SABIS the SURVIVOR

Chapter 1: Layers Of Earth

Chapter 1: Layers Of Earth

After letting that solitary tear fall, Sabis felt as if a heavy load had been lifted from his body and mind. Instead of his feet feeling stuck in the thick and slushy ice-snow combination, they almost bounced off of the nearly never-ending glistening blanket of ice crystals.

"Mother Earth, I feel like I am swimming in this icy snow. What I would not give to feel the caress of the warm mineral pools of my home."

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The Volcanic Mineral Pools that the Survivor tribe members typically used were located in the area adjacent to the Stone Games Arena. Near to the plateau region, these pools were accessible to adults and warriors. Warrior instructors and their students could use the pools only after returning from a track and kill expedition. Sabis would relax in the pools after his track and kill warrior training sessions. Though the adjacent Sauna was restricted to those members age eighteen or over, exceptions were made for select warrior recruits.

One steam cycle, after a particularly exhausting track and kill, Sabis headed to the Mineral Pools with his warrior instructor, Gleavis. While descending into the lower cave systems, Sabis' eyes readjusted to the dark tunnels. As they navigated the narrow volcanic-rock stairwells, he started to count the stratified layers of rock and became lost in thought about the history of these rocks.

"Hey, Gleavis! How many rock layers are there in the plateau region of our cave system?"

"I don't know Sabis but I have the feeling that you're gonna tell me."

Sabis tapped the low-ceiling walls with his spear tip.

"I count seven. That is my lucky number. Hey Gleavis, I have a joke for you."

"Okay Sabis."

A skunk, a porcupine, a shaman, and a warrior enter into a bar. The bouncer requests a form of payment. So the skunk says, "I can pay you seven scents." The porcupines offers seven quills. The shaman slaps seven pills into the bouncer's palm.

Then the bouncer studies the warrior with his armoured vest, spear, wartis, and helmet. He smirks, looks directly at the warrior's face and asks, "What can you pay me?"

What do you think the warrior offers as payment?

"I don't know Sabis. Seven kills?"

"No."

The warrior spins around and kicks the bouncer's head so hard that his head goes flying across the bar and rolls into a trash can. Then the warrior exclaims for the other bar patrons to hear, "Never ask a warrior to pay for his way. Only Mother Earth can request payment from a warrior─a warrior's faith, a warrior's blood, a warrior's life."

Gleavis smirked and added:

"Sabis, maybe that warrior wanted to say to the bouncer, I'll give you seven holes in your head if you don't let me in right now!"

Feeling a bit giddy from his witty comeback, he let his tongue flap some more quips:

"Or maybe there also was a female dancer trying to get into the bar. She offered seven thrills. A blacksmith could offer seven drills."

In typical warrior style, he decided to outdo Sabis with a riddle of his own:

"Hey Sabis. What does an Elder offer to the bouncer?"

With a confused look, Sabis exhaled his response:

"I'm not sure. A prayer?"

"No. An Elder would never ever go into a bar! And neither would you, Sabis."