Blog Post

Shifting Sands: Part 3

August 30, 2020

I sat in the chair at my cousin’s desk, I still couldn’t call it mine, reading his old journal.
It had been so long since his death.

I remembered the day. I had been practicing, excited to show him the progress I made. He would see I would make a great warrior one day.

And I never saw him again.

The damage had been too extensive and only now did I understand fully that the healers were trying to protect my young mind. And I was thankful that the last memories I had were of him smiling and showing me another of his books.

My only family.
I was alone and Neo had adopted me as a younger brother. I spent the first years secluded and triaging until Neo brought me to Basir’s library.

Old scrolls and books, not touched, knowledge staying on the shelves instead of being given to others. I knew he would’ve hated it. All this knowledge sitting useless without a willing learner.

I remembered Neo pointing out Basir’s journal sitting on the desk with a letter, dated the week before before his death, sitting next to it. I spent time after that learning and reading every scroll, every book, anything that I could learn from them that I did not have the opportunity to learn from him.

I began to understand my cousin’s love of knowledge, but also continued my desire to be the best warrior I could be. Learning both a patience and ability to strike when I needed as if two parts of a whole.

I looked around the room that became so familiar as I gathered a few of the books I had chosen, placing them carefully into my pack. I looked at his journal and placed it on top and closed it as I stood letting the pack take my place in the chair.

Looking around I realized I had nothing left here. I had learned all I could from my commander and from this library. Now it was time to explore other worlds outside of my own.
I was not leaving Neo alone as he had married and had a family to look after now without me to worry about. Though he would always be in my heart and a piece of home.

“Are you packed?” Neo asked placing a hand on my shoulder.
“Yeah, I wish I could take all of this.”
“Why not? You know they there are ways to minimize objects? Take them all with you.”
“I would, but that was not who Basir was. He wanted to teach and his knowledge with everyone. Keep it well kept for me will you? And let the other mentors use it, with Basir’s rule in place of course. I have the texts I wanted and maybe I will come to check in with the progress of the other’s at some point.”
“You are always welcome back home, but I understand why you need to leave. And I will take care of Basir’s library personally and ensure it put to good use.”
“Thank you.”
“When is the group coming for you?”
“At any point now.”
“Well, read this before you go. He wanted me to give it to you when you decided to leave the Haven and he wasn’t here to talk to you himself. Take care of yourself, Farid. I will always be here when you need me and come home whenever you get bored of your travels. We’ll be waiting.” He hugged me and left.
I could tell this goodbye was hard for him. It was hard for me too, as he was someone who knew Basir as well as I did.

I moved my bag out of the chair again and sat down opening the letter.
Seeing my name in a script I never thought I would see again.

‘Farid,
If you are reading this something happened to me. I wish I could be there to tell you what you will only hear now in this form.

I regret ever being in the position that will leave you alone, but I do not regret dying protecting others from a fate worse than death. I know Neo will be a good guardian, but I would much rather be there myself to see you grow. I guess this was our fates.

A few things I will leave you my young cousin is this:
I am proud of who you are becoming. I see you working hard and achieving goals toward your dream.
Never stop training and learning.
I wish I could inspire your love of knowledge and learning like I have gained, but I have no doubt you have been excelling in your studies.
I will remind you:
To keep an open mind.
Never stop learning and growing.
To fight for what you love, for what you believe, and for what you desire to protect.
Admit when you are wrong and be gracious, when you are right be considerate and willing to teach. Never hold it over someone who desires to learn.
Remember the past and do not repeat the mistakes made by ancestors, but learn from the stories.
Knowledge is power that should be wielded correctly, never use knowledge to boast you are better than others. Instead teach others so that they might share that power.
And my young cousin, I know this was a lesson you struggled with, but patience before action has its place. Learn when to be patient and when to act.

Become the warrior and protector you were meant to be. I am so proud of the man I know you will, or I guess since you are reading this in the future, have become.
Take care of my library and share its knowledge.
Take care of yourself and adventure all the places you wanted to go. Learn from the people and the cultures you will encounter.
My precious boy, I am so proud to call you my family,
I love you and always will.
Basir’

“Me too you old goat.” I whispered to the man I loved like a father.
“I hope you aren’t talking about me?” A girl asked coming closer.
I wiped the tear from my cheek and smiled, “No, a letter from my father.” I extended my hand, “Farid, and you are?”
“Anahira, also known as your ride. Shall we?”
“You’re the only one that came?”
“No, some of the other Renegrades are in the car, but you won’t meet our leader Danae until later. You are not annoying are you? We already have a pair of twins that pretty unbearable.”
“Unbearable?” One twin asked coming through the door as if on cue.
“How rude. We are a regular barrel of laughs.” The other twin commented.
“This is Javier and Castiel. My daily headaches. Boys this is Farid.”
“Oh clearly he is a scholar, looked at that observant look he is giving us.” One twin assessed.
“I say a warrior. Look at his stance. He is trained in some art of war.”
“Or both!” The said in unison.
“Jinx!”
“No you! I said you! Ugh!” The twins began arguing as Anahira massaged her temples.
“Boys, take it outside!” She ordered, pointing to the door.
She turned to me, “I agree with them. You look like you might be just what we need to even our group out. Welcome to the Renegades.”
She walked to the vehicle and I followed finding my seat.
As we drove I saw the Haven slowly disappear and the unknown finally was upon me.
New adventures and horizons.
An opportunity to grow outside of the Haven.

My cousin was right and I only wish he was alive so I could admit it to him.

Life was constantly changing and I would be its willing student. Always learning each new lesson it presented.
The first lesson was that like shifting sands of my desert home a unpredictable future awaited me.
And I could not wait to see what it had in store.