17
(Wirnday - cont.)
Yezi’tra, Yezi’im – Yezi’tra Desert Museum
“This is the biggest museum in all of Yezi’im,” Benjan introduced as they began the tour of the Yezi’tra Desert Museum. “It will tell you all about the many aspects of living in the desert like we do here.” He looked across the group, finishing at Moxara who felt nervous and shifted slightly under his gaze. She couldn’t figure out what he was thinking, but it was clear it had something to do with her.
The group went into the museum and drifted separately from display to display, each sign written in both Yezi and the Common Tongue, informing about the ways people survived living in the desert.
Moxara looked at the first display showing how someone might find themselves alone in the desert – a hoverbil accident.
“I’m sorry,” came a soft male voice.
“Pardon?” she asked, looking at Benjan.
He suddenly looked at her as if he had forgotten she was there.
“Seems poignant right now, doesn’t it?” Benjan asked, joining her. “I had to help recover this accident – and knew the young lady who died, Tsia Uushin, the daughter of Haldi Uushin – I found her body.”
“I am sorry,” she said softly.
“Thing is, she survived the accident. The others died of their injuries. She died for not knowing how to survive the desert,” he said.
Moxara could feel the unshed tears. “So sad,” she replied.
“I made it my mission to learn all there was to know on how to survive in the Yezi Desert. I helped to bring courses into the schools so that all our children learn how to survive. It’s information that all Yeziling children learn. That’s why we do not give up hope that our missing Yeziling will be found alive,” Benjan said.
“But Zley daughter has not had dat training,” Moxara replied.
“I pray that Yez will be merciful to her,” Benjan said.
“Yez?” Moxara asked.
“The sand god,” Benjan replied. “He brings balance through the blowing sands.”
“Of dead?” Moxara asked. “How could one serve god like dat?”
“All gods have a soft side too,” Benjan said. “The same sands that scour things clean and cover life, also help the floods drain away leaving their nourishment behind. It keeps the fertile soil on our land and drains the plants.”
“I see dat,” Moxara said, thinking about life in the desert. It wasn’t something she relished. “So, you consider yourself Yeziling?” She imagined him participating in a kidnapping raid.
“I’m the grandson of a chieftain and cousin to Yth’n, so yes, I have a bit of an interest in the tribe, but no, I wasn’t planning on kidnapping you or any other woman.” Benjan grinned.
Moxara blushed. She wasn’t doing a good job of guarding her thoughts around him.
“Come, I want to show you something,” he said, heading towards the stairs.
Moxara accompanied him. They came out on the roof of the modest building.
“Here is our exhibit on all the crops and edible plants we have here in Yezi’im. You will see that even in the desert, we have an oasis of possibility!” he said proudly.
Moxara looked with wonder at all the different plants. Some were very small and humble.
“Try a piece,” Benjan said handing her a piece of the plant in front of her. “It’s a little spicy to deter the animals. Don’t tell anyone that I’m doing this, it’s not completely allowed. But I want you to know how good life is here.”
Moxara sampled the piece. It was spicy, but it was pleasant. She could imagine the little succulent leaf as part of a salad or an accent to soup.
“That’s exactly what we use it for. A little goes a long ways with that one,” he replied to her thoughts. “Try this little berry.”
She took the tiny black berry from his fingers. It was extremely sweet and pleasant.
“Wow!” she said, surprised.
“It’s a tiny little flavor packet, isn’t it? It grows in great abundance where it’s found though. We have this special picking tool that allows us to harvest whole handfuls at a time. It’s a favorite dessert ingredient here,” Benjan said.
“I am stunned by dis abundance in middle of desert!” Moxara said.
“I just want you to see how livable our desert is,” Benjan said, standing close to her.
“Why?” Moxara asked, instantly knowing the answer as he pressed his lips to hers.
“I want you to stay here with me,” he replied softly.
She tore herself away, her lips tingly from the kiss. “Can not,” she said.
“Why not? I can feel your heart trembling since the moment you laid eyes on me – same as mine has been doing,” Benjan said holding her arm.
“I … just can not,” Moxara said quietly pulling away from him again. She tried to look at more of the interesting food plants, but she was unable to concentrate. She thought about years ago… Tero Cless, a young man who worked in the restaurant there in Ilim City. Suddenly, tears were in her eyes.
“What’s wrong?” Benjan asked. “I’m sorry – I didn’t mean to upset you!”
Moxara shook her head. “Is not your fault,” she replied shakily.
He pulled her into his arms. “Whatever it is, I am willing to help you get through it,” he said softly.
“I finish looking at displays,” Moxara said, trying to regain her resolve.
“I can bring you back another day,” Benjan offered. “What has caused you such distress?”
“I not really want to talk about it now,” she replied thinking of the last time she’d been kissed… By Tero, sixteen years ago. Before the Disaster.
“In your time,” Benjan said, taking her hand. “Do you want to look at these other food plants?”
Moxara nodded. It would be good to distract her mind again. Away from the handsome man with her, though that might not be possible with him holding her hand. She felt the walls around her heart strengthening again as she pulled her hand away from him. It was best that way.
There were more salad plants. There were also roots that grew well in the desert, some of which had reservoirs of water that could refresh a weary nomad, Benjan explained. There were cacti with flowers or fruit that were edible and often medicinal as well. Tiny weeds that could extract poison. Spines that were useful for hooks, pins, needles, even nails.
“Is incredible how you find answer to every need right here,” Moxara said.
“I want to show you downstairs too – we have several nice gardens in the back,” Benjan said, taking her hand again and leading her down a different staircase.
This garden looked even more magnificent, full of huge flowering plants. “I feel I am in Omrill!” Moxara said with wonder.
“We can’t grow those plants here,” Benjan apologized. “But near an oasis, with plenty of water, we have many unique plants as well. Many of them grow big and showy.” He picked a large bloom and put it in Moxara’s hair.
She blushed before she could regain her composure.
“When’s the last time someone recognized your beauty, Moxara?” he asked, touching her cheek.
She turned away hastily, the tears threatening again. She scolded herself for her lack of composure.
He turned back to the flowers. “We have many of these flowers at our Complex. But if it was up to me, I’d live just outside Yezi’tra, with just enough land to have a few animals and a beautiful garden – just for walking around whenever I’d had too much sand for the day!” Benjan said.
Moxara felt her heart agreeing. She tried desperately to keep it out of her mind and off her face, the prospects were far too frightening. She was initially grateful when Tamryn and Alyona came out to the garden as well.
<There you are!> she felt Alyona say to her in Varkevandish. <With him? Are you okay?>
<I’m fine,> Moxara replied in kind, grateful to be momentarily released from Common Tongue.
<He oozes warmth for you,> Alyona grinned. <But you are troubled. Why?>
<Long story – not for today,> Moxara replied with a heavy sigh.
Alyona giggled as she relayed, still in Varkevandish, “Kivana wanted to know if you were ready for lunch. Oberti has invited us back to the Complex to eat, since CC Uushin is busy.”
“Sounds good,” Moxara replied, anxious to not be alone with Benjan anymore just now.
♥
If you have enjoyed this book, I would be grateful if you could put your thoughts as a review on Goodreads for me.
Other Chapters of this set
Acting the Part - chapter 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
Building on Promise - Chapter 1
Acting the Part, part 2 - Chapter 10
Spice of Strength - Chapter 1
Acting the Part, part 3 - Chapter 19
Sands of Survival - Chapter 1
Maps and Guides
- continents of Alacantis and Kranisis (five maps)
- continent of Almara (five maps)
- countries of Kri'enden and Yezi'im (four maps plus "other places")
- characters, pronunciation and glossary
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Lori Svensen
author/designer at A'mara Books
photographer/graphic artist for Viking Visual
verified author on Goodreads
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also on: Whaleshares, WeKu
