Thud! Thud! The sound of an arrow followed by another flew towards the target dummy shaped in the form of a human, finding its mark in the center of it’s head. Like every individual that resided on the steppe, male or female, young or old, I was competent with the bow. We all knew how to fire a bow well, warrior or not. One of the first few things we are taught to master is archery. It is more than simply a way of combat, it is also our way of life.

I practiced until my quivers were empty, then I stepped forward to retrieve my arrows and start all over again. In the beginning, I, along with other young warriors to begin our lessons with an experienced hunter or warrior’s guidance. Once we mastered the basics, we would left on our own to practice, and I did so diligently. I have have to end this entry here today. Mother is calling me to feed the goats or she would not allow me to go hunting with the men later.

Journal Entry 2

We all have a part to play in camp life, regardless of rank, age and gender. As hunters, all of us have to do our fair share of work, and even the Khan’s daughter does not get to laze around. In every hunting clan in the forests, we are all bonded with our herds of the three snouts. The sheep, goat and cows. All the women usually occupy themselves with the more domestic duties such as housekeeping and cooking and milking the cows and goats, the men are the hunters and fishermen, as well as warriors, serving as soldiers and raiders, protectors of the clan and attackers when the banner is called for war. I have always been more interested in the duties of men, such as hunting and fishing with my brothers. Mother did not like this.

Journal Entry 3

I proved to be just as good or even better at times when it came to archery, which earned me their respect and the pride of my father despite being the youngest. I had always been fascinated by the stories of traders and merchants who came from other places to trade and sell their wares. As I write this, a merchant from Varstem lodges somewhere in the visitor’s area of the camp where he would peddle his goods, and buy whatever supplies he needs, before leaving at the end of the week. I approach him, just like I did with every foreign merchant, asking for stories of where they came from. I was told of far flung places such as Rur and Canasta, and the tales of intrigue that surrounded them. I wanted to see them all one day.

Journal Entry 4

Now old enough, I began to beg my parents for permission to leave the camp. They had always known of my fascination with exploring the world outside the borders of our clan lands in the great forests, but their worry for me made them say no. And no. And no. And no. I will not give up. This is not the end. I will write back once I manage to change their mind. I learnt to fight with the swords our warriors carried, taught by a friend in an effort to change my parents mind. Perhaps, once they saw that I could take care of myself, they would allow me to leave.

History

Born the youngest child and second daughter of Jhovo, who was the Khan of all the hunting clans of the Great Forest, she had always been a fiery one since she was a kid. Unlike other girls, she was not satisfied with merely housekeeping and domestic duties. Secretly at first, she would disguise herself and tag along with the other boys as they went on hunting or fishing trips.

Eventually, she was discovered by one of her brothers who ratted out on her. Lectured by her parents, that did not in any way dampened her spirits or desire to continue. Finally managing to persuade her father to allow her to attend the lessons so long as she did not neglect her domestic duties, Jyon was finally allowed to go along on the hunting trips.

As she slowly grew into a young woman, she managed to find a mentor in one of her father’s friends who taught her all about sword fighting with the vicious blades they used. She’d always had a yearning for adventures, and whenever merchants and traders came, she would pester them for stories, and tales of the foreign outside worlds. She vowed that one day she would see them all, no matter how long it would take to persuade her parents to allow her to leave.

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