The new ship

Part 4: The New Ship

The air was filled with praises and songs, the people were grateful for the water and proud of the pilots that risked their lives to capture it from the sky; music was already going on the entrances of the main plaza, and many of the people still followed Ellya and young Rollut as they moved through the streets. The green and purple colours of the Mabdish pilot contrasted drastically against the brown, red, and white of the locals. She smiled and was happy the people paid attention to him and not the heavy backpack she carried; still struggling a little with all the different changes that were coming their way.

The crowd in front of her suddenly move to give way to a tall muscular man dressed in the traditional combat garments of the Ishdad, his fierce look and the golden sword he carried at his waist left no doubt as to who he was, the powerful Sheik Hamal. 

- Skill and water (Said he, touching his forehead and lips) 
- May they never leave your side (Answered Ellya and Rollut at the same time, bowing their heads and performing the same gesture as the Sheik) 
- You returned earlier (The Sheik mentioned, and looking directly at Ellya he raised one eyebrow) I hope the hunt has been productive enough.

The crowd lower their cheers and the music stop as soon as the Sheik spoke

- My lord Hamal, the "Mouth" could hold no more water than the amount we carry,  as for the rest of the rain we couldn't collect, it was allowed to quench the thirst of the sands and nurture her children.
- Master Huffatl, tell me the numbers! (Exclaimed Sheik Hamal, pointing with his hand at the collector headmaster)

All heads were turned to the collector crew on their heavy carrier skiffs and their tubes, draining the precious water from the "Mouth" into the individual conservation containers.
- 20 bubbles so far my lord... it is a new record for the hunters!

With an amazing speed the Sheik took Ellya on his arms and gave her a powerful hug, as a father does when reunited with his children; while the street crowd around them bursted with victory screams and applause. Seconds after releasing Ellya, Sheik Hamal placed his right hand on Rollut's shoulder and asked him to follow them to the white tent, to speak with the elders.

Leaving the street to the regular crowd, the Sheik and his friends enter the first circle of the white tent, leaving their weapons with the guards before entering the main tent. Once inside Ellya and Rollut sat on soft individual carpet in the middle of the floor, while the Sheik took his seat at the front of the council. Before any word was spoken the Sheik lifted his right arm and a crew of young men and women entered the chamber carrying metallic pitchers, serving everyone a hot cup of Suri, to invigorate their spirits.

Seconds later, the silence of the white tent gave way to Ellya's voice; there she spoke of the route she had taken, of the violent storm that punished her vehicles, and also of the great skill of her pilots during the rain hunt. And while she spoke to the council of elders, her eyes keep looking for a face that was not among the crowd, a face wrinkled with age and full of wisdom that was always present at the right hand of the Sheik... The Dream Master of her people, Master Shura.

- I'm here! (Came a voice from the back of the tent, Master Shura moved to his placed smiling at the surprised look of the young pilots.) I hope the best part of the tale is coming! (Said the Dream Master, placing his staff on the floor while the rest of the elders laughed briefly at the comment) 

Ellya continued until the first part of her tale ended as she encountered Rollut, who then carried on, sharing with the elders the details of his trip and how he was selected by the Dream Master of his clan, who had a vision in which the desert sands were dying as if infected with poison, for just like a wound darkens with venom, the color of the sands also became black. New creatures sprang from the corrupted desert and moved against the clans; and just as the battle was about to start, a powerful battle skiff guided by a mighty warrior on golden armour make the creatures shake with fear. And as the skiff hovered among the corrupted sand, their natural color returned to the desert under the shadow of the skiff.

- That pilot was Ellya (Said Rollut, casting a look on he direction, while the elders exchanged looks; the Mabdish pilot pointed at her backpack) The dream continued with me, as I saw myself traveling over a road of thorns to deliver a green bottle to a champion of the Ishdad; and that is why I came to you bearing a gift for your clan.

Ellya opened her backpack and took the bottle out of the wooden protector, filling the inside of the white tent with a green glow as she showed the crystal bottle to the elders; not a single whisper could be heard as everyone's eyes contemplated the magical creature resting inside the delicate container.

- It is as you have seen Master Shura (Said Sheik Hamal, breaking the silence with his deep voice and making Ellya return the bottle to her backpack) We are thankful to the Mabdish for such a magnificent gesture, and we are prepared to continue the dream.
- The Sheik is correct (Exclaimed Master Shura, and getting back on his two feet aided by his staff, he added) And thanks to the efforts of the elders and the strength of the Sheik, we have something to show you.

Ellya smiled, happy to know that his people was prepared to do their part to fulfil their part of the dream; but even if she was exited at the promise of a new adventure, there were still lots of things to go over... she was the fourth champion of her tribe, a new one would have to be selected once she go away; and there was also the issue to find the one behind the incident with the sand pirates. She knew there was need for a new strategy in order to avoid the fate that Rollut's men had shared, and for that she had to speak privately with both the Sheik and Master Shura.

- Let us walk outside now (Said the Sheik to the young pilots) There is a  big surprise waiting outside for you.

Elya and Rollut followed Sheik Hamal and the Dream Master to a hidden exit at the back of the white tent, they were a little surprised to discover the tent was connected to another one; the presence of two armed guards indicated there was something valuable inside. The guards stood aside as they saw the Sheik, allowing the visitors to enter and see a very unique battle skiff. 

The shape was the one from a heavy battle skiff but with the elegance of an individual combat skiff; the large vehicle had 3 crew spots and 2 seats for pilot / co-pilot interaction. It was a true masterpiece, crafted with hard wood interlaced with at least three layers of stone oil, the skiff had 7 hovering stones and a large retractable ram at the front.

- This is the sword of the Ishdad! (Exclaimed the Sheik Hamal, and placing a hand on Ellya's shoulder he said) The path that you will travel will be tough; but with this skiff and your skill, there is nothing you can't achieve!
- There is also something for you (Said Master Shura to young Rollut) As we are ready to honor your courage and the great sacrifices made by your clan.
- May the flag of your clan stretch over the seven deserts (Responded Rollut, humbled by the words of the Dream master) 
- I forgot how formal the people of the shadow trees were (Said Sheik Hamal, smiling at Rollut and making his way back to the white tent) - You are welcomed to stay as long as you please young one (And getting closer to him and Ellya he whispered) Once we are done with lunch we will think of the best way to inform your Sheik that you are safe... without letting someone else gain knowledge of the important news... 

Ellya nodded, happy that the Sheik had been able to notice the same issue she had seen while listening to Rollut's tale; now all that could be done was getting ready to continue the Dream...