I don’t know this Kobal and I don’t know how Greeshar has got on, but this is a matter of clan pride and perhaps a chance to patch things a little with Greeshar

”Tarnessh, have you the confidence in your kin to put your rhino up against my remaining bison? How about you Henal, I’ll bet on the rhino over a bison in this contest, will either of you?”
This message was last edited by the player at 15:34, Tue 09 Sept 2014.

Tarrnesh nodded at Ohanzee, not quite sure what this was all about, but not wanting to appear unsupportive of his own kin.

"I will make it up to you some day. Haratt. For the time being if you need help in any matter, I will help where I can." Amara promised. She waited until Haratt returned with the ostrich, leading the ostrich to the front of her Thunderfoot. "Khan Bone sky blue. We have one survivor from your clan. I would have you live through it until it is time for you to leave. Thunderfoot is not appropriate for you. You can show us the strength and value of your clan by using the ostrich."

Kobal warms up his neck in preparation for the headbutt contest.  The two braves square up against each other.

With a roar, Greeshar is on him, hands around his neck, head smashing into him with the force of a charging rhino.  Kobal crumples to the ground, momentarily blacking out.  Somehow he comes to, shakes his head in an effort to clear his mind, gets up groggily, and rushes at Greeshar.

Hands on the brave's shoulders, he brings his forehead down on Greeshar's head.  Whether because of his own weakened state or bad technique, his forehead strikes a blow which fails to land square on Greeshar's head but glances off to the side.

The rhino brave straggers back from the impact, but annoyingly he remains on his feet and howls in triumph, beating his chest.

Kobal falls back onto his butt, and lays down.  It's all he can do to remain conscious.  Waha's Teeth!  Not again!

"HA!" Ohanzee shouts for joy at the victory "There you go Tarnessh, never bet against a rhino brave in a butting contest. Well done Greeshar you bring pride to our clan, pride and wealth!"

Then turning to Henal he says "Too slow off the mark to back your clansman, but you saved yourself a rhino at least." and turning back to Tarnessh "I'm sure you'll have another chance to back Kobal and next time perhaps luck will be on your side."
This message was last edited by the player at 20:29, Tue 09 Sept 2014.

Tarrnesh nodded and shrugged, somewhat bemused by the whole thing. Rhinos were dumb beasts anyway, not nearly as good as a Bison.

Kobal raises his head slightly "Rhino braves... thick heads..."  He slumps back into oblivion.

With a satisfied smile on his face Ohanzee moves over to sit with his fellow Raven and Sand Fox and Nixa. ”Well that was fun.” His expression then turns a little more serious as he looks at the two Red Thorn braves ”It may not have been made clear to you, but the formation of the Wandering Rangers, of the greening of the land and of the ousting of the invaders, it was all foreseen by the Feathered Rivals and shown to each of us who are already Rangers in visions sent by them.”

He looks at the two Black Shield braves and then continues ”So you four are different, not just because you are outside of our clans, but more so because you have not been visited by one of the Rivals before.”

“The Rivals are most rarely acting as one in this and they as we all represent them in the ranks of the Wandering Rangers they bring many strengths and abilities to the Rangers through us.”

“If you truly want to commit to the Rangers then I believe that you should also commit to one of the Rivals to continue to grow our band in the strongest way.”

He shrugs ”Of course the decision is yours, but the Rivals sponsored if you like our band and I believe that it is the right way.”

“Should you agree then I think that you two should consider petitioning Raven. Your display of the theft of Tada’s tooth was excellent, good enough to bring the hyenas and certainly good enough to impress Raven”

In reply to Ohanzee Shappa (msg # 160):

he returns the smile, "Nicely done, an extra rhino and you still have two bison. Even though Kobal is a fellow bison rider, I'd never bet against Greeshar in a butting contest, well unless it was against one of Khan Harry's lot."

Grinning back at Melock h replies ”Only one bison, I traded one with Salen for his rhino. He can have the pick of the two beasts when he is ready to paint it with his mark.”

“So I have three rhino, though I think I shall gift one to my family. Even so, two rhino makes me quite the catch for a wife” his grin broadens ”Or two even.”

And then the serious look reappears on his face ”Though there are few of my clan left. I think I might have to travel to find a rhino woman suitable.”

Trying not to sound like what he says next is linked he asks Melock ”It has been a long time since I last saw Whispers from the Sky. We had fun back in the old days. How is she getting on?”

In reply to Ohanzee Shappa (msg # 162):

"Even better, you have been busy. I'm surprised he didn't want two bison in trade, I guess he didn't catch wind of my arrangement with Amara. I gave my parents two bison and the other two are the start of Wild Pastures bride price." he quickly glances towards Uroxin to check what his group are up to. "I didn't realise you knew each other, but I guess a lots changed since then. She is a very capable lady, she saved my life on the trip out when I caught something nasty off of a broo, unfortunately, for her, a few nights later Amara, Greeshar and I had to return the favour when we encountered a giant walking cactus."

Ohanzee glances at Greeshar briefly and then back to Melock ”Greeshar, yes. Is there anything more than that going on between the two of them? His mood changed all too suddenly during the welcome when I recognised Whispers and he looked at us funny like.”

In reply to Ohanzee Shappa (msg # 164):

he laughs, "what, funnier than usual?" It suddenly clicks what Ohanzee is trying to find out, "Well, they did seem to get fairly close on the trip, but I didn't want to ask them about it and now they have had all this time together while we've been away, who knows, maybe we will be raiding for two lots of bride prices"

Shaking his head at the whole situation, Hoskar is dismayed to see Kobal go down so hard; even against a man he's known off and on since childhood; yet simultaneously impressed at the power of the rhino brave's headbutt. At least I get to do something right for Kobal...and not before time.
Stooping, he puts a hand on Kobal's head and focusses his attention on the armlet with its healing charm. To his surprise, it vibrates slightly on his wrist as his spirit channels through it; but to his great relief, Kobal's features knit back together.
Concerned, he stares in Kobal's eyes, waiting for signs of returning consciousness before doing anything else; muttering to himself Hmpf. Half of me's not too thick-headed to help, at least.

Henal laughs then replies "Yes, but that at least means I'll be able to wager it on something else Ohanzee". Then he waits seeing Hoskar healing Kobal before he goes to see if the stunned brave is ready to move away.
This message was lightly edited by the player at 15:21, Wed 10 Sept 2014.

Ohanzee looks up at Henal and nods his agreement ”Very true. If you want to trade it I have one bison left?”

While they were talking, Tarrnesh noticed something interesting in the loot. It was a bent stick with a string tied to either end as well as some sticks with sharpened metal tied to them. "What is this thing?" He asked, holding it up.

In reply to Tarnessh Listens-To-Silence (msg # 169):

 Without looking up for more than a glance at the stick, waiting for signs of returning consciousness in Kobal, he casts out a reply to Tarnessh.

It's some sort of sling on a stick, I think. Never used it, but I imagine it's got a bit more whizz than the standard ones. We picked it up back at Rhino Gouge. Best guess, it used to belong to a dead sage: he certainly had a scroll explaining an interesting grip for something like this among his possessions. The scroll's only useful if you read Tally, though.

He turns briefly to catch the eyes of Henal and Ohanzee. If I've counted right, I think I've somehow snagged a couple of Bison I've no real idea how to care for too.

More concerned about his comrade's wellbeing than trade right now, he turns back to check on Kobal's recovery.

Kobal opens his eyes, sees Hoskar leaning over him.  He puts a hand to his head.  Everything seems in place.  He sits up, with groan, awake at least, but still somewhat groggy.  I lost!  Again!  Well, I can at least hope Greeshar's headache is as bad as mine.

He turns to the Condor brave, and extends a hand to him.  "My thanks, Hoskar.  You're all right."

”He means the bows Hoskar” Ohanzee says with a grin ”Remember I ermmm... let us say adjusted that sling on a stick.” and he taps the bit of wood that hangs from his belt, about the length of his forearm and with a matrix visible on its surface.

Looking back to Tarnessh he explains ”The sticks with strings are called bows and they are use to throw the other sticks, the tiny spears with feathers that are called arrows. They shoot as far as a sling, much further than you can throw a javelin and you can shoot the arrows more quickly than either of those and you do not need the space about you that you do to use a sling. Come, I’ll show you.”

He gets up and leaves the tent grabbing his bow and quiver. Once outside and eager to impress he concentrates on the charm he had previously pointed out and the arrow he is holding seems just a little more straight and smooth, the flint tip a little keener at the edge.

”Grab a melon and put it out there, by that fire is about as far away as you would want to use a sling.” then when Tarnessh returns he puts the arrow to the string as he has seen others do, pulls back and lets it fly at the target. Then the melon explodes as the projectile hits a sweet spot on its surface and Ohanzee whoops at the success of his first ever bow shot!
This message was last edited by the player at 18:46, Thu 11 Sept 2014.

"That's amazing!" Tarrnesh exclaimed. "Why don't we use these?" He asked

"Simple answer? Superstition and tradition. I've not long had one of these 'bows', and if I ever figure it out I'll be delighted, but they seem like a very useful weapon - and it beats hefting around huge javelins, too."

Salen smiles, but then quickly looks around to see who is watching, and listening.

Ohanzee shrugs "Like Salen said. And of course because we never use them swe don't know how to make them, I guess you need the right wood and that sort of thing. We'll need to learn how to make the arrows unless we catch someone who can or raid for them as well as beasts."

"Take one if you like but be ready for a ribbing. Ravens are always ready for that." and he grins again.

Relieved to see Kobal recovering, Hoskar smiles hugely, taking his hand with relief as he gets back to his feet.

Just glad to see you're conscious and thinking straight. Last time Greeshar wrestled me, I was half my current size and got flung right over a boulder. He was the only one who pretended to take me seriously and would wrestle at all, but it wasn't nice coming back to earth.

The others seem to be testing bows. Not for me - I'm odd enough as it is, and can't help associating the damn things with Sables - but reckon it'll be amusing to see them try the things.

Unless Kobal has more to say, he heads after the experimenters to watch the fun.

"We are already trying to do something unprecedented. I think using a bow will only be another grain of sand in a desert." Tarrnesh said with a smile as he took one.