Completed One green thing looks like another

[Amunet]

10th, Summer Season, 515 A.V.

Little Mama had decided to go into labor in the middle of the tall grasses in the middle of moving the Pavillion of one of the Amethyst clan. Her father’s clan was riding with them this time for just this reason. The nuzzle at her elbow gave her comfort “How is little Mama doing Shetanae?” She asked her companion as there was a soft nicker. This one was called little mama as she was a little smaller than the other mares, but she birthed large colts. It tended to be problematic. The clansmen with a bowl in hand “Shetanae see if you can get her to drink the draught, please.” She asked softly of her companion as the older mare sought to encourage Little Mama to drink the strong infusion of herbs that would help her contractions.

Once the draught was in the mare’s system the contractions became more intense. “If I may ask, what stallion was she bred to?” This one looked bigger than the last one.

“Big Black was put to her. Her history has proven to produce strong striders.” The clansman said in stern tones to justify the decision. He had the expression that the tall thick clansman didn’t like having to justify anything to an eighteen year old upstart. The girl was the healer and had a reputation of having a gentle hand with striders and with their brother and sister Drykas. That was all that held his tongue. A lot was riding on this birth apparently.

Amunet said calming words to the mare as she rolled up her sleeve with a sigh. The neighs of Little Mama were getting harsher as her little caretaker took a firm grasp of the little hooves that were coming out and pulled to help her. “Push hard Little Mama, come on girl.” She said with a bit more fervency as she felt the two little lives were struggling with this birth. Those sky blue eyes saw some tearing starting but it couldn’t be helped.

Shetanae nudged Little Mama more forward from the withers as the neighs shrieked into the sky as if begging the sky gods to grant her mercy. Amunet pulled more as birth fluid and blood coated her hands and forearms. This wasn’t the first time nor will it be the last. “That’s it girl. One more good Push. “ she urged her. There was this feeling when you were right on the edge of something. A person could teeter on it and wondered if it would tip over to cross over into the newness of it. The clansman were on guard as the mare’s shrieking neighs would likely provoke predators. Then with a little wet plop, Amunet and the new born colt was on the ground. The sack already ruptured and falling to the ground.

Shetanae looked up as the guardian she usually was to make sure her companion and Little Mama was covered. Little mama scrambled to her feet to start licking the colt thoroughly. Amunet went to the back to check the tearing. It could heal on its own but these two would need to stay near the clan for a couple of weeks. “Lets get these two closer to the pavilion. She has some tearing this time, Amarak.” The man would have to settle with her grandfather, who was Ankal of her Pavilion, on this considering the special circumstances. “Soon as the colt can stand. You have a fine colt, Amarak. “ She gave him a pretty smile though she kept her opinion to herself. The colt would be standing within the hour.

Two hours later saw them back at camp with them as she went into the tent to grab a wound powder to coat the tears with. Meanwhile the clan was getting Little Mama extra food and looking over the large dark colt. The gamble had paid off as his shoulders were well muscled for a newborn. Amunet treated the tears with the powder to keep flies off of the healing wound. The industrious girl would check on it later as she went to get cleaned up. The girl was met at the tent flap by her father. Goren Shimmerstone. He was often called The Chisel because of his work with carving glyphs into stone.

“How did it go.” He asked in his base tone in a gentle way. He spoke gently to this child as she was the only daughter of his departed Leia. Both Amunet and he grieved for some time after her death. He was grateful to her in caring for his youngest son. He needed the time. He smiled as she came up in all sorts of disheveled and still soiled from the birth. “I see you wore your work again.”

“Yes father. The clan has a good strong colt. Though it was rough on Little Mama this time. “

Goren nodded “I will let the Ankal know. “ That was all that was said on the matter. He waved her on to get cleaned up as it was about time for the evening meal. The girl went to get her things to go clean up when Drak came in bouncing. Her six year old little brother.

“Amiiii .. did the colt get born?” He asked and when she nodded. “and is it a strong strider. “ The boy was rocking back and forth on his feet.

“mmhmmm” with a little impish smile said the little caretaker.

“Whatcha doin? “ He asked in his little singsong way.

“im going to get cleaned up. From the looks of it so should you. “ as she brought him along with a firm hand.

“HEY!!” He suddenly realized he had been duped again. “that’s not fair. “

Amunet laughed “you fall for that every time Drak. Its almost meal time and I cant let father see you like this. Come on.”

The boy relented as they went to get cleaned up. Once they were suitably cleaned up , their garments washed and hung to dry, and something put on that was clean and suitable for her station and for evening meal, she gently pushed the boy towards the men as she went to help Goren’s other wife to help with the final preparations and serving. The girl gladly did so even if she had just assisted in the birth of a strider. Mara looked at her and smiled with a bit of relief.

“Thank the gods. Amunet please finish this and let me get the central platter set out and we can see about eating a decent meal. “ They had found a cache of cress and rince in the shallow waters that they dried for storage. Along with a brace of rabbits in the center with other vegetables this completed the platter as she helped get it set to the middle of the pillows. Grandfather sat first, then father, then the brothers then the wives, then the children. It was like a concert. Amunet was young but her skill in medicine and herbs granted her a bit of status. The one braid she had with a pearl white ribbon through it was a constant reminder of her mother. A short prayer was said to the gods and Amunet prayed quietly thanking the gods for the safe delivery of the colt and to heal Little Mama better. The meal would commence with animated chatter of the day’s crafting and work.

Life was hard, simple but satisfying. Laughing and arguing with family but working as a team to survive. That night she went to her sleeping pallet and slept very soundly. The next morning she was up with the sun and on Shetanae with her bags to forage for whatever she could find. That would be herbs and edibles.

[Amunet]

11th, Summer Season, 515 A.V.

Shetanae traveled a bit as the run through the morning air felt good. The air was not too bad in this early morning before the sun felt its strength. Amunet laughed as her companion pranced in the soil tossing her head up and down after they stopped. The girl patted the sixteen hand mare hugging her withers from her mounted position. The spritely fourteen year old mare stopped a moment and looked around. The young Drykas girl slid from her back deftly and started looking around at little hidden caches of prizes to be had this morning.

Herbs can be in hidden and protected places or have grown a tough outer coating to perform the same function. Edibles are often out in the open but blended in with its surroundings as one green thing looked like another green thing. The careful eye would see the detail that differentiated from tough grasses to edible greens or from plain long stems to harboring an inner treat.

It didn’t take long for the girl to break down in the process of search and seizure. Amunet would do so carefully. She never over took from anyone area as you wanted the reseed and make more. This was what she called responsible foraging. The girl wasn’t sure others would agree but if you take care of the land, the land will take care of you. The bright and hopeful girl thought this way. This might have been attributed to her youth. Times were hard, the elders would say. There was little time to look to the future when there was so much focus on surviving the day you were in, yet this serious, practical girl took a few moments to ponder her actions. The girl lifted a prayer to Rak’keli for the land and her people’s well-being. The girl firmly believed in keeping her people as strong as possible and looking to ensure that more edibles in the grasslands would be available the next time she would be through here would help with that. It might be a small thing, but it was something she could offer up.

Not that her father minded her prayers to Rak’keli as the young Drykas girl followed in her mother’s footsteps instead of the crafter trade, but she minded the clan’s inclination and prayed politely and respectfully to herself. Out here in the open, she gave supplication when she felt inspired. The day was gorgeous even if it was getting hot. She stopped working long enough to get a drink of water from a skin at Shetanae’s neck. The Strider would seek water herself as Amunet followed her companion. The wise mare knew where the best places were. That mare’s nose could find fresh water and good grasses anywhere.

They worked together Strider and Drykas during the seek and gather process. The Mare kept a good look out for predators. She has always done that since bonding with this girl. The large mare had an uncanny sense rather it was from motherhood or some innate skill within the Strider that she was always on guard. Amunet theorized that maybe she was a Drykas warrior in former life as she was so protective. Some wondered why this mare bonded with such a slight girl who was an aspiring herbalist and healer. Not that there was anything wrong with that Not at all, but the large mare produced large foals that often bonded with those of the diamond clan. That had to be a mystery of the gods they would say. It was what it was.

The bags on Shetanae’s shoulder were filling up as Shetanae’s ears perked and swiveled to the direction she looked. Soon it became clear that riders were approaching. Amunet and her companion moved to a clearer spot as she slid up and on top of the horse and looked towards where she was looking in case they had to make a getaway. The riders were out of rhythm with the place as did their horses. Their horses were smaller and the riders looked out of balance. An arrow went whizzing past as Shetanae moved in a split second and off they went running the grass mazes. Amunet didn’t have much time to react save to grab with her inner thighs and tuck in close to the neck. She moved with the bunched muscles as the mare and the rider moved through the grass passages like the wind.

This was the advantage of the Drykas. They knew their lands. They were intimately connected to their lands. They came to a stop at a relatively safe point. Shetanae pranced nervously unsure this was entirely a safe spot. Amunet patted her neck softly to calm her as she looked around and heard nothing. That was until the sickening thunk was heard before it was felt when the girl turned her torso just in time for the arrow to sink into her left shoulder. The girl was a bit in shock to yell out but Shetanae had no such shock. The shrill of the shriek from the mare startled the other horses that by instinct would be wary of this elder mare. The injured girl grabbed with her good hand as if something telegraphed from the mare to the girl before the Strider took off again. Each pounding hoof shook the arrow in its place in the slight but sturdy shoulder. The mare daringly barreled through the attackers and cut into the nine foot tall grasses. The attackers were on hot pursuit.

Why these foreigners were here was unknown as Amunet nor her companion stopped to ask. They stopped to listen for the sound of pursuit as Amunet grabbed the arrow and yanked as hard as she could. She bravely attempted to surpress the scream to a yelp breathing hard. The wound bled freely. It was at that point a glassbeak smelled the blood and came out of the tall grasses from its location. Shetanae spun around and took off with a glassbeak in hot pursuit. Amunet got an idea “Shetanae shall we.. give these foreigners a surprise?” Her voice was hurried and breathless.

The Strider seemed to know what she was referring to. The natural instinct to run from a predator was over ran by her instinct to guard. Amunet pressed her thighs to direct her into the path of the foreigners. This would have to be timed just right. She brought Shetanae to a stop and listened. They had stopped. Good. The young Drykas woman gave an encouraging sound in Shetanae’s ear to head towards the foreigners. They were examining tracks as they came up to them. The strider and rider did not stop. They looked like a locomotive coming towards them. They scrambled as this was an insane move. Who would charge a band of armed men. There were words she didn't quite get even if it appeared common but it didn't sound very nice. The mare leaped over the ones who were crouched down and barreled into the smaller horses who hadn’t gotten out of the way. Amunet would be black and blue from that banging around for sure but she would be alive.

Amunet would pull Shetanae up to a stop so she could turn around as the momentary confusion turned into alarm as the glassbeak descended onto the band. They had something more to worry about than her. The smile turned into grimace of pain as she had Shetanae make the run towards home. Her father will not be pleased but the Ankal will have to know that they have intruders.

[Amunet]

Amunet had to bring the Strider to a walk. It was too hot to have her run anymore. She wanted to go as protecting her companion was strong in the sturdy tall mare. The girl couldn’t hear sounds of pursuit but with the pain in her shoulder from the arrow, the slight sounds she was looking for could slip past her. From one of her pouches she pulled out a bit of tobacco and other herbs till It was about a half handful of dried various dried green leaves of various sorts. The hilt of her herb knife she used to bruise and crush the herb a little bit. It would have to do as it was haphazardly done in the palm of her hand. A whitish grey powder was added before a drop or two of precious fresh water was put in as she used the bottom of the hilt of her knife again to mix it into a paste or rather a poultice.

The knife was slipped through the hole and up to the neck and sliced so she could bring it down to reveal the ugly seeping wound that was trying to close. Good it was still bleeding and wet. The rider attempting to be calmer than she felt bade her strider to stand still or walk a little more softly. The young drykas pressed the concoction to her wound. The sharp intake of breath as the compound of herbs hit the wound. She breathed as deeply and as slowly as she could till the shock of that subsided. With the one good arm she pulled out a scrap of leather and put over the wound. She then precariously strapped it into place. It would have to do. Usually her bandaging jobs were pretty good but the injured girl was a tad under duress. She took a drink of water as she looked at the sun’s position.

Amunet kept her left arm tucked in and a hand gripped in the mane. She was feeling the blood loss . Girding her resolve the girl bent down to check as far down her chest she could to see if she had cooled off at all. For now she decided to have her walk. Shetanae didn’t like it and it was a nervous walk. Both strider and rider kept looking over the shoulder. An hour had passed till the careful girl thought it safe enough to start running again. She spoke a word in Pavi and a single hand symbol with her good hand. It was the command for home. The mare took off towards a direction one may not have expected. Amunet did her best to hang on with her bruised and sore legs and one arm. The tired girl strained to keep going as she was not feeling all that great. Her stomach churned a bit. Maybe it was nerves. Maybe it was her body finally reacting to the events. The fortitude and will only lasted so much for so long a she had to pull the mare up to get a grip on her stomach. She dug into the pouch for a particular root to chew on. The herbalist girl cut it in bite sizes and dried them. One went into her mouth and she started to chew on it. It was a little bitter but it would ease the nausea. The girl was weakening and she knew it. One thing she didn’t do however was give in. That was just not in her.

Once a swallow or two had gotten into her stomach, the girl encouraged the mare to continue her path back to Endrykas. The state she came back in was not very tidy compared to how she left. The Watch met her a click or so out from Endrykas. They looked none too pleased.

“what in the name of the gods were you doing that far out alone, Amunet.” Said the lead warrior.

Why do warriors have to ask questions like that when you’re in this condition? Is it in their code or something? Her voice was soft but laid in that voice she was not in very good condition. “I went foraging as I always do, Sir. “ That may or may not appease the Watch.

The man looked at her, at her strider and towards the trail she came from. Her bags were 2/3 full of foraged herbs, roots and other finds. “You take too many risks Amunet. One day we wont be there to protect you. “ He was gruff. “you need a husband. That’s what you need. “ The traditionalist. What are you going to do? It was what it was.
“Sir, I will marry when I choose to.” She said back somewhat irritated. Seriously she has an arrow wound to the shoulder and he is talking about traditions and risks? Her patience was usually in large supply but hers was running a little thin. “I know my way home sir can I get these bags back to get them processed. “ she said with somewhat of a sigh.

His look was a tad shocked. “Girl don’t take that tone with me. You need to see the healers tent. “ he said rather sternly and with a raised voice.

“I treated it myself. Im fine. These herbs need to be set the dry as soon as possible. “ She countered stubbornly and with some heat to it. The fire in her eyes surfaced as she looked at the man right in the eyes.

One of the Watch came back and reported that there appears to be no sign of pursuit. The lead of the Watch asked Amunet about where the altercation took place. The girl relayed directions, time and general location of the band. They nodded and it seemed the group split up. A few went to take the girl back to Endrykas safely. The rest went towards this band of intruders. The ride back was silent, safe and a relief. The strong willed girl knew she would eventually hear of it from her father or worse her grandfather, but she felt justified in what she said and did. The girl didn’t concede a point easily. It was often times an unattractive behavior in a potential wife. There might be such a thing as too much fire. It was all well and good for the up in coming healer as she wished to focus on learning what she could.

They road through the gates and into Endrykas. Of course they wanted her to go to the River Flower tent which ensued another heated debate. She was strong and she did not want them thinking that a healer was a weakling. The warriors threw their hands up and went about their way. The healer girl slid from the mare and just about hit the floor if she hadn’t held onto the yvas. “ok, im ok.” She breathed deeply in and out as slowly as she could to steady herself.

[Amunet]

Amunet held onto the strands of her strider’s mane and had to lean on the front of the fore leg a little bit longer. Once her feet was stable she beckoned the mare forward. The girl finally relented into going to the healer’s tent. Shetanae head and neck were down a little so that little hand could maintain its grip as the two made a slow advance towards the River Flower tent in the center of the city. Its white tent flaps and colorful flags beckoned her more forward as the threshold of fate was knocking fervently on the young woman.

The girl stopped at the front as one of the assistants saw her slow advance. The horse was unharmed if only needing water which was brought very soon. She was fussed over and guided towards a chair as she was mostly ambulatory despite having lost a lot of blood. The question came of the nature of the injury. “I came across a band of strangers. They were aggressive and well I got shot with an arrow. I pulled the arrow out.” One of the attendants winced. “was that bad?” Amunet asked.

“You may have caused more damage pulling it out than having left it in, but lets take a look at it.” Said one of the attendants.

“Wait, my strider, Shetanae she needs to be unpacked. There are herbs in the packs if you have need.” It was customary to offer a gift in exchange for services.

“The Healing Hoof will attend your strider. She is in better shape than you are. You are an herbalist?” With a curious expression as she removed the leather bindings and cover of the makeshift bandage. “I thought you were of the ruby clan.” The attendant had marked her attire that had red included in her leathers she went foraging in.

The girl nodded to the lady attendant. “well yes I am of the shimmerstone Pavilion but my mother was from the Opal clan. She taught me a lot. Leia Shimmerstone.” It had been a long time since she had said that name. There was no small amount of emotion attached to saying it.

Once the batting that held the poultice in place was uncovered the herbalist looked at the arrow wound which not in too bad of shape considering her ordeal. “I remember Leia and you did a good job on this. “ Her examing fingers felt along the edges as Amunet took in a stuttering long breath at the discomfort of her palpating the wound. Her knee hedged into her thigh to which she yelped. “What else happened? The lady looked down at her legs.”

It took several deep breaths to get in some control of her pain. “We got hemmed in by the riders. We sort of rushed their horses and ran a glass beak through their ranks before making a run for it. Afraid I got a bit banged around in the process.”

The lady nodded. “lets get you more reclined. I think one of the healers are going to need to see this. I am an herbalist. “ The gracious lady came to help her up on her good side. The word good was a relative term in this case. The adrenaline having eased up the girl felt every bruise she had received as she was sure her outer thighs on both sides were well black and blue. The process of getting her reclined slowly seemed like forever. The other process that seemed to take forever was the peeling of her leather pants. It was even more painful than the arrow wound. The large patches of black, deep purpling and deep blue was up and down her hips, thighs and upper calves on the outer. Her breathing was ragged and rapid as the lady who was helping her spoke softly to ease her back and let the pain subside.

Her pain did not go unnoticed as Nehrar Tenderbloom came into the area. “is this she?” The attendant nodded as he came in to take a look at her. He sat very carefully on the reclined pallet. “That was either the most foolish thing you did or a rather brave thing. There isn’t a mark on the mare.”

“Sir, I wouldn’t have let anything happen to Shetanae. She is ok right?” The girl said as her eyes were stricken and her heart lept into those very eyes. “The herbs in those sacks could help … “ she was stopped there with a lift of the Healer’s hand.

He motioned for the attendant to bring him warm herbed water and a cloth. “I hear you have some skill with herbs. Your Leia’s daughter? “ He started cleaning the wound carefully as he examined it. He continued what he was speaking. “I remember that day when she passed. She was a good and kind woman. Her herbalism skill was decent as I recall.”

Amunet’s young brow furrowed hard as she tried not to get emotional. The girl obviously still felt the loss though it had been 6 years since. “She has been missed though I am sure she is amongst the web. “ The girl tried to find some silver lining, something positive. The throat seemed awefully drier than usual. There was a loud swallow as this was not how she wished to have spoken to this healer. The girl wanted to study with them but how could she now when she went and got herself hurt.

“You put too much on yourself Amunet.” He spoke as if he read her thoughts. It wasn’t really as Amunet’s feelings were transparent and right on her face. He continued to ministrate to the arrow wound. “Whatever you may think none of it was your fault. “ He looked into her sky blue eyes that brimmed with tears. There was warmth and tingling at her shoulder as the deep wound horrid ragged wound was no more than a small puncture. “you did a good job on that arrow wound. No sign of infection. Do you plan on following in your mother’s footsteps?” He asked as he went to her thighs. “I think you managed to bruise the bone in a couple of places.”

[Amunet]

Amunet winced as the Healer palpated her thighs to get a feel and indication of how deeply the bruising went. The girl tried to take in the words of the Healer regarding herself and her mother’s death. The girl did take blame though none was laid on her. It didn’t take away from the fact that she was gone. The pearl white ribbon that was entwined in the single braid that went down the right side of her face was testimony enough of how she felt. “I had hoped to walk in her footsteps, in truth this was not how I had imagined our interview.” The girl made a face to cover another wince when he touched another tender spot.

“I had to maneuver through the band of raiders, well, crash through more like it. The glassbeak was not far behind.” Though the explanation was haphazard it gave some indication of the seriousness of how she escaped even more serious injury.”

Nahar Tenderhoof finished providing further treatment to ease the bruising and other wounds. He would get this speculative expression in his otherwise calm face as if considering things. He listened to her explanation of how she got banged around during her misadventure. “That was a brave and reckless maneuver but looks like the gamble paid off.” He wasn’t too pleased a young girl being out alone with raiders but the craftiness and clever ideas she came up with on the fly and out of the box saved her life probably.

“Once you fully heal up, I want to see you at the philtering and herbal storage tent bright and early. “ He said succinctly. “I want to see exactly how much you absorbed of your mother’s knowledge. “ His voice was kind but was also firm.

“Yes, Sir. I need to let my pavilion know… “ she stopped at the steady gaze of the man.

“I will let your pavilion know that your skills are needed here with the growing needs. I am sure they would like to see their daughter out of trouble for a few days, at least.” The look he gave her was one of amusement and a bit of a reprimand.

Amunet managed an apologetic shrug and an equal apologetic smile. The attendants in the tent urged her to rest and drink fluids. It was the next morning she was ushered to her tent by her brothers and rested there for the time needed to convalesce. Her mothers and aunts fussed over her like worried hens. Her father and the Ankhal didn’t say much. Officially she was reprimanded a little for being out too far, again. Unofficially her clever actions landed her some begrudging respect from her brothers and curious looks at the strategy from those of The Watch. She wore the scare that developed from the arrow wound with pride.

[Tribal]

G R A D E S

Amunet

Experience

• Observation: 4
• Rhetoric: 1
• Socialisation: 4
• Horsemanship: 2
• Medicine: 2
• Riding, Horse: 2
• Foraging: 1
• Herbalism: 1
• Logic: 1
• Wilderness Survival, Plains: 1
• Planning: 1
• Endurance: 2

Lore

• Shetanae: The Mare
• Shetanae: Amunet's Strider
• Amunet: A gentle hand
• Horsemanship: Assisting a mare with the birth of her foal
• Amarak: The Ankal
• Animal Husbandry: The look of a fine colt
• Culture: Drykas hierarchy
• Shetanae is quite old for a strider
• Foraging: Herbs are difficult to find
• Foraging: Never take more than you need
• Rak’keli: Goddess of healing and health
• Amunet: Following in her mother's footsteps
• The sounds of a fired arrow
• Glassbeak: The deadliest predator on the Sea of Grass
• Medicine: Removing an arrow
• Medicine: Treating an open wound
• Amunet needs a husband
• Endrykas: The River Flower
• The River Flower: A gift in exchange for services
• Nahar Tenderhoof: A healer

Loot

N/A As herbs were traded for healing.


Penalties

Amunet's shoulder wound will scar but otherwise recover fully within the next 21 to 28 days.


Notes


Tobacco, unless you have paid for it, please don't use it in future. Glassbeak, when we talk about the food chain, this predator rules. I think you took this far too lightly, a Glassbeak would make even the bravest warrior wet his pants a little (especially is he was alone). Please try not to underplay the power of this creature in future. It can outrun a strider; there is no way the girl would have had time to stop. Keep this in mind for next time. Leather pants, again, these need to be purchased with GM and added to your ledger and possession.

It would help Graders in future if you set up your skills in a table (they are a little messy at the moment) You can find help with BBC / code here. There is a section on tables. If you need more help, just ask.

I really enjoyed the read, thanks for submitting such an interesting first thread! I look forward to reading more of your work and watching how Amunet develops as a character in Endrykas. Enjoy the rewards and let me know if you think I have missed anything while grading your thread. Be sure to edit your grading request and as always, happy writing!