At a location near the sprawling clearings containing the village’s growing crops, Kent and Mershad had endured a day much more cerebral in nature. The mental aspect of their particular training was something that apparently burdened Kent much more than it did him, as Mershad had to listen to many whispered laments from his comrade throughout the course of the day. He could tell that Kent hungered for a little physical activity, and did not share Mershad’s more academic outlook. Even so, both of them were ultimately weighed down by the day’s lessons.
At least they got to bask in the sun, and enjoy the favorable weather. Their teachers were patient enough, tolerating their many curiosities and questions throughout the day-long session.
The instruction was balanced evenly between a village elder and two clan matrons, one from the Tortoise Clan, and another from the Deer Clan. They were all gifted oral storytellers; their expressions and the lilt in their voices making even the drier topics sound fascinating.
When they had begun the day, Mershad harbored one lingering concern that proved to be unfounded. When he gently sought to take a break, so that he could observe his prayers, explaining his desire and regular practice of doing so, the clan matrons and elder were very accommodating, if not openly encouraging. If anything, they appeared to be a little taken aback that Kent did not join Mershad in the observance.
Mershad moved a short distance away to be more discreet in his ritual, but when he rose up after finishing he saw the older man and two women watching him with interest. He appreciated their acceptance very much, though he was becoming ever more aware of the deep spirituality of the tribal people, something that was interwoven with everything about their life.
At the day’s conclusion, the two had absorbed much more about the history of their new world, and the customs observed within it. Though Mershad’s retention was more extensive than Kent’s, he knew that they were both simply glad to unveil some of the mysteries of the world that was now their own.
By the day’s end, Mershad knew that they had reached a point where they could take in no further lessons. Kent’s attention was beginning to drift as he became more mentally fatigued. For Mershad’s part, he hungered for some time to wind down, and digest the wealth of new information more fully.
Kent had quipped that he was on the brink of overload, rubbing his head and sighing as they walked through the trees to rejoin their other companions. Mershad had expressed his agreement with Kent, even as he felt an eagerness to learn what had transpired with the others.
Erika had gone off into the woods with Logan, Derek, and Antonio, while Janus had gone off with Ayenwatha by himself. Mershad could not help but wonder why Janus was singled out, to conduct his training alone. It was a mystery that deepened a short time later, when he saw Janus returning through the skies with Ayenwatha, mounted upon a pair of incredible, winged steeds.
Seeing Janus gliding in on the creature, Mershad found that he had room for at least one more lesson that day, if Janus or Ayenwatha were willing to accommodate him. The matrons and elder had not discussed anything about the winged creatures as of yet, but the possibilities invoked by the idea of flying steeds stoked the fires of curiosity in Mershad.
Mershad shook his head and laughed to himself, thinking about how recently he had been huddling away in a dormitory room. Now, he was wondering if he might have an opportunity to fly, saddled upon a winged beast that looked like a living myth.