Jarl's Second (Council Member)

.....CASCA

A brief summary of the years leading up to My arrival in the Fjord.

Several years before the sack of Turia, and the crowning of Kamchak the Tuchuk as Ubar-san a set of male twins were born into the household of Muragan and Aleatha...the second sons. The youngest children..also having an older sister..they followed the eldest by 8 seasons..the sister by four. The brother, already a fine rider and master of the bow was named Nwachaku, and strived to earn a place among the ranks of His brethren where Our father was a Commander of a Hundred. My sister My mother named Leesha as she was female and needed not to earn a name. An early memory of mine is wandering off from the wagon..through a bosk herd..making My way through the large beasts..My mother and sister were tanning hides and did not miss me right away..I remember giggling as I heard My mother call..thinking it great sport to hide from her. I later didn't feel the situation humourous as she switched me back to the wagon. I think my third or fourth summer had past. It was during that time that Kataii raided Paravaci and during the raid my twin was taken. It would be years before our paths would cross again. Years passed as I played cork and quiva or shot arrows through thrown loops with friends. Also, riding bareback among the bosk herds watching the animals my father owned, some several hundred marked with both Paravaci and his personal brand. Sometimes my brother would ride out and we would ride across the plains. But this was seldom for He had reached his fifteenth year and had earned his courage scar by sneaking alone into a Turian caravan and stealing a slave bound for Ar..This He presented to my Father who in turn presented it to Solnus..Commander of a Thousand and my Father's Commander...My brother was scarred the next day. Our family was very proud and Nwachaku joined the ranks of my Father's hundred. Four days later I was practicing with the quiva...my favourite and best weapon. I was still what I considered a bit heavy handed with the lance but two weeks before had brought down a tulmit with an excellent cast of a bola. The quiva I was throwing were of Turain make..not quite the quality of Ar but good just the same. I could hit a six hort diameter circle consistantly from twenty paces and hit a thrown topspit nine out of ten times solidly..the tenth at least cutting the fruit. My father had walked up behind Me as I cast again. The sun was setting and I would have to stop soon..the bosk had already been grouped for the night and I had sought to practice a bit. Hearing the quiva thunk solidly into the wood I grinned a bit..then turned sensing a presence. Seeing my father I smiled..While he was often busy with community things he still made time for family and tried never to exclude Me the youngest..He walked toward me wearing that I have something up my sleeve grin. "Son"..he said as he stopped in front of me. "Father" I smiled "Have the axles been greased" he asked. "Aye Father" "The bosk tended?" he asked. "Aye Father" I replied "Your quiva sharp?" "One tries to keep them that way" I said with a smile. He then took a step closer and placed his hands on my shoulders. I looked up to meet his eyes. How big he seemed. "That is good my son" he said.."Well done.....CASCA" He then turned and walked away..my knees almost buckled and I wanted to shout to the moons....I had a name. I had just passed My eighth winter.

A year later or so was the year of turmoil. The year was when Turia was sacked by the Ubar-san Kamchak..the time when the Paravaci took the side of the walled urts and turned on the People. This was done unknowingly..being fed lies by the Ubar. I remember hearing my father and Solnus arguing ..neither knowing why they rode against the Tuchuk. What evil had they done that the Paravaci were commanded to kill bosk? But loyalty won out and they rode...believing the Ubar had a good reason. He did...greed. The Paravaci learned a great lesson that day. None of the People were greater than the other. The balance must be kept. My father was killed in the Tuchuk encampment...caught between the combined forces of the Kataii and Kassar..who also sent parties to our Camp. I killed two Kataii and one Kassar protecting the wagon and my mother and sister. I remember four Kassar riding up to the wagon..bows drawn. And stopped in front of the ten year old boy who stood his ground with shield and quiva. At my feet lay the bodies of the three I had slain. One Kassar rode closer and I readied myself. He looked to me...then at the bodies, then at the wagon. His gaze returned to me. "What is in the wagon boy?" he asked. His kaiila pawed the earth. "My mother and sister" I said..it being the truth. He nodded..then pointed at the bodies. "Did you do this?" "Aye".I replied "Why" He asked. "To protect My family" I said. He looked hard at me then nodded. He then backed his kaiila back to the other four. They conferenced a ehn and three rode off leaving the one who had spoke. He turned to me again and thrust his lance into the ground..placing a yellow cloth upon it. "You fight well little Brother" he said."Your wagon is spared"..He then turned the beast and with a cry rode off. My body trembled as I heard shouts and screams in the distance. I prayed to the Sky for the return of my father and brother. It would grant me one.

The time of recovery. The years that followed. The losses for our people. Forced to buy back the slaves and bosk that were once ours from Kataii and Kassar..but the lesson was learned. None is greater than the People. My brother returned, wounded, but proud. For although He fought for the wrong reason..he fought well. The Ubar was dead..fallen victem to his schemes. Solnus was appointed Ubar..a good choice I think. But all had taken its toll and the Paravaci became tentitive..almost timid in their ways. Afraid to offend..ashamed of what had occured. It was at this time I chose to leave. I had earned the courage scar in defense of my Camp and the scars shone red upon My face. My brother took his place as head of the household and my sister married a friend of his called Tolnuk. I had developed a wanderlust due to the apathy of the camp and at sixteen summers left the plains to see what else was out there.

I rode north...passing Turia. Once I ran across a caravan that turned and ran at my approach so fresh in their memory was the sacking of Turia. I left Turia behind and for an entire year moved slowly north..taking in the country around Me. The further north I travelled the less feared I became and turned into somewhat of a curiousity. Caravans would welcome this lone rider..wanting to hear stories of the fabled Wagon People and the plains. For a simple demonstration of the art of throwing a quiva I would be fed and sometimes even allowed the use of a slave. I learned respect for the Rarii who treated Me as an equal. Respect though they were not of the People..and equal though I was still but a pup. And to hear the first time a slave called me Master..a most remarkable experience.

I continued north till I reached the Vosk. By now I had almost reached my eighteenth year and the trail and travel had made me lean and hard. Seldom did I war with others though. I think I represented a poor target to some and others probably did not know what to make of this lone Paravaci so far from the Plains. With the little I had upon me I followed the Vosk upriver..passing the the towns that dotted its banks. I passed through Point Alfred and Tafa..through Iskander and Fina...finally ending up in Port Victoria. There I met up with a young warrior called Laramus. A year older than me he took an immediate liking to me due to his continuing fascination with anything new. I was surely new to the likes in the town. I remember the glances and looks as I swaggered through town in my leathers with scarred visage. I think Laramus enjoyed it more than I. A friendship was struck and he taught me the sword while I taught him the quiva. I must say that he learned quicker than I. I had a tendency to hold a sword like a axle wrench. But the times spent learning were pleasant enough and I learned the rudiments of Gorean swordplay. Laramus on his doing finessed me a position among the guardsmen of the town. Although it didnt pay much to guard the docks from thieves it did allow me to see all various sorts of people that would ply the river for trade. From merchants to pirates...Freewomen to slaves..from Torvaldsland to Ar...all seemed to pass by at one time. Laramus and I shared quarters above a paga den in the east quarter..not far from the docks. Not much sleep did we get I must say choosing to spend a large quantity of our time and wages in the Tavern. We soon became favourites of Sauripidous, the owner. He saw it good to have us there..not only spending money but helping to keep the peace..us being of the Guard. The slaves too I think enjoyed us there as we were young and handsome fellows..especially me with my unique scars. Quite striking. This life went on for some time and except for some minor infractions or fights there was nothing much to speak of. If not for my friendship with Laramus I think I might have left but he was born on the river and whenever I spoke of traveling elsewhere he would find someway to talk me out of it..usually with paga and a slave or two.

Then the War came. I have no real experience of it. The battles occured much upon the waters and having no experience with such stayed to protect the port. But Laramus went. I have no regrets to think of not going as I feel my inexperience would have hindered rather than helped. Of course I did not know at the time that I would not see Laramus again. I remember seeing the ships pull in from the river from the battles..the smashed decks, the scarred railings, the blood washed wood. I remember Callimachus and the one called Jason coming in victorious over the Voskjard and Policrates and their pirate fleets. Laramus never came..I suspect he died in one of the many fierce battles fought on that river. And I am sure he died well. I then had no reason to stay. I felt the pull of the plains upon my heart as Laramus did the river. So packing what little I had ..accumulating little over the years and taking the money I had managed to save I took the box Laramus kept his savings in and went downstairs to the Tavern. Sauripidous was polishing the bar and looked up when I set the box down. I recall him looking a bit sad I think.
"Use this to buy drinks for all those who fought"I said."Laramus would want it".
Sauripidous simply took the box and nodded..his eyes seemed to mist a bit. "Be Well in your travels Casca," he said.
"I will,"I said with a smile.
Then with one last look around I walked out the door. I seem to remember a few farewells from the slaves that were cleaning around the tavern, but I was fearful to stop to see. It seems there was something in my eye and I felt some fresh air would do me good. A freshly purchased kaiila waited outside and I quickly mounting..feeling immediately at home in the saddle that I had first traveled in so many years ago.. While the kaiila was not the best..in fact would be little more than a pack kaiila among the People..it would get me where I was going. I traveled out of town seeing the so familiar sights and turned south. After ten years I was heading Home. Again the journey was slow..I taking my time. I practiced every day with the bola and lance having grown sloppy after years of dissuse. The quiva I still handled well having practiced and used frequently. I soon became better and was able to handle the weapons to my satisfaction. Twice I met up with caravans heading south toward Turia and was accepted as a guard..they feeling having one of the People in their retinue would help disuade raiders. I chose not to tell them otherwise. I still accepted these positions graciously for I knew the closer to Turia I came the less frequent this would happen and I wished to have a few coins in my pouch. Once I even met up with a bold merchant who traveled lightly with only one guard and two slaves. I soon taught him the error of his ways as the raider instincts of my people took over and I quickly slew the guard who I think was surprised at my audacity and left the merchant tied to the wheel of his cart..stripped. The guards kaiila was much better than my own and I traded as he had no use of it and packed the goods of the wagon upon the back of mine and the merchants. I then killed the bosk that pulled the wagon and offered its heart to the Sky in thanks for this gift..a good omen. While I cooked the meat of the bosk I enjoyed the favors of the slaves..their names being via and sadia. After a day or so I smoked enough meat to last a while and then continued south..setting the merchant free to wander the plains and burning the cart. The slaves walked beside my kaiila as I traveled.

The next weeks were pleasant and I came across another caravan coming from Turia this time. Approaching it cautiously as it was much more heavily guarded I made my intentions known and soon parted with the slaves..collecting four silver tarsks for my trouble. I then quickly resumed my journey. I had noticed the hard and suspicious looks from the guards and while enjoying their discomfort did not want to press my luck. I passed Turia several months later and set foot once more upon the Plains of the Wagon People. I dismounted and knelt in the tall grass..spreading my arms wide to the welcoming Sky..elation filling me as I found myself home. I found things changed..old camps gone..new alliances formed...but still I sought Paravaci. I entered a camp where stood the standard of the bosk head..made of gold and jewels. I learned that honour had once again been restored to the Paravaci..They once again rode with pride across the Plains. I found myself welcomed to what had been my home so many years before. I found Home.

There was time of rejoicing for me. The Paravaci thrived again on the plains and life was good. Though I had to get used to the changes I saw I soon thrived and was given a position of honour; Commander. I took to the position readily and did my upmost to help others learn the ways of the plains. I meet my Brother and twin Takan.~laughing~ It seems he was given to a merchant who adopted him but the old ways bred into him were hard to shake and he ended up in Port Kar. Later wanderlust took hold of him and he found his way to the plains of his birth trading one sea for another and to Tuchuk..spending time amongst them. But again he traveled and came to Paravaci where we were reunited which was well for he was all the family I had left..the others gone due to some tragedy or another. But I had my Brother again and things were well. Soon another joined our ranks..Dragon Lord.... who I made my Sub Commander..and became a Little Brother to Takan and I. The three of us became inseperable. I and Takan...~once a Tuchuk~..stood back to back against 14 once and bathed our names in glory. Those were times of great adventure..and I raised my position to that of Second..only above me was the Ubar himself...Kalderahn.

I soon could not do that for the first decisions made were against the policies I sought to instill. So I left my Home again. Much to my surprise many left with me..Those who were fond of the old ways and believed in the truth of the ways I sought. They followed out of the Camp...possibly to wander. Then it came to my knowledge that in the areas occupied by the Tuchuk, a Camp was left...I remembered my twin Takan telling me I would be a good Tuchuk. I was asked if I would help to continue the old ways...the ways of the Plains. What matters the name as long as the family remains, I heard. And found this true. Besides..I always wanted to be wily. So we came upon the Tuchuk Camp and settled...and I sought to be Tuchuk...those of Kamchak and his people. And I was of the plains...of the wind and grass. With kaiila under me and the sky above. With quiva and lance and bola.

So the others followed...and were pleased for now the old ways would flourish. For only those that believed followed...only those that truly wished the old ways to return and be followed came. And again..I am of the Tuchuk...and again home...For I am with my Family.

But yet again a disturbance came to the tranquility of the Camp. This time over a slave, Mine. A lying deceitful wench who caught many in her snare and turned Brother against Brother. I allowed myself to my shame to let that control me and my actions knowing not how far her web spread. That and other complications caused me to my eternal shame to abandon my family and leave. My last of many poor decisions.

I stayed away a long time wandering. Trying to make sense of it all. I had tried to be what I thought was best and caused great upheaval amongst the tradition that had become. Where did I go wrong?

It took a long time and a few visits among my family to realize I wasn't so much at fault. The position and weight and been thrown on me and I was unprepared for the result and the weight had crushed me. Takan took over my position, but he too was caught up in the problems and grew dissatisfied and left to wander.

He settled in the North. I am not surprised as his fondness for ships and the sea is well known. But he found a likewise minded man who led the Northmen and seemed as good as his word. I knew this man from older days. Kurzon the Hunter. He was once of a sister camp of Paravaci . His wanderings having taken him there and him finding his great love, Lady Nyx. But he too longed for his homeland and returned North. Building his steading and become a Jarl in the north. Takan knew and liked him and soon settled with him.

I was accepted into the Fjord by the Jarl Kurzon who knew me from old and knew my ways. I found myself growing happy and content again. The wanderlust leaving. The stead was true to the old ways and I soon found myself raiding again and my heritage found it's outlet. Sure there are times when tempers flare and not all is well. But the Jarl is knowledgable and wise and willing to listen to those around him. And I find the Hall as good if not better than any on Gor for carrying on the ways of tradition. And in that a man can be content.

But leave it to my scheming twin. Always his mind works and it is not long till I find myself part owner of a Tavern in Port Kar. A vile place much to my liking and a truer tavern you will not find. But my home remains in the Fjord and there it will stay. The tavern being but a side business. Funny..a Tuchuk who lives in the north and owns a tavern.

Thus my story now concludes. I find myself with my Twin again and his slave takashi..where I belong. With a leader I trust. I have a slave now..gabriella. A sweet delicious little bangle who never fails to delight and surprise me. Her intelligence and heart are a marvel and though she is still learning I have yet to see her make a mistake twice.

And even now I await the return of the Little Brother..Dragon Lord. He too, back from his wanderings, and returning to his family with his slave jazmine.

So soon..I CASCA, Takan, and Dragon Lord with gabriella, takashi and jazmine will be together again. Where we belong.

Home.

Tis funny how things turn in my life here upon this world. Time has passed again and my continuing saga goes on. I am now the Second to the Jarl of Vanir here in the north having carved my way through these seasons passed. My Twin Takan has gone wandering again..but here I remain. Content in the peace I have found amongst those of the north. Gone to are gabriella..and Dragon Lord is seldom seen. My dealings with the Ost Inn in Port Kar are now but secondary as I find my time better spent in the dealings with my home.

In my thoughts on the time passed I recall one in particular. A sweet, delicious dream that I came upon. A dark eyed slave that has become in the passages of Gor to be known as a love slave. I named her azzizza...which means dear one in an ancient tongue.

Her intellect, imagination, and fiery desire has made her a perfect match for this one formerly of Tuchuk. A bold, insolent, and desirable wench that I have found to be the perfect slave for me. And with me she will remain.

So..with my luck holding true with a good always replacing the bad I remain here in the Vanir. Trying to keep from getting stepped on by those overgrown bosk of the north which have made a place for this one of the south

I wish those who read this good fortune in their travels and fair winds for their sails.

I am CASCA.

.

member's page