Private A Meeting of Minds (Elpsis)

[Phylis Alince]

Elpsis Kerrigan

Lia nodded. "Though my involvements were less...prolonged...than yours, I got a good sense of how they worked from my time with Siobhan and others. The revelation I quickly came to was both pleasant and unpleasant in equal measure; they are little different to us save that they were blessed with more technology and greater experiences of other cultures. To my mind our 'older sisters' as you put them could have probably tried a play to rule all this world were it not for their chronic disunity. An irony, considering they are the most centralised and bureaucratic of all of our people...and I suspect it will lead to a fracture. But we might discuss that another time."

She sipped her tea. "Let me ask you a question, Lady Jai Vahal. Say for a moment an efreet appeared before you and could give you one wish, what might it be? If you do not like such fanciful questions, my apologies and you need not answer, or answer with humour."
The Xio sat back to wait for Shazora's reply, if any.

xxx

The beetle seemed completely uninterested in them, and wandered down into the soil at their feet and soon had disappeared into a hole in the tree. These insects were skilled at boring into wood to find tasty sap.
Lalax followed the insect until it was out of sight and then looked outside. The sight was entrancing. "It is as though a silver curtain is draped upon the land, and the trees follow the beat of inaudible music."
Wriggling forward she put her hand out so some drops splashed it. Laughing, almost giggling, she pulled it in and drunk from the few drops of water.
"Does this rain last long?" she asked curiously.

xxx

Yara raised an eyebrow, but did not dispute the nickname. Yara was quite pleased and worked hard on her physique, for similar...though not identical reasons to Tarzar.
With the help of all the guests, they soon had the Narrak loaded. Yara dropped down after securing the loads and gestured for the drivers to take them off.
"Good work, all of you," she said with a look of genuine appreciation towards all of them. "Better than most outsiders," she added grimly. "People who come just to shoot and then don't help with cleanup. Anyway, let's get back. If any of you are interested I can show you how we prepare the meat and the hides and fur. A priestess will also bless what we have done and put the spirits to rest."

Her Partuz had been squabbling a bit with Great-Leap over some morsels from the Narrak's head, but did not protest when she remounted and spurred them on.
The rain was starting to fall a bit heavier now. Those with Partuz would have to cling on in the rain, whilst those on foot would have to trek back to the city. Fortunately, a warm bath would await them there if they wished it.

 

[Elpsis Kerrigan]

Phylis Alince

"I've never seen someone describe rain so beautifully. You've got the tongue of a poet," Yaritha said happily. She wasn't fawning, she was being perfectly honest. Gently taking Lalax' slender, grey hand, she licked a few raindrops from her palm before pressing a kiss to it. "Rainfall can last for hours. Sometimes it rains for days. Probably not today though. We're not in the rain season yet, though we may have to stay the night."

xxx

Shazora regarded the Xio Queen carefully. What are you playing at? she wondered suspiciously. "I wish my people could live and free of fear of the next oppressor who will force a collar around their necks." The truth, but nothing personal. The truth is selfish, she thought. "What about you, Queen Lia?"

xxx

"We know of 'hunters' like that," Sahmara interjected. "They came in, and slaughtered Yaz and Ghoush from their flying machines and their speeders, and called themselves brave and got drunk."
"Not so brave when Yaz caught up with them," Xalda said darkly. As the rainfalls grew heavier, puddles formed and the ground began to turn muddy. The Xioquo looked at the rain in wonder

"Plenty of scum like that on the Arx for them to eat," Elpsis muttered. "I'd like to ask the priestess' blessing and pray with her...if that's alright with her," She sounded a bit shy and self-conscious as she made the request. You're a foreigner, don't matter what you do. You don't really belong.

Rain poured down from the heavens, and she clung a bit more tightly to Sharp-Fang. Splashing down upon the hunters, the rain was making her clothes soggy and plastered her long, red hair to her head. Still, she was content...as close as she could be. It was honest work. The kind her adoptive mothers and many a fine lady at court would have turned up her nose at.

Hazani soldiered on stoically through the rain and mud. Neither was to her liking. It made her miss the desert and the savannah, but she would not let any of that show. Especially not around the human. "What else do you use the carcasses for?" she asked, partly out of genuine interest, partly to distract herself.

For his part, Tarzar didn't seem to mind the rain. Farzi was known to have heavy monsoons, after all. Instead he let Great-Leap set the pace, quietly whistling a tune. Judging from her chirping sounds, the Partuz seemed to like it.

 

[Phylis Alince]

Elpsis Kerrigan

Lalax blushed slightly. "My sweet-heart, you bless me with your kindness," she said with a smile. "Though I do try, I am still learning the craft of a bard, since I have many other duties to attend." She frowned at Yaritha's words. "It can rain for days?!" she asked in shocked. It was rare for any place that Xio went to have that much of a deluge.

"Hmm, then until it ends we must entertain ourselves." She rummaged in her pack and produced a small stringed instrument like a long, thin, violin. As the rain continued to hammer down she started to play a tune. It was hopeful, upbeat. Not perfect, as it was clear Lalax was still learning, but pleasant. The sort of music one might want to dance to, were it not for the rain.



XXX



Lia smiled and raised her teacup. "I will drink to that, and agree, Lady Jai Vahal. What I most want is for the Xio to be free to live their lives with no master or mistress standing over them…or being that over others."

She finished her cup. "But in this moment, I would wish another pot of this tea. Still, since no efreeti looks like it will appear, I will accept my fate."

She rose. "My thanks, Lady Jai Vahal, I have learned a lot from our discussion. I will see you tonight." She departed the tea shop, trailed by one of her aides.



XXX



"We do not suffer outside poachers," Yara added darkly. "Though by law they should be taken to answer before the court, there have been times where the Partuz got there before we could. A great shame," she added with barely feigned contempt.



Yara glanced at Elpsis for a moment. Was she curious, surprised or suspicious? It was hard to tell, but then she nodded. "I am sure it will be, I will ask her when we return," she said



To Hazani she said. "We try to use as much as we can. The hides and fur are excellent for the cold and resist the rain. The meat can be smoked and stored for months. The fat we use for fuel, and the bones are useful for decorations or within clothes. There's not much left by the end, and we give that to the Partuz."



After a half hour of travel in the rain the lights of the city would come back into view.

 

[Elpsis Kerrigan]

Phylis Alince

Yaritha took a moment to sit back and enjoy her lover's music. Before being ripped from her home and enslaved by that cruel monster, before the Daughters...Lalax had been a musician, a bard. Even after all that had happened, she could take joy in the small things, share that joy and hope even when things were dire. Besides she was, in Yaritha's opinion, genuinely talented.

Yaritha began to hum a folk song, one passed down from her mother, and through her from her grandmother. Pearls of the Southern Sky. A bit melancholic, but hopeful. She was no natural singer, but she sang with increasing confidence as the words came rushing back and she could imagine herself sitting at campfire with her clan sisters and brothers...and Lalax.

xxx

Shazora regarded the Queen. "Good day to you, Queen Lia." With a thoughtful expression on her face, she watched Lia depart. There would be friendship between Farzians and Xio. Too much blood had been spilt, too many wrongs would forever remain unrighted. Perhaps in a few generations when the wounds were no longer raw? But there could be...something better than in the past she had lived for the time being. With a sigh, she began working on some of her correspondence. Her aides - some closeted bodyguards - had discreetly taken up position.

It was she was engrossed in her work that Izana suddenly happened upon her. "Oh, Lady Komharasi Jai Vahal, I didn't expect there to be anyone here. Truly, I just wanted some tea."
"It's all right," Shazora said, putting her papers back in her bag. "I trust your trip across the city was illuminating, priestess?" she asked softly.
"Quite," Izana sat down. "An interesting synthesis of the new and old. Will the former swallow the latter? Only time will tell. A dilemma many of us face, some more than others."
"Progress never comes without sacrifices...and those who lose out. Adaptation is easier for some of us than others. We Qadiri - the larger polities and wealthy city-states at any rate - were on the cusp of industrial development before the sky people forced themselves on us. Urban living, with all its benefits and stresses, economies of scale, an empowered merchant class - all new to the Vashyada," she smiled a bit self-consciously. "My apologies for rambling on.
"Perish the thought." A waiter brought the priestess some tea, she thanked him and gave him a small tip. "I find their faith curious. Different from ours. Not something for Qadiri, naturally. But they honour the ancestors, I respect that. Clearly their spirits haven't let them down either," the Azalian priestess spoke as she sipped her tea.
Shazora checked her chrono. "We should get moving. The hunting party will be back soon. I will probably have to knock my dear husband's ego down a peg. He's going to be showing off all night."
"As every lady's consort has to, I'm told," Izana said with a chuckle.
"Speaking of your lady, how long to intend to remain at court?"
"Are you looking for a spiritual counsellor, Lady Jai Vahal? I serve the Mother of Flames. For the time being, I do so best at court. As for what comes afterwards, we shall see."

xxx

As the party made their way through the forest, they were joined by Mahsa. The elderly, grizzled Qadiri lady warrior was soaked, but she seemed in good spirits. "Ah, Hazani, good hunt, eh?"she spoke in Zandri.
"Agha," Hazani said, presenting her bloody spear. These creatures are smart. I still prefer a Yazgid. At least I know what it's thinking."
"Whether you're capable of delivering its next meal to it or whether it should make you one," Mahsa said with a chuckle.
"You're drenched, we need to get you some fresh clothes now."
"Oh, don't fret, girl, it's embarrassing, these old bones aren't as dead as they might seem," Mahsa said dismissively. "We depart tomorrow, so do mingle a bit at the feast."
"I'm not sure how close I should become to the people here," Hazani admitted.
"Enjoy yourself, dear," Mahsa winked, then said seriously, "with one eye open."

 

[Phylis Alince]

Elpsis Kerrigan

Lalax continued to play, coaxing a jaunty tune from the instrument, trying to time it with Yaritha's words. Soon she became more confident especially when it came to the chorus which she didn't fully understand, yet followed the rhythm. When at last she stopped with Yaritha, Lalax was smiling broadly.
"That was brilliant, my love! And look, the rain stops its fall! We can leave this tree to its proper occupants and continue soon."
Indeed, the rain had mostly passed except for a light drizzle outside, leaving behind puddles and a slight mist. Lalax gave Yaritha a quick kiss and headed for the entrance of their tree home.

xxx

By the time the hunting party had returned to the bridge leading back to the city, the rain had mostly passed. Some people had come to watch, and a couple even cheered at the sight. Attendants came down to take control of the prizes and lead them to a processing plant on the forest side of the river.
Yara turned to the assembled party. "A good hunt," she said with more enthusiasm than normal for her laconic self. "Those who wish to learn more about how we do things, or to speak to the Priestess are welcome to remain. Otherwise, you can head back to your quarters we have assigned you and you can get tidied up. Feast will be at 7pm."

Inside the large wooden structure was a curious mix of modern and traditional. Stainless steel tables and portable cranes to move the bodies, along with refrigeration contrasted with the older iron tools and stretching racks for the hides.

Waiting for those interested was a tall Vash lady with long red hair tied back practically. She was dressed in a simple green dress, though she had a leather apron over the top. Through the Force she was revealed as a strong, but not overwhelming Force presence. When she spoke it was in near perfect Basic with only a light accent.
"Welcome, my name is Vyra, and I am here today to bless the bounty of the hunt, to put the spirits of the wild to rest, and to ensure that all is used correctly. It is my belief, and that of all our people, that waste is a sin. Everything has a purpose, and nature drives us to a path of using all we can."
She took a very sharp knife, and whilst intoning softly, she started to open the Narrak's body to remove the innards. Those close to her familiar with Prosbia might understand her soft chant.
"Brother of the forest, we stand before you in respect. Brother of the forest, we respect your sacrifice. Brother of the forest, you die so we might live. Brother of the forest, go to the wildheart and return again, be born into the forest again. One day, oh brother, may you be one of us, and we as you. Together, forever."

 

[Elpsis Kerrigan]

Phylis Alince

Yaritha blushed slightly."It is a song about a great huntress who overtook all others in her clan, female and males alike, and defeated all the beasts of the wilds. Her name was Malvanna. Her tribe sung ballads about her victories, but without a challenge she felt aimless. One night, she spied the pearls of the southern sky. Mesmerised by their beauty, she tried to seize these heavenly jewels.

Aloft on the wings of a tamed eagle, Malvanna flew upward into the dark sky. Her prize was so close, she felt invincible. She was so close to the pearls of the southern sky she could almost touch them, but then...the sun rose. So close to the sun's rays, the eagle grew frightened, and Malvanna fell into the sea. While she drowned, she saw the pearls of the southern seas,"

Yaritha paused, looking at Lalax. "She could've reached them any time she wanted, but she was always looking to the sky. When her clan heard about her fate, there was great sorrow. But none mourned her more than her love Gaeleth. He was no legendary warrior, but a good man who loved her dearly. For many days, he didn't eat, he didn't drink. He pleaded with the spirits to intercede. He grew weaker and weaker, but wouldn't relent. Finally, the spirits of the water and sky were by his plea. Malvanna rose and rose and rose..." Yaritha pointed at the dark sky, "they say she is still there in the sky. Once every year, they say, she may assume the shape of a woman and reunite with her love."

xxx

"I'm going to get cleaned up and see if there's official business that needs attending to," Hazani announced crisply, on her heels to leave.
"You can put the Begum into the Sistren, but not take the Begum out of the Sister," Mahisa said wryly. She made no move to gut a beast, but seemed to observe the proceedings with an air of detached curiosity. "Ah, this brings back memories," she said more to herself than anyone else.

Unlike what some people might have done, Elpsis did not make suggestive comments to the priestess. Rather she bowed her head slightly in a gesture of respect. "Priestess," she said softly in Basic. Amidst a whirr of mechanical servos, she shed the by now thoroughly soaked hunting cloak. With Sahmara's help she unstrapped the leather cuirass covering her chest, and tied an apron around her torso. "Do you need anything else, Lady?" her fellow Saobana asked respectfully.
"No, all good. Get yourself freshened up if you want."
Yes, Lady, thank you."

Bending down, Elpsis removed an evidently well-used knife from her boot, and then moved to join Vyra in front of the Narrak's carcasse. Her understanding of Prosabia was painfully limited, but while she did not understand most of the words, she got the message. "Spirits of the wilds, I give thanks for the life of this animal that feeds me," she began softly, repeating the prayer she had made earlier in the forest, "I promise to use all parts of it with respect and gratitude. May this act remind me that all life is connected, and of the cycle of life and death. I ask you to take its spirit home, and vow to unleash vengeance on those who kill animals for sport and pleasure."

As she spoke the words, she began to make careful cuts. The entrails were smelly, but she didn't seem to mind. Though unfamiliar with the Narrak, it was evidently not the first time she had cut up a beast.

Tarzar, meanwhile, walked over to the Nakkar his Partuz had helped him slay. Chuckling a bit, he examined the beast's horn. "She said no trophies...but a little horn has to be fine, right?" he said to no one in particular.
"You should always heed the word of your Lady," a stern looking Xalda informed him primly, though his question had probably been rhetorical.
"Sometimes it's more the spirit than the word, my lady," he opined. "It would be a grave insult to our hosts if I did not take a memento."
"You are not heeding that either. And you just made that up," the Xio said in a somewhat scolding tone before walking off to get a better view of Vyra gutting the carcasse.