Bash found a new playmate among the exiles. An eighteen year old boy who had been the son of Sanu. Though not Sanu's only son since the dead warlord had dozens. But rather the only child who had not died at the hands of Sanu's enemies. The boy only survived due to his soft nature. He fainted often, wept always--- and begged for his life when one of the assassins wanted to end his life--- and was known to play with girls. And not in an attempt to hide deeper seek. As Sanu laid on the ground dying, Sani, Sanu's son, lept from his horse and rushed to Sanu. Crying and holding his father, Sani cursed the barbarians in his native tongue, though none among them save Nemec understood him. Sani stood up suddenly running a few steps away and vomited. Bash looked at him with a puzzle look and went to the sword in Sanu's throat. Bash fought for the better part of five minutes while Sani just behind him continued to vomit and weep. Everyone watched the young Basher intently including the former concubine of Sanu who was the mother of Sani. After much effort, Bash freed the sword from Sanu's throat and then looked even more puzzled when Sanu's head fell away. Holding the sword for a time, Bash decided to give Sani his father's head. Eric watched with a bemused smile on his face as Bash tried to get a proper grip on the head, then after a few attempts. Easily tossed it just before Sani, in the midst of his bile filled groul. Sani fainted and all the tribesman exploded in laughter. Nemec and Eric looked at Bash and felt a great sense of pride. Deep within the awakened memories in Nemec's mind, Braur, the parafamilia of Basher the giant's bloodline, lamented that Bash would be the one to defeat the god of thunder.
Later that evening, Sani sat next to a fire trembling and Bash walked towards him offering him a piece of bread. Sani looked at the young boy and felt the child's longing to be his friend. Sani took the bread and nodded. Though distraught, Sani tried to be civilized. His father knew little of diplomacy or how to assauge the savage beast. Sani though, witnessed animals, when faced with their superiors, would often place their face to the ground and prostrate themselves signifying submission. Bash had the aura of the most savage of creatures as well did his clansman, and Sani realized that to survive, he would have to submit. Nemec walked over to Bash and picked up the little one. "Hello grandson." Said Nemec in his native tongue. Sani looked up at him and tears welled in his eyes. Sani almost hissed the words towards the killer of his father: "My Lord why did you betray us?" Nemec smiled and hugged Bash who was trying to shove his little finger up his grandfather's nose. "I did it Sani, for this child." Sani seemed puzzled. "Don't let your heart be troubled. Bash will save all of us one day, and for this, your father had to die. Here, all will be explained eventually." He handed Sani a black marble stone. Sani took the stone and placed it in his pouch. Something felt different when he held the stone, different about himself. He felt distant, almost with drawn from what was happening, as if all before was a dream and this moment and all consecutive moments following, were his true waking moments.
Calling to Nemec he thanked him for the stone. Nemec briefly spun about with Bash on his shoulders and smiled.
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