Private Tales The eve of starry lights

[Mabess]

»Ghaavel, ... «
The elder shaman, Varath'anaiaruk, he wouldn't have noticed the differance of name, going through so many each year for so many decades. And the ancestors to recall were so many... Thus he spoke out again as he reached for the ashes.
»Will you join the earthen land agai, to once more brig havoc upon the menaces of our clans.«

His hand dipped onto the ashes held up by the chieftainess. With a few swaying motions he smudged it over the gleeful boy's face.
Dordro's eyes were wide and shining, he only ever blinked as the ashes covered his face.


»And so... Dordo is now Ghaavel! Welcome his return!«

 

[Hath Charosh]

Hath offered the shaman a smile and a respectful nod as the cheers began. Even before he turned away, Hath could tell that there were segments of the crowd who provided nothing but silence. He didn't pick the lad up, but gave him a firm clap to the back of his shoulder as they stepped away.

Hath didn't know what to feel. This had all been happened so suddenly. A small measure of pride for the boy coming of age perhaps. But that felt as if it wasn't earned.

He didn't know what came next, beyond the rest of the evening. He supposed he'd take Ghaavel hunting.

 

[Mabess]

Most notably the silversoned lay quiet, and any blackhawk in ther vicinity followed suit. They had a keen eye on any strangers in town.

Mabess then led the tiniest of the groups downward from the ramp, back into the crowd of people. The ill thoughts would disperse as four more children went through their rite.

»You now live, Ghaveel. « Mabess remarked, giving the boy a warm smile as she closed her eyes.

The ashlanders were truly odd, children were not named for this long and were not considered members of the clan, nor living...despite being well, alive. Same as how the winter months were void, dead.

»Thank you, Hath,« the chieftainess turned to the hunter.

 

[Hath Charosh]

It seemed very strange to be invoking the name of someone from his own tribe. Hath decided that not knowing the customs of the Ashlanders meant that it would just be a waste of time to continue thinking about it. It was done now. The boy was Ghaavel.

The Rites were conducted at a much later age within his own tribe. The young adults were given a chance to showcase their skills. This allowed them to find their place in the clan as well as to potentially find a mate.

He acknowledged her thanks by with one shake of a closed fist. There were lots of small gestures the orcs used that had no commonality with the humans.

"What comes next?" he asked, hoping for no more surprises.

 

[Mabess]

Mabess streched her back.
»Dinner. Dinner and sleep.« The she-orc said with ease.

»Hath, I hope I had not brought you too much discomfort over this,« Mav leaned closer to the hunter.

As the event progressed to the last orc child named, good food aroma, rich and pungent filled the ear.

 

[Hath Charosh]

Hath considered the thought as he watched the last of the children coming of age. In his tribe the chieftain rarely offered apology. Even though she was his mother, she didn't spare many words for him at all.

"Was just a surprise," he replied. Hath had felt awkward and out of place, but that hardly counted as true discomfort in his mind. He would have liked to have met..Ghaavel before the evening.

He could feel the group fragmenting now. Several tribes and even smaller family units coming together to congratulate each other. Hath was hungry. He was almost always hungry.

 

[Mabess]

»Well, tomorrow will be a long day,« Mabess smilled oh so slightly before motioning with her hands towards some of the firepits where food lay.
The array of food was very varied. Bear soup, spiced rabbit, venison in barghest milk and roasted fish. Ghaavel followed in quick sucession, however as soon as the excitement ran out, he began to yawn and strech.

 

[Hath Charosh]

Hath took a seat and Ghaavel left to eagerly collect some meat. A moment before he had looked tired enough to drop, but the scent of cooked meat had given him a second wind.

Assuming that Mabess would have more important duties soon he dropped Hath voice to try and steal a moment more of her time. Tomorrow might contain yet more surprises but it was something else he wanted to ask.

"All this...and me...it won't cause problems for the lad in future will it?"

 

[Mabess]

Mabess was about to leave before stopping and turning once more to Hath. »Naysayers exist for anything.«
»But if you've seen the distant kin, they cheered for the joy Ghaavel dispalyed.«
The Chieftainess nodded her head briefly.
»Tomorrow will be a quiet day, good evening, Hath.«