Spring 45, 523 AV
Morning at the Sawmill
Morning at the Sawmill
“Bathe her?”
“Oh yes, my friend!” Lars smiled his easy grin. “Ashta are good at cleaning themselves but only to a point. Their legs and bellies can get quite mucky and the humidity can give way to all kinds of crud and bugs that might make them sick.” The millwright used his strong arm to motion at the crevices between the powerful legs of his herd and their large underbodies. Ebrashi could see the darkened areas and how all kinds of material had built up along these lines. “That’s where you come in!” Lars clapped him on the back with a heavy thud which gave the young man pause.
The golden eyes of the Benshira studied the animals from a distance. It felt a little intimidating to voluntarily put himself beneath the massive creatures. “But why Meena?” The question was rather casual in tone. “Several of the others are much more in need of a bath.” Ebrashi could see clumps hanging from under Tuka, the big bull. He appeared to have moss building up on his body like the trees in the jungle.
Lars chuckled. “Meena seems to like you.” The wisdom coming from the more experienced man was plain but not condescending. “Ashta are very sensitive creatures. They’re emotions are as complex as mine and yours. Take the time to get to know them and for them to get to know you.” He waved a hand towards the heifer who stood somewhat aloof from the herd. “Focus on Meena for now.”
Ebrashi turned to the well-built man and regarded him for a moment. His gaze was not on the lad at all but the herd. He was clearly proud of his animals and there was a love hidden in his dark eyes that was not hard to find. It reminded the young man of his father in a way. “I shall do it, maskam.”
Lars lifted his chin at Ebrashi. “What does that mean? Maskam.”
The Benshira bowed his head slightly. “It is a sign of respect for someone with knowledge and experience.”
Lars smiled and even blushed a little. “Well then…I shall have to try and be worthy of such a title.” He winked and moved on to deal with some business involving his mill and left Ebrashi standing next to a pail of sea sponges. The young man looked down and lifted the pail then turned back towards the herd.
Ebrashi bent down and yanked some of the grass free from a clump near his booted feet. He moved confidently but slowly across the clearing towards Meena who lifted her big head at the sight of the approaching human. Once he saw the recognition, the young man lifted the grass up where she could see it plainly against the white of his attire. Seeing the foliage, the heifer began to move calmly towards the tan young man even while he closed the distance. In a moment, man and beast were together and still. As before, Meena coiled her trunk around the grass and pulled it towards her mouth for a snack. Ebrashi smiled and let her take the offering then stroked his hand down the rough hide.
“Falim, Meena.” He said softly. “Care to go for a little swim?”
“Oh yes, my friend!” Lars smiled his easy grin. “Ashta are good at cleaning themselves but only to a point. Their legs and bellies can get quite mucky and the humidity can give way to all kinds of crud and bugs that might make them sick.” The millwright used his strong arm to motion at the crevices between the powerful legs of his herd and their large underbodies. Ebrashi could see the darkened areas and how all kinds of material had built up along these lines. “That’s where you come in!” Lars clapped him on the back with a heavy thud which gave the young man pause.
The golden eyes of the Benshira studied the animals from a distance. It felt a little intimidating to voluntarily put himself beneath the massive creatures. “But why Meena?” The question was rather casual in tone. “Several of the others are much more in need of a bath.” Ebrashi could see clumps hanging from under Tuka, the big bull. He appeared to have moss building up on his body like the trees in the jungle.
Lars chuckled. “Meena seems to like you.” The wisdom coming from the more experienced man was plain but not condescending. “Ashta are very sensitive creatures. They’re emotions are as complex as mine and yours. Take the time to get to know them and for them to get to know you.” He waved a hand towards the heifer who stood somewhat aloof from the herd. “Focus on Meena for now.”
Ebrashi turned to the well-built man and regarded him for a moment. His gaze was not on the lad at all but the herd. He was clearly proud of his animals and there was a love hidden in his dark eyes that was not hard to find. It reminded the young man of his father in a way. “I shall do it, maskam.”
Lars lifted his chin at Ebrashi. “What does that mean? Maskam.”
The Benshira bowed his head slightly. “It is a sign of respect for someone with knowledge and experience.”
Lars smiled and even blushed a little. “Well then…I shall have to try and be worthy of such a title.” He winked and moved on to deal with some business involving his mill and left Ebrashi standing next to a pail of sea sponges. The young man looked down and lifted the pail then turned back towards the herd.
Ebrashi bent down and yanked some of the grass free from a clump near his booted feet. He moved confidently but slowly across the clearing towards Meena who lifted her big head at the sight of the approaching human. Once he saw the recognition, the young man lifted the grass up where she could see it plainly against the white of his attire. Seeing the foliage, the heifer began to move calmly towards the tan young man even while he closed the distance. In a moment, man and beast were together and still. As before, Meena coiled her trunk around the grass and pulled it towards her mouth for a snack. Ebrashi smiled and let her take the offering then stroked his hand down the rough hide.
“Falim, Meena.” He said softly. “Care to go for a little swim?”
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