Rohdles Past

[tesarikfive]

It wasn't easy to find the right place to put a house. First, you had to find a game trail that went close enough to a cluster of trees to make hunting for food and skins less of a hassle, then you needed to find a tree large enough to not only get high enough that your scent didn't carry down to frighten off the game as well as allow you to see the stars above through the canopy of the trees. Then, it needed to be thick enough and sturdy enough that one could also dig out the center without killing the tree, or compromising it's structure. It took him nearly three days of searching before that tree that he needed. When it was finally found that Elf went to work quickly, using the smaller tree's in the area and chopping them down to pile up a large stack of wood nearly ten foot tall just next to the great oak that he had picked as his new home. Working deep into the night to cut that wood to the proper sizes Rohdle sighed out, his body drenched in sweat, his hair a mess with leaves, bark, and dirt that came from that work. The sun had set nearly five hours before and the sounds of the forest loud in those elven ears. With no more energy to continue on he climbed high into the tree and lay out a small bedding that he had brought with him on his travels. Pressing his feet against the base of the tree he drew a blanket over his tired body as he shifted to get just a little more comfortable there so he could rest and finish the job come the next day.

"Rohdle! ROHDLE! Put down that sword right this instant! You're going to cut yourself!" The sound of his mothers beautiful voice echoed in that dream of his. Softly pointed elven ears twitched as the young boy cringed, dropping the sword instantly onto the ground just in front of his feet. Turning around he smiled ever so softly up to his mother and looked right into her deep green eyes as he tried to see just how upset she was. "But my most beautiful and loving mother. I want to learn how to use a sword and protect our people." Even at a young age Rohdle knew just what he wanted from life. He wanted to be a man that protected his friends and family from harm. To put down his life just to make sure that no others that he cared for would have to. It wasn't some divine calling, or noble code that made him want to do it, it was his love for his people and the land they lived on. "It has been decided. You will attend Maernthym Academy. You leave in the morning." The voice of his father came from the doorway behind him, making poor little Rohdle jump again from the sudden presence. A wide, almost beaming smile came from the boy when he heard the words of his father and what that meant. Jumping quickly to his father he embraced him in a big hug. "Thank you father! I will do all that I can to become the best sword master that I can!"

A sudden jolt woke him as a squirrel ran over his body, bouncing off his chest and legs before it scampered its way up the tree higher, the sun had already risen and Rohdle groaned out when he nearly fell right off that branch. Ugh, he needed a bath, but first he needed to at least get some form of shelter built.

[tesarikfive]

The day went quickly as the sun rose higher into the sky, disappearing behind the canopy of trees high above his head. He had chosen a spot that let in minimal sunlight, wanting to keep it dim to better hunt and scout without having the fear of sunlight hitting his eye to distract his shot. Thin beams of white broke through the cover of leaves all around him to hit the ground, as if they were marking just where the next flower would bloom, or the last had died. "Almost finished with the starting shelter. That will suffice for the day." He gave himself a firm nod of the head as he looked up into the tree nearly forty foot high. That flooring of his home just starting to come together as walls and a roof were nearly finished as well for what would be his bedroom tonight, but later become a storage place for him to fill with dry goods. Strapping a few small logs to his back he started climbing, pulling himself upward and onward, each pull of his body sending new images into his mind. Lips curling upwards into a soft and simple smile, remembering his youth ever more. As if that simple act would be enough to clear his mind.

"The art of the Bladedancer is not one of brute strenght. You must have agility, intelligence, and a second sense that will drive you through battle to protect yourself, and others. Tomorrow you will start your training, today you will test your skill to prove your worth being here, and tell your instructors where you will be placed." The sound of the elder elf's voice was almost like a song being sun to Rohdle's ears. Everything that he said caused the young elf to smile with pride for being accepted into the school, and he'd not even made his first lesson yet. Waiting his turn he watched each of the young men go before him, battling with one another using wooden swords crafted and weighted to mimic that of a real sword. Those forest green hues of his studied each one while they took their turns, attempting to learn everything that he could as quickly as he could from what they did. Moves that were made, and what seemed to work and what didn't. When it was his turn he gave the head instructor a small no of his head and stepped into the large circle and took up a pair of those training swords. Getting an idea of their weight he twirled them slowly in his hands, shifting them just a little before he looked over to see who his opponent would be. Another young elf it seemed, looking to be much the same age really.

Just as his memory was about to continue there was a sudden and rough thump against the base of the tree just as he was getting to the floor of his soon to be home. Looking down he saw just what it was, a large bear had wanted to scratch it's back on the tree and had slammed itself into it before it rubbed that itch right out of it's hairy back. Smiling a little to the thought and sight of that he pulled himself up, setting to place the logs right where they needed to be before he filled the small gaps with a mixture of mud and powdered stone, made to harden and reinforce the home, as well as keeping it in place and the elements out.