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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Maerdwyn" data-source="post: 1635131" data-attributes="member: 835">Part one: Vayitparku The blackening sky and terrible heat match the mood in the main camp perfectly. Moses has not yet returned, has not yet come down out of the mountain, and some have been openly grumbling about it for days. The Egyptian and Hikaukhausut hangers-on (now called Erav Rav or, "The Mixed Multitudes" by most of the Israelites) are openly circulating through the camp, selling various charms and potions against the ill omens the approaching storm was supposed to portend, and some of the people are openly buying them. Indeed, Aaron's and Hur's leadership has weakened alarmingly in the past weeks.  In fact, the two men have just finished meeting with some of the more vocal rabble rousers, and to those who saw them after they emerged from the tent, the two leaders looked depressed...defeated, perhaps. Now, Aaron is at the center of the camp, arranging a number of stones in a large circle. He moves slowly, as if hindered by age, but refusing all offers of help and all requests for explanation. For his part, Hur has taken up a great bronze axe, and is chopping wood at the communal woodpile. By contrast, the other participants in the meeting emerged from the tent in considerably brighter moods. They gathered their families to them, and spoke to them quietly, their eyes their eyes filled with hope. Then the groups disperesed, and began talking with the people. Especially, it seems, those who were known to have purchased charms.  **************************In a tent on the outskirts of camp, Paqad sits bolt upright in the tent, startling Melech and Naarah out of their sleep. It is still mid afternoon, and the early summer heat is still oppressive. The sun, which had been blazing when they'd lain down to nap, is now mostly hidden behind swiftly gathering, dark clouds. Naarah scowls at Paqad, saying, "Must it sleep in the tent, Melech?" before turning over and falling back to sleep. Paqad looks agitated - though not at Naarah's words. Instead, he looks off in the distance, toward Thubal's tents. Three young men are approaching from that direction, their faces solemn. For a moment Melech is sure that one must be the man from the dream he just woke from...but, no...he recognizes them from the main camp... he can't immediatey come up with their names, though... brothers...a "good" family.... A minute later, the men arrive at the tent, smelling very faintly of Thubal's tannery. The oldest smiles a reserved, but mostly genuine smile at Melech, and says "Hello, Hunter! We bring you news that cannot wait until eveing. I am Hadar ben Tzuriel, and these are my brothers, Arel and Peleg." They stand politely, clearly waiting to be asked in. ***********************</blockquote>

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