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Step 1 of the Kehorian Ritual!

Solo: Word Count: 1029


Toki had stumbled upon a small cave deep in the desert. It had a small spring inside it and was cool and refreshing. It was quite safe from Dragon’s as the entrance was barely large enough for him! The dripping of water created a nice counterpart to the whisper of shifting sand; calming and peaceful. It was far away from his tribe’s home and the perfect place to reflect on the conversation he’d had with Anodyne.
He thought back to that day. He’d sensed her approaching as he’d been sunbathing after a long lesson with the young of his tribe. It’d been difficult to get them to visualize their power, and if you couldn’t visualize it, you couldn’t control it. Some were starting to understand. Maybe I should make them wear blindfolds... it seems to be easier to picture things if your sight is gone and there’s not as much to distract you!

Her power had been fiery, passionate, and yet calming. A healer and yet a Firani. How unique, he’d thought then as he’d raised his head and rumbled a greeting to her. Her power was also immense, a bonfire to the torches of his clan members.

“What brings you here, lady Anodyne?” He asked, for who else could this be? He had never met her, though he’d certainly heard a lot!

“I’ve come to ask you to undertake the ritual.” She’d said bluntly. Toki raised an eyebrow and sighed.

“Why would I wish that? I have all the power I need, that is for youths who wish more and strive for greater glories. I am content with my life.”

“Because we need your power. You have the control necessary for it, you know magic. And you are not a hot headed youth who wants to kill! Too many Khehorians are turning their powers towards war or are using it for personal gains. They see their power as a way to elevate themselves. I do not like this. We are stronger than our kin, yes. But that does not mean we should be using this power to bully them!” She said with heat. Toki tilted his head. Were people doing that? He could see it happening. After all, it’s what Grrel wanted the power for. She wished to take revenge on the Magescians… mind you the thought she had of getting powerful to protect her clan was a good one. But he knew it was not the only thought she had about gaining the power of a Khehora.
“So why me?” He asked curiously.

“Because I need someone who has both age and power to ride herd with me. There are too many showing up now, it is hard to try and keep things peaceful. And Rhaze certainly isn’t helping!”

“Give me time. Let me think on this.” He’d said with a sigh. “You do make some good points but this is not a decision I will do without thinking.” She’d left, saying she’d be back in a month to hear his answer.

So here he was now. Three days away from her return. He’d thought on it long and hard. He’d went and talked to his clan, asking them about Khehorians and if they’d try for it. And what they’d use the power for. He sighed as he sat, his tail twitching and stirring the spring about. They’d had some good things and bad things to say.
But nothing that’d really convinced him he should do this. Anodyne wanted help to control the younger ones. Would they not listen to me without the rank? He wondered before giving a dry humorless chuckle. Why would they? He would be, to them, an old cranky Khehora; while they would be, in their minds, younger, better, stronger and would not listen to him. He thought about some of the responses, one of which had worried him. He’d overheard a conversation as he’d been napping. The two adults, both powerful, had been talking about the Ritual. They wanted to do it, not for to help others, but to get the strength to challenge Brassarril for the position of Chief. Brassarril had attempted, and bee successful, at his Ritual. Which meant any challengers for his throne needed to be just as strong if not stronger than him.
But I am not the Chief. I am the Shaman... which is a futile argument, he thought to himself with a smirk. I am the equal of the Chief. I guess if for nothing else, I should do it for Brassarril and the clan. It will make them all feel safer if there are two of us. Plus if I am his equal, people will not attempt to get around my orders by going to him. That will only cause problems within the clan and create too much tension. He grumbled under his breath. He was getting old, some might say too old, for this. But it had to be done. Toki nodded to himself. For his clan he would do this. To keep them safe, and maybe, just maybe, to keep other clans safe as well. If there were two Khehorians in his clan, than one could stay behind to guard while the other went to aid others. And if Grrel is successful, than there will be three.
He grinned as a thought occurred to him. I’ll tell Grrel I took the ritual just to ride herd on her! It’s always a good thing to keep your students respectful and aware that they are still students no matter how old or strong they are!

He stood up and left his safe little hide away. Flying back to the clan, he knew what answer he would give Anodyne. He would attempt this ritual, but first; the cave of Dragons. I will go there and gather orbs. From what I’ve heard, you need a lot of them to succeed! He would leave word with the clan, and let them know. Let us see if this old man still has it in him!


Her response a few days later was relieved. "You will need orbs for this ritual. I will give you instructions when you are ready."

Going Home

PRP:: With Vyren

What a conceited child! His arrogance will be the death of him one day....

New Body

Solo: Word Count: 465

Toki thanked Anodyne as he felt the cloth blanket.

“Thank you, but what’s this for?” He wasn’t cold after all. Anodyne chuckled.

“Well, these forms of ours need to wear clothes, otherwise we shock the prudish magescians. Plus you’ll find you get colder faster.”

“Ah. The weird cloth things they wear. I always wondered why they hid their bodies.” He shifted his legs. “How does one walk with only two thin sticks to support yourself?” He said in irritation. Anodyne laughed.

“With difficulty! Though the tail helps. “

Pesha and Kashi peeked in and chirped in surprise. That was not their Pa! … But… It smelled like Pa? The small dragon hopped over and cheeped at Toki. Hearing him, Tokireached out a hand blindly towards the sound. His sense of smell was slightly lessened as was his hearing. Though touch seemed to be improved. I may have to use that static spell I thought up during battle to aid me in seeing.

Pesha recognized the movements Toki was making, it was what he did with his fore claws when looking for something that had fallen on to the floor. It was Pa! Just... smaller… and different. He shrugged and hopped towards the hand to nuzzle it. Toki smiled and carefully picked up Pesha.
“Well, at least you’ve been trained to be my eyes so this shouldn’t be too hard.” He said with a sigh as he put Pesha on his shoulders and set his legs beneath him to try and rise.

“Here,” Anodyne said as she offered a hand. “I’ll help you stand up. Use the tail to balance yourself with. The wings will make it a bit more difficult for you. Some of you tend to keep your wings, though the majority of us end up with magical manifestations of our power where they used to be. Easier to hide and balance if you don’t have the huge wings on your back!”
Toki accepted and let himself be pulled upwards. His tail, wavering about uncertainly, did help somewhat. Though balancing was hard with only two legs! He rustled his wings before refurling them, taking comfort in how familiar they were.

The rest of the evening, for he had passed all afternoon in the ritual, was spent learning to take one step than another. He was amused at himself, learning how to walk at his age! Eventually he tired of it and, with a shrug and feeling of relief, slid back to his normal form. I’ll practice walking later… I wonder if flying will be different as well. And what can I use my hands for? He smiled as he curled up to sleep off the day’s work. There is so much they can do, being as flexible and far more quick than my paws.

Khehorian Meetings

PRP :: With Eyaphah

I met another Khehorian, nice lad. Very into cooking....

The Challenge

Solo: Word Count: 1537
Toki lay about in the sun and listened to the sounds of his clan. They were talking about those who had tried the Ritual and who had returned and who hadn’t.
It was sadly agreed that Grrel was lost. She had left months ago and had yet to return…. Her parent’s mourned for her; she had been a happy child (mostly) and very much a part of the clan. Toki wasn’t so sure about that…. The two Gaili’s who had flown to their clan had told of a Kiandri Khehora, orange with purple eyes and horns who’d helped them… That was probably Grrel. He’d made certain to tell her parents and gave a reason why she wouldn’t return home: she’d failed. ANd was probably training and gather orbs to try again. It was believable: Grrel was proud and her parent’s knew it. But while they waited and hoped, others returned.

Not all. Out of the five Khehora other than himself and Brassarril who had gone off to attempt the ritual, two were confirmed dead. A messenger had been sent to the clan from Rhaze with word of it… another reason Toki believed Grrel had not died and was just refusing to return to the clan out of sheer pigheadedness and pride. One had returned alive but unsuccessful. But he was stronger now, Toki could tell. He had smiled when some had tried to snub and tease the failed one… and then gotten beaten for it. Draskil would be ready to try again soon…. He was certain of it. And when he is, I will give him some of the orbs I have gathered, he thought to himself. He is a good boy, honorable and I think worthy of the respect and power a Khehorian will get.

The last two though.. they were expected to arrive any day now… and he was worried. These two had been the ones he’d overheard talking about attempting the ritual merely for the power to over through and claim the chieftainship of the clan. I must be prepared to fight them, he thought sadly. I will support my Chief; not just because he is my friend and a good student, but because he is the right chief for the clan. He is neither frivolous nor cowardly. He acts with honor and listens to all. Pralorn and Wrral are not mature enough nor trustworthy enough to give too much power too.

His ears picked up happy cries from the guards along the valley walls. His heart sank slightly: he did not look forward to what was to come. Pralorn and Wrral had come home… and were successful apparently. He got up and walked to the edge of the ledge that led to his lair. Those two are very… impatient. I would bet they try to challenge as soon as possible.. otherwise Brassarril will figure out what new powers they have and they’ll lose their advantage and they know it. he thought to himself; upset and angry that it would come to this. It was like watching his own son’s fight.. and having to support one over the others. This was his clan, his family! Why did they have to do this?
But he sighed, he knew why. Power was a heady feeling: it drugged one into thinking that you could do anything… even if it was wrong.

He heard some mutters from others as they too came out to watch… the clan could tell when something was up. Especially if it promised a good show. Brassarril also knew what was going to happen: he was just as good as Toki at reading people and listening to the clan’s gossip. he was waiting for them in the middle of the valley floor; conveniently away from all lairs and the young (who were being kept up on lair ledges or inside the layers to keep them safe).


Pralorn and Wrral say the clan and Brassarril waiting for them. Wrral, cocky and arrogant, smirked and spoke to Pralorn who was looking a bit nervous. To challenge the Chief was no simple task… but since it was all set up and ready for them… Wrral landed and changed into his new form and grinned at Brassarril, who spoke to them and welcomed them back. Hoping that maybe this could be averted.
“Congratulations you two. And welcome back.”

“You know what we’re here for, don’t you Brass?” Wrral said as he stalked about on the dirt floor, confident. “Why bother with the niceties?”

“Wrral…” Pralorn said hesitantly. And Toki smiled sadly. Pralorn was far more hesitant that his clutch brother.. but he was also more dangerous. Perhaps if I go down he’ll back off, Toki thought without much hope.

But he did it anyways, there was always the chance after all. And he did not want to fight Pralorn, he’d been a good student.

“If you do challenge Brassarril, you’ll either fight alone… or the two of you fight both of us.” He growled.

“Oh? Playing favorites finally?” Wrral hissed in irritation while the clan started to murmur. Toki had never before taken a clear stance when other’s fought. He would always insist on fairness and treating people equally… for him to step in was… unprecedented.

“Yes. Because neither one of you is suited for chieftainship.” his voice echoed across the valley walls. “Pralorn might, after he learns some lessons, be suited. You? Never.”

“How dare---” Wrral stiffened and tried to angrily retort but Toki cut him off.

“You are arrogant; all you want is power and more respect than those around you. You do not treat others with respect nor fairly. You answer to your needs first… and other’s last. You, Wrral, are a brat. A powerful one yes…. but still a brat.”

“Toki. I can do this alone.” Brassarril roke in while Wrral growled in anger.

“I know.. but I want my stance known. I, as you shaman, support you Brassarril. I will not allow anyone to try and steal a throne they do not deserve… not until they are willing to fight honorably and fairly.”

Pralorn looked at Toki, then his brother, then back… and then he finally looked at his chief. His mind churned and tried to think but he couldn’t think up any way to stop what was happening. On the trip there, and during the ritual itself, he had been thinking about the plan. Was what they were planning right? And then, during the ritual, he’d nearly died. That was what had changed him. He’d almost died for no reason other than his brother wanted to be chief because he wanted to have the top spot…. And now he was going to challenge his chief and his shaman for that same reason? No….

He stepped back and shook his head. “No. I’m not challenging either of you… Wrral. Brother. You’ll have to fight alone.” He spoke sadly. “I do not want that position. I followed you because that’s what I’ve always done. I almost died, brother. That ritual almost killed me… and I would have died for a stupid reason.”

Toki smiled and settled back on his haunches. “Well. It seems one of you has matured wonderfully. In that case… I do not need to fight.”

“Wrral… you can still challenge. If you win.. you are the chief. And Toki… no interfering… I do not need your help if it’s just him.”

“Of course, Chieftain.” Toki stood up and flew back up to his ledge. “Pralorn… come up here. We will need to talk after this is over.”

Pralorn followed silently. Worried for his brother, but knowing that this was the only choice he would be able to live with, the only one that was right.

The fight was brutal. Brassarril did not hesitate and completely dominated Wrral. He gave no quarter and fought in the most demanding and deadly way. His place had been challenged, he had been challenged… and he wanted to make it clear to all the members that he was the Chief. And to make all future challengers hesitate before they did so, he defeated Wrral in the quickest and damaging way.

The fight was brutal.. it was also fast. Wrral stood no chance for Brassarril was the strongest in the clan: Toki would have been able to beat him in magic… but physically he would have been defeated.

Brassarril, once he’d defeated Wrral, did not kill him. Though he could have, he did not want to. It was one of the many reasons Toki thought him the best chief. He was dangerous, thoughtful, willing to learn… and kind.

“Wrral… while I have both the power to kill you and to banish you from this clan… I will not. Not yet anyways. Should you ever try this again, I will though. I hope you try to be a constructive member of the clan now… but if you cannot stand to live in my clan under my rule.. than leave.” With that he turned and walked away, leaving the bleeding Wrral to his thoughts and pain.

Toki motioned with his tail for Pralorn to follow him into his lair.
“Come… tell me of your trip and your thoughts Pralorn…”

Re-Encounter

PRP- Hunt :: With Tohru

meets Torhu again.

ongoing

The Fun of Rock Smashing

PRP- Mara Hunting:: With Imoogi


ONGOING