The stranger convulsed for a few more seconds before sitting up from their pain-induced fit. They turned to see both Isel and Charine staring silently before pretended to clear their throat before standing up slowly.
"Wow… ha…. I- uhm. I didn't expect anyone to be here."
The stranger was met with even more silence.
"…Sorry?"
Standing in front of Isel and Charine was a tall man with brown hair and white skin with a subtle tan. He was a mess. His hair was unkempt and full of the sand that he just rolled around in.
The first thing that Isel took notice of was not his messy hair, sharp features or his tall stature. It was what he wore. He had armor, similar to Charine; however, it was significantly more protective than hers. If not covered by metal plates, his entire body from neck down was beneath layers if thick cloth — far more than the light greaves that Charine wore. They were also much less suited for the environment they were in, he must have been burning alive.
Charine responded, her tone slightly sharpened.
"Why are you here?"
He spoke, his voice still rough.
"Just about to leave, y'know? Cant stand the damn… spikes and what-not. Horrible."
The man spit onto the red sand every couple seconds, attempting to get the rest of the red dust out his mouth.
Charine became more stern as she didn't receive the answer she wanted. Her hand reached to her back as she placed it on her weapon.
"I'll ask only one more time. Why are here?"
The stranger put his hands up quickly and nervously with a sheepish grin.
"Hey, wait! Wait just a bit. Didn't realize things were so serious."
Isel put his hand on Charine's shoulder and whispered.
"Just hear him out, can't you?"
She glared back at Isel before taking a deep breath. She bit her lip contemplatively before looking back at the armored man. After an awkward moment she returned to a neutral position, but not entirely relaxed.
"So? What's your deal? You're not dressed well."
The man laughed as he walked up a few steps and sat himself on the ground in a comfortable looking position. As comfortable as his armor would allow, at least.
"Never really meant to come here, I was just looking for somebody and rushed to follow them. Guess I kind of got caught up in the heat of the moment, forgot to change into something good to wear for this place. Just now I was trying to head back but y'know… took a fall…"
Isel sat down next to Charine to remain on the level as the stranger. His accomplice however, remained unmoving, looking down on the armored man. Isel was more curious about the man himself rather than his intentions. Charine didn't share a lot about herself. In fact, all he knew about her was what she said when they had first met three days ago. He wondered when he'd get the chance to learn more about his partner.
Isel redirected his attention to the stranger. He still knew he had to be cautious, but thought it couldn't hurt to ask questions.
"So what's your name, sir?"
The stranger smiled as he proudly proclaimed his name.
"Siphos, sounds cool doesn't it?"
"I guess so?"
Siphos chuckled.
"See, that's how you greet a stranger!"
Charine walked away from the man, completely uninterested. She picked up the black knife from where Isel had dropped it.
Siphos frowned as he saw her walk away, and turned to Isel again.
"So what about yours?"
"Isel."
"Huh… yours is pretty boring, no?"
"I'm not exactly sure how you'd rate a name but… if you say so."
"So what about your friend? What's her name?"
"Charine."
"Wow. That one's also kind of-"
He was interrupted by her intense gaze from behind Isel. He quickly redirected his response.
"Kind of… alright… I suppose. Anyways, what brings you here?"
Isel thought on the answer.
"An expedition of sorts, we just finished up."
Siphos shrugged.
"Well, not like there's a lot of reasons to be here."
Isel felt a little unnerved by the cadence of the armored man. He was extremely relaxed, as if he didn't have a care in the world. In the place he was in, Isel never had the chance to fully let his guard down, at least according to Charine.
"Yeah, I definitely don't like it here. But luckily we're going to be staying in Aeshval for a short while, so it's a nice change of pace."
Siphos smiled at the mention of Aeshval.
"Oh! I already miss it! The air is just so sweet, and there's no dust to choke on or spikes to step over."
Hearing his descriptions made Isel more and more excited to go to Aeshval, he wanted to see another part of the world, to know that it wasn't all as bad as Comeidlan.
Almost exactly on cue, Charine walked back to Isel and dropped the black knife in front of him.
"We still need to leave."
"Oh, right."
Isel stood and picked up the knife. He turned back to the armored man.
"Well it was nice meeting you, Siphos."
Siphos interjected quickly.
"Woah, don't say goodbye yet. I'm leaving too."
Charine stared blankly at Siphos. She knew what was coming.
"That being said… mind if I tag along for a little?"
"Why?"
"For some extra security…"
Charine squinted.
"And why do you need extra security?"
Siphos sighed as he took on a serious face for the first time.
"I just need to get to Manichae. I know people in some Aeshval settlements and I upset them a little so… I don't want to risk heading out alone."
Charine remained silent, and Isel took the opportunity to ask another question.
"Is that why you're here? You said you were looking for somebody but, you're the only other person we've seen here."
He nodded.
"I was the one being chased."
Charine grimaced. She looked as if she was stuck between answers. Isel felt that he could understand. In all the time he knew her, she had been very pragmatic and reasonable when taking action. Agreeing to travel with Siphos was logically not a good idea. If he had enemies in Aeshval — a place with plenty of contention already— how were they going to get through the land safely all the way to Manichae? But the reason why Charine hesitated so much was one that Isel had come to understand quickly about Charine. She had a stronge moral compass, perhaps too strong for her own good. In this case, it prevented her from denying his proposition immediately.
"The risk is too great, I can't agree to travel with you unless you can provide something that outweighs that risk."
Siphos sighed.
"If need be, I can't provide something that outweighs it, but I can completely rid you of that risk. Even if I happen to put you into a tough situation."
Charine raised an eyebrow.
"How?"
"Well it wasn't a dispute that would get anyone killed, so if push comes to shove I can go along willingly and give them my armor as bail."
Charine pondered for a moment and stared at the black knife that Isel held.
"If that happens we won't be able to escort you any longer."
Siphos shrugged.
"Having a chance is better than nothing."
Charine sighed as she turned around and shook her head.
"Fine, come with us. You'll need to help us with everything we ask you for. If we get into any trouble regarding your issues, you'll handle them yourself."
Siphos smiled and jumped to his feet as soon as she finished her sentence.
"Woo! Haha!"
He approached Isel and raised his hand.
"Good to work with you guys!"
Isel slapped the man's armored hand, and turned back to walk where he stood previously.
"Nice to have you along as well."
Siphos dug under his breastplate hastily and took out a small leather sheathe. He removed its contents to reveal an identical black knife to what Isel held. Isel had started to wonder where these odd obsidian-colored blades even came from.
Siphos looked to Charine as if he was expecting something. Assumedly, he was waiting for her to take out her own black blade.
"You coming?"
She stood still in front of the two with a blank expression.
"After the both of you go."
Siphos shrugged.
"Well, whatever."
Isel held the blade against his palm once more. His breath was more steady than the last time he had attempted. The absurd appearance of Siphos had taken most of the tenseness away from the situation, and Isel was somewhat grateful.
A new travel companion excited Isel, and he had to occasionally remind himself to remain cautious. Some of the things Siphos said could not be true, in fact none of it may be true at all. Even though Siphos' actions, words, and tone all suggested otherwise, Isel still made sure to take it with a grain of salt. If he made a mistake in judging people, it may cost him his life, and he would be unable to reach his goal.
He gripped the handle of the knife tightly as he took a deep breath. Now, he would finally escape the spiked desert and see what the world had to offer him. Before he allowed himself to hesitate any further, he sliced as hard as he could across his palm.