Ibn Sharjar: Northwards on the glass
Posted on 18 Apr 2023 @ 7:54pm by Atif ibn Sharjar - Merchant of the Al Ashar
Edited on on 15 Jun 2023 @ 6:13pm
Mission:
Ongoing Mission - Planet Obsidian
Location: Oassis of the Nine Stones & Northern Desert desert; Obsidian
Timeline: M3 D11 0800hrs
1555 words - 3.1 OF Standard Post Measure
The procession had returned to the village in the early hours, many of the younger children were being carried by their parents, the excitement of their participation in the night's ceremonies had caught up to them and they had fallen asleep in their parents arms.
As they passed his ship Ibn Sharjar took his leave. "We will depart about two hours after dawn. Meet us at the oasis, we will bring Fifta for you. It is a long ride, many hours in the sun and we will stay overnight, bring your blankets and ample water" Jelik informed him as they parted, Sasil snoring softy over his shoulder.
The night had turned chilly, it was after three in the morning and Ibn Sharjar elected to spend the rest of the night aboard the Al Ashar, grateful for a warm bed for four hours.
He rose at seven, washed and dressed for the desert, rummaging in a closet drawer he found a heavy Thawb to go with his regular Bhist and a plain black Agal to secure his shemag. These would go over his pants and shirt and his Qatarak boots. He added in his personal phaser, dagger, eye protection and the Eralsu spurs Jelik had given him. He added in a pair of thick leather gloves too.
He replicated himself some suitable meals, placing three days worth into his pack along with some utensils and his hygiene kit and a small medkit. He rolled up his blanket and bedroll, strapping those to the side of the pack. Then dropped down into the rear cargo hold and in a storage locker found two water bags. They appeared to be made of goatskin , oblong, with a looped strap long enough to hang from a camel saddle or to go over the shoulder, and with a decorative fringe and tassels along the bottom. While outwardly they appeared traditional, under the replicated goatskin was an advanced expanding material, tough, puncture-proof and with a thermal barrier layer. Each could expand to hold twelve liters of water and keep it cool and fresh, they would not leak and had self-sealing spouts. He took those to galley and filled them with cold water, having the replicator add in several minerals, isotonic and electrolyte compounds that would help replace any his body lost through sweat.
Satisfied he had everything, including his merchant's tricord, he carried it all outside and secured the hatch. Looping a water bag over each shoulder, he hefted the pack and made his way down to the oasis.
There was quite a gathering there, some thirty odd adults and children of various ages. He recognized the other younger children who had been in the group called forward with Sasil. There were also other youngsters there, in perhaps three ages groups. Those around ten like Gabrul; then some older at perhaps fifteen of sixteen and some young adults around twenty. He noticed the youngest had no facial scars, the next age group had one, like Gabrul; the teenagers two and the oldest group three. Only the adults had the four scars.
There was a similar number of Eralsu present, most were along the edge of the oasis, being watered by the younger children. He recognized the huge shiny black bulk of Kashta, along with Fifta and Gabrul's younger Hrada, the two boys had them down at the shore, all three beetles had their heads down as they gulped in liters of water. Their saddles were laden with packs, water canteens and bags of fodder.
Ibn Sharjar rounded the oasis, seeing Jelik and Kniva talking with others parents, he joined them. Jelik looked him over critically, as were the others. Jelik was dressed in Tej-Ka-Jalfa tribal desert clothing, the leather pants and jacket under the tan and black robe, he also had the leather face mask hanging from the hood of the robe and his sword at his belt.
Jelik walked around Ibn Shajar, nodding approval, he ran his finger over the heavy canvas like material of his Thawb. "Good Atif, suitable for the desert, I think. But you will need a face mask, the glass stings even in the lightest breeze."
He rummaged in a pocket and pulled out a spare mask "Don't worry, I brought you one" he tossed it over. "I will show you how to fix it in place when we reach the rim. And you'll need these" He held out a bag of the sweet grassy treats Fifta so enjoyed.
A few moments later Gabrul and Sasil returned with the family Eralsu. Ibn Sharjar was quietly impressed the way the two youngsters, five and ten, handled the creatures, the huge beasts lumbered passively along behind the boys on their lead ropes.
Khasta gave him a quick glance and flick of his antenna, then stood quietly. Fifta on the other hand got a lot closer, peering at him through her compound eyes and sniffing in loudly as she snuffled at him. He knew exactly what she was after and he took a gassy date ball from the bag, holding it out carefully on the flat of his palm.
Fifta gave a friendly rumble and lowered her great head, drool dripped on his hand and she scooped the ball up in her mandibles. He shook his hand off and reached up to scratch her antenna. The beetle rumbled again, happily chomping nosily on the treat.
While she munched on the ball, he moved along side, fixed his pack and bedroll behind her saddle and looped the water bags over the pommel. Jelik came over to have a look, feeling the synthetic goat skin and flicking the tassels. "We use Quatarac skin, double layered. What are these?"
"Goatskin, it is from an animal a bit like a very small Chuchaki, long ago my people kept flocks of them in the deserts on my planet... my circle" Ibn Sharjar explained. "But these have a different lining, it will not leak or puncture and it will keep the water cool"
Jelik nodded "You have some to trade?"
"I can make some, in a machine on the ship" Ibn Sharjar replied
"Good, we will see how they last out on the glass" Jelik replied with a grin.
Over the next ten minutes people began preparing to leave. The Earlsu were brought back from the water, harnesses and saddles checked. Luggage and provisions secured in place and people mounted up. Ibn Sharjar knelt and strapped his spurs on, then clambered up into Fifta's saddle. Standing in the stirrups he arranged his bisht and then wrapped the heavier thawb in place, securing it with his belt. He adjusted his shemag, slid his eye protection on and settled the agal on top to hold it in place. He pulled on his gloves, settled himself in place and secured the waist strap. He leaned forward and looped the reins over her antenna. Fifta gave a little shake, adjusting to his weight in her saddle and stood quietly, finishing off the last of the date ball.
A new group arrived, three riders with others walking alongside. Ibn Sharjar recognized Niefle on the lead Eralsu, it had an elaborate harness, hung with metal stars and lines, like the necklace she wore over her robe. Her husband and the Tribal Chieftain, Gebran, held the beetle's reins and walked with some of the tribal elders. They rode along the path and people began to move from the oasis to join them.
Jelik saw his sons into place on Hrada, Gabrul in the saddle, Sasil behind. He crossed over to Kniva, gave her a long hug. Now in her six month of pregnancy, and after the long walk to and from the ceremony last night, she would be staying in the village.
They parted, Jelik mounted Khasta and Kniva moved over to Hrada to speak with her sons. "You will choose your stars tonight. You, your second" To Gabrul "And you your first" To Sasil, she reached up and stroked his unmarked cheek "Chose wisely for they will be with you until death, as they were with Tej-Selkar"
Both boys nodded gravely. Kniva smiled to them, a tear rolled over her own scars. "I'll see you on your return my sons" She stepped away and joined other families standing to the side.
"Take your places behind Neifle" Jelik called to Gabril and the lad moved Hrada forward. The group was forming into a column of threes behind Neifle's trio. The youngest at the front, all riding with an older child, then the teenagers and the young adults behind them.
"We follow at the rear" Jelik informed Ibn Sharjar and along with rest of the adults they moved into line as Gabrun and the elders stepped to the side of the path. Neflie set a steady walking pace as the column settled into line.
"I see you Atif" Gabrun called to him with a wave as they passed. "Listen to my nephew out on the glass, it is treacherous to the unwary"
The column wound its way out of the village, following the path as it turned west towards the black obsidian cliffs. It led them to a narrow gorge that led slowly upwards towards the rim and the open glass desert...
