It has been a few days since the north winds lost it bite, no longer chilling any foolish travelers to the bone. The calming of the north winds signals the next migration of the tribe for new pasture as the young and old busy themselves to break camp and herd the flocks. On their back the young hang the packed drag sleds of essentials. The elders are busy praying to the generous sky father, Tenk, for his magnanimous protection and guidance through the sea of grass. With the last campfire snuffed out, the tribe set out under the guidance of the elders towards the broken fields to link up with the adults who set out earlier.

Terri walked tall above the knee length grass on her four legs. Her loose strands of waist long platinum hair contrasted against her striped thigh length black/red outer coat. A split leather belt and silken sash wrapped comfortably around her waist and kept her coat comfortable and secure for travel. On her belt hung the daily essentials: her bow, bow holster, and quiver of a dozen mighty arrows thick as a grown man’s thumb. Her stocky build complemented her substantial longbow, thick as her wrist at the handle, made specifically to launch those ballista sized arrows out to 400 paces. With practiced hands, she rebraided her hair and tied a new bun on the move, for she knew all too well of the pain loose hair caused when it inevitably tangles with her bow string.

Terri walked at the rear of the caravas of sleds providing security and additional manpower to the herders if any livestock separated from their pack. A big if because no lamb would escape the sight and speed of those well built herders, armed with slings and standing almost a head taller than her. They can easily run down any stragglers and carry those lost lambs back with ease. The adults had left earlier to clear the area, but Terri knew better than to assume monsters were gone rather than hiding. A high pitch to middle pitch whistle rang out through the afternoon air, as the signal arrow passed over her head. She scanned the tried brows and heavy breathing of the slaves and other live stock settling down for a well deserved rest.

They gathered the slaves and circled around the center as the elders sent and received messages from their raptors and familiars.

[The sky father is magnanimous and cleared the weather of our travels] announced elder Mari.

[Everyone, gather around] as the elder set the stage for Agatha.

Agatha, surveyed the crowd of her extended family, [The Rememberer is due for their visit! I would have been honored to be able to meet them at such a young age!] she boasted.

Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

However, Agatha was disappointed with the family’s lack of enthusiasm, as she saw slips of exasperation and fear from the crowd.

[Your generation has been bestowed with such great fortune to meet him. Although they’re not titled you will show them the full respect of a noble! You kids should know by now that those tales and rumors you heard aren’t true] Agatha added.

[Yes ma’am] the group muttered.

[We’ll entertain him with poems and songs to his satisfaction when he arrives. If he’s satisfied he might even hang around to teach magic again!] Agatha smiled internally as the oohs and bright eye stares confirmed her deception had worked. [I wonder how these kids would react] as she recollected her meeting with the Rememberer. [Alright we’re moving out! We’re heading to the broken fields earlier to prepare for their arrival. The field exercise will be postponed] she ordered.

In choreographed bustle, the caravan set out across the chilly steppe, crossing numerous shallow creeks that snaked through the plains. For it was the experience of the elders that they set out slightly ahead of the spring rains to train for when the steppe is transformed into a seasonal marshland. The extended inland sea of mud was perfect training and testing for kids with skill and resolve to become warriors. It was also valuable time for the adults, full fledged warriors, to hunt for water demons.

After numerous stream crossings, the day started to darken as the night’s veil draped across the land. A low horn signal drifted through the air, signaling to the caravan to make camp for the night. Terri, along with her family and retinue of servants, collected their drag sleds and arranged them around the camp, creating a makeshift fence to prevent livestock from slipping off into the night. The family gathered around the central campfire for a hot meal of lamb, cheese, and simple porridge of grains. The youth eagerly formed up in their sleeping circles supporting each other on their backs, sleeping in shifts where half would sleep while the other was on guard.

Agatha observed the newbies, nodding internally, satisfied with such discipline. Although she’s past prime days as a warrior, Agatha was nevertheless a full fledged knight.

[It seems a knight never retires, even now I’m still tasked to supervise the kids. Although I should be cultivating, coming out here with the kids is nostalgic] Agatha reminisced. She composed herself and called the other elders to dictate the night watch rotations. [We’re breaking camp early tomorrow morning, I want Simion on the first watch and have him assign the watch orders. I’ll rest now and take the last one. Dismissed!], she ordered.