Eryunt snorted, stamping the ground. He did that whenever Merevaika took too long with her human thoughts. Merevaika grinned, first settling the yvas pad upon him, then the yvas itself. She adjusted both to fit snugly on his back, before tightening the straps. He relaxed, ears dropping. Glad, perhaps, that they were finally leading? She gave another smile, pulling herself onto Eryunt's back with her bow in one hand and quiver strapped beside her leg for easy access.
Giving Denviel, who was marking his scent on a nearby tuft of grass, a short whistle, Merevaika urged her strider forward, letting him lead the way. He was the one carrying her after all, and so he would be the one to set the pace and direction. Thankfully, he broke into a faster gait, heading towards the sea of grass.
Merevaika was glad that he was returning to familiar terrain. The woods of Riverfall were strange, the trees alien, but the city itself was worse. Unlike Endrykas, it wasn't designed with horses in mind, the pathways narrow and built on a cliff face. Excursions into the city were often alone, with Denviel left to guard Eryunt and the tent.
The smells drifted towards her, smells of dirt and grass. Living in the Sea of Grass, they were everywhere and indistinguishable, but the reek of the sea and salt contrasted so much with the smell even the drykas could smell it. Was this what animals always felt? If so, they were blessed. It was the smell of home.
After bells of riding, they stopped by a small stream. It was the perfect location to rest, with water for the horse and dog, and may have plenty of animal tracks. She slowed Eryunt, signalling to him that this was the place to stop. Glad for the break, he immediately headed to the water, the dismounting of Merevaika unnoticed by the horse preoccupied with its needs. Denviel joined the horse, taking even faster slurps.
Merevaika stepped away, surveying the nearby landscape for signs of animals. The ground was muddy, wet from the river - or rain, Merevaika couldn't tell - and was covered in marks, but they all blurred as one. Some were distinctively predator, with claws and paws, while others were hooves, but none were specific. Perhaps some were even from herself or another hunter.
She didn't know where to start. She could guess and try to follow a trail, but she might have picked one that had passed through days ago and was miles from here. Or, Merevaika might pick lucky, and try to follow the trail of an animal who passes only a bell or so before her. "Help me, Caiyha," she whispered, although knowing that even if the goddess heard her, she wouldn't help. It was more to give Merevaika herself the strength and faith she needed.
She cast one quick looked at the horse and dog, just to check they were alright. Eryunt was still drinking, enjoying the cool fresh water, but Denviel was more agitated, sniffing the surrounding area frantically. |
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