In the series of obstacles, Jonah saw the stubbornness and pride of the indigenous people. Fifteen years ago, the Zhawi people brought sailing technology to the endless sand sea and established a sailing civilization based on the north wind. It is said that they are now sailing in the desert. There are more than 5,000 sailing ships of various types. Most of them are gold prospectors who came north from the Tocharian Empire in search of desert wealth. Just like now, in the endless sea of sand-eating worms, Jonah can see dozens of sailing ships. The towering mast of the large sailing ship. The latecomers seemed a little awed by the sailing ship of the Zhawi pioneers. They always kept a distance and refused to get closer.
The Tantuha people did not build a sailing ship. Their way of life has not changed since they learned to tame sand-eating insects thousands of years ago and built houses on the backs of large insects. The indigenous people built houses on the backs of large insects. Drill two small holes, insert hardwood sticks, and control the movement of the sandworm by touching its main nerve. They have extensive experience in domesticating and maintaining sandworms. But in the face of the rapid development of sail technology, they have always been unfazed. Mobile houses that move slowly become the best targets for Zawisha thieves. The Tantuha people’s hatred for the “Bactrian Wind” is completely understandable.
After twenty minutes of meaningless attempts, the Stewart brothers finally found a suitable candidate. Parallel to the chatter at this time was a pocket-sized sandworm. On its back was a small shack that only two or three people could bend down to enter. A young Tantuha woman wearing red cloth and white feathers agreed to their request. "One gold coin. Return to the ground before dark." Danny translated the conditions proposed by the guide to everyone, and then shook his head reservedly. Finger responded in Tantuha: "No, no. 50 silver coins. The employment period starts from now until the big insect passes through the queen insect node."
"How long was that?" Jonah looked at Hannah.
"The tunnel under the queen worm is the only way for the sand-eating worm to pass through during its figure-eight parade. It takes twelve to eighteen hours to pass through this tunnel at idle speed," Hannah replied.
"90 silver coins. Eight hours." The indigenous woman proposed a new condition.
"55 silver coins. The time remains the same. But I will give you an extra piece of beautiful Tocharian silk. Red brocade woven by the best craftsmen in the Golden City. Clothes that are coveted by all women in the entire southern continent." The man from the Stewart family was confident. road.
The woman hesitated. After thinking for a long time, she finally nodded.
"Do we have that kind of thing in our cargo hold?" Hannah asked in a low voice.
Danny replied quietly without changing his expression: "What if there really is."
"Scum." The contemporary head of Stewart's family simply commented.
The pocket sandworm slowly approached the "Bactrian Wind". Danny took out the rope ladder and hung it on the side of the ship. He threw the other end towards the other party. The desert woman dexterously climbed up the rope ladder, crossed the railing, and stood on the deck.
"Name." Hannah asked in the West Road Common Language. Due to the impact of foreign culture, desert people generally know a few commonly used words in the Common Language.
The Tantuha woman shook her head.
"I don't understand. Still no name." Danny asked in Aboriginal language. Then he translated the other party's answer: "She is 15 years old. She has just left the family to start a family. She only has two men and one child. She does not have the right to have a name yet. "
"Two men and a child at the age of 15." The astrologer's apprentice was startled.
Danny rolled his eyes at him: "What a fuss. Fertility is the most important thing to the Tantuha people. Women who are 12 years old can leave the big family and start a small family. When they have given birth to 5 children, they can find it. The patriarch gets her own name and the name of her family. She is still far away from that state."
"We will arrive at the entrance of the tunnel in thirty minutes. Climb up the steps to the Backworm Ridge from the north side. First go to the top of the main peak to survey. Then move to the north side. Translate to him, sailor." Hannah gave instructions after estimating the distance.
"Yes, Captain." Danny muttered with resentment and chirped to the indigenous woman. The Tantuha woman nodded and indicated that she understood. Then she sat cross-legged on the deck of the sailboat and took off the unsheathed short knife from her waist to wipe it. stand up.
The desert woman obviously didn't care much about being exposed. Yona covered his eyes with an ouch and tried not to look at the other person's naked beauty. Danny chuckled and patted him on the shoulder: "Don't think so much, cargo friend. The female reproductive organ is a very sacred thing to the Tantuha people. It is like the logo of the main god Luta."
The astrologer's apprentice turned away and suddenly remembered something: "By the way. You and Hannah are Zhawi people. You should worship Lazi, the god of war and blacksmiths. Why did you turn to the god of fertility, Luta?"
Danny was stunned and touched his chin: "It seems that my father has asked us to pray to the main god Luta since we were young. I haven't asked why. Maybe he thinks that after coming to the Southern Continent, we should follow the characteristics of the Southern Continent's civilization. Just do as the Romans do. think."
"Then why do you still speak the common language of the Western Continent?" Jonah asked.
"It's probably too late to change it. I was four or five years old when I came to Shahai." Danny thought for a moment.
"Then why do we need to teach you to speak Tantuha?" Jonah asked again.
"...I didn't know. If you don't have time to talk, you might as well prepare some hiking equipment." The man from the Stewart family was stunned for a moment when he was asked. Finally, he became angry, tossed his sleeves and ran away.
The astrologer's apprentice shook his head. He put on his old boots carefully. He tied the bulging deerskin bag tightly. He rolled up the hem and sleeves of the too-large robe. He tried to take a few steps. He felt that there was nothing bothering him. Hannah seemed to have no trouble. No special preparations were made. He only gave a few instructions. Soon, Danny climbed up the gangway carrying a huge backpack that was two times fatter than himself. He put down the luggage with a plop and gasped for air.
At this time, the indigenous woman stood up and looked up at the sky. "Get ready to go." Hannah turned the steering wheel for the last time, then locked the wheel and disconnected the servo at the tail of the sand-eating worm, allowing Chi Chi to change direction freely. It was about two to three o'clock in the afternoon. The west-slanting sun had been completely obscured by the towering ridge of the worm. The entrance to the tunnel could barely be seen in the darkness. It was like a huge mouth that kept swallowing up the yellow sand. The north wind and countless rejoicing sand-eating worms.
The surroundings of the three-masted sailboat became crowded. Wild sand-eating worms and tamed big worms were side by side, head to tail, forming a wriggling sea of khaki-colored back shells. The sand flow ejected from the tail of the former worm was immediately absorbed by the latter worm. Swallowed. At this time, the smoke and dust were much smaller. Jonah turned around and looked around. He saw densely packed sand-eating insects on their backs. About one-seventh of them had buildings or sails. Whether they were Southern Continental people, Zawi people or indigenous people. Everyone was standing quietly at this moment, with their heads held high, gazing at the majestic Hou Chong with awe.
A shiver of joy visible to the naked eye came from the front. Like a wave, it passed over one sandworm after another. Jonah felt the deck beneath his feet buzzing. The chatter spread the ripples of joy to the rear. At this moment, he You can completely feel the warm emotions from the heart when this wonderful creature returns to its mother's arms. Mother. This is such a strange word to Jonah. He can't help but think of the woman with a charming smile and bright eyes in his memory. Thinking of Saint The flower-filled hillsides of Bolen. And the bright sunlight illuminating the cradle.
Teacher Keshava, you must live. I have too many questions to ask you. The astrologer's apprentice moved his lips and said to the old man who didn't know what to do.
"Let's go." Hannah Stewart twirled her red cloak and jumped off the side of the ship lightly. Before Jonah could react, she had already jumped on the back of the sand-eating insect and took the lead to get fifty yards away.
"Follow me." Danny shouldered the large backpack with all his strength, put down the gangplank, and stepped off the three-masted sailboat step by step. Jonah quickly grabbed the staff and followed behind him. The indigenous guide walked behind slowly.
The man of the Stewart family is indeed a strong man. Jonah can barely keep up with the speed of his heavy load. Walking on the back of a sand-eating insect is a very strange experience. The touch is no different from that of rocks. But the big insect under his feet It was constantly ups and downs, deflecting, and squirming. It made him tremble with fear every step he took. Especially when he crossed the gap between the two sand-eating worms.
"Don't look down." Hannah stopped and reminded her kindly.
The apprentice astrologer immediately lowered his head and glanced down. The deep crack between the two giant insects led directly to the ground where the sand was rolling. Even though it was only a few dozen yards high, it was as deep as the abyss of hell. A chill ran down Jonah's back. . Support your body with Silapina. Try not to imagine the scene of falling.
"Vincent." When passing by a sailboat, Danny said hello in a hurry. The burly silver-haired man standing at the bow of the boat waved: "Brother Danny, are you going to worship the main peak? The desert woman has finally conquered you." "
"The things in Stewart's crotch are used to conquer women. How can you surrender to the indigenous people who don't take baths?" The male member of the Stewart family grinned.
The man named Vincent pointed at the indigenous guide: "That is not your new mistress. Hannah is willing to let you go. Which woman is easier to serve? Are the Tantuha people more aggressive than the Zawi women?"
Danny Stewart wasn't angry either: "You're really good at joking. Vincent Hannah is right in front. Just wish yourself well, man."
Vincent immediately shut up and pretended as if nothing had happened. He whistled leisurely. Hannah relaxed her fingers on the handle of the gun in front of her. The big gun "Lame Henry's Prosthetic Leg" made a hissing sound of releasing pressure. .Spurt out white-hot steam.
After moving horizontally for about five hundred yards, the group came to the edge of the tunnel. The simple steps dug into the rock wall appeared in front of them. "The guide walked in front. I was at the end. Translate this sentence. Sailor."
Danny turned and chirped and told the indigenous guide. The Tantuha woman nodded and took the lead in climbing the stairs. Jonah found that she was still barefoot, but she seemed not to be afraid of the sharp rocks at all.
Danny followed the guide up the steps. Jonah followed behind him. Hannah stood on the bottom step and looked back warily. The dark sea of sand-eating worms was filled with the rattling sound of carapace collision. The chattering was already carrying the words "Bactrian" "Blast" entered the tunnel and disappeared into darkness. "Is it an illusion?" The contemporary head of Stewart's family glanced at the road ahead and shook his head in confusion.