First Son is Born

::He walked around with a dazed but happy expression, he was a father, of a son no less! Aponi had done well, though the birth in the bathing wagon was surprising they took it all in stride. The Spex had helped their son ease peacefully into the presence of the Tribe. While Aponi rested he carried FeSTus to the main fires, and introduced him to several of the elder women. Teng pointed out the moons, the dancing stars in the clear plains Sky, the Plains Winds that blew gently through the Harigga, speaking low to his child as they moved back to his wagons. Soon FeSTus began to call for his mother, Aponi meeting the hungry child with open arms::

Fatherhood

Skies! He was going to be a father! He and Aponi had created new life during their many practice sessions. He pondered this as he rode his patrol. He'd known his father searched for him, as he had searched for Pop, but now he considered the emotions having your Son taken from you would bring forth. He still could only imagine the pain his father had felt, however the greater understanding renewed the resolve to stand firm, stand honorably, and be a man his father would be proud of.

Claiming a Mate

The drums brought word of Ba'atar's approval, with that news he completed his duties quickly and went to his wagon. The pelts were piled high on the newly constructed sleeping platform, he washed up and changed into fresh leathers, then made his way to the central fire. He waited, passing the time with Silken and Aponi until more Tuchuk gathered, then pushed to his feet and announce his claim of Aponi as his woman. She was lifted to his shoulder and carried to his, now their wagon where the night passed much more sweetly than he'd imagined it could.

A Price Paid

He'd been busy that day, tending to the payment of the price Ba'atar had set for Aponi. He personally had gathered the bosk, examining their health and sending only the best to the Ubar's herds. The fawn kaiila yearling was groomed, the handlers directed to move the beast to the Ubar's holdings. He also sent a small metal disk to the wagons of Ba'atar, a marker of the promise he'd made. The bride rights to his first born daughter were reserved for Ba'atar's sons. More work at the forge was completed after these tasks were complete. As the Sky turned indigo over the plains he moved toward the fires and a good meal.

Home

The grass shimmered in the early morning light, the air held a sweetness that had been missing for nearly a moon. Could it be, could it actually be that they had arrived home. The North Camp, the pastures were rich for the bosk, the stream filled with sweet fresh water. He'd helped get his wagon settled along with those of his father. There were so many details, but the Tribe worked together as one to get the harigga established quickly. Those concentric circles, layers of safety, that can only fully be put into place when the Tuchuk are camped on their lands. Once he had spoken with his commander his own Or was gathered. Carefully they went over the established patrols, and discussed the blood tinged trail found earlier that day. Extra caution would have to be taken, it would be easy to fall into a sense of safety. Life on the Plains was harsh, camped on the trail or at home in the harigga. Ending their discussions on that note, Teng set to the task of setting up the forge, for many repairs would be needed now that they had arrived home. He enjoyed working along side his father, getting to know him as a man instead of a distant memory. He still had many questions, perhaps soon they'd hunt together and he could ask what he needed to know.

Endless March

It would seem the Sky is testing our strength, just as we form a plan to overcome one obstacle placed before us another appears. Last night a larl attacked, killing a bull bosk. Pop examined it's body, and found no sign that the larl had fed. Apparently it was killing for the sake of the kill.
This seems to go against the very fabric that nature is created of, but then the Spex warned us that things may appear one way but actually not be as they appear. As I rode patrol with my men in the darkness I carefully considered her words. Many odd happenings have taken place on this seemingly endless march, not the least being the shaking of the earth. Was the great crevice in the earth truly made of that shaking, or is it something more. Larls tracking the wagons, the number of Tuchuk finding their way to us while on migration, chunks of ice falling from the Sky. ::he paused to think for several ihn::

Ba'atar eased the mood for a time last night. He formally made Aponi Tribe, and commanded the women to set her nose ring. That tiny, shimmering ring. We enjoyed some easy banter and
concluded that she indeed needed to keep her braid, I was happy to exchange as part of her bride price the mating rights to our first born daughter. A girl child could do much worse in a mate than the son of an Ubar. However, if he had chosen to require her shaved bald it would not have diminished her worth in my eyes. Hair grows back.

Shaking Earth and Thundering Bosk

::He was curious, given the massive shaking of the earth that had happened the night before, so Teng went seeking a yearkeeper. He asked questions about past migrations, and the severe conditions of this one. There was little the Elder could share with the young Commander, so he wished him a safe day and was off. During his patrols he pondered the events of the night before. He'd learned much from Ayguili and the herdsmen as they worked together to bring the bosk safely back behind the wagons. He was proud of the way his men worked together as a team, both in stopping the stampeding bosk and in the wagon to wagon search afterward. Many concerns etched his face, for Cana, for the beasts in their care, for the People. He'd give his all to ensure the tribe arrived safely in the northern pastures. With much intensity he went about his daily scouting, then as darkness again began to fall on the plains he headed for the central fires.::