Ryzom

I am without a home but I am not broken. I am a refugee. I am known as Shaladar of the Zorai race. The Zorai are a proud people always looking to preserve our great living planet. It seems we were not successful. The destruction of our homelands by the Kitin has taken a toll on us. The fearsome bugs destroyed all in its path. Those who were lucky managed to escape via portals by the grace of our protectors the Kami. Those who were not were scattered deep into the jungle. We were forced to live the life of a nomad. For 2 generations we roamed the jungles always fearful of attack. Our small band of 50 survivors was able to flourish even with the ordeal we were put through. Even without our vast city and history cubes we survived.

I sit in meditation. I am taking in my surroundings. I notice a shooting star streak across the amber sky. The setting sun warms my face as the night time creatures come alive with music. Homins are shuffling to and fro in the refugee camp. I see everyone working together which warms my heart. This should be called the rebuilding camp for I see a band of Homins rebuilding and not seeking refuge.

I am just now taking thought to paper. I left all of my family, and the elders of our tribe. My twin sister and I were the chosen or our tribe. The elders stated we possessed “a wisdom beyond our years”. Who is such a man to say one is wiser than another? We where to go on this journey but the elders quarrled as to how and when. We where toys, pawns to them, all but Elder Hunin. He was one that somehow knew us better than we knew ourselves. As I think back in meditation I believe there is a reason for our leaving. Yet I know not the reason. I do know that the Kami are guiding me with an unseen hand on this journey. Only time will tell.

......To be continued

....

The night before we left we had a dream. Xena woke me up and as startled as I was I knew the reason.

Xena grabbed my shoulder and spoke “Brother, I saw in my dream a flash of a settlement. The camp seems small but it had all the other races. Then I then saw our people in a city much like what was told to us by the elders only it seemed smaller…but….but… (Sobs).it was being attacked.”
Shaladar startled “I saw the prime root! I saw a massing of Kitin!”
Xena worried “What does it mean? Is it our past or our future?” She breaks down into tears. I then comforted her with a hug while I pondered the answer.
Shaladar whispers “what else did you see?”
Xena sniffles “I …saw……I…” she drifts off into a trance. When she snaps out of it she shouts “We must leave at once!”
Shaladar Says “ Leave? Now? What happened...?”
Xena cuts him off “Trust me brother! I will pack you need to get the Cube!”

I know as she does we get these visions from time to time. We usually discuss it before making a decision. This time I did not question. I believe that sitting in mediation waiting as the elders do is a waste. Meditate, ponder then act upon a path. This I believe is the reason we stayed a nomadic people because of the fear to act. We are not like that.

I put on my clothes and ran to the tent of the elders. It was still late and they were sleeping. I tip toed in and got the box which held the cube. I made it through the door of the tent when I heard a whisper “Shaladar!”… I froze in my tracks. I turned to see elder Hunin. He was standing at the doorway. He was the only one who shared our thoughts. He was our mentor. He was also not the one I wanted to run into.
Hunin “Where are you going with the cube in this late hour?”
Shaladar “Umm…Master we must leave.”
Hunin surprised “Leave?! You know the others will be upset…”
Shaladar cutting him off blurts out “..Xena had a vision….”
There was a moment of silence. “We both had a vision.” Looking away “I cannot explain…”
Hunin in a comforting voice “I know. I know. I will explain to the others the reasons. You do not become an elder because you are old.” He winked. “I knew this day would come and I want you to go prepared.” He disappeared into the tent and returned. He handed me a bag. “As you said there is no time. Bring back word of our people if you can. I wish that the strongest of our tribe would leave this place. Take this bag and may the Kami guide you in your journey”. I looked at him and nodded. I saw a tear fall. I knew it was a tear of joy. He knew that the elders would never have let us go otherwise. So we departed on the journey to bring with us the story of our race to others. Facing the unknown together.***