05-18-2014, 06:30 PM
Connor and Tehya's interlude was largely ignored by the shadowed figure opposite. Most such things passed without his acknowledgement of their presence, but Connor sounded like a broken record. Yes, Kenab was likely the only place in the western world where records could still be found.
Eli's neck went limp, and he flopped his head back against the window. He stared at the ceiling, bumping and swaying along on their rails. He tried to focus on the mysteries of the moment, but it was hard to tune them out. Tehya was interesting. Her voice was soothing, too. Like water trickling from the bowl of a fountain. But their conversation was dribble.
He was content to give neither additional thought, but then Connor said something that pinched Eli's brows together.
"There is a group of people out there called the Atharim. If these people know what you can do, they will hunt you down and kill you."
He sat up slowly, but did not interrupt. He was the silent witness in the shadows, absorbing details that he could not interpret, yet deep within, knew was vitally important.
Could such a clandestine group have been involved in his uncle's disappearance? Connor's implications suggested magic-users. The allegation struck Eli too close for comfort. Whatever it was Elias could manipulate, he did not understand, but neither was he disturbingly bothered by it. More unnerving was the thought that his uncle might have had the same powers, and was destroyed for them.
Elias put little stock in great conspiracy theories, but the seed was planted.
The doors chimed, but Elias was a impenetrable gaze, still as the surface of a mountain lake mirroring the sky above. Was the man waiting on his permission to disembark?
"Good to meet you, Connor. Goodbye."
His answer was dismissive in the fact that he turned swiftly back to Tehya. "Do your people have legends to explain the origin of assholes?"
The humor twisted drier than a dead branch in the desert sun. He didn't even check to see if Connor was out of earshot before mouthing the quip.
He crossed his arms and leaned into his seat, studying Tehya. Their impromptu interrogation of one another continued. "So. What did it feel like when it passed through?"
Eli's neck went limp, and he flopped his head back against the window. He stared at the ceiling, bumping and swaying along on their rails. He tried to focus on the mysteries of the moment, but it was hard to tune them out. Tehya was interesting. Her voice was soothing, too. Like water trickling from the bowl of a fountain. But their conversation was dribble.
He was content to give neither additional thought, but then Connor said something that pinched Eli's brows together.
"There is a group of people out there called the Atharim. If these people know what you can do, they will hunt you down and kill you."
He sat up slowly, but did not interrupt. He was the silent witness in the shadows, absorbing details that he could not interpret, yet deep within, knew was vitally important.
Could such a clandestine group have been involved in his uncle's disappearance? Connor's implications suggested magic-users. The allegation struck Eli too close for comfort. Whatever it was Elias could manipulate, he did not understand, but neither was he disturbingly bothered by it. More unnerving was the thought that his uncle might have had the same powers, and was destroyed for them.
Elias put little stock in great conspiracy theories, but the seed was planted.
The doors chimed, but Elias was a impenetrable gaze, still as the surface of a mountain lake mirroring the sky above. Was the man waiting on his permission to disembark?
"Good to meet you, Connor. Goodbye."
His answer was dismissive in the fact that he turned swiftly back to Tehya. "Do your people have legends to explain the origin of assholes?"
The humor twisted drier than a dead branch in the desert sun. He didn't even check to see if Connor was out of earshot before mouthing the quip.
He crossed his arms and leaned into his seat, studying Tehya. Their impromptu interrogation of one another continued. "So. What did it feel like when it passed through?"