A break in the clouds

One thing that both the head of the kaiila clan and I agree upon is that the skies and the plains often seem to have a plan of their own and many times we, the people that inhabit them are merely intercessors in something greater than ourselves. The rich red roan had come to me quietly without fanfare. She shied around humans and kept to herself. I worried at times that she would not be strong or courageous enough to survive the harsh environments of being part of the herd or for that fact ... the Tribe. I spent time with her when I could training, teaching her the commands that would protect her owner's life, help her become one with whomever the sky chose as her keeper.

The most notable of the kaiila's traits was that she was talkative in a kaiila kind of way. She always had some input. A pruffed huff, a keening scree or sometimes just a lift of head to the sky itself to whinny adding her own two coppers to whatever was going on in her head. Then she would let out a long winded wistful sigh. No matter how many times I witnessed the one sided conversations, I was always amused. Still, each time one of the other handlers came near she would back from their touch with her head down. She would have no part of any of them and many times not even I could get close if she chose not to allow it.

I ran my fingers through the silken fur letting them sink into the depths of the beautiful wintering coat. From a distance Ulita looked a rusty brown but up close like now, her pelt shimmered a rich blood red hue that would set to motion with a ripple of muscles and appear to dance in the breeze.

It was on a warmer morning that I took her for a ride along the banks of the stream. Already she responded to the low whistle but today the finer movements of the reins would be taught to her. We happened upon a woman near the bank. One that the kaiila greeted as if they had been long lost friends newly reunited. I slid from the saddle and turned loose the straps, watching as the creature sauntered over next to the woman and began digging up little gifts .. kaiila style to give her. Grubs. sand spiders and all. There was little for me to say except that Ulita was hers. The skies seemed to smile as the warmth of the sun's rays heated the small spot we attended.

A strange introduction to the young haruspex but one that will remain warm inside for a long time. I liked Noelani from the first moment I met her. She wanted to return the generosity with some gift of her own. I did not know how to explain. I had not given the gift .. my only part of it would be the walk home. The rest was the will of the plains. The will of the sky herself.

While I walked the banks of the stream returning the way I'd come. I will look forward to meeting the woman again, perhaps to ride across the plains together. It is a new friendship just as the kaiila seemed to be. I couldn't help but smile and think of the rain the woman had spoken of. It was a clear blue sky but when they clouds gathered it would be a refreshing sip to a thirsty soul.

It is a good day to be Tuchuk.