[flashback]Just shut up and Hunt.(Erzotol)

by **Emizal Silverden** on April 9th, 2011, 11:27 pm

30th day of Fall 508 A.V.

Emizals bright blue eyes opened to the soft inner glow of her families pavilion. The light reminded her that soon the sun and she would have to with it. She yawned as her hand rubbed out the remaining sleep, Emizal rose to the day, she stretched and yawned some more. To day was her brothers and her turn to go out hunting. She was looking forward to this day but also had some resentment towards it. For you see her family has been questioning why she hasn't found one suitable man to be married with. And she knew that her brother was wondering the same thing. She was fearful that he was going to give her a lecture or at the least 20 questions. She sighed as she pushed these thoughts out of her mind. Emizal walked around the pavilion as softly as it was aloud, entering and leaving rooms that the family used, she picked up things they would need. Bringing them back to her room, laying them softly on the her bed mats. She looked at the items on her mat as she pulled together herself. "Knife, checked, Rope, checked, oils, checked, food, checked..." She went on like this as she pulled on her clothing for the day. Soon pulling her hair in a long single braid she remembered her pad. She turned out of the room running to the storage area grabbing the pad for Sevian. She turned back to her small bed chamber of the pavilion grabbing a bag, stuffing the items into in, she looked around once more and tried to think if she missed anything. She nodded to herself as she head out to the morning light.

She walked up the hill to where her Strider waited, "Good morning Sevian, how did you sleep?" she patted the two year olds hip as she gently ran his hand down his leg, lightly picking up his hoofs, "Been in the mud have we?" she laughed, kneeling down on one leg, resting the hoof on one knee. She gently picked out the mud that sat on the horses toes. She smiled as Sevian pulled his head down, and played with Emi's loosely braided hair. "Cut it out Sevian, what would you do if brother sees you, not only you get a talking to but me. Stop playing around." she moved her hand to push the horses head away. She dropped his hoof as she stood up. "Lets get you ready shall we?" She smiled as she bent down as she opened her bag. She pulled out a pad for Sevian, it was quilted and white in color. She personally asked for silver and blue added to the bottom quilt. She stood up and tilted her head, Sevian was still young so he still had a lot of spirit to him. She only started her training with him earleir this year, but already they grown close enough for her to be able to ride him with little mishaps. She stood on her tiptoes as she draped the pad over he large body. Taking a step back she smiled, all she needed now was her Yvas....She looked around only not seeing it anywhere...."Crap. Maybe I have time before brother comes to go and grab it..."

by **Erzotol Silverden** on April 10th, 2011, 2:39 am

Erzotol had risen early to greet the dawn that day, and used that time of peace to say his prayers to Zultrav. He was eager this day to hunt as he would get the chance to socialize with his sister, something to be prized, especially since his father was training him hard with sword, shield and bow every other day. The hunt would be a good break from the hard work that is easily found and just as quickly assigned. It even included a bonus for him to be able to discuss more important matters with his favored sister, and even though he seemed to be a little bit harder on her, he did it because he cared about her. Rising up from his early morning prayer, he brushed the dust of his pants, and then set about getting ready for today's hunt. He was sharpining his broad sword with a whetstone, when he heard his sister rise and similarly get ready for the day. With a wry smile, a bit contrary to his gruff nature, he rose and sheathed his blade quietly, and similarly strapped on the rest of his gear as quickly and silently as he possibly could. He did afterall need to look presentable when he suprised her after all. One couldn't reprimand someone when they themselves where not in order after all. As soon as he had finished getting ready, and making sure his beloved animals where well cared for, he snuck around the corner of the Pavillion and leaned against the tent's corner nonchalantly. He briefly wondered if he shouldn't get on to her for not being ready early enough. She was afterall awake at a reasonable time, and it would likely put a damper on there day out, and persuade her to not indulge into any causal conversation. However if he didn't, she might get slack in her duties, and maybe forget something key or important, she was just so young albeit not much younger than him, so he supposed he would let it slide today, as he stalked out from behind the tent and swung his bow off of his back and fitted a arrow. The bow made of bone creaked as he drew the animal hide string taut, and then a snap issued forth as it hurled the arrow long and far to thud halfway into the soft ground. Erzotol jogged to retrieve it and then after a brief cleaning, replaced it into its quiver. By that time Emizal had came out from the tent, and was in turn preparing her steed for the coming day.

He chuckled softly to himself as he watched her horse's playful antics, and remembered the times him and his Airaiet have had and the many more they would have in the future. The steeds where truley magnificant creatures and deserved the uptmost care. It had been a while since his horse had gotten to stretch its legs so he would treat it by taking it on the hunt today, along with Laeon, his invaluble hunting partner. His sister look well prepared today, and he suspected that he wouldn't have had anything to get on to her case about even if he had decided to go that course. He realized she had forgotten her Yvas around the same time she did, but of course he had no way of knowing that it had just dawned on her so he decided to tell her, and within a few strides was already behind her. Erzotol snorted distinctively to grab the girls attention. "Planning on riding bareback today are we?" he asked her walking measuredly to her side and observing her horse as if nothing was amiss.

by **Emizal Silverden** on April 10th, 2011, 3:20 am

Emizal turned on the balls of her feet from hearing her brothers voice, she quickly placed her hands behind her back and smiled. "Good morning brother," she watch him walk to her and look over her strider. He played as if noting was amise but she knew it was just him giving her a second chance. She too looked over her strider. "As for bareback, no I do not plan on riding in such fashion today. I was just on my way to grab my Yvas." She looked back at him and gave him a smirk. She walked over to Sevians head and gave him a kiss on the cheek as she turned to go grab the Yvas. "Ill be right back!" she yelled as she ran down the hill.

Emizal was embarrassed for her brother always seem to have everything he needed for any situation, and cursed herself for not being up earlier. She entered the Pavilion and headed straight to her room, grabbing the Yvas she had been using for Sevian. It was light and easy to carry, as she lifted it up and hauled it out to the hills of Endrkas. "You know for once Brother I want to be up earlier then you." she said as she came back with the Yvas in hand. "That way I can make sure I have everything, and not have to embarrass myself in such ways." She set the Yvas down and knelt down to undo its straps. "It always amazes me that you seem to have everything under control. I wonder how long it took you to learn that." She pulsed as she pulled the strap out of its buckles."Is dad that strict with you? Maybe its because I'm his little angel that he helps me so" She looked up at her brother wondering if he would get the jab. She rolled her eyes as she stood back up and draped the top of the Yvas over the shoulders of Sevian. Sevian didn't seem to enjoy the metal object being placed there for he picked up a hoof and slammed it to the ground. Emizal quickly calmed the Stallion by talking with him, rubbing his belly. "Calm now its ok."

She listened to the heart beat of the Strider calm it self before continuing with buckling it securely to him. "So brother please tell me you plan to ride today," she finally said after a long pulse between them, partly due to the fact she was busy having to prepare Sevian. "And that you are already. And that I didnt do this for nothing." She raised an eye brow, of course they shall ride, she shook her head, pushing him lightly on one shoulder with her hand. Then she smiled wildly and turned around, her hair whipping her hair around her head, and with in just as fluent movement she hoisted herself on Sevian with no help what so ever. Sevian felt the weight of her, and flicked his tail, bouncing his head in anticipation. She got settled and turned a slight shad of pink.. "Only thing is...." she looked at her bow arrows, and her bag on the ground..."Do you mind handing me that" she asked shyly as she pointed at her things still on the ground. Emizal started to think that she might just be forgetful.

by **Erzotol Silverden** on April 11th, 2011, 1:21 am

Seeing his sister caught off so made him smile ever so slightly, and put him in good spirits. It seemed today would be a fun one, or atleast a bit amusing. He only allowed his smile to fully come to his face however once she was far from sight, and then he allowed himself to smile widely after her. Turning towards her horse, Erzotol gently stroked its mane, and along is well muscled neck, whispering to it. "She is a forgettful one is she not? Im intrusting you to make sure she doesn't accidently loose her head out there" he said to the steed, chuckling at his own jest. He pet the fine equine a little bit longer before turning around to watch his sister's approach. Erzotol graciously gave her space to prepare her horse for travel.

"Ahhh... but my fair little sister, to accomplish such a feet you'd have to get up as soon as you went to bed" he said tossing her hair about, deliberatley making it look unkempt. "There, your look matches your ability to forget!"Erzotol jabbed good naturedly before stepping back again to watch her saddle the horse. He casually picked at the debris under his nails as she did her work and waited a bit before even acknowledging her prod at him. "You are still yet a tenderfoot me dear, young, sweet-innocent sister, and so Father cannot possibly think of you capable of adhering to such a strict schedule as the one that i follow" he said eyeing her, the 'compliments' in his statement, where stressed to express his sarcasm. He rather enjoyed his strict regimen, it made him feel powerful in its own little way, and that things where all in order and as they should be. The unforseen plus of course being the ability to lord it over his younger sister. It was something it had yet to grow tired of, and probably never would. As the horse started to show the effects of agitation, he moved fluidly towards the horse preparing to calm it by rubbing its head, but stopped himself mid-stride however when he saw that his sister had things well in hand. He couldn't stop a warm smile from coming to his face, and he silently applauded his sisters efforts with the horse, only a few years in and she was already great with the creature. It did him good to see such bonding going on, she was becoming quite the accomplished woman. When Emizal asked a question, he snapped himself out of his contemplations and focused on her. "I was thinking about heading a little ways north in a rather populace stretch of land, where i spotted a herd of fairly good sized deer. I figured our best chances would be to start there, and then follow whatever tracks that could be found in the even they have moved on." he said while watching his sister gracefully slide aboard the horse. He sighed in mock exasperation, and handed the pack, with the arrows to her, before jogging off to his own horse. "Make sure to tell your friend to not forget to screw on her head lest she lose it" he said to the horse as he departed, a wry smile creeping over his face. Whistling for Laeon to come and join him, he pulled himself onto his horse, and did a finally check to make sure the Yvas was secured before urging him to stride over to where his sister was. He looked around curious as to where his dear fox had gone off to, atlast finding it when it deigned to peek its head out from the flap of her backpack. Suppressing a laugh, he hid his smile away with a frown as he turned, and then spurred Airaiet onwards, assuming point during their hunting expedition. Erzotol thought it would be much funnier for his fox to suprise her, than it was for him persuade the his fox to ride with him.

by **Emizal Silverden** on April 18th, 2011, 1:24 pm

Emizal shook her head slightly as her brother teased her, so he was in a good mood today. Well that is fitting. She too check over her Yvas and made sure that everything was in its place. Her brother rode past taking lead. It was fitting for him to take lead. After all he was the wiser of the two of them, she smiled as she leaned down and whispered in Sevian’s ear, “Lets make our brother proud today.” Sevian playfully stomped his foot into the ground, kicking up some clumps of grass. Emizal leaned back upright and coxed her spirited strider onward. Sevian playfully trotted in a pin circle, before kicking up his feet and turning to a gallop behind her brothers horse. She watched as her brother skillfully rode his stallion, she wondered in aw if that is what she looked like when riding, only to shake the thought out of her head. Of course not, her brother spent years with his companion, she only had two, one of which was her just bonding with Sevian. She smiled to herself as her mind drift to its second nature, riding.

Her body was strong, as her Strider skillfully galloped beside her brother. She used her leg musels to push and balance herself on top of the Striders back. Her hair, flew wildly behind her, as so did Sevians mane. She leaned with the steed as he turned, pushed her self up when he did, even while in a straight line she moved. Sevians hoofs fell on the ground with thuds that reminded her of a heartbeat, she soon discovered that her own heart was in perfect harmony with the Striders strides. This made her smile, for she always heard of stories of Drykas and their striders, but never fully understood it till now. She wouldn’t have her companion anyother way, she thought, Sevian was young, spirited, and as wild as she was. A perfect fit.

As Emi turned her attention back to her brother she notice that he was now focused in on the hunt, and she knew that she too should also be. She looked at him and wondered how he ever came to be so calm, and collective. She couldn’t help but admire him. Out of all the siblings they had, he was the closest to her. Even more so then their own mother and father. He taught he many things in her life, and knew that he was bound to teach her even more. Starting today, she would pay attention to every detail he had to give, one day she would be as cool, calm, and collective as him. Emizal glanced down for the first time, she looked puzzled, she looked behind them, then to the front. Where was that fox of brothers? Wasn’t he always with him. She seemed not to remember him till this point, she looked back to her brother, letting go of her striders mane she leaned up, “Where is your fox brother?”. She decided to use Grassland sign for it would be hard to yell over the wind, and it would probably scare away their target for the day. .The fox slightly moved her her back pack, but she could not feel this, for the ride was actively bouncing the pack up and down on her back. Though it was getting rather warm on her back.

by **Erzotol Silverden** on April 18th, 2011, 8:30 pm

He smiled sheepishly when she signed him, and he shrugged his shoulders as if he didn't know, but before he could respond, his ever mischevious fox nipped playfully at her ear, and catching a mouthful of hair instead. Erzotol laughed out loud at this as Laeon struggled with her hair, trying to free strands of the long stuff out from between his teeth. Laeon struggled against the mass of hair, likely pulling on parts of it painfully, his face was a mixture of a frown and grin for a brief moment. He did not doubt that this was uncomfortable for the both of them, and even shocking to his sister but, he still retained his grin however, and did not move to aid her, instead content to just watch. Eventually the fox detached himself from Emizal's long hair, and then perched on her shoulder and licked her cheek, his way of apologizing for the trouble.

Noticing that either her or the fox managed to untangle themselves, a feat while riding at high speeds on a horse he smiled and did a slow turn that was easy on his horse, but didn't lose all of his speed that they had gathered, and rode once more in line with his sister, extending his arm for his fox to crawl across. Nimble footed as always, the fox lept up to Emizal's shoulders, and moved across his bouncing limb, and then jumping down in his lap, curring up on the front of the yvas. Erztol smiled warmly, and then pat his sister on the shoulder, and signed. Careful of stowaways my dear sister ending the sign with a small laugh, and then resuming his calm demeanor. They had a hunt to do this day, and it determined whether their family would eat well tonight or not. It was a pressure for sure, but not one that they where unaccustomed to feeling. Life was hard on the grasslands, but also very rewarding, that was for sure. Maybe they would get lucky today, and bring back two or three deer, they would sure get a welcome then, perhaps even a party for such a successful hunt. He shook those silly notions from his head, and sharpened his focus so he could make sure they would not miss the designated hunting ground.

After a hour or two of none to strenuous riding, they had finally came to the spot to where they would be hunting today, and he slowed down his horse Airaiet and slid off of him gracefully. His fox followed him in suit, he he immediatly set about checking his gear, making sure his arrows where all sharp as could be, and things like that. Replacing the missles in his quiver, he tugged on various parts of his leather armor, and then dampened his scent by rubbing dirt all over his body. As a final preperation, he strung his bow, pulling up the animal hide string with his straining fingers, and the looping it around and securing it on the other end of his short composite bow. Erzotol turned and looked to see how his sister faired.

by **Emizal Silverden** on April 18th, 2011, 9:06 pm

Emizal eyes narrowed as her brother seemed to be holding in a laugh, now what could be so funny tha..."OUCH!!" she grabbed her long braid for something just took hold of it. She was almost in a panic, what was pulling her long hair?! she twist her hand behind her back as she felt a fuzzy head. It seemed to have bad breath too. She glared at her brother, what a dirty trick to play on someone. She gripped with her thighs as she reach behind her to try and puck this dang Fox from her long now tangled hair. So much for it staying nice and neat today. Brothers! The fox shook his head, nipped her hand, and pulled some hair out of her head before she finally got it free. She placed the fox on her lap glaring ahead of them. Her brother rode up beside them as he coxed the fox back to him. She just glared at him, her hair flying messily in the wind behind her as she narrowed her eyes and turned face front and pulled Sevian away from her dear brother.

Sevian also seemed to be annoyed with the fact the stole a way hitch a ride with so little of asking. His hoofs pounded the ground harder, as he felt warmer to the touch. Emizal leaned forward and whispered to her companion, "Lets take this time to calm our self, there is no use of us holding grudges." They all rode in silence after that, Emizal not wanting to talk, Sevian not wanting to be beside the fox, and her brother, focused in on the hunt once again. He probably didn't notice that Emizal was cross with him.

As an hour past, they seemed to hit their mark, Emizal slowed Sevian down to a trot before making him walk around for a while. She didn't want him to over heat in anyway. Emizal took this time to look around, there was evidence of deer, also of bigger animals, ones that would surly kill her or her strider if given the chance. Soon Sevian was cooled down enough for her to demount, she slid off his back and patted his back quarter. "Good boy Sevian." she bent down and opened her pack, pulling out the string for her long bow. She smiled, as she pulled out the actual bow, stringing it up as she made sure the knots would hold. She didn't look her brothers way for she had other things on her mind. She pulled out her quiver, pulling out each arrow, checking to see if it was straight and it was sharpened. It all checked out so she then took the time to strap every thing together. She looked to her brother and raised an eyebrow, she Using grassland sign "You ready slow poke?"

by **Erzotol Silverden** on April 19th, 2011, 9:39 am

Dont forget to check your pack for foxes, I hear its been happening to people alot in these parts he chided through sign, before turning on his heel and jogging ahead. He trusted that the horses would stay, and would flee in the event of danger. They where truly smart and beautiful beasts, and likely warn them of an approaching danger long before it reached them. Erzotol also was sure that Emizal would follow him, despite the fact that she was no doubt angry with him. It wasn't his fault his fox thought it prudent to stowaway in her pack, and then grow bored at the time it did. Yes, it was most certainly not his fault, but it was very funny he thought, and had to use every bit of his willpower not to break out into raucous laughter right then and there. He kept up the jog for a long while before finally, Laeon whom had been easily keeping pace with him the whole time, signaled him that prey was near, his body language, and the odd muffled noises he started making revealing it as so.

Setting down into a crouch, he immediatly stalked slowly through the grass, motioning for his younger sister to circle around in the opposite direction farther out, since her bow had a bit more range than his. He would try and get in as close as possible without alerting whatever it was, then striking fast and hard with his short composite bow made of bone.

After what seemed like a eternity of crawling through the tall grass, and dirt, Laeon began tugging on the armor over his right arm, revealing the direction of his prey and as his little way of telling him that he was close enough. With a air of practiced calm, he slowly rose up from the tall grass, once more in a customary crouched position. He could see just over the his makeshift cover, but still that was enough for him to see the rather large deer still several yards away from him. It would make a very good prize for their hunt he knew, because along with already being bulky in preparation for the coming winter, it also supported a fine rack of antlers, a suitable trophy for fine hunters like themselves.

He ran his tounge over his lips, as he slowly pulled an arrow out of his quiver and notched it silently, drawing back the bow string with his two forefingers. Erzotol hoped that his sister was ready, as he steadied his breathing and drew a bead on the large animal, drawing the string taut with power. The air thrummed with the hiss of his string as he let go of the arrow, and watched it as it sped towards the deer.

The powerful shot cut through the air, and slammed into the deers flank, burying up to its fletchings into the tough animal hide. He had been aiming for the deer's vulnerable chest, but he was by now means a skilled marksman, and still had some work to do. Still even though it didn't hit a vital position, it momentarily stunned the large mammal, a moment he hoped his sister would take advantage of.

by **Emizal Silverden** on May 18th, 2011, 6:08 pm

Emizal ran behind her brother being careful not to leave a large sent train. She saw her brother stiffen as he took a different stance, he must of spotted their target ahead. Emizal flanked him, pulling off to the left side of him hidden in heaver foliage, she spotted the deer and licked her lips. She glance to the her brother as he aimed at the animal. She took this as a sign to move in closer, she too looked for a shot. she found a great vantage point, it was almost on the other side of the clearing, she had three kill shots that she could take. One was a neck shot, it would be difficult not to just hit the fatty part of the neck and hit the smaller target of the spine, a heart shot, which was the ideal target but yet also risky due to the fact the deer was moving his front sholder to block it, and one flank shot which would cut through the liver, that was the shot she new her brother would make first.

She smiled to herself as she thought of how her brother and her where the same yet so different. Her brother was always the one to take to newer aged weaponry, he enjoyed the cross bow, it was a stronger shot, aim was easier, and the range was impressive. But Emi always enjoyed the challenge that a Long bow possessed. It took longer to aim, to steady herself, and to make the distance she wanted, but the strength of the arrow made up for the difference of the two. Also she loved the feeling of being able to control something that was not easy to control.

Emizal peeked out from her hiding spot as her brother stood and took aim, she pulled the bow string with her left hand, flexing out her right hand as she pushed the bow away. The arrow made a slight zing sound as it ran across the wood of the bow, she took one breath in, steadied herself and prepared to take a shot right after her brother. Her brothers arrow took flight, it flew with power but seemed to damper after 30 yards, she saw it land behind the chest, in the deers meatier flank. She had to make a kill shot now, it was their only chance. She let half her breath out as she aimed for the heart of the buck, her heart pounded steady in her chest as he left fingers let go of the arrow. It was a long shot about 40-50 yards, she hoped that the arrow would have enough strength to make it there. She kept the bow steady as the arrow whooshed out into the air, it left a small tingling sensation in the bow, which transferred to her right hand. She didn't take her eyes off the targeted point on the deer. Emi let out the remaining breath she took and watched as the arrow flew strong and hit with in the area of her intentions. It wasn't perfect, just to the bottom, it would of nicked the heart, but not kill the animal instantly. It would bleed out before it died. The buck jumped just as the arrow entered his flesh, kicking his back legs out and then sprinted into a crazy run, straight into the forest. She heard sounds of crashing maybe 80 to 90 yards away, then sounds of thrashing. She smiled.

She waited there in her hiding spot for several more minutes till the thrashing stopped, then walked out to the clearing in search of her beloved brother.
"Well not the cleanest shot but I think it will do for now." she spoke out loud knowing he would hear her.

by **Erzotol Silverden** on May 19th, 2011, 4:23 pm

The string of his composite short bow was still vibrating when he saw his sisters shot hit the animal’s chest. Yes, It looked like they would be eating well tonight he thought with a smile, and stood up straight among the tall grass, looking towards where he saw the shot come from. It was most assuredly a kill shot and he felt no need to chase after the deer that wouldn't get too far. Stepping easily through the sea of grass towards a corpse of gnarled trees that where common to see scattered on the plains, he looked for his sister figuring this was where the arrow came from.

His eyes narrowed in on her position as she rose up from her hiding place, and he looked towards her with a smile. " Good shot, we shall eat well tonight it seems " he greeted her with a accompanying wave. With a short jog he was alongside her again, and they were soon trekking through the tangle of trees in search for the felled buck. They found the downed buck near cluster of trees, lying dead on a bush that it ran into with it breathed its last. He moved to the side of the buck, and with much tugging, its rough skin finally giving way. The arrow finally came out with a popping noise and he wiped off the head of the arrow on the grass, before stowing it away in his quiver.

With a smile he walked over to a tree that wasn't as knotted as the others, and he sat against it. " Since you got the kill shot dear sister, would you like to do the honors? " he asked wryly with a smile.