I thought my preparations were already finished but as a participant in the wolf hunting trial, who soon to become a full-fledged warrior. I must be fully equipped for battle while hunting. With an old conical leather helmet featuring an aventail, reinforced with iron plates and topped with a dark horsetail plume, and simple iron lamellar body armor along with leather lamellar on the shoulders and upper legs from Tamurcin, I have basic protection for my head, torso, shoulders, and legs. I'm planning to use a bow from horseback, then engage enemies with my personal weapons, focusing on becoming a horse archer. However, I have to wear slightly more armor than a typical horse archer because they want to offer some protection to their Messenger. While some with full armor might focus on charging with heavy spears and wooden shields, those with lighter gear might throw short spears before skirmishing with swords, blades, battle-axes, maces, or even lassos and whips for some. However, given my particular selection of weapons, careful consideration is required to arrange my equipment effectively.
First, I secured the leather bow case on the left side of the saddle for quick access. Next, equipped the sword scabbard to my belt at my left hip and attached the quiver to my right hip so I could quickly draw arrows while riding. I attached my long leather quiver mirroring the sword scabbard for comfortable riding. However, later I found that the typical backward position made it little easier to place arrows on the bow. I then slung the leather straps holding the dual iron whip back holders across my shoulders for easy access with both hands then I secured my wicker shield straps to these iron whip holders for more back protection. Considering my weapons combination, using a shield in hand might be troublesome. Finally, I hung a pouch for throwing metal beads on the left side of my belt and placed the flying needles in custom pocket cases around both of my leather arm guards, allowing me to easily pick them from my wrists. This setup leaves the dedicated needle case for when I'm wearing more casual clothes. Luckily, as an important figure in the tribe, I don't have to prepare all of this alone, otherwise it would be a handful task. However, I currently look more like a real warrior right now.
All the Sacred Mountain-related rituals, like the Ice-Melt Ritual, Mountain Offering, or Winter Trials, are traditions of the Tagh Boru tribe, unlike the Summer Gathering, which attracts many outsiders and guests, or the Autumn Offering, which is a ritual of a single clan. While all Tagh Boru members can participate in the Winter Trials on the Sacred Mountain, it's mostly the members of the closer clans who attend. Other sacred places exist further north, and a sacred mountain west of the Great Lake serves as the central ritual site for those clans. This year's trials have around 93 participants, with 45 of us being boys. Me the Sky Wolf, who with the help of Argin's Shaman, has the privilege of hunting alone, unlike the others who normally hunt in pairs for this wolf hunting trial. The duo will split the spoils of the hunt, if one obtains the fangs, the other will receive the wolf's fur. Which they will use to decorate their battle gear.
As the full moon ascended, casting long shadows across the mountain slopes. The boys led by the elders, made their way to the offering site. The moonlight illuminated their path, creating an atmosphere of veneration. They gathered beside the prepared fire pit, its crackling flames mirroring the bright orb in the sky.
One by one, the boys stepped forward, each holding a small, carefully chosen offering such as – a piece of dried wild berries, a carved wooden figure of a wolf, an eagle feather or a smooth uniquely shaped stone. They presented their gifts towards the highest peak visible in the moonlight. The leading boy spoke, his voice clear and resonant, "Great Spirit of the Mountain, under the gaze of the full moon. we, your children, offer these small gifts. We stand ready for the trial. We offer this token of our respect. Grant us strength in our hunt, wisdom in our decisions, and the courage to face the challenges ahead. May we honor the traditions of our tribe and return as worthy warriors."
Each boy then placed a portion of their offering at the base of a prominent rock and within a designated space near the fire pit. The leading elder placed a hand on the shoulder of the first boy, looking towards the moonlit peaks. "Remember, young hunters, the mountain is ancient and holds great power. Treat its creatures with respect, and move with awareness. The spirit of the wolf is strong, approach it with courage and wisdom."
Experienced hunters stepped forward, offering brief words of advice and encouragement to the group. They spoke of tracking, of respecting the prey, and of the importance of working together in pairs. Then Temurel said, "Don't forget the lessons you have learned. Trust your instincts and watch each other's backs. The wolf is both worthy prey and the protector of these mountains. Hunt with respect and grant them an honorable death."
The boys nodded, feeling a connection to the mountain and a renewed sense of purpose under the watchful eye of the full moon. The leading elder then took a bundle of fragrant, dried herbs – juniper, wild sage and cedar – ignited them in a small clay bowl held by another elder. The smoke rose in fragrant plumes, swirling in the moonlit air. Then the leading elder moved among the boys, circling each boys individually with the smoking herbs, chanting softly. "By the breath of the mountain, by the light of the moon, be cleansed, young hunters. Let doubt and fear depart with the rising smoke. May your spirits be clear, your senses sharp, and your hearts brave."
The boys closed their eyes, inhaling the aromatic smoke, feeling a sense of purification and focus. The elder then gestured for each pair, and me individually, to pass their hunting tools through the smoke, blessing them for the task ahead. As the rituals concluded, the leading elder raised his hand. "Go now, children of the Tagh Boru. The mountain watches, and the spirits guide you. Hunt with courage and return with honor!"
Meanwhile, the girls gathered at the edge of the sacred spring as the full moon shone upon the water's surface, making it appear like liquid silver. Aylaqun spoke softly. "The Moon Mother reflects her light upon these holy waters, blessing this source of life and wisdom."
Each girl stepped forward, holding a personal offering for the spirit of the spring. This might be a string of colorful beads, a flower woven with a prayer, or a small, polished piece of amber. As they gently placed their offerings into the clear water, they spoke their intentions – perhaps a wish for clarity, strength, or a harmonious future. Their voices were soft, blending with the gentle sounds of the spring.
"Spirit of the Flowing Water," Aycecek said her wish, "under the moon's gentle light, I offer this bead, a symbol of my hopes. Grant me clarity of mind and a flowing spirit. And also, let my Kirisen be safe."
Aylaqun and Aykuz, the Moon Sisters, dipped their hands into the moonlit spring water and offered it to the girls. Each girl took a handful and washed their face and hands, feeling the cool, pure water against their skin.
"Be cleansed by the living waters," Aylaqun and Aykuz chanted softly, their voices harmonizing, "washed free of worry and doubt. May the resilience and fluidity of the water flow within you, guiding your path."
The girls then cupped their hands and drank a small amount of the spring water, symbolizing the internalizing of its purity and strength.
Aykuz gestured to the moon's reflection in the spring. "Just as the moon's light dances on the water, may your spirits be bright and adaptable. This spring has nourished our people for generations. Remember its life-giving power and the interconnectedness of all things."
The girls gazed into the water, feeling a sense of connection to the spring, the moon, and their community, their spirits refreshed and focused under the serene light of the full moon.
After the rituals, the girls began testing their knowledge of herbs and medicines with the female elders – knowledge crucial for the tribe's survival, unlike the deadly knowledge held by Aykuz the Moon Shadow, who would be my companion. Not long after the girls trial starts, Aykuz and her young apprentice walking down from the entrance of the forest path that leading to the Sacred Springs.
As they helped me adjust my warm winter clothes – a long-sleeved felt tunic with a fur jacket, riding trousers, leather boots, lamellar armor and other equipment one last time before our departure, Aykuz formally introduced her apprentice once more, "This is Kara Yulduz. She is an orphan from our clan's shaman lineage. I named her as Kara Yulduz – the Night Star. However, it can be interpreted as either Black Star, which brings bad luck or North Star, which guides your way, depending on your perspective. I trust her to be your guiding light in the dark, Master."
"O, wise Sky Wolf. I, Kara Yulduz of the Moon Maidens, will be your Guiding Star from here on. Ask, and I will answer. Request, and I will respond. Please take what I offer!" She spoke while offering me a dagger as a gift and equipped it at my belt.
"I, Kirisen the Sky Wolf, accept your offering, Night Star of the Moon Maidens. Moon Maidens?! Is it the same as your master's name?" I answered with a question.
They explained to me, while we rode north with our lake to the left, that Aylaqun and Aykuz are co-leaders of the Moon Maidens, a secret sisterhood of knowledge mostly descended from female shaman lineages, founded in ancient times to aid and support women of all the Tribes. The Moon Maidens work in the secrecy of the night, using their stealthy movements combined with shamanic knowledge of medicines and poisons to subtly influence the Tribes in both the light and shadow of the Moon. They practice the Old Way, focusing on worshipping the Moon and the Underworld, instead of having the Sky and the Earth as their main deities like the majority.
It seems the Moon Sisters is also a title given to the two leaders of the sisterhood. They separate the knowledge into two parts: the Light Path, such as healing, consulting, and diplomacy to influence the Tribes openly; and the Dark Path, such as assassination, killing, poisoning, and charms to manipulate the Tribes secretly. They can learn both paths, but the Two Sisters will separately be the knowledge keepers of these two different paths.
Of course, Aykuz is the dark path keeper, and after learning my martial arts for almost a year and becoming quite proficient in it, at least in the Maidens Method. She is going to travel to teach it to her direct disciples and apprentices in the sisterhood before the spring come, so she assigned Kara Yulduz to be my personal assistant while she is away.
This is what she said to me when she asked me to teach her. But I didn't know she was going to teach it to the organization that is technically a state within the nomadic tribal political landscape of the Confederation. They are normal tribe members, shamans, mothers, sisters, or wives of someone, but at the same time, they are members of one of the powerhouses in the steppe. And I am almost like a god to them. What should I do with this?
They normally call other members "Sister," while operative-level agents are called "Maiden" or "Little Sister," which mostly refers to disciples or apprentices and makes up the majority of the sisterhood. Shaman-level members are called "Mother" or "Elder Sister" and act as operative team leaders. From among them, ten will be chosen to be "Matron" or "Grand Sister" and act as field generals. On top of that are "the Moon Sisters," the co-leaders and highest-ranking "High Matron." Even though they are theoretically equal, these two stand at the top of this sisterhood hierarchy and give commands to all the Sisters.
The stories and explanations they shared made the distance feel blurry to me, as if we were on nothing more than a short vacation trip. Even in this quiet winter night, the temperature is quite hard to bear. We rode north along the lake, then crossed a mountain pass and turned west, riding along the mountain until we saw the lake become a river through this valley path. The scene of these pure white serene mountains and landscape under the ethereal dance of the northern aurora, painting the starry night sky with shimmering curtains of green light, made me feel as if time had stopped before my eyes.
Aykuz and Kara Yulduz sent the falcons to scout the area, looking for the wolves. It seemed the falcons were alerted at a mountain on my right, flying in large circles before moving far away from us. Now, I have to go alone because others can't interfere with the hunt. I reattached the bow case to my left hip along with the sword, then walked upward with my armor and weapons into a rocky trail. I climbed the rocks from time to time, walking deeper into a more dense forest until I found an open area in the mountain forest. I looked to the sky and saw the full moon shine its light straight onto me, then saw one falcon flying in circles on my right. So I grabbed the bow and readied the arrows, following the falcon and a strange sound.
Aykuz told me that the wolves might be more active on this full moon night than they normally are. I was thinking about this while walking towards the sounds. Until I saw something really gruesome, a scene of wolves encircled a mother ibex and her child. The little one was already injured while the mother tried to fend the wolves off. Three poisoned arrows that was all I had prepared, foolishly underestimating the potential threat not thinking I would find a pack of at least ten wolves. At this close range, I might get three or four wolves before the others get to me. The pack has around ten wolves. this might get really nasty.
I swiftly strapped my little shield to left forearm, the three precious poison arrows were in my drawing hand, ready for rapid fire. No time for strategy, I drew the bow and aiming at the wolf in front of me. The draw reached its peak, and the poisoned arrow flew. The arrow hit that wolf's torso and before it even hit the ground, another arrow was notched, drawn, and released, poisoning two more wolves. Two more regular arrows followed, finding their marks, I thought some wolves might get to me at this point but surprisingly they didn't.
The mother and child ibex, they were still fighting for their lives. The poisoned beasts, writhing and snapping, turned on their own kin that's why they hadn't reached me yet. I seized the opportunity, sending a few more arrows into the fray, dropping two more wolves, then readied myself. Yelling with all my might, I charged in with shield and sword. The sight of my armored figure, coupled with the disarray within their ranks broke the wolves' spirit. The remaining pack disheartened and started to turned tail and fled into the moonlit forest. "We survived, I'm surviving!"
I used the bone whistle that Aykuz had given me, signaling with a sound that asked for help but this is not the kind of help they would have thought I needed. While awaiting their arrival, I scanned the surroundings for any lingering threat. Even the moonlight, filtering through the branches, seemed to catch and intensify the red, casting an eerie glow over the scene. Each drop, each smear, told a silent story of the brutal encounter. Crimson blossoms bloomed in irregular patterns where the wolves had fallen. The starkness of the blood against the white was a visceral reminder of the violence that had just unfolded, a permanent mark on the serene landscape.
They arrived, their faces filled with shock at the scene before them. I explained how the injured ibex had become a fatal distraction for the wolves. They discovered four fallen wolves initially, and a further search revealed three more, their deaths a testament to the swift poison. Aykuz gently tended the wounds of the terrified ibex calf before allowing it to rejoin its mother. After ensuring all the beasts were deceased, we offered prayers for their spirits to return to the mountain, then collecting some wolf blood in one of our empty water bag. The task of transporting the seven dead beasts to the Sacred Mountain would delay our journey, but thankfully, I had Aykuz and Kara Yulduz as my companions.