Head 'em up ... mooooove 'em out

One of those baubles of insight would become evident almost immediately during the beginning of the move. What is simply common knowledge among the Tribe, I had still yet to learn. When the wagons started to move, I went right along with them. Not that I would have stayed behind .. where the clan went, I went or better, where Cana did so did I.

There were some rocky spots in getting the wheels loose and rolling but the new foals thought it was an adventure and so did the boys. Their thirst and awe of life and all that it brings is inspiring as well as contagious. It's like holding on to the leash of an overgrown sleen .. just hang on tight and enjoy the scenery.

There is a magesty to the thunder of the Tuchuk on the move. Colored banners waving in the wind, a full palette of ferocity and wonder painting the plains with the togetherness of Tribe. The ground shook with the multitudes and the dust rolled beneath them to leave a wide columned plume as far back as the eye could see.

In the trail weary evenings when the wagons were pulled to a stop, makeshift camps and fires began to dot virgin territory ... then familiar faces were missed. You would think in the midst of so many tens of thousands that one face or another would sort of blend in. They don't. They don't, when you are used to hearing the laughter, the stories, the feeling of closeness of having loved ones near by. We fight, we argue, we kiss, we make up but we do it .. together. We live and love and laugh the same way. The absences were felt deep and along the edges worry had slid into a nice little ritual of its own.

I wish that hard headed arrogant warrior had not returned to the north but I knew his honor was strong enough he would. For the chatterbox I can be, I left some things unsaid. I was going to worry myself sick and I knew it but in the end, it was much like it had been long ago and far away, turning loose with a bid to ride well and proud. I watched until there was no more dust to be seen in the wake of the kaiila's claws.

When I left the gathering of those wagons, I went to speak with the one that felt like a brother. He had already been preparing to saddle up the next morning to see about strays .. the four legged kind so two legged was no problem. He left that night as well.

Neither made a promise of return more than if the Skies were willing but it touched a tender spot to hear it said ... I'll be back.