~Turnova Plains, Planet Carass, Sigma Universe~
Wind swept through tall stalks of wild wheat surrounding the tribe's encampment. Chilo watched the younger children scurrying between adults at work scraping leather and tending to other daily chores. His mother scraped the leather of a Murak bull. He and the other hunters had taken down the large beast on their earlier hunt. Chieftain had taken it down… which he always seemed to do. Since Chilo was a child, he had heard stories of the then elder's mystical gifts. None of the other wind walkers could keep up with him. This was why the wisewomen had named him Raiopa or Ghost of the Grass at his birth. Chilo's own gifts had not yet manifested. He still had two years until that time.
His own mother had been allowed to feel the chords of Fate to find a name for him. Their first glimpse that she would be allowed the honor of knowing she would join them in her later years. He couldn't understand what his name, Moon Son, meant for his future. Chilo and the other young men were never allowed to bring down their prey, only to herd the animals to the skilled ones. He was excited for today though. For the first time since hitting his sixteenth moon there would be a tribal battle. The Makara, the Watchers of the Sky, had not encountered another tribe for nearly a year. Of course, there were traders amongst his people who wandered, but the Chieftain generally kept his people secluded and self-sufficient. Raiopa insisted the further they kept from other tribes, the less risk they ran of running into Rakerrs.
Several other teens were milling about restlessly at the edge of the camp. Chilo approached Tala. Even though she was apprenticed to one of the healers, she would train as a warrior for a few more years. All plains folk were raised to fight in war from their fifth year to defend their people. She chided him for his aspiration to be a Bloodwarrior. To be a Onemane, one of their horse riders and charge into battle first, was dangerous enough. Onemanes were almost the top echelon of their tribe. To want to be one of those who rode behind a Onemane and drop into the midst of the enemy to be surrounded was insane. That was the point though. To emerge from battle coated in the blood of those who would attack their family was the highest honor. Few in the tribe were more respected or feared.
Tala noticed his approach and grabbed his arm, "we actually get to battle with others! Raiopa says the others bring nearly the same numbers that we might earn our first marks."
"Aye, perhaps Chieftain will allow more after that we might gain higher honor"
"Nyma! You shouldn't look to die so soon. There is plenty of time to do so after you have a mysha, wife, and add to the tribe," she slaps his shoulder.
Chilo glared down at her from beneath hooded eyes, "perhaps you are satisfied to heal others who do battle", she stepped back as if he had struck her, "but I would earn my marks so that I might find a mysha who feels honored in joining with me."
Tala's plain brown eyes blanched as she looked away from him. She had been his closest friend in childhood. He couldn't understand what had changed. Slowly they had drifted apart, their views following suit. She shook her head as she wandered to a group of girls. Her lithe form slipping into the group. The club she carried felt off to him. Her soft hands belonged applying herbs and poultices. Chilo shook his head, why was he gawking at her? She would never be his mysha. They would never agree over what was important.
He approached a group of boys - almost men - as they discussed the feathers they would collect for their own weapons. One of the smaller boys was shouting above another that he would be given a gift of honor by Raiopa himself for the glory he earned today. The large boy next to him shoved him down.
"If you earned the honor of the day, you wouldn't be able to walk," a few of the other larger boys laughed unsurely.
Chilo helped the smaller boy to his feet, "at least he would still carry himself Miko."
The few who had laughed quieted tensely. Chilo and Miko were two of the largest boys and both soon to be true hunters. Both were equal to the elder men in archery and at hurling their spears at their targets. Miko shook his black braids, the glittering hazel eyes most tribesmen had flashing, and lurched inches from Chilo's face.
"You think you're going to earn a single mark today half-tribe? I doubt you bring down their runt. Why Raiopa allows you to do battle is beyond me. When you enter your Seeking, you should find another tribe for your mysha and stay with them."
Chilo ground his teeth and growled. He pushed his face into Miko's until the other boy took a step back. Finally, the others amongst them jumped to separate them before blows were met. To touch another tribesman in anger was taboo. Disputes were met before the Chieftain. Somewhere in the distance a horn blew, and the elder warriors emerged from camp.
Raiopa raised his staff in the air, "today those unmarked amongst you may earn your first. Let those of us experienced handle theirs. Find your fellow young ones on the field and show them who learns most. Should you not receive a marking do not be in despair. Honor will find you eventually. You are young and have many moons before you.
His eyes roamed over his people. All ducked their heads briefly in acknowledgement of his attentions. The tribe's elite warriors encircled him. Raiopa chose no champion for his tribe, choosing to represent himself. Even Onemanes fought on foot in tribal battles such as this. No deaths, no skulls, no prisoners. This was simply a chance for the tribes to keep up experience and to practice in case of real war.
The opposing tribe approached the other end of the mock battlefield. All unblooded tribesmen and women lined up across from each other to be given the chance to earn their first marks. The other Chieftain made his way to the front of his people. Chilo and Miko were given position beside Raiopa. As two most promising young ones they were given the task of watching his back. Chilo looked down line, trying to see Tala. He hoped she would still be amongst those standing in the end. Again, he shook his head. It wasn't like she was going to die. Why was he worried if she got a few bruises?
He looked to his right to see Raiopa staring into his blue eyes. Raiopa always told him that his eyes revealed more of his soul. Chilo looked back across the field. Miko wasn't distracted. The slow roar across the field built. He could feel his blood begin to boil with the rush of battle. A growl bubbled from his throat. It built among his own tribe until both Chieftains raised their heavily feathered staffs.
Dozens of young men and women charged through the stalks towards each other. Grunts erupted as the two groups met. Chilo dodged to the right as the club of a slightly smaller boy overstepped him. A quick spin and his club laid his first opponent out on the soft stalks of wild wheat. His first mark was right there! He was now a marked warrior. Now he would be allowed to fight should they find a real enemy. Pain spread across his lower back as another boy sought to earn his mark from a distracted Chilo. Chilo turned to face this boy. Blocking the next swing aimed at his head, he could see Raiopa's judging gaze as their leader locked staffs with the champion of the mock enemy. The man was half Raiopa's age. Their weapons moved with deadly grace. This boy before him shoved back and lurched for Chilo again. Miko clubbed the boy from behind.
"Four!"
His bragging was cut short as a snarling woman easily into her thirtieth year knocked the air from Miko's lungs. He bent around the staff in his stomach. Chilo barely caught a glimpse of Miko grabbing the staff and flipping the woman over his shoulder as he repelled the attack meant to catch him unawares. Chilo smashed the boy's arm and heard not one but two crunches. A glance over his shoulder and the woman who fought his tribemate lay on the ground bleeding profusely from her nose. Miko's face covered in a mask of vengeance.
"Five now! Come on Chilo! You are and forever will be n-"
A massive shape emerged from the dust and gave Miko a skull-shattering blow. The figure stepped from the shadows. Pale skin, bulging with rippling muscles, stood forth. Blood dripped from red braids as the hulk moved closer. Chilo silently slid into the shades of grey of the mist. This was a warrior who had seen true battle. Scars covered his chest and arms. Chilo crouched lower in the stalks. Fear creeped up on him as knowledge that the warrior would not be felled by him this day.
He sought out Raiopa. His chief was still locked in combat with the younger Champion. No one would interfere in that fight. It wasn't until one fell those others would be allowed to challenge. The bloody warrior watched them eagerly.