[Flashback] An Autumn Hunt (Lanvira)

[Poison]

Early Autumn, 510 AV

It was dark inside Lanvira’s bedroom in the home of the Nepenthes Web, but on the surface, countless metres above Kalinor, Leth had just made way to Syna, darkness to light, night to day. The black sky exploded in a sea of colors, different shades of yellow, red and pink, and then those colors made way to clear blue. It promised to be a warm, sunny day, as if summer had decided to make one last comeback before winter took a hold of the land. Animals stirred in the forest, eager to take advantage of the pleasant weather once more before they would have to go into hiding so that they could protect themselves against the cold.

It was dark inside Lanvira’s room. Little light penetrated the thick curtains that formed the door and separated it from the main area of the house, but she could hear the members of her Web move about. Her father, her stepmother and her two brothers were already awake, preparing themselves for the day, as always, but something was a little different from all those other mornings. Her Web were louder, moving things around, opening chests and cupboards and having a rather animated discussion about something.

Lanvira could hear the word „hunt“ more than once. They also mentioned bows and packing for a longer journey and how somebody from the Sickle and Arrow would join them in a little bit. Eventually she could also hear footsteps. Somebody was approaching, walking right towards her room. A few moments passed – she had a little time to prepare herself – and then the curtains were pulled aside, and she could see the face of her father on the other side. He didn’t say anything, but seemed to have decided to check whether she was awake first.

[Lanvira]

Sleep addled, Lanvira simply stared at her father for a few moments before it seemed to register she really was awake and the noises she'd been hearing weren't simply another dream. She blinked a few times before raising the back of her right hand to rub at her eyes a bit, the light streaming in past the curtain a bit much for her current half awake state. Sitting upright, she held her blankets to her with her left hand while reaching with her right to grab the various strands of cloth she kept piled next to her bedside for when she woke. The word "hunt" was still muttered by the others of her web, but it hardly registered to Lanvira till she was busy winding cloth around her legs, having finished binding her chest and pelvis. She stilled a moment, hands paused in the process of tucking in the stray ends so they would hold and keep the cloth bound about her limbs. A hunt? That would mean she would be sent out on her own, and for that matter was she even ready for something like that? Her hands slid the loose ends under the wrappings, carefully tucking it so that she could remove them without much fuss if they were caught on something. Stepping lightly, she stood and stretched, ears straining to catch any of the conversation going on outside her room. Mentally trying to prepare herself for whatever may come she stepped out to join the others, still hesitant at what lay in her immediate future.

[Poison]

„Good morning.“ Her father smiled at her as she sat up in her bed. Only in his early fourties, he had a kind face, pale and slim, and framed with silver hair. He had strong convictions and thought that the Esterian traditions were the way to go – and he expected his children to follow those traditions – but he hadn’t been a bad father. He’d done his fast to raise his daughter and his sons as honorable people and had never mistreated them. „Did you sleep well?“ He waited a moment for her to answer, and then he turned around and closed the curtain behind him so that Lanvira would have some privacy while she got dressed.

As Lanvira stepped out of her room, she could see that the rest of the Web were already gathered around the large table in the middle of the main room. A big bowl of freshly made Bruka stood there. Lanvira’s brothers were already busy eating and didn’t even raise their heads as she joined them, but her stepmother nodded at her and filled a plate for her, and then she placed a glass of juice in front of her.

She was sometimes a litle distant, a quiet woman that rarely showed her emotions openly, but she had always treated Lanvira like her biological child as was common in Symenestra families. „You have a busy day ahead of you“, she informed Lanvira as she took a seat. „There’s a hunt planned, and your father wants you to take part, but I think it’s best if he explains everything to you.“ As she said this she cast a glance at the wall where bows and quivers full of arrows were leaning.

„We are only accompagnying you for part of the way“, her younger brother whispered which earned him a stern look from his father. „Let her finish her meal first“, he told the boy. „We are still waiting for our guest to arrive.“

[Lanvira]

"Good morning father." Lanvira mumbled, still trying to figure out exactly what was going on. She'd heard no word of plans to send her on a hunt, so news of her attendance was a bit surprising. "I slept well enough I suppose." Her rest actually felt short, now that she knew what lay in store for her, but since she was awake she may as well face the day come whatever. She smiled lightly to her two brothers, managing to at least fake the appearance that she was mentally all together. Inwardly she was still questioning the decision to send her alone on a hunt, but held any questions since her parents were bound to inform her of what was to come. Lanvira settled herself by the table, muttering a small thanks to her stepmother as she set the glass of juice before her. Almost unconsciously she ate, eyes wandering between the members of her family in curiosity. Her eyes traveled with her stepmother's to the wall where the bow and arrows lay, ready for use. If anything, the equipment served to settle the idea that she was really going on a hunt in her mind. She shot a questioning glance at her father, whom had yet to speak, but quickly returned to simply eating. If they wished her to attend then she'd attend the hunt, however much it unnerved her at the prospect of going out on her own. Lanvira had only been outside Kalinor a few times with her father, but never straying more then half a days walk from the city. Mentally she prayed her father would begin telling her about the hunt, let alone who the guest he mentioned was.

[Poison]

Lanvira’s two brothers tried very hard not to even look at her anymore after the reprimand they had received from their father, but concentrated on their own food instead. At least they managed to focus on their food for a while. After about five minutes, they began to secretly glance at her again, and her younger brother even began to giggle as if he were a little kid rather than somebody who’d be in her place in a few more years. The two boys were obviously were excited and curious about what was going to happen.

Just as Lanvira finished the Bruka, there was a knock on the door. „Ah, I think he’s here.“ Lanvira’s father smiled and ascended the stairs that led towards the opening at the very top of the building. In many ways Symenestra homes resembled pears or drops that hung from the ceiling, with the living quarters at the bottom and the street and the entrance at the very top.

„Welcome to the Nepenthes home, Valydor“, he greeted his guest. If Lanvira looked up, she could see a middle aged male Symenestra with shoulder length hair behind her father, descending the stairs. His eyes were unusually dark for one of their kind, and he was dressed entirely in leather armor. „This is Valydor Scarlet, from the Sickle and Arrow“, Lanvira’s father introduced him. Valydor didn’t smile, but merely inclined his head a fraction.

„As your mother already mentioned, we’ll be going on a hunt today. Valydor will lead us to a place on the surface where we expect to find especially many animals and give you a few hints as far as hunting is concerned. After that we will leave you to go on our own hunt. You will be expected to find an appropriate animal, kill it and bring a proof of your kill back home. It is something that many members of our Web have done when they were your age to prove themselves.“

His gaze softened a little as he said this. „Don’t worry, we’ll do everything to prepare you properly so that you’ll make it back safely.“

[Lanvira]

Lanvira ate at a moderate pace, consciously slowing down so that she could actually digest the food and not choke, despite her eagerness to finish so her father would explain what was going on. She almost bit the inside of her cheek to stop from saying something as her younger brother began giggling. Instead, she settled for biting down a bit more forcibly as she ate and glowering at him from beneath her bangs. It didn't seem to do much as her brother simply continued as if her ire were nothing to be afraid of. The newcomer to their home was someone she hadn't expected, though given the nature of the event to occur, it wasn't that far a stretch to imagine that someone with a bit more knowledge would be coming to prepare her for what was to come. "Welcome mister Scarlet." she greeted, a bit more formal than her father and a bit more unsure. Despite the fact her father had greeted him in a more familiar manner the way he had responded was a bit off putting. Lanvira listed quietly as her father explained exactly why she was being sent on a hunt on her own. Yet, despite his assurances that she'd be alright, it didn't help to stop the feeling she had building in the pit of her stomach. Maybe it was simply that she'd be away from home, from Kalinor, where everything from the sounds to smells were familiar no matter where she went. "If you'll excuse me for a moment." Lanvira forced a small smile for her father and disappeared back into her room. Quietly she began assembling the rest of her outfit that she wore when heading outside. Outside in reference to beyond Kalinor, where as in the city she simply used a couple extra sheets of cloth to cover herself a bit more beyond the usual tight wrappings. Even as she fitted the hard pieces of what could be called armor to herself, she was drawn back into her memories of when her father had helped her with the pieces. It felt almost like yesterday, despite the years gone by. Finishing quickly she stepped back out into the main house where her father was no doubt still waiting.

[Poison]

„Lanvira.“ Valydor nodded at her, but he didn’t say or do anything else. He just stood there, completely straight, as if he’d swallowed a stick, hands clasped behind his back and listened to what Lanvira’s father said. His face was unreadable. At the table Lanvira’s brothers stared at him, their red eyes wide with unveiled curiosity. Valydor noticed that and glared at them. The boys were suddenly completely focused on their food again, as if it was the most interesting thing in the world. There was something fairly unnerving about the hunter’s dark stare. They weren’t sure if looking at him again would be a good idea.

As Lanvira simply disappeared into her room, Valydor arched an eyebrow and turned to her father. „She doesn’t have any questions?“ The hunter sounded as if he wasn’t happy about that. „We are sending her into the wilderness alone. She’ll be expected to kill an animal. I would have expected her to say something. She doesn’t really seeem to care what’s happening to her.“ If Lanvira’s father said something, Lanvira couldn’t hear it because it was so quiet, and since she was in her room she couldn’t see his reaction to the hunter’s criticism.

„Here ... this piece doesn’t fit quite right“, Lanvira’s father murmurred as his daughter emerged again. He helped her just like before.

While Lanvira’s father helped her with the armor, Valydor inspected the weapons in the room. „Do you have your own bow, Lanvira?“ he wanted to know as he turned around again. „Have you already packed some food and water? And bandages? As your father said, we’ll make sure that you are well prepared for your hunt, but there is always a certain risk. You might end up on the surface longer than expected or get wounded.“

It was then that her stepmother clapped her hands. „Boys, you should get ready as well. Lanvira already has her armor on, and you haven’t even finished your Bruka yet!“ The boys immediately stuffed the rest of the Bruka into their mouths and disappeared into their own rooms to get dressed.

[Lanvira]

Lanvira smiled, a small one as old memories surfaced as she felt the pull of her father's hands on her armor. She closed her eyes for a moment to just enjoy the sensation and closeness of her father as Valydor spoke, choosing to wait for when he was done before responding. Her hair waved in long curtains as she shook her head, "I have my own bow, but since I hadn't been informed of the hunt till recently I have yet to have time to pack supplies." She paused a moment here as if considering something before speaking again, addressing her father and Valydor. "If you don't mind me asking, exactly what am I expected to be hunting and how long do I have to make this hunt?" Her father had taken her topside before, along with her brothers, for a few small hunts. It's where she learned to actually hit things with a bow and arrow and a little bit of medicine when her brothers inevitably got themselves hurt in some fashion. She'd almost forgotten her brothers were coming, distracted by her wandering thoughts, and almost jumped when her stepmother clapped her hands to usher her brothers to get ready. There were other question, but Valydor cut an imposing figure in the middle of the living room and it unnerved Lanvira just how stoic the man was. Quietly she settled on waiting nervously while her brothers got ready.

[Poison]

„I will pack a few supplies for you“, Lanvira’s stepmother offered as she heard that Lanvira hadn’t had time for that yet. It was the first time she had spoken since Valydor’s arrival. She often preferred to stay in the background and watch and listen rather than getting directly involved. She was about to turn around and head to the room where they kept most of the food when she heard Lanvira’s other question.

„That will be largely up to you“, Valydor replied. The expression on his face was still as cool as ever. „Your father and I have decided not to tell you which animal to hunt. We will teach you about a few different kinds of animal that you can find on the surface, but which one you kill will be your choice. The hunt will be over when you have killed your first animal. As your father already mentioned, the rest of us will go on our own, larger hunt. We will all meet again back here.“

„I don’t expect to last this more than a day or two in the worst case“, Lanvira’s father tried to calm her down. „Two bottles of water and a few fruits should be enough.“ As she heard this, Lanvira’s stepmother nodded and left to pack supplies, but she decided to give Lanvira a few things extra just in case. She didn’t know why, but she had a bad feeling when she thought about this hunt. Was the girl really ready for it?

Lanvira’s stepmother and her brothers were finished at almost the same time, and soon the whole Web was gathered in the room once more. The boys already had their weapons, they had armor on and they carried small backpacks, but their feet were bare so that they would be able to climb better.

„Are there any questions before we leave Kalinor?“ Valydor wanted to know. The question was especially directed at Lanvira.

[Lanvira]

Two days. Two days meant a lot of things, and in a way that maximum time limit was the most comfort to Lanvira. If anything, it was simply because it mean that she would be nearby... and if worse came to worse, she could find her way back and be safe easily. Nerves calmed, she double checked the fittings to her armor and graciously accepted her pack from her stepmother, offering a soft thanks and a quick hug. It wouldn't be far, it shouldn't take long, yet it still felt like a journey of near epic proportions about to begin. "No." She almost dared not say too much more, nervous though her original anxiety had been calmed. Lanvira supposed it was more nervous to be on her way, rather than nervous as what to expect. Despite not being that great at tracking, or really having much experience with it all, she'd gone with her father before on hunts. She knew how to care and use her bow, she had supplies, the city itself would be close by. If anything she was prepared for this, if not just a little over qualified. Or so she told herself. Her grip on her bow tightened, her knuckles turning just a hair of a shade whiter from the pressure. A determined look settled into her eyes and Lanvira straightened just a little more in her stance. She was ready. She could do this. "I'm ready." she muttered, mostly to remind herself than for the others.