Hunt on Horseback

[Merevaika]

Merevaika 15th of Winter 514 The winter wind wrapped around her, and Merevaika pressed herself against the warm mass of her horse. Eryunt slowed, snow bothering him. At least he had fur. As human, the only way to keep warm was to put more clothes on, and that made more noise. Humans just weren't designed for hunting. No claws, no poison, no sharp teeth of their own. They had to make do with what they found. Luckily, Merevaika had her bow and arrows - now all she needed was something to shoot. Tracking in the snow was hard and easy. Prints showed up well, but could easily be covered by another snow fall. Merevaika had chosen that moment to go due to the lack of recent snowfalls, so any tracks would still remain. Of course, however, it had decided to start snowing the moment she was too far from Endrykas to return empty handed. Denviel sniffed at the ground, the large shaggy dog examining the remains of a print. Merevaika jumped down to join him, trying to make out the faded print. Hoof? Hare? She had little choice but to follow it. It led along a little trail, walking on by many so the grass was worn out. Merevaika nocked her bow, pulling the arrow tight. Eryunt followed faithfully, hoping for a chase. She smiled at the large strider, mounting him and urging him forward as Denviel led the way. When Denviel stopped, so did the horse and rider. The huntress prepared to shoot, scanning the grass for the creature. A small hare nibbled on a patch of grass peeking out from under the blanket of snow, oblivious to its fate. Merevaika pulled back the arrow, feeling the tension in the string. Aim... and fire. Eryunt jolted his head down out of the way, shifting Merevaika in her seat. The arrow flew past the hare, landing a metre to the left. The startled thing jumped away, racing from the danger. Slipping off her mount, Merevaika retrieved her arrow. Perhaps it was better to not bring Eryunt on hunts, or at least not ride him when she was going to shoot. Despite her miss, Merevaika knew that she needed to know how to use him efficiently in the hunt. The other Drykas did. She felt a sudden aching in her heart; they had been taught by mothers, fathers, uncles, siblings. She had no one.

[Colt]

Another day without snowfall was another day made easier. Not only that, but the clouds had been forgiving in the days past, allowing Syna to lash halfheartedly at the result of the recent snowstorm. Though the white stuff still blanketed the ground, it was growing thinner with each passing sunrise.

Of course, thinner snow meant harder snow, and that snow crunched more loudly than ever as the horse and rider made their way through the Sea of Grass.

Tuka, still lighter on her feet than Shahar could ever hope to be, was trotting cheerfully alongside Akaidras and Shahar, head low to catch any stray scents that might lead somewhere. Shahar had long since given up on hunting by foot in noisy snow; even the most oblivious of beasts would hear him coming a half-league away, and so his normal tactics were useless. He had adapted by following more prey by horseback; his throwing arm was still strong, and Akaidras was fleet enough to keep apace of most creatures he could be asked to chase, just long enough for Shahar to let loose a javelin.

All he had to do was find something to loose it towards.

While they hadn’t spent a great deal of time in the wilderness quite yet, there was still a good half an hour behind them of searching. Trails were old or covered beyond identification or hope of pursuit; the small beasts all preferred the warmth of their burrows to the nip of the winter air, and what animals actually were out and about were well warned of the horse’s approach long before any of the trio would catch sight or scent of them. As a result, Shahar was on the lookout for larger trails; flattened grass, torn earth, anything that would suggest a herd of something that Akaidras could outrun. It might be a bit more difficult to bring back, certainly, but it was easier to find than a single rabbit or grouse.

He was jolted from his line of though as Akaidras snorted and reared on to his hind legs, forcing Shahar to take hold of the beast’s mane to remain seated. Tuka had abandoned her tracking and erupted into a full-out sprint, spine bending and muscles tightening beneath a rippling yellow hide.

“Tuka! Stop!” But his words fell on deaf ears; the she-cat was already out of calling distance.

Growling in frustration, Shahar tightened his knees and leaned forward, sending Akaidras charging after her. While a strider might be able to keep up with a hunting cat at full gallop, it took far longer for a horse to reach that speed than a cat. The two of them were not going to outpace her; they could only hope to reach her at her journey’s end.

* * *

While Merevaika had missed her rabbit, the thing’s sudden bolt had attracted the attention of other creatures. In particular, it had attracted the attention of a young and exciteable hunting cat.

Tuka’s legs were a blur as she brought herself closer and closer to her quarry, devouring the space between them without a second thought given for the world beyond how it would affect her prey. She saw the dark hold of the warren coming upon them, saw the rabbit call upon everything it had to reach the safety of darkness––

––and she took a final leap over the creature, jaws snapping closed over the flesh of its hindquarters.

The rabbit let out a squeal as the two tumbled, over and over each other as the prey struggled to escape and the hunter struggled to keep it. Dust and snow flew into the air as Tuka fought to keep her grip on the writhing creature, but the rabbit was small and fast––another moment, and it had ripped free of her jaws.

But even with its freedom, the rabbit had paid a price. One hind leg dangled behind it as it tried to leap to safety, bloody and mangled and useless.

* * *

Shahar pulled Akaidras up short as he passed once scene for another; there was another horse, along with a woman that could only be its rider. He didn’t greet or sign to them; he could hear the disturbance ahead of whatever had so commanded Tuka’s attention, and he had to reach her before all else. He had to make sure that she was alright.

[Merevaika]

OOC :

Double post. Ignore

[Merevaika]

There was hunting cat, sprinting. Merevaika watched it curiously, wondering whose it was and why it was running so fast. Maybe... The cat jumped, then started rolling on the ground, sending dust and snow up in little explosions of white and brown. There was a squeal from a small creature, maybe even that hare she had missed. It had run off in that direction. A horse and rider appeared in the corner of her eye, javelin in one hand. He was too far to make out, but had a wild rugged look to himself. He was intent on reaching the cat. Merevaika smiled slyly to herself. Perhaps she could use him. The horse, hunting dog, and huntress narrowed near the other man. He didn't look anything special, just a little on the wild side. Like she believed she did. Merevaika greeted him, then nodded at the cat. "Stole hare," she began gesturing, glad for the non-verbal communication. If she spoke, her voice might give her away. "Shoot, but cat there. Not shoot cat." She glared at him the best she could managed, trying to hold back a smile. Maybe he would notice; maybe he would repay her. Besides, he looked like a good hunter. Perhaps he would hunt with her. Merevaika missed the concept of hunting in a pair or group. She had to rely on Eryunt and Denviel to accompany her. No one to guide her, to point out her flaws, congratulate her on kills. No one to even see her. Merevaika pushed the feeling back. Why was she suddenly missing being part of a pavillion? Why did she want to be confined? Then her mind snapped back, and she started thinking about the man. Maybe he was part of a pavillion. Maybe he would take her in, anyway, through marriage even. He didn't look a bad Ankal.

[Colt]

Tuka, not one to give up easily, sprang to her feet after her quarry. This time, the rabbit was wounded and slow. This time, it could not evade her.

The hunting cat vaulted to the rabbit and sank her teeth into whatever she could find. The rabbit kicked and continued to screech, but Tuka’s grip was strong and calculated, closing securely over the thing’s spine. She growled and reared onto her hind legs, stealing the rabbit into the air and shaking her head violently in an attempt to end its struggling. But she was a youthful cat, unwise to the ways of death and unaware of how to kill things properly. She shook and tore, digging farther and farther into the rabbit’s muscle and spine until, with a quiet snap, the creature grew still.

It was by the time Tuka dropped her kill to the ground that Shahar came upon her, hauling Akaidras to a stop and shooting an austere look at his hunting partner. Her face was bloody, her breath came in pants, but her ears were forward in pride and there was a cat’s-grin plastered across her face. Her tail flicked happily from side to side as Shahar dismounted, and she picked up the dead rabbit and held it towards him.

He was presented with a conundrum at her actions. Did he punish her for breaking formation and dashing after a rabbit, out of his sight and where he could not instruct her? Or did he reward her for her success, and for giving up her kill so readily?

When she tried to physically shove the rabbit into his hand, there was little he could do but sigh, resign himself to more training later, and take the carcass with a resigned pride.

Elated by her accomplishment, Tuka let out a low rumble and drove her head against Shahar’s knee, curling around his legs until he scratched her behind the ears. It was only then, with the cat’s safety assured, that he turned to see to the woman who had witness the entire thing.

She was the first to offer signs, which he returned with a simple greeting. He listened silently as she presented an apparent larceny, and Shahar tilted his head. She was another one of the strange city-Drykas, then, with their odd understanding of ownership and thievery. He’d never understood when people claimed things to be ‘their deer to hunt’ or ‘their kill to make,’ as if they could somehow have ownership over live animals. But he had learned a long time ago that his dissenting voice was only one against a sea of others, and so he knew better than to point such a thing out to the woman before him.

Sighing with reluctant acquiescence, Shahar shrugged and tossed the rabbit at her. He regretted seeing good meat go, but by her point of view she had more right to it––and Shahar would rather lose a rabbit than start an argument. Arguments brought more attention and trouble than they were worth, and he was after larger game anyway.

Still, his interaction could be interpreted as a bit blunt; he offered no apology for his cat’s behavior, no further desire for conversation, and really could have appeared to cease any attention paid towards the woman who now possessed Tuka’s rabbit. The cat had cost them time, and they needed to get moving if they were to find something to bring back.

[Merevaika]

The man threw over the hare with little protest, reluctant, but avoiding protest. Lucky for Merevaika. She tied it onto Eryunt, glad to have one kill - or at least something to take home. Without that cat, she would be empty handed. The man had turned to go, no apology for the cat, no questions on this stray huntress. He appeared to want to hunt, and now. Exactly what Merevaika wanted. "Stop," she barked sharply, intent on hunting with him. "I am hunting too," she said, face straight, motioning for "large". "We should hunt together. You have a hunting cat and I a dog," she smiled, then added with her hands, "Bow and javelin." The two combined weapons might work well together. She didn't know. She didn't remember the last time she had hunted together. She supposed it must make a difference, having different weapons. Hopefully a good one. Merevaika waited for a response, hoping for an agreement, however reluctant. Stalking prey in this snow was almost pointless. It would crunch too loud, startling prey. It felt right to have a chase, to go leaping across the plains after a herd of deer, or similar. Which was easier in a group. Besides, Merevaika felt the urge to be with someone. Living in basically isolation had its toll on the young woman. "We can share any hunt. I do not need much, for it is just I. You may take more to feed your pavillion," she added in case the man was reluctant as he believed that she would steal his food, as she did with the rabbit. She was going on the assumption that he was an Ankal, for he looked as if he would make a fine one. Even if he wasn't, he must have a wife or family to feed. Someone as handsome as him. Merevaika frowned at her thoughts. Why was her mind wandering to such strange thins, things she never thought about before. It was him. His presence changed her, a little. Made her feel the want for family, a husband. Children. No. Her family was Eryunt and Denviel, that was all.

[Colt]

“Stop.” Her voice was sharp and determined. Shahar halted in his motions to peer curiously over his shoulder.

"I am hunting too. We should hunt together. You have a hunting cat and I a dog. Bow and javelin."

Her hands said that she was looking for what he was looking for: large game, the kind that ran in herds and required more tact than simply sneaking up and stabbing.

Intrigued by her offer, Shahar turned to face her completely, posture heavy with contemplation. She had a horse, and so could surely muster enough speed for a chase if a chase was what the hunt boiled down to, and he chose to assume that she had at least some control over her dog if she had used it as a part of her suggestion. He didn’t know how strong of a shot she was with her bow, but he had seen Khida with her own and knew of the potential the weapon could hold.

The woman in question cut off the stretching silence, continuing her offer. "We can share any hunt. I do not need much, for it is just I. You may take more to feed your pavillion."

She was hunting for herself, then? No family to feed or bring honor to? Odd. Large game was a brave choice for one who hunted alone.

Although Shahar did not have a great deal of experience leading more than himself on a hunt, he could see the inherent advantage that the woman was offering. Two hunters had a better chance than one, and his contemplation eventually morphed into agreement.

Good idea, he said. Understanding both of us better chance. Half-turning, he gestured northward, in the direction he had previously been riding before Tuka had spotted the rabbit and given chase. That way, wind is better, coming our way, keeps scent secret. It was also vaguely closer to the Bluevein, which meant that it was the more likely direction that large herds could be found in.

His posture changed to one of intent to leave, alerting Tuka to the new change. Her ears perked as Shahar took hold of the yvas and vaulted back onto his strider’s back, and within moments the hunting cat had retaken her position at the stallion’s side. Turning back to his new hunting companion, Shahar gave a quick are you ready?

[Merevaika]

The man agreed, Merevaika letting out a sigh of relief. If they got some large creature, she wouldn't have to worry about food for a long enough time. She might even have some to sell, which was always a bonus. He gestured north, explaining the benefit lf the wind direction. The huntress smiled in agreement. She didn't often pay too much attention to the wind, but it was something that often hindered her. He vaulted upon his horse, hunting cat ready. He glanced at her, asking if she too was. Merevaika didn't reply, vaulting upon her own horse and whistling Denviel to attention. They started forward, slowly at first, faster with each bell. Soon, Merevaika realised another reason to head north. There lay the river Bluevin, acting as a magnet for large game. Did the man know that when he suggested north? Merevaika was unsure - if he did, why not mention it? Denviel started sniffing ar the ground, growling lightly to alert her of the scent. "Must be game near," she said, gesturing towards the dog. She almost wished that she could smell, like him. Her accursed nose was good for nothing but becoming blocked. The huntress dismounted her horse to examing the prints. There were many hoof prints, with the occasional animal droppings. They weren't to faded, so she assumed they were new. The prints seemed to lead in a north west direction, but she had no idea when, or how many, or how. She looked at the man pleadingly. "How many?" she signed, "Long ago or recently?" Maybe the man would know. Maybe he could teach her.

[Colt]

She responded by mounting her own strider and calling for her dog’s attention, and without another word the two were off.

Tuka immediately proved to be a problem. Far more curious about the new dog than any scents she might find, the hunting cat chose to wander over to him with a friendly chirp and snap of her tail, tongue lolling out. She wanted to play with this dog!

“Tuka,” Shahar said warningly. The dog would have a more difficult task of tracking if he had an inexperienced hunting cat bothering him. Giving her a stern come here signal, Shahar brought the disappointed Tuka to the other side of his horse, where she could not see or therefore irritate the canine.

From there the impromptu team could pick up the pace, coming first to a trot and then to a slow lope. The trackers had their noses to the ground, and Tuka had finally returned to the strafing pattern that she was supposed to be doing.

In the end, it was the dog that picked up a trail––or at least, that was what Shahar assumed the growling meant. He pulled Akaidras to a halt.

“Must be game near,” she said, dismounting. It took a moment for him to realize that she much be talking about quarry; talking about prey animals as ‘game’ had always confused Shahar, but when he understood what it was she was talking about he slid from the yvas, too.

The dog had found them a hefty trail. There was grass torn up, dirt sprayed about and trodden over, snow pounded into near-nothingness. All signs pointed to a grazing herd before he even set about to finding a proper footprint, which was not all that difficult to locate. Two drop-like impressions in the damp earth, and two clear dots below each of them. An ungulate, obviously, but what kind? The prints were medium-sized, but the impressions were heavy; it was a well-built creature for its size, and it moved with confidence.

Shahar looked to the south. Endrykas had been growing closer and closer to Ektol, and so there were creatures to be found here that the rest of Cyphrus did not share. He’s seen prints like this before, on last year’s Run, but he couldn’t place exactly what beast they belonged to.

Well, it looked like now was the time to find out for certain.

Creeping carefully over the rest of the trail, Shahar gave the woman quick, blunt answers. Herd animals, more than ten, less than fifteen. Larger than a deer, smaller than a horse. Heavy. Slow-moving. Confident, could mean dangerous. Not too long ago.

He fell still for a moment, peering thoughtfully at the trail. He knew the speed they had been moving at an hour ago, but didn’t know what might have caused them to move faster or slower since then. Not unless…

Turning hesitantly back to the woman, Shahar hoped that she was as good with her bow as he was with his spears.

A favor, he said. Need a look, more than eyes. Web, different from here, need you to keep me safe. Will be… unconscious? That was the closest word he could find for it. Can find them better, know exactly where they are. Need protection.

[Merevaika]

The man examined the prints, telling her not much more than she didn't know. Still, it was something. She would have now idea that they were slow moving and confident. Anyway, the man done his best, or so she thought. With that information, Merevaika would have happily started the chase. Then the man did something she didn't expect him to do. He entrusted his life, his protection into her hands. She agreed willingly, hoping to impress him and gain his trust. She pulled back her arrow, keeping the string tight, and scanning the plain. Nothing in sight, but she had to keep aware. Anything could sneak up when the man was... unconscious he called it. She watched him carefully, hoping one day to do the same. She always envied those who worked with the web. It seemed so mysterious, yet powerful and of course magical. Her mother was a grear Web Mage. She was going to teach her, the day she became 16. When that day came, however, her mother was gone. Merevaika waited and watched the lifeless, senseless body and the plains around. Strange thought span through her head. He was so vulnerable, she could steal any possessions, like the spear, she could rob him blind. She could kill him, and rob his tent. Take his horse, his hunting cat. But Merevaika couldn't do that. Robbing was no fun when they were unconscious, nor fair. Besides, the man interested her, attracted her. He interested her far more than any possessions, and she felt a longing to be with him. Maybe it was because this was the first hunt, with anyone, for a long time. Maybe it was just him. Merevaika had made up her mind. She would be taught, and by him. As soon as he awoke, from that strange... unconsciousness, she would ask, beg him to teach her. She had every right to know, being Drykas. She would even pay him, if he refused to do it for free. She would ask him, and so she did.