"Alaric! Alaric where are you hiding!!!??? It's time to quit playing and go already!" The young Prince didn't particularly want to go anywhere. He liked being where he was at just fine. But his Father, Chief Tansin had ordered him to go along. Alaric was usually quite obedient, that is, at least to his kindred and bodyguard.
But today, he was hiding in his secret spot in the forest. Within it he had a great view of the landscape around him and could easily see his bodyguard wandering around trying to find him. No one but his Father knew where his spot was, since it was shown to him by Chief Tansin himself. With a sigh Alaric left his high place and appeared behind his guard, Voutiq.
"I am here Voutiq and ready to go," he answered. Then muttered under his breath, 'however unwillingly ready I am'. His guard heard and smirked but said nothing. "Then let us join the others in the caravan. I have heard the Moon tribes Cheiftess has a daughter. You may become good friends with her. Your father also said that he sent a surprise for you ahead of us. It will be at the Moon tribe before we arrive."
Now Alaric was excited and eager to get to the Moon tribes land. He wanted his surprise. so within several minutes they climbed onto the great backs of saborahs and began they're journey.
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They traveled for DAAAAYYYYSSSSSS before getting to the border. Alaric was no longer excited about anything. He was bored out of his mind. All day every day since they left home was ride the Saborahs non-stop till dusk. Set up a defensive campsite and sleep in rotations. Alaric was also required to take shifts with Voutiq. He really really wanted to get there already so he could rest and be done traveling. Besides the travels, Voutiq gave him lectures on how the tribe was run. Alaric was frustrated. He thought that he would have a break from his schooling, but noooo! So every time it was their shift, Alaric had to recite back everything he had been told that day. He felt like his brain would explode.
He knew it was for a good reason, but he was sick of it. At home his mother gave him a two hour rest period every day during the midday, between learning. Voutiq did no such thing. Alaric's complaints were completely ignored so after the fourth day he ceased trying to change Voutiq's way and suffered in silence.
It was now the twentieth day of travel and they had FINALLY reached the border shared by the two tribes. Unlike the Sun tribe, Moon tribes main village was only a few days past the border. So much was Alaric's relief was that he finally abandoned Voutiq's lecture and raced to the creek that served as a physical boundary line. His Saborah, NightDance was eager for a drink as well. The two ignored Voutiq's shouting and reached the creek. Alaric slid off her great back, and kneeled down to drink the fresh crisp and clear water while NightDance lapped it up eagerly. Only when their thirst was sated did they turn to look at Voutiq, red faced with anger. But before Voutiq could speak, Talloha the leader of the caravan and the only woman warrior in the main Sun tribes village intervened.
"Do not scold him. He has hardly any time for food or drink with the way you refused him his daily rest hours. You refused to compromise with our chief to be on rest hours. You make a good guard, but a terrible tutor. His mother allotted him two hours daily but you refused to grant him his needs. It then, is no wonder he raced to the creek to drink water. I noted the last water he had consumed this day was at dawn! So busy you kept him for nie almost a month he will no longer be your charge. I have no choice but to report this to the Chieftain! I waited far too long. I continued to observe in hopes of you granting him leniency, but no! You did not! Pray to Unrah our Sun God for mercy that you will continue to have your position as his guard.But for the remainder of this trip, Sir Alaric is my charge and you will hold your tongue when speaking with him! Do you understand soldier?!!"
Voutiq was ashamed of himself. He had such a passion for politics and the day to day runnings of the tribe he neglected to bend to his young masters will. "I understand Lady Warrior. I accept my failings and will guard the back of the caravan." He bowed low to Talloha.
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An hour passed whilst they waited among the trees in the forest. Talloha had sent a signal to the Moon tribes outpost a few miles in. By treaty they could not cross the border unescorted to the others capital. All the while they waited, Talloha gave Alaric some simple rules to follow. Remain respectful, Be responsible, and to not wander out of her sight during the day, as he now had only four hours of study time instead of from dawn to dusk. Talloha had done this purposely. She had noted the mental strain it was causing her young Prince to have absolutely no rest period. So to make up for the lack of rest period he endured for twenty days, she set his study time in a very relaxed state an hour after Dawn for four hours after. Alaric agreed to all of her conditions, as he held high respect for their tribes only woman warrior.
As the hour nearly reached it's Mark for the new, the Moon tribes warriors arrived. The fit and very capable female warriors of the Moon tribe lightly leaped across the creek upon their Dyorahs backs. Alaric gazed in awe. This was only his third time being so close to Dyorahs. The ouposts leader welcomed Talloha sincerely with great joy. The two happened to be very good friends. She was in truth more than just Talloha's very good friend. She was actually her secret wife. After a quick chat familiarizing themselves with the other group they crossed the creek and traveled to the outpost for the night.