From the golden sands, to the marbled streets (Satish)

[Haben]

Just outside Ahnatep 1st of Winter, 511 AV "Living in the lap of luxury isn't bad, except you never know when luxury is going to stand up" - Orson Welles

[Haben]

The early light of dawn found the Benshira shaving just outside of his tent, the scraggly beard that had come to being falling in tufts around his feet. He wiped the blade of the razor in the small pool of olive oil he cradled in his palm before brining it up to his unkempt left cheek and scraped at it meticulously. It had been just over a ten-day since last he shaved but the buddings of a beard came quickly, and in odd patches that caused his face to itch fiercely. Even with the discomfort it was not the sole reason he shaved himself, though it made the action that much more necessary. No, he shaved this day for he planned on a visit into the city his father's tent found itself near, and for the first time, he was to visit it alone. It had been seasons since last his families tents had crossed near the towering walls of the city, and even longer still since he had lasted visited, for that time was years in the past and under the strict guidance of his mother, and eldest sister. He had seen twenty summers now though, and with so many years under his belt, and the vibrant air of youth ever increasing the strength in his form, he felt comfortable crossing the sands and entering the city alone and unescorted. Besides the sights the city offered, he had more of a notion to explore the city of his own will, and there where things he needed, things he was hard pressed to find a relation to trade for, and in the walls of Ahnatep he was self assured he could find what he sought and maybe something more. With one last pull across the narrow slope of his neck and chin, he sheared off the last of the clinging hair on his face, and after wiping down with a cloth, he stowed away the razor neatly back in his pack before turning back around and heading towards the cluster of people he could see were his father, and younger sister surrounded by bowls of fruit, loaves of bread, small jars of honey, and over the fire a simmering pot of tea. Words came from the pair hushed and soft as Haben glimpsed a bit of conversation between father and daughter before he himself stole upon the pair. Not one to interrupt their conversation, he sat down quietly across from his father, and took from the bowl just off to the side of them a sliced loaf of bread, and a knife, basting it with honey before popping into his mouth and chewing silently. His father was the first one to turn attention towards him, and the first to speak, though he watched his sister excuse herself with a gesture well before Jarob spoke up. "Falim Haben, and how does the new day find you?" Under his father's gaze, Haben smiled and swallowed before answering the man. "It finds me well, refreshed, and well prepared for my visit to Ahnatep" His words came out sure about his path, the road he so chose to travel, for he had already spoken about it with his father previously, and it had been arranged for another to take his place amongst the goats while he attended to business in the city. He was a man now, well capable of making his own decisions, and making sure things where taken care of in his stead, but it would be the first time he would be out of the sight of a relative, his first strike out alone, and Haben knew it was more that a bit for his father to think on. Were it not for his capability with a sling, and taking care of himself, he mused his father might have flat out disallowed such a venture alone into the huge city, but such was not the case, and his father trusted him. "Good then, Menai is watching the goats in your stead, and you have seen her with the sling, they are in good hands" Jarob chuckled, his eyes brilliant with wrinkles of age and wisdom to accent them. With a simple inclination of his head, Haben nodded, and took another bite of his bread, chewing thoughtfully as he watched his father rise and pour two steaming cups of tea for the both of them. A smile came to his face as he could smell the strong sweet smell of the herbs wafting from the amber liquid as the cup was placed in front of him, and plopping the last of the bread in his mouth he hastily washed it down with a spirited gulp of the spicy liquid. For a time his father and himself busied themselves with eating, picking at the figs, and eating their fill of bread. As his belly began to fill, Haben reclined back on one elbow to look towards his father, his free hand cradling a fresh cup of the precious tea as he finished chewing. "Bethell wished to go with you, but I let it be known to her you wished to go alone on this one" His father suddenly announced, interrupting the comfortable quiet so abruptly that Haben reflexively swallowed. "On the morrow I'll take her then" Haben retorted, taking a large gulp of his tea to wash down the burning surprise, and even more bitter words that came to mind to tell his father what he though of such a statement. "You are still yet young, though so set in your ways already.. You mistake my words for I do indeed trust you. I only mean to bring to the light that there are those that look up to you, though you are quick to assume I mean to undermine this action you are determined to do alone." Came his fathers' cool reply, the elderly man standing up then to tower over his son. "Leave all the negativity that festers in you heart behind in Ahnatep my son, and find yourself a better man for it" With those words he left Haben laying across the sand, words caught in his throat that would never come, and a regret for saying that which did. * * * * * The sun was yet climbing in the sky when Haben found himself far from the tents of his ken, and closer still to the gates of Ahnatep, the walkway itself loomed just feet from where he stood in the sand. He bore not his backpack and rucksack, finding it better still to leave those behind and carrying only with him on his journey, his sling, the a handful of lead balls to load in it if needed, and his pouch of mizas for he had little in the way of trade, but in currency he had amassed quite a bit from selling over the years. Slowly he paced forward, till at last his feet found the solid marble of the walkway, and his eyes kept directed towards the magnificent sight before him, the enormous walls spread high above him. The words from his father rang ever in his ear, but found themselves muted when confronted with such splendor. He found himself walking again, but towards what only the unfolding of the day would tell.

[Satish]

1st Winter, 511 AV From far i could see the giant buildings and the vast walls of Ahanatep, once i herd from one of the elders of my tribe about those unbelievable contructions but i never could imagine that it was so impressive. Even mile away it was like that those imposing statues was watching me approaching, their eyes was warning anyone with unfriendly intentions about the punishment that was waiting for them. The fatigue of my half season of travel disappeared just by the sight of this city. At the base of the gates, what was giant became colossal. the walls of the city was higher than anything i ever seem. could it be really made by mortals? isn't it a present from gods? even questions like this started to appear on my head but i knew the answer, the Wayhali told us that this city was made by Eypharians, men of many arms. i never saw one of them, but i can say for sure that they're incredible architects. this breath-taking sight made me keep gazing it unaware of the surroundings.

[Haben]

Haben pulled the tip of his hood forward to better block the soon that seemed to angle itself for the sole purpose of blinding him. He walked not alone he knew now, for obsidian statues lined the crafted path to either side of him, their bodies rigid and posed so to look as if they where frozen stiff walking towards the city. Just ahead, the enormous statue of a six armed woman loomed over him, her hand's bearing totems of a sort that he suspected had some sort of relevancy to the citizens of the city much like these much smaller statues did. The sight was breathtaking for certain for in the harsh lands that was the dunes of the desert sand, such a structure was a rare sight on the horizon, and to be so close to one was to remind just how small you could seem in the scope of things. The gates seemed to grow taller and wider with each passing step, and when he squinted under the shade of his hood he could just barely make out the forms high on the wall that served as guards of flesh and blood for the city itself. His eyes wandered down from such lofty heights though to gaze back at the wide open doors of the gate, and the small portion of the city he could make out sprawled just before that entrance. Forms hustled now to and from the magnificent city, but to where he could not know. Others huddled far from the walkway but they bore little interest with their posturing to speak so openly. Just ahead of him he saw another's form cross the threshold between the mighty gates, one bearing no shoes from which to cover his feet with. A few hurried paces forward put him in line with the man, and inclining his head slightly to the man he to let his eyes wander the architecture the man's eyes seemed to devour. "Well met, been here have you?"

[Satish]

1st Winter, 511 AV "Well met, been here have you?" A voice suddenly pulled me from my thoughts, I looked for the owner of this and saw a man wearing white cloth appearing from the opposite side of Kawak. his crystalline eyes and his words revealed that he was a Benshira. With his presence I finally understood that I'm the outsider here, this thought was a bit disturbing, even in the desert i wasn't an outsider, this is the first time. I remind myself the Shiber Language to understand what he said, I had other contacts with his people before, mainly merchants, what helped me learn their words. "Hello and no, I've never been here before. my name is Satish, nice to meet you."

[Haben]

Falim, Satish and good to meet you, I am Haben, of the tents of Jarob, of the sons of Benah" the Benshira spoke, his head turning to meet the eyes of the Chaktawe that walked beside him. It struck him as a bit odd that this one was alone, but his knowledge of the people was hardly a trickle so perhaps this was the norm for these people. He himself was after all traveling very much alone into the city after all and how was he to know if the man had family near or not. His own tents were but less than a half a days walk from the city, just across the sands, close enough to offer safe enough passage for himself though he had carried his sling handy in the case of some predator stealing upon him in the sands. Now that he was in sight of the magnificent walls, he had no need for a loaded sling in his hand, nor any reason to keep himself tense and wary for these people hardly posed a threat to travelers. His smile was genuine when he looked back at Satish. "All is well, I have been here but a few times so the city is still yet fresh to myself. How far across the sands have you been brought?" Haben asked as they continued on through the gates and further into the safety of the city walls. A few paces within though he found himself suddenly stopping and looking at the chaktawe questioningly. For so long he had been amongst his people he'd forgotten his language was not the tongue everyone spoke, that others had their own native language as well. Scarlet raced across his cheeks as he offered a deep bow to Satish, only speaking when he had stood straight up from his bow. "My apologies, I've been in the desert so long I have forgotten my manners. Would you like to switch to Twana? The language is still a bit strange on my tongue but I know enough to get by"

[Satish]

1st Winter, 511 AV It is a surprise to see such a polite Benshira. well, all my previous contacts with them was by competing livestock or bartering stuff, no one can show it's best nature on both situation. I hope they are all friendly like this man. Thank you but I am the outsider here, there's no need to worry about your words. moreover, I am here to learn so by talking Shiber your would be making me a favor. But please, do not offend yourself if by any means I lack on manners or misunderstood you, it will be caused by my ignorance, not bad intentions. Yes, the hardness of the desert almost made me forget about it, I am here on Ahnatep to earn the knowledge to travel further on the world. back on my tribe I could not learn enough due to it's isolation from the rest of the world. I am from Kalanue tribe, from the campsite that I started my travel until now I was able to see the sunset about forty times. this place is unknown to me as it is beautiful, do you know if I am allowed to enter with my horse?

OOC: Added [b] on speech for easier visualization.

[Haben]

His eyebrows raised slightly upon hearing him speak about the miles he had traveled, and trying to not embarrass his new found friend with how impressed he was, he hid the smile, and instead concentrated on the city before them. "Well met then, I hazard a guess you can bring the creature in there, but how much the men would press you to pay for such a charge remains to be seen. No fears though, I carry coin for precisely such occasions. The people of this city seem to prefer metal over useful supplies, odd I know." He said, his smile etching thin lines into his weathered tan features. This one seemed a good enough sort, and well spoken at that. After so many days alone in the desert, he would think the man with his wits lost, but the man seemed sound enough. Then again his people were made of hardier stuff than a visiting human, but it was none the less astounding. "What else you hope to learn from the city besides some chance Shiber from traveling Benshira?"

[Satish]

1st Winter, 511 AV "I appreciate your kindness for offering aid but do not worry about money, I worked hard on past years to earn money enough to avoid this kind of issue." He said, friendly winking to the helpful Benshira. "Besides, the Wayhali, our leader, explained to me about these metals so I do not think it is odd but fascinatingly useful way of trading." I am very happy, thanks to the Eagle Lord my first contact in this city is with such a friendly and helpful Benshira. Maybe the Wayhali's stories about greedy men outside the tribe was all lies and beauty of this place is a reflection of the soul of the people living here. "First I would like to understand the culture of this city so I do not cause any mistakes but I am here to learn everything i can so that I may have better comprehension about the things the Lord taught my people and maybe, if I am good enough, help my tribe improve."

[Haben]

"Indeed, to each his own friend" Haben waved, passing into the city with less attention than he had first showed. He himself had brought no supplies to barter with for precisely that reason, but it didn't necessarily mean he had to like using the metals any more. Out in the desert sands they were unnecessary weight and here with it, a lesser man could be kind for a day only to end up a pauper the next. At least that was what his father said, and in both observations, it seemed quite the nasty thing. Still he kept such musings to himself for there was no reason to argue with a stranger of the usefulness of coin when he'd done nothing to offend. "Learning is a good thing yes, and it seems you have a wholesome goal. I pray Yahal guides you in your endeavors." Haben said smiling.