Checkpoint {Tamaya/PM for Entry}

[Naran Batkuyag]

It was not until Naran arrived in Sacae's great trade city that it dawned on her how silly it was that she'd never been to it before. Bulgar could be revered as Sacae's pride and joy, next to the city of heroes she supposed. Nearly all foreign trade came in through the city, which meant riders from just about every tribe would visit to pick up goods that could not be hunted or farmed in Sacae. For the more warlike tribes Naran imagined this was namely minerals for forging new blades and arrow-heads. Even wood, for Sacae's forests were not as bountiful as Bern or Lycia's.

The sounds and business of the city was almost overwhelming for the young lady. Naran had tied up Alseyu at one of the city's many stables and begun to walk around, taking it all in. It was a major checkpoint for her journey, serving almost as a vacation stop between the tribe she visited before it and the next on her list. How long she would spend in Bulgar was yet to be seen...but perhaps that was thinking too far ahead. Naran was still trying to gather her bearings!

After being bumped into by busy consumers and merchants Naran eventually decided to forgo tip-toeing around the other citizens, simply letting herself push through them and bump into them at will. The streets were so crowded that there really was no point trying to avoid it. All Naran was looking for was for someone who looked as though they both knew the lay of the city well and wasn't so busy they'd simply ignore her.

[Tamaya]

Bulgar was a city of hustle and bustle, a hub of commerce and trade, and a general cacophonous mess. It was easy to lose oneself in the crowds and be swept by the tides of jostling people from one end of the city and back again before an hour had passed. Through it all, though, Tamaya moved with relative ease and grace. In hindsight, it would have been easier to travel had she stayed on Shikoba, since the crowds were more easily moved aside by hooves than a goldenrod-haired woman with a bow on her back, but it didn’t really matter. She seemed to be able to part the flow enough to pass by without having to shove many people out of her path. Perhaps it was because of the many moons she had spent in Bulgar over the years, or perhaps it was because the bow she carried on her back occasionally crackled and spit out brief clouds of sparks, arcing with blue electricity every so often.

Tamaya did not react to her bow; she had gotten used to Mphezi-Manja’s way of asserting its power to onlookers or those unfamiliar with its might. The bow was arrogant, and brash, but was indeed powerful. It was like a young chieftain, who attacks swiftly and has not yet known defeat. Rash, maybe, was the word.

Moving through the swaths of people, Tamaya greeted those she knew briefly with nods or short conversations, stopping to meet all she could and sharing news of winds, movements of herds, births and deaths and partnerships. As envoy of her people, she possessed the duty of communicating on behalf of the Cathecassa to the other tribes, and, if possible, to the rest of the nations of Elibe. Her thoughts were worried, inwardly, as she ruminated over the issue of Etruria’s invasion of Sacae. It was unheard of, unprovoked, and as far as she could tell, had no clear goal. What were the foreigners trying to achieve?

[Naran Batkuyag]

Unfortunately, moving more and more aggressively through a crowd was eventually going to lead into at least a somewhat escalated situation. Naran eventually found her path blocked off by a large crowd that stood before a kiosk selling fish. Seafood was not overly common in Sacae and thus considered a delicacy, no doubt those that came to Bulgar were curious to try it. Even the most traditional of Sacaens could experiment with food, but that was not the problem.

The people blocking it were men far larger than Naran. However her patience had worn thin since entering the city and she attempted to shove her way past...to no avail. The large Sacaen man simply looked down upon her with a stern, unimpressed look, and irritably shoved Naran back. Who said Sacaens were all chivalrous and honorable?

Naran stumbled backwards, eventually bumping into a woman with golden hair before falling on the stoney ground rump first. Naran grumbled under her breath, her pride more wounded than her body, and glanced over to the woman she had been shoved into. Golden hair indeed, pretty, most likely a Bernese or Ilian foreigner who had come to see one of Elibe's "greatest" cities, or...no...the way she was dressed was Sacaen. Was she truly a foreigner?

Naran's eyes were then drawn to the bow on the woman's back. It was certainly crafted differently than most bows Naran had seen, and she'd been to several tribes across all of Sacae. Curious now, Naran decided she best strike up a quick conversation with the woman. Even beyond the bow perhaps she could help guide her through the nightmarishly busy city.

"My apologies. I was...rather rudely shoved into you." Naran dusted the tails of her jacket before standing up. "Are you all right?"

[Tamaya]

There was a sudden collision, and Tamaya's hands quickly flitted, one to her purse and one to her bow. Both untouched. With the threat of robbery past, the woman looked at the one who was now standing and dusting herself off. Dark hair, blue eyes, and traditional garb. Sacaean no doubt, but the eyes were interesting. But it was not the external appearances that mattered, but what was within.

"My apologies. I was...rather rudely shoved into you. Are you all right?"

Tamaya nodded, bowing in traditional greeting.

"I am well, friend. I am Tamaya of the Cathecassa. You have done me no offense. I am only glad that you seem to be unhurt from the fall. It is often dangerous to travel through these streets. I had much trouble when I first came to Bulgar, and even in more recent years. You must have been going somewhere - do not let me deter you if you are here on business. I would not want to rob you of valuable time."

Tamaya smiled, her instinctual friendliness shining through and her pleasant and polite demeanor unforced. Indeed, she was often told she was too kind in peace and too harsh in war, so opposed were the ends of her spectrum. It was the cause of some laughter and some silent respect among her tribe, as she proved to be diplomatic and unyielding in matters of importance.

As the Nomad was speaking, a blue arc of electricity connected the ends of Mphezi-Manja, and a loud crackle burst forth as a small shower of sparks rained to the cobbles. Tamaya put one hand on the bow, calming it, and clucking her tongue at it as she would to a squalling child.

"My apologies. Mphezi is often brash and enjoys making his presence known. All too often he craves to be the center of attention."

[Naran Batkuyag]

The blonde woman took their abrupt meeting with admirable stride and grace, bowing politely before introducing herself. Her name was Tamaya, and it seemed she was quite friendly. She told Naran that she, too, struggled to navigate the streets of Bulgar on her first visit. Naran could certainly relate to that, and could not help but smile a bit at the woman's friendly nature.

"I see...I am Naran Batkuyag, of the Batkuyag-Onstetsteg. Well met Tamaya of the Cathecassa." Introductions still came first, it was only right that Naran match Tamaya's honest and friendliness with her own. Besides, Naran had heard of the Cathecassa. No doubt she would be paying them a visit before this trip's end, but if she can speak to a member of the tribe perhaps she'll be able to bypass them altogether.

Moving closer to Tamaya's side and out of the way of the shuffling crowd, Naran continued with a smile.
"This is my first visit as well, and though I was managing decently at first, I fear the streets had grown a bit too chaotic for me. It's all so different than the open plains or moving through a tribal settlement."

That was when Naran caught it. Blue lightning crackling around the bow on Tamaya's back. That was no trick of the eye, the bow itself produced that lightning, and yet it calmed and stopped when Tamaya willed it to. There was no mistaking: that was a magical bow.

"That's very interesting. Where did you obtain such a unique bow?" A bow with the power of lightning flowing through it...

[Tamaya]

Naran Batkuyag. It was an unfamiliar name, but a familiar tribe. Tamaya had not had many dealings with them, but the few interactions she did remember were all very pleasant and reasonable. They were a tribe that seemed to be more rational, in these trying times. That was something she could appreciate. Many tribes seemed to be closing their minds, becoming caught up in the hatred of countries or ideas rather than the focus and discipline that they had been taught. It was not true that the enemy was Etruria. The enemy was simply the invaders. They should defend - no more and no less - and not let loose their ire on the innocents.

"These streets are quite a different experience, friend Naran. To that I heartily agree. In fact, some have said that it is easier to hunt the herds on an unbroken horse than to pass from end to end of Bulgar. I am not so sure that it is exactly like that, but it is certainly difficult."

Then the other Sacaean noticed and commented on Mphezi. Smiling, Tamaya brought it forward, holding it in her hands for Naran to see as she explained. As she spoke, small sparks occasionally spurted from the bow, but it did not arc, behaving itself while on display.

"Mphezi-Manja was crafted for me by a smith, named Mr. Johnson. I met his apprentice, Bee, and she arranged a meeting between me and her master. We spoke, and he agreed to form the bow. It took a while to create, but I have been nothing but impressed with his workmanship. Inside this bow lives a spirit of the sky’s wrath, an embodiment of lightning that infuses my strikes with electricity.

Together we have grown and fought many battles, and I think that together we will continue to develop. Our bond is strong.

Friend Naran, do you have such a bond with your weapons?"

[Naran Batkuyag]

Tamaya replied to Naran with some vague phrase which...Naran was nearly positive Tamaya had stated incorrectly. It was no big deal or anything, she caught the gist of it nonetheless, but it seemed to Naran that Tamaya was not entirely fluent in the common tongue. It was amusing, reminded her of the elderly seers back in her tribe. They too had a strange, almost mystical speech pattern that could be difficult to decipher.

Naran's blue eyes lit up as Tamaya kindly presented her bow, Mphezi-Manja, before her. It was no antique weapon, no time-tested bow wielded by previous warriors. To Naran it was something far better: a magnificent bow crafted specifically for it's current wielder. Truly unique and no doubt very effective. If Tamaya had the archery skills to put behind Mphezi-Manja, Naran was certain she would prove to be quite the force in combat.

It was difficult to resist the urge to run her fingertips across the bow, curious about it's feel. Swords always felt more comfortable in Naran's hands than bows did, but she was no stranger to them. However Mphezi was a bow with an elemental spirit inside of it. It sparkled and crackled, perhaps warning Naran not to touch it. As Naran studied the bow she listened to Tamaya speak of the growing bond she felt between herself and Mphezi-Manja, before eventually asking Naran if she felt such a bond with her weapons.

Naran glanced down to the sword sheathed at her waist. Single-edged, sturdy and dependable, but nothing special. Not worthy of a name. Not crafted especially for her, nor wielded by any notable warriors before her. Naran never really held a weapon she felt any sort of bond with, so she had to shake her head. "I am afraid I do not. The blade at my hip has very little on your Mphezi-Manja. It is truly a spectacular weapon. Masterfully crafted."

A smith named Mr.Johnson, hm? "Where did you find this Mr.Johnson?" It could be useful information. Sacaen smiths were proud and skilled, but never before had Naran actually seen a weapon such as this, let alone one forged within her lifetime.

[Tamaya]

It was amazing, seeing the change in the woman. As soon as Mphezi-Manja was displayed, the other woman's eyes seemed to widen, becoming more focused and in tune with all that was occurring. She focused on the bow, and looked almost as if she was entranced by the powerful weapon that was merely inches from her, buzzing with the power of the sky and occasionally spitting out a spark or two. It appeared that Naran knew her weaponry and was interested in the bow not merely for its appearance, but because on some level she knew what effort had gone into creating the bow and harnessing the power of nature to imbue it.

It was an almost imperceptible change in Naran, but Tamaya felt newfound respect for her new friend.

"Truly, though, I am indebted to Mr. Johnson for his expert craftsmanship. Without it, I doubt my bow would contain the power of the raging sky, and I would certainly not be who I am today.

Mr. Johnson resides in Lycia. I traveled there as part of my role as my tribe's ambassador to the others and the outside world in general, and met the apprentice to Mr. Johnson, Bee. After that encounter, Mphezi was forged, as I told you, but when I came to pick the completed bow up, it was stolen from the shop by a woman thief who intended to sell it for money. Naturally, I was not too happy, and together Bee and I chased the thief down and captured her, using my arrows and Bee's fire magic."

Tamaya laughed. That had been quite the harrowing adventure at the time. She remembered all the strong feelings that the immediate theft of her weapon had evoked, and how she had felt such relief and joy once Mphezi-Manja was recovered. She had felt that the first time she held her bow, and even now she was always grateful to Bee for her support.

"Friend Naran, what brings you to Bulgar?"

[Naran Batkuyag]

So it was true. Tamaya really did feel a sort of bond with her bow, to the point where she would even credit it to shaping her character. Naran had been told stories from the seers of her tribe about magical swords and bows and spears, all wielded by great Sacaens. To see such a weapon was truly an eye-opener for Naran. It may not have been a relic from the past, a weapon named in those tales, but it was powerful nonetheless.

Naran looked away from the bow and met Tamaya's gaze. Another intriguing note could be made: Tamaya was her tribe's ambassador. Naran would have to bring that up later. "I see. It seems even from the start you went through a great deal of trouble to obtain this bow. No wonder you have such a bond with it."

The Batkuyag daughter smiled and brushed her bangs from her face, crossing her arms under her breast before continuing. "And it is interesting to hear that you are your tribe's ambassador. Currently I am playing such a role for the Batkuyag-Onstetseg alliance. It is...part of what I am doing in Bulgar. Traveling to as many tribes that will have me, spreading words of peace and support from the Batkuyag-Onstetseg during these troubling times."

"Of course, the true reason I am in Bulgar is...simply that I have never been, Tamaya. I feel like all should see this marvelous city at least once in their life, specially if they are Sacaen. It is our connection to the rest of Elibe, right?"

[Tamaya]

Yes, indeed. It had been a great trial, obtaining Mphezi-Manja. But because of it, she was stronger. She was wiser. It was all necessary, all a part of the harmony of the earth and the sky, the flames and the rain. Balance was everywhere. Without balance, it was far too easy to fall victim to rashness, or prejudice. It was merely a step to xenophobia and blind hatred. If only the world possessed greater balance.

"And it is interesting to hear that you are your tribe's ambassador. Currently I am playing such a role for the Batkuyag-Onstetseg alliance. It is...part of what I am doing in Bulgar. Traveling to as many tribes that will have me, spreading words of peace and support from the Batkuyag-Onstetseg during these troubling times."

Most interesting. So Naran too had been chosen from her tribe, sent forth to see, hear, and learn. To speak words of wisdom and support. To bring unity and resolve. They were kin in their heritage, and kin in their purpose. It was a beautiful thing, to have a common thread that drew them together and gave them strength. Naran spoke for her tribe, and Tamaya for hers, but the message they sought to convey was similar. Both strove to create a better tomorrow for their families and loved ones. Both sought to preserve their way of life and defend their heritage and the lands of their birth from the invasion it faced.

"Of course, the true reason I am in Bulgar is...simply that I have never been, Tamaya. I feel like all should see this marvelous city at least once in their life, specially if they are Sacaen. It is our connection to the rest of Elibe, right?

"Bulgar is indeed the 'gateway' to Sacae. Many come here, to see our people, to see our land, to see our culture. Bulgar is a shallow lake in which they may swim before they cast themselves into the sea of grass."

Tamaya laughed brightly. She thought that was a pretty apt analogy, and couldn't help chuckling at the thought of men from Bern or fancy ladies of Lycia swimming amidst the grass. But soon, she grew somber once more, and furrowed her brows before speaking softly and cautiously.

"Friend Naran, have you any news of the movements of the invading Etrurians? I know not how Selibas fares with respect to the defense of our homeland. Part of me wishes to go and aid him on the front, but I must complete my business here in Bulgar first, and then return to my tribe to gather riders. I feel anxious, though, lest my arrows fly too late. I do not like this. I see no motive, no cause... I am worried for our land and our world, my friend. I would have liked to avoid the field of battle, but it is too late now for words of peace. The invasion has brought weapons of war, and so we must meet them with the force of the plains. Yet...it feels so dark, and obscured."