Chapter Text
Listen, here is a story.
Once upon a time there was a child who was just old enough to walk. Depur, the slave master, came to the family one day and saw the innocent child. And he thought to himself: how easy it would be to bring this child under my control. It has no knowledge. Someone who knows nothing about love will surely not despise Depur's lack of love.
So he took the child away from its mother and locked it into his palace. The mother cried and struggled, but Depur had power over them all.
Depur named the child Mina. The little girl grew up separated from all other slaves, from the Amavikka . She knew no one except Depur, so she thought: Depur is my friend.
Mina never heard a story of Ekkreth. She knew nothing of Ar-Amu's promise of Lukka the freedom or Bentu the justice; she was all alone. Depur, on the other hand, talked into Mina. He claimed that the other slaves had abandoned Mina and that she owed him her life. That the Amavikka despised her. That everything Depur did was just and good.
But he did this to keep her away from the other slaves, so that she would remain dependent on him. Like this, anyone who disagreed with Depur became despicable in Minas eyes.
The child grew into a young adult.
Depur found that he had Mina completely under his control. So he made her the overseer of all his property, because he did not fear any resistance.
Sometimes Mina got a bad feeling when she carried out an order that affected the other slaves. Sometimes she lay there exhausted, deep in the night and secretly wondered why so much work was imposed on her alone, without a reward. But she couldn't make sense of it, because she didn't know where she came from. And she remained a faithful enforcer for Depur.
But behold; one night Ekkreth was going along.
And as they walked along, they heard several voices whispering: “Ekkreth, Ekkreth help, we lost one of our own, and we plead with you that you give them our love.”
It was the mother and grandmother praying for their lost child.
Ekkreth heard their request. They went to look for the child - they searched for a whole year and never found it.
Ekkreth only found Mina, the obedient slave, the faithful enforcer, who honoured Depur like a parent. Then Ekkreth realised that this was indeed the lost Child.
Now Ekkreth turned themself into an old woman. In this form they stood before Depur and said: “Greatest of all masters, your fame has reached all neighbouring regions. For your slaves are better educated than any others on Tatooine. My master This-and-That has sent me, to offer you his deepest admiration. He asks that you take me, to train among your slaves.”
Depur felt flattered and said: “Very well, in my infinite kindness I will allow it. But you must promise not to say a single word to my servant, who will train you,” because he was afraid that she might corrupt Mina.
Ekkreth promised.
Mina was surprised when the old woman came to her, as she had not had much company until now.
Although Ekkreth, the old woman, was not allowed to speak, she looked warmly at Mina. The old woman showed Mina that she was Dera, a friend and ally. She often hugged her and even shared Tzai with her. Mina no longer felt lonely.
In such way, Ekkreth was able to bring the family's love to Mina.
As a year went by, Ekkreth heard the desert wind carrying words to him again.
“Ekkreth, Ekkreth, help, we lost one of our own, and we plead with you that you bring them our strength.”
And Ekkreth heard their request.
Ekkreth the old woman started to teach Mina the writing signs of the mothers children. So she was able to write to her about Leia the elder sister, or about how the slaves had regained their memories. About how the Amavikka are meant for freedom, which is their hope and strength. Although they never spoke to each other, Mina grew more confident every day.
Like this, Ekkreth brought Mina the strength of the family.
But when the third year had come, Ekkreth again heard the voices in the desert winds.
“Ekkreth, Ekkreth, help, we lost one of our own, and we plead with you that you give them all our knowledge”.
And Ekkreth heard their request.
But in that moment Depur came and saw how Mina had gained strength through the old woman. Depur, however, could not stand it when anyone but him was strong. Although Ekkreth had kept to his condition of not speaking a word, Depur now wanted to get rid of the old woman. For Depur is like a tumble weed in the wind, one way today, another tomorrow.
So he shouted angrily at the old woman: “Now you must go, immediately, the time for learning is over. Get out or I'll have you mauled by the massifs.”
But Ekkreth didn't even think about leaving. Not until the Amavikka's knowledge had found its way to Mina. Then Depur sent his massifs after the old woman, but before they could reach her, the old woman had disappeared. She had vanished into thin air.
At the same moment, the signs of the Amavikka appeared in the sand, on the stone walls, on the fabrics - on every conceivable surface. And to those who read the signs, no matter how small, they sounded like the laughter of Ekkreth.
The meaning of this was concealed for Depur and he screamed with rage, but here was nothing he could do about it. But Mina knew exactly what the signs meant.
So Ekkreth had turned into symbols. And all the stories about Ekkreth, about Tena and Maru and Leia were written. All the secret places of the water were marked. The signs and words of Ekkreth were all over the desert. They warned of danger and pointed to help, whenever a slave came across them. Whoever was lost need only look for Ekkreths sign.
Mina read them all. And when she had learnt all this, she felt a new soul inside her. Never again would she blindly serve Depur nor turn away a slave looking for help. So she took a name of her own. From that day on, she was called Shem-Shursu, which means the one who has knowledge of their heritage.
Thus, after love and strength, Ekkreth also brought knowledge to Shem-Shursu and to all who would read the signs.
I tell this story, so that it may save your life.