Closed A Tossed Hammer:Part II[I'tram]

[Clyde Sullins]

If there was one thing Clyde did not need, it was some timid slave to afraid to ask for help or aid. He was invested in the boy, and the last thing he needed was him being stupid, or not checking to see if there was an easier method to some task. Clyde had not even thought about the dagger until I'tram was nearly done cutting it, but if he had asked if he had a proper tool he did not doubt he would have recalled the dagger, and let him use it. "Perhaps you should speak up a bit more often, and take the time to ask. Making assumptions is never good, and one should find the easiest route to complete a task. Just ask anyone I have taught magic. Well, the ones that are still alive..." Clyde did not speak harshly, in fact his tone was more of an offhand one, like he did not really care either way, and was not invested in the boy. Clyde was busy with his own thoughts at the time. Once they made it back to camp, making the fire was simple enough. He made a small bed of leaves and grass, that would easily catch flame. On top of that, though not to the point that it would be suffocated and starved of air, he piled twigs. He did this in slowly increasing size, till he piled some larger sticks that were as thick as branches, making a small tent around the smaller bits out of the branch sticks. Exuding a single drop of res onto his right index finger, he flicked it at the wood, and let the drop be flung into the depth of the bed. With a scratch of his nose, the drop of res ignited, and caught the bed of leaves and grass. Clyde bent in low, slowly blowing on it, not to much, but enough to feed it more air. It slowly spread, catching the twigs, and after a few chimes even the tent of branch sticks were in flames. Clyde tossed a few more branches on top and across, and let out a sigh. "Alright, so how do you want to go about this? I guess we could hang it over the flame by skewering it on a long stick, and turn it to cook it over time. And there is also something else we could do to make it last longer, which involves a great deal of smoke. Not sure how that goes exactly. But I have a feeling it would take bells and bells to fully smoke it. Though I leave it up to you, after all your the one that caught the thing."

[I'tram Bearguard]

I'tram was actually taking in Clyde's advice until the end. The one's that were still alive?! From what I'tram had seen of Clyde the last few weeks it was clear why some people distrusted magic users, maybe it was the fact that they could burn people to ashes with little or no effort. The young slave could only imagine how his apprentices met their untimely end. I'tram opened his mouth to speak but no words came out, all he could do was shake his head and return to his harness. If this was Clyde's sense of humour it clearly needed to develop...... a lot.

After he had managed to untie his harness I'tram took his shortbow and quiver of arrows and stood 10 long paces back from a nearby tree. Nocking the arrow he took a deep breath. He picked a large branch around around 8cm high for his target. Focusing on a point around the halfway mark on the branch I'tram raised the bow and pulled the bowstring back to the side of his face. Before he let the arrow fly I'tram adjusted his aim slightly before relaxing his fingers. Just as he did a thought went through his head, he had forgotten to wear any of his archery equipment! The bowstring whacked off his forearm, leaving a long red cut. Fortunately the arrow did hit the branch but his arm hurt like hell. He couldn't help but let out a curse "Petch!" If there was any of his combat related skills he needed to improve on, it was his archery. Nearly every time he shot an arrow it would be inaccurate or the bowstring would hit his arm.

As I'tram was retrieving his arrow Clyde called out to him, asking him to cook the deer. It couldn't be as hard as catching the deer.... could it? It was a bit strange however that they were going to be having venison on it's own, not that he was complaining, venison was a nice treat.

Before I'tram started cooking he thought about how he was going to go about it, the smoking method Clyde had suggested would give off a lot of smoke, which could attract unwanted attention.... no it wouldn't do. He would cook it on a skewer.

I'tram returned to the tree he had been shooting arrows at a few moments earlier and broke off two branches that had a Y shape at the end. Walking over to the fire pit he planted the two sticks into the ground at opposite sides of the fire pit so the Y and was in the air.

Now it was time to cut the meat, turning to Clyde the young slave spoke up, which was a rare enough occasion in itself "Could you please give me the dagger you said you had earlier?"

After I'tram had received the dagger from Clyde he set about the unpleasant work. He cut off two long strips off the backstrap of the deer and impaled them both onto the stick he had used to carry the deer to the campsite. After he had done that he walked over to the camp fire on placed the stick in the two Y shaped branches he had put down earlier. Now that all that was done all he had to do was wait

[Clyde Sullins]

Clyde of course was not one to often make jokes. And he had in fact lost his last apprentice, in a battle. Or at least, he had found enough that was left over to be fairly certain he was dead. Clyde himself had been busy fighting half a horde of yukman, and though he had killed an amazing amount single-handedly with his magic, news that had spread back to Ravok, Gallo had not survived. All that had been found was the pulped remains of his body, beaten and smashed to nothing by the fists of the Yukmen. His own flux had done little to protect him, and though he took some with him, he had died in the endeavor. He had not listened when Clyde had said to stay close, and had gotten separated. That apparently, was another example of what happened to people when they did not follow his orders specifically and to a T. Clyde had been busy feeding the flames, getting it higher, adding more wood carefully, along with one large log which sent sparks flying. Soon the flames were higher than the barrier they had made. But it did not matter as it was still light out. He would let the fire get lower once they had done cooking and eaten. Partially paying attention to I'trams request, Clyde rooted around in his pack with one hand, till a dagger still in its scabbard came popping out in his hand. Clyde looked at I'tram, and tossed the weapon scabbard and all, to the slave, before returning back to tending the flame. He did not doubt that the food would get burnt. He did not mind to much, he preferred it getting a bit burnt, over it not getting cooked enough and them catching some disease or parasite. He took a quick glance at what I'tram had done, and looked at Rye, before returning to his work tending the flame. He had just added a particularly live branch, which had caused a poof of smoke to rise from it as the water inside if evaporated. "What? No food for Rye? Aren't you going to cut him a piece? Though I don't think you will need to cook it to much for him. Not really sure, he has eaten raw rabbit, I would not expect raw deer to be bad for him." He did not look at I'tram as he spoke, he was totally focused on his fire building.

[I'tram Bearguard]

I'tram looked at Clyde incredulously, what sort of dog had to have their meat cooked? Any dog I'tram had seen happily ate raw meat, then again they were starving mongrels, maybe Rye was different. Turning back to the deer I'tram cut a chunk of meat from the rump of the doe and added it too the Skewer.

While I'tram was cooking a silence fell between the pair and I'tram found his mind beginning to wander, memories filled his head of his birthplace Sunberth. The hardships and beatings he had endured were numberless, all to make him the ideal slave; submissive, obedient and to own little or no free will. Of course the treatment had achieved the first too options very well but the third they could not quite squash. Behind his meek facade, I'tram was planning, not to escape or hurt Clyde however, no, he would never do that, but many other schemes were nestled in I'tram's mind.

Minutes later his thoughts moved from Sunberth to other places in the world. While he had only been to Ravok and Sunberth there were many other places out there. While it was hard to imagine any place worse than the cesspool he had been born in, but then again everyone knew of the fiendish city Syliras that was home to the Syliran Knights, the usurpers who try to diminish Rhysol's power and preach the word of their dead God Sylir.

After turning the meat so it's other side was cooking he towards he began to speak in a somewhat quiet tone while gazing into the crackling fire "Master, have you ever been in Syliras?"

[Clyde Sullins]

If there was one thing his experience in fire Reimancy had taught Clyde, it was how to tend a fire. He was no expert in surviving in the wilds, but he knew a few basics. But he greatly enjoyed tending fires, feeding them through mundane means, building them up, caring for them... It was like it was a living thing, constantly hungry, casting its warmth. A symbiotic relationship between human and fire, that could all to easily turn aggressive if you did not give the flame the respect it deserved. It chose to submit, but it was never truly in a mans control. He had been sitting for awhile, when I'tram spoke up once more, a rare occurrence from his slave. "Master, have you ever been in Syliras?" The question caught him a bit off guard, and Clyde paused for a moment tending his flame, before continuing. He did not look at I'tram as he responded. "Why do you ask?" He would pause for a moment, taking in a breath, and then continue speaking before I'tram had a chance to answer. "Yes, I have been to Syliras. I know it all to well. I was born there. trust me, it is not a good place for a mage to grow up." Clyde looked at I'tram for a moment, wondering at him. Likely he had been trained to hate Syliras. Not Clyde. He never had been. "I don't doubt you hate Syliras, I am sure it is a part of training for any slave in Ravok. However unlike you who was conditioned to believe as such, I came by it honestly. I grew up in Syliras, and learned to hate them at no other persons urgings. How could I not, after all I have been through, all I have seen. At least Ravok is honest about its nature, unlike Syliras that hides behind a presence of honor and integrity." Clyde would pause for a moment, before looking at I'tram. "And were did you grow up?"

[I'tram Bearguard]

I'tram could barely imagine how hard it would be growing up in Syliras among the Syliran Knights, but being a mage on top of it? That would just be horrible. In Ravok mages were generally treated well...compared to other cities anyways.

I'tram wondered how Clyde managed to end up in Ravok, the enemy of Syliras but that was a tale for another day.

I'tram found himself slipping into a more casual tone unbeknownst to himself "Me? Well I was born in Sunberth" he paused for a tick or two before continuing "As you can imagine it wasn't the nicest place in the world to grow up. You couldn't walk down the street without some sort of weapon with you in fear or being mugged or find a knife sliding between your ribs"

He broke off the conversation for a chime when he took off Rye's piece of meat, still rare but cooked slightly. "That's actually how I started learning how to fight, I was bought by a merchant and was trained to be a guard for his daughter. To say my former owner was cruel would be an understatement. I got more lashes of a whip than morsels of food. Lets just say many of the other slaves didn't leave his service with all their parts intact" He couldn't help but let a small creep onto his face "But for all his guards they couldn't protect his family from bankruptcy so I was sold to pit fighter in Ravok... Thank Rhysol for that

It didn't take long until I'tram's training kicked in once more "My aplogies master I have said too much." Turning back to the fire he checked on the venison... it appeared to be well cooked but he couldn't know for certain so he turned to Clyde once more "Is that cooked enough to your taste sir?"

[Clyde Sullins]

Clyde simply listened to I'tram, as he retold his own tale. So different to his own story... Of course, he doubted anyone had his story, it was rather unique. Not to mention, hard to live through. He was lucky to be alive, let alone here were he was now, as he was now, in the position and abilities he currently held. He was interested to hear he was from Sunberth... Well, somewhat interested. as he described the place it sounded more or less just like the tales said, just like rumors and stories spoke of it. Dangerous, deadly... Not a fun place. Of the pain and ordeals, the things he had gone through to get were he was now, owned by Clyde. A slave. Clyde watched as he handed the meat to Rye, who quickly began to scarf it down. Clyde smiled at the dog, who appeared to be enjoying his food. Suddenly I'tram shifted gear, and apologized for speaking. Returning to his fearful attitude of before, to which Clyde glanced over at I'tram in response to. Clyde shrugged in reply to his question, looking it over. The meat was a bit burnt in a few places, which meant it likely was cooked all the way through. "I guess. Better burnt than undercooked. I did not expect overly much, you are not exactly a trained cook. Something to fill my belly, that won't kill me, is about all I ask for now. And why do you apologize? If I did not want you talking, I would not have asked the question, and would have told you to stop." Now that the fire was done cooking their food, and he was about to be given his own to eat, Clyde stopped feeding the flames. He would let it shrink back down smaller, till the firepit he had made would cover its flickering flames. "So I'tram. What is it that you want? Surely you desire something in life? Something of your own separate from me. Everyone has something they wish for, that they strive for. No one is a slave every waking moment of their life."

[I'tram Bearguard]

Now it was I'tram's turn to be surprised, he certainly wasn't expecting that question. What did he want..... such a simple question for many but for I'tram it was massive. Had he ever been asked what he wanted? If he had he couldn't remember it being asked it a genuine way. As he gazed into the crackling flames of the fire he thought hard. If he had to have anything in the world at this very given moment in time what would he choose?.

"What do I want? Well I suppose I want what most other people have. Freedom and a place to call my own, a couple of mizas on the side wouldn't hurt." The young slave broke his gaze away from fire and met Clyde's gaze. But above all I want to see Ravok thrive, I want Rhysol's influence to cover Mizahar, I have seen how people have to live, their lives are harsh and filled with poverty but here in Ravok it's as near as you can get to paradise, I want to see other people saved and I will do whatever needs to be done to achieve this goal."

In comparison to other people I'tram's main goal was rather selfless, at least in his opinion. While many people wanted to see Ravok and Rhysol thrive he doubted there was anyone out there who wanted to see them do so for the same reason as I'tram.

Returning his gaze to the fire he struggled to think of what to say next but speech eluded him. He hadn't spoken like that to anyone in years, if ever. Eventually after a few minutes he spoke up again "And what about you master? What do you want?" Perhaps he had gone too far this time but it seemed like Clyde wanted him to speak up.

[Clyde Sullins]

Clyde was not looking directly at I'tram, as he asked his question, and waited upon a response. Instead, he gazed into the depth of the crackling fire, occasionally looking up at the slowly darkening sky. In a few bells, it would be dark out. Rye had finished his food, and was simply lying near Clyde and the fire, bathing in its warmth. His answer to his question... Was a bit odd to say the least. Though if nothing else, it was further proof of his slaves happiness with his current position. At least he was not one of those forced into the life, like the ones the Rising Dawn had tried to free. But really, his answer sounded more like something a member of the Black Sun would say. How indoctrinated was this man, Clyde was left to wonder... "Then I suppose you are relatively happy at the moment. You already have some. A place of your own, well not an entire house, but you have an entire room to use as you please. Privacy, a place to exist in. A nice bed. I didn't waste mizas on useless frivolities, or aesthetics, but I made sure it had nice beds. And I even let you keep a decent bit of money, to spend on what you please." Clyde paused for a moment, a small smile crossing his lips as he turned to I'tram and spoke again. "As for the last bit... In time I am sure it will happen. It is inevitable really. The knights cannot see it. They are to blinded by their own shining glory. They push away as many people as they bring in. Better to be a slave by name in Ravok, than a slave by all but name in Syliras." However, as I'tram turned his own question back on himself, Clyde had to pause and think for an answer... What did he want? "I am not sure. I suppose I want to live. I want to secure my place in the world. To be respected. To better understand magic... To learn... To leave a mark... Maybe to show Syliras one day what they created in me, a tool that will bring about a part in their own destruction... I am unsure... So many possibilities, and I do not know were I will be at in a season, or two, or a year." Clyde paused for a moment, thinking over what he had just said, giving I'tram a moment to respond if he chose to, before turning to him. "We should probably turn in before to long. What all did you bring to camp with? Or did you bring anything?"

[I'tram Bearguard]

As I'tram listened to Clyde talk a small smile appeared on his face. "By the sounds of it you've already accomplished a few of you're goals.

Now came the part I'tram wasn't looking forward to answering. In truth he was woefully unprepared for any sort of camping trip and it was a wonder he was managing to cope even decently so far. "Ehhh....I haven't brought anything I'm afraid, I'll be more prepared next time, my apologies. I have no problem sleeping on the ground though.

I'tram would wait a moment to give Clyde a chance to respond before standing up and stretching. "That sounds good, dusk is approaching fast. Will I take first watch or would your prefer to?"I'tram assumed after all they would need to take watches in the wilderness, granted they were close to Ravok but that didn't guarantee their safety at night.