Ahmad sighed and closed his eyes, walking away after she had hugged him. He had basically lost his chance at Oklonna when he spoke up like that, everyone knew he was wise, but he tried to prove nothing. There hadn't been a happening in four nights, so what if they did stop? What if now that he had the boy, they stopped and it looked like the boy did it? Worse, what if it was the boy? He could be stripped of his leadership, so many things he would lose. They would meet back, and deicde the boys fate, as well as the new Oklonna.

Why did he risk it. Ahmad moved over to Bale, glaring at him, "Do not wander from camp, do not leave the sight of Honad, he will be your guard. While you are here, you will do work, you will submit to the ways of our tribe, or I will kill you myself." After he had finished speaking, he looked to a strong, tall man, dark-skinned with black tattoos covering his body, who moved over to Bale, looking rather unhappy.

Bale nodded as Ahmad spoke and gulped to himself, looking at his guard. The guard then took him away to his tent, and Bale let himself fall on his bed after the guard had gone. The guard was standing on the other side of the tent, making sure that Bale tried nothing, but he wasn't going to anyway. They had saved his life, and he took a deep breath, closing his eyes for a moment.

(( Do you want to create another character? One that visits him now? ))

Ahmadrsyl closed his eyes as he stood in front of the fire, all of the tents and huts were situated around it, in small groups of their own, each family contained in those groups. Each family also had their own storage hut, where food and pelts, and other various things were kept. This clan thrived, something he was proud of. He dropped his hood, letting the warm sun hit his pale skin. He was the only one that was so pale, when he was younger, he was teased about it, but now, some found it scary. No matter how much sun he got, he was always much lighter than the others.

Small, black tattoos in an intricate pattern adorned his face, reserved only for the leader of a clan, and they ran down his neck, across his shoulders, and combined with the black tattoos on his chest, arms, and back. He sighed and turned towards his hut, it was situated into the center, slightly larger than the others. His cane was gripped tightly in his hand, his knuckles white.

Tanith walked slowly from behind Ahmad, she hadn't been noticed, not yet. Taking her chance, she smiled and said, "What brings you here still... everyone has gone back to work.."
Tanith Low was a fighter, one with excellent skill and perfection, and coincidentially had met Ahmad at a one on one match, in an arena. Tanith would never forget that day, it was one she enjoyed and both survived. She had always had a thing for him, but she was one that could not be predicted and was mysterious, in a way.
She walked towards him and stood at his side, looking as the fire blew sparks into the area.
"Whats bugging you?" she asks, finally looking at him.

Ahmad, despite mentally being startled by the voice, kept his composer. It was a moment before he said anything, closing his eyes. The voice, it was someone he recognized, and something he didn't think he'd forget. A soft smile played on his lip for but a moment, "What I did, at the gathering, could very well be a mistake..." Usually, he wouldn't say something like this, he would never let his people know that he had made a mistake, that something he did was wrong. They needed someone to believe in, to look to in times of hardship, and he was that someone. Yet now, for the first time in his life, he was unsure of his actions. Had he made a mistake in saying that he would allow this boy into his clan? If the boy messed up, then it would be on him, his clan... He would lose everything he had, and then what? He sighed unhappily.

Tanith stared at the flames eating the air above as he responded, and she took a moment to answer. "All leaders make mistakes Ahmad... you cannot count on being right every single time you have to make a decision.." she explains quietly. "I think the best leaders are the ones that make mistakes and learn from them." she says, finally glancing at him with a smile. "You're a fine leader Ahmad.. don't be hard on yourself, you show confidence to your clan, and that's important."
Tanith walked around the flames, staring at the sun setting, it was getting late, and the clan must be preparing the food. She turned around to look at him, a small smile playing on her lips.
"Just relax a little, and accept the fact that you have done the right choice." she says.

Ahmadrsyl looked at the woman, a small smile escaping him before his face return to the cold, almost unwelcoming stare he usually held. "How can you be so confident? If I mess up, the entire clan will face the consequences. Including you..." He trailed off. It would be terrible if his clan had to face hardship, or rejection, because of a decision he had made. Not only would he be taken from position, he'd likely be thrown into the forest, and forbidden to ever return. Worse yet, he worried for Renn, she had spoken up against the council, against everyone. If they were wrong, if the boy was the problem, then... Well, he would do whatever it took to protect Renn, even if he had to take her and leave. They could survive on their own, couldn't they?

Of course, he'd miss many of the people here. It was as he thought about that he looked up, eyes falling upon the woman. She was strong, one of the finest warriors. He had taken heat for letting her even train, so many clans still convinced women were not fit to be warriors. That they should not be accustomed to bloodshed, is the mind-set of many, even still. Of course, Ahmad couldn't deny, this woman was competent, more so than someone of the male fighters.

Tanith smiled. "How can I be so confident?" she asks, looking at him with a small frown. "You're being optimistic. The only way you enjoy life is to trust yourself and your decisions and go along with the outcomes. The only way I can is by feeling positive, you should too." she says, and she glances at him, concern inching upon her face.
"Ahmad... you're way too stressed. You are too hard on yourself." she says, looking at him with a face so worried it could look as though he were her child or older brother, and Tanith put her hand on his arm.
"Just relax.." she whispered, glancing at the fire before letting go and walking toward the clearing, opposite the fire. She could already see the moon, hear the crickets, and it was getting darker, if it weren't for the fire. The wind steadily blew through her hair and she shivered, putting a hand on her arm to warm herself.
"Its getting cold, winter is nearing... we must start packing, move camp." she says without turning to look at him.

Ahmadrsyl sighed and shook his head, looking to her form as it moved away. He walked towards her, and placed his hand on her shoulder, feeling her shiver, the cool breeze chilling her. It was then she said exactly what he was thinking, and really, at this point, dreading. "Yes, we will have to move soon, before the next moon, it would seem..." he sighed once more, closing his eyes and lowering his head, his arm dropping to his side. "The winter seems early this year." He shrugged, looking beyond her, at the trees missing their leaves, the small animals scampering to gather food for the winter, to make into hiding before the ground froze.

Others in the village were finishing their family meals, the smell of cooking meat wafted through the air, the flames flickering, browning the kills.

She felt his warm hand on her shoulder, and closed her eyes at the touch. So warm, so.. soft and gentle, yet a strong hand all the same. She pulled in for a hug, feeling the warmth radiating from his body. He was a strong man, that was for sure. She smiled.
"Don't worry for now.. we'll find a good place to camp for the winter." she says quietly, looking up at him. "We must get going, people are probably starting to wonder where you are.." she says, letting go of him and returning one hand to her arms, chilled once again.

(( Sorry its so short.. ))

Ahmadrsyl closed his eyes, enjoying the moment as long as he could, trying to draw it out. While he felt honoured, glad to have the position as the clan's leader, yet it came with a price. Many times, he was far too concerned with clan matters, unable to relax, enjoy life, or even talk, just have a regular conversation. This was the first time in a long while he had any moments to himself, and even now, they were too soon over. When she pulled away, he dropped his arms to his side, opening his eyes to look down on her, his pale skin was almost blinding in the light of the setting sun, so odd in comparison to everyone else. Really, he was revered, talked about, not because of his wonders as a leader, or what he has done, and how he conducts things, but more so his strange looks.

He sighed and looked into the distance, trying to think. "The full moon will be in but three nights, perhaps we should begin our move just after that..." Sure, she said not to worry, but it was his job to do such. "But yes, we should go... I do not wish for them to be worried." He shifted his body, the breeze cold against his bare chest, yet he acted as if nothing was wrong, as if it was a warm summer day.

The last gaze from the sun radiated from Ahmad's body, his skin a penetrating pale colour, his eyes gazing back at the horizon. She shifted the weight on her feet and watched the last bits of the sun disapear, the wind picking up. She shivered again. Looking at him, she finally nodded.
"Yes, you must announce this now, so we are ready to leave at dawn the following day." she says, and looks at him, "Its almost supper, I'm going to go get something warm and make do of the little time I have now to pack, you should go help the others." she acknowledged, adding, "At dinner we break the news."
After a little tug on the arm, Tanith walked away and toward her camp. Meanwhile, Renn walked around the clan grounds, looking for Ahmad. She had been for a while, and she noticed him by the camp fire, still? The meeting had ended an hour ago. She noticed Tanith walking away, was there something going on? Before she could walk right up to Ahmad, she had bumped right into Bale.
"Oh I'm sorry!" she exclaimed, a hand instinctevely on his arm, where her shoulder had collided with his.
"No no... my apologies!" he says looking at her. "You're the girl who defended me." he says, his eyes narrowing. She nods.

Ahmadrsyl stood there in silence for a moment, knowing that the next few days would be utter chaos as everyone prepared for the march. Of course, it would seem early, they may even doubt him, but it would be for the best, considering that only once had they moved in the snow, and some were lost, and it took far longer than needed. At mealtime, he would walk around, breaking the news to each group, informing them that it was time to move, and they would leave as soon as the full moon passed.

Just as he was about to leave, to go acquire himself a meal, and begin breaking the news, he heard voices off to his side, looking over to them. At first, he only noticed two small figures, but soon it was clear to him that one was Renn, and the other, it was... Ah, he had almost forgotten, it was the boy, Bale, was it? Why was he out? Ahmad turned around and made for the pair, glaring slightly at Bale.

Bale looked at her. "Why... why did you defend me?" he questions, and she lets go of him. "You should be glad.. you could have been dead by now.." she says, and the silence that starts doesn't continue for long because Renn then adds, "I didn't think it was you.."
Bale opens his eyes wide and the nodds, before his eyes are looking at something behind her. Renn frowns, "Whats wrong?" she asks, and his eyes only flicker to hers before his eyes return to the figure behind her. She's turns around, and eyes go wide as she see's Ahmad coming at them like a freight train. She glances at Bale, he didn't look to brave at that moment, he was cowering slight behind her. She looked back at her brother, he was definetely looking at Bale with the evil eye. She rolled her eyes and sighed. What now?

Ahmad looked at Renn, glaring unhappily. "Shouldn't you be helping in preparing dinner?" Everyone was meant to help, even he helped on many occasions, but the women would prepare the dinner, since the men had hunted it. Really, he wouldn't of normally been upset with her, usually not caring what she was doing, and what she seemed to be getting into, because until this point, it wasn't anything too bad. He sighed and closed his eyes, trying to calm himself, "Where is your guard?" He was talking to Bale now, slightly disgusted in the way the boy hid behind a female.

Really, he wasn't sure what to do with the boy. He was going to work, but who would he eat with at meal times? Which group would he travel with? And really, who would be his father, the person who would continue his path of manhood, and lead him in his rites of passage? This boy was going to be more trouble than he was worth.

Renn nodded, "I've done my share. I went off to look for you." she says innocently, immediately looking at Bale and shoving him next to her. Why was Ahmad so upset? He was never like this with her, never upset at her! Did she do something? She thought for a moment, but the only reason she could come up with was because she was talking to Bale.
Bale looked at Ahmad for a moment. "My guard.. " he says, processing the thought. "Right well he said that I could walk around, said that he would just keep close watch from a distance." he answered, and Renn could tell he was honest then, but she frowned as a thought crossed her mind.

Ahmad shook his head, clearly angry at the two, though he wasn't even sure why. "Renn, we are leaving just after the full moon, so too much work needs to be done. Please, return the the camp." His voice was stern, but when he looked at her, there was genuine care in his eyes, he really wasn't all that upset with her, just the boy. Even though the boy had done nothing wrong, he didn't like them being this close, and it worried him. He was of a different tribe, a different type of people, and was not the man that Renn would need to survive. Things were harder, more people, less land. Really, she needed someone strong, someone of their tribe.

"Bale, you are to help at your guards camp, whatever they ask of you, you must do."

Renn nodded, trying to keep the atmosphere light, and obeyed. "Sure, come with me, I think some people are looking for you." she says, and grabs his hand, tugging gently. She would ask what she was thinking, but for now she glanced back at Bale apologetically before pulling Ahmad along, heading straight for the kitchen. The kitchen wasn't much more than a huge tent, including a few fires with big pots hanging over them and women of all ages besides the children under 10 helping with making everything ready. Some people greeted Renn and Ahmad on the way and Renn smiled and nodded back in greeting.
Bale was left on his own and he trudged along the dirt path before heading back to his tent. The guard wasn't anywhere to be seen so he shrugged and entered the tent, taking out his belongings from beneath his jerkin. His pouch and medicine horn stood in front of him, with a dagger and an axe beside them, and a few materials and herbs that he had found and thought useful. The medicine pouch was made by his mother, used by red deer clan materials, and the dagger was made by his father, made of wolf clan materials. Both were very special to them, the medicine pouch lined with the skin of dark bark and a wooden surface, the insides wrapped with a type of plant that kept all fresh. The dagger was put together with the finest iron, the tip sharp, the blade dented from being in battle, and the hilt was wrapped with hide and thread. His thumb felt the materials carefully, imagining his parents making these objects. He heard someone outside, and went to look, pretty sure it was his guard, but, it wasn't.
He couldn't make out what it was, its yellow eyes the only visible feature in the dark shadows. "Who's there?" he shouts. He should have brought his dagger with him. He tries to follow the figure, but the figure disapears in the shadows, and he see's no more, no matter how long he waited behind his tent. Coming out he sighed, he'd check tomorrow. He entered his tent again.

Ahmad felt himself being pulled along by Renn, he groaned lightly. He was the leader of a clan, and yet this girl was tugging him around as if he was there for her entertainment, and she had no respect. Of course, he didn't believe this, and he wasn't all that upset, his head was just pounding, so he found himself a little irritated. The pounding of his head was a sign though, last time his head had hurt like this, he also got light headed, started seeing things, he had a vision, or wolves. The next day, a whole pack of them was found near camp, almost attacking one of the children that played in the small clearing. Perhaps this time would prove more useful.

He nodded and smiled light in replies to the women who were busy at work. Even as leader of a clan, he was not hard, and did not feel himself better than everyone else. He hunted like the men, and even helped women, sometimes when their mate did not return from a hunting trip, or someone had fallen due to illness. "Where are we going, Renn?"

Renn shook her head, she didnt have any idea as to where they were going... she had just forgotten. Slowing to a stop, she frowned, trying to remember. Ah yes, she remembers... the mage had been looking for Ahmad, needed to talk to him. She felt a uncertain nervous tug in the pit of her stomach as she went to the mages tent. "The mage wanted to speak to you.." she says, stopping to look at him outside the tent and adds, "Alone.."
Renn looks down with guilt. "If she asks your reason to the decision you made about the boy tell her it was mine..." she assures then odds, motioning for him to go inside.
"I'll either be here waiting or helping the others."

If it bothered Ahmadrsyl that the mage wished a conference with him, he didn't show it. Shurgging slightly, he looked at Renn, nodding. He would never rat her out, she was but a girl, who would seem not to know her place, and that could turn to be a terrible fate for her, him, well... It would all just have to fall on him. Sometimes, being the leader of a Clan meant things as such. Closing his eyes for a moment he take a deep breath, trying to just replay all of today's events, everything that happened. His thoughts lingered on Tanith, her smile, her body glowing from the light of the fire. A small grin cross his face before he snap himself out of it, remembering the task at hand. Ah yes, the mage. With a heavy sigh, he pulled aside the cloth, stepping inside without hesitating.

The mage turned as she heard Ahmad enter. She smiled warmly.
"Sit down." she says, demanding, but softly, after all, she was not higher status than Ahmad, but; she was respected. Sitting on the floor, her cloke draped over her shoulder, she observed the leader.
"Today... the meeting." she says, and continues, "What made you make that choice, I know you. You would not have shown mercy to this... boy." she said disgustedly. "He violated the ways of the forest! Do you not know the example you're putting on our clan.. on the forest?" she asked, accusing eyes glaring at him.
"Our land is at risk. You must not do this mistake again." she says and her mouth forms a line, taking a deep breath she closes her eyes and forces herself to relax.

Ahmad didn't say a word, not while he was put down, made to be a fool, said to have not acted in the best interest of the forests, and worse, his clan. He made no facial expressions, no sounds of disgust. Watching her as she moved, each word she said, the way her lips moved. He got distracted by things, thinking of everything that happened that day, the boy, Renn, and then Tanith. A small sigh escaped him, but he kept his composure, sitting up straight, looking to the mage.

"As if a tiny boy..." He started, finally using his turn to speak. It didn't matter, he would say what he thought. "...Could be any threat." He closed his eyes, thinking of his next words carefully. "What is happening to our forest is beyond the capabilities of a small boy, with no remarkable traits."

The mage twitched at his answer, trying to keep herself relaxed and stopping herself from shouting in anger. "Ahmadrysl, this boy could merely be a servant, a SPY to our problems in the forest! Who are you to trust a boy because he is a child?" she asks. The mage fumbles around with her cloak, avoiding eye contact.
"I will try and predict all the future I can, and I will not abandon your side, but I do not trust your opinions, and you know that this is rare." she explains, finally looking.
"You may leave."

Ahmad looked to the mage, anger swelling in his mind. Honestly, he didn't need to hear these things. "Because I was that boy!" He growled in anger, this having been the first time he mentioned this in so long. But it was all true, so many years ago, when he was just nine winters old, he had been that boy, hiding in the forest, captured. They accused him of evils, but the scary thing was, it was true. He didn't know the ways of the forest at that time, his mother, a woman of the monkey clan, had hid away in the night, giving birth to him. But he didn't cry, didn't breathe at first, and he was so pale, that it was assumed he was dead.

His tiny body was wrapped in cloth, left in the woods, tears in his mothers eyes. Yet the boy was not dead, but held little hope of ever surviving in these woods. His tiny form was taken in, watched after by a family of wombats, feeding the boy, keeping him warm in the night. But soon he was too big, no longer able to be with them, and cast into the woods at but the age of two. A child like him would seem to have no hope, but somehow he survived, the various creatures of the woods taking to him as he continued to grow. Soon he was five, then seven, and was able to survive on his own. He killed animals for food, took from trees to build a shelter, just as the other creatures had shown him.

But soon he was found, having been discovered after leaving behind a trail of small rabbits and the like, only taking meat, leaving so much skin, flesh, bone, everything else. They hunted him, and he was captured. He was the boy, he understood everything. "Trust me on this one." He mumbled, opening the flap to the tent, walking into the cool night air. It brought back so many memories, unhappy ones.