Message: 4
Date: Mon, 24 Oct 2005 00:13:30 -0500
From: Keeper <lordkeeper@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
Subject: [DL-W] Anybody hungry
Day-17 late afternoon
Dru'Kar turned and walked away from the kitchen staff and was pleased
that
the spit and fire pit were going to be ready in a short amount of time.
From experience he knew that the meat of the bear was still good but
it
would take some time for the meat to cook thoroughly.
His mind wondered on the things that he needed to teach not only Oberon
but
Xanthia as well. He heard the boy, the son of his best friend, talking
to
Faylen but most of it didn't register in his brain. After a few minutes
of
the young woman examining the bear, he finally asked.
<SNIP>
"If you could show Oberon how to make milk for the cub." Dru'Kar asked.
Faylen went to a nearby goat that was tethered up and began milking
her.
"You start with goat milk, the mildest kind of milk there is. Even
human
babies can drink it."
The boy nodded and watched closely as Faylen then mixed in some
brewer's
yeast and some other herbs to enrich the formula, then poured some into
a
bottle much like the ones he'd seen mothers use to feed their infants.
"Tether, the squirrel that's taken to Gob, he was one of my charges. He
was
an orphan, too," Faylen explained "May I see the wee one?"
Oberon handed the cub over to Faylen. She unwrapped it from the blanket
and
set the cub on the counter where she began her examination.
"Eyes are clear, coat is good, nose is moist, and he is hungry" she
picked
the cub up to *** it and when she did the cub shot her with a stream of
urine, soaking her at the waist. "And this is most definitely a boy
bear,"
she added with a chuckle.
"He's healthy?" Dru'Kar asked
"Yes," Faylen chuckled, dabbing at her clothes with a towel, "He's
healthy.
Everything works."
"Hear that, Dru'Kar? My bear is healthy!"
"So he's your bear, huh?" Faylen asked with amusement.
"Yup! He ran up to me, so Dru'Kar says we're bonded now."
"Oh, I see..." Faylen replied. She wondered how Th'rin and Merissa
would
react to their son's new pet. She handed the bear and the bottle over
to
Oberon and showed him how to angle it so the cub could nurse. "So what
are
you going to name your bear?"
The boy looked thoughtfully into the deep brown eyes of the nursing cub
he
now held in his arms.
"Argan," The boy announced decisively, "To honor my Nomad mother and
father."
<END SNIP>
Dru'Kar smiled at the young chieftain and tussled his hair with his
massive
hand as a single tear threatened to roll down his cheek. He felt as if
his
heart had been ripped from his chest...with both pride and sadness for
his
departed friends.
Dru'Kar smiled at the woman and turned to leave.
"Oberon," Faylen called to the boy as he turned to follow Dru'Kar, "be
sure
to come see me if you have any questions or any problems."
"I will." Oberon said already walking after Dru'Kar while snuggling and
feeding Argan.
<Come to me near the stables my little one> Dru'Kar sent to Ursa his
sky
blue dragon.
<LITTLE.....I'M BIGGER THAN YOU! *chuckle*> Ursa replied as she was
already
taking flight, feigning disgust.
<Of course you are my precious and you will get bigger still....but you
will never get so big that I can't give you a hug.>
Even though the dragon did not reply in words the sensation that
overcame
the big man was one of love and admiration. Before he knew it the still
growing dragon touched down softly before the man and boy. As the man
moved
forward and wrapped his massive arms around the dragon's neck he gently
placed a soft kiss between her eyes.
"You are getting so big my precious." Dru'Kar said as well as "thought"
to
his beloved dragon.
<Thank you daddy....soon I hope to be able to take you into the skies
with
me so you can see how wonderful it is up there.>
"Yes we will my daughter.....and we will learn ways of combat in the
air as
well as on the ground." Dru'Kar once again said as well as thought.
<Why......why must we take something so fun and learn to hurt or even
kill
with it, daddy?>
Dru'Kar inhaled sharply and looked at the dragon and just as he was
about
to speak he heard a small grunt beside him. Looking down he saw Oberon
holding the still nursing bear cub. Oberon had a puzzled look on his
face
and knew that Ursa had been sending to him as well.
Dru'Kar sat and looked at the boy and the dragon. Thought for a few
moments
then took the time to explain at length the relation****p of a Bear
Nomad
Guardian to the tribe. How through generation after generation the
bloodline was manipulated so that each guardian had the strength,
speed,
agility and temperament to be just what they were....Guardians of the
blood
line of the Chieftains.
"So you see", Dru'Kar continued, "not only are all the physical and
mental
traits manipulated for the Guardians but there is also a special
magical
element. Within me is a special feeling I get when one of the royal
line is
in trouble. I feel a pull....a pull I can not avoid or ignore."
Dru'Kar took a deep breath and looked Oberon in the eyes and a single
tear
left the man's right eye. "I knew when your father died. That pull was
taking me...and my family to him. But the feeling was so faint that I
knew
the distance was great. I could not save him, I could not be there to
at
least comfort him and say goodbye. It felt as if my heart had been
ripped
from my chest as I stood there before my own family."
Dru'Kar took another, deeper, stuttered breath, "It was less than a day
when I also felt your mother die. The rage from my own shame of being
unable to help either of them drove me to the point of insanity. I am a
guardian and I failed not only my Chieftain, a Chieftain I helped to
grow
into an honorable and caring man, but my priestess. A priestess of
royal
blood, something that has only happened three times in the known
history of
our tribe."
Dru'Kar looked deep into the boy's eyes, water pooling in the eyes of
the
giant, threatening to spill out and become tears. His chin trembled as
he
fought to hold back the flood of rage, of shame, of grief...all
emotions he
has denied himself over the death of his friends.
"But then," Dru'Kar sniffed "then I felt something that I had not felt
in
many years...something very unexpected. Just barely a spark...but an
undeniable spark of life. I knew what it was but could not believe
it...a
Chieftain had been born. Somehow....someway....the blood line
continued!"
Oberon placed the snoozing cub on the green grass beside him and stood
before the mountain of a man. Even with Dru'Kar sitting on the ground
and
Oberon standing his full height looked Dru'Kar straight into the eyes.
Oberon reached out gently and used his thumb to wipe under Dru'Kar's
eyes
one by one causing the water pooled in the man's eyes to spill out. In
this
simple but caring motion the boy Chieftain released the tears and yet
wiped
them away at the same time. This simple act not only helped to release
the
emotion that had been pinned up in the man for seven years, but told
the
barbarian that he had be forgiven as well. That he no longer need feel
the
shame of the past. The young Chieftain did indeed know that Dru'Kar had
done everything in his power to fulfill his duties as a Bear Nomad
Guardian.
Dru'Kar's massive arms reached out and pulled the young boy to his
chest
and held him close. "I shall never fail you...as long as I live and
breath
your life shall be the most im****tant thing to me. I shall help you in
any
and all ways."
Dru'Kar slowly let the young boy go and grasped him by the shoulders
and
pushed him back just enough to be able to see him clearly. "I swear
it".
Oberon stood there not knowing what to say or do. For the first time in
his
life he was completely speechless. After a moment or two of looking
back at
the large man he simply smiled and nodded.
Dru'Kar released the boy completely and smiled at him he knew the boy
chieftain had learned an im****tant lesson, sometimes the best thing to
say...is nothing.
The large man stood to his full height and looked into the eyes of his
beloved dragon.
[Do you understand now?]
[Yes daddy] the sky blue dragon sent back to her rider, [and we shall
be
the best in combat...on the ground or in the air].
Dru'Kar inhaled deeply through his nose, smelling the air, everything
was
good and getting better. The air was clean and crisp. He smiled down at
the
boy and said "Go now....prepare a place for Argan. He will need a place
to
sleep. Gather the things you will need to make his food. So go and get
everything ready before evening feast, I have some meat to cook up.
***************************************************
NRPG: Tag Morgan and Arlene....hoping you two can maybe JP that part.
My
brain is fried and I am trying to get this post out ASAP.
***************************************************
Dru'Kar watched the boy run off and zig and zag with the bear cub
across
the green. He couldn't help but laugh as the small ball of fur tripped
the
boy. Of course the cub went to pouncing on the boy and licking his
face,
causing Oberon to laugh hysterically.
With a big smile till on his face Dru'Kar turned and crossed the green
in
the other direction heading towards the kitchens. He knew at that
moment
that Oberon did indeed have a friend and protector for life. He pitied
the
boy though if anything happened to the bear before it got to maturity.
He
smiled somewhat evilly to himself as he entered the kitchen doorway, he
pitied anyone who hurt the boy in front of the bear after it reached
maturity.
After greeting the head cook he was surprised and a bit disappointed
that
the bear carcass had been cut up into large pieces for the spit. But he
did
his best to hide his disappointment as these were not nomads. For the
most
part he thought of a lot of the warren folk as towns people. Smiling
and
nodding to the head cook he began to lay the quartered bear on a large
preparation table and methodically worked the spits through the meat.
One of the cooks came over with a small tray and asked "What kind of
spices
do you put on bear meat?"
"Spices?" Dru'Kar half said as much as asked, "you don't spice wild
meat....it....spoils the flavor that is meant to be there. Have you
ever
had truly wild meet before?"
The cook nodded but then added "but we have always used spices."
"Uh hunh" was the only reply from the large man as he shoved the last
piece
of meat onto the iron rod. The rod grinding slightly as it slid between
two
ribs deep within the meat.. "then I shall take that as a no....please
do
stop by later and try some meat as nature meant it to be."
Dru'Kar watched and smiled inwardly as the young cook paled slightly to
the
sound of metal on bone. The cook then nodded and turned and walked away
without saying another word. He watched her form move across the room
and
even admired it. She was an attractive thing even if a bit ignorant of
anything beyond her life in the kitchens and the warren.
He turned, left the kitchen and into the sunlight outdoors and to where
the
cooks had prepared the wood for the fire, his thoughts full of his past
and
his people and his culture. Would they indeed survive, was he man
enough to
carry the weight of keeping an entire culture alive. Was he good enough
to
teach the culture to the new Chieftain......the boy Chieftain. Did he
himself learn enough of the religion of Ar'Neahm.
These thoughts filled his mind over and over as he struck the flint to
the
steel. Soon the fire was spreading through out the stacked wood nicely
and
still his mind wrestled with the future and what he needed to teach the
boy....but he had realized that it was not just the boy or even
Xanthia,
but many others as well. Some of his cultural ways will have to change,
he
knew that. He even chuckled as he looked deep into the fire "nomads
that
don't go anywhere" was his thoughts when he heard a voice next to him.
"What's so funny?"
Still with an ironic smile on his face he looked next to him and saw a
familiar young face smiling back at him.
"It's nothing Oberon.....perhaps someday I will tell you. But for now
we
have something else we must do....come with me."
Dru'Kar tussled the boys hair and turned to walk back into the kitchen.
After his eyes adjusted from looking into the setting sun to the now
darker
setting of the kitchen, he moved to the preparation table and he found
there two small packages that had been placed on the table by the spit.
He
handed the two packets to Oberon to carry and he then spread his arms
as
far as he could and took hold of the iron spit itself. Several of the
cooks
stopped and their mouths dropped opened as the mountain of a man lifted
the
spit, bear meat and all, and began walking towards the door.
Once outside the two gathered looks from several passersby as the
walked
the short distance from the kitchen to the pit. But once there Dru'Kar
placed one end of the spit in the upright iron rod holder at one end of
the
pit and then carefully moved his hands to the other end and rotated it
till
it was sitting in the matched holder at the other end. This placed the
meat
directly over the fire.
He then moved next to the fire itself and knelt down on his knees.
Motioning to Oberon to do the same. To both of their surprise they were
joined by Xanthia who seemingly almost appeared from no where.
Dru'Kar smiled at both of them and took the packets from Oberon. He
placed
the smaller of the two on the ground next to him and opened the larger.
"This is the liver and this is where the soul of the bear lives. We as
bear
nomads must honor the bear and help release it's soul to the great
summer
lands beyond our world. To do this we place the liver on the fire
itself
and let that part of nature that is in fire consume the physical vessel
of
the soul. As this happens the soul of the bear is carried off into the
air
and beyond by the smoke. As the soul travels in the smoke it will
caress
the body that it once resided in and say it's own farewell. But by
doing
that it will also leave small traces of the soul in the meat. As we eat
the
meat we take a small part of the bear's soul into us and add it to our
own
soul, thus making our souls stronger and more than what it is on it's
own."
Dru'Kar watched the faces of the two beside him and saw that both of
them
smiled with new knowledge...and acceptance of that knowledge. It was at
this point that he put to rest some of the internal struggles he was
having. He was indeed the man to teach the culture and religion of the
Bear
Nomads on to the future.
Dru'Kar picked up the smaller package....smaller than even his own
fist,
unwrapped it and looked at both of them. "This is the heart of the bear
and
it is just as im****tant as the liver. While the liver holds the soul,
the
heart is what held the life of the bear. While the spark of life is
indeed
gone, the passion for life remains. To honor the life of the bear we
eat
the heart and share it's passion for life. For all aspects of life,
passion
for the hunt...for offspring" he said while looking at Oberon and
smiled,
"and passion for a mate." His eyes traveled to Xanthia's eyes and
locked
there for a long moment and he smiled again, but a different smile than
he
showed for Oberon. With that he quickly impaled the heart onto a part
of
the spit that usually was meant for stabilizing the large piece of meat
on
the main rod. "This part of the bear will be only for a select few. The
three of us, Merissa and Ursa and Maxima.
Dru'Kar stood and smiled at the two of them yet again and stripped down
to
nothing but his belt, a knife on the belt and his lion cloth. He moved
to
the large crank handle on one end of the spit and grabbed hold with
both
hands, slowly he began to turn the meat as it cooked.
Both Oberon and Xanthia knew that neither of them could even begin to
turn
the spit so there was no need in offering to help, but they did both
decide
to stay for a while and keep the large man company. He entertained them
for
a while as he told them of battles and glory, of love and living in the
nomadic ways. This lead to many many questions, mostly from Oberon, but
still a few from Xanthia as well. Before he knew it there was a small
crowd
gathering around them. He wasn't sure if it was the smell of the
cooking
meat or the sight he must seem to be to them......but liked to think it
was
the stories.
After a couple of hours of turning the spit Dru'Kar had worked up not
only
a good appetite but also a healthy amount of sweat from the work and
the
heat of the fire. But time had indeed passed and the meat was nearly
done.
the heart was indeed done but would be fine for a few more minutes.
"Hey
you two," Dru'Kar called to Oberon and Xanthia, "Go get ready for
evening
feast....it'll be done soon."
After the two left hand in hand he went back to turning the spit. It
wasn't
long he saw the gathering crowd part ways and the Warren lady her self
stood within the ring of warren folk. "Merissa!" Dru'Kar said with a
big
smile, "your just in time!"
*********************************************************************************
SNIP: from "Bearing Up" by Arlene
As the warrenlady approached the crowd parted to let her through. She
looked at Dru'Kar who nodded to her as drew near. She looked from the
large man to the roasting meat with a small questioning look on her
face,
"The mother bear?"
"Yes. I cannot let her death be without purpose," He said.
"Of course," Merissa agreed, though she couldn't help but look at the
meat
a little askance. She wondered how many people would be brave
enough to eat it. If no people would, she was sure there were a few
dragons
that would. She managed to smile at Dru'Kar.
The large man pulled a sharp knife from the belt around his waist and
stepped toward the spit. He sliced off a hunk of bear meat and expertly
caught it on the end of the knife before it plummeted into the fire.
Turning with an agility that belied his great bulk, he offered the
piece
to Merissa. "It would be a great honor if you would eat the first of
the
bear-mother, being the 'Mother' of the 'Warren'"
Merissa's dark eyes opened wide and she took a small step back, trying
to
think of a way to gracefully decline. Unable to come up with any,
she gingerly took the piece offered, blowing on it, as it was still
sizzling hot. She looked at the meat and then to Dru'Kar's expectant
and pleased expression and stealing her nerves, she took a small bite.
It was a bit... chewy... but Merissa managed to swallow it down and
smiled at Dru'Kar, "Thank you for the honor."
**************************************************************************
END SNIP
Dru'Kar smiled to himself and wondered with that reaction if he should
have
told her that she had been given the honor of a piece of the heart. The
first piece as a matter of fact.
Dru'Kar walked back over and gave the spit a couple more turns and then
took the same knife, cut another piece of the heart and caught it again
on
the tip. He looked up into the sky watching the smoke carrying the soul
of
the bear go up into the darkening sky. He used the knife to place the
piece
of cooked heart into his mouth and he began to chew as the juices
carried
the flavor through out his mouth and around his tongue. But suddenly
his
eyes began to tear up and he found it impossible to swallow. The sight
that
met his eyes about made his heart burst with pride and sentiment. There
in
the orange sky amid violet streaks was Maxima and Ursa and on their
backs
was Xanthia and Oberon. They crisscrossed the sky and would from time
to
time travel through the plum of smoke from the fire.
After a few moments he was able to regain his composure and swallow the
meat.
[Ursa honey...come down here and ask Maxima to bring Xanthia down too.]
[Ok Daddy......*giggle] Ursa replied just so full of happiness that it
even
made Dru'Kar chuckle.
In a matter of moments the four of them had landed very near the fire
pit.
Xanthia and Oberon came up to Dru'Kar. The large man immediately cut
into
the heart and fed a piece to each of them. He cut another piece for
himself
and then cut the remaining section of heart into two pieces and gave
half
to each of the dragons. He hugged each of the dragons and kiss Oberon
on
the top of his head but when it came to Xanthia, he took her fully into
her
arms and kissed her passionately. For a long long moment he held her
with
his lips pressed to hers. Then when he did finally pull his lips from
hers
he cradled her delicate face in his massive hands. Holding her so
gently,
he looked deep into her eyes like he had never done before and spoke
softly, "I love you". He smiled and backed away letting her go.
******************************************************************************
TAG: to anyone standing around and watching that want to react.
*******************************************************************************
Looking down at Oberon Dru'Kar spoke not so much in an ordering tone
but
still in more of a loving tone. "Go to the kitchen and get a cart and
lots
of platters."
Oberon beamed at the two of them and replied excitedly "You got it!"
then
took off at a flat run to the kitchen and within minutes he was back
not
only with a cart and numerous platters of varying sizes but about half
of
the cooking staff as well. Before long Dru'Kar is laughing and cutting
up
the meat and placing it on platters. He made sure to cut the meat into
different sizes so that the ones that wanted a small piece to try it
could
do so and for those like himself he cut a very large steak. But the
very
largest quarter he cut in half and gave that to the dragons knowing
full
well that they would like the change in diet even if for only this
night.
Even still if it didn't fill them up it was a good treat for them.
Dru'Kar pulled one of the younger cooks to him and told him to run to
Olaf
at the inn and ask him to bring a couple kegs of his mead to the
dinning hall.
The young cook nodded madly and smiled and took off for the inn.
"Might as well make it a party!" Dru'Kar chuckled more to himself than
anyone else. He turned to and finished cutting the meat and filling the
platters, each of them placed neatly on the cart.
Dru'Kar gave the honor of pu****ng the cart to Oberon as he wrapped his
massive arm around the small shoulders of Xanthia. "Lead the way my
Chieftain"
As the meat was rolled into the dining hall Olaf was just showing up
with
the mead. Dru'Kar waved the older man over to him, "Talk about timing
my
friend." the large man smiled at the old man huffing and puffing as he
approached.
The old inn keeper handed a small pony keg to the nomad and smiled.
"Um I don't think this will be enough for everyone". Dru'Kar said as
he
held up the pony keg, "enough for me and one other maybe.....but" and
he
let his eyes travel over the nearly full.
The old man chuckled and looked over his shoulder and there was the
cook he
had sent and a couple of others each pu****ng a wheel barrel with a huge
barrel of mead in each.
Dru'Kar slapped the old man on the shoulder and laughed loudly "That
just
might be enough! But what is this?" he asked as he raised the pony keg.
"Well now," the old man looked at the younger larger man with a sparkle
in
his eyes "seems a young cook just happened to see a very passionate
kiss
between a very large man and a very attractive young lady. So this is
for
you and the lucky lady."
The mountain of a man actually seemed to shrink a little as his cheeks
actually reddened just a bit.
The inn keeper couldn't hold back and just lets loose with a belly
laugh so
loud that it attracted everyone's attention and it got really quiet
from
all the people eating. This only fueled the old man's laughter. This
just
tickled the nomad as well and the two of them began laughing together
and
looking at everyone looking at them.
"OK FOLKS! FOR THOSE OF YOU THAT WISH TO.....THERE IS BEAR MEAT HERE
FOR
THE EATING AND MEAD FOR THE DRINKING!" he nearly yelled to make sure
he
could be heard everywhere in the hall and even outside for a short
distance
as they were still by the door. He then moved to one of the bigger kegs
and
filled a mug with mead and held it high "TO MOTHER BEAR!" and he then
downed the entire mug's worth.
**************************************************************
TAG: to anyone in the dining hall
***********************************************************
Dru'Kar then picked up a platter of bear meat and approached the table
where Merissa sat with a fairly large group of riders and warren folk.
Placing the platter in the middle of the table, "Anyone care to try
some?
How about you Merissa?"
"But," Merissa began "I already tried some outside."
"Ah..well this is the regular meat....what you had outside was actually
a
piece of the heart." He replied with a smile., "you got the first cut
of
the heart and one of only five living beings in the warren to get any
of it."
Merissa's eyes widened just a tad, barely noticeable to most but
Dru'Kar
caught it. "Well you do honor me greatly but as you can see I have
already
eaten a full meal and I am just stuffed. I couldn't possibly take
another bite.
Dru'Kar put out his hand as if wanting a handshake which kind of
perplexed
Merissa but she put her hand in his not wanting to be rude.
The large man smiled at her and turned her hand slightly and bent low
and
kissed the back of her hand "No, Warren Mother, you honor us." He
released
her hand and smiled again and turned back towards the activities going
on
in the dining hall. "Music....we need some music!" he laughed and some
of
the local musically inclined folks began to play.
"He laughed and stomped his foot a few times shaking the wooden floor.
He
grabbed Xanthia in one arm and spun her around, dance for a short
moment
and then swept her over to the cart of meat and picked out a large
platter
full of meat. Still having his arm around her he guided her to an empty
table and they sat and he began to cut the meat and feed it to Xanthia
and
then ate some himself....taking turns on who got the next bite.
While they were snuggling and eating Olaf came over and placed a mug of
mead in front of each of them and a mug of water for the young boy.
Dru'Kar chuckled as he was so preoccupied with Xanthia that he hadn't
noticed Oberon joining them. But Oberon was too busy watching everyone
talking and a few folks were even dancing.
*****************************************************************************************
TAG: any and all who wish to comment or observe.....have fun
****************************************************************************
Summary Day 17 early afternoon into evening.
Dru'Kar has a serious discussion with both Ursa and Oberon about what
his
being a Guardian means.
The bear is cooked and some of the nomad traditions and beliefs are
shared.
Dru'Kar for the first time expresses his true feeling for Xanthia.
The bear meat is shared with all that want to try some.
Lord Keeper Bearheart
Chieftain of the Great Northern Tribe.
|
