Though Ceranth was older than Khellin by three days, being born to Ta’bain the Ol’Sackay chieftain’s second and older brother, kept Ceranth from being the leader of the clan. Being so close in age Ceranth and Khellin grew up together, playing in each other’s homes, forging a closer bond than just cousins. Khellin’s next three broars came along, Ceranth and Khellin still managed to get into no end of trouble. This brotherly relationship is one of the reasons Washota had such trouble watching Brezlin, Khellin’s youngest broar, take on the role of Ol’Sackay leader after the exodus when it should have gone to Ceranth.
The unpleasant day that Khellin chose Rechet, his oldest broar, as his second after Tormerac’s death was not a surprise to Ceranth as it might have been in any other situation. He was fine with the decision; a close broar should be his advisor. It was also during this time that he watched his own chaimeach teach him a valuable lesson, in how to serve with dignity. Ta’bain stepped aside almost as soon as Tormerac died. While you might think this insensitive, it was the way of things. Ta’bain stayed on to groom both Khellin and Rechet in the unseen ways of their chieftain that only Ta’bain was privy to, creating a stronger leader. Now, what does all this talk of Khellin have to do with Ceranth? Plenty. It is in this phase of his life he is learning the weight of duty to his people and not to self. He also witnessed the toll it took on his cousin.
Also during this time, his cheelah went on to have another boy and three more girls, who eventually grew up to be very attractive females, driving his chaimeach crazy with prospective warriors wanting a chance with one of them. Less focused on finding a mate, Ceranth was learning the tactic of ground crew training. But, it was on one early morning, as he ran through his door rushing to get to a training test he was late for, that he brushed past M’kayha, knocking her down. He looked down in horror, realizing who she was. M’kayha was not from here having only recently arrived with her broar to find a mate. Ceranth knew of her arrival but as of yet had not seen her. “Shalta, I’m sorry” were his first words to her, and has been apologizing off and on ever since.
It wasn’t long after their first meeting that they were mated and Teyhon was born. M’kayha’s pregnancy was so bad that Ceranth vowed he was happy with just one basul that was not to be because during a Kanue outbreak she was pregnant again, but this time she lost the baby. The loss was too much for both of them that Ceranth would be more careful from then on. Over time Khellin finally had his children and the world settled into a rhythm Ceranth understood. Yes, there were outbreaks of dragon attacks but they were not as common at home so the Ol’Sackay felt safe.
Teyhon was now eight and Ceranth and M’kayha took him on his first hunt in beast form. Ceranth couldn’t be happier until on their return trip home, the sound of an attack from the dragons separated Ceranth from his mate and basul, changing their world completely. Duty to M’kayha and Teyhon was now secondary since they were on the opposite side of the portal. Calleya and Khellin’s children were now paramount. The decision to split up was announced and he was not selected to care for Khellin’s children as he anticipated. Brezlin took responsibility and Ceranth bowed again to the bloodline. I could go on with other examples but I think you are getting the picture here. Ceranth is not so complicated to understand his kind can be found throughout history. Though he has lived a life of authority on various levels, someone is always there stepping onto his path. I think that is why somewhere deep inside both he and Tember, there is a voice that wants to cry out ‘I am important too,’ but instead settles for the contentment he sees when he looks into M’kayha’s eyes and receives her loving sense of balance.
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