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[Memory] Bear Necessities I.
Posted: Sun Jul 05, 2020 8:37 am
by Arlen
35th day of Ash, 113th Year of AoS
[indent=20]When the heat abandoned the air and cold started to take its hold on the world, it was a sign that ghosts began their walk among the living. Their touch was the reason behind the shivering. Frostbite was a ghost’s desperate attempt to cling onto a semblance of life.
[indent=20]It used to be an old story from a Jastai water tribe at the foot of the Astralar mountains. One that Arlen remembered from childhood. But even now, the ice was still set deep inside his bones from their last job on the Black Road. As happy as he was to be gone from the Astralar Mountains and the Black Road, he was, even more, looking forward to being gone from Kalzasi. The city unsettled him with its closeness to the chasm. It was enough that the horrors sometimes seeped into the Wild King’s Forge. Arlen didn't feel the need to venture any closer to the source. In this regard, Arlen wasn’t as eager to partake in the glorious death chase as some of his Jastai companions were.
[indent=20]“Seriously, Arlen? This job?” Einrich was one of those. He complained to Arlen in a hushed voice so that only Arlen would hear. Their group of six was doing final checks of their steeds in the early morning hours. Einrich seemed to have finished his rather quick.
[indent=20]“If I were you I’d be glad. Black Road is safe. Our next job...maybe not so much. You might get more action on the way,” Arlen answered, checking his horse’s saddle.
[indent=20]They had the street was themselves along with the merchant family further down, loading their wagons. They had three wagons of goods. His men already had assigned locations - front, mid and end guard, two at each wagon. And dawn just began waking the world up to the rhythm of preparations.
[indent=20]“You only say that ‘cause it takes us closer to home.”
[indent=20]Arlen shot Einrich a glance. The young Jastai towered well above him.
[indent=20]Arlen knew what was taking Einrich’s fancy. Exploration. Adventure. Right into the depths of the Warren. They did come across a job call for a hunting party before Arlen found and secured this convoy opportunity. Unfortunately for Einrich, Arlen called the shots. Such was the rule of the elders and Arlen was well twice the age or more of any of his tribesmen in his group that day.
[indent=20]“Job is a job. So long as it pays, it shouldn’t matter to you where it takes you,” Arlen said and petted his horse.
[indent=20]“Zin, Ko,” Arlen then called, buying himself a moment. Two hulking men looked towards him from their steeds. “Make sure we have supplies ready for the journey.” They nodded and marched away.
[indent=20]“Just stick with this one Einrich." Arlen turned to the young Jastai. They both knew that at that point it was all he could ask of him. "Then, you’re free to go.” He patted the man on the arm, knowing it would do little to satiate the young one’s thirst for glory...and freedom. But at least, Arlen gave him a choice. One that Einrich could follow without any feelings of guilt. Having nothing more to offer to Einrich, Arlen turned away and looked for their employer among the wagons.
[indent=20]Although dawn has already painted the sky morning colours, nature decided to throw in a few clouds, dimming the world below. But he wouldn’t miss her. He remembered the silhouette as he did with anyone he’d met in the past.
[indent=20]Around him, the trees continued to redden not only with early morning sunlight but with the fire of the season that turned the leaves multitudes of colours. Soon, the air here would get its early bite, and ghosts would come out to play.
[indent=20]It was then, amidst his musings, that he spotted her. The dark-skinned she-elf was walking in between the wagons. It seemed that their employer and her family were doing the final checks as well. His eyes were drawn again to her sharp ears. He had a minimal concept of half-breeds. Not many addressed him as such in the past nor was there a difference for the Jastai with who he grew up. Yet a strange sense of kinship swelled inside him as he looked at Dilina Devule. Arlen wasn’t sure whether it was attraction or something deeper that would make itself known eventually. Either way. he remained neutral in expression, allowing nothing to betray his thoughts. He intended to maintain a professional standing and mutual respect between the head of the house and his company. So with a deep breath and a nod to himself, Arlen made his way across.
[indent=20]The man didn’t cut as an imposing figure in height as his Jastai tribesmen did. However, he equalled them in every other aspect. Donning their tribe’s robes of red silks and light leather armour, with a sword at his hip, Arlen was an image of a sellsword. Even his hair was pulled back and tied at the back of the head for convenience. He was but an ordinary man on the outside who could swing a sharp piece of metal with precision to harm other things before the things harm him, or the subject under his protection.
[indent=20]“So,” he said as he approached the merchant family. His attentive eyes settled on the head of the house with whom he struck the convoy contract. “As agreed, the journey will take us two days and one night to get to Durnatel in the south. Ideally, we’ll cover half the trek today and the other half tomorrow to get you to the town by sundown on the second day. The route today will take us along the lake Udori. We’ll camp there tonight at a clearing on the shores and tomorrow we'll move onto the south-east road that leads to Durnatel. ” Arlen said, wanting to make sure that their employer was informed but also that they were all on the same page of expectations.
[indent=20]“If all this is ok with you, then I believe we are ready to move out.”
Re: [Memory] Bear Necessities
Posted: Sun Jul 05, 2020 5:45 pm
by Saej Mirilla
Saej was a much younger woman now with red dreadlocks only gracing the tops of her chin. The dreadlocks were wild with curly red hairs springing out now left and right, making her have the appearance of a curly, bushy red mop. Having copied her father’s hair he had explained that she would need to take some time for hers to form like his own, their hair types being vastly different. Still, he was proud of his only daughter and thought it was a flattering gesture on her part. Her face was still round with her youth and her eyes could be said to sparkle behind her round glasses with some mischief, even when she was only quiet.
On the other hand despite Dilina’s prideful side they rarely squabbled, she let her children grow into the people they needed to be. It was why Saej was fiercely close to them and considered them now her kin, something three years ago she would have laughed if someone would have told her. They taught her the elven language of their heritage for secret conversations in crowds as well as she was even initiated into a rather terrifying and secretive magic. This time in her life was among the best, they allowed her to travel with them and took only small sums of her money for food and other things as well as allowed her to drive her own wagon. It felt like a beautiful journey every time they left camp and hit the road. She was a well worn traveler by now and knew her way around the Free Cities like the back of her hand, something she knew was impressive by any standards for a woman her age. It would be a debt she could never repay them for.
“Ha! I win, give me all your money Saej. Forfeit the game, you’re fucking broke!”
Shasco turned over his hand, revealing he had indeed won. It would seem he always did. Instead of giving him the stones she threw dirt at his face and took the pile for herself, running away on quick legs with her spoils. She leaped over a small boulder with the spoils in her hands and landed on both feet, wobbling much, but still kept running in the same stride. Eventually he caught her and they were scuffling out in the open, Shasco pulling her dreads and her crying out while trying to punch his ribs. Stones and dirt flew from her hands as she tried to break free from her brother’s teasing. That was when they both saw the convoy mother had hired earlier approaching and ceased their assault. They stood there awkwardly watching the huge Jastai men and women gracefully make their way up to their mother, where they seemed to be having a conversation.
Dilina waved the two over and placed a hand on Saej’s shoulder when she got there. Their father, Edgar, came from the middle wagon. His skin was also dark and he had long, thin dreadlocks as well as some facial hair. The two groups regarded each other for some time, Dilina agreeing with what the shorter of the tall brigade said. Saej thought he must be the leader to speak with such clear intent. Now excited and ready to head to her wagon Saej turned to go, that was until Dilina whispered something in her ear and pointed at the leader. Saej went pink for a second but nodded. She needed to start doing things for herself. After all she was an adult now, it was time to start acting like one despite her reservations.
She cleared her throat and looked up at the man who was nearly a foot taller than her. She looked him dead in the eyes with a steadiness that was wholly her own. She drank in his visage, tall, handsome, wearing nice armor and silk, with beautiful amber eyes. Then she told him with her clear diction,
“My name is Saej, you’ll be riding with me tonight. My brother and I will be in the back with my mother leading and my father in the middle.”
Stealing a glance to her mother who nodded she continued on,
“I drive my own wagon. I think it’s time for us to go.”
And with that they all climbed into their appointed wagons, waited for the men and women of Arlen’s group to get into position, and got on their way.
Lake Udori was beautiful during this season. High walls like monoliths of everlasting time created the stone background that was the scene behind the lake itself. The trail they followed was dusted with golden and red leaves from the trees on high giving their lives away now for the coming winter, a silent sacrifice they performed every year without fail. And just like the phoenix rising out of the ashes they would return to them in two seasons again, later committing the sacrifice and being reborn forever until the world was laid waste by time. For the first hour the ride was spent with the sounds of music and leaves rustling in the wind. Shasco was practicing his lute. He wasn’t terrible at it but was clearly a novice, often pausing to re-frame a set of notes or adjust his fingers. Saej was growing bored and thought to ask the man some things about himself-- even if just to pass the time. Her butt hurt from all the sitting and she desperately wished for a way to distract herself. It was out of her character to make small talk but something about the man walking with the wagon seemed kind, maybe he would oblige in some kind of accord.
“So, you would do this for the rest of your life?"
She asked tentatively.
“I think for myself I’ll always be a merchant. Forever. I love it, I was raised that way and want to die that way. Maybe someday I’ll have my own business. Err…”
Her jaw opened and shut, realising she was talking too much.
“Have you always been a mercenary? Is it a good job?”
Shasco butted in then grinning at the man and playing wildly on his lute for a moment to catch the man's attention, always stealing the show.
“Yeah what’s it like catching monsters? You ever eat a dragon, that would be gross. Do you know if you can eat dragons?”
Saej shook her head,
“Shasco I don’t know if he catches monsters--”
“Of course he does! All mercenaries do sometimes, right?”
Re: [Memory] Bear Necessities
Posted: Mon Jul 06, 2020 12:42 pm
by Arlen
[indent=20]There seemed to be no issue with the proposed plan and Dilina was in agreement. Arlen thought that would have concluded the matter. Yet, not so much for the dark-skinned woman.
[indent=20]Arlen refocused on the girl at Dilina’s side - Saej.
[indent=20]An apprentice? Arlen thought since she looked nothing like the rest of the family. Their hushed conversation escaped him as it probably should have done. But whatever the words or the hierarchy within the merchant family, the black-haired men had decided to give her an equal measure of respect.
[indent=20]So despite Arlen having already assigned men to the wagons, when Saej threw a stick into the wheelwork, he adapted. If the employer asked, the sellsword did. So he nodded at Saej.
[indent=20]“Einrich you come with me,” Arlen said and then re-assigned the others. Women were in the front, Zin and Ko in the middle. After all, the Jastai women were the best sharpshooters he had so anything charging at them from the front, they could certainly pin it to the ground if need be.
[indent=20]Climbing their horses and falling into place, the caravan moved on and out of the cursed city of Kalzasi.
[indent=20]It took them a good while to clear the twisting streets of the city. People were coming out for work, the city was waking. Yet, the gates were well behind them before the main ruckus of the day truly kicked off. This allowed the travellers to see lake Udori veiled in morning mists still.
[indent=20]Like a gossamer blanket, it laid across the glassy surface tempting the sun and wind to melt it away. And away it would go, eventually.
[indent=20]Arlen and the others would on occasion look around to check their surroundings or listen to the world around them. Any time a day, there could be a number of dangers waiting, from robbers to a stray bunny spooking the horses.
[indent=20]Arlen’s hips swayed into the rhythm of his horse’s walk as he looked across the lake again. The sun and the sky were reflecting in it like in a mirror. Einrich was by the side of the forest since his eyes could see better into the shadows of the woods.
[indent=20]There were no words, but the strumming of the lute, until the apprentice took to speaking. Arlen redirected his attention from the hypnotic waters to the young woman, the attentiveness of his gaze all on her and his employer’s son.
[indent=20]Questions were thrown. Assumptions made and in the excitement of it all, Arlen cast a quick look at Einrich since a grin was tugging at his lips. In return, Einrich huffed a snicker and lightly shook his head.
[indent=20]“Well,” Arlen started, resting his hands on top of the saddle, the horse knowing the way. “I’ve always split my work between being a mercenary and a hunter. But am I going to do it until I die?” He paused and his eyes grew distant for a brief moment as he thought. What an odd question to ask a complete stranger. “Honestly, I don’t know. If life keeps giving me work as a mercenary or a hunter, I’ll be one until something kills me on duty.”
[indent=20]“Or you die in your sleep,” Einrich muttered, ‘masking’ the jab in a cough. He then looked at Arlen with a teasing smile and Arlen returned a grin.
[indent=20]“But, young lady Saej,” he said, dipping his eyes back her way. “It’s good to hear that you have this vision for yourself. It is good to have a vision and follow it. Whatever it takes,” he said, giving a nod. “Any specifics about this future merchant business of yours? You surely appreciate that a man has got to keep his contacts varied.” And to keep the lightness of the moment, Arlen winked at the young woman.
[indent=20]On the other side, Einrich waved his hand. “Talking about goods.” He blew out air in one sharp burst through pursed lips. “Now Arlen is a pussy. He apparently used to hunt monsters back in the day but he rarely gets involved now,” Einrich said.
[indent=20]On the outside, the two men could not have more than ten years between each other. But of course, the appearances, in this case, deceived even if it was not the intention. So the black-haired man shrugged, feeling no threat in those words.
[indent=20]“Now when it comes to dragons,” the Jastai then carried on, clearly enjoying a talk of something that involved fighting and danger. “You see, mercenaries or hunters can be hired for monster hunting. For me, a monster hunt is what I live for. The bigger, the better. Though,” he stopped talking for a moment, eyes gazing up as he tried to remember. “I’ve not fought a dragon yet. But hey, if it dies and you skin it and there is meat under,” Einrich shrugged, “I don’t see why it would not be edible after a bit of roasting.”
[indent=20]“And that’s why I wonder how the Jastai are not seen as savages still,” Arlen muttered to himself, a corner of his mouth uplifted. After all, it was his family and he accepted it through and through with all its quirks. He understood Einrich’s thrill and once upon a time, he lived for it too and the occasional savageness.
Re: [Memory] Bear Necessities
Posted: Tue Jul 07, 2020 6:06 pm
by Saej Mirilla
“Specifics? Hm, no. Traveling, I’ll certainly have a large tent. I guess,”
She put her hand up to her chin in thought,
“Maybe I will sell exotic pets. Like monkeys or cats from abroad. I think that would be very exciting!”
Smiling again at his wink she told him in half jest,
“Of course, I would love to have my first customer to be someone with your prowess! It would be more practical I think to sell textiles and dyes though. Right now I have a shipment from a blacksmith, he sells nails, hammers, and other things that are very useful. I guess monkeys might not be useful. I believe novelty is the word here. But it would be so much fun.”
Shasco gave a snorting sort of laugh when Einrich swore, he was deeply listening to every word the man had to say and drank in the tale with a huge grin. Saej certainly noticed the lack of a noticeable age gap but paid the comment about “back in the day” little mind. She knew neither of them at all and had no reason to suspect Arlen’s true age. The only thought she had was that he had been doing this for a long time, perhaps even in his youth. With newfound respect, she regarded Arlen as his cohort told tales of eating dragons.
“I wonder if dragon tastes good now, I am kind of hungry. Hey, if you ever get to eat a dragon come find me and bring me at least some jerky. Hmm?”
Shasco told Einrich, leaning around Saej to give him a playfully raised eyebrow.
There was certainly some sacrilege to this conversation and it made Saej laugh.
“I have this sinking feeling dragon meat is tainted somehow and the two of you would end up either very ill, dead, or both.”
The conversation seemed to drop off after a while and Saej didn’t mind that one bit; rather content with how much she had gotten to know them so far. Arlen was kind at least and that was all she needed to know, preferring to keep her relationships surface. Besides, he was just some hired muscle. It wasn’t like after this trip they would ever need to correspond again.
Hours rolled by on the road until the landscape had swallowed them whole, Kalzasi far behind them. The air was nice and crisp with a wind that sailed through, on occasion, cold enough to chill the marrow of their very bones. There was something about Ash that made her feel sad. She ruminated on this thinking perhaps it was the threat of coming winter which blighted the land, laying waste to all things in its path with its blanket of silence. It was a stop to most things although not all bad, she supposed. Her thoughts took her a different path now thinking about how during Frost she and her family would return to their home to wait out their days until Glade came again. During this time Mother would bake sweet bread and make hearty soups as well as do things like reading books and playing games all ninety days of the season. Her final thoughts were that it could stand to be said there was beauty in all things, even the direst of circumstances.
A bump in the road jarred her from her thoughts and she settled back down to focus on the road ahead of her. The redhead was lucky she did as her mother had pulled the wagon into a wide spot off the road and her father was following in pursuit. Due to her rambling mind, she had gotten much farther behind than she intended and told Arlen and Einrich,
“Gotta play catch up. See you up the road.”
Then slapped the reigns, sending the horses forward at a trot.
Upon reaching her family and the other mercenaries her mother let them know they would be setting up camp now before dark. The sun wouldn’t set for another hour but it was prudent of her to set up camp early. The wagons were then moved to form a half-circle, makeshift wall between their camp and the road. Behind the wagons, a fire was starting and Saej’s mother was cooking a huge pot of curry. If Arlen’s band would refuse to eat she would insist and shove food in their hands, much too proud to take no for an answer.
Saej would sit near Arlen trying to listen to any conversation he could possibly be having while simultaneously trying to be as nonchalant about eavesdropping as she could. Shasco came to sit by her with a bowl full of rice and curry. He ate it in overdramatic gulps spilling food everywhere, even on himself. While doing this he also was whispering a ditty in Kyriac about Saej being in love with Arlen, teasing her horribly, and pissing her off.
“Shasco, dammit!”
She hissed in Kyriac, throwing up her balled fists which gained her a disapproving look from her father. Not interested in him romantically in the slightest she truly was trying to get to know him and see if he was serious about becoming a contact! It was always grating on her nerves how Shasco never stopped teasing.
Re: [Memory] Bear Necessities
Posted: Wed Jul 08, 2020 11:30 am
by Arlen
[indent=20]Arlen listened to Saej’s musings about her future business. There was still much her to figure out but it didn’t hurt to have a dream. Unfortunately, his subtle hint on the nature of the business he was after seemed to have been missed.
[indent=20]“Ha! Can’t see me with a monkey or a cat, unless its vicious enough to help. But I might be interested in what other exotic and unusual items you’ll sell,” Arlen said and settled further into the sway of his horse. It seemed that his offer on serving as a convoy was perhaps a bit too subtle. Oh well, it was still too early to talk specifics as long as the young apprentice was still with the merchant family.
[indent=20]On the other side of the caravan, the talk of eating dragons continued. Einrich even went as far as promising to bring some jerky that the boy asked for.
[indent=20]Promises, Arlen thought. They go like the seasons. And so he rarely made them but always kept them.
[indent=20]“To be fair they probably taste like chicken,” Arlen volunteered, causing Einrich to look at him with raised eyebrows and a twisted face of confusion.
[indent=20]Arlen shrugged. “Well, I am going by your logic. If you say that when a dragon is skinned and there is meat under, it can be eaten, then if chickens fly, and so do dragons...” Arlen then trailed off to let the dots connect themselves. Einrich only snorted a laugh and waved his hand at Arlen dismissively.
[indent=20]The conversation eventually died off, at least on his side of the wagon and Arlen was ok with that. Instead, he returned to keeping an eye on their surroundings. Many a time, he found himself drawn to the sight of the Astralar mountains far beyond their reach on the other side of the lake. The expanse of the water and the height of the peaks made Arlen feel both incredibly present and small at the same time. The range looked as imposing from afar as it did from up close. Its sharp peaks threatened to pierce the sky and bring the heavens down upon them. But they didn’t. Instead, they sent chills down their sides that sped across the lake’s surface to remind the travellers that soon Frost would arrive and with it, the region would be blanketed in white silence.
[indent=20]Arlen was grateful to have a rolled cloak packed with him. Unlike the other tribesman, he didn’t have the inner fire to keep him warm.
[indent=20]For the duration of the journey, the convoy ate on horses and when one of them needed to stop for a loo break, they did so on their own, catching up with the caravan when they were done. As such they passed the rest of the day at a good pace, getting as far as Arlen anticipated if not a little further.
[indent=20]When Saej prodded her horse to trot, he and Einrich kept the pace to stay alongside the wagon. It was their job as a convoy, to always remain where they were whatever the speeds and directions. And so it was that they all arrived together.
[indent=20]The area needed securing whilst the merchant family was settling down. Arlen and few of the others walked around the perimeter to familiarize themselves with it, recognize weak points and get a general lay of the land. A few stayed behind with the family for protection.
[indent=20]The Wild King's Forge around lake Udori wasn't so different from the one Arlen knew from back home. Trees huddled together, wrestling with each other's shadows. Arlen used his illuminating ability to see clearly inside the woods. He found nothing suspicious. No tracks or traces of activity that would concern him.
[indent=20]Arlen's company returned after the tents were put up, a fire started, and the air was filled with the smell of a cooking meal. They joined the others and stood not far from the fire at first. Ko and Agha were the ones who stayed behind to guard the family but also set up for the rest of the company. Now that they gathered together, Ko poked a thumb in Dilina's direction.
[indent=20]“Apparently, we’re having some whether we like it or not,” Ko reported.
[indent=20]“Well, at least we save our rations,” Arlen said. It was always a plus when their employer was a bit more thoughtful than a usual merchant. But one couldn't count on it. Grateful for the news, the group came to sit around the fire.
[indent=20]“So how does it look?” Ko asked, nudging his chin at the edge of the woods.
[indent=20]“Not bad,” Zephyr, the other Jastai woman, said and accepted a bowl of the curry with a smile.
[indent=20]“Not really. Plenty of woods around,” Zin countered, cradling his portion. The size was more fit for humans and looked like an appetizer in Jastai hands.
[indent=20]“So?” Zephyr questioned, taking a bite of the meal. Zephyr was the newest addition to the company with little experience so she did not immediately realize what the issue was.
[indent=20]“There are spots for an ambush,” Arlen explained, holding the curry to cool. “If a group of bandits decides to have us, they can sneak through the forest.”
[indent=20]Zephyr nodded, twisting her face, rouge reaching her cheeks.
[indent=20]“Night guard then?” Agha asked.
[indent=20]Arlen nodded, blowing into the bowl. The escaping steam curled in the air like wild locks of hair. “I’ll take the first one after everyone retires,” he said. No one argued because they all knew the reason. “Then Agha, Zin, Einrich, Zephyr and Ko. Each of us for roughly two hours.” The Jastai grunted getting absorbed in their food.
[indent=20]It was then that Arlen noticed Saej and Shasco sitting nearby, whispering something to each other. Though, by the looks of it, Saej was ready to thump her brother’s face for whatever reason.
[indent=20]“Fighting for seconds already?” Arlen looked at the two with a grin, wondering how it was possible that an apprentice could be treating the merchant’s in such a way. “I can see why. The head of the house sure knows how to cook a good curry.” And she did. Arlen looked towards the fire and wondered if there could be a second serving.
Re: [Memory] Bear Necessities
Posted: Thu Jul 09, 2020 11:07 am
by Saej Mirilla
Shasco got up with a start and stretched after she balled her fist in his face, very obviously not phased by her threats as could be seen by his grinning.
“I’m ready to hit the hay!”
He announced to the group, letting out a great big yawn and stretching again. Then he left, climbing into a hammock situated between two wagons, leaving Saej to Arlen’s questions. Saej gave Arlen a scared look before finding her composure, clearly he didn’t speak Kyriac.
“No, not seconds. He just can’t help but tease me at every moment of his life. I’ve tried telling him to get a new hobby but even then I think he’d find time in his day to get under my skin.”
She fell silent then and ate the rest of her curry, staring into her bowl when she was finished with it. It was hard for her to talk to people and she was struggling with her words. Getting up she offered to take Arlen’s bowl, if he accepted she would fill both of their bowls up with more rice and curry and return it to him, sitting beside him afterward. If he didn’t accept she would simply get herself more and sit beside him anyway. Clearly contemplative it would seem she eventually struggled some words out of her mouth, though tentatively.
“So, did you mean it when you said that you wanted to be a contact? I… well, I’ve been thinking about it all day. What would someone like you need?”
Gripping the sides of the bowl she looked at him unsurely, in a way someone in their adolescence only could.
“I’m glad you like the curry. My mom, she’s half Hytori. She has told me usually her elven half doesn’t have such strong, well, motherly instincts, I suppose, but she must have gotten that from her human side. I’m sure you can tell, I’m adopted. She took me in four years ago. My mother is a great woman. How did you come to be with these Jastai? Is it nice traveling with them?”
They would talk until bedtime, Saej very much engaged with everything Arlen had to say. She loved to travel and learn about new people, places, and ideas. It wasn’t often that she would pick someone out for conversation either generally enjoying her solitude. Eventually, the sun would begin to dip down behind the horizon sending a brilliant red and orange stain across the highest surface of the world. Gathering her things and getting ready to sleep in her wagon she was taken then by a stupid superstition her birth father had said long ago.
‘Red sunsets mean blood has been shed on this day.’
It made her shudder to think that, but looking back to their escort party she knew if anything happened they would certainly be safe. She hated her birth giver’s superstitions, being merchants themselves they knew much about the world, and growing up had tried to impart her with many fanciful colloquialisms from their travels. These always seemed to be verging on dark though and frightened her to her core as a child. That was years ago though and far behind her.
'Funny how these things still come up, even all these years later.'
With that final thought, she pushed her old life from her mind by finishing folding her laundry and laid down on her bedroll at the end of the full wagon, using a cover to hide her body from the night’s imminent chill. It was a peaceful slumber knowing she was under the watchful eye of the Jastai tribesmen and Arlen, fully capable people.
Re: [Memory] Bear Necessities I.
Posted: Sat Jul 11, 2020 5:53 am
by Arlen
[indent=20]Arlen followed Shasco’s movement. Along with Saej’s explanation, everything seemed a little bit different to the black-haired man than what they actually were.
[indent=20]Tease and leave, Arlen thought. To someone who was outside the merchant family and only served as a guard, this seemed more like the acts of someone interested. Was there a romance brewing between the family’s apprentice and their son? And what was the parent’s position on that?
[indent=20]His gaze glided across the fire towards the two dark-skinned adults who were oblivious to the happenings right under their noses.
[indent=20]It’s not like it’s any of my business. And he dismissed the issue. Gossip wasn’t something he would actively engage in, nor did he really need to bother the possibilities and dynamics of a family he did not belong to. Moreover, the two youngsters were nearly of age themselves.
[indent=20]Arlen accepted the bowl refill without a word. When the others saw that, they helped themselves to seconds as well. For their body size, they needed more sustenance.
[indent=20]It was then that Arlen chuckled at Saej question. The uncertainty in her voice was somewhat endearing. He wondered if this was something Dilina put her apprentice up to, or if this was the girl’s own initiative.
[indent=20]“Well, yes, I would be happy to be a contact. But more in terms of the convoy protection,” the black-haired man clarified. “Though, if you have any merchant contacts for metals or metal wares, those may be relevant in our tribe’s settlement. Especially our weapon maker may be interested.” Feeling as though he needed to offer an alternative, Arlen proposed the second option. His dark brown eyes were looking straight at her. He regarded Saej as an equal, even in negotiations that seemed to be new to her. At least, she was getting some experience and Arlen was happy to oblige. Though perhaps this was something that Saej had to think on because the topic has soon changed from business to family.
[indent=20]A half Hytori, he thought and he cast a glance at Dilina, catching sight of the tips of her ears. At that moment, he became painfully aware of the tips of his own, hidden under his hair. He heard of the race and the halflings before, the attitude of those Hytori towards others. And he wasn’t very keen on any of it. Then he did a double-take as his mind finally caught up on something else.
[indent=20]Mother? His eyes shot back at Saej, unable to keep the surprise from his face at first.He made the quick corrections that he needed to.
[indent=20] Shoot, he thought, reeling back his surprise. A chuckle escaped him as he scratched at his head.
[indent=20]“You know...I thought you were an apprentice at first. My apologies. I shouldn’t have assumed as much really. I mean…” He straightened, pointing his hand to his Jastai companions.
[indent=20]“I came to the Jastai tribe in a similar way you can to this family,” Arlen then started explaining.” Tora, she is long gone now, found me abandoned as a babe in the Wild King’s Forge. She was a Jastai and part of the fire tribe. She took me in and here I am.” Then he chuckled once more. “So yes, I shouldn’t have assumed you were an apprentice since clearly, I’m not a Jastai.” Arlen checked that Saej did not take any offence, looking for any sign in her body language or tone. After all, he knew her too little to gauge properly.
[indent=20]Either way, he left out the part that his ears were the same as Saej’s mother’s and that perhaps he was half-hytori as well. He didn’t leave it out of shame, but uncertainty. He was never that bothered about what his mix was.Yet, the more he travelled as a convoy, the more his curiosity grew.
[indent=20]Thankfully, the conversation soon stirred away from the topic of origins. Arlen was happy to share all that Saej wanted to know. She seemed to have thirst for knowledge, understanding and experience. He saw it in her eyes and the way she listened. It encouraged him to share more. So much so that at some point, the world around him fell away and his attention was solely on his evening companion.
[indent=20]Arlen loved telling stories, drawing on his experiences and sharing them with others. Those were his origins. Jastai imprinted its culture on his mind. That’s where he was from. Not some mix he didn’t even know for sure. This was his comfort and for now, he did not want to leave it. Not as long as he still had ties to it. And so he settled back into his safety net.
[indent=20]Eventually, Saej said her goodnights and Arlen stayed behind. He was the first night guard and he saw his company off to sleep as well.
[indent=20]As each and every member retired, the world fell silent bit by bit. The crimson coloured mountain donned the dark veil of mourning as the sun set beyond the horizon. With it gone, chill took its temporary throne seeking foolish flesh to bite.
[indent=20]At some point, Arlen retrieved the cloak he brought and tended to the fire. Yet it wasn’t his eyes he was relying on, now useless in the growing dark, but his ears. The forest offered a few whispers and the fire crackled back its response. And nothing else moved around him.
[indent=20]At least, not then.
Re: [Memory] Bear Necessities I.
Posted: Wed Jul 15, 2020 6:11 pm
by Taelian
PH