8th of Fall, 519 AV
Zastoska Mountains, around 10th Bell
Zastoska Mountains, around 10th Bell
Caiyha, bless this hunt. As I do today, so may I too one day be hunted.
Victor made his careful way through the still unfamiliar woods. Thankfully, yesterday’s venture gave him at least some idea of the lay of the land and he had noted some obvious game trails, but it would still take some time before he would be fully acclimated to the new environment. He paused in the small path and listened for a few ticks, keenly aware of the fact he was alone. He constantly scanned the trees around him for any animal movement, as well as for a decent spot from which to watch the trail from and begin his long wait.
The waiting had never been the difficult part of hunting for Victor. He knew others preferred to more actively pursue their quarries, but waiting for prey in an upwind hiding spot had always suited him best. Then, just ahead, he found just the appropriate location to stalk; an intersection of two game trails. Victor calmly scanned the surroundings, noting the direction of the wind. Fortuitously, a suitable location was within his bow range. Climbing up a steep hill, he came to a small plateau overlooking the path below, where Victor crouched down, making sure to draw his cloak tightly about him. Although the Watch stones had flared with the new season, the heat had yet to abate into Fall levels, making this quite the uncomfortable situation. He brought his water skin, tied with a leather strap around his neck, up to his lips for some comfort and splashed his face and arms. He then dug up a handful of dirt spread it over the moist areas.
He surveyed the area below him once more. He had a clear shot to the intersection from his vantage point. The wind would blow his scent away from the trails and against the hill, which should not pose much of an issue. Crucially, if an animal were to stop on the trail, they would be presenting their broadside to him. His cloak, though suffocating now, would become gradually less so as the day progressed and provided suitable cover with its earthen hues. He felt he had done all he could to improve his chances and would have to be satisfied with that. All he needed now was patience, focus, and a healthy serving of luck. He smiled mirthlessly -- as always, he would have to work hard to make up for the last.
