The combat set in the olden times
 

Bale had just lost his father, wandering the forests alone. There was something that seemed to stick in his mind, something his father had said before he passed away. Stay away from them... is what his father said, he frowned as he remembered. The tree's stirrred as if they were intrigued at what the boy was thinking about, and leaned in closer, as if they were reading his thoughts aloud. The wind whipped through his hair and his boots creaked as he walked on the dirt path that had been roughly made by clans. He was wolf clan, but he had yet to see his clan again, for one reason or another, his father had taken him away from all eyes and kept him to himself at the time of his mother's death.
Now he had no one, and he struggled to keep up with himself. His father had taught him well, how to hunt, track, and all the useful skills to surviving in a forest alone. Besides, a forest was his home. His ears leaned back as it heard an owl coo, and he walked on. Being naive, he hadn't realized that that owl was warning him, and he had ignored it absent mindedly. Why? If his father had been there, he would have been told. Sighing at this thought, Bale remembers someone grabbing him from behind before he was knocked unconscious.
Now he was tied up to a tree, watching as a clan he was not certain as to what it was talked and kept glancing his way. He didn't know the way from where he was to here, he was completely lost, unfamiliar dirt paths and wood surrounding him, and he strained to untangle the huge knot embed in his wrists. He eyed the clan, trying to find any hint as to what their clan could possible be, and whilst doing this, his fingers seemingly played around with the rope, trying to find any way of atleast loosening it.
He remembered what his father said, always look back. Yet, it seemed as though the forest were mocking him, he hadn't looked back, and this is what it led him into.

A remarkably pale mad glared at the captive, held tight to the tree, but clearly trying for his freedom. His face was stern, and showed he knew what the boy was up to, are dared him to continue forth on his exploit in hopes of freedom, because, should he succeed in getting free from the tree, he would not make it far. The thick, black outline of a snake was carved in his chest, coiled and poised to strike, its eyes a piercing green. Jet black hair stood out against his shoulder where it rested, his eyes a pale grey, almost lifeless, cold and unfeeling.

Many of the men surrounding had the same sort of tattoo, but often smaller, somewhere on their arm, shoulder, or back, and they all seemed to talk in a strange language to each other, their words like a hiss on the air, threatening in a sense. Man of the others were dark skinned, rather tan, likely from many hours in the sun, working hard, their hair black as was the other man, worn long, some tied back tightly, slick, the light hitting off it, giving it a brilliant sheen. Most of them were shirtless, clad only in black or green breeches, and heavy boots, perfect for the hard forest floors. Some had bows or swords strapped to their back, others could see the faint glint of a handle sticking out of their boots.

The pale man stepped towards the boy, he was rather tall, and well-built, some scars adorning his body, but otherwise almost perfect. His face sculpted, handsome, in a way, but very harsh. "You." He hissed, his words barely above a whisper. "Thisss..." He made a sweeping motion, "Isss our land." Each 's' rolled, just as the hiss of a snake.

Bale had been tied to the tree for a while, and his wrists continued to feel numb as the rope cut into his vein and stopped the blood circulation. Squirming around, he tried to move his position as subtly as possible, hoping against hope that the rope would loosen up. Before he knew it a man came up to him, possibly a little older than him, stood in front of him, and it was as if all light escaped in his presence, the man had merely stepped into the sunlight that Bale had, despite the fact that he was tied to a tree. It it felt as though everything would turn dark, thunder storm would come their way, and bad luck would be following shortly.
At the sound of the words escaping the man's lips, he was in no doubt that they were from the snake clan. Apparently the leader had told him earlier on that because of his deed they needed to call each leader from every clan in the forest and have a meeting, to come forth on a decision for Bale's consequences. Nervously looking at the man, Bale was somehow unsure whether to speak back at the man, he was clearly not understanding the man's status, was he the made of the clan? A well known fighter? Bale wasn't going to think of that at the moment, he needed to think, and fast.

Bale looked around, searching for anything that glinted in the sunlight, something that glinted meant something hard, such as metal, and something like metal could mean sharp, able to cut through the rope that he was tied with.
To keep the man busy, he started to talk. "Land is shared, our guardian has made that clear. I am sorry I have trespassed your land, I hadn't seen any marking of where you're territory started." he states, his eyes clearly not focused on the man, but the ground. He made it appear as though he was ashamed of his deed and thus explained why he was looking at the floor, but really he was so worked up, he couldn't help himself, he needed to get out of here.

Bale's mind was spinning, his father had said something, and there was one part that he hadn't quite understood. 'Stay away from them..' he had said, who is them? And why should he stay away? Did he mean the other clans, is that why Bale was taken away from his clan so young? If so, why was he taken away? Bale had to think straight, but here wasn't the place to do so. He had an idea.
He looks up at the man and pleads, "I must talk to your leader."
Bale looks sternly, hoping against hope that this works, perhaps he can come to an accord with the leader. Bale, being taken away so young, is unaware of the respect people have for others and the leader, and unaware of the 'ways' that take place in each clan.

The man hissed, glaring down at the boy. "It isss claimed that you have disshonoured the landsss and the idealsss held by all people who claim thessse foressstsss..." His voice was harsh, and his hand snaked around the boys neck, forcing his chin up, looking into his eyes, forcing him to stare. A low growl escape him, and he look back his men, nodding for them to continue on, even if they had all this, the boy, the meeting of the clans, they had other jobs, other things to attend to. It would be no different, no fewer things would be accomplished.

"Asss for your quessstion, I am the leader, Ahmadrsssyl. Remember that name, if ssshall be your doom, young boy." His nails dug harshly into the boys flesh, his grip tightening as he spoke. A laugh escape him, sounding more like a hiss than anything.

[[Hope this is alright >.<]]

Bale's chin was violently thrust up as the man looked at Bale in the eyes. He wanted to do everything but look into the eyes. Trying to get away, Bale's eyes tried and averted to different places except the eyes that glared at him. "Stop.." he managed to choke as the hand had snaked around his throat. But not only, the man was not done, Bale wasn't even interested in what the man was saying, he was going to be murdered on the spot and he needed to do anything to prevent it. The nails that clawed into his flesh stung and he cried out in pain, raising alarm to the meeting that wasn't far from where Bale was.
A few guards came to tell the leader to stop, but what could they do, after all, he was the leader. Bale shook his head mouthing no, pleading the man for mercy.
A girl that could have been exactly his age came and put a hand on his shoulder.
"Stop please..." she said to him. "We must talk." she states, hardening her grip on his shoulder. She says it again, "We need to talk."

(( hope this is okay xDD ))

The pale hand dropped to the mans side as the commotion around him rose, and he looked side to side, looking at the faces that dared to challenge him. He growled a warning before he turned on his heels, not even looking the woman in the face. His feet were bare, and he left large footprints in the forest floor, his stride powerful, and many looked away when he walked past. He didn't want to talk about anything, not with any girl, or any boy, he was the leader of one of the strongest clans, one of the clans that was feared the most, and he would answer to no one. This boy had wronged the forest, the laws of the lands, and he would pay. That was to be sure.

(( i've got two characters now xD ))

Renn looked at the boy before turning around and running to catch up with Ahmadrsyl. "Wait!" she cried as she ran and slowed as she managed to walk beside him. After all, Ahmadrsyl was her step-brother, and he often was very violent anyway. She needed to make sure that he was alright, it was only her that could talk to him in such different measures than others.
"The boy did a mistake. We give him consequences despite the fact that he made mistakes. But you must not have to try and kill him on the spot!" she exclaims, a hint of rage flairing in her tone. "Why can't you be calm for once??" she asks and looks at him.

Ahmadrsyl growled as she came to a walk beside him, and he even slightly quickened his pace, not wanting to talk to her for long, mostly because sometimes he feared she was right. Had he been calm... things would of been a lot different. Perhaps even Gwennyth would still be around. He shook his head at the thought, closing his eyes for a moment, trying to block out that voice.

He failed at that, she was always reasoning in his head, trying to convince him to do things he didn't want to, or change how he acted, as if she had any control! His eyes flickered to the girl, and even though they were angry, he had a sense of softness, only reserved for her. "Why must you always think I am going to kill? I wouldn't dare of killed him right there, he deserves something much more painful. Hell, the pit of snakes would be welcoming to him." He laughed at the thought. Even despite his best attempts, he did find himself calming down, taking a deep breath, slowing his pace. Really, he just was not looking forward to the meeting of the leaders.

Renn merely walks faster as he quickens his pace, grabbing his arm and giving him a reassuring squeeze as well as pulling him backwards, in order to stay in pace with him. The fact that his brother wanted to make the boy suffer made her shiver and close her eyes, taking a deep breath before opening them. "The guardian doesn't want a clan being led by one who thinks of violence Ahma. Think clear, and calm down. You are not on you're own." she reassures quietly.
"The boy trespassed, but did not steal, merely walked on our grounds. He should not get away, I understand that, this would set a bad example, but must he really be set in the snake pit?" she asks, more to herself than anyone else.

The man shook his head, closing his eyes. "A stranger shows up on our lands, and suddenly animals are found, killed and left to rot in the forests, trees chopped down crudely. Tell me, what else but that boy, could be the cause of it. Feud or not between clans, we know how to respect our lands, and the creatures that inhabit it." It was true, really, creatures had been killed recently, and it was custom that when you did, you used every single part of the creature, and never left the corpse to rot. And you didn't befell trees for the sake of such, you could use their wood, in moderation, but one had to help plant and tend to others in return.

Even these men that seemed like savages, waging war amongst clans, killing men, they all lived by simple rules of the land, and all understood mother nature. "His actions will bring the wrath of mother earth."

Renn listened. It did make sense, it made more sense than she wanted to believe. Something had to be going on in the forest, something that wanted such things as this to happen, but Ahmadrsyl was not going to listen to her without her having kind of evidence whatsoever. Shaking her head slowly, a frown was working up on her face and she thought hard as to what else it could be. There was the past of the Wraths, eight crippling men and women who didn't like the ways of the mother earth and the people that inhabit her lands. She shook her head, they had disapeared long ago, rumor had been they'd drowned in a flood, mother earth was washing away the forest, cleaning it, and rumor was she took them with her. But Renn couldn't be too sure, she needed to investigate.
They had been walking in silence for a while, Renn noticed, as she had been thinking. "I'm going to go talk to him. I'm going to find more proof that he has done such a thing, we cannot just assume he has done this! All we know for sure is that he's trespassed, we must ask if he knows the ways of the forest." she says, and she's decided. She turns around and walks, stopping and glancing at Ahmadrsyl.
"You coming?"

Ahmadrsyl sighed and shook his head, looking to the girl. "Why must you always be so difficult, Renn? Can't you just leave well enough alone? We kill him, and our tribe is honoured for solving a problem, and I'm sure he has done something!" He groaned, closing his eyes, scratching his head. He almost didn't catch the last of her words, saying she was going to talk to him, and he shook his head. "Why would you waste your time with him? He is a boy." Of course it wouldn't make him much a leader to let a young girl interrogate the captive on her own, so he was forced to follow her, and deal with that child again. The meeting of the clans was not until sun down, and the sun was just past the middle of the sky.

"I warn you, do not grow attached to this boy."

Renn sighed and closed her eyes as Ahmadrsyl continued arguing. She moaned. "I'm sorry if I'm so difficult! I'm just trying to help!" she exclaims, flinging her arms around as she feels like sulking on the floor. Taking a deep breath and mustering all her courage, she starts walking back. "No, its okay. I'll go alone." she says, feeling a little irritated.
There was something that Ahmadrsyl said that wasn't really connected. He's a boy... of course he is, but what does that have to do with anything? Renn frowns as she starts walking back slowly.
The last words she heard from Ahmadrsyl were rather surprising coming from him, and she stopped for a moment. She grumbled, loud enough for him to hear, before trudging off without another word.

Of course, even in her anger, Ahmadrsyl could not allow her to be alone with that boy. Women were foolish, and let flights of fancy cloud their vision, and their actions, and she could not, simply wouldn't be allowed to, grow attached to this boy, for his fate was settled. All the men, of each and every clan, wanted justice for the happening in the forest, and this boy was just that. It's not even that he so much believed this little boy could actually do what it is claimed he is responsible for, its just more so that he wants to believe it is him, so all of this could get out of the way.

With each clan so close, the feud could be blown out of proportions, and then, while he was confident, things would truly get bloody. And mother earth would not take the bloodshed kindly, he was sure of that. The viper killed for food and protection, that was all. And with all this in mind, he followed behind Renn, upset, angry, and really just wanting to escape all of this madness.

"Please, can we make this quick?" He groaned as he moved beside her.

Renn rolled her eyes and sighed. "I thought I told you I was perfectly fine alone." she says under her breath. Without expecting an answer, Renn continues making her way, listening to her feet's rhythm in time with Ahmadrsyl's footsteps. She wore her dark brown hair in a ponytail, her green eyes noticeable by the glint the sun gave her. As they reached the tree where the boy was tied to, Renn walked up to him.
"Whats your name?" she asks, looking at him intently.
Bale had been staring at the floor, lost in time, he had given up on trying to loosen up the rope, and the girl had given him a sudden fright that he jumped. Shaking his head, he non-challantly responded, "Bale."
Renn flashed her a smile and nodded, giving a greeting in return, "Renn." she says. He nods.
"Word is, you have trespassed our land, cut down tree's without using them, and killed animals without making them as useful as they could have been. Do you know the ways of the forest?" she asks, narrowing her eyes at him in suspicion.
Bale looks at her in utter disbelief. "I did not do any of that! I merely trespassed your territory because I did not notice the marking!" he exclaims.
Renn doesn't have any of it. "I'm asking you a question. Do you know the ways of the forest."
Bale isn't sure he knows all, but gives his most certain nodd. At this, Bale watches as Renn turns to Ahmadrsyl and exclaims, "See?"

Ahmadrsyl had stayed back a few steps, watching the girl. He heard the conversation, but hardly believed what the boy said. How does one not notice the markings? Clearly he was from a long distance away, for everyone knew the markings. He sighed when he saw Renn returning, and shook his head. "The boy knows nothing of the ways of the forest."

He put a hand on her shoulder, the moved around her, standing before the boy, anger in his eyes. He looked down, putting his hand on the boys chin, forcing him to look him in the eyes. "Tell me, then, tressspasssser, what are the waysss of the foresssst? If you know them ssso well, then certainly, you can explain them to me..." He growled, everytime it seemed that he got angry, it was like the hiss of a snake, his 's's rolling.

Bale leans back as the man takes hold of his chin, and Bale is only thinking one thing - not this again. He pulls back from the grip of Ahmadrsyl and gulps. He wonders if there are any that he doesn't know, he prays there aren't.
"From what I know, there are 4 ways of the forest. One, when you kill an animal, you must use all useful resources of this creature. Two, you must give a piece of this animal to the guardian, to show your thankful for the creature's sacrifice. Three, when you use wood, or any other resource, you must make use of all of it, apologize for having to use it and say your thanks. Four, you must not mix the ways of the forest with the ways of the sea." he explains and breathes out.
Renn listens. He didn't forget something did he? Looking at Ahmadrsyl she thinks of the ways of the forest. She had a feeling he forgot something. Her face falls as she tries to think of the fifth.

[[So very, terribly sorry... I kind of forgot about this RP o.o I read your post, and was like, oh, I'll reply in a bit... and just... forgot. Sorry.]]

Ahmadrsyl shook his head, releasing the boy and dropping his arms to his side. "And five, to complete each and every ritual the way in which the goddess intended for us." He looked at the boy, glaring at him, eyes slitted, teeth bared just slightly. "Do you know anything about our rituals? Perhaps it would do you well to complete the rights of passage, young boy." A laugh escaped him, and he turned to look back Renn, a mocking look on his face. "He is but a boy, stupid in his ways, and he dare enter a land without learning it, understanding it. He has no respect for our goddess and our ways... Surely, his ignorance will bring terrible things to these lands." He laughed once more before looking at the boy, shaking his head. Before he could say any more, a loud horn sounded, followed by the beating of drums, rhythmic and echoing through the forest.

This was it, it was the time, to see what would be done, to find who was responsible for recent happenings, to sort things out, and of course, what he waited for... The naming of the high chief. The Oklonna, husband to mother Earth.

[[Hope you don't mind this. o.o]]

Renn gasped, he had forgotten one! Watching quietly as the boy had to face Ashmarysl's anger, she closed her eyes and thought hard, a realization opening her eyes once more. "No wait! Ahm!" she calls, "He couldn't have done it, he knows all ways except one that isn't included in what he's been accused of. He knows that he cannot cut tree's down, he knows that he needs to use all resources from animals, he couldn't have done it!" she exclaims.
Bale was unsure on what to do. He was baffled at why the girl was defending him, but was grateful all the same. He hadn't known he was being accused of all those things, and he rose to his feet with gritted teeth when he heard.
"None of that was me!!" he shouts, despite the fact that he was shouting in a leader's face, he felt he needed to stand up for himself. "How could you think I did?" he says under his breath, looking down. After the death of his father, everything was spinning out of control. Was this the way it was supposed to go?
Looking away, he closed his eyes, forcing his tears inside, he wasn't going to cry, not in front of these people.
Renn noticed this before he could hide it, but she kept quiet, waiting for her brothers reaction. Probably going to taunt him. She sighed.

// No its fine! (: \\

"Knowing the way, my sister, means nothing. Many men have fallen, having learned the ways, but turning their back on mother earth, destroying everything, so do not tell me what he could of, and could not of done. You know nothing, you are young, innocent, and foolish. Almost as foolish as he is!" Ahmadrsyl was completely enraged now, his nostrils flaring and his eyes but slits. A soft growl escaped him as he grabbed Renn roughly by the arm, "It's time for the ceremony. The council will decided his fate." Ahmad barked as he tried to pull her a long, he needed to be there, for this, today, was supposed to be his day. Everyone in his clan, and many other clans, believed he would be the new Oklonna, and once more, his clan would prevail, taking back the run of the lands.

One of his men stood just at the entrence to the cleared field where the meeting was being held, Ahmad's staff and cloak in hand. The staff was delicately carved from a pale wood, and rounded jade made for the eyes. It twisted slightly, winding, and stood at some eight feet tall. The cloak was but a headdress, black material, made to look like snake skin, small jade stones adorning the hem of it, and a cape that flowed out behind it, the same black material, with the same adornment around the edges. Two other men stood beside the carrier of his relics, the relics of the tribe, and Ahmad motioned for them to take care of the prisoner. They made their way to him, he was to be escorted to the gathering place, and put on trial before all of the clan leaders.

Renn could not stop Ahmad's temper any longer, and she allowed him to pull her by the arm, away from the boy. She didn't complain any longer. As they approached the clearing where the meeting was held, Renn glared at her brother from the corners of her eyes, not even bothering to turn her head to face him. Now that they were out of sight from the boy, Renn pulled herself away from her brother, standing with her arms crossed, a stern glare directed at the distance in front of her.
She hated when these things happened, and they happened pretty often, they fought a lot. But she remembered the touching moments they had, as true brother and sister, even though he wasn't necessarily her biological brother she did have a connection with him, but both his temper and her stubborn ways created a lot of conflicts between one another. The drums rolled, which was a signal that everyone was supposed to round the campfire and sit down, begin the meeting. The boy was brought, his hands tied to a cross as two guards carried him to the meeting's location. The boy was struggling despite the sight of guards surrounding the area, and Renn curled her lip in pity, only to be brought along by her mother and sit down beside her, watching as her father went to approach Ahmad.
"Quiet now..." someone says from the crowd, and the talking and whispering subdues as mage of the snake clan stands up. "This boy, this animal.." she starts, spitting in disgust, "has broken the ways of mother nature! He has killed our prey and left them to rot!" she exclaims, and waits until everyone's had enough time to get over their surprise, "He's cut down tree's and let them die.." she continues, glaring at Bale with a sudden intensity in her eyes, "And he's mixed the ways of the sea with the forest!" she exclaims.
She stands to glare at him a little more before she sits down, and everyone waits for their leader, Ahmad, to rise and begin his small speech before the debate on the boy begins.

Ahmadrsyl looked over at Renn, the hood of his cloak pooling on his shoulder, his face cast in shadows. He shook his head, and reassuringly grabbed her shoulder, trying to comfort her. A broad smile crossed his face when it was his time to speak, while he was still in debate in his head, and confused, and not sure if what he was about to do was right, he none the less looked confident and would not let them see any fear or hesitation. "Many terrible things have happened as of late, animals slaughtered and gone unused, trees carelessly chopped down." As he spoke, he looked around the circle, many people were there, the leaders of every tribe, and of course a few select from each tribe. His tribe was the only that was there in entirety, namely because they had met on his territory.

"...But I do not believe that a child could be responsible for these actions. While he is not of a tribe, he is not stupid to the ways, he can recite them without question." After he concluded his words, he heard small gasps and whispers from the crowd, many unable to believe that he had even said such, considering that just moments ago, he was entirely for putting this on the boy. But Renn trusted him, and for some reason, Ahmed thought she might be right. His objection, his words, he knew they could cost him his bid for Oklonna, but he tried not to think about such.

Renn watched as Ahmad stood up and smiled back weakly, she was still sad for the boy. But the words that were said by the same very person that had wanted to kill him were unexpected and Renn gasped in surprise. She wanted to jump up and hug him there and then, but she resisted the urge and gave him a smile. Squeezing her hand, she waited for the reactions of the leaders. The silence was unnerving, and it was a moment or two before anyone spoke.
"Who do you suggest had done this?" a man says, from most likely the boar clan. Some people whispered amongst themselves. "This boy trespassed, who says he did not do more?" one lady shouted. Renn panicked as more and more people shouted out accusations which not Ahmad and Renn could respond to, they were right, they had no proof.
Renn stood up and she silenced everyone. "Lets see for ourselves!" she calls out, and all eyes follow her as she walks toward the boy.
"What's your name?" she asks, stern yet calm. He looks up, and for a moment seems unfazed by the whole attention he was getting but he responded, "Its Bale."
"What clan are you?" she asks, her attention directed only on him. Bale looks at her, and responds, there is no point in lying, "I'm wolf clan."
"Who were your parents?" she asks, and Bale looks away. "My mother Lynn, was Red Deer Clan." he explains, and Renn waits for him to continue, "And I may not mention my fathers name, for he died a few nights ago." he says finally, glaring.
"How did your father die?" she asks, her voice wobbly.
"He was killed. Murdered cold." he spat, glaring at all that looked at him.
Renn nodds. "This is all the information that we need. We have asked questions earlier on, one including him naming the ways of the forest, he knows them. This proves that he did not do this act of cruelty. His father was murdered, this proves, that someone is harming the forest, we may ask him of what he knows, but as for now, we have proved to you that he has done nothing to harm the forest." she says, clearing her throat as she turns around to look at everyone.

Ahmadrsyl watched Renn as she spoke, wary of her. She could take a great lashing for coming out in front of all the clans, a small girl thinking she had any right to speak at such a meeting, as if anything she said would be even considered. He had to help her, even if he was continuing the destruction of his chance at Oklonna. "This boy, he is young, not even having done the rights yet. If he is of a tribe, if he knows the ways like he seems, like his father would of showed him, taught him, and these things have been going on for many moons. His father was still alive, and I am sure, like many of you, he would not of allowed his son to commit such acts..."

Really, Ahmad was just grasping for straws, trying to find something that would convince them. Even so unsure of what he was saying, he emitted this confidence, and made it seem like he knew what he was talking about. His slammed his staff down, it burying itself partly in the dirt, rooting his point. "What if I take this boy, with his father out, and keep him in this clan, keep a watch on him. If things continue, then surely it cannot be him, can it?"

Renn sat down as Ahmad continued talking, and when that one question that ended her brother's speech was asked, there was a silence before a few nodds and murmurs were sounded.
"Very well. We'll keep the boy for a moon, and time will tell." the mage says with a bitter look. Renn grins and looks at Ahmad, glancing at Bale shortly after. He's staring at her. She looks away and walks off, to where Ahmad is. The meeting was called off and everyone was leaving now, the guards returning to their jobs. She looked back as Bale was let go and was free to walk around the clan's land, and she smiled at Ahmad.
"Thank you brother." she says, and she hugs him.