Another Morning in the Desert [Open]

[Nahali]

Day 14 of Spring, 510 AV

Dawn broke over the desert sands, and this morning, as with every morning since she was ten, Nahali was there to greet it.

In the shadow of a stony outcropping, Nahali squatted on the cool sand and turned her face toward the horizon. Aside from the sound of her own breathing, a deep silence reigned over the desert. Surveying the expanse of sand and rock around her, still veiled in grey shadows cast by the departing night, Nahali felt a sense of peace and belonging. I am a desert woman, she thought, and this is my home.

There was no delicacy in the desert, no sense of ethereal beauty in the immense dunes that loomed like mountains or the scrawny fauna that scrabbled for life and water upon its arid surface. No one, save perhaps a sun-stricken madman, could hear sweet music in the harsh, swirling winds that could all too easily transform into a skin-scouring Hika-Zulrav or cyclone. Yet, sometimes there were moments where the desert's bleak vastness possessed a glory and wonder that made Nahali believe, just for an instant, that she could feel the presence of Yahal and understand why he had led their people here centuries ago. Among those moments was the break of day, which to Nahali always seemed like a celebration of another day of continued life amid the hardships of Eyktol.

High above the outcropping, faint but radiant fingers of light reached out from the darkness and lifted the veil of shadows from both desert and sky. Nahali caught her breath. Slowly, ever so slowly, the sky lightened from sightless black to a bruised purple to finally a clear, rich blue. Crimson embers smoldered upon the horizon, crowned with golden flames. The air around her grew warmer, the nighttime chill giving way to a whisper of heat. Nahali absently loosened her mantle around her shoulders, her eyes still fixed skyward.

As the flames burned, illuminating the sky, the crimson embers piled higher and higher at the horizon. The desert sands turned red as blood in their glow. Nahali lifted a hand to shade her eyes, unable to look away from the magnificent heavenly conflagration.

At last, with majestic deliberation, the very heart of the fire arose: a sphere of blinding golden light, so intense that she had to look away. It shimmered white-hot at its center and the brightness that it shed spread to every corner of the desert, turning its sands into glittering silver and gold. Later, the sun would beat relentlessly down on Nahali's back as her flock roamed in search of water and sustenance; its heat would suck the breath from her lungs and parch her lips and throat to dryness. But for now, she could not help but feel drawn to that circle of dazzling light, the giver of warmth and life whose emergence made everything beautiful in her sight. She felt a tear escape from the corner of her eye and knew it for a tear of joy, even as she silently reproached herself for the waste of water.

Watching the sun rise above the horizon to illuminate the world, Nahali felt her voice rising of its own volition from her throat. Before such glory, she could not help but give thanks. This was how she prayed, alone in the silence of the desert, a single soul humbled by the grandeur of nature and the goodness of Yahal, who watched over his children as the sun watched over her.

"Darkness is flown and light fills my heart," she sang. Low and resonant, her voice somehow did not disturb the silence of the desert, but transmuted it into a reverent hush.

"Darkness is flown and light fills my heart
I offer thanks to You, most Holy One
For You have restored my spirit within me
You have renewed the land and the morning sun

"Great is Your faithfulness and compassion
Into Your hand I entrust my spirit
Though danger and death be all around me
With You to guide me, I shall not fear it

"You are my strength and my glory
You shelter my spirit and shield it from foes
You are with me, when I sleep
Where You lead, I shall ever go."

The song finished, the sun risen, Nahali too rose from her position in the sand, feeling cleansed and invigorated. Putting the sun to her back, she left the shelter of the outcropping and began walking back to the encampment, where she would waken her faithful sheepdog, Abir, and gather her flock of goats. They would have a long trek today to find edible desert scrub for the goats to consume. She smiled as she walked. It was the beginning of another day of making a living in the desert.

[Ke'sear]

Day 14 of spring, 510AV

Sitting atop Ya-soel Ke'sear watched as the sun slowly made its presence known to the new day. Today promised to be a scorcher, the sun had barley peaked the horizon and already he felt the intense heat beating down upon him. Over the winter months he had become accustomed to the mild (figurtivly speaking) tempatures. "Always another dune" Ke'sear thought to himself as he climbed yet another one.

The endless sea of sand stretched as far as he could see, only the company of Ya-soel and the tested accuracy of the map keep him holding onto the very edge of sanity. Quickly running some numbers through his head he figured he had anywhere between 12-13 miles left to cover before the next water source. But in the ever changing landscape of the Burning Lands, even that was a gamble. Slowly Ke'sear reached down to his hip to feel his remaining water cans, "2 left" he muttered to himself.

Topping yet another dune, "I should proablably make camp soon, no need to be traveling at the zenith of the sun". But off in the distance, about 2 dunes off according to Ke'sears eyes were goats. Ke'sear did not usually see so much as another living thing while on his frequent excerisions into the desert, excluding the frequent scorpion or sand-snake. This really was unuasal. "Well free milk is worth a extra hour in the sun...without a doubt."

After making his way over the dunes, Ke'sear made his way toward the herd perched atop Ya-soel. Not taking notice of the girl Standing off to the side.

[Nahali]

If it hadn't been for Abir, Nahali would never have noticed the stranger riding toward her flock. Though normally a watchful guardian of her goats, she had been fully absorbed in trying to turn a rambunctious goat who kept trying to stray from the others. Thankfully, her faithful sheepdog started barking as soon as he spotted the man approaching them on horseback, alerting her to his unexpected presence. Nahali turned to regard the rider with misgiving. From what she could tell, he was not clad in the manner of a Benshiran man, which meant he could be a traveler, a trader, or perhaps something less savory. The fact that he had not announced his presence with a greeting inclined her toward the latter judgement.

The thought of a stranger coming near her flock, even if he appeared to be alone, sent a thrill of alarm through her body. Not all desert predators came with four legs and slavering jaws, after all. It was better to be safe than sorry. Quickly, Nahali rose to her feet and reached for her slingshot, fitting a stone into the sling. She held back from firing, though, in case his intentions were more benign than she thought.

"Stop there," she called in heavily accented Common, the words feeling awkward on her tongue. "What is your name? What's your purpose here?"

[Ke'sear]

Slowly Ke'sear made his way up the next dune, the sand shifting beneath Ya'seol's feet and forcing him to take a round-about way up the dune. Only upon 200 meters remained between him and the flock. Smiling to himself and imagining the taste of sweet goat milk on his tongue Ke'sear prodded Ya-soel to a walk.

After what seemed like a eternity Ke'sear was finally approaching the trailing edge of the herd, A bark cleaved the air like a hot knife through butter. Ke'sear's head shot trying in vain to locate the sound while berating himself for not assuming that a whole heard of goats would not be tended. Looking around he quickly spotted the source of the bark,the Shepard dog was barking up a storm. “This would not do” Ke'sear thought to himself. Accepting the fact that he was not going to get any free milk Ke'sear looked around trying to find the apparently invisible owner to this herd.

After a quick scan of the area, a figure in dark blue, ankle length robes made it's self clear to him. “I even had the jump on them” Ke'sear angrily muttered, scolding himself for not being vigilant enough to have seen the person who should have stood out so clear. “Wait a second!” his head screamed, seeing the blur motion of the sling.

The words floated out through the dry desert air as if the speaker had a hard time getting her tongue around them. But obviously ringing with a clear undertone of confidence. "Stop there,what is your name? What's your purpose here?"
Looking out to the figure Ke'sear slowly dismounted. sliding his scimitar off his back and setting it slowly down to the ground, then proceeding to open his coat to show he had no weapon that could be used against her. “I'm sorry I did not notice you there.” he calls out. “I saw the herd from that dune” pointing off to the west to a particularity tall dune “And decided to come investigate.”

[Nahali]

Though she tried not to show it in her expression, Nahali watched with quiet approval as the stranger not only dismounted from his horse but also pushed back his coat and made peaceable signs to indicate he meant no harm. A bandit or attacker would have either drawn their own weapon or run away, but he had done neither. She responded by lowering her slingshot, though she did not entirely loosen her grip on the slingshot or the stone, and whistling for Abir to return to her side. While she devoted her mind to phrasing a proper response --- her mastery of the Common tongue was shaky at best, having learned it from parents who were none too fluent themselves --- she studied the strange man intently to take his measure.

The first thing Nahali considered was the long, curved scimitar he had laid on the sand. Beneath the coat, the man's build looked too slender to wield it, but surely no one would purchase such a costly weapon if he didn't intend to use it. His face was concealed by a head-covering, as any wise desert traveler's should be, but from his voice, Nahali figured he was probably a young man. She thought she heard a husky timbre in his voice too, suggesting he was quite thirsty.

But then, who wouldn't be thirsty on a day like this? Nahali shot a glance up at the white-hot sun and immediately blinked them shut to protect them from its blinding glare. She returned her gaze to the strange man, following the line of his arm pointing westward. Underscoring the truth of his words, a line of hoof-prints scored the dunes as far as her eyes could see.

"You come…I mean, you came," she said slowly and carefully, "all that long, long way, just to admire my flock?" Her lips curved in a wry smile. "They are handsome goats, yes? But you are no shepherd, I think. A fighter, maybe? One who is not very good at answering questions, either."

[Ke'sear]

Ke'sear watched the puzzled Benshira women, watching as a look of amusement flashed across her face. At least that what he thought it was. She lowered her sling, but did not let go of it. “Don t get cocky” he thought to himself.

“You come…I mean, you came, all that long, long way, just to admire my flock?" Her lips curved slightly upward in a slight smile. “They are handsome goats, yes? But you are no shepherd, I think. A fighter, maybe? One who is not very good at answering questions, either."

The wind whipped up just as he was about to speak, giving him a wonderful mouth full of sand. “ugh....spoh.. spoh” as the sand cleanly interrupted the beginning of his sentence. Reaching down to one his canteens and raising it to his lips, taking a large swig and spitting it out taking care to spit with the wind. “ I apologize I did not answer your original question, My name is Ke'sear and I wander these deserts from water source to water source. When I came upon your flock, I could not see you or your dog.” taking a slight pause to gather himself he then continued. “I thought that the herd was wild, free milk is a very rare commodity in the desert, I couldn't help myself from at least investigating.”

[Nahali]

When a gust of wind stirred the hot, dry air, Nahali had to cover her face not only to protect her skin but also to hide her involuntary grin when the poor stranger was suddenly assaulted with a fine mouthful of sand. Poor fellow, it was hardly the best thing to happen to him on top of an already dry throat! As the wind continued to blow, she adjusted her own head shawl to keep from swallowing any sand herself.

"Indeed, free anything is a rarity in the desert," she mused. "I suppose I cannot blame you for being curious." At her feet, her sheepdog gave a soft, questioning yelp, and she absentmindedly reached down and stroked his head. "You must live a strange life, Ke'sear, wanderer-from-water-source-to-water-source. Even scavenging jackals usually hunt with another jackal or follow other predators to their meals. How is it that you travel alone like this, if you have no errand but to survive?"

Sensing the sun moving toward its midday zenith, Nahali hastily raised her hand before Ke'sear could answer. She clucked at the goats to heed her. Almost as an afterthought, she gestured for Ke'sear to follow her as well. "The day grows hot. Come with me, I know where we can find shade and water ourselves in peace. Then we can talk without drying our mouths."

As she waited for him to fall into step behind her, she turned around once more to face him and added, "I am being rude. My name is Nahali, of the tents of Abiel. It is good to meet you, Ke'sear."

[Ke'sear]

Looking out over the desert sands, he thought aloud "Shade would be nice". Slowly walking to pick up his dropped possessions. Sliding his scimitar back into with a audible metal-on-metal sound. Grabbing Ya-soel's reins and turning back to the now named figure Nahali, "Tis also good to meet you" Watching in curious wonder as the goats flocked to her.

"were you born in the desert?" just by the way she carried herself he could tell that she wasa accustomed to harsh weather and unforgiving elements. Alas it was true though, he had no other purpose. Wandering the desert was what he knew. He knew the danger of shifting sands and could ride through the red canyons blindfolded. these deserts truly were home, he dident have to work, no hussel and bustle of city life. Living on the edge was the way to go, keeps a man's skills as sharp as iron.

All this happened in seconds, Ke'sear found himself following Nahali, Looking out of her to try to find thie "shade" she talked of. Not spotting any, he resigned Himself to following her. "I should probably offer my horse...nah, if she can walk this far, then can keep walking, I just wont ride" Thought Ke'sear.

[Nahali]

Nahali set off over the sand at an efficient pace, keeping her steps light and quick to avoid sinking through the sand. Every now and then, she glanced back behind her to see if Ke'sear and, more importantly, her goats were following her. "Yes, I was born in the desert," Nahali affirmed, lowering her head shawl from her lips so that he could hear her. "It is the land to which Yahal led our people long ago to make our home, after all. After all these years, I do not think our people could live anywhere else." She offered a faint smile in Ke'sear's direction. "My mother told me that I was born in the middle of a sandstorm and I had a kick like a desert cow while I was in the womb."

Before Ke'sear could reply, she abruptly stopped and pointed downward. Hidden behind a tall dune stood the stony outcropping where she had watched the sunrise this morning. By now, the stone would have absorbed enough sunlight that it would radiate a formidable heat of its own, but it was still better than standing directly under the midday sun. She made a clucking noise to Abir, who immediately understood and began herding the goats down the dune slope. The goats scrambled nimbly down the sand, moving with surprising speed for such awkward-looking creatures.

A sparkle of humor brightened Nahali's pale-green eyes as she turned toward Ke'sear. "I will speed...no, race you to the shade," she challenged. A grin broke across her usually somber features. Perhaps it was the heat or simply the unexpected company of another human being today, but she was in a strangely mischievous mood this morning. "If you win, you may have that free drink of goat's milk you wanted. If I win... Hmmm." She paused for a moment. "Hmm. Then you will have many questions to answer, and you will have to answer them all!"

[Ke'sear]

Upon reaching the top of the dune Ke'sear realized that the "shade she had refered to was naught but a rock with a overhang. But none the less it would be much better then standing in the sun. Ke'sear listianed politely as Nahali talked about her people and her birth. offering a slight smile, or a raised eyebrow at points that he would consider important. Thinking deeply when Nahali brought up Yahal, and his ledgendary trek to the desert. The sun had RIsen above it's mid-point now and was beating down with the fury of a angry god in the form of heat. Estimating that the tempature had risen above 115 degrees Ke'sear new he needed to get out of the sun.

"A race?" Ke'sear thought as Nahali explained the rewards for the winner, then dashed off throught the sand. Smiling Ke'sear jumped atop Ya-soel,urgeing him on through the sand. There was no way she could beat him if he had a horse. Ke'sear could already taste the sweet milk on his toungue