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The day was running smoothly. Strangely so. There was nothing major beyond a few dislocated elbows and shoulders, one strain, and two mild concussions. The concussion amused me. It was something I just literally ran into. Two young Warriors were on foot working on their bola's. The had a feisty looking slave, with long hair, and very dark eyes running for them. I was rather enjoying just watching the nude slave jump, climb, duck, and go under barrels, crates, wagons, carts, kaiila, even other slaves as the two boys gave chase to try to lock on to her enough to throw the bola's. At the point of when I heard the buzz of bola's start to fly in the air, she had one of the boys on the East, and the other on the West. She was running dead up the center from North to South. I couldn't even yell stop, duck, or watch out when I saw what happened. She simply.....ducked. The bolas struck each young Warrior with such direct capture, I wasn't sure for an ihn..who to run to as both went down. It was mere ihns to cut the bolas from their necks and bring them into a semi conscious state. They both gave weak chuckles while the girl was sobbing at both of the boys boots for mercy. Only one lost tooth, both sporting black eyes, and one broken nose, it was a story for the ages. Both just needed to be careful, head injuries are very dangerous, and young Warriors were even harder to contain then head strong women, when it came to R.E.S.T. After that I tended to the regulars, and doing my normal rounds. I stopped and spoke with Hannah some. She was doing better, but not as well as I had hoped. She looked pale, frail. She was moving, and tending to Bull with ease, which was pleasing. I told myself not to worry to much. I sometimes worry too much. I know that. A personality flaw of the trade. She was smiling, her feel was one of happiness. I shared a meal with her, and spoke of how she was noticing all the things Bull was picking up quickly. I saw some light in her eyes of how proud her mate was, and how much he has been helping. With a promise of eating more meat to put on some weight, so the baby wouldn't cause her back to hurt soon, I was off to check on my own supplies at my two personal healing wagons, and general supplies I kept for each season. It was still hot and the ground still warm, but one starts thinking of the move early. I would have to keep an eye out, for most of my weather telling I did from the Verr. The way they act, and the feel of their wool told much. Tasha was good with Verr. Far better then Tori, who gave it a good try, but I would rather they be tended by someone with more knowledge. That is Tori's greatest failure. She tries to hard to be perfect at everything that surrounds my life. I don't need that in a slave. I need her to do her best at what she is good with. Something I could say until my last breath, and I don't think she would get it. Tasha got it, but she, Tori, was a different creature. I do give myself some of the blame for the way she acts. I have no true complaints. Yet.

Merchant season should be coming up. We always get the mass of their wagons near preparation time to get ready for the Move. I was looking forward to it. Things from the Dwellers were of no true love loss if I didn't have them, but they were good sometimes. I liked to trade for books, and old printings. They figured I liked just pictures, but I could read, nothing I would ever go out of my way to share with anyone. Not really needed all that much here. When the Merchant wagons came, I would buy palm wine. It was thick and very sweet. Tasha would be in tears hoping I would remember to get it every year. Something she savors from her past life in Schendi. I do spoil my girls during Merchant season, letting them pick out fabrics, ribbons, beads and whatever might perk their slave interest. I have no reason to keep them so humble, they are good girls. I only beat them when they forget its my kindness, that , should not to be challenged. There are times, I have had to remind them of that, when they get to petty and fight with each other over material things. I doubt neither will forgot the year, they have coined, as the 'breaking by bead' year. It was long ago, and the girls were fighting over a bina necklace. Tori ripped it off Tasha's neck and beads went flying all over. Both girls in tears over the necklace destroyed, they would start to collect the beads rolling across the wagon floor. I had not noticed a bead that had flown into my stew when I took the last bit, in a very deep drink, and started to gag when I swallowed. The girls had to call a healer to help me with the bead, to get it up or down.. or something. I forgot all my training and panicked at its wedge in my throat. That night I gave both girls twenty five lashes with a kurt made of beaded straps. They bore welted bruises for hands. I learned to have control over my own will. They were not beaten for being stupid, they were beaten for daring to teach me a lesson. Control of my own fear over myself. It was a helpless moment. The things that crossed my mind. I never flinch, or double guess myself when I deal with others. I never pause in Battle. I get one bead in my throat, and all I can think of is a man like myself dying over something to minor. I was more worried over the scene of myself over trying to get it out.
A mistake I never would make again. If I don't care for myself, then how can I call myself a son of the Sky with her hands to see life is cared for, of my brothers and sisters? Since that day, I take my meals outside by my fires, and always look at what I eat. I don't eat stew. I don't eat anything that is coated by something else. I like to see my food. The girls know not to speak near me, while I eat, unless I approve it. Our life is better now. As is their well being.


I went took Cure out riding that afternoon. He is smaller and faster then most. Long claws give him a good grip. He is light in color, so easily seen. I like to be seen when on outer realms of Tuchuk land patrol. Its Kado I take with me at night. He is dark and by the time they see my light beast, Kado has picked up the scent and shown me them. If it be the pity of a stray traveler of the plains, or a creature. For raids and battle, I take my War Kaiila, Engorge. Pure black, with a flaw of double long fangs. One set longer then the other, but both well seen. I have bred him many times over to get another with the double fangs, but have yet to have it happen. I have put a lot of hides in payments to young kaiila clan members to find me a female kaiila with hind fangs longer then normal. Even if not seen, I want any female with the abnormality.

I had that on my mind as I saw some riders towards the track. Maybe its what I needed. I have had this start of restless since last night. It wasn't anything major, just a feeling of something. I haven't even really thought on it, just have been trying to keep busy. Riding up, I saw Tarra and a couple others. It seemed to be her children. Grown children. I let a wonder I tried not to think too much on cross and leave my mind before it fully formed. I was up for a race. Once the wagers were set, we were off. It was a moment that fueled my inner cravings. Challenge, power, and skill. I felt each surge into my system like a hot rush of paga flushing down a dry throat. Hot and demanding. I was in my element, feeling the breeze hitting my face, and the Sky above me. Every pulse of Cure's claws tearing into the ground, lifting in the air, the balance of rider and beast becoming one.

It was all good, until I fell, then down hill from there, literally. Needless to say I lost. Now where to find a fresh herlit feather and a Vulo Hen. I had one, wasn't up to giving up the one I had. I would have to get another. Find a feather, fresh. Creative things ran through my mind. I almost was out to do a double or nothing, when kaiila was coming towards us fast. Thoughts of ending my night with a walk to check on Cana, seemed to just disappear.