Flashback Over year on and still a lot to learn

[Orkis Strongwind]

20th Winter 500AV Orkis' body clock forced him to wake just before Sunrise as it did now, like it or not. As was now routine he pulled the furs above his head stretching and yawing, trying to free himself from the entanglements of sleep. He swung his feet over the side of his bed and pushed himself up his eyes searching the room, looking for were he left his clothes. He found them crumpled in a heap on the floor, mother wont be pleased. He stumbled into the living area, his White linen top and black trousers showing the signs of his neglect the night before. The room was warm, and smelt faintly of something roasting over the fire that his mother was tending. He sniffed the air, rich meaty aromas mixed with something sweet hitting his nose. "What's cooking Mamma it smells strange" He wrinkled his nose emphasizing he wasn't keen on the scent. Perhaps it was the fact that Orkis was tired that led him to be so blunt or maybe it was the fact that he was still young and his blunt Drykas nature had not been trained yet, but it definitely was not a good thing to say to the person that fed and looked after you. Especially after she had awoke 2 bells earlier to start it. And had burnt one batch. And the one before that. His mother calmly and slowly turned to face Orkis, her face showing no signs of the torrent she was about to unleash on her young son. Her tone started quietly but gradually built into a rising crescendo that made Orkis go wide eyed and his face flush with color: "Well good morning dear, I am so glad you think the food I have been cooking for the last bell smells 'strange'. It isn't as if i have spent much time and effort on it. It's also a good job that I am not hoping to serve it to guests at lunch as well. It would be terrible if say 5 other Diamond clan members were coming to dinner and it smelt 'strange'! Thank you so much for pointing that out Orkis! She went silent then letting the boy squirm under her piercing gaze, anger and stress causing her to breath heavily. She spoke then deadly quiet, the words feeling like knifes shooting through the air. "Now Orkis, unless you have any other other words of wisdom I suggest you leave for you're training. You're father is waiting for you, it would be a shame to anger both you're parents in one day wouldn't it .....dear" And with that she turned back to face the fire fussing over the pot that was bubbling happily away, leaving Orkis standing staring at her back. After a half a chime the boy meekly stammered "But Mamma, what about breakfast?" His mother stopped her frantic stirring, her head snapping round to face Orkis. He knew by the way her eyes seemed to be bulging out of her head, and the way her face had gone bright red with rage, that this was the wrong thing to ask. "Orkis. LEAVE. NOW! The boy didn't need telling twice. He was out of the pavilion door and bolting towards the Diamond training area quicker than an arrow released from a well strung bow.

[Orkis Strongwind]

Orkis stopped jogging as he neared the training area and settled down to a walk. It was cold today and the grass crunched under his feet indicating it had frozen over night. Syna was still to rise and Endrykas was still in darkness, few people venturing out of their warm pavilions this early. The young Orkis couldn't help but think he should still be tucked up on his. He walked into the training area were a few warriors were stretching and warming up. His eyes looked around taking in the other warriors but seeking for one in particular. He found him and walked over to him, a nervous smile playing on his lips. "Morning Papa how are you feeling?" His father looked down at his son, his right eyebrow raising quizzically and is hands going to his hips. "Good morning Orkis. May i ask what you have been up to, and dont ask me how i know it is written all over you're face". How did he always know something had happened!! It seemed to teh young boy that he couldn't sneeze without his father knowing it had happened. Orkis just looked at the floor, his right hand scratched his left in nervous tension. His father sighed, "Well I sure i will find out from you're mother later. You better get started with you're runs, however you will do one more lap than normal fro now on. 9 Laps please Orkis" Orkis turned about to set of one his first lap when his father spoke again: "Oh and one more thing Orkis. Do try and hide you're emotions better you may of well walked towards me screaming 'I have done something wrong!" And with that he left his son to begin his running. Orkis' endurance had improved a lot over the last year. At first he could barley run 1 lap without stopping, but now he could easily manage 5. In fact he had progressed so quickly that after half a year his father had increased the laps to 7. Orkis knew that 9 was going to best him, however he was determined to try. His running technique had also improved. Well there were still times when is ankles collided together and he fell in an undignified heap, but on the whole it had improved. His landings were usually solid on his heel his momentum carrying himself onto the ball of his foot ready to launch.He pushed of the ball of his foot more as he left the ground enabling him to go further with each stride. Regardless of how much he had improved, after 7 laps his legs were burning and it felt like he was breathing fire. His father had once told him this was what people call the wall and that it was crucial to push on as far as you could past it. However Orkis could only manage another half a lap of the training area before doubling over coughing, feeling really sick. I really wish i had breakfast my body is screaming at me to stop and eat! Maybe the boy should have stopped and told his father he had had not food, however he was stubborn as a mule. Besides it was his fault he hadn't had breakfast and he would push on regardless. He was a young Drykas warrior of the Diamond clan, he could do anything! Well that was the young boys belief however much his stomach tried to tell him otherwise. He made his way round the last lap and a half and slowly made his way back to his father. His legs had got stronger, but without energy to supply them and the extra laps they were burning badly. As he walked over to his father he realized that someone, a small boy, had just given him something. As he approached his father threw the object at him, which Orkis instinctively caught. It was an apple. "Errand boys are a wonderful thing Orkis. You owe you're mother an apology. Eat the apple then copy me as usual, i want these stretches to be spot on now you have some making up to do"