Chapter Three- "Beauty of the South" -Part One

[Altario Shialt-eck-Gorrin]

Altario listened as Toama explained the details of their travels, ending with their encounter with the desert snake.  He could not help but note the similarities between Toama and these Shendar.  Were the two peoples related, much like the Remusians were related to the other Ice Tribes?  It was possible, he supposed.  They seemed to share colouring, the elevation of women in their society, desert life, even sitting on cushions.  They all seemed so comfortable, while his knee was aching and one foot was falling asleep.

The old woman spoke through the younger woman.  "The Mother wishes you to know that you are welcome to rest here.  You will be our guests.  When you are ready to leave, a guide will take you to safety, and you will be given food and water for your trip."

The younger woman looked a bit uncomfortable with the next bit of the translation.  "The Mother says that there is one condition to her generosity.  When you must leave, you must take with you another of our guests.  He is one that is touched by the gods.  He has been our guest for quite some time, since we found him in the desert much like you were.  But, the Mother believes it is time he was to rejoin his own people."

The old woman's voice had a stronger tone of authority now.  "The mother says to rest now.  You have been through much.  You and your mate will be taken to your own dome.  Your animals will be well cared for, and you will be summoned for evening meal."

[Altario Shialt-eck-Gorrin]

Altario followed as he and Toama were led from the Mother's dome to a smaller dome.  Apparently the Shendar were convinced that he and the Sand Sister were a couple.  Looking at their dome, his face reddened somewhat, as the dome was a little too intimate for his liking.  It was small and sparsely furnished with not much more than bedding laid out on the floor, bedding that they expected him and Toama to share.

"You get rest, now, and I'll go check on the horses," he told her.  Perhaps he could find a place to sleep outside, so as to not embarrass Toama.  "I'll meet you again at the evening meal."

Altario made his way back outside and it was hardly any trouble making his way to where the horses were kept.  As he approached them, he couldn't help but be impressed with the Aj'Nuvic he saw there.  He was careful not to get too near them, as the few Shendar watching the animals visibly tensed when he did so.  He knew how close these desert people were to their mounts, as the Remusians were to the Koroch fey Mologhs.

The were magnificent beasts, he noted.  Tall, athletic with an intelligent eye.  He had seen Shendar riding them, effortlessly it seemed.  They were masters of the desert with them, much like the Remusian horse made his people the masters of the Iceland's Coast.  In that small way, Altario felt a certain kinship to these desert people.

Finding his little horse, he fashioned a harness out of a length of rope.  He then led her out from the rest of the animals, out to a flat patch of sand.  There he began to run her in circles around him, while he pivoted in place.  Using the length of rope as a whip, he lightly touched her flank while urging her forward with commands, taking her from a walk to a trot, then halting her.  He had her go in circles in a left direction around him, then turned her about and had her perform all the same commands in the opposite direction.

He had to admit, his initial thoughts about her were proving to be true.  Though smaller than Horse, Danilyn was very intelligent.  Her eyes never left him, and as she moved, her ears kept turning toward him waiting for his next command.  Though he would grieve the death of his trusted companion, Danilyn would one day be a worthy successor to Horse.

"You look like him, yet you do not."

The voice took Altario by surprise, so engrossed was he with Danilyn that he did not notice anyone approach.
"Kinoch!" he spoke in Remusian.  Danilyn came to an immediate stop, her front hooves digging into the sand.  He turned his head to the sound of the voice and saw the pregnant interpreter standing watching him.  "What was that?"

The woman smiled softly, her green eyes studying him closely.  "I can see your brother in you.  I was not sure at first, for where his face is one filled with pleasure and love, yours is more hard, with sadness etched in it.  But here, with your horse, it is unmistakable that you and he are related."

Altario furrowed his brow.  "What do you mean?  Who do I look like?"

The woman smiled and placed her hands across her swollen abdomen.  "The father of this child; Denrykmar Shialt-eck-Gorrin.  My husband."

Altario felt his knees trembling, as if he were about to sink into the sand.  "My- my brother is here?"

The smile left her face for a moment.  "No.  He has gone.  He is in search of your daughter.  He will return when he finds her."  She stepped forward gracefully and ran a hand along the horse's neck.

This news was stunning for Altario.  "How long has he been gone?"

"Several weeks.  I was not nearly this big when he left."

Altario stared at her belly, only now realizing that his family blood ran within the child inside.  Suddenly he felt a wave of guilt.  "I'm sorry he is not here."

Her eyes found his.  "My daughter is safe, and she will be here waiting for him when he returns.  He needs to help return your daughter to you, or he will never be completely happy with his life here.  He loves you so very much, as well as your daughter."

A lump grew large in Altario's throat.  He needed to think of something else.  "What if your child is a boy?"

The woman laughed gaily.  "You are indeed brothers.  He claims it is a boy, but a Shendar knows when a girl grows within her.  This girl inside me is meant for great things, Baveras has told me in my dreams."

Altario could not argue with her and he smiled warmly.  "My brother has given up much, a truly remarkable wife and future child to help me."

A slight grimace crossed her face, followed by a huge grin.  "Your voice is much like Denrykmar's.  My daughter grows restless each time you speak.  She misses her father."  She cocked her head to the side.  "Would you like to feel your brother's daughter move?"

Without waiting for him to answer, which he would have politely but shyly declined, she stepped forward and grasped his hand and placed it on her womb.  A moment later, Altario was grinning widely as he felt his niece, or gods willing a nephew, kicking within her.  "He is strong."

"She," she stated matter of factly, before a slight giggle erupted from her.  

"What... what is your name, my sister?"

"This woman is named Ta-Mayleene."

"Ta-Mayleene," Altario repeated, before bowing to her.  "I welcome you to our family."

Ta-Mayleene inclined her head toward him.  "And I welcome you into my family, Altario Shialt-eck-Gorrin."  She looked toward the domes, which were now bathed in light from torches as the sun was dipping beyond the horizon.  "We should go within the domes.  There is to be a feast in your honour, and there will be a sword dance as well."

Altario nodded, seeing as it was getting late.  He had to tell Toama what he had learned.  They were getting closer to Denrykmar and perhaps Nayriss as well.  He led Danilyn back to the herd of Aj'Nuvic and removed the rope harness.  He questioned Ta-Mayleene on whether the herd would run away, as there was no corral or fence around them, but she assured him that Aj'Nuvic's did not run away, and that they would keep the horses close to them.

They entered the inner common area amidst the circle of domes just as food was being served.  Altario spotted Toama and hurried over to her.  He took a seat near her and slightly behind, while Ta-Mayleene took her place near the Mother.

While the food was being brought to them, he leaned forward and whispered to the Sand Sister all he had learned from Ta-Mayleene.

[Toama SorInyt]

When Toama and Altario were left at the smaller dome, and the need for concentration abated somewhat, the full result of breaking off her meditation incorrectly back in the desert came crashing down on her. If she'd had a headache before, it was nothing compared to the crippling pain that shot down from her head and through her body. She barely heard Altario tell her to get some rest before she crashed on the bedding, curling in on herself. She knew from experience that this was something she would have to struggle through, there were no medicines to combat it. Sleep would be next to impossible until the worst of it had passed.

By the time the pain subsided somewhat and she was able to think again, several hours had passed and someone was clearing their throat just outside the little dome. With every muscle in her body protesting, Toama considered simply not answering, but decided that would poorly repay her host's hospitality. Dragging herself upright, she opened the skin that served for a door. There was a girl of about 13 or 14 years old standing there, fidgeting nervously. Toama assumed she was not used to strangers, if she was already a woman it could not have been long. She smiled at the girl to try and put her at ease.

"Ehm... Eh, you are requested, uhm, to join the evening meal." Despite her age, she was rather fluent in Tharian. Possibly she was a sister to the pregnant woman who had translated earlier in the day. The Sand Sister nodded - carefully, the pain was still not far away even though she'd had the worst of it now. "I will comink. Please one moment." Turning back into the dome, she undid the bands in her hair, while grabbing a brush from her packs, which had been brought in when they'd been shown the dome.

She had not paid much attention to her hair in the past couple of days. Survival had been more important. However, for the evening meal she wished to appear at least a little bit presentable. There were quite a few tangles in her long hair. With a wry smile she went back to the door. "You will helpink, please?" she asked the girl, showing her the brush. She looked at the older woman with wide eyes for a moment, then a shy smile broke through. With a nod she took the brush. Toama seated herself cross-legged on the floor.

"You have very pretty hair." the girl said as she slowly drew the brush through the tangles. The Sand Sister enjoyed the attention. Getting her hair brushed by someone else was a rare pleasure. She would never dream of asking, for example, Altario to do something like that.

"Thank you."

"I'm Alena. What's your name?"

"I am beink called Toama."

From there the conversation flowed rather naturally, if a bit stilted on Toama's side due to her lack of Tharian. By the time her hair was all brushed out, she felt quite warmly towards the young girl.

They decided she would wear her hair loose, something she rarely did. Still, she did not expect much strenuous activity, so for one night it would be ok. Alena promised to come by the next morning to help her braid it again.

Together they went to the central dome, where the evening meal was served. She had only just been seated when Altario came in and spotted her. When he was seated as well, he told her what he had discovered about his brother. Toama smiled. "This is beink good news."

[Altario Shialt-eck-Gorrin]

"Good news indeed," Altario agreed, smiling excitedly.

There was a excited murmuring in the crowd and Altario looked up to see two men carrying an Aka'pi on a spit into the main area.  It was obvious that it had been roasting previously on some other fire, it's skin crispy and dripping fat onto the sand.  The two men then set the spit above a fire and a man with a long knife began slicing off chunks of meat onto platters.  These platters were then taken out into the crowd where people helped themselves.

When a platter was offered to Altario he took a large piece that had the crispy skin attached.  He took a bite and let out a small moan of pleasure as grease dripped down his chin.  This was some of the best freshly roasted meat he could remember eating.

While he chewed, another murmur in the crowd alerted him to activity in the center of the main clearing.  A man, at least Altario thought it was a man, entered the area.  He was dressed in cream coloured robes and billowy trousers while wearing a blue tunic and a blue head scarf that wrapped about his head and face leaving only a small slit for his eyes.

He took a stance and stood unmoving while a drumbeat began to echo and a small flute began to play.  The robed man carried a kilij in each hand, the blades gleaming in the torchlight, and the gems decorating the pommel reflecting the light.  Very slowly he raised up the two blades, crossing them above his head while lifting one leg high up.  His dexterity amazed Altario, who unconsciously grimaced at the flexibility of the warrior.

The warrior dropped his leg and stomped the sand, while the swords whirled about him and he spun about.  Suddenly he stopped once more and again moved slowly, putting his body into seemingly impossible positions.

Altario watched in fascination as the man repeated his pattern of slow deliberate moves punctuated by bursts of blinding speed, all of this in perfect concert to the beat of the drum and flute.  It was mesmerizing and the Remusian could not recall ever seeing a spectacle like this before in his life.

"Denrykmar very much liked the Sword Dance.  A sword dancer can spend their entire lives seeking perfection of their art and never be satisfied.  We are lucky that we have one of great skill in our dome."

Altario was mildly startled at Ta-Mayleene's voice in his ear.  He had not noticed her leave her seat next to the Mother.

"I have not seen the like before.  He's very skilled."

"She," Ta-Mayleene stated matter of factly, as if she were used to it, perhaps having corrected Denrykmar in the same way.  Remusians were not used to a society so female oriented.  "You have both enjoyed the food?  The Aka'pi was roasted in your honour."

"Delicious," Altario confirmed.

Ta-Mayleene studied the Sand Sister for a moment before turning her head toward Altario.  "Your partner looks very beautiful tonight, with her hair down, does she not?"

Altario felt his face redden.  "She's not my mate," he told the Shendar without so much as a glance toward Toama.

Ta-Mayleene turned back toward Toama and smiled warmly while reaching out a hand and stroking a length of hair.  "Still, I believe she is lovely and she is not my mate.  Can you not see as I do?  You say that the dance is good.  You say the food is good.  Is it so hard to say that your friend is beautiful?"

Reluctantly Altario looked at Toama.  Indeed, he had never seen her look as lovely as she did with her hair down and brushed perfectly, her face washed with the firelight flashing off of it.  "Yes, you look beautiful tonight, Toama," he mumbled awkwardly. 

Satisfied, Ta-Mayleene looked at Toama intently.  "The Mother has said that it is best that you be allowed to continue on your journey sooner than later.  This dome is to move into the deeper desert and it would not be safe for you to leave then.  Therefore, you will be accompanied north morning after next."

Ta-Mayleene glanced down to the sword dance for a moment, then turned back to the Sand Sister.  "There is another that will accompany you; another of your kind.  He has lived with us a short time, but the deep desert is no place for those inexperienced in our ways."

Ta-Mayleene looked over to a younger girl, gave a nod and watched the girl go off to fetch the other person.  "My cousin Alena will bring him to meet you."  She smiled warmly at Toama.  "My cousin likes you.  She enjoyed helping you with your hair.  She says you are very kind.  Thank you." She inclined her head warmly.

[Shira]

Shira sat amongst the other Shendar and watched the sword dancer. It was a beautiful dance, she thought, though her mother had told her the dances were done always with two partners. It was a competition. Maybe it was she that was the partner? Her dance was coming after. Perhaps that was it.

Shira bit her lip, and her stomach growled. She had no plate with her, no helping of aka'pi. She mustn't, or she'd be sore for the dance. She would eat after.

It was worrisome, though. There were so many people, and it had become not any easier to dance for crowds no matter how many times she did. Oh Eyasha, she prayed, still my nerves! She thought then that she shouldn't have offered, but it had been right to do. These guests were important somehow, that she knew. Armeros had said so. When a snake kills a horse, that was a sign it was. And the man was the brother of Ta-Mayleene's husband, chanced upon in the desert! The dunes take what they want, and give up only that which the gods will. The dome had been lead to them.

Shira turned her gaze towards the man. She wasn't sure his name. Ta-Mayleene's husband, Denrykmar she thought it was?, he had this long last name. Shira supposed the brother had the same, if only she could remember what it was. But the two hadn't looked the same. This one was sad, Shira could tell. Lines creased his face and shaded his eyes even when he smiled. It was the same look her mother had. Her mother's mother and her sisters and her brothers and all the women and men in Mother Kahi's dome all had great big smiling faces that could never fade, but her mother's was hard like this man's was hard. And he'd lost his horse. He'd lost his horse and held it to him and told no one to touch it. It was his aj'nuvic and he'd lost it to the snake. There were few things sadder in the world. And so it was that she'd cut off a tuff of the horse's tail hair and spent the afternoon braiding it. You should always keep them with you, she'd thought, and so she'd made a little memento that the man could keep. She'd give it to him after the dance.

Shira stood up and walked out of the dome to her aj'nuvic. Aki was lying down on the ground with his legs pulled up underneath him, but his eyes were open and he was watching the desert horizon. He liked the desert, Shira knew. She had always kept him in the city, when they were living in Strata, but he was a desert creature. Shira dropped down to the ground and then wrapped her arms around him as she pressed her head against his fur. "I'm happy you're not asleep," she said to him, "You can see the dance. It'll be outside, out here." There wasn't enough room inside, she'd surely burn down the tent if she tried.

"I know you don't want to go to Varcopas," Shira said as she rubbed Aki's neck. "I know you just want to stay with the dome. But the desert is for you, not me. The desert is for you and mother and Asey and Kahi and all of them inside there, but it's not for me. Like, like today. I never want to see a rock snake ever again. Were you scared? They're awful creatures they are."

The feast and sword dancing continued on inside the dome.

[Toama SorInyt]

Toama enjoyed the festivities greatly. Her headache had receded enough that it was only slightly bothering her, and the food was wonderful. She felt warm and joyful, fuller of life than she had been in the past days in the desert. She watched the Sword Dancer intently, enjoying every movement. Her people were fighters, too - at least manyof them were - and they knew the beauty to be found in the play of the sword, but that was nothing compared to the art she was allowed to witness here. She listened with a half ear to the conversation next to her. The smile in her eyes at the translator woman's kindly ways did not touch her lips, but it was there all the same. She was a strong woman, this one.

She inclined her head slightly in acknowledgement when Altario mumbled his way through the compliment. She knew that she was beautiful, if exotic to these people with the tattoo adorning her face, she did not need another to tell her this, but it was very nice to hear nevertheless. She was convinced Altario did not often notice her actual features, but rather saw her as generally part of the group - even if the group at the moment was only the two of them. But tonight was different. Tonight was a night of celebration, with a whole feast in their honour. Perhaps she could get an introduction to the Sword Dancer later, she would not mind talking with her. If she spoke Tharian, of course.

She smiled warmly at the woman when she mentioned Alena. "She is good girl." She was not sure what a co-sin was, some sort of familial bond probably. "Maybe she can will help tomorrow? Showink how live you? I am thinkink you will be busy wit' the movink, but may be she is havink a little bit time for us."

[Altario Shialt-eck-Gorrin]

Ta-Mayleene listened to Toama, then smiled.  "I am sure she would be very happy to show you around."

The pipe and drum came to an end and Altario watched the sword dancer take a bow, then strode off to an accolade of applause.  "That was fantastic entertainment, Ta-Mayleene.  Truly."  He plopped another morsel of aka'pi into his mounth.

Ta-Mayleene inclined her head.  "But, that is not all.  Next we shall bear witness to a fire dance."

Altario nodded appreciatively, though he had no idea what a fire dance was.

Ta-Mayleene's gaze covered the crowd until she saw her younger cousin approaching.  She smiled and turned to Toama.  "Look, Alena approaches.  Now you can meet your new traveling companion."

[Ethyn Joran]

Ethyn followed the young woman (Was it Alice? Alana? Alena! That was it!) to where he was suppose to be introduced to someone. He had heard rumours that there were visitors among them. He was told that when they left, he would be leaving with them.

Honestly, he looked forward to it. This desert was getting a bit too deserty for him. It was hot. And sandy. And even though the Shendar were very polite, he knew he could not stay much longer. They did not appreciate his talking to and about Kryptena. They also spoke a language he could not understand, which made talking about his goddess even more frustrating. Fortunately, none of the women seemed to be attracted to him, so that was good. Ethyn's hand gently tapped against a stick which  was held against his side by a simple rope belt. He didn't know what sort of people these visitors were, so he needed to be prepared for anything.

His eyes noted that something had just ended. Perhaps another dance? It seemed these people enjoyed their dancing.  If only they would listen to his teachings, than their lives could be so much more fulfilling. At least Kryptena was giving him a way out. Now he would be able to continue on his path of telling others the teaching of Kryptena.

And he would start with his new traveling companions.

Seeing the two new people presented before him, he gave a short bow. "Greetings, my new friends. Kryptena has certainly blessed us by bringing you here. I am looking forward to traveling with you."

[Altario Shialt-eck-Gorrin]

Ta-Mayleene smiled at the newcomer.  "Welcome, Ethyn.  Please make yourself comfortable." she swept her arm to the open places on the sand next to them.  "Eat, if you have not supped yet."

Altario nodded in return to the stranger.  "Yes, eat.  It's most delicious."  One more mouthful.

When he swallowed, he studied the stranger more closely.  "I am Altario Shialt-eck-Gorrin.  What is your name and what brings you to this oasis of a camp this far into the desert?"

[Shira]

After some time of mingling, the Mother funneled the crowd outside. The night was dark, but there was lighting near the tent from several tall torches that had been speared into the sand. One torch was set off by itself in a clearing to the side. The edge of the clearing was marked by a circle of red carpets. There was no proper seating available outside the tent, though several sat down on the ground atop the carpets. Some still carried mugs or plates with them, being slow eaters. The foreign group are brought to the front with Ta-Mayleene's friendly encouragment. The Mother stepped up in front of them and took a moment to speak and introduce the next dance.

Shira did not hear what she said. In her head instead was movement, rhythm and twirls. Shira had only been practicing for the afternoon, for a performance she had only offered to do at the last minute. She cursed at herself for volunteering.

The Mother stepped aside after finishing her short introduction, and all attention turned on Shira. Shira stepped up to the edge of the cleared space, holding a tambour in her hands, and closed her eyes. I call upon your fire, Foiros, Burning Lord. You are strong and I am weak. I bend it only with your grace. Please guide me, please bless this dance.

Shira tapped the skin of her tambour gently with her fingers and look a labored step forward. Immediately she took the liking of one that was exhausted, hunched forwards like an old woman. She continued to rap at her tambour slowly, in rhythm with each heavy step. A quarter of the way she stopped, and wiped the back of her hand across her forehead as if she were sweating. She continued on at her slow pace and raised her cupped hand to her lips as if she were drinking from a flask. An empty flask it was, for she turned her hand over and made two taps as she took an expression of distress. Woe was it to be lost in the desert with no water! Onward she trudged, as she beat a sorrowful drumming upon her tambour. At the far edge of the clearing she dropped to her knees, the music going silent. She pulled out a sandsick from her belt and rose into the air and shook it strongly, a sound not unlike that of a snake's rattle. Of course, the Ráhaz'Estár did not have rattles, but a performance with no sound would be dull. She turned to look behind her, terror exaggerated on her face, as she rose her arms high into the air. She remembered the rock snake, great and terrifying it had been, and as she looked at the torchflame, it rose with her arms, shooting high into the air: A serpent of fire. She dropped the sandstick back down and began to beat the tambour and shake its rings, a fast and dangerous rhythm this one was. She wove her arms back and forth and up and down, the fire shifting and coiling in the air. She ran and circled the torch and the fire slithered above in mimicry of her movements, for it was a hungry snake, angry and violent.

At last she stopped in front of the torch and threw her arms down. The fire coiled around and then drew back down into the flame with a speed as if the torch was its prey. Shira waited one brief moment and then again rose her arms high into the air. The fire again shot up high. Shira swept her arms across each other in front of her, right to left and left to right. The fire responded in kind, two points extending out at its sides. A sword it was now, not a snake, a bright cross in the sky. Shira held this for a few quiet moments and then threw herself down to the ground. She slammed her hands to the sand and then fanned them out to her sides. The sword of fire followed her movements and stabbed downwards before exploding outwards in a blast of embers. There were some cries in the audience where the expanding flame flew too close. Shira then beat the tambour, in slowing rhythm, like a fading heart beat. As it did she raised her other hand over her head, coiling it in a circle, and so did the flame as well. A slow coil it was, for this serpent was dead, and soon the drum was silent.

Shira withdrew the fire back to the torch and waited for a moment. At the last, she rose both arms into the air, in the shape of a temple, and the fire followed. She then threw one fisted arm out, and a part of the flame threw out. The shape it made now in the air was that of a horse's head, pointing high towards the stars. Shira held the figure for as long as she could--several long seconds--before drawing it back into the fire. Shira had seen the way the northern man had held his animal. He had loved it, like she loved Aki and like all Shendar loved their aj'nuvics. This was a sad day.

At last, her playing ended. She wiped at her brow with her arm, and it was for real this time as the sweat from her performance was stinging her eyes. She took a few deep breaths, and then stood. She walked over to where the man sat, and unhooked a small black trinket. It was horse hair, braided and wrapped around a hooked leather strap. She held it out to him. "So you may keep him with you, sir," she said.

[Altario Shialt-eck-Gorrin]

Altario obediently followed the crowd as they moved from the interior of the dome area to the exterior of the dome enclosures, as led by the Mother.  She and everyone else came to a spot where a series of torches lit an area.  There were carpets laid out for sitting but Altario chose to stay standing, not trusting his knee would forgive him for further discomfort.  He did take a moment to set down his plate in a pile of other plates to those who had still been eating when the crowd had moved.

The mother addressed the crowd, introducing the young girl that Altario only now noticed was standing within the torched enclosure.  She would be dancing for them.  Altario smiled and clapped his encouragement as did many others.  The Mother then took her place on a red carpet, and though she was years older than Altario, she knelt nimbly with little effort.

Altario watched the girl, a young woman thin of stature; Shendar to be sure.  She began to move slowly, keeping a slow steady beat with the tambour in her hands.  It was clear that she was depicting the steps on an old woman in the desert, fighting the heat.  Her talent at portraying someone completely different than herself impressed the Remusian.  His people rarely did anything so imaginative.

The old woman portrayed had run out of water, and Altario looked over to Toama and motioned toward the dancer with a knowing look.  They had nearly died in the desert from lack of water, so this part of the performance really struck home.  The tambour seemed to add to the suspense.

The dancer dropped to her knees, a look of terror on her face.  Something was wrong, the old woman was fearing for her life!  What could it be, Altario wondered with a great grin on his face?  He could almost guess what was to come.

The Remusian's blood then chilled, his stomach twisted and the grin disappeared from his face.  Fire rose from a torch.  It rose, it grew and it formed into the shape of a serpent, an orange and yellow and red representation of the beast that had killed Horse.

But, it was not the creature of fire that upset him.  Magic.  The dancer possessed magical ability, which was an anathema to every Remusian.  His jaw tightened and his hand reactively began it's journey to his sword hilt.  Instead of the leather wrapped handle of his father's Odomon blade, however, he felt gentle fingers intertwine with his own.

Altario turned to face Ta-Mayleene, who smiled serenely at him.  Her large expressive eyes bore into him.  "It is alright, Remusian.  You are under no threat here.  You are among friends."

Altario could only imagine that she had experience with Denrykmar and magic.  She squeezed his hand and strangely enough, he felt himself begin to calm.

"Watch the dance, Altario.  Honour her talent with your eyes."

Taking a deep breath, Altario turned once more to the dance.  The dancer was moving quickly now, the fire snake following her.  He had trouble watching both her and the serpent at once, for they both moved so quickly, but suddenly the snake melted back into the torch.  Only a moment then it became a sword, crashing into the sand sending embers flying out toward the crowd.  Apparently, the serpent was killed.  He recalled how gracefully the Shendar warrior had killed the serpent that had attacked Toama and him.

Altario felt a lump in his throat when the dancer waved he arms and the shape of a horse's head was created from the flames.  It was Horse, though how she could have known was beyond him.  And with that, the dance was over and each torch burned as if nothing had happened.

She then approached, and Altario nervously shuffled his feet in the sand, not wanting the attention that this dancer was giving him.  She held out her hand, a tuft of horse hair, Horse's hair, braided and tied to a small leather strap.

Fingers shaking, he took the proffered item.  "Thank you," he stammered.

Ta-Mayleene stepped forward and wrapped her arms around the dancer.  She placed a gentle kiss on the girl's cheek.  "You make our dome family proud, little one."

Altario then noticed the Mother looking on, a strange twinkle in her eye as she stared at the girl.

[Toama SorInyt]

Toama smiled politely at the man who was introduced as their new travelling companion. There was not much to learn yet from the few words he spoke to them, so she reserved judgement until she could get to know him better. On first glance he seemed normal enough, simply but neatly dressed. She made a mental note to inquire of Alena tomorrow if she knew much about him.

After a time, they were asked to go outside and given a place at the front of the group. Toama wondered what might be happening. She was happy enough to sit down cross-legged on the carpet and watch the proceedings. A young girl came forward after an introduction from the Mother, and started her dance. A heavy step, an exhausted figure. She wanted to drink, but alas, she had no water! Toama glanced up to where Altario was standing, and nodded at his gesture. It was clear which story was being told here.

She sat in rapt attention as the rest of the story unfolded, especially when the very fire of the torches helped to tell it. Foiros be praised, she was priviliged to witness such a display. The girl ended her dance with a gift to Altario. The sand sister hoped it would help him mourn the loss of his friend.

With their story fresh in mind, Toama wondered again what had happened to the rest of their companions, who had got separated from them after Thalambath - Lili, and Grallen the half-orc, Drustai, how were they faring? Had they perished, or had they found another escape and managed to get to safety? She'd thought about them before, of course, but then most of her being had been focused on surviving the desert heat. It was only now, with the dances and the company, that she felt safe enough herself to give them more than a passing thought. Another thing to ask - tomorrow morning - if the Shendar could at least keep a lookout for the others. She feared that with the amount of time that she and Altario had spent roaming the desert before they were found, it might be too late, but she couldn't not ask. She wished she could have spent more time looking for them back when she'd first found herself out in the desert, even though realistically she knew that had not been an option. And she would keep hope. As long as she did not know for certain that any of them were dead, she would assume them alive. They were resourceful, all of them. Their survival was always a posibility.

[Shira]

Shira smiled at the two guests, before looking at Ta-Mayleene. She returned the embrace and wrapped her arms around the other woman. "Thank you," she said between breaths as she pulled back and smiled meekly. She then turned her gaze towards the sand and turned half away. Her cheeks burned. It was over, at least. She prayed that she had not stumbled. It had gone well, hadn't it?

She took a deep breath and curled her lips back between her teeth before glancing back at the two travelers. The man's expression looked distant. Had she offended him? He had not wanted them to touch the body of his friend, but surely a token of remembrance was not improper? "I uh..." she said, "I hope it-... that I was not, not being presumptive, sir."

She looked towards Ta-Mayleene and then back towards the guests. This had been right, hadn't it?

The torch's flames flickered behind Shira, though there was no wind.

[Altario Shialt-eck-Gorrin]

Altario turned the horsehair gift between his fingers while the girl addressed him.  Truth be told, the gesture had touched him, but he did not know how to react.  With Drustai, it had been easy.  That magic user was testy and rude, so he could act in kind, though in truth they had come to an uneasy truce.  This Shendar girl, however, was very shy and unsure of herself.  Because of that, he didn't know how to act.  He opened his mouth to speak, but words would not come.

"It is perfect, Shira.  I am sure that Altario shall cherish it always." 

Altario felt Ta-Mayleene squeeze his elbow gently.  "Yes, thank you," he stammered awkwardly.  He could see what his brother, Denrykmar, saw in this Shendar woman.

He turned to Toama.  "I think that perhaps we should turn in for the night.  We should return to our journey."  He would miss these people.  He felt at ease here, perhaps more so than he had since leaving Remusia.

The Mother approached and began to speak, and Ta-Mayleene listened, then spoke back, before bowing her head.

Ta-Mayleene then looked at Toama.  "The Mother says that Shira and myself will accompany you to Varcopas."

Altario's brows knitted together.  "Is that wise?"

Ta-Mayleene rested her hand on her swollen belly.  "If it happens, mine would not be the first Shendar child born in the desert."  Ta-Mayleene listened to the Mother once more, listening and nodding.  She faced the Sand Sister.  "Toama, the Mother asks that you visit her in the morning before you leave."

[Toama SorInyt]

Toama inclined her head when Ta-Mayleene told her to meet the Mother the following morning. "I will beink dere." Then she turned to Altario, having mulled over his words for a while to determine that he had suggested for them to go to sleep. She was actually torn for a moment about what she would answer - on the one hand, she was very much enjoying the evening, and had no particular wish for it to end. She still wanted to talk to the Sword Dancer they had witnessed earlier. On the other, however, her headache was still not completely gone, and in fact getting worse again, something only a good night's sleep would be able to fix. Their day would start early tomorrow.

She nodded once. "Yes, we go sleepink. Ta-Mayleene, Shira, I am wishink you good night." She turned and moved in the direction of their sleeping dome, her movements languid now that there was no more need to focus much on the company. She assumed Altario would follow. After all, going to bed had been his idea.

Falling asleep did not take long. The day had been long and taxing. Tomorrow their journey would begin again, and her body needed the rest.

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