Sobek Werba
While a Labd, Sobek made his way south to become courtier in the palace of Tughluq Bey in al-Azraq. He came to learn the stories and music of the sophisticated lands to the south, and became one of the padishah's favorite poets, drawing artists from many lands to court. He also became learned in the history and legends of many lands and peoples, and collected written versions of these for the padishah's library. He also dabbled in some soothsaying. In time, Sobek began to desire to compile a legend of his own, one that would also be remembered along with its chronicler. After several false starts, he begged the padishah to release him for a year, to find a tale of his own worthy of being recorded, and recorded well.
While Tughluq Bey mulled his request, Sobek met another poet and historian named Sasha at court. She hailed form lands to the east of his own native country, and the two formed a productive partnership. After around six months, Sasha vanished, simply disappearing off the face of the earth. Sobek began to ask around to see if he could find anyone who knew what befell her. Initially, he feared that she fell afoul of the potentate. But soon, he began to see a crone in the twisty alleys around the padishah's palace. She acted like a beggar, but her demeanor told you she must be something more. One day, gathering up the nerve, Sobek spoke to her. The crone asked him for alms, telling him that she knew what befell his friend, and would find a way for Tughluq to release him if he helped her. Scared and insulted at being approached by the hag, Sobek ran from her. But within a few days, he was told that the padishah was granting him leave to go. Gathering up his things, Sobek left court, and traveled to northern Nor'. Somehow, he thought that finding Sasha was the key to his mission. His own divinations told him that it was in the city of Alknost that he would find his destiny, or die trying.
On the road to Alknost, he found a group of people - the Yokels - who had recently been traveling companions of Sasha's. His friend had recently disappeared, however, taken by Baba Yaga, because she had fallen afoul of the crone. They were now also going to Alknost at Yaga's behest, to keep an eye on Koshchei's Death.
Sobek was incredulous at these legends being taken seriously, but then thought that perhaps he had found the people who would help him make his name. Joining with them, he soon experienced flight for the first time, as one of their number, Plamen, was a powerful volkhvy who could take the form of a huge eagle (and other animals as well).
But fate was not kind to Sobek. The following night, Plamen and another companion were called away to meet with some savage tribespeople, and another companion Vasilisa, went into the woods to try to find and tame an animal companion. The wolf she found was one of a flock traveling south, but his fellows, sensing an opportunity, surrounded Sobek and chased him quite a ways through the woods. He has not been seen since.
Comments