"Oi what the feck are you doing?"

It's the bachelor's master Tokar and several of the  other older bachelors who've left the fire and come to stand by Ohanzee

"Are you trying to impersonate an Impala rider or summat?" He doesn't look happy at all as he towers over the Rhino brave.

"It's what happens when you let others in the camp" sneers Fear Not, one of Kaonu's elder brothers and the most dangerous warrior in the camp.

Other braves begin to gather, laughing and jeering.

"They're frightened of getting to close" adds another. "Children" jeers someone else.

Up close and personal, it's been the Bison and Rhino way since the Darkness.

In reply to Tokar Eight Sable (msg # 178):

Greeshar, blood dripping from a cut above his eye, finishes his victory swagger about the fire and goes to see what the commotion is.

"They are right, it is the weapon of the Impala, not ours. I will not shame myself by touching them" He turns, elbowing Uroxin out of the way

"Stay clear of my companions or you will be on your arse like Kobal, only worse. You will not get up so easily."

Then nodding at Kobal, he grabs a skin of Kumiss out of someone's hand and empties it.

Tarrnesh said nothing, and glumly sat still, knowing that trying to stand up to Toskar would likely do no good.
This message was last edited by the player at 01:30, Fri 12 Sept 2014.

Thunderfoot stares at Amara as she speaks, goes cross eyed and sneezes. From out of the Bison's nostrils comes twin plumes of freezing smoke, which forms slowly into the spectral form of Sky Bone Blue.

"I accept. An ostrich will make a fine host for me on my mission to kill all of the goat bastards that live in the wastes. Bronze Treasure will guide us to our joint destiny..."

He laughs far too long and hard, before drifting over to the Ostrich with no name. The bird shudders once, it's feathers puffing out so that it's twice it's normal size.

"Ahhhh" it sighs before pecking the air in a frenzy of jabs and stabs.

Amara nodded satisfied at the Khans response. "Come to the fireside and share in the stories and warmth. We are due to go to the river and will defeat the broo on the way." Amara led the ostrich back to the camp fire shared with the other braves of her sept introducing the Khan to the other wandering rangers.

She wandered the camp leading the ostrich to the part of the fire she'd reserved for herself, raising an eyebrow only to see her brother had managed to knock out Kobal. "Welcome to the hearth of the wandering rangers Sky Bone Blue. I would hear of your stories and legends." she looked at the impending argument between Tarnesh and the others including her brother. Saying nothing she drew her own bow from her saddle, polishing the bow to keep it in good condition as the argument continued.

"And get that bloody bird out of here and with the other beasts" roars Tokar at Amara, he turns to Dust Flies High the Ostrich rider slave, snapping his fingers "You look after it NOW"

THe Rangers can see the much scarred warrior is about to explode in anger, emotions that can be seen rising in the other older warriors present

"This isn't a coral, it's our bloody sleeping quarters!"

His fists clench and unclench as he looks from bachelor to bachelor

"First bows and now great big ugly birds by my fire, what the feck is going on?"

Ohanzee isn't sure himself why Amara has brought the by now recognisable ostritch to their sleeping area. He's sure that there must be a good reason, but he doesn't know what it is and decides to just remain quiet and see what she says.

In reply to Tokar Eight Sable (msg # 183):

by now Melock has got up to see what's going on with the others, "Erm, Tokar, sir, the only reason I can think that Amara has brought him to the fire is that the ostrich is currently possessed by the spirit of Sky Bone Blue, a Khan of the Ostrich people. He was in Thunderfoot, but it would make more sense if he's now in that bird." he looks over to the ostrich "Is that you Sky Bone Blue?"
This message was last edited by the player at 20:16, Thu 11 Sept 2014.

"This is Khan Sky Bone Blue of the big pecker clan." Amara said coolly in response to Eight Sable.

Henal hefts a javelin. "How good is a bow if you can charge at your enemy, a javelin you can throw at them or spear them with it".

In reply to Henal Longgrass (msg # 187):

Ohanee glances at Henal and replies "No where near as good and in those cases I would stick with our ways. But as a Ranger I may face new enemies for which I cannot use proper weapons or old enemies in situations in which the propper ways will not work. In these cases I would use whatever means is necessary to get the job done."

"I couldn't care if it was Foundchild himself, get the thing out of here. Nausyas does not keep his Bison in his tent, nor Darnik, nor any of those with awakened mounts. And since when do you not do what I say? I have trained all of you, you sit in the bachelor tent you are mine to command. Mere lay members of our gods...."

Tokar is backed up now by the other older warriors and they watch as Dust flies high takes the ostrich and begins leading it back towards where it had come from.

The bird bobs it's head in an affirmative.

Getting up with Hoskar's help, Kobal slaps the rhino brave on the back.



Kobal nods back in acknowledgment.  "I'll bring you the rhino in the morning," he promises.

He follows Hoskar out to the next centre of attention.  Just in time to see Eight Sable chew out the braves playing with bows and arrows.



Kobal walks over and squats next to Tarnessh.  With a sudden insight, he realises what Tarnessh said is true - they are trying to do something new.  I guess that is why Sun Hawk has chosen him.

He claps him on the shoulder.  "Little brother, try the bow and arrow if you want.  You're right.  This is something new.  We Wandering Rangers want to bring all together, to renew this land.  Maybe if we learn the ways of other clans, they will be willing to join us, as they will see we are not only Prairie Thunder.  Or Sky Watchers."  He nods towards Ohanzee, standing there with a bow.

"But!"  He crooks his arm around his brother's neck, drawing him closer.  "But do not forget you are Prairie Thunder too.  The javelin is our way.  This is how other tribes and clans know us.  We fight with sword, lance and javelin.  To feel the tension in your muscles as you pull back you arm and hurl it deep, deep! into a beast.  To know it is by the strength of your arm that you defeat your enemies.  This is what it means to be a Prairie Thunder brave.  Not to pull strings.  Our clan ancestor Kertak:  When he was ambushed by sable riders and without a weapon, he did not pick up a sable rider's weapons and fight with them.  He picked up a sable rider and hurled him into the enemies, then used his own weapons to kill them.

"Try the bow and arrow if you want.  Though you will find no one here who will teach you.  But do not forget who you are."  He jabs a finger into Tarnessh's chest.  "Where you come from.  Learn the javelin too.  Master it.  Or you will shame us."

He releases his brother and gets up.  Then bows to the ostrich (This is strange.) when Amara tells them that it now houses the spirit of the Big Pecker Khan.



Kobal waits a moment.  He does not want challenge Eight Sable's order.  But when attention in the tent has shifted to something else, he gets up to go out to the ostrich.
This message was last edited by the player at 03:50, Fri 12 Sept 2014.

Amara looked quizically at Tokar. "This is no mere awakened mount. This is Sky Bone Blue Khan of the Big Pecker clan. He has much to teach of us the band of broo that put waste to his tribe."

Amara tilted her head to one side as she listened to the arguments of the others over using the bow. "I intend to learn this weapon so I can see when it is best used. We are to unite all tribes, Tokar, not just Bison and Rhino. All of them. In order to understand the tribes and how we might use them in the battles against chaos that remain to be fought, we need to understand their weapons. I know axe, sword, lance, javelin and shield. I do not know bow, or mace. I need to learn enough of these weapons to be taken seriously by the other clans we might meet. I do not deny the value of your teachings Tokar, but these are new times in which we must leanr new ways." Amra picked herself up from the fire and dusted herself off. "Come Khan, I would learn more from you should you wish to teach."
This message was last edited by the player at 03:50, Fri 12 Sept 2014.

Tarrnesh perked up a bit when Kobal spoke to him. "Of course I know that our weapons are best. I just didn't see what was wrong with trying a new thing. Just because I wish to see how something works doesn't mean I want to abandon what I've grown up with, after all." He explained.

"That's good brother, haha.  It's just that lately you've been doing strange things.  Playing with bows, shaving your head and chin.  I was just a bit concerned."

Ohanzee falls in with the others, returning to the fire without another word.

Out in the darkness there is a chittering sound circling the group on soft wings just on the edge of hearing, a sound almost like laughter.

Whispers then follows the newly inhabited ostrich to the pen ”Hey Blue, that was some mighty impressive pecking moves. Are you really the last of your clan?”

Sat by the fire Salen ignores the arguments and discussions going on all around him. Tokar was not someone to be trifled with, whether he was right or wrong, and usually it was simply easier to let him rage. This was not the time to argue about weapons, though likely there never would be a good time. Let them rant, let them shout...their eyes are open but they do not see.

Looking around at his friends and the tension they seem to have walked into again, the newly-arrived Hoskar winces. Hope they've not upset my training hopes - that guy's a legend. Although...maybe I can spread a little harmony here.

Diffidently, he approaches Tokar. Don't know if you even know me, sir - I've not seen my tribe for a while - but I certainly remember hearing much about your prowess. I've kept to my tribe's weapons, but have probably picked up bad habits with them along the way: too much time with foreigners, I reckon. He risks a rueful smile. Would it be possible for me to come and learn some of the right fighting way for our clans while I'm here?
This message was last edited by the player at 11:24, Mon 15 Sept 2014.

"Oh! I got lice and had to shave. You know, get rid of the disgusting bloodsuckers." Tarrnesh explained.

As the fun seems to be over, Melock follows Amara and Sky Bone Blue, "So, Sky Bone Blue, first of all, I'm sorry we were not there to help you and your people when you most needed help." he pauses for a moment or two, as a mark of respect. "Now, so we can be certain we have avenged your and their deaths can you tell us what the broo looked like and how many there were?" he stops talking, a puzzled look on his face, "though how I'm expecting an answer from you, I don't know, though you seem to be able to talk to Amara" He smiles at Amara, "looks like your going to have to speak to me again, twice in one week, how will you cope?"

Amara lifted one of the skins she was carrying to show Melock "Kumiss. Much kumiss, and I shall not be sharing with you. If you wish some, find your own."

In reply to Amara Brightsky (msg # 201):

"That's ok, I have plans this evening" he gently pats the saddle bag, which starts growling, and so he quickly stuffs some more meat in to it. "Would it even be worth asking how I can get back on your good side?" with a note of sadness in his voice and no smile on his lips.