Wherein fletcher pals Noavhin and Ulrin (two middle-aged men who shouldn't be running around like they're in their 20s but feel compelled to do so anyway) put their hunting skills to work and make a day's outing into the Rosewoods of Rayneth several weeks after meeting in the tavern which Ulrin now owns.
The day is Saturday, the time is late morning, and the goal is to bag a 10-point buck (or at least a few bunnies) without getting kicked in the teeth before sundown.
Noavhin finally arrives to collect Ulrin for their big day, as it were. He'd have been even earlier if he wasn't packing provisions for the both of them, but the slouching and full bag he is shouldering suggests that the time had been well-spent. He's burdened with other things too, of course: His weapons, his tome, his particularly unruly hairstyle.. It's almost enough to warrant a mule, though the archer hopes to make a rudimentary camp in the woods from which their forest adventure can begin and end. With proper care, they can leave most of their belongings there while they prowl for their quarry.
Taking a moment to arch his back and shake a bit of stiffness from his hand, Noavhin raises a knuckle and raps it sharply against Ulrin's door, inquiring a few moments after, "Hail, Lightbringer. Not having second thoughts, are we?"
The tavern master and sometimes woodland enthusiast ought to be expecting Noavhin, putting to rest the riddle of who might be taunting him through the door.";
The day is Saturday, the time is late morning, and the goal is to bag a 10-point buck (or at least a few bunnies) without getting kicked in the teeth before sundown.
Noavhin finally arrives to collect Ulrin for their big day, as it were. He'd have been even earlier if he wasn't packing provisions for the both of them, but the slouching and full bag he is shouldering suggests that the time had been well-spent. He's burdened with other things too, of course: His weapons, his tome, his particularly unruly hairstyle.. It's almost enough to warrant a mule, though the archer hopes to make a rudimentary camp in the woods from which their forest adventure can begin and end. With proper care, they can leave most of their belongings there while they prowl for their quarry.
Taking a moment to arch his back and shake a bit of stiffness from his hand, Noavhin raises a knuckle and raps it sharply against Ulrin's door, inquiring a few moments after, "Hail, Lightbringer. Not having second thoughts, are we?"
The tavern master and sometimes woodland enthusiast ought to be expecting Noavhin, putting to rest the riddle of who might be taunting him through the door.";
Unbeknownst to Noavhin, Ulrin had been excited, restless and other such things people might feel if looking forward to something. The tavernkeep had spent the early morning preparing his equipment...multiple times. One of his arrowheads had been sharpened to the point of being noticeably smaller than its brethren and his quiver was polished so thoroughly that one might suspect it could cause accidental fires when exposed to sunlight.
Things being as they were, Ulrin leaped up from a chair in which he had dozed off to sleep a mere minute earlier when he heard a sudden tapping. As of someone gently rapping, rapping at his chamber door! In his haste, the chair fell over behind him with a thud. None of his concern! There was stuff to be hunted! "As if!" Ulrin exclaimed whilst still in process of opening the door "Behold! Slayer of deer, bane of all rabbits and other such general titles that imply fear and what not from lesser creatures!" Triumphant pose.
Things being as they were, Ulrin leaped up from a chair in which he had dozed off to sleep a mere minute earlier when he heard a sudden tapping. As of someone gently rapping, rapping at his chamber door! In his haste, the chair fell over behind him with a thud. None of his concern! There was stuff to be hunted! "As if!" Ulrin exclaimed whilst still in process of opening the door "Behold! Slayer of deer, bane of all rabbits and other such general titles that imply fear and what not from lesser creatures!" Triumphant pose.
When you go day in and day out doing something, usually doing it to survive until tomorrow, you can easily lose the magic of something as simple as a day in the wilderness. Because of this, Noavhin is happy about today but counts it plainly among the many sunny mornings he has spent among the trees. What he fails to realize, of course, is that his feelings on this are going to change the moment the equation does. The moment he is spending the day with someone else. Someone agreeable. A friend. Not having many of those, his amusement is amplified many-fold when Ulrin throws open the door and blinds the black-haired hunter with his manly posing and weapon-having glory.
His laid back and placid expression changes to one of surprise as Ulrin stands there like a poster-child for whimsy and hunting accessories. And slowly, beyond his control, he starts grinning. Ridiculous. Lightbringer is absolutely ridiculous. Noavhin has forgotten how good it can feel to let up once in a while and be improper.
"Well now, look at this," he starts with a laugh, standing back from the door and rolling his shoulder to redistribute the weight of the supply bag. "You seem to have all of this under wing, Lightbringer the Fierce. Shall I still come with you?" Tilting his head, he adds, "Will you leave any prey for me, is the real question."
Ulrin's over-preparation has not gone unmarked. His equipment looks over-loved, not that it's necessarily a bad thing. It does, however, speak volumes to the level of excitement that the white-haired fellow has for today. How nice it is to inspire that sort of feeling in another person. Noavhin stands aside and lifts a hand to present the street to the tavern master. "Come on then, we'd best begin before word of your grand arrival spreads to the smallest of game."
His laid back and placid expression changes to one of surprise as Ulrin stands there like a poster-child for whimsy and hunting accessories. And slowly, beyond his control, he starts grinning. Ridiculous. Lightbringer is absolutely ridiculous. Noavhin has forgotten how good it can feel to let up once in a while and be improper.
"Well now, look at this," he starts with a laugh, standing back from the door and rolling his shoulder to redistribute the weight of the supply bag. "You seem to have all of this under wing, Lightbringer the Fierce. Shall I still come with you?" Tilting his head, he adds, "Will you leave any prey for me, is the real question."
Ulrin's over-preparation has not gone unmarked. His equipment looks over-loved, not that it's necessarily a bad thing. It does, however, speak volumes to the level of excitement that the white-haired fellow has for today. How nice it is to inspire that sort of feeling in another person. Noavhin stands aside and lifts a hand to present the street to the tavern master. "Come on then, we'd best begin before word of your grand arrival spreads to the smallest of game."
Ulrin gave it a few moments before relenting his pose, giving Noavhin plenty of time to bask in it. Ulrin then relaxed again, took a deep breath and slung his bag over his shoulder.
And, as it seems, grinning is infectious because a similar one soon spread on Ulrin's lips. At the question, Ulrin looked up and down Noavhin as if checking him out, judging him, pursing his lips as he "pondered" the reply. "Myes. I suppose you'll do! Every great hero requires a faithful sidekick to rescue him when his ego gets bigger than the prey he can handle." Ulrin then replied, followed by a wink before stepping out from his humble abode, and onto the road.
"The first step of an adventure is always the most exciting one, don't you think?" the tavernkeep said as he stared at his foot, almost as if expecting something horribly exciting there "It shows you that you merely choose the beginning, and that afterwards you're the toy of events to come. A mere pawn in the game that is life." As he started walking futher, Ulrin pointed off towards the horizon "Onwards to our destiny!". It was clear Ulrin was quite energetic and perhaps overly dramatic today.
And, as it seems, grinning is infectious because a similar one soon spread on Ulrin's lips. At the question, Ulrin looked up and down Noavhin as if checking him out, judging him, pursing his lips as he "pondered" the reply. "Myes. I suppose you'll do! Every great hero requires a faithful sidekick to rescue him when his ego gets bigger than the prey he can handle." Ulrin then replied, followed by a wink before stepping out from his humble abode, and onto the road.
"The first step of an adventure is always the most exciting one, don't you think?" the tavernkeep said as he stared at his foot, almost as if expecting something horribly exciting there "It shows you that you merely choose the beginning, and that afterwards you're the toy of events to come. A mere pawn in the game that is life." As he started walking futher, Ulrin pointed off towards the horizon "Onwards to our destiny!". It was clear Ulrin was quite energetic and perhaps overly dramatic today.
Taking a moment to fulfill his first sidekick duty of the day, Noavhin reaches out to pull the door shut after Ulrin exits. He follows his peppy companion down the road (which has not been repaved despite his complaints).
He listens politely as they go along, his step somewhat bouncy, but not for the same reason as Ulrin -- Noavhin just walks funny and always has. He adopts a content expression, not quite a smile, but soft enough to pretend as he glances about and squints against the sun now and then. The archer lifts a hand to smack the back of it against Ulrin's shoulder good-naturedly when he begins to go on about being a pawn and all that metaphysical stuff.
"Come off it, friend. Where fate lays its hand, so too do we make use of our experience and skill. No.. I prefer to think that we control our destinies as much as they are shown to us." He peers up the road, toward the gates that will take them outside the city and into oblivion -- that is to say the relatively safe woods that he has picked out specifically for today. Game is plentiful once the city is a few miles behind you, and it will be more than perfect for this enchanted little foray outside the doldrums of Ulrin's life in the tavern.
"Have you ever heard the saying 'grab life by the horns?'," he asks cheerfully as they grow closer to the gate and exchange glances with those who are standing guard. Hunters are a common sight here, and it is doubtful that they will have any trouble passing through. "I admit there is some risk, some loss of control in our lives. But we can certainly grab it back if we try. That is what I find exciting, Ulrin. The quest for control of my own life."
He listens politely as they go along, his step somewhat bouncy, but not for the same reason as Ulrin -- Noavhin just walks funny and always has. He adopts a content expression, not quite a smile, but soft enough to pretend as he glances about and squints against the sun now and then. The archer lifts a hand to smack the back of it against Ulrin's shoulder good-naturedly when he begins to go on about being a pawn and all that metaphysical stuff.
"Come off it, friend. Where fate lays its hand, so too do we make use of our experience and skill. No.. I prefer to think that we control our destinies as much as they are shown to us." He peers up the road, toward the gates that will take them outside the city and into oblivion -- that is to say the relatively safe woods that he has picked out specifically for today. Game is plentiful once the city is a few miles behind you, and it will be more than perfect for this enchanted little foray outside the doldrums of Ulrin's life in the tavern.
"Have you ever heard the saying 'grab life by the horns?'," he asks cheerfully as they grow closer to the gate and exchange glances with those who are standing guard. Hunters are a common sight here, and it is doubtful that they will have any trouble passing through. "I admit there is some risk, some loss of control in our lives. But we can certainly grab it back if we try. That is what I find exciting, Ulrin. The quest for control of my own life."
Ulrin looked behind him to check off his mental checklist! Sidekick could be trusted to close doors. Excellent.
Not only that, but Noavhin also proved helpful to snap out of metaphysical musings! "I suppose there's truth to that. I do get carried away sometimes." Ulrin pursed his lips in thoughts for a while, until they neared the gates and Noavhin spoke again.
And what he said sort of struck home to Ulrin in more ways than his hunting partner might have realized. For just a moment Ulrin was at a loss of words for what to say, for what not to say. And then he tried to swing it into a different direction "Not just your own. You're a monster hunter, no? Whenever you stand between some poor villagers or whatnot and whatever is preying on them, you basically choose to grab it by the horns not just for yourself, but for other people as well." Ulrin then took a moment to look at Noavhin, smiling "Does it help you control your own? I mean, one doesn't decide on a whim to do what you do."
Not only that, but Noavhin also proved helpful to snap out of metaphysical musings! "I suppose there's truth to that. I do get carried away sometimes." Ulrin pursed his lips in thoughts for a while, until they neared the gates and Noavhin spoke again.
And what he said sort of struck home to Ulrin in more ways than his hunting partner might have realized. For just a moment Ulrin was at a loss of words for what to say, for what not to say. And then he tried to swing it into a different direction "Not just your own. You're a monster hunter, no? Whenever you stand between some poor villagers or whatnot and whatever is preying on them, you basically choose to grab it by the horns not just for yourself, but for other people as well." Ulrin then took a moment to look at Noavhin, smiling "Does it help you control your own? I mean, one doesn't decide on a whim to do what you do."
Now it's his turn to be at a loss, at least for a little while. He regards Ulrin with an impressed lift of the eyebrows as they pass the gates and emerge onto one of the trade routes stretching out from the city proper. Trees and bushes are quick to greet them as they do so, uniformly lining either side of the path and becoming more wild the further along it they travel.
Noavhin collects himself after a few moments, saying, "I suppose it does, now that you put it that way." He again adjusts the lay of the bag on his shoulder -- he'll be more than glad to drop it once they reach their destination. "I've known many to take my profession for its material rewards. Fame. Riches. Political ins." He shakes his head, in clear disagreement with these goals, "But for me, it's something I must do. For I was a poor villager once, and no one saved us." Scratching at his chin, he adds, "If I can remove some of that hopelessness from the lives of others, then I'll sleep well when I finally meet my end."
Strangest about this conversation is that fact that he doesn't sound sad about any of this. In fact, he seems at peace with the way things have turned out -- or at least able to hide his feelings expertly.
Peering at Ulrin, the archer nods toward the other man, "What of you, then? Fletching is not a trade many take for anything other than necessity. It requires patience and steady hands.. And the work of a librarian, even moreso! Of your many professions, what is it that drives Ulrin Lightbringer?" Ah. He must be asking about life goals. Or cars. But given the time period, it's safe to assume he means personal drive.
Noavhin collects himself after a few moments, saying, "I suppose it does, now that you put it that way." He again adjusts the lay of the bag on his shoulder -- he'll be more than glad to drop it once they reach their destination. "I've known many to take my profession for its material rewards. Fame. Riches. Political ins." He shakes his head, in clear disagreement with these goals, "But for me, it's something I must do. For I was a poor villager once, and no one saved us." Scratching at his chin, he adds, "If I can remove some of that hopelessness from the lives of others, then I'll sleep well when I finally meet my end."
Strangest about this conversation is that fact that he doesn't sound sad about any of this. In fact, he seems at peace with the way things have turned out -- or at least able to hide his feelings expertly.
Peering at Ulrin, the archer nods toward the other man, "What of you, then? Fletching is not a trade many take for anything other than necessity. It requires patience and steady hands.. And the work of a librarian, even moreso! Of your many professions, what is it that drives Ulrin Lightbringer?" Ah. He must be asking about life goals. Or cars. But given the time period, it's safe to assume he means personal drive.
Ulrin was content with the brief gap of silence. It was only fair, Noavhin had caused the same to him only moments before. The tavernkeep looked around, one hand going up and resting on the hilt of one of the short swords strapped to his belt. It had been a while since they were unpacked. He squeezed it almost lovingly.
"Ah, I see." Ulrin replied when Noavhin started answering. "A noble cause if I ever heard any. I know I'd sleep better at night knowing I did my good deed for the day." Ulrin let a small grin curl upon his lips "Though I'm sure the thrill of the hunt is a reward upno its own as well."
At the question directed to him, Ulrin shrugged. He quickly added in a gesture towards the horizon in front of them "To see. To know. To experience." He explained, looking at Noavhin "I took the position of librarian because I started to travel at a young age, but soon found my knowledge wanting. It gave me a chance to settle down, to study, to learn, to meet people. The fact that it was a small trading outpost far up in the mountains merely added the lesson of teamwork, and to carry your own weight to the best of your capabilities."
Ulrin sighed "With my increased intelligence came a better understanding of my magic. Or, to put it better, a bigger urge to use it in greater and greater extents. With sometimes more than dangerous consequences. That's where fletching came in. Besides being a useful skill and a means of earning some money on the side when needed, it also taught me a valuable lesson in discipline. An essential part of sorcery, as you might imagine." Ulrin turned his gaze away towards the horizon again, most likely reminiscing about his past. "In the end, you could say what drives me is the world itself. It amazes me at every turn, and every time I just want more."
"Ah, I see." Ulrin replied when Noavhin started answering. "A noble cause if I ever heard any. I know I'd sleep better at night knowing I did my good deed for the day." Ulrin let a small grin curl upon his lips "Though I'm sure the thrill of the hunt is a reward upno its own as well."
At the question directed to him, Ulrin shrugged. He quickly added in a gesture towards the horizon in front of them "To see. To know. To experience." He explained, looking at Noavhin "I took the position of librarian because I started to travel at a young age, but soon found my knowledge wanting. It gave me a chance to settle down, to study, to learn, to meet people. The fact that it was a small trading outpost far up in the mountains merely added the lesson of teamwork, and to carry your own weight to the best of your capabilities."
Ulrin sighed "With my increased intelligence came a better understanding of my magic. Or, to put it better, a bigger urge to use it in greater and greater extents. With sometimes more than dangerous consequences. That's where fletching came in. Besides being a useful skill and a means of earning some money on the side when needed, it also taught me a valuable lesson in discipline. An essential part of sorcery, as you might imagine." Ulrin turned his gaze away towards the horizon again, most likely reminiscing about his past. "In the end, you could say what drives me is the world itself. It amazes me at every turn, and every time I just want more."
"Don't you?" he asks, grinning gently and adopting a taunting tone of voice, "It could be argued that your deeds in the tavern make more people happy in an evening than my slaying skills could in a month." And it's true. What man doesn't enjoy a good drink now and then?
Warmed by a mixture of pleasant feelings and beaming sunlight, Noavhin barely even takes notice of the breeze as they make their trek down the road. It will be getting cooler in the coming months, and today couldn't have been planned at a better time. With clear, bright skies and vibrant noises leeching out of the bustling city behind them, everything feels very much alive. It's as though the world is just as excited as Ulrin.
The archer listens as they go along, absorbing the details of a life he's never known. He is usually careful not to ask too much about the people he meets if only to avoid missing them when he moves on. The effect of this is that the stories of people's lives when he does bother to ask are that much more alien and intriguing to him. Ulrin, he's decided, is a man worth knowing whether he stays or goes. So he listens and imagines and paints a picture in his mind as the white fletcher speaks.
"I forget that sometimes, how beautiful the world can be. It's an unpleasant side effect of hunting the ugliest bits of it, I suppose." He smiles wrly and adds, "So you're a traveler, turned scholar, turned spell-worker, turned woodsman. Have you ever entertained the idea of family?"
Warmed by a mixture of pleasant feelings and beaming sunlight, Noavhin barely even takes notice of the breeze as they make their trek down the road. It will be getting cooler in the coming months, and today couldn't have been planned at a better time. With clear, bright skies and vibrant noises leeching out of the bustling city behind them, everything feels very much alive. It's as though the world is just as excited as Ulrin.
The archer listens as they go along, absorbing the details of a life he's never known. He is usually careful not to ask too much about the people he meets if only to avoid missing them when he moves on. The effect of this is that the stories of people's lives when he does bother to ask are that much more alien and intriguing to him. Ulrin, he's decided, is a man worth knowing whether he stays or goes. So he listens and imagines and paints a picture in his mind as the white fletcher speaks.
"I forget that sometimes, how beautiful the world can be. It's an unpleasant side effect of hunting the ugliest bits of it, I suppose." He smiles wrly and adds, "So you're a traveler, turned scholar, turned spell-worker, turned woodsman. Have you ever entertained the idea of family?"
Ulrin moved up a hand to stroke his beard "I suppose. I don't think most of them are actually made happy. I just see it as temporarily making them forget their own problems. A bit of ale, some music and stories and perhaps then people can find the strength to live for another day, no matter how harsh their lives might get." Ulrin then smiled and switched to something less grim "Of course, there's always those who just want a nice beer before returning home to their wives." he added with a chuckle.
"That's the thing with the world, I guess. It has great big piles of both bad things and good thing and the deeper you crawl into one of them, the more you forget the others exists. Sometimes you just need someone to pull you out and show you the magnificence of the whole picture." Ulrin nodded at the question "Aye, I have. I had a family, many years back. I left them somewhere comfortable and safe. Too much so for myself. In the end, settling down wasn't for me. Not after I lost the only place that ever truly felt like home." Ulrin then turned to Noavhin "What about you?"
"That's the thing with the world, I guess. It has great big piles of both bad things and good thing and the deeper you crawl into one of them, the more you forget the others exists. Sometimes you just need someone to pull you out and show you the magnificence of the whole picture." Ulrin nodded at the question "Aye, I have. I had a family, many years back. I left them somewhere comfortable and safe. Too much so for myself. In the end, settling down wasn't for me. Not after I lost the only place that ever truly felt like home." Ulrin then turned to Noavhin "What about you?"
Noavhin tilts his head, genuinely perplexed by the idea of /leaving/ a family anywhere! ..though if he's fair, and he likes to believe that he is, Ulrin could have wed (or simply bedded) young before he knew what he wanted from life. Maybe he even chose the wrong woman at the time or she chose the wrong man. He himself knows how strong the pull of the world can be, and for Ulrin to move on isn't so strange a concept the longer he thinks about it.
"My father is still alive, to my knowledge, but no siblings to speak of," he peers up the road again, noting how it narrows now that the range of the city's upkeep on the foliage is fading. "And I did have a wife and daughter, once. They're somewhere safe and comfortable too, just.. not alive any longer." Sighing through his nose, he puts on a glad expression of questionable sincerity. "I don't think I could travel like this if they were. When I was a hunter of small game and common creatures, all I could think about was going home." He looks at Ulrin, shrugging a shoulder, "I figure I'll settle down again when I die. That way I can't lose, right?"
In order to keep things on the light side, he reaches over to pat the bearded tavern master on the shoulder, "We're almost there, by the by. There's a hollow oak where we can make our camp." He smiles a bit more genuinely here, asking, "Shall we warm up on squirrels first or go straight for the fearsome stag?"
"My father is still alive, to my knowledge, but no siblings to speak of," he peers up the road again, noting how it narrows now that the range of the city's upkeep on the foliage is fading. "And I did have a wife and daughter, once. They're somewhere safe and comfortable too, just.. not alive any longer." Sighing through his nose, he puts on a glad expression of questionable sincerity. "I don't think I could travel like this if they were. When I was a hunter of small game and common creatures, all I could think about was going home." He looks at Ulrin, shrugging a shoulder, "I figure I'll settle down again when I die. That way I can't lose, right?"
In order to keep things on the light side, he reaches over to pat the bearded tavern master on the shoulder, "We're almost there, by the by. There's a hollow oak where we can make our camp." He smiles a bit more genuinely here, asking, "Shall we warm up on squirrels first or go straight for the fearsome stag?"
"Ah, I see. I know the pain of such a loss. My first wife died during childbirth." Ulrin added in "And once I had gotten over that and had tried to start again, I ended up losing a daughter to a plague. Might be part of why I find it hard to settle down again."
Ulrin then smiled "It's a nice way to think, for sure. It at least gives you something to look forward to, and an added comfort if death comes for yourself."
Despite the dreary subjects, Ulrin seemed to moved on and cheer right up at the sudden revelation. His smile turned into a grin as he glanced around "Lets go for the first thing we find tracks for? You know, to keep it exciting until the end."
The tavernkeep adjusted the strap of his quiver, took his bow from his back and first ran a finger over the string, and then over the handle and the many markings on it "I haven't gotten around to using my old friend since I've arrived in rayneth."
Ulrin then smiled "It's a nice way to think, for sure. It at least gives you something to look forward to, and an added comfort if death comes for yourself."
Despite the dreary subjects, Ulrin seemed to moved on and cheer right up at the sudden revelation. His smile turned into a grin as he glanced around "Lets go for the first thing we find tracks for? You know, to keep it exciting until the end."
The tavernkeep adjusted the strap of his quiver, took his bow from his back and first ran a finger over the string, and then over the handle and the many markings on it "I haven't gotten around to using my old friend since I've arrived in rayneth."
Death is a thing that very few in this world have managed to avoid. For peasants, it is an upfront and frequent fact of life, for nobles it is a quiet and dignified affair, and for royalty it is an excuse to put entire cities into mourning. In the end, nearly everyone has lost someone. The impact is softened, perhaps, because of this. Softened, but still unhappy. Which is why Noavhin frowns to hear of such misfortune on Ulrin's behalf.
No doubt it is long in the past, but the black-haired hunter bows his head respectfully and says, "What a lucky wife and daughter, to have had a man like you in their company. You do them a great honor by pressing on in spite of the challenges of living."
Ah, but today is all about living, isn't it? The thrill of the hunt. The spark of life that courses through every hunter that ever laid a trap, swung an axe, raised a sword, or notched a bow. After a few more steps, Noavhin veers left off the road where a short length of red fabric is tied into the branch of a tree. It is nearly invisible, a flash of color flapping in the breeze between the leaves.
"That's a good idea. No sense in being picky if I want to out-do you," he taunts, grinning over his shoulder and ducking under a low-hanging branch. "Right over here we can leave most everything. See the trunk?"
An oak tree, dead in every sense of the word, emerges in the woods ahead. Its bark is strong, but its side is split open to reveal a large and empty hollow set three feet off the ground. Several broken branches cling to the trunk, but it is clear nothing will be growing on them but mushrooms in the coming years. Noavhin walks right up to it and peers inside to be sure that nothing has made a home there. A good thing too -- a chipmunk pops out like a firecracker and scampers for its life into the leaf litter between Ulrin's ankles.
From there, no one knows where it goes.
Noavhin lifts an amused eyebrow at the other man and finally un-shoulders his supply bag. It drops heavily into the hollow, muffled by some sort of fabric item at the bottom of it. "It's a nice bow you have there. Why don't you take point?" Gesturing to the woods behind him, he indicates for Ulrin to pick the direction of their journey. No doubt it has been some time before Ulrin allowed himself to enjoy the pleasures of a day spent traipsing through the woods. Best to give the man the full experience.
Sun filters down through the trees, a golden glow reflecting off of leaves which are just beginning to turn from green to scarlet and yellow. Few have actually fallen, leaving the forest floor moist with morning dew and soft enough to give the hunters the silent step they crave. The air is sweet with the smells of sap and grasses, and the various polishes used to gussy up Ulrin's weapons. No photograph could capture this moment any better than simply being here.
No doubt it is long in the past, but the black-haired hunter bows his head respectfully and says, "What a lucky wife and daughter, to have had a man like you in their company. You do them a great honor by pressing on in spite of the challenges of living."
Ah, but today is all about living, isn't it? The thrill of the hunt. The spark of life that courses through every hunter that ever laid a trap, swung an axe, raised a sword, or notched a bow. After a few more steps, Noavhin veers left off the road where a short length of red fabric is tied into the branch of a tree. It is nearly invisible, a flash of color flapping in the breeze between the leaves.
"That's a good idea. No sense in being picky if I want to out-do you," he taunts, grinning over his shoulder and ducking under a low-hanging branch. "Right over here we can leave most everything. See the trunk?"
An oak tree, dead in every sense of the word, emerges in the woods ahead. Its bark is strong, but its side is split open to reveal a large and empty hollow set three feet off the ground. Several broken branches cling to the trunk, but it is clear nothing will be growing on them but mushrooms in the coming years. Noavhin walks right up to it and peers inside to be sure that nothing has made a home there. A good thing too -- a chipmunk pops out like a firecracker and scampers for its life into the leaf litter between Ulrin's ankles.
From there, no one knows where it goes.
Noavhin lifts an amused eyebrow at the other man and finally un-shoulders his supply bag. It drops heavily into the hollow, muffled by some sort of fabric item at the bottom of it. "It's a nice bow you have there. Why don't you take point?" Gesturing to the woods behind him, he indicates for Ulrin to pick the direction of their journey. No doubt it has been some time before Ulrin allowed himself to enjoy the pleasures of a day spent traipsing through the woods. Best to give the man the full experience.
Sun filters down through the trees, a golden glow reflecting off of leaves which are just beginning to turn from green to scarlet and yellow. Few have actually fallen, leaving the forest floor moist with morning dew and soft enough to give the hunters the silent step they crave. The air is sweet with the smells of sap and grasses, and the various polishes used to gussy up Ulrin's weapons. No photograph could capture this moment any better than simply being here.
Ulrin nods in satisfaction to Noavhin's reply "I figured you might like the idea." One last longing caress of his bow and the tavernkeep followed Noa to the oak, only to be passed by a squirrel. Ulrin tried to followed the critter into the forest with his eyes "Though I suggest that one doesn't count yet." he said with a chuckle as he dumped his bag into the oak.
"I noticed the marker. I take it you use this particular spot quite often to hunt, then?" Ulrin inquired as he made a last check of his equipment. His bowstring made a satisfying plunking noise as he pulled it back and released it. Ulrin then reached behind his back to check if his arrows were easily removed without making a sound. "Everything seems in order too." Not that he had a doubt of that, not after all the preparation he had made last sleepless night of anticipation.
"Alright then." Ulrin said as he took a deep breath and started walking off into the first direction that popped up in his mind. The smell of the forest seemed to soothe him, and the tavernkeep breathed out a delighted sigh "And thanks. I carved it myself. It and I go back a long way." Ulrin said, taking care to keep his voice down a notch now that they were on their warpath! "Every mark on it is a reminder of everything we did together.". Man, he did really love that bow.
Despite being on a hunt, Ulrin seemed to also take a lot of time to admire any big, healthy trees they came across, running his hands over the bark, smelling and even licking it. "Some excellent wood in these lands." And then he stopped! Ulrin had noticed a nearby bush of ferns rustle and he quickly gestured Noavhin to its location "It's probably something small, but we did say the first thing we found tracks of."
"I noticed the marker. I take it you use this particular spot quite often to hunt, then?" Ulrin inquired as he made a last check of his equipment. His bowstring made a satisfying plunking noise as he pulled it back and released it. Ulrin then reached behind his back to check if his arrows were easily removed without making a sound. "Everything seems in order too." Not that he had a doubt of that, not after all the preparation he had made last sleepless night of anticipation.
"Alright then." Ulrin said as he took a deep breath and started walking off into the first direction that popped up in his mind. The smell of the forest seemed to soothe him, and the tavernkeep breathed out a delighted sigh "And thanks. I carved it myself. It and I go back a long way." Ulrin said, taking care to keep his voice down a notch now that they were on their warpath! "Every mark on it is a reminder of everything we did together.". Man, he did really love that bow.
Despite being on a hunt, Ulrin seemed to also take a lot of time to admire any big, healthy trees they came across, running his hands over the bark, smelling and even licking it. "Some excellent wood in these lands." And then he stopped! Ulrin had noticed a nearby bush of ferns rustle and he quickly gestured Noavhin to its location "It's probably something small, but we did say the first thing we found tracks of."
"Aye," he says, pulling his own bow down from his shoulder and giving it a once over as Ulrin moves to deposit his things in the tree nook. "I used to make a fair sum off the butcher using the few mile stretch through here," he gestures to the trees around them before adopting a wistful, insincere smile, "Of course, he's more interested in underpaying me now. I've been a little bit too reliable in my delivery. Now I sell to the peasantry." Plucking his mood back up, he squints with satisfaction in Ulrin's direction, "It's the same amount of money, but it feels better."
He falls into step a little behind and to Ulrin's right side, allowing them both their own view of the woods while still remaining in whisper's reach. He chuckles quietly and sidles an arrow along his bow string as they prowl. "I understand. Mine is one of my dearest friends as well." Quieting further, he lifts his eyes to the sound of rustling as they move along. Pausing, he bends his knees a little and cocks his head to the side. Ulrin takes on proper positioning nearby as the two of them scan the nearby brush. It certainly looks like a small disturbance -- perhaps even a toad -- but they're out to hunt and that is precisely what they will do.
A moment passes, and the bushes rustle again. This time, however, a low and rolling hiss accompanies the movement. Noavhin looks confused and peers over at Ulrin. He shrugs in silence. The hiss had been reptilian, for sure, but its volume and deep nature speak to something a little.. bigger than a snake.
The disturbed area can't be more than ten feet away, providing an excellent view as a fat hare darts out, trying to run. Noavhin's first instinct is to shoot at it, of course, but before he can even lift his bow properly, a mottled olive and rust coil of slick scales and flesh bursts out of the foliage and curls around the back half of the rabbit, pulling it back in with a loud crunching noise and the rodentine shriek of an animal having its spine broken.
He falls into step a little behind and to Ulrin's right side, allowing them both their own view of the woods while still remaining in whisper's reach. He chuckles quietly and sidles an arrow along his bow string as they prowl. "I understand. Mine is one of my dearest friends as well." Quieting further, he lifts his eyes to the sound of rustling as they move along. Pausing, he bends his knees a little and cocks his head to the side. Ulrin takes on proper positioning nearby as the two of them scan the nearby brush. It certainly looks like a small disturbance -- perhaps even a toad -- but they're out to hunt and that is precisely what they will do.
A moment passes, and the bushes rustle again. This time, however, a low and rolling hiss accompanies the movement. Noavhin looks confused and peers over at Ulrin. He shrugs in silence. The hiss had been reptilian, for sure, but its volume and deep nature speak to something a little.. bigger than a snake.
The disturbed area can't be more than ten feet away, providing an excellent view as a fat hare darts out, trying to run. Noavhin's first instinct is to shoot at it, of course, but before he can even lift his bow properly, a mottled olive and rust coil of slick scales and flesh bursts out of the foliage and curls around the back half of the rabbit, pulling it back in with a loud crunching noise and the rodentine shriek of an animal having its spine broken.
Ulrin smiled "Ah, the beauty of trading. Some people just want to squeeze out every copper." He shook his head with a quiet sigh "Can't blame him for trying, I suppose. Though he might have learned a lesson in losing a supplier."
And then there was the rustling! Ulrin drew an arrow and knocked it back, taking careful aim at the rustling bush. He nearly let it lose the moment the hare shot out, slightly startled by the animal acting so wild, but before he even got the chance something else already got a hold of the little critter. He didn't even wince at the snapping back. The thought of the kill, the blood. It was only making Ulrin more focussed in his quest "This might be a proper prize after all." he whispered "Lure it out or just shoot it from here? If we can't see it, we might just make it more pissed and depending on exactly what it is, that might not be a good idea."
And then there was the rustling! Ulrin drew an arrow and knocked it back, taking careful aim at the rustling bush. He nearly let it lose the moment the hare shot out, slightly startled by the animal acting so wild, but before he even got the chance something else already got a hold of the little critter. He didn't even wince at the snapping back. The thought of the kill, the blood. It was only making Ulrin more focussed in his quest "This might be a proper prize after all." he whispered "Lure it out or just shoot it from here? If we can't see it, we might just make it more pissed and depending on exactly what it is, that might not be a good idea."
"Mm," Noa agrees with a grunt. Subsequent, quieter snaps follow, the sounds of the rabbit being pulled deeper into some kind of mouth and swallowed entirely if he had to guess. He squints at the gently moving bush and then peers at Ulrin.
"Move right. I'll circle left. Let's see what this is. May the best man shoot first, hm?"
If they are in agreement, as men with a common enemy often are, Noavhin sticks to the plan. He keeps his distance and strafes to the left as promised. But it's Ulrin who will get the better view. As he rounds the foliage, it opens up on his side, revealing a very large, very out-of-place creature. A Sawsnout.
Its hide bears the mottles and scarring of an older male. Clearly it has seen its fair share of fighting either with prey or members of its own species. Magnificent in its resilience, size, and jaw power, the tiger-sized reptilian fans out its large, frilled ears and slowly turns its dead stare on the white-haired hunter. More impressive than its intimidation factor is the very stark truth that the swamp is more than fifteen miles from here.
Sawsnouts do not live in the forest. They never have.
"Move right. I'll circle left. Let's see what this is. May the best man shoot first, hm?"
If they are in agreement, as men with a common enemy often are, Noavhin sticks to the plan. He keeps his distance and strafes to the left as promised. But it's Ulrin who will get the better view. As he rounds the foliage, it opens up on his side, revealing a very large, very out-of-place creature. A Sawsnout.
Its hide bears the mottles and scarring of an older male. Clearly it has seen its fair share of fighting either with prey or members of its own species. Magnificent in its resilience, size, and jaw power, the tiger-sized reptilian fans out its large, frilled ears and slowly turns its dead stare on the white-haired hunter. More impressive than its intimidation factor is the very stark truth that the swamp is more than fifteen miles from here.
Sawsnouts do not live in the forest. They never have.
Ulrin nods to Noavhin's plan and sets out to do his part of the agreement. His heartrate slowly increased the further the foilage reveals the prey. By the time the sorcerer had a full view of the creature, it was pounding in his head. "Unexpected." he mumbled to himself, unsure of to unleash an arrow, or to wait for Noavhin to get into a good position.
And then the creature spotted him, and Ulrin ended up staring it dead in the face. It took the sorcerer a few moments to snap out of the hunter-vs-prey stare once he decided he definitely didn't want to become the latter. Less than a second later the twang of a bow announced that the first blow had been made. After the shot, Ulrin slowly backed off to get some more distance between him and the beast that would surely crush him in melee, for he was fairly certain one arrow wouldn't slow down the beast, let alone stop it.
(3-5: complete fail, 5-8: glancing, 9-12: decent hit, 13-15: nice hit, 16-18: His arrow is the one to pierce the Heavens/sawsnout )
And then the creature spotted him, and Ulrin ended up staring it dead in the face. It took the sorcerer a few moments to snap out of the hunter-vs-prey stare once he decided he definitely didn't want to become the latter. Less than a second later the twang of a bow announced that the first blow had been made. After the shot, Ulrin slowly backed off to get some more distance between him and the beast that would surely crush him in melee, for he was fairly certain one arrow wouldn't slow down the beast, let alone stop it.
(3-5: complete fail, 5-8: glancing, 9-12: decent hit, 13-15: nice hit, 16-18: His arrow is the one to pierce the Heavens/sawsnout )
rolled 3d6 and got 9
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