The journey took them twenty eclipses of the sun. They marched and camped in the caves, and by the time they arrived at the springs Fury couldn’t wait to shake off the weariness of the trip.
The first activity upon arrival was for everyone to immerse themselves in the springs. Generally the tribes of Crais wore simple dry leaf belts, leathers and cocoons to cover themselves. But nobody bothered with such niceties in the springs. It was not about attraction, but rejuvenation and retrieval of the inner self that could be lost in the fiery world of Crais.
Fury lay in the warm water, a rock wall at her back and the spring stretching before her into the distance. They were at the deepest underground point of Crais where it was very dark, no light penetrating except for the centrepods that scattered the walls. The algae-like creatures cast small spheres of illumination.
Fury let the peace sweep through her, allowed her mind to expand and soar, to seek all that was denied it during the tough days under the suns.
No one spoke or interacted. Even Luiz was quiet beside her, which was unusual for her chatty best friend. The peace worked to keep the worry at bay for what the next day might bring.
Fury was not looking forward to the first meeting of the ten tribes. Drama wasn’t even close to describing the chaos.
Let’s hope my flames don’t come out to play this time.
Shouting echoed around the cavernous halls. The tribe leaders were discussing plans for dealing with the nomad wanderers. For many sun eclipses the tribes and nomads had had an amicable yet distant relationship. But from the moment the nomads had taken the first of the tribeswomen, war had been declared. Females had been sequestered to the underground caverns, no longer allowed to step above ground.
But still they disappeared.
“How is it that no one knows the reason for the abductions?” an angry female voice shouted from the middle of the group. “If we had this information, we could be better prepared.”
“The nomads know we only have the eclipse to leave the caves. They’ve made a point to disappear during this period.” Jordan, the high priest, spoke. “And they not only disappear, they manage to sneak in and steal our women while we hunt.”
For the first time since her last fire experience a true anger coursed through Fury. Her blood was starting to boil; she tried desperately to blank her mind.
Luiz gripped her hand, his presence sending calming tendrils through her. It wouldn’t help anyone if she burst into flames during this session. She didn’t know the women who had disappeared – her tribe had been spared so far – but that wasn’t really the point.
Women were the slightly more vulnerable sex. Smarter, in her opinion, but vulnerable. Especially if these nomad men were planning on including rape with abduction. No person should ever have to experience that type of degradation. It was an unforgivable sin and one they would pay for. She was determined that this end soon.
“Jordan!” The shriek echoed around the cavern, drawing the attention of all. “She’s gone ... they took her.”
A woman burst into view from one of the side entrances which led to the grotto. She tripped in front of the ornately clad priest. In one quick movement Jordan reached down and pulled the woman to her feet.
“Who, Mari-gold? Who is gone?” He sounded calm, although it still came out as a biting command.
Mari-gold was Jordan’s sister. Her black skin shone as she continued to shriek in a senseless manner.
“Excuse me.” Jordan addressed the tribes before he scooped his sister up and strode away.
They watched as he stepped into the water, and carried Mari-gold to the other side.
Murmurs spread through the tribes until the words finally reached Fury and Luiz. Some of the blessed women who tended the sacred grotto had been taken during this very session. Right out from under every tribe on Crais.
“They couldn’t have sent a clearer message; they do not fear us even in large numbers.” Luiz’s eyes were wide as he clutched at Fury’s arm.
“It could be that,” she acknowledged. “But what if it’s something even scarier? What if they’re getting desperate enough to take big risks?” She watched as chaos unraveled around them.
Men were trying to shepherd their women to safety, whilst the women were sharpening their daggers, prepared to search for their brethren. They tended to take offence at forced abductions.
“If that’s true, something tells me things are going to get worse, so much worse.” Worry lined Luiz’s eyes.
Fury could already see the battle looming on the horizon, and she couldn’t even use her flames to help. Not against the nomads. Dune’s warning was still fresh in her mind.