"Wake yourself, Nain-ya! Are you planning on sleeping all morning?"
Kale opened his eyes slowly, sat up on the thick tree branch he was sleeping on, and looked down at the speaker who had addressed him. The wolf pelts draped around his broad shoulders, and his feral grin as he looked up at Kale removed all doubt as to the speaker's identity.
Kale rubbed his eyes as he grabbed his jacket from the tree limb above him. "Nah. I'll be right there, Ikth-ya Golgol."
Golgol's growling voice had more than a hint of amusement. "Glad to hear it, Nain-ya. Being late to the meeting you came here to ask for would make you lose some of that renown you've worked so hard to get!"
Rough chuckles faded away into the distance as Golgol walked back into the Lunar village. Kale stretched, and flipped backwards out of the tree, landing on all fours as he hit the ground below. He rubbed his eyes a bit to wake himself more swiftly as he walked, and brushed some of the tree bark and leaves out of his hair.
As he walked into the village this time, the change seemed marked in how the Lunars looked at him. The looks of distrust, anger, and suspicion were replaced by a relaxed friendliness. Some simply nodded to him as he passed, others smiled and wished him "G'mornin, Nain-ya Cloaked Sun!"
Renown and tribal hierarchy were very important to them. Kale guessed that this was how their society had survived the Usurpation, the Wyld invasions, and many other calamities that had befallen the world in the last thousand years.
One gained renown based on one's deeds in one of four areas: offering succor to show mercy to those who have committed no sin, showing mettle and internal fortitude, displaying cunning and cleverness, and the glory of those who show valor. As one's renown in these four areas increased, so too eventually did one's rank within Lunar society.
The names the Lunars gave their ranks were in a very old tongue, long-forgotten except by the elders of tribes. Urrach-ya was the spiteful name they gave to Lunars who had never lived outside the comforts of civilization, or had abandoned the wild ways of Lunar society altogether. Nain-ya were "Kin," considered junior members of society. Lunars who had just taken their Second Breath fell into this rank after they'd finished their initiation, but other Lunars expected them to "grow up" out of this rank eventually. Once a Lunar had made a name for him or herself with the others, they gained the rank of Uf-ya, "The Honored." Most Lunars he met in the village were of these ranks.
The older ones, the Lunars who had proven themselves many times earned more respected titles. Golgol was Ikth-ya, meaning "The Respected." It fit him as war chief of his tribe, since he had gone above and beyond what had been expected of him many times. Most of the elders were Murr-ya, or "The Revered." They did not earn this rank by age alone, but by their deeds, and their actions as well.
From what he had learned of the Lunars, the Shahan-ya, or "The Greatest" were very rare. Typically Lunars who had been alive since the First Age held this rank, though Luna herself had to come before a gathering of respected elders and speak highly of the Lunar for them to achieve this rank. Whether the holder of this title was a mighty sorcerer or a cunning and valorous warrior, it made little difference. Winterstripe held this rank, and from what Kale had been told, the other Shahan-ya could be counted on both hands, with a few fingers (or other digits) to spare.
Kale shook himself out of his thoughts as he approached the gathering of elders, standing together in a semi-circle once again. The elder bearing the totem of Shark spoke to him first. Kale was secretly very glad that he was allowed to speak to them directly now, and that they didn't derisively call him "Solar." He was proud of being what he was, but the way they said the word sounded like a grievous insult.
"Nain-ya Cloaked Sun, you have approached our people, and passed the tests to be listened to. Speak your piece."
Kale nodded, taking a deep breath to gather his thoughts before he began. "My beloved fiancee, Aya, is gathering an army to combat the undead who now inhabit Thorns. She wishes to scour the lands clean of the undead blight, to remove the foothold they have here. The Immaculate Order..."
He was interrupted briefly by a snort of derision from Golgol. Kale heard Golgol mutter a few vicious, scathing comments about the Dragon-Blooded, ending with the comment "...and I wouldn't wipe my ass with one if his tiny insignificant life depended on it."
Most of the elders glared at Golgol, but he pretended not to notice. Marin motioned for Kale to continue.
"Alright. Yes, the Immaculate Order appears to intend to trade with them, not seeing that this is precisely what the Deathlord who commands the undead there intends. He wishes to quietly and slowly spread his influence throughout the land. By the time the Immaculates understand what's happening, it will likely be far too late."
One of the other elders smirked slightly. "Nain-ya, all of us know the arrogant, blind idiocy of the Dragon-Blooded, and the threat the undead are to this land. Get to the point, young one."
Kale smiled back. "I want to ask for your help in getting more troops to help Aya in her fight against them. She has three hundred soldiers now, perhaps a few more, but it will not be enough."
Golgol leaned forward, his eyebrows narrowed. "I must ask, Nain-ya. I know she intended to train my former barbarian horde. Was she successful?"
Kale smiled a bit more widely. "When I left to come here, she said they were done with the basic training in the ways of the Alon-Ti."
Half the elders gasped in shock. Golgol regained his composure first with loud, howling laughter. "You mean to tell me she wanted to shape that rabble into Tiger Warriors? And she was successful? Oh, I cannot help but like this woman. She will be a worthy opponent indeed!"
One of the other elders looked at Golgol reprovingly. "You came back that day all alone, your shirt ripped, with a long scar across your chest. You've done nothing since then but fight, eat, drink, and froth at the mouth like a rabid wolf for a chance to duel her again."
Golgol grumbled quietly to himself between gulps from his bone cup. The elder that spoke to Golgol turned to Kale. "I believe I've reached a decision, but I must speak to the others."
Nodding respectfully, Kale waited as the elders filed off into the woods. Without warning, he was shoved roughly to the side as a large, bulky and hairy man walked by, glaring at him. "Still here, sniveling for help like a kicked puppy, Solar?"
Kale glared back at Harmony of Stones. "I have a name and a rank here, you know."
The man scowled down at him from his taller height. "You are nothing but a puny, sunny weakling, and I long for the day when the elders see that, and allow me to slay you."
Kale shook his head. "Whatever, fatass."
Harmony of Stones swiftly assumed his huge, half man and half bear hybrid form, growling down at Kale. "I am more highly respected here than you, puny Solar! You will give me your respect, or I'll claw it into you!"
Kale narrowed his eyes as he looked calmly up at the ursid Lunar. "You haven't earned my respect. You've done nothing but try to bully me, push me around, and talk big with your prejudice about my kind."
Harmony of Stones growled loudly at Kale, holding his arms slightly out to his sides as he extended his huge black claws, each easily as long as one of Kale's fingers, and far thicker. "Your kind has done nothing but bring harm to the world, Solar. None of you have the courage or wisdom to see the Silver Way!"
Kale continued looking up calmly at him. "I did. Or were you high and drunk over the past few days?"
The huge Lunar roared down at Kale, his fetid breath blasting into Kale's face. "Through trickery! All of you are weak, powerless, and frightened, or your kind wouldn't have left like whipped dogs a thousand years ago!"
Kale's jaw tightened as he glared angrily back up at Harmony of Stones. "The Solars didn't leave, they were imprisoned, you fat fool! Imprisoned and betrayed by those they trusted. Yes, the Solars turned decadent at the end, which is why the Lunars left in the first place, and yes, the Solars at large didn't see their mistakes until it was too late. But you should never accuse one of being a coward!"
Harmony of Stones leaned down to put his huge, furred ursine head near to Kale's. "I'm calling you a weak coward now, Solar. You are too weak and powerless to do anything about it!"
Kale put his right leg behind him, facing Harmony of Stones sideways. "I'm giving you one chance to take that back."
To his surprise, Harmony of Stones laughed at him. "The day you manage to defeat me in a fight is the day I'll begin to consider giving you my respect. That day will never come!" Harmony of Stones roared his challenge down at Kale. "I CHALLENGE YOU TO A DUEL OF HONOR, SOLAR!"
Kale closed his eyes, awakening and stirring the essence within him. It began to surge through him as his adrenaline began pumping, and he calmly channeled it in the ways Melia had taught him, in the Way of the Tiger. He felt his skin harden, his entire body begin to move much more fluidly as the rotes began taking effect. He had to draw some of the ambient essence from this natural place, forcing his anima to shimmer into existence around him, swirling with dark blues, greys, deep reds, intermixed with broad streaks of gold. He opened his eyes, looking calmly up at Harmony of Stones. "I accept. Bring it, fatass."
The huge, ursine Lunar's muscles looked like they were straining out of his skin, the veins becoming visible even through his thick fur. His claws shimmered slightly, becoming longer, serrated, and brightening to the color of silver. "I have claws, Solar! What weapon will you bring to this fight, weakling?"
Kale smiled grimly up at him. "Funny you should mention claws," he said off-handedly as he reached into his jacket, and slipped his hands into his tiger claws. He channeled a little more essence into them as he did so, helping them to guide his strikes. He brought his hands up as he ducked down slightly in a crouch, in the Form of the Tiger. Both claws glowed with a soft, golden light, just as the Thamaya's Blessing gem in his bracer began to glow a with a soft, warm reddish light.
Harmony of Stone's eyes widened slightly as he saw the silver claw on Kale's right hand. "That's a weapon made of Moonsilver! Where did you steal that, Solar?"
Kale smiled a bit more grimly. "It's called the Silver Horn. I'll make sure to introduce you two properly."
They began circling one another slowly, Harmony of Stones with his arms outstretched in the manner of bears, and Kale moving in a graceful, flowing crouch. Kale sized up his opponent as they circled one another warily, waiting for the other to strike first. Kale knew that with Harmony of Stones' appalling strength and resistance to harm, just a single strike from the huge ursid Lunar would hurt grievously. On the other hand, the huge Lunar was as slow as he was strong, which Kale could exploit.
With a roar, Harmony of Stones rushed at him, attempting to grab Kale in his arms and crush him. Kale nimbly darted out of the way, striking viciously into the huge Lunar's side, causing him to snarl angrily. Kale's jaw tightened as he saw that the wound was already beginning to close and heal before his eyes.
Growling in rage, Harmony of Stones swatted at Kale with his huge, gleaming moonsilver claws extended. Kale ducked out of the way, punching the Lunar in the stomach with one claw, and slashing at his side with the other as he moved swiftly to the Lunar's side, and out of his immediate reach. Kale took a deep breath. In order to win this fight, he'd have to attack unrelentingly. If he didn't, the huge, resilient Lunar would simply heal the wounds, and eventually hitting Kale hard enough so that the fight would end.
The back of a huge paw slapped into Kale's chest, making him fly backwards, skidding a few yards as he hit the ground. Kale felt one of his ribs was grating against itself painfully from the blow as he sat up, but he flipped gracefully to his feet anyway, rushing at the bear with the speed of an enraged tiger.
Kale could see that the huge Lunar hadn't expected this, as he barely had time to open his eyes slightly in surprise as Kale leapt upwards, landing with one foot on the bear's broad chest, and using his chest as a launching pad from which to flip nimbly up and over the bear. Kale's claws slashed viciously at the Lunar's shoulder tendon and neck as he leapt behind Harmony of Stones, causing the ursid Lunar to roar in pain and anger.
Kale landed in a crouch, moving already. He knew he'd have to keep moving, and striking swiftly to keep the terrifyingly strong and resilient Lunar off-balance.
The huge Lunar spun around swiftly, his paws and arms wrapped in an ethereal blue fire as he struck out at Kale. However, Kale was no longer there, darting to the side of the Lunar in half the span of an eyeblink. Kale yelled out as he channeled his essence into this strike. The Silver Horn sprouted a burning, golden fire that enveloped his entire hand, the ghostly shape of a huge tiger's paw with outstretched claws surrounding his hand as he slashed viciously between the Lunar's ribs and pelvis, aiming for a kidney.
The smell of scorched fur and flesh reached his nostrils a half second before Harmony of Stones roared out his rage at being hurt so grievously, seeing the large, scorched hole in his side. Kale was aiming for another strike even as the huge, ursid Lunar was recovering from the last attack, which gave Harmony of Stones an opportunity to strike back. His claws rent Kale's chest and jacket, making Kale gasp in pain at the four wide, long scratches in his chest.
However, adrenaline was pumping too swiftly through Kale's body for him to feel the pain very strongly, tied as it was with the essence that ebbed and flowed savagely within him. He struck back even as the Lunar's huge claws tore the flesh of his chest, tearing into the Lunar's stomach. He darted forward toward the enraged Lunar, and bared his teeth in concentration as his hand and claw became enveloped in burning golden fire and the ghostly tiger's paw once more, striking strongly at Harmony of Stones' other side.
Harmony of Stones howled in pain and anger, rushing forward to attempt to enclose Kale in a deadly bear's embrace. Kale had darted out of the way too swiftly to be grabbed however, and struck again, deep into the Lunar's lower back, the same burning golden fire and wraith-like tiger's paw surrounding his fist.
The huge Lunar gasped and fell to his knees, slumping forward, held up only by his stocky arms. He didn't move at first, simply breathing heavily. His voice was tight with pain, the growling note in his voice stronger than usual, despite being in his hybrid ursine form. "Hold, Nain-ya."
Kale straightened, standing fully upright once more, breathing heavily. His tiger claws were matted with brown fur and dark red blood, as were his hands. He looked down at them, and saw his chest for the first time, opening his eyes wide with shock as the pain began to make itself felt. Kale gasped audibly as the pain fully garnered his attention.
The huge Lunar slowly and painfully stood upright, turning around to face Kale, still panting from the pain as he spoke. "I concede, Nain-ya Cloaked Sun. You have my respect."
With that, still in his huge, hybrid ursine form, he walked slowly away toward his rough encampment further off in the village.
Kale dropped to his knees as the pain made itself fully felt, the deep, rending claw wounds in his chest oozing blood at an alarming rate. His anima faded back into obscurity, the essence used to power the multiple rotes he used being released back into the surrounding forest.
Hearing a noise in front of him, Kale looked up slowly with half-lidded eyes from the pain, and almost closed them again upon seeing who'd made the noise.
The elders of the tribe had returned, and were standing around him in a semi-circle. Marin, the Lunar that resembled his Shark totem spoke quietly to one of the other elders. "Bind the Nain-ya's wounds. I shall attend to Harmony of Stones."
Kale faced the ground with his eyes closed at this moment. He began to feel a cooling energy wash over his chest and ribs as a hand pressed itself on the deep tears in his chest. He opened his eyes in surprise, seeing the wounds close slowly, and feeling his rib rejoin once more. He was helped to his feet, almost being knocked back down as a heavy hand thumped his shoulder. Kale looked at Golgol's ferally grinning face as he helped Kale to stand. "You've got guts, Nain-ya. There aren't many that would willingly face Harmony of Stones in a duel."
Golgol began walking back to his place amongst the other elders, but stopped and turned around halfway, looking at Kale with a sly grin. "Oh, and clean your claws, Nain-ya. You're in the presence of the elders."
Kale smirked, chuckling softly before wincing sharply, as his ribs were still tender. He looked at what once had been his shirt, and scornfully just took it off and used it to carefully clean his claws. At his unspoken question, the Silver Horn reformed itself into a simple staff, making it much easier to clean. Once he was done with the golden orichalcum claw, the Silver Horn silently reformed itself back into a claw, and he slipped both into his jacket pockets, standing to face the elders at last.
At first, he was confused at their wide-eyed stares. However, Golgol was the first to break the silence. It seemed to be a running theme with him. "By Luna's innocent blood, was that the Silver Horn?"
Kale nodded respectfully. "Yeah. Melia left it to me, and told me how to use it properly."
Winterstripe spoke up, startling Kale. He hadn't even known the Shahan-ya was present. "Allow me the honor of seeing the Silver Horn, Nain-ya."
Kale nodded, taking the claw out of his jacket pocket and handing it to the tall, one-eyed elder. When the weapon touched his outstretched hands, it silently reformed itself into a great, wide-bladed cleaving sword for a few moments before changing silently back into a tiger claw. Winterstripe's grim face smiled fondly as he looked at the weapon. He spoke quietly with reverence. "It remembers me."
He looked at it for a few more moments before nodding to himself, and handing it wordlessly back to Kale, who slipped it back into his jacket.
Winterstripe walked to Kale's left, looking at the forest beyond the village. "That was indeed the Silver Horn," he said in a distant voice, lost in memory. The elders stayed silent, letting the old Lunar run with his memories for a few moments.
Their patience was rewarded when Winterstripe stood straighter, and took his place in the center of the half-circle of elders, facing Kale once more. "Golgol, since you spoke loudest and most eloquently in the meeting, you get to tell the Nain-ya Cloaked Sun our decision."
Golgol grinned ferally as he nodded respectfully to Winterstripe before facing Kale once more. "I shall return with you to Mishaka with the rest of the horde I lead. They number two hundred brave, strong barbarian warriors, and I will be honored to lead them into battle against the undead to ensure your victory!"
Winterstripe sighed quietly, and rolled his eye. "Be honest, Golgol."
Golgol laughed loudly for a few moments before grinning at Kale savagely. "Fine! I'm going to make sure you and your mate win the battle against the undead, so I can have a rematch with her. By Luna's loving grace, I'm going to make damn sure the first time was a fluke!"
The other elders chuckled, shaking their heads. Winterstripe even cracked a smile at this, speaking to Golgol in his usual low, reverberating voice. "You are irrepressable as usual. Go then, Golgol, and gather your horde. Be swift, for the ravens of war are beginning to circle."
Golgol howled up in a savage prayer to Luna as his form changed into that of a hybrid man and wolf, standing ten feet tall, with dusky grey fur. He raced off swiftly into the woods with the long, tireless stride of a wolf.
Winterstripe turned his head to regard Kale once more. "Go to the edge of our forest, Nain-ya. Golgol will return in half a day with his horde, and he will meet you there. Go now with our blessing, and one condition: return here with your mate once the war for Thorns is over."
Kale nodded respectfully to Winterstripe and the other elders. "Thank you, all of you." He paused for a few moments, trying to think of a good farewell for these people who lived so in tune with nature itself. "May your hunting be plentiful, and Luna's wisdom guide you."
Marin chuckled, a sound that sounded like rushing water. "Unlike the fat and lazy Golgol, we can catch our own prey."
The other elders chuckled at this, as they began to disperse their separate ways. Winterstripe walked up to Kale, looking at him silently for a few moments. "I am pleased to see that Melia's successor learned the fighting art I taught her, so long ago. You've learned it well. Did she teach you?"
Kale nodded. "Yes, Shahan-ya. I visited her Manse, and she left her gifts of knowledge there for me to seek."
Winterstripe smiled slightly. "Please, call me simply Winterstripe when the other elders aren't present. I am...weary of titles."
Kale smirked, and nodded. "Okay."
The tall Lunar looked toward the entrance to the village. "Come, Kale. I will walk with you to the limits of our territory."
Kale nodded, somewhat surprised. "Thank you!"
Winterstripe smirked as they walked. "It seems the threads of fate bind you and your predecessor strongly. Melia fought a Lunar and won as well, though his totem was Bison. That Lunar unfortunately perished long ago, but he and Harmony of Stones have much in common." Winterstripe chuckled, a sound that sounded like a tiger growling in the distance. "The look on his face as the tiny woman proved the strength of her spirit to him was...amusing."
Kale smiled. Somehow, he could easily imagine the cheekily grinning woman doing just that.
He and Winterstripe walked in silence out of the village, when a deep voice hailed them. "Nain-ya Cloaked Sun!"
Both of them turned around, seeing Harmony of Stones walking toward them, in the form of a human. He held a shirt in one hand. His eyes widened slightly as he saw Winterstripe, nodding his head respectfully, and greeting him. "Shahan-ya."
Winterstripe nodded back, appearing almost regal as he did so. Harmony of Stones looked down at Kale once more. "Take my shirt, Nain-ya."
Kale looked surprised, but accepted the offered shirt. "Thank you, Uf-ya Harmony of Stones. But why?"
The large man looked impassively down at Kale. "I tore yours. It is right that I should give you mine."
Without another word, he walked silently back into the village, Kale looking after him with a look of wonder on his face.
Winterstripe smiled. "You have earned his respect, Kale. Wear the offering of a defeated opponent with pride."
Kale smiled at this, and took off his jacket to put on the shirt over his bare chest. The arms and bottom of the shirt draped down a fair distance, but rolling up the sleeves somewhat solved that. Once he was done, Kale put the long jacket on once more, adjusting his satchel.
He and Winterstripe walked through the forest easily. Kale noticed with amusement that the forest seemed...friendlier now. No ominous winds blew through the branches of the trees, no tree roots seemed to try entangling his feet. He felt a soft breeze blow over his face as they walked.
Seeing the look of wonder on Kale's face as they walked, Winterstripe clarified. "You have the respect of the Lunars now, and have earned your place amongst us. You have the forest's respect now because of this. You respect and follow our ways, and it knows this."
Kale nodded. It made sense that the wild home of the Lunars should have its own intelligence, though the implications made him wonder.
They walked for a few hours, Winterstripe telling him a few more tales of his people as they walked through the dense forest. Kale learned of how the Lunars first learned to survive in the Wyld, and how they had learned to tattoo protections against the Wyld's changing ways, though the Wyld had left its mark upon them even so, helping his people to be more mercurial, more changing. It took them a while to learn to use this gift, and not see it as a curse; even so, there were Lunars in the Wyld and in the world at large who had lost all their humanity, but none of their cunning. They were non-people in Lunar society, but respected because of their strength and great age.
Winterstripe stopped, looking into the distance with a small smile on his face. "This is where I leave you, Nain-ya Kale, the Cloaked Sun. Go, return to your mate at Golgol's side, and bring honor to your people."
Kale nodded respectfully to the elder Lunar, smiling. "Thank you, Winterstripe. Thank you again, and I wish you well."
Winterstripe returned the nod, and seemed to melt into the forest. Perhaps he had.
Kale walked another mile out of the forest, to see Golgol standing in his tall hybrid wolf form, a huge moonsilver cleaver with a wide, chopping blade resting on his grey-furred shoulder. Many barbarians were at his back, armed to the teeth, and they all looked like experienced battlers.
Golgol bared his teeth at Kale with a savage grin, the wolf's growling note strong in his voice. "About time you showed up! Come, Nain-ya! It is time to let loose the spirits of war!"
