A Leader…

Desdem - Sand Horde Camps
JP with Omni and mdmanosfan

Ch’Truta nodded. In the swamp of Still Valley, the people tended to look at other’s differences. Even the separate broods, even though they were from the swamps and followed Uctilo’rhu, the fact they were from a different brood made them an enemy. Ch’Truta was beginning to see that he must accept those differences and pull together to work toward a common goal.

The air was changing from the dry heat of the day to the coolness of the desert night. He followed Silina to the encampment, observing how those of the Aroka respected her. They honored her as one who leads them. However, they were not elevating Silina to the near goddess status as others have seen Sister Locust.

“Tell me,” Ch’Truta probed, “how came they to see you as they do?”

“In what way do you mean?” Silina asked as they walked.

“Well,” Ch’Truta explained matter-of-factly, stopping and turning to her, “they see you as a leader, yet you are not the eldest among them. I am left to believe that you have taken charge in battle. Is that it?”

His brow wrinkled as he thought. “Or perhaps, you have shared wisdom beyond any of the others. I have sensed your cautiousness. That is a characteristic of wisdom. Approach things slowly.”

“I tend to act rashly,” Ch’Truta confessed. “So, I have to listen to those who think before responding.”

"In the Aroka Sept, leadership is not taken; it is bestowed by those who see in you the reflection of their hopes, their strength," Silina explained, her voice carrying a blend of humility and pride. "It is earned through actions, through standing with your people in times of need, and guiding them. My path was carved in a similar manner, by first taking up the pilgrimage of bones..." She paused, her gaze lingering on the horizon where the stars began to claim their places. She thought back on the trials. "...but by being present in the struggles, not apart from them, I have found my place as a leader among them. These people know that I did not pass the trials... that I failed to walk courageously through the flames... but they still believe that I should be their leader, and while I am not Sister Locust, I can still represent their hope and strength..."

Ch’Truta was beginning to believe he had misinterpreted this honor the Aroka placed upon Silina. She obviously had no thoughts of breaking from Islana. Did she have reservations that an outsider was chosen? Yes, but she ultimately placed her trust in the Twins. Her devotion was to her god and her people. Much like Ch’Truta himself. He was here following the leading of the spirits. It was his god that had lead him here. He was sent here to protect the way of life for his people.

Way of life was a strange way of phrasing it. The swamp, where it seemed around every tree lurked an animal or plant that was created to kill a person, was a dangerous place. Out of the death of the swamp, there was life. They survived.

It was different here. Although the desert offered vipers and scorpions, Ch’Truta felt less stress here. He seemed to be free from the looming death the swamp represented.