Legends of Belariath

Tsutla

My name is Tsutla and I am a vulpine of the forest tribe. I am a follower of Gaea and the White Lady. My birth, like that of all vulpine births was a gift from the Lady. My father's name is Lucis, and my mother's name is Karli. Both my parents when I was a young girl, agreed it would be best for me to be a servant of Tymarist, our tribe's Shaman.

At the start of my thirteenth year I was given to the Shaman by my parents. Having expected this I looked to it as a way to further both my physical and spiritual training. tihs also provided me with a greater look into myself and what would be my path in this life. But, this is not the true focus of my story. i was bron without a tail, one of few in my village. My tail was given to me by the Lady as a sign of approval and courage.

I recieved my tail th ewinter of my seventeeth year as a sign of thanks for saving one of her Shaman's as well as a sign of my courage. What did I do you might be askin, that is the true purpose of my sotry...to tell of the events that got me my tail and my freedom from Tymarist.

~~

The snows had come early that winter and Master Tymarist and I had gone for our seasonal hiking and traveling through the woods that surrounded our village. One day while the sun was still high in the sky we went for a walk amongst the trees hunting the small game tha tstill braved the powdery snows to feed and frolic. We were quite possibly six days travel from our village. Our main camp had been within a cave about half a day's travel from where we currently were.

The better part of the day had been spent hunting, we'd killed two wild hares, and several game birds. On our way back to the cave shortly beyond the midday mark, we were ambushed by a group of barbarians. Their anger directed toward my Master, because he had refused to bring back to life their brother when he died the previous winter. ”Oh look what we've got here boys. Two lives for the revenge ov one.” The words stopped both Master and I cold. “Don't move little one.” Master murmured, and I had no intention of going against that command.

”Ah, Tymarist. I see you are trying to protect your slut. Too bad it won't work.” Algari's voice rang through the silence of the forest as the six foot four inch man stepped into view from behind one of his brothers.

”Algari.” Master's voice was deathly calm as he spoke the barbarian's name. “She has nothing to do with this, so spare her life and let us handle this as men.” He kept his hand curled about mine as he spoke to Algari. I hoped taht this man would leave both Master and I alone, but I doubted it would happen.

”Perhaps Tymarist, I will grant your request or perhaps I wil llet my men have huse of her body while you watch and then make her watch as I take your life.” Algari glanced at me, evil glinting in his eyes. ”I like that idea better than yours Tymarist. now, where to start.”

Four men against Master and I, the odds were not in our favor this day, but Master and I would beat the odds. The hardest one to kill of course was Algari, and it was I who delivered the killing blow just as he stood over Master's body ready to take Master's head. A well aimed throw of my hunting knife, I pierced Algari's heart and he dropped, sent into the afterlife to join his brother.

Battered, bloodied, cold and worn I dragged Master back to the cave, cleaned and bandaged his wounds before I even thought about tending to my own. I prepared a simple dinner for myself, one of the hares was good enough along with some vegetables and dried fruits that he and I had packed.

Master remained unconcious for two days wrapped beneath layers of furs and cloaks and kept as close to the fire as I would dare keep him. Finally as night fell on the third day Master stirred. “Tsutla? Are you there?” His voice ragged, and barely above a whisper, hardly heard over the roar of the fire that blazed lighting and warming the cave.

”Yes Master. I am here, I haven't left your side for nearly three days. I was worried that you weren't ever going to wake up.” I leaned down and nuzzled him lightly, pressing feather light kisses along his face and finally against his lips.

”You worry too much little one. now, we need to get home, because I've news to give the villag, and a ceremony to perform.” I'd no idea of what news it was that Master had to impart, or what ceremony needed to be performed. My body had blocked most of that bloody day from my mind, and I'd hardly recalled the actions that had brought about the end of the fight.

Quick work was made by me to close up our camp, and supporting Master he and I made our way back home to the village. The trip was made in half the time, how, perhaps aid from both Gaea and the Lady, to make sure that we arrived home so that the healer's could tend to both of us, make sure that nothing was still amiss. Master was tended to first, then I.

Finally, the entire village gathered before Master's home and listened as he recounted the events that had transpired to cut short our normally three week hunting and renewal retreat within the woods. Knowledge flooded back to me as I listened to the events retold, commendations were given to me along with praise from the villagers for my bravery.

Once spring had dawned upon the land, it was time for a ceremony. I recieved my tail on the equinox, and it was also then that Master and I had one of our final heart to hearts. He said it was time that I recieve my freedom and start thinking of where I would go on my own. I was afraid, never having been on my own, I didn't think I would be able to survive. Yet, I knew that if Master thought I would be alright, then I would indeed be alright.

~~

I stayed with Master for another full cycle of the seasons, and the following spring, his collar was removed from my neck. With all the blessings of the village, the Lady, and Gaea I was sent on my way with coin in my pocket and food in my pack.

Six months I wandered, stopping in various towns and making camp in the forests just surrounding them, only venturing in to find more coin or trade the pelts of animals I had killed within the forest for my own survival. Finally, I reached the town of Nanthalion, and it would be here, that my life would take on meaning again.

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