|
Post by kitearadarkblade on Jul 10, 2011 21:07:29 GMT -5
Helnas Helnas offered a smile when she nodded, relaxing against him. She moved to free her hair and settle against her pack as she spoke. The nervous jitters seemed to have passed for the most part when she confessed that her intentions in taking this little trip were to confess her interest and head back. Leona moved again, leaning against her pack. The young man reached for another bit of meat, offering her a piece before settling to wrap his arms around his upraised knees loosely. "Tell me about your tribe, Leona," he suggested quietly, watching her from the corner of his eye.
|
|
Rufus
Avid Gamer
Those who fear the darkness have yet to see what the light can do.
Posts: 183
|
Post by Rufus on Jul 12, 2011 10:47:44 GMT -5
Leona Leona watched Helnas as he got comfortable, the request to talk about her tribe made her pause for a few seconds, shifting she'd pull the tunic to her hip to show the rough tdesign of a wolfs head upon a crescent moon,"I always thought this was a birthmark. Its actually my tribes symbol. They nomads. At ten all children are branded with the.tribes symbol, that way we know eachother by sight. We're nomads, never in one place for too long, and we send our members abroad, never in groups more than four that way we don't present a threat to any tribes we come across. Our lands are along the northernmost borders. Where the plains end and the colder lands begin... you could call us buffers. We've always ensured noone tries sweeping through the plains from the far north. Long ago every member of the clan stood shoulder to shoulder. Men women and child and fought off an invasion. Alone and out numbered. Or so legend claims. Either way, its our home. We're not that different from any other tribe. By ten everyones a warrior. By fifteen everyones versed in trade." Shed look up towards the sky, absently tracing the design,"When you found me something terrible had happened. And I had ran until I passed out. Id hit my head on a rock. That's why I couldn't remember anything. Still don't. Just what I was told. Our neighbors to the east and west conspired against the tribe. With the northerners. Or atleast a bandit group. During the rite of passage for our youngest, myself included, we were attacked under cover of night. It was fast brutal and didn't end well for either side. My Chieftainess personally killed the leaders of each tribe out of revenge for killing her family. She's... " She pauses and scowls, " Everything Im not. Confident, wise, strong. Her adviser is from the woodlands, where the 'civilized' people live. Shes smug, brutal, smart... a diplomat that's not afraid to strip herself down and wear the same trappings out on the plains that we do. Her and my Headswoman have pretty much ressurected the clan. I train the younglings in combat, the adviser teaches them trade and my headwoman handles the rites of passage. We... me and the headswoman, and perhaps ten others are the only true survivors of my clan... but were rebuilding. And gaining allies where we can. And hunting down those responsible for betraying us.... Im next in line to become a loremaster... Our elder, she's sick. And has taken to pouring every bit and word she can, traditions and the ways of life Into me." She sounded pleased, "Her and my headswoman each have others they've taught. So that no single one of us knows everything and can be felled, killing the spirit of our way of life. Everyone can do everyone roses job, or trade, with varying skill. And were encouraged to roam. To learn. To understand all the other tribes and engender good will. The Loren are my extended family. You took in a scared, lonely young girl, made her a woman and now, I've come back to make sure that I return the favor and offer all that I have to my family. Both of them." Her head would roll to the side, away from the stars to look towards Helnas and smile,"That, And not even the gods themselves could have kept me from comeing back here and confessing my love to.you, regardless if its returned or not. Im happy. Truly happy."
|
|
|
Post by kitearadarkblade on Jul 12, 2011 21:59:00 GMT -5
Helnas Helnas listened to Leona as she described her people and how their ways varied from his own. Children on the plains grew up young, but her tribe seemed to push them a little harder, from her description. His gaze had strayed briefly to her hip when she brought attention to her markings, but otherwise, he seemed content to simply watch her as he listened. When she told of what had apparently happened to her before she joined the Loden, the young man's brow furrowed a little with a near frown. She had been just a little thing when they found her, yet already going through rites. And so far-flung. Tribes traveled, hunted and lived together. They helped raise each others littles and tousled amongst themselves. This tribe deliberately split itself up, forsaking that closeness? Leona spoke of her Head Woman and an advisor from the civilized lands. When she told of her duties to her tribe, Helnas gave a mental pause. She was teaching the littles when with them, and learning the lore. There was no way that she could remain with the Loden. Not with such duties calling her to her own tribe... The girl named the Loden her family as well, turning her head to look at the young man resting nearby with a smile. Helnas regarded her thoughtfully for a moment, then offered an almost gentle smile in return. "I'm glad that you are happy, Leona. You deserve to be happy," he replied quietly, then let his breath out with a slow sigh. "Do you really think you could be so happy torn between two tribes, though?" Helnas added, his voice growing slightly softer. "You speak of teaching your tribe's young ones, of becoming loremaster, having importance in your tribe. Being with your tribe. If you were to join with me, though, you would be Loden," he explained, looking intently at the young woman for a moment before dropping his gaze to the ground between them. "If I were a lesser man of my tribe, we could work. I could leave the Loden to join your tribe and home. But, I'm not, Leona," Helnas continued, a twinge of genuine sorrow entering his voice. "I have to be with my tribe, to lead them as well. And, if I were to marry for love, I could not surrender my woman to roaming with another tribe." The young man lifted his gaze again to seek hers, eyes dark. "I do care for you, Leona. I think you may be one of the few women not to see me simply as a goal to achieve. I would not want to risk ruining our friendship and feelings because of my rank," Helnas finished, his voice holding a weary, resigned tone.
|
|
Rufus
Avid Gamer
Those who fear the darkness have yet to see what the light can do.
Posts: 183
|
Post by Rufus on Jul 14, 2011 23:31:18 GMT -5
Leona Leona's eyes drifted to Helnas when he spoke and told her he did care, but they wouldn't be able to share that bond with him that she so desperatly longed for. He made her feel less lonely, more alive. Looking upto the stars as he mentioned that he wouldn't be able to let her travel to her people... she'd nod slowly, "I knew that, long before I even set foot back here in Loden lands..." Rubbing the side her her face she'd sigh, "I only need travel in the spring and before winter. My home is still here amongst the Loden. No matter what. I may have found my tribe but im of a heart divided... I want to learn everything of my tribe. But. Its not home." She'd draw her knees up and smile softly. Twice a year, fourteen days. Not too bad. The rest of the I would be here. Not that it makes any difference I suppose." Her head was laid out across her knees as she thought about the man before him, for Helnas had turned into quite a handsome lad. And she was quite taken with him. Obviously. She'd sit up and rub the side of her face again, the faint scar from the head wound she had received that had left her in the dark about herself and what she had been. The Lioness inside her wanted to lay firm posessive claim upon the lad. For surely she had every right to do so... to her therian sides thinking atleast. Her rational human mind won out though, "We could wed secretly... " she started out hesitantly, "Me, you, your father and tieg would be the only ones to know of it... goddess what am I saying?" As soon as she said it her eyes widened and she clamped her hands over her mouth. Face turning deep red at the unintentional slip of where.exactly her worship lay...
|
|
|
Post by kitearadarkblade on Jul 16, 2011 14:12:11 GMT -5
Helnas [/center] Leona nodded, claiming that she had known before she had returned to the lands occupied by the Loden. She rubbed the side of her face with a sigh, noting that she would only need to be with them twice a year. Heknas frowned a little as she noted her divided loyalties; claiming that Loden was home. Leona rested her head on her knees, noting that fourteen days wasn't that long. Half a moon cycle. The young woman lifted her head again, rubbing at her face as she thought. After a bit, she offered a hesitant suggestion for a secret marriage. Helnas blinked slightly. "Secretly?" he asked, shaking his head a little. "Wouldn't others wonder why I never married?" he added, then paused as she clamped her hands over her mouth. "Wait- what?"
|
|
Rufus
Avid Gamer
Those who fear the darkness have yet to see what the light can do.
Posts: 183
|
Post by Rufus on Jul 18, 2011 8:24:12 GMT -5
Leona Leona coughed softly as her face burned a bright red, "I..." She tried to come up with a hundred excuses and found that she wasn't about to lie to Helnas, "I.. we my clan that is, They devote their worship to Lunaris. As a our rites of passage tend to fall on the full moon or the new moon respectivly. We also pay homage to Sol, and Styra. We believe all the gods children should work and live in harmony..." Shed look down at her bedroll biting her bottom lip out of nervousness, "Were peaceful people by nature. But were also strong warriors. Paying homage to all the gods, regardless of how others view us. That's how we've managed to live for generations in peace." She felt odd discussing religion. Mainly because she was harboring a major secret from Helnas... if he could accept her explanation mebbe he might accept her for.what she is...
|
|
|
Post by kitearadarkblade on Jul 18, 2011 10:09:45 GMT -5
Helnas [/center] Helnas favored the young woman with a curious look, still puzzled over just what she had said. He could have sworn- Leona coughed and tried to explain, then broke off. He perked an eyebrow slightly. Then, she began again, explaining that her tribe wroshipped someone other than the Father. Helnas shook his head a little, blinking. "Who is Lunaris? Styra? Leona, you're not making any sense," he said slowly, watching the young woman warily.
|
|
Rufus
Avid Gamer
Those who fear the darkness have yet to see what the light can do.
Posts: 183
|
Post by Rufus on Jul 20, 2011 20:54:08 GMT -5
Leona Leona stared at Helnas for a few moments as her mind raced. She'd gentle bite her lower lip and sigh softly, "There's are two others, like the Father, A divine trio -The Father, Sol. The Mother, Lunaris. And the elements, Styra. Each one is a different aspect of our lives. The fathers light shines on us and warms us during the day. When he rests all is dark and Lunaris raises into the sky to watch us.as we sleep. Styra is in everything, its the air we breathe, the water we nourish ourselves with, the mighty ground we walk upon. My clan worships them all equally, for without them we wouldn't have lasted as long as we have. They love us, they protect us and they favour us with good fortune when we deserve it, punish us when we run counter to their ends." She paused to look up at Helnas, smiling,"The mother, Lunaris, were it not for her I don't believe I would have been able to escape as a child. There was no moon that night so it was easy to slip away... though It was my own fault I tripped and landed head first onto a rock... the Father protected me by leading your hunters to me. Styra was in the water and food and earth I ate, drank and slept upon."
|
|
|
Post by kitearadarkblade on Jul 26, 2011 22:14:01 GMT -5
Helnas Helnas merely sat watching Leona as she tried to explain herself and the beliefs of her tribe. Of course, it was all rather very confusing for the young man. Other gods beyond the Father? While he couldn't claim it was sacrilegious, since the people of the plains really only made mention of the Father, it was an entirely foreign concept to him. He shook his head a little, as though attempting to clear it. "If there are other deities, why does no one but your tribe know of them?And why would they allow the troubles that befell them?" Helnas asked, frowning slightly.
|
|
Rufus
Avid Gamer
Those who fear the darkness have yet to see what the light can do.
Posts: 183
|
Post by Rufus on Aug 6, 2011 13:35:33 GMT -5
Leona Leona fidgeted slightly and scooted up a bit more on her pack before smiling towards Helnas, "We're not the only ones who know of them. The Plains don't go one forever, there is a whole 'nother world. I've seen forests - great tall trees that look to stretch into the sky. and I've been to islands. Small areas of land out in the ocean. It's like a river but it's huge, and you have to get to them by great big wooden rafts called boats." She'd traveled a bit since she'd been gone. Lyndis had insisted she travel with her to broaden her knowledge. And Illiana had spent time teaching her. she was still confused about most of it, "I'm not sure what to make of the world outside our tribes, I'm really not. It... confuses me. On the Island they worship the Mother. In the forest, in the great big villages they worship the Father. I've even met soem that worship the elements and call them Styra." Helnas' last question came as a surprise but it made her pause and tilt her head. It was a good question. A very good one, one she hadn't expected, "I... don't know. Perhaps as a test? To see if our people had gotten too soft and weren't worthy of roaming the borders anymore?... If so, I think we both passed and failed it..." She fell silent and thoughtful, obviously trying to puzzle through that one.
|
|
|
Post by kitearadarkblade on Aug 16, 2011 22:00:01 GMT -5
Helnas Leona informed him that they weren't the only ones who knew of these other gods. She made note of the woodlands and islands with boats. Helnas shook his head a little. Everyone knew outlanders were soft, silly people... He wasn't sure he wanted to consider islands and boats just yet. And she told of places that didn't even worship the Father! How could they deny Him and still have His favor enough to grow food and medicine? His query made her pause and tilt her head a little. She suggested that her people had been tested with the events, and been found wanting. He frowned a little with a thoughtful sound. "That... does sound like something the Father would do, I suppose..."
|
|
Rufus
Avid Gamer
Those who fear the darkness have yet to see what the light can do.
Posts: 183
|
Post by Rufus on Aug 4, 2013 15:43:08 GMT -5
Leona Leona scratched the side of her head slowly and thought over what Helnas brought up before she ran a hand through her hair and made a slight face, "We've begun to rebuild. Searching for others, like minded. People not of the plains, we've some woodlanders who have actually spent time out amongst my tribe before. Either way." She'd shrug, "The Father and the Mother decided we needed a new outlook upon life. And so far?" She'd smirk a bit, "We've surmounted it. The ruins of our village have been slowly and carefully expanding our borders around the village. I've been moving abroad, trading, greeting and testing the tribes around ours." She'd grin a bit towards Helnas, "So. What're we going to do today? We have a surprisingly nice haul. And we managed to go the night without any spies for once."
|
|