Njuko of the Elja tribe, is walking by the river in his knee length loincloth. The intricate tungstun design in the traditional Ndebele style with his clan colours of red, blue, yellow and green cross laced to create a pattern. In his right hand a short black spear, woven out blood steel,,a truly beautiful piece like a carved wood. He catches a glance of a buck, readying himself to shoot the two meter tall Gemsbok that is drinking water. However he gets a calling at that moment and answers, his spear becomes a bubble of metal that changes into a bracer that sits comfortable on his forearm. The braces twists around his forearm a design equally as beautiful as the spear its green luminous core accents the rolls of blood steel around his arm.
The calling shows High priest Dukat, in his ceremonial purple cloth that drapes down to his feet. His neck wrapped in golden neck rings with amazing embellishment. The man speaks in Uru the language of the ancestors. Besides the fuzziness often accompaning callings the man's voice sounded excited it's a group calling. Dukat says "My people son and daughters of the Barak, the fractured lands tribes have finally reached consensus and as of tomorrow 6 am the ancient seed world will be open to all those who seek to enter. Rejoice those hunters who dare to seek. Revere those who will never return but most of all Embrace the one who will master it. This seed world is the most complete any of the tribes have come across in a thousand years. World breaker hunters lift your voices in thanks to the Badu the God of the hunt, may its blessings show you the way to glory and untold riches..."
Another calling interruptes Dukat, it is from Njuko's best friend and long time rival for princess Balit's hand in union Mduju. Mduju is about three shades darker than the high yellow Njuko and with red clay hair that is braided with Breaker artifacts that look like beads.
"Njuko, my friend. Praise be to Tanduka for the release of seed to us, his children. Am I correct in assuming you will be in time for the opening of the seed tomorrow." says Mduju who has several chipped teeth from a fight with a baby Tano which still baffles Njuko as even a baby Tano is bigger than a Long-horn, tougher than a Strider and faster than an Hippo.
Njuko speaks confidently, " Mduju my friend, you honor me with such words, Badu's spear be praised. Of course I will be there its not even that far only three hundred kilometers away I can make that in one night."
Njuko is already walking towards home as soon as the calling begun he was given the location by the spirits. It is due west even thou he is sure he can make the journey. It is not easy as he has lead Mduju to believe.
" Ha! You three hundred! In one night, I will give my left nut to see that." Mduju bright brown eyes flash with an all to familiar tension. Njuko could only listen as another one of Mduju's imbicilic ideas is voiced.
"Hey Njuko how about this, if you make it here before the seed world opens I will give you this." Mduju holds out breaker artifact the spirit send him a detailed read out on the function of the breaker. The display is shown directly on his eyes unlike the image of Mduju which is on his bracer. Form directly from the blood steel which mimics his appearance accurately.
[Unifier Device]
The technical details embed directly to his memory. Njuko nearly stumbles, as if an invisible hand had slapped his ankle which made Mduju laugh.
"Won't your father be mad, he must have paid a lot for that." says Njuko clearly trying to sound as compased as possible after almost being gobbled up by the grass.
"Come on man, if you lose you can still have it." This time a strangely devilish smile has come across Mduju's face it reminds Njuko of when Zimo his Wartarg, has one of those delicious truffle mice dead to rights.
"Out with it. What do you really want....MY FRIEND." Njuko says knowing that unless Mduju actually makes an unreasonable request he would do it. Njuko's voice is level this time and he is also smiling stupidly they are after all two Targs in the mud.
Mduju rubs his broad nose and says "Bilat sent to us, she wants to partner with us in return she will give us these breaker artifacts."
"You said yes already didn't you?" Njuko asks Mduju knowing full well the answer to the question. Mduju only nods his smile even more wide.
"I did say that you would be here an hour before the Seed opening thou friend so best get on it." Mduju says immediately cutting off the calling so as to not hear the torrent of coarse words that are loosed by Njuko.
Njuko immediately starts running at hunter pace. When chasing down a herd of Banthers it is not uncommon for the chase to be spread out over 500 kilometers. Banthers are heavily leathered Bison like Buffalo's that can run at a constant pace without rest.
He is in the hills of Rado, a open plains dotted with small hills and the river Gorge which is the third largest river in the world. Even thou Njuko is running he makes sure to by pass the sticky grass. Which looks like ordinary blue grass except that when you step in it, it is more often than not the last step you take. Avoiding it is easy since it's usually only about 10 meters wide and some bones are always out of it sticking out like the hopes of Reublicas. A mad tribe of Frost born who submit themselves to the Great Taker.
Njoku has been running for over three hours now and has covered almost eighty kilometers when he spots an empty Ninroot, Njuko quickly takes out a herbel flask which expands in his hand. He places the blue sky colored glass over the plant and it automatically collects the plant roots and all. He smiles as he starts running home again. The Ninroot will make a great offering for the Seed opening festival especially since its probably the only one that survived into the summer. Ninroot is delicate and holds a special place as a symbol of great luck and fortune to those that come across it.
Njuko stops when remembers how Ninroot are said to give their fortune. Which is only through sacrifice. The wind blows past Njuko sending a small shiver down his spine. Njuko immediately shakes it off and runs the plains coming into sight after about another hour of running.
Njuko takes the shortcut through the hidden River swimming with the flow and cutting through the 60 kilometers of plains in under an hour. The run that follows quickly dries him off. At his current pace he will make it well before the appointed time. Njuko takes in the Valleys of his kin it said that his people were old in this land before even the fractured lands were formed. They have always been here and have survived seven shifts already.
Njuko came across a male lion, it is majestic with its golden mane and irovy teeth. It starts chasing after him. The loin is fast and quickly come upon him. It leaps at him Njuko jumps up into the loin. They role around on the grass the lion licking his face. Like most lions this one is extremely friendly. Njuko spends a moment cuddled up to it before returning to his run. By his estimate if he is in the pride lands then he has less than 200 kilometers left in his journey and its been about six hours meaning he will arrive a little after three in the morning. Leaving at least an hour or two to rest up.
Finally Njuko is greeted by the river Ta'muk it is at its most lovely in winter but under the light of the shattered moon it is particularly lovely too. It's green waters, in places has mixed with the yellow moonlight making it an even more vibrant green. Even some fire fairies are skimming the waters with their bright yellow wings and incandescent bills.
The river Ta'mak use to be one if the most inhospitable waters in all the tribe lands however thanks to Soketh over a thousand years ago the river was spilt many times allowing for the city of Tanagra to built on the many banks of now calm and ever flowing river Ta'mak.
His home is found on one of the center folds closets to the twelve estuaries of Ta'mak which surround the water gardens and the floating palace where Bilat lives with her family.
Njuko walks around past the small canal, into the river garden of his family home and goes straight to his house which is adjacent to his parents house. He needs to rest for as long as possible since the opening of the Seed World can be very dangerous. Especially if it's fractured which most are.
An hour later 5:45 am
The village is bustling with trumpets and people dancing in the river. The celebration is starting and Njuko tries his hardest to ignore it. he needs just fifteen more minutes before waking up.
Outside the MountainMen have arrived, as well as the border tribe wearing magnificent silver woven armor with inbuilt thermal reactors to keep them warm. The Border Tribe use theirs to control road bettles. Those hug wagon like bettles love the energy given off by the clothes and in return for being able to eat the energy they are used as pack animals. The Dune dwellers who are dressed in their military regalia. The glitter cape makes most of them fade in and out of version. Several other tribes are still traversing the river ways each of the nine in their own unique motif. The music only gets louder as more and more people join in the fun