Julius Calendar 901
Month Of The Horned Lamb
14th
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From within a glade nestled away inside the vast Axe the resplendent charm of young children's laughter echoed around. The laughter was crystal clear and laced with the innocence of youthfulness. The birds and beasts of the Axe sounded their songs in unison with the children's laughter, creating a melodious chorus on a sunny blue day.
It was a pair of three year olds a little boy and a little girl that currently chased one another in circles amongst the glade, giggling as they tumbled and rolled atop a colourful spectrum of flowers that decorated the grassy ground. The pair were both similarly clad in grey rabbit pelt shirts and shorts. The young girls hair already danced about her shoulders and was a striking blonde, a few sticks and twigs were matted in her locks however she paid them not the slightest heed.
The young boy was a tad stockier than the girl however they shared the same general build being such a young age. The little boys hair was shaded near jet black and wildly fell about his eyes in tangled locks, the dark colour contrasting with the bright head of hair his sister wore. Any observer couldn't help but allow a soft smile to tug at their lips as they watched the shining blonde girl clumsily dart and chase after the slightly more agile black haired boy.
From among the forested outskirts of the glade a large dark shadow slowly encroached upon the small island of serenity within the Axe. Eventually the shadowed form stopped just shy of the sunlight that filtered onto the grassy floor, instead preferring to rest within the darkness offered by the old trees cover.
The shadow revealed itself to be a savage bronze man clad in nothing but a hide loincloth and the skin of a beast. He stood at an imposing 6’4 and anyone who gazed upon him would feel oppressed by his thick presence. Within his powerful right hand was clasped a dead foxes neck. Atop his skull was the ferocious looking head of an Aroncole, it's sinister hooked beak arched menacingly from his brow. The creatures black pelt fell from his shoulders down his back as a deep voluminous robe. The fur that had once in time been glossy and lustrous now seemed bedraggled and dishevelled, a few holes had been worn into the pelt.
The mans body was becoming thicker with age, his frame that had been slender and streamlined in his youth was slowly gaining more muscular mass. A thick chestnut mane fanned behind him and from his jawline a somewhat small brown beard had sprouted. Running the length of his left cheek was a smooth long scar.
Jasper followed the two youths playful antics with his sharp gaze. His hazel eyes that had once upon a time been youthful and shimmering with exuberance now seemed reserved, withdrawn and cold. There was a darkness swirling within them, a shroud of negativity that cloaked his eyes from the things that shone bright and warm. However as he watched the little girl finally catch the young boy and let out a crystal like triumphant laugh a small amount of warmth could be seen stirring within the depths of his deep pained eyes.
Moving forward he stepped past the forests border into the glade and the light of the sun towards the children. As he approached the little girl who had been trying to wrestle the unfortunate and somewhat miserable boy to the ground turned and caught sight of him. Immediately her cheerful greeting burst out to ring throughout the glade “Jasper!” She extracted herself from atop the black haired boy, who perked up considerably without his sister sitting atop of him. The euphoric little girl then clumsily trotted over to the ground beneath Jasper. The young boy followed suit and trundled across the glade in his sisters wake a great beaming smile filled his teething mouth.
Seeing the adorable pair barrelling over to him and feeling the warm caress of the sun across his face the shroud of darkness that had been ominously hanging about him was somewhat dispersed. Squatting down and laying his dead trophy to the side he opened his arms wide as the little girl careered into him. There was a tender warmth present in his tone as he greeted the little girl whom was tightly hugging him “Talon.” He turned and looked at the little black haired boy whom stood a yard away sheepishly grinning. Jasper let a small smile tug at his lips as he beckoned to the boy “Fang.”
Without needing further encouragement Fangs toothy grin widened and he plunged into Jaspers open embrace. The two children cherished the feeling of the big strong arms that were wrapped about them. The hug lasted for a moment before Jasper gently rose to his feet shaking the children off him. Staring down at the two bright pair of eyes that craned their necks upward to look back at him with adoration Jasper felt warmth stir in his aggrieved heart.
For the past two years he had fostered the twins in the glade. It had been a brutal struggle for the first six months, it was one of the hardest things he'd ever had to do. The crushing grief and sorrow that he carried with him every day mixed with the worries and dilemmas of acting as a parent to the twins had tolled Jasper heavily. Every time he went hunting he left the twins locked in the basket and was gone for no more than twenty minutes but even still the crushing worry of whether the twins would be safe and sound once he returned was one of the heaviest weights he'd ever have to bear.
As the the twins got older and Jasper became adjusted to the new way of life he adapted to the routine that had once been so alien and foreign. Of course there was one major problem that Jasper had been faced with. He had gotten on with the Grace’s in Little Willow however apart from delivering hunted game to their doorstep he had no further real interactions with them. As the twins were born after he had moved into the glade he wasn't really aware of much about them. He didn't even know their names. And of course neither did they. After being hesitant with the matter for a few months it was when the children first started making noises and trying to talk he had decisively made his decision. He would rename them. So in true hunter fashion the bouncy energetic little girl became Talon and the reserved clever little boy became Fang.
“Fox?” A curious squeaky voice asked Jasper. Fang had suddenly taken an interest in the dead fox that lay by Jaspers feet. It was the same size as him and he had grasped it by its crimson bushy tail before questioning Jasper on the name of the animal.
“Fox. Food” nodding his head Jaspers slow smooth voice confirmed the little boy was right. Reaching down and taking the dead animals tail from Fang he turned and made his way over to two little wooden teepees that sat at the back of the daises sheltered by the jagged tablet. They were constructed from wooden sticks and fastened together with vines, appearing discordant with the stone structure they sheltered behind. Jasper considered sleeping out in the open glade with the tablet to their backs safer than sleeping within the Axe’s forest and so he had abandoned his old oaken lean to and fashioned these two small conical huts for him and the twins. The two huts with a small stone campfire between them painted a quaintly pleasant picture that was framed by the black tablet they were constructed against.
Sitting down within the open teepees entrance upon the layers of multi coloured cured hides and skins that served as his bedding Jasper retrieved a large knife from within the wooden construct. The knife was crude and rudimentary, it's wooden handle scorched an ugly black. He had scavenged it from the charred remains of Little Willow.
Another layer of grief and gloom was coated across the dark shroud that lay over his eyes as he deftly played with the knife in his hands looking at its ugly burnt handle, remembering. “Fire for food?” His dark momentary reprieve was broken by Fangs little voice who sat side by side with Talon in the opposite teepees open entrance. The two teepees were made facing each other across a small circle of stones that held within it ash, a fire pit. The twins eyes glittered with youthful lights as the pair watched in detail every move that Jasper made from across the fire pit, observing and learning.
Somewhat impressed by Fangs ever growing vocabulary and quickening mind Jaspers voice slowly softly replied “Yes. Sticks for fire first.” Talon and Fang shared a look at Jaspers reply, then knowing what it required of them the pair of twins clumsily leapt to their feet and ran away giggling as they raced to see who could find the most small sticks. No doubt the pair would end up getting side tracked by something insignificant and return half an hour later with empty hands and big grins. Jasper had firmly drilled it into the two they weren't to go too far from the glade. If they couldn't see the black jagged tablet then they had gone too far away.
Aside from that the only other rule he strictly enforced was that the twins were to never go near the daises. Jasper himself was unsure of what would happen if a young child were to be invaded by that initial great torrent of energy he had experienced nearly eleven years ago. He wasn't willing to find out either.
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As his thoughts turned to the daises a shining gleam appeared within his gloomy hazel eyes. The one constant in Jaspers life was his devotion to the daises. Even with the twins around he still easily found time to sit upon the daises for two hours a day and fully fill his first Gate. It had become his rock amidst the seas of life that had suddenly become so stormy without warning two years ago.
Trace amounts of jubilation gently fluttered within his chest as he remembered what he had achieved four days ago. After unlocking the sixth Gate five years back, four days ago he had finally unlocked the fifth Gate. For five years he had been chasing after the feeling of unlocking a portion of his body and mind and when he finally grasped ahold of it again it didn't disappoint him. For the first time since he had found the twins on that dark morbid day two years ago he had laughed. It was an unrestrained wild laughter that erupted from deep within him as he felt himself becoming better. The twins of course had been horrified by the sudden loud outburst from the man they knew to be so quiet and reserved. It took Fang an entire day to work up the courage to speak to him again.
The gloomy aura that swirled about Jasper today was vastly reduced from the thick cloak of darkness that surrounded him in the immediate days after he had taken the twins in. That dense air of darkness and sorrow had been whittled away by the pure nature of the twins and the focus and devotion he had towards achieving his next unlocking.
Raising his head Jaspers gaze fell upon the twins who, much to Fangs dismay and Talons joy, were once again tumbling about wrestling among the fragrant flowers of the glade. A rare smile that was being seen more frequently these days played on Jaspers lips as he turned his gaze back to the fox he had effortlessly caught without assistance from bow and arrow.
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Julius Calendar 901
Month Of The Horned Lamb 14th
Jasper Valour tests himself after the fifth unlocking by catching a fox bare handed
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Julius Calendar 903
Month Of The Burdened Man
3rd
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Autumn had well and truly sunk its claws into the Axe. Vivid oranges and reds painted the forest as the leaves of the numerous types of trees withered up and lost their spark of life. A soft biting chill was present in the air, it was easy to feel the changing of the seasons.
It was within this slightly frigid colourful environment that the wide shouldered and deep chested Jasper led two excited youths. Jaspers Aroncole cloak was now ragged and torn, but it had value to him and so it remained draped upon his shoulders despite the wear. His brown beard had thickened considerably and was now becoming a bushy affair. The thick beard only further solidified his image as a barbarian. His hazel eyes were no longer wholly dominated by a dreary gloom but instead hosted a softness that was buried just above the coiled darkness, obscuring it from immediate view. Moving like a spirit he gracefully floated through the brightly coloured trees unencumbered by the forested floor or surrounding bush.
Behind him scrambled two children, a boy and a girl both five years of age. The girl had a head full of long shimmering blonde hair that swung about her waist the occasional stick and twig could be seen submerged in its flowing length. The girl was remarkably slender and lean resembling the branch of a willow tree, her head just barely reached Jaspers navel midriff. In Jaspers fluid wake she agilely leapt and scurried. Her face was scrunched in tight concentration as she carefully picked her path, trailing behind Jasper her bright blue eyes reflected his broad back. Her features were small yet the vibrant changes of her facial expressions gave her an energetic and boisterous air. Tightly clasped within her left hand was a freshly carved birch bow and in her right a single worn arrow. Keeping her protected from the slight autumn chill was a pair of hide shirt and shorts, her feet were bare. This was of course Talon.
The young boy barely reached Jaspers waist in stature, his frame was stocky and he had trouble navigating the surrounding bush to keep up with Jasper and Talon whom were jogging ahead of him. His tangled locks of jet black hair had stopped growing long ago swinging across his eyes and bouncing upon his brow. His features were strong and well proportioned, it was clear that once the baby fat melted from his face he would be a handsome young man. Within his deep green eyes sparkled an intellect and mind that was impressive for his tender age. Clad in a pelt loincloth he wore a scarlet fox skin as a cloak, somewhat reminiscent of the man who ran in front of him. He too was carrying a freshly carved birch bow in one hand and an arrow in the other. This was of course Fang.
Jasper led the twins through the Axe's bush and undergrowth down into a small naturally formed bowl where he abruptly came to a halt. Motioning his bronzed hands to his lips he signed silence to the children. Slowly and gracefully he ascended the opposite side of the bowls lip, merely peeking his head over the side. Satisfied with what he saw he fluidly and quietly dropped back down to base of the bowl returning to the children's side. Facing the two so different silent twins whom had anticipation and excitement plastered over their youthful faces he spoke in a hushed tone. “The herd’s still there and they're well scattered. The both of you can take a shot”
Excitement flashed through their shining young eyes as they enthusiastically nodded in response. Jasper turned and led the way up the bowls bank, this time the children followed. Reaching the bowls lip Jasper lay flat on the ground whilst the twins took up position either side of him. Three heads poked out of the bowl gazing onto the flat colourful forested ground that stretched away the other side of the bowl. Loosely scattered amongst the forest were eight deer that nudged aside the decaying leaves upon the ground rummaging for vegetation to graze upon. The nearest was just thirty yards away whilst the furthest was nearly fifty.
Ever so softly that it was only just carried to the twins ears Jasper whispered a single word. “Target.” He gave them a moment observing how their immature gazes nervously roamed from deer to deer. After a breath had passed and while the twins had yet to choose Jasper silently snaked both of his hands around their shoulders before gently touching the far side of their necks with his middle finger. Both Talon and Fang trembled from the unexpected touch. They understood the message.
Talon turned and nodded to him signalling her readiness. Her small features were plastered in a gritted determination. Fang turned to him a moment later and signalled he too was ready. Nervousness was apparent in his crystal clear green eyes. Jasper nodded. Having received the silent go ahead the pair of twins loaded their arrows before rising above the edge of the lip like two silent ghosts. Everything was still. A breath passed. Then the twang of a bows sinew string reverberated. Talon loosed first her eyes bursting with confidence as she tracked her arrows flight, watching it soar through the air before burying itself deeply into the muscular neck of a young buck deer.
The seven other deer startled and bolted as a cohesive whole scattering amidst the surrounding forest. Fang gnashed his teeth and was forced to readjust his aim, his arrow slowly traced through the air following the frightened flight of his deer. He loosed his finger. The bow snapped and his arrow flew. A moment of heavy silence followed before the resounding sound of an arrow sinking into wood was heard.
Even as Fang was letting his arrow fly Talon had scrambled down the other side of the lip onto the flat colourful forest floor. In her clasp was a decrepit knife with a burnt handle that Jasper had pressed into her hands as she let her arrow lose. Jasper had known it was a successful shot as soon as her finger slipped from the string. Sprinting forward Talon quickly devoured the distance that lay between her and the deer that thrashed upon the vibrant leafy floor. Without a hint of hesitation she reached the struggling deers side and thrust the knife into the deers neck.
This resulted in the loudly braying young buck to become even more berserk and Talon was caught by a lashing hind leg sending her stumbling. She reeled backwards and was just about to collapse to the floor when a firm hand gently pressed upon the small of her back, supporting her. Craning her head upwards she saw the familiar contours of Jaspers smiling face, he had kept her upright. His smooth voice sounded out praises “Fine shot Talon, the dull knife does make finishing the job tricky.”
Saying so he blurred then disappeared from Talons shocked wide gaze, arriving by the side of the frantic braying deer in an instant. Gripping the knifes charred black handle that was still embedded in the deers neck he twisted it so the blade pointed towards the animals windpipe and slashed out, cutting open the deers throat in a single second.
Having completed such a rapid motion he slowly bent down and picked up a handful of colourful leaves and wiped the knifes blade clean. Turning back to Talon and Fang who had just hurried over he spoke in a smooth steady voice. “I'm impressed Talon, a successful first hunt is a rare thing. My own first shot at a deer was rather similar to Fangs.” A soft smile played at his lips as he looked at the young girl whom wore a beaming smile standing next to a more glum Fang.
“Uncle Jasper it wasn't fair! Talon had the easy shot, my deer was running away” Hearing Jasper praise Talon annoyance creased Fangs brows and he sourly interjected.
“Hmm that's true but tell me Fang which bird is it that gets the worm?” Hearing Fangs complaint Jasper turned his warm somewhat bemused gaze onto him and replied.
Fangs glum face turned a shade sourer at Jaspers question. Without answering he turned about and went to collect his arrow, kicking out at a fallen tree on his way. His mood only sunk lower as he listened to the smug Talon gleefully shout out behind him “The early bird Fang! it's the early bird!”
Chuckling at Talons excitement at her first kill Jasper turned and scooped up the now dead deer onto and across his shoulders. “Come, let's go back. Well go past the stream on our way, I've seen plenty of squirrels down there recently. Fangs got time to make a kill yet.”
A young girls laughter echoed about the Axe shortly followed by a young boys indignant shout.
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Julius Calendar 903
Month Of The Burdened Man 2nd
Jasper Valour begins teaching Fang and Talon to hunt
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