[Flashback]The Hunters, become the Hunted (Lariat)

[Nil'kayn]

Timestamp: 70th Day of Summer, 495 AV Kayn stood in the sea of grass, rolling hills covered in grass surrounding him. He glanced back sighting the city of Riverfall in the distance. Having prepared for months in advance he was already packed as he had awoken. Having a light breakfast of porridge and fruit, he gathering with his things his father had walked with him to the gates. He could still see the image of the five akalak fathers standing at the gates shoulder to shoulder seeing there sons off. He had remembered the last words he had said to him, "Make me proud son. And don't die." It seemed he wanted to say more, but he had just gripped Kayn's shoulder and looked into his eyes. His eyes spoke many words, words that need not be spoken, but where there all the same. He returned back to the present the wind wiping the grass around him. The other boys stayed quite around him he guessed that was about to change.

[Lariat]

An air of anticipation hung heavily in the air around the boys that stood amongst the grasses. All of the boys, not yet men, contented themselves to stand their awkwardly for a moment, as a silent struggle of power went on between them, till one boy who favored a spear, took his place in the lead of the group, and motioned for the others to follow. One by one, each of them followed in line, though only half hearted did they watch the lead, their eyes more focused on the grasses, and the dangers they all knew well of. Life among their race wasn't any easier than the rest of the lands had it, but it was a bit more difficult to carry on their race, making each of the boy's lives on the hunt that much more important. The sea of grass was a monster, a foe to be respected, swallowing up any who didn't observe the necessary caution needed. None of them needed to be reminded that though, all had heard tales of the vicious birds, deadly serpents, and vile zith. It was a rite of passage a dangerous time when they actually sought out that which most travelers, and traders usually tried to avoid, the agile, and powerful glassbeaks, one of the peak predators among the golden grasses.

Each wore a solemn expression, knowing the graveness of the task before them, though their weapons were not heavy in their hands, and their eyes were always alert. No tracks presented themselves yet though, even after 4 bells of stalking amongst the grass, and the sun was raising high over the grass, cooking them where they stood. The leader, Harkan, bearded it better than most, but even hunger, and near exhaustion was starting to affect him. He held up a hand to halt, and then turned to greet his brothers, his expression stern, and brow furrowed, as if it filled his mouth with distaste to submit to such weakness. " I believe it would be best to stop for a quick meal before resuming our hunt " he said simply, and the majority of the others present nodded their heads and went about letting their packs fall to the ground, and making a hasty, easily collapsible camp, since they would not be there for long. One Akalak boy walked up to Kayn, and gestured to the center where a few twigs one of them had stowed away with them, had been piled, and grass was continually being added to for the tender. " Mind starting the fire, a quick warm meal would be appreciated by the others I'm sure " he said simply before going to his pack to retrieve some of his own rations.

[Nil'kayn]

Kayn had follow as Harken had lead, he was willing to follow as long as the leader proved himself worthy of his position. He would test the boy. Trekking through the grasslands he was always alert, letting his eyes cross the rolling grass. The time stretched and they walked, and walked. By the time Harken had called for a stop, Kayn's stomach was growling with hunger. He nodded, as another of the boys asked him to make a fire. Kayn moved after the boy attempting to grab his arm. "Do you think that wise? A fire would be seen for leagues around. We would have effectively announced our presence." He wanted a hot meal just as much as the next boy, but he would rather eat cold food then die.

[Lariat]

The boy, named Tiokon, glowered for a moment at Kayn for grabbing his arm. It faded quickly though, and he brought a hand easily up to stroke his chin before speaking. " We are still near Riverfall, and we have not yet found signs of anything nearby, I think it will be safe to have one last warm meal before we are fully in the thick of the grass " he said, shrugging of the youth's grasp on his arm, before picking apart at his back.

Harken kept a vigilant eye out over the grasses, standing with his spear ready, fitting easily in his grasp as he watched out for his hunting partners. An admirable goal was to make sure no one died in this hunt, meaning they would all have to watch out for each other, especially since they were hunting one of the most dangerous predators out on the grass. Two other boys moved about with their own stuff, laying out some provisions, and making sure that their weapons where in easy reach. The one on the right, named Niokan, had brought with him a hand axe, and the one on the left, Kasher, sported a rather large war hammer that came up to his chest, and he broad built body seemed only just getting used to the strains it likely presented. Tiokon, kept with him a vicious two-handed axe, that he had strapped across his back at all times. The group was formidable in its own right, what with the strength of numbers, and the little bit of weapons training sprinkled about, but if they weren’t wise, they could fall all the same out on the sea of grass, and watching their backs wouldn't help if they were outnumbered. Still, for the duration of the meal all seemed quiet, and it seemed fine to kick loose one last time before they headed deeper into the uncivilized wild.

[Nil'kayn]

Kayn released Tiokon's arm letting him rummage in his pack. Frowning he admitted to himself they where still relatively close to Riverfall. Shrugging, he put down his pack rummaging in his pack he brought out his flint and steel and his multi-purpose knife. He started to dig a slight pit for the fire, to hopefully protect the fire from the wind. Gathering the tinder he placed it in the centre of the pit and start to strike the flint against the steel. He soon had a small flame placing it in the centre of the pit. He started to add kindling to the fire. Without any considerable large pieces of fuel the fire would burn through easily. So grabbing some nearby rocks he placed them next to the fire letting them warm up. He said broke the silence of silent unpacking, "This fire will not last long. If you would give me some of your rations; I can heat it up for you."

[Lariat]

As one, all of the boys save for Harken, moved to Kayn, and handed them portions of salted and dried meat that they had bought from home, each one contributing to the pile as a whole. Only the leader paid no attention to them, only stopping his vigilant guard a moment to release his back, and eat a little bit of his own stock, being very conservative with his water.

Now with their food fixing to be prepared, the three boys settled down on the right side of the would be fire place, and settled down for a little chat amongst themselves though the first few minutes where quiet as they waited for someone to start the conversation. The unfamiliarity of the land on their own was still fresh on them all, and most not yet quite comfortable with the change, but they knew it was needed. It was a time of proving themselves, a time of challenge, things would not be easy one bit and they all knew it. It was their job to prove themselves as men.

[Nil'kayn]

Kayn placed the meats over the fire, as well as placing some flat bread on the rocks to warm up. Handing out the food, the other three sat down to eat. Kayn glanced up at Harken, grabbing his food he strolled over. He stood next to the boy silent for a time his eyes roaming the horizon. He spoke suddenly , "Makes you feel so small doesn't it? The sight of how large our world is. We seem so fragile, and small...but then you fart and realise you have gas, and you forget all about it." He munched on his food glancing at Harken. He knew this was a serious endeavour, but he thought that it best to keep good spirits even when it seems dark.

[Lariat]

Harken was a handsome Akalak with a well built, and toned body, something he had shown off by only coming out on the hunt wearing a simple pair of breeches as clothing, a body that also held no scars. His spear, a thing of oak with a steel tip that gleamed in the sun, the body of the weapon painted black. No notches showed on any inch of the weapon, betraying its newest, but he held it in his hand with practice ease. Even as Kayn walked up beside him, his eyes continually focused on scanning the horizon, his expression stern, and detached.

The only thing that told the Akalak beside him that he had been heard was a tensing of Harken's grip on the haft of his spear, hinting at a desire to snap at that very moment. Instead he took in a deep breath, and turned to fully face Kayn, his eyes just as cold as his expression. " We are out here to prove ourselves, not chatter like women. Best you went with the others to ply such jokes, for if it was a laugh you were seeking, you'll find none here. I am making sure our brothers and you aren’t caught unawares by the wild around us, even incompetent ones deserve a chance to prove themselves, though I suspect you will weed yourself out of the bloodline " he remarked as a matter of fact, and then turning his back on Kayn as he looked out over the horizon resuming his watch as he had been.

[Nil'kayn]

Kayn frowned; all he had done was try to lighten the mood, but the nagain Harken was always a sourpuss. He frowned and shrugged, standing silent next to Harken. He eat his food in silence next to the watcher, letting his own eyes trail off in the distance. He soon was finnished with his food and glanceing back he could see the others where to. "Should we get going again?" He said in questioningly.

[Lariat]

" Yes, it is time. We have spent too much time in this spot anyways " he said turning to face the others and gesturing to pack up the camp. It was quick work most just taking out very little of their supplies and soon they were on their way throughout the sea of grass searching for that elusive prey that they had all been sent out to hunt for. Most of the day weaving through tall stands of grass would allow for much practice of tracking for the young Akalaks, looking for any sign of the large birds whether it is a bent patch of grass, scat, or perhaps even a fresh kill made by one of the large birds. They found no such evidence this day though, but at least they were moving farther from the city, and it was well that they hadn't been ambushed on their way out that far yet. Every steady eye needed rest though so Harken of course kept the first watch that night, each of the Akalak's going in order leaving Kayn to take the dawn watch, and in charge of waking everyone else up. Soon as the sun touched the horizon though, Harken woke up, his sleep satisfying enough for him, and shared the watch with Kayn. This was in part to ensure his own safety and also keep an eye on the other Akalak and measure him so. It was good to know the man you where about to fight with after all.

Soon as everyone had been woken up and gathered their supplies they were off again, resuming their hunt, and hoping for better luck. It would come this day, a sign quite unnoticeable if you where just casually walking by but for someone with at least a idea of what to look for it would be quite easy to spot, the subtle bent of the windblown grass, combined with a hint of dried blood, and a impression on the ground. The foot print if studied would be found to be quite deep, noticeable of a large glassbeak, and possess the three toe pattern that confirmed what it was. If looking further it would also be noticed other smaller feet following along with the larger ones strides, suggesting that a pack might roam nearby.