The Unearthing (Book I of the Tebel Chronicles)

Chapter 4

True to her word, the next morning the woman came to Cyan's tent and made her change into similar robes to the ones worn by the desert women, although they were much simpler and far too big. She then put a veil on Cyan. There was a slit so she could see, but a faint material covered her eyes giving the world a vague, dreamlike quality to it. Well, at least I'll get to see a bit of the people around me – maybe figure out where the hell I am.

At first she had thought the eye-hiding veils were for the innocence of young women, but after the first bad wind, she realized they were travel veils worn for protection from sand. The desert woman unchained Cyan and led her to a horse outside the tent. She chained Cyan to the horse's cart, before calling some youths over to help her strike the tent. While they worked, Cyan watched lots of tents being taken down. She didn't see many of the desert men though – it was mostly women and children. Further back, tents stood untouched. She could hear sounds of people working close by, but couldn't see much beyond where she stood. Several small, darker–skinned children were examining her shyly from behind the safety of their caravans. A larger youth, seeking to show off, sauntered closer and threw a small stone at her before bolting back to safety. His aim was off and it hit the horse of another caravan. The owner screamed at the youth as he tried to get the horse under control. After that, they all left her alone.

Cyan's keeper came back after packing up the tent, she led the horse towards the caravan of sleds that were already leaving the area.

'Are the rest staying behind?'

'We go first – make new camp so rest come. Makes travel quick.'

'What's this –' Cyan tried to remember, 'Meet we're going to?'

'The good tribes of Lhifthans meet together every year. It is trading of goods and stories and also where not married youths can find other to marry.'

'Lhifthans?' Cyan asked, puzzled.

'Not know much,' the woman said grumpily, adjusting her veil with her free hand.

'Never heard of any of this,' said Cyan. 'I don't even know how I got here.'

'Lhifthans are people of desert – once only one big tribe, the Lhifthan Tribe, but now nine not so big tribes. My tribe, Mursite Tribe – biggest and strongest,' the woman said proudly. She then rattled off explaining how the desert tribes for various reasons had split away over the years. Any tribe that traded with people outside of the Furnia desert had been banned, while others seemed to elect to stay away from the Meet. Cyan's head spun trying to follow the desert woman's broken language as she explained the complicated politics of the desert tribes.

'Eythites are crooks and kill for fun – we kill them if we find them,' the woman finished off bluntly. 'Or worse, sell to Iebelians.'

Cyan shivered. The woman seemed too pleased at the notion of bloodshed and slavery. I don't think I like her much. Up to now, Cyan had been talking with the woman at the back of the caravan, noticing that many horses were being led in front of them by young unbearded men dressed as Cyan's captors had been days before. Behind her were families carrying either luggage or small children and leading what looked like a strange breed of camels burdened with belongings. She noticed that the desert seemed pretty much the same wherever she looked. Cyan felt herself drawn to it – a strange affection for the space and for the quiet. It was beautiful.

Everything about the desert scenery suddenly felt familiar – the camp, the people, even the sand. Despite her present situation, Cyan was surprised that she felt content here in the desert. The restless anxiety that followed her everywhere in New York was gone – as far removed from this place as cars and bridges and docks.

The woman turned and said, 'You lucky you have strange eyes – the men wanted to kill you. But we know your eyes will fetch good prices at the markets.'

'Kill me?' Cyan asked, surprised out of her contentment. 'For rescuing a horse?'

'For letting Echina go,' the woman answered.

'Echina?'

'King of horses,' the woman said in exasperation. 'You not know anything.'

Cyan grimaced. She was beginning to agree.

'You cost us much money in trading or racing Echina, but your eyes will bring us high money from Dothans. So not as much of a loss.'

Cyan had nothing to say to this. She was terrified whenever they spoke of selling her. What would happen? Who would purchase her? And for what? She shook her head suddenly. She mustn't let her mind dwell on the possibilities. Rather focus on escaping.

Later, when the campsite was set up for the evening, the desert woman collected Cyan as had been the practice before they arrived at the Meet. She led her to the ablutions tent but this time she left Cyan's travel veil on and Cyan was able to see the camp properly for the first time. She assumed that the woman didn't care if she saw the tribes travel camp. Overhead, the sky was dark with scattered clouds and beyond them Cyan could see the vast multitude of stars. She was moved by the spectacular array of glories. Cyan knew better than to hope that the clouds meant rain. A contentedness filled her as she remembered how thirsty and alone she had been. At least here she was fed, sheltered and had a semblance of company. But they plan to sell you! How is that different to Joel's plans? No, indeed, she must escape. The bright moon illuminated the campsite and Cyan saw many woman and children eating around a large fire in the center of the camp. There were a couple of men standing guard, but otherwise, she couldn't see many of the desert warriors. She wondered if this meant she should chance trying to escape while they travelled. And go where? She would need to steal a horse and provisions. Cyan glanced quickly at the tethered beasts. Two guards stood near them. Cyan sighed. As the woman walked her back from the ablutions tent, Cyan frantically tried to see if there was an escape route other than the guarded horses. The wind made the tents noisy and smoke billowed around the camp.

And then the clouds above the camp parted, revealing another two moons in the desert sky.

'Wha – what the hell is going on?!' Cyan cried, backing away in terror, her eyes not leaving the sky. The woman pulled her roughly by the chain. But Cyan resisted. The guards helped drag her and ended up carrying her by her bound arms back into her tent. Cyan didn't even notice the curious looks she got from the rest of the camp, who until now had ignored her. She only had eyes for the multiple moons in the dark desert sky. Two of the moons were large and round, although one was far larger than the other. The third moon was small and pale, its outline just visible against the dark sky. Around it were several brightly colored rings. Millions of stars speckled the cool night.

As the woman finished chaining Cyan back to the tent-pole, Cyan grabbed her robes. 'Please,' she pleaded, 'tell me where I am.'

The woman pulled her robes away roughly. 'Spoke you already, in Furnia Desert.'

'No! What's the world's name?'

The woman looked at Cyan as if she was crazy. 'Furnia, the only real desert on Tebel.'

With that she walked away, leaving Cyan with her confused thoughts and unfettered fears. Tebel?