6 Winter, 506 AV
Noon
Noon
"Dravite stop!" One of the boys called from behind him.
"It's too dangerous!" Another insisted.
Dravite silenced them with a wave of his hand, creeping towards the clearing where a jackal had helped himself to one of the rabbits the team of teens had managed to catch in their snare. The earth was cold underfoot and there was a brisk breeze carrying the scent of the Drykas boys to the animal’s sharp, black nose.
The jackal pointed his nose skyward and Dravite watched him sniff the air before looking up wind to spot the young teen. The boys at Dravite's back made a nervous sound amongst themselves and stirred as if deciding which would be quicker, to escape on foot now before the animal charged them, or to make a dash for their striders; or those that had them at least.
Dravite quickly noticed that this jackal was bigger than the coyotes they had chased away from the edge of camp on the odd occasion, but unlike them, he appeared to be alone. The boy gripped his spear and stole another tentative step towards the creature, pointing the head of the weapon forwards defensively.
He glanced down at his feet and noticed a scattering of paw prints He assumed belong to the jackal, and followed these with his eyes towards the animal’s general direction. "Dravite!" One of the boys shouted, "Just come back; we don't need the rabbit!"
"What about the snare?" Dravite called back over his shoulder, careful not to take his eyes off the Jackal not fifteen feet in front of him.
"Don't worry about it!"
"We can always make some more!"
Dravite pursed his lips, why should they feed the jackal just because they were afraid? A lone jackal out on the Sea of Grass surely had more to fear faced with four hunters ahead of him, one of which was getting a little too close for comfort. Dravite noticed the animal flinch and thrust his spear forward threateningly, hissing at the Jackal to try and startle him.
The dog-like creature dropped his rabbit and took a step backwards, and Dravite, thinking he had the upper hand, charged forward without thinking. The tall grass rustled loudly as a second jackal appeared, licking its lips at the sight of the dead rabbit his mate stood over. The young Drykas warrior stopped dead in his tracks; he didn't know Jackals sometimes hunted in pairs and was starting to regret his decision; both animals growing braver for having the other there.
Teamwork might serve him well, he thought as he eyed the Jackals; if only his friends would act like they were part of a team and not look out for themselves so much. "Come!" Dravite signalled to them in grassland sign, but the boys would not budge.
"Don't be afraid!" He called; words he should live by now, for he felt fear brush him lightly, trying to work its way into his heart.
Dravite swallowed and jabbed his spear at one of the Jackals as she started to circle, her mate soon joining her. She was quick and had managed to dodge the strike of his weapon, as Dravite spun to growl at her companion, who had attempted to snap at his ankles. "Run, Dravite!" .
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