Akash grunts.
"The way your spirit companion struggles, our options are limited. We either leave the cat behind or we need to head further downriver and hope there's an easier crossing point."
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Akash rolls his eyes. "If you can carry the beast, be welcome to it. I see no reason to drag dead weight along."
Akash scoffs. "The spirits do as they will, for their own reasons. No bargain was set or struck in advance, or binding laid. It is foolish to rely purely on a spirit's whim for aid."
"Why bother saving the beast? For all we know it could turn on us later."
Akash swoops in to deal the finishing blow if Fanki doesn't quite manage to hack through the raptor's scales.
Akash growls slightly, as he'd hoped for the raptor he'd tripped to be baited into attacking. He creeps forward cautiously, and then swipes at it with his hatchet.
But fails to connect with the nimble creature.
Akash moves in and uncoils his whip, striking it at the leg of the nearest raptor, and yanking it out from under the beast.
"Our help? Why?" Akash growls, but readies his weapons as well. At the very least it's prudent to fend off the more capable foes.
"Perhaps they'll run each other off. If not, we may need to prepare for a fight." Akash creeps forward to take a look at the beasts, trying to stay out of sight.
"Better we move on, before whatever is scaring off the scavengers returns."
Akash sniffs the air and growls low. "Beware. Something that big dying, here, is bound to attract scavengers. Be ready to defend yourselves." he says, readying his whip and hatchet as he cautiously approaches to peer around the bend.
Akash, son of Akhan. Spirit-warden of our clan, and apprentice shaman. I journey to prove myself worthy to carry the weight of the task I have been given.
Akash goes off to see his parents one last time before he leaves. As always, since the incident, there is tension. His parents try not to show it, but they're as frightened of him as most of the others in the tribe, even if that fear is mixed with worry for his well-being. Before he leaves, his mother gives him a braided cord necklace, for good luck. He reaches out to hug her and she flinches, briefly, before recognizing the action for what it is. "When next we meet, I will have become a man." he declares, the Warrior's pride tinting his usually more reserved nature. "I love you." he says, looking her in the eyes, and then sliding them over to his father, who simply looks...tired. The man gives him a small nod, grabs his spear, and walks away on his own mission, to forage for food. Goodbyes said, Akash wanders to the meeting point where the travelers gather before setting off.
Akash spends much of the night in quiet contemplation. The rite is a vital journey for any of the young of the Clan, but doubly so for him, now. Not only would he need to fight to prove his worth, he would need to fight doubly hard to prove he was deserving of life itself. He contemplates calling on the spirit of his master for guidance, but balks. He is unsure how she would react to his indecision. The thoughts of fleeing the clan and making his own way far from here were his shame to bear, and his alone. When the Day-Star finally rose, Akash steadied himself and painstakingly performed the rite of the Warrior to steady himself and be filled with confidence beyond his years. There would be time for wisdom and cunning later; for now he needed only to steel his resolve. |