Pulse of the Imperium

Efren's team arrived at the spot in the vicinity of the Muadh village, carrying supplies they could muster, and the antenna. Here, ferns grew well and other vegetation was sparser, allowing them a vista on the mountain range.

What had been conceptualised was easier said than done. The area was full of overgrowth-covered ravines and mountains which didn't offer a descend to the valley beyond, but another mountain in their shadow to climb. Without help of the locals they would need days if not weeks to find the right approach, and they had hours.

There had been a drizzle before dawn, and the mists were still lying low.

The Muadh village was around here somewhere, and at least one of them new the secret path to it. But not all could walk it, at least without blindfolds.

Efren followed along with the specialist who had lived with his family. The untapped potential of the jungle was on full display before him. So many places to hide… or get lost if one was not careful.

They walked the path… expecting at any moment to be confronted by the locals… the ones who knew the jungle better than anyone. The ones who possessed ‘jungle power.’

Cuyler quietly took it all in. The jungle really was beautiful.

"I know the path to the village. I've been living there." Sinsei said. "But I swore not to betray the trust of the Muadh by sharing it with others. Would you mind being blindfolded?"

Eileen was tagging along.

“I have no problem with being blindfolded.” He replied. He had done it just yesterday.

Sinsei had taken a liking to this Lanville. First, he looked like a Muadh, second he wasn't a judgemental disciplinarian like some other Atreides servicemen she'd met. He just seemed to be a good man, so it wasn't difficult for her to respect Paul's demand with regard to this Corporal. She was a bit curious about his story, but this curiosity could wait.

She blindfolded him with as much care as her hurt arm allowed, then she moved to Cuyler.

"Of course." She nodded. "I've dealt with secretive societies before."

"Oh? Something you'd elaborate on on the way?"

They were almost ready to set off. Sinsei gave them a vine to hold onto so that they would not separate.

"Not dealt with, really." she admitted. "Not really. But, I've seen the Fremen."

"Then perhaps once you will have got acquainted with the Muadh, you could find tell me how they compare to the Fremen?"

They set off.

---
When the blindfolds were removed, they found themselves in the village by the waterfall. Yar Zell and Young Mother came forth to greet them, the latter having a special smile for her son, though also disdain for all the weapons they carried. Still, Sinsei stepped forth and began speaking quickly in the Muadh language. Efren could get from the conversation that she was primarily making excuses for this kind of their presence and offering some vague explanations why they were there. Interestingly, Dy Wan referred to Sinsei as 'Wise Maiden'.

Efren listened and nodded as he struggled to follow along.

When an opportunity arose he spoke, “Those with outer spirits always return. We need to communicate with our friends to help us all leave safely.”

“We can only commune with our friends from the highest mountain top… So we are looking for a way to reach the top in the safest way possible.”

Cuyler remained silent , dipping her head in respect.

"Those things do not agree, my son. The highest mountain is not safe. The safest approach is not high. If you choose the first, you will put yourself and those with you in peril. If they fall to death, it will be your responsibility. Is this what you need to do?" The Young Mother spoke in Galach. She was not judgemental, but awaiting Efren's choice.

“The only route to safety is to reach the top of the mountain. Even if peril lies on the way… the only way to save the lives of my fellows… is up that mountain.”

He replied with a look of confidence, “It is what I feel I must do. I pray for Their protection on my quest… If you would plead on my behalf, I would be most grateful.”

The finality-trill.

"The plea was made and the Old Mother agreed. Yar Zell has agreed, and three more now will, to help you carry and climb. You will now nourish while ropes and hooks are prepared. The Wise Maiden will collect what she must."

They were taken to the communal place by the waterfall where they could enjoy a moment of reprieve before their ordeal. Embers-roasted small birds with honey and colourful tropical fruit would be brought to them on large leaves.

Eileen took it in stride, got her hair and face wet to feel fresh before coming down on the food.

Sinsei remained stadning.

"Like the Young Mother said, I need to collect a few of my things. I have a comms device which may work up there."

Cuyler was very interested in the offered food, but turned her attention to Sinsei.

"Would you like some help?"

"I won't turn it down." Sinsei took a brief bite. "It won't take long." She explained to Efren, pointing to a nearby hut hugging the rock.

She sampled the meat, then followed.

Efren nodded and found a rock to sit on.

He took some of the meat and fruit on a plate-sized leaf and began eating while listening to the sound of the nearby waterfall.

He closed his eyes and began visualizing the climb… His thoughts wandered to memories of his father’s training wall. To memories of this waterfall as a kid.

He began to see how things aligned from then until now… How did it get to be the way it was? None of it seemed to be coincidence… But what could it be?

His mother would say God… His father, the will and choices of people. Efren couldn’t know… didn’t understand the workings of the universe on him and through him. But this path seemed right.

This mountain was his to climb.

While on the outside the hut Cuyler was taken to looked like the rest in the village, on the inside it was anything but. There was a level of disarray, with stocks of ridulian crystal and more traditional paperwork, piled, stuffed and scattered around. There was an improvised cabinet with botanical samples preserved in containers and an improvised desk on which the most prominent space was occupied by a portable lab, with a microscope. It was to the drawer beneath that Sinsei reached, getting a spare knife, a second bolo, a small comm device, medical supplies and a signal gun.

"Was there something we needed solitude for, or you just wanted to see the place, Ms Gray?"