Time to get back to Life

by **Amunet** on January 18th, 2016, 3:27 am

68th of Winter, 515 av
6th bell
Camp, Endrykas

She woke just before the crack of dawn. The red head was always an early riser. Her head turned to see the sleeping patch of dirty blond hair in the bedroll next to her. She smiled as that little boy seemed to be family in its totality. It was just her and him. That was all that was left of their family after the pirate raid. The funeral rites that were performed a couple of days ago left them drained, emotional and despondent. The River Flower had given her a few days to re-acclimate after returning. It was no small amount of relief to the city that she came back. Others were not so lucky as it was with Pearl. Sgivhe was not among those that came off the ship. It was unclear what happened to her and no body was found.

She silently slipped from her covers and bedroll to stir the fire and get breakfast going. Then it dawned on her as she looked at the sky that this might be a good day for fishing. That would be great!! Her brother needed something like this. He needed some kind of normalcy to help heal. She put her hand to her mouth as the organizing of the day went through her head. The both of them needed this bit of life activities to get them back on their feet, to move forward. With a renewed smile, she redoubled her efforts as they would need a hearty breakfast. Porridge with cheese and a bit of honey would see them through the morning.

Those brilliant light sky blue eyes rose to meet Syna as she graced the night sky to caress Leth with her fingers. Leth began to recede with this touch. The dance of lovers before her eyes cast a positive glow across the land as she smiled at that. It was something to hope for. The red tresses were dancing in the breeze that came with Syna’s fingers as it met those fiery strands that lit up with the morning as a banner in its own right. She returned to the business at hand of making the morning meal as a pot was taken out and filled half way with water. A little salt was added and then added a little more fuel to the fire. The thrifty girl supplemented zibri chips with wood. She saved the coal for the brazier she used to keep the temperatures at bay during winter. It was also handy to keep a tea pot warm while weather was foul.

Speaking of the teapot, as if remembering, she got the kettle to put water in it and put it near the pot of water set to boil. Tea was a must. It had been more of a comfort to her than anyone would know as the multitude of herbs and spices was placed in the hot water to coax out its essence of goodness. It was something to focus on instead of her predicament. Now it was like a ritual or a good luck charm for the day to start out well. With the water boiling, she placed in a measure of barley groats to start the porridge. Once the groats was added, she started stirring to get each grain immersed and well coated with water. The pot was pulled a little to the side to reduce the boil to cook. While that was cooking, she brought out two bowls, one of the cheese wheels she had painstakingly been rationing out till the zibri calve and produce milk again. She had on her list to seek other forms of different milks as there had to be a way to supplement or substitute. Caihya provided a bounty and by her grace there was always a way. Heard tell by one of the traders there was a thing called Almond milk. How did one get milk from a nut? She must learn of this miraculous thing to bring to her people.

Two cups came out as she put peppermint in both cups and she added tea to hers. Drak didn’t like tea as he said it was too bitter. It was probably his age. Peppermint though was good to drink for him especially with all this rain as it broke through catarrh. The herbalist used it as a preventative as well as it was uplifting. The kettle made that tall tale whistling noise that it had reached temperature. Those industrious hands stirred the slowly cooking barley porridge as she checked its consistency. It was getting there as she gave it a good stir. The kettle was removed and steam rose as she poured the hot water into the cups. The scent of peppermint wafted around the camp as the six year old boy lifted the tent flap to see if what he smelled was what it was. “Oh yum,peppermint!!”

Amunet laughed. “Get dressed. The morning meal is almost done. I have a surprise for you.” The little lady gave him a bright smile. One that Drak hadn’t seen in a while and it gave his heart a lift as both had been very sad for a while.

“A surprise!!” Those grey eyes widened as the tent flap retreated back down. It seemed like lightning seconds the boy came stumbling out hopping on one foot to get a boot on in a rush.

“No no. wash up first. “ She gave him that look. It was a look anyone with children seems to acquire. It was as if as soon as you learn childcare that look auto filled onto the face and it made children balk, stop in their tracks and test your patience.

“Ahhh, Ami, come on. I washed last night. “ He protested.

“Really. Let me see your hands, under your chin, your neck? “ There went that look again as those piercing eyes with the sunbursts looked straight at him. The balled up fist went to the hip. The Look coupled with the fist was a posture that spoke louder than words your crossing a line young man.

With a huff of air that explosively expressed out, the young man rolled his eyes and retreated to the side to wash up. Once the boy was doing what he needed to do, Amunet couldn’t resist a little snicker. She shook her head as she checked the porridge. The red head stirred it a little bit more as it had reached the right consistency. She girded her arm with a taut stomach to lift the pot and put a good portion in each bowl. She then sliced two slices of cheese, removing the wax to place on top. The honey was then drizzled on top. You get a salty sweet thing going as the spoon cuts into the porridge to mix the cheese and the honey in other bites.

The young man came to his sister as he showed his hands and neck. The healer nodded as she handed him a bowl with a spoon and his cup of tea. He sat down and began to eat carefully as it was still hot. Amunet sat down also as she started eating. “The surprise I have is that it is a perfect day to go fishing. How would you like to go fishing?”

If Drak’s eyes could get larger than saucers that they were now they would. “Fishing!! Really!!”

Amunet nodded. “Soon as we eat and clean up. We need to get you some tackle and we need some bait. “ His reaction made her happy. He looked like a normal little boy. That was how it should be. That was what she wanted.

Word count: 1278
Total count: 1278

by **Amunet** on January 18th, 2016, 3:30 am

Ledger
Fishing pole | 1gm, 0sm, 0cm | 177gm, 1sm, 0cm
Bed roll | 0gm, 1sm, 0cm | 177gm, 0sm, 0cm
Bait, worms and meat | 1gm, 5sm, 0cm | 175gm, 5sm, 0cm

********************************************

The dishes were washed up and things put away. She took some dried meat with them just in case. Her mesh bags tucked into the yvas bag, they headed into the market. Amunet took a little more time to tack her mare checking the yvas for any wear and tear. To ensure the seams and stitching were still good. With age, sweat and constant use, the thick stitching eventually wears out and starts to unravel. It looked in pretty good shape. The curry brush was taken out and she went in circles along the thick winter coat. She took the brush and started to brush he coat down using long strong strokes. Amunet paid a more attention around the neck and face of the big head of the Strider. Her fingers raked the mane and forelock straightening out some of the hair as the long strands went down her face. The mare was enjoying the attention. Shetanae playfully pushed the little red head with her big nose as she lipped her clothing a little in appreciation. Amunet made a note to carve out time to deal with her mane and tail. With the horse groomed and tacked it was time to go. Her little brother was going to need a fishing pole and they needed bait.

The girl lifted the boy up onto Shetanae as Drak was settled behind the yvas. His little hands automatically grabbed the handles on the yvas. The red head swung her legs up and pulled herself up onto the tall mare and they were soon moving towards the market. It wasn’t far as they went at a casual trot. The girl leaned back slightly, relaxed but kept her back straight as she sat the trot. She signed to her brother to do the same so he didn’t bounce so much. “Move with the horse. Don’t fight the movements.” It was not long before he got the idea of sitting a trot. They came to the old man with the bait stand. Upon Dismounting he was around the corner his hands on his hips as he peered at her.

“Back again young lady?” He looked at the boy. “Who is this strapping young drykas we have here?” The old man beamed at him.

“This is my brother. Thought I would take him fishing.” Amunet liked the old man. He was honest and you didn’t have to guess what was on his mind. “How are those stiff joints there, Jonas?”

“Oh I get by. It’s a bit tough in the first bell or two but after moving around a bit, I seem alright. “ He didn’t want to admit that it was more painful than it was. “The boy will be needin a fishin pole then.” It wasn’t a question as he went to his rack of fishing poles. He then looked at the boy, moving his head up and down making affirmative noises before choosing a pole that would work for the boy’s size. “There we go. You be needin bait.”

Amunet nodded to the man. “Worms and that meat bait you got. “ Drak had the pole in his hands as he gave a couple of experimental waves with it. Amunet grabbed it. “Save it for out in the open, Drak.” There was a chuckle as she couldn’t blame his excitement.

“Good . Let’s see. “ The old man looked up as he was adding in his head. “pole, worms, meatball bait.. That be 2 gold 5 silver Mizas. “ He nodded once to verify his calculations.

The Healer pulled the coin out to give to the man making sure her hand touched his hand. “Jonas, maybe you should get some fishing in?”

The old man blinked as his pain was eased at the touch of the healer. He patted the girl’s hand. “I just might at that. “

“Jonas, you might want to come see me at the River Flower. There are certain things we can do to mitigate the joint pain.” She offered.

“Im old girl. “ he countered.

“And you’re stubborn. Come see me, old age doesn’t mean you have to suffer. “ That was that as her counter cut off his other excuses.

“well takes one stubborn fool to know an old stubborn fool. “ The retort came with a smile and they made their way back to the mare.
The red head was laughing as she exited with Drak in tow. Two poles wiggled out of the yvas as Amunet repacked it carefully so it wouldn’t interfere with Shetanae’s movements. The horse was remounted and off they went to the closest coastal fishing spot. The morning was beautiful. There might be rain but at the moment it was a lovely beginning.

Drak and Amunet shared small talk while they were headed towards the fishing spot. As they passed bushes and foliage, those sharp eyes spotted something she recognized. Pulling the strider from a casual canter to a stop, she peered closer at the bush. It was witch hazel. Her head panned around. There was other foliage she could see.

“Hang on Drak I need to pick these. We are getting low on tinctures and other medicines. “ The boy nodded as his sister had been doing this since he could remember. Only now he gets to watch her do it. “Drak you want to help?” She peered up at the boy on the horse with a wave of her hand to join her.

“Really. You let me help you?” The boy said as he went to bring his leg around to come off the horse. He was tall for six years old as he fell the last bit and landed on his feet.

Amunet nodded. “I always can use help. I will show you what to do. “ The girl ruffled his hair on top of his head as he batted at her hand.

The silkena was already walking around sniffing out and seeking something to chase. The hunting cat was doing the same only more of a prowling motion. She was of the age where hunting was very interesting to her. “Let us find a stick so we can rustle the underbrush. “

The witch hazel bushes had yellow blooms on it. That was what clued her in that the bushes were here. She located two sticks about the length of her arm was given to the boy and she had one too. “This does two things, one it may spook the prey out for Leia and Camile to catch. Two, it can scare snakes away. Snakes don’t particularly like noises. “ The little lady instructed.

“How do you know all of this, Ami?” He asked. He thought all she knew was to make him feel better.

“Your uncles were good teachers. “ She answered simply with a lump in her throat.

“Oh.” He said as a saddened expression was on his face. Then his head came up and there was a determined look that might as well have mimicked Amunet’s face at times. “I'm glad you remember, Sis. It means that they are with us when you remember, right?”

Her laugh was a little emotional.” You got it, buddy. That’s absolutely right.” The mesh bags she used were brought out as she would need those as they went along.

Word count: 1221
Total count: 2499

by **Amunet** on January 18th, 2016, 3:31 am

Ledger
Laviku offering | 3gm, 0sm, 0cm | 172gm, 5sm, 0cm

*********************************************

They worked sticks into underbrush to wiggle dried winter grasses and low lying bushes for game birds or rabbits to come out. She let Drak continue that as she reached the witch hazel. The leaves, flowers and young stems were swollen and in good shape. She used the dagger with her initials on it to start cutting witch hazel. One of the mesh bag was brought out to put the stems with flowers and leaves. This makes the strongest tincture and astringent. The astringent is made from the tincture. She continued cutting carefully making sure she didn’t take too much from one bush. She moved to the second bush and started cutting young stems with leaves and flowers. She sliced cleanly so it would heal quickly and not get fungus or disease. If you leave ragged cuts, you may infect that part of the bush with a type of foliage blight or fungal infection. Her dagger was sharp so the cuts remained clean. She went to the third bush and continued the collection efforts to have a good portion to make plenty of tinctures.
It was about that time that Drak had spooked out a rabbit which Camile took off after. This distraction gave Leia a chance to make her move on a pheasant hen she had been stalking. When the hen looked towards the distraction, the cat pounced on the sitting hen. The hen tried to take off as Leia’s paw stretched out in wicked quickness as the claw came out to hook her wing. The other paw came down with equal speed to come down on the body. Her teeth followed on the neck to strangle the bird till it stopped moving. Amunet lost sight of it as Drak went further encouraging the hunting cat and hunting dog to get their prey.

She spotted wintergreen growing in the dead grass in between the hazel bushes. She knelt down to look at it. Bright red berries had formed and looked like animals had already eaten. She would ensure she left plenty for the animals. A second mesh bag was brought out. The first one was tucked in and hooked on her belt so her hands could be free. She started picking the tender fragrant leaves and berries which enter the bag they went. She moved to the other between spots of the bushes looking for more winter green. The girl crouched down and picked some more. There was mint right there.

Her eyes lit up as she went to start cutting Mint. The tops were a little brown from the winter freeze but the lower fresh foliage was vibrant and fragrant. Mint grew wildly everywhere and was very common. She was careful of how and where she cut but there was plenty. The prizes went into their own mesh bag. She picked another good handful of mint and put it in the bag. The girl moved to another part of the large patch and cut again. She cut low so that it will grow back later. She got two more bunches of mint before winding her way back to her mare who took to grazing. She pawed at the dead grass to reveal the tender new growth beneath it. Drak, Camile and Leia came bounding back.

“Ami, look what Camile and Leia got.” Amunet moved to Camile first where she gave the command “Sit.” The dog sat and then deposited the nicely caught rabbit that had teeth marks just around the neck nicely in her hand. “Good Girl.” She said with enthusiasm fussing over the Silkena hound. Leia was lying down with her catch. The red head gave the rabbit to Drak to put in the yvas bag. Leia had seen the dog give up the kill many times. The bird’s feathers were a bit roughed up but otherwise in good shape. “Good girl, Leia.” Amunet fussed, petted and scratched the cat till she purred. She then collected the bird. It was a bit of a comical sight as she forgot how tall her mare was compared to a six year old boy. He was jumping to try and put the rabbit into the yvas bag. Shetanae looked at Amunet as if to say ‘Really?’. The young lady laughed as she took the rabbit from Drak and the pheasant to place them in the yvas bag.

“Ami should we beat more bushes?” He asked. This was a pretty fun morning so far for the boy.

“No, Drak. We have what we need. We shouldn’t hunt more than we need. “ She said looking at Drak. The boy nodded and threw his stick to the side. Amunet did the same as they walked along and the animals meandered behind them. If the little woman was not walking, she might have missed it. Watercress was a nice bit of greens in one’s diet. This time of year when green stuff was hard to come by it made a nice addition to meals. It liked growing in the cool weather. She went to start picking the watercress for the evening meal.

It took some time but they finally got to the fishing spot. The mare went to graze. The cat picked a spot in the sunshine to lie down in and after sniffing around, so did the dog. Amunet and Drak had sequestered a nice spot with a protected little spot that had an inlet into this ‘pool’ of sorts. The red head helped Drak bait his hook taking care to show him not to get pricked when threading the worm onto it. She had retrieved a bit of bark to act as a float and had him toss the line out. “When it wiggles you need to pull up. It means a fish is taking the bait. “

The boy nodded as his eyes were glued on that bark. Amunet baited her own hook and out into the water it went. She was careful to make sure the lines did not get confused. The disaster of lines crossing was not lost on the young calculating woman. She watched her own bark float as it went silent. The boy could scarcely breath and Amunet appreciated the quiet. This gave her another thought as Laviku had been kind to her with returning her back to Endrykas. The woman took out three gold mizas and tossed them into the waters. It was done without hesitation. It seemed right after that the bait was taken and she pulled up. She had a sea trout on the line. A good eating sized one. She looked over at Drak who’s line took a dive also, putting the fish carefully into a mesh bag she rushed over to help him with his rod. “Drak you got one.”

He gasped as he struggled to get the fish up and out of the water. Amunet helped pull it to the surface of the water as it was another sea trout. It too was a good eaten size. “You got a fish there Drak. It’s a good catch too.” The fish was hauled up and dehooked. This went into the mesh bag as she started wrapping a her line around her pole. She had a foot on the bag as the fish were still wiggling.

“Ami, can we do that again?” He said with a look of excitement.

Amunet nodded. “Sure can, every chance I can get away or I can make arrangements with the watch or with the Whipmane Pavilion. “ She said to him. “Good job, Drak. These will make a really nice dinner. “

The boy smiled as she said this “Ami, why did you throw gold away.” He asked.

“Ahh that. That was an offering to Laviku. He did after all bring me back home. It doesn’t hurt to give something to the Sea God. “ She said as she wrapped his pole up to prepare to go back to camp.

Word count: 1324
Total count: 3823

by **Amunet** on January 18th, 2016, 3:32 am

Ledger
Turnips, fresh, 2lbs | 0gm, 2sm, 0cm | 172gm, 3sm, 0cm
Carrots, fresh, 2lbs | 0gm, 6sm, 0cm | 171gm, 7sm, 0cm
Cabbage, 1 head | 0gm, 3sm, 0cm | 171gm, 4sm, 0cm
Clear 80 proof liquor, 2 bottles, common | 4gm, 0sm, 0cm | 167gm, 4sm, 0cm

******************************************************

They returned to camp with their catches and their prizes at around the 13th bell. She sent Drak to get water along with the older Whipmane teenagers who were getting water. She unloaded the fish, pheasant, rabbit and the herbs. The purchases at the market was then retrieved. The pheasant she cut the neck and hung from a nearby tree to bleed out. It needed to bleed out for a bit. Her mother had once said pheasant needed time to rest after bleeding out for its flesh to relax. She didn’t exactly know why but she wasn’t about to question it.

The fish she put on the flat surface and with her dagger took it from under the chin pressing in and slicing downward horizontally along the gut. The guts and row she cleaned out into a spare bowl. She did this for the other fish, taking the tip of the blade and pressing in to run it smoothly and firmly along the line that coursed along the bottom. The guts were removed and put in the bowl. She turned to the fire that had embers in it as she started to build it up to a good flame once more. By the time she had the fire going, the boys had returned with Drak and the water. She thanked the boys and had Drak brush camile out to get any burs out of her fur while she tended to the food and to the herbs.

The fish was seasoned with a little salt but she got a couple of sticks that had their bark peeled off of it. The sticks had come from the trees in her camp location. The bark removed, she skewered the fish through to the head even before placing it, jamming it firmly into the soil and over the flame to cook. Her attention went to the rabbit. The rabbit she took her dagger and worked the skin like she was taught by Azmere. The sharp point of the dagger went into the skin and it made a line from chin to its nether regions. She was careful not to go all the way into the flesh so she could get the skin off before gutting it so the pelt did not get bloodied. Very carefully she started removing the thin skin of the rabbit as it separated from the flesh with careful strokes to release the sinew holding the skin in place. She gut around the joints of the feet. Once she had the pelt off she had Drak put salt on it. The boy was good at this and thorough. His uncles had taught him how to preserve hides for tanning. Drak actually showed her a thing or two of how much salt and were. It sometimes had to have more depending on how moist and thick the pelt was.

The rabbit was gutted as she gave that to the dog, the fish guts she gave to the cat. The paws were removed and each animal got two. The head of the rabbit was tossed to the cat as she often played with it more than she ate it. This caused no small amount of laughter from the boy. The woman looked at the pheasant. She had more than enough here. The red head flipped the fish to cook on the other side. It was decided at that point that the pheasant should be given to the pavilion who watched their camp. She unhooked the pheasant from the tree branch it was hanging from and went to the Pavilion close by. She presented the well blooded bird to one of the ankal’s wives who thanked her for the pheasant. She offered to give her part of it but Amunet said she had plenty. The girl waved her goodbyes as she had to get back to her food.

She came back into camp and looked at the fish. It looked done. The rabbit was cut up into eight pieces. The flat rock she had over half of the fire was not just for looks. It was very functional. A little oil and the rabbit was sizzling on the stone top in moments. The pot was put on with water as half a head of cabbage, couple of carrots and turnips was put in the pot to boil with some salt and ginger. While that was going she went to the watercress and put it into a bowl of its own and put it to the side. It needed nothing more than to be washed in water. The herbs were taken out carefully as she begun with the witch hazel. This needed to be done in tinctures.

She trimmed up the harder wood from the bottom till what you had was young shoots with leaves and flowers. She stuffed the leaves, flowers and shoots down into the small bottles before her. Amunet then poured clear liquor alcohol into the bottles. She tapped on the bottle to bring up any bubbles and filled it to almost full. The cork was placed on each of the four bottles and shaken vigorously. They were placed in the chest where she keeps these things to shake each day. She placed them where she would know that they were still ‘steeping’. Amunet didn’t have a still to make essential oils. She could make oils from other methods. Two bottles would take what she had in wintergreen. She turned to flip the rabbit and stir the vegetables. The oil was poured onto the leaves and berries and then she put a stick down to bruise up the leaves and berries before corking it and shaking each bottle. It was a similar process to the tinctures. The oil and herbs get shaken once a day for a couple of weeks.

This was placed in the chest to steep. The mint she decided to make into a syrup. She has some ginger so this would help coughs and flavor other medicines.

The rabbit was done so she took that off the fire and placed it in a small basket to the side. The fish was placed on top of the water cress. She looked at her one pot which was fine for just herself but if she was going to philter more she would need more equipment. The vegetables were placed in the two bowls for their meal. She swished it with water and cleaned it out before adding a measure of fresh water. The healer also cleaned washed and chopped up some of the mint. To this she added two measures of sugar. She watched this carefully as the sugar syrup was made. The fresh mint soon followed as she peeled and diced ginger which also went into the sugar syrup. She moved this to the side and let that steep under the heat. She stirred it carefully. Watching the edges to make sure it did not go into the candy stage. She remembered Sadara Tenderhoof said one time that if the sugar syrup is getting to hot, it will crystalize on the edges. Fortunately she didn’t have the pot on the hottest part of the fire. She stirred it again as she let it steep.

The rest of the mint was washed and dried as well as possible. It was then chopped a little and placed into jars. Grapeseed oil was then poured over them. The jars were tapped against the surface so bubbles would go to the surface. Bubbles were bad for these kinds of philters as it may induce a reaction that you don’t want in the resulting medicine. The jar was closed up and shaken. This was placed in the chest. The syrup was lightly colored a very pale yellow green. Carefully with cloths, she lifted the pot and poured the syrup in two other jars with the pieces of mint and ginger. These were put to the side to cool. Syna was making her descent to make room for Leth. As these two embraced briefly the red head and her brother ate the fish, watercress and winter vegetable meal watching the glorious reunion in the sunset. They had morning meal and mid-day meal with the rabbit already. Today was a good day.

Word count: 1375
Total count: 5198

by **Kiva** on January 20th, 2016, 5:24 pm

Amunet

The Good Stuff :

If you have any questions or concerns regarding your grade, please send me a PM and I'll be happy to discuss it with you. Keep writing!

Cooking	3
Childcare	3
Leadership	3
Animal Husbandry	3
Observation	3
Gardening	2
Teaching	2
Brewing	2
Herbalism	2
Cleaning	2
Wilderness Survival	1
Weapon : Dagger	1
Hunting	1
Butchering	1
Fishing	1
Foraging	1
Riding: Horse	1
Horsemanship	1
Grooming	1
Rhetoric	1
Persuasion	1
Organization	1
Planning	1
Philtering	1

Solo Time to get back to Life