Their seeing spirits had told them of the group of people that camped in the orchard near the stream. The place was well chosen, food, water and some shade from the sometimes brutal central star’s heat. But it did not offer any protection against would-be attackers. And so far their seeing spirits had not spotted any weapons among the group. There was an older person who held a long stick but from the looks it was more of a cultural item.
U’urt dismissed his seeing spirit and turned towards his companions. He let out an audible sigh, made the proper sign of attention and told them his thoughts:
“I consider this our best chance in days. The last group were too simple a people and knew only of the wild plants that grow here and the group before that turned out to be bandits, which also didn’t help.”
I’inna, U’urt’s wife, stepped forward and gazed down towards the orchard. “I agree with you, husband. They seem neither farmers nor bandits and they also have a leader who bears items of some cultural importance. He may be the leader of a coterie of god believers or at least one who augments their daily lives with rituals and ceremonies. They may well be more knowledgeable than farmers and bandits are so we should proceed, albeit with caution.”
E’erta and Na’antu, the other couple, nodded in agreement: “They will not know much beyond what the lands reveal to them but they seem to be a traveling band with a purpose, since their camp is only temporary by the looks of it. This implies they have a destination and know the road to reach it.”
U’urt nodded. They had made him their leader when they first arrived on this world so they would be waiting for his decision. It was strange, he never wanted to be a leader or a decider. He was a loremaster after all and he hated nothing more than having to decide for others. But they also agreed a loremaster as leader would be their best chance to establish contact and learn what these people were like. So he had agreed to, well, lead them.
“It’s decided then. We approach them with all caution and try to get as much information as possible while hiding as much of our mission as we can without jeopardizing the contact.”
*****
Of the eleven people in the group the oldest stepped forward. The star’s heat and the dusty winds had left their marks on his worn face but his eyes were keen and spoke of a youthful vitality. He wore a combination of cloth fabrics and animal hides that was adorned with what looked like bird feathers and beads of blue and green stones. His clothes were dyed in yellow and ochre. In his hand he held a long stick that was probably hewn from the local trees and it had almost the same adornments as his clothing. He was clearly their leader and a person of importance.
He smiled at U’urt’s group, opened his arms and then gestured towards the group of trees that shaded a good portion of the orchard from the star’s rays. A few of the broad, green leaves lay on the ground there and the companions could see a number of bowls with food and two of the tanned animal skins that could hold liquids. It was an invitation. U’urt nodded towards the old man, putting on his friendliest smile.
Only when U’urt’s group entered the shaded area did he realize how small these people were. U’urt was not the biggest in the group but even he was at least one head taller than the tallest man in that group. It was a miracle they had not frightened them all off when they approached their camp.
The old man finally began to speak to them. It sounded … primitive but also very melodic. The translator spirit in U’urt’s mind immediately began its task of analyzing the old man’s words:
“You wear strange clothes in colours not known to us. From what lands do you come to us, strangers?” Even from two kadam away he had to look up to U’urt and the others. There was genuine curiosity in his eyes. “Veritable giants that you are, let me say this. The likes of you are not seen here, nor in the northern steppes. Say, are you of the mountain people of the Upper Lands?”
U’urt looked at his companions, first at E’erta and then at I’inna and Na’antu. They gave him their silent consent to speak for them and I’inna made the silent sign of peace. Na’antu added caution and E’erta reason and so their designs were clear. They would seize this opportunity so U’urt commanded his translator spirit to do his bidding:
“We greet you and thank you for your hospitality. You are right, we are not from here. Indeed we came here with the mountain wind that blows from where the central star rises.”
“The zentrallastar?” the old man asked, somewhat confused. “Surely I have never heard of a place like the one you name.”
U’urt was also confused for a moment hearing the untranslated word with clarity from the old man. He commanded his translator spirit to reassess the language this man used and the cultural classification this tribe might fall into. And a possible reference system for directions. Upper Lands? These people would not know precise distance measurement.
“It is the light of day in all its magnificent glory.”
The old man nodded. “Ah yes, U-du blesses the land and makes all grow when he is high in the heavens. It is strange, though, you have not heard of him.”
“The eternal light is called tall-mor-ra in our lands,” U’urt answered. “But it is far away beyond the north star and we are now wanderers in foreign lands, because we would learn of all the people who dwell under … under U-du’s blessed rays.”
E’erta and the others gave U’urt the sign of silent approval. It was clear now these people could be weaved into their purpose. The old man seemed both relieved and happy and he eagerly nodded towards his group as if he wanted to tell them ‘see, they are no danger to us’.
“The name you speak is unknown to us. But the light may have as many names as there are tongues that utter them.”
“I am certain U-du looks kindly on all of them.”
The old man gestured at U’urt’s companions with his stick. “Say, are these followers your tribe or your family?”
U’urt looked at them and they all made the sign of silent consent. This whole conversation with this group of people had turned out to be peaceful so it was now their turn to reveal at least some details about who they were. It would create further trust among their groups and that was important for their mission.
“We are seven,” U’urt answered carefully. “Three of us are elsewhere looking for equally friendly people as you are. They went to where the river flows, though, and we have not seen them for some time now.”
“Seven you say?” The old man replied with apparent surprise. And was there also a hint of awe in his voice? He looked back at his group. A few of them also wore a hint of awe on their faces. Three of them had even made a step backwards. Finally, the old man turned towards U’urt again.
“By what names shall we call you and your tribe then, travelers from the north star?”
U’urt thought for a few moments and then commanded the translator spirit to do his bidding: Tell him of a’axxa’a and our coming.
And the spirit spoke the words for him: “You may call us ra-ak-salla. We have come to these lands with great purpose. We offer to help you with your labors and to tell you of things you may not know.”
The old man slowly nodded in agreement, still somewhat awestruck. He kept smiling and signaled his people to step forward. Finally, as if on command, they all bowed their heads and the old man thumped his stick on the ground.
“Then you will be en-si ra-ak-salla to us, the Mighty Of The Third Veil. You are welcome to us as long as you wish us to be in your company.” He gestured southward with his stick. “We are going to the great lagoon into which the river flows. There is work and food there and the ruler is generous and just. A-lu-lim is his name. He is building more houses around his temple and he made it known everyone is welcome in his domain.”
“He is a god to you then?” I’inna’s translator spirit suddenly asked. Strange, she made the sign of silent interest after she had spoken. This only ever happened when she was truly intrigued by an idea.
The old man looked at her but did not nod. Instead he weighed his head in thought. “He is a great ruler and has built a temple where he wishes his dream of a great dwelling come true. There he hopes for the blessing of U-du and to be rewarded with a place at his side. So he is not a god to me but a man aspiring to be one.”
I’inna stepped forward, her interest piqued. “You are a learned man, are you not? Not a farmer, not a beast herder. And the items and clothes you wear give you status. Say, are you one of those who worship gods? A priest?”
“My mother gave me a name and to the seers she said to educate me in the ways of the land and also of the heavens. I know of the north star you speak of, and also of the seven sisters that bring rain and the gavel in the sky that announces judgment.”
“And what name did your mother give you at birth?” she asked.
The old man bowed his head. “My mother named me Ad-dapa. But more of her I do not know.”
I’inna looked briefly at U’urt. He made the sign of silent consent and also nodded to augment the importance of their next decision.
“We will accompany you, Ad-dapa, to this place you speak of. We will see this ruler and his temple; and his aspirations. There is a place on this earth and it is for men. And there is a place high in the heavens that is for gods.”
“And you?” Ad-dapa suddenly asked. “What place is it that you come from, this ra-ak-salla?”
I’inna looked at him for a long moment. “It is neither of them,” she said at last. “Come now, this place awaits.”