Keryon Gedanes

[Cearia Tserta]

The gods had aligned the timing for a not so newly bonded pair of witches to seek comfort in one another alone. Food and supplies were plentiful and the people were content with day to day duties. Not that the leaders of the enclave could predict a crisis, but Mother Anjali felt that this was a time calm where the Clan Mother could complete her long awaited spiritual journey with her bonded - the keryon gedanes, or soul unity.

It was common practice among most witch clans when two pledged themselves to each other and go on a private expedition in the wilds. What that entails was dependent upon clan custom and individual choices. For the Red Hills Clan, it was sacred. All completed the honored tradition and one Cearia never believed she would find someone that would want to pledge her spirit to the hunter until Anjali came into her life.

Born without magick, Cearia was all but a pariah to her clan and no sister or brother would ever pursue a union with her, regardless of her family's significant standing. She was an undesirable but as she showed promise as a hunter, Cearia was a means to an end so the clan thrived with food, hides, and supplies. Her mother made sure that her daughter was trained, but the young hunter never knew if deep down her mother was ever proud of Cearia's accomplishments. She had become the clan's best hunter, was able to hold her own against some of the fiercest warriors of the Red Hills, but all that her mother gave her was cold indifference and the right to exist another day.

If only her mother and sisters could see her now. No longer was she led but commanded hunters who respected her, earning the name Great Sister, and had somehow won the heart of the clan mother.

Cearia still didn't quite understand how Anjali had fallen for her as her upbringing took its toll on the young hunter - a mind fraught with unworthiness and self-deprecation. She quickly agreed to be bonded to the clan mother without working through all of the doubts that plagued her mind. It had caused many fights and left both witches frustrated as little progress was made. Cearia apologized, deferred to Anjali, refusing to call mate by her given name in most settings, often displaying tendencies of a loyal servant than a her true bonded.

Knowing her mate well, Anjali suggested that instead of Cearia going on spiritual journey in solitude, that the two of them should go together in hopes of strengthening their commitment to one another and to help the hunter find peace within herself. It was when Cearia offered that this journey together be their keryon gedanes. She had not suggested it before, her self worth impeding any notion that she was deserving of an honor with the clan mother, but it felt right to bring it up now. When she spoke of the importance of the ritual, Anjali never hesitated her agreement.

And now they were trekking through the edge of the marshlands, packs full with supplies. Water skins were too, and the cured meat and dried fruits would suffice until their first hunt after they set up camp when there would be fresh meat. Cearia had a quiver full of arrows, bow, and various knives for that very purpose.

Here the land was thick with brown green grass tall as Cearia's thighs, though that meant knee high for Anjali as the clan mother was taller than her. Her boots were starting to sink too deeply into the ground for her liking. Hills were a mile away and over that, forest. That would better suited for camping. "We should move further east towards forest. Can make it there by noon."

They had left the enclave before sunrise to have as much time together on the first day of their journey. Iss-Ka stayed behind to watch the fliers and keep an eye on the clan, knowing that this was a special time for her master and mate. If anything untoward happened, the voritor would quickly come find them.

"Then we can make camp and hunt."

Cearia was as nervous as she was excited about hunting with Anjali. The clan mother had seen her mate's skill in the hauls brought home, but never had she seen Cearia in her element. The hunter hoped she wouldn't disappoint.