Shackled

Dwindling

The third moon has passed, the people have boosted the progress of the construction of Gabriel's settlement. There is minor work left to be done. Tikal's people have had sufficient rest but not the quality they expected. To avoid conflict, the leader's slept in separate areas, despite Gabriel's offer for Tikal to stay with him. It's now time to continue on our path. Nomads should never settle. Complacency is a poison.

The chieftess exits the cart that she's been sharing with the newest addition to the tribe, Anaris. The witch is still sleeping while Rashad awaits his leader at the new barrier wall  of the nearly complete town. He greets her with a bow and she playfully shoved him for being overly formal with her. "Stop that," she says with joy spilling from her smile.

"I have to pay respect to my queen. It's the least I can do," he says. "I can't wait to get back on the sands."

"Me either. Mainly to get away from this detestable leader..."

"Where is Akef?" Rashad asks while looking back at the carts.

Tikal points at the only two story building in the area. "He stayed with the hog to keep the peace. You know... old people shit."

"Conversations over alcoholic drinks and opioids. Seems counterintuitive if you ask me." They joke more about the elders habits as they walk through the streets towards Gabriel's home.

"Chieftess!" a male voice calls out from behind them. One of the followers jogs up to them. "Are we leaving?"

"Yes. Gather the others while I discuss departure with the loser - I mean leader here," Tikal answers. "Sorry, that slipped out."

"I understand your distaste for him. He has been really chatty with a few of the others, getting awkwardly close," he says to his leader.

"Ignore it," she says. "We'll forget about him in time. Pack up but leave any mental baggage here." The follower nods before skipping off. The two youth continue until they reach the walkway before the other leader's large home. Akef is leaning against the wall next to its wooden walls. The clay front is dried and has four cutouts for windows, two on each side. Akef waves them over.

"We should be setting out soon," Akef says. "Keeping this guy company has been one of the hardest things I've dealt with in this life."

"I'm sorry, Akef," Tikal says, trying to hide a grin. "Now, I understand why Lao could only stay with him one moon. Especially if he's aggravated you to this point."

The door opens and a female walks out, half dressed. She's followed shortly after by Gabriel. He's not wearing a shirt and he rubs his belly as he waves the girl away. "Too much noise for you, Akef?" he jokes. Akef rolls his eyes and looks at Tikal with a disgruntled frown. "What's this meeting about?"

"We're leaving," Rashad answers.

"Our time here is over," Tikal adds. "We are rested and need to continue our travels."

Gabriel nods, "Okay, okay... It was nice having some company. I'll walk you out."

"No need," Tikal says quickly. "We already have someone gathering the people now. We'll see ourselves out. Thank you..."

Gabriel shrugs. "That's fine." He points them out. "Get going then." Akef stands and walks ahead of Tikal and Rashad. They walk a good distance back into the settlement. The streets are less populated and a large group stands near the entrance. As they approach the exit, Tikal turns and notices Gabriel following far behind them. She dismisses his awkwardness and turns her attention to the crowd.

"This can't be everyone," she mumbles while scanning the group. The same man that approached earlier comes up to her. He looks disturbed by something. "What's wrong, Jamal?" Tikal asks before he can speak.

"We have a pretty big issue, chieftess," he says. "A few of the followers... refused to join us."

"Did they oversleep?"

"No, ma'am," he says. "They have other plans for this place."

Tikal frowns. "What does that mean? They want to stay longer?"

Jamal struggles to say it plainly but as he find the strength to, Gabriel speaks from behind Tikal. "They want to stay with me. An actual leader," he says. Tikal turns around and tilts her head. Her frown is intensifying. "It's like I mentioned to you when you first got here. Sheep will flock to a great shepherd, and you are not so great."

He stands with the group of nearly thirty people that have decided to sever ties with Tikal and I as well by default. The seed he planted in that one follower has spread. Showing the weakness of some of the people claiming to be on Tikal's side. First the council members, now this. As a matter of fact, two of the three that left their post have joined this mongrel. It's interesting to see how drastic the point of views are in this one gathering of people that claim to be of the same following.

Tikal scoffs. "Seriously? You'd turn your back on your deity?"

"You consider yourself a goddess? How conceited..." Gabriel says while folding his arms.

"Shut your shit, you fat lump of cancer... this is your disease that you've spread," Tikal says angrily. Akef clears his throat after her outburst. Rashad chuckles. "My people will not dwell on this issue." She turns to the people waiting at the exit. "Before I continue, does anyone else want to show the strength of their faith?" They look at each other with whispers and mumbles coming from their group, but no one moves. She returns her glare to the crowd behind Gabriel. "Remember your decision today, heretics. You have put your hatred for me before your faith in Bazra. It is not I who is here to judge you. Know that she is watching and will not waste her blessings on those as weak as you."

"Talk as much as you'd like, Tikal!" a former follower says. He steps forward to be seen. It is the driver that fell prey to the vile words of this thief. "We are not interested in your promises. Bazra has not shown her hand in our tribe since the day your father passed. You do not share her favor. The following is dying with you!"

Rashad perks up after hearing that statement. "Is that a threat, you treacherous wretch!" His eyes begin to glow and he tries to advance towards the driver but Akef grips his collar.

Tikal puts a hand before him and he slowly settles down. "You have forgotten that the promises Bazra is similar to the other elder tribes. I pray your are not the harvest of the less friendly. The followers of Anubis and the Apophis are always looking for new, weak, unprotected congregations to prey upon." She turns around. "Good luck with your new allies, Gabriel. If they were willing to abandon a goddess, then you stand little chance at holding their trust." Tikal parts the crowd and exits the settlement.