Communion with the Spirits
Posted: Mon May 22, 2017 2:12 am
A man, chest bare, sat inside a circle of stone, deep in the forest. At the centre, a fire with roasting meat. Herbs and spices creating an alluring scent for creatures and spirits alike. The remains of the freshly hunted stag were nearby.
"Beast of the wild, grow beyon' your earthly body and watch over the lands. Accept this offerin', rest among the forest an' go in peace."
He inhaled deeply through his nose, hoping the spirit of the deceased animal accepted his offering and moved on to protect the land. With that done, it was time to call out to the more powerful beings of the forest. The meat, once roasted properly, was removed from the fire and cut into slices. Freshly cooked, it would attract any passing creature, but the otherwordly presence accompanying the warrior - that of a mighty bear spirit - mostly kept them at bay. The meat was carefully placed in a clay plate, with a large bowl of fresh water in the middle of it. The plate sat on a small mound of fertile earth.
The Rashemi slowly stood up, everything was ready. He threw a handful of dirt over the fire, extinguishing it. Moving away from the circle of stones, he went to kneel down at a certain distance, waiting. Whatever could be seen of the moon beyond the canopy indicated that it was close to the middle of the night. A dangerous time to be out, but it was usual for the powerfully built man.
He waited, and waited...and waited. Then the rustling of leaves caught his attention. The wind ? No. He opened his eyes and made his way back to the circle of stones. There it was, the plate licked clean. The bowl of water emptied, toppled to the side. His offering had been accepted by the forest.
"Spirits! I call to you, I am kinsman to Bran of Rashemen. Here was my offerin', if it be worthy, I wish to speak with you!"
Time passed, no answer came, until he felt a presence behind him. His nosetrils flared and his eyes grew wide. It was no spirit. He spun on his heels only to feel sharp claws enter his skin, slashing across his chest, then a hit...a punch, a kick ? He felt his breath cut short as he was thrown backwards, painfully coming in contact with the ground. The creature, an old, shriveled woman loomed over him. He tried to trip her with his leg, but she did naught but cackle. Such was a Hag's uncanny strength.
His feet were now dangling above the ground, he had difficulty breathing as the Hag had him by the neck, her claws pressing against his skin. His eyes rolled to the back of his head, his vision narrowing...the creature would have her way then eat him alive. That is, if he did not share his life with that of a bear spirit. The blood in his veins boiled, his bones began to crack as his entire shape changed, as the spirit and the man merged...
*****************************
"Is this your test ?!" The words resonated through the forest. Ralmevik stood victorious, holding the head of the Hag in his hand, waving it around. He was, of course, still bleeding from the wound on his chest, but he had to try to speak with the spirits -- easier said than done, as this was not Rashemen.
He stood in silence, his blood dripping on the ground, waiting for an answer... if a kinsman had truly been killed, he would find the responsible party and he would deliver justice. The spirits might offer guidance in this quest.
"Beast of the wild, grow beyon' your earthly body and watch over the lands. Accept this offerin', rest among the forest an' go in peace."
He inhaled deeply through his nose, hoping the spirit of the deceased animal accepted his offering and moved on to protect the land. With that done, it was time to call out to the more powerful beings of the forest. The meat, once roasted properly, was removed from the fire and cut into slices. Freshly cooked, it would attract any passing creature, but the otherwordly presence accompanying the warrior - that of a mighty bear spirit - mostly kept them at bay. The meat was carefully placed in a clay plate, with a large bowl of fresh water in the middle of it. The plate sat on a small mound of fertile earth.
The Rashemi slowly stood up, everything was ready. He threw a handful of dirt over the fire, extinguishing it. Moving away from the circle of stones, he went to kneel down at a certain distance, waiting. Whatever could be seen of the moon beyond the canopy indicated that it was close to the middle of the night. A dangerous time to be out, but it was usual for the powerfully built man.
He waited, and waited...and waited. Then the rustling of leaves caught his attention. The wind ? No. He opened his eyes and made his way back to the circle of stones. There it was, the plate licked clean. The bowl of water emptied, toppled to the side. His offering had been accepted by the forest.
"Spirits! I call to you, I am kinsman to Bran of Rashemen. Here was my offerin', if it be worthy, I wish to speak with you!"
Time passed, no answer came, until he felt a presence behind him. His nosetrils flared and his eyes grew wide. It was no spirit. He spun on his heels only to feel sharp claws enter his skin, slashing across his chest, then a hit...a punch, a kick ? He felt his breath cut short as he was thrown backwards, painfully coming in contact with the ground. The creature, an old, shriveled woman loomed over him. He tried to trip her with his leg, but she did naught but cackle. Such was a Hag's uncanny strength.
His feet were now dangling above the ground, he had difficulty breathing as the Hag had him by the neck, her claws pressing against his skin. His eyes rolled to the back of his head, his vision narrowing...the creature would have her way then eat him alive. That is, if he did not share his life with that of a bear spirit. The blood in his veins boiled, his bones began to crack as his entire shape changed, as the spirit and the man merged...
*****************************
"Is this your test ?!" The words resonated through the forest. Ralmevik stood victorious, holding the head of the Hag in his hand, waving it around. He was, of course, still bleeding from the wound on his chest, but he had to try to speak with the spirits -- easier said than done, as this was not Rashemen.
He stood in silence, his blood dripping on the ground, waiting for an answer... if a kinsman had truly been killed, he would find the responsible party and he would deliver justice. The spirits might offer guidance in this quest.