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Splintered Light Chapter 6.1: Koen Amih Ohn Rork

Early evening was a wonderful time to be on deck with little to do; Ash-Moon had discovered that on his first trip out to sea and it had held true ever since. The Jackal leaned forward against the railing, holding himself up with his elbows as he gazed out across the water. The weather had been favorable and, after a large mess of Stone Tribe issues the journey had actually been pleasant. Ships were meant to float, but not fly, and he preferred that it remained that way. The Jackal picked at one of his teeth and flicked the rescued morsel overboard.

A greeting in his native tongue pulled Ash-Moon's attention to the approaching Prong Horn. "Oani Hama."

It was a simple greeting, suitable both casually and formally. He returned it in kind, keeping to the language of his people. "Greetings, Person."

Tobias Severna was an interesting man from the Stone Tribe. Rather than sticking to the annoying intolerance that was common to most of his people, the Prong Horn had chosen instead to learn about The People, those who the rest of his kind referred to as "Tribals". It was true that the various people of the Free Lands were organized in tribes, but, according to what Ash-Moon had come to understand from Alistair, the term was used in an insulting manner for people who were not 'tribal'.

The scholar continued speaking the language of The People as he stepped up beside Ash-Moon at the railing. "Do you want to be alone?"

The Jackal flicked an ear, gazing out across the sea. "You may stay. I do not mind speaking the tongue of my people; I do not get the chance often."

Beside him, the Prong Horn leaned against the railing in imitation of Ash-Moon's own pose. "Good. I enjoy the practice."

Having little to say, the First Mate simply nodded and continued watching the way the faint hint of the rising moon played across the waves; Ash-Moon always enjoyed traveling east so long as he wasn't facing the bow in the morning. When he'd realized a long stretch of time had passed without the Prong Horn saying anything the Jackal resolved to test him. "How did you come to learn the tongue of The People?"

Tobias shifted beside him, resting his walking stick against his thigh as he leaned more fully against the railing. "I worked for several years studying plants in the Free Lands, and I always thought understanding was better than not understanding."

Ash-Moon was surprised that the man knew the proper term for the lands of the tribes, rather than using the term most of the Stone Tribe used: the Tribe Lands. Finally turning to assess the Prong Horn visually, the Jackal looked him up and down. Only after a long pause did he denote "You speak it well."

The scholar offered a smile in return. "I learn quickly, and I already knew some words from what my mother taught me."

Raising an eyebrow, Ash-Moon assessed the Prong Horn more closely. "Your mother speaks the tongue of The People? How does your mother know it?"

There was something less-than-subtle to the way Tobias turned away before speaking. "DID. My mother is With The Spirits."

The Jackal was impressed; most of the Stone Tribe used the word 'dead', and yet the scholar in front of him knew enough to use the proper term. "How DID your mother knew the tongue of The People?"

Tobias continued to avoid the question. "I got a lot of practice working near many of the Tribes. The Valley Tribe and Yew Tribe were both close to where I chose to make camp while cataloguing plants."

The word 'cataloguing' was not from his people's language but the Prong Horn used it easily within the conversation; Ash-Moon didn't know precisely what it meant but he had enough of an idea that he didn't need any clarification. One thing, however, did. "Why did you have interest in the plants?"

Tobias turned around so he could lean back against the railing, still propping himself up on his elbows as he spoke. "My people, the 'Stone Tribe', as you call us, have no shamans. We still have need for wisdom, and so I've been working to learn what plants are and how to make use of them."

It was nothing Ash-Moon didn't know, but it was still intriguing hearing it explained to him in his native language. Still, he had to provide some push back, using another Stone Tribe word of his own as he spoke. "You do not have Shamans, but you have Doctors. I have seen Doctors work miracles that Shamans do not know."

Tobias didn't relent. "True... but there are some things Shamans can do that Doctors cannot. I want to help people by finding where the knowledge meets."

Ash-Moon parroted a phrase he'd heard before, using the Stone Tribe tongue to do it. "For the betterment of society."

The Prong Horn didn't miss the humor and the edge of his muzzle quirked up slightly, and he responded still in the tongue of The People. "Yes. To help everyone."

The Jackal snorted, turning around so he could lean back against the railing just as Tobias was doing. "I do not know much of the University, but they are just like the rest of the Stone Tribe... your people want to find names and uses for everything."

The scholar blinked, not saying anything for several seconds before finally announcing "Well... I suppose the general thought is that knowing what to call something is important. Once you can identify something you are able to communicate it better to others."

Ash-Moon snorted derisively. "Not everything needs a name. The People talk just fine without having to name everything."

Tobias' question was spoken much more as an inquiry than a challenge. "Do you have an example, Friend Ash-Moon?"

Ash-Moon looked out across the sea to where the moon was rising up above the water. "Where Air Meets Earth."

Tobias thought about that for a moment, switching back to the Stone Tribe tongue, except for repeating what the Jackal had just said. "Koen Amih Ohn Rork? Where Air Meets Earth... is that the Horizon? I never heard anyone from The People call it that."

Ash-Moon smirked, and switched to the Stone Tribe language. "The People don't have a word for Horizon. We do not need one."

The Prong Horn paused before responding, eventually nodding as he spoke, going back to The People's Tongue. "That makes sense... if you want someone to look far off you tell them to look to where air meets earth."

The Jackal's tail smacked the railing. "Just so."

Tobias smiled wide. "That is one thing I truly treasure, Friend Ash-Moon. A lot of learning is required when meeting a new culture, or even better understanding one you've been coming to know for years."

Ash-Moon smirked just a little. "Another of your Tribe, Wild Wolf had the same problem. He could never learn enough."

Tobias' posture straightened up. "Wild Wolf. He is known to my people as King Malcom.... the King of Lehsunia. I have met him."

The Jackal cracked a wry grin. "As have I. He lived with my people for a time... several times."

The admission immediately caught the Prong Horn's attention, just as Ash-Moon knew it would. "Really? What was he like back then?"

The First Mate turned to more fully address the scholar, single elbow resting on the railing as he leaned casually. "He was unsure of himself. Wild Wolf did not yet know his place in the world-- with his people, or with The People. He is about my age and I was perhaps fifteen summers when he came to the Bone Tribe... he may have been close to that-- fourteen I would guess."

Tobias nodded thoughtfully. "As I understood it, he spent time with all of the different Tribes."

Ash-Moon mirrored the Prong Horn's nod. "Yes. He was young and unsure of himself. We became friends, of a sort. Although I was sure of my place within my Tribe I was unsure of the world outside of it, and in that way we helped one another."

"You were friends?"

The Jackal grinned. "Yes. That is close enough to the truth that you could call us friends, Friend Tobias."

The scholar raised an eyebrow; he hadn't missed the implication. "Well... what would YOU call it, Friend Ash-Moon?"

Ash-Moon's grin widened and he took another step closer to the Prong Horn so that they were in what the Jackal knew was closer-than-comfortable talking distance for the scholar's people. "Another one of the many differences between The People and the Stone Tribe. That is what I would call it."

The scholar fidgeted and nervously switched back to the Stone Tribe language. "So... did your mother adopt him into your family, or did--"

The Jackal silenced the foolishness with a kiss. Tobias made to pull back but with a careful repositioning of his stance Ash-Moon had him backed fully against the railing. The Prong Horn did not return the kiss and, in fact, opened his muzzle to object, which meant that the First Mate was able to seize the opportunity to press his tongue in through the scholar's lips. He did so... but after a moment withdrew and returned to his prior place at the railing before speaking. "And now I know."

Tobias backpedaled, increasing the space between them even more before he found the will (or courage) to speak. "W-what? What do you know?"

Ash-Moon grinned, drawing his claw along the wooden rail. He spoke to the Prong Horn in the tongue of The People once again. "A lot can be learned about someone-- man or woman, by the way they receive a kiss."

The scholar was very quick to object, but did so in the same language. "I didn't know you were going to kiss me-- if I had I would have told you that I--"

The Jackal didn't bother letting him finish. "In your case, I now know whether you are a nest or an egg."

The Prong Horn's ears raised. "An egg or a nest?"

The First Mate had a great love for throwing the Stone Tribesmen off of balance with words; for as smart as they considered themselves they lacked wits. "Yes... terms The People use to tell the difference of how men prefer to be with other men."

"I-- I am afraid I... I don't understand your meaning."

Despite the scholar's follow up declaration of ignorance the redness of the Prong Horn's ears revealed that he did indeed know. Ash-Moon murmured the words seductively. "Whether you go into something, or whether something goes into you."

Tobias quickly straightened up, tugging at the edge of his sleeve and all-around primping himself as he attempted to come up with something to say. "The Stone Tribe doesn't discuss that kind of thing, or seek it out, or--"

Ash-Moon honestly and earnestly had no interest in the Prong Horn scholar, but he certainly didn't mind playing. "I am not Stone Tribe."

"Well, I am and--"

Their conversation was interrupted by the distinct boom of a firearm discharging. Ash-Moon quickly zeroed in on the sound; it had come from below decks. Several other sailors on deck likewise heard the sound and all eyes went to the stairway leading up. Unlike everyone else, the Jackal didn't stand around to wait and see what was going on; Ash-Moon rushed straight toward the stairs, just in time to meet Mr. Fritz, who was running up on deck. "Mr. Fritz, what was--"

The Marmot didn't bother stopping to speak, rather, he lowered his head and ran right into Ash-Moon's sternum, using his shoulder to punch through where the Jackal had been standing. Caught unaware by the spontaneous bull rush, Ash-Moon was knocked back and out of the way, which gave just enough clearance for Mr. Lews to get past him; the Dog was in hot pursuit. The First Mate caught the scent of gunpowder a second before Archie hurled a spent pistol across the deck; the weapon connected cleanly with the back of Mr. Fritz's head.

It didn't take long for the Wave Rider crewmen above deck to intercede and in a matter of moments both the Dog and the Marmot were apprehended. Mr. Lews practically roared at the still-struggling Mr. Fritz. It was one of the different Stone Tribe tongues the Jackal didn't know but whatever was said was certainly heartfelt. The Marmot spat in the Dog's direction and both began struggling anew. Eventually Mr. Lews shouted out something that finally made sense, choosing the Stone Tribe language Ash-Moon knew. "He shot Len!"

The next several minutes were chaos as some crewmen were pushed back to their stations by the ship's Foreman, others went rushing down below decks to check in on the supposed shooting, and others still led the Dog and Marmot off to the brig. The evening had started out so pleasant it was a shame that the stupidity of a few would have to ruin it for the many. Ash-Moon said nothing until the Captain finally arrived. He stepped up to the Tiger before anyone else had spoken up. "Lews and Fritz again, Rohn."

Alistair nodded thoughtfully. "I heard someone had been shot..."

Tobias, who had run down beneath the decks with the first set of sailors was just coming up the stairs; his long sleeves had blood at the end of them and he was wiping more off his fingers with a rag. "Mr. Len, Captain. He was struck in the chest."

The Tiger's ears went up and Ash-Moon watched the faint vibration started to the Captain's whiskers; a sure sign that he was both agitated and concerned. After a momentary pause, Alistair spoke. "Will he make it? Where is Dr. Brownell?"

The Prong Horn nodded, still wiping at his hands. "She's down there with him now. A few crewmen are helping to transport him to the sick bay. Chri-- Dr. Brownell says the bullet missed anything critical and he should survive. He came around while she was working on him and she had to sedate him to keep him calm."

Alistair's eyes narrowed as his ears folded back, but, despite the outward signs of his anger, he kept an even tone. "Did Master Len say who was responsible for this?"

Ash-Moon didn't need much more information than he already had: Mr. Fritz had been running and, while it was true that Mr. Lews had the pistol in-paw, it was the Marmot who smelled strongly of the discharge. In the end, the Jackal held his muzzle shut and Tobias answered for him. "Calus said that he and Mr. Lews were in a meeting and Mr. Fritz fired at Mr. Lews."

The Tiger blinked. "And he hit Master Len by mistake? I had thought he was a better shot than that."

The Prong Horn shifted his weight from hoof to hoof. "According to Mr. Len, he had interposed himself."

Ash-Moon finally couldn't stay quiet with that reveal. "Heroic. Heroic but stupid."

Alistair's claws were sheathing and unsheathing as he constantly clenched his paws. "For Mr. Fritz's sake he had best hope Master Len survives. As it is he is facing quite a charge when we return to port, but if Mr. Len should die then it is well within my--"

The tribesman knew that the Captain didn't like thinking about such things; that was the Jackal's area of expertise. He reached out and placed a paw on Alistair's shoulder. "Let me speak with him, Rohn... I will handle this."

The Tiger knew exactly what Ash-Moon meant; the Captain was insightful in a way few other Stone Tribesmen were. They locked gazes for several seconds before Alistair shook his head. "No. Not yet, my friend... and if you do, I do not want to know about it."

The simple statement could have had many different ways of being understood; fortunately for Ash-Moon he was a master of interpretation. The unofficial meeting of the officers was done for the evening and the Jackal had already decided how he planned to spend the rest of his night. There were still many hours until his next shift, and Ash-Moon had a lot going on his mind that needed to find peace.