A/N: We have a Nomad's Log chapter...that means you'll be getting a chapter update today as well...sit tight for it, it'll come sometime in the late evening.
I do not own Mai HiME/Mai Otome
Nomads Log:
Hunting Grounds, Artai's Boarder.
The north is well protected by rocky, steep hills, and the passages are quite dangerous. There is a long way, and a short way, around the higher elevations. However, if you carry more than simply a pack, you'll need to go the long way, as it is the only way to fully utilize the dirt path. To get to the dirt road most commonly used, you have to travel due north, and beyond a few territories that are apart of Romulus's command. Eventually, you'll come across a huge fellfeild. Once you reach that, you know you're headed on the right path.
At first, the terrain will be nothing but rocky and hard to cross. There won't be much in the way of interesting things to see, and honestly, for at least one good day's travel, it'll be mundane and uneventful at best. Occasionally, you may come across some mossy shallow water, but if that's the case, unless you've come here in the middle of summer, everything will be frozen over. If it isn't frozen, don't drink from it...there are better waters up north. The ones near the southern end of the field are stagnant, and honestly, because of that, drinking from them proves to be a risk.
It's cold, and the chilly winds will cut through almost any cloth a person might be wearing. Travel is slow going, and often times, once you get out of the rocky area, you'll find that the grasses grow in short, annoyingly muddy patches.
Now, the north has two seasons. Winter and summer. However, for anyone who has any understanding of Artai, it's come to be known as the icy season and the snowy season. The reason for this is because during the icy season, freezing rain falls from the sky, coating everything in icicles. During that time, the weather is bitter. Contrary to popular belief, the season is actually far more troublesome because of that.
If you want, you can collect the frozen water from low hanging trees, and melt that. Generally, it would be okay to drink, provided that you set it boiling first. I wouldn't tell any greenhorn to proceed to eat the ice raw, or undercooked. It's just not sanitary. Besides, warm tea is the beast for this kind of weather. I would also advise to carry milk, a great staple to fall back on, due to fatty content. It may not sound like much, but people burn a lot of calories in the cold...that's energy easily wasted, and that poses a danger. Always remember to rest from the cold early and often, whenever shelter or a reprieve can be provided.
Although this is dangerously close to Artai, this field can be considered contested territory.
Be that as it may, there is good reason for that. People can not sustain on this muddy ground. When the ice comes around, there isn't any decent shelter, either. Though, even if this place isn't occupied by man for any length of time, it isn't entirely devoid of life. I would argue, that this place is a must see, for any true northern nomad. If a person can endure the harsh environment, I would highly recommend this spectacle. There's plenty of flora and fauna here, something both a godsend for food, and a captivating beauty.
You see, this is a place gifted peace, due to it's nature.
Caribou are common, and you'll find them grazing in the bushes, and so too do the bison, albeit in the open fields. I wouldn't advise hunting them on your own, however, seeing as that can be quite the task. As far as small game creatures go, rabbits are in high supply. Wild goats hide in the higher elevations, for those feeling a bit more adventurous. Actually, it isn't uncommon for trappers to capture live creatures to sell in the deserts, due to the fact that the people covet such a thing. Aswad nomads also come here often, for that same reason, and because of that we've dubbed this place the hunting grounds. This area provides for some of the most vital trading in all of the northern lands.
However, just as there are creatures that are gentle, there are some that are dangerous. Bobcats are small, but troublesome creatures. They may look cuddly, but they aren't kittens, be mindful of that, traveler. If that were not enough, large bears have no qualms about raiding a nomad's camp. Though, they stick close to open rivers where there are fish to eat, I would not put it beyond them to follow the scent of food where ever it may be. A cooking pot could attract trouble late into the night, or early in the morning. Foxes are another common treat to see, though I wouldn't say I'd call their presence a risk.
Normally, they're skittish...although, they are cunning, make no mistake of that.
With such a variety of animals, all useful to the people who surround them, it is a joint effort to hunt them carefully...culling numbers is always a dangerous proposition, and something the local communities fear. Artai clearly needs the meat, and it isn't any surprise that Romulus, Remus, and even those of Black Valley depend on the nature of this enriched ecosystem. The fields carry on for quite a distance, and the scape will change gradually in this cold, often desolate, area.
In any case, traveler, once you reach this field, if you continue north, for quite some length, of time, you will eventually reach the snowy north, known as Artai...and once you do, I can only pray that you find solace there, because I never do. That, however, is a record for another time.
