Contest Entry #1 (Eyes High)
Posted: 17 Jul 2010 12:10
Chani's Thoughts:
‘That fool! It’s a wonder he hasn’t lost his water already.’ Chani thought for the hundredth time, as she watched Jamis arguing with her uncle yet again. Why Stilgar continued to put up with him she still had yet to figure out. True, he could be useful in a fight but his hot headiness more-than-often clouded his judgment to the point were he was dangerous, not only to himself but other around him.
Jamis had gotten into another fight over some silly make believe offense. And if she were honest with herself, Chani had to admit that she had been pleased when Awsik had gotten the best of Jamis. But she knew this would not be the last of it, there would be another fight on another day. Jamis would demand a rematch. He just couldn’t let something go. At least most of the altercations Jamis got into were mere scuffles and not a Tahaddi. The tribe lost enough members without needless Tahaddi challenges.
Chani returned her focus back to her work, preparing the evening meal. Her father was due home anytime now and she was looking forward to seeing him. So rarely did he seem to have the time to spend at the sietch lately and although she understood the reasoning that didn’t mean that she liked it. Even though her uncle took very good care of her and she loved him as a second father, there was something special about the times she got to spend with her own father. Even when those times could be far between she cherished each one.
Chani covered the finished meal and rose. Making sure her stillsuit was secured she went outside. Standing in the opening with the door seals closed tight behind her, she raised her face to the night sky. First moon had already risen and Chani watched as the stars flickered into view one by one. The night held its own mysteries, but mysteries that could be discovered by trained eyes.
Chani turned her gaze from the sky to the open desert beyond her beloved Sietch Tabr. She tried to envision the world her grandfather had talked about, the world her very father was making the preparations for, but it could be difficult at times. Would it ever come to pass? She knew she would never live to see it, but would all their hard work and careful planning finally payoff for some future generation? Would the Misr survive to see open water on Dune or would the hated Harkonnen manage to wipeout the Freman before the fulfillment of the plan?
‘No! We will survive.’ Chani reminded herself. We are a strong race and we will survive. Others have sought to destroy us and we are still here. The Harkonnen will fail as will whomever the Emperor sends next. With one last look out to the beautiful and deadly desert Chani turned and entered the sietch for the night. Far in the distant sands, a rider was driving a worm homeward.
‘That fool! It’s a wonder he hasn’t lost his water already.’ Chani thought for the hundredth time, as she watched Jamis arguing with her uncle yet again. Why Stilgar continued to put up with him she still had yet to figure out. True, he could be useful in a fight but his hot headiness more-than-often clouded his judgment to the point were he was dangerous, not only to himself but other around him.
Jamis had gotten into another fight over some silly make believe offense. And if she were honest with herself, Chani had to admit that she had been pleased when Awsik had gotten the best of Jamis. But she knew this would not be the last of it, there would be another fight on another day. Jamis would demand a rematch. He just couldn’t let something go. At least most of the altercations Jamis got into were mere scuffles and not a Tahaddi. The tribe lost enough members without needless Tahaddi challenges.
Chani returned her focus back to her work, preparing the evening meal. Her father was due home anytime now and she was looking forward to seeing him. So rarely did he seem to have the time to spend at the sietch lately and although she understood the reasoning that didn’t mean that she liked it. Even though her uncle took very good care of her and she loved him as a second father, there was something special about the times she got to spend with her own father. Even when those times could be far between she cherished each one.
Chani covered the finished meal and rose. Making sure her stillsuit was secured she went outside. Standing in the opening with the door seals closed tight behind her, she raised her face to the night sky. First moon had already risen and Chani watched as the stars flickered into view one by one. The night held its own mysteries, but mysteries that could be discovered by trained eyes.
Chani turned her gaze from the sky to the open desert beyond her beloved Sietch Tabr. She tried to envision the world her grandfather had talked about, the world her very father was making the preparations for, but it could be difficult at times. Would it ever come to pass? She knew she would never live to see it, but would all their hard work and careful planning finally payoff for some future generation? Would the Misr survive to see open water on Dune or would the hated Harkonnen manage to wipeout the Freman before the fulfillment of the plan?
‘No! We will survive.’ Chani reminded herself. We are a strong race and we will survive. Others have sought to destroy us and we are still here. The Harkonnen will fail as will whomever the Emperor sends next. With one last look out to the beautiful and deadly desert Chani turned and entered the sietch for the night. Far in the distant sands, a rider was driving a worm homeward.