Rue raised her eyebrows in surprise at Venom's remark about never meeting a healer.
"Really? I met quite a few during my travels, they taught me how to heal others besides myself. And no, I never have thought about teaching. I wouldn't even know where to begin!"
Although she told this to Venom, it was not entirely true. She had thought about teaching others to heal, but she knew she wouldn't be able to. When her mother was still around, she used to teach a class at the academy in their town about healing magic. After her disappearance, however, the teacher was replaced with an abysmal man who could not compare to her mother's knowledge. Ever since then, Rue knew she could never be the one to pass on her mother's techniques - it would be up to her other students. Pushing these thoughts to the back of her mind, Rue said to Venom,
"If you're interested in healing, I'm sure there's others in Wistvale more qualified to teach. Although I've never met him, I know there's a doctor in town you could speak to."
Post by John Harding on Sept 18, 2011 8:34:54 GMT -5
Jonah's heart sunk a little at Rue's admission and he sighed.
That's a real shame. I was hoping you could show me some basic healing techniques. After what happened to my friend I...I thought it might be time to learn.
The tribesman looked away from Rue and Venom.
I'm not too proud to admit that, although I may have come across as brave in the tavern I...I felt so helpless...and I don't want to be in that position again.
Where I come from, all we ever knew about was death and how to bring it to others. There was no such thing as healing. What didn't kill someone only made him stronger. That was our code, "Kill or be killed." The weak did not deserve to live. Since I left my home, I see that my people were wrong.
Jonah here seems like the perfect person you could try and see if you'd make a great teacher some day. At least the basics wouldn't hurt.
Venom walked and placed a hand on Jonah's shoulder.
If you do not want to be in that position again, you should also think about joining the Guards to protect people from such pain. I am sorry about your friend.
Rue look at Jonah and said reassuringly, "You did all you could to help your friend. He was beyond anyone's help. We all feel helpless sometimes, and sometimes we are. But don't let that scare you."
She then looked away from him, down into the river, watching it flow downhill, thinking about her mother.
"If I could teach, I would. But... I can't. I just can't."
Looking back up at Venom and Jonah, she smiled. "Venom's right. If you're on the guard, Jonah, you could protect people. Keep them safe."
Post by John Harding on Sept 18, 2011 16:34:48 GMT -5
Jonah turned back to the others and smiled, faintly.
Thanks but...as much as I admire the courage and loyalty of those who enlist in the guarding of Wistvale's people, I cannot join them. I am - and always have been - a free spirit. I would find being on the town guard too restricting and...and I don't ask for reward or promotion in return for the help I give.
Miss Rue, if you cannot teach me what you know of healing then...I fully understand and I will not hold it against you. It's ok.
He smiled again, just for her - his bright green eyes showing no sign of resentment.
Rue laughed understandingly at Jonah's rejection of joining the guard, sharing his desire to be free.
"Yes, living with no restrictions is the much simpler way to live. And thank you for understanding," she said, returning the smile. "As for learning to hunt, whilst living on my own, I needed to learn how to protect and collect food for myself when I was traveling in the woods. I came across a man who was out hunting one day and he taught me how to fashion my own bow and arrows, and from there I just taught myself how to shoot. I suppose practicing with live animals is a good way to learn," she said with a grin. "Fellow hunter, you said? Where did you learn, then?"
Post by John Harding on Sept 19, 2011 6:29:55 GMT -5
Jonah invited Rue to sit with him before telling his story.
The tribe I was born into - the Akaiya - was once just a small group of wandering humans that moved from place to place out in the Yonderlands; they were lost and found themselves without purpose. They knew how to survive but they wanted more. They wanted to gain knowledge and wisdom of all things, to become better people.
Many years past before they came to a place where they heard tales of a hidden valley that was home to a legendary species; wise folk who were well versed in the natural world...amongst other things. The Akaiyan people grew excited and took it upon themselves to seek out this elusive species, spending months searching for the concealed valley. But there were many valleys in the area and eventually the wandering tribe gave up, no longer content on travelling, and choose to settle down in the picturesque land they had been exploring.
Several weeks had gone by when one morning a lone figure emerged from the surrounding woodland; an unarmed man, dressed in purple robes, with all the features of a fox - furred skin, whiskered muzzle, pointed ears, paw-like hands and feet. The tribe froze as the fox-man spoke, introducing himself as Farroh of the Vulkurian people. He came in peace and, after a number of visits and talks around the camp fire, agreed to take on the role of teacher to the tribe. He never spoke of his own people - where they were living, or if he was the only one left of his kind - but he quickly became much loved amongst the Akaiyans. Despite their failure in finding the hidden valley they'd originally come in search of, they chose to name their home The Vulkurian Valley.
Then I was born a few decades later and ever since I could walk, Master Farroh taught me almost everything I know - climbing trees without falling, swimming without being lost to the current of the river, hunting without upsetting the balance of nature. He taught me to care for others and to help those in need.
Jonah paused and gave a distant smile, caught up in the revery of it all.
Venom grinned. He was also taught to be one with the wild, but in a different way. He remained quiet, hoping to get to know them better by just listening and also in hopes that they would not ask him anything.
Rue listened carefully to Jonah's story, interested in the history of his people and how he was raised.
"I've never met any tribespeople before, you seem like quite an interesting people. As much as I would like to hear more, however, the middle of the woods in not the place to talk. Care to join me on a hunt?" She looked at Venom - she could tell he did not wish to speak up. "That, my friend, is something I can teach you to do," she said with a smile. "If you'd care to join me."
Venom knew very well how to hunt, although he could for food he was taught to hunt something else. He never really needed to hunt for food. There was another way he would get it. Venom nodded with a smile.
The group headed off downwind--so the animals would not be able to smell them. Deer, squirrels, skunks, bears, varying assortments of birds, rabbits and other rodents, foxes and other small woodland animals--along with rumors of flarb sightings, these were the creature that Rue and Jonah knew lived in the area. Vemon knew that they were more likely to run across a band a goblins than a flarb. Flarbs are all but extinct now.
Last Edit: Sept 20, 2011 15:53:46 GMT -5 by Legault