1The Tribes of the Shifting Sands
Chapter One
"Choose not to serve and you shall not be served, choose not to be humble and you shall be humbled."
The mighty winds that had seemingly stolen all possible hope from any living creature that held the knowledge of death at last died down as the morning sun ascended from the hazy western horizon. The shadows receded in defeat as the light of the heavens threw itself upon the sands and the sky was tainted with the red and orange hue as if light by the flames of some mighty fire. A breeze now made its way across the rolling sands of the dunes equivalent to the size of the great mountains of the east, lingering ever-so slowly as they made their way across the Great Desert. The whispers of the great spirits from the realm of nature prophesied a day of promise and favorable weather. Resounding and serene, a feminine voice echoed across the landscape, heard only by those who chose to open their souls to such a primitive tune of the Creator, silencing every raving spirit across the cosmos and signaling the beginning of a day anew. Talde'o meditated through the overwhelming chatter of the spirits, listening carefully to every word that found itself upon the backs of the gentle winds. The hymn that encircled the entire world around him was one that Mother Nature herself had sung since the beginning of time at sunrise. Yet, still, it did not fail to spark a renewed vigor throughout the apparitions of nature as they joined with joyous praises. Tal, as he did every morning, followed the tune with a small wooden flute for he had long ago fallen in love with the precious quintessence of nature's melody.
Of course, all residing within Felrin did not hear this blissful melody, one that could calm the coldest of souls. Even of those who could hear it, none could fully understand the ancient language. Tal, along with others, knew only a fragment of the substantial vocabulary that this language of nature consisted of. To know thousands of different words is as if a man knew only of his bed and no other aspect of the world, even if one had a complete understanding of each combination and dialect of those thousands of words. A most discouraging aspect of Mother Nature, but why tutor a child who cannot respect those above him and why comfort a creation that destroys all that has been given to them? Some say it is unjust, deeming this faith in Gaia a lie for such a loving being would be willing to share her infinite wisdom to those devoted to servitude under her. "Even a loving being with uncanny patience feels the anger of betrayal," was always the answer Tal had always given.
A soothing breeze swept under his chin to gather his focus away from the placid tranquility of the tune around him and to open his eyes from his deep meditation. There, in front of him, was the canvas of pearl white clouds that had been given the fiery orange coloration from the sun's radiance. A smile had formed beside him. Tal could not see it, no man could, but he could feel its presence…its warmth. He could not help but smile himself, joining the spirit in a deep satisfaction for the small gift given to them, one with an impossibility to describe by words. Tal uttered a thankful phrase to the friendly spirit in the ancient tongue with a slight bow of his head. The spirit, in response, nodded with a blessing, or at least Tal could feel it to a point where he could recognize its existence, and yet, a lacking to a point so that he could not fully understand it. Tal understood, though, not all things were to be fully comprehended by the human mind, for either it is too intricate for such a feeble being to have a grasp over its essence or it is simply not the appropriate time just yet.
Tal's companion since the age of twelve, Felro, nudged slightly closer to his master's side. He was becoming slightly gray from the wearisome years that had gone by, diminishing his once tan fur that had once had the likeness of the sands of the Great Desert. The crescent moon scar across Felro's right eye still appeared bold upon his face, as if it was luminously glowing from some unknown source of light. Upon the palm of Tal's right hand remained his scar bearing the image of the crescent moon, also as fresh as the day he had obtained it. A brother in the spirit, deeper than that of blood, had Felro become so many years ago. He too spoke with the spirits, but contrary to his brother, Tal, he did so with a complete knowledge of nature. There had been no birth for Felro, he hailed directly from the realm in which the spirits dwelled, his body being a simple shell. Tal had seen his companion die several times from the countless battles he had found himself in, yet, as promised by the texts of Gaia, his brother would heal over time, never ceasing to exist as long as his human brother, Tal, continued to breathe.
More than a rarity was it for Felro to speak to Tal directly, it was not his way. As all companions from his Tribe, they had the patience of ages and their undying wisdom only helped to increase the magnitude of such patience. However, he was not always a spirit from the realm of nature; he too was once in Tal's position, a man following the pillar of truth doing all possible to understand the works of Mother Nature while protecting his people from those whose goal was to inflict harm upon them. Still, after so many years, Tal did not have the knowledge of the means of Felro's death so long ago. He only knew that after his brotherhood with Tal was at an end Felro would move on to the paradise of Mother Earth to spend his eternity with his brother from his existence as a man, while awaiting Tal's arrival. Nature would always remain as Tal's mother, but it was nice to know he would have the brotherhood of countless spirits and Felro's companionship, along with that of whomever he would join when his time came.
"It seems a day of fortune is upon us, my old friend." Tal smiled, peering down upon the image of a comfortable Felro as he stood from his meditative stance. The Tune of Sunrise had ended, signaling the beginning of Tal's daily wandering across the rolling dunes. Nature's music would continue throughout the day as it always did, but with far less audible potency, always dancing in the background of the friendly chatter of the spirits. Tal stood tall, observing the horizon after gathering his equipment. He remained to be a mysterious figure, dressed in the simple tan leather garments of his people made from the giant lizards of the desert, but covered by the worn tan cloak wrapped around him, showing only his brown leather gauntlets and his emerald green eyes piercing through the shadows of the cloak. Around his nose and mouth, Tal pulled tight the piece of cloth designed to protect his breathing from the sand-filled winds.
For eight years Tal had wandered the Great Desert following the invasion of the Alliance. These strange people from the east with their machines and their lack of respect for the blessings around them given by nature continued to persecute Tal's people to a point of burning many peaceful settlements. They were followers of some strange idols, an oddity he could only describe as a pantheon of some mythical gods. Their religion, however, brought them no sense of humility as they pushed further into the desert seeking the riches of the vast quantities of gems, rubies, diamonds, and gold beneath the coarse sands of the western coast. Tal had no intention of allowing their supply lines to continue unimpeded, along with many others who did the same, some of which Tal had joined temporarily to do whatever damage possible to these tyrannical invaders. Far too long had it been since Tal had seen a small settlement of his people, especially that of his Tribe. He had seen much, more than many of his people knew to even exist within the seemingly endless boundaries of the Sea of Dunes. It was a curse he knew he'd have to ear. Felro was the only being to be given words from Tal's own voice for an entire year, and at times, Tal had begun to wonder if he was the last of his people.
Tal calmly shook his head in disgust, leaving such disappointing thoughts behind him, deep under the sand. From what he could decipher from the spirits whom he politely asked, it was the sixth hour of the day. As always, six hours later, Tal would sit to enjoy a meal with his brother, Felro. Slightly following that, from what he could understand, another hour walk would bring him to a group of outsiders. There was no greater desire than that of peace within Tal, but for now his soul itched for combat and the bringing of death to the invaders who held no honor.
"Let us bring judgment in the name Gaia, my brother." Tal grinned, glancing at Felro. A short howl of agreement echoed across the plains of sand as he persuaded Tal to quicken his pace. Of course, Tal had no idea this had been heard by another in audible range. Whether or not Felro had knowledge of this is a question that would only be answered when Tal would spend eternity with him for only then would it be the appropriate time to give an answer to such a question.
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