I remember my shock when I was told that I had been selected to accompany the caravan to this year’s Gathering. I had already resigned myself to staying home while my sister Digonna and brother Sidimus were selected, as well as a many of my cousins both in and out of the Pajama clan. But when my cousin Kegle was badly stung attempting to charm the Hive, I was to go in his stead.

The journey from K’toneh is a blur as there was so much to do preparing the caravan, scouting the route, keeping the Soren S’ah happy and asking a multitude of questions of any who had been to a Gathering before. The nights of stories around the fire of those who had memories of Gathering past were magic to me and my dreams were filled with those tales.

The Gathering itself was awe inspiring, never had I seen so many people, tents and animals, or so many different kinds.

I was so amazed by the spectacle. I tended to neglect some of my duties and was punished a few times, but the time I put the dead scorpion under the tankard of the Kaa’ Jah Kushan, Duko, elder Fina said I would be fogged at the bonding ceremony as a sacrifice to Du’ Al’Sol Ter. As a warning to all the other Sol Kal that wickedness and tricks were not a wise choice.

I sat in my seat dreading that the threat was real, thus not paying attention to the fact that the group chosen for the bonding ceremony was to be called.

Then the elder called my name. What could I do, but face my fate and be flogged for my wickedness. I ran to the dais to show my courage and was told to wait as the others were called. Who knew so many people would be flogged? When one did not answer the summons I could not decide if I was annoyed for not thinking of that myself, or that they would be punished more for not accepting their fate.

They it slowly dawned on me that I was part of the Bonding Ceremony! What an amazing turn of events. How lucky was I! I was not going to be punished after all.

After the ceremony we were led to the Marker for an amazingly painful tattoo that would show that we are the bonded ones. It was at this time that I took note of my other two companions. The first was one, a Seraph by the name of Aquila (I think) who bore the mark of a shaman of Keifeh. He seems a quiet, agreeable sort. The other is a Sol Kal Lobite by the name of Gi’Kar. He grunts, he grunts a lot. They are impressive grunts and seem to have a multitude of meanings. I have deduced some of the meanings to be, I am superior, I need to pee, I am constipated, Yes, No, Maybe and I smell a fart. After I received the mark of the bonded, we had a small feast, which was high on ceremony and very light on feast. The mark has an eldritch quality that allows me to sense my companions as it they are a piece of me. Not altogether uncomfortable, but strange all the same.

We were told that we were tasked with going to a Gru Dwar holding to see why they have not come to the Gathering. Many of the high elders had had ominous dreams of dread regarding this steading and we were to go directly there, through the Dune Sea.

I went back to our encampment and said good by to all of my family, eat a good meal and gather my gear. The elders made a point of me taking water from K’toneh as well as a whole skin of K’toneh honey. I was so honored as to be speechless, which they appreciated very much.

The next morning we set off with camels and supplies, as well as a map directing us to a well within the Dune Sea.

The first week was so exciting, Aquila told tales of his people, I told tales of the K’toneh Tah and Gi’Kar grunted. The second week we felt our other companions receive the Mark of the Bonded, which was odd what with them so far away. The joy of the journey drained from me as each step became so monotonous. We came to the well and replenished our water. On the third week we noticed a large sand storm and took refuge in a rather large cave. The monotony evaporated; as the camels were safe I lit a torch, grabbed my spear and explored this fascinating cave. Which only became more interesting when I found some stairs leading down. I told the rest and they came to look. Aquila was intrigued and Gi’Kar grunted. I went down and found a wooden door. After we all went in this large room a spirit told us we were heroes and something. It was a lot to remember and I was distracted by the amazing mural on the wall of a our world lush and flush with water. Then Gi’Kar disappeared, when we found him he was being attacked by a bunch of mummified dead guys! SO I took my torch and hit three of them soundly enough to either burn them or knock the fight out of them. Gi’Kar looked so impressive as he missed the fourth one time and time again. But then Aquila was struck a painful blow by the abomination, so I entered the fray to assist. This one was considerably tougher than my three and it took all of us to put him down. After he was down I made sure to burn his remains so he would not return. When I inspected the ashes I discovered a golden torq. When I put it on I felt a surge of inner strength. This discovery spurred me to check the others and sure enough I found a scimitar with runes and patterns decorating the blade.

Aquila and Gi’Kar healed each other’s wounds and we took a breather here before traveling on. I hope the camels are OK…

This entry was posted on Saturday, June 2nd, 2007 at 7:25 pm and is filed under Bingo's Journal. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.