the rain kept pouring for days, not once stopping, the ground got muddy, the river south of stormsong got heavier, the night made the rain look dark, the tribesmen stayed home.
still, from time to time, a few strong warriors had to go out under the heavy rain to fulfill their duty as guards of the stormsong tribe, their massive body so heavy leaving deep footsteps behind as they made their way throughout the whole village.
this was their day to day routine, and they were proud as they lived called warriors and will die as ones, yet as brave as they are, when roaming the village, they always kept a certain distance between them and the forest, fearful of the unknown beasts, and the unknown omen.
some carried wooden clubs, others supported heavy axes on their shoulders as they kept moving around, their fur clothes warm enough for the wet season the rain didn't bother them much, though the mud was annoying as it constricted their movement.
"tuf" *crack*"tuf" tuf"
a small shadow ran swiftly, a faint sound of grass being stepped on, the footsteps were faint with heavy rain masking them.
"who's there? show yourself."
yet surprisingly one of the guards raised his head shouting at the forest, you could tell he was hesitating whether to go check.
"Rumbleback, do not go near the trees, the chief has given orders, the shaman made divinations."
slowly looking away from the dark green woods Tumblehunter warned his comrade with a strict tone, this was his group, he was the leader and he had the responsibility to keep them safe, especially Rumbleback he was one of the best they had.
among these guards, Rumbleback was certainly not the strongest nor was he the smart one in the group, yet he distinguished himself as a fierce and a vigilant hunter, against the warriors he may not win a one on one battle, however in hunting his instincts polished over many years made him one of the best.
his family was certainly considered "rich" as he managed to hunt a different kind of game every time.
"but_" "let's go back." "....." Rumbleback looked nervous as he kept staring at the woods, nothing was there, it seemed like the sound was a mere imagination.
the few guards behind him kept glancing at him weirdly as he stood there hesitating whether to enter the forest.
" 'the day the blue eyes meet, the red spirit hunts' this is what the shaman said, and you know what it means...." Tumblehunter calmly spoke those words as he looked on the sky" it means you don't enter the forest, you don't bother the spirit of the mother tree, or you die" he raised his hand to shield his eyes from the rainstorm.
the others imitated him, raising their head, shielding their eyes from the downpour, they gazed at the sky. they saw the shadows of the big 'eye'(big moon) and the small 'eye'(small moon), both blue, both round, both magnificent as they slowly met.
"leader, I don't dare! but you heard nothing? what if someone...?" Rumbleback had a weird feeling that he was right, someone was in there right now.
'what if it's a child?'
"do not discuss this with me, WHAT IS FORBIDDING IS FORBIDDING!" Tumblehunter growled before continuing "and don't forget your firstborn"
thunder struck as it made a loud 'boom' sound, frightening the kids in their home, the guards standing by a stone house would either hear a parent rebuking their child for acting weak or comforting him.
"heard this, no one is allowed in the forest, NO ONE, everyone to his place." Tumblehunter calmly looked in the eyes of his group, he dropped his head, he sought for his way back home.
'everything must be perfect, all for the shaman' Tumblehunter thought before sighing.
on top of being the group's leader, Tumblehunter was the chief's little brother, and he despised this relative of his, though he detested nothing more than to be rebuked by him in front of the shaman nonetheless, the one person he truly loves and respect, and so he strived to perform everything perfectly, even a trifling guard assignment, as an outcome his popularity increased.
Rumbleback slowly backed away from the woods as he rejoined his friends, they made their way back each to his own hut or house.
but unknown to them, a small shadow at the edge of the woods, hiding by the darkness of the night and the downpour, was staring at the guards, how did he see them while they couldn't, is a mystery.
"don't worry, the leader just worries about you because you're our best hunter, losing you would be a waste!" a cheerful twenty years old guard hit Rumbleback on his back.
they were neighbors and so they tagged along as they traversed the village seeking their respective home.
"I know" Rumbleback sighed, rubbing the wrinkles on his forehead with his left.
"then all's good, oh, by the way, I've heard your firstborn is a healthy little girl?" he asked smiling from ear to ear.
"ah, yes"Rumbleback mouth rose up slowly, grinning he kept his head down.
"haha, then it would be a celebration cause instead of a blood trial, how nice! I've never attended one, oh yes will you need any help? I may not be as rich as you but even I can...." Rumbleback's head started to hurt as his smile shifted into a frown, he couldn't withstand this neighbor of his, he decided in his mind 'try to avoid him'.
"ok! stop! Blubbertongue! I know you mean good but you have to take care of your mother, you require the white wolf skin to marry, just attend the celebration is what you can do" although Rumbleback said that but in his head "please refuse! please refuse!" certain thoughts could not be disclosed.
"ok! I'll be the first to get there, I live right in front of you, hahaha...." Blubbertongue laughed, waved to Rumbleback, and walked into his own hut.
Rumbleback's mouth twitched a few times as he walked into his stonehouse, without making any noise, he opened the door, the interior was vast and bright, a small torch was hung in the wall, in addition to many different kinds of beast skins.
drenched and wet he felt uncomfortable, he began removing his clothes as he stood there beside the torch, he felt warm and cozy and totally naked, he stood there for a second, and slowly a pair of hands hugged his waist from behind, he felt a warm curvy body from his back.
"you came?" a soft voice whispered from behind.
"yeah".