The clock ticks louder some days than others

[Gotten]

Timestamp Spring, day 62


I stood at The Lookout, watching. My mind raced ever faster. I felt the time was ticking down for me here, but the sand wasn’t all poured out yet.
I’d never had an easy life, my face was evidence to that. A thick scar ran over my right eye. And they glinted like cold green glass. The three braids I’d pulled my hair into on the left side shifted slight with the winds. Turning from the early morning sun I walked away from the open look out headed deeper into the city.

I’d been gone the last three days, earning my place and keep. Hunting was my life, but a diet of all bread wouldn’t fill a man. In my bones I knew I was quickly reaching the time when I the endless days before me would either brake me, or I’d toss myself into the fire. Others would match this lifestyle with joy, but for me…..

But there was something that I wanted to do long before I left the city. I’d never worked with the raptors more than the basics that everyone grew up learning just listening, or paying attention. The skills of and help of one of the raptors would be something that would be invaluable if I was to leave here. I couldn’t demand anyone of them to join me, but I wanted to give myself some chance of taking one with me, if they wanted to. With that plan in mind I nodded, and tucked the issue into a box in my mind marked “for later.”

Strolling through the city’s tunnels, I ended up in the Stained Glass Galleries, and noting a few people, I settled into a seat and decided to watch people. I enjoyed my alone time, even some much that I ended up often working by the light of the moon rather than the sun, but I also enjoyed being a part of people, even if I limited myself to the act of just watching them from a distance.

I’d have to seek out someone to train me more with the raptors. My skills where too poor to take any bird out into the wilds without expecting it to die from my inexperience. I had to hope I found a tough teacher. Someone who would teach me by brutal methods. The clock in my mind would tick extra loud every third day to make sure I would never forget.
I toyed with the idea of visiting the baths, but didn’t get up yet.