The rite of passage chapter 1- The tribe of flints
One hundred forty-seventh cycle of the seventeen Medriono
Continent of Cartcussa, Village of the tribe of flints
"Shonah lay flattened within a bush, her breaths slow and controlled to ensure absolute silence. The assorted brambles tickled her eyes, but she resisted the urge to scratch; getting caught was not an option. She'd entered the bush, clutching at various tree branches to avoid leaving footprints, and covered herself in earth and berries to mask her scent.
Leaning slightly forward, she carefully used the palm of her right hand to brush away the closest leaves, which not only irritated her but also obstructed her view of the outside. Taking care not to disturb them too much, she gently shook off the branch they clung to. The sun was on the verge of setting, heralding the moment she would emerge to claim what was rightfully hers, the fruit of her hard labor.
Just a bit more and...
"Behind you!" Her heart leaped into her throat with surprise.
Blast it! She was so close this time! A little more and victory would have been hers! Of course, evading that brat Keio for an entire day was a near-impossible feat. The child seemed to possess an uncanny ability to detect scents!
Of course, it was worth considering that he was a young boy from the latest generation of the Fang clan, a lineage stretching back over five generations, closely associated with wolves. However, she found it hard to believe that heightened senses could manifest before the ritual. It seemed that, over many generations, something was inherently transmitted to the unborn, a priori.
Keio's skill in tracking scents, once he caught wind of them, was so exceptional that in the village, on the day following each full moon, they organized the renowned 'Child Hunt.' This entailed the seemingly simple, yet nearly impossible task of concealing oneself in a specific section of the Derenna forest, long cleared of monsters and dangerous creatures and evading Keio's detection.
For the victor, if one ever emerged, awaited a bounty of meat equivalent to a whole elk. The youths of the entire tribe, including, of course, Shonah, couldn't resist the allure of such a prize. Each month they engaged in the challenge against Keio, but to this day, nobody had managed to outmatch the extraordinary acuteness of the finder's nose.
“Shonaaaah, get up! I hound you!!”
"Yes, Keio, you've FOUND me. Now, I'm getting up." The leaves of the bush had adhered to the earth and the berry mixture on her body. Before the various nocturnal insects were drawn to her by the sweet smell of the berries, Shonah would have to wash in the river to remove both the scents and the sticky residue.
A long sigh. So much effort for nothing...
As she emerged from the brambles of the bush, curiosity overcame disappointment. "Did you happen to find the others too?"
"YE! You are the lat one!" Keio beamed, proud of his achievement, which remained undefeated since the inception of the game. The little boy had now earned the nickname 'Smell Finder.'
Still, there was a note of pride for Shonah. Even though she had lost, she had managed to outlast everyone else. And for the last one to be found, there was always a toast and a taste of smoked hare as a consolation prize.
Truth be told, it hadn't been so bad; usually, Mailo was the last to be caught. Her friend was more experienced and spent more time in the woods, as his contribution to the clan was bringing berries and wood from the nearest forest.
Lucky for me
"Keio, wait here for a moment. I need to clean myself up from this stuff. As soon as I'm done, I'd say we can head back. What do you say, 'smell finder'?"
"YE!" replied the little boy with energy.
Contentedly, she walked toward the small spring that was near the safe area of the woods. She would clean herself up thoroughly, and afterward, with Keio by her side, they would head for the gates of the tribe
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The cleanup took longer than expected, but fortunately, the forest where the competition took place wasn't too far from the tribe. As soon as Shonah finished, she arrived at the wooden gates with Keio just before sunset.
Waiting for them were two guards from the Strength Clan, the most prominent clan in the tribe responsible for fortifying the camp and defending all the other clans. One of the guards, a woman both formidable and kind named Gerda, spoke as soon as the two arrived before her, 'Welcome back. Shonah, did you by any chance manage to elude the little flea until time ran out?'
'NU!' Keio chimed in without waiting for Shonah's reply. 'I found her first!'
Gerda looked at Shonah, who could only shrug and say, 'You heard the little one, didn't you?' She glanced sideways at the child, who sported a wide, toothy grin with a few gaps.
'Well, you're the last one to be found by the little guy anyway. The others have already returned with their tails between their legs, so honors to you,' she said with a slight nod as she opened the imposing wooden gates.
"Thank you, Gerda. Now, I think I'll take Keio back to his clan. It's late, and I don't want them to worry. Have a good watch, and may the spirits be with you," she added, looking at the other, more silent guard.
"May the spirits be with you," the two guards replied in unison before closing the doors behind them.
"But I don't want to go baaack!" Keio complained.
"Keio, you're the one who found everyone, so it's your fault the game ended early," she said, though if it had gone just a little longer, she might have won. Still, it was always nice to tease the child. The thought made her smirk as she walked him back to his clan.
"But I want mooleeee," Keio continued, his tone growing more insistent. She was starting to get a little exasperated with the child.
Ask your father, Keio. He's the one who decides the games. If you're persistent, maybe he'll organize another hunt before the next full moon."
"But dad doesn't listen..." he replied, his tone and gaze downcast.
She almost felt sorry for the child. After all, his father was the leader of one of the most important clans within the tribe and couldn't easily divert resources for his son's whims, not any more than he already did. but then again she felt ALMOST sorry for Keio.
"Then make him listen, little one. Adults do pay attention when you're insistent. Give it a try." Shonah knew there was a good chance Keio might get a scolding from his father for this increased insistence, and for her, that was as good as another victory.
"Okay!" the child said, his face lighting up with joy.
"But don't mention my name. I don't want to get in the middle of your conversation, understood?" It was better to be safe than sorry.
"Okay!"
The day wasn't ending so badly for Shonah, come to think of it.
They passed by the gathering square, where people gathered for the most important speeches. The square was wide and round, and in its center stood the tribe's temple, a 'small' building made of wood and stone that housed the village druid, as well as a space for his rituals.
That building could have likely accommodated at least half the population of another clan. Surely, that extra space would have served her clan well, the girl thought bitterly. Many things held sway in the tribe, but equality was not among them. One's place had to be earned, and if one could not? Well, let's just say it was better to succeed.
Driving away these thoughts, they skirted the square on the right. After quite a few steps, they finally arrived in front of Keio's house. Waiting for them was the child's father and leader of the Fang Clan.
Drimann was a tall, well-built man, his body adorned with countless scars, testament to his past as a monster hunter. His face, also marked with scars, featured strong jawlines and slightly sunken cheeks, giving him a leaner appearance than he truly was. His hair, streaked with a few strands of gray, was pulled back into a tail that cascaded past his shoulders. On his neck, the pledge tattoo, a wolf's head, boldly signified that he had triumphed in the rite of initiation.
The Fang Clan leader wore his usual rumpled, threadbare attire, which emphasized his broad, muscular arms, each bearing its own history of past wounds. Notable were the numerous tooth-shaped tattoos encircling his formidable biceps—a ring for each significant service he had rendered to the tribe. Few could boast such tattoos, but Drimann was undoubtedly one of them.
"Ah, there's my little sniffer," he said with a smile directed towards the two arrivals. "Undefeated again today?"
Keio gleefully answered the question, "YE!" He looked forward to being able to say it every time.
Drimann, rising from the steps of the house, approached the two. He placed a hand on Keio's head and tousled his hair. "You'll become a fine member of the clan," he said, then looked up to fix his gaze on Shonah. "You're the talk of the day, girl. I had thought Màilo would clinch first place again this time. Instead, he was the first to be caught. I suppose escaping Keio doesn't count for much when you have the initiation rite on your mind," he added in the last sentence, with a slight twist of his mouth.
Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
Shonah instantly understood why Màilo had been caught early. He hadn't lost because he wasn't skilled, but because he had chosen to use the day to contemplate how to approach his upcoming initiation rite, which was set to commence in three moons. Not wanting to show disrespect to the leader of the Fang Clan, he had participated, but intentionally allowed himself to be caught early so as not to forfeit the day...
Now her victory felt much more bitter than before...
Her discontent was interrupted by Drimann. "Well, in any case, the consolation prize is yours, Shonah. I've added extra venison. It's your first time earning it, and you deserve it," he said, handing her the bag. "Enjoy it" he concluded with a wink.
The meat wouldn't taste the same as she had expected before hearing about Mailo's intentions, but it would still please her grandparents and sister greatly. Thanking Drimann, she decided to accept her consolation prize.
"I'd say we can say goodbye. Thanks again for participating. You'll have better luck at the next full moon," Drimann said with a smile.
"Thank you again. May the spirits be with you," said Shonah, bowing her head. Finally, she turned to leave, but a slight feeling of guilt weighed on her stomach. After taking a few steps, she turned again. "Keio, can you come for a moment?"
The child, hearing himself called, happily let go of his father's hand and went to meet the girl. Shonah crouched down and in a whisper began to speak in his ear. "Maybe it's better if you don't insist with your father on the subject for a while, okay?"
"Why?" Keio turned around, surprised. He looked very unhappy about it, but if he had listened to her, he would have avoided a good scolding from his father, who was never pleased about having to part with a bag of meat.
Thinking about it, it wasn't the little one's fault that Shonah wasn't happy, and at the end of the day, making the child's life more difficult wouldn't change anything for her. She didn't want to spend the night with a 'father scolding his son' on her conscience.
"You trust me, and we'll figure it out next time, okay?" she said, smiling at the child and ruffling his hair. "Now go back to your father, come on, and may the spirits be with you."
"Ok, you too," Keio answered her in a sad tone and walked back to his father, who was watching them, trying to figure out what was going on.
Standing up, Shonah waved goodbye with her arm raised to the two and headed home.
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The tribe wasn't particularly large, and Shonah arrived at the houses of her clan in a relatively short time. Well, at least the clan where she had been born and where she would remain until the initiation rite. The same rite that Mailo would have faced shortly, for which he had decided to let go of the challenge with Keio that day.
Soon, it would be Shonah's turn as well. She and Màilo were about the same age, and he had been summoned just a few days ago during the gathering in the square. It was always the same routine: the chief would gather everyone, deliver a brief speech about the honor and strength of the tribe, and then call forth the person who would face the trial. This time, it was Mailo's turn. In two moons, he would venture into the woods to begin the test. With a sigh, she pushed aside her worries about her friend and arrived in front of her family's home. It was a beautiful house that could comfortably house five people, but instead, it sheltered as many as eleven.
Eleven!
In order: Shonah, her sister, father, mother, maternal grandmother, paternal grandparents, father's sister with her partner and two children.
That was how it worked in her clan - a group comprised of those who hadn't passed the initiation rite or had chosen to stay behind and live. Fewer resources, less family space, and fewer significant responsibilities were just a few of the minor distinctions her clan faced compared to the others in the tribe.
And, of course, she was born into that very clan...
Don't dwell on it, not today
Standing before the door, she could already hear the bustle of her relatives preparing dinner. From her grandparents' boisterous voices to her mother's, silence was not one of the qualities inside that house. Living in that cramped house, where constant commotion left no room for privacy, had become unbearable. In truth, she'd been wrestling with the confines of her family for years. Each time she crossed the threshold, she felt a stifling weight, especially when dealing with her mother and the rest of the relatives
After the ritual, everything would be different. She only needed to wait, to endure a bit longer, and then she would seize control of her life. Calming her thoughts, she gently pushed the door, which let out a continuous creak, granting her entry. She barely had time to step inside before a head popped out from the room where they were dining.
"Shonah! There you are, I need someone to set the plates on the table!" Her mother had only taken a moment to call out the task, then disappeared back into the walls, loudly instructing others to attend to their evening chores."
She was unmistakably home, and after letting out her final sigh of the evening, she set about assisting her family with preparations. Entering the kitchen, she placed the bag she had received from Drimann on the counter. Then, reaching into the cupboard, she retrieved the wooden plates and arranged them on the table.
"What's this?" Shonah turned just in time to see Jial, her sister, eyeing the bag with great interest. "It smells amazing!"
"Hey, keep your hungry hands off! Some of it is for our grandparents."
"Keyword: some," she said with a mischievous grin. Jial reached into the bag, plucking a piece of smoked meat and swiftly devouring it before Shonah could react.
"Thif food ish sho good!" Her sister, eyes half-closed and cheeks puffed from eating, rushed forward to embrace her. "Thank you, shishter!"
With her hands occupied, Shonah could only roll her eyes and remark, "May Gries' Rim be with you; you'll need him when you will act like this in front of others."
Jial, still grinning, swallowed her mouthful and replied, "But I'll always have my big sister!"
With an inward smirk, she couldn't help but think of her sister as a bit of a spoiled brat and since Jial showed no intention of letting go, Shonah decided to manage the dishes by pulling that nuisance along with her, taking careful, measured steps to avoid any potential mishaps.
Meanwhile, other relatives in the room were busy organizing various items - chairs, pitchers, and food. The situation grew even more bustling when, with her sister still tailing her and her grandparents up ahead, Shonah had to exchange greetings with everyone while her mother impatiently urged her to hurry, warning that the soup was cooling. Her mother was known for her exacting nature. Eventually, the flurry of activity settled, and they all convened around the capacious table in the house. Soon, the murmur of conversation gave way to the sounds of hearty eating, and for a brief moment, Shonah relished the serenity of the great outdoors.
Breaking the comfortable quietude, her mother inquired, "Shonah, I noticed a bag of meat on the counter. Did you bring it?"
"Yes, I managed to fare the best in Keio's hunt this afternoon."
"Did you outsmart the little rascal?" her father interjected, a twinkle in his eye. It was no secret that there was a longstanding rivalry between him and Drimann, though her father's attempts to one-up the man were limited to words alone. Unlike Drimann, he didn't even bear a pledge tattoo, let alone valorous markings. Thus, the 'rivalry' he had with the man was channeled through his children, particularly Shonah.
"No, Father," she replied, pursing her lips, "I was the last one caught, not the victor. If I had won, by now I'd have a whole deer at the gates—"
"A WHOLE DEER?" her younger cousin Aikans blurted out, springing up in his chair. He was a few moons older than Keio but still possessed a typically childlike enthusiasm. His mother promptly settled him back down amidst the jovial laughter.
"Don't believe it, the clan leader probably would have given the bag regardless," his father added, a touch of annoyance in his voice.
A second pang of disappointment washed over Shonah. She wished she could have pleased her father by presenting him with the triumphant feat of bringing a whole deer from the Fang clan. However, this had been her best attempt so far. Dinner continued with light conversation about the weather, spirits, and the events of their respective days. Then, as Dunon, her aunt's husband, was recounting how he had found splendid rocks for bonfires, he was abruptly interrupted by the forceful slam of doors being thrown open. The younger ones sprang to their feet, while the grandparents were content to leap into their chairs.
Her father stepped forward. "And what is so urgent as to disrupt our moment of communion with the spirits, may I inquire?" Though not as physically imposing as Drimann, her father was still sturdy, and when disturbed in his own domain, he exuded an air of greater authority.
"The chieftain has received word. A meeting has been summoned for the initiation rite," the messenger hastened to reply.
Shonah's heart leaped into her throat; she would finally receive news of Mailo and, perhaps, learn of his decision. She was already on her feet, ready to rush to the square.
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In truth, she couldn't blame her father for being frustrated by the short notice. The moon now hung high in the sky, and even with torches illuminating the square's perimeter in concentric circles, visibility was still challenging. Many in the crowd were surely wondering why this couldn't have been postponed until the next day.
But Shonah preferred it this way. She had worked tirelessly to avoid dwelling on her friend, perhaps too hard. Now, at least, she would have the chance to see him, to discover what choice he had made.
"Brothers and sisters of the flints," a voice resonated through the square, prompting everyone to turn towards the temple, from which three figures emerged. Odn Leroc stood at the forefront, flanked by the druid Sel Kam and Màilo, both slightly behind him. The tribe's leader possessed such an imposing, towering stature that the two beside him appeared like mere children. Màilo, in particular, seemed diminished, his shoulders slightly slumped, radiating discomfort.
What had happened?
As always, Sel Kam was swathed in his dark cloak, obscuring most of his visage. Only a slightly prominent nose, cropped hair, and a neatly trimmed beard were discernible features of the druid. In his left hand, he held a wooden staff topped with a leaf motif, emblematic of his station.
The night didn't afford a detailed view of the chieftain, but Shonah had seen him so often that she could fill in the obscured details.
His imposing figure sported two broad shoulders, rendering him as wide as two men. A bald head was perched atop a stout neck, and his unwavering gaze exuded a confidence that could command respect from anyone in no time at all. Odn was simultaneously the most feared and revered man in the entire village.
His complexion, slightly darker than the rest of the tribe, made him a bit harder to discern, even in his shirtless state. Yet Shonah knew that the chieftain bore numerous tattoos on his arms and back, far more than Drimann or anyone else in the village.
The man continued, "I hope you, like the spirits, will forgive me for summoning you at such a sensitive hour," bowing his head as he concluded his introduction. Over the years, Odn had proven himself to be as humble as he was tough.
"The reason for my request was made clear to you prior to your arrival. Mailo, son of the seeker clan, was tasked with deciding on the trial and conveying it to Sel Kam and myself. And so he has. According to tradition, such news must be promptly communicated in such cases. Come closer, Mailo," Odn beckoned, extending a hand towards the boy, who hesitantly shuffled forward, hunched over, and reached for it. "The rite involves the choice of a trial. A trial to demonstrate one's worth to the tribe... Mailo, born into the seeker clan, has made his decision under this moon," Odn paused for a moment in his speech.
The entire assembly fell into a hushed silence, hanging on Odn's every word.
"He has chosen to forgo the rite."
A wave of murmurs rippled through the tribe. Many heads turned, likely seeking out the boy's parents, wondering how they would react. Shonah wasn't one of the onlookers; instead, she cast a cruel glance towards her friend, empathizing with the humiliation he must be enduring, even though he had willingly opted out of the ritual.
"SILENCE!" Odn's voice thundered, and within moments, the murmurs coursing through the crowd subsided. The village chief shifted his gaze between the boy and the gathered assembly. "From this day forth, Mailo joins the clan of the unbrave, where he will continue to contribute to the foundation of the clan."
By tribal custom, those who didn't pass the ritual or chose to abandon it were integrated into the Shonah clan — the clan of the outcasts, as she had privately dubbed it. The tribe leader might frame it in kinder terms, but Màilo was marked for life in the clan of the unbrave.
Before further rumors could spread, Odn swiftly continued, "As you all know, according to the guidance of the spirits, there must always be someone to uphold the initiation rite. And today, following Máilo's renunciation, Sel Kam and I convened and determined the chosen one." Another pause from the leader.
Shonah was aware that the conclusion of one rite marked the beginning of another, yet the news still caught her off guard. It wasn't so much that Mailo's withdrawal surprised her; it was the fact that he, born into a more prestigious clan, with every chance to succeed, had let it all go... Shonah couldn't fathom it.
"Shonah, born of the tribe of the unbrave. She will face the trial," Odn declared.
In that instant, Shonah's surprise for Mailo's fate was replaced by astonishment for her own. She widened her eyes, lifting her head to meet the gaze of the tribe leader in the temple.
Unprepared, unexpected... Shonah had been chosen.