The Day of Ta'om

Before the young Ta'om and Ramok leave for their rites, their communities have a feast to celebrate the young adults before they leave on their journeys.

In the town hall of Spilai we see Ta'om gathered around with the other young men who are going on their hunts tomorrow. Some are sharing stories that their fathers have told them, others are drinking their mursh listening, others are staring off into space anxiously. They all had anxiety for the big hunt because some could most likely die. But Ta'om was searching for someone and as he scanned the room, making sure to check each pale Elisisians face a hand slapped his back.

Ta'om quickly turned around with annoyance only to find a smiling face belonging to a short stout man.

"Good evening Ramoph, you finally join us young warriors I see. What took you so long? I hope you did not run into any trouble with the young lasses again." Said Ta'om with a grin.

"I only wish!" Ramoph sat down with a sigh and leaned in closely. Talking quietly, he said "I was looking for any information on what we would be hunting for."

"You know that is agai…"

"Yeah, yeah, yeah, man you need to lighten up on all those rules."

"If I was not a law follower the group would be in more trouble than you can think with that simple brain of yours."

"I guess you're right Ta'om. So, you find that girl you've been dreaming about lover boy?"

"No, I figured she would be here. She looked our age and I remember seeing her before I feel like. I am also not in love."

"Well good, you know how your parents and over half the cavern would feel about one of us mating with one of them."

"Watch yourself Ramoph."

"You know I don't have anything against the Pale Skins, but remember it's a deep rooted hate our ancestors have for them. I mean by our own maths, no it's mentos right?"

"I think I used myths numbskull."

"Right, never heard that word before, but by our that word the Pale Skins are traitors to the rest of us who live in the caves."

"Well guess what, we venture out into the sun and nothing happens to us. I mean that is where we are hunting after all." Ta'om said that last part with a smile.

Ramoph nodded in agreement and came to a realization after a moment. He quickly darted eyes to Ta'om looking for confirmation.

"You would be right Ramoph. See, I knew you would find something out."

"I thought you didn't break the rules Ta'om."

"I do not, but I cannot help it if the adults cannot keep their mouths quiet when they are annoyed."

"Well, I can see why they would be. We never go into the sun."

"That is wrong for half the cavern, we just do not perform our ritualistic hunts in the sun. Which fun fact, is only up for half the time as our world turns."

"Where did you hear our world turns from? You went talking to that Pale storyteller again, didn't you?"

"Actually, no. I do not know where that came from. Hmm."

"Alright, quiet down everyone!"

On a platform stood a dark Elisisian that stood half a head taller than other Elisisians – he could be mistaken for a short women with that height – who was very stout. His skin was of a darker black and a lighter green than other dark Elisisians. This was the chief of the village, a man known and bred for war. When he walked into a room, people noticed and watched what he would do. His name was simply Rock.

"Tonight is the night young ones. So, get everything prepared and get plenty of sleep for tomorrow. The council has decided where to send you for your hunts. Most of you will go to our normal hunting grounds, while a select few of you will be trying something... new. These select few have already been chosen, but we can take on more volunteers if you want to come. The place where this group will be going is above us. You will be going to meet the sun. The scorching desert will be your home for several weeks."

At this moment several faces could be seen with anger.

"For those who don't know up above is not the sandy deserts we hear in our stories as kids, although this does exist as I have been informed. The desert above is a more rocky and hilly area in our region. You will be escorted by several Settled Elisisians from the cavern."

When he said Settled Elisisians several more faces became angry, some even opening their mouths, but quickly shutting them knowing who they would be speaking against. They hated how their chief was trying to bring these Pale Skins into their cavern and have them become members of the cavern. It was outrageous to have these traitors among them, but no one is brave enough to stand up and defy their chief.

"With all that said, these will be the ones going above." He then starts to rattle off several names, but Ta'om has stopped listening till he hears his name.

"What?" He replied.

There was silence. There was also a blackening face on Ta'om now. He has spoken out of turn in front of the whole cavern. This could be a grave punishment.

"Is there a problem with that Ta'om?" responded Rock.

"Um no sir! Sorry Chief! I am so sorry Chief!" Ta'om quickly knelt to the ground.

"Please rise Ta'om, it simply caught you off guard. There has been no harm tonight."

"Thank you chief!"

The chief chuckled. "Alright, one name left. Ramoph my boy, you will be going as well. Make this cavern proud and please protect our dear Ta'om from spooking the game."

Ramoph stood and shouted, "YES CHIEF!!"

"Thank you my cavern members for agreeing to this new hunt. Now let the festivities begin!"

There was hooping and hollering. Drinks going around, food being ate, and not a care in the world besides those in the pits of their stomachs. Drums and string instruments resounded through the hall with a quick tempo of war.

And as the festivities quiet down after several hours of partying Ta'om and Ramoph are walking to the chief's hall to go to sleep. Ta'om begins to talk, "How do you feel Ramoph?"

"I'm not tooo drung I think."

"I meant about the hunt?"

Ramoph stiffens up for a moment pondering how he felt. "To be frank, I think I'm nervous. But even my dad gets nervous before a hunt or a fight he says. It's what makes him brave says the guards. He says he just doesn't want to meet my mother and have her kill him for leaving me."

"Sounds fair if I remember the stories of your mother."

"You know what type of beasts are up there Ta'om?" Ramoph said this quickly, looking to the side sniffling.

"No clue, mother and father never went hunting above. They only went above to trade with nearby pale Elisisians."

"And here I thought you knew everything."

"I never said that Ramoph."

"No, but you seem to be one of the wisest in the cavern; after our elders and the seer of course."

"Of course, but I really do not understand everything. It just feels like my body warns me almost."

"Well maybe teach me it when you learn how to, okay?"

"Will do." Ta'om clasped Ramoph's hand in promise.

For the rest of the walk to the palace they travel in silence. When they go inside and reach the guest room they wave to each other. Ta'om goes in and makes sure he has his supplies together. He sharpens his dagger and spear, then checks to make sure his wooden shield is in good condition as well as his leather tunic. Then with a long day ahead of him, he goes to sleep, ready for the next day.