The Eagle Has Landed (Invite Only)

[Disciple (DELETED 12499)]

It was nightfall, the sun was just going down when Disciple had found the perfect location to call home. Temporarily, at the very least. A small group of trees is all he ever needed to make a home and this grouping was perfect he felt. As he grew closer with every step, his hatchet was removed from the tool belt on his waist. The smaller trees could be easily chopped down and later used for firewood, so he began hacking away to make a clearing. Leaving the chopped wood in a pile. It took a little while but with his hard working ethic, Disciple finally got his landing cleared. The second step was to locate a decent amount of bushes with thorns, used to provide protection against unwanted guests. So he began walking along the peace of the wilderness, chopping thorn bushes at the base of the stump to drag home with him. It wasn't an easy task, leaving him with scratches and prick marks from the sharpness of the thorns. He would mutter cuss words to cope with the sting, but they never stopped him from working.

Hours went by with him walking away from his new-found homeland just to drag back these thorny bastards. Soon enough he had his border of thorns and a makeshift door. At this moment, Disciple looked up towards the night sky and closed his eyes, taking in a deep breath through his nostrils. In his mind he could hear the voice of his father running the steps by him. "You see, son. It's important to remember the steps. First you need to be able to envision a circle, then you need to bring that vision to life. Clear anything that would be the middle except for the foundation of your shelter. Then you make the border with thorn bushes and spikes. Some of these small trees can be used to make these spikes." When his eyes opened, he could see his father making him take the steps to make the perfect protected home using only the resources mother nature provided. "Once your border is built, it's important to build your fire next. For warmth, cooking. Food. Light. You have to be smart if you build in the dark. Every shadow is your friend in the dark until they sneak up behind you."

Those words echoed through his mind as he began digging with his bare hands, trying to make the perfect fire pit. Once his pit was deep enough he began placing the stones around it, then took the wood he chopped down to clear out his boma and began placing it within the pit. He grabbed some loose brush to use as kindling then began striking his hatchet against a piece of flint to make a spark. "Don't hit that flint too hard you'll break it and then you have nothing. Even strikes, boy." Once the flame had begun, he stood up and looked at the fire he created and muttered to himself, "Even strikes, Father." It was at that moment he sat beside the fire to relax for a short while, taking in his surroundings. In the distance he could hear his eagle calling for him. "She found the fire. Should be here tomorrow at the latest..." he planned out loud.

It was in the darkness, surrounded by trees and fire smoke that he found the most peace. Hearing the animals running wild, chasing one another. "Don't forget to eat, boy. You need strength to keep going. Don't ever burn more than you eat, that's the first step to weakness." That warning stuck true to his heart. It wasn't long before he exited through his makeshift door and began walking through the wilderness in search of small game. He no longer had a rifle or bow, all he had was this Glock, and didn't want to waste the bullets on something he could do by hand. Leaning down, Disciple gripped onto a rock and held it tight. He found the perfect tree to post up in and wait, then began watching all the game in his new home. Deer, wolves, rabbits, mountain lions, bears. He could smell them, at least he believed he could.

There was a rustle in the bushes, a wolf had began chasing a rabbit. Round and round, that rabbit was tiring this wolf out to save its life. When that moment had finally arrived, Disciple threw that rock as hard as he could and watched as it collided with the rabbits face, knocking it unconscious. Dropping from the tree, he could hear the warnings in his mind. "Move, boy! You can lose that food to countless mouths in these woods." and as he leaned down to pick the rabbit up, he muttered, "Yes, father." before snapping its neck and killing it. As the tip of his buck knife went into the rabbits stomach and he sliced it down to gut it, he heard the teachings. "You must gut your kill where it drops. You don't want to attract attention to yourself. There will always be bigger things than you, Lincoln. You must be smart and strong to survive. Use the resources around you."

As he left the pile of guts behind, he kicked away any leaves and scooped up some loose brush. Leaving the guts can attract larger animals for better meals, kicking the leaves away could make the tracks visible. Another lesson his father taught him. During his walk back to his new home, he spoke to his kill. "Your pelt will sell nice. You'll provide me with a nice meal to end the night... I thank you for that." And once he was in his boma once more, he skinned the small animal and placed it on a stake, then began cooking it. It was in this moment he watched the final moments he spent with his father in the flames. "This is where we part ways, my son. I've taught you everything I know to survive, now its your time. Take this hatchet and this pelt. Perhaps one day we will cross paths again, but for now, it is time for you to leave your nest. You are my disciple, Lincoln. Spread my teachings. Make me proud, boy."

As he began to pick some meat off of his kill, he leaned his back against the nearest tree and spoke through chews, "Yes, father..." with that feeling of not being ready to be on his own growing in his gut. In silence he ate his meal, then buried the bones only a foot beneath the soil. He counted the bullets in his clip then cocked his Glock to ready it, keeping one in the chamber. He would build his shelter tomorrow. For now, the border and fire would suffice. "Tomorrow, we see what Harper Rock has to offer..." were the last words spoken in this Boma for the night.