Talking to a Child of the Abada
Don't forget to start from the beginning or read Part 2: The Forbidden Path
"You've seen--and spoken to--the Abada?"
Luca nodded, seemingly shocked that Ibrahim found it unusual. "They found me and take care of me."
"Can you take me to them?" Ibrahim was dizzy with excitement. They were real and they were somewhere near. He had only to convince the young boy to take him to them.
"I don't know," Luca mulled over the thought, taking a seat on a nearby stump. "I'll ask them!" With great enthusiasm, the boy leapt from his perch and took off into the forest. As he disappeared, Ibrahim heard him call out. "Wait there."
The anticipation was overwhelming. Ibrahim had never come so close to solid evidence of their existence and the thought made him giddy. So many great things would come from this discovery--of course he'd have to keep silent to anyone outside of his family. The forests would be swarming with men hunting and capturing the Abada; it would be a disaster.
That was when Ibrahim realized he didn't have a solid plan. Until seconds ago, he had assumed the Abada were like Kronos' other animals. According to the boy, they were capable of thought and speech. How would Ibrahim convince them to give him their horn? Killing one had always been an option he was forced to entertain, but it didn't feel right to him, especially now.
The boy had been gone for so long, Ibrahim was beginning to think he would never return. When he did, he was not alone. There was something moving in the trees behind him. Ibrahim could sense them watching him even though he couldn't see anything out of the ordinary. Ibrahim shuddered.
"Everything alright?" he called to the boy nervously.
"They want to know why you're looking for them." Luca said innocently.
"I need their help." Ibrahim explained. "My mom is dying."
The little boy looked at the ground and kicked a rock. His expression was somber.
Ibrahim waited, expecting an explanation or a story--anything. But there was only silence. Ibrahim could hear the leaves ruffling in the wind, the gentle flapping of bird wings in the canopy, and the scurrying of furry animals on the forest floor. He had waited patiently, but now time was running out; his mom wouldn't wait forever.
"Please," Ibrahim pleaded. "I need help."
There was a loud shuffling and Luca disappeared in the forest again, this time only for a moment.
"You will have to give them something in return." Luca explained. "But you may follow me to the hidden palace."
