It had been many days since Giza and his brother were “found” by the bandit, Tarik. Luckily for them he wasn’t out to harm them, but to present them to the leader of his pride and find them a place to rest within their territory. The original plan was to rest a few days and leave, however Malaika had found he was growing fond of the band of thieves, even if he didn’t entirely agree with their ways. He did understand survival was important in their harsh land, and they were only doing what they must to survive, and what they did fueled the sin of greed within them; some more than others.
Giza on the other hand wasn’t so fond of the people. When they first arrived he found he was always butting heads with someone for one reason or another. As time passed, yeah, he admitted his views were changing all those brawls turned in to friendly arguments and wrestling matched. Though, he still couldn’t get the hang of thievery.
“In time you will understand how to move like a snake in the sand” they would say.
“Nothing but a load of bull…” Giza was reply, but then again a bull head should never talk of a bull.
Laughter filled the area atop a plateau that sat near one of the few oases in the territory. Luckily for those whom were out and about today was rather cool, for desert weather anyway. The sun was high, and yet a cool breeze would hit every now and again.
“Oh come on now, thick-head! You can’t be THAT bad at a game of keep away. All you need to do it get the necklace!” Tarik called out as he stared down the other brown male.
Today was a “training session” as the spotted male liked the call it. However, Giza liked to call it a game of torture, because that is what it felt like to him. Banditry, while the stories sounded cool, and the thought was appealing, was hell to learn. Who know stealing things the “right way” was so much work?
“Yeah, well, if you can’t tell I wasn’t born to steal!” Giza said with a glare.
This caused Tarik to snort and carefully approach the younger male. Staring down at him he shook his head in some amusement as he slowly circled him like a buzzard over a carcass.
“No one is ever born to steal, Giza. Just like no one is ever truly born to rule or become someone great. Everyone, no matter where they are born, or their birth rank, has the potential to do anything they like, as long as they work for it and prove their worth. Just because someone is born to a ruler does not automatically born a great ruler. A great ruler can still give birth to a fool. A bandit could have a son with a love for law. Someone with great spiritual respect could give birth to a murderer. One never knows. And…” the spotted male stopped and leaned in so he was almost nose to nose with Giza. “You, a hot headed fool, could learn to steal like a bandit if you work and learn the skill. Greatness does not happen overnight. Now, try again, if you’re up for it.”
Physically was he up for it, sure. He had all the energy in the world, thanks to the anger that was currently fueling him. Emotionally and mentally was he ready? No, not so much. Giza didn’t have the attention span nor the patience to be taught a lesson in anything, at least not unless someone knew how to keep his attention. But his stubbornness pushed on. He may be an outsider, but hell will roll over the world before he allowed the members of this pride look down upon him. Yeah, he would show them all he could be just as good, if not better, than any of them.
“Psh, no need to talk down on me, Tarik. I won’t only steal that trinket from you, I’ll smack that damned smirk right off your face. You’ll see.”
Tarik rolled his eyes at the other male’s words.
“Big talk for someone who doesn’t know what he is doing, but then again fools will be fools. There is no doubt about that. Talk big all you want, Giza, but I won’t believe a damn thing you say until you show it. Prove to me you can do it. Come on now.”
With that said, Tarik backed away from his new found friend and student, the necklace dangling around his neck as if to taunt the other male. He didn’t expect Giza to just sneak it from around his neck. All Giza needed to do was prove he could at least snatch it from him, just as he had to do the same for his late teacher. Yes, Tarik taunted the guy, but at the same time he understood how he felt.
Tarik was once the new guy in the pride, who also had no knowledge of thievery or the fuel of greed. He was looked down upon, taunted, made for of and kicked in the dirt by those who talked big and acted small. But eventually he was taken under someone’s wing and taught the ways of the pride. Yes, you could be greedy; you could steal, but know that your greed fuels not only your survival, but the survival of those around you. Know greed with humiliation towards yourself. Know greed and know that it binds you to those around you, and together you are brothers, a band, and a family.
Together, the pair danced atop the rocky toward. Glare on glare. Smirk on smirk. Thoughts that they would continue proving each other wrong, but will knowing lessons would be taught, and secrets would be shared. Not to mention laughs would continue to each as Giza continued to fail.
“You’ll get it eventually, Giza. Everyone does eventually. It just takes time…”
