Just Another Day

Shanku was thoroughly exhausted after she returned from training.

"Well, is this what you want to do?" Nari asked cautiously.

"Never felt better!" Shanku beamed from a collapsed heap in the floor. "Falak says to come three times a week until I'm a dorodh, then I'll be going as often as Da. I'll talk to Sir Bibot first thing in the morning about getting approved to be a travelling fighter."

"Sounds like you've got a good plan," Nari remarked. "It should fit you well."

"I think so," Shanku said happily. "I still have to study with Misen, and eventually one of them bone-settin' healers. If I'm going to be out and about in who-knows-where, I need to know enough first aid to stay alive."

Meeting with her grandfather the next morning was more intimidating than talking to the captain. Shanku paced a few moments outside his door before finally entering. "Sir Bibot? Are you in?" Shanku asked nervously.

"Aye, cub. What brings you here today?" Bibot asked cheerily as he finished his breakfast.

"Well, I think I may have found a role in the clan," Shanku started. "I'm going to be a warrior."

"Very good," Bibot nodded. "Zanzen has done well for himself as a warrior, perhaps you shall too."

"I hope so. The thing is, my captain made a suggestion for my position, but it doesn't exist yet, and it needs to be approved before I can take it," Shanku said slowly.

"Oh? And what position is this?" Bibot asked through narrowed eyes.

"The captain noticed I have a different fighting style than other Scissortails due to how much time I spent practicing with the Highlands, so he thinks it may be beneficial if I go to other societies and learn how they fight, and bring home new techniques to see if it will make our warriors stronger," Shanku explained.

"An interesting notion," Bibot remarked. "Did you and your wanderlust put him up to this?"

"Not entirely," Shanku said uneasily. "I wouldn't have brought it up to him if he hadn't show interest."

"I'll have to talk it over with the others," Bibot replied. "If you'll excuse me, it is time for my morning duties." Bibot bid farewell to his mate and granddaughter as he left for the day.

"I think it's a wonderful idea," Ysu said when he had left. "You know your grandsire, always so resistant to any kind of change!"

"It's often discouraging," Shanku sighed.

"That's the point," Ysu replied. "And he does it so well. You don't seem as resilient to it as you once were."

"It has gotten harder lately," Shanku admitted as she sat down sadly and propped her arms on her legs. "I'm not ready to give in, but, I'm tired."

"You look so much like your father right now, back when he first told Sir Bibot that he intended to join the military to support that young mate of his. What a fight those two had! You've made it this far, dear," Ysu said. "You're this close to a lifetime of being allowed to wander and explore. Don't give up just yet. Go out, see the world, and bring us new treasures."

Shanku smiled. "I never would have guessed you'd have such a scandalously rebellious nature."

"Zanzen didn't get his desire to break family tradition from his father, nor did he have the resolve on his own to carry through with it," Ysu said with a wry smile. "If I had been just a touch braver, a may have gotten myself exiled at a young age too, and confronted Bibot more directly." Ysu placed a reassuring hand on her grandcub's knee. "Please, tell me all about your journeys. We haven't had a chance to talk in years!"

Shanku grinned more broadly and enjoyed connecting with her other granddam.