Plans of The Evening

JP with mdman and Cindy

Ch’Truta sighed. The thought of being coupled with Islana amazed him. He saw this as an added blessing from the spirits at his faithfulness to their quest.

He had one more task tonight. He had to find Aguzul and Amastan. He would bring them for their advice.

As it turned out, Aguzul and Amastan were sitting outside Amastan's tent. They had been discussing various things all evening and enjoying the slight break from discussing the war.

They both spotted the man from the swamp approaching them and gave each other looks, as Ch’Truta almost looked as if he was on a mission.

Amastan spoke up, "Good evening, Ch’Truta. I do hope you are having a pleasant night.”

Ch’Truta smiled. A pleasant night was an understatement. He had some alone time with the woman he loved. In fact, Ch’Truta had spent the majority of the day with Islana.

“Yes,” Ch’Truta answered, “the evening has been pleasant.” He looked to both of them as he requested, “Sister Locust would like to have your counsel.”

"Of course," Aguzul replied. "Is the Sister at her tent?"Though they both knew the Ch’Truta would likely be accompanying them it didn't hurt to ask. He and Amastan stood.

"We have something for Sister Locust." Amastan said, before going into her tent and quickly retrieving a beautifully handmade quiver. "When her tent was sent on fire, the bow and arrows fared better than her quiver." It was why, Islana used an elaborate bow, and wonderfully made arrows but her quiver was rather plain. "We wanted to gift this to her today, as it's her Natal day but we knew she had been - preoccupied - with other things." The sand bearer just assumed Ch’Truta had been spending all day with the Sister and likely already knew this.

"Shall we go then?" Aguzul asked.

Ch’Truta gazed upon the quiver hanging from Amastan’s hand. Its leather was dyed a rich, earthy brown, and intricate patterns adorned its surface. Each stitch seemed to tell a story—the hunter’s patience, the artisan’s skill, and the reverence for nature’s gifts. Ch’Truta traced his rough fingers over the embossed leaves and feathers, marveling at the craftsmanship.

“It is an appropriate gift for Sister Locust’s natal day,” Ch’Truta acknowledged. “Yes, it has been a rather busy day for her. The hunt was rather successful today.”

Ch’Truta turned to walk alongside the two advisors. He trusted their wisdom. Hopefully, they would see Islana and Ch’Truta’s desires as a good thing, which it was.

"Thank you," Amastan replied, regarding Ch’Truta's comment about the quiver. "It is sometimes difficult to tell what to get Sister Locut but this gift was easy to figure out." It was just a good thing the Sister hadn't commissioned one herself.

"That is a good thing," Aguzul remarked about the hunt. "We had heard others had seen success as well. It should bring the Horde in good steed with food until we reach the Winter Pasture."

They arrived at the leader's tent, and were announced by one of the guards, then granted entrance.

The Sister was sitting on a chair at a table, a filled tea pot, some fruit and nuts were at the table. Her head lifted as they entered. She watched them bow, then said. "Good evening. Please have a seat. Feel free to have some refreshments, if you choose."

Amastan, approached the leader, "Sister Locust, Aguzul and myself, wanted to wish you a happy natal day and give you this." Handing the quiver to the Sister.

Islana took the quiver and inspected it, going over every detail with her sight and touch. She smiled at Aguzul and Amastan, "This is very beautiful. Thank you."

Aguzul and Amastan then took their seats, each one took some tea before Aguzul spoke up. "Sister, Ch’Truta has said you seem our guidance. How can we be of assistance?"

Once Ch’Truta cleared the food and drinks on the table, Islana made herself a cup of tea. "Yes, we were discussing the option of possibly being joined in a commitment ceremony."

Amastan and Aguzul exchanged a glance before Aguzul responded. "While we are happy for both of you. It is also not necessarily the best thing to do, at the moment. Is there any reason it cannot wait until after the war?"

Islana would let Ch’Truta respond before adding to it.

Ch’Truta cleared his throat, giving them time to be open to what he had to say. His face demonstrated that what he spoke was truth.

“While it may not be necessarily in the Ozanine viewpoint as the best thing, we feel it is necessary. Not only do we love each other, but we have already become one. Certainly, there will be rumors of the amount of time Sister Locust and I have spent together. We want the matter to be official in everyone’s eyes.”

He hoped this reasoning would be sufficient. If it were official, it would squelch the rumors and make them meaningless.

"My response was what Ch'Truta has already attested to." Islana said. "The longer this war goes on, the more time we spend together, the harder it is going to be to hide it from the Horde. I would not be surprised if some already suspect something."

"I have heard rumblings, speculations really," Amastan began. "Just today that I was going to bring up. Speculations mostly that you are both sharing a bed. It does not seem to be an issue, it is the Horde finding out there is more to it that could be an issue."

Aguzul did not look convinced. "Sister, there are some still that question your authenticity, though I will admit, it is growing less. This will concern those same people greatly as neither of you are Ozanine by birth and blood."

"There are those people will be suspicious no matter my decisions. I cannot change the minds of some." Islana sighed, "We are headed to a war, to battles where anything can happen. There is a concern that if not now, there might not be chance later.”

Islana’s last statement, though truth, concerned Ch’Truta. His face clearly showed that he did not wish that to happen.

“Perhaps it will prove to the horde that the gods have called more than just the Ozanine to win this victory. You two know us. We do not seek ultimate power. He seek victory for Arcadia,” Ch’Truta reasoned. “In the process of seeking that for our people, we found each other.”

Aguzul and Amastan looked more convinced but still concerned. The new Sister had tested limits from what the Ozanine were used to on more than one occasion, what if this was just one step too far.

Islana saw their faces, "I do understand and appreciate your concerns regarding this. I am aware of the chance we are taking. I am also aware of regrets when chances are left to sit in a corner gathering dust." She looked determined. "I love Ch’Truta with all my heart, my soul already is one with his. People will start to realize that, because it is difficult to hide. If I can say it is all legitimate, it might make it easier on everyone."

"This is not something I have heard of another Sister Locust doing," Aguzul thought for a moment. "Ch'Truta being the lifetime companion of Sister Locust would mean dedicating yourself to the Twins and the Ozanine people. It would mean leaving other Gods in your past. Because, Sister Locust is the spiritual leader of her subjects, those who surround her everyday can not be worshipping other Gods. Can you do that?”

Ch’Truta felt more at ease as the two advisors spoke. They seemed more inclined the more they discussed the issue. When Aguzul spoke of Ch’Truta would need to serve only the Twins, and not Uctilo’rhu, Ch’Truta’s brain began to churn as he thought of his answer. The swamp spirits had given their approval of the relationship from the heron. Had they known that Ch’Truta would have to renounce his service to Uctilo’rhu? If they didn’t, then they were not all-knowing and not worthy of his service. Did Islana renounce her god from Helias? If Ch’Truta transitioned to the Twins, what would the broods do who were now protecting Islana? Would they drop their protection?

He knew his answer. He turned to Islana to give his answer. “She is the one worthy of my service. I choose to serve her.”

Ch’Truta's answer, was beautiful and heart felt and the warmth in it could be felt throughout those in the tent.

"I should have anticipated that," Islana was unsure why she hadn't. "I renounced the Pillars on the pilgrimage. It just seemed so natural, for me, to do so. However, it was not easy as they were all I had known." Her hand touched Ch’Truta's arm gently her emerald eyes meeting his own. "Thank you, I know that was not easy."

After a moment, Islana continued. "It might be best, for the moment, if we don't broadcast the joining. Don't lie though if anyone asks. I do not want the broods knowing that Ch’Truta has agreed to worship the Twins."

Aguzul and Amastan nodded, they seemed more resigned to the fact the joining would happen than they completely were on board, but it was also clear they might be if circumstances were different.

Aguzul and Amastan looked at each and nodded, before Aguzul spoke again. "Alright then, if you are going to do this it is best with our involvement and under the blessings of the Twins. We will perform the ceremony, at sunrise. Unless, you want it done sooner. “

Unsure of what must be done for the ceremony, Ch’Truta wondered why wait until morning? Islana and he desired to be together. She needed him tonight if the Sisters would come calling.

“Is there anything to prepare?” he asked. “What would prevent the ceremony from taking place tonight?”

They needn’t know Islana’s struggles with the Sisters. Just that they wanted to be together.

"We can skip the ritual bath," Amastan explained, "but we do need something brown and something blue colored."

Islana understood those colors could represent sand and water, which held much significance to the Ozanine. "I have hair ribbons in those colors."

"That will work. We should see if we can get some flowers for your hair, Sister." Amastan continued, thinking. "I think I have a bottle of wine on my items than can be used for the ritual."

Aguzul added. "I can make the binding, if Sister you are willing to give up your brown and blue hair ribbons, they will work."

There was a little more discussion, most of which was easily obtainable. "One last tbing," Aguzul added, both Amastan and myself need to get ourselves ready. "

Something flashed in Islana’s mind, a memory of a different binding ceremony from a different time. Then just as quickly as it came, the vision was gone. Islana knew it was not her memory but from one of the Sisters. "Yes, that is important. It will take me time to get ready as well."

Aguzul then added, "We can probably be ready in an hour.”

Ch’Truta relaxed, hearing the words of Aguzul and Amastan. The fact that soon, he and Islana would officially be bonded with him. She wouldn’t need to worry about rumors. Of course, Ch’Truta knew rumors wouldn’t cease. It would just take on a different perspective.

“I need to prepare myself as well,” Ch’Truta admitted. “It wouldn’t do to be wearing things attributing me being a shaman of Uctilo’rhu. I should also freshen up and prepare myself for my chosen one.”

He looked to Amastan and Aguzul. “Thank you for your understanding.”