[Flashback]Veterans and Hunters

[Jaeden Kincade]

“Thyme. It’s generally better and has more kick in it’s raw state, but it only keeps for a week that way.” Jaeden answered as he began to cut into his own meat, slipping a sliver of it into his mouth as he chewed at it slowly, his mind contemplating for a moment. “So, three to five men, so lets assume at least eight back to wherever they’re squatting, for others not going out on these raids of course.” “If they had decent knowledge in weapons, that sort of sets them apart from slavers and regular bandits who use weapons more for intimidation to get what they want. Likely mercenaries of some sort.” Jaeden further considered as things began running further through his head. “Two things: Are we able to meet up with your brother at some point where he might aid us if a confrontation arises? And do you or him have a bow that I could possibly use? I’ve neglected to get one thus far.” Jaeden then looked at Vargas as he saw him looking at him in silence for a moment. “What? Normally I run into confrontations out of the blue. It’s rare that I get a chance to actually take in facts and plan something out like I would with hunting.” Jaeden then said.

[Harlequill]

Vargas did look at Jaeden for some time before he responded. A small smile curled the corner of his beard. "You know, boy, you'd make a damn fine knight if you ever put your mind to it." Taking a few more moments of silence to mull things over in his mind he chewed on the meat and sipped from his water skin. "Of course you're right. There could be more. Your assessment of their training is also spot on. Unfortunately we cannot count on my brother for this one. He is attending some matters in Syliras. As far as ranged weapons go we are lacking. I've a few spare daggers, but they are not well balanced for throwing. How good are you at walking through this terrain without being seen? Having finished his meat he set the plate and utensils aside. Though he would need his strength, his appetite just wasn't equal to that of the younger man. Lifting his hand to his mouth he licked a bit of juice which had dripped onto his wrist. Courtly manners weren't nearly as important when you were out in the sticks. Besides, if you couldn't relax before a fight when could you relax?

[Jaeden Kincade]

Jaeden smiled slightly as he slipped another slice of meat into his mouth, chewing it slowly as he shook his head. “Me a Knight? No.” Jaeden said as he looked to the woodlands around him. “Not sure I could really be away from the wilds for to long. It’s where I was raised, and it’s likely where I’ll die. Life in the city has it’s appeals, but overall, it’s not for me.” Jaeden then took stock of what they had and didn’t, tapping his lips slightly with the flat of his fork as he contemplated slightly, before finishing off the rest of what was left on his plate. His gaze then moved back to Vargas for a moment before giving a shrug. “Depends how vigilant they’ll be really.” Jaeden replied as he set his place aside, not moving the rest of the meat back over the fire as he began preparing it to smoke the rest of the meat and dry it out into a jerked version for rations. “I’m a hunter mainly by trade, so moving around without being seen by my prey is generally a second nature practice.” Jaeden the moved around, cleaning up the random objects left outside his pack. “Human is a different animal all together though. While they won’t have the senses that animals do, anyone cautious enough will be always on the lookout for danger, especially here.” Jaeden explained as he slipped his box of spices back into his pack. “Unless these foes are morons, expecting that no one will find where they return to, it’s likely they’ll have more than one person standing watch, especially with what they’ve done.” Jaeden then slowly looked around the forest, smirking slightly at the thick foliage that was growing around them. “Fortunately, it’s summer, and the green is thick. Plenty of things to blend in with, especially if it’s night time.” Jaeden finally said.

[Harlequill]

Vargas nodded in agreement throughout the conversation, and when Jaeden began to gather his things, so did the Knight. Grasping his gauntlets he slipped them on and buckled them back into place. He stood with a quiet groan and lifted his sword from the log so that he may belt it back into place. Once he was done he gripped his shield and carried it over to hang it on his saddle. "I find it likely they will be alert. As you said, though, night is the best time. I will also be serving as a distraction for you. It isn't as though someone armed like myself can heavily conceal their approach." He chuckled, leading his horse over toward the log on which he had been sitting. The knight did not yet make any move to mount. "First we will have to find their trail. It will perhaps be the easiest task we have ahead of us today. Once I set you on the path though it will be your duty to follow them back to their hiding place." Even after the meal there was still some meat remaining. Looking at it, he gauged whether or not he wished to pack it away in his belongings. "You may keep the meat, if you like. I'm sure that your appetite could finish it off by tomorrow." His chuckle was as dusty as his voice. With a heavy boot he swept dirt into the fire pit he had dug, smothering it was as little smoke generated as possible. Once the flames had died he stepped up on the log, and then into the saddle.

[Jaeden Kincade]

“Yeah, most likely, if they are mercenaries.” Jaeden replied as he grabbed his utensils and plates, slipping them into his pack. He then slung his pack, rolling his shoulders a couple of times as he let the straps come to a comfortable rest. “When we do find the place, let me scout around for a bit before you make yourself become some sort of distraction. There could always be another way that involves less risk after all.” Jaeden then nodded as he grabbed his own long sword, strapping it to his belt as he looked up to the sky. “Well, it hasn’t rained in the past few days, and doesn’t look like it will rain tonight.” Jaeden commented as he looked to the ground for a moment. “Even most mercs don’t know how to cover their own tracks though, so it should be simple enough to follow hopefully.” “Oooh, sweet.” Jaeden said as he grabbed the rest of the meat while it still hung along the stick, taking another solid bite before looking to Vargas. “Ready when you are then.”

[Harlequill]

Squeezing his horse with his knees he set the beast moving forward. It clanked and clattered like a war machine with each step, the heavy barding that it wore glittering in the light. Vargas looked more impressive mounted on his steed. A fully armed and armored Syliran knight on his mount was a significant military force. Leading the way through the brush, he remained silent for some time. It did not take them long to find the site of the ambush. Very little evidence remained by this time. There were no shattered wagons or bodies strewn about. Of course the attackers had been uninterested in the wagons and had stolen any bodies they could lay their hands on. The tracks he could find implied that the Knight had been here already and had followed beside the tracks of four men heading back into the woods from the road. In spite of the time which had passed, the beginning of this journey still seemed simple enough. Now that they were getting down to business the knight seldom spoke, unless spoken to first of course.

[Jaeden Kincade]

Jaeden slowly looked over the trampled ground of the ambush, examining all of the tracks there that told the story of the battle. He couldn’t quite make out what kind of battle formations these foes used as yet, but rather saw them all overlapping each other. “No drag marks with the tracks leading away, and no sign of a cart trail, other than the wagon attacked.” Jaeden remarked rubbing his chin as he slid his fingers into the track of one of them after examining the other. “As well, the tracks leading away after the attack are slightly deeper, meaning they carried the bodies rather than dragged them. The people who did this are physically strong, like you or I. Takes a lot more strength than most realize to carry a limp body around.” Jaeden then began moving back into the forest, following the tracks they led there. “So were three bodies taken, our four?” Jaeden asked idly as he followed the tracks. “There are four men leading away from the attack, plus your own when you initially followed them. If they took three, then they’re smart. Four, then they’re overconfident, as one couldn’t properly defend themselves while carrying a body.” Jaeden eventually paused, finding the tracks splitting for a moment as he looked in both directions, rubbing his chin slightly. “Hrmm, the trail splits. They’re trying to throw others off their track, have them waste time or split up any groups following.” Jaeden commented as he crouched down, brushing away some fallen foliage to reveal one of the tracks in it’s entirety. “They go in two different directions, two men each, but they both are curving slightly towards one direction.” Jaeden continued to move forward, and after about mile of tracking, he would pause every now and then, climbing a tree nearby the area as he spied ahead as far as the forest would allow him to. He searched for any hidden camps, caves or small structures the group may have been returned to.

[Harlequill]

Once he had followed the tracks for that distance he would locate several small 'camps'. While not real camps, it appears that the group stopped for a short while and placed three bodies on the ground. One person knelt next to each body, from the boot tracks it appeared to be the same person each time, and removed vital organs from the corpse. Traces of a briny smelling liquid were left upon the dirty and leaves nearby. Scraps of bandages and wrappings were also visible along the trail leading away from the camp. Most of the organs had been dragged off by scavengers, but there was still evidence that they had been stacked in a single pile and abandoned. Vargas followed closely, but left several feet between himself and the tracker at all times. When they entered the camp he admitted that he had not located it on his first attempt. His tracks were seen clearly bypassing the camp, which had been hidden from plain view with several inexpert precautions. "We are not far from where I lost the trail."

[Jaeden Kincade]

Jaeden slowly took a look around the camp for a moment, not only at tracks but at any other possible signs of that would give them a clue to who they were dealing with. He gave a slow nod to Vargas as he explained that they were close to where the trail had gone cold for him. “They’re not total fools when it comes to the forest, unless the organs they piled and left behind were some sort of prayer offering.” Jaeden said he rubbed his chin, hovering his hand over the remains of their campfire, checking for any traces of heat. He would rummage through the ash if there was none, checking for anything burned aside from wood. “Either way, when they cut out the organs and left them behind, they not only lightened the weight of the bodies they carried, but gave a more inviting prospect for scavengers and predatory animals. Keeping them off their trail.” Jaeden took one final look around. “Looks like they only took three. One harvested the organs while the other three, most likely the ones carrying the bodies, rested.” Jaeden continued to explain as he began dusting his hands off against his pants. “Not a huge mess by the looks of it either. They didn't just chop and mangle the body into bits. Looks more like a field cleaning of a hunted animal, sort of. Chances are the one responsible knows the anatomy of the human body.” Jaeden then moved to the edge of the camp sight away from where the bodies were worked on, pulling a woodman’s axe from his pack as he did so. He slowly began cutting away branches and leaves from common foliage, collecting them in his hand. “If we’re close to where you lost the trail, most likely means they were being more cautious.” Jaeden then commented, now slipping the axe under his belt behind him. “Means that wherever their final destination is, likely won't be terribly far off.” Jaeden the dropped his pack to the ground, pulling long length of rope from it first before concealing it with some of the foliage he had gathered, leaving any excess and unnecessary burden on him behind. A good sized handful of the foliage still remained in his hand as he slung the length of rope over his shoulder. “Alright then, let’s see if I have any better luck.” Jaeden said as he began to follow the trail once again, moving a bit slower so he wouldn’t miss any possible finer details moving at his normal pace. His habit of climbing a tree to check ahead became more frequent now, however he climbed the trees more slowly, and only thicker ones this time, keeping his body concealed behind the three itself in comparison to where the tracks led.

[Harlequill]

The knight seemed impressed with Jaeden's skills at tracking. The woodsman could see the older man's eyes following his every move, as if trying to pick up on some of his skill. "These men are starting to sound well organized. That doesn't comfort me, how about you?" A quick grin, and then silence so that Jaeden could continue his work. The next half mile would be much more difficult for him to follow. All three of the bodies were now much lighter, leaving less of an impression on the tracks of the brigands. Jaeden had also been correct in his assumption that they would be taking greater care from that point on. Several times he found that they had doubled back over their tracks in an attempt to confuse them. Most of his trips up into the trees proved fruitless. His added caution helped to ensure that he did not give himself away to anyone who might be in the area, but until they had traveled for quite a ways he did not receive any benefit from climbing. Once they had covered that one half mile of forest, on one of his forays into the treetops, he was able to locate a thin stream of smoke in the distance. If it was the camp of the enemy then they would not be able to travel much closer without being heard, due to the loud jingle-jangling of Vargas and his mount. The knight waited patiently at the foot of the tree for Jaeden to return to him. OOCIf you could elaborate in your post on how Jaeden tracks the faint trail and overcomes their attempts to double back over their tracks it would be appreciated.