As I ride Mist Runner along the trail, I notice small things around me the way the grass shimmers in the early morning and how it bows beneath the feet of warriors in gentle supplication, only the faint crackling as if glass breaking can be heard if you really listen, the crispness of the air, almost as if it is encapsulating us in a cold embrace, is it of protection or is it a reminder of what is to yet come. The ripples around me reveal many things, sometimes it is unclear what it is but often it is a glimpse of something someone needs to know.
Today was one of those mornings that I had to smile and I could tell by the reaction of others they were curious but knew not to ask for I would not reveal. Some things are never to be spoken of outside the clan and I wont desecrate the sacredness of our life. Instead I turn and quickly ride along the row of wagons, searching for a particular family, Mist sensed the urgency and he did not hold back in his speed heading to where I needed to be. Dismounting quickly, I sought out the woman of the warrior who was in charge of this family, he was out helping with the bosk, I asked where her son was, and he was not where he should be, I asked her to prepare some warm furs and something warm to drink.
With that I headed towards the herds it was then that I saw the young one on his kaiila heading towards the herd of bosk, insane child I muttered to myself as my gaze scanned over the horizon, I spoke quietly beneath my breath, and it did not take long for a few more of the clan to arrive and I would pull back just enough to not rush in and cause a stampede or concern, a few of the warriors looked to us and made to say and do something, and as if one each of us would give them the sign to do nothing, the young boy was to close and each would have to be careful. Simple hand movements were used as we each dismounted, I would await as Odval would move along the ground towards the warriors that were protecting the herd, she spoke low to them and a dawning of understanding took place upon their features, they knew what to do and with a nod they were given the sign to do as they needed, we would do what we could to aide them and hopefully bring the child out unharmed. Chuluun would then do what he does best and I would watch from where I was, this was something they would do, in this I was to only bring the warning.
It seemed like ahns had passed when in truth only a few ehn had passed, each of them worked together to bring the child to safety, and the bosk remained in their usual fluctuating state of being. Chuluun brought the boy to me and I removed my fur lined jacket and wrapped it about him and walked to Mist Runner, "Chulunn make sure the warriors are acknowledged for their hard work in keeping the bosk safe and this wayward child. " He nodded he would take care of it.. I said nothing to the boy though he knew what awaited him as I rode back to the wagons and handed him over to his mother, "Take care of it." I stated softly then I returned to ride along my own wagons, but not before checking on those I cared about, things like this always drew my attention more acutely back to them. Each of us knew that we could draw our last breath at any given moment. Would those we love know we did . If today were the last day.
The rest of the day was uneventful though word was brought to me that it was determined that I would pierce Aponi's nose. Now whose idea was this I had to wonder knowing they did this because they wanted to scare the young woman. Well, that warped sense of humor I have went along with it, and we made a show later in the evening to pick really, really big needles and tell her how big it would be and how it would hurt, it was all in the nature in the fun of women as we prepare yet another one to step on the path to woman hood. All tuchuk women at a certain age must have this. It is a tradition of women among the tuchuk.
Much to our shock it was suddenly halted, by a man no less.. And none other than the Ubar himself. He was having a fit, and I still do not quite know why he was interfering in the business of women. This was the first I have seen this. I felt myself bristle as he exerted control in an area that really he had no place to, he asked whose idea it was. Cana took responsibility, well now I was not about to let her do that alone so I shared in the responsibility. Be damned if I was going to let her suffer the brunt of that. Well, needless to say we are both in the sleen wagon and he made sure he humiliated us completely before everyone, I felt every fiber of my being rise to the surface of wanting to explode but I did not I spoke my mind on it and answered his questions. Sometimes you know when just to not argue the point and accept what is being said. He was not going to budge. However, when he took out the collar, I moved between him and Aponi, now there was no way I was going to let her be collared for what I did. I felt that low growl begin deep within my chest, the white larl was in full stance of protection, the mother in me was not going to stand by and watch this. If necessary I would protect her at any cost. For in this instance she had done nothing wrong. And innocence is something to be protected. Fortunately, he did not have that in mind. It was for someone else.
I took my place beside Garyx and apologized to Aponi and Tengfei. Garyx and I then some time later went to talk, you know what is it with men, do they stand together on everything. He agreed with what Ba'atar said and he explained why, though he did not agree with how he humiliated Cana and I, but he would not interfere, for the reason was sound. I did not like it.. but he was making sense, and Garyx often has his way of allowing me to see things in a different way. So granted I am not out of the sleen wagon, but I do understand and I see where Ba 'atar could be coming from, and in that light. It made sense.
I hate when men make sense.
Today was one of those mornings that I had to smile and I could tell by the reaction of others they were curious but knew not to ask for I would not reveal. Some things are never to be spoken of outside the clan and I wont desecrate the sacredness of our life. Instead I turn and quickly ride along the row of wagons, searching for a particular family, Mist sensed the urgency and he did not hold back in his speed heading to where I needed to be. Dismounting quickly, I sought out the woman of the warrior who was in charge of this family, he was out helping with the bosk, I asked where her son was, and he was not where he should be, I asked her to prepare some warm furs and something warm to drink.
With that I headed towards the herds it was then that I saw the young one on his kaiila heading towards the herd of bosk, insane child I muttered to myself as my gaze scanned over the horizon, I spoke quietly beneath my breath, and it did not take long for a few more of the clan to arrive and I would pull back just enough to not rush in and cause a stampede or concern, a few of the warriors looked to us and made to say and do something, and as if one each of us would give them the sign to do nothing, the young boy was to close and each would have to be careful. Simple hand movements were used as we each dismounted, I would await as Odval would move along the ground towards the warriors that were protecting the herd, she spoke low to them and a dawning of understanding took place upon their features, they knew what to do and with a nod they were given the sign to do as they needed, we would do what we could to aide them and hopefully bring the child out unharmed. Chuluun would then do what he does best and I would watch from where I was, this was something they would do, in this I was to only bring the warning.
It seemed like ahns had passed when in truth only a few ehn had passed, each of them worked together to bring the child to safety, and the bosk remained in their usual fluctuating state of being. Chuluun brought the boy to me and I removed my fur lined jacket and wrapped it about him and walked to Mist Runner, "Chulunn make sure the warriors are acknowledged for their hard work in keeping the bosk safe and this wayward child. " He nodded he would take care of it.. I said nothing to the boy though he knew what awaited him as I rode back to the wagons and handed him over to his mother, "Take care of it." I stated softly then I returned to ride along my own wagons, but not before checking on those I cared about, things like this always drew my attention more acutely back to them. Each of us knew that we could draw our last breath at any given moment. Would those we love know we did . If today were the last day.
The rest of the day was uneventful though word was brought to me that it was determined that I would pierce Aponi's nose. Now whose idea was this I had to wonder knowing they did this because they wanted to scare the young woman. Well, that warped sense of humor I have went along with it, and we made a show later in the evening to pick really, really big needles and tell her how big it would be and how it would hurt, it was all in the nature in the fun of women as we prepare yet another one to step on the path to woman hood. All tuchuk women at a certain age must have this. It is a tradition of women among the tuchuk.
Much to our shock it was suddenly halted, by a man no less.. And none other than the Ubar himself. He was having a fit, and I still do not quite know why he was interfering in the business of women. This was the first I have seen this. I felt myself bristle as he exerted control in an area that really he had no place to, he asked whose idea it was. Cana took responsibility, well now I was not about to let her do that alone so I shared in the responsibility. Be damned if I was going to let her suffer the brunt of that. Well, needless to say we are both in the sleen wagon and he made sure he humiliated us completely before everyone, I felt every fiber of my being rise to the surface of wanting to explode but I did not I spoke my mind on it and answered his questions. Sometimes you know when just to not argue the point and accept what is being said. He was not going to budge. However, when he took out the collar, I moved between him and Aponi, now there was no way I was going to let her be collared for what I did. I felt that low growl begin deep within my chest, the white larl was in full stance of protection, the mother in me was not going to stand by and watch this. If necessary I would protect her at any cost. For in this instance she had done nothing wrong. And innocence is something to be protected. Fortunately, he did not have that in mind. It was for someone else.
I took my place beside Garyx and apologized to Aponi and Tengfei. Garyx and I then some time later went to talk, you know what is it with men, do they stand together on everything. He agreed with what Ba'atar said and he explained why, though he did not agree with how he humiliated Cana and I, but he would not interfere, for the reason was sound. I did not like it.. but he was making sense, and Garyx often has his way of allowing me to see things in a different way. So granted I am not out of the sleen wagon, but I do understand and I see where Ba 'atar could be coming from, and in that light. It made sense.
I hate when men make sense.
