***
“Do you have everything you need?” Halivik asked.
“Yes, father,” Stenhelt replied, “but the point was not to bring much.” He stood patiently in place while his mother once again fussed with his pouches and the knapsack on his back. There was no stopping her fretting, so he didn’t try.
The family stood in front of their home under the shade of colorful autumn leaves. Sten was anxious to be on his way, but farewells had to be said. Soon, though, he would meet with Chohla and finally learn a high sigil. The wise herbalist said it involved a journey, and that they’d be gone for some time. Sten never spoke of Chohla to his family; he felt that the wanderer preferred not to have his name or activities passed around.
“We tested the new bow and stonewood arrows yesterday,” Tullgar said. “The balance was good. Right, Sten?”
“Yes, Tull,” he answered with a light smile and a pat on his brother’s thick arm. “The pull is perfect, and the new spear is your best yet. I’m proud to have them, thank you.”
“Will you be back by spring?” Irisella asked as she helped pull his wood cur poncho back into place while their mother continued to adjust pouch straps.
“If only for you, Iri,” he said with a wink, causing her to grin.
“I still don’t understand this,” Baraide grumbled as she tightened the knots on the gear. “Why do you have to venture out for so long? You’re often gone on hunting trips for days at a time; why isn’t that enough? We don’t even know where you’re going!”
“Calm yourself, Bara,” Halivik said evenly. “We knew days like this would come. Tull has his own home now, Sten is becoming a man, and Iri is sprouting like a spring flower. Our children are growing up.”
“I’m well aware, Hal,” Baraide said with an annoyed tone. “I simply don’t see how wandering off for moons – or nigh on a season or more – equals some rite of passage into manhood!” She turned to her husband. “You felt no need to run off into the wild as far as I know, nor did Tull.”
"Truth be told, Bara," Halivik gently countered, "I did that very thing. Before I came back to Raudeen to marry you, my father let me trek off deep into the Cragwood. He and my uncle finished building our home as their gift."
She glared at him, and then asked with a dangerously calm voice, "You ventured off alone into the Cragwood? And you saw fit to never once mention it to me?"
Halivik stared back into his wife's angry blue eyes. "I had no cause to speak of it until now. It was a fine journey. I followed Scroll Creek to the southwestern Skean Peaks, and up into them. From a crest, I saw the Hungry Sea in the distance - a sight that few have beheld. I returned healthy and glad for the trek. I wish the same for Stenhelt, wherever he chooses to go. And don't try to pull Tull into this, Bara; he has little interest to hike and hunt."
Knowing the battle was lost on that front, Baraide looked back at her second son. “The winter will arrive soon, Sten," she said with a different tactic in mind. "If you must venture off, wait a while. Didn’t Annori ask the same of you?”
Sten frowned and shook his head. Annori understood less than his mother did. Two days before, the young couple went to a place next to Scroll Creek where Sten intended to build a home of his own. He and Annori ate a meal and had energetic sex. Afterwards, he again brought up the topic of taking an extended trip, and confirmed he was going. She eventually accused him of not caring for her, storming off before he could deny that claim.
“I’m leaving this morning, mother,” he gently said. “I have some supplies gathered for my home, and plan on building it when I return. Tull promised to gather more rocks while I’m gone. At the Vale Fest in the spring, I’ll offer to share my home with Annori... if she’ll still have me.”
“Don’t you worry, son,” Halivik said with a light tone. “She’ll be waiting for you.”
“How can you know that?” Baraide sternly asked. An angry scowl was her husband’s reply.
“I – I have to go cut back my roof sod,” Tull said timidly in the ensuing silence. “Iri, would you come help me?” Both of Stenhelt’s siblings embraced him and then walked off.
“If you must go, then return safely and soon,” Baraide said to her son. “Use what your father and Lady Krin taught you.” She kissed him on cheek before hurrying back inside.
Halivik stepped up to Sten with a grin. “Women worry,” he said. “Sometimes all you can do is strap yourself to a tree and wait out the storm.” Without another word, he shook his son’s hand and then went back to chopping wood.