners were experiencing the brunt of the blame.

Of course this had nothing to do with Gonyaul, but they didn’t know that. He didn’t look like Helians; even with all their variety. He didn’t use their language at the docks either, instead choosing to try his best to speak in their language, vauxian tongue, or just don’t speak at all. Gonyaul had zero allegiance to Helios.

Gonyaul heeded the advice to run and hide, it aligned very nicely with his usual stratagem. Leaving work earlier than he ever had, he returned home to their campsite. Voah was absent, as were several of the belonging he knew she always took with her when investigating her hunches. Perhaps she had not received the warning that now was not a good time for any foreigner to be out and about?

Gonyaul gathered himself and the nerve to go looking for her. She needed to be warned and they both go into hiding. If he were to hide without her, no doubt she wouldn’t be able to find him.

He stood dressed in desert attire and had his head wrapping completely covering his face, except his eyes, looking from his immediate isolated and crumbling surroundings towards more of the heart of the city. It appeared there was a growing noise coming from there. In addition, he began to notice a pattern of ambulation in that direction from all types. Something of interest was taking place. Gonyaul was pretty sure that if something interesting was happening, it would be irresistible to her curiosity. That is where she would most likely be.

Gonyaul walked towards the commotion. Looking like a local he easily blended into those around him and was soon hidden in plain sight along with the growing number of people.