Rodyn moced through the pack lands. Strong and hardy, but his mind on far reaching things. Many things and worry so much worry.
Was he a good father? Was he meant to be leader? Wouldn't
@Chakliux do better. A man who kept his family whole? Would not
@Heph who had beaten the sadness that permeated every facet of the life of the hunter. Who had also stood firm and stalwart when his grief and his sons had taken him to the spear.
Oh Rodyn had earned this, had fought for it. Had done the impossible, but it had all ended when his entire reason for doing it had gone to Sedna on swift wings. And now he was left picking up the pieces of what was and forging somwthing new. And he had no idea how to start.
all welcome tags for reference
he did not forget that rodyn had wanted to meet dutch. he thought he would bring the man upon a hunt with he and the other man, and almost called out loudly when he saw rodyn.
one of the sons borne by samani had returned to moonspear. chakliux came up more quietly to stand beside the leader, a swing of his muzzle noting that rodyn's sorrow had not left. not abated. he had been in this place since his wife had died.
the seal hunter understood, but now he feared that the man's spirit had stilled inside his chest.
"rodyn. i will speak directly," chakliux murmured, squinting at the light upon the water. "ariadne has left moonsong. your wife is with the dancing lights and your son is in moonspear. is your heart in this place? i do not accuse. i ask, as a friend."
rodyn grieved and would forever. but to step forward, to move ahead; a man needed a wife. children. or a purpose opposite those aims. "my son raiyuk says we have no shaman." that had been his mother. but the spirits also called to men. was rodyn called? "if you wish, i will tell you the ritual to dream with them."
Rodyn would have preferred the loud greeting. Would have made him feel not so melancholy. The days of the hunt. His grief had been quiet. And now here he was again back there in dark spaces.
A soft hmmph in his throat at the mention of Ariadne.
She is not like her mother or her sister's Ariadne. I fear for her, but I am not so surprised. Upon the day I took pelts and trinkets to welcome her to leadership. She was more worried about the doors i could open for her with the allies I made on my bride price journey. It did not make me feel right.
Rodyn understood the asking and he appreciated the Cander and honesty. Thank you for being direct. I do not like riddles and having to dance to get what is wanted from a conversation. Though I do it well. My heart is here Chakliux in part, but I am learning how to start anew. Since I came to these wilds. My entire purpose was for my peachy queen. Everything I did was for her, our future, our children. And now i must learn to be me again without her. That is all. I have failed in many things now. Fatherhood, husband, but all that I can do is stand back up and move forward.
Rodyn tilted an ear. The hunt helped renew such passions in me. I believe i will go on a traders journey sometime when all has settled. Make new allies, meet new. It will not bide well to cut the paths Heph has helped to forge for us.
the man thanked him for the openness; chakliux was happy to give it. he did not like to tiptoe around words. to hear rodyn's opinion of ariadne was surprising, though she had been so eager to build her village that perhaps she had not stopped to think.
he left this thought, brows furrowing as rodyn described himself in failures. his leader had been lifted by the hunt; he nodded, for it was good for a man to be out among hunters and in the teeth of the wind. it livened the blood and buoyed the spirit.
a slow nod. a trader then. "those who make trades maintain the life of the village," chakliux agreed.
"in some days i will take raiyuk to the sea. he will come back a man if the spirits are pleased. after this i will have no more journeys, for i hope to welcome new children to our lodge. then, perhaps, you may feel ready to go. and i will give you a skin of things to start your journey. we will dry meat for you, rodyn. i will bring panuk to hunt. moontide will stand."
privately he hoped rodyn would enjoy the warmth of women while he was away, for this too soothed the body if not the heart. but he would not say it while rodyn so openly grieved. "it is not your fault she died," the seal hunter said. "it is not your fault your son has returned to the mother he knows. this is the village of the one who gave him life. he is only a child now. he will come back."
He spoke softly. Do not mistake me. I like Ariadne. I think she has potential to be many good things, but she is young and full of passion for things. And she is a little self centered in her youth. But aren't we all at times.
He had also been a part of moonglow when Kigipigak had come to the area. He had abandoned his wife and children. He had seen it, and perhaps that colored his opinion of both, more than it should.
Rodyn chuckled. And it is just enjoyable. I enjoy it. More so the hunt than the trading, but one cannot do one and not the other.
Rodyn would take Panuk hunting first. That was his job as father, but he knew what Chakliux was saying. He was being kind. So funny wasn't it, that a man who Kukutux and Aiolos had not liked was one of the dearest wolves of moontide.
Rodyn had never been one to enjoy the affections of a woman without having deep affections for her. It was not how he was made. He would find a way to get through this.
In my head I know this, even perhaps in my heart. But I cannot stop the doubt at times. But I will be better. I have to be. Thank you for standing firm for Moontide Chakliux truly.
"i am happy to be here, rodyn." and he was, and he wanted no more than what he had.
"i am here for you as a companion also." rodyn had many around him. the seal hunter wished to be included in this.
"ariadne will learn. she will grow."
now he stepped back, quiet for a moment. "will you be alone here for a time? or will you come and hunt upon the shore with me?" he invited, supporting whatever rodyn wished to do in this moment.
It was nice to know that the hunter was happy here in the pack lands. Rodyn would need to make more time for Chakliux's wives and children. He wasn't even sure if he had shared words with any of his wives save Marina.
Rodyn hoped Ariadne would learn and grow, but he held doubt in his hesrt. Especially if Kigigpigak was the one teaching.
Rodyn stood and shook out his pelt. I will hunt with you.
pleased, the seal hunter led the way through the waving grass to the white sand of the beaches, talking quietly of things that did not matter so much.
he would spend several hours with rodyn, much of it in silent camaraderie as they hunted slowly up the stretch of sea-land which brought fierceness and strength to the plateau.