Following an Echo (CA - Inuksuk)
Quote from Adriana on October 27, 2023, 1:42 pmA story highlighting parts of the journey of Inuksuk.
This takes place starting in August, and continues until he reaches Phantom Mountain.
A sled crept over the wet earth.
It’s contents diverse - weapons and blankets of animal fur, instruments and dried meats, various clothing articles. All strapped to the smooth bottomed sled under a leather tarp.
The feet that drew it forward were steady and sure; boots pressing deep imprints in the ground with each step. The recent snows had melted and made a soup beneath him.
A bow and quiver rattled against his back. Two wide straps crossed over the front of his torso; he did not need his hands to pull the sled. They were instead occupied by a wooden frame drum, that he played with a steady beat that kept pace with his steps. With a strong and beautiful voice, he sung against the wind that came ceaselessly at his face. It whipped the hair about his shoulders, and yet for it his countenance never faltered.
She had taken the same road many months ago. Although she had been sent away without a friend, she was not alone. Her path was followed and marked. In spite of all that threatened to bring her to her knees and prepared with little more than a knapsack, her strength was tested and she endured. The report that came to Inuksuk the following summer was hopeful.
Having set his familial affairs in order, he took an honorable leave of his pack and began out on the path of discernment. What lie at the end of his journey was cloudy and uncertain. In light of all that had taken place over the last several months, nothing was promised to him. Many outcomes were considered and weighed. If fate would see it through that he should find her again, he would have his answer, and unencumbered by the weight of a promise left unfulfilled or forgotten, he would be able to find his path.
In a word, he sought closure. He could make any place his home, but without the answer to his hearts question, could not be at home anywhere.
A story highlighting parts of the journey of Inuksuk.
This takes place starting in August, and continues until he reaches Phantom Mountain.
A sled crept over the wet earth.
It’s contents diverse - weapons and blankets of animal fur, instruments and dried meats, various clothing articles. All strapped to the smooth bottomed sled under a leather tarp.
The feet that drew it forward were steady and sure; boots pressing deep imprints in the ground with each step. The recent snows had melted and made a soup beneath him.
A bow and quiver rattled against his back. Two wide straps crossed over the front of his torso; he did not need his hands to pull the sled. They were instead occupied by a wooden frame drum, that he played with a steady beat that kept pace with his steps. With a strong and beautiful voice, he sung against the wind that came ceaselessly at his face. It whipped the hair about his shoulders, and yet for it his countenance never faltered.
She had taken the same road many months ago. Although she had been sent away without a friend, she was not alone. Her path was followed and marked. In spite of all that threatened to bring her to her knees and prepared with little more than a knapsack, her strength was tested and she endured. The report that came to Inuksuk the following summer was hopeful.
Having set his familial affairs in order, he took an honorable leave of his pack and began out on the path of discernment. What lie at the end of his journey was cloudy and uncertain. In light of all that had taken place over the last several months, nothing was promised to him. Many outcomes were considered and weighed. If fate would see it through that he should find her again, he would have his answer, and unencumbered by the weight of a promise left unfulfilled or forgotten, he would be able to find his path.
In a word, he sought closure. He could make any place his home, but without the answer to his hearts question, could not be at home anywhere.
Quote from Adriana on October 27, 2023, 4:59 pmHis map was one skillfully burned and carved into a square of leather. Oiled and smooth, it would endure the elements, and had served him well. It was no crude thing - the skill of the map maker was impressive; by the head of a hot needle they had gone above and beyond to preserve many details of the land, and display waypoints. The moon in it's various phases were used to indicate the passage of time from one waypoint to the next.
The lowest part of the map marked a forest and indicated a mountain range further south, that stretched to the west and to the east. The scout wisely did not enter the forest, nor attempt to follow Logan beyond or else around the mountain range. By the time she would have arrived, the spring flowers would have come forth, and the greatest perils of her journey believed to be left behind. How far she continued beyond that mountain was left up to Inuksuk to discern.
His map was one skillfully burned and carved into a square of leather. Oiled and smooth, it would endure the elements, and had served him well. It was no crude thing - the skill of the map maker was impressive; by the head of a hot needle they had gone above and beyond to preserve many details of the land, and display waypoints. The moon in it's various phases were used to indicate the passage of time from one waypoint to the next.
The lowest part of the map marked a forest and indicated a mountain range further south, that stretched to the west and to the east. The scout wisely did not enter the forest, nor attempt to follow Logan beyond or else around the mountain range. By the time she would have arrived, the spring flowers would have come forth, and the greatest perils of her journey believed to be left behind. How far she continued beyond that mountain was left up to Inuksuk to discern.
Quote from Adriana on October 27, 2023, 8:45 pmThe mid summer months were fair, and Inuksuk had made good time. Then came mid August along with uncharacteristic storms that came suddenly over the land with great fury. His journey was thus slowed, as he was driven to seek out shelter and wait out the storms, as well the full moon that lurked behind the torrential gray...
The mid summer months were fair, and Inuksuk had made good time. Then came mid August along with uncharacteristic storms that came suddenly over the land with great fury. His journey was thus slowed, as he was driven to seek out shelter and wait out the storms, as well the full moon that lurked behind the torrential gray...
Quote from Adriana on October 27, 2023, 8:54 pmThe anger of the skies would not linger, yet in it's wake was little in which to find comfort. It was a harbinger for an early winter; the trees whose leaves had fallen or were otherwise stripped from their branches in the storm did not again cloak themselves. Each dawn, heavy mist was drawn up from the frozen earth.
The anger of the skies would not linger, yet in it's wake was little in which to find comfort. It was a harbinger for an early winter; the trees whose leaves had fallen or were otherwise stripped from their branches in the storm did not again cloak themselves. Each dawn, heavy mist was drawn up from the frozen earth.
Quote from Adriana on October 27, 2023, 9:24 pmOn such days, there was an opportunity for a skilled hunter. The moist, saturated air of those crisp mornings left no mysteries. The passing of prey could be detected in the particles that came up from the earth. Tracks left impressions more easily as the wet earth gave away beneath their pointed toes.
Inuksuk had identified many creatures in passing. From the tiny rodents and ermine, to the respectable wolves and bears. Deer and moose were bountiful in these places, though their tracks were now more often found along the copses of trees, as the rapidly approaching winter drove them to seek shelter.
Equipped with the tools of his second skin, it would have been easy for him to indulge his senses and take hunt after these beasts. Yet in defiance of his instincts, Inuksuk continued on for the entirety of a journey as a man, with the natural exception of full moons.
Death came to all creatures. Inuksuk did not seek to drive them into their last breaths in terror and agony, for it was not the way he would want to die. When he was responsible for taking a life, whether hunting on the full moon or with the weapons carved from bone and tree, regardless of whether the creature was a small fish or great bull elk, he did it with solemnity and gratitude. Their lives were never given in vain and he was certain to treat their bodies with respect.
On such days, there was an opportunity for a skilled hunter. The moist, saturated air of those crisp mornings left no mysteries. The passing of prey could be detected in the particles that came up from the earth. Tracks left impressions more easily as the wet earth gave away beneath their pointed toes.
Inuksuk had identified many creatures in passing. From the tiny rodents and ermine, to the respectable wolves and bears. Deer and moose were bountiful in these places, though their tracks were now more often found along the copses of trees, as the rapidly approaching winter drove them to seek shelter.
Equipped with the tools of his second skin, it would have been easy for him to indulge his senses and take hunt after these beasts. Yet in defiance of his instincts, Inuksuk continued on for the entirety of a journey as a man, with the natural exception of full moons.
Death came to all creatures. Inuksuk did not seek to drive them into their last breaths in terror and agony, for it was not the way he would want to die. When he was responsible for taking a life, whether hunting on the full moon or with the weapons carved from bone and tree, regardless of whether the creature was a small fish or great bull elk, he did it with solemnity and gratitude. Their lives were never given in vain and he was certain to treat their bodies with respect.
Quote from Adriana on October 27, 2023, 10:38 pmFor over a hundred days he crossed the land. In weather more fair than Logan had endured, and adequately prepared where she was not... if she did resent him, he could not hold it against her. He was afforded a map and the passage of time was marked; it told him how many days he might expect to be traveling alone. Logan had no such benefit, and wandered unaware of when she would find a place to rest, or else when she would come to her final resting place.
With near clarity he had imagined her in the valleys alongside him. The brutal winds coming from the west off of the ocean would surely lambast her flesh. The cold white winds frosting every hair on her body as she trudged through snowdrifts higher than ten men. Almost he could see her in the crags of the cliffs, where she might find some shelter from the wind in the dead of winter. She would shelter, but not rest-to close your eyes and rest deeply would mean to risk slipping into a slumber from which one does not awaken. She would rest lightly and stir often so that the deep peace she wanted to drink from did not draw her into it's dark and eternal abyss.
Spring would bring new hope. The hunting would be easier. Logan was resourceful and enduring. She would take advantage of all that the land would offer to regain her strength for the final leg of her journey. The fast moving streams would melt; he could see the echo of her being using a crudely carved spear to gather trout. Berries would come forth in time. She would continue with newfound resilience when the sun warmed her shoulders.
For over a hundred days he crossed the land. In weather more fair than Logan had endured, and adequately prepared where she was not... if she did resent him, he could not hold it against her. He was afforded a map and the passage of time was marked; it told him how many days he might expect to be traveling alone. Logan had no such benefit, and wandered unaware of when she would find a place to rest, or else when she would come to her final resting place.
With near clarity he had imagined her in the valleys alongside him. The brutal winds coming from the west off of the ocean would surely lambast her flesh. The cold white winds frosting every hair on her body as she trudged through snowdrifts higher than ten men. Almost he could see her in the crags of the cliffs, where she might find some shelter from the wind in the dead of winter. She would shelter, but not rest-to close your eyes and rest deeply would mean to risk slipping into a slumber from which one does not awaken. She would rest lightly and stir often so that the deep peace she wanted to drink from did not draw her into it's dark and eternal abyss.
Spring would bring new hope. The hunting would be easier. Logan was resourceful and enduring. She would take advantage of all that the land would offer to regain her strength for the final leg of her journey. The fast moving streams would melt; he could see the echo of her being using a crudely carved spear to gather trout. Berries would come forth in time. She would continue with newfound resilience when the sun warmed her shoulders.
Quote from Adriana on October 27, 2023, 10:43 pmHe drew nearer with each day to the edge of the map. Every seed of doubt that threatened to take root and spring up, was fought back with confidence and hope. His voice went up often in melodious song and he played his instruments often and well. In his heart he knew that he would find her!
Logan was at peace with being alone, but not with loneliness. She would seek out companionship, and moreso, her newfound nature would have drawn her to seek her own kind.
He drew nearer with each day to the edge of the map. Every seed of doubt that threatened to take root and spring up, was fought back with confidence and hope. His voice went up often in melodious song and he played his instruments often and well. In his heart he knew that he would find her!
Logan was at peace with being alone, but not with loneliness. She would seek out companionship, and moreso, her newfound nature would have drawn her to seek her own kind.
Quote from Adriana on October 27, 2023, 10:47 pm"Avoid the cities," he had been aptly warned by his father, "Their ways are very different and those who inhabit them will have no compassion towards your plight. If you suspect she has gone into them, come back home, for she has gone back to her father and where she goes, you cannot."
"Avoid the cities," he had been aptly warned by his father, "Their ways are very different and those who inhabit them will have no compassion towards your plight. If you suspect she has gone into them, come back home, for she has gone back to her father and where she goes, you cannot."
Quote from Adriana on October 27, 2023, 11:15 pmAt last he reached the last leg of the journey; he could see the mountain range on the horizon. The map would no longer serve him, and it was put away among his things. His way was made clear by that final great landmark!
Yet how he would approach it was yet to be decided - most mountain ranges he had passed in his journey did not deny his passage as they ran to the south and north at his east or west. As long as he was resigned to their valleys and foothills he did not have to cross over them.
Since it was still to early see the full silhouette of the mountain range, he would discern the appropriate way when he was near enough to make out the shape and height of each peak.
At last he reached the last leg of the journey; he could see the mountain range on the horizon. The map would no longer serve him, and it was put away among his things. His way was made clear by that final great landmark!
Yet how he would approach it was yet to be decided - most mountain ranges he had passed in his journey did not deny his passage as they ran to the south and north at his east or west. As long as he was resigned to their valleys and foothills he did not have to cross over them.
Since it was still to early see the full silhouette of the mountain range, he would discern the appropriate way when he was near enough to make out the shape and height of each peak.
Quote from Adriana on October 27, 2023, 11:28 pmThroughout the journey his voice had been raised up in song.
Now he called out in another way. Not unlike a song, and without changing into his second skin, he cried out in a voice that would be familiar to his kind. It was frequent, but not daily, and the message was the same each time:
"I am here. I do not come as a challenger on these lands. I come seeking my companion. I will defend myself as I need to. I do not want bloodshed. Let me pass over this mountain unhindered."
Throughout the journey his voice had been raised up in song.
Now he called out in another way. Not unlike a song, and without changing into his second skin, he cried out in a voice that would be familiar to his kind. It was frequent, but not daily, and the message was the same each time:
"I am here. I do not come as a challenger on these lands. I come seeking my companion. I will defend myself as I need to. I do not want bloodshed. Let me pass over this mountain unhindered."
