Chapter Text
Dara lay with his eyes closed, the sun on his face, a fire burning close. They were camped in the deserts bordering Egypt and had been spending time in the neighbouring cities and oasis towns, getting to know what normal, magic-free life looked like among the humans. Their horses were tethered nearby, enjoying the respite as much as Dara himself was. They had spent long days riding to get here from Babili, and impatience frequently tugged at Dara. He could’ve traveled faster as the wind. And more comfortably, he thought miserably, thinking of long, awkward days traveling with his grudging companions. He had tried, at first. Zaynab and Aqisa had their oryxes, and he had pleasantly offered that he would follow in his own way, taking mortal form only if he needed to. Aqisa had taken immediate offense to that idea, arguing that it gave him more opportunity to stab them in the back, and that she would not be letting him out of her sight in case she had to put her sword through his throat. Zaynab had tried a more amicable approach, bargaining that he could do so until they could provision him with his own ride, after which they should make an effort to travel together while travelling together. They had both relented to the compromise, albeit reluctantly.
Dara was impressed by Zaynab, who appeared to be adjusting remarkably well to life on the road, taking to long days of riding with minimal complaint despite her palace upbringing. Aqisa for her part looked as comfortable in the open desert as she had in Daevabad, always nimble, always armed, and always keeping an eye on Dara. Dara had no doubt that if he was a normal daeva still, she would have been more than his match.
Aqisa and Zaynab sparred nearby, the metallic ringing of their practice swords breaking up the normally muted sounds of the desert. Dara heard scuffling, a groan and a thud, and then Zaynab swore out loud in a manner not at all befitting a princess. Dara smothered his laugh as he continued to try to feign sleep, but his eavesdropping had been discovered.
“Something funny, oh great warrior? Perhaps you think you’d do better. I wouldn’t mind a rematch now that you’re not using unholy blood magic” Aqisa called. “Lay around any longer and by the time you dig yourself out of the sand, the next caravan to stop at this oasis will run from what could only be a ghoul unearthing itself from a shallow grave.”
Dara groaned, then immediately regretted it, knowing how much Aqisa already enjoyed comparing him to the undead grave dwellers so often animated by the ifrit. Groaning was a sure way to arm her with more proof.
“See? Groaning again. It doesn’t even pass for speech anymore” Aqisa’s soft voice floated over to Dara. She hadn’t missed it. Of course she hadn’t, the damned woman let nothing get past her. Zaynab hissed something that sounded like a rebuke back at her which Dara did not catch, but it set Aqisa to laughing.
Biting back another groan, Dara rose onto his feet in one fluid movement. Barbs or not, he was feeling in a rather good mood today. Sparring might be nice, and movement had always helped calm him before. He didn’t let himself hesitate as he strode over to where Zaynab and Aqisa were standing. Zaynab, ever trying to be the peacemaker, made a placating gesture with her hands.
“Dara, she didn’t mean anything by it. Let’s just keep our heads. We’re all a little tired and this heat is enough to set anyone’s temper aflame. Perhaps some time in the shade can restore cooler heads,” Zaynab suggested, taking a step towards the oasis in hopes that the others would follow.
Dara gave Zaynab a predatory smile, “where would the fun be in that, princess? Besides, it’s been pointed out to me that I have rested long enough, and where would be my honour if I let a challenge go unmet?” He turned to Aqisa then, “choose your weapon, warrior. I will use no magic,” Dara thought for a moment before continuing, “and if you can land a hit, I will teach you the bow.”
“I see exile hasn’t helped your humility. What makes you think I don’t already know the bow?” Aqisa challenged. Dara smiled. “You seem to know your way around the crossbow well enough but I’ve never seen you with a bow. What will it be?”
Aqisa scowled and drew her khanjar. Zaynab said Aqisa’s name in warning, but Dara winked at her, shocking her into silence. She stepped back to give them space. Dara conjured a blunted khanjar with a flicker of his wrist, and Aqisa settled into a warrior's stance. She lunged at him, feinting to the right as she weaved to bring a swinging cut up towards his torso. Dara twisted, blocking her blade with the hilt of his own given their close quarters. Using his superior strength, he pushed her back, forcing her off balance. He wasn’t the only one that knew how to play to his strengths however. Aqisa recovered quickly, using her smaller size and lithe, flexible form. She let the momentum from his push drive her to the ground but she twisted, bringing her leg around in a sweep that would’ve pulled a less experienced opponent’s feet out from under them. But Dara was not so easily defeated, dodging her sweep. In the next moment, she was already on her feet, khanjar drawn up, and they circled each other.
This time Dara made the first move, running towards her and swinging with an overhand strike. He knew he was quick enough that she would have to block it, and he knew his height and strength would make it a blow that would tire her. Aqisa guessed his intention. In a risky maneuver, she ducked under his raised hand and twisted, bringing her khanjar around towards his hip. Dara shifted on his feet, getting him out of range, and swung his blade in a backhanded arch. Aqisa jumped away, black braids swinging. Again and again they clashed together and broke apart, testing and prodding, searching for weaknesses.
“You’re going easy on me,” Aqisa said, ash beading on her forehead from the exertion as she circled.
“Don’t take it personally, I have to go easy on everyone” Dara said with a smirk, but truthfully, in his confining mortal form, he truly was starting to feel the fatigue.
“Has anyone told you you’re as infuriating an old man as any?” Aqisa taunted.
Dara broke out in a smile and was surprised to realize that he did feel good. “This has been a success then! I have gone from reanimated dead to old man. Perhaps if we keep sparring I can continue my backwards aging.”
Aqisa rolled her eyes and then moved towards him with another swing. Dara met it, and blocked several more, but he was increasingly distracted by his unexpected enjoyment. The movement, the desert heat, the freedom of being here, beholden to no one, and prickliness included, he was enjoying the presence of others. His heart gave a lurch as he thought of Nahri and of never seeing her again, of the millenia that his existence would span. He’d promised Tamima he would return, but he had much to atone for before he would.
Suddenly, Aqisa maneuvered through a complicated spin, kicking the hand with which he was holding his khanjar, and bringing her blade up in a follow-up spin. She drew a line of fire across his forearm before he could react and, taking advantage of his shock, flicked her blade up to rest at his throat. Aqisa was breathing hard but smirked, relishing in her victory. She said something in Gezzirya to Zaynab, who responded with rolling her eyes.
Dara looked at her quizzically, and she translated. “I said, not bad for an old man.” Dara laughed and bowed, dispelling his khanjar. Aqisa reminded him a little of Irtemiz, if Irtemiz hated him infinitely more. Aqisa smiled briefly, but quickly fixed a frown back on her face.
Still smiling, Dara said “perhaps you were right, I do need to practice more. We can start with the bow whenever you wish.” The words were no sooner out of his mouth than Dara was hit with a wave of nausea so powerful he staggered. Suddenly he could see why Aqisa frowned - she had remembered Lubayd, had wished he was still with her rather than ashes in Bir Nabat. She wished she could drive her blade through Vizaresh’s heart. Zaynab was content, traveling the world, her companions having for once not needed her to step in to find the compromise in their conflict. She wished only for the cool shade, a refreshing drink, to rest after training with Aqisa.
Dara clutched his head and reeled away. Now there was concern, confusion swirling through the thoughts of his companions. What is happening? Dara thought wildly, suddenly in mind of the disastrous day that had ended on Daevabad’s lake.
“You really are out of practice. Do you need a fan? Someone to bring you iced wine perhaps?” Aqisa gibed. Her remark broke whatever spell had snared him and suddenly his mind was quiet again, his thoughts his own. No wishes making themselves known.
“Dara, are you okay?” Zaynab asked, confusion in her voice. “You’re shaking,” she observed. She walked towards him, reaching out for him. “Come, let’s —”
But Dara pulled away. He needed to get away. “No I– everything’s fine,” he said as he continued to back away. He saw it in their faces that he wasn’t being very convincing. No matter, he just needed to breathe for a moment. Maybe he’d imagined it, his fears rising from their depths since he’d allowed himself some enjoyment. Fire licked at his fingers and he let it all go, suddenly weightless in the wind, the entirety of creation within his grasp, but all he wanted just then was to be alone.