Drums. Drums in the deep.

Salen was a trifle bored - he wanted this over and done with. Perhaps there would be some beauties to charm after the ceremony...there was precious little here now, for sure!

Amara stood in vigil at the side, wary for anyone who might wish to disrupt the ceremony. It was not her place to question the ceremony itself. It solved a short term problem, though she couldn't help but feel the red thorns had done spectacularly well out of this marriage.

She idly wondered if the girl would be a good match for Kobal.

Feeling an unusual need to stand guard instead of joining in, Melock stands next to Amara, looking alert and wearing armour that looks like he's at least tried to clean it. At his belt is his new bronze dagger and his bone sword, while he has his square shield on his left arm and is carrying a loaded light cross bow in his right hand. Grinning cheekily, he nudges her in the ribs and whispers to her, "What do think Kobal's bride's going to be like?"

"I'm sure she'll have a good appreciation for her new position. She might well be the wife of the Prairie Thunder Khan one day.....and I'm sure she knows it. I...well, she at least will know something of what it takes to be a Queen for a clan, unlike many others who might flounder I think she'd be more likely to keep the clan in peace and harmony." she commented "But..as to what she's like personally? I just hope she makes Kobal happy."

In reply to Amara Brightsky (msg # 5):

"lets hope she does know how to lead, as for making Kobal happy, if she doesn't, he's shortly going to have another wife who might and if he's lucky he might meet at least know what she looks like." he holds back a laugh, "What was yours and Ohanzee's wedding like? Do you have any suggestions for me when I marry Wild Pastures?"

Amara leaned closer to Melock "Our marriage was....well, we weren't really ourselves when we were wed. I was the Earth Queen and he was the River King. I think in a real sense we were wed because I was the only woman around.... but having said that....Ohanzee definitely needs someone to look after him, and who better than I? Still next year when we return, I'm sure he'll be married to Sehana and be much happier for it. She's a proper Eirithan, unlike I. I think her connection to the Earth is much stronger. In any case, our marriage will only be for a year, I am sure." she paused a moment and then continued "Melock, the best way to deal with Wild Pastures is to be yourself and think of her as your equal partner. While you are gone, seeking glory, she will be raising your children and looking after your herd. She could make you very rich, if she is respected. If she does not feel wanted, then she's not likely to look after the well being of your family....and you cannot hide who you are. You might be able to keep some parts of yourself hidden for so long, but the truth of who you are comes out in the end. You'll both be happier, if you are who you are, instead of who you think she wants you to be."

In reply to Amara Brightsky (msg # 7):

"He definitely needs someone to keep an eye on him and you're probably the only person with enough patience to do it," He shakes his head, "I doubt he would choose a Sun Hawk over you, I mean can you imagine being in a relationship with one," he shudders, "They always know your lying, even about the little things." As he thinks of Wild Pastures he smiles wistfully, "thank you for the advice, if I can return the favour, you only have to ask." He shuffle's his feet, "Oh, I'm sure you'll be happy to know that Taya has gone back to the spirit plane as I couldn't find her body."

Kobal shifted his weight from foot to foot as he waited nervously for his bride to approach.  It had been easier charging into that cave to fight the leaping bear.  No need to think that time - go straight at the bear.  Now, the anticipation was getting to him.

It didn't help that, in the temple, the walls bounced echoes of whispering to his ears.  He couldn't make out what was being said but was sure it was his fellow Rangers making fun of his situation.

"Great Waha," he whispers under his breath, "make her beautiful and kind, and I will dedicate myself to you each morning."  His prayer brings his mind back to Sand Fox and Nixa struggling to describe her.  Damn them.
This message was last edited by the player at 07:51, Thu 10 Mar 2016.

Voras sees Kobal shifting nervously and calls out.  "Just take a few deep breaths.  I'm sure it will be fine."

He pauses for a moment and continues in a lower voice.  "Not that I have much experience with this kind of thing."

Henal stays quiet while they wait, keeping an eye on his clansman that is to be wed. Hearing the others whispers he whispers to Kobal "this will help bring peace between the clans and must aid us in bringing back the Green.

Hoping to ease Kobal's mood, Melock calls out to him, "They say the first wedding is the hardest!"

The music draws nearer and at long last Kobal sees his wife as she approaches from one of the tunnels. Dressed in the fineries of a Bison Khan's daughter, her ostrich feather headdress wafting in a sacred breeze, with skin oiled and coated in red ochre, she walks over towards her future husband. She's accompanied by the priestesses of the Temple and an honour guard of High Llama Axe sisters, the warriors letting out a shout as they enter the room, swirling their axes in a show of martial power.

As she draws closer Kobal can see that she has a proud face, neither beautiful nor plain, framed with black hair coated in holy white chalk. She looks haughty and proud as is befitting her station, but there is the slightest hint of a smile as she bows to Kobal and his party, before standing before her father and her clan folk.

The Earth Witch takes her place between the two groups

"The Earth gives up her daughter today, a woman of the Red Thorn Clan, a sister of the Herds and a mother to be. She is blessed by the goddesses that reside below, to protect her and ensure her fertility."

At the Axe sisters' shout the Vinga women enter from another tunnel adding their own display of martial prowess and then come to stand by kobal. Each Impala brave carries a small garland of flowers which they place about the tall Bison braves neck, several of them playfully slapping the brave's arse in a bawdy show that draws several looks of disgust from the other side of the hall.

"I accept these blessings gladly" replies Jella, her voice clear and strong. Then moving over to Kobal she goes to place her own garland about his neck

"Blessing which I shall share with my husband, to bring bounty to both our great families in this happy union."

"I come from the womb of the mother, fertile and powerful, as will all our children be and look to you for your generosity, good nature and protection in times of strife."

Smiling happily so much for 'bison's arse' then: thought not, Hoskar sees no need for a herald here, so again takes up another of his god's roles; kitted as he is in gleaming metal. His expression showing naught but happiness, his gaze wanders everywhere; appearing bland but watching for trouble even here for who can tell when a happy occasion will be assailed...

...Like that Sable wedding party we... He stifles the thought, determined not to dwell on old errors.

Ohanzee surreptitiously moved to the back of the group of Wandering Rangers, furthest away from the Cantalas and the Blue Llama Clan. As the sounds of the horns and cymbals grows louder he rubs his temples wincing a little after the late evening of drinking.

He stifles a yawn What am I doing here? It's a wedding between one Bison Khan's daughter and a former Bison Khan's son. I could be sleeping off this head in the shade somewhere or dulling it with the hair of the dog. He looks about at the gathered folk wondering if the Morokanth are present.
This message was last edited by the player at 13:42, Fri 11 Mar 2016.

Jella takes Kobal's hand and leads him past her family and the Rangers, the Vingans and Cantalas, out along the winding passage that lead to the Rangers' caverns and eventually out into the sunshine filled main hole, where as soon as they appeared a great shout erupts from the crowd that lines the lip, fifty metres above.

It's the whole of the Red Thorn clan and all those pilgrims that are presently visiting the Temple. Five hundred plus Dendra, each vocalising their acceptance to the union in one great holler to the sky.

Also there, hovering above the rancid lake, are the Harpies, new guardians of the oasis, their queen watching from amongst her white feathered guard.

She let's out her own screech and flies upwards to circle far above.

Soon the small procession makes their way to the centre of the oasis, the Ten Tall men beating their drums and leading the way to where the assembled Red Thorn clan waits.

Kobal's bison is there, with a near white Bison cow by it's side and a small herd of forty cows behind. Jella's herd for certain.

It's time for Waha and Eiritha to bless both nomads and herd beasts and standing before them is a priest and priestess of both, the latter Salen's aunt and the former Kelab Besi the clan's chieftain.

Kobal's mouth tightens at the comment, which to his ears, seems to echo endlessly in the cave.  Is that supposed to comfort me?!  They are making fun of me, damn them!



Kobal smiles back, relieved that she's not ugly.  Though with her average height, he towers over his bride.



Kobal bends and lowers his head, so that Jella can lay the garland over his head.

He solemnly offers to her the basket of cured sable meat he holds in his hands.  Jella takes it with another smile at the corner of her mouth, before passing it to one of the high llama sisters to hold.  He can't help but smile in response.

Then, taking the folded blanket draped on his arm, Kobal wraps it around his bride, resting it on her shoulders.

"I follow the Warrior, the Provider, the Flamebringer.  I will protect our family and herd, take life to preserve life, and build our hearth.  I look to you for gentleness, good nature and care of our children and our herd."



Kobal bows low to the two rune priests.  "Wise Ones, we have taken our first steps together, making our path to you.  Before you, before the Khan of Khans, before the Protectoress, before all here, we ask that you witness our first meal together, our first drink together, our sharing a pipe."
This message was last edited by the player at 07:26, Sun 13 Mar 2016.

Jella motions to the high llama sisters on her side.  One brings forth a dish of stewed meat and flatbread.  She waits for Kobal tear a piece of the bread to scoop a mouthful of stew, before doing the same herself.

After the first sister withdraws, another brings a ceramic vase and pours of cup of kumiss.  Taking the offered cup, Jella sips from the cup (with only a slight fumble) before passing it to her groom.

Then a third sister steps forward with a wedding pipe, intricately carved with a man and woman intertwined.  A sweet tobakeh incense fills the air.   The sister waits for Kobal to take a puff of the pipe, before offering it to Jella to do the same.

Now Jella bows too before the two celebrants.  "Khan, Eiritha Woman, before you, before all here, we promise that we will care for each other, our children, our herd.  We will be each other's strength.  We will be each other's joy.  We will be each other's shelter.  We ask that Eiritha and Waha bless us and our herd."
This message was last edited by the player at 08:29, Sun 13 Mar 2016.

Kobal repeats after Jella.  "We promise that we will care for each other, our children, our herd.  We will be each other's strength.  We will be each other's joy.  We will be each other's shelter.  We ask that Waha and Eiritha bless us and our herd."

Ohanzee follows along with the others as the procession heads up to the surface hanging back as they go so that he ends up at the rear of the procession. Because he's a Ranger I suppose, that's the only reason. So I'll hang around long enough to make it fitting and then find somewhere cool to rest.

He catches a glimpse of his rough scared skin on his right hand and imagines what the rest must look like Not much chance of sweet talking a girl. There was little chance of that before this, what with them all being Bison Chicks, next to no chance now I look like this.

What follows is a day of blessings, rituals and riding around the large camp, accepting gifts from the clan, eating food and drawing ever closer to the time when it would be just the two of them...alone...and in a tent.

A tent especially set up in the centre of the camp, where the entire clan would sit, singing all night until the appearance of the happy couple at dawn.

Morning Windsday, and Kobal emerges from the tent, though not too early in the morning.  He has a gap-toothed smile, greeting any revellers who are still singing.

Jella appears next to him, wrapped in the blanket, hair blown by the breeze.  There'd been some awkwardness given that they'd only just met each other, and he'd heard little of what she was like, but he'd found her to be a good natured soul.

He takes her to Wandering Rangers and introduces her to his brothers and sisters.  "My wife."  A big grin across his face.
This message was last edited by the player at 09:08, Mon 14 Mar 2016.

Nursing a suitable hangover Salen never the less makes sure to hang around until the newlyweds make their appearance. He smiles when they do and walks across to stand before them, nodding in deference to Kobal's new wife Jella, then slapping his chum on the upper arm.

"Nice one!"

With that he turns and walks off.