Closed An Afternoon of Arrows

[Arandolya]

Arandolya watched her companion agree silently and begin to draw back his bow with a measure of ease and grace the young hunter couldn't help but blatantly admire. She took a soundless step back to give him room and watched as the man took in the surroundings to adjust his aim. His arrow initially aimed directly for the small space behind the front leg where the deer's heart pumped. It then tilted ever-so-slightly upwards, which Arandolya noted would compensate for the drop of the arrow as it flew. In the same movement he nudged the arrow a bit to the right, which would counter the wind that Arandolya only noticed when she looked at her hair that tugged slightly in the light breeze. He slowly drew a breath in and held it, in which Arandolya found herself also holding a bated breath.

The moment he was to release a loud shriek filled Arandolya's ears, already sensitive and alert for the noise of much quieter prey. It wasn't the sudden shrill noise of a bird, or the loving surprise of some songbird. this noise was much more primal, and with a guttural darkness to it. She would have jumped and possibly yelled in surprise were it not for the vision that showed in front of her. Leathery wings surrounded the prey that was so close to being theirs, serrated knives cutting mercilessly into the red pelt of the deer, and cries of twisted pleasure to accompany the gruesome scene of these dark warriors. A much more horrified shock twisted her gut and shut her mouth as she watched. What in the name of - A hand grabbed onto her Kantinu and dragged her down behind a fallen tree, gesturing for her to stay silent.

Arandolya didn't need to be told though as her mind quickly caught up to the information she processed. These were ... Zith! Her breath froze in her throat as she crouched down further, now brutally aware of how obvious her flashing red hair would be in such white conditions. "Petch, this is not good, not good at all," Kovac's voice whispered close to her ear. It was nervous, and wary, as he constantly glanced towards the skies for more of the dreaded creatures. The gaze that looked at her was frightened, but it didn't seem so much for his sake. Arandolya was not oblivious to the same notion that was running through his own mind, though her golden eyes stayed calm as they looked at her friend.

Zith. How would she not know about these deadly, vile, disgusting predators of the night? Arandolya glanced briefly at the sky to see if any more were approaching, though she doubted any more than the two in front of them would have been sent out in broad daylight. She had the choice to sit here like a weak mouse and hope they didn't notice her - or smell her, or hear her. Or, she could stand up and fight, and maybe even reclaim the Alkana that was rightfully theirs! Arandolya knew she was more than completely helpless if they came within range too close for her arrows, but she refused to be simply picked off by these killers! Ridding the world of two less Zith would keep the rest of Wind Reach safe as well.

Trying not to think why the Zith decided to travel so close to her home, Arandolya nodded. No hunter could peacefully travel out here with two known Zith terrorizing the woods. If she wasn't loyal to Wind Reach above all, who was she to begin with? An arrow found itself into her hand, and Arandolya breathed out slowly. She looked towards Kovac and cocked an eyebrow. It seemed she was silently asking the same question she did multiple times today, Dare we venture closer, or should we shoot from here?

[Kovac]

When no other Zith appeared, Kovac allowed himself some relief. He glanced again at Arandolya finding the rather calm set to her golden eyes reassuring, and he took a deep breath. Chances were, the worst that would happen was that they would steal the hunters' prize. As long as they stayed hidden.

But the petite Intartan girl was not content to sit and wait. The half-blood watched her set her arrow again to her bowstring. Her eyebrow cocked at him. It seemed the spunky huntress had already concluded that the Zith must be eliminated. Though loyal to his city, Kovac did not see the need to endanger themselves in order to kill a couple Zith. But as he looked at her young, determined face, Kovac begrudgingly nodded in agreement. As long as they lived, they could be hovering over the hunting grounds and endangering them continually. Besides, he did not want to appear a coward in front of Aran.

The expert archer again set the arrow to his bowstring. Shifting to look over the log again, Kovac saw the two Zith still deliberating, their discussion more heated. Distracted targets were easier to hit. The Avora was one of the best shots in Wind Reach, which is why Tysala, the Master Bow Instructor, recruited him to teach. Kovac was pretty sure the highly disciplined woman more likely hired him under duress or at the loss of a bet, as his sardonic attitude seemed to irk her to no end.

The distance was fairly close, less than 40 meters, not a complicated shot for Kovac and one not too difficult for Arandolya. But they each had to hit their mark. The mongrel was confident he could get off a second shot if needed as well. Meeting Aran's eyes again, he motioned with his head that they should try to stalk a bit closer. Kovac sneaked around the end of the fallen tree, motioning Aran to head around the other side. Crouched, the hunter eased forward, a slow step at a time, setting his feet down onto the cold ground gently. The pair had gone about ten meters when Kovac stepped on a stick buried in a patch of snow, the broken branch making a cracking noise.

Pausing in is tracks, Kovac's heart leaped as he saw one of the Zith turn. It squinted, looking into the darker forest, where the now clouded light of the sky was diffused by the clutter of branches overhead, allowing his light-sensitive eyes to see the humans. Kovac didn't hesitate, drawing the recurve bowstring back as he lifted it, quickly acquiring his target and setting his aim with practiced skill. The Zith opened his mouth and Kovac released his string, immediately drawing another arrow and nocking it to the string, pulling back for another shot. His arrow struck the creature in the chest, and it dropped to its knees clutching at his wound. Only then did he risk a darting glance to see if Aran hit the other Zith before he loosed another arrow.

[Arandolya]

Arandolya watched Kovac's brief hesitance before nodding slowly in agreement with her actions. She was glad the man would join her, though she suspected pride as much as loyalty to Wind Reach drove his arrow this time. Feeling a flicker of mild anxiety, Arandolya stifled it. These night warriors had to be killed off, or they would take not only prey but hunters to their scummy holes in the ground. Not to mention maybe even her. Her golden eyes narrowed. She would die before being subjected to such humiliation and shame.

Kovac took the lead as he gestured they should move closer, each taking a different side of the fallen tree to creep up. The woman moved silently, her feet placed with utmost care, moving her step if she felt the smallest bump that might give to be a twig that would eagerly snap under her weight. Her toe dragged slightly as she moved forwards, as though scoping the ground before she placed her weight down. She drew back her bowstring slightly, in case the things turned and spotted the two hunters. Suddenly the Alkana wasn't prey, it was these vile creatures of the dark. Too bad they couldn't be cooked as well.

The crack of Kovac's step startled even Arandolya, who straightened in surprise and looked towards her companion. He didn't glance at her though as he immediately began to aim his bow, no doubt at the Zith who's attention was now caught. Reminding her of her task, Arandolya turned her golden eyes to the creatures, dampening the fear in her mind now that she faced them straight on. Her muscles tensed as she pulled back the bow and took aim, the broad back of the Zith a simple target. She released a breath later, but the creature was turning as his companion suddenly went down, and the arrow whistled by harmlessly to land somewhere in the snow.

Petch, Arandolya cursed as she was already in the midst of nocking another arrow and aiming it once more. She took a second longer to mark the target and when she released it embedded itself into the creature's toned stomach, though it landed more to the left and most likely missed most of the digestive tract.

Arandolya dared not looked to Kovac now, her eyes glued to the Zith that waved the bloody knife and began forwards. She could only hope it would fall before reaching them, as she had nothing to defend herself with in close combat. Kovac wore a Talon sword though, surely he was proficient with it? Drawing her bow once more, Arandolya breathed out as her arrow whistled towards the looming creature.

[Kovac]

Kovac witnessed Aran's arrow plunging into the second Zith's abdomen, causing it to falter, but its fiercesome grimace only darkened as it began to stagger in their direction. The archer swung his own arrowhead towards the charging creature, seeing the Inartan woman ready another arrow. But more rustling ahead and to the left drew his quick gaze. More shapes, deep crimson and black, shuffled like shadows among the trees. Kovac stifled a panic. More Zith.

The huntress' bowstring sung and Kovac swung his gaze back to her arrow, which found its mark in the Zith attacker's chest, halting its advance and causing it to crumple to the ground. Quickly, the half-breed shifted back towards the eerily quiet forms coming through the forest, raising his bow and drawing back. His aim was rushed by a looming anxiety, and the arrow punched harmlessly through one of the Zith's membranous wings, its final destination unseen beyond.

"Their colony must be near, its the only reason so many would be out during the day. We have to get out of here." Taking Arandolya by the wrist, Kovac tugged at her, coaxing her to follow him back towards to edge of the forest. "There will be too many Aran, we have to go." Suddenly, the Zith broke into an open run through the trees, and Kovac growled as he heard them among the leafless branches overhead too. A rough javelin streaked past between the man and woman, and Kovac's eyes grew wider.

"Now!" He jerked at Aran, dragging her after him as Kovac broke into a run back the way the had come. They could hear the Zith racing through the fallen leaves behind them, and an occasional strange sound when their speech dipped down into the human's range of hearing. One was leaping from tree to tree, almost overhead.

Then they heard the screech of a Wind Eagle, its large form a dark shape soaring just over the tree tops. There was a short shriek, and the Zith in the trees overhead came crashing to the ground in front of them, an Inartan arrow through its back. Kovac had to leap over the fallen monster as they fled. Two Wind Eagles now could be seen moving over the forest above the canopy.

"Finally, Endal's showing up on time!" Kovac lifted his voice to Aran. "If we can make it to the open ground, we have a chance!"

[Arandolya]

There were more coming. That much was understandable as the forest seemed to come alive around her. Not even in the manner that was familiar and welcome with a hunter, when creatures ran around in the undergrowth and the soft breathing of some hunters within the forest. This was malicious and dangerous. They were being surrounded. The Zith seemed endless as they pooled in the darkness, eager in the darkness to destroy those that threatened them.

Yet, Arandolya grit her teeth and pulled back another arrow. As her fingers brushed over the shafts, she subconsciously counted, realizing she only had twelve left. Eleven, she grumbled silently as another whistled towards the oncoming minions. A hand caught her wrist, and Arandolya swung around, about to ram her bow's tip at the person. Yet, her narrowed gaze only met Kovac, as he yelled, "Their colony must be near, its the only reason so many would be out during the day. We have to get out of here." He tugged at her, and Arandolya almost went to shake him off.

Leave? Leave these disgusting creatures to pick off the prey and terrorize the hunters? What pride was there in that? The shame she would face returning alive in the face of such adversity! Who would actually bully you from returning alive from this? We could send Endal, and they will handle these minions. Arandolya knew she was being irrational, but she didn't want to leave their filth alive! "There will be too many Aran, we have to go." Kovac's voice broke her hesitation, and she knew what he said was true. There were too many, and they were too few. A javelin hit the ground with a terrific thud, nearly missing their sides. "Now!" "When given the chance, don't be stupid out there, Arandolya, live to fight another day."

They ran. What else could they do? "We will never be able to-" Arandolya's protest was cut off as a sharp shriek sounded ahead, unmistakably one of Eagles. Her gaze turned upwards as a Zith tumbled downwards, diving out of the way as Kovac leaped over. She scrambled after him and took his hand.
"If we can make it to the open ground, we have a chance!"
"There is no way we're dying by their claws," she huffed and sped up, tugging Kovac to ensure they stayed together. Two were always better than one.

The forest was breaking ahead, and Arandolya smiled. "Just a bit farther, Kovac," she said, puffing as she was unused to running distances more than a hundred meters or so. Arandolya noted to go jogging a bit more, though she never really expected she'd be running away from something, instead of simply sprinting to catch it! Her hand tightened on his as they neared the edge of the forest. Eagles were circling as they waited for the two hunters to break through the growth so they could be picked up.

There. Twenty meters. "C'mon!"

[Kovac]

The forest behind the hunters seemed to come alive with the sound of feet rushing through the snow, branches being brushed aside, and the beat of leathery wings struggling to be employed in the confines of the thick trees. Strange noises, those at the low end of Zith vocal range, haunted them as the fled. The weapons tossed at them gave way to anything the Zith could scoop up as thye pursued the intruders, limbs, rocks, a fox skull. A thick chunk of wood glanced off the side of Kovac's head and he stumbled a bit, but was able to use the grip of Arandolya's hand to right himself.

The young huntress took up the role of motivator, encouraging her dizzy companion towards the forest's edge. They broke into the open, the glare of the snow covered landscape almost blinding, causing Kovac's head to hurt more, but forcing the nocturnal Zith to cling to the darker forest covering. A few desperate missiles were flung at the fleeing humans, even as two of the wind eagles landed ahead to take them up. Kovac reached up to touch his head where the branch had hit him, feeling the warm wet of blood. Suddenly, a body slammed against him, tearing his hand from Arandolya's and knocking him down. A young, daring Zith had dived down upon the hunter, claws trying to tear at him through his katinu. They rolled in the snow, Kovac driving is elbows back into the monster's ribs before reaching back to find the Zith's face. He jammed a thumb in the thing's eye, and it released him with a shrill cry.

Kovac tore free of his attackers grasp, stumbling to his feet and reaching for the talon sword strapped to his back.

[Arandolya]

Arandolya and Kovac tore through the trees towards the bright clearing that lay so close. Weapons barely missed her head, bouncing off her back and arms, sure to leave bruises when she was aware enough to think of the pain. She hissed under her breath as she felt Kovac stumble, but he righted himself quickly to continue. "So close," she said reassuringly, half to herself as well. Arandolya didn't think of the frustration of running away from these dark-skinned warriors, dampening the anger that rose every time she chanced a glance behind them to seek their pursuers in the dark.

As they broke free from the forest, Arandolya breathed out sharply, watching the birds flutter down to grab up the hunters. "Alright, let's get out of here," she muttered, and her hand tightened briefly on Kovac's as she turned towards the man with a grin. Kovac wasn't looking at her though, his hand coming away from his head red with blood. A brief emotion flickered over his face before suddenly his hand ripped away from hers as he went down with a black figure on his back. Scrambling back with an alarmed noise, Arandolya looked to see the two tussled on the ground. Nocking an arrow, she didn't dare shoot yet, the pair moving too quickly to disconcert friend from for. Though, after a breath, she saw her chance, Kovac coming up to in front of one side of her, as the Zith backed up on the other, its eyes blinking rapidly.

Arandolya took advantage of the moment when the two were separated, and raised her bow while pulling back the bowstring. This close range, the shot was bound to hit, though her moment to aim made it unsure of where. The crunch of feet in the snow behind her made Arandolya aware of Endals approaching, Wind Eagle's ringing screeches saturating the air above them.

[Kovac]

Kovac fumbled for the hilt of the talon sword, staggering back. The Zith was nearly blinded by the snow, driven out of the darker forest by its own zeal to kill the intruders. The hunter saw Aran draw her bow, the huntress letting an arrow fly at point blank range. The missile struck the Zith in the chest, the force of the impact causing it to stagger back. Two more arrows suddenly pounded into the winged-creature as the riders coming up behind them fired as well. "Come on!" One of the Endals yelled to the Avora hunters.

Kovac grabbed Arandolya's arm as they ran towards the waiting Wind Eagles. "Thanks again, I owe you twice now!" He yelled to the petite redhead as they ran, managing a smile. He let go of her only when they had to separate to mount the giant raptors. Kovac climbed onto the saddle behind the rider, his head aching as he strapped himself in. He glanced over at his companion, making sure she was secured into the other eagle as well. Then he tapped the Endal on the shoulder to let her know he was ready to go.

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[Arandolya]

Arandolya felt a small twinge of pride as her arrow thudded hard into the creature's chest, forcing it back a pace with two more arrows already pin cushioning its wings. Now wasn't the time to celebrate though as Kovac tugged her back with the Endal's yelling over the sound of their Eagles. "Let's get back to Wind Reach first," she managed to call back as they split to mount the giant birds, an Endal extending a strong arm to help her up.

The Endal barely allowed her time before he took flight, calling for her to hold on in addition to finishing strapping herself in. In moments they took to the air, and Arandolya chanced a look downwards to see the forest surging with black warriors, their screams echoing in her ears as arrows rained downwards, the Endals swarming around the pair as the wing wheeled towards the mountainside. She frowned as their drones began to be swallowed by distance, clenching her bow tighter. Damned animals, she grumbled silently, frustrated they not only hurt the pair of them, but also stole their prey! "You two got into quite the trouble didn't you?" the Endal in front of her noted, seemingly amused.
"I'm just thankful the Endal came on time today," Arandolya responded with a hint of a tease, mimicking what Kovac had said on the ground earlier. The redhead just snorted and his Wind Eagle shook their head with a short series of chirps that almost sounded like laughter.

When they landed, Arandolya was quick to thank the man and jumped off, moving to Kovac. "Ack, we should probably get you to the healers," she said dourly, feeling slightly guilty for provoking the attack in the first place. Murmuring a sorry, Arandolya waved to the Endals who had already taken wing again, and began to guide Kovac towards the Infirmary.

[Auric]

YAY! YOU GET GRADES!
Shared Lores
Zith: Apperance (Basic)
A Zith's Scream

Arandolya
Skills
Weapon - Shortbow: +3
Hunting: +3
Tracking: +2
Subterfuge: +2
Riding Eagle: +1
Lores
Kovac (Basic)

Kovac
Skills
Weapon - Shortbow: +2
Hunting: +3
Interrogation: +2
Subterfuge: +1
Brawling: +1
Lores
Arandolya (Basic)

Notes: Wonderful thread! You both did a really great job in showing the dangers of the Unforgiving, and I loved it. I noticed you both didn't have a lore on each other, but you seemed to know each other so I just gave you both a basic lore -- if I missed it on your CS please feel free to message me and I will correct the grade.
Kovac, you give great descriptions on your PC, especially when he uses the shortbow. However, you are about ten points away from mastering the skill so I would like to see Kovac doing more with the bow then just shooting at a still target -- especially if you would like more skill points.

If you guys have any questions on your grade, or wish me to correct anything (add a lore, review the thread again) please message me and I will see to it!

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