In the beginning it all seemed like a good idea for a trip. Take the schooner north for some hunting. With him as always was his luck girl, sala, that treasure he found on the burnt out ship. The Priest- Kings were smiling that day.
The crew was made up of five men he had brought up with him from Port Kar years past. They kept the schooner in good shape and thassa worthy in a port on the Vosk. So it was a quick tarn's flight south of Rorus then they were traveling the Vosk towards the Isle of Cos. Soon they were out on the open seas. The wind, the sea mist, the boat rocking somehow he was at peace, he could only chuckle seeing the excitement in sala's face at the return to the sea. The call of the crew as she swayed those hips and casting back those saucy looks only the best pirate wenches are known for.
The deep troubling thoughts of his current Caste were far from his heart. He would take this break then return to serve his Caste upon the Council. He would do as he had been trained. The would not sit back and let things languish as others had in the past. He would be active and make sure things improve. The thought of a hunt in the north brought back the life to his veins.

Landing on the shores of Torvald went smoothly, meeting them was an old friend who long ago they have fought the same enemies. He was a large man his laughter carried on the wind as he called "Ho". For those who do not know of northern hunting trips it can be very impressive. The favorite prey of course are wild kur, large number of axe wielding Torvalds joined them for the cold march deeper inland. Happy lil sala all bundled in furs flirting her way around the camp fires. Then it came one night the winds howled and in them an eerie sound was heard. Instantly men grabbed up axes everything was in motion as he headed into the white snow covered land. Somehow I split off from the group forever moving towards the sounds on the wind. I stopped when the sound did. I froze in place. It was strangely quiet. The snow blanketed everything muffling all sounds and sights. To look up under the light of the moons and stars to the frozen ice covered trees. It was surreal. Every nerve in me seemed alive and on fire all at once. Still there was no sound. But we all knew one was there. Our breaths drifted like wisps of smoke from our mouths. It was then someone finally spotted the beast the fur color of the snow hid so well there a short distance before us. From the trees on either side of me came men I never knew were there. Axes raised all charged the beast the war crys rang out in the air echoing on the trees and wind. So deafening the sound surely it could be heard all across Gor. I too was caught up in this charge this rush to strike. Blood strewn on the snow, crimson stains from both beast and man. Razor sharp claws and fangs glistened as axes sank deep in its flesh. It was very clear to me that nothing at this moment could have stopped these men. No walls or storms, mountains and distance these warriors of the North were unstoppable. A new respect learned by me this day as I share this hunt with them. The blood, both beast and man's. Though no wound was felt in the rush of fight and the cold of wind. The cheers rang out as the kur fell. Together as a team we had worked. No one greater than the other and all equally thrilled with the hunt. Then things turned to the work of the hunt. The carting of the kur to the camp the aiding of wounded to the camp as well. The vast drinking of ale and fireside stories that seemed endless through the night. It was another world for my sala and I. One we had a chance to enjoy all too briefly.
Days passed our time gone we returned to where our schooner docked the men grateful to see us. They were all too willing to head south to warmer seas and lands. The trip home uneventful yet wonderfully rewarding as the Thassa held its arms around the schooner and carried her safely to the Isle of Cos. For they had a stop they would need to make before returning to Rorus.




 

An old plains scroll found and opened to reveal a bit of Tuchuk History.
Editor note:  It is rare Tuchuk history is written on more than bosk hide paintings

She got the news of the nights happenings and her heart hung heavy. She gathered her children and others around her in the wagon after waking them up.

"Listen to me my children for I fear our ways are lost. Remember in your minds and hearts the history I tell to you now. Repeat it to each other so none will forget. For our histories are kept as an oral tale."

Each child bundled in their sleeping furs their ages ranging from the smallest beyond two years the oldest almost the age of a warrior to be tested.

"When I was small younger than some of you. I was found among the plains by a Man called Boskherder. My learning was swift in what actions were expected of me. Once accepted as a free woman during the time of the Ubar known as Blood. My adopted father the guardian taught me well in the ways and I got chances due to his position to witness perhaps more than a woman should. Blood was a proud strong Tuchuk leader. Fair in his ways and judgement is concern was for all of tribe not a few. And as time passed he took one under his wing known as Krim a former slave among the people. But his passion was strong and his will seemed to float over the lands. Blood felt he would be a good leader."

In the darkness there with only the flickering light of the oil lanterns she captured each child's attention.

"A loss struck the people with the death of the Ubara Dove. Blood was wounded in mind, heart and spirit. His revenge would not hold. The time was now for Krim to lead as Blood's rage sought to avenge his mate's death. Some was not sure of the former slave leading the tribe but it was done and Blood was trusted so the Tuchuks remained as one under his rule. Along with his mate Cry."

Slowly she took a deep breath her voice quivered with the emotions of the recalled memories.

"In the beginning Krim trained by Blood led as he did. But time passed and there were sides it seemed to the tribe. Krim unable to stop the tribe from splitting at the seams. As his Commanders and Guardian attempted to protect and defend his greys. He walked away with his mate leaving the greys not to a True Tuchuk but a dweller made Tuchuk by one mere scar of red, named Derkron. This man... "

She shook her head not wishing to get into the details of the failings of that choice.

"He was unaware of Tuchuk ways. The guardian had been killed and when the Oralu Kiefer found out where they greys landed in the room of an outpost he arrived and took them from Derkron who simply walked away with no fight."

"This was a bloody time for our people. Many fractions. My brother Steel was in one such fraction he was declaring Kiefer and many others to be slaughtered. And there were the same calls in Kiefer's camp to kill Steel and his people. But Kiefer held fast to one thing Blood taught him. Only the Ubar sheds the blood or decides the death of a Tuchuk among the people. This caused some warriors to cry out he is weak. One even challenged him. A warrior he felt for as a son attacked him. He beat the warrior in the fight and held his hand for he although was attacked with weapons he defeated him without weapons. Kiefer's own blood was shed but not the blood of the Tuchuk that he felt of as his son. Many called for this warrior to be banished but Kiefer knew the passion of the Tuchuk people and the heated blood of their tempers. There was no banishment. Kiefer kept the camps open for the scattered Tuchuks to return to as they needed. Even Krim and Steel with their groups returned. But the tensions and the wounds inflicted among them were not forgotten by any on either side."

Tears fell softly down her cheeks the glistening of the flame reflecting them.

"In time he saw himself being in the way of the people having a chance to be united. He knew he had trained the people that stood by him well and they would let things pass and accept Krim back. So after a talk with Krim late in the night it was agreed Krim should lead. But that would not end the sides in the camp. As the skies saw something had to be done and one day on one of his many rides he was approached by four Alar warriors. Even though his own Outriders were not far he never called out. He died fighting the four of them as a warrior. A Leader who placed his very life after the well being of tribe. Sadly many rejoiced in his passing including Krim and my brother Steel."

She wiped her cheeks of the tears. Then lifted her head proudly.

"The tribe has a fresh start. But it seemed in time too the skies claimed Krim as he defended his mate Cry from harm. Malu the son of Blood stepped up and took the reign but that would not last long he simply walked away from tribe leaving them abandoned. Until the former dweller Trajen took over. His methods not always accepted by all Tuchuks for they held some root in the city foundations of his raising. There was still much discourse among the tribe but they manage to remain together. But for some reason he left tribe for an extended reason and during this time his brother and mate were lured to a city and killed. Trajen finding this out disvowed tribe and walked away not to hunt just to be alone on the plains with the mate of his brother. Teran the commander of Oralu was then made Ubar. Things were not always smooth but they got better and as the older Tuchuk tribe members drifted back to camp from long unknown stays from the camp and their people in a time they were needed most. He expected several things from these supposed returning leaders to the people. One to re-earn the rank they so easily abandoned. And if they choose to return now to swear their loyal to him. And all agreed they would. Unfortunately not all Warriors it seems hold oaths they make. And these colors soon showed loudly."

A long quiet sigh as she sipped some kalana juice.

"Jerus the one who leads the Mask was the one most open about it. After swearing to protect Teran and his family from all harm he sat in his pagawagon and prattled about him not having his rank back. All he needed to do was earn it. Yet he could not even control the woman Inanna... "

She stopped herself from getting distracted.

"Time came when the long promised trip Teran had told his mate Season of came to pass. For two hands they would be gone. Seems that is when the attack took place. Jerus and Kikkaha another who would not earn his rank. Arranged for both to be killed. Teran and Season did survive a long tarn fall but not without sever injuries. It was arranged that Qori would accept the grays because of the head injury not leaving Teran with complete memories. Teran trusted his judgement of the past. He had no way of knowing that the man he had once named Commander was also one who sit and listened to the prattle of certain men of the paga wagon as they planned. One would say to just sit and listen is the same as planning the deed. All those who stood against Teran and whined about their rank were given it. Even the Oralu who ran off insane abandoning his mate who was with child as well as one of his sons. He walked back and rank was his because his words upon his return were against Teran. Very sad affairs among the tribe at this time. Hardly any life or spirit to the camp as many had followed with Teran to where he and Season where healing. But none of these people ever disvowed the tribe but they did hold true to their oaths."

"Seems the sky has a way of self correcting things to an extreme sometimes. Trajen returned apparently all agreements forgotten and challenged Qori for the greys and Jerus stood by Qori as well as his oath to Teran stood. The life of Qori was taken as the men he lead watched idly by."

" And upon the plains this night there was a battle among Tuchuks. Teran and Kiel rode to the site where they found Tribe warriors attempting to kill some of the sworn guard. Tendren desiring my son's life blood on his blade. Toll and Trajen attempting to take on Rogue and many tribe warriors sitting and watching. Of course Teran and Kiel did not watch for long. The charge was made the target was clear. Take out Trajen. Even with the numerous other warriors there blocking and trying to defend Trajen the skill was there and his life almost ended. As the skies have it Tendren stopped and allowed Lone his life. When Trajen was hauled away the other warriors there fled the fight. The united force of four backed off the wills of more than double them. These are true Tuchuk warriors with no question if their honor or oaths stand. Each knew if any fell they all would fall together. Here this night on this blood soaked ground of the plains. The moons cried watching the betrayal of men from their oaths and the ways which are Tuchuk. But tomorrow will bring the Lar torvis and all of you might have your life forever changed this night but you will take with you this story of the passing of Tuchuk Ubars."