Outrider
Wanderlust does not discriminate between tribes. There is no cultural prescription that can reliably prevent it stirring in the hearts of the young - the open expanses call with promises of adventure and discovery so seductive that any son or daughter might be claimed: the right story heard at the right age, or a passing glimpse of half-hidden ruins, beautiful and old and mysterious beyond all of a child's previous imaginings, spotted from the deck of their clan's sandship as it languidly rolls past. That their tuggings on parental robes, and wide-eyed questions ("mother, what is that?") are likely met with quick, dismissive warnings can, for the right child, only exacerbate the condition.
Indeed, such wanderlust has no cure, and only one treatment - to give in.
Thousand Spears tolerates these restless souls so long they conform to the role of outrider. As an outrider, their desire to explore and adventure far from their tribe is put to use. That does not free them from the obligations of learning to fight, and absorbing the lessons of honour and pride that all their youth are indoctrinated to - though they may prove more reluctant students than their peers.
Better then to allow them to keep some scraps of their innate roguery - it will not be drilled out of them anyway, no matter how much their instructors might try. Besides - giving them a pack of supplies, a vague map and orders to scout the frontiers of newly travelled lands gets them far enough away to prevent their lack of discipline from spreading.
Still, the impetuous youth who become master outriders are invaluable tools. Wise commanders would trade their number many times over in capable warriors, just to be have the vital scouting that they provide. To strike and retreat through mountain passes, inaccessible to clumsy wheeled machines; to locate hidden caves and ruins from which to spring from ambush; to find vital sources of food and water while on the move; outriders are fine assets, even if they start life as young headaches.
Image by Ellen
Thousand Spears
Indeed, such wanderlust has no cure, and only one treatment - to give in.
Thousand Spears tolerates these restless souls so long they conform to the role of outrider. As an outrider, their desire to explore and adventure far from their tribe is put to use. That does not free them from the obligations of learning to fight, and absorbing the lessons of honour and pride that all their youth are indoctrinated to - though they may prove more reluctant students than their peers.
Better then to allow them to keep some scraps of their innate roguery - it will not be drilled out of them anyway, no matter how much their instructors might try. Besides - giving them a pack of supplies, a vague map and orders to scout the frontiers of newly travelled lands gets them far enough away to prevent their lack of discipline from spreading.
Still, the impetuous youth who become master outriders are invaluable tools. Wise commanders would trade their number many times over in capable warriors, just to be have the vital scouting that they provide. To strike and retreat through mountain passes, inaccessible to clumsy wheeled machines; to locate hidden caves and ruins from which to spring from ambush; to find vital sources of food and water while on the move; outriders are fine assets, even if they start life as young headaches.
Thousand Spears
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