The Keeper of My People

Blessed is the servant who loves his brother as much when he is sick and useless as when he is well and can be of service to him. And blessed is he who loves his brother as well when he is afar off as when he is by his side, and who would say nothing behind his back he might not, in love, say before his face. ~St Francis of Assisi


For all of our lives, Ba'atar has always gone first and wore the path down for the rest of us to follow. On this day, it is no different.


When he came to me with the news of his quest, I can't say I was surprised. I had known that the rogues that plagued the plains had been in both of our thoughts. Would I have liked to have gone with him? Of course I would have, what warrior wouldn't? But the truth was, my duty was here.


Did I want to be Ubar? Hell no! I have never been one of those ambitious men that sought such things. You are too public, too exposed. Would I be? Yes, for the good of my people and the peace of mind of my brother, I would.


I was a man that basically had nothing, other than my wagons, the tools of my clan, a strong, temperamental kaiila, enough bosk to make me not a poor man and two slaves. I didn't need more than that, for they took care of my basic needs. Now suddenly, I have the entire tribe to watch over, which includes his woman and six of my nephews and nieces.


Damn! How did that happen?


I do not visit the wagons of my parents often. I love them, I respect them, but my presence is not always appreciated, that is just how it is. But on this day, I needed the counsel of one that I did respect, one that probably knew me best. I needed my Father.


Now, I would love to say my Mother was pleased to see me, but all she could see was that her favored son had rode off into what she considered certain danger and death, and I remained behind. This did not set well with her and she made her thoughts known on it. She does not look at my face and see the scars of a tested warrior, I think she sees a coward, and if this is so, then so be it.


My father finally spoke up and told her to take her rant somewhere else, that he and I needed to talk. When we were alone, and only then, I put a voice to my uncertainties of what I was undertaking.


In that calm, self-assured way that he has, my father gave me the advice and the wisdom that will carry me forward on my own quest.


"My Son, it is time for you to step out of the shadow of your brother and to take your place, no matter where it might be. You are not Ba'atar. You do not think as he does. You do not speak as he does. And, you will not be the same Ubar as he is, or was. Be yourself, trust your instincts and surround yourself with people that you can talk to and you can trust, and you will be fine. Do not try to walk his path, make your own path. Do not allow your past to cloud your present and your future. It is also time to step away from that, and be Ayguili, Ubar of the Tuchuk. Love your brother, respect him, but love the People first."


This is what I needed, that reassurance that I could do this. When I stood to leave, he placed his hands on my shoulders, gave them a squeeze and told me that he would always be here for me, and to not stay away so long.


So I take the reins of this unwieldy beast known as the Tuchuk, and I will try to guide it along the right path across the plains. May the Sky help me.