The third elder's spectral gaze held a mixture of solemnity and determination. {Bring him here when he reaches the age of eight. By then, he shall be ready to embrace the legacy of the nomads and the destiny he is tasked with. Orin, the time has come for the nomadic to do what we were born to do.}
As twilight descended upon the nomadic village, the City Hall emerged as a beacon of unity. The tantalising scent of exotic spices wafted through the air, drawing nomads together for a communal feast. Amidst vibrant huts that encircled the open space, people were sharing stories and laughter.
As the night sky enveloped the village, the moon casting a warm glow on the festivities, the atmosphere buzzed with anticipation. The air was alive with laughter and the clinking of wooden cups as the community celebrated the joyous occasion.
The newborn, nestled in the arms of its mom, became the centre of attention. The City Hall echoed with joyous exclamations, and the nomads raised their cups in a collective toast to honour the new life among them.
The long wooden tables were adorned with dishes showcasing the culinary skills of the nomads – spiced meats, roasted vegetables, and fragrant stews. Continuous laughter and drinks were passing from one to another.
Amidst the celebration in the middle of City Hall, nomads embraced the rhythmic beats of a traditional dance. A circle formed spontaneously, and energetic individuals, adorned in colourful fabrics, stepped forward to perform the nomad dance.
The dance was a lively expression of their nomadic spirit, with swift footwork and graceful twirls. Each dancer moved in harmony with the pulsating drum beats, their bodies moving in sync.
A bit away from the lively celebration at City Hall, a campfire blazed fiercely, casting its warm glow on the faces of three women and two men gathered around it. The crackling flames danced in harmony with the distant sounds of music and laughter.
crackling
crackling
In the glow of the fire, a man with a bulky body was engrossed in a playful game, using sticks to manipulate the flames. His mouth slightly curled upwards with the rhythmic beats of the nomad dance echoing from the celebration.
Nearby, three women sat on logs, their eyes fixed on the dancing flames, occasionally glancing toward the distant festivities.One of the women was deeply engrossed in conversation with another, their faces illuminated by the flickering light.
The third woman seemed lost in thought, gazing into the heart of the fire as embers floated upward into the night sky.
"What do you think happened for the chief to show such expressions and of today's ordeal?"
The bulky man, toying with the dancing flames, suddenly spoke with an eerie glow on his frightening face. Tanek, the seasoned tracker, with his massive figure, slightly curly brown hair, and yellowish eyes, spoke his focus still on the fire.
Suddenly, a bunch of pairs of eyes shifted toward Tanek, and the ambient murmurs dwindling into silence.
Tanek, engrossed in playing with the dancing flames, looked up, sensing the collective gaze fixed upon him. A moment of stillness enveloped the campfire area. Feeling the weight of the quiet attention, he couldn't help but blush beneath his fearsome exterior, noticing his thoughts were spoken out loud.
"Hahaha, Tanek don't joke, chief is always like that, isn't he Kael?" asked Lyra looking towards her identical twin and big sister. ( just by 2 mins though )
Kael who was watching the flickering fire, looked up noticing the group looking at her, she slowly fixed her hoodie, feeling a bit cold,
"I don't know," she answered in a low voice while standing up from the campfire and moving towards a quiet corner.
"Boo", seeing her sister avoiding the topic, Lyra slumped down for a moment.
Suddenly, her eyes flashed and shifted towards a figure sitting next to her.
The figure was a beautiful woman around 30s possessing a rich, dark complexion that exuded a quiet strength. Adorned with an array of jewels that shimmered in harmony. A staff, intricately carved and adorned, by her side. Her eyes closed as if she was engrossed in a deep thought.
"Mara, what do you think? oh oh are you having some vision, tell us tell us", Lyra excitedly jumped near mara noticing her lost in deep thoughts and started to shake her by her shoulder.
"Stop stop", Mara who opened her eyes couldn't help but push the excited hunter a bit away. She sighed noticing the hunter was stopping her rampage and sitting with her sparkling eyes glued to her,
"Well, I did have a vision when the chief introduced the child…
Kael who was eavesdropping on the conversation from a bit away also perked her ear. Same with everyone near the fire.
"But… it was blurry like I couldn't see clearly. Sometimes he was standing ahead with his back facing us and something far darker in front of him, sometimes he was emitting such dark energy it was suffocating.
Before I could see anything properly I was pulled out of the vision and then chief changed in demeanour, I don't really know what to think of it all…. What's about you, Thorne ?"
Throne, the best sensor and the nomad connected to the spirit of wind, raised his eyebrow, his small stature moving as he shifted near the fire.
"Well, I too don't know much about what to think. Da-jo-jo did act weird while the chief was introducing the child. He seemed happy…"
"Hohoho, this is interesting"
A voice sounded as a woman in her 70-80s walked towards the campfire. Her white hair in a bun while her wrinkled face had an amusing smirk, her attire consisting of deer skin and some jewelleries.
"We greet the elder," Tanek,Kael, Lyra, Mara, and Thorne stood up acknowledging the presence of Nara, the elder and storyteller, also chief's wife.
"Ho ho ho, sit down childs, no need to trouble yourselves, you guys are the best of the tribes" said Nara as she took the empty log to sit on while looking at Tanek, Mara, Throne and the twins.
"Hmm, what were you guys discussing about huh, the prophecy child?", questioned Nara.
"Yes, yes do you know something Elder?", Lyra being the big mouth of the group couldn't help but speak up.
Everyone couldn't help but curse her under their breath for being casual with the chieftain's wife. Meanwhile, Kael reached for her blowgun at her waist, contemplating whether to put an end to this weight of the world called her sister.
"Ho ho, of course my child, I know, Do you wanna hear it?"
"Yes!"
"Right guys?"
Before anyone could process what had occured, Lyra jumped at the moment and answered while looking at them with her sparkly blue eyes.
The others looked at Kael, the carbon copy of Lyra really wondering how twins can be so different. One is a loud mouth while others a silent book.
"Yes, we would really love some clarifications, Elder,"
Throne voiced out while standing up and bowing towards Nara.
"Ho ho, sure sure, let's move over to my house, it's easy to talk there", said Nara while slowly getting up and moving towards her adobe.
Lyra, being the hyperactive girl, followed behind the storyteller excitedly while everyone slowly came in terms with what just occurred.
How did their campfire turn into something serious?
Noticing the figures of Nara,Lyra and Thorne moving away, they quickly followed.
As they moved away from the crowded inebriated nomads, they came across a modest home, which stood as a robust shelter made of pliable animal hides stitched together.
As they entered the cabin, they couldn't help but notice the thick wooden poles that formed a skeletal structure, standing tall and solid. A low-slung rug covering the ground inside the tent.
At the centre of the hut, a simple yet sturdy wooden table stood as a gathering area. Its surface, worn smooth by the touch of many hands. In one corner, a bed made up of furs and woven textiles was made neatly. Animal pelts, carefully arranged, providing both comfort and peace.
A well-built fireplace near the hut's corner radiated a warm glow that danced with shadows down the walls of the tent. Its stones give out a reassuring warmth. the aroma of burning wood, fostering a welcoming atmosphere for both kin guests alike.
As Lyra and others entered the hut, their eyes were drawn to the focal point around the hearth. Suddenly, the chief, seated on a modest chair adorned with woven patterns, sensed a shift in the atmosphere. With a subtle turn, he faced the entrance, catching sight of his wife and the stalwart members of their hunting team.
The chief's expression softened, and a twinkle of recognition lit up his eyes. The firelight flashed on the chief's wrinkled face as he rose from his seat, silently greeting his returning kin.
"Welcome back," the chief's wife greeted, her eyes reflecting both relief and pride. The hunting team, in unison, knelt before the chief, a silent acknowledgment to their leader.
Chief Orin, nodded appreciatively. "Your efforts sustain us. Rise, my friends" he spoke with a gravelly voice that carried the weight of leadership.
Lyra, ever animated, couldn't contain her enthusiasm. "Aye chief!"
She bounded over with an irrepressible grin. "How's the nomadic life treating you? What's the deal with that serious vibe earlier? Did a sandstorm ruffle your feathers? Or did you run out of the good stories to tell by the campfire? Spill the sand, Chief!"
Chief Orin, though visibly touched by the warm welcome, couldn't help but cough a few times, his gravelly voice momentarily betraying the harsh realities of nomadic life. His wife, sharing a knowing glance with him, couldn't contain her laughter.
Admist the chuckles, she gestured to the others, inviting them to join around the wooden table. "Come, sit, and let Chief catch his breath."
Others feeling a bit awkward by Lyra's frankness couldn't help but slowly take a seat by themselves while Mara pulled Lyra with her to sit around the table.
Nara, seeing her husband still standing, went over to him.
"Dear, what's the problem?"
Lost in reverie, Orin jerked when he felt his wife's hand resting on his shoulder.
"Nothing at all, Nara. It's time for me to tell you the truth."
"The truth ?"
Orin moved to the front of the table, signalling for his wife to join him. Nara hurried over and sat down on the last chair.
With a solemn air about him, Orin moved to the front of the table. Bringing his hand to his weathered face, he rested his chin on it, casting a serious gaze upon the gathered nomads. The flickering firelight highlighted the lines etched on his face.
As he took a deep breath, the air in the room turned heavy with anticipation. The playful atmosphere from earlier faded, replaced by a sense of gravity that echoed in the crackling flames and the shadows dancing on the tent walls.
As Chief Orin was about to speak, his eyes shifted towards the entrance of the hut. In a quiet tone, he beckoned,
"Seraphina, why don't you come inside."
A collective hush fell upon the room, and the nomads turned their heads in surprise. Even Throne, known for his keen senses, displayed a flicker of shock, realising he had failed to sense Seraphina's presence until she was explicitly called upon.
,
Blake's Grand Return and Review Request
Hey Everyone,
Guess who's back in the writing saddle? That's right, it's your scribbler-in-chief, Blake! I missed the chaos, and I hope you did too.
Now, I need your honest take on things. I've been weaving chapters with the help of AI to polish my non-native English. How's the blend working for you?
Does it feel like a seamless dance between artificial finesse and natural storytelling, or does it scream 'robot takeover'? Your insights are my compass in this vast world of storytelling so drop those comments and guide this ink-stained ship.
And speaking of consistency, we're rolling with three chapters per week at 10 Pm (GMT45).
Procrastination is still lurking, but I've got my ink-stained shield ready.
Drop your comments, share your insights, and let's dive back into the chaos together. The adventure is just getting started!
Ink-stained returns,
Blake