Flashback The First Hunt

[Arckhebohn]

Summer 70 - 85, AV 509 It all began some years ago when Arckhebohn has just learnt to fly. The summer was almost over and the sun was setting down earlier and earlier each day. The rain was more often too which was somewhat good and bad. Good because it made flying a bit harder so he could train himself in tougher weather condition but bad because it was dangerous as well. Back then he didn’t have any problems to worry about; he had his parents and his life was full of wonders. Getting known everything around him was his only goal. Because of his curiosity he often wandered off alone just for flying or to explore the forest near him. It was the time of explorations. As time passed he forgot many of this and sadly he doesn’t remember where he born or what was the place like. But one of the few things what he never forgets: his very first hunt. Before he could try out hunting he had to practice flying. It was necessary because everything depends on how he does it. Though the experience remained the memory faded away how he learnt it. Only fragments remained of it like how to fly in different places and times. You could say that it was the most amazing feeling back then for him. Before the actual hunting his father taught him quite much about it. He had to follow him each and every hunt day by day and watch him how he did it. After each hunt Arckhebohn had to tell his father what happened and what his father did. Observation what his father called this lesson. “If you watch closely you might notice little things which can count quite much when you try to get your pray.” – said his father. He needed to prove that he could see through his father motives and moves. This was essential before doing anything else. The more detailed he could explain the better hunter will he become. To practice it his father took him near his home and he asked him to tell what he was seeing. In the first days he could only say things like he saw different trees, nests or holes. But each and every time he got to that place he was starting to see more. He didn’t believe his eyes when they got back the same place after a couple of days. He saw things which he didn’t see back then. He noticed the broken branches and even the changes of the nature. When he said his father that he learned that the nature is always changing then he said that Arckhebohn was ready for his next lesson: Tracking. “To be a successful hunter you have to find what you seek.” It took a really long time to find out what his father meant about this. But it was just the easy part to understand what he said. Doing it was much harder. Watching him was one thing but he never thought how he finds the small mammals. He just followed him and then they somehow bumped into an animal. He always thought it was just a coincidence or luck but it had more than meets the eye. His father took his time to see different signs of animals. The most common were the animal dumps, footprints or broken branches. He said to his son that it will take a lot of practice and time to master this ability. Though if he will move from one place to another then he will have to learn it again but much faster than last time, so he won’t die of hunger. And in the other hand it is important when he want to find a safe place for the night. During his father’s hunting trip his job was to notice the traces of animals. If he failed to do so his father showed him what he missed so the next time he could remember what to see. - There are no two same traces my boy. – said his father – But there are some common things what you had better remember. - And what are those? – asked Arckhebohn. - Hmm... – his father took his time to answer his son. He could just name those things but he knew that it wouldn’t be useful. – I think you should find out it by yourself. Arckhebohn somewhat seemed a bit confused by his father answer. How could he find it out if he doesn’t know what to look for? It seemed completely impossible. After this small talk he tried to watch things more closely. Then he realised it what his father meant by his words. He just has to think a bit differently – think as that animal would think. By this time he has already known many types of animals because they were usually hunting only the smaller ones but along the way they saw other wild animals like wolves, deer and so on. He knew how they act where they live or what they eat and this was a great help for him. If he wanted to find one specific animal he just had to remember about their habits. On the 85th day of the summer his father said that he has completed this lesson as well. The real adventure started on the next day but before he had known it he was talking with his father in the evening. - My son, you did a great job. I never doubted your skills. I can say it confident that you are ready to hunt. Arckhebohn couldn't be happier about it. This was the time he was waiting for. All that time what he spent on training: now he can put it in action. He didn’t want to show his childish happiness so he tried to give a mature answer instead. - I think I’m ready for it. - Let me test your knowledge then. What have you learned so far? -Though you have taught me two main lessons I learned so much more. First of all you showed me how to see the details. That the nature is changing every time and if you aware of it you can deduct a lot of things: like if that place is dangerous or deserted or if someone’s been there in the near past – or still is. Noticing it could save your life because there are some animals that hide their track. But there is always a trace or something no matter how small it might be. - Very good. – he praised him. – Then tell me what else did you learn? - I learned how to find other animals and how to track their traces. But it’s not all: I think I understand some animals’ habits and their way of life. It can be very helpful to find them. However this skill is not just for them but to find other source of foods for instance seeds or other animals’ hidden meals too. It might take a while but it’s worth it. - You couldn’t have answered me better my son. Now let’s rest for the night. You will need your strength for tomorrow. They talked about many things before sleeping. His mother told some stories of the past how she lived and how he met his father. It was a fascinating story and because of that she told it every now and then. He was getting tired as time passed and then he suddenly just fell asleep. His way to the adulthood will come closer once he catches his first prey.

[Arckhebohn]

Summer 86, AV 509 The day has come. It was the longest night in Arckhebohn life from his perspective. One of the reasons is that he was very excited about it. Well who wouldn't? It is a great step for him as a raven. Maybe it is one of the greatest because with hunting he also learns to survive in the wilds alone. But there were another reason for the long night: a dream. Although his thoughts were all wibbly-wobbly it wasn't hard at all for him to fall asleep. But then he woke up and thought that it was already morning. The sun was shining and his parents were talking about something which he couldn't hear. It was weird for him that the night passed this quick. Curiously he wasn't tired at all. But he didn't have time to think much about it because his dad came to him and welcomed his son. - Are you ready? Arckhebohn didn't answer just bowed his head. Before the hunting he flew high in the sky and refreshed himself. He stretched his wings and did some manoeuvre to see that he was swift enough to do what he has to do. The weather was like in the spring but maybe a bit windier. He could see some black clouds further and he knew that it will rain in a couple of hours. It was one of the many advantages he had that he could see how the weather changes so he could prepare for it. When he got back to the nest some late summer nuts waited him. It was his breakfast. - You will need every strength what you can get. - said his father. Though ravens don't really smile Arck could feel that he said it happily. He wasn't thinking about the morning happenings. It was more important for him to think about the lessons what he learned. When they finished eating he was ready for the hunt. His mother wished him good luck and not to be excited that much. It didn't use much - at least the last good wish - but it was good that his mother believes in him. - Off we go! - Exclaimed his father and flapped his wings up to the sky. His son followed him in a couple of seconds and then they began their journey. His father asked him if he feels alright because he could feel how excited his son is. But Arckhebohn didn't want to show it and he said that he couldn't be better. It didn't take long to find an animal: to be precise it was a rabbit. They took some round to assure that no one is around then they landed on a tree branch. His son took some big breath and then he flew to the rabbit as quick as he could. He was flying so quietly that he didn't make any noise. Not even a little. His father was amazed of his son's skills. It all went well until that time. But then everything changed. Before he reached the rabbit an eagle appeared. It was almost - if not bigger - than twice as big as him! He didn't have time to act as quickly as the eagle and the next thing he knew that he was on the earth trying to get out from the eagle's claws. He couldn't do anything no matter how hard he tried. His father noticed that his son was in trouble and was flying there but before he could reach him another eagle appeared and pierced its claws through his father's body. Arckhebohn was shocked. His father lost his consciousness and fell down to the earth. He didn't move at all. His life was nearing its end and he knew that it won't take more than a minute to die. But the eagle which captured him didn't hurt him. He wanted to show Arckhebohn how this father is being killed and eaten. He was trapped and there was no help. The rain also started to fall which just made everything worse. But in the next moment he woke up and noticed that it's still dark. He looked around with fear because he thought he was still in danger. It took some time for him to realise that it was a dream. A horrible nightmare. But it felt so real that he could feel the pain in his body and his soul too. Before anything he went up to the sky and tried to clear his mind from this "adventure". He was full of fear and he couldn't even fly that good. His couldn't breathe completely and his heart was beaten pretty fast. So instead of staying in the sky he went back to the nest. His parents were still sleeping. He tried to calm himself down but he couldn't do it so fast. It was like everything was real and it horrified him. He didn't sleep much after this and he just hoped that he will forget about it soon.

[Arckhebohn]

There were lots of times when Arckhebohn had a dream. They were peaceful and mostly happy about how he plays or how he fly. He didn't remember those kinds of dreams for long but this was something what he will never forget for a long time. So as he thought. When the morning came he was first to wake up. He couldn't rest much and he was sure that it will be hard to concentrate that way. But he prepared for this day so much that he didn't want to say his father to delay it. He rather said nothing about the nightmare he had. In the first lights to refresh himself he took another fly. There was a pond near their place so he went there to drink some fresh water. The water was a bit cool and Arckhebohn really liked it. When he was heading back he tried to forget the night. He imagined that the thoughts what he had leaving him as he breathing. Surprisingly it worked for a while but when he arrived back to his nest then it was like he remembered again stronger than before. - Are you ready? He was shocked when he heard that question from his father. It was just like in his dream. He didn't know what he should say. The more he tried not to worry the more worried he became. He thought that he just has to do it and then he will see that the dream is just a dream and there is nothing real in it. So he nodded then took off with his father. He didn't want to hear his mother's good wished because it would just make everything harder. The weather was almost perfect but Arckhebohn could feel that there will be rain soon - just like in his dream. He thought that it's normal because it's almost fall so the rain is becoming more and more usual. He didn't talk to his father because he was busy with his thought. He didn't even look for any trace or animal. When he noticed that Arckhebohn was spacing out he asked what's wrong with him. - Nothing... I was just thinking about how lucky we are to hunt in this weather. The answer made his father calmed down. Arckhebohn tried to concentrate now and in minutes he found some trace. It was a small mammal but from the height he didn't see it clearly so he landed. His father followed him. On a tree branch he noticed that this place was quite familiar. But if it wouldn't be enough the traces he saw was none other than a rabbit's footprints. If he could have laugh in his Kelvic form then he would have. It was just too impossible. His heart was beating faster than ever. Is this the end? Will they die now? ~ No! I won't let it happen! ~ He decided to wait for a little longer. His father was thinking that his son isn't brave enough or that he scared to get that rabbit. But Arckhebohn didn't care about that. He suggested to his father to look around once more to make sure that no one is around. When they took off they saw another bird which was just killed the rabbit what they were watching. They couldn't believe their eyes: it was an eagle. If they would have been there then they wouldn't live now. His father was amazed how careful and clever his son is. But before saying anything they decided to move on before that eagle notice them. When they were far enough his father couldn't hold his curiosity back anymore. - How did you know that? - asked his father. - Intuition. - he answered. They didn't talk much. His father didn't know what to say and Arckhebohn was just too happy to say anything. After a while they noticed a squirrel which was eating a hazelnut. Arckhebohn senses were sharp now and he quickly explored the surroundings then in an instant he dashed to the squirrel. It was dead before he knew it. That was the second surprise to his father. It was like his son was a master hunter even better than him. When they were heading back with the prey in Arckhebohn's claws his father was staring to talk now. - I must admit I have never thought that you are such a great hunter, my son. Why didn't you say it? - What would be the surprise in it? They were both happy. But even if it was a successful hunt one thing still bothered Arckhebohn: his dream. How could he dream about this? The dream is the reason why they are still living. What made him to dream it? He was sure not to forget it as long as he lives. He can thank that dream his life and he promised himself that in the future when he parts from his parents he will find out more about it.

[Emblem]

Congratulations! You Get Glorious Experience! Arckhebohn Skill Points Earned Hunting 3 XP Observation 3 XP Intelligence 2 XP Tracking 1 XP Lore Earned Father's Advice A Terrible Nightmare Learning From a Dream Hunting With Father Other Shenanigans: Comments : Thanks for waiting! Flashbacks are always a fun read since they definitely give more insight onto the character and their personality, and I enjoyed this one, so good work. Hopefully the skills and lores make sense to you, and if not, send me a PM and we will work it out!