Fireborn accepts the skin filled with firewater from Smokey Jojo. Without a further though he raises it to his lips and takes a long pull. Liquid fire shot down his throat and warmed his belly to the point of almost boiling. It was a good feeling but harsh and surprising.

With a half smile grimace he passed the skin along.

He turns back to Smokey Jojo and says..."I would learn more of Oakfed when you have the chance. All the tales told tonight moved me in some way but the story of Oakfed seems to have awakened something inside me."

H takes his gold feather and begins to braid it into his hair as he speaks.

"That does not surprise me Fireborn, not in the slightest, for you could say that your path has been marked since birth.

But....It is a dangerous path you wish to tread. I can not lie about that and eventually you must journey to Monkey Ruins. A mighty trek in itself. There you may come face to face with the Great Spirit himself.

First we must see if you are truly worthy to carry the feather of the Sun Hawk, and then I shall gladly guide you to Oakfed's warm embrace."

The Shaman winks at the young Brave

"But first we get drunk yes?"

Foreborn returns the smile and nods his head full of fiery red hair..."Yes drunk!" he exclaims already feeling the warmth of the firewater flowing to his extremities.

Before we get too drunk, Smokey Jojo, can you explain us Melok's vision of a "cloak of living raven feathers" ? Or may be you, Melok ?

In reply to Kobal (msg # 19):

grins at Kobal as he walks away. he wonders over to sit next to Hacha and when he's ready to pass the smoke on, takes a deep lung full and starts coughing and his eyes water, then pass it on to whom every wants it next while trying not to make eye contact.
When he gets his breath back and can speak a bit better he replies to Kaonu when I look at the darkness cough, around Feather Wait I see what cough looks like 2 raven wings covering him and always moving over him
he looks round for the Kumiss Greeshar could you pass cough the kumiss cough, cough thank you cough
This message was lightly edited by the player at 17:08, Fri 23 Aug 2013.

Amara was bemused by the Bison shaman and handed over what she was drinking to him, expecting to have him surprised by the fresh water stream the skin contained. "Living is gift, Cloud walker, one to be relished every day to the fullest."

She glared at her brother for holding on to the khumiss "Stop being a sable rider, pass the good drink around."
This message was last edited by the player at 04:23, Sat 24 Aug 2013.

"Aye, thanks".  Kobal takes the proffered skin and takes another mouthful of the kumiss.  "I saw the way you handled the lance today on your rhino, it was a bit different to how we Bison People bring down the tip before we strike."

But then he hears Hacha Lor question Feather Wait about the feathers, and turns his head (partway and politely, so as not to offend Greeshar), to listen to that conversation.  Why didn't I think to ask that?

When the wise ones have finished with their stories, Kobal turns back to Greeshar.  "How do you come by the name Longhorn?"  A mischevious thought enters his mind Is it named after what's on your rhino?  Or what's in your trousers?  But he knows better than to voice the thought.

Hacha takes the proffered pipe, and puffs slowly at it before passing it on, with a nod, to Melock. He gazes into the darkness as the Shamans tell their stories, smiling at the antics of the Raven. He takes a drink of the kumiss, listens with interest to Melock's report, and asks the shaman "Feather Wait? You say few have met the bird spirits. Do you know of others who have met them? Have you met the Raven, yourself?"

The area of the Camp fire is now a hot bed of talk, fragrant smoke, songs and occasional bouts of dancing.

A pretty normal night intact, though one charged with questions and the nearness of the spirit world. Three shamans in close proximity are causing all sorts of havoc with the local plane of existence...spirits zip through the air, visible without the help of charms, causing shadows to expand, flames to dance and the wind to whistle.

Yasha and Dust flies high, the Ostrich Tribe slaves, move amongst the men, handing out full skins and keeping the fire stoked. Children of the Sun, they are bright and happy, despite their old age and long years of servitude. They swap good natured jibes with their masters and accept titbits of food and occasional swigs of grog.

By the fire Greeshar is aware of the hulking form of Micklebran the Howler, drawn here by the smell of alcohol and the prospect of a party. The Storm Bull nods at his fellow Rhino Clansman, whilst accepting a skin from a Bison Brave, which he raises in salute to Greeshar's Twin Amara , mouthing "Sky Watchers" at them both, before drinking his fill.

Bull's Eye Rakas, Wild Buck, Kicks all day and Wahan Yellow Bull, four stout braves and friends since childhood, begin a playful wrestling bout  to one side, drawing many of the younger bachelors from other fires to watch. The air crackles with testosterone and spent charms, cast by each of the four on one another....

Whether by design or natural occurrence, each of the young newly initiated braves find themselves next to a certain Shaman.

Smokey Jojo with Sitting Deer and Fireborn, small flames dancing along his fingers and a spiral of smoke rising from his head. Melock and Hacha Lor enveloped by the ever shifting darkness of Feather Wait and finally the jolly Cloudwalker telling bawdy jokes to his group of four: Amara Brightsky, Greeshar Longhorn, Kobal and Kaonu Windspeaker....

Three distinct groups, but all sitting within earshot of each other..... Joined by their shared initiation rites and the interest of the Feathered Rivals....

The Shaman studies the brave for a while before answering, taking in his wiry build and black hair, perhaps wondering what his father must think.... Darnik Sharp Lance, the clan's Bison Khan, Rune Lord of Waha.

"Aye, few have met Raven in their initiation rites" and he continues, voice rising so that each of the new adults would hear

"Same goes for Sun Hawk and Thunder Bird too. But it happens enough."

He pauses

"Just never a whole bunch of you at once.....And Aye, I have met him....On the spirit plane and here on ours....Once, a long time ago."

His eyes, dark pools, flick sideways to look at the other two Shamans.

"Those who have met them, or been guarded on their rites, will often go on to join their spirit society. Often I say, because you must first pass a dangerous test before acceptance.

Next week on either Freezeday, Windsday or Fireday, those of you who feel the urge can attempt the rite and join their Society.

Every clan and Tribe has members, some many, some few and you will find brothers and sisters in Pavis and it's ruins, Shadows Dance and even in the land of our enemies over the Mountains.... And it does not matter who your Tribe worships, for you will find Sun Hawk amongst the Orlanthi and Darkness amongst the Sun.

Is that not so Dust flies high?"

Caws the Shaman at the passing slave.

The slave stops, his bald head bobbing this way and that as he takes in the group as if for the first time, though he has known most of them for all of their lives.

A source of comfort when fingers were sliced or eyes blackened, a giver of sweets, a scolder of liars and a thrasher of young thieves, he was both respected, loved and sometimes feared by everyone about the fire.

"Yip...S'true.....My folks are in debt to Raven and know his worth, despite us being children of the Sun"

At the mention of their God , both he and his wife stretch out their palms, fingers like the rays of the sun.

He nods once at Yasha, who pulls a small flute from her loincloth and begins to play, quickly silencing all but those wrestling to one side.

Dust flies high begins to strut like a proud bird, whilst reciting a tale of his people.....

"A long time ago.... When Mother Ostrich was with The People, she laid a new clutch of eggs, hatched them and began rearing the chicks. One day, Mother Eiritha saw the chicks and, feeling broody and jealous, stole the chicks away.

When Mother Ostrich found out she followed the thief and demanded her chicks be returned, but Mother Eiritha refused saying that all on the Plains were her children.

Mother Ostrich called a Council of the local godlings, but all were friends of Mother Eiritha and would not oppose her. In desperation, Mother Ostrich appealed to her friends, but Sun Hawk refused to become involved and Thunder Bird said he had more important things to do. Raven, however, said "I have never seen fur beget feathers, think what you are saying, the chicks belong to the Ostrich."

When they heard this, the Council were shamed at their actions and made Mother Eiritha return the chicks to Mother Ostrich. They also gave Mother Ostrich dominion over some of Mother Eiritha’s children as compensation.

Since time, we have been able to keep Bison, Impala, Sable, High Llama and Rhino to sustain us and we have accepted Raven as a Friend.... Even though he is of Darkness."

In reply to Hacha Lor (msg # 35):

in a low voice, when Dust Flies high has finished, so the sound doesn't travel too far So Hacha what do you see when you look at Feather Wait?

Amara, Greeshar, we were stangers to each other and have been together since the exile only, but it seems that we have something more in common today. Don't you think so, Kobal? Cloudwalker, what do the Three Rivals want from us ? What brought Thunder Bird to mark people as different as us four ? I feel honoured to have been granted an orange feather, but I guess this gift has a purpose and that we shall prove in anyway that we deserve it

Hacha ponders the question for a moment, and then replies "There is darkness around him, and it takes form, but sometimes the form changes: a cloak of feathers, a flock of birds...sometimes it's like the shadow of some being, standing guard over him."

"It'd be fun if, in the same way, the demands of our rite, next week, changed as we attempted it, eh Melock?"
This message was last edited by the player at 02:30, Sun 25 Aug 2013.

In reply to Hacha Lor (msg # 41):

yes, it'll definitely make it more of a challenge looks towards smokey jojo at least we wont be playing with fire

The Shaman wipes Kumis froth from his lips, belches loudly and throws the now empty skin behind him.

"Why did Thunder Bird mark the four of you? Simple....You are warriors!" he bellows in mock rage, before slapping his meaty thighs and laughing.

He then continues, a more serious look on his round face.

"The four of your's initiation awoke the Storm within you....Your link to the Spirit world too....And something else that marks you as the individual that you each are.  Just like the others found their Fire or Darkness.

Thunder Bird for some reason, has decided that you four are worthy of his attention."

Here he leans closer so that only the four Orange feather holders can hear him.

"And it seems that our rivals, Raven and Sun Hawk have chosen the others for some purpose too."

He leans back, opening a pouch to take a pinch of its contents, which gets snorted in one swift action.

One that turns his face bright red, and then with a roar, he lets forth a great explosive sneeze.

"Rain Man be praised...He'd have been proud of that himself eh?

So Amara, Greeshar, Kobal and Kaonu.... It is up to you lot to find out what is what. Are you to compete with your brothers as usual or join forces to combat some unexplained foe?"

"A time of strife it is" puffs Smokey Jojo.

"A time when heroes are needed."

The ash covered man gives the group a critical stare, his tongue pushing out his top upper lip, before sucking in some disdainful air....

"Well time will tell......Though whether our enemies will give us time will have to be seen. The Bastard Sable Clans forever push our people away from water and our access to the Holy places are limited.

Taxes! What form of devilry is that? Moon's arse licking scum."

He spits in the fire making it's flames darken, matching the Shaman's anger.....
This message was last edited by the player at 09:11, Sun 25 Aug 2013.

"S'right" replies Tokar, who comes over to join his wards, swaying slightly, a new bruise forming around his left eye.

"Time of strife it is for sure..... Been loosing far to many Bison recently.... Specially since Sacred Time.....There's rumours that there's to be a gathering of the Elders once we hit Bison Khan and Rainman's Grasslands in the next few days.

Talk of heading to the River and seeing what's what.

Plenty of time for youse lot to prove yourselves I should think" and the warrior mimes stabbing with a spear.

"You'll love that won't you lads" and at the word of Lads he elbows Amara. "You too...One of the lads from now on. Seen how you can handle yourself, so no worries there.

Same goes for all of you for that matter.....You'll do alright...Long as youse do what I says, when i sez it.

Right?"
This message was last edited by the player at 16:22, Sun 25 Aug 2013.

In reply to Tokar Eight Sable (msg # 45):

i'm ready, i wont let the clan down as long as i dont have so smoke anything

...competition between us may push us to acomplish great deeds, for the sake of everybody, if we're all aiming at the same goal...
A last question, Cloud Walker: can these Spirit Societies help us in any way what Thunder Bird expects from us ? And are you yourself a member of one of them ?
[note : are shaman automaticaly members of a spirit society and is it known ?]

In reply to Melock (msg # 46):

Yes ! We are now warriors and we'll be glad to drink the blood of our ennemies in their skulls and to ornate our saddles with their scalps ! and, as Cloud Walker did, Kaonu growls in mock rage and laughs.
Hey, give some more of this Kumiss, I'm thiststy!

"I am a member yes....A spirit talker of your Clan.... Easing drought.... Healing those that break bones or have taken a Sable arrow to the gut....and calming wayward spirits of the Air.

The Thunder Bird society is filled with warriors....Men of action...Not afraid to die.

You will know the ways of the Storm... It's mysteries...Magics.... And dangers too. Your companions will be followers of Waha...Orlanth....and the great Storm Bull himself."

The Shaman bangs his chest with both hands to emphasise his points. Each slap sounding like a mini thunder clap.

And then looking at the nearby Smokey Jojo he adds with a grin

"We always best the Sun Hawk! We smother his glow with our mighty clouds!"

"Mmmmm.

And your are always befuddled by the Raven, you soft headed bull" retorts a cackling Feather Wait.

"Too full of yourselves that's what you are...All blustery wind, and swinging your clubs for all to see"

He swings a bony hand between his legs for his own emphasis.

"We are the masters of guile and shadow....The wisest of the three....Controlling the night and keeping the rest of you safe...Hiding things that need to be hidden....Tricking those that need to be tricked....Despised by some, but needed by all."

Melock and Hachar Lor find themselves drawn closer, two boney arms slung about their shoulders, pulled in to the Shaman's cold embrace.

"You will see....."
This message was last edited by the player at 18:00, Sun 25 Aug 2013.

"Pffff....The only ones that see anything here is us....The followers of Sun Hawk.

Clear sighted we are.....Law speakers of the clan.....Truth seekers....And friends of all things fiery. Oakfed....Mahome...and all their lesser minions do our bidding.

Raven.... You are nothing but a dream...."

Smokey Jojo flicks his thumb at Feather Wait, following the gesture with a quick succession of smoke rings that burst upon the other shaman's head, scattering his darkness for the briefest of moments.

"Ha."

Though still friendly the atmosphere about the fire has changed somewhat.

Ancient rivalries are now evident....

Rivalries that not only effect clans, but tribes and whole nations too.

A moment of clarity....

Broken by the distant call of a hyena, sniggering somewhere on the outskirts of the Prairie Thunder camp.