Evening swells across the veld. Invigorated by its welcome sustenance, the two men rise to follow the San Man. Beneath their feet the dusty soil gives way to barren rock as they silently traverse the wide and empty landscape. With the last of the daylight, the breeze quickens. Gusts of scorched sun-baked air swirl down from the smudge-blue mountains and roll away across the veld towards the faraway koppie.
The ground is steeper now. Step after step the San Man leads them onwards. Walking among the ghostly moonbeams, their feet trace the tracks of long-ago water-carved pathways. Memories of gushing streams and bubbling springs are gouged into the parched rock. The foothills are aching for the water’s soft caress.
Back on the koppie the mountain breeze plays over the mouth of the cave. The maiden lifts her head and breathes the scent of the returning soul. The young man stirs, eyelid fluttering, his mind bursting with the memory of his long flight home.
He raises his head as the maiden kneels at his side. She offers herself to him and under the eyes of the ancestors they become one.
The maiden cries out, her triumphant ululation echoes across the empty veld; high up, among the lonely peaks of smudge-blue mountains, a force awakens. A rock splits, then another. Fragments fall, spilling and spiralling downwards. The San Man raises his spear-stick in salute and the rain-bull, glimmering in the moon-bright night, rises from his slumber and lifts his great head heavenward.
/…to be continued
luna's on line 
A mystical tale, masterfully written.
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Thanks for your kind words, Sadje 🙂
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Always my pleasure Chris.
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Love the visual of the San Man leading the two men from a soiled path turning into a water craved pathway from long ago. I could see the change in terrain as I read. It took a maiden to wake the young man from his sleep (lol) Question is…will she stay with him?
Good series Christine.
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: ) The story seems to be unfolding before my eyes. I’m still wondering about the role the maiden has to play. She’ll show me soon.
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Wonderful. Then you tell us. 😉
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What a magical moment here! A true cosmic creation.
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I’m waiting for her to tell me what happens next…
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Ooh, this story just gets more interesting with each installment. Brilliant writing, Chris!
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🙂 thanks, Susan. It’s taken on a life of it’s own…
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That’s when it gets good! Are you working from an outline or are you pantsing?
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Outline???? Never 😉
I don’t really plan. I haven’t known the ending to any of the novels I’ve written until I’m almost there. Once the scene is set, everything is character driven. I get to know them and let them go. Things don’t usually click into place until the characters start chatting amongst themselves, but here there’s no speech. I observe from afar, but yet it seems to be working. I’m trying not to over-analyze in case it disturbs the magic
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I’m an outliner–apart from the challenge posts that link. I can only look on in awe at your wizardry.
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That’s very kind of you to say, Susan!
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Loved this. Incredibly visual. Nicely done!
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Thanks, Denise 🙂
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