Thread: Student of Dune (DarkAngel & Sync)

RE Student of Dune Two men waited in the shadows at the edge of a small side-market in the backstreets of Arrakeen. They were clad in the robes of the desert folk, their cloaks a pale fawn-brown, as the sand, their hoods pulled up and covering their faces from the harsh morning sun. Although the city was built up around the people of Arrakeen, the heat and the dust were constant companions the shade and protection of the citys walls, and the Shield Wall, did little to stop these constant companions of Arrakeen life. The day was still young in Arrakeen. Stalls had opened in the backs of streets, shops had opened their doors, merchants were out spruiking their wares. The air was cool comparably so, for an Arrakeen morning, and people were dressed accordingly. People milled about the makeshift market place, coins passed hands as goods or services were purchased and paid for. Even though the day was young, it was already warm, foretelling a hot day ahead the gentle breeze that drifted through the streets made no difference to the heat of the air. The streets were covered in the dust of sand it permeated everything, the air, the ground, clothing, sometimes even food and drink, in spite of the heavy filtering of the latter two. The first man was, from his posture and movements, taller than the second, although not by much. The other, being the shorter although still tall at just over six feet in height was listening as the first spoke. The pair spoke in a tongue many around them did not understand, although most did tilt their heads to listen before shaking their heads in lack of understanding and moving on. Even so, the pair were recognised for what they were Fremen, from the deep desert. The trappings and bearing said as much, as did the single blade each carried on their thigh. They were not for trifling with, these Fremen, and they were given some space even as they stayed in their place by the edge of the market a desert Fremen would have no difficulty killing a dozen of the passers-by if he wished. For their part, the two men appeared to completely ignore the people moving around them as they conversed, although no-one would be so stupid to assume the pair were oblivious to, or unaware of, their surroundings. You must do this, Talgar, the taller Fremen was saying in the ancient Chakobsa tongue that had been preserved for these centuries by the Fremen people. This request came to us through the Naibs from the Reverend Mother Jessica herself. You are to take this girl-child into the desert and guard her life, guide her into adulthood. I understand this task that is being placed upon me, Talgar replied softly. But understanding that I must do a task does not make it sit well on my shoulders. I am to protect and educate one of the descendants of the Mahdi, our Prophet, to keep her from harm, to keep her safe from those who would end the line of the Atreides. That is correct, Tal, the taller Fremen replied. The Atreides have given we Fremen- They have ruined our home, Ravis, Tal countered quickly. They took from us the old ways and forced upon us this new way which is killing us slowly even as we stand here and talk about it. Ravis nodded his head slowly. This new way will be difficult for us all, he acknowledged, quietly and patiently. There will be no person alive, now or yet to be, who will be untouched by this new way. Weare its vanguard. I accept that I must perform this duty, Tal muttered under his breath. That does not mean I have to like it. Thischanging of our ways began when the Mahdi took our finest warriors and waged war on the universe. My Grandfather, my fathers father, died in that jihad so, too, did my mothers mother. Every Fremen lost someone in the Jihad, Ravis agreed. How you deal with it how you deal with those who were not yet alive during it will speak much of your character. The Jihad was not the fault of this girl-child. Tal didnt respond to that instead, he fell silent, wishing quietly that this girl-child whose name he did not yet know, even would hurry up and arrive. The sooner they met up, the sooner he could be back in the desert and on their way to Sietch Chondak, far to the south and west of Arrakeen.