In the stillness of the dawn there is only the rustling of the grasses as they sway in the breeze over the plains, bowing in supplication to the skies. It is here that I find peace and tranquility, I do not venture from the protection of our wagons so I am for now within the prison of my circle of wagons. It seems at times that is what they have become. There is an array of color against the background of the night, the dwellers seem fascinated by our wagons and how we live. I think of many different things I have seen and the various people, though we are in a brief time of peace with other tribes and the turians, I am still somewhat uneasy with such a great gathering of people, I am careful for it is like having leeches attach themselves and suck the life out of me, not that this is because they are dwellers but because it is a large gathering, and as I watch these turian women,I think it is clear to most why it is better to be tuchuk. It has been a few days since I have been able to sit and collect my thoughts, once more various things are not put down upon these pages because at this juncture there could be no justice given. And I do not feel the desire to write about every thing in order to catch myself up to the present, those things however, are not lost they are in my mind, tucked away as a memory later to be retrieved, I find there are many events or situations that I do not write about, yet I keep them in my mind to be categorized as distant memories.
I often watch people, I listen and pay attention to the small minute details,I pay attention even when others think I am not, but I watch not only as a person but at times as a spex, but this is nothing new of me I have been this way since I was a child, it is something my father cultivated in me once he realized I did it. There are many things I think about and observe just as I see the many things a few are blind to, or think they are getting away with, in the end it all comes around full circle, I need not give my thoughts.
For a moment my mind drifts to things I have seen while here, such as the fights that took place on the Plains of a Thousand Stakes, thankfully it was some distance away from the gates of Turia. It is interesting to see all the craftsman of Ar within the throng of people that were there to not only judge but to make a profit, as they not only traded but they also won in various games played with Turians and the four tribes of the plains. The colorful banners of the tribes floated in the air, ours of course in my opinion is the best, the four bosk horns carved from wood was on a lance. Not far you could see the standards of the other three tribes as well.
It is an awe inspiring sight to hear drums echo in the air and see the two rows of stakes the glide along the plains, at times behind the Turian side you can hear the music play in the air as well, the stakes are brightly painted which allowed for a brilliant tapestry of color to rise upward from the ground up towards the sky. Each was magnificently different in color and design, some were trimmed and held a delightful array of designs which were ornate and fancy depending on the workman's want. All the colors lifted the ambience into an air of good cheer, gaiety and celebration. A time of peace and a truce between the peoples. The rings that dangled and clinked in the air, sent a shiver thru me, habit that was more habitual than anything when it came to the sound of chains clinking in their cold miserable song. There was in the space between each of the lines of stakes a large circle that had been raked and sanded for the fights.
The turians they arrive with great pomp and circumstance, I have never understood why everything they do is so drawn out and dramatic, even their joining's are long and to me boring. I rather like our way, a warrior simply claims you before a witness and it is done. Afterwards the tribe celebrates. Shi took me once to the joining ceremony of his former mate to another. It was very, very boring, and just as drawn out as this ritual of the turians. Their women still remain cocooned in so many clothes, to me they were suffocating, I never did figure out how to drink thru all those damn veils. The walls of the city were crowded with onlookers and flags fluttered in the winds. It was an interesting sight
I have kept close to the fires of our camp, not venturing out to far, even though there is peace I am no fool, things still can and do happen. Mezoo had joined me on the walk to meet with Symira for trade talks, I had made a list of things Ayguili told me we needed and I took from my own private stash various chests of jewels, coin and other items of trade along with what Ayguili gave me. One of these days I might show him just what we do have put away for times of need, but it never seems to be the right time. Now , Symira has her ways, I had in truth forgotten just how hard she can be in business, so we agreed, business first then pleasure. I told her what we needed and what we had to trade and she did the same. Then we would negotiate on cost, I am a bit rusty I have not traded in the capacity of a merchant since I was about 20 turnings,and then it was different for each city and each merchant has their own way. There are only a few dwellers I actually deal with,one is Symira, the other is Khouri and her because we share a history, one that many would not understand if they did not experience, it formed a bond of trust that no matter where each is, it is honored and sacred and holds deep meaning. The other is Silk, and he because he is the father of my nephew, I raised his son after he and Dina parted ways, he is also the brother of one of my oldest and dearest friends, one whose life I saved by killing another, so with him there are bonds of blood in more than one way. When I think about it the few that have been a part of my life have been made so thru bizarre circumstance.
The trade went well, a few minor upsets that were fixable,Mezoo did well, she had accidentally stepped on Symiras toes, and I explained how the merchant was and she was able to easily navigate thru the slight mishap, she did very well, I was very proud of her, I have been watching her do things to make it as part of the first fires. Of all the prospects, she is the only one I see and feel has earned the right to be part of the first fires, she has proven time and time again, the tribe comes first, she does things with people and for people, yes, Ayguili is interested and she is also, but she is not chasing him and making him her prime focus, she does not utilize the ways of another to capture him as I watch another do, she is true in what she speaks and does, she is among everyone and interacting with everyone, not just when he is there.And she has not changed over night and she has taken her clan studies seriously. So in my mind she has worked hard and earned the right. I cannot say the same of others in fact in a few I am greatly disappointed in and my trust of them is less, because when you cease to make tribe first in my eyes you are not one I would have watching my back, your focus would be to easily diverted leaving people open and vulnerable to things worse than death, I have felt the blade of deceit in my back before. I briefly saw Cana, but did not get to speak with her as my son had a bit of an emergency that needed my attention. I did hear her mention getting some wood, before my attention was distracted, so I knew I could mark that off of things to negotiate for.
We concluded the trade and procured everything we needed including a few things I negotiated privately for gifts for some. Then we headed back to camp, I am glad that soon we will return home. There was much on my mind as we returned to the camp, a few things that irritated me during the trade but nothing I feel is worth speaking of, for it was taken care of.
It also occurred to me, that it was a dweller warrior that spoke of me being beautiful, sort of strange hearing a compliment from a stranger. When I never hear such from those of my own tribe, why is it a stranger can appreciated things I do and how I look, when among my own it is not so. For a few moments in time I felt needed and beautiful.
It was short lived though, once back in my own camp, I was simply another face among many, not really needed other than for some to placate me and speak the words when in truth they hold no value or water, because if you cant follow thru on what you speak then they cease to have meaning. But regardless of my own conflicted feelings, it is good to be back among the wagons, and good to be a Tuchuk.
Soon we will be home.
