"The Wind must have carried you..." (Flashback) (Solo)

by **Rothyr Windbourne** on July 31st, 2012, 3:45 pm

Season of Winter, Day 89, AV 511

He was coming to enjoy himself. Growing up a hunter in the Emerald clans made the transition easy, but Rothyr was unaware that he would enjoy learning to walk the warrior's path as much as he did amongst the Diamond clans.
At first he was nervous about staying with the Diamond clans and their warriors, he was sent there by his father as a requirement of an arranged marriage to bring the two clans closer together. A marriage-alliance would mean safety and prosperity for both clans, and in such turbulent times such things are hard to come by.
Spending one winter season with the Diamond clans would be sufficient, and at first he counted the days till he must return eagerly, but now he wished for a long winter. However, an end to the cold would be better for his people. Spring would bring new pastures for grazing to fatten their herds, and make traveling easier for all the clans of Cyphrus. Also, he longed to see his family again: his mother and father, sisters and brothers, and to hunt with the Emerald hunters, riding down their prey on the grassland.

by **Rothyr Windbourne** on July 31st, 2012, 3:45 pm

The methods used were always exciting, and the teamwork brought all the hunters closer together. A smaller group might chase their quarry into a trip-line, or a net held by other dismounted hunters hiding in the taller grasses. Or, if riding with larger numbers, a hunter might chase his or her prey to another hunter, and trade off every few miles with a new hunter until their quarry is tired of running so a clean shot can be made. Waste not, want not. Hunting for the plainsmen was almost a game, but providing for one's clan should never be taken lightly.
Rothyr lay on his cot, fashioned of stretched leather on wood. inside the tent the Diamond clan provided, he was a guest after all. The furnishings were very bare, but needs were little. It was more or less a roof to keep the rain and snow out, a cot to keep off the ground, and a wash bowl to clean up every morning.
Through the door he could see the darkness of night retreating from the light of dawn. The sun was rising, and he could hear the warriors and villagers awakening to begin their day. It was time Rothyr rose to join them.
He sat up in his cot, and sat upon the edge. His boots lie underneath his cot, and he made sure to check them for snakes or other creatures before putting his feet in. Standing up, he stretches and takes a deep breath, feeling the cold of morning seep into his lungs. Exhaling, a mist forms. The water in the washbowl is chilly as well, and as he splashes it on his face and body, he feels the grogginess of an early morning fade away, and he sighs with a smile.

by **Rothyr Windbourne** on July 31st, 2012, 3:46 pm

“It's going to be a good day.” He says to himself out loud.

He wraps his cord-belt around his waist and ties it on, slipping his hand ax and long knife in where he can reach them, and steps to the tent flap leading outside. He throws it back, and steps into the morning light.
Around him the camp has begun to bustle with activity: the other warriors are tending to their horses and mounting them to prepare for the morning drills. The morning drills usually were usually riding in formation, and fighting from horseback. After breakfast they would practice wrestling, hand to hand combat, and fighting with weapons on foot. Archery was also important, but more emphasis was placed upon fighting with spear and blades. This was the Diamond clan after all.
“Good morning to you, Rothyr!” a voice called, Rothyr turned to see it was one of the riders, a man called Sudir, “Taking your time this morning, I see?”
He was grinning as he poked fun at Rothyr, he meant no insult by his jests and Rothyr knew this.
Sudir continued, “Don't think that because you leave tomorrow, we will go easy on you!”

Rothyr replied, “Take my time? Never! And only if I thought you could use a head start. The clans all know I could out-ride you in my sleep.”
Sudir laughed, “Ha! Is that a challenge, hunter? I'll race you to the field, then!”

Rothyr ran to his horse, leaping into the saddle like an acrobat, while cursing his luck that Sudir got a head start. Sudir kicked up morning dew as the sped onward, smiling at his good fortune to have gotten the upper hand in the race. Looking over his shoulder, he sees Rothyr pulling up close behind, so he kicks his horse to run faster.
Sudir speeds through the camp, turning around a bend, and glances over his shoulder a second time. To his surprise, he doesn't see Rothyr anywhere. He skids to a stop, and thinks to himself,

'He didn't get lost, did he?'

Sudir spurs his horse into a gallop again towards the training field, figuring Rothyr would find his way there eventually.
Finally, he makes it to the pasture where the Diamond clan warriors trained, and sees Rothyr beat him there!

by **Rothyr Windbourne** on July 31st, 2012, 3:46 pm

“So nice of you to join us, Sudir!” he called, waving his hand as the other warriors began forming a battle line, “Thought you'd never make it!”

“How did you beat me here, hunter? You were behind me one moment, gone the next!”

“It was a hunter's trick, friend.” Rothyr said with a smile, clapping Sudir on the shoulder. When Sudir made his turn around the bend, Rothyr sped forward and leaped his horse between two tents to emerge on the training field, unknown to Sudir. Rather than have to weave his way through the rest of camp like Sudir did, he emerged on the grassland and rode directly to the training grounds well ahead of his competition.

“The wind must have carried you then,” He said “Rothyr the Windbourne.”
I laughed at the nickname. The warriors have called me Winbourne ever since, and the name has stuck. I didn't mind it. I could be called worse.

The rest of the day went without much event other than the usual routine training. Horse archery, swordsmanship, spear-fighting, target practice, and fighting on foot and from horseback.

As he rode by his practice target, a roughly human-shaped canvas dummy stuffed with straw, throwing his ax into its center mass, he found himself apprehensive of his father's arrival that night with the Emerald clan's riders. It would be him, and five others: bodyguards. It was no secret there were others who coveted his position as chief, and Rothyr often found himself worrying for his father's safety, especially while he was away. He cut an imposing figure, and knew his presence deterred many would-be attempts at regicide. But with him away with the Diamond clan, the time would be perfect for a change in leadership. Time would tell, though, and he would know that night if his father and family were safe and healthy.

by **Jackalope** on September 30th, 2012, 1:52 pm

Results!

Rothyr :

Short, but a fun read. Careful about acrobatics with little or no skill in it. One of the best way for novices to learn is from their failures. Keep it up!