Intermediate training Burrich

[Andular]

The morning dew clung to the grass and leaves of the stedding as Nights followed an old trail to the woods. Today was Burrich’s next senses training and the Ranger was curious to see if the young man was up to the task.

 

~You push cub to hard Nightsfire~

 

Quickenings message made him chuckle and he looked to his left to see the big grey wolf lopping through the trees. She always thought him too demanding of his students but he just reassured her that Burrich was ready.

 

Cresting a rise Nights left the worn trail and plunged into the dense forest careful not to leave any sign of his passing. In this Owen had taught him well and he moved through the forest like a ghost. It was nearing mid morning when a roaring sound caught his keen hearing and he began moving towards it. The trees began to open up and the ground to slope downward. Not long after Nights found himself at the bottom of a valley and at the edge of a large pool of blue water. At the far end the sound of the roar, a waterfall, fell into the pool from the rocks high over head.

 

Before he had left Nigths had left a note where Burrich was sure to find it with instructions that read.

 

“Burrich the next part of your training will show us how well you have learned. Use your senses to find me before days end if you can.â€

 

The note had given the big man a location of where to start. This would allow Burrich to pick up his trail and follow it for a time until Nights had made it disappear. From there his student would need to use his wits and senses to find him.

 

Finding a nice spot under a large tree that provided ample shade the Ranger sat down. Moments later the Quickening appeared and lay down next to him. “We wait and see now my friend.†Quickenings only response was to lay her head between her paws and close her eyes.

 

Ooc: Finding John will not be easy he is ranger trained and knows how to hide from about anyone. He has left you clues along the way in the form of a broken branch here or a piece of clothing to mark his scent. Happy hunting.

[Asfaloth]

Burrich woke early, as usual, and went to the inn. Every morning since he'd started working for Wall he'd gone there before dawn to exercise. He used one of the larger practice rooms to get some running in. He preferred to run inside, away from the eyes of others. He still wasn't comfortable with the people here or the looks they gave him but it was getting better. While he ran Storm watched lazily, occassionally mocking him for his reticence around others.

 

Finishing his run he went down to the cellar for some strength exercises. He used the kegs and barrels that were down there to give his muscles the workout they needed to stay strong, and in fact grow stronger.

 

When he finished his workout he went upstairs to the common room and began his chores. Every morning he'd come in before the breakfast crowd and clean out the ashes in the fireplace from the night before and wash the tables. When the finished that he ate his breakfast and left just as the first customers were arriving. Unless John had plans for him this night he would be returning later.

 

When he got back to his room in the barracks he noticed a note stuck to one of his bedposts. 'I wonder how long that's been there.'

 

'I'd say from right before we even woke from how much John's scent has dissipated from it. Why don't you read it and see if it says.'

 

'Thanks, I will. By the way, next time someone comes in while I'm sleeping, do me a favor and wake me. It says, "Burrich the next part of your training will show us how well you have learned. Use your senses to find me before days end if you can. Start at the giant oak oustide the inn." He probably thought I'd see this when I woke and leave after my chores.'

 

'Well, you should get moving then. You've wasted enough time here as it is.'

 

Burrich grimaced at the wolf before doing just as he'd suggested and leaving to find John's trail. He hoped this wouldn't be too difficult but he knew it probably would be. His senses had improved since the howling but he was still having trouble using them. His weapons training continued to show daily improvement, almost as if he was born to weild the axes, but in other areas he felt as though he were lacking. He should be learning faster.

 

When he got to the oak John's scent was still strong, strong enough to make Burrich wonder how long he'd been there and how long ago. Burrich followed the scent John had left behind through the woods, surprised it was so easy when he was expecting a challenge. Then he came to the lake behind the inn and the trail dissapeared.

 

Burrich searched all over but could find no other trace of the Ranger than the trail he had followed. He despaired of finishing the task, of failing, of dissapointing John. Storm sat by the shore of the lake with a satisfied grin on his face. 'What's got you so happy Storm? You see something I don't?'

 

'More like know something you don't. Scents don't just disapear cub. You weren't even using your eyes as you followed the trail or you would have seen that he started covering over his footprints awhile back. He probably did this so you wouldn't notice when he backtracked. Use all of your sense Cub, not just your nose.'

 

'Thank you Storm. And thank you for not pointing it out sooner. I have a feeling this is something John wants me to accomplish on my own, not with your help. Since that's the case, why don't you run along so you don't accidentally give something away. I need to do this on my own. Find John wherever he might be and tell him I'll be along shortly.'

 

'Very well Cub.'

 

Burrich closed his eyes and hummed so he wouldn't see or hear which direction his friend went. He waited for a count of one hundred before he looked around again, plenty of time for the giant wolf to be out of range of his senses. He could still smell Storm Hunter's scent but it went off in a different direction than the trail they came in on, the trail that John had obviously backtracked. He knew he could take the easy way out and follow but then he wouldn't learn anything.

 

Instead he followed the trail back to where the footprints had stopped and started again. He followed the trail again, this time looking more intently at the details around him, searching for any clue as to where John left the trail. He saw a branch about waist high that looked like it had been scuffed. Realizing that this would have been about chest high on John he concentrated and discovered that John's scent did indeed go up the tree. He hadn't noticed it early because it wasn't as strong, probably because the trail to the lake had been traversed twice while this only once.

 

That meant that John had either climbed from this tree to another or, at the very least, jumped far enough away for his scent not to be noticed from the main trail. Burrich searched with eyes and nose for any clues to indicate where John had returned to solid ground. He made several slow circuits around the tree, searching in all directions.

 

Finally, on one such circuit something in the distance caught his eye. It was nearly fifty yards away and looked like nothing but a leaf, yet something seemed wrong about it. Walking over he caught John's scent again as he got closer and discovered that it was not a leaf but a peice of John's green cloak. Whether torn in the climb down from the tree or torn by John himself, Burrich was sure it wasn't left by accident. Without this clue he would never have found the trail again, the Ranger was just too good.

 

This time as he followed the trail he used both eyes and nose. So it was nearly an hour later that he was able to discover that he had gone in a circle. John's scent, as well as his footprints merely continued on endlessly in the same circuit. Burrich continued around two more times to make sure he hadn't missed any secondary trails shooting off. He hadn't.

 

Somehow, John had escaped from the circle without leaving any footprints. He must have circled around enough times to establish his scent so that when he left any new trail would hold to light a trace in comparison to be sensed while on the circle. Burrich looked at all the trees thinking John must have climbed again but if he had he'd left no trace this time.

 

And so Burrich left the trail and walked around the outside of the circle at a distance of twenty-five paces. Still the scent on the trail was too strong to pick up any other. He moved further out. He cirled again, this time a full fifty paces outside the trail John left, and still found nothing.

 

Eventually he returned to the trail and walked the circle again. He was tired, he was frustrated, and he was beginning to lose hope of ever finding the trail again when he caught it. He found it only because he was holding his head down and moping along in despair. John must have crawledfor his scent to be so low to the ground, and it had not yet had time to rise up to the height of Burrcih's nose.

 

Renewed by his discovery he found the trail again and took off.

 

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A few hours later, with barely an hour left until sunset Burrich finally found John and the two wolves, laying contentedly by a waterfall. "Well, sir, I have found you. I am sorry it's taken so long."

[Andular]

Nights had spent the day reading a book he brought with him. The sound of the waterfall brought serenity to the peacefully valley and he found himself dozing off. When he woke it late afternoon and Quickening was gone. Reaching out he found her scouting the nearby tree line. ~cub approaches Nightsfire~

 

Pleased the Ranger rose and began collecting firewood and made a small pit. ~Find us some rabbits to cook~ Quickening acknowledged and soon brought back a pair of plump ones and sat them at Nights feet.

 

Almost on que Burrich entered the clearing and greeted his mentor. “You have done well Burrich. Your skills are advancing nicely I can see you will be ready to choose a division soon.â€

 

Burrich smiled and together he and Nights started a fire and gutted and skinned the rabbits. After dinner the two men leaned against an old log as night fell around them. The sky was clear and soon the stars began to appear in the sky. Tiny pinpricks of light that filled the night. “It is time for us to take your dream training to the next level Burrich. Tonight I will show you a very dangerous part of the dream world. I will show you how to find others dreams. You must never do this unless you are in the dream with a sage or one of the elders who know the dream well. There is great danger in getting too close to another’s dream. You will be tempted to look in one of someone you know and you must not. You can get stuck in that persons dream and you will be at the mercy of their will until they awake.â€

 

Burrich nodded in understanding and the two men lay on the ground and stared at the night sky. Nights breaking slowed and soon he was in the world of dreams standing next to the campfire that was mirrored here as it existed in the waking world. Not long after Burrich appeared as well. Nights was pleased to see the control he had over his outfit. The two men had worked many nights on mastering his control and the young man had finally achieved success.

 

“Close your eyes Burrich.†The big man did so and placing a hand on his students arm Nights transported them to where the nights lesson would take place. When the two men opened their eyes thousands of tiny points of light surrounded them pulsing with life. “Each light represents a person who is asleep and dreaming. You can enter another persons dream and stare into them. The sages use this to talk to one another and pass on messages.â€

 

OOC: ok just rp your impressions and if you like pick someone you knows dreams and we can enter it. John warned you not to do it alone but you can do it with him if you like your call.

[Asfaloth]

Burrich listened carefully to John's warning about tonight's lesson in dreams. Listened carefully, and not without some trepidation as well. Watching other people's dreams sounded like it might be entertaing but the idea of getting stuck in one made him very nervous. Then again, the idea of other people viewing his own dreams was even more disconcerting. He'd have to remember to ask John about that after the lesson.

 

Burrich had some initial trouble getting to sleep but John had been working with him, teaching him to put himself to sleep or wake up whenever he needed to. He hadn't gotten the hang of it yet but he was working on it. He was so exhausted from his search, it should have been easy, but he was so excited about his success that it wasn't.

 

When he did get to sleep he found John sitting next to him, just as they had been in the waking world. "Close your eyes Burrich." Now what could they be doing? They'd spent a lot of time in the World of Dreams as John taught him to master its obstacles but it seemed John had a new lesson to teach.

 

Soon enough John squeezed Burrich's shoulder and he opened his eyes. They were surrounded by lights. There were lights of all different colors and levels. Some seemed as bright as the sun while others could barely be seen. There also didn't seem to be any pattern that he could see, in color or allignment.

 

"Each light represents a person who is asleep and dreaming. You can enter another persons dream and stare into them. The sages use this to talk to one another and pass on messages."

 

"Can you see into anyone's dreams? How do you find a certain person's dream? Is there any way to know if someone is watching my dreams? Is there any way to stop them?"

 

OOC: Unfortunately, the way I've written this character so far means that he hasn't grown close enough to anyone to be able to find them this way, or care to do so.

[Andular]

Chuckling at his students questions Nights did his best to answer. “A person’s dreams are not to be trifled with lightly. The main use Wolfkin have with the dream is for communication.â€

 

Taking a deep breath and looking at the countless points of light that surrounded them Nights continued. “You are correct Burrich that your own dreams can be watched as well. There is a way to guard your dreams though which I will teach you. When such a precaution is necessary speak to your wolf companion. They can guard your dreams while you sleep and keep others from entering.â€

 

Burrich nodded clearly interested in the lesson. “Only do this when you feel threatened as you will be denying the wolf the rest they need in sleep.â€

 

The lesson continued with Nights showing his student how to travel great distances with each step. Burrich as a curious student and learned quickly. When their time was done Night led them from the dream and the two men were back in the waking world by the campfire.

 

“That is enough for today’s lesson Burrich.†The sound of insects and night creatures filled the clearing as Nights stood.â€

 

“The time for sleep is upon us my friend but I want you to meet me at first light in the Ranger grounds we continue your weapons training.†Burrich rose towering over Nights and smiled. “I see you look forward to working further on those skills.†Laughing the two men found their way back to the village.

 

Ooc: just rp out Nights working on your ax skills with you. You can have them spar if you like up to you.

[Asfaloth]

John's advice to have Storm Hunter watch his dreams if he suspected he was being watched calmed his nerves somewhat. Not that he was really concerned right now, he didn't have anything to hide, but it was good to know for future reference.

 

After a few hours time in The World of Dreams John led him back to the waking world, where they gathered their things. "The time for sleep is upon us my friend but I want you to meet me at first light in the Ranger grounds we continue your weapons training. I see you look forward to working further on those skills."

 

"Yes Sir, that is one thing I feel very comfortable with. I know we've only been training for a short time now but I feel much more comfortable with those lessons than these others." He laughed at himself as they made their way back to the village.

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The next day Burrich made sure to rise extra early so he could finish his chores at the inn and still meet John at first light as requested. He stopped back by his room to grab his double-bladed war-axe, his two hand axes, and his longbow. He didn't know which weapon, or weapons, John would want him to work with so he brought them all.

 

He found John sitting on a stump waiting for him in the Ranger's Training Grounds. "G'morning John!"

 

After some warmup exercises John taught Burrich some new moves with the axes and taught him how to better focus when aiming his bow. Then they entered into a spar. Burrich knew John was taking it easy on him but still he was beaten easily. He was getting better, he was sure of it, but still not good enough.

[Andular]

The two men spent the next several weeks practicing combat skills. Burrich was a quick learner and wielded his weapons with increasing skill as the days went by. Good weather graced them as they sparred in the yards often ending with both men covered in sweat but enjoying their time none the less. Often times Nights would find Owen or Lorelai watching with interest as the big man became more graceful with his weapons. Burrich’s strength was obvious but grace came to him slowly at first and Nights had to show him subtle maneuvers or stances to help.

 

It was nearing dusk on the third week of their weapons training when Nights called for a halt in the days training. The sun was slowly setting and the sky was a brilliant shade of red as the two men quenched their thirsts from the well nearby.

 

Wiping his mouth Nights studied the big man for a moment. His training was almost complete if Burrich had been studying his herbs as he had been instructed his last lesson would be easy.

 

“You are almost ready my friend.†Burrich wiped his own mouth and smiled. “I hope you have been giving the division you wish to join thought because soon it will be time to choose.â€

 

Nights had no doubt the man would choose the Rangers he loved weapons too much. Still he liked each student to weigh their options carefully and had stressed this to Burrich several times.

 

The two men picked up their gear and said their good nights. “Tomorrow your last lesson will begin meet me at the lakes edge near the tree line.â€

 

The next morning found Nights sitting at the lakes edge meditating. He had already done some stretching exercises while waiting for Burrich. It was not long before he heard the big man approaching. Standing Nights chuckled as Quickening darted into the woods. The big grey would not be far off and it was time to begin. “Good morning Burrich I hope you have studied the herb lessons Miryana has given you as well as you have studied the axes. You are to find me four herbs. Blue Goatflower, Flatwort, Foxtail and Gheandin blossom.â€

 

Burrich’s sigh caused Nights to chuckle. “Lead on my student and if you are successful by tonight we will be sharing a drink at the inn and I will be calling you Wolfbrother.â€

[Asfaloth]

Burrich's morning started much as any other, with a workout and chores at the inn. Now he made his way to the edge of the lake to meet John. As usual Storm hunter trotted alongside him, happy as ever to be coming down to the water's edge. Burrich couldn't help but smile. Sometimes he thought the giant silver wolf should have been born a fish he enjoyed the water so much. Not that he could blame Storm, Burrich loved the water just as much.

 

Soon enough he found John sitting at the water's edge. As he neared them John stood to greet him and Quickening ran off into the woods. Where could he be off to? "Good morning Burrich I hope you have studied the herb lessons Miryana has given you as well as you have studied the axes. You are to find me four herbs. Blue Goatflower, Flatwort, Foxtail and Gheandin blossom."

 

Oh geez, did it have to be those four? Of all the herbs Miryanna had shown and described for him, those were the only four he had yet to see in the wild. "Lead on my student and if you are successful by tonight we will be sharing a drink at the inn and I will be calling you Wolfbrother."

 

"I hope I don't let you down. I'll be honest sir, I've actually never found those herbs out in the wild. But then, I imagine you know that. Very well, I have a good idea where to start at least."

 

He did indeed know where each of these herbs was supposed to be located. Rather, he knew the types of soil they prefeerred and other plants that usually grew nearby. For instance, he knew that Gheandin Blossom grew underwater. Since he was already he at the lake he thought going after that one now but decided to wait since the water would be so refreshing after searching for the others. So instead he set out toward the nearby mountains to find the Goatflower that grew in the heights, right at the tree-line.

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Over three hours later Burrich had finally collected a sample of goatflower and was trying to remember where Miryanna had said the other two herbs could be found. Goatflower had been easy to remember as it grew in areas where only goats would go naturally, but what about the others?

 

And that was when he remembered. Foxtail grew in caves. There were lots of caves Burrich knew of in this area, at the foot of the mountains, but it wouldn't be that easy. From what he was told this herb only grew in caves that were in the middle of dense forest, usually removed from any other rock formations. He knew of no caves like that in the area, but he did know someone who might.

 

"Storm, do you know of any caves in the forest near here? Large caves, without any other rocks nerby?"

 

"Yes, Mountain, I think I do. I found a nice cave, such as you describe, just yesterday. While you were swinging your axes at John all day I was chasing a plump little rabbit through just such a cave. Follow me Cub and I'll show you where it was."

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An hour and a half later Burrich finally caught up to Storm. It was a good thing he'd spent so much time training with John on wilderness survival or he never would have found his way there. The foxtail he was looking for was way in the back of the cave. It took him nearly half an hour to work his way through the twisting corridors, searching the ground all the way.

 

He found it, growing all alone in a dark crevice of the back wall. When he got back out he handed it to John, "Two down, two to go. I believe the Flatwort will be found under a rock on the opposite shore of the lake from where we started today. You really had the whole day in mind when you chose those herbs didn't you?"

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The Flatwort was right where he thought it would be, but it still took fifteen minutes or more of turning rocks over before he found it. He handed that one over to John and then stripped down to just his leggings and swam out nearly a hundred yards into the lake. The water was indeed refreshing and he took his time getting out there.

 

Once he'd swum past the vegetation that grew on the surface near the shore he kept swimming until the water cleared enough he could almost see the bottom. He knew from experience that the lake was a good twenty feet or more deep here but he didn't hesitate to dive down and search. Gheandin Blossom grew on the bottom of the lake bed but required a lot of sunlight so he'd known he'd have to swim out to the clear area to find any.

 

He was almost out of breath when he finally saw some out of the corner of his eye. He knew he'd never make it so he surfaced, took a deeper breath, and went back down.

 

"Here you are John, all four herbs and it only took me six hours."