Eudaimonia: Maya's Journey

The Wasabi Desert

Larsen went through all their possible options with them. He explained to them that crossing the desert without a guide was a suicidal idea and he offered his services at a competitive price. For one gold coin, he would provide animals to mount, provisions and adequate clothing, and he would accompany them through the desert.

After two days, everything was ready and they couldn't wait to leave this insane place. Everywhere they went they were harassed into buying something or invited to see the weirdest shows.

Draped in light linen, and with white turbans around their heads, they walked outside the city and took their first steps into the desert, where they mounted their animals. Beramute climbed onto a rhinoceros, the only animal capable of supporting him, North was on Melo, and Maya on Utaka. Lastly, Larsen climbed up onto a freshly bought camel.

He warned them that for safety reasons, it was of the utmost importance never to use the same path. With the road he had mapped, he planned to reach Mazake within three to four days.

They started their journey, sometimes on the back of their animals and sometimes on foot so as not to overtire them in the harsh conditions. The constant burning sun and walking on the sand was very demanding. In front of them was an infinite number of dunes, they had nothing else to do but to walk through them towards their goal.

On the second day they crossed the path of a caravan of Nomadis. The Nomadis were a group of people who continually made the journey between Mazake and Bispolis. They were either merchants themselves, or they provided escorts to merchants. They were all on camels' backs and travelled in large numbers. They were dressed in simple brown tunics, with matching turbans around their heads, which obscured all but their eyes.

The little troop stopped to salute them. As daylight was slowly dying, the Nomadis invited them to spend the night with them. So, they assembled the tents and everyone gathered around a fire. After a very generous meal, a traditional mint tea was served and they all smoked the hookah. The Nomadis were well known for their hospitality, always very welcoming with strangers they met along the way. Sanaar, their leader, with the hookah in hand, his face illuminated by the fire, told the story of the firsts Nomadis.

Maya was hypnotised by the old man and she watched intensely. He was skinny and small; he had deep cheeks, big black eyes, and a grey pointy beard. He commanded respect. He had everyone's attention and the atmosphere was warm and bewitching.

"Over five hundred years ago, Anishi and Altador were in conflict, and their doors closed to each other. Back then, it was law in Altador to ban all the criminals of the kingdom. As a punishment they were sent to the Wasabi Desert. Most of them didn't survive in those harsh conditions, a few reached Mazake and found refuge there. The remaining survivors gathered together and learnt a way to survive in the desert. For the latter, the desert became their home; they knew how to live with its precarious conditions. When the frontiers reopened and commerce resumed between the two nations, the descendants of the criminals exploited their knowledge.

"What was once a curse became a blessing, we became rich, and we are often referred to as the kings of the desert. Despite the noble reference we have grown humble, a strong philosophy of redemption dominates our every action, our every decision. We Nomadis are warm and welcoming towards anyone. Every stranger we meet must be treated like a prince, like one of our own."

He paused for a moment and his face became concerned, more serious, and almost sad.

He took a long puff from the hookah, looked around, and exhaled before resuming the story.

"However, our philosophy did not please all the descendants and some had grown resentful of their fate. A scission happened and two distinctive clans were born... the Nomadis, who use their skills to help people and live peacefully, and the others, the Ashkenaz, who are our dark brothers. They are renowned for their cruelty. They always operate at night and attack travellers' camps, especially the merchants brave enough to attempt the crossing without Nomadis' help. "The Ashkenaz rob them of all their possessions; goods, food, animals, they never leave anything behind. In most cases they have the courtesy to spare peoples' lives, because they know their chances of survival are almost non-existent. A long and suffering end, like our ancestors."