Oem'ii of Bolormormaa

[EndRealms 132]

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Karin Oem

 

“Go out, and befriend an animal without taming them”

That was the task given to the Epiphyte- her final one, before her Grand Task. One of the last steps to take, before getting attuned to nature's gifts. And after years of having to tiptoe around the Empire, and some… unnerving realizations, she was glad to have the excuse to slip into the wilds for a few months. She packed some rations, and camping gear- and set out.

 

By nightfall, she found a quiet place in the middle of the wilderness, along the side of the stream. With soft songs sung under her breath, she quietly set up camp- A small, covered area that wouldn’t disrupt the local wildlife, and a few places to safely store her food. The next morning, her trial would start.

Karin Niut

 

The next morning, she quietly sat next to the riverbed, her legs folded beneath her in the mud. Her first goal was making herself known to the wildlife around her- and known that she was natural. That she would be there, consistently- and would not harm nor interfere with those around her. It would be a long, and quiet process- one that would leave her many nights to think of recent happenings. The war, the most recent killings, Fenric and Kelpie’s return, how many memories she’s truly lost… she had all the time in the world to ponder it all. And if a few freshwater tears mixed into the mud at her knees, who would be around to tell?

Mar’karin Oem

 

Eventually, a month passed of her staying out in the wilderness. A few of the braver chipmunks and squirrels had drank from the stream next to her- but she was still mostly avoided. She was still a foreign part of their world- accepted, but regarded with suspicion. But it was still a step in the right direction. She kept her breathing steady, a constant rhythm of in, and out. Any small variation to her routine, to her being, would scare off those around. Yet when she heard a soft padding, and sniffing to her side- she couldn’t resist cracking one lichen eye open.

 

Next to her, stood a black bear cub. It slowly stepped out of the treeline, consistently making strained, screaming sounds. It seemed to be a little over a year old… old enough to have learned parts of how to live and hunt from its mother, but young enough to still need her. It continued on, desperately calling for its mother- who after a few minutes of quietly observing, never came. 

 

Despite how much she wished to help, to intervene- she stayed still. After a few more minutes, he eventually ambled back into the woods- his call echoing back out towards the stream. That night, a fish was laid on the riverbed for the starving cub- close enough for it to seem like it had jumped out itself, if the small puncture wound through its mouth did not say otherwise.

Mar’karin Niut

 

This went on for another month- during the night, she’d lay out fish, inching it closer to the water every day. After two weeks- she witnessed the cub hunting for the first time. It struggled, by itself- but it would eventually be able to catch its own fish. She also spotted it foraging for its own food at times, gathering small berries and nuts. As she sat a small smile crossed her face as the cub started to survive on its own.

 

Though by now squirrels would climb onto her lap, and birds would perch in her hair- she stayed, determined to ensure the cub was able to thrive. Though she knows it may be disrupting the balance if its mother died of natural causes- she can’t help but worry that a hunter may have killed her, and this cub could’ve had a mother had someone not been so careless. 

 

As the second month of her being in the wilds drew to a close, and the moss had started to creep up her legs as she stayed in place, she suddenly felt a presence next to her. She peeked her eyes open once more- pausing as she saw a sleeping black bear cup curled up next to her, sucking up the small amount of heat she radiated. It had been slightly colder recently, as nature transitioned to spring- so it makes sense that he’d seek out a source of heat. And even if she didn’t have much.. She was alive. Breathing. Something perceived as safe, and close enough to what his mother would be like. She looks down, a smile playing across her face as she watches him sleep- glad that she could provide him some comfort for the night.

 

The next morning, she packed up. The cub was safe, and could take care of itself now- and she can only hope that it continues to thrive in the forest. But for now- it was time for her to return to her home.

 

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[Eliseth 134]

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