Queen Mazu inquired if Alifair was one of these apprentices. She answered in Ithacan she did not understand the question. Ilio answered that yes, she was from the Teuton Forest and younger sister of the man married to Princess Raluca. There was a love story to please Queen Mazu. Teutons would often come out of the forest to trade at the coastal fort. They bought furs and gemstones to trade for bronze and iron tools. General Radu tried hard to communicate with them using army sign language. In the end, he sent Prince Danut with the Teutons to learn their language and culture. In return for the education, Danut will help with chores. Danut left for a month to return declaring he made progress learning their names and words for objects. He spent many hours making iron tools and bronze jewelry. Teutons did not have many blacksmiths. He returned again a year later declaring he had learned much from them and ready to sail the seas with Ilio. Teutons were in need of new land to settle from several years of bad crops. He searched the coasts as Ilio stopped to replenish the ships. He found some unoccupied floodplains that appeared once farmed and then abandoned. The Teuton colonists named the area Batavia. A village down the river said most of the villagers died from disease and hunger from poor crops. The survivors moved into their village.
A group of Teutons routinely entered Alesia to trade and with help from Danut began speaking in Dacian. One took notice of Princess Raluca washing laundry in the river just outside the fort. The group of girls whispered to each other how odd they looked with wool and leather clothing, untidy blond hair, and sitting on saddlecloths. Raluca blushed as a Teuton with piercing blue eyes stared at her while he passed the river. Soon after they disappeared into the trees, they swiftly returned to kidnap Raluca. Her laundry basket dropped to the ground was all that marked where she stood. She was taken to a village in the woods three days away. When they reached his home, his father knocked him into the wall demanding her return. Since it was evening, she stayed the night there with the man’s family. His younger sister was very interested in her. The next day, Raluca was sent to the fort. Radu was pleased to see her unharmed. He had a search party ready to go after her. Raluca held tight to the man and asked to return with him. Danut spent a year learning their language and culture, she should do the same for a potential suitor. Radu helped her pack her things and she returned with the man. The mother of the man despised her living in her home and hit her with a stick when she was cooking in the fire pit. She claimed Raluca was poisoning the broth with her lips. The man brought her to his new home his father help build. Raluca sewed, cooked, and helped farm the barley. They had no flax to weave linen, but used wool instead. They hunted in leather to blend into the forest. She worked the wool in the spring and used a loom to weave cloth. His younger sister visited every day telling her the chores to be done by the women. After a year with the family, Raluca returned with a baby girl and asked for her mother’s blessing. Radu gave a grand wedding banquet in the fort. After another year, Raluca decided to join the colony of Batavia with her new family.
Queen Mazu enjoyed the tale and gave them desert clothes to travel into Sheba. These caravan merchants wore camel hair and antelope leather clothing with linen head scarves to protect them from the sun. Ilio thought the camel hair was a bit itchy, but tolerable. Mazu explains it is said the Queen of Sheba named Koyla was from a land east of Sheba called Lothal. Mazu had a stone tablet letter for Ilio to present to her. The Aferdians traded with Punts along the coast for generations. These Punts receive sailors from Sheba across the sea. As Aferdia conquered Nubia, word spread of a new kingdom and Queen Koyla sent a palm leaf basket of turquoise stones for the monarch in congratulations. The basket was delivered by her servant with such beauty the king’s son made her his wife sending a letter of gratitude to Queen Koyla. When the prince was given the city of Tanis, she came with him. That servant was her. The Shebans are great sailors and navigators. They even discovered the other side of the world; a place of dark skin people with curly hair cut short, wondrous strange animals on land and sea, and worst is that lodestones spin for a time to point the opposite direction. Ilio was intrigued about this “other side of the world”. Every sailor out at sea knows the horizon is curved so the world is like a globe shape. Some say on the back of a turtle god. Perhaps he should travel further than the Sugar Rock Islands. Ilio requested a chart of known trade routes to Sheba. Mazu did not have a chart, but recited her journey. From Sheba, they sailed across the sea when the monsoon winds blew to the north, Punts were harvesting tenga nuts the size of a human head and just as hairy. The shell is hard with brown hair and inside was a milky white center often drunk right out of the nut. We traveled towards the sunset until we reached a large lake full of fisherman. Then they sailed down a river on a raft with a fabric canopy. It carried much food, gold, animal skins, and turquoise. The river took them through mountains where humans pick small bunna beans to make a tea that gives strength to the weary traveler. Next came the Aferdian plains where cattle herders live in black sheep wool tents. Then we came to Nubian clay brick cities with great tracts of farmland being harvested using the winds to separate the grain seeds.
Ilio promised to deliver the tablet letter. Thutmose introduced a caravan trader he welcomes to his court. He instructed the trader to take good care of his guests and he would know if he failed. The caravan master confessed he could not vouch for their safety with wild bands of thieves harassing the caravan routes. Declan assured the merchant they can protect themselves. The merchant promised to take them to Lake Vushu for one hundred rubies. Ilio asked Declan to go to the ship and take ten pieces of gold out of the treasure. Declan returned with the gold coins. Ilio left to see a jeweler for the rubies. The jeweler warned of the unscrupulous caravan trader. He charges high prices for his pearls of poor quality. He spoke of Nubians taking jobs from this Aferdian and never returning. Ilio took note. They sent off at sunrise. The Aferdian greatly despised Chloe asking for an animal to ride. Women in Aferdia never speak to men until they are spoken to. The Aferdian instructed to Ilio that the animals carry the merchandise and nothing else. The people will be walking. Declan asked why they were not traveling by river. The Aferdian informed the novice that they were going to the eastern mountains full of gemstones. Next the journey through the wilderness to the coast where there is a port that makes palm wine for export to Sheba. Ilio was disappointed they were not going to meet Thutmose’s father King Ptah of Memphis. They followed the camel road towards the mountains.
There is an oasis there with a lake and many mines searching for metals and gems. Lake Nachem was full of fish to eat. But, the most valuable item was the salt from the flats to the east of the mountains. Many animals come to the salt licks are driven to the marshes during the dry season. Once the heat of sun gave the air a haze, the Aferdian ordered a stop and set up the tents. They slept during the worst heat of their lives and as the sun dropped to a cool temperature, they packed up again. They walked more towards the east with the sun setting behind them. As the sun set in a gorgeous orange hue, Ilio gave a lesson to Alifair in star omens. He gave her a polished crystal to make the stars larger and can be used to see faraway lands out at sea. He saw a dark spot along the horizon he assumed were the mountains they were walking toward. After finishing their rest and meal, they walked on until the moon rose and set up their tents. The night was cold and fire warm. The camels even had their own tents to protect them from the elements. As the morning sun peeked out of the horizon, the camp ate a meal and took down the tents. As he gazed at the stars searching for omens with Alifair, he heard men in their tents discussing in Aferdian how to desert the visitors in the desert and take off with their cargo to sell as they traveled. They would certainly die lost in the heat and there was nobody to help them. He quickly taught Alifair the magic spell to understand any language. As the sun rose higher, they packed up the tents and continued their journey. As they put up the tents for heat of the day, Ilio came up behind a young Aferdian and slit his throat. The Aferdians stood in shock as what he just did. They asked no questions and entered their tent. He explained to Chloe that the boy was bragging how he planned to ravage and poison Alifair.
They arrived at the Eastern Mountains in a few days and viewed people picking fruit. The villagers celebrated their company and presented a banquet of smoked fish and fresh fruits. The people danced and sang for their guests. The Aferdian traded for goods from Tanis. Ilio spoke the word for the lake to receive a confused expression from the valley people. He then knew, this was not the Lake Nachem the merchant had mentioned. In the morning, they gathered the caravan and headed southeast. The normal swampy area to the east called the Reed Sea was flooded that time of year and could not be passed. Mishca asked about ships sailing the flooded Reed Sea. The Aferdian laughed because the sea is full of reeds and sand hills that would prevent that. Ilio tasted the water and found it salty. It is saltwater blown in the large sea to the south. When the winds reverse this is all a series of salty lakes. They continued on and settled down to sleep through the heat of the day. As the air cooled down and Aferdians began taking down the tents, Ilio found he could arouse but not his companions. He shook them and they continued to sleep. Their tent fell down on him and the Aferdians rolled up the fabric. Ilio snuck by their sandaled feet and hid behind the resting camels. They were in rocky hills with a sea a short grasses and cactus. He tip toed behind a boulder and watched the men load the camels and left behind his companions. They laughed as they mocked the sleeping strangers who drank a sleeping potion in their tenga juice. Ilio was surprised he failed to detect the potion, but then he never drank tenga juice before. The caravan left to the southwest. Ilio tried to wake his companions and finally moved them out of the burning sun. As night fell, his companions awoke afraid what they were going to do. Ilio looked through his polished crystal to find large animals coming their way. A herd elephants covered in dust arrived to enjoy the Reed Sea swamp lands. One was trumpeting a call to her baby they lost during a sand storm. Soon after the elephants, large cats came to hunt them. The cat leader had a great headdress of dark hair and Ilio approached the creature. Using his magic to speak to the animals, he asked if they saw humans with camels. The lions did see them and the humans hurled sticks at them. They ran away from them. They also said they saw no baby elephants, for if they did they would have eaten it. He promised the animals food if they would take them to the caravan camp.
After sunset they settled into tents and by sunrise they could attack. The cats took on the human passengers and followed the elephant trail towards the southwest. Soon, they found the lost baby elephant weeping for its mother and collapsing from thirst. Ilio held the lions back and Chloe volunteered to return the baby to its mother. They continued on to find an antelope herd. A few arrows later and the lions had a feast. Once their bellies were full, they refuse to move so the passengers relaxed as well. After a good rest, Ilio demanded they continue. The lions no longer wished for the grand meal that was promised. Ilio refused to give in and threatened to cut off their ears if they fail to get up. The lions found the caravan and Ilio used his polished crystal to make certain it was them. They waited until everything was packed up on the camels to save them the labor of doing it. They then shot arrows into the camps and lions charged. Camels ran off and Aferdians screamed. They whistled for the camels to return and lions guided the humans to their home in the rocky hills by the Reed Sea. They left the human bodies behind with the lions to snack on later and returned to the elephant swimming pool. The baby elephant trumpeted its thanks to the strangers and Ilio asked where they came from. They came from the interior grasslands next to a grand lake and when the humans start gathering food, they have to leave or get attacked with sticks. They come here during the wet season to eat the reeds and grasses in the marshes. Many animals come here for the same reason. Ilio thanked the elephants and decided to follow this Reed Sea to the coast. They met cattle and sheep herders grazing in their pastures. They met another camel caravan bringing a cargo to the Eastern Mountains. This time of year, the herders are caravan traders. Cattle belong to the women and guarded by their children. The wet season gives them great hunting along the way between towns. The travelers took several days to reach the coast. Ilio saw the people wearing a pink gemstone set in gold. He traded an iron knife for a necklace. Chloe was in awe of his find. She explained they found the Valley of Diamonds. Dansar pink diamonds are mined here and Nubian royalty adorned them for generations.
The Dansar people are fishermen settled along the coast in small villages. Nubian caravans came here for diamonds and milky tenga nut juice used in soaps. They are great craftsmen and sailors. They arrived at the edge of a village where people were harvesting nuts and fish into large pottery jars. Apart from the village was a hut of women sitting on reed mats. The odor of blood was enough to entice any predator hunting nearby. In the South Sea cultures, they have blood huts for women’s monthly visitor. When they stop their bleeding, they have a cleansing ceremony to be allowed back into the village. Ilio thought it amusing men rip an animal to shreds and fight battles, but cringe at the sight of a little blood from a woman. North Sea men use this gift to hold hemlock poison to arrow heads. Chloe and Alifair made thick wool rags to wear during their time so they could travel everywhere. A few people approached them about their cargo and Ilio negotiated gemstones, iron knives, silver mirrors, and bronze vessels full of bunna beans. The Dansar say they can sail out to Sheba on reed boats, but they cannot carry much cargo. Here all humans use triangle sails only elves use on his side of the world. These sails of the Dansar allowed travel against and with the wind. He brought along with his journey his navigation tools of a lodestone, stick in a circle, and polished crystal. He explained the stick measured sun shadows to measure their position on the round earth globe. The lodestone always pointed north and very important in fog. The polished crystals allowed better viewing of stars and land. They set sail on the evening tide and braced the winds of the monsoon.
In two days, they reached their destination of Sheba. They arrived at the docks beside a grand sand brick fortress. Trade items were carried into the market building. Ilio walked to the palace of the king and explained his letter to Queen Koyla. He had journeyed far and almost killed bringing this letter to her. He was brought to a large chamber full of burning lamps smelling of palm oil. Her Majesty was instructing her children in music at the time of his arrival. He listened to the wood flutes and stringed harps for a moment. The children stopped and smiled in accomplishment. Unsure how to applaud he smiled back at them. He was offered shellfish, fruit, and tenga juice. Hesitant to drink tenga juice again, Queen Koyla offered her goblet. The queen’s neck was covered in black pearls from a place called Sahul to the east. Ilio asked if that was Lothal was. Koyla said it was not. Sahul was a group of islands to the east of her homeland of Sivka. Ilio heard of sugar rocks coming from the same area and was planning a journey to see it. Intrigued, she asked for the letter from her former servant Mazu and invited the elf with his companions to dine with the royal family in the great hall that evening. Ilio gladly accepted. Ilio spun stories of large creatures, islands of wealth, battles, and the magic of love. They had trouble with the ship captain forbidding the women to sail with the men. Ilio assured the women would not curse the adventure out to sea. Some days later when ships were full of cargo and triangle sails, they sailed off on the evening tide. They followed the coast and met many fishermen. They stopped at beaches to resupply food and traded with villagers. Incense was a precious cargo and Ilio kept a reed basket full of it for himself.
The sailors freaked one morning as Alifair filled a bucket of water and washed her blood rags in it with tenga soap. Ilio glared at them in a silent scold and the sailors continued with their chores. He couldn’t help but notice Chloe was not having a monthly visitor. He sensed no extra soul inside her body. Perhaps he should do an omen ceremony. Once they left Sheba, the land to the east was called Makan. These people mined copper and made shell beads. Further inland they were herders of sheep and cattle. As they enjoyed the company of villagers, Ilio asked if there was a temple where he could pray to the sea gods before their journey into the open sea to reach Lothal. The villagers brought him on a grand trek to the copper mines. There was a crystal cave with a lake that can only be reached through a narrow passage in the rock. He followed a tunnel into a great cavern that was larger than any palace he had seen. He chiseled out some prayer stones to give to Chloe and Alifair. Declan and Mishca chiseled out cave stones to show their friends back home. He bathed in the lake in prayer to the water gods. Chloe was not pregnant, but her body was going through a pause. He then stepped on something sharp.
He dug around for the object to find a copper pot with a lid sealed with wax. It was the head on the lid that scratched him. The head of a man wearing a pointed hat of feathers and face covered in a wavy beard resembled the chief of Makan. He took his knife and opened the bowl wondering if a long forgotten offering was made. Suddenly, a great spirit rose up in a pillar of smoke. Makans cried it was a water god jinn and laid flat on the cave floor. The jinn thanked Ilio for releasing him. He was trapped in the pot by a sorcerer who engraved symbols on the pot and wax seal to keep the spirit from escaping. The sorcerer wore a magic ring and with that magic, he cast him into the pot. Ilio asked why he was trapped into the bowl and tossed in a cavern lake. The jinn recited a story of the sorcerer falling love with a goddess who rejected him. He was given a magic ring to present to her. Testing the ring, he killed any animal around him and used it to kill his enemies including his brother. He ravaged his brother’s wife and she drank poison in shame. He took the magic ring back while the sorcerer was sleeping. He requested another ring. The jinn refused because the souls of those he killed cried out from the afterlife to avenge their death. The sorcerer took off and returned a year later with another magic ring from an evil spirit that cursed flocks and spread the black death among them. He cast him into a copper pot and sealed it with wax. The jinn did not know how long he was in there, it seemed like forever. He noticed the odd looking clothing the people were wearing. He described his last time on the outside as people carrying simple flint tools, wearing shells in their hair, and grass woven sandals. He admired the iron weapons, the gold jewelry, and leather shoes. The jinn spoke of reed woven boats propelled by oars and fisherman hunting fish with spears. At least that was the same.
Ilio offered food and drink to the spirit. In gratitude, he granted a wish to Ilio. As a demigod, Ilio could conger up anything he wanted. The jinn announced his wish was granted. Surprised, Ilio begged to know the wish being granted. His heart told the jinn he wanted to see the people on the other side of the world so he will give him a bowl of wind. He blew into the copper pot and sealed it with new wax. When he needed wind, just open the jar.
The jinn then appeared.
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