Tree of the Mind

Breathe in.

Meditation helped, more than other Orc's realised. It wasn't sleep, it wasn't rest. It was clear thinking and a way to dig deep into the mind for answers. You could search through ideas, memories and concepts, Old or new, to find the answers you sought.

Krogon's master had told him to shape his mind, his memories like a Mountain. You stand at the peak, looking down the trails and paths, cliff's and plateau's that would be formed of all memory.

Krogon preferred to think of it as a looking up at a tree from ground level. Each branch, a path of thought, Each Leaf a memory.

Breathe out.

The Question at hand, was a simple one. Easy to pose to himself, but forever followed by follow up questions.

How best to serve the tribe?

His mind raced up the trunk of the tree to the first splitting of branches. Here he found the branch of Skills, the branch of Discipline, the branch of the code, the branch of the tribe and finally the newly growing 'twig' of family. Each off-shoot led down to smaller paths and eventually leaves that contained memories, thoughts, ideas and beyond. A mind kept in order, but free to grow.

The Choice was Obvious, the Branch of the tribe.

Breathe in.

Humid air filled his lungs, The rain atop this Bluff in the jade forest was a minor distraction, his eyes remained firmly closed, his mind fixed on the task at hand as his thoughts coursed down the branch of the tree.

The branch of the Tribe was a relatively new one, the most fruitful and well tended. but was also the hardest to cultivate. and still now, from time to time conflicted with other branches, in particular that of the code. but it was the one to which he placed the greatest priority.

The First leaves and smaller branches and twigs rushed by. Memories of his Oath, the tribes rules and laws, memories of failures, catastrophe and even the twisted raw branch of exile. but there was also the triumphs and pride. Memory's of great victory, of bonds forged in blood with Brothers and tribes Orc's. At last he slowed to a halt at a freshly spawned and budding leaf.

Breathe Out.

The leaf was an idea, one that manifested, sprouted and was placed upon the tree of his mind the second news of the Chieftains imprisonment was announced. Often enough this happened, it was involuntary and was how his mind was ordered. Even now, the happenings of the previous days were being ordered on other branches, sorted and nurtured for future use. But this one was special, This leaf, this idea, was growing on its own. He knew better than to nurture it, but he did anyway.

A little addition of information here, Concept now and then as each hour passed. It would grow to be quite unique, a thought passed and considered, built on and reinforced not out of will. But out of reflex and instinct. The other branches of the tree nudged, pushed and supported its growth. Rules, codes of honour, bonds of friendship, past experience and oath's in blood all pushed him to think on this.

Breathe In.

A second smaller bud of vegetation sprouted besides the larger. It would never grow to full size, but it would serve its purpose. It was here as a reminder for its larger, and potentially infinitely more complex brother. It was a rule, for himself. A simple line, a command.

"Do not Act on this bigger idea unless ordered"

Was all it said, stated and told. So he would obey, his attention returned to the more pressing matter of expansion. More must be considered, More must be learned, more must be added. Information from the Branch of skills must be brought over, The Branch of the code consulted.

When it would be done, it would be a complex and brilliant thing indeed, with a simple name easy to remember and placed foremost on its branch so it would be easy to grab for when needed.

"How to break the Chieftain out of prison"

But not to be touched until ordered.

Breathe Out.