Dance Beneath The Moons

[Sjira]

(Posted: Sat May 30, 2015 4:05 am)

The caravan was still there within the borders of the infamous place called RhyDin.

Even for these lands, where beauty was to be expected of every female and handsomeness and strength of every male...where riches were never in short supply for most...where magic was first-nature in far too many...the caravan was enough to bring pause.

S'jira knew it well enough and hers was a far simpler and humbler path. Two moons were in the grand sky and on the edge of that night winds has started to blow, bringing with it clouds that would eventually blot out dual nocturnal light.

But for now, it was more than enough for the small woman from the wilds of Llothgar to pick her way through the winding, and at times busy, cobblestone streets of an ever-growing metropolis. Her dull and earth-toned dresses so often worn had been changed for one she rarely wore. Silks were worn that night of yellow and blue that were edged in black. They were given to her by Althrae, the gem of the caravan.

That gem knew that for all of 'jira's quiet...there was a torrent of passion that ran strong and deep beneath the calm and muted surface. A fact few knew first-hand.

The outfit was made up of vibrant, triangular layers in two main pieces: a halter of a top and a hip-borne skirt. Bells laced the entire circumference of the band that set snug and low about the swell of her hips. More bells were wrapped about her wrists and one to her right ankle. Her hair was worn down and long enough to reach the small of her back in torrent layers, interrupted occasionally by locks that had been braided two strands of hair woven in with a slender band of leather.

Already she was late to have put on so much of that outfit, most unaccustomed to tending to self that much atall in the last handful of years or so. Not since the days of being with Master Kiroth did she prepare self in such detail. But there was a performance that night. A promise had been made to her firm, forthright but endearing friend, Althrae.

Bare feet rushed over the cobblestones. She could feel the stones biting into the soles of her feet with haste. She was late and Althrae had a tongue that rivaled any Llothgarian's well-cared for dagger. Breath drew in when the next rushed need for it and tasted the hints of rain coming on the night air. It hadn't fallen yet and heart still hoped that there would be time enough for the performance.

? 'jira!? Althrae scolded her before either of them even saw each other. Born and raised in the ancient deserts of Zsaltahim, the ethereal woman was fuel to any wick, fiery and alive. Normally, to find out what she was, beyond the caravan, one had to be within great tents of a Sultan?s Harem- at its very heart. But the Gem had not been inside of a Sultan?s Harem or holding for several years now. She was a Chain Dancer, a silk wearer, and an enthraller of both men and women with such talents for dance -- if their heads and hearts are willing enough to be allured. Althrae claimed that only two had never been swayed by her dances: her mother and her father!

Along the spice and silk routes she traveled with that caravan. Though she was a woman of her own means, it was a gentle balance she created with drawing more attention to what they had to barter by the undulation of her hips. In trade, she traveled with the caravan under the protection of a tall, broad shouldered Moor by the name of Santarem. He was a man of great strength and knowledge of weapons with his sword pledged to the protection of the Chain Dancer. It is not his business who she danced for or what sort she might slip into the shadows with, as long as he kept her unharmed.

Althae?s appearance was a softly fleshed one. Milky skin enticed the eyes and the scent of her perfume drew the senses further. Her long, blond hair shown with every touch of light upon those locks and caused her to stand out starkly in the lands of blinding light and harsh heat.

Forest green eyes made the leaves upon the trees most envious were far too warm and inviting to many and cold to others. Richly colored silk garments of varying sorts were worn with specific cutting and style to bring to the surface lurid thoughts from their lucid layers. Fine, linked chains are sometimes worn like proverbial bonds and with the prettiness of jewelry. Those silks on her were single color: fire-red.

S'jira cringed a little to see that Santarem was with Althrae, as he should have been but the expression on his face seemed to be ...strained, as if he had endured a good while of listening to Althrae's complaints. He was at least two head's height taller than either of the women there and looked fierce enough to drive away more problems with a mere look.

"A performance is not to be shirked, s'jira." She put her hands on her alluring hips and rolled her shoulders to loosen them. "You have me tense! How am I supposed to be bring in as much coins as in a man's pockets if I am such a mess?!"

The smaller woman with darker flesh and much darker hair could only smile at Althrae who looked as if she had had a dozen attendants seeing to getting every strand of hair and every piece of silk in perfect place. "Please forgive, Althrae.. bells...and braidings..."

"Tsk, tsk!" The blond woman made that quick sound with her tongue. "Hurry on then! Already the drums beat!"

More than those instruments were playing. She heard symbols, flutes, drums, and a few others that she did not recognize. Before she could think, barely time to breathe, the two of them were rushing up onto a crude stage that had been build near the river's edge. Torches seemed to be everywhere and light the area well, sputtering dull beneath the upbeat and tribal sounds of the music being played.

Althrae threw a look at s'jira as they took to the stage before the pale-haired beauty stomped her right foot and her lithe arms swept upwards to slap palm against palm. S'jira counted to three and performed as the Gem's shadow for a few more movements. Then their hips lifted slow in counterbalance to the faster-paced melody, a lifted and fall..a sway of flesh and bone to give bells and silks life.

A heart was beating so heart and fast that she was certain that someone might have been able to hear it above the drums. S'jira swallowed it down, pushing the fear of performing and allowed the sounds of the instruments take a hold of her as if it were the wrapping about of strong and guiding arms. Her right hand abandoned her left hip and swept outwards as if to slowly call attention to the minstrels off to the far right side. Then a hop to her left foot, s'jira and Althrae smiled and spun about the balls of their bare feet ? silks flowing in vibrant colors that called and drew the attention of all watching.

Fingerstips touched her left hip again, then near her bare midriff, upwards to her heart and alighted to her temple. Althrae smile and tossed her hair, sending a look 'jira's way to see where she was and how she was doing. The look the small one saw was not one of disappointment or disapproval so she laughed aloud and started to enjoy the time. Another hop and turn, the twirled in unison faster and faster until they see nothing of the crowd. Even the light of the torches' flames streamed with a ruddy, golden ribbon; blurred.

When the drums were hit with a harsh, resounding and final beat...both women dropped partly to the swell of their left hips, sides and that arm outstretched. They lay there as if fallen, smote by some unseen force or blade.. though they were breathing hard and smiling. A pleased uproar from the crowd as they erupted with shouts of adoration and applause. While they lay there a few more seconds, coins rained.

Althrae gracefully started to pull herself up from where she had 'fallen'. She drew her knee up to her chest and briefly wrapped a lithe around her silk covered knee and shin. It seemed in slow motion to watch the Gem gain her standing and take a bow, to smile out to her admirers. Then she waved at s'jira who was belatedly getting up from the platform to added applause.

Moments more passed while she stood slightly behind and of to the side of her fair haired friend. There was no true want for the adoration that was being dripped upon Althrae. She was happy that it had gone well, that she had not ruined her friend's chances at acquiring coin for her and the rest of the troupe of entertainers. Here and there, s'jira was pressed forward to meet a few that had seen them dancing. All served to gain more coin as well as to personally meet the two so that the word would spread to whomever those people in the crowd told. A good reputation always drew a better crowd upon return, so Althrae always said.

"You have made her happy..." Santarem had come to stand not far from s'jira while they watched Althrae move naturally amongst the crowd as if she were a queen and these were her adoring subjects. His large hand rested loosely about the grip of a sword that hung at his side.

"Truly?" Darkly colored eyes lifted up to the Gem's guardian, then spent attention back towards the thinning crowd. She could not help but to find a small smile to hear it. "It does a heart good to hear this, Santarem."

"Truly, s'jira." His arms folded over his chest while he kept a close eye on all before them. He pulled in a breath. "Rains come soon." Murmured aside to her.

As if on cue, a droplet met her shoulder but did not come in a downpour.

" 'Tarem!" Althrae called out to him. She was in no danger, but it seemed to be her signal to him that she was more than done for the night and ready to go into her tent.

S'jira smiled to watch them sent the crowd off to their homes or elsewhere ? as long as it wasn't there where the caravan knew the weather was turning and they were ready to eat and retire for the night. Althrae reach out and wrapped 'jira up into her embrace, then pulled back to eye her with a smiling, though narrowed regard. ?You did well, 'jira. Very well!? A few gold coins were pressed into the Llothgarian woman's palm. "Now, head for home before the rains come...or I'll be forced to have you sleep in Santarem's tent!" She laughed aloud, nudged the smaller woman off in the direction of the Red Dragon.

It had not lasted but half an hour's time, but it had been a wonderful thing to gather the courage enough to dance with Althrae. A lot of practice it had taken but it had been worth it. There might have been a chance to dance with her again in the near, or far, future. S'jira smiled and hummed the vibrant, tribal melody they had danced to. Here and there amongst the lights and shadows, she half-danced...simply happy with how the night had gone. A heart half-wished that someone she knew might have seen it. What a sight that might have been for them! The quiet, reclusive, shy woman she was...was dancing before a crowd!

The small one laughed aloud, soft and warm, at the mere thought of it that made her immediately nervous and elated. Bells singing and silks flowing, she hurried back in the direction of the Red Dragon inn even as she was starting to feel more rain drops fall and the wind starting to rise. The light of the moons were fading as the clouds were moving swiftly in. Surely it was to be a very good night!