Closed Where flies your arrow, dove? Where flies your heart?

[Lavira]

Timestamp: Summer 86-89, 513

Exhiliration.

How blessed the Endal were that these magnificent creatures chose them and let them fly the free skies above Kalea and beyond. This sense of elation was physically apparent as she sat between the rider and Kovac, one hand on the harness that held them fast and the other stretched out to the side, letting the wind rush across it and raise gooseflesh upon her skin. Every few wing beats, Vira's face lit in delight again. The last time she'd flown, the teenager had still been a Yasi, wet behind the ear and eager to experience the sensation. That had been with Raif, and what an experience it had been.

I can't believe he asked me to come hunting with him! And that he'd procured us a ride! How absolutely awesome. You must thank him properly when this is over, and the Endal too. The young woman thought, shifting herself to one side so that the wind would strike her face as she as they soared through the mountains, weaving between peaks towards their destination.

The eagle was nearing the location Kovac had chosen for hunting, a series of lochs stretching out beneath them as the eagle descended. Its flew lower and lower, eventually gliding over the lakes surface and letting out a loud screech as it soared, sending delighted chills down Vira's spine. She'd heard such before in the nesting aeries when the mothers sometimes communicated with their mates when she was in the area. The sound just reminded her of their own majesty and reinvigorated her hope to join their ranks, that an eagle would see past her deformities and recognize her abilities instead. A rider didn't need to be perfect of body to share in that blessing the eagles offered.

Vira turned her head down to the water they flew over, the reflective lake casting back their images and drawing a laugh again from the woman who'd been so troubled all of this late season so far. This opportunity was a blessing and she would not squander it with sour moods and discomforts.

At last, the area they had arranged to land on and set up their camp came into sight, the Endal turning to look back at the two and make sure neither had fallen off in the flight to the destination. He told them to hang on as the eagle suddenly tilted, wings flaring and flapping to slow itself down and eventually touching down, towering legs folding beneath itself along with its wings and settling low so that the Avora and Chiet could dismount. Once both were off and their gear as well, the Endal told them he would return midafternoon of the 89th to pick them and any kills they made up. He wished them luck and the rider and bird took off, disappearing quickly as they ascended.

It had been a good four hour flight to the locale, but the warmth of the sun and low humidity of the morning travel promised an easy setup period. Vira had only brought a few suppliesTulaj in a transport cage, eating knife, pot, brush, basket, 2 small cages, katinu, a blanket, water proof sandals (her ankle boots were currently worn) and the scarf she'd worn the day they'd gone clamming. The hardest part had been getting the albino bird into the mew for transport, Vira fully intending to use him during the hunt. He was a smart bird, afterall even when he wasn't particularly keen to listen to her. Most of the other stuff they might need they should be able to collect from the area, including shelter.

"Hey Kovac," She began as she readied herself for releasing the raptor, keeping herself off to one side in case the daft bird decided to go for her first instead of just taking off. "Thank you again for taking me with you. Nobody seems to want me on their hunting trips. I've been stuck stalking the meadows with Tulaj for treats for the hatchlings and I worry that it won't be enough as they get older. I guess they think I can't contribute." The woman lifted her shoulders in a shrug and then ducked when Tulaj burst free of the now open mew, wheeled once he was out and struck out at his handler. "Thank you for your trust in my ability. Tulaj, enough, stop being a brat." She held out her sontav-bound arm for him to land on, head turning away when he settled and flared his wings repeatedly as punishment.

The Dek in the aeries all knew Vira had a knack with birds, as did most who had spent a reasonable amount of time around her; what most didn't know was that she did possess some skill in tracking. For being a half-blind Chiet, she was pretty sharp. Now that Tulaj was settled, too, Vira pressed her right hand against her side, kneading the tension around the scarred hollow away. The flight had been relatively smooth, but Vira just wasn't accustomed to travel by Wind Eagle and with the absence of portions of muscles and nerves in the area of the pink and puffy scar tissue came the inevitable tightness of staying in one position for too long.

The signs of her stress still could be seen in the tightness around her eyes, even after a month; Kovac knew she struggled. He knew too, though, that the Chiet was trying; she didn't want to be known as the girl who fell and stayed down. That was no better than giving up. So, Vira tried to keep a good face on in public. She wore the smiles well, kept herself straight, made sure her gait was fluid and unencumbered by her side. Precision and confidence: that was the air she tried to maintain. Kovac was sure to still see through it.

"And what's the extra bow for? Afraid yours is going to break on you?" She wondered what game could possibly be in the area for him to have chosen this location or did he have ulterior motives for having them brought out this far?

The thought almost made the younger woman blush. She would not be that silly schoolgirl around him. He was a fine and respectable hunter and she would treat him thus.

Those thoughts didn't keep the memory of his kiss from her mind, though; instead, Vira forced herself to focus back on the upcoming hunt. No sense getting distracted right now.

[Kovac]

As sardonic as the mongrel had a tendency to be, Kovac still marveled at the world from the back of an eagle. The sensation of racing through the air, the rush of wind tugging at him, clinging to the saddle with just a few straps holding him down, produced an exhilarating thrill that never seemed to wane over the years. Kovac did not inherit the passion for avian-kind of his Inartan father's kin, though he was raised to respect them. One could not live in Wind Reach and not honor the birds that were an integral part of society. But the Avora harbored a respect for and a reverential fear of the Wind Eagles, if not as much for their riders.

Lavira was fully enjoying the experience. Even though Kovac could not see the girl's face, her body language alone expressed her delight. Often a free hand would wrap around the Chiet's waist, a protective gesture even though Kovac and the rider both ensured the woman was securely strapped in. But even the grandest experiences could become weary, and by the time the large raptor set down, Kovac was more than ready to stand on his own two legs. Those limbs nearly failed him for stiffness when he dismounted, but a brisk pacing after unloading gear worked out the hunter's taut muscles.

The pair had been deposited just outside one of the forward camps near the lochs. Kovac had packed lighter, knowing they could find shelter within the primitive campsite. He began to gather the supplies for the shirt jaunt to the site, including tow bows and two quivers and his talon sword. Hearing the anxious flutter of Tulaj in his mew, The Avora paused to watch his release, if only to ensure he did not make a beeline for him and pluck out an eye. Though Lavira began to speak to him, Kovac's eyes remained on the white harrier. He flinched slightly as Tulaj finally freed himself, swooping around to land of the Chiet's arm.


"No one invites you because no one sees what I see Vira." Kovac stated flatly. The mongrel had some experience in being underestimated. He was not full Inartan, and often that tainted what others had thought of him. "But in many ways, you are better. You have to be, because you have more to overcome." He referred to her blind eye, but it applied to her ongoing recovery from the tragic fall. He also saw her rub her side, where the nasty scar marred her skin. She was so young to have suffered so much. "Now, don't prove me wrong, grab that stuff and lets get camp settled." His tone was brash, but the smile and wink betrayed his teasing.

The girl had questioned after the second bow, a standard weapon, simpler than the composite bow he used regularly. Pausing, Kovac looked at the bow as if just noticing it. He smiled and held out the bow and quiver of arrows to Lavira. "Carry these, they are yours. I have a better bow now anyway." The short bow had been his, originally made by his father. "My father made it. But don't get too excited. He made a lot of bows and they are floating all over Wind Reach."

Without making a fuss, Kovac started walking towards a small copse of trees, leaving Lavira to gather her gear and follow. The camp lay within, half a dozen simple conical shelters made of branches and woven limbs. They were sized for individuals, though two could squeeze in. Dropping the load of gear again, Kovac turned to Lavira behind him. "Here we are, home sweet home. We will be staying together in one of the shelters, where I can keep an eye on you." Kovac and Lavira had been close before, especially the night he stayed to comfort her after she fled the Inclement Weather. He enjoyed having Lavira close, and they had enjoyed a much closer relationship at the Mud Flats. There still thrummed that tension that always existed between a male and female in close proximity, fanned by the mutual attraction and affection that had blossomed between the Avora and Chiet. Kovac's motives were still guided by the desire to see her to recovery, and only in that vain would he permit his feelings for the young woman to lead his actions.

x

[Lavira]

Surprised, Vira took the bow he offered, canting her head in study of it while Tulaj picked at the ties of the sontav. One of his fathers bows? But not that special, still it was a gift she would not soon forget as she slung it and the offered quiver over her back. "A lovely boon, Kovac, thank you." She said humbly, bobbing her head in thanks only to yelp as the harrier gave her a bite between the leather folds. "Ack, Tulaj, no! I swear to Eywaat, I'm going to tie you to a tree tonight, gods if you're not infuriating." She threatened him, waggling a finger like an admonishing mother to her child. The albino just screeched and beaked her extended digit lightly then went right back to picking at the bracer.

Glancing towards Kovac via periphary, she cleared her throat. "Ahem, he'll behave properly once we begin hunting. He may be spotted more easily by prey, but it makes him an excellent mark; rabbit and other ground-prey will see him coming and flush to safety more quickly than if he was colored normally. Watch." She explained, something she hadn't done when they'd been coordinating this back in the city. Leveling her fierce gaze with that of the birds, she gave a single sharp command, a crescendo whistle with a short click on the end. Immediately, the harrier rose from her arm, ruffling her hair in the process, and rose up away from them. He soared to a mark of fifty feet and began a steady circle outwards, flapping lazily as he scanned the ground with his pink eyes. Where most fauna had taken shelter when the Wind Eagle landed, there were some that had not sheltered in time. Now, there was another predator in the air, smaller, more quickly spotted. And in that moment, something flushed from safety, sensing it would have better luck getting to the next hiding spot before the white bird could catch it.

But Tulaj was quick, tucking wings and diving swiftly, his long legs extending when he neared the marmot which had been scared from safety and closing talons upon its back a breath later. He sat there as the rodent screamed and squirmed, Vira hurrying over and reaching with her left hand to pull an arrow from the quiver. She nudged the raptor off and onto the ground for a moment, grabbing the marmot by the neck while it was still pinned, and aimed the arrow for the point at the base of its skull. The arrow came down remorselessly, severing spinal cord from brain and ending the screams in less than a minute. A clean kill, and fresh (if small) dinner for them that night. Marmots only weighed about four pounds, afterall. Wiping the arrowhead on her bryda, she held her arm out and Tulaj hopped back onto the sontav once more, waiting expectantly for his reward. "Good boy." Vira praised, reaching to her waist for the meat pouch but not finding it. It, like the rest, had been stored in the bags to prevent loss during the flight here. "Eh, you'll have to wait, Tulaj; sorry." Though offended, the harrier simply accepted this for what it was for the time being, settling for staring at the marmot hungrily.

"It won't be that easy, next time." She held up the marmot, showing off a broken leg. "It would have been picked off by something else soon anyways had it not been flushed now." Another moment of sheer luck and not necessarily skill. They headed into the camp Kovac knew next.

The old camp looked more than a little worn and weathered from the storms of the seasons, but was otherwise livable. Vira took note of the cache, which they would not be able to use this time without somehow summoning the eagle back to move the stone off and then back over the storage hole. The site itself looked cozy for all its wild feel, a drastic change from Wind Reach's warrens and caves and tunnels. Their kills and gear would have to be kept in the holds they'd be using or hanging from trees. They might get away with wrapping it up and submerging it in the lake (the waters were cold enough year round to store safely in), but water predators would likely get at it then.

When Kovac explained they would be staying in the same shelter together, Vira was momentarily made uneasy. There were plenty of shelters for them to use and not share. Part of her wished to readily agree with this, if only to bask in his presence each night while they were out here. But that was selfish, and foolish. As much comfort as she drew from him being near her, it was a fools dream that he should be her only means of consolation. She had to learn to deal with these problems on her own. She was an adult, not a Yasi. The Chiet spoke up.

"You don't need to keep an eye on me, Kovac. I'm not going to get up and walk away." But there was a hint of uncertainty in the back of this declaration, as though the teen thought she very well might get up and walk away, though certainly not by voluntary means. He knew the dreams that plagued her, knew how savage they were each night. The murmurs that came from her lips; the sweating; the thrashing. She told herself, and him, that it was in consideration for his own well-being that she sleep separate from him. His rest would be disturbed otherwise. But the resistance overall was minor comparatively and in the end, she agreed. Thoughtfully, the teen knew having him near would help soften the nightmares a little.

Leaving Tulaj on a low branch by the leanto they would be sharing, Vira offered over the dead marmot next, explaining she knew little about how to clean a kill and that instead, she'd go fetch some wood for a fire. "Is there a stream nearby? We will need some water, too."

[Kovac]

Kovac may have made little of the gift of the bow, but it was a rather bid deal to him. He did not want to come off strongly, always wary of displaying too much sentiment. Inside, part of the Avora still found open emotion a weakness, an opportunity to be hurt. But the bow was significant, one his father gave him, the one Kovac had used since he began cutting his teeth on archery. He wanted Lavira to have it. She had overcome her handicap to work on her archery skill, and she was an inspiration to the snarky mongrel, though he would not admit as much to the Chiet.

The hunter watched, impressed, as he observed the girl and raptor team quickly catch the marmot. Tulaj, for all his orneriness, was a fine hunter, and well trained. Even more of a surprise was Lavira's quick dispatch of the small creature, without hesitation taking the animal in her hand and shoving the arrow head through its neck at precisely the right place to kill it easily. Not just some nest attendant was the half-blind girl, Lavira had the guts of a hunter as well. Perhaps she would perform better on the trip than Kovac had estimated. A wide grin and a nod of his head acknowledged his approval of the demonstration.

Once he had explained his planned sleeping arrangements, Kovac detected the hesitation in Lavira's glance, followed by her gentle protest. He was really not worried about her wandering off, she was wise enough to know better. The Avora's reasons were two-fold. First, If they were together, she was easier to protect. The Unforgiving was exactly that, the predators within it certainly so. His second reason was more self-serving. He wanted to be close to the young woman. It felt good, comforting even. Kovac knew Lavira drew comfort from being close as well.

"I am not worried about you wandering off, I am worried about something wandering off with you in its teeth, and me not even knowing it. We are safer together, the buddy system and such." Kovac flashed a boyish smile, knowing his claimed excuse for co-habitation was one she could not refute.

The hunter took the marmot from his friend and pointed to a line of taller foliage that ran towards one of the lochs. "There is a stream over there. Just keep your eye peeled." His eyes shifted to Tulaj again, as if asking the raptor if he was going to go with Lavira. The harrier's eyes were sharper and his bloody screech an ample warning if he saw danger. Kovac moved into the nearby shelter, opening an unlocked box (the Endal's carried the keys) and was relieved that the small trenching tool was still there. He then took it and the marmot to a spot at the perimeter of the camp used to dress kills. Kovac realized they would not be able to access the cache the Endal's used. He did not expect to go for large game this trip, unless they appeared. Smaller prey was his intent, which could be wrapped in the tarps and buried in a shallow pit to keep cool and away from predators.

A limb overhead sported a rusty chain that ended in hooks of several sizes. Kovac shoved a smaller hook through one of the marmot's hind legs. Taking the trenching tool, he dug a shallow hole directly below the hanging carcass. Then the Avora drew his hunting knife and slit the animal's throat, allowing the blood to drain into the hole. As he waited, Kovac turned to watch Lavira in the distance. The relationship with the young falconer was harder to define than with others like Aidara and Euthisa. Vira evoked mixed emotions that were both romantic and almost paternal, though she was proving more and more that she was not as helpless as he once thought, and the Chiet in fact had displayed the inclination to be nurturing to him as well. The shoals of human interaction still were not easily navigated by the half-breed.

Turning back to the marmot, Kovac unhooked it, laid it down and slit it down the belly witn his knife. Pulling out the offal and entrails, the hunter deposited them in the hole as well, then began to careful shear the hide from the flesh, finally cutting off the feet, tail and head. All discarded parts were dumped in the hole and covered again with dirt and packed down. Kovac then urinated on the spot to conceal any scent of the blood or tissue from nosy predators.

x

[Lavira]

While Vira fetched stock from the wood, Tulaj observed the archer from his perch over the shanty that would be the humans sleeping chambers. His mean gaze watched Kovac closely as he cleaned the marmot he had caught not for him but for his keeper, Vira. He watched the guts thrown so carelessly into the hole and then the skin be ripped off. He was cutting away the meat in the same fashion as those in the stock rooms of the city did, but instead of saving those tasty bits, he put them in the ground like some ugly fox. The shame of it all!

The bird had its beak open and was leaning forward on the branch, wings half-cocked and domed face keen upon the half-blood. Then the fool whipped it out and pee'd all over it! That was the last straw. Tulaj screeched at the mongrel and launched from the branch towards the man who so foolishly had his back to him. Long legs were stretched forwards, sharp white talons extended. He'd gouge the petchers eyes out, rawr!

And then that command, sharp and singular from the human who kept him, fed him, loved him; on instinct, the harrier ceased his flight towards the man, flapping hard to hold himself steady then veered away to land upon the outstretched arm once more, a very angry Vira glaring at him as she held her arm slightly lower than she might otherwise with the bird upon it. "Do it again, Tulaj, and you're staying in the cage for the night." She said low and fierce. The dry water skins they had brought with them were filled but had been dropped (along with the wood she'd collected) to call the raptor back.

Birds did not really respond to tone the way a dog or cat might; they knew loud and soft, but not the intention. Anger was really the same to them as joy and would only serve to excite them. It was why the Chiet had not really yelled, she simply spoke sharp and firm to the bird, her volume never changing. That birds could not show affection was a misnomer in itself. A bird could imprint easily, showing a special bond with individuals they connected with. That was the case with the harrier and his falconer. Grumbling under her breath, she went to the tree and secured the raptor to the lowest branch completely, just in case he decided to take it upon himself to gouge her hunting companion. Afterwards, the woman returned to the dropped wood and waterskins to fetch them up once more and haul them the rest of the way to the leanto. She called to Kovac after, "Sorry about that. I hope he didn't frighten you too much; he's smarter than he acts, too smart for his own good, if I say so." The woman scowled further at the bird then looked towards the mutt fully at last. "He's never been right in the head but I think it's clear now that he doesn't particularly like you. Or maybe you did something to irritate him. Did you give him any of the intestines? Or the head?" She'd seen where he'd been working and could smell the blood in the air from the kill (she was close enough for that) and naturally assumed it was from him cleaning the marmot. "He likes the eyes. It's as much his kill as it is ours and would only be fair to reward him."

Only once this had been settled did the teen move on in topics. "Ahem, we still have several hours before sunset. Do we wanna find a game trail for the morning? Or did you have alternate plans?" The weather was nice that day, the lunch-sun warm but not baking yet and the breeze off the loch kept the air from weighing down on them, making the campsite a perfectly cozy little spot to relax in (for a little while anyways).

[Kovac]

He had just finished relieving himself when the harrier's screech alerted Kovac, who spun around to see Tulaj swooping towards him, talons extended. The Avora was thoroughly surprised, stumbled back, raising his arms to fend off the angry bird. But Lavira's sharp report halted the raptor mid-flight in a flurry of white wings. Tulaj retreated, and the young falconer secured the irritated bird to a branch.

Kovac suspected the harrier did not like him. As a citizen of Wind Reach, he did reverence the Wind Eagles, but the half-breed did not inherit the Inartan affinity for birds from his father. Maybe Tulaj sensed that. Regardless, Lavira soundly rebuked the raptor and apologized to her companion. But when she asked if he had shared any of the kill with Tulaj, Kovac gulped surreptitiously. Petch, should have thought of that.

Kovac suddenly busied himself with digging a shallow trench to keep the marmot meat until the were ready to cook it. "Um, well, no, I...I didn't." He finally confessed, unable to bring himself to muster a vain defense. Lavira deserved honesty. No wonder the bird attacked him. He shot an apologetic glance towards Lavira and spoke the words he had always found so hard to form. "I'm sorry." The Avora's eyes shifted to the perched harrier, as if in apology. "I promise next time he gets first pick."

Thankfully, the young Chiet let the faux pas slip by, and Kovac heartily agreed to her suggestion, the camp was set, water and wood retrieved. "Yeah, lets scout around a bit and see where we can start tomorrow." Moving to his gear, Kovac picked up the talon sword and slung it over his shoulder, across his chest. The quiver was donned next, set with an array of arrows organized by intended quarry. He then bent the stiff recurve bow, stringing it. The hunter did not intend to hunt that evening, the arms would be for defense as they performed some recon.

He grinned at Lavira. The Avora had anticipated this outing, as he had the previous 'dates' with the falconer. Since the day at the ranges, Kovac had seen Vira as a diamond in the rough. But the tragic fall, and Garren's treachery, had damaged her, and not only physically. Still, the young woman was progressing from the struggling, frightened girl created by her catastrophe, to the revelation of a woman of hearty character and feminine appeal.

"Bring your bow and quiver too, just in case." The Unforgiving was also the unpredictable, and an opportunity for the woman to ply her new bow may arise, or Kovac may create one.

x

[Lavira]

Vira shook her head at Kovac and turned her gaze back to the bird. "No, he doesn't get first pick, Kovac. It's part of the training, see?" She fetched a bit of meat from the treat bag again and immediately Tulaj focused on her. "He may be crazy, but he knows the best of the kill is still for the humans. If he's got the jess on, he isn't allowed to take without offer of what he catches." Vira tossed the meat to him and the harrier deftly caught it out of the air, swallowing it immediately. "I allow him some of the skin, or offal, or brains if the meat is in excess. Not being a particular fan of marmot guts, he can have as much of that as he wishes." It was a simple explanation for a simple problem. "He also must behave to receive parts of the kill. I'm attributing his aggression right now for being cooped up in the cage during the flight. Wouldn't you be pissy, too?" She turned and grinned at the man before the decision was made to head into the foot hills of the surrounding mountainside to scout for tomorrow.

With this decision settled, Vira fetched the shortbow he'd gotten her and the quiver, watching him from afar as he strung the bow, studying his technique. It'd been long enough that even those simple tasks were sometimes challenging for the teen who'd neglected her archery ability.

Nonetheless, the younger woman set to work stringing her own bow, one foot at the bottom holding it steady and her body bent over it with the string in mouth as she coaxed the curve of the bow down. It had more give than the recurve since it was markedly more simple. Dropping the loop over the tip and then gently releasing the tension on the bow until the string was taut. She gave it a careful run of her fingers over it and then a quick test, just in case before relaxing the string and shouldering. The quiver was likewise shouldered, settling just between both blades. "I'm going to release Tulaj, now. He'll be our eyes in the sky, just in case. You, er, may want to step back." She warned him then headed over to the raptor and untied the leash from the branch. The bird struck at her but she was quicker this time and grabbed his beak firmly between her fingers. He squawked in disapproval and tried to break free, but she only held him steady until he stopped and settled down.

"Good boy." Then came another sharp command to him, a trio of clicks and a longer whistle in short succession. The raptor looked ready to disobey but when she reached for his beak again to reprimand, the bird quickly spread wings and took to the air, circling over them on the warm air. "Alright, let's go."

Vira led the way into the woods, her eye peeled on the ground and an ear turned up to the sky slightly, listening to Tulaj's wings as he drifted directly overhead. Once they reached (and crossed) the stream, the younger woman began moving slower, her gold-flecked gaze scanning the terra for signs of animals that had passed their way. Though she lacked the depth perception that a hunter with two eyes would have, she made up for it with sharp tracking skills.

As they moved into a growth of ferns beneath some old growth oak, the teen paused and knelt, her fingers rubbing against one plant whose fanning leaves had a rusted tint to it. The tint was faded and dry and when she rubbed her fingers against it, the tint came off. She rubbed the rub-off between her fingers and brought it close to nose, sniffing. The scent was too dry, however, and thus unusable. She straightened and moved on, the squat showing no signs of discomfort in the marred woman.

Speaking softly back to Kovac, she said as they walked, "I know there's some small deer in the area; there should also be fawns left from spring that we can take for dinner tomorrow. I'm mostly looking for raccoons, maybe a fox if we're lucky." Since she had a hunting partner, finding game Tulaj normally couldn't catch was of higher priority. Though they could go for big game, Vira knew they wouldn't, not this trip. Maybe in the future, though...

Again, the Chiet changed course, something catching her eye. She took a knee before it and waved Kovac close. "Look-" she grabbed a stick amidst the underbrush and carefully poked the scat. "See the seeds?" Her eye shifted up to him. "There's a raccoon in the area. It's old though..." She glanced around and then nodded towards several neighboring spots. "There, and there...probably a mom and her pups. Bet we'll hear her tonight. I wish I knew more about trapping, catching her would be easier then. Tulaj could have the young, he'd love that." As if hearing his name, the harrier screeched from overhead then disappeared from sight.

"They couldn't drink from the loch, but the stream is a good source for prey. Let's head back over that way and walk the banks."

[Kovac]

Kovac watched the young woman string the bow, Lavira remembering well the proper technique. She had no trouble bending the short bow, the lean muscles of her slim arms cording up as she held it bent to attach the sinewy string. Kovac smiled to himself, knowing it was the right thing to do, giving her the bow. It had made him feel good giving it to his friend, a way to show his faith in the blossoming Chiet.

Lavira's intent to release Tulaj was not a welcomed one, but it made sense. That was why the falconer had brought the raptor, why she had trained the harrier. Kovac nodded and gave them both wide berth as the tethers were loosed and the bird took to the air, and away from the Avora. With the raptor taking to the skies, the earth bound hunters moved into the woods to identify the whereabouts of suitable game.

Lavira took the lead, and Kovac let her, for he was not good at tracking. Once prey was spotted, he was in his element, but finding it was not his forte. The girl proved to be astute and as she examined several clues, the Chiet already identified some possible quarry, including deer and raccoon. The falconer's skills would be tested for sure. Lavira must have spent quite a bit of time out looking for prey for the eaglets, she understood basic principles, such as observing water sources where prey may frequent.

Kovac looked up through the leafy canopy when Tulaj screeched. Yes, he would not be forgotten again. "I agree, we may find the tracks of other game along the stream as well." Moving to the waterway, Kovac found a narrower spot where he could step on a rock and cross over. "You look on this side, I'll look over here." He padded down to the water's edge, looking into the babbling water and up and down the stream. Then Kovac carefully crossed over to the other bank and looked back at Lavira. "And keep your eye keen, not only on the bank, but all around, we don't want to get surprised."

Kovac scanned the moist earth around him for obvious animal signs while his gaze darted to the surrounding terrain, and Lavira. He had wondered what would have happened if he had had the chance to take her in as an apprentice. The woman had a stellar work ethic and was a quick learner, and they could be together like this all the time, and she would not have been in the wrong place at the wrong time to fall from the cliff. But the hunter knew it would not have worked out that way, her heart and passion was where she was now, with the raptors.

Crouching down, he saw a small splayed footprint in the dirt. It looked like an adult raccoon. "Looks like there are a few prints of an adult coon over here. The little ones may not be big enough to leave anything noticeable." At least noticeable to him. "I really would like to find the watering place for the deer." He added.

x

[Lavira]

Vira made her way across the waterway, her eye peeling the ground slowly and carefully for signs. Mostly, the signature of small game abounded, little things like displaced leaves or stones, imprints in the mud. She turned her gaze to the stream and even saw the left overs of a wolf or bear or even big cat kill beneath the surface. With one hand on the bottom of the quiver to steady it, she knelt by the water and reached in to pull the scapula she'd spotted out.

Looking up when Kovac called her, she stood and came to examine it, laying a thumb beside the prints to gauge their size. With her perception defeciency, little techniques like that had always helped her overcome it. "She's a small one; first timer maybe? Look here...and here..." The tips of her digits brushed over tiny indentations around the mothers prints and some striations in the dirt around all of it, following the same path. "The pups, probably playing in the mud as mother fished. See how the sand lines up with the gait?" The teen straightened though continued to scan his side. More tracks could be spotted a few yards on, weaving in and out of the low-growth of fern and grass before disappearing at the waters edge.

Still holding the scapula, she stopped to look down at the place where it had disappeared. Judging by the placement of the paws and the proximity of the water, they could have crossed...except for the other tracks immediately around them. "Old tracks, old game. Something got to her before us. Do you smell that?" She sniffed the air. It was light, the wind against them, but it was there and most unpleasant. "Smells like a skunk..." Turning eyes to the skies, she held her arm out and gave a descending whistle. The albino dove through the branches and landed heavily as usual. "Tulaj, find smell." A word command was rare for the bird, especially one like this. Raising her arm again the bird waited on the sontav, wings half cocked. It was a misnomer that birds couldn't smell. Song birds, parrots, insect eaters, they couldn't smell very well. Even most birds of prey couldn't smell nearly as well. But at low altitudes, it was easier to manage, and was just what Vira wanted the harrier to use this time and what he was searching for. The potent smell of a skunk would be easy to locate, she hoped. They made fine furs that could be traded and weren't too bad to eat, though certainly not ideal.

Once the bird launched again from her arm, she turned to Kovac, smiling. "Now we wait. If he can find it, we'll know where to look in the morning." The worst case scenario was it was a Jieval. but normal skunks would discourage predator and prey alike from sitting downwind of it. That meant all they had to do was track the wind and position themselves upwind of the skunk. If Tulaj found a den, then they'd not have to move too far.

[Kovac]

Kovac stood over Lavira as she examined the tracks he had found, sizing the print and studying the earth around it. Her disability did not hinder her keen observation, or maybe it gave the girl a singular view that allowed more focused surveillance. Either way, she found indications of the cubs. Kovac's gaze followed Lavira as she followed the tracks a few yards, where she finally pronounced her speculation that the raccoon had most likely met her demise.

The Avora too detected the distinct scent of skunk carried on the light breeze. He had begun to swivel his head, huffing in short breaths through his nose to determine the direction of the source. Lavira had a better plan. Kovac stood wary as the white harrier descended though the leafy canopy to light on the woman's leather-clad arm. A simple command, and Tulaj lifted again and flew off to find the skunk.

The technique was a sound one, Kovac having heard other hunters who came across skunks using them to narrow their hunting grounds. But for Lavira to know it impressed the Avora, something she had been doing since they had met. She was surprisingly confident in the wilderness, observant, and Tulaj indeed proved a boon to the hunt.

Kovac made a slow turn, studying the surroundings for movement counter to the breeze, or the flutter of a fern or branch that seemed unsual. They certainly were not the only predators in these woods, and not even the most effective or deadly. Satisfied that they were safe for the moment, the Avora turned back to Lavira.

"If I had really knew how good you were at this, I would have given you the bow and brought you hunting long ago." He complimented sincerely, his smile a bit teasing though. Diligence was always had to be a priority in the Unforgiving, but Kovac allowed himself a small indulgence, something he found hard to resist as they waited for the harrier to return. Stepping closer, Kovac's hand slid into Lavira's, entwining his fingers with hers.

"What are you going to do with that bone?" He inquired with a lazy gesture towards the scapula in her other hand.

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