To leave a mark

... And I've looked over, and I've seen the promised land. I may not get there with you, but I want you to know tonight that we as a people will get to the promised land.


Fires began to dot the plains early that day. Groupings each specific for the task they were set to mottled the surface in writhing masses of human beings and animals. It was good to see the tangible evidence of a vision, a hope a wish for the Tribe of peace and prosperity. Not even one felt the hard work unjustly due to reap the favor of the sky. We would all put our hand to marking the new calves, to making the abundance the plains offered ... ours. How could we in good faith to the bosk, to the plains not accept what has been given us? Not me? I was as eagerly chomping at the bit to be part of all this as the kaiila that Fonce let me borrow was. The gray mare was prancing her heart out. Even she knew it was a special day. It was made more special that with the expanse of new births by the bosk, we women could come and take part in the branding.

I sat in the saddle overlooking the day unfold for only a brief moment but it was filled with so much that it reminded me of my own cheeks as they began to press their way up under my eyes. That is as broad as a smile can get. Cana's oldest son One or Tug as some of the women call him, could be seen corralling a calf as if he had done it all his life and bore the scars for it. Probably has in a few places he isn't likely to brag about and show anyone. Comes with being a plainsman. Sometimes the beast would break away and try to make a run for it. I can't blame them; I would if it were I. The volley of cusses that could scathe the ears of delicate women was enough to make you laugh and decide who to wager on. Laughter has a way of making sweat bead away, salves rope burns and or at the very least, it is an anesthetic to the pain and groan of muscles. Yep, there it was that big grinny kind of grin right before you bare teeth kind of grin.

I must have still had it when I slid off the Gray mare, Gevalia to join others I knew. Yamak had just plied her hand to a brand and was beaming proud and Ayg motioned me over. I asked where they needed me. You have come to try your hand at branding, Mezoo? Less wool than verr. It could be done. I could certainly try. Do you want to help Cana cut the calves from the herd or help us to place the brands? We have plenty of work for everyone. There was a big grin for the woman that called me little sister. It is a good day to be Tuchuk. Would they all say the same later in the day all covered in grime and exhausted? Answer a question with a question why don't you Mezoo? Wherever you need me most?

"I think it is important for all of us to know every aspect of our lives. There is value in a woman learning to brand. Those that do not have men need that knowledge." It is not often you hear such words from a Tuchuk Warrior. As a woman, it was deeply profound. I was so overwhelmed I suppose that I probably sounded very flippant when I replied, "Then I should try my hand as well so I can help Fonce." What I meant was, I was all in. I watched while Yamak set metal to flesh so I would know how it was done. I am one of those ... tell me, show me, then let me try people. I learn very well like that. Use all the peripheral learning tools then hand it over. It is just a tried and true thing. Yamak told me that you had to wait until the metal was white hot before it was ready. There is a piece of important information. I grabbed up an iron and waited for that one moment when the calf held still. Ayguili was telling me how to hold the iron, when the time was just right and the bit of rock to the end while I counted to five that makes the impression crisp. It wasn't as precise and detailed as Yamak's was but the feeling I had was the most powerful thing I had ever felt. I could understand now this need ... this intense urge of men to leave their mark on slaves, on the kaiila, on the bosk. I stood back exhilarated and probably a bit breathless ... Yes!! .. Give me another one! Ayguili's praise and encouragement made me feel like I was on top the cliffs looking down on the plains and they were mine, all mine.

It made the next calf that much easier and the one after as well. I was getting good and felt a pride swell up inside. I would never have to wait for a man to brand the bosk of my family again! I could do it myself, if I had someone to herd it and rope it and hold it down for me anyway.

Cana cut the White bosk from the herd and personally saw him to the fires. Time was of the essence in seeing so many new calves branded but I stopped what I was doing to watch. It was a momentous occasion. She asked him if he was ready and the Ubar stood up and nodded. Cana held him while Ayg saw to the marking. This was something sacred and pure to behold. It was the cracking of an egg that begins a spell. It was magic in the making. I gave my thanks to my ancestors for the blood they shared with me this moment, to be able to stand there and witness something so rare and precious. Ayg was unsure but Cana told him that the bosk was his, that it was believed it was intended for him. When his iron found its mark, I looked up and found his eyes. I said it is a good day a very good day. He said, “It is.” and in a most typical man kind of way said it was time for food then after that we could all continue to work again.

I'd brought water and Mother sent meat chews, other woman came with wagons filled with good things. One of the ORs asked me if Mother had sent some of her pastries too. I laughed trying not to let him down too bad when I said no. He could always stop by the fires and she might have some though. I did check him out for potential Father figure qualities. He might survive Grandmother ... might.

Kaeli was telling Ayg that it was too bad branding didn't come in a more pleasant smell. He quipped back that it was the perfume of prosperity. The more bosk we
brand the richer we are. The Sky has chosen to bless us with many calves this season. Kaeli said as it should in repayment for the ones it took from us on the way North. An odd perception to me and it stayed with me for a while but became lost in the more important tasks still pending. When the women began, talking about the elder Yamak lost, their emotions dampened more than one eye and Ayg decided it was a good time to check on other fires.

Branding is thirst-making work so I left the women went grab a water bota. After taking a good long drink, I stoppered it back and tossed it to Ayguili as he went the other direction. I wandered off during this break to where the metalworkers were sharpening the edges of the brands and began asking many questions about metal. This had been a lesson I had not found grasp on fully so everything was a source of learning.


Upon returning on the tail end of the topic, I canted my head just listening for a while. Cana said she would stop in to see the family of the man and I offered to go with her. I remember how many had come to our fires. It was heart warming. It made me think of Cana too, not that Ba'atar had gone to the skies but that she was in her own time of grief with his absence. People come for a while and try to figure out what is the right or the wrong thing to say then eventually life takes them back where they began. That is when the empty places begin to show, the hollow places someone we loved used to fill.