Salahuddin inclines his head to the two genies. He looks over the pair trying to pick out an duplicity in their bearing. Ashtigal appeared as any Djinn warrior, intense and mighty. His awkwardness seemed genuine but could be a misdirection. The deference to Yehiana pointed to her being noble, her bearing confirming this suspicion. As Salahuddin looks them over he commits their faces to memory. With their names and having looked upon them he could call and bind them if they break his trust. When Ashtigal speaks Salahuddin gives a slight bow.
"I see you Ashtigal of the Al-Aeshma. I greet you as friend my you always find shade."
When Yehiana speaks the Sha'ir bows deeper.
"I see you Yehiana of the Al-Aeshma. I greet you as friend."
Salahuddin then begins to arrange some items on his prayer rug. He places a small bowl down in front of him. The Sha'ir scoops some sand from the ground and pours it from his hand into the bowl. He then takes out a small pouch and takes a pinch of ash and sprinkles it over the sand. Salahuddin then splashes water from his water skin into the bowl. He covers the bowl with his hand.
"In this bowl lies the earth, ash, and rain of this mortal world. These are the elements used to imprison one of the Djinn from the winds of creation by the Lords of Air. Any who have been so banished must beseech their mortal servant for forgiveness and pardon. Only then can the elemental chains be broken and their immortal being returned to the great tempest where all Djinni were born." Salahuddin shifts his eyes to Ashtigal. "You come before me seeking pardon. Speak your truename and make your plea. For the Wind Called must hear the words from your own lips as no other can speak on your behalf."
There is no questioning the sha'ir's eloquence, speaking as one who intimately understands the workings of genie culture, and even though his request for their True Names comes as a bitter wind to Ashtigal and Yehianna, they cannot dispute it. The promise of a return to their home on the Plane of Air is too great. The elder Al-Aeshma watching the ritual bows his head, a subtle sign to the other two to agree. All wind seems to have stopped in the
wadi (dry riverbed) where you've made camp. It is eerily silent.
Folding her arms across her chest, it is Yehianna with her regal bearing who steps forward first. Her lips move silently, but she looks into Salahuddin's eyes and worlds of meaning are exchanged. Only Salahuddin can hear a roaring wind in his mind's ear, the fierce and imperious True Name that Yehianna was given when the world was young. It defies language and yet Salahuddin
knows the female al-aeshma's True Name, hearing it echo in the chasm of his soul. Head bowed, Yehianna speaks,
"Grant me your forgiveness, oh wise sha'ir, that I may seek the grace of the Lords of Air and sway their hearts." Quietly, she floats back, mastering her pride.
Begrudgingly, Ashtigal steps forward, furrowing thick brows dubiously at the sha'ir. At the last moment, he turns back to the elder Al-Aeshma with a snarl, a questioning look burned into his face. An impassive nod, motioning him to step forward is all the elder offers. The exhalation of defeat is like a bull's breath beating down onto Salahuddin's head.
"Very well. I too seek your pardon, sha'ir, for any way in which I have aggrieved the Great Caliph of All Djinn. Only you can release me from this bondage, this exile to the forsaken places of the world. Grant me your mercy..." His head is bowed and his eyes furrowed with emotion when Yehianna discretely clears her throat.
"Oh, ah, that is all. And I shall tell you my True Name..." With that, Ashtigal moves his lips silently, but to Salahuddin's ears it is a name that sounds like the rattle of death on the eve of a great battle, a hissing erratic wind. Eyes locked on Salahuddin, Ashtigal floats back as well.