Kaleeth got in the water alongside Janius. Even if the water was fairly warm, she took a few moments to let her body acclimate to the temperature as she listened to Janius. "Uhh, I not sure. We talk together, take time together. I...I not sure what to say. I not know what Imperials do, so I can not know what is...different. We...when we marry, one mate give ring to other. It has...it has...I not know name for gem. Sorry."
Kaleeth could move around easily in the water, and she found it interesting that Janius did not seem to be able to move with near the agility. As she was swimming around him, she gave an audible chuckle. "You not move quick in water, do you?" She asked before quickly reaching dunking his head underwater, then darting away to the other side of the river along the riverbed. She surfaced, then looked back at him laughing with a playful grin.
Once Tunxeek left, Thorantilth led the pair into his hut. While not as large as the common quarters, it was sizable for a villager's home. It seemed like it would normally have a lot of floor space, but in this case, much of it was taken up by the items needed for the ritual. There were a total of nine pedestals situated in the center of the hut. On the frontmost row of pedestals were three, leather-bound books, each with a parchment resting on top of them. The center row held three unique objects, a potion bottle filled with a thick, golden-colored liquid, a strange stone, and an axe of a non-Argonian design. On the back row were three chests, engraved with the words inscribed with the words Awas, Betzi, and Jaraleet, respectively. They were written in Jel, but in front of each chest was a small parchment with the words written in Cyrodilic script.
"This trial is a puzzle, of sorts. All you need do to pass is simply to solve it. I can give no further details, but I doubt you will need them." Thorantilth explained. Meesei placed a hand on Sabine's shoulder and gave her a smile of encouragement before releasing her to allow her to begin.
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As usual, Kaleeth had to concentrate to make sure she understood everything Janius said, so she only broke eye contact with him to make sure they were still heading in the right direction. She nodded to him with each sentence she understood, and grinned once more when he referred to her as beautiful. It took her a few moments to understand his explanation of courting, by which point they had reached the swimming hole. It was close to one of the huts just outside the bounds of the village and close enough that it was perfectly safe. The water was slow moving, with few fish or other creatures living underneath its surface. At its deepest, it was just slightly taller than the average person, though only in a limited area.
Once Kaleeth understood the meaning of her greeting, her expression quickly turned embarrassed and she looked away awkwardly. She clasped her hands together, then slowly brought her gaze back to him to make eye contact. "Oh...I sorry. I not know. You were being so nice, I want to be nice back."
Crouching down beside the water, Kaleeth examined it for a few moments as a precaution to check for slaughterfish or other dangerous creatures. It was rare for them to be in this particular river, but not impossible. After she was confident it was safe, she stood back up, then removed her loincloth and placed it on a dry spot near a rock. Looking back to Janius, she continued to show a bit of embarrassment. "You...forgive me?"
Thorantilth quickly responded to his son. "No, it is why they wish to go through the ritual, from my understanding. Did you speak to Shaleer-Za about the preparations for tomorrow as well?" He asked. They reached Thorantilth's hut quickly, so after they finished speaking, they would proceed inside to begin.
Meesei knew well that Thorantilth spoke the truth about the trial. The first trial, the trial of mind, was rather trivial. The Cyrodilic word "trial" held a much more serious connotation than the actual test entailed. Most could pass it easily, it was the later tests which warranted more concern. They had more serious consequences, and could even be dangerous. Unfortunately, in order to preserve the sanctity of the ritual, Meesei could not give a detailed explanation of what she should expect beforehand. She could only provide comfort, support, and limited guidance.
Once Kaleeth understood the meaning of her greeting, her expression quickly turned embarrassed and she looked away awkwardly. She clasped her hands together, then slowly brought her gaze back to him to make eye contact. "Oh...I sorry. I not know. You were being so nice, I want to be nice back."
Crouching down beside the water, Kaleeth examined it for a few moments as a precaution to check for slaughterfish or other dangerous creatures. It was rare for them to be in this particular river, but not impossible. After she was confident it was safe, she stood back up, then removed her loincloth and placed it on a dry spot near a rock. Looking back to Janius, she continued to show a bit of embarrassment. "You...forgive me?"
Thorantilth quickly responded to his son. "No, it is why they wish to go through the ritual, from my understanding. Did you speak to Shaleer-Za about the preparations for tomorrow as well?" He asked. They reached Thorantilth's hut quickly, so after they finished speaking, they would proceed inside to begin.
Meesei knew well that Thorantilth spoke the truth about the trial. The first trial, the trial of mind, was rather trivial. The Cyrodilic word "trial" held a much more serious connotation than the actual test entailed. Most could pass it easily, it was the later tests which warranted more concern. They had more serious consequences, and could even be dangerous. Unfortunately, in order to preserve the sanctity of the ritual, Meesei could not give a detailed explanation of what she should expect beforehand. She could only provide comfort, support, and limited guidance.
Meesei walked alongside Sabine, placing a hand on her shoulder as a reminder that she was there to support her. It was easy to tell that Sabine was uncomfortable. Whether that was because of the coming trials, or simply because they were surrounded by strangers who were untrusting of the pack was uncertain, but either way, Meesei wished to provide her comfort.
The trio was silent as they left the common hut and walked in the direction of the Hist tree, but even one as inexperienced with humans as Thorantilth could pick up on Sabine's discomfort. He did not know her well, but he suspected that dread of the coming trials might be the cause of her problems. Certainly, there were some aspects of the trials that might not be pleasant, but this one in particular was not something to be worried about. "We will be heading to my home, near the Hist. I have prepared the first trial there." He explained, looking down to Sabine with a bit of sympathy. "I would not fear today's trial. There is nothing dangerous about this test, and if I am being honest, there is nothing particularly challenging about it either. Do not mistake me, the trials will become difficult, but this one is more of a...tradition than a challenge. I am sure you will have no problem passing it."
Shorty after Sabine and Meesei left the common quarters, Kaleeth returned from helping her father. It was evening, but not quite dark yet. There would be a few hours before night fell over the marsh, though that would not be near enough time for a hunt, so she decided not to ask about that until the next morning. Instead, she simply approached Janius with the same bright smile as she had when she left. There were a few spots of dirt on her scales, particularly on her hands, indicating that whatever work she had been doing was some form of manual labor. Nevertheless, she seemed excited and eager to speak to him. As she had not understood what Janius said when he explained his greeting to her the first time, and he had not clarified afterwards, she once again walked up to him and greeted him with a kiss. "Greeting! I finished work with father. Sadly, there is no time to hunt now. Will need to tomorrow...instead. I still want to talk to you. Do you like swim? I think it would be...would be fun."
The trio was silent as they left the common hut and walked in the direction of the Hist tree, but even one as inexperienced with humans as Thorantilth could pick up on Sabine's discomfort. He did not know her well, but he suspected that dread of the coming trials might be the cause of her problems. Certainly, there were some aspects of the trials that might not be pleasant, but this one in particular was not something to be worried about. "We will be heading to my home, near the Hist. I have prepared the first trial there." He explained, looking down to Sabine with a bit of sympathy. "I would not fear today's trial. There is nothing dangerous about this test, and if I am being honest, there is nothing particularly challenging about it either. Do not mistake me, the trials will become difficult, but this one is more of a...tradition than a challenge. I am sure you will have no problem passing it."
Shorty after Sabine and Meesei left the common quarters, Kaleeth returned from helping her father. It was evening, but not quite dark yet. There would be a few hours before night fell over the marsh, though that would not be near enough time for a hunt, so she decided not to ask about that until the next morning. Instead, she simply approached Janius with the same bright smile as she had when she left. There were a few spots of dirt on her scales, particularly on her hands, indicating that whatever work she had been doing was some form of manual labor. Nevertheless, she seemed excited and eager to speak to him. As she had not understood what Janius said when he explained his greeting to her the first time, and he had not clarified afterwards, she once again walked up to him and greeted him with a kiss. "Greeting! I finished work with father. Sadly, there is no time to hunt now. Will need to tomorrow...instead. I still want to talk to you. Do you like swim? I think it would be...would be fun."
I'm having trouble remembering the specifics of this first test. I've based it pretty much entirely on a set of three tests for the same purpose in ESO. Problem is, I can't remember the exact three books needed. I have one, but I'm trying to remember the other two.
Edit: I figured it out.
Edit: I figured it out.
Once Kaleeth understood Janius' question, she nodded affirmatively. "Oh, yes. There is father and mother and...mother's father. Egg-brother died in his test...four seasons ago. Was sad, but brother will be...re-born when Hist wants. Father tried look strong, but he was sad." She explained, her tone becoming a bit more melancholy. She seemed lost in thought for a moment before her expression suddenly turned from slight sadness, to concern. "Oh! I remember, I have...small work to do for father. Need to when not-dark." Kaleeth exclaimed. She seemed disappointed that she would have to leave at first, but then her expression quickly turned to a much more upbeat smile. "I need go for now, but I come back in...what is word? Hours? A few hours. You can help my Cyrodilic."
After Kaleeth left, a few hours passed where the pack waited and tried to become acclimated to the village. They were not sure if it was normal for the residents of the village to go to the common quarters during the day, but very few did while the pack was there. Perhaps they were avoiding the group, or perhaps it was simply that they only ever used the hut to sleep at night. Either way, it was not long before Treeminder Thorantilth returned to them. The very moment Meesei saw him enter the hut, she walked over to Sabine. While the trials were for her, and her alone, the ritual itself would allow her to have a guide: a role Meesei intended to fill. It would be a few days still before it was time for the ritual, but Meesei still wanted to provide as much support as possible to Sabine.
Thorantilth approached Sabine with a serious, but friendly expression. He had picked up on her general anxiety when they first met, so he tried to appear unintimidating when he approached her. "I have prepared your first trial, if you would please follow me."
After Kaleeth left, a few hours passed where the pack waited and tried to become acclimated to the village. They were not sure if it was normal for the residents of the village to go to the common quarters during the day, but very few did while the pack was there. Perhaps they were avoiding the group, or perhaps it was simply that they only ever used the hut to sleep at night. Either way, it was not long before Treeminder Thorantilth returned to them. The very moment Meesei saw him enter the hut, she walked over to Sabine. While the trials were for her, and her alone, the ritual itself would allow her to have a guide: a role Meesei intended to fill. It would be a few days still before it was time for the ritual, but Meesei still wanted to provide as much support as possible to Sabine.
Thorantilth approached Sabine with a serious, but friendly expression. He had picked up on her general anxiety when they first met, so he tried to appear unintimidating when he approached her. "I have prepared your first trial, if you would please follow me."
After taking a few moments to plan her words, Kaleeth-Rei tried to give the best explanation she could. "Not all, some do. We all pick test, but not always same test. Test is...supposed to show a thing we are good at. All tests have much danger, some die in them. Hunters are strong, though, and we are supposed to be strong."
As they entered the common quarters, the group looked around to find a spot empty enough for them to place their belongings. Despite being made of unrefined, natural materials such as compacted clay, the hut was quite large. It was circular and elevated slightly off the ground, with a dome on top. The entire hut was a single, open room with a single pillar in the center for support. The bedrolls that the villagers used were essentially the same as those of the pack, as they were made from the hides of local creatures. Kaleeth did not feel comfortable helping them with their belongings unless she was asked to, but she had no problem following Janius around. "You staying in...common hut? I stay here too; we...stay together, then."
Ahnasha watched the villagers around them as they walked to the common quarters, the hunters in particular. She wasn't quite as sold on their kindness as Fendros. It certainly seemed that some of them were welcoming, but she could not shake the stares of those who were more suspicious. "I don't know, the ones we were talking to under the tree were nice enough, but that was only a part of the village's population. I get why the hunters are acting so suspicious. From what it sounds like, they are pretty much the village's guards, so it is their job to protect everyone. Not to mention the fact that their leader doesn't seem to like outsiders in the slightest. Some of the hunters may just be acting distrustful, I don't know, but it's the rest of the villagers that have me feeling unwelcome. Other than the ones we talked to, it seems like a lot of the people here are just ignoring us. If you look closely, you'll notice that they give little more than passing glances to us. If you make eye contact, they will look away real quick. They don't seem comfortable around us. I don't think we have universal acceptance here, but I suppose that it is better than being universally denied by them."
As they entered the common quarters, the group looked around to find a spot empty enough for them to place their belongings. Despite being made of unrefined, natural materials such as compacted clay, the hut was quite large. It was circular and elevated slightly off the ground, with a dome on top. The entire hut was a single, open room with a single pillar in the center for support. The bedrolls that the villagers used were essentially the same as those of the pack, as they were made from the hides of local creatures. Kaleeth did not feel comfortable helping them with their belongings unless she was asked to, but she had no problem following Janius around. "You staying in...common hut? I stay here too; we...stay together, then."
Ahnasha watched the villagers around them as they walked to the common quarters, the hunters in particular. She wasn't quite as sold on their kindness as Fendros. It certainly seemed that some of them were welcoming, but she could not shake the stares of those who were more suspicious. "I don't know, the ones we were talking to under the tree were nice enough, but that was only a part of the village's population. I get why the hunters are acting so suspicious. From what it sounds like, they are pretty much the village's guards, so it is their job to protect everyone. Not to mention the fact that their leader doesn't seem to like outsiders in the slightest. Some of the hunters may just be acting distrustful, I don't know, but it's the rest of the villagers that have me feeling unwelcome. Other than the ones we talked to, it seems like a lot of the people here are just ignoring us. If you look closely, you'll notice that they give little more than passing glances to us. If you make eye contact, they will look away real quick. They don't seem comfortable around us. I don't think we have universal acceptance here, but I suppose that it is better than being universally denied by them."
I think things are going to get pretty interesting by the time they leave the village. Not to mention the ideas I have for things to do after it. I have two things I would like to do after the whole thing with the village and the ritual. One of them is obviously the birth of the child, and the other is an idea I'll keep secret for now. I would like to start getting to your ideas and suggestions sooner, but the next two things have to take place soon for it to make sense in the story.
I like having interesting (and sometimes devious) plans. At any rate, goodnight.
I like having interesting (and sometimes devious) plans. At any rate, goodnight.
With how fast they spoke, Kaleeth did not understand most of what Fendros said to Janius, but it still seemed like he was paying attention to her, so she proceeded to answer his question. "I earn them in...test. We choose a test that...that..." She began, becoming visibly frustrated that she could not find the words to adequately describe what she was trying to say. The tattoos and how she earned them had a deep meaning to her that she simply could not express with her limited vocabulary. "Sorry, I don't know words for it. The test shows a...a part of, uh, us. A part of us. Something good about us. My...vines show...they show..."
Kaleeth stopped again to try and think of what she was saying. She wanted to describe how the thorny vines her tattoos depicted represented perseverance. She wanted to explain the analogy of how the resilient vines of the marsh thrived everywhere around them, no matter how harsh the conditions. No matter how many times they were cut down, they would inevitably return. It caused her no small amount of frustration that she could not give an explanation in Cyrodilic as eloquent as she could in Jel. "Tough...toughness. They show toughness. I can survive danger. My test had much danger. Hunters took me into marsh with no...bee-long-ings. No, spear, no clothes, no food. Just my...skills. I had to...not die, and find home again. I was away six nights. I got hurt, but I did not die. It was hard, but I am proud."
One of the villagers helped Reanaseer to her feet before leaving. The Elder approached Meesei with one final matter before returning to her hut herself. "It seems, at the very least, you have made our village less boring for the moment. As we mentioned before, you may stay in the common quarters. It is the largest hut, where all non-mated villagers, and guests, stay. You should be able to find a space large enough for your belongings. If I had to guess, I would say our Treeminder will be ready with the first trial in a few hours, but I would not expect more than one trial today. Now, I need to rest. May your scales be moistened by your stay here."
"Thank you." Meesei responded with an appreciative nod before Reanaseer left. She then motioned for any of the others not talking to one of the villagers to help her gather up their belongings to move to the common quarters.
Kaleeth stopped again to try and think of what she was saying. She wanted to describe how the thorny vines her tattoos depicted represented perseverance. She wanted to explain the analogy of how the resilient vines of the marsh thrived everywhere around them, no matter how harsh the conditions. No matter how many times they were cut down, they would inevitably return. It caused her no small amount of frustration that she could not give an explanation in Cyrodilic as eloquent as she could in Jel. "Tough...toughness. They show toughness. I can survive danger. My test had much danger. Hunters took me into marsh with no...bee-long-ings. No, spear, no clothes, no food. Just my...skills. I had to...not die, and find home again. I was away six nights. I got hurt, but I did not die. It was hard, but I am proud."
One of the villagers helped Reanaseer to her feet before leaving. The Elder approached Meesei with one final matter before returning to her hut herself. "It seems, at the very least, you have made our village less boring for the moment. As we mentioned before, you may stay in the common quarters. It is the largest hut, where all non-mated villagers, and guests, stay. You should be able to find a space large enough for your belongings. If I had to guess, I would say our Treeminder will be ready with the first trial in a few hours, but I would not expect more than one trial today. Now, I need to rest. May your scales be moistened by your stay here."
"Thank you." Meesei responded with an appreciative nod before Reanaseer left. She then motioned for any of the others not talking to one of the villagers to help her gather up their belongings to move to the common quarters.
Kaleeth gave Janius an enthusiastic nod. "Oh, yes, I happy to teach Jel, even more happy to learn. And we do wear...are-more. But no metal. We have bone and scales from prey. Very tough. Many hunters use wamasu hide. Very dangerous, but we get many scales and meat from one. I not earned my armor yet. My last test: kill wamasu with others, make armor. Then, I am real hunter." She said with a bit of a sigh. Even at first glance, it was easy to tell that earning her status as a hunter was something she was passionate about. She seemed to be trapped in her own thoughts for a moment before snapping out of it and focusing back on Janius with a more excited expression. "I earned tattoos, though. Last season, I still very proud. They have much mean-ing for me. You like them? You have tattoos?"
Julneen looked around at the others, then glanced back to his own hut. He did wish to stay, but looking at the gaze his wife gave him, he knew he could not. "I do have more questions, but I also have work to do. Others may wish to stay, but I must go. Perhaps later, we may speak." He said before standing up and taking his leave. Despite the fact that they could stay, many of the other villagers that had chosen to crowd around them started leaving as well, perhaps because they also had work to do, or because they were not confident enough to speak to the pack directly.
Meesei shook her head in response to Ralith. "No, I do not, but several friends of mine did. I would be careful not to underestimate your own influence on your brother. Whether he is trying to be like you, or doing all he can to be different, your actions will influence him." She advised. By this point, his brother had seen the scars Lorag could show, and their parents looked like they wanted the brothers to take their leave along with them. Meesei was uncertain of what else they would do while they waited on the preparations for Sabine's trials, but she was glad to have the chance to speak to the people of the village. Perhaps it would help to build some trust between them and the pack, though she doubted they would ever gain the trust of the Master-Hunter.
Julneen looked around at the others, then glanced back to his own hut. He did wish to stay, but looking at the gaze his wife gave him, he knew he could not. "I do have more questions, but I also have work to do. Others may wish to stay, but I must go. Perhaps later, we may speak." He said before standing up and taking his leave. Despite the fact that they could stay, many of the other villagers that had chosen to crowd around them started leaving as well, perhaps because they also had work to do, or because they were not confident enough to speak to the pack directly.
Meesei shook her head in response to Ralith. "No, I do not, but several friends of mine did. I would be careful not to underestimate your own influence on your brother. Whether he is trying to be like you, or doing all he can to be different, your actions will influence him." She advised. By this point, his brother had seen the scars Lorag could show, and their parents looked like they wanted the brothers to take their leave along with them. Meesei was uncertain of what else they would do while they waited on the preparations for Sabine's trials, but she was glad to have the chance to speak to the people of the village. Perhaps it would help to build some trust between them and the pack, though she doubted they would ever gain the trust of the Master-Hunter.
"Ah, thanksss you. I remember it. Maybe I teach you Jel words too?" Kaleeth responded. "I wish we...could talk better. I not always...understand you easy. I still like it though. Talking to you. You...interesting. Exciting. I never talked to a Imperial before." Kaleeth paused for a moment to look up at the sky and see how much daylight they had left. Hunting at night in the marsh was extremely hazardous, so they would need to pick a time where they would not risk being caught away from the village after dark. When she looked back to him, she took notice of something that interested her. Hesitantly, she reached out and touched a finger to his chestplate to feel the metal of the iron armor. "Do you hunt in metal? Looks heavy. I never seen metal-clothes before." She said, not quite remembering the word for armor. "You get it in Cyrodiil?"
"Uhh, maybe it would be best if you didn't know." Julneen answered. "It is not kind. Master-Hunter Zharanthixil does not trust outsiders, especially Imperials. Actually, many here do not. Strangers have harmed us before, but...we trade with outsiders. They help us too. Not all of you are bad, I think. I'm just curious to know more about you, personally.
While Lorag was showing off what scars he had that didn't require removing armor plates, Meesei spoke to the other boy, as Lorag would likely not need her to interpret at the moment. She smiled at him and let out a soft laugh. "Ahh, but at what point were you just like him? Excited, ready to take on the world. I can see he has the passion. It is the training which will bring him wisdom. Your Master-Hunter, he seems like a man who excels at his role, and cares about his village. I was raised to become Treeminder in my village, but remember seeing my friends train to become hunters. I would be cautious not to become lax in your training simply because you have the advantage of a few years on your egg-brother. Whether you want to be or not, you will always be a role-model in his life, and he will always be looking for a way to best you. If you are not careful, you may find that he will succeed."
"Uhh, maybe it would be best if you didn't know." Julneen answered. "It is not kind. Master-Hunter Zharanthixil does not trust outsiders, especially Imperials. Actually, many here do not. Strangers have harmed us before, but...we trade with outsiders. They help us too. Not all of you are bad, I think. I'm just curious to know more about you, personally.
While Lorag was showing off what scars he had that didn't require removing armor plates, Meesei spoke to the other boy, as Lorag would likely not need her to interpret at the moment. She smiled at him and let out a soft laugh. "Ahh, but at what point were you just like him? Excited, ready to take on the world. I can see he has the passion. It is the training which will bring him wisdom. Your Master-Hunter, he seems like a man who excels at his role, and cares about his village. I was raised to become Treeminder in my village, but remember seeing my friends train to become hunters. I would be cautious not to become lax in your training simply because you have the advantage of a few years on your egg-brother. Whether you want to be or not, you will always be a role-model in his life, and he will always be looking for a way to best you. If you are not careful, you may find that he will succeed."
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