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 Posted: Tue Jan 19, 2016 7:51 am
Lumikani had to get out of the camp. Bloom fever seemed to set in, and all of the sisters were focused on the three new children. After careful deliberation, the matron had declared them Elaria, the daughters of Elzira. It was all so familiar, and yet Lumikani still struggled to wrap her head around the concept.
It was difficult to accept that they had a new mother to follow, and that no longer was she able to seek the guidance of Aisha.
Her entire history revolved around her blind faith in her Great Mother. It led her to turning against her flesh and blood and abandoning their promised land. It led her to blood, sweat, and tears as she tried to rebuild in a land not their own. The split was clear, but Lumikani couldn't accept it fully until now. Aisha was her past, and Elzira was her future.
Grown from a seed of their great mother, Lumikani couldn't really identify the tree as a foreign entity. It was like a daughter, or cousin. The soil may have warped the tree, and the children it bloomed, but they were still of Aisha's blood.
Much like Lumikani was different, so were these cousins, but they still were a blessing from Aisha. Grumbling at the strain of her faith, Lumikani took advantage of the call for scouts and stomped to the edge of the camp.
She needed a breather, and a scout trip seemed the perfect opportunity.
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Posted: Tue Jan 19, 2016 9:44 am
It had been a great disappointment for Zandala when she had not been chosen to take care of one of the blooms. It would have been an honor to serve Elzira by helping her first children grow into capable and apt warriors. The Matron had picked good women to take care of them; Zandala hoped they would hold up to the high standards. For now though, Zandala did not want to be in the camp. Some of the other Alkidikes were a bit more verbal about their dismay and they were grating on her nerves. She needed to be out and think things through.
There was also a lot of dissent happening in the camp, some were having trouble thinking of Elzira as their new mother. They clung to Aisha like child Earthlings clung to their mother’s tit. Zandala had been the same at first, but then she had come to the realization that this was their future and it was a brighter one. She had even begun praying to Elzira instead of Aisha to put her mindset in place. Years of loyalty to Aisha weren’t going to be washed out over night, but she could try. It was all just a mind game right?
Zandala had already been out of the village not too far off to hear the call for scouts. If she had been I the village she would have gladly joined in, but since she was taking the day to think things through she decided to stay where she was. She also had to decide which path she wanted to take, not a decision to be taken lightly. Her choices had been reduced to two, either a bow or duel swords, but she had yet to pick a concrete class for herself.
It would take a bit more thought.
Glancing down, Zandala noticed one of the Alkidikes was under the tree she was currently lounged across. This one was more petit and slightly older than her from the looks of her. Perhaps one of the scouts?
“Are you out scouting?” She called to the girl, propping up herself on her forearms against the large branch.
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Posted: Tue Jan 19, 2016 10:10 am
As she moved through the trees and away from the crowd, Lumikani was taken off guard by a voice to her side. Snapping her gaze that way, she eyed one of the younger sisters. She recalled such a sister back during the war, the markings distinct. Just like herself, this sister didn't have training or a weapon, for she was much too young. However, she had faith and believed in the cause, and that was why she stood here today.
"I am...you must be too. Let's go then, we need to ensure that our borders are protected now that we have blooms..."
Her face was set as she pulled out her swords, rolling her shoulders and waiting for the taller girl to land. At this point, pretty much everyone knew she was the runt of the group. However, she made it clear to all of her sisters that she was worth her size and more because of her dedication and commitment to their cause.
Someday, she was going to become the tiny terror she always dreamed of, even if the end goal wasn't quite as big as Tendaji.
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Posted: Tue Jan 19, 2016 10:17 am
Zandala hadn’t initially planned on going out scouting, but if an older sister asked then she would follow her orders. Nodding, the Alkidike pulled herself up to sit with the branch between her legs before she turned and threw her leg over the side before dropping down on the soft earth below next to her sister. She didn’t have weapons like she did, but that did not make her useless on the battle field thankfully. Perhaps this sister could help her decide which path to choose from, she hadn’t thought of asking anyone in case they thought her weak but she could always make a small comment and see what she thought.
“I am Zandala,” she said with a nod before letting her take the lead since she was older. Respect was a big thing for Zandala.
“I do not think the Yaeli would think of crossing our borders, they are far too weak.” Zandala spat as she spoke about the Yaeli. At least the Earthlings had a bit of a bite to them, the Yaeli in her eyes were the weakest of all. However, she knew that some Earthlings had thought about coming here. Why she didn’t know, everyone knew the Banished were here and it would only cause tensions if they stayed here. “Have any earthlings been spotted recently?”
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Posted: Tue Jan 19, 2016 10:42 am
Lumikani didn't seem to notice Zandala's intentions, focused more on the path ahead and where she needed to go. They would be traveling deep into the forest toward the southern border, a place noted to be damp and full of random caves. If they weren't careful, they could potentially fall through the ground.
Even after a year, the land was still a foreign beast that they needed to take care of.
Finally, Lumikani turned and glanced back toward Zandala, listening as the younger sister spoke.
"That is true, they are no great threat to our cause..." The yaeli were fearful and skittish, and seemed quite keen in making up stories to stay away from their side of the island, unlike others.
When Zandala asked about earthlings, Lumikani scowled and came to a full stop.
"I traveled to the other side of the island to scout the creatures and settlements...it seemed we are not the only ones keen to understand this land. Obans were also exploring, and I unfortunately crossed paths with their leader. It seems that soon enough Yaeli will not be the only inhabitants we will need to deal with..."
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Posted: Tue Jan 19, 2016 10:57 am
Zandala almost didn’t stop when the older Alkidike stopped. She had passed her by a little and also came to a stop only to look back wondering why the other had stopped. She listened closely to what she said her own scowl growing as she spoke of the Obans.
“They just can’t help themselves can they, always have to conquer others.” Zandala balled her hands into fists. “I wouldn’t be surprised if they took back Yaeli as slaved.” If there was one race that Zandala hated almost as much as the other Alkdikes who had stayed behind was the Obans. They were the worst kind of Earthlings out there and the only who had enslaved another race.
“I hope you gave this leader the beating of his life.” That was all they deserved, to be beat off this island and scared into never coming back. They could not find out about the Elaria. “Do you think some of the sister will have to go over there and make sure they don’t come any closer or make any plans on staying?” if they could deter the Obans from staying, none of the others would want to stay either. They’d scare them all off.
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Posted: Tue Jan 19, 2016 12:06 pm
Lumikani kept silent, unwilling to shame herself by admitting she had been taken out. She put up a fight against the beast tamer, but in the end she was forced to flee when his creatures began to surround her. She was disappointed in herself and in her powers, and refused to speak anything of the topic. At least he too seemed beaten down, as she refused to go down without a fight.
So, in response to the comment, Lumikani began to move again, her eyes glancing out at the nature around her and seeking any sort of movement or sign of Earthlings having passed through. So far, nothing.
"I was quite far...near the fire mountains on the other side of the island. I think we need to keep an eye on our borders, but they were not close enough for concern."
Hopefully, they would keep away.
Lumikani, in an effort to change the topic, finally initiated conversation, "Where is your weapon, Zandala?"
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Posted: Tue Jan 19, 2016 12:36 pm
Zandala noted the silence towards the fight with the Oban leader but did not push the subject. If Lumikani did not want to speak about it, it was not her place to comment on such things.
The mountains were quite far from camp, but if the Alkidikes ever wanted to expand then they would have to push the Earthlings further back. This was a scouting mission however, Zandala had to make sure she did not get into a fight otherwise she would not only put herself in danger but it would put Lumikani in a precarious place. The Banished could not afford to lose two able bodies right now, so she would stay out of danger. For now at least.
“I have not chosen one yet,” Zandala said in a softer voice. She hated admitting it because it felt like a weakness on her part. “I know I will be a sacred heart, I just must choose between dual blades or a bow.” She was leaning towards a bow for now, but dual blades also seemed interesting to her. “I plan on deciding soon however, I am more favorable with the bow.” She didn’t want to seem like she was unsure of herself in front of Lumikani.
“What about yourself, how did you decide which was better for you?”
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Posted: Tue Jan 19, 2016 1:06 pm
Lumikani slowed her pace so she could stand next to the taller Alk. It always was a bit of a blow to be side-by-side with a sister, mostly because it made her feel small and weak. However, Lumikani had grown some thick skin over the years, and the thought simply passed by ignored before becoming forgotten.
"That is a bit of a choice. You will need to determine if you prefer fighting up close or at a distance...both have their benefits."
Lumikani herself loved the thrill of bloodshed, and felt so much stronger knowing she could slice someone down and prove they should not underestimate her.
"Personally, I enjoy the dance of blades. To be in close contact with my enemy gives me a thrill. I never was suited for stealth and distance, I always needed to be in the center of it all. The bow took skill and discipline, but never had enough risk for me..."
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Posted: Tue Jan 19, 2016 2:03 pm
That was the problem; Zandala didn’t know which she preferred.
“My other mothers were always fighting at a distance, which is why I am more favorable to the bow. However, I also do not want to follow in their footsteps,” Zan grimanced. “I do not want to be anything like those Alkidikes.” It would be obvious to anyone why she didn’t want to be anything like her mother. They had stayed behind while Zandala had gone forth with the Banished. Yet even she could not deny that her skills lay better with the bow than the swords, it was simply a matter of getting over her pride.
“I do not fear battle or being up close,” no she was more than happy to be in the middle of it. “However, if I can save more of my sisters lives because I shot down an assailant that was headed for us then I will gladly take up the bow.” That was the main reason she liked the bow so much. “I am surprised that you do not prize stealth because of your size, no offence or insult meant to you of course.” Perhaps it was because she wanted to prove herself to the others?
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Posted: Tue Jan 19, 2016 6:26 pm
Zandala was left to silence as Lumikani pondered her words. She was not used to being the person others looked toward, and really wasn't certain if her words would proof to assist the girl much. In fact, she merely waved away the comment about size, before stopping again and looking up to the younger girl.
"Aisha chose to bloom me with this size. I still am in the image of our great mother, and I believe that I am here for a reason no matter how I appear..." It was a simple statement, and showed how much Lumikani believed in that truth. All things considered, she grew up repeating that truth day in and day out.
"..even if you do not want to be like those Alkidikes, they still are sisters in the image of our great mother. They may have lost their way, but we all come from the same foundation...our great mother. If you choose the bow, you choose it because of the power and stealth it represents. You choose it because it makes you the best sister you can be, and allows you to best protect our cause. There is no weakness in choosing a weapon, because what matters is your actions with that weapon."
She wasn't the type to be inspirational, but Lumikani was feeling a bit preachy and this was a nice topic to focus on.
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Posted: Wed Jan 20, 2016 7:43 am
“I hope you find that reason.” Zandala said sincerely. They were all here for a reason, but finding out why was a life goal most never achieved. She on the other hand didn’t think about why she was here, she simply obeyed her elders and followed their great mother.
“Thank you, your words are kind and I do believe will help me.” Zandala was impressed with Lumikani. She couldn’t be much older than her but her words had been wise and thoughtful. She didn’t think she could have gotten the same kind of reply from another Alkidike, at least not from the ones she knew. Lumikani was the kind of Alkidike Zandala inspired to be, wise and always thoughtful of her sisters. She did not hide the truth to flatter her pride as some might do nor tell her brashly her opinion. It was a nice change from the usual thing she heard.
A sound caught Zandala’s ear and she turned in that direction, slightly crouching as her eyes moved through the forest. Could be an animal, could be an Earthling, but the sound still needed to be checked.
“I hear something coming from over there,” Zandala whispered quietly as she pointed to the area with her chin so to keep her eyes on the area itself.
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Posted: Wed Jan 20, 2016 8:44 am
Sometimes Lumikani wondered what the reason was. It reminded her of the long journey she had been on, despite being so young. She was forced to give up everything for Aisha, including the great mother herself. It felt so bittersweet. Yet, Lumikani reminded herself that Aisha didn't abandon them...her seed gave them a new guiding light in this dark land.
Lumikani finally flashed a bit of a smirk, showing her more childish side.
"Don't worry too much, sister. No matter what, you made the right decision and will make our tribe proud."
The silence filled them both, but Lumikani's own ears and antennae twitched lightly. She glanced around as Zandala crouched and moved, letting the younger girl take the lead. There really was no big issue, and Lumikani was curious on how the girl would act outside of casual conversation.
Lumikani locked eyes with Zandala and nodded, slowly pulling out her blades in the process just in case.
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Posted: Wed Jan 20, 2016 9:05 am
Zandala nodded to Lumikani’s words before focusing on the noise again. She waited on her sister to make the first move, but when the other girl didn’t move Zandala took the lead.
Digging into her small pocket, Zandala produced a small knife and held it in front of her as she slowly inched towards the noise. She glanced back once at Lumi before moving around the tree and slowly peeking behind it. There wasn’t any movements and so Zandala inched forward again. This time she did see where the noise had come from and she came out of hiding.
“Shoo!” She told the girls who had been eating an animal that had probably died from old age or injury a little while ago. The birds flew away at the sound of her voice but stayed on the branches nearby. “Looks like it was nothing. We should keep going.” She told Lumikani while eyeing the animal in case it had died from something else and been left there by the predator when it had heard them or perhaps seen them before they had seen it. You just could never be sur and Zandala didn’t want to over look anything.
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Posted: Wed Jan 20, 2016 9:28 am
Lumikani didn't drop her blades, but she moved closer to the creature that had been decomposing in the brush. Looking it over, she identified little signs of struggle or any sort of strike. The Alkidikes were smart about their kills, often bringing the whole carcass back to use for homes and tools. This clearly was not some sort of game, and that reassured Lumikani that no humanoid had taken it down.
Their borders still seemed clear.
"We are quite close to the borders, it'd be best if we kept an eye out for any tracks...."
Lumikani still held her swords and moved ahead of Zandala, picking up the pace and beginning to move down the normal path the Alkidikes had carved out. Everyone who was permitted to leave the camp knew of their pathway system, so it would be clear if anyone wandered into their lands based on disturbed land.
"Normally, the large Limbara do not venture this far into the island, so any sort of activity will mostly be the Keldari on the ground or the creatures in the trees."
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