Sand Fox and Nixa wave at the two braves scoffing at what they say and without further ado, crouch down and head back into the tunnel, leaving the pit empty once more.

Behind the Ravens the assorted mounts begin to make the sounds that animals do when thirsty and having to wait.

"Get a move on yer lazy sods" shouts one of the Axe Sisters as she ambles over to check on the two braves. She's possibly the tallest woman they have ever seen, outside

In reply to GM (msg # 272):

he drops the bucket so fast he almost lets go of the rope, "Yes Mistress" he looks up at her and up. When the bucket comes up he runs over to the trough pours it in and runs back and repeats until she's out of sight, when he settles back down to walking.

She walks off, continuing her patrol. It's already intensely hot and the work is hard. The water though fit for animals doesn't look that appetising.

Soon the smell of cooked breakfasts begins to come from down below, the smoke of their campfires escaping upwards through the pits and the many joining tunnels.

Amara went to find some space alone to wash off the ochre that adorned her skin, feeling more than disappointed, devastated that everything she'd done had been for nothing other than amusement. She wiped her face clean of the vomit and washed enough that she started to feel a little better. She avoided the others, in absolutely no mood to spend time with any of them.

Instead she spent time trying to mix with everyone present, learn more about their customs and ways of approaching things. If they were to forge the tribes into one, the more she knew about each of them, the easier she could do it. Amara swapped stories, legends, recipes, thoughts, tactics, dances and songs, trying to learn more about the tribes the others followed trying to at least start onf riendly terms with them all.

Like Melock, Ohanzee responds to the axe maiden by speeding up whilst she is there but falls back into a more steady pace as she leaves. "This is going to take the whole day at this rate. It's a shame we haven't the means to speed things up, some spell or know some water nymph to call to." and he sighs pulling up the next bucket.

In reply to Ohanzee Shappa (msg # 276):

"I think that's the whole idea" he sighs "when we work out how to purify the water, the plan is to get Aquamerina to move in, then I suppose she could help move the water. As this is going to be a regular problem when there are celebrations going on here, I wonder if Hoskar with his time spent in Pavis, knows of any other way of moving water"
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 11:06, Sat 16 Aug 2014.

The day spent like this went pleasantly, with many new friendships made amongst the other clans. Some had fought at Moonbroth and recounted the day's events. Talk turned to how the Rangers had cleared the Giant Finger Holes and each brave was asked to recount their part in the day and all that had occurred earlier.

That is except for Melock and Ohanzee who find themselves still labouring long into the afternoon and early evening, as the mounts need feeding and guarding too.

Bright Treasure is just beginning to vanish when one of the High Llama Axe Sisters tells them to "Feck off and get some food down below."

Melock leads his friend to another hole, this one with a steep but climbable slope that leads down to another stagnant pool and a network of tunnels. Lit by occasional fat lamps, Melock describes the fighting that took place within their close confines, points out the room where they'd finally killed the Shaman, pokes their heads into the chamber filled with trade goods and then finally heads outside once more, this time far below surface level.

They find that several fires have been lit on the sandy shore of the main pool, in the largest of the Holes. It's another clear night with stars overhead and everyone bar those on guard are now sat around in groups, talking, singing or playing instruments.

The stink of the algae covered water is mostly covered by the fires and bunches of sweet smelling herbs that are thrown on every now and again.

Melock spies Shade sitting close to Salen, laughing at his stories and stroking Mordy's belly, whilst Amara is shadowed by Nixa and Sand Fox, both trying to  alleviate her dark humour. Also nearby are Haratt and Hoskar, deep in conversation with several Black Shield and Bright Tail braves. They all roar with laughter at a joke made by the Condor Brave, something to do with how a Lunar, a Sartarite and a Morokanth all walk into a Pavis drinking house.

Looking about, Ohanzee sees that in the lake there is a small island covered in boulders and small shrubs, and in the Southern wall of the Hole what looks like a man made entrance. In fact one that he had seen last night during the ceremony. It had been at the very base of the long flight of stairs that they had walked down from the beautiful garden. Now the stairs are gone and a large pool of water prevents access to the entrance.

The Raven brave can trace where the stairs had been, seeing that he would have walked from the North lip of the hole, some fifty metres up....Through thin air.

In reply to GM (msg # 278):

While Ohanzee is looking around the main pool area, he leaves him to it and, keeping to the shadows as much as possible, grabs some food and drink, then heads back out to help keep watch.

Salen spends his time between speaking to Ashfoot Earth Healer, Serpent Tamer and Long Cast - if they grant him time - and with their people. He will spend more time with the Black Shield Bison clan, but will seek to cultivate and strength friendships and relations as much as he can.

As Shade appears to enjoy his company (and as Rianna doesn't appear to be around and this is a good opportunity to slight Melock for his actions) Salen plays it up, being as charming as he can, if a little carefree. Of course, if Rianna is around he'll pay close attention to her also, and any other young females of an appropriate age and station - this is a good opportunity to seek out a prospective wife (or wives), and make a good marriage both for himself and for the clan.

At some point he'll take a look at the pool with the snake/serpent in it, not that he's planning on doing anything. He has...responsibilities, though.

"It's good to meet a friend Laughter In The Dark, sometimes following the path Raven sets for us can make us popular and other times it can make us near outcasts."

"So, I have a skull bat gifted by Ehawee herself but I need a spirit to awaken it and there are a lot around here in one of the holes. I'm going to ask the priestesses if they might grant me permission to capture one, but after the fun, erm perhaps I should say excitement instead, of the ceremony I do not hold out much hope. If that path fails perhaps you could help me get past the guards and try myself?"


Ohanzee decides to approach the pygmy priestess but before doing so gathers some flowers hoping to find some with extra medicinal properties but failing.
"Thank you for agreeing to speak with me mistress." he says offering her the flowers.
"After the influence that myself and my fellow Raven had on the ceremony last night most are not talking to me and I am not surprised."

He waits for the wise words of both reprimand and teaching that he expects to follow and then continues with his pre-planned line of approach "Raven's influence is strong in me you see and, especially as darkness falls, he can sometimes get the better over my sense of restraint and forward thinking." Ohanzee sighs.

He smiles his best 'I'm sorry' smile "I was thinking though, if I had another voice talking to me during the darkness, a more stayed and reasonable voice then perhaps I could at least temper some of the urges that visit me then."

"I have a skull bat gifted by Ehawee herself but I need a spirit to awaken it. Now the obvious choice would be for me to visit the Raven shaman when I get back to the herd, but this I should think will likely emphasis the influences over me."

"But then the idea came to me after a long hard day of good honest work with the beasts, that if I approach someone more reasoned and stayed then perhaps they could help me locate a spirit that is more likely to be a calming influence. This is why I have come to you now."

Whilst the other mingle, eat and chew the fat, Melock vanishes into the darkness.



"Of course brother Raven, in fact I can do one better,  I will introduce you to Ashfoot Earth Healer."



The old priestess looks up into Ohanzee's eyes, her previously stern countenance breaking into a thin smile. Her eyes twinkle.

"Spoken like a true Raven, filled with Bison dung and winding it's way through the grass. My son here Laughter in the Dark would most likely agree.

What occurred last night was meant to happen. It does not always happen, but sometimes it does. You helped facilitate something that has occurred before. A story known to some of us, of when Raven stole Tada's Horn. A slight deviation as it was Emesh-Ga's but that does not matter. Your companions will find it again more than likely.

I shall help you with calling forth a spirit, and shall protect you with a powerful screen. But this will not be for free. You shall be in my debt, payable whenever I ask. Is this good for you Black feather?"

Ohanzee audibly sighs a breath of relief as he no longer has to maintain the role and with the careless abandon that the young have for short term gain at the cost of some unknown future favour he shakes his head "Agreed."
This message was last edited by the player at 13:30, Sun 17 Aug 2014.

The rest of the night passes quietly, at least down below in the safety of the caves. The last of the trade goods had been moved up above ready to be loaded on to mounts at day break, then the Rnagers would head back to pick up Hoskars Gran, Ohanzee's mother, Zonta and Kimimela.

Then they would have to decide which route to take home, either the way they had originally come, or directly South, whilst giving the old ruin, it's Mostali secrets and it's Yelmalion guardians a wide berth.

Ohanzee finds himself being escorted to the main cavern, a long, well lit space filled with natural stone pillars and what looks like an altar at one end.

There's many tunnels leading from this space, but the one he is interested in is guarded by two of the younger Impala women. They slow their chanting at their Priestess's approach but do not stop. Between where they sit and the dark tunnel before them is a smoking fire, next to which is a large pile of Acacia bark.

After a few mumbled words from Ashfoot the two women move back slightly to allow their priestess and Ohanzee to sit before the fire....

As Bright Treasure emerges from the Gates of Dawn, Melock climbes down from his over night roost and wanders over to Stinky to make sure he is fed and watered, when he has done that he has a quick cold breakfast. He then retrieves the 2 old Red Thorn shields they found and goes and finds where Shade is sleeping and, quietly so he doesnt wake her, leaves them next to her. He then heads back out and starts loading up their loot.

With a start almost Ohanzee releases the bat which clings onto the front of his shirt. Then he carefully unties the fine line made of bison hair from it’s leg and it immediately takes to the air circling several times before heading off down the tunnel, the female voice ringing quietly in his head ”Are you just going to sit there all day Ohanzee Shappa? It doesn’t bother me I’m happy to learn my new wings while you laze around!”

The young brave turns to Ashfoot and nods ”Thank you for your help” and then frowns ever so slightly maybe because of the deal, or maybe because of the wilfulness of Whispers On The Wind and adds with a wry smile ”I think.”

“I shall bid you farewell then, until the next time that is.” Then turning to her son he says ”And thank you Laughter In The Dark. Maybe we can share a joke or a tale some time soon. Maybe even construct our own tale.” He grins and then hurries off after the bat.

Once it becomes clear that most people are up and about, he goes and finds where Shade is having breakfast, gets some for himself and goes and sits next to her, "Good morning, would you like me to get you any more?" he looks a bit uncertain and worried, wondering how she's going to react to him.

By the time the conversation ends, Hoskar is hoping he's made some new friends here. Even his oldest gag about the inhabitants of a moon boat that's getting too heavy heroforming their respective deities; ending with the Lunar saying, "I will do what the red goddess would do" and pushing out the Sartarite; seems to have gone down well. Although maybe a little Lubrication might have had a hand in that. Now I just need a "how many Ravens does it take to water a herd?" punchline for when I see our merry pranksters, he thinks to himself later; somewhat testily since he's in the throes of washing jackrabbit urine from his clothes before it's time to leave.

In reply to Hoskar Feather (msg # 288):


Jackrabbit wee? That's the least of his troubles. You should try almost drowning a bit more often: do you have any idea just how good my nose is? She wanders primly away to a fair distance, where it smells less of sweated armour, and begins to clean herself.

Windsday, Truth week, Sea Season

It's early morning and it's blowing up a storm...Well nearly, as the weather is certainly living up to it's namesake with sand and grit getting into everything.

The Bison, Rhino and one Ostrich stand partially sheltered from the wind beneath one of the great piles of building blocks, each beast covered in the last of the looted trade goods, once owned by the outlaw Shaman and his band.

Also waiting is Brinna and her daughter, who after giving Melock a cold reception received an artfully placed elbow in the ribs from her mother and then managed to smile and engage in polite conversation. By their side are her cousins Sand Fox and Nixa, who on seeing Amara wave.

Long Cast leads his brawny half dozen braves out and towards their own mounts, Black shields proudly showing on their sides. A tough bunch by all accounts, as their bridles carry many Man Runes showing the foes that they had defeated in battle.

The Rangers walk out together, escorted by the Earth Witch, her statuesque figure untouched by the flying debris as if protected by something supernatural. She smiles at the braves, all goodbyes already said down below where a final blessing had taken place to guard them on their way South.

Home.

Amara had received words of wisdom and gratitude, being told not to worry as word had been spread about their deeds and that they should follow Emesh-Ga's strictures and Taboos, not least being that they should acquire Square shields at the earliest opportunity and build up their band with new recruits.

Hoskar follows, laden down with Kumiss skins and various newly traded odds and ends, helped by his two new apprentices Iye and Maska.

By his side is Ohanzee, his bat secured beneath his cloak from both sun and wind, conscious of a small beating heart and a new power within.

Salen still caries the residue of the previous night's magic and walks taller and straighter than before. His passing causes many to bow, before realising what they did, drawing possible smiles from Melock and Haratt walking in his wake.

As always Mordy is barking, this time at the sudden appearance of several air spirits tumbling overhead, their passage marked by extra turbulence and the familiar whistling sounds heard before at the Safe Singing Spot by Amara and Melock.

The Safe Singing Spot! Seemingly an age ago, when the Walkabout Troop had been met and they had first walked as Tada, setting out to face up against Tripanandar and ultimately the Red Thorn Shaman.

Others had been present then, some now back at the Bison Khan and Rainman Grasslands whilst others had gone to join their Gods. It had been a rewarding time, in both loot, deeds and new friends, but also costly in terms of blood.

Now once again they had to hit the trail, as their friends waited for them with the nearby Red Thorn Sept a half days travel away.

Time to mount up.....

Wait...Did they really..?

Not wanting to look back, it dawns on Salen that people really are still bowing to him. When he was Tada he took it as recognisance of his status, his Divine Being. But now? Well, perhaps some of the aura was still hanging around him, so it was not so strange after all. He smiled inwardly, but not outwardly - Condor had little need for public acclaim. There was still so much to do.

"Quiet Mordy," he said, to the noist dog, which would likely obey him for all of five seconds before starting up barking once again.

But now...now they could head for home. It had been so long since last they had been with the rest of the Prairie Thunder clan, Salen could feel the excitement rising within him, even as he tried to suppress it - there was a ways to go yet.

And likely another forty encounters with malice between here and there...

Amara waved to Nixa and Red fox with a smile on her face, happy at the attention the two paid to her and at the same time a little worried they were somehow making fun of her to their bison friends. She accepted the words of wisdom from the Earth Priestess making the decision in her head there and then that unless she was actually unable to attend she'd be there at the appointed time to learn more from the priestess.

"I realise this reunion with your wife was by necessity a short one, Emesh Ga. I will bring you back if I can at the Earth season so you can spend yet more time with her. I think it might be worthwhile if you tech us what you can of the Earth Tongue every night while we camp. I know you can translate for us, but there's a lot missing unless we hear the words for ourselves. While my mother spoke it, I don't remember any of it...it seemed less important at the time."

Amar left to mount thunderfoot only after hugging any that wished it and saying goodbye properly to everyone, with the promises of shared food, stories and dance if they should ever meet again.

He manages to stop himself smiling, when Brinna elbows Shade into talking to him, Even after last night, she still wants things to work between me and Shade. That's one pushy mother. He leads Shade a little way from the group, "Last night was Ravens night. Now you know what sort of things happen when he calls me, I will understand if you can't handle the odd mischief filled evening. If you can I would like to to spend more time with you, for now though, after we have returned you and Brinna to your father, we are headed back to our clan, but we will be back here during Earth Season, and it would please me no end to find you here when we return."

Checking through his new goods having shared a happy few moments with Long Casts's braves, and murmuring something to his cousins about holding only to pass on in trade, and last night having recouped the cost of those hunting knives, Hoskar wets a cloth before mounting in case the dust becomes too extreme and he needs to cover his face later on.
Finally, he looks around to check on Emesh-Ga's shield. Wouldn't want to forget that, would we?

Ohanzee looks over the changes in goods that appear packed onto Hoskar’s beasts ”Well, it certainly looks like you’ve been busy since the ceremony finished.” and then he looks at his fellow Wandering Ranger with a quirk at the corner of his mouth whilst sniffing ”Can you smell something?”

He sniffs again this time a little closer to Hoskar ”Never mind, with this wind it’s hardly noticeable.” and then he nudges his mount onwards to come alongside the Long Cast and his Black Shield braves ”Morning gents.” he greets them easily ”I was a little busy yesterday, vital work ensuring the wellbeing of everyone’s beasts, so I missed the exchange of tales around the fires. I can see though from your bridles that there are many tales you could tell, maybe we could share a few after the Bright Treasure goes below today?”

The men all stare at the Raven brave but say nothing, nudging their Bison after Salen as he leads them off back towards where the Red Thorns' had been camped.



The two boys nod and help with whatever Hoskar wants them to do.



"As you wish Amara" answers Emesh-Ga in the Earth tongue," let our lessons begin now as we ride."



Shade smiles sweetly both at her mother and Melock, little knowing that Melock came from one of the poorer families in the Prairie Thunder Clan. She was an entirely different kettle of kumiss to the sweet Wild Pastures back at home, and certainly a great catch.  Unlike Wild Pastures who was good natured, hard working, beautiful, tough and fun, Shade looked calculating, one not used to work and totally captivating in a nubile but languid way.

Brinna falls in behind Salen, her two nephews on either side, allowing Shade to travel for a while with the Raven brave.

From out of the windy sky comes the Eirithan Priestess' small Cowpecker bird, similar in breed to the Horn peckers that now hover amongst the Ranger's own Rhinos. It alight's on Brinna's shoulder and snuggles into the hair by her ear.