Bauhala was never welcoming to outsiders. The Hutua people weren’t keen on speaking to anyone other than their own kind as they had seen too many cities, as well as their citizens, as a threat to their lifestyle and Asayis’ oasis, a holy site. But they were always open to trading with other cities. Bauhala is a blessed city with unique spices and the most beautiful silk. They had not forgotten their roots either, so livestock was plentiful. Their rule for trade was that everything had to take place outside of the city walls and royal guards had to be present at all times. It’s just how it’s been for years.
A’kaia was truly his father’s son. He had always been curious about the world outside of the city’s walls. Unlike Hassan, the young lord was never bold enough to leave their home and explore what was out there. As a child, he did his best to peek outside the gates at the foreigners as they offered goods in exchange for their own. The shaman was always impressed at the time with what he believed to be silly looking men and women. A’kaia didn’t know those same people would play some sort of role in his later life.
A’kaia didn’t know what he would do without his father’s guidance. He behaved as regent, however, Hassan would call orders from his bed every once in a while when he saw it fit. Through his own web of spies, he was capable of getting a message out to a vizier of the empire. A short and sweet message:
We invite the Princess of Narufi'ti into our city for a brief conference during our next trade. Please leave any and all weapons outside of this sacred city.
Sincerely,
Your sister tribe
The message was brief and a bit informal considering the vizier’s position. But Hassan was hoping the princess would honor the relationship their ancestors once held.
Back when the Hutua were no more than wandering people, they often settled on the coast to interact with the Mchawi. They not only bargained goods, but swapped stories and spoke highly of their goddesses amongst each other. The Hutua have a fear of the sea, so not too many are willing to cross it. They liked hearing about it and only settled near the sea to greet what they considered lifelong friends. The bond between the people was perhaps ruined when they decided to build a city around their goddess’ oasis and never leave due to a past shaman’s vision. A’kaia’s father always spoke about that broken bond and perhaps rekindling the very relationship.
~~~
Guards in shining gold armor would greet the princess outside the gates, expecting her to do as the message told her. They would briefly look at each other, but never utter a word as they awaited. A word wasn’t uttered to Noelani, who they couldn’t view as anything more than an outsider. After further inspection, the guards would make a deep throat noise and the gates of Bauhala would slowly open revealing a gorgeous city made of sandstone and limestone. Large buildings were connected by bridges and there was tapestry hanging everywhere, each telling a different story about their goddess.
The guards would lead the princess to a pulsing oasis in the middle of the city, changing a slightly different color of blue constantly. A’kaia would be leading a harmonizing chant with elders of the community as he held a baby in one arm and used the other hand to cover the child’s face. “May Asayis bless you and our ancestors lead you on a path of success.” He said, ending the chant and throwing the baby into the oasis. A’kaia watched as the baby eventually began floating and swimming.
A’kaia didn’t have to look at Noelani to know that she was there.
“You don’t know how happy we are to know that you’re here.” He wasn’t referring to the Hutua people either. A’kaia was beginning to feel a resurgence of energy. The shaman could almost hear a choir sing and a breeze go by as a confirmation. “They are pleased with us. Let us hope we do not disappoint, princess. He extended a lengthy hand covered in jewelry and with fingers painted in gold to her. A’kaia hoped they could holds hands only briefly so that he could read her better.
A’kaia was truly his father’s son. He had always been curious about the world outside of the city’s walls. Unlike Hassan, the young lord was never bold enough to leave their home and explore what was out there. As a child, he did his best to peek outside the gates at the foreigners as they offered goods in exchange for their own. The shaman was always impressed at the time with what he believed to be silly looking men and women. A’kaia didn’t know those same people would play some sort of role in his later life.
A’kaia didn’t know what he would do without his father’s guidance. He behaved as regent, however, Hassan would call orders from his bed every once in a while when he saw it fit. Through his own web of spies, he was capable of getting a message out to a vizier of the empire. A short and sweet message:
We invite the Princess of Narufi'ti into our city for a brief conference during our next trade. Please leave any and all weapons outside of this sacred city.
Sincerely,
Your sister tribe
The message was brief and a bit informal considering the vizier’s position. But Hassan was hoping the princess would honor the relationship their ancestors once held.
Back when the Hutua were no more than wandering people, they often settled on the coast to interact with the Mchawi. They not only bargained goods, but swapped stories and spoke highly of their goddesses amongst each other. The Hutua have a fear of the sea, so not too many are willing to cross it. They liked hearing about it and only settled near the sea to greet what they considered lifelong friends. The bond between the people was perhaps ruined when they decided to build a city around their goddess’ oasis and never leave due to a past shaman’s vision. A’kaia’s father always spoke about that broken bond and perhaps rekindling the very relationship.
~~~
Guards in shining gold armor would greet the princess outside the gates, expecting her to do as the message told her. They would briefly look at each other, but never utter a word as they awaited. A word wasn’t uttered to Noelani, who they couldn’t view as anything more than an outsider. After further inspection, the guards would make a deep throat noise and the gates of Bauhala would slowly open revealing a gorgeous city made of sandstone and limestone. Large buildings were connected by bridges and there was tapestry hanging everywhere, each telling a different story about their goddess.
The guards would lead the princess to a pulsing oasis in the middle of the city, changing a slightly different color of blue constantly. A’kaia would be leading a harmonizing chant with elders of the community as he held a baby in one arm and used the other hand to cover the child’s face. “May Asayis bless you and our ancestors lead you on a path of success.” He said, ending the chant and throwing the baby into the oasis. A’kaia watched as the baby eventually began floating and swimming.
A’kaia didn’t have to look at Noelani to know that she was there.
“You don’t know how happy we are to know that you’re here.” He wasn’t referring to the Hutua people either. A’kaia was beginning to feel a resurgence of energy. The shaman could almost hear a choir sing and a breeze go by as a confirmation. “They are pleased with us. Let us hope we do not disappoint, princess. He extended a lengthy hand covered in jewelry and with fingers painted in gold to her. A’kaia hoped they could holds hands only briefly so that he could read her better.
