Abed, the city that revered the gods and was called sacred. She had learnt the name from her searching in Iria and with effort, she had arrived. For a moment, Gale thought she was back home again. She had felt the same way in her untimely arrival in the capital of Arri. The sights and sounds were both foreign yet so familiar. Both places had aspects of Karkhata–the arid climate and sun of Sularia, and the vibrant color and energy of the sacred city. Ever since she had set foot here, it was as if the place was in a never-ending state of celebration and revelry. She had thought the Festival of the Gilden Moon was taking place before the next day the same activities continued. It was hard to meditate in such a place, yet the dream-walker was not one to be daunted.
With no goods to sell or things to trade, she turned to doing what she knew best to earn her keep. By the roadside she would occasionally perform the traditional dances she had learned from her master, and tell stories to those who would stop by and listen. The tales she told were as many as the stars in the sky, as every single one had come from the sights she had seen in the realm of dreams. Unlike the frenetic, feverish beat of the city hers was a calm and peaceful corner like a pool of spring water in the desert. Those who chose to stay were those who were drawn to the girl's serenity. At the end of the day she did not earn much, but she continued to stay until she fully understood the dream of this island city. She had seen Iria and Sularia. Perhaps she would also find that door between worlds which she was looking for…
The noise made meditation a challenge, as her focus often drifted away from dreaming. There was a sense of unrest in the air, not quite bordering on pandemonium. Abed was beautiful enough, but it was tiring in a way. All that Gale wished for now was to quietly slip away into a dream. Her fiery-orange hair stood out against the camel-colored vest and trousers she wore, and her cotton tunic's only coloration were the embroidery of blue and red around the hems. She looked plain in contrast to the sea of fuschia, sunset orange, deep blues, rich purples, saffron yellows, and viridian greens of the raiment worn by the locals here. The heavy perfume of spices hung in the air, recalling old memories of the Karkhatan bazaar. What surprised her the most were the appearance of great beasts with long noses, wide ears, and horns protruding from the sides of their mouths. They were towering and powerful, yet had a gentle temperament in their eyes. Often they were richly adorned in patterned cloth and baubles as processions of people followed after them, waving fans formed from the plumes of great birds and playing raucous brass and wind instruments. She had never seen such a beast in all of her life, and would have her eyes meet with them whenever they came by.
There were some parts of the festivities that were disconcerting to her. The strange dances with sabers and spiked flails were difficult to watch, as they spun them around in a maddening ecstasy. She liked performances, but the people in them did not look happy even if they had smiles on their faces. She preferred the marching animals much more. There were many performers out on the streets, from men clad in a myriad of instruments that played all at once to people who performed tricks with monkeys. There never was a dull moment in the time she spent watching and waiting. Today, Gale cleared her throat and spoke in a loud voice over the crowd that had gathered awaiting for her next story. With hands raised high, she brought them together in a sweeping motion as if clasped in prayer. She bowed, touching her forehead to her fingertips before she spun the tale.
"Long ago in the land of Nod, there lived a king and queen. Their castle towers were built up high, pure and white with pearly sheen. The king wore upon his crown gold and silver wings, while his love–the queen of Nod had a thousand jade and opal rings. Their thrones were carved from ruby stones and adorned by eagles and lilies; and within the reins of their domains lay one hundred thousand cities. Then one night as the moon shone bright, the ground split with a shriek. And from the ground that had split sprung a serpent who swallowed the sea. The rivers dried and the fields died as the seasons brought no rain, thus spoke the king as his people cried: 'The accursed beast must be slain!' In the land of Nod there was a god who heard the cities' prayer, with girded loins he rode on until he came upon the serpent's lair. With voice raised high, he loudly cried: 'Monster, show thy face! Release the sea and let the waters be, and in exchange I will take their place.' The serpent crawled upon its legless form and hissed through fanged teeth–'A god's life for the sea? 'Tis more than a proper trade!' And so it belched the waters and the rain while the valiant god he ate. From within the lizard's skin, the god then drew his blade, and from inside its mouth came a terrible growl as the the deity flayed flesh from skin. With the serpent felled, the god returned and presented to the king its head. 'Fear not o king and virtuous queen, for the hateful beast is dead.' As it is said in the land of Nod, praised are the gods among men. For with their might, they make right what the world makes wrong again."