Flashback Risky Company (Caesi)

[Colt]

Fall 5th, 510 a.v.
midday

Any other day, Khasr would be enjoying the weather. The sun was out, but there were enough clouds that it wasn’t quite hot, the wind was rustling the grass like it always did, and the birds and animals were out and about in droves to take advantage of how nice it all was. To top it all off, the scouts said that the weather would likely last for another two days at the very least, which meant that it could only get better as the time passed; for a hunter, it was a very good day to be awake and moving.

But for Khasr Windheel, just opening his eyes and getting up had been a chore.

It had been two days since his father had announced the detour; there was another pavilion close enough to warrant a meetup, and they had been traveling to join them ever since. An Amethyst family that went by the name of Starguide; the entirety of the Windheels had been aflutter over the news, getting ready to trade their crafts and skills while the animal handlers sized up their breeding females in preparation for foreign studs to add new blood to the lines. It was all very exciting, and everyone was looking forward to it.

Everyone, except for Khasr.

They had caught sight of the purple-clad Starguides in the late morning, and now it was pushing past midday; the two family tents had been pitched and personal possessions were being laid out, and with the majority of camp set up, the individuals themselves were beginning to mingle. It was the warriors and hunters that were first to cross companies, sizing each other up in “friendly” competition and kicking off the light-hearted teasing and jokes. It was the mid-seasoned men that did the most of it, but there was one young man in particular that dominated the revelry; Hadar Windheel was the firstborn son of the ankal, so he was naturally inclined to prove himself.

For Khasr, however, the entire affair looked like a dreadful time. The outskirts were fine for the two resident outcasts.

“You could join in if y’wanted,” Daha rumbled from his seat on a fallen log, where he was busy organizing the arrows in his quiver. Daha was a weathered man, on the tail end of his prime but still possessed of enough strength to be useful. His face was lined deeply by years of frowning, and his black hair was slowly beginning to shift into gray.

Khasr arched an eyebrow. “I will if you will.” Tease, challenge.

Daha snorted and went back to his arrows. They both knew that neither one of them had any desire to take part in the festivities.

“Oi! Daha!” A woman was approaching, wrapped up in the green knotwork of the Windheels.

Daha groaned, signing here we go to Khasr. “Setaha. Need somethin’?”

“You’re doing it again. Both of you. We have guests, you know.”

Daha tilted his head and flashed a wolfish grin. “Guests? Really? Hadn’t noticed.” Sarcasm, teasing.

Setaha rolled her eyes. “You aren’t sitting out this time. You’re to join in.”

Khasr folded his arms. “By whose order? Yours?”

“Kieris, you cultakh. You sit out. He notices. You’re going to stop. He’s even given given you something to do.”

Khasr opened his mouth to retort, but Daha stopped him with a signed don’t, not worth it. “Is that so? What’s he have us doing?”

“You,” she jerked a finger at Daha, “are to join the other hunters around the center fire. You,” she pointed at Khasr, “are to find another younger hunter. I hear there’s a girl that the Starguides are particularly proud of, who goes by the name of Caesi. She’d be a start. Find her and talk to her. Make a friend for once.”

With her news delivered, Setaha gathered up her skirt and turned around to go back to the pavilion. Daha let out a weary sigh at turned to his apprentice.

“Just do as she asks,” the man said. “Last thing we need is Kieris at our heels again. Find that girl and… I don’t know, do something. Just make Kieris stop watching us.” He heaved himself off the ground and shouldered his bow and arrow. Daha certainly had the more difficult task since he had to talk to a whole group of hunters, but that didn’t mean that was Khasr had to do was any less unpleasant. Daha departed, and the young hunter was left to his own devices.

Fine. He would find this Starguide girl, and then Kieris would stop pressuring them. Besides, if she was a hunter then they would at least have something to talk about.

[Caesi Starguide]

.





It was a pleasant Autumn day out on the Sea of Grass. Fall was beginning to finally stretch out across the plains. Caesi laid down in the grass, staring up at the sky, watching the shapes of the clouds. Some looked like Striders galloping, others just looked like big fluffy blobs floating and bobbing in the sky. The sun played hide-and-seek with the clouds, Caesi would sigh with delight every time it would stay out a little longer, warming her face. The young Drykas girl was enjoying the beautiful day until she heard some commotion in her Pavilion. Rising up from the ground she looked over as everyone seemed to busy themselves with something. Frowning slightly, she ran back towards her Pavilion to see what all the excitement was about.

Everyone was too busy to answer her questions, but from what she could gather by what little conversation she did hear, there was another Pavilion and the two were meeting up to trade different wares, animals, perhaps breed animals. Caesi was excited to meet some new faces, perhaps there will be a chance to learn and grow, or just to have another to talk to would be nice. The Starguide Pavilion was not that large, either it was little ones or older ones, no one really her age that she particularly liked.

She walked out on the outskirts of the Pavilion site, looking across the sea of grass. She had recently been learning how to hunt, though she was not that great at it just yet. But she showed promise, making her family and Pavilion proud of her. She was bold and would not give up easily, taking the pain and enduring so she could provide for her Pavilion in anyway she could. However, some days she wished she could just lay all day in the grass, day dreaming and watching the clouds form different shapes in the sky.

Her Pa rushed over, “Caesi, you are to meet up with someone new.” He indicated with his hand, Come On, Hurry. Caesi sighed, raising a brow, “Is this someone interesting?” her Pa just nodded grabbing her hand and leading her towards the Pavilion. Handing her a Shortbow and a Quiver with hunting arrows inside he walked off to leave her to her own devices. She did not blame the man, sure she would have appreciated a hug or something, but helping the Ankal was hard work and he had no time for such. With a sigh she turned to look for someone dressed in green that wasn't bothering with items. Scanning the area with her eyes she searched for someone who was standing out among the Animal Breeders, Weavers, and all the hubbub in the center where trading was occurring.

Her teal eyes found someone who seemed to be stand-offish compared to the rest of the Emerald Clan members. He was walking slowly, his eyes scanning different areas, as if he was looking for someone. Caesi walked towards him, a smile on her face, she put her hand over her heart, signing 'Hello fellow Drykas'. “Are you the person I was supposed to meet?” Caesi asked cautiously, her grip on the short bow tightening. The young man before her was quite attractive, with his dark hair and slight stubble. But she wondered if he had any skill in hunting, that was the most important thing to her right now, not his looks. Before letting him answer the first question she quickly moved to a second question, “Do you hunt?” Caesi's voice coming out in a bit of a rush, indicating her excitement and hopefulness that the young man did hunt.

| Thoughts |

[Colt]

Khasr wandered. Most of the Starguides he saw were already in conversations of one sort or another, which left him limited; he might have given his word to Setaha, but actually going up to someone and talking was much harder to do. Especially if everyone was already in conversation. He just had to find the correct plan of attack; Setaha wouldn’t bother him if he moved around enough to look like he was doing something.

What he didn’t expect, however, was to be approached.

Spending so much time on the Sea of Grass was bound to give a person abilities they wouldn’t otherwise pay attention to. In Khasr’s case, it was necessary to recognize the feeling of being watched, which could so often be the difference between life and death; although he didn’t expect anything dangerous to be watching him so close to the thick of things, the tingle in his spine was unmistakeable.

After a few moments, he was able to catch sight of the source; she was young, certainly less than fourteen winters, if not younger, wrapped up in the purples of the Amethyst Starguides. Dark-haired and pale-skinned, with a face that was almost cat-like, she possessed a certain softness that was rare on the plains––a softness that was immediately offset by the practical cut of her clothing, the arrows on her back and the shortbow in her hand.

She was making straight for him, an open greeting on her hands. Are you the person I was supposed to meet? Not even a moment’s pause was given before she was barrelling into more signs and questioning, preventing him from answering. Do you hunt?

Did he hunt. He had to blink in amazement before he could gather himself. Uh… “Yes.” Barely contained amusement. “Yes, I hunt.” Formal greeting, uncertainty. “Are you Caesi?” I seek. “I was told to find Caesi Starguide.”

[Caesi Starguide]

.




The young man blinked and paused for a moment before answering, a look came over his face that she did not catch in time before he answered with amusement that he did hunt. He was the one that she was supposed to meet, since he was looking for her. But she did not answer his question as she jumped up in excitement, “So it won't be a dull person!” Caesi said, fire dancing in her eyes as she looked out across the Sea of Grass, “Yes I am Caesi, now let's go.”


She grabbed the young man's hand and started dragging him out towards the plains. “I was worried that I would be stuck with a Weaver.” Caesi cringed visibly, “I may of died.” She chuckled to herself talking quickly and excitedly, “They did not say who I was to meet, just shoved me there and carried on.” She frowned and look at the young man, “Well at least you are not ugly.” She gave a small smile, “I will have something decent to look at.”

Caesi let go of his hand and carried on, rambling like the young girl she was, “I am not the best hunter.” She said quietly, “But since you look older you can teach me to be better!” She started skipping forward and stopped looking back, “Oh, what is your name?” A light blush lit her cheeks as she felt that perhaps she was being rude, she shrunk in apology, signing Apologies to the young man, casting her teal eyes downward.

Caesi did not mean to bombard the man with her excitement, it was just that she was not going to be stuck doing something she did not particularly care for. Her Pa didn't hug her but now she sees his affection in the meeting of the man from Emerald Clan, a fellow hunter. He did love her, he just showed it in ways that were different. Instead of a hug it was a hunt, instead of a story at bed time, it was webbing. Teaching and instructing her on ways to survive the grassland, showing his love and affection by gifting her with the skills she needed. She sighed letting the man gather himself before she spoke again, though being silent was hard when she was so excited.

Caesi wondered how well he hunted, what they would hunt, if they would find anything, and she was curious about the person as well. She kept her eyes downward though out of respect, letting him take a breather from her onslaught and say what he wanted to say.

| Thoughts |

[Colt]

Almost immediately, the girl––Caesi, apparently––burst into excited movement. Signs flashed, and she began to speak so quickly that Khasr had difficulty sorting them all out. It seeme that her world consisted of ‘interesting’ people and ‘uninteresting’ people, and that the ability to hunt immediately promoted Khasr into the ‘interesting’ category. Caesi promptly snatched his hand and began to drag him into the open plains, putting him at an impasse––he didn’t much like being grabbed by relative strangers, but he didn’t want to offend Caesi by pulling away; the other Windheels only needed the smallest of excuses to get back to heckling him.

Meanwhile, Caesi herself was still chatting happily about hunting, and about learning––and how happy she was that he wasn’t ugly. I will have something decent to look at.

Huh. Khasr didn’t know how to respond, so he kept his mouth shut.

As if stirred by her last statement, Caesi suddenly dropped his hand and blushed; in all the excitement, she had forgotten to ask his name.

“Khasr,” he volunteered, somewhat off guard in the face of her outburst. Daha never talked quite that much, and the other Windheels certainly didn’t give him this kind of attention; the rest of his family was happier ignoring him than anything, and Daha was all snark and criticism.

He wasn’t used to someone being nice to him.

Other thing, first, “Uh, I need to get something first.” Quick pass, just that way. “It isn’t far. I may be a hunter, but I’m not quite to the point where I can hunt with my bare hands.” Awkward joking.

He turned to lead her towards the green pavilion tent of the Windheels––or rather, to the spot just beyond it. It had been years since he had last slept alongside the rest of his family; he and Daha had their own separate tents on the outskirts of the camp, away from where most of the Windheels slept; there were plenty of reasons to rationalize it, both from Daha and the other Windheels, but those reasons always felt more like cover-ups than anything. It didn’t much matter to him; he already knew why, even if no one said it out loud.

To an outsider, though, the fact that Khasr kept his belongings in a separate tent was almost an announcement that he was an outcast. When they came into sight of it, he kept his posture stiffly formal with the desire to finish the task. If they got into the grasslands quickly enough, perhaps they could skip awkward conversation altogether and get to a hunt. He was always better at hunting than talking.

His knife and waterskin were already on his belt, so all he really needed was his javelins. Caesi didn’t appear to have a strider with her, but she was young enough that it wasn’t strange. Slinging the strap of his quiver over his shoulder, he turned back to his companion and signaled that he was ready. “Did you have anything specific in mind?” he asked, turning to start their trek into the grasslands.

[Caesi Starguide]

.




The young-man did not talk much, certainly not as much as Caesi did, making her feel as though she just humiliated herself to a large degree. This made her go quiet, as she did not want to run off an opportunity to make a friend and learn to hunt. Caesi nodded her head, “Nice to meet Khasr.” The girl said with a childish grin. Caesi had turned to continue out into the Sea of Grass when his voice rung out again making her turn.

He did not have a weapon to hunt with. When he said as much she looked down at his hands and on his person, then busted out laughing, “No, not yet I suppose. Though that would be something to see.” Caesi chuckled again at the man's joke shaking her head and walking back towards him, so they could go gather the things he needed.

The two walked in silence as they headed to the green pavilion of the Windheels. She stopped and frowned slightly, then hurried to catch up when he did not enter the Pavilion, instead it was a place beyond the tent that he headed. There were two tents at the outskirts of the camp, Khasr stepped inside one of the tents. Caesi's face contorted in a frown and a misunderstanding of what was going on. Why did he not sleep with his people... the small dark-haired girl wondered, as he was gathering the things he needed inside. She looked at the Pavilion then back to the tents, Is he not welcomed in the Pavilion? Is he a outcast or perhaps trouble? Thoughts ran through her head, as to why he would be alone out here.

Khasr walked back out, geared up to hunt, so she relaxed her face, “Why do you sleep here?” Caesi asked before answering his question. The young girl was like any typical Drykas, she spoke how she felt when she felt it. She was bold and outspoken, perhaps a little demanding at times as well. Before things became too awkward she shook her head, “Never mind. It doesn't matter.” She said, moving her hands to indicate to just Forget About It. Instead she headed towards the plains, “Anything that we can find.” Caesi said over her shoulder to answer his original question. The small girl adjusted her quiver at her waist, pulling her long hair up into a messy ponytail, she breathed in deeply letting the sun kiss her lightly-tanned skin as she walked.

After walking in silence for a few chimes, she was becoming slightly restless. Khasr obviously preferred the quiet, but it just wasn't in here to stay silent the whole time, “Khasr, What do you like hunting?” Caesi asked quietly, a small murmur as she made her way to the young man's side. “I prefer small prey.. Well until I am better and can kill a Glassbeak.” Caesi said with a bright smile that lit up her teal colored eyes. The girl followed Khasr, like a shadow, mimicking his movements and learning his ways. Watching how he stepped, perhaps there was a certain way hunter's walked, so she mimicked it slightly following the man as if he were a big brother and she an irritating little sister.

| Thoughts |

[Colt]

There were many people in the world that didn’t know what to do with silence, and this Caesi Starguide appeared to be one of them. Her questions made him uncomfortable, but they weren’t exactly unexpected; sleeping outside of his pavilion was not only unusual, it was significantly more dangerous.

Luckily, she backtracked and put the questions to rest before he had to explain himself.

With all their equipment present and accounted for, the two hunters began their hunt. Well, they began their walk, at least; without anything to actually follow, it was little more than simply waiting to come across something useful.

To her credit, Caesi seemed to be turning her attention to their surroundings instead of him, so Khasr felt confident sinking into awareness of the environment; this was a new campsite for both pavilions, so the animals had not yet been thinned by Drykas spears and arrows. Still, there wasn’t a lot to be seen so close to the tents; the larger prey would keep their distance, and only the most small, stubborn or desperate would risk coming within walking distance.

With that in mind, Khasr reasoned that their safest bet would be to find water––neither of their families would have camped here if there wasn’t water to be found––because all things needed water. Even if they didn’t come across anything immediately, they would surely find a trail or two at the very least.

Khasr began to scan the horizon, looking for the telltale greenery of trees which would in turn lead them to water. As he did so, however, Caesi decided that she was finished with silence and spoke up once more.

“A glassbeak?” Uncertainty. “That’s a mighty high goal to set for yourself.” Khasr had glimpsed the creatures once or twice, and it had been enough to convince him that he’d much prefer avoiding them than pointedly seeking them out. “I’ll just hunt whatever I find.” Little to no preference. “So long as it’s useful, what’s the difference?” It wasn’t as if great hunting deeds would exactly gain him recognition anyway.

There. Just behind the next roll of the land, nestled between two shallow hills was a thin line of dark green treetops. “Over there,” Khasr said, gesturing for Caesi to look. “There’s water yonder. Shouldn’t be too much a task to pinch something there, so long as we aren’t picky.”

[Caesi Starguide]

.



Caesi shrugged her shoulders dismissing the try at conversation. She believed there was a difference, well to her young mind there was anyway. Nothing tasted the same, some meat was better than others, and some animals brought more self gratification then others did. If she were to score a bigger animal she would feel proud of herself instead of coming in with little things. Perhaps it was a difference of opinions. Drykas hunted, most to all, to provide nourishment for the Pavilion. Caesi just made it more fun by setting goals and executing them.

A Glassbeak, although frightening in a way, was something she would be proud to take down. They were clever for an animal and fierce. It would make her feel as if she were not only providing for her Pavilion, but rescuing it in a way as she eliminated one of many of the hideous creatures. She gave an audible sigh at her thoughts, shrugging her shoulders once again more to herself then to Khasr. Perhaps I am just being childish. Caesi thought to her self, disappointment lighting her features slightly, as she slumped forward a little.

Khasr was older and more experienced, not only with the world around her but with hunting. She reasoned with herself that perhaps her way of thinking was the wrong way, that it really did not matter much. Then again, maybe his opinion was just different then hers, this thought spurred her on to speak again, “I think there is a difference..” Caesi muttered under her breath, kicking at a small stone on Semele's skin, as she continued to follow the young man. "And I will kill one eventually.." She muttered even lower, to herself more so then Khasr, sulking like a child.

She observed Khasr as he scanned the area, unsure as to what he was looking for. She had learned how to hunt since she was Eight Years old, but she was no expert at it. Everyday was a new learning experience for her. Khasr spoke up, gesturing in the distance to a cropping of trees that was between two hills. He said that there would be water in that area and she frowned slightly, “How do you know there is water?” Caesi said curiously, her face still in a frown wondering how he knew. She followed him to the tree line, ready to find something, not being picky about what they would find.

| Thoughts |

[Colt]

Caesi mumbled to herself that there was a difference, at least to her, but it sounded like she was talking more to herself than to him––not that he had much experience with that sort of thing. Her opinions were her own, and that wasn’t much his business, so he left her to her own thoughts. If they were to be successful, they needed to focus forward.

She followed him towards the trees, asking how he knew what they were looking for.

“They’re trees,” he explained. “Trees drink more water than grass does. That’s why they grow in groups; if there are trees, there has to be something giving them water. A creek or pond, although those don’t look to thick. Probably a stream, nothing too big. But everything needs water; there will probably be tracks we can follow, or we could stay close and look for something small like a raccoon or waterbird. It doesn’t look large enough for anything like a goose, but we might be able to find a duck or two.”

The thin ribbon of trees wasn’t particularly impressive as far as forests went, but it was serviceable. The leaves were turning red and brown, but they were still giving enough shade that animals would be attracted; there were probably several birds that made nests here, and mice and voles that made burrows close to the water itself; the presence of those make it entirely likely that there were hawks or falcons in the area, too. If there were actually ducks taking advantage of the stream, they would be taking care to stay under the cover of the trees, where birds of prey had difficulty flying.

Out of instinct, Khasr’s stride shifted. His casual saunter changed into a forward-facing half-crouch; he bent his knees and began to pay closer attention to what was in front of him, taking care to step only on dead or rotting plant matter or else on open dirt, to minimize the noise he made. No longer were his steps heel-to-toe, like they usually were; now he placed the weight on the outside of his feet, rolling inward with every step instead. It made him more aware of what they were doing, and stirred up other hunter’s habits; he listened to the birds, on alert for alarm calls or rattling branches. It wasn’t an actual stalker’s stance, not yet, because they weren’t actually stalking anything; it simply limited his noise and increased his chances of finding something to stalk.

“There’s something or other around here,” he said confidently. “We just have to find it.”

[Caesi Starguide]

.




Caesi felt a little dumb after Khasr's explanation, as it made a lot of sense. Of course trees would grow near a water source, animals going there for a cool drink. She made a mental note of such, so next time she would not be as stupid when hunting. It was common sense, though it was something she never really thought about, as she was just beginning to get a grasp on Hunting herself. Water equals life. Caesi thought to herself, repeating it a few times, just to have something to do, as well as to have it ingrained.

She kept behind Khasr, being like a shadow to the larger and older Drykas. She peered up at the trees, the colors were beginning to burst into the beauty of fall. Reds and browns, with a few golds. Fall was a beautiful site if you were near trees, especially when the sunlight filtered through the tree tops, making the trees appearing to be on fire. She sighed softly to herself at the sight, then brought her attention back to the task at hand.

Khasr's body shifted, going from his normal walk to a crouch that wasn't that low to the ground. Caesi mimicked this, crouching down herself by bending her knees ever so slightly, following the man and his movements as they half-stalked towards the small body of water. She was making some noise, not paying attention to where she was stepping. She observed his footing, realizing he had shifted his feet as well. He was not walking heel-to-toe but instead he was rolling his feet inward. Caesi followed his example, limiting the noise of her walk now.

Khasr's voice cut through the silence, it was confident and low, telling her there was something ahead. Caesi nodded her head in acknowledgment, keeping silent for the hunt. She crouched down a little lower, scanning the area with her teal-green eyes, observing and inspecting her surroundings. Inching closer to Khasr so she could see better, she saw the small body of water, the ground around it appeared to be damp. Staying silent she continued to look around, the trees offering a nice shade, keeping the ground underneath them moist as well, little mushrooms sprouting near the base of the trunk. She shifted her gaze to the right, where the trees were even more sparse.

Out in the distance there was something small, it appeared to be furry though she was not sure as it was a little ways down from them. She patted Khasr's shoulder with her small first finger, ever so softly, gesturing towards the little animal ahead. She was following his lead, letting him make the calls. Though she was a little impatient and wanted to get the animal right then, she knew patience was needed in hunting, so she stayed still and silent, waiting for Khasr's next move.

| Thoughts |