Cayzle's Wemic Site
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Owyth's Exile
In his dream, Owyth watched two aurochs walking the savannah. Then the hyenas came. One auroch ran from the hyenas, rejoining its herd — many auroch horns kept the beasts at bay. The other auroch, eyes rolling, turned away from both predators and herd — wet teeth snapped and tore at the auroch, and its blood smelled like hot ash as it fled far away.
Owyth's legs ached when he woke, so he rose on four paws and padded around the remains of the fire. His knees cracked as he stretched, knuckling sleep from his eyes. The wemic listened to the wind in the grass, seeking news of danger, but it only spoke of mice and night hawks. There was a faint acrid taste in the air from the southeast.
As he raked the fire, broke camp, and jogged back to the tents of his father, Owyth turned melancholy thoughts to Fawint, who he loved. An orphan, she had come home with him, and now that his study with the priests was done, he had wanted to marry her.
But his father, the chief of the pride and a giant among wemics, refused to accept Fawint. "Offal is not fit for you to eat, and this girl with no clan is not fit for you to wed!" Vareo decreed that Owyth would give up his "childish lust" and accept instead the betrothal that Vareo had arranged with another chief. Then Fawint would be adopted into the pride, and Owyth would join his bride's clan, as tradition required. If the two lovers refused, they would be cast out.
So Owyth spent three nights in the savannah, fasting and thinking. Finally, his dream had brought him clarity. As his loping run consumed miles, the sun shone brightly on his back, pushing him home. He would obey his father's wishes.
But reaching the camp of Vareo's pride, his shadow preceeded him. His sisters and cousins did not meet his eyes, and his nose wrinkled. His older brother avoided him. He came to his family tent, and met his mother, Aweth. Her tail lay on the ground like a dead thing, and he saw her eyes were damp.
"The night after you left, your father fell into a rage. He had roared about you and Fawint all day. That night, when everyone was gathered around the hearthfire, he moped and drank and growled. I never saw him so fey before. Then he spat and drew his greatsword."
Aweth stopped to swallow, and there was poison in her throat. "Vareo stood and shouted, 'There is a stranger with us, this foul orphan bitch. What traitor speaks for her?' And no one dared to answer. 'The law of the clan is clear — a stranger unvouched for is an enemy!' Then he swung his sword and killed Fawint."
Owyth felt a bitter cold descend on him, and he left without speaking. He sought out Vareo who was working the herd. He didn't seem to notice the coldness Owyth felt must be obvious. Vareo stood and said. "You will have heard that your choice is simpler now. You will obey me and accept the betrothal I have planned for you."
Owyth watched his forepaw move as if it were a snake, rather than a part of his body It lashed out, claws extended. He raked his father, drawing blood, and he could have struck again, except that he was as shocked as his father was. He lept away, knowing that his life was now forfeit. Vareo raced after, parent after child like thunder after lightning. Owyth's tail erupted in pain, but the pain made him faster, and he outraced the wounded wemic behind him. The blood was thick in his nose, like hot ashes.
Here are a few notes on the further adventures of Owyth.
After leaving his homeland as an outcast, Owyth struggled to survive alone. Fortunately, his hunting skills and the favor of his god kept him alive. And even when he was hungry and wet, his curiosity remained intact.
Wemic cubs are naturally inquisitive, and a number of Wemic adults retain that quality. Owyth was always interested in the world around him, and he studied with the priests in order to gain insight and knowledge. After leaving his clan, Owyth's knowledge of animals and nature helped him stay alive, and he continued to learn.
Owyth misses his people, naturally, but not as much as he thought he would. He has become a naturalist, explorer, and student of the world. His philosophical orientation is more druidic than that of most wemics.
But even druids can grow lonely for friendly faces and speech. Owyth found himself far from wemic lands, and he has come to civilization to seek society and relief from boredom. He is interested in continuing his study -- of the natural world, and how human people fit into it. He is curious about everything.