After the short and sweet ceremony that officially brought myself and a few others from the tribe into manhood I made the short trip from the center of the village, which was just a circle surrounded on all sides by yurts and animal pens, to my new home which I would be living in from now on until my family grew out of it or until I broke it in some way and needed a new one.

As father had told me my siblings, turned members of my new house, were waiting for me out by the entrance to my new home. I could not help but smile cheekily at the realization that everything before me from the four teens standing out front, to the animals penned out behind the yurt were all mine. “Happy?” Kulan asked with a soft smile on her delicate young face. The other three who were staggered behind her began to smile as well. For them as much as for me, this was a big part of their lives, something that would define who and what we all would become. The scary thing is, their futures now rested in the palms of my hands. “I can’t help but be happy with being the lord of my own house and destiny,” I said shaking the grin from my face. “So,” Kulan asked shuffling from foot to foot “If it is not too bold of me to ask, what are our current plans for the future” I was caught completely off guard and left speechless by her sudden question. I did not find it as being disrespectful that my sister and new servant would ask me about my plans for our future. Instead I was speechless because I had honestly not thought about the future beyond becoming a man and who I would take with me when I left fathers house. I thought for several long seconds while all of us were standing out in front of my new yurt it was on the verge of becoming awkward, so Kulan seeing that we had stood out front for to long motioned to the entrance and we all stepped inside, me being first and my siblings following close behind.

Inside there was a fire already going in the center of the single room I am glad my siblings were smart enough to already have a fire going so that the room was comfortable rather than being cold and dark aside from the light let in through the ceiling. Now with the light and warmth coming from the fire the yurt was quite cozy and welcoming.

...

We all sat around the fire on cushions made of straw that had been laid out beforehand. My seat was placed on a small pedestal since the head of the house is not to be on the same level as those beneath him. After we were all comfortably seated Kulan once again asked about our plans but this time she was more specific with her query. “Will we follow father’s house or be more independent and forge our own path?” she asked smiling nervously, once again worried that she might offend me in some way, and once again I was not offended in the slightest instead I was thankful she had given me some direction in her question so that instead of thinking aimlessly I had some place to start with. After a few more seconds of thinking I had come up with a plan.

I coughed into my hand to clear my throat and got ready to discuss with my siblings the direction that I wish to lead us in the future. “You don’t have to worry about offending me Kulan or anyone of you for that matter.” I cut my words off for a second, so I could scan my siblings faces and gauge where their heads were at, they all relaxed in their seats at my words but Kulan audibly sighed in relief since she was the one to actually speak up and voice her thoughts. I almost laughed breaking the serious atmosphere in the room, but I held myself back and continued speaking. “I would like to strike out on my own and have more freedom in what I do but with that freedom there is an added risk, a risk that I am not so eager to take.” I once again paused and scanned the room; my siblings were all nodding in agreement. Seeing them all agree with my words I sat up a little straighter so that I looked even more in command and more confident in what I was saying. “So,” I continued, “I will go speak to Alton while you all prepare supper for us. I will talk to him about his plans so that we can plan our next move and where we should settle down for the next few months.” Our tribe has lived in this location for many years, meaning all the best grazing spots have been found and these places are all first come first serve so we will need to head out early tomorrow to claim our families spot.

You can stay in the village with the chief and his family, including some of his branch families, but the land around the village is not as good for grazing since it has been settled continuously for so long and the chief tends to take up any decent spot he can find that is left. Because of this, most families tend to leave and settle down in other pieces of our hard-won land except for those who are to small to properly protect their own, like myself, but Alton is very powerful and can afford to lend his support, so I will lean on him for the time being. Kulan nodded, “Yes brother that sounds like a fine plan.” I feel like Kulan was just petting my ego, but I did not want to bring it up at the moment and just ignored it.

...

I was lost in thought, staring into the fire, when I heard Erhi’s soft, melodic voice speak for the first time this night grabbing my attention that was swiftly being captured by the crackling flames, “Head over to father’s brother and we will take care of the animals and prepare supper for when you return.” Ulgar and Erdin nodded at the mention of animals while Kulan at the mention of supper. I knew my brothers could handle the animals since I had been working Alton’s animals alongside them for many winters, but to my knowledge I had never had my sisters cooking. I would just have to see how things go but if they were taught by Alton’s many wives all would be fine.

So, snapping back to reality and getting back on track, I stood from my raised seat and headed outside and over to Alton’s place to get a plan together. When I made it to Alton’s yurt, two of my younger brothers were practicing their archery outside, it could use some work but at least they were putting in the effort to improve. I motioned to Bataar to come over to me. Bataar set his bow down and came my way if not grudgingly. “yes brother?” he asked. “is Alton inside?” I asked pointing to the yurt. Bataar looked to where I was pointing and nodded, “Yes he is inside going over tomorrows schedule.” “Thanks, Bataar,” I said, “Remind me and at some point, I will give you some pointers in archery.” I was being genuine with my offer, but Bataar, being one of my many siblings who had a distaste for me, just scowled and went back to his archery practice. Looking at it now it looked like absolute shit and he really could use some help, but I will be damned if he gets that help from me. ignoring my younger brother, I headed into the yurt. Upon walking in, Alton was sitting in his commanding seat that looked over everyone in his home while Taban sat in his lap back turned to me as I entered. His seat was raised higher than mine in my own home which made me slightly jealous. When Alton saw me walk in he smiled and motioned me over to his side pushing Taban aside and shooing her into the back where I assumed his other wives were preparing supper for the rest of the house.

My father’s actions are the main cause of my siblings’ jealousy, seeing how those siblings who were in the room when I entered gave me a menacing look before following Taban’s example and leaving the room so that only me and Alton remained. When I was born the sun went completely black plunging the world into darkness the elderly thought it was the end times before the sun came back out and shone down on earth once again. After the event it was then decided that it was a blessing from the Great Being after everyone realized the world was not ending of course. The elders of my tribe saw this as a sign that the Great Being favored me in particular and that I would grow to do remarkable things in my lifetime. My father was overjoyed by such a thought and gave me more attention while I was growing up, teaching me all he knew, such attention that my other siblings never knew, which led to their jealousy.

Other than the days earlier beating at Alton’s hands he had never once raised his fist to me in the past so that had led to the overall shock of the earlier events, but I assume in his own way he was still showing his favoritism towards me even if it was a little messed up. Very few adults around the tribe could say that they sparred with Alton since his rise to manhood all those years ago. So, you could say I am quite lucky to have fought him, even if it was a one-sided beating.

Once seated by Alton’s side, he wrapped his arm around my shoulders in a friendly manner that showed that I was not his son, but I was a respected friend Alton is both confirming to myself and him that I am now an adult and should be treated as such through his actions. “So, Aridan,” he said, still smiling, “what brings you into my home? I would’ve thought you would want to be getting your own house in order at this time.” I nodded back to him, “indeed I am trying to get my household in order that is what has brought me here this evening.” If my father was going to start talking to me as a fellow man than I would throw away old habits and do the same. Alton thought over my words for a second before replying with an amused look on his face. “So, Aridan you are humble enough to admit you are not yet strong enough to go settle on your own and are here to ask me for help, is that it?” Alton was quick on the uptake as usual, so he already knew my purpose in coming here just from my initial words. I nodded my head to Alton to show that he was correct in his assumption. Alton burst into laughter going so far to slap his knee in jubilation. I just sat there with an awkward smile on my face not quite sure what I should be doing as he continued to laugh boisterously for an extended period. After a minute or so, he was still laughing without a break, I began to worry that I had done something wrong and that Alton was making fun of me in some way. He must have seen the unease on my face because soon after I began to worry that I was being made fun of, Alton began to reign in his laughter eventually stopping altogether as if it had never happened in the first place. “I am quite pleased that you would ask me for help in your time of need Aridan,” Alton said clearly trying to ease my mind, “a smart man goes to others for help when it is needed, while a fool rushes into the pray taking no heed to any council. I only wish I had been smart enough in my youth to do what you are doing now Aridan.” Relief washed over me at Alton’s words, it was refreshing to know that my father, the man I thought the world of, thought I was doing the right thing because I had honestly worried that I was heading for disaster. But, now after his words I can sleep easy with my choices. Putting his arms back around my shoulder Alton continued speaking, “Of course you and your household are more than welcome to follow me this summer, but you will need to grow in strength so that you can become independent in the future and not always rely on my resources and power.” He had a point and I too want to become independent more than anything, I would go off on my own right now if I did not worry for mine and the safety of those around me. “Thank you, Alton, for the offer,” I said bowing my head in his direction which was awkward with his arm still draped over my shoulder, “I will gladly accept, and it is also my plan to consolidate my holdings and move out on my own when I feel that I have the power to provide for and protect my household.”

Alton began to laugh again just not as loud as last time. He removed his arm from my shoulder and sat up straighter taking on a more regal pose as I had tried to do earlier in my own home. Though he looked far more confident than I imagine I looked doing it. “Good I am glad that we see eye to eye on this,” he said looking down on me after adopting his new position, “We will leave early in the morning and head over to our normal spot, you need to get home and get ready so that you don’t hold us back tomorrow.”

I bowed my head to Alton once more standing up to leave before he held up his hand to stop me. sitting back down I waited for what he had to say. Whatever it was he wanted to say was a touchy subject since he opened his mouth and hesitated multiple times before finally getting around to say it. “this may not be my place Aridan but as your father and mentor I need to know,” He sighed pausing once more choosing his next words carefully, “Have you even thought about taking a wife yet because if you haven’t that is as good a place as any when wanting to increase your overall strength.” First Kulan and now Alton why is everybody so concerned about my relationship status. Before now nobody seemed to care when I took my first wife or even if I would take one but now it seems to be on everyone’s mind. I hesitated for a moment before answering thinking about lying before just deciding to tell the truth. “No, in all honesty I haven’t taken much time thinking about a wife right now I just want to focus on getting settled down then taking things from there.” Alton nodded as if expecting my answer. “Kulan told me as much,” He said with a sigh, “I am not rushing you, but it is a thought and you may be right it might be better to wait until we settle down before giving it much more thought, but this is something that needs to be done, you will need heirs and the more the better.” I know Alton is right, but it is just something a kid does not want to worry about. After that it seemed Alton was done with me, so once again I bowed my head in his direction and stood up to leave, this time however he did not stop me, and I was allowed to leave his yurt without another word.

I walked back over to my own yurt to tell the others my plan and to get some food. After supper we all worked on getting the house and animals ready to travel. We worked well into the night and it was completely dark before I got back inside and could finally sleep. Tomorrow would come with new hardships and challenges but that was work for tomorrow while right now I just needed some sleep.