The night had grown late when Rook came to Cana's wagons I was worried about him knowing he was not resting as he should but the look he gave me when I spoke of it revealed he knew I was not either, so that was sort of like the pot calling the kettle black. I did not leave right away I sat with him and talked with him for a short while. He has been there for Cana a long time, my father had a way of knowing who to pick to be ones that would share the lives of those he cared of. Not in the capacity of a mate but in the capacity of a friend or teacher, and when we were not in camp as shadow protectors. He had picked Ulric when I was a young child, or actually Ulric picked him if the story were told correctly.
I gently squeezed Rooks arm when I left, I had exercised her arms and legs and rubbed her down with the oils the healer had left, while I had been with her. Mezoo I knew had the children at her wagons so I would make my way towards my own wagons, I was not sure how late it was only that I felt exhausted, I have not shared that while I sit with Cana I give to her my energy, to keep her strong, vibrant and able to fight her way back, it takes more out of me than I have admitted but there is nothing I would not do. I really had to stop myself from reaching in and pulling her back, I felt myself fighting many emotions, I wanted to curse and rant and rave at Fonce, why was he taking so long, I wanted to grasp doubt and say he wasn't able to help, but I could not do any of these things. I hate feeling helpless and I hate doing nothing. I know the bigger picture in all of this, I remember when I was young and had to figure out something so complicated for the first time. It was this knowing that stayed my thoughts and abilities. I knew that he could do it, it was the mother in me chomping at the bit, it was the power I harness pushing to be released, it was a friend wanting to give him that nudge and say " Now damn it, take that jump, dive in, just do it." But I did nothing, I knew not to. He knew I was there if anything went wrong or he needed help, In the meantime I will stay by her side and care for her until she opens her eyes.
I fell asleep with little effort, a first in a long time for me, the exhaustion was taking its toll, not even dreams were invading my sleep, there was only a deep sleep, when I opened my eyes in the morning, they felt heavy, I felt sluggish, I went to bathe, and lingered longer than I should have, but the light kiss of the water over every inch of me felt to good to leave, it was if I had fallen into a pit of melted kisses and caresses, and I was enjoying the comfort of it. I had returned to my wagon and was sitting on the steps finishing a bowl of black wine, the dark tresses clung to me like wet tentacles as I had not yet braided it. The first sign of how unmotivated I still was, I saw a girl nearing I did not recognize she was holding a mug, from the steam spiraling from it I knew it contained something hot. I had to laugh softly, that damn healer he made good on his words, I knew then it was his slave with some foul tasting tea. When she neared and knelt before me and told me what it was for I could not contain my amusement as a smile played along my lips, for a weak heart and to slow it down. That was just to funny, this joke I have a feeling will be one that will not be forgotten.
I took the mug from her, I found out her name was Tori, I could tell much about her in the first few moments, she was to learn how to polish his boots also, that would come later. The tea had an interesting scent I detected mint but wondered at what else was in there. I was not a tea lover, in fact I despised the stuff even though I made enough of it for others. I wondered if this was sort of a payback. She offered to braid my hair, I allow very few to do such, I guess because it is so personal to me, but I allowed it as in truth I really was too tired to lift my arms to work on the long heavy strands , the black and purple beads were in a bowl near the entrance of my wagon. Slowly I would taste the tea, preparing for something foul, it was not bad, light and fresh, I still had to laugh about the weak heart this amused me to no end.
I closed my eyes as she began to brush out the long strands when down it fell past my hip, I had cut off a few horts when Garyx died and placed them on his pyre. I enjoy having my hair brushed or hands drawn thru it, it is one of my secret small pleasures that none know of that have not been mated to me or intended to be mated to me. It is one of the ways that I am like butter in their hands, you could almost get me to do anything, well maybe you could get me to do anything. I could tell she knew how to braid as she pulled it secure and not to tight as to give me a headache. She noticed the one scar that was just barely glimpsed along my neck, no one saw it because my braid covered it as did my clothing, it ran from the base of my skull down the length of my spine. I did not mind the question, and I told her the story of long ago when I was visiting my friend Ari in the Torvald's, the land is rugged, harsh and very cold. It is unforgiving in its nature, the weak do not live there. Though they do live in structures with roofs and are closed in, something I am not fond of. I had gone outside to prepare for a ritual that my friend needed, only for her would I have done this, because I swear I was so cold I did not think I would ever thaw out. I felt like a tuchuk dreamsicle I do not like the cold, and I sure do not like that extreme cold. Usually I am aware of everything around me, every subtle nuance, sound and scent, but back then I was not as focused as I have grown to be, I was younger and a bit more arrogant and cocky in some ways. Thought I knew so much when in truth I did not know as much as I thought. I paid for my distraction and arrogance, for not following our ways in that moment and heeding my teachings, a snow larl had been out and while I had heard of them I had never seen one.
Well, I found one but not in the way I wanted, I did not hear the sounds of warriors in the distance as they had been hunting one, it was injured and therefore crazed with fury and pain. I had felt the rush of fury wash over me but before I could find out what, I felt a searing pain along my back and shoulders, a pressure was on my entire body as I found myself pressed into the snow. There was a horrible scream of pain and it took me a while to realize it was mine, blood was in the air I saw crimson dots all over the pristine white of the snow, for a moment I thought how pretty that contrast was, until it dawned on me it was mine, I could not move and could barely think, I had a feeling I might just be getting ready to die, strangely enough I could not feel anything, maybe he broke my spine or I was severed in two by those razor claws and teeth, he was killed by the warriors, and I could hear as if they were so far away call my name, I could not answer them. There was only blackness.
When I came to it was abrupt and painful, someone was holding me down I could feel a needle going thru the flesh of my back, the physician and Ari had been seeing to my wounds many would heal with no scars, however, one would remain a long single line down the length of my spine where they stitched the tissue and flesh back together. For days I was barely aware of being there, a fever had developed and there was worry I would not live, but I seem to be a survivor. And I lived. Slowly I recovered but it was a reminder of my own arrogance and lack of discipline at that time. I learned from it, and I learned well.
When I finished the story she was done with the braid, I had near me some plants and I was teaching her which ones where which, some were for healing, some were for pain, some were for female problems and so on. Given that she was a slave to a healer I thought she could use this information so she could help in crushing them or preparing them correctly, she was a quick learner, I could tell she wanted to please her master, I was impressed with her attention and intelligence, very few make an impression on me other than the desire to kill them. To my surprise she knew of my reputation with slaves.
She asked of why I hated them, I thought to this for a moment before I spoke, I have not always hated slaves in fact there was one I adored, she was loyal not only to my mate but to me, she loved not only my mate but also loved me, I knew that she would have laid down her life for me in a heartbeat if needed, she would die before betraying me or causing me harm, she was the only one I ever allowed to help me care for my children, and thank the skies she was there as taking care of triplets is very hard when you are alone most of the time. However, it was after that, I had found I could not trust them. There are three events in my life that have caused me to be very much careful and not tolerant of most.
The first event, was when I was in the jungles, it was hard enough to deal with a mate who had six mates you want to talk about difficult and hellish that is it, thank the skies it is not the ways of the tuchuks and only is done in the deep jungles. I had to deal with a couple that were jealous and often tried to find ways to get rid of me as the first mate so they could replace me. Half the time Brutus had no clue what vipers he brought to our home, to him I think most were just an easy good fur and he got them knocked up. Only a couple were truly caring and beautiful inside and out. One of the slaves decided to help one of the younger ones who was close to being sent away in the first place, the girl had been putting poison in my black wine and I was not aware of it until it began to take effect, fortunately for me one of the other slaves had seen and heard what was going on and reported it to a few of the warriors, at that time I was the umthakathi of the mamba and the chieftain was furious that this had been done, they did all they could to get the poison out of my system. the girl was killed slowly, in fact I think she was dinner for some.
That was the first time I had one try to harm me and it left me feeling betrayed and unsettled, how do you deal with someone wanting to kill you and could because of their position in your home. The other two events I did not yet share, they were long stories and I promised to teach her how to polish the boots, first I showed her how to dry them when wet and what to use in the fire and how to prepare them for cleaning and polishing. Then I sent her back to her master.
In one piece even, I bet some wagers were lost today. Some would wager on if I took her eyes or removed limbs or skinned her. I had to chuckle, no wagers lost today.
I spent most of the day working on a few things for the clan that needed my attention while I could before I went to relieve Rook so he could do his duties, we have developed a bit of a routine I think.
The day would pass before I found myself at the stream again. It seems that each time I encounter the healer we have some interesting discussions or situations.
Tonight would be no different.
I gently squeezed Rooks arm when I left, I had exercised her arms and legs and rubbed her down with the oils the healer had left, while I had been with her. Mezoo I knew had the children at her wagons so I would make my way towards my own wagons, I was not sure how late it was only that I felt exhausted, I have not shared that while I sit with Cana I give to her my energy, to keep her strong, vibrant and able to fight her way back, it takes more out of me than I have admitted but there is nothing I would not do. I really had to stop myself from reaching in and pulling her back, I felt myself fighting many emotions, I wanted to curse and rant and rave at Fonce, why was he taking so long, I wanted to grasp doubt and say he wasn't able to help, but I could not do any of these things. I hate feeling helpless and I hate doing nothing. I know the bigger picture in all of this, I remember when I was young and had to figure out something so complicated for the first time. It was this knowing that stayed my thoughts and abilities. I knew that he could do it, it was the mother in me chomping at the bit, it was the power I harness pushing to be released, it was a friend wanting to give him that nudge and say " Now damn it, take that jump, dive in, just do it." But I did nothing, I knew not to. He knew I was there if anything went wrong or he needed help, In the meantime I will stay by her side and care for her until she opens her eyes.
I fell asleep with little effort, a first in a long time for me, the exhaustion was taking its toll, not even dreams were invading my sleep, there was only a deep sleep, when I opened my eyes in the morning, they felt heavy, I felt sluggish, I went to bathe, and lingered longer than I should have, but the light kiss of the water over every inch of me felt to good to leave, it was if I had fallen into a pit of melted kisses and caresses, and I was enjoying the comfort of it. I had returned to my wagon and was sitting on the steps finishing a bowl of black wine, the dark tresses clung to me like wet tentacles as I had not yet braided it. The first sign of how unmotivated I still was, I saw a girl nearing I did not recognize she was holding a mug, from the steam spiraling from it I knew it contained something hot. I had to laugh softly, that damn healer he made good on his words, I knew then it was his slave with some foul tasting tea. When she neared and knelt before me and told me what it was for I could not contain my amusement as a smile played along my lips, for a weak heart and to slow it down. That was just to funny, this joke I have a feeling will be one that will not be forgotten.
I took the mug from her, I found out her name was Tori, I could tell much about her in the first few moments, she was to learn how to polish his boots also, that would come later. The tea had an interesting scent I detected mint but wondered at what else was in there. I was not a tea lover, in fact I despised the stuff even though I made enough of it for others. I wondered if this was sort of a payback. She offered to braid my hair, I allow very few to do such, I guess because it is so personal to me, but I allowed it as in truth I really was too tired to lift my arms to work on the long heavy strands , the black and purple beads were in a bowl near the entrance of my wagon. Slowly I would taste the tea, preparing for something foul, it was not bad, light and fresh, I still had to laugh about the weak heart this amused me to no end.
I closed my eyes as she began to brush out the long strands when down it fell past my hip, I had cut off a few horts when Garyx died and placed them on his pyre. I enjoy having my hair brushed or hands drawn thru it, it is one of my secret small pleasures that none know of that have not been mated to me or intended to be mated to me. It is one of the ways that I am like butter in their hands, you could almost get me to do anything, well maybe you could get me to do anything. I could tell she knew how to braid as she pulled it secure and not to tight as to give me a headache. She noticed the one scar that was just barely glimpsed along my neck, no one saw it because my braid covered it as did my clothing, it ran from the base of my skull down the length of my spine. I did not mind the question, and I told her the story of long ago when I was visiting my friend Ari in the Torvald's, the land is rugged, harsh and very cold. It is unforgiving in its nature, the weak do not live there. Though they do live in structures with roofs and are closed in, something I am not fond of. I had gone outside to prepare for a ritual that my friend needed, only for her would I have done this, because I swear I was so cold I did not think I would ever thaw out. I felt like a tuchuk dreamsicle I do not like the cold, and I sure do not like that extreme cold. Usually I am aware of everything around me, every subtle nuance, sound and scent, but back then I was not as focused as I have grown to be, I was younger and a bit more arrogant and cocky in some ways. Thought I knew so much when in truth I did not know as much as I thought. I paid for my distraction and arrogance, for not following our ways in that moment and heeding my teachings, a snow larl had been out and while I had heard of them I had never seen one.
Well, I found one but not in the way I wanted, I did not hear the sounds of warriors in the distance as they had been hunting one, it was injured and therefore crazed with fury and pain. I had felt the rush of fury wash over me but before I could find out what, I felt a searing pain along my back and shoulders, a pressure was on my entire body as I found myself pressed into the snow. There was a horrible scream of pain and it took me a while to realize it was mine, blood was in the air I saw crimson dots all over the pristine white of the snow, for a moment I thought how pretty that contrast was, until it dawned on me it was mine, I could not move and could barely think, I had a feeling I might just be getting ready to die, strangely enough I could not feel anything, maybe he broke my spine or I was severed in two by those razor claws and teeth, he was killed by the warriors, and I could hear as if they were so far away call my name, I could not answer them. There was only blackness.
When I came to it was abrupt and painful, someone was holding me down I could feel a needle going thru the flesh of my back, the physician and Ari had been seeing to my wounds many would heal with no scars, however, one would remain a long single line down the length of my spine where they stitched the tissue and flesh back together. For days I was barely aware of being there, a fever had developed and there was worry I would not live, but I seem to be a survivor. And I lived. Slowly I recovered but it was a reminder of my own arrogance and lack of discipline at that time. I learned from it, and I learned well.
When I finished the story she was done with the braid, I had near me some plants and I was teaching her which ones where which, some were for healing, some were for pain, some were for female problems and so on. Given that she was a slave to a healer I thought she could use this information so she could help in crushing them or preparing them correctly, she was a quick learner, I could tell she wanted to please her master, I was impressed with her attention and intelligence, very few make an impression on me other than the desire to kill them. To my surprise she knew of my reputation with slaves.
She asked of why I hated them, I thought to this for a moment before I spoke, I have not always hated slaves in fact there was one I adored, she was loyal not only to my mate but to me, she loved not only my mate but also loved me, I knew that she would have laid down her life for me in a heartbeat if needed, she would die before betraying me or causing me harm, she was the only one I ever allowed to help me care for my children, and thank the skies she was there as taking care of triplets is very hard when you are alone most of the time. However, it was after that, I had found I could not trust them. There are three events in my life that have caused me to be very much careful and not tolerant of most.
The first event, was when I was in the jungles, it was hard enough to deal with a mate who had six mates you want to talk about difficult and hellish that is it, thank the skies it is not the ways of the tuchuks and only is done in the deep jungles. I had to deal with a couple that were jealous and often tried to find ways to get rid of me as the first mate so they could replace me. Half the time Brutus had no clue what vipers he brought to our home, to him I think most were just an easy good fur and he got them knocked up. Only a couple were truly caring and beautiful inside and out. One of the slaves decided to help one of the younger ones who was close to being sent away in the first place, the girl had been putting poison in my black wine and I was not aware of it until it began to take effect, fortunately for me one of the other slaves had seen and heard what was going on and reported it to a few of the warriors, at that time I was the umthakathi of the mamba and the chieftain was furious that this had been done, they did all they could to get the poison out of my system. the girl was killed slowly, in fact I think she was dinner for some.
That was the first time I had one try to harm me and it left me feeling betrayed and unsettled, how do you deal with someone wanting to kill you and could because of their position in your home. The other two events I did not yet share, they were long stories and I promised to teach her how to polish the boots, first I showed her how to dry them when wet and what to use in the fire and how to prepare them for cleaning and polishing. Then I sent her back to her master.
In one piece even, I bet some wagers were lost today. Some would wager on if I took her eyes or removed limbs or skinned her. I had to chuckle, no wagers lost today.
I spent most of the day working on a few things for the clan that needed my attention while I could before I went to relieve Rook so he could do his duties, we have developed a bit of a routine I think.
The day would pass before I found myself at the stream again. It seems that each time I encounter the healer we have some interesting discussions or situations.
Tonight would be no different.
