Expression suddenly radiant, like bright treasure emerging on a clouded day, Hoskar stands erect; arms raised. Praise the earth he exclaims.

Not rejected. Our choice.

His hands descend, clasping behind his head. His voice lowers to something softer, maybe tinged with regret. That's me sorted. What next, then? A band lacking leaders looks long for judgement. Sky and sickness whatever next? He tails off and his gaze unfocusses as he speaks: by the end he may well be talking only to himself.
This message was last edited by the player at 19:29, Tue 19 July 2016.

Kobal had stood still from the time that Amara had surprised him by asking Emesh-Ga for judgment.  Now he relaxes.  "Thank you, Earth Knight.  We shall see to it that Melock atones for what he has done."

He'd thought about asking Emesh-Ga himself, but was worried that the Captain would deliver too harsh a judgment.  Now he lapses into silence again as he prepares Black Hoof for the day's ride, pondering what punishment his fellow bison brave should undergo.
This message was last edited by the player at 01:22, Wed 20 July 2016.

"He should receive his punishment now. It is just not for me to decide what it is" continues Emesh-Ga, more than likely noting Melock's smug look.

Ohanzee shakes his head looking a little surprised at that outcome, or perhaps disappointed by the anti-climax, but then when Emesh-Ga speaks again, this time to Kobal he replies to Melock "Looks like you're not out of the shit yet."

In reply to Ohanzee Shappa (msg # 10):

He pours the extra cups back in to his canteen, "Us Ravens are always in the shit, it more a question of how deep it is."

Ohanzee grins "I'd say that depends how much say Amara has in the punishment."

He smiles "No matter how deep you sink this time, I've a feeling that when the Unicorn Rider comes around it'll go over your head."

In reply to Ohanzee Shappa (msg # 12):

"The only person who should have a say in what happens to me, if anything, is the unicorn rider, if she wakes up." He rubs the back of his neck, "Of course I hope she does wake up."

"No."  Kobal steps up.  "What you have done is not only a wrong against the rider, but also a wrong against the ways of we Dedra.  And it is also a wrong amongst we Wandering Rangers, who have pledged to nuture the land.  So we too should have a say in your punishment.  Lord Emesh-Ga has said as much.  Or will you act contrary to our Lord again?"

He looks to the Sun Hawks among them for backup.

Having listened to the words of their Guardian Spirit Voras, watching Melock like a hawk hears the words said between the two Ravens and the displeasure is evident on his face. He nods to Kobal at his words.

He speaks up "Thank you for your wisdom and guidance Emesh-Ga." then turning to Amara he says "And thank you for raising the subject."

Then he turns his piercing gaze back to Melock and speaks again still using the tongue of the Earth out of respect to Emesh-Ga "You are wrong Raven. The unicorn rider, or indeed her mount, is perfectly within her rights to punish you, that is not what this is about."

"This punishment is the punishment due a Wandering Ranger who wantonly acted in a way that brought distress at the very least, harm perhaps, to a creature of the Green. This punishment is about you acting against a part of the very thing you swore as a Ranger to protect."

Casting his gaze about the other Rangers he continues "I say again, This punishment does not replace any punishment of the unicorn rider. Nor is it a chance to punish Melock for any other wrongs perceived or otherwise. This is just about this one foolish act and how it has effected a part of The Green and us other Rangers."

Inconspicuously, his joyful expression falling away to one more troubled and thoughtful, Hoskar has been moving slowly around to be closer to Melock, and now speaks up.

Voras speaks truly. Maybe I would have preferred to temper what we do once the rider's will was known, but our Captain has spoken.

That Melock and I get on well is news to no-one here. Before anyone suggests a penance - a word more fitting among us than punishment I hope - I would hear one answer while the clear sight of Sun Hawk is turned on things.

He turns to face Melock, and asks Did you know the strength of the ban you broke? He then leans in, adding more quietly for the Raven's ears but not so quietly he could not be overheard by a keen listener Best I can do. Everyone's likely assuming the worst already. Not sure why I'm bothering this time. Nasty business.

"And possibly our relations with the whole Unicorn Tribe who I can't see forgiving this transgression" adds Sehana,warming up to the theme and standing next to Voras.

He sighs, "Which is exactly what the Unicorn rider will claim, though I doubt her words will be as polite." he thinks for a moment, "Its only fair I'm punished once not twice for the same thing, so I'm willing except your ruling," He gestures to all the Rangers, "but the rider and mount won't be able to punish me, or we wait until she wakes up and leave my fate in her hands," he winces, "which leaves the only thing you can punish me for is acting like a Raven."
He nods at Hoskar's words before turning to him and answering him solemnly, "The thought is was taboo never crossed my mind." He looks over a Sehana, "Then you can explain to them how the matter was handle and if that isn't enough, hand me over to them." He bows his head waiting for their judgement.

A thin-lipped smile flashes briefly across Hoskar's lips. And if it was just me it would end there. In public anyway.

If that is truth, there is an idea I heard out west. Trickster bonded to a Lightbringer awhile. Penance in good behaviour, and if the rider awakens her word can take the place of the bond. Just a thought.

Knowing the concept to be alien here, he falls silent.

Glaring a Melock, Voras replies "Do not think that you can twist my words Raven. You broke with the ideals of the Rangers and that is what the Rangers should punish you for. That and as Sehanan points out, the troubles you have brought to our cause."

He nods to his fellow Sun Hawk then looks back at Melock "The punishment from the rider is her concern."

"And don't think that you can pick and choose either." Turning to Hoskar he adds "What makes you think that is suitable? He has broken an oath to all the Rangers through his actions, what makes you think he'll keep an oath to one of us when none of us have been able to control either of them before?" and his gaze turns disapprovingly to Ohanzee Blue Arm.
This message was last edited by the player at 19:30, Wed 20 July 2016.

Raising an eyebrow, Hoskar meets Voras's gaze levelly a moment, remarking Curtailment of choice. No discretion on what serves. Like a cell for them and worse to follow if it fails. Works elsewhere. Other ideas? before breaking that eye contact and examining the top of his shield minutely.

Kobal nods at the general gist of Voras' words.



"So he is to be a slave to this unicorn rider, if she wakes...?  Not a bad thought, but it may also strain Melock's pledge as a Wandering Ranger, if she chooses to take him on a different path, away from the rest of us.

"So I have a different idea: a Dedra and their mount are one.  Melock has apparently damaged this bond.  The unicorn has not returned.  Perhaps Stinky should be given to this rider (if she wakes) - either permanently, or until the unicorn returns.  I know I would be loath to have to give up my own Black Hoof, so I know this would pain Melock, but I also understand the rider's anger if her steed does not return.  Plus, from her markings, she appears to be Eirithan.  She might not be so averse to riding a bison in those circumstances."

Ohanzee raises his hands palms open at the Sun Hawk brave "Hey, don't look at me. This has nothing to do with me this time so leave me out of it!" and as if to emphasis the fact he walks away from the gathering to finish preparing for the ride to come.

With a shake of his head Voras replies "Though a loss, that is no great loss. Bison are relatively common and can be replaced. The Unicorn Rider has the markings of an Eirithan so is likely she does not come from the walled city but out here. It is likely too then that she had to quest to the Green age to get it rather than managing to have it bred rare though that even is."

"I fear that she would take such an exchange as an insult. And remember this is our punishment for breaking our ways, not her punishment for what she is owed."

He smiles though as he continues looking this time to the spirit "Great Emesh-Ga, is it not true that the Wandering Rangers of old were so called because they wandered the land on foot, in touch with it?"

"I say that Melock needs to become closer to the land, to develop a better feeling for what is needed and the best way to learn that is to more closely emulate those who went before."

"I say that he should forgo his mount, should walk for a while." He looks at the others "A year, a week or a season per day the unicorn is not replaced?"

"Of course there may be times when riding is needed, if for speed but then he should only ride as a passenger behind another or be led, if for charging into a fight then we could make an exception."

"It is a good punishment for a Dedra and a good lesson for a Ranger."

"I think that making him walk is a good punishment, but only as far as our Clans. I think the shame of walking into camp will fit the crime and do we not need him to be able to fight later?" answers Sehana

Making Melock walk to the tribes should be an appropriate punishment from us as it makes it clear to the tribes that we do not excuse misbehaviour in the Rangers. Also he will have to keep explaining why he walked there and that might make him reflect on his actions. Henal says after an unusually quiet spell

Amara folded her arms across her chest. "It is impractical to make him walk. We have too far to travel and in too short a time, though perhaps he should give his mount to the rider in restitution, so she at least has a way to get back to her home. It might also be shameful, if he has to return on the back of a borrowed mount. Melock broke our pact as rangers. It is the only thing we can judge him for. What he has done to the unicorn rider is a separate thing and only she can pass judgement for that. In taking this decision now, we must take a position. How seriously are our vows to be taken? A light punishment, then our words mean nothing and so does our vow, yet too heavy a punishment and we run the risk of having vows that can kill us all. Melock is redeemable, of that I have no doubt, but on this occasion he has done substantial wrong, to us as rangers, to the Earth, to the Green, but most of all to the unicorn rider." she glared at Melock "I cannot choose a punishment for him. I am too angry to make a wise choice."

She turned to face Melock "So now, with everything that has been said. How seriously do you take your vow? What punishment do you think you deserve for breaking our pact?"

Voras gives Amara a quizzical if worried look "You are indeed too angry perhaps. It is but a few hours ride to the clans, we'll be there today and driving the herd a man can keep up though it will be tiring no doubt."

"Aye we'll be there like Ohanzee says. As a Sun Hawk I think it is a fitting punishment. He can look after the Unicorn rider as we go and she can be carried on a litter atop Stinky."

Looking up from his absorption in the bindings of his shield, Hoskar observes The reputation of Walker may be a heavy burden for a man of only one name, yet not sufficient to break him before resuming his minute examination of his accoutrements.

 He stands quietly, listening to what the others say. Melock looks up wide eyed in shock when giving Stinky away is mentioned, but he relaxes when other punishments are mentioned. If Amara's that angry,  I've really messed up. I've got to learn to control myself. "To answer your question Amara about how I think I should be punished,  If you allow me to keep Stinky, I'll not ride for a year in penance,  unless there is urgent need. Regardless of how you decide, I will give my share of our current herd to the unicorn rider, and do what I can to right the wrong I have done to her." He looks over to Sehana, "It will be an honor to help care for her by carrying her atop Stinky"
This message was last edited by the player at 17:45, Thu 21 July 2016.