Private Ancestral Shadows

[Makai Dashiell]

"Hm, yes, I can see how one can be speared by the fruit. Bit of an embarrassing way to have to visit the healers."

Makai couldn't imagine a solider getting stabbed then going to the priestess or healer because one was stabbed by, of all things, fruit. Wild animals hunted for game was one thing. Fruit? That was a different level. The tree alone was impressive.

The subject turned to heirs - always a tricky subject too - and it was a sour one. Makai suspected it would be. Speaking of these things was always a very delicate balancing act. Elpsis Kerrigan didn't seem too offended but the half-Galan could tell this was something she had thought of. Had pondered over. Had been annoyed by her advisors by. It was only natural. Anyone in a position of power should come to expect it past a certain age. Hell, his own damn droid was pestering him about adding a second heir, as if he wasn't a young man already.

"Adopting or choosing an heir is a good choice. Just because one comes via blood does not mean they will be the right fit to rule or lead a group of people. The idea of tests is wise, especially tests while the young lady is unaware. We all know people change their habits when they know they are being watched."

Head ducked slightly to avoid a branch as they walked on a path only the beasts seem to know.

"Even my own daughter, my own eventual children must be a right fit for the work. Granted I have a big advantage where they will be brought up in the business. They will know the ins-and-outs before they come of age....what I will be watching for is the passion and desire to continue what was started by Dad. There lies a tricky part. A tricky part for you too Lipsy - to find someone with the passion for people, not the title."

 

[Elpsis Kerrigan]

Makai Dashiell

'Lipsy' seemed to amuse Alpsasl. The remark made her chuckle at least. "Making a child grow believing that one day it's going to own it all ruins it. If they don't end up a spoilt hedonist, they'll get crushed under the weight of expectations." A shadow passed over her face, she suddenly turned silent. Perhaps the subject matter hit a bit close to home. "They have to - they have to see more than the fancy chair. That's not the realm. And it's not the few Emiras and Emirs who make up the 'great houses' either. It's Suqua, Daara and Dahur and all the towns, the sand of the desert, and the grass of the savannah, the River Mehran, the highest peak of Mount Kasrounon and the animals that dwell within them. It's the mamluks, the workers, the farmers and herders, the artisans, weavers, engineers and priestesses. They have to understand - and be ready to bleed for it."

She was pulled from her musings when one of the guards rode up to her, steering her Yazgid expertly. She was a Qadiri woman who seemed their equivalent of being in her late twenties, of average height though robust and strong in her figure. An old scar ran from the side of her lip to her chin. "Mirza," she spoke crisply in Zandri, with no fanfare, "I have sighted a large herd of Nawun. They're a couple kilometres away by a waterhole. Shall we hunt?"

Nawun were big, heavily built antelopes whose box-like heads were crowned by big, curving horns. While they were herbivores, hunting them on the back of a Yazgid was not without danger, especially since they always moved in herds. Alpsals nodded to her, thoughts on the succession, heirs and mothers pushed from her mind. "Hunt's on. We circle around them from the west, drive them towards Zabhara's group." For Makai's benefit, she added in Basic. "We're hunting Nawun. Big nerf style creatures with horns. Stay close to me, hold on tight. You don't want to fall off and let them charge you."

 

[Makai Dashiell]

"I completely agree. A promised chance at a business or throne is a disaster. My father had me working from a young age. Really to instill nothing would come free or easy, but also in a longer term sense, how the business works on all scales. I imagine an heir of any sort taking over a throne would need the same. At least if they were to be successful, history is riddled with despots. Be ready to bleed for it is a great analogy."

Iced azure eyes looked around as they travelled. Lipsy and the locals were speaking in the language he didn't understand but he was fine with such a thing. Much could be inferred from the body language and the pointing. Besides, it would be rude to ask for a translation every time something happened.

Finally a translation, they would be attacking some quadrupeds with horns. That could charge people - a natural response. Makai wasn't sure how he was supposed to avoid being charged when he was a passenger on a mount. Didn't these lizard-creatures have a mind of their own? Experimentally he tried to lift his foot up out of the way, as if to see how fast it could occur. Fairly fast, his foot should stay in tact.

"So, jump down and distract these horned creatures so the lizards can hunt easier, got it."

Elpsis Kerrigan​

 

[Elpsis Kerrigan]

Makai Dashiell

"We're going to ambush the horned creatures and drive them towards Zabhara's group. Hold on, and don't fall off." Across the plains they rode under the setting sun. Here and there, Alpsal gave Mirza directions, either through verbal commands or signals, but the Yazgid did not seem to need a lot of handling.

As they neared the waterhole, Alpsal gave a command in Zandri and with a roar Mirza broke into a gallop. A big herd of Nawun was sating their thirst, but their eyesight and sense of smell were potent. At the sight of the pack of charging Yazgid the herd quickly turned and fled. Yet as Mirza closed in, an enraged Nawun with large horns suddenly charged her!

Unfazed by this, Alpsal gave Mirza's reins a tug and the Yazgid wheeled around the charging Nawun at breakneck speed before those dangerous horns could strike her. Quickly, Alpsal hurled a spear at the Nawun, hitting it in the side. "Hold on," Alpsal called out to Makai and used her metal arm to hold on tightly to the saddle when Mirza suddenly pounced upon her wounded, howling prey, assaulting the Nawun with her claws and large, sharp teeth. Other riders, meanwhile, were dashing after the retreating herd.

 

[Makai Dashiell]

The worst thing Elpsis Kerrigan could have said was 'hold on'. Naturally it made him a little more tense and keenly aware that falling off was a real possibility. He was not a graceful person. Maybe only when he was swimming. On dry land and in his everyday life? A little clumsy - something he thought he would have outgrown in his teenage years but it never happened.

So when the raptor creature charged, being prepared still wouldn't have helped him. As the creature reared his center of balance shifted, tossing him off the back like a rag doll. He landed with a 'oomph' on the hard grassy ground, landing square on his back and shoulder. Which thankfully spared the glasses he needed to see at night with. Still took the air out of him and left him stunned for a moment.

Until he remembered the charging creatures. Head lifted, peering through the tall grass, he saw the one being slaughtered, no chance of attack there, and the herd running through the savannah being chased by the rest of the hunters. So at least he didn't have to scramble. Putting his hands underneath him, Makai rose and experimentally stretched.

Maybe a bruise and sore muscles, hurt pride. Nothing serious.

Looking at the bloody site, the half-Galan hung back. Predator creatures were very territorial. Makai wasn't quite sure how the tribes were going to collect meat for the people if the lizard creatures got possessive. Unless the creatures went for organ meats and bone.

 

[Elpsis Kerrigan]

Makai Dashiell

And thus suddenly, Makai fell of the giant raptor. Fortunately, Mirza had not been coming at the Nawun at full gallop. Elsewise the fall might have been a lot more painful. Alpsal heard his fall and quickly glanced around. Her heart thumped inside her chest, but then got a look of him rising from the grass. It was for the best that they were far from the main action and the herd had been driven away.

In the meantime, she was a bit preoccupied. Mirza and the Nawun were wrestling with each other, each pushing and trying to get an advantage. But there was no doubt about how it would go. Though the Nawun managed to hurt Mirza with a horn, the Yazgid matriarch hissed and ripped her throat out. Blood coated her large teeth.

"Good girl, good girl," Alpsal cooed in Zandri. Retrieving her lightsabre from her belt, she ignited the weapon. A swift swipe, and the Nawun's head tumbled to the ground. Alpsal jumped off her mount. Mirza had started to rip into the carcass when Alpsal held out the large head towards her like a offering. "Yours." Mirza sniffed it, then lunged and took a bloody bite out of the head for the eyes and the soft, gooey brain. Her face was soon covered in gore.

With Mirza distracted, Alpsal quickly made her way over to Makai. "Hey, you okay? Are you hurt?" she asked, concerned while she looked him up and down. Meanwhile, a couple tough looking Qadiri from the village were approaching the Nawun carcass with a cart. There were a few teenage boys and girls among the group, evidently here on an 'apprenticeship 'of sorts. "They're here to collect bodies and prepare them so the Yaz don't eat them all, and they don't spoil in the sun," Alpsal explained. "You up for another ride?"

 

[Makai Dashiell]

"A lightsaber to cut the heads off game? Is that used approved by your local Force using cult?"

Teasing tone entered his voice. The lightsaber was extremely quick and effective for slicing through bone, it was just an amusing thing to see. Somewhere in the 'verse an old Jedi woman was clutching her proverbial pearls at the thought. Stretching a little, he closed the distance to come closer. His back was going to be sore for sure, a reminder to hold on a little tighter.

"My back is definitely going to be sore in the morning. Most likely some bruising. Nothing I can't handle, its what I get for being so clumsy."

Another ride? A bemused look crossed his features. Maybe it would be easier for him to go walk with the teenagers back to where the big game was dressed. Somehow he was certain that would be looked down upon due to the status of the teenagers. Or, perhaps they wouldn't even be going in the same direction. Difficult to tell at this point.

"I'm ready. On to the next adventure."

Elpsis Kerrigan​

 

[Elpsis Kerrigan]

Makai Dashiell

Alpsal snorted. "There's no Jedi here. Qadiri aren't stupid, whiny imbeciles. The Goddess Azali doesn't care. I wouldn't use a lightsabre to kill a beast that doesn't have natural defences against it and isn't a big enough threat. Slice bits off once the hunt's done? Sure."

She gave Makai another look, as if in consideration. But if he said he was alright, she'd take him by his word and not baby him. "Alright, hop on." When they approached Mirza, the imposing Yazgid was carrying the Nawun's large head around like a dog would a bone. It was almost cute, until one considered how aggressive the creature could be and how sharp its teeth were.

But she was placated enough that she helpfully lowered her head somewhat, letting Alpsal climb on her back and then help Makai up. Once he was seated, Mirza was swiftly on the move once more. Meanwhile, the villagers were starting to load the carcass onto their cart.

From afar, Yazgid riders who had ridden with Alpsal were following the moving Nawun herd. Before he saw the riders, Makai would hear horns being blown As they moved in closer, the reason for it would become clear. The riders were using the noise to unnerve the Nawun and give a signal to Zabhara's riders, towards whom the herd was being driven - and pounce the Yazgid riders did. Alpsal gave Mirza a nudge with her calf, and her mount charged, dropping her by now very mauled trophy.

 

[Makai Dashiell]

Back on the mount, Makai watched the herd move. It was clear the hunters were working in a type of unison in order to corral the beasts as needed, then striking for the kill. They were on the move, letting the villagers grab the spoils of the hunt. Standard procedure? Those on Yazgid mount would come and do the hunting as a favor to the village? Makai imagined there were non-mounted hunters in the village but the effort to take down one of the herd beasts may be too great. Focused on small game perhaps.

Deep in his musings, Elpsis didn't mention they were going to take off once again. Once the lizard-beast felt the signal it charged, dropping the head of the herd animal. It also dropped him - right next to the head of the herd animal. Lifeless eyes met his as the Yazgid and Elpsis charged down to their next prey, leaving them both on the ground.

A small wince as he laid on the ground for a moment, feeling like an idiot. There was no reason to sit up so quickly after the second incident.

"Rough day too huh?"

Elpsis Kerrigan​

 

[Elpsis Kerrigan]

Makai Dashiell

Alpsal did register that Makai had tumbled off Mirza - again! Feeling a cross of annoyance, amusement and sudden panic, she looked around. He seemed to have landed safely enough. And in any event she was closing in on her game, and Mirza had a mind of her own.

Hissing loudly and driven by bloodlust, Mirza charged, pulling Alpsal onward with her ferocity. Though more numerous and far from feeble, the Nawun had become disorganised and were being surrounded. Alpsal spied Zabhara loosing an arrow with her bow at full gallop. Soaring through the air, the arrow struck true in the eye of a Nawun, and her mount pounced. Grabbing a spear, Alpsal thrust it into the side of the nearest Nawun that was trying to break out. Then Mirza was upon her quarry, ferociously tearing into it. The Nawun defended themselves as best as they could, fiercely smashing into the charging lizards, but the outcome was not in doubt.

The fight was all mostly over in a matter of minutes. As the hunt reached its climax, Makai would suddenly hear a warrior sound her horn again. But this time the call was different and the riders pulled away, allowing half of the Nawun herd to flee. Fodder and training had been the goal, not slaughter for the sake of it. The cycle of life would continue.

A familiar figure rode towards the prone Makai. Karrigan'Narzan's clothes were stained with blood, much like the teeth of his mount. "No fear, it is not my blood," Narzan said to Makai in heavily accented Basic. He looked the 'sky-traveller' up and down. "They do not hunt on your world, do they? Not like this I wadger. It took me a while to get used to hunting on the back of a beast that might swallow me whole if it so pleased." He petted his Yazgid gently and she made what sounded like an appreciative noise. Evidently the hunt had improved her disposition.

"Other worlds, hmm. Still a strange thought. Go back a scant few years and a big, damp cave beneath the mountain might as well have been the world to me. I knew there were deserts, forests, seas beyond it from stories. I had heard of them, but never seen with mine own eyes. Nor had my mother or grandmother."

 

[Makai Dashiell]

Slowly, Makai began to sit up. At this point one of Elpsis' attaches were approaching. High on their own mount, Makai could see the amusement in the man's tone and body posture. He would most likely be amused too if the shoe was on the other foot. Given how isolated the planet was the locals probably thought him inadept and wondering how he had made it this far in life.

Getting off the ground as Narzan spoke, the half-Galan nodded at the questioning.

"There are places off world to purchase meat. I typically do that. I am more of a fisherman - poles, nets, spears. Hunting land animals is something I have never done. If I were to hunt many off world do not do it on mount but on foot with weapons. I imagine if I ever had the gumption to do so I would be on foot and not on a mount."

A small pause and a incline of his head towards the Yazgid.

"To do such a thing is an impressive feat of skill. To control a mount but also focus on the hunt. I imagine many start young, before their age reaches double digits?"

Makai could see that. He was already teaching Phoebe how to fish. Kellan Dashiell didn't take well to fishing but Makai did try on that front. Odd to meet an aquatic who didn't spearfish or pole fish, but that was his nephew, a ball of contradictions.

"So you have been off world?"

Elpsis Kerrigan ​

 

[Elpsis Kerrigan]

Makai Dashiell

Karrigan'Narzan shook his head. "I have not. I know some Xioquo who have, not always by choice," he added darkly. "I do not know whether I will one day make the journey into the dark sky-ocean. It's such a queer thing to think about."

He glanced towards the carcasses, the Yazgid who were starting to tear into the fodder and sometimes trying to push their packmate away from their kills, and the hunters, then back at Makai. "We do not hunt like this where I'm from. No game like this in the Underealm. The Qadiri begin young, as you say. It took me a while to get the hang of it as grown man who has never ridden a beast, but I showed the Qadiri a Xio can control a Yaz as well as they!" the Xioquo declared proudly.

By now the survving herd had completely fled. Alpsal, meanwhile, had dismounted her Yaz. After cleaving off the head of the Nawun she had slain with Mirza, she took off her uniform jacket, took out her knife and calmly began to methodically gut the dead beast. It did not take long until she was smeared with blood and gore. She gave the innards to Mirza, who devoured them as heartily as she munched on the Nawun's head. The meat and hide would be kept and loaded on a cart. The other hunters were engaged in the same activities or keeping watch. Narzan too jumped down from his Yazgid, and drew his knife. "Time for some butcher's work. Want to watch or join, sky-traveller?" he asked cheerfully.

 

[Makai Dashiell]

"That is impressive Narzan. Mastering these lizard creatures alone takes great skill."

Genuinely impressed, given the beasts didn't seem to lend themselves to domestication. Probably part of the appeal. There was a certain psychological profile of people who kept dangerous pets. What did that say about Elpy and her tribe? Hard to say but they had been through so much it wasn't a surprise to him.

"Perhaps in time you may feel the need to venture off world. Yet if you don't there is plenty here. Its quite the adventure."

Watching Narzan jump down with his knife to field dress the meat, Makai moved in closer. The half-Galan didn't have a knife but he could assist in other ways by holding a leg or pulling back skin. Small things while he learned from the man on what went in to butchering the heard animal.

"I'll help you. Show and teach me what you do - I don't want to mess up either and ruin any meat. Far too valuable to do something like that, especially after all the effort the hunters had just gone through."

Elpsis Kerrigan ​