Eril's Story

Day 11

In the morning I ate a quick small meal with the family that had hosted me, helping with a few of the morning chores before heading back to the road. Everyone bid a warm goodbye, and I was told that while I was in Adura, I should look for a cousin of theirs who lived in the city - she was a bit eccentric, but a wholly hospitable person would be happy to help me get my bearings in the massive city. Giving my thanks, I departed the way I had come.

It was nice having peace in the land again, peoples hearts were open and generous now as it was before, instead of the fear and mistrust that conflict brought. The feeling of unity pervaded through all of mankind, it was all a family, the family of humanity. The kingdoms were bountiful and abundant and all those who perused material gain were rewarded richly, and with it they shared generously with all - not even to quell dire need, of which there was little, but to enhance their communities and the lives of those around them.

Even as a scribe, simply copying the words and images created by others, I had been well compensated for my work. And when I began my journey I was given many gifts and things I would need for travels from friends, there were even a few shop owners who were excited for me after I told of my plans, insisting on not charging even after I offered them money. Most people were aware that the gift of life was given equally, and were eager to share in it and pass on that energy. I prayed it was never lost.

At some point while walking I looked behind me and saw a giant dust cloud far off on the horizon, puzzled I kept going. Within a short while, the dust had doubled in size and there was a slight tremor in the ground. I could just make out many figures, back-dropped by the tan swirling mass of dust, rushing towards me. A few minutes later I was in the midst of a frantic herd of two legged beasts darting sporadically forward, a man riding one energetically keeping them all in something resembling order.

I covered my face to protect myself from the onslaught of dirt that was accompanying the rag tag procession. The rider bore down on me at full speed, letting up only a few mere feet away from where I stood, rooted by the spectacle of this manically happy looking fellow with a funny fuzzy animal companion glued to his shoulder. He lifted his goggles made out of crystal and lowered his flashy scarf, sticking out his hand, and introduced himself as Set.

Giving a sharp blast of a small horn he carried, the herd, still restless and fidgeting from their halted rampage, gathered closer around. We exchanged a few short pleasantries, explaining where I was headed, but then I was cut off mid sentence when Set asked with a wild look in his eye if I had ever ridden a Krudu. I had not, and judging by the windswept look of Set's pet and its blown back hair, it seemed to be quite a crazy ride. So when he offered with a grin for me to join him for the rest of the day, I agreed - working up my resolve, telling myself I had nothing to lose by saying yes.

After a flurry of instruction, I was sitting over the barren landscape on a twitching creature that has half bird half lizard. The pointers I got, didn't seem to adequately cover all the questions I had popping into my head at a rapid rate. Set asked if I had got it all. I began to raise a concern, but before I had completed my thought, with a devilish look, Set blew a blast of the horn. At the sound the creatures bolted forward. My heart plunged into my stomach as the inertia whipped my head back. Soon though, the rush of it had my adrenaline flowing and I let out a whoop of exhilaration.

Set led the charge down a small canyon, the thirty odd beasts falling into a loose thundering line, leaping over small boulders and occasionally running half on the canyon walls with their flexible hindquarters. Looking over I saw Set hunched over his mount like a madman, ducking and dodging overhangs, while his furry little companion clutched at the fabric on his shoulder, its leg frequently out in space behind its body as it clung on for dear life - though it was chattering loudly with what seemed to be excitement.

I couldn't count the miles we traveled like this, the creatures were faster than any horse I had ever ridden, seemingly having an inexhaustible supply of energy. After a while I began to adapt to the pace, loosening my clenched grip and jaw, feeling and moving with the flowing strides of my steed.

Late afternoon came and there was another horn blast, the company of animals and riders wheeled about, coming to an abrupt halt on an open piece of land. We had stopped by an oasis, and while the animals showed no signs of breathing heavy after all their exertion, they all crowded around a clear pool, noisily sucking up large quantities of water. We started setting up camp for ourselves, while the herd went about foraging - I saw Krudu gobble up a small rodent unlucky enough to wander by.

I asked Set how he had got his start in this enterprise. He explained that he had always been a herder. Even at a young age, he had an affinity for animals and a certain understanding, his parents had even let him travel abroad with shepherds, well before any of his peers had been allowed to. It had just been sheep at that time, but now he explained, he was branching out for more thrills, and a greater challenge - these creatures were hard but rewarding to work with, which made them rare, but extremely useful and loyal, which made the effort worth it. This herd would be very utilized by their new owners in the Western part of the kingdom.

We ate a humble meal together before finding our own spaces for the night. Sitting back by the fire, sore and drowsy, I watched as Set opened a small leather case, taking out an ornate kalimba. Sweet melodies emanated from the darkness where he sat, his meerkat swaying in the firelight to the soulful tune. A fitting end to such a wild hectic day.