"Cave of Birds"

Imagine the confusion you might feel after having followed your desert guide on Arrakis through endless hours of nothing but sand…to suddenly be presented with this explosion of bright colours. Your eyes have adjusted to the…sameness…that the sands of Arrakis demands of you. Yet, here, at the end of a winding crevasse, you are assaulted by green, yellow, and subtle reds that defy what you’ve come to expect. What is this place? Has your guide led you into a trap? The coloured rocks demand that you investigate further…

It is only when you’ve entered the Cave of Birds that you are shown the many purposes of this destination: the remote location of a “hidden seitch (home)” for Fremen, a convenient place to meet with smugglers (and other ‘invisible’ persons), and the forum in which Gurney Halleck and Paul (Muad’Dib) Atreides reunited. In almost all situations, it is a location where secrets are revealed.

You see evidence of these secrets by the actions of those already there. You are welcomed as an honoured guest by young and old; they all seem to know your name. Out of the corner of your eye, you see a highly-respected “offworld” Noble deep in conversation with another Fremen over steaming cups of spice-coffee. Vibrant, colourful images can be seen covering almost every surface in rugs, spice-fibre hangings, and painted murals—the complex tale of Muad’Dib and Gurney-of-the-Baliset figures prominently in many images. The very same colours that felt like a warning at the entrance…now welcome you in their harmonious embrace.

You are…home.

It is only then that you understand the message encoded in the painted rocks you first saw. The answer is elegant in its simplicity; the Fremen celebrate the Outsider because they are always reminded that they are considered the Outsider by the Imperium. This entrance says “You are trusted, you have arrived, welcome to our secrets!”