Windsday, Movement week of each season.

The day begins with a shout....

A challenge to the world.

It's Zonta, high above the ravine. It's windy as it should be on a holy day such as this, the air filled with spirits whistling this way and that, called here by the Vingan Warrior.

Her face is painted, with swirling runes that glow with power and she's uncovered her shield, baring the Iron to the world.

The other Sky Watchers soon join her, unfurling small bundles with great care, revealing thin, painted skins stretched taut on wooden frames.

Attached to long lengths of twine, each one is launched upwards into the azure sky, long tails fluttering outwards.

Kites.

The strings sing in the wind, joining the noise of the spirits who dive this way and that, competing with the youths below, who yank the kites into spirals and figures of eight.

Laughter echoes across the boulder field.

Today is a good day.

Ohanzee sings with joy at the swirling wind quickly unrolling his own kite and then sending it up into the air, the string almost yanked from his hand at one point as a particularly exuberant spirit catches hold of the bright stretched skin and carries it high into the air.

Ohanzee allows the thin twine to slip between thumb and forefinger until, the ball unrolling until there is no twin left and he catches the small stick to which the end is tied and around which the twine was rolled.

As this point, the kite at the apex of its flight and Ohanzee’s arms up stretched to allow it that little extra height, that Ohanzee reaches out with his soul gifting a portion to Orlanth and channelling it up high into the winds through the kite.

Amara smiled feeling happy to be in a crowd of her own clan. It was a joyous occasion to be surrounded by the people she grew up. She thought they were lost, but surrounded by them Amara truly felt as if she were somewhere she belonged. She listened to Zonta, admiring the warrior, wishing she was as accomplished as her. She suspected when it came time to recite her own deeds to the winds that they would pale in comparison to the painted Vingan. Yet within her kiwidinock stirred the thunderbird rising to the fore urging her to announce her accomplishments. To make thunderbird and Vinga ware of the fact she was theirs.

When the time came, she took her place at the peak. Shouting in to the wind for Thunderbird and Vinga to hear. <b>"I am Amara Brightsky of the Sky Watchers, brave of the rhino nation. Sister to Greeshar Longhorn. Daughter of Yennan Windsong and Hehewuti. Honor daughter of Angelika Snowspear. Let our accomplishments speak of our hearts and tribute to you." Amara felt the presence of kiwidinok stir as she recited her personal accomplishments. A proud telling beginning of the lancing of the leaping bear, to walking in the footsteps of Tada, to the slaying of Tripanander, to defending the Khan during the wicked writher. Then the expedition to the rhino holy grounds, the attack by the morokanth, the agreeing to assist the Earth Witch, the betrayal by Krakka, the stealing back of all of their mounts and his. The expedition to the giants fingers holes, the slaying of all of the miscreants there and revenge on the shaman that had tortured the clan. The freeing of Emesh Ga and his wife. The reclamation of the shrine. The headbutting contest for the rhino stolen form Krakka and the travel back to the canyon with the pool and the fight with the Basmoli. Amara spoke all of it to the sky, not daring to speak in Storm tongue as it was too new to her, but speaking as a proud brave of the Rhino riders.

OOC:I might add more to this in the morning but I am way too sleepy to complete it now

At the outpouring of power and religious genuflections the wind picks up, yanking kites far up into the azure sky.

Each nomad feels the presence of their great Spirit, as he, she, it whips around the rocky outcrops.

High above, Amara spies a giant bird soaring amongst the thermals.

Thunderbird!

Amara smiled, pleased, believing the presence of thunderbird to be tacit approval of what she had done so far for herself and the tribe. She hoped that the approval would continue for many more seasons. She could feel kiwidinok almost burst with pride as she watched the giant thunderbird fly overhead, raising her javelin in salute to the spirit that had chosen her amongst all the braves present to have all the virtues that Thunderbird cherished.

She hoped some day that Vinga would also be proud of her, but until that point she had Zonta to learn from. "Today is truly a joyous day, Zonta." The wind blowing strongly over the peak made Amara glad and happy to be alive. Her eyes lit with excitement as the chill in the air increased as the winds grew stronger. Amara sent some of her soul to the giant thunderbird that it might be used to further thunderbirds cause, hoping that the next year this day might also be celebrated in the same way. She sat at Zonta's feet "Can you tell me more about Vinga?" she asked curiously.

Whilst the kites flutter above their heads the two women sit in the shade of a large boulder facing into the wind.

"Vinga? Well what do you want to know Amara? She is the daughter of Orlanth and gives us the strength to ear arms and best all who dare to face us.

Her home is in the Red Headed Lodge on the Twisted Flint Spire and from there she watches over the World. She has achieved many deeds, which I and you when the time is right, must emulate. I dedicated my life to her service, rising far in the ranks to become Daughter of Vinga, what men would call a Rune Lord."

Here she stops and looks at Amara.

"My hair never turned red like yours and to be honest it is unheard of in Lay members. I'd heard about it, when your hair changed that is. Word travelled far, but I didn't believe it until now. Quite a thing, quite a thing indeed."

Amara can feel the old woman's eyes boring into her for what seems like forever

Eventually asking "Do you feel...Anything special?"

Amara looked up, trying to read Zonta's expression. "I...no, I don't feel special. I don't feel destined or fated or anything. I just feel like Amara. As I've always felt. It feels a little unusual saying that as I am called by thunderbird. I should be saying yes, I am special and the world is at my feet, but it doesn't feel like that to me. Only the shortest time ago I was sure my path was with Eiritha. It was the path my mother wanted me to follow though it never sat well with me. I listened to the stories of Vinga and part of me always wanted to walk that path, but at the same time I thought it was outside my reach." Amara looked into the sky shielding her eyes against the sky as she watched the kites.

"Moonbroth changed everything. I was no longer content with the life planned for me. I gave my heart to Vinga. Promised my heart and soul to keep those I loved as safe as I could. I have witnessed much in my short years, Zonta. Seen things I never wish to be repeated. Things I will not allow to be repeated for so long as I am able....but as for feeling special? No, I am Amara. I have always been Amara. I will always be Amara. The only difference now is that I am Amara, wandering ranger with a javelin in my hand and shield on my arm." Amara smiled trying to reassure the older warrior "I don't know how to answer you. I've never seen Vinga, I know that in my heart I have picked the right path, but aside from my hair.... I mean I'm not even sure she might want me. There's nothing special about me. Even my attempts to stop the boys from adopting suicidal battle plans rarely succeeds."

Amara paused wondering if she dared ask her own question. "Have you ever seen her?" she asked after a time.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:15, Tue 15 July 2014.

 

"Perhaps you should be leading them instead of stopping them", smiles the Rune Lord.



"Have I seen her?

I have been her many times now ."

"Lead them? I am almost always in the front ranks defending my brother braves. I'm not sure how many of our enemies I have defeated, but more than most I think. I started this season as the newest brave of the Sky Watchers and I'm sure I've seen as much battle as some of our most seasoned warriors." Amara sounded mildly indignant "I do not cower behind a shield. Even if the way chosen is...less than ideal or a way I would not have chosen I still take my place and fight for my brothers." Amara paused realising she might have misinterpreted the words Zonta had to offer. "Did you mean to lead them? As opposed to being in the front of the charge?"

A worry frown crossed Amara's forehead "I am but Amara. Few see me as someone to be listened to. They are only concerned with being seen as strong and having glory. My wish is for our clan to survive, Zonta. That means picking the fights we can win and choosing to fight in way that limits the danger to us all. It means using our heads to fight instead of our hearts." Amara sighed heavily "I am just Amara to all." Her eyes brightened as Zonta said she'd been Vinga "You have? Can you tell me about those times? What did it feel like? I had a dream once where I thought I saw her." Amara realised she might have been coming across a little too childlike in her approach and settled back down. "If you'd be willing to tell me the stories I would love to hear them."

For the next few hours Zonta reminisces, explains and teaches Amara various stories, myths and religious duties expected to be known by a new Initiate of Vinga.

It's a joyful experience and Amara learns that the old woman has explored the Big Rubble and has ventured far to the West. At one stage guarding a secret temple on the very edge of the Verge, high up in the Storm Walk mountains

She tells tales of huge mountains, of fighting Uz and exploring deep caverns filled with Chaos. Stories of friends lost and gained and even ones of Amara's father, who had made a name for himself in the Rubble on a quest for a certain lost White Lance. Krakka Rumble also features, a boon companion of her father's, well known for his thieving skills.


Finally the old woman smiles and takes a bronze brooch off her shawl.

"Here take this, I don't need it anymore. It was given to me when I was not much older than you by my Aunt, she followed Vinga too."

She passes it over and Amara can see that it is a fair representation of a charging Rhino, on it's back a figure of a woman, almost lying flat and holding onto the beast's neck.

Amara listened with rapt attention to everything Zonta said, trying not to get her spirits too high every time she spoke of Vinga. When the time would be right and only at that moment Vinga would accept her. In the meantime, she had Thunderbird as a powerful ally. As she learned the stories of Vinga and what it meant to be Vingan, Amara grew happier, interjecting now and again to ask questions as she thought of them.

Amara mentioned that they'd come across the legend of the rhino rider with the white lance when they walked in Tada's footsteps, showing Zonta her lance, still somewhat coating in the white residue from the giant. She gave Zonta all of her attention as she told her of Sartar and the wonders there. The mention of the secret temple there caused her to stop Zonta in the conversation "Ever since I have been a child, I have always been drawn to the West. If you remember, I rarely got lost. I wonder if it is this secret temple I am drawn to. Maybe not, these are probably nothing other than the secret wishes of a foolish child." Amara's cheeks coloured with embarrassment. Her face turned angry at mention of Krakka. "I care not to hear that name. He stole our mounts after inviting us in to his camp and is directly responsible for the death of Koanu. I will make him pay for his calumny.....but thank you for the gift of memories of my father."

Amara blinked in surprise at the gift. "Thank you, Zonta. It is a fine gift, I wish I had something equally worthy to give to you. I do have some things and you would be welcome to them, but they've helped me and my brother braves out many times and I'd prefer to keep them until I no longer need them." she cooed as she examined the brooch, marvelling at the craft that went into making it before pinning it on her red shawl, dipping her head in deep admiration to the woman. "Thank you for your gift. You will always have a place in my heart."

Zonta pats the young woman on her shoulder, then returns to the Temple.

"Well Vinga is revered in the West, they call her a God there and not a Great Spirit as we do. It seems natural that someone such as you would feel the pull. But I suppose the Temple could be the cause. It is the site of where Vinga stood and cast her Javelin at the approaching hordes of Chaos.

She stood there with Storm Bull, when everyone else had fled. When the Friends-now-Foes came, Vinga almost fell, but made the Last Cast to drive her enemies away.

Perhaps it is there you must one day go, though before that I suggest visiting the temple in Pavis."

When she learns that Amara knows of the White Lance she sighs as if to say 'Not you too'

"Your father and many like him searched high and low for the Lance, though there is the rumour that it was never left there, having followed it's master to Tourney Altar where he died...Or so the story I have heard goes. I am sure you will hear many more."

"Your words bring some memories back to me. I had a dream a while back. Well it was a dream, or a vision, past, present or future or all of them. I had it when thunderbird chose me. I think it was of Vinga. Standing at a mountain, an army set against her. She refused to run and she led the men who did not run. Commanded them as an army. When facing the hordes, she lifted a javelin and threw it to protect the land and those she cared for. I was told at that time some things that may or may not be my fate. I don't know if they were talking of me or of her. Given I am just Amara I feel it has to be her." Amara shrugged feeling small. "I just thought it was...well they give you some powerful medicine to join the societies. I thought it might just be my wishes coming to the front of my head. Everyone is strong in their own dreams."

Amara shrugged, her voice soft and quiet as she spoke next "but it felt like Vinga. In any case, you should have no fear, Zonta. I do not chase after empty dreams. Perhaps some day I might find the white lance and bear it, but that dream belongs more to Greeshar than myself. I'll content myself with Grandmother's tongue for as long as I breathe." Amara smiled passing the javelin to Zonta to have a look at it. "I hope it will serve me and our clan well."

"That is a strong vision Amara, and certainly not one to be shrugged off. That was indeed Vinga...You.

I think what is important here is that you follow what is in your heart for now. You are but a Lay member of the cult. Make your decision when you are ready and then initiate. Is Angelika still alive? Yes? Okay, well she will initiate you and then if she allows it you should head to New Pavis and the temple there. They will have the answers or will know someone who does."

"As for the White Lance? Well in my view it would be better in the hands of a woman...You...Than in the hands of that hothead brother of yours."

She laughs, "He will be a great warrior one day...If he lives."

"I wanted to believe it was Vinga herself, but I thought I might be conceited in wishing it were so. That it might have been a wish rather than a true vision. Something of my desire than a gift by the great spirit herself." Amra shrugged "My heart and soul belong to Vinga. I can think of nothing greater than protecting those who cannot do so themselves. Keeping people safe from harm others would inflict on them. Fighting not for aggression, but for protection. To right the wrongs. It is the calling of who I am." Amara nodded, more to herself as if reassuring and confirming something she felt in her heart. "When I am worthy Queen Angelika shall invite me to join her and initiate."

"Greeshar is a great warrior already." Amara said somewhat defensively "He struck the killing blow against Tripanander for one. He accompanies the others back to the clan at the moment, where we will be reunited once more. I hope others will meet us there shortly. With seasoning he might well carry the white lance into battle. Hopefully with more...thought than he currently possesses."

The old woman nods her head at this, then pointing at the sky she adds

"We have a few hours left, let us show our respect to our goddess by demonstrating our prowess with the javelin...."

Amara's face flashed with an eager smile. "You have much to teach me Zonta, but I suspect that I will surprise you with how quickly I learn." Amara stood up patting her legs free of the dirt as she reached for her javelin.