#gwafa

Gwafa followed them to the harbor. He proudly showed them around, and they found something to eat, but Noor thought it tasted very strange.

- You can just as well get used to it, Eira said in her usual logical way. From now on nothing will be like we are used to.

It was time to say goodbye.

Some goodbyes are more difficult than others.

- I will never forget you, Noor said, knowing that Gwafa could not understand a word she was saying.

- D kemm ay d taqcict tahuskayt akk ay walaɣ deg tmeddurt-inu, he said.

- I don’t understand, she said while Gwafa was nodding.

- Even if we can’t understand each other’s language, we have an understanding heart to heart, Noor thought to herself, as she saw him walk away.

- I’m going to ask around for ships leaving to Krete the following days, Tjen said. Please wait for me here, and don’t walk around on your own. The harbor is full of nasty people who have nothing good in mind.

- Well, if I wasn't anxious before, I certainly am now! Noor sighed.

- I think we will be okay. Don’t you want to take off your blanket? Eira asked her sister. You don’t need it now when we are out of the desert?

- I kind of like it, it feels safe in a way. Especially when people are staring.

- Maybe they are staring because you look different.

- You might be right.

.

The next day they walked in silence. Reality had hit Noor and Eira, that they would be on their own from now on. Tjen would help them to find a ship, and then return with Gwafa to the oasis, and eventually all the way back to Oasis Springs.

- I must admit, I am terrified, Noor said quietly.

- Me too. But we will do it together. It will be okay. Eira tried to be confident, but it sounded somewhat hollow.

- Eira! Noor shouted. I can see it! I can see the ocean!!

As soon as they reached the water's edge, they decided to take a bath.

Tjen, who had bit of thalassophobia, was reluctant at first, but soon he jumped in with his sisters.

- This is the best! What a relief to get rid of that desert sand!

....

Gwafa did not join them. It’s hard to tell what he was thinking.

.

- But listen! His voice is like velvet! I just want to share my blanket with him.

- Oh holy spirits, Eira was not impressed, The sun must have boiled your head. Even the goat is laughing. Thank goodness we are going to reach our destination tomorrow.

There was a special atmosphere around the campfire that night.

- It is so beautiful here, Eira said. One part of me is almost sad that this journey is ending. I will remember it always.

- One thing I hope I will forget is how bad we all smell, Tjen replied.

- Yeah, sharing a blanket would not be a good idea, Noor added.

- Definately not! For many reasons! Eira was relieved that her sister had come to her senses.

- It's still very sad thinking about what could have been, Noor said.

- I, for my part, am most happy that I will be able to bathe tomorrow, Tjen sighed. Even if it is in salt water.

Gwafa suddenly started singing.

It was like he was singing to a special someone.

Noor had tears in her eyes. The song went straight to her heart.

- Oh sis, Eira tried to comfort her sister.

- I’m never going to see him again, am I? And I will never see mother and father again either. How could I leave them?

.

- You have to stop saying that! It’s not true!

- But...

- No buts! It was my choice to come with you. My decision. I don’t want to hear about this again. Stop it! I mean it!

- But...

- No buts!

- But I just wanted to say that I’m really grateful, and that I couldn’t have done this without you.

- Ah. Okay. Eira felt a bit embarrassed.

- I love you too. I really, really do. Now hurry up, we are falling behind.

They fell into a sort of routine. Walking rather fast in the morning, and slower in the evening. Taking short breaks to drink some water, and a good rest when the sun was at its most intense.

The sound of the wind playing with the sand, were sometimes broken by Gwafa’s voice. Singing sad songs in a language the girls did not understand.

- It’s kind of romantic isn’t it, Noor whispered.

- He has a lovely voice, Eira answered soberly.

- I think I love him...

- What? You can’t be serious!

.

They started early the next day. Gwafa in front, Noor and Eira in the middle and Tjen in the back.

In the beginning the girls were laughing and joking.

But after a while they became more silent. And hot and tired.

- How are you girls doing? Are you okay? Tjen shouted.

- We are fine! Eira shouted back

- Do you think that you can walk like this for five days?

- Of course! We are strong!

- Psst! Eira! Noor whispered, Are you really okay?

- Well, I am a bit tired, but it will be okay. What about you?

- My feet are KILLING me. I’m not used to this shoe thing. But the sand is so hot, I’m afraid to take them off.

- Oh yes, I agree. It’s not like in Oasis Springs. This heat is much more intense.

- I’m so sorry Eira, for what I make you go through. This is all my fault.

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- How many? The man smiled confidently.

- Three. And goat.

- Goat no problem. Ride or walk?

- Walk. I think. Woman, but strong.

- Let me see them, the man said, he had obviously had negotiations like this before.

The man studied Noor and Eira carefully.

- OK. Walk.Do you have food? Water?

- Yes, Tjen confirmed.

- Clothes?

- No. Buy? Skins?

- You definitely need new clothes! Eh...Ten skins!!

- What? Ten!!? Tjen protested. No, no no! Four! he suggested.

The man seemed annoyed, but in the end, they agreed on seven skins.

- All right, he said. It’s far too little, but since it’s low season I will let it pass. My name is Gwafa, and I will take you to the port safe and secure. Now let me find some clothes for you.

- Sister, you look very nice! Noor was excited.

- Do you think so? I feel very strange...

- It will take some time getting used to.

- Yeah, I guess. These clothes are really itchy though!

- But look at Tjen! Hahaha! You look so funny with that outfit, Tjen!

- Maybe, but these clothes will be very useful. You will see!

- We need to plan some things. First of all we must feed all the animals very well tonight. You need water for four days, maybe five. And don’t forget your goat!

- How will we carry that much water? And all our other stuff?

- You don’t have to carry anything. We will use the dromedaries for that. But don’t think that it will be easy. It’s very hard, and very dangerous.

- Dangerous?

- Yepp. There are snakes, and scorpions, and wild dogs and bandits.

- Bandits?

- Sure. They are usually just interested in the valuables, but sometimes they take people. For slaves.

- Tjen, he is lying, right?

- Well, not really. But we will be very careful!

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