Timestamp: 2nd of Spring, 510 AV Location: Bronze Wood Tag: Nya, Kamalia, Gromhir Winter was slow to retreat from the Bronze Woods, its chill lingering still in the slight early morning breeze. The Sky was gray, visible through the layered, tall canopy of thick bare limbs. Most of the buds that studded the branches in Spring had yet to sprout. A recent rain had left things soft, and the moist heavy air was permeated with the scent of flora coming to life and the sound of songbirds returning from migration, all promises that one season would surely yield to the next. The spongy earth held its secrets, as the bonded pair discovered. Nya paused, indicating to Abashai with a glance the large, cloven hoof print in the mud. As the Talderian Forest Cat sniffed at it, the Benshira marveled at its size, much larger than even any bovine print he had ever seen. rasing from his crouch, he surveyed the forest surrounding them, trying to imagine the true scale of the beast they hunted. The truth was, Nya had no need for Abashai when it came to hunting. The Kelvic was built to bring down prey, and the two of them had never gone without fresh meat to eat. The man was a liability if anything. He stunk of human, could not move stealthily, and lacked the keen senses of his mate. But if he stood still, he had a good chance to take down game with his bow. They had lined Abashai's quiver and bow case with fur, and padded his leather harness to minimize his creaking leather and clinking metal. Hunts like this one, together, had become a rare but enjoyable experience for them both. They had worked out a scheme when hunting the wild boars for the Mid Winter Fire Festival, where Nya would agitate the creatures and as she lead them in a chase past the hiding Abashai, who picked them off with heavy arrows. It ended up being a grand time. But the quarry this day was a true prize. Nya and Abashai had planned to leave home to begin their journey when the forest cat caught the scent of a Talderian Bull Elk. To find such a beast this far into Syliras was unheard of, Nya had assured her mate. The opportunity was too tempting to ignore. To have such a beast roaming her territory while she was gone would never do. Though he would not assume to invite himself on one of her hunts, Abashai was excited when Nya asked him to join her. With a slight reach, he stretched to casually scratch behind Nya's ear. He loved to touch her, to maintain contact with his mate. But he limited his affections while on the hunt, not wanting to distract her from her focus on their prey. Leaning towards her glossy dark head, he whispered in a breathy hush, "Where do you think he is headed?" |