(Jerarda has decided to be more true to herself and after dealing with a difficult trades woman doesn't give up home to acquire her new weapon)
Her hand slammed down upon the table, palm stinging at the tools jumped from the impact. The woman sitting on the other side raised her head only to cast a glower in the alkidkes direction before she huffed and adjusted the nails that were being held by her teeth slightly to the side of her mouth.
"I told you already, the leather you've brought me isn't good enough for what you want alkidike. " Came the even and slightly impatient tone of the leather worker as she continued to work with her hands using the nails to fasten and stretch parts of the hide she was currently manipulating.
"What is wrong with it this time?" Jerarda demanded as she looked over the skin she had brought the shifter woman. Her hand clenched at her side, her weapon left at the entrance of the leather workers shop as was the rule the crats-woman had put in place if you wanted to do business with her.
As if realizing that Jerarda wasn't about to just leave her alone with out a satisfactory explanation she sighed and plucked the tacks out of her mouth before setting them in a small container. Taking one more look over the leather she was working with before putting it aside. Standing up she put her hands on her hips and didn't even bother picking up the skin before giving a huff of annoyed laughter.
"First of all its too small, and thin. I can tell just by what I see that its not going to be suitable for your needs. What you want is something of excellent craftsmanship and I pride myself in my work. I am not going to settle for anything less than perfection in the leather I use. Besides...it was YOU who arranged for the price adjustment by providing the leather. " Keitra stated with disgusted sound from her throat, the towering woman had basically bullied her into working a bargain with her. So persistent she had caved in juts to get ride of the woman for a small time.
Jerarda glowered at the woman literally towering over her even from across the table. Crossing her arms over her chest frustrated.
"There is always something wrong with the leather I bring you. What exactly makes the best leather for the gloves I want made?" She demanded staring the woman down as if thinking that this would make the woman give up trying to fight against her wishes.
It was now Keitra's turn to slam her palm down on the table, the other hand still on her hip as she gave a hard look at Jerarda,
"I've already gave you a list of requirements of what would make for passable leather I am not going to repeat myself for the fortieth time." She snapped, white hair tied back tightly was starting to come undone from the moving around the craftswoman was doing. "Now either you remember what you've been told and leave my shop and try again or don't bother coming back at all. Now I have work to do, good day."
As the woman walked away it was easy to see that she was tense just from their encounter. Jerarda rubbed a hand over her face and looked up at the buildings ceiling before shaking her head and snatching the skin off the table before turning to leave. Her spear grabbed before exiting she paused and looked back into Keitra's shop. Eyes glancing over the boots, satchels and other gear she made. There was no denying her skill....too bad she had such a difficult personality to deal with.
***
Jerard's fist was banging at the door, pounding in fervent manner as if the sky was coming down upon her. Keitra lived in the back of her shop, and it was easy enough to see that she was pretending she couldn't hear the loud and angry hits against her poor door.
The door swung inwards quickly, revealing a furious Keitra on the other side.
"Will you please stop before you break my door down!" She snapped in a irritated and hushed tone. Disheveled from getting out of bed she squinted as she looked up at the face of the late night bother. "Oh...its you...." The fact she recognized the annoying customer was not a compliment. Without another word she was trying to shut the door but was stopped as Jerarda placed her hand against it.
"Come back in the morning...during REGULAR business hours." Keitra hissed though the alkidike was smiling like an idiot which was perhaps more worrisome than when she was growling at her.
"I got it! I have it, the leather that will work!" The alkidike stated out of breath, she went to push herself through the door leaving a dumbfounded shifter in the entrance way.
"Wa..wait! I told you to come back in the morning! What have you become deaf as well stubborn?"
Jerarda ignored her protesting and it was only when she lifted a rather large bag that Keitra realized that...Jerarda had literally just come from hunting. She was covered in scratches, cuts...dried blood covering some large parts of her body. Her spear was no where to be seen.
"....Are you alright?" She inquired slowly not wanting to show concern for her annoying customer but...it was hard not to. Jerarda blinked a moment before straightening and rolled her shoulders,
"Yeah..I mean well...my mate is going to be very angry with me for being out so late...." She glanced down her arms the bandages wrapping up her hands and forearms were becoming unraveled and looked as if they needed to be changed. Soiled from...a mix of blood and goodness knew what. Perhaps it was against her better nature but she closed the door to her shop and went to light a couple of lamps so they could see better. To be honest she was curious to what the alkidike could of possibly found that made her this excited.
Jerarda had basically sprinted back to Keitra's shop when she had managed to successfully locate and kill the creature she had in mind though the adrenaline was fading rapidly now that she was just standing there and wobbling slightly she went to sit down heavily on the chair beside the work table.
The leather worker tilted her head as she stopped herself from reaching to open the bag. Sitting opposite the alkidike she leaned forward her elbows on her knees as she held her head up with her hands.
"First...before I even look at what you've brought me...I want you to explain one thing to me." Keitra began raising a small eyebrow from Jerarda who gave a shrug quickly.
"What is it?" Spoke the tired warrior as she leaned against the chair trying to not let her obvious exhaustion show.
"What exactly...does an alkidike need...with battle gloves?"
The question hung in the air, and Keitra's gaze was demanding for a woman who had been rudely awoken only minutes before. It was surprising when Jerarda sighed and rubbed a hand against the back of her head. Flinching from a wound she didn't realize was there before lowering her hand and adjusting her position to be sitting up in a proud fashion. Her shoulders felt heavy as if she could already feel the disapproving gazes upon her.
"Perhaps you wouldn't understand Alkidike traditions, perhaps you wouldn't understand the desire to to develop and nurture something new...something that was considered a waste of time. A skill that you would be forced discard as being declared useless. To be forced to take up a weapon you held little love for to gain recognition with your peers and elders... that I have gained in skill...to be able to achieve and move up in rank. I am tired of pretending I am someone else." Jerarda explained a bitterness creeping into her tone, a resolve firming as she ended her sentence.
There was another silent moment as both women stared at each other for a long moment, it was Keitra who shifted first.
"B...attle gloves though?" The leather worker inquired her curiosity gaining ground. She had never seen an alkidike weild anything beyond the obvious three types of weapons; swords, spears and short bows. On the rare occasion a staff for the alkidikes who could wield magic. The question earned a nod from Jerarda. Giving a low whistle she leaned back in her chair her gaze going back to the sack.
"Don't you fear retribution for going against your peoples traditions? Won't you get punished for discarding your spear? Taking up...well..."
"The gloves?" Jerarda cut in, finishing the woman's sentence, there was a small sound in her throat as she nodded her head slightly fidgeting in her seat before she continued,
"I am worried...yes, but...I have already gotten involved and started a family with an earthling. I cannot see them being any more disappointed in me than they already are." She stated dismissively, she didn't really care one way or another if they disapproved of her relationship with Animah, she loved her mate and her three children. "Besides times are changing, our people are...hard pressed to accept change. I hope that..with time they can accept what I develop."
Jerarda paused for a moment, thinking of all the people who would be giving her a questioning look when she revealed that she was going to lay down her spear to take up battle gloves instead.
"I am done with pretending who I am. I am going to be honest with myself and go back to using a skill I had developed and trained when I was young. But I need proper ...armor to help me." Jerarda stated looking back to her hands.
Licking her lips Keitra stood and went to look at the large sack laying on the table. She was somewhat afraid of what this woman brought her, but quietly opened the bag and withdrew the still pliable skin. A look of surprise came across her face.
Jerarda watched as she hurriedly dropped the skin before going to grab a lamp and bring the light closer so she could inspect it. Her fingers didn't hesitate as she picked the skin back up and began to access it. Despite it was leaving faint bloody trails on her fingers she was testing the pliability and strength.
"Where.....did you...what is this?" Keitra asked as she had never seen a hide quite like this. She didn't recognize which creature it was from, though given it was still a fairly fresh kill the alkidike couldn't of gone too far to find it.
"The dying forest." Jerarda explained a smile crossing her face. "The thing was hard to kill...they are smarter than they look." She snickered, "It will be the last time I use my spear..it managed to snap the shaft in half between its jaws." Came a chuckle from the warrior, it was just evident with those words that her ever present spear was...absent.
The shifters lips thinned as she gave Jerarda a hard look before putting the hide back into the bag. "Alright Jerarda...you've brought me...some suitable hide to work with...and quite a bit of it. I have never worked with this type before so...it should prove a good experience. You will get your gloves...give me a fortnight." Keitra stated as she reached across the table to offer Jerarda a handshake to seal the deal.
Grinning Jerarda stood and steadied herself a hand lightly on the table before she extended her free arm to grasp the leather workers hand.
"I can't wait to see them."
Word Count: 2023 - Finished
Old Quest writing
Leaning against the cool bark the alkidike held her spear loosely with one hand. The other help to keep her balance steady she was looking around the canopy for threats or opportunities to hunt. With three little mouths to feed and her mate and herself it was getting tougher to keep them well supplied with food, and although she was becoming quite skilled with the spear...there were often times that she stared at the thing with a look of mild disgust. The weapon had been quite literally thrust upon her by her elders. She had to train in it else she couldn't advance in rank among her peers.
The future was calling her, her love would go on forever for her mate for her people but the longer she stared at the weapon her irritation grew. There were bitter sweet memories tied with the spear. The anger and frustration of having to learn a weapon she found pointless to use. True she had been rather arrogant and hot tempered in her youth, unwilling to learn a skill she thought was archaic. She had been quick to jump at a chance to show off her home made skills of hand to hand combat. To prove that she could contribute in her own unique way, only to discover that her effort had been considered a waste of time.
As she thought about these things she rolled the shaft in her hand. Her eyes trailing after the weapon as it moved back and forth. The weight of it had become a comfort, she gripped the weapon tightly making a slash in the air in front of her. But was she getting too comfortable?
When was the last time she really tried using her hand to hand combat? When she was forced to take on the spear did she forget what skill she had mastered? Alright her arrogance was making a come back at an age where she could acknowledge that it she had yet mastered any skill let alone one she had created from scratch. Was she just desperate to be unique?
Stepping away from her perch she rolled her shoulders and gripped the shaft tightly before she lept down from the branch she was occupying. Nimbly she was able to make her way down to the forest floor. Once her feet stirred the leaves that had settled on the forest floor she turned and after a moments of hesitation leaned her spear against the trunk. Glancing down at her bandaged hands she took a deep breath and silently moved into a stance she hadn't used in a long while.
Closing her eyes she allowed her body to rely on her hearing, the sensations she could feel in the air from her antenna. Stretching her arms out she fell into a rested position her hands drawn up into fists close to her chest. Bringing back memories of her own fighting method she felt like she was almost back to her younger days. Opening her eyes she stared out at the quiet forest around her, she began to practice the moves, replaying her techniques from many moons past. Her muscles protested against some of the more difficult positions as she continued to practiced. Sweat gathered on her brow and threatened to blind her as she continued on. Perhaps obsessing a bit too much in attempting to feel like her old self.
It was getting dark when she finally felt the chill of sweat on her skin. The wind had picked up and she had made little progress with her original purpose for coming out into the forest. Finding food and keeping an eye out for the threats that could put her family in danger.
Sighing she wiped the sweat from her brow, dampening the bandages on her forearms. Glancing at her hands a long moment before she flexed her fingers and then slowly went to gather the spear. It was time for a change, perhaps it would be risky. Perhaps it would be foolish, but she felt as if she needed to do this for herself. Touching back on her roots of who she truely had been. Jerarda wasn't so stupid to think she needed her extreme pride or the arrogance of her youth to bring herself back to who she was. Fighting with her fists...would be the first step to reclaiming herself.
***
It had become...perhaps an unhealthy obsession, but with the idea now firmly planted in her head she felt restless unless she was working on her moves. She allowed her children to watch on occasion. When questioned about it as want of most children's curiosities to do she explained curtly that she was welcoming back an old part of herself. Though still affectionate with her family and lover it was quite clear she was working through something and until she was happy with the outcome she would remain aloof while around them.
On days she wasn't practicing she had gone to some of the shifter settlements, gaining quite a few stares as her towering figure sought out a blacksmith or leather worker. She wanted to make a pair of gauntlets, though nothing so heavy and awkward. Basically she wanted a pair of fighting gloves . Something she could wear over top her bandages that could protect her fists and still allowed the nimble ability she required fr wielding the spear.
It took quite some time, to find a leather worker who she considered skilled enough to handle her request. And the woman had been quite demanding when they heckled over the price of producing the quality of gloves Jerarda required. Working on a compromise, Jera was to acquire the hide needed to make the gloves as well the rune stones she wanted to have embedded into the backs of the hand. The runes seemed easy enough to locate. Many mages had the things. It was the leather that she was having trouble locating.
She wasn't entirely sure what qualified as 'poor' , 'passable', 'good' or 'excellent' types of leather. The first couple of creatures she came across from hunting all came back with similar comments.
'The leather is too thin.' 'What do you expect me to make with all the holes you put in it?' 'It just won't do.'
The leather crafter was a pain in the neck, both Jera and the shifter woman held a lot of pride and with each insult to Jerarda's attempts to bring her leather the desire to strangle her rose within the alkidike. Was all this hassle really worth it?
Wracking her brain she thought long and hard on the types of animals she had hunted at this point. She had gone even as far as the edge of Sauti to locate a creature that would suit her needs. It wasn't until one day it dawned on it, she may not of needed to go that far after all.
Recalling her trip to the undying forest, the creatures who lurked just under the surface of the stagnant pools of water...those...things were leathery. If they could survive under the water they would have to have a pretty thick skin. It was dangerous to go there unprepared and she was forced to bring back the skills of her spear as she prepared for the trip. Promising her family that she would be careful and be back within the next couple of days she began her journey.
***
It wasn't hard to tell if you were going in the right direction of the dying forest. The healthy trees start to thin out, the ample game scarce. It was an unsettling place, with a sense of dread that hung to the air and clung to the barks of the dead or dying trees. She had been forced to travel by foot as the trees had become to far apart to travel in such a manner. On the ground the stench of rotting plants seemed to permeate through and into her. It left a foul taste in her mouth no matter how many times she tried to clear it with water from her canteen or food from her pack.
Miserable as the mugginess seemed even worse in this part of the forest she had forgotten just how desolate and depressing this place could be. The dangers were every where, from being blatantly obvious to dastardly clever. There had been a few occasions she had been tempted to hunt the small creatures that managed to make a living in this place. Only to learn by observing that...what may seem small and helpless...was actually deadly poisonous. One small lizard like creature described that statement perfectly. A bird had snatched it up, swallowing it whole...only to be lying dead seconds later. The lizard crawling back out from the stomach and out through the mouth quite unphased from the entire experience.
Shuddering at the memory of the glazed eyes of the bird laying on the ground convulsing in agony as if died she pressed forward. She needed to find a large body of water, something that could hold the enormous creature she sought. Though...she was quick to discover those creatures didn't need large bodies of water to hide out of sight. Even a shallow pool was enough to act as cover from ambush, and it nearly cost her an arm when she had tried to approach one to see if the water could be drank from.
The entire event was a blur, there was hissing and growling from the creature, it was faster than she remembered. But then again this one wasn't nearly as large as the one she had come across when she had been fighting the dretch mages. With no time to ponder why she was jumping back from a chomping set of teeth. Spear in hand she stabbed forward the reptile was smart enough to recognize it did not want to be on the receiving end and quickly retreated back to the edge of the pool and settling down in the mud watching her carefully.
Great..it was a fairly smart creature.
Settling some distance away both Jerarda and the thing watched each other. It was unnerving how it seemed to falling asleep, luring her into a false sense of security. When she moved it was tracking her, the pupils following her every move with its half lidded gaze.
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