[Polaris]

Zen bent down and plucked the horse shoes off the ground, slinging them over one arm. "I've got it," he stated, seeing that Ika was having a hard time managing the load. "And actually, I've come concerning what I don't need." He figured Ika would be taking the horseshoes to the stable where he'd gotten them from yesterday, and so started moving towards it. "That box was really nice, but really, you should keep the money. I don't feel honest taking it back, as you did a good job on my sword." Using his free arm and hand, he pulled out his purse, opening it with one hand and removing the coins, plus a couple more. "That's for the box, and for the cleaning." He dropped the coins into Ika's pocket as they arrived at the stable. Setting the horseshoes down on a rough tack table, he faced Ika again. "And since you've such a reputation for good work, I'd like you to take a look at my sword again. It's been acting a bit funny lately, ever since I left my hometown."

[16]

[Polaris]

Ika followed Zen into the stables and set the other six horseshoes onto the same table, and when Zen put the coins into his pocket he blushed, "No really..." he started, but then his voice faded away. He wasn't much good at talking to people... Then he brought up his sword, it was a beautiful weapon. "How so?" Ika asked. He hadn't sensed much wrong with it, but he hadn't talked to it for very long either. He could have easily overlooked something.

[16]

[Polaris]

Pulling Coaxcoach from her sheath, Zen indicated the winged snakes wrapped around the hilt. "I'm going to sound crazy, but if you listen very closely, there is a high pitch wine that comes from these two for one hour every day around noon-time. It's getting rather annoying." His mouth twisted up at one corner, "It's [i]making[i] me crazy, but I'm kind of attached to her, and don't want to give the sword up."

[17]

[Polaris]

"They're talking to you... You just can't understand the language," Ika answered, realizing that he probably sounded stranger than Zen would have to anyone other than him. He shook his head, "I can probably help..." he added quietly, knowing that Zen probably thought he was insane. The sun crested over the sandstone city walls casting the first late morning glimmers directly onto the faces of the people- and increasing the temperature considerably.

[17]

[Polaris]

Zen cocked an eyebrow, and pulled out his sword. It was silent at the moment, and cool to the touch. "Well, I can't imagine that they're saying anything nice about me, and I'd appreciate it if you could get them to be quiet." Actually, Zen had a pretty good idea of what the ringing meant. And unfortunately, it did not bode well for him. For Zen had not obtained the sword by entirely virtuous means, he'd ah, heard certain stories about how this particular sword always found its way back home by calling to its owners.

[18]

[Polaris]

Ika held out a hand, "If you are okay with it, I can take your sword and wait for it to say something. The cook will be coming by eventually, and I have lots of other things to do. Or, you could bring it whenever it starts to make the noise again..." Ika knew Zen didn't really trust him, but that sword was just so... He wanted to speak with it. To have a nice conversation with this mysterious piece of metal. Would he be allowed to take it? He had other things he could work on, but this was new and it intrigued the smith. He lowered his hand as he saw the stable boy approaching them. "Thanks Ika! How much?" he asked, reaching into his pocket for a coin. "Free. Just like always," Ika responded. The stable boy pulled his hand back from his pocket and blushed slightly, "Oh yeah... I'm so used to having to pay for things!" He smiled and took an armful of the new horseshoes in order to transfer them to their correct place.

[18]

[Polaris]

“Well,” Zen thought aloud, slipping the sword back into its sheath, after which he hid his hands in his pockets, “You’ll be in your tent thing around lunch time right? That’s when it usually starts.” He looked up again, above the grit and stone walls towards the blue zircon sky. Zen flicked his head, moving his hair out of the way, before bringing his eyes back to Ika’s face. “Would that be okay? I have some errands to take care of as well, and would like to have my sword with me.” Oops. That sounded a little suspicious, he realized too late. Ah well, Ika would probably think Zen was worried about pickpockets.

[19]

[Polaris]

Ika nodded, his eyes still rested on the sword. Slowly, he brought his silvery eyes up to met Zen's, "Yes, that should be fine..." He was a bit disappointed that he could not have the sword for a bit longer, but he'd deal with whatever the man would allow him. "I'll be in my tent most of the day. If I'm not, ask around. Being the only smith, I'm well-known..."  He cleared his throat, as if that had something to do with his quiet voice, and looked down at the ground. "Hey Ika!" he heard a booming voice from a door farther back in the stables, "We'll have more shoes for ya tomorrow! Come by any time!" Ika blinked back to where the voice was coming from, not bothering to answer since he wouldn't be loud enough for them to hear.

[19]

[Polaris]

Zen’s eyebrows rose again, and he actually chuckled, “I’m not going to eat you, ya know.” He gave Ika a quirky smile before turning around to leave. He whistled his way down the street’s cobblestones a ways before randomly turning into a side alley. Hopefully if he wandered around long enough he’d eventually find what he was looking for. I mean, Zen practically radiated the innocent tourist vibes. Surely some hopeful would come along and try to swift-finger him. The desert wind pulled at his cotton shirt and hair playfully, its coarse fingers swirling around him and trying to irritate his eyes. He shooed the eddies away from his face with a wave of his hand, and walked through the shadows gratefully as they came. Whistling, Zen strolled along between the ever-tightening walls of the buildings, looking all the world like an ignorant boy with restless feet.

[20]

[Polaris]

Ika walked to back to his tent, nodding unconsciously at the greetings he heard, mind on many other things. He thought only of the sword. He entered his tent and sat down on the bed. He attempted to listen to the metal all around him, or the crackling of the fire. The sword... Then a question popped into his mind, was it the sword, or was it the mysterious Zen that was sticking to his mind?
"Ika!?" the cook's voice interrupted his thoughts. "Yes?" he answered quietly. "My pots? Do you have tim- Right you do! Here they are!" The cook held out the three pots that were hanging from his fingers. Ika listened to them complain of the stains that were weaved into them so deep. He flicked his wrist and it disappeared. "Thanks!" "Uh-huh..." Ika said, returning to the question. Could that really be it? That for once one of his own kind interested him? No... It was the sword...

[20]

[Polaris]

~Time Passes~
Arms pumping, feet pounding the sand, Zen high-tailed it around a corner as he heard voices yelling after him, and tried to keep a few steps ahead of them. Swearing, he shook his hair out of his eyes, and looked behind him for a second- still running as fast as he could. His breathing was coming in ragged draughts as the sandy back ways finally turned to cobblestone, and he almost stopped in relief. But not quite. Tearing around another corner and avoiding a fruit-seller’s stall he cut through lines of clothing that stood out in the street to dry. The people he passed covered their ears in pain- a high squealing clung to his dashing form. One hand was clasped to the hilt of Coaxcoach now as he tried to make it shut up. The only thing he could think of was running to Ika, and he blew into the metal worker’s tent with a burst of sand and panting. Eyes still wide from the fright he’d endured, Zen looked about the tent for Ika.

[21]

[Polaris]

Ika looked up at the entrance to his black tent as a visitor suddenly burst in. "Oh... Hello Zen..." Ika said softly. It was as if Zen had read his mind. Could he tell that all afternoon questions about him... and about his sword... had been swirling though his head. Had he heard them? Ika shook his head slightly. Of course not. Zen was NOT a mind reader.
"How may I..." then he noticed the ringing. His silver eyes quickly shot from Zen's face to the sword at his hilt. He stood up and was at the man's side in the blink of an eye. "I hope you don't mind..." Ika said, quickly drawing the sword from the sheath. He set it down carefully on the wooden board table. He knelt down in front of it, and set his chin down in front of the blade. "Shhhh...." he whispered softly to the sword, "Tell me what's wrong..." His pale index finger stroked it like you would a cat.

[21]

[Polaris]

"Just make it shut up please!" Zen whispered hoarsely, glancing nervously towards the tent flaps. The ringing in the sword fluctuated as Ika touched it, seeming to shiver almost. We want our brothers. It told him, They are near. Zen stood stock still, hovering nervously and having no idea what was going on. He ran his hands through his hair, plucked at his shirt, and kept peeking at the tent opening.

[22]

[Polaris]

Who are your brothers?" Ika said, his soft voice soft and soothing. Ihuicatlyolotli são meus incômodos, Coachcoax replied readily. Ihuicatlyolotli. The snakes on the hilt stared out at Ika with faceted jade and garnet eye expectantly. "How do you know they're close? Do you know specifically where they are?" He shook his head, "Wait... That's besides the point at the moment. For now, could you please quiet down? I'll help you find them, alright?" He petted the metal again, enjoying the familiar sensation of cool, smooth steel on his hand.

[22]

[Polaris]

The ringing spiked once to an unbearable level, causing Zen to grimace and cover his ears, glaring sharply at the sword. It then quieted, sitting peacefully on the counter. Suddenly, stomping and angry yelling could be heard outside. Harsh men's voices and the clang of metal on stone clashed in the midday heat. "Hide me!" Zen squeaked, totally unlike himself as his eyes fluttered back and forth between the door and his sword.

[23]