My, What Big Teeth You Have! Pt. II

[Azmere]

Part I

Azmere continued to move with a methodical pace. He went through the quiver he was wearing and removed seven game arrows. He dug around in the yvas bag and found his winter blanket and unfurled it on the yvas. He swapped the game arrows for broad arrows of the same number. He placed all of the broad-tipped shafts into his quiver and slid it around where he liked it then rolled the game arrows back up in the blanket. Azmere put the blanket away and went through the quick process of checking Vihar. He eyed the knots and tested the elasticity of the string while taking a close look at the seat and notch pad. Feeling that it was in good enough shape for a scuffle, Azmere set it down on the yvas.

The archer removed his gloves then untied the string of his shirt and peeled it off carefully slipping the fabric beneath the strap of his quiver. It was his only shirt and he didn’t want to rip it. Azmere folded the article of clothing neatly and tucked it away into his backpack. He turned and walked a few steps away from the drag mark and squatted down over the mud. Without hesitation, Azmere scooped up the wet earth and smeared it across his chest, down his arms, on his boots and even on his face. He looked up and saw the young woman darting carefully through the mud towards the left rock face. Azmere smirked. It’s not what he meant but it should mask the sound of her approach. Not having very much social interaction under his belt, Azmere mad a note to be more concise with his thoughts to other people.

Satisfied with the mess he had made of himself, Azmere rose and turned back to Hephiestian. He tightened the strap on his quiver and grabbed his bow then walked to the front of the horse and patted the beast tenderly. His eyes told the strider all it needed to know. Hephiestian moved slowly away turning to go in the direction of the other stallion. Azmere turned towards the gulch just in time to watch his partner scampering up the rocks. He admired her resolve and was suddenly blessed with an epiphany. She’s fearless. That’s why she rushes into everything. It’s not a lack of knowledge or tactics but rather she doesn’t fear the outcome.

Azmere jogged along the muddy trail and to the right. He hopped the stream at narrow point and slowed to a creep being aware of every step. He moved with ease and fluidity until he reached the entry to the den. He could still see the girl but just slightly. She had found great cover and Azmere was glad of that. If the wolves hadn’t smelled her yet, he would be amazed. He peered around the corner to realize he could not see the frenzy though the muted sounds of chewing, tearing and the scratching of clawed feet bounced along the rocks until they reached his ears. Not knowing the territory, Azmere wasn’t sure where that placed his targets. He looked at the structure next to him and didn’t see much in the way of cover. He did notice the rocks had a gentle sway at the bottom which he could fit beneath if he crouched. He took a few steps and then stopped. He loosened the knot on his belt which held his club; just in case.

Azmere moved ahead a few feet and stopped. He had a direct line to the wolves and gauged the distance at only ten yards but they also had a direct line to him. This was not a good place. Azmere dipped back out and crossed over to the other side of the stream. He climbed up the back of the rocks and found a spot a few feet behind the young woman. She was looking to him as if waiting for an ok to begin. Azmere drew an arrow and notched it. He drew back and lined up a shot. With the mingling of the animals and the light mist swirling between the slick rocks, he had his doubts about how effective this tactic would prove to be but prayed to Zulrav just the same. He matched his gaze to hers for a moment and wondered some thoughts foreign to his usual progression of eat, ride, sleep, ride, hunt then ride some more. The green made him feel lost and at home all at the same time. He blinked and nodded his head once towards the wolves indicating that she should shoot first.

It's you and me against the world.

[Merevaika]

Merevaika

She was to shoot first. Merevaika's mouth curled, pulling the bow string back even further. The first shot was the most important. The wolves hadn't noticed them yet, a combination of their stealth, the wind on their side and the wolves being distracted, but once she let the arrow fly, they most certainly would. The first shot had to hit, or she would have given the hunters away without any benefits.

Eyes bored into the wolf with deadly concentrate, the largest, the most deadly. He was fairly still, tearing at flesh. Her eyes closed in the split second when she released, not wanting to see a failed shot. The wolf's whine snapped her back, searching to find her arrow. In the largest wolf's hip. The other wolves were already upon them, and she forgot about her hit, getting her next arrow ready.

The arrow lined up with its target, the pale wolf with red stained muzzle. It yelped and growled, making the mistake of heading straight towards her. A single line, only getting closer. Only getting easier to hit. Merevaika waited, watching the approaching wolf get larger, teeth bared. Half leap, she released, sending the arrow straight at the wolf's stomach. It rolled on the ground, scrambling on the floor.

Merevaika moved up, trying to spot the nearest wolf. While she didn't know what her companion wanted, she knew what she wanted - to kill every one of these wolves and return slayer of a wolf pack. One wolf was dead, and the first hit could be ignored, which would have left two, if there wasn't a few more scattered around.

There was a growling behind her and she spun round to a find two younger wolves, halfway between pup to adulthood. The hunter grinned, despite her inner thoughts. They weren't large, but there were two of them. Two to take care of, twice as hard. But she continued to grin maniacally, eyes glinting with false anger.

She snatched another arrow from her quiver, wrapping her fingers around it. Staring the wolves down, she notched it, a routine move. Which wolf to choose? Which wolf was weaker? Merevaika watched for subtle nuances in their step, whether they limped, whether they were preparing to strike.
One would have to die first, but she would wait until that one presented himself.


"Pavi"
Grassland sign
"Common"

[Azmere]

Azmere found himself aiming for the mass of beasts in the midst of the gully. The mud on his bare skin was tugging slightly indicting the wind was blowing from right to left which was probably swirling down around his targets. He suddenly had a sinking feeling that he should have used the web to scout the entire area. A chill ran up his spin from the knowledge that his mistake could cost them both dearly. Realizing all too late, he returned his focus back to his shot and adjusted his aim to the wolf furthest to the right. Seeing her arrow fly and hearing the twang of her bow’s string, Azmere exhaled and released his fingers. His arrow flew true and would’ve made a nice shot but her arrow landed first and the animal’s yelp caused the rest to scatter. Azmere felt his stomach drop as his target seemed to duck under the passing projectile. Azmere swore he saw a tuft of hair go with the arrow but he was already drawing another shaft to notch and fire.

The wolves broke up and went in all directions. The wounded one limped away into the gulch while two shot along the stream. Azmere saw the fourth come up the incline directly for them. He drew the string back and waited for a shot that would end the vicious dog and not leave it suffering. Fangs and growling preceded a leap which exposed the soft, white underbelly. Azmere exhaled and released. The shot was perfect but redundant. It seems the woman had the same idea and both of their arrows buried into the wolf’s ribcage. It fell to the rocks with death already stealing the light from the wild eyes. Azmere drew another arrow and leaned over the rocks watching the wolves head out the streambed. The angle made a clean shot impossible. A growl disrupted his thought and he found himself with his back against the ledge he had used for cover. Adolescent wolves with teeth pared and manes bristled lowered their heads and stalked forward slowly closing the distance between themselves and the humans. Azmere was really starting to have a bad feeling about all of this. He blamed himself for not being more cautious; for not thinking out a safer and better approach; for not using the web to guide his decision making. He growled deep his chest out of frustration and anger. Azmere had dedicated himself to few disciplines in his life but he refused to let others suffer for his mistakes.

He trained his arrow on the beast closest to him but knew this was all in vain. The clawed padding of the two adults resounded as they charged up the rocks to get compensation for having their meal interrupted. Azmere loosed his arrow but instead of drawing again he reached for the woman in an attempt to grab her arm. Wedging his body between the predators and his partner, he barked a few orders. “I’ll keep them back! Down the rocks! Go!” He afforded himself only a glance and turned back now taking hold of his club with his right hand; Vihar in his left. Azmere was able to swing the bow to leverage a decent radius of safety given the circumstances. The restless youngsters had evaded his arrow and were now close enough to leap at his bow though they remained poised while the adults slowed from a run to a slow stalk. All four of the animals kept equidistant from one another and the man. Azmere had watched wolves do this to prey before near the fringes of the tall grass. They would wait until each was within striking distance and then through some unknown way, one would leap. The others would follow like dominos not giving the quarry enough time to react to each attack individually thus creating a wave of teeth and claws that overwhelms the victim. Azmere waited for the inevitable but continued to swing the bow out in wide arcs. He kept the club close to his body so it could be used to make a debilitating blow when the time comes. His only saving grace was that she could get away and maybe take one down on her way out.

It's you and me against the world.

[Merevaika]

Merevaika

His shots seemed to mimic her own, taking her targets within ticks of her own hits. His arrow landed in one of the wolves' ribcage, joining her own and wasting an arrow. That was bad. Merevaika wasn't a team player but she knew that two arrows hitting the same target was bad. That arrow could have been better used for another wolf, that time spent lining up his shot could have been aimed at another wolf.

Too late to think about it, for the man had already moved round, trying to find his next shot. The young wolves behind him growled deeply, teeth bared. They stalked closer towards the two humans, Merevaika smiling, her companion growling with frustration.

The two adult wolves that they had interrupted eating pounded up behind them. Trapped. As the man loosed his arrow, Merevaika made to turn to face their two arrivals, pointing her arrow at the nearest. Olive eyes stared back, twisted into an evil expression. Bloodthirsty. A mirror of Merevaika's own face, but before she could release the bowstring, The man grabbed her hand, pulling the bow to point down towards the river.

He moved to protect her, but Merevaika shook herself loose. He was ordering her to run away. To leave him, as if he could protect her. Who did he think she was? A helpless woman? Merevaika stumbled back with his movements, pushed out of the line of danger. He took a position of defense, club in one hand, bow in the other. The wolves watched him, surrounding him and ignoring the woman who stood angry beside them.

If he wanted her to run, he would be disappointed. This was nothing. Merevaika had faced so much more - a single wolf attack was nothing. Nothing.

The woman lined up her shot, but didn't fire her arrow. Instead she yelled at her companion, "Move!" The wolves, startled by her voice, turned towards her, starting rapid firing. Each shot she would direct towards a wolf, releasing quickly before instantly trying to notch her arrow again.

One of the wolves was on top of her, Merevaika moving her arms to block the wolf's bites. She closed her eyes, letting the wolf disappear from her thoughts. Noise faded, replaced by the gentle wind and stream below them. She pulled her shirt off, undressing. Smells peaked up, and Merevaika grasped the wolf tightly, feeling his sharp claws scratch her arms. She twisted, trapping his body under hers for a slip second.

Then everything changed, shape changing. The antlers on her thigh glowed , before she took the shape of an elk.

The wolf yelped under the weight of the animal, Merevaika using her body weight to snap his neck. Already, wolves were on her, but she threw them off, charging around wildly. Claws dug into her back, shaken off ticks later. Her companion would have never expected this. Exactly why she did it.

Merevaika was a woman of many skills and secrets. She was as wild as the eagle, as swift as a river, as strong as a rock.
Blessed by a son of Caiyha.

She brought herself back round to where her bow lay on the ground, transforming back instantly. As her head cleared, as she pulled her shirt back on, she snatched at her bow, rising as if nothing had happened.

"What are you waiting for?" she grinned at the man before her, feeling control of her two legs come back to her. Merevaika sprinted towards the edge of the rock, leaping off and rolling onto the ground, before pointing an arrow in the direction of the wolves.

This was only just getting fun.


oocIs what I did okay? If not, just say - I'm happy to rewrite it!


"Pavi"
Grassland sign
"Common"

[Azmere]

Azmere was had narrowed which of the four wolves would lunge first to two. His eyes went back and forth reading the bared teeth, the tense shoulders and bristled fur. The adolescent with his ears pinned back looked especially crazy and that’s the winner. Azmere was going to give the predator a window to leap inside the swinging arc of his bow which would lend him a quick trip to the business end of his club. After that, Azmere was hoping he could finagle some fancy footwork and lucky shots to escape. He felt a huge relief knowing that the woman would have ample time to get back to her strider and escape or even rescue him. That was a switch, right? Azmere’s bones nearly jumped through his skin when he heard her yell at him to move.

He turned to see an arrow whiz past his face. He felt the wind against his cheek as the shaft sliced through the air. The gold and blue irises followed the projectile as it soared towards one of the younger wolves. The beast leapt to avoid the lethal shot at a strange angle that sent him off to the left of Azmere. Not one to waste opportunity, the Drykas man pivoted forward and to his left bringing himself alongside the animal while his arm was bringing the club down to crash the wolf on the back of his neck. The beast landed and tried to turn but was not fast enough to avoid having the vertebrae between its skull and shoulders audibly crack from the crushing blow. The body slumped to a heap at the male’s feet who then turned to see which wolf would attack next only to find himself watching his companion remove her shirt.

Azmere nearly dropped his weapons at the sight. The gods, themselves, would be and should be jealous of such a physique. She was beautiful…and insane. Bare and flashing wild green eyes, the woman welcomed a wolf into her arms like they were kin. Shocked; frozen in space and time, Azmere watched as the woman changed right in front of him into a massive animal. Glorious and graceful, the elk fell upon the wolf who was unable to distinguish its prey which proved costly as the weight of the huntress snapped the pack animal’s neck. The other two wolves had no more interest in Azmere. This huge display of meat had stolen every ounce of their senses. The elk charged around tossing the wolves as she rampaged. Azmere went in to aid her but realized he might get trampled if he got to close so he hung back and waited for clean-up duty.

The first wolf was tossed by antlers and landed a few feet away on its side. It sounded like a leg might have shattered upon impact. The simple predator would not get time to nurse this wound because the man made two large, quick strides to close the gap and used his momentum to bring the club on an upswing shattering the lower jaw into the soft upper pallet. Azmere spun around seeing the elk shake the final wolf off of her back. The mangy beast seemed so scared but too proud to run away. Azmere dropped his club and snatched an arrow, notched it and took aim. Right as the wolf was about to pounce again, he fired and his aim was true. The wolf had forgotten about the human and was rewarded by a clean death. The broad arrow sunk deep into the wolf’s neck causing enough damage to have only a moment of pain before the sleep of the dead overtook it.

Azmere was breathing heavy and glanced towards his hunting partner. He lowered his gaze while she put her shirt back on covering up the woman again. She had her bow drawn with a smile on her face that showed an exhilaration that Azmere envied and could never understand. Out of human instinct, his lips curled into the trademark crooked smile of his scarred face. Absolute admiration, fascination and curiosity were imprinted behind his eyes. He followed her gaze to the last wolf. It was the largest and the one she had wounded in its hip at the offset of the engagement. Azmere relaxed his bow at her question. He signed for her to finish what she started.

Azmere moved to take a different angle of the scene when something caught his ear. He snapped his head to the limping wolf and crouched low to the ground. The beast was leaving the area by following the stream and a mix of shadows from the passing clouds and the oddly shaped rocks obscured most of the creature’s detail. He peered and strained his eyes for a tick, then two before he shouted for the woman to not fire. The sound that caught his ear was faint but he had heard it a second time. A whimper, far too small and dainty to belong to the wounded canine, bounced off of the rocks. It was at that time the large wolf turned its head to reveal a tiny pup in her jaws. Azmere suddenly felt a need to remove the arrow from the creature’s leg but hadn’t the slightest idea how to go about such a task. His eyes looked to the woman wondering if her bloodlust had been sated. He suddenly realized he didn’t know her name.

It's you and me against the world.

[Merevaika]

Merevaika

As expected, the man had found her undressing captivating. Such a simple state, found natural by kelvic, but something that brought modesty to her and shock to others. But it had been necessary, and he had been wise to stay back, picking off the last wolf with expertise as she pulled her shirt back on. Good. One less wolf to care about.

His eyes, gold and blue, followed her with envy, admiration, fascination - he wanted her to finish what she started, and she most certainly would. This last wolf, injured by her very first arrow, would receive her last. But his change of view, his sudden shouts, made her confused, following those entrancing eyes to focus on what he watched. Shadows cast from the rocks and clouds hid the details, but it was clear what he saw.

The wolf carried a tiny pup in its jaw, so small and weak. Like the boy the wolves had taken. At once she felt contrasted. Bloodlust still boiled through her, but so did respect for Caiyha's creatures. Caiyha, or rather a gift from her son, had already helped her. Perhaps this was meant to be her payment as thanks. The man wanted to help, he truly did, but revenge was a word Merevaika loved, and what better revenge than the same thing back?

Would the wolf understand revenge? No, she decided. Only a human would be capable of such a cruel thing. Even a monstrous glassbeak wouldn't be capable of such thoughts.

The woman slowly brought the arrow back, unable to make the shot, not in front of this stranger. She crouched, dropping her bow. The Drykas moved to the mangled body of the boy, reluctantly pulling off a piece of flesh.

She tossed this to the wolf as a peace offering, staring it down.

Peace, the sign came unsteadily, glancing back at the man to reassure herself this was the correct thing to do. The wolf limped slightly, moving the weight of its back legs. The arrow must hurt him like the scratches coating her body, she decided.

"What do we do?" she stated loudly, forcing herself to not sound weak and uncertain, but considerate of her views. Still, her voice trembled, seeing the hurt in the wolf's eyes. Seeing the fear in the pup's eyes.

"Pavi"
Grassland sign
"Common"

[Azmere]

Azmere watched for a moment with his breath held between his cheeks, lungs empty to help emphasize each beat of his heart while he waited to see what this wild woman will do. He breathed a sigh of relief allowing his shoulders to sink some as he watched his companion make a peace offering to the beast. The Drykas man moved slowly coming closer to her while keeping his eyes on the animal. From the sweat, his body was streaked with mud though most had been washed away or flung free during the scrap. He was breathing normally but could still feel the blood rushing behind his cheeks and chest adding a bit of red color to the light tan pigment of his skin. Azmere was silent for a few breaths before he turned to face her.

"What do we do?"

Her voice was loud as she spoke; too loud. Azmere paid attention to her eyes which were still every bit as wild but hinted at the picture being painted by the tremble in her words. The pain of the wolf and fear and uncertainty of th pup had bled into her soul and was giving her pause. The hunter had no doubt that there was a vein or two within the tanned and chiseled form still pumping with the boiling blood of revenge but it was outdone by the humanity and grace of a Drykas woman. Her gift obviously lent more than simple speculation that she was favored by Caiyha in some manner. Azmere took all of these things into account as he processed a formula of action while his mismatched eyes returned to the two animals now sniffing tentatively at the piece of man flesh that had been tossed at them.

The pup was too afraid to move but one could see the nose and ears perking at the nibble of sustenance. The adult was simply eyeing the hunters. Two people that would normally have been food for the pack had dismantled the wolf’s entire family. That’s not to say that one of them was a shape-shifter but still. Azmere could cut the logic of the wolf’s expression because it was that tangible. Home was wrecked and the pack was no more. All that remained was this lone pup and whether or not these humans were going to try and finish what they started.

Azmere finally spoke and in doing so began to strip his weapons from his body. He did not look to her because he knew where the woman’s heart broke and that she would follow his lead. “We remove the arrow, collect what we came for and then go home.” He started walking towards the wolves slowly crossing the distance and making his form seem as docile as possible. The big wolf bristled his fur and bared his teeth. Azmere did not stop, nor did he slow his pace any more than it already was. Once he was within leaping distance of a healthy adult wolf, Azmere slowly sank to his knees and placed his palms on the ground. He looked at the wolf making a solid few ticks of eye contact before lowering his face towards the ground. He kept his head below the male’s eye line trying to show a submissive pose. Azmere began to crawl forward on his hands and knees pausing only when a vicious snarl laced with saliva was flicked in his direction. The wolf’s claws scraped across the stones and mud but he didn’t lunge or make to run so Azmere moved ahead mere inches at a time.

When Azmere was close enough to feel the wolf’s hot breath, he sank a bit lower. The wolf seemed confused because it wasn’t moving but it didn’t seem willing to fully trust the man. The Drykas man had watched wolves countless times as a boy not to mention growing up around packs of dogs. He had a general plan and just hoped that the wound was sufficient enough to allow the wolf to give him the time to act. In a flash, Azmere leapt sideways driving his shoulder into the wolf’s ribs and with the sweeping of the animal’s feet by the man’s arms; the canine body was turned and slammed against the ground. The Ankal of Azmere’s pavilion explained that it was called an Alpha roll. One male would twist and pin another beneath him to establish dominance. Azmere used his head to keep pressure against the chest and flank of the beast while his left arms wrapped the front legs of the beast into a lock and the right did the same to the back. The wolf kicked frantically and growled but was only scratching the man whose arms were far too strong for the predator. The pup came around and bit Azmere’s leg just above his right knee on the outside thigh. The tiny teeth tore his pants and enough flesh to make the man turn his head to see what the pup was doing. This slight shift in pressure enabled the wounded creature to lash out and bite down on Azmere’s left shoulder.

Canines and incisors tore into flesh and skin tearing gashes and letting blood flow. This only spurned the man who knew of only one course of action. Fighting the urge to yell through the pain, he straightened his knees putting the pressure on the balls of his feet and forcing his weight up and forward. Azmere drove his trapezius into the bite while letting out a low growl through clenched teeth. He pushed so far as to create discomfort in the wolf whose jaw was now being forced open. At first, the wolf tried to shake but being pinned down did not allow for much wiggle room. Eventually, the animal relaxed feeling defeated, frightened, confused and in pain; the wolf went still. Azmere could not see his companion. He hoped she was close behind ready to remove her arrow. “Sooner’s better than later.” The little pup had jumped back when Azmere rose and run around behind its protector. The little teeth formed a grimace as the tiny canine growled little whimpers and spats towards the human.

It's you and me against the world.

[Merevaika]

Merevaika

The man gave his orders and started to approach, weapons discarded. He sank to his knees, crawling nearer. Merevaika smiled. He was making himself smaller to be less intimidating. It made perfect sense and he continued with the submissive position with her face down.

He started crawling even further forward, greeted with a vicious snarl. She could see the wolf meant no harm though, a simple warning, for all he did was scratch at the ground. Either he couldn't attack, or didn't want to risk fighting the human. Both reasons filled her with guilt for placing the wolf in that position.

In a flash, the man jumped, grabbing the wolf and pushing him to the ground, almost like what she had tried to do not so long ago. He was much more successful, using his whole body to pin the adult wolf down. There was a bit of struggle, but her companion succeeded. That was until the tiny pup attacked, allowing the larger wolf to bite out at the man.

The man wasn't one to give up easily, however, fighting back with the wolf. Finally the wolf stopped moving, and she almost feared that he had crushed it to death. But no, it shuffled very slightly, and Merevaika realised it was her turn to act.

The woman darted forward, moving swiftly towards the wolf. The pup seemed no problem, transfixed by her companion, allowing Merevaika to move to the adult wolf. The arrow still stuck out off the wolf's hip, in clear view of the Drykas. She snatched it, yanking out fiercely. The wolf yelped out, struggling once more, but Merevaika had gone, forgetting about the man. Time to collect what they came for.

She headed straight for the wolf corpses, gathering as many as she could in her arms and bringing them closer to where the man was. The boy's body. Would his parents want to see the mangled corpse, give him their own goodbye? Or would that be too painful for them, would it better if Merevaika was the one that did the honour?

She didn't know, staring at the body softly. The wolf corpses were placed around her, ready to be collected the moment they were to leave. The huntress gave the hunter a single, concerned look, before turning her head back to the boy. Her hand moved to her heart as a sign of respect. Such a young life to be taken.

"Pavi"
Grassland sign
"Common"

[Azmere]

The hunter maintained the downward exertion of force upon the wolf. His blood flowed through several large tears from the animal’s bite but the last move of driving into the open maw has given the Drykas control of the situation. He watched from the corner of his eyes as the woman charged into action without any hesitation. This was an excellent thing seeing as how his strength was waning and he somehow knew that the wolf was not going to be held down for long. When she grabbed the arrow, Azmere made a surge of his remaining power that popped his left side into the air freeing his shoulder from the mouth of the beast. The hop was caused by a sharp push from his left arm which left its foundation for a brief second only to slide up and cover the wolf’s head. He missed slightly and planted on the thick fur of his neck right when the arrow was forcibly removed. The animal was extremely angry and Azmere figured an arrow being ripped from one’s hip wasn’t a pleasurable experience. His companion ran past him back towards the resting place of the boy and Azmere’s brain said one thing; run!

Azmere did a pushup off of the wolf that propelled him laterally over the wounded parent. It nearly got him free except for a furious lash from a cornered predator. The wolf rose as its burden was lifted almost as if it had become attached but this attraction was anything but friendly. The exposed side of the human was targeted as all four legs kicked with the intent to shred the hunter. Azmere was fortunate enough to miss one entirely but the next just softly scratched a trio of lines that were soon to be obscured. The front legs both dug their claws in just left of the sternum and caught no less than two claws at all times until Azmere was clear, on his feet and sprinting after the woman. He peered over his shoulder to check to see if the wolf was giving chase but it was nearly out of sight with its pup. Azmere didn’t feel the burn of those deep scratches until he had caught up to where she had stopped. He took a second to catch his breath and wincing, he tried not to think about how crappy he was going to feel later.

They had made quite an impact here. The corpses of the wolves suddenly became commodities and it began to ease the roar he felt rattling his mind frame. She had laid out two full grown wolves, two large adolescents and a third that was also an adult but was crushed by the weight of transformed elk so it was hard to consider it a trophy. It might make for a nice stew, however.

Azmere caught her movement from the corner of his eye and received just enough of the concern to understand she was deliberating over the decision. Azmere could almost feel her wrestling with the brutal truth of bringing back the body or the gentle lie that he felt no pain and walks with the gods. The Drykas silently prayed that Semele would unite the joy of this young soul back into the world.

Azmere darted across the slippery rocks to the corner opposite their initial strike position and recovered one of his arrows. He turned and went back to the place where the rocks opened up to the grass. He whistled a shrill whip that caused the stallion’s ears to perk. Hephiestian straightened and turned his big head to look for the whistler. When he recognized Azmere, the horse bent down and munched on something short and sweet for a few ticks before raising his head back up and slowly walking in the direction of his Drykas. Seeing the delayed compliance from the strider, Azmere went back to the boy’s body and stood across from the woman. Azmere signed Diamond to signify his clan then spoke in a moderate tone. “Azmere Stormblood.” He signed a greeting often used to show respect. She had earned it. The young man had never met anyone so stubborn, fearless or willful in his life. He gave a tick or two for her to respond with her own name before he knelt next to the pelts. He motioned with a quick flick over the lot. “Which ones do you want?”

It's you and me against the world.

[Merevaika]

Merevaika

Her companion moved around her, collecting his arrow and calling his horse. Eryunt, watching the man's own strider, trotted nearer, moving quicker than the other horse. He reached them before the other stallion, moving slower over the icy rocks. That was good. They would need help carrying all these wolf corpses out. After all, there were many - two adult, two young and a squashed one. Even if they divided them up equally, they wouldn’t be able to carry them all back, not without a horse or two.

The man introduced himself, Merevaika returning the greeting of respect. "Merevaika Stormchaser," Once Amethyst she introduced. She didn't consider herself Amethyst anymore though and made this clear. To be part of a clan, you had to belong to a pavilion. A live pavilion.

Azmere motioned over the pelts and Merevaika forgot the boy, taking a good look. Claiming which part of the hunt was hers was always the hardest part. She wanted it all, but she couldn't take it. Then again, perhaps the man felt almost in her debt, for hurting her dog so long ago. His greeting from before showed he respected her. Perhaps he wouldn't care if she took more.

"The adult ones. You can take the younger ones and the one that was crushed we can give to the family of the boy. I..." Merevaika made her decision with a deep breath, "I think we should leave his body to rest here. There is no point disturbing his spirit."

She looked towards Azmere, trying to read the emotion in his eyes. Sunbursts stood out, that she hadn't seen before. They looked beautiful just like his eyes. Curious too, but she didn't mention it, just like she didn't mention the scars. After all, they didn't know each other. It could be a secret even to friends.

Merevaika moved over to the wolves, heaving one of the adults up and laying him over Eryunt. The horse stamped at the still warm predator on his back but Merevaika was there to assure him. She moved to his face, breathing in his nose and scratching behind his ear like she knew he loved. Dead was all she signed but it was enough to stop the strider from being worried. At least as worried as before.

She turned back to Azmere, watching him like a hunter watches her prey. Was he happy with this arrangement? Did he plan to protest? She wanted to know.


"Pavi"
Grassland sign
"Common"