Page 41 of 1000 of You
He noddedand brushed the ground with his hand. He couldn’t explain why. It was a gesturehe’d performed countless times. A motion meant to wave the embers back to lifeas he piled on more tinder with his other hand.
His fingershit something solid. Stunned,Muamhalted and gazedat the slight indentation in the earth. Reaching down, he continued to wipeaway the silt, until he found the object. A rock.
Realizingwhat he was doing,Govahelped him to clear the firepit, until the ring of rocks was exposed. Behind them, the three men stood andwatched.
“What didyou find?”Dolucaquestioned.
“My firepit.”
“Is thatthe evidence you were seeking?”Bregstrominterjected.
Muamshook his head. “No. No, not this.” He swiveledaround, still crouching, and stared at an area a few arms’ length away. Gettingon his hands and knees, he crawled over to the spot and began scratching at thepacked earth with earnest.Govahurried over toassist him, and before long, he found what he’d been looking for.
Sittingdown, he crossed his legs and pulled out the small clay pot he’d hidden thereeons ago. His hands shook slightly as he removed the lid and tilted the pot,spilling its contents into his palm.
Six copperdua, one small silver ingot, and three lead ducats—the twoGovahad given him from that time she’dsorcereda rock to resemble adua, and the one he’d earnedfrom the knives he’d sharpened forCossi. He lookedup at the three men. “I am sure now.”
A loudblast of sound erupted above them. It continued to blare as the three menreacted with alarm.
“Come on!Wegottaget out of herenow!”
“Why? Whatis it?”Govayelled.
“It’s ahaboob! A sandstorm!” Ossa hollered back as the three men began running.“Hurry! We have to seek shelter!”
Muamgot to his feet and grabbedGova’shand, but she refused to budge from where she stood. Turning around, he saw thetears glittering on her cheeks, and he knew what she was going to say beforeshe spoke.
“This isour time. Our death.”
“Maybe not.Let us seek the shelter they are heading for,” he suggested, although they bothknew from the rising wind and the sheets of sand already flying through the airthat they had run out of time.
Walking upto him, she placed her cheek on his chest and drew her arms around his waist tohug him tightly. Even though the contact was not as intimate as they would haveliked, they accepted it. “I am not afraid this time, my beloved husband. Beinghere, in this place where we found our love, where I came to you and youaccepted me, gives me a sense of peace I have not felt in a very long time. Itseems right that we should end up back here after so many years.”
He slowlysat back down on the ground and pulled her into his lap. Around them, the sandwhipped about as the horn sounding the alarm continued to wail above theirheads. Fortunately, their special suits prevented them from being flayed aliveby the granules, but the air quality was noticeably becoming thicker and harderto breathe.
“How willwe die this time?”Govaasked, raising her voice tobe heard over the increasing growl coming from the wind.
“It may befrom lack of air,” he admitted.
She gave alittle nod and held him tighter. They couldn’t feel each other’s skin, theycouldn’t take comfort in each other’s warmth. Their suits prevented them fromhaving that. From experiencing that. But the important thing was that they weretogether, and that was what mattered.
Bending hisface over hers, they waited. Somewhere above them, he thought he heard theirnames being called out. It could have been a trick of the wind. Regardless, heandGovadidn’t respond. This was their moment todie, and they were ready. Again.
The skiesdarkened as the winds increased in ferocity, striking their bodies as if tryingto blow them apart. The howling grew louder, yet they continued to cling toeach other.
The airtook on a dusty smell, like fetid crops.Govamovedslightly in his embrace, adjusted herself to where her buttocks rested solidlybetween his thighs, and kept her forehead nestled underneath his neck. He triedto lay a kiss on her hair, without success. Still, he’d tried, and he knewGovawas aware of what he’d done.
It grew asblack as the night. The wind continued to push and pull at them, yet they wereable to remain resolute. Time passed, and they waited for death to come, as italways had. As it always did.
The roaringmuffled into a low moan, then all went silent. He felt a stirring in his arms,and the sensation of sand sliding off of them.
“Muam?”
Thesurprise in her voice made him open his eyes. Was it his imagination, or wasthe sky brightening?”
“Muam, is the storm over?”
Incredibly,the winds had calmed. The sands no longer swept over them. It was also becomingeasier to breathe. He inhaled deeply to discover the stench had disappeared.
