Cloud Weavers (Part 2)
This post is part of an archive. To read the current version, we recommend “Cloud Weavers (*)”
Ephriam was still disorentated from his emergence from the cave. He had to squint his eyes. “Where…where am I? The sun fools me into questioning my own senses.”
“No, your senses do not deceive you. The place you find yourself is a place with a certain uniqueness. The sun here charts its own course as does the much more temperamental wind. And as you can tell, even the sand has a hard time making up its mind.”
“Who are you?” Ephriam asked as he pulled his animals from the cave’s shelter.
The man hopped down from his perch on the boulders. He was not quite as tall as Ephraim expected. “I am Ezra. My daughter, son, and I make our home here in this most unique of places.”
He looked at the camel and sheep then back to Ephraim. “You seem to be trapped in some difficult circumstances. Perhaps we can make a deal. Give me your thin sheep and aged camel and I will offer you a cool place to call home.”
“I am like a ship on the waters. There is no one place I call home. All I have is what you see with me, I know nothing else.”
“Come then.” Ezra turned and motioned toward the east. “I have fresh melon and fruit that will make your throat burst out in song. You may reconsider after you are refreshed.”
They traveled to another outcropping of tall rocks next to a low hill. Ezra led them between two of the largest. Another cave swallowed part of the hill’s side. The opening was framed by wooden door built specifically for the entrance.
Inside, the walls and floors were covered with thick carpets of extraordinary detail. There were worktables with bolts of the same amazing material that made up the swirling threads of Ezra’s clothing and just beyond that was a large loom. The polished wood gleamed even in the feeble candlelight that lit the cave.
Ephraim couldn’t help himself. “Is this the magic loom that allows you to create the material you are wearing? Do you realize what it’s worth? For such as this, I will give you my sheep, camel, and all the perfumes I am carrying for just a single roll.”
A short chuckle escaped Ezra. “No, I sell to the Emir of the kingdom personally. I have no need for a go between. But I will show you what I do need.”
They walked deeper into the cave and across further wonders. Enfolded about wood the length and width of broomsticks, bits of wild clouds spun in captivity. Ephraim reached to touch one.
Ezra reached out and clasped Ephraim’s hand. “Oh, no. Do not spoil the small clouds I have captured. There are so few in the desert of the other world and I cannot allow the filth on your hands to taint them.”
“You are taking clouds and weaving them into fabric!? How are you able to do such a thing?!”
“A genie gave me wish and I chose to have my happiness completed. The wish gave me extended life, a son and daughter, this hidden home, the loom, and the ability to magically weave material taken from the heavens.
My son captures the clouds and brings them here. My daughter spins the clouds and colored smoke into threads almost lighter than air. Finally, I use the loom the weave the fabric.
The clothes I make breath as you do. They do not trap heat as wool does. The material refuses to absorb warmth from the sun. Though the clouds and smoke are bound tight they still swim within their constraints. It creates clothing finer than silk. Unfortunately, the material wears easily and once it begins to fray the entire garment can disappear within hours.”
Ephraim stroked his bearded chin. “And so you again sell your material to the royal family. It would seem you should be quite wealthy.”
They reached the back of the cave and another door shaped to the entrance’s exact contours. It fit so well it almost sealed out any sand from the outside desert.
Ezra opened it and Ephraim needed to blink to readjust his eyes. Outside in a small canyon, an oasis flourished. Tall grasses covered the ground before him. Healthy palms provided shade and guarded the clear pool in the garden’s center. Built into the sloped walls of the canyon were terraces where large melons and other fruits were being cultivated.
“This is amazing! May I drink from your spring?”
Ezra made a dismissive gesture and Ephraim rushed to the pool’s side. He drank until every limb in his body felt refreshed. Then he threw water over his face and smiled as it trickled down his short beard.
“Select a melon from the lower terraces. They should be ripe by now.”
Ephraim stood. “Have my animals been taken care of?”
“They drank long before you did.”
Ephraim ran his fingers along his forehead. The water collected along his fingers and was absorbed by his sleeve. “You mentioned striking a deal with me. What did you have in mind?”
“Look beyond that far palm. What do you see?”
Ephraim leaned to one side and caught a glimpse of a girl taking water from the spring’s source. “There is a young woman taking water. Why is this important?”
“That is my daughter Opal. She is the one who spins the clouds to thread. But with all the tasks needed to keep our garden up, she doesn’t have all the time she needs to finish her work. My son spends his days hunting clouds. I would like you to stay here with us to care for the garden while my children work for me.”
Ephraim looked about the garden again. It was huge and would take him many hours to maintain. “I decline your offer. I am a trader as my ancestors were and although I lack the business sense they have, that is my given profession. You will have to find another.”
Ezra didn’t sound too disappointed. “Are you sure? The fruits and vegetables grown here will extend your life.”
“Again, no. I would like to offer you some of my scented oils as payment for helping me and offering me a night’s stay. However, tomorrow I must make my way to the capital city of Jinta.”
“You may find that difficult since it was my magic that brought you here and without it you will not be able to leave.” Ezra’s voice still sounded pleasant. “Come, let’s eat and wash. Perhaps you will agree to my terms after a meal and bath.”
After a long soak in a reed-sheltered portion of the pool, Ephraim went inside and sat down with Ezra and his two children. The boy had returned. Except for the darker beard and younger eyes, Ezra and his son Habib resembled each other very strongly. Both were built as the common man with a small measure of added height.
As Ephraim approached, Habib raised his cup and offered a warm smile. “Welcome Ephraim! I understand you will be staying with us and helping with the garden. That is good and I am sure Opal most certainly approves.”
“Is that so?” Ephraim swallowed his flux of anger. “I was not aware I had completely agreed. In fact, I have already declined your father’s offer twice now.”
Opal sat down beside her brother. “Father, you swore you would not simply take someone!”
Ezra reached for his cup but his expression was unchanging. “Ephraim, I will not keep you forever. Work on behalf of my family now and when I see fit, I will return you to the natural realm with enough gold to buy ten slaves to serve you.”
Ephraim looked at Opal and Habib for any sign that their father might be lying but their faces did not change.
“I will agree but only if you teach me the art of using the loom. I have made a poor merchant. Perhaps my skills lie among the threads and shutters.”
Ezra crossed his arms. It was the first time he’d shown any real expression. “You know, you may be able to weave the magic cloth but you won’t be able to sell it without me helping you leave this canyon.”
“I know. Yet I wish to learn your craft and feel the magic of spun sky across my fingers.”
Ezra agreed to spend evenings teaching Ephraim the weaver’s skill.
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