Missing Pup
Tenebrae - Tuesday, March 01, 2016, 7:18 AM
-=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=<* W02: The Light Woods *>=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=-
The path from the village eventually narrows somewhat, with the trees on either side becoming more populous. Moss hangs from large stones that sit surrounded by beds of leaves that has accumulated over the years.
A few trails wander in varied directions though eventually even these woods will thicken. One particular trail carries with it the scent of natural brimstone...this trail wanders north and westward, where the trees grow thick once more. To the east, it's rumored that the druids have built a sacred site.
KA-THOOM!
Alchemical thunder rolls across the hills, starteling more than one bird into flight, and a few rabbits running for cover. It also sends a young buck crashing to the ground, twitching a moment before laying still. Watching a moment to mark the location firmly in his mind, Bennet places the rifle back into the sling upon his back, and starts the hike heading towards the fallen game.
Out in the Light Woods, a female sil is wandering around, nose practically to the ground, and evidently following some tracks. Occasionally she stops to examine a tree, or bush, or some other track sign. On hearing the exceptionally loud crack of gunfire, she winces, placing her hands over her ears in case the sound comes again. When it does not, she turns to see the tall, ageing man sporting a rifle behind her.
Bennet blinks. He was hunting deer, not elves. Well, this one doesn't look hostile. Nodding politely, he continues towards the fallen deer. "Morning."
"You are doing here, what?" The sil asks sharply. She looks annoyed. "Gun are louding, wood is quietly. Stay here, and respectful Ea." Despite the annoyance, she doesn't raise her head to meet his eye.
Bennet blinks again, and peers a moment. "...huntin. Well, was huntin. Now I'ma dressin. What're you doin?" Stepping up to the deer, Bennet takes a moment to assure that it's well dead, before drawing either a small sword or a large knife, it's kind of a tough call.
She sighs deeply, and wanders over to the deer, looking it over. It's definitely dead. She takes a second to close its frightened eyes, before addressing the huntsman again. "I am track, track youngling wolf. Have you seen?" Her face winces in irritation.
Bennet quietly murmurs a prayer before kneeling down and gutting the corpse, moving with sure, practiced motions. "Wolf? Not this mornin, no. Why ya lookin?"
She watches his obvious skill at gutting, not answering immediately. When he is finished, she touches her belt, which turns into a short hook. With this, she hooks the entrails, and throws them as far as she can into the undergrowth. "Cover scent," she says, as if it would be obvious. "Hide insiding parts, or deers, other, never be of passing throughout here more." She means it as a kindly lesson, although she is still irked by his presence.
Bennet quirks a brow, but doesn't object. "Few days, maybe. Blood scent fades, bugs go in. Soon 'nuff, deer will graze on this spot again. Ain't like they don't know The Lady."
She considers this, and nods, rising to her feet. She returns the hook to her waist, and it transforms back into the looped leather belt. "Lesson took from wolf, lion, predators all --- burial or removal, but insidings bringing poorsome luck."
Bennet nods. "Why I usually pack 'em out. Length of gut makes for good bindin, though can't say as have a current need." Cutting out the shattered shoulder bone, the man slits a few small strips along the edgs of the cuts, tieing the body together to carry out again, before washing the worst of the gore from his hands with a splash from a water skin.
Whilst he washes his hands, the sil investigates the shot wounds. She makes a face. "Arrow is giving cleaner wounding, less destructiveness." She retrieves an arrow from her quiver, and holds it against the entry wounds; it would fit in neatly two or three times. "Still, 'to-each-his-own'." This last phrase is repeated as if learned by rote, rather than meaning.
Bennet nods, taking no insult. "The Gate works better on undead, but didn't find any of them this mornin. Not that I expected to. Temple's running low on fresh meat, so went huntin."
"Temple?" She looks up. A holy warrior? "What temple, Master Hunter?" This last seems a moniker, less than a term of respect.
Bennet smiles, picking up the deer and slinging it over his shoulder before making the Sign of the Scales. "The Mountain Temple, of the Grey Harpist, Vardama. I am Bennet Susson, Absolution of The Lady, and Keeper of The Gate." A statement of introduction, not expecting anyone to recognize the name.
Iadoth says, "/Y delynores llwyd/," She says, mulling it over. "Lady Grey. I am Iadoth, of the Vast. I am of follower White Stag, Gilead. Today, but, I follow other creature. Wolf cub. He is... ward."
Bennet nods, and frowns mildly. "How old? Bit early for cubs, ain't it?" The paladin peers around a moment to get his bearing before starting to head back towards his mount. The cub might not be that direction, but not knowing, it also might be.
Iadoth says, "It is long, long taling, Master Hunter, long. Cub is youngling, yes, and now free in foresting. This, will of White Stag. I am of hope that your Mistress does not be taking this one.""
Un'eth has arrived.
Bennet hikes back towards his mule, a slain and dressed deer he shot over his shoulders, his rifle in it's sling. The gun man walks slow, in part for his age, in part for his load, and in part to keep easy conversation with Iadoth. "The lady can be harsh, but is fair. If she calls his time up, she's got a reason. But, sounds like the cub's well cared for, likely just off playing somewhere."
Iadoth shakes her head. "It was, hmm, of time. I was carering only, for shortling time. White Stag spokening, suggestion release. So, releasing I do, hopeful of returning. Cub not have returning."
Bennet nods. "Keep lookin, but try to be content with the happy memories ya already have. When you get to make more memories, so much the better."
Un'eth moves along the path from the north, at a brisk pace. While not as wide nore clear as a roadway, the path allows suitable freedom to gain speed. Her torso is pitched forward as she strides, tail lifted and extended rearward to maintain balance.
Durrankar has arrived.
Iadoth looks wistful, and for the first time raises her head to meet Bennet's eyes---briefly. A few moments later she looks down again, apparently looking for more track signs. On hearing Un'eth's approach, she looks around, and raises a hand in greeting.
Bennet isn't the best at offering comfort, but when you spend your days with Mourners, you pick up a few things. Following the gaze, he also raises a hand in greeting, though not immediately familiar with the approaching sith.
Un'eth slows her strides as she nears the others; one familiar, one not. "Peace on your nest, Huntress," is offered to Iadoth before she dips her head at the other, who has obviously hunted as well, "and yours, Hunter."
Durrankar walks his way out of the forest, and nods his head to Bennet and Iadoth. "Peace on your nest, Uneth." he says once he spots her.
Iadoth returns the sith-makar greeting, "Peace on your nest, Master Shaman, Mistress Wolf." She makes an attempt at introducing Bennet. "This, this human-male is Master Hunter."
Bennet grins, nodding to the others. "May the Lady watch over you. Absolution Bennet, a pleasure to make your aquaintences."
Durrankar looks a Bennet for a few seconds. "You serve the Death Singing Dragon. Peace on your nest, Bennet."
"You are awake..." is Uneth's response to Durrankar's greeting to her, with surprise, or perhaps amusement. Her head pans back to Bennet at the introduction. "I am Uneth, warden of Ea."
Iadoth turns to Un'eth and addresses her in sildanyari. "<something you don't understand in sildanyari>" She looks a little lost, but tosses a sideways glance at Bennet. "<something you don't understand in sildanyari>"
Bennet nods in agreement to Durrankar, and acknowledgement to Uneth, before glancing to Iadoth. "...don't think I quite followed that."
Un'eth looks to Iadoth and shakes her muzzle slowly, once. "<something you don't understand in sildanyari>"
Durrankar clicks his tongue. "You would think someone didn't want me in this conversation, Uneth."
For Durrankar, and Bennet, Uneth states simply, "She is concerned for her pup."
Bennet nods in understanding. "Good pup makes for a good friend. Nothing worng with a bit of worry, just trust will all be right in the end."
Durrankar says, "He is fine. Little One is watching after him. She seems to be a good leader, and wonderful alpha among alphas.""
The sil nods, but her brow is furrowed. "I am with receiving stranger messaging of White Stag, of Cub, even. On return to shelter, find body of otter-thing. This is prey sent for to Gelert receive; but, of cub, without sign."
"Little One is wise," Uneth notes, stepping to Durrankar, tail swinging to brush his, "as you taught her." She considers Iadoth's words a moment before speaking, "If it was hunted prey, with Gelert's scent, it was left for you. The hunters provide for all in their pack or tribe."
Bennet nod, and shrugs, shifting the deer carcass. "Speaking of which, I'd best be getting back before this goes bad. Iffen ya'll care to stop by, reckon will be plenty of stew by evenin."