Incarnation | Wandering Stars Volume One

Chapter 5

NEAR BAHYITH

The following morning, Sariel had more visitors. He knew the previous night's confrontation would have one of two outcomes. Either the men of the village would return in greater numbers, hoping to overwhelm him by force, or they would come peaceably, bringing their elder to make an alliance with the powerful stranger. Sariel hoped the latter was true and that his demonstration was sufficient to prevent any further attempts at violence. When he saw the small group of Chatsiyram traveling in the open, his hope increased.

They walked slowly beside the stream, understandably cautious. The youngest men with smooth faces walked in front. They carried khafars in their clenched fists. Older males followed closely behind, with close-cropped, bearded faces that shifted continually, looking for additional signs of danger. When they were within speaking distance, the group halted. The young men in front parted into two groups.

The elder, whose beard fell well past his chest, moved forward from the back of the group. His hair and beard were braided and adorned with long blades of grass that made a swishing sound as he moved. He was slightly shorter and thicker than the rest, but his movements were still agile. Stepping to the front of the small delegation, the elder stood with his arms relaxed at his sides. He carried no weapon and remained silent. His eyes scanned Sariel from head to toe, but his face betrayed no emotion.

"Welcome," Sariel greeted. "I have food. Will you join me for a meal?"

The elder's eyes narrowed slightly.

A meal was a clear peace offering in their culture, but it was usually prepared by the women. Sariel was alone, and clearly not a female.

"We will eat with you," the elder replied after a long silence.

Sariel nodded and turned, motioning for them to follow. He led them toward his temporary dwelling where he had a small pile of fruit arranged on the ground, atop a bed of broad leaves. It represented a few hours of morning gathering.

The Chatsiyr males quickly gathered in a circle around the food and seated themselves on the ground. Without any formalities, each young man reached forward and took one piece. The man on the elder's right side grabbed two and handed one to the tribe's leader.

"You mean us no harm," the elder said, accepting the cone-shaped fruit. Then, without taking his gaze from Sariel, he expertly peeled the firm, red skin to reveal the edible flesh inside.

Sariel couldn't tell from the inflection whether this was a question or statement, but he thought it was a good place to start the conversation either way. "This is true," he replied.

"Why are you here?" the elder asked, then took a bite of his food.

"I have journeyed from far away. I came to help you and your people."

The elder stopped chewing and his eyebrows shot upward, then quickly plummeted. "Who sent you?"

"No one," Sariel admitted. "I am only traveling through your land. And if I am able, I will help anyone who has need."