Frost, Fire and Insight [open]

[Gorth]

AV 23 of Winter Somewhere between Zeltiva and Syliras Deep in the forest away from most marked paths or frequently traveled areas existed an odd location. A small grove of forest had found an rather odd caretaker for the last few decades and in the center of the grove existed a large oak tree now barren of it’s leaves due to the cold season but one got the impression that it would be very impressive if seen when in full bloom. But in winter the grove held a certain charm to it because the snow that had drifted over the grove had been carefully melted away allowing winter forest pants to flourish in the environment. Snowdrops in full bloom seemed to cover the ground like snow itself, their white flowers drinking in the sun that filtered through the barren trees. Irisis and Cassias seemed to color the white landscape with their light yellows and deep blues. Each thriving plant was seem to have been carefully inspected and cared for like a mother would a child yet nothing seemed to be unnatural, it all seemed to be more in harmony with someone allowing nature to flourish at it’s full potential. It may have been the fact that predators and prey were usually driven off by the mere presence of a large animal which usually meditated against the large oak tree. Or it could have also been the intimidation of the fur of the giant ape which was as dark as the sky with intricate patterns of grey fur that made the creature seem more tribal than beast. The almost eight foot tall and four foot wide gorilla who was named Gorth didn’t really need to make an effort to scare the wild life here; he was a alien being in a environment that wasn’t his. Yet the beast had chosen to study this area for the last nineteen years down the roots of the tiniest grass specimen, he had chosen a life of an observer or a disciple to nature itself in all its splendour. This was why the Jamoura named Gorth spent his days learning about the nature around him. “IiiooTiToO OiTTIToTiiToTTo iTiTTIToTIToT ttTiToTiiToOoTiT” The prayer to the tree was said in a booming voice in an ancient language that the world had seemed to forget. It was a simple prayer to nature that praised the fast days of winter for the coming spring when all things barren would turn green with life once again. It would be a strange thing to hear for the language sounded old as the earth itself and the voice that spoke the words sounded as deep as thunder itself. “OiITiOoo ITiiOiiOiTToooTo IToToiTooTOoT io ITOTIO OOT OiiT” This was a mere observation statement as Gorth opened his kind brown eyes to state that the wind had a crisp feel to it. Either more frost was coming in the next night or there was to be a light snowfall in the coming hours. So it was this that Gorth rejoiced that he would either get to see the magestic beauty of the forest in a light snowfall again or that he might see the ripening of winterberries all throughout the bush. The later would mean a tasty snack and a chance to taste something that he considered a winter treat in this type of forest. Still the prospect of a cold night did make the large ape shiver in the prospect of another cold sleep. Sure his thick pelt did its job in keeping body heat but it was nothing like the comfort of being cozy warm. It was this that made the large ape arise from his seated position to scour the land for twigs, logs and debris scattered throughout the woods. Gorth would not cut down a live tree but he would instead make use of the dead and decaying objects to make his fire for the night. So with the utmost and delicate care as if each piece of dead wood was sacred, Gorth would pile the pieces of wood in a circular manner near the large oak tree. After that work had been completed, Gorth would than place the many rocks he had collected from the area in the center and around the circumference of the wood pile. This task was done with utmost care and respect as if Gorth was handling a living creature. “IoITi IoIITIo ItTtIOI OIoIOIIT” It was a ritual that Gorth had taken a liking to when ever he used his Djed to form fire. It meant fire within grant me flame, which was what then happened. Gorth Leaned down as if to blow his own breath onto the woodpile but instead of air a decent stream of fire erupted from his mouth, infighting the wood in the fire pit. With a smile at the warmth now flowing through the grove at the creation of a warm fire, Gorth then slowly wondered back to his tree to meditate for hours about how small birds seemed to have the uncanny ability know where the large berry bushes were during winter months. So far the conclusions where that the birds could have known these things since the start of their existence passed down to them at birth. Or it could have been something more of skill than of upbringing.