Sabu happily ran up across the ridge, his breath misting in the coolness of the early morning. Today was going to be a great day, he could feel it with every part of his body. His favorite time in the whole year was coming up, the rainy season wrestling tournament! Last year, he did very well, and had even gotten a very nice tea set from a young potter girl, who had been impressed with a reversal he had executed. But for all the fun he had last year, he had realized something. His friends from when he was young, they all had nephews and younger siblings that they had been training. But Sabu was on his own. And he realized, he was the last Imani in Anhau. What would he leave when he was dead? Of course, he intended to have a family eventually, but what if he died tomorrow? He would have left nothing behind. He was no great carpenter like his father, nor was he a prevalent herbalist like Tzul Droon or his mother. He just was.

But now he knew what he could do! He knew he was one of the best wrestlers in the city, certainly since his sister had left. And he could pass this on. He could show the ways of the Roek, and he promised himself that any who asked would be trained by him.

Coming up on the house he had been racing towards, he drew as much air as he could into his lungs and yelled into one of the upper story windows, "Ailen Laskal!! Are you awake?"

Ailen was curled up in bed, the sun barely over the hills. And...someone was yelling in her window. Really, really loudly. With that amount of wind, it could only be Sabu. No question. No one else could physically yell that loud.

She quickly pulled on clothes and splashed water on her face. "I am now, thank you very much! Half the valley is, now!" She rubbed her eyes, and went over to her window, leaning out. "What could you want so early, Sabu? The birds are not even awake yet. You have probably woken up my mother, too. She will not be very happy with you, Sabu Imani."

(( eeeeep, sfsr. ))

Sabu's brow furrowed for a moment. "It was not my intention to wake you up, Ailen Laskal..." But then his eyes brightened again. "But how could you still be awake on this day? We are so close to the wrestling tournament! Why are you not at the Ku Kar? Why are you not practicing your dances? Why are you not sparring? We must prepare!"

At this point Sabu was back to his regular volume of "City wide roar". "And as to your mother, I'd not be surprised if she already heard me coming up the ridge to your house, as good a hunter as she is! As a matter of fact, I have no doubt Jyndri Laskal has a spear trained on me as we speak!" He said this grinning. He knew of Jyndri's reputation, and felt an immense pride when people talked about the spear woman. She was Roek through and through, all the way down to her iron core.

The kitchen window had a commanding view of the ridge, so the Roek mother saw Sabu before she heard him. Sensing a chance to continue training her two young banders in the art of stalking, she stuck her pan-full of sizzling bacon on a back burner. She motioned to the lanky pups, signaling them to to enter the hunting mindset and follow her.

They quickly crept out the back of the house and sneaked along the side wall. The wrestler's voice carried everywhere, and she rolled her eyes. An easy catch for her banders; they couldn't possibly mess this up. His own yelling would cover their mistakes if they crunched a dry leaf in their approach.

At the corner, she motioned for the banders to sneak up on the loud 'intruder.' They got about halfway when Sabu talked about Jyndri's habit of startling guests. She laughed uproariously, breaking both the dogs' concentration and her own. The dogs barked playfully in response, revealing their position, and bounding happily to Sabu with their tails wagging.

Sabu was not completely deaf, despite being in such close proximity to his own voice all his life. He gathered herbs in the forest that ringed around the valley, a place that was stalked by large cats and menaced by even bigger pigs. And the bears, so many bears. Good hearing was rather a prerequisite to survival. So while he did not here the seasoned huntress sneak up on him, the laugh was very easy to pinpoint for him.

Quickly swinging his head towards the sound, he saw the two young bander wolves from Jyndri's brood bounding up to him, their tales wagging back and forth and their tongues lolling out. Sabu grinned at them and bounded towards them, arms spread wide. As they reared on their legs and panted in his face, he roared laughter and played with their ears and pushed them about as if he was part of their pack. The young wolves were still strong, and Sabu enjoyed the play fighting as much as they did. One of them playfully nipped at one of his hands as he turned back to Ailen's window.

"Do you see, Ailen Laskal? Your mother spared me today! She too, knows of the significance of this time, and you have no excuse to be in your room! If you shall not be at the Ku Kar to fight for the pride of our tribe, then who will? Come down, we have much to do!" Sabu basked in the slight absurdity and good humor this day had brought him so far. He knew that today would be a good day.

"What are you even talking about, Sabu Imani? I do not wrestle or dance! My mother is teaching me to hunt! If you want me to wrestle for you, you will have to teach me, for I most definitely do not know how. My father was going to instruct me when I grew older, but, ahem..." She didn't finish, since, as a Roek, Sabu would know of their family tragedy.

"Do you plan on teaching me how to wrestle, Sabu? If so, please allow me to draw my curtains and change into suitable training clothes and I will meet you downstairs for breakfast. Does that sound good?"

The trapper was still laughing her rich, earthy laugh, until it slowly quieted to a panting chuckle. "Sabu Imani! You are welcome to eat with us. We have bacon and eggs and rolls."

Grinning, she strode to the front door and opened it. There she stood, one fist planted on her hip, as she called to her wolves, "Yot! Ret!"

The two pups snapped to attention, releasing Sabu from the dog pile. They watched her, ready, quivering like excitable jelly. She commanded them, "Guard the house!"

While the banders ran off on their erratic patrol, Jyndri explained to her guest, "We will take our food with us to the Ku Kar."

There was no room for argument.

Sabu got up, dusted himself off, and bowed to the hunter woman deeply. One of the greatest things about having the Laskals as friends was that Sabu was assured a steady stream of protein. In the time that he had been visiting them, he had put on a bit more weight. He was still rail thin, but now a bit more muscle padded his arms and legs where there was once only tendons and bone. No one could cook an animal like Jyndri.

Sabu felt no shame from accepting these gifts from them, as he knew that tribe members were expected to help each other out. "Jyndri Laskal, as always, you honor me with your invitation! It is not much, but I did bring something to offer in kind!" Rummaging through his expansive sash, he came out with a sizeable bundle wrapped in cloth. "Fresh watercress from the river! Also, some black mushrooms I found near the banks, but please do not worry! I know not their name, but Sita and I used to eat them all the time! They have a peppery taste and I imagine they would be good with venison!"

A little quieter, he also added. "It is a sad thing when one of our tribe does not know the way of her people. Had you told me sooner, Jyndri Laskal, I'd have happily taught your daughter." It was in his experience that the only thing that helped to dull the pain of lost loved ones was work, the reason why he now spent so much time rooting through the forest for roots and herbs. Perhaps Ailen turned to her gardening for the same reason. Even still, his grin returned as he said, "but as it is, I now have that opportunity and shall instruct her in all that I know!"

With that said, he happily followed Jyndri into her house and wait for her daughter to be ready.

Reokan walked slowly through the Roek houses, nodding to passers by and having a quiet word with some of them that knew...knew what they had seen with him, outside of the city walls. His summer green eyes had lost their sparkle a little, his dimpled smile had faded somewhat. It wasn't right, no hatchers, no mist...and now...strangers came to Anhau. Strange wicks with bright hair and loud voices. They had no calm, no peace...only a wildness about them, like so many babbling whice. It disturbed the warrior greatly, a nagging worry ate at him. The roek were supposed to protect Anhau and her citizens, instead they let strangers in with open arms. It was not the way, it was not safe.

Gnawed by the concern for his people, the man made his way along the streets, feet unconciously following the path to the Ku Kar. At least there, he could release some tension. The wresting tourney would be on soon, and practice would not hurt. Slowing as he reached the well worn circle, he smiled a little, resting a hand on one of the now almost gone carvings, remembering the times he had fought here. He'd won and he'd lost, but the memories were a great comfort either way. This was what Roek was about. Strength. Honour. Protection.

As it happened, Reokan was being watched by a pair of mulled yellow eyes that peeked meekly around the stones surrounding the Ku Kar, a hand of slim fingers slipping soundlessly up a rock, mud-packed nails gliding over the near-forgotten ridges and divots of old symbols. The eyes blinked once, taking in their surroundings and watching carefully with palpable apprehension. One of the hands flicked back to the round face, brushing hair from the eyes.

Murron was careful not to make sudden movements or jerk in any direction. The large bag of pots on her back were threatening to clink together and any Roek man worth their salt would hear even the slightest misstep. Murron had even met Roek men who could smell you in certain conditions.... She cocked her head to the side as she considered Reokan.

He was a well built, heavily muscled man and he spoke of the woods and the hunt. Born and bread a Roek, herself, she knew how to still her breath to a low huff and soften her footsteps to a rabbits tread. She had no wish to startle such a man.

But maybe a man such as him was unmarried, and had no wife to do for him...such bachelors never learned the art of pot making and thus, were forced to buy when they occupied the most of their time with more masculine trades. Perhaps he should want to buy a pot. Murron's perpetually hungry stomach told her that--while he was alone--it was more than worth the try.

Carefully, Murron rose from her position and stepped—daintily as a doe—to the side, putting herself in clear view. Thus far, all she could see of the strong-limbed hunter was his muscled back and she braced herself for the moment that he turned.

Sabu had been far too excited to wait in Jyndri's kitchen. He was always curious what the witches did in the morning that required such preparation. But, like most of his wonderings, he stopped thinking almost as quickly as he started. Not wanting to be a nuisance, he told the Laskals that he would go ahead to the Ku Kar and prepare a ring for practice.

The run up was exhilarating! Every part of his body was taut with excitement. It was a feeling he felt every time he came up to the rings. He happily scanned the rings, and with a little remorse, saw that they were rather empty. Where were the contestants? Would they not be perparing, as he was? After a few moments more, he was able to pick out the broad back of the hunter, Reokan Agurne. His face broke into a grin and he was about to call out a greeting, but then movement caught the corner of his eye.

It was Murron Uita! She was moving silently, obviously not wanting to call attention to herself. Realizing that it would not be good to do it for her, Sabu headed down to the stone rings and was about to just wave and move on, when he had an idea.

Using all the stealth he had learned from his job, a surprising amount for a man of his size, he crept up behind the criminal. He copied each of her footsteps, mocked her breathing with his own, made himself her shadow in all but formed. When he finally reached her, he gently laid a hand on her shoulder, and with the other pressed his finger to his lips, so the first thing she would see would be his warning to make no noise.

That carefully placed hand made Murron near jump from the face of Vita and a muffled gasp escaped her before she whirled around to the clinking sound of clay in her bag. Her eyes were white around the edges and she only just stopped herself from fleeing across the arena when she realized that there was no danger.

Carefully, Murron stepped back into the shelter of the black stone's shadow, out of the sight of the strong-limbed Reokan. She leaned her shoulder carefully against the rock, laying a hand to her chest and taking a deep breath. Murron shot a glare at Sabu, trying to say with her muddy eyes what she could not speak aloud.

Do not scare me in that way, Sabu Imani.

She was in no way surprised to see him here. After all, the tournament would start soon enough, and the place would be swarming with Roek and she knew the man before he to be a wrestler. That was why she was here, after all. Not to fight, of course, but to be around her people and perhaps sell a few pots or bricks. She was in sharp need of more rice flour, and selling something today was a must if she wished to eat.

Murron managed to calm herself. She was unused to such quiet greetings from Sabu.

Sabu only grinned and shrugged a bit to the woman.
My apologies Murron Uita.

Looking at her sack, he pointed excitedly. Murron Uita, like all the denizens of the Flats, had only the mud to make her living by. But unlike some, she had the initiative and industry in her to do more then merely fashion bricks. She had learned on her own the secrets of mixing the proper types of earth and water to make clay, and made very nice pottery.
You have made new pots, Murron Uita!

Smiling happily, he dug into his sash and brought out a small hollowed out gourd, speckled and corked. He held it in front of the woman and with a combination of pointing and gestures, tried to explain what it was.
I had Tzul Droon make a scented oil from some fragrants I had! You can use it to keep your skin healthy, despite always being in the sun! He was not sure if she was able to understand him, but hopefully she got the gist of it.

Sabu always liked trading. The act of exchanging goods was like trading gifts with his friends.

Murron's dimenor brightened considerably at his interest in her wares. She took the sack from her back and reached inside for some of her thicker pieces. Unsure of what he was after, she brought out a bowl and a cup and held them up. Looking back at him, she saw the gourd he was offering.

What was this? What was that? Murron nestled the clay pieces in the crook of her elbow and carefully took the gourd from Sabu, uncorked it, and gingerly brought her nose to the rim.

Corner of her lip in her teeth as she thought, Murron gently put the cork back. It certainly wasn't food. She wasn't too sure, judging by his sweeping gestures, what this really was, but she was quite sure that she couldn't drink it. And if it could not sustain her, she was fairly sure she could do without it. Though.... Murron looked up at Sabu and his ever-present grin. He was far too kind, and something in the manner with which the gourd was presented spoke of a thoughtful gesture. Murron withheld a sigh with a smile and again showed him the clay goods.

What today?

Reokan hadn't been raised a roek hunter for nothing, and he certainly didn't gain the warrior title from being as dumb as an ox. He heard the soft clunk of dried clay early on in the exchange, and turned his head slightly to the sound, the rest of his body slowly following. It was Sabu, and the muddiest...dirtiest...roundest pottery merchant he'd seen in a long time.

Smiling a little, he crossed his arms and watched the bizzare exchange, before bursting into laughter as the merchart looked baffled. Obviously Sabu's gift of non-speech did not match his gift of actual-speech.

"Sabu Imani, what in the Gods names are you doing? You look as if you are trying to dance the rains in!" Moving away from the worn stones, he approached the wicks with a confident stride. He seemed at ease, but inside his mind, things were falling into place. He knew this woman, and her crime. It should stay in the mudflats where it belonged. Filth. Standing beside Sabu, he crossed his arms and nodded.

"Murron." He said in an even voice, his smile a little less genuine, not giving her the respect of using her last name in greeting. He knew they repented for their crimes over time, the exiles, but they had to proove they had changed...and murder was no easy crime to get past. The man wasn't unfriendly, but he made it known he was not letting down his guard.

Sabu's eyes snapped up as he heard the laugh of the large man. He sighed at himself a bit. Of course Reokan would have heard them, he was one of the best hunters in the valley. Still, he had wanted to keep Murron from being chased off, as was normal for one who lived where she did. And caked in mud as she was, it was obvious that she lived on the Beggar's Flats.

"... Ah! Hello Reokan Agurne! Have you come to practice for the tournament as well? I was just trading for a new water jug! I... well I had to use my second best one to knock a howler monkey off of me while I was gathering water!"

Now not being bound by getting caught, he turned to Murron. "That is scented oil Tzul Droon made for me! After you bathe, you can put it on your skin to keep it protected from the dirt and mud! It also smells very nice!"

Hoping to diffuse the situation a bit more, and wanting to keep the attention off of Murron, lest Reokan decide to press her presence, Sabu began talking again. "Reokan, perhaps you could help me out. I am to teach Ailen Laskal to wrestle! She has never wrestled, and I have never teached! I find having more teachers would be helpful to her! My style of wrestling may not be the best for her, and I know that you have some skill in it!"

Ailen attempted to get ready as quickly as possible. She'd thrown on clothes so that she could be decent to lean out her window, but what did one wear to learn how to wrestle? Hmm. Her normal clothes would probably do fine. And unless someone told her otherwise, there would be no shoes. Shoes were Ailen's least favorite item of clothing, winning out only slightly over skirts. Skirts were impractical, to say the least.

She ran down to the kitchen, wanting to eat and go.

"Mother, where is Sabu? I thought he said he would wait here."

"He did, but then you took too long," Jyndri said, deadpan. She finished stuffing the rolls with meat and eggs, and, despite her efforts, there might have been a flash of a smile. "I swear, he is crazier than my pups."

With the rolls herded into a sack, the trapper hefted the load over her shoulder. As always, she packed more than she expected she'd need. There may be a hungry wick or two at the Ku Kar willing to trade something for a snack.

Jyndri led the way outside, telling her daughter, "You would do well to learn to keep up with him." She leaned in, lowering her voice. "You are young yet.. but I will tell you a grown woman's secret. However, you must promise not to use it until your coming of age."

She looked Ailen square in the eye, awaiting an affirmative.

Eyes alert and deer-like, Murron carefully watched Reokan as he approached. She'd known he'd hear and she was careful to watch his steps, the free swing of his corded arms, the movements of his grassy eyes and who he watched, what he looked at. Her calves tensed, preparing herself for the worst possible outcome of the situation. Anything--any hint in movement or change in posture could reveal intent.



She bowed low in return, humbling herself before the big hunter. As Sabu spoke to him, she listened and watched Reokan's movements.



Murron's eyes widened and her ears colored at the gesture. For once she was glad that they were dirty and appeared an un-changing brown. It wasn't food, but it was certainly kind.

In an attempt to hide her bashfulness, she bent down to fish out a sturdy jug from her sack. Something thick and better-made. Sabu Imani seemed to be forever breaking plates, bowls, and the like. Weather over some animal's head or on the floor varried with his level of enthousiasm. Not that she complained a bit.

She followed her mother outside. Then she heard the word "secret." Ailen liked secrets. A lot. She didn't have many of her own, and never told other people's, but she most definitely liked hearing them.

"Yes, Mother, I promise." She stared back at her mother. What could this 'grown woman's secret' possibly be? She wanted to know now, and fast, and then she rather wanted to go learn to wrestle from Sabu, if it was even possible for her to learn. Also she wanted a sandwich. But that would have to wait, she supposed.

The staring would become unbearable in a few moments if her request wasn't answered.

Jyndri kept her hunter's gaze steady, then nodded once to her daughter. She made a sweeping gesture down the road.

"At the Ku Kar, you will meet men and boys. You already know most of them, but that is where you will see who they are." For a few beats of a bird's wing, she dwelled on the old days, thinking of her husband from before he was her husband, before the children, before the funeral. He was so young and spry back then! Handsome and strong and sweet-hearted...

"You will see," she said at last, "that menfolk are just like the animals we hunt." The mother looked back at her growing girl; her tone was secretive and self-conscious. "If you learn their ways, you can set up a trap for any one of them. If you use the right bait, he will walk right into it with a smile on his face."

"That is how I nabbed your father. He was impressed by my spear fighting at first, but it was my buns that finally got him." She shook the bag of baked goods, nodding with an all-too-knowing grin.