KM20 Registered User
Posts: 44
(1/16/02 3:01 am) Reply
Year of Survival
Author's Note: (beast people)
It was time and Ishal was prepared to do what had to be done. It was still night and the beast man had to make his move for things to go properly. He descended to the level normally barred to Kusan's followers. This was where Kusan's children and mate's mother lived. Tonight Ishal was coming for his eldest, his son, Zorvakh.
He found the boy asleep, a rare activity for his people, in one of the bedrooms. Remarkably Zorvakh wasn't roused by the somewhat loud creaking sound of the opening door. A blow gun loaded with one sleeping potion dart were already in hand. Ishal put one end to his lips and took aim. His shot was on target, in the boy's shoulder. That did wake him, but only for a moment. The young one barely had enough time to look at his assailant before the potion kicked in.
**********
Like any other the night was bitter cold and though he was clothed with a dark gray robe Ishal's fur alone would have been enough protection. This was fortunate for Zorvakh. Ishal's mount was a tame leal. The animal was saddled, packed and as ready for his owner to leave immdiatly.
Now atop his mount with an unconscious Zorvakh in his lap Ishak looked at his home. It would be the last time he would see the fortress or any civillization for a very long time. After a silent farewell he turned the leal around and rode of into the desert wilderness.
**********
It was nearly dawn when Ishal came to where he and Zorvakh needed to be. The sleep potion had yet to wear off.
With the boy in one arm he dismounted and set him on the ground. His steed's reigns were still in hand.
(Down.) Ishal ordered as he pulled them down.
The animal knew this to be the command to lay down and complied. Ishal then opened up the pack on the leal's back. He took out a canteen filled with water, a small bag with food and a dagger. After setting them down by Zorvakh he remounted the leal and rode a few paces away from the sleeping figure. Ishal looked out on the horizon. One of the suns was just peeking over where the ground made the illusion of ending. Then he reached in to a pocket of his robe producing a ball. Taking quick aim the beast man raised his arm to throw the object. Before he did he pressed the top of the ball. The ball landed beside the sleeping Zorvakh and
released a thick smoke. Ishal kicked the slides of his mount and turned to ride to the rock formation in the distance.
Now safe from sight he knew he had done his part and the rest was up to Zorvakh. Edited by: KM20 at: 12/21/02 1:03:13 am
KM20 Registered User
Posts: 48
(1/19/02 2:46 am) Reply
Re: Year of Survival
The second Zorvakh's head swam into conciousness he jumped up to face his attacker. His eyes had no choice but to fall upon the sands of the wildderness. He looked down to see the food pack, canteen, dagger and spent gas ball. Now it was very clear what was going on. It was his time to begin the path to adulthood. This was the start of the first year. He was to survive alone in the wilderness. The stranger must have been his gaurdian. The boy knew not to seek him out, technicaly he was on his own. The gaurdian would show himself after the year was over and train him to use the energy that would come around the end of the year.
Zorvakh knew he wouldn't survive out in the sands for long even with provisions he had. As he gather up what he'd been given the boy wondered with direction he should travel in to find an oasis. After some thought he decided on a direction and started off.
Over in the rock formation Ishal wasn't pleased with what he saw. Ishal had stopped here for a reason. When he was preparing to be a gaurdian the beast man went to a wild leal hunter, one of the dieing professions from the old days, and asked him about the traveling patterns of particular herds, where they were then and such. According to the hunter a herd would be coming by where they were now. When the heard came by Zorvakh could follow them to an oasis. If continued on in that direction he would be almost certainly lost.
Edited by: KM20 at: 12/21/02 1:08:44 am
KM20 Registered User
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(1/20/02 3:26 am) Reply
Re: Year of Survival
At around ten paces Zorvakh stopped walking. After giving his situation further thought he realized that his gaurdian had just left him in a random spot. Then it hit him... the wild leals! Jaskari had taught him everything about the wilderness. He remembered most of it. She said the wild leals traveled from oasis to oasis. He had to stay so he could follow them to their next stop.
The first sun was completly up, the second was half way and the third was just coming over the horizon. Zorvakh was wondering where those stupid leals were. He almost thought they weren't coming when finally something could be seen coming towards the rising suns.
The day was spent following the herd. Ishal had to stay further away, but he wasn't concerned about loosing the boy or the leals. From up on his mount both Zorvakh and some elderly straglers could be seen.
When night came the herd stopped and began to lie down for the night. Ishal let his leal lie down like his cousins and he sat against him. It was a good time to check a map the leal hunter has given him. For the looks of things the 'caravan' was at the half way mark.
Edited by: KM20 at: 12/21/02 1:16:35 am
KM20 Registered User
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(2/11/02 2:22 am) Reply
Re: Year of Survival
Zorvakh knew most predators came out at night. Out in the open therte were only two to worry about. The harju, a winged terror with a tooth filled beak. During the day they were in their nests in the larger rock formations. At night they were known to swoop down in flocks and consume leals while they slept. Alone the preyed on any animal possible. The malusa burrowed deep down in the ground during the searing days. At night they came up and ate only leals. At the oasis he wouldn't have to worry about this. The melusa only attacked out in the open sand.
Edited by: KM20 at: 12/21/02 1:21:51 am
KM20 Registered User
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(3/5/02 1:13 am) Reply
Re: Year of Survival
Zorvakh was careful not to eat or drink too much. It was impossible to tell how many more days it would take to get to the next oasis. Luckly he wouldn't have to worry about sleep for a few days.
The first half of the night went by peacfully. Out of boredom he bagan to wonder about his father. All his life he'd wondered who he was. Why they lived in the fortress. He had so many question for him. When Zorvakh became a man maybe he'd get some answers.
Zorvakh was ripped from his thoughts when he heard a leal cry out. He turned to the herd to see one of the beast being pulled under the sand.
Edited by: KM20 at: 12/21/02 1:25:19 am
KM20 Registered User
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(3/12/02 1:03 am) Reply
Re: Year of Survival
Zorvakh soon found that he was next when he felt a tentacle wrap around his leg. The melusa insatantly began pulling downward. The boy could feel the heated breath of the predator on his foot. Zorvakh used every once of strength he had to pull his foot back up before it was too late. Just as he was making a little headway another tentacle sprang up and wrapped around his middle. Zorvakh grabbed the end of the second tentacle and bit down hard with his sharp teeth. Upon hearing a muffed cry and seeing the tentacles letting go Zorvakh figured he might be in the clear.
Ishal watched the whole episode knowing that this was one of many trials. He nearly went to help, but managed to keep his senses. Zorvakh had to do this himself.
Now with his dagger in hand Zorvakh kept a watch on the ground. All the time hearing more desparate leal cries.
Edited by: KM20 at: 12/21/02 1:32:43 am
KM20 Registered User
Posts: 85
(6/20/02 1:44 am) Reply
Re: Year of Survival
The next day seemed to be hotter than the last. Zorvakh was getting tired, but kept up the pace. He knew what would happen if he stopped.
As afternoon came he began to mumble a mix of prayers and curses. Just as the first of the sun's began to set Zorvakh's prayers were answered-- the oasis was coming into view.
**********
Once in the small pardise it was hard to beleive that a dessrt was beyond boders. Zorvakh was still be hind the leals as the walked along a well beaten path.
KM20 Registered User
Posts: 86
(6/22/02 12:48 am) Reply
Re: Year of Survival
Ishal took a different path and a few seconds in he realized he'd have to dismount. If not his head would collide with the hanging nest complexes of the tiny durki birds. The vine on the lower parts of the trees bore flowers that they drank the necter from. As night fell they would close and reopen as the trio of suns rose.
While walking his eyes stayed half looking at what was ahead and half on the ground. There could be up turned roots or even worse a turvit could wander onto the path. The turvit, though palm sized, had a very effective defense of poison laced into each strand of it's fur.
Furher down the path Ishal discovered that someone already had a camp site made out. It looked to be a female with her back to him. It was a surprise she didn't hear him. Then she spoke.
(I saw your's follow a herd down another leal path on my way back. I wonder if he'll run into mine?)
The woman turned around.
(Why don't you come and sit?)
***********
Zorvakh found a pond at the end of his path. The leals were all at the rim drinking there fills. The young beast person found a rock to sit and relax on. As the leals began to leave to graze a girl could be seen wading into the pool. She was oblivious to the fact she was being watched.
With all the leals grazing Zorvakh was left with an unobstucted veiw of the bathing beauty. She had a slighly ragged red garment than was most likely floor length at one piont. If she were out of the water it would provide a good look at her legs. He did have a side view of the rest of her as she rubbed something into her hair. The female's wet clothes clung to the beginings of a woman's form.
Zorvakh merely sat there grinning over his first look at a girl that wasn't his own flesh and blood. Edited by: KM20 at: 12/22/02 1:51:34 am
KM20 Registered User
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(6/23/02 2:02 am) Reply
Re: Year of Survival
(I didn't fully realize how alone I would feel.) the woman pointed to her leal.
Ishal nodded in reply.
(Soon I will be able to talk to my student, her year is nearly up.) she continued, poking the fire with a long stick.
(Our's has just begun.)
(I've heard Embree talking about leaving with the next herd.)
Ishal nodded again. He knew it was common for a youth to talk about travel plans knowing your gaurdian might be present.
**********
She finished with her hair and dunked herself into the water. The water was calm for a bit then there was some splashing. Zorvakh nearly rushed in to help then he saw the girl come up with an aquatic animal squirming in her grasp. Now she was facing Zorvakh. Both were frozen just staring at each other.
KM20 Registered User
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(6/24/02 1:17 am) Reply
Re: Year of Survival
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Edited by: KM20 at: 12/22/02 1:39:29 am
KM20 Registered User
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(6/27/02 1:13 am) Reply
Re: Year of Survival
(Who are you?!) she finally snapped.
(I am Zorvakh...) the boy said as he stood up.
(... And I've come here to begin my year of survival.)
(How long have you been standing there?!)
(As long a you've been in the water.)
(You sick bolehn*!) she screamed aiming the palm of her free hand at Zorvakh.
When he saw that she could only make it glow red he began to laugh.
(It work last time!)
Zorvakh cut himself off, knowing what an energy blast could do. He decided to make an appologly just in case.
(Look, I didn't mean to stare. You're the first real girl I've seen.)
(When I leave with this herd I'll be the last you see for a while.) she replied anger still in her voice.
* A bolehn is a domesticated animal that is a filthy, ugly, ungainly creature fond of sex and looks like a cross between a hyena and a pig. Calling someone a 'bolehn' is equvilant to 'pervert'.
KM20 Registered User
Posts: 98
(7/12/02 2:02 am) Reply
Re: Year of Survival
After finishing her catch Embree was sitting on the ground. She had gotten Zorvakh to try himself. She watching as he wade into the pond. The water was luke warm and felt pleasent. When he was out far enough he dipped into the water as he had seen the girl do.
Zorvakh opened his eyes to see a female kelm swim by with her swarm of babies. And right in front of her was a pinor feeding on underwater plants. The boy took a quick snatch at it and manged to grab one of the legs.
Embree watch her new companion come back up and get a better hold of the flailing pinor. She applauded.
Zorvakh shook head head wildly, water flew in all directions. Then he chomped the head of the pinor.
'It was good' he thought wiping blood from his chin.
KM20 Registered User
Posts: 101
(7/16/02 1:22 am) Reply
Re: Year of Survival
It was getting darker as Zorvakh and Embree made their way back to her camp. They heard the occasional noises of freriks coming out to hunt the treetops. Neither dared to look up because the turvits were out as well. With their glowing red eyes it was hard to miss one. They scuried around all night eating bugs. Even under the tress the light from the two moons could be seen.
Once the pair were back at the camp Embree climbed into a hamock she had made out of vines.
(I'm going to catch up on my sleep. In a couple days I'll be in open sand and have to watch for melusa.)
Zorvakh simply nodded.
Embree was so sure about sleeping with this stranger around. It would mean her staying alive in the long run.
KM20 Registered User
Posts: 110
(9/11/02 1:21 am) Reply
Re: Year of Survival
Zorvakh swated at the tiny swarm of bugs amidst Embree's steady snores.
(And she dared to call me Bolehn.) Zorvakh thought, deciding to give up on the bugs.
By this point he was also long tired of sitting. Looking up in the trees he noticed one had fruit in it's brances. Judging from the color they were kayka. Zorvakh remembered eating them dried back home. Jaskari always said they were much better just off the tree.
Zorvakh began to climb the tree with surprising ease. With only lossing a footholding twice he was up. Finding a spot near plenty of kayka the boy got his frist taste of the fruit fresh... and it was better this way.
KM20 Registered User
Posts: 111
(9/11/02 11:19 pm) Reply
Re: Year of Survival
It was so quiet and peaceful up in the kayka tree it was possible to dose off. Zorvakh couldn't do that, but he was close. He even drown out Embree's snores. When the snarls and growls of freriks became audiable he mearly looked up. above were two of the long bodied creatures and tiny brown something. It wove in and out of sight and Zorvakh couldn't see what it was and didn't care. Eyes back on the area in front of him he plucked another kayka from it branch. It almost got into Zorvakh's mouth when a brown orange blur fell into his lap. Within a second the poor creature was pushed away and down to the ground. Itlanded on it's fett and was not hurt.
The frerik began making disgruntled sounds as if it were yelling about Zorvakh's rudeness. At first the creature stayed in the spot it landed then climbed up one of the trees holding Embree's hammock up. The annoyed catter could be heard, fainter and fainter until the frerik was out of earshot.
It was soon replaced by another upset vioce.
(What was that?!)
From his perch Zorvakh stiffled laughter.
KM20 Registered User
Posts: 123
(12/13/02 2:23 am) Reply
Re: Year of Survival
(Zorvakh , where are you?) Embree called out.
Still sitting on his branch Zorvakh decided not to reply, in case she got her energy working.
Down below Embree gave up and climbed back into her hammock. Up in the branch Zorvakh lounged back to wait for morning.
*******
When morning finally did come it found Zorvakh back on the ground. He would still be up in the kayka tree if it weren't for a troop of insects that crawled on him and stsrted biting. he would be finding the for hours and be itching for days.
KM20 Registered User
Posts: 130
(12/16/02 3:18 am) Reply
Re: Year of Survival
Embree woke up when the first sun was peaking over the horizon. Sincve been out in her year her internal clock set itself to early. Sitting up and looking aroung Embree was surprised to see Zorvakh stiill at her sight.
(Where were you last night?)
(Kayka tree.) he mumbled, scratching an arm.
(That would explain the irratated ferik.) she thought.
*************
Ishal and the female gardian, who's name was Sorli, were walking under the dirki bird nest complexes. Sorli held a long thin pole.
(See that nice bluge right there?) Ishal asked pionting to a section of nest.
Sorli looked and her eyes searched for the spot.
(I see.) she noted absently as she put the stick up to the bludge.
After a bit of proddling she saw a speck of aqua.
(Get ready to catch.)
Ishal stuck his hand out a kept an eye on the nest. Sorli prodded a little more and a palm sized egg fell into Ishal's hand. Four more times Sorli prodded and Ishal caught.
KM20 Registered User
Posts: 174
(7/24/03 12:51 am) Reply
Re: Year of Survival
***NOTICE***
I've slowly come to the decision that I can't craft solo stories in the public eye. This story will be fixed and finished off-board before I return to the "Early Years" pieces I started. Dee, if your reading this feel free to delete this thread. I've copied it over to my personal archives. Thanks.
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