Clan - part 1

1

I looked out over the hills. A thin layer of mist was settled across the top and only the birds of the valley could be heard. It was very peaceful out on my balcony. I had lived here all my life and knew every little path, every tree and could find my way out of the thick of the forest.I could also survive in the forest if i was ever to become stranded. My father had taught me well. Of course all my training was done at nightfall or the early hours of the morning to keep it from my mother. She despised the relationship i had with my father as i received most of his attention. She was a lady and wanted me to follow in her footsteps. Posh dinners and fancy gowns were what she wanted to happen yet i was happier running in the forest and talking to the animals. I respected nature, just like my father had taught me. If i ever were to kill an animal or a plant i said a small prayer so its soul could be carried peacefully through the death trip. I longed to join a clan in the forest. To be more specific, i longed to belong in the raven clan, the clan in which my father used to belong. Then he met my mother and he left to be with her. He used to sit on my balcony and stare out at the hills and the forest.2

His eyes were very sad as he carefully touched his tribe tattoos which my mother made him hide under thick paste made from tree bark. Over the years my mother became more bitter then she was and craved the attention of my father more. He, however, stayed in his own little world, thinking of the past and ignoring her pleas for attention. The only one who received his attention was me. My mother hated me for that and gradually disowned me. It started by a loss of interest in anything i excelled at and in the end i had no name. To her i was just 'Oi' or 'You'. Although this saddened me, my father gave me more attention then ever, taking me into the forest more often, showing me how to survive and telling me tales of how he used to live. I wished one day to join my clan and live like he did.3

It was late and a breeze drifted around my room sending shivers down my spine. I pulled my covers up to my neck, then realised my door leading onto the balcony was open. I stood up slowly, trying to remember if i had shut it or not. I was sure i had. As i got closer to the door i heard a small sniffle. I put my head round the door and had a look to see who was there. My father sat with a damp cloth wiping away the thick bark paste my mother made to cover his tattoos. Silent tears slid down his cheeks and he didn't look up as i sat beside him. I looked out and saw a small thin line of smoke raising from the forest. It bent and swirled upwards before eventually disappearing into the dark sky.4

'They're calling for me.' I looked at my father and he continued wiping away at his arms and face. I knew what he meant.5

' Your leaving then?' I asked, looking down at my hands which i had begun twisting in my lap.6

' I am.' My father was never a man of many words, unless he was telling a story. He was an awfully good story teller.7

' Mother won't like it.'8

' She doesn't like a lot of things.' Still he didn't look up, yet more tears slid down his cheeks. Silence.9

' Do you want to go?' I asked eventually, knowing the answer already.10

' Of course.'11

I couldn't hold it back any longer. I embraced my father and began to sob.12

' Don't leave me with her. I don't want to stay without you!' He stopped wiping and held me tight, laughing slightly. 'Don't laugh! She horrible!' I screeched causing him to laugh even harder.13

'Stop laughing!' I yelled getting really annoyed at my father.14

' Shh young one. I never said i was leaving you. I couldn't do that.' I wiped my face feeling rather silly.15

' But i thought you wanted to go?'16

' I do, and i am. But I'm not leaving you here with that wicked woman. I'm going back to my tribe.' I thought about it all.17

' So why were you crying?'18

' Half sadness, half happiness. I have waited 20 years for them to call for me. Now they have i am happy. I will be welcomed back. But i am sad. Your mother never used to be like she is now. Don't ever think that. She has a lot of problems.'19

I stayed silent. I wasn't sad. I was overjoyed. I would be joining a clan. My clan. The place where i rightfully belong.20

' But father... Why have they waited 20 years before calling you?'21

' Every night i looked for that line of smoke. It is a sign of welcoming. They have forgiven me and are welcoming me back.' He smiled at me. It was the first time i had seen him smile like that in a long time.22

' That's really good father. Will they welcome me?' I was nervous, what if they didn't want me there.23

' People of the forest never turn away a youngster. Be it a child or a pup. It stays with us until it can fend for itself. Then it's their choice whether to leave or not. You will be welcomed just as i will be.' I was happy to hear that. I was even more joyous that i was leaving for the forest. I smiled as my father finished washing away all the paste.24

' Go, we don't have much time. If we do not arrive within 5 days of the smoke being in the air we will no longer be people of the clan. We will become their enemy's. So quick, go get your things.' He smiled at me25

' Thank you father. I have always wanted this.'26

' I know, now go!' I lept up and ran to go find my things.27