Closed [Hunt] Finding Purpose (Arundel)

[Nathaniel Deveraux]

Day 45, Season Fall, 513 AV

Something big was going on in Endrykas. That much Nate knew for certain, as people hurried across the city carrying materials and goods and pelts and various hunting gear of every shape, color, and description. Not that this didn't happen normally, or at least that was what Nate assumed since he'd seen such activity since he'd arrived here, but it seemed to be more frantic than usual.

He'd noticed it begin at least a few days ago, but he hadn't really paid much attention to it then. And of course a few days later he had his little misadventure out in the Sea. He still didn't think that was his fault; he was a hunter for petch's sake, what did they want him to do? Still, it taught him a valuable lesson; any skill he might've picked up regarding navigation, what little existed, would be absolutely worthless here. He could not hunt, not without someone who could guide him. And he wasn't sure he trusted anyone in Endrykas to do that, besides Lea and Kat who didn't know the place any better than he did.

And Arundel was nowhere to be found. Nate wasn't sure if that was because she was busy or if he was just being an awful navigator again. Probably both. In any case it didn't really matter, he supposed he could simply wait at home until she returned. But he really did want to understand what was happening here and he found himself gravitating toward the Emerald clan tents where the majority of the activity seemed to be taking place. Pelts and such were everywhere and the hunters and their helpers were dashing about, trying to set the stage for what was clearly a very important event.

Turning from the hubbub, Nate tried again to see if he could locate Arundel. He needed to know what was happening and she seemed the only person who'd be likely to tell him. He wasn't sure he trusted any of the Drykas, and while he didn't necessarily trust her either he figured that as her purchase she might at least tell him something.

Figuring that perhaps she might've returned to their tents, he headed back home, head still filled with questions. She wasn't there, so he started a fire and decided to boil some water, checking the thyme leaves he'd gathered the day before. They seemed mostly dry now, so he plucked a few and dropped them into the water to steep. While the petals were more aromatic, technically the leaves made stronger and better tea.

As Nate waited for Arundel to return, he stared blankly into the fire and considered his position in the city. He was a hunter, whose first attempt at hunting was clearly a resounding success. If one counted success with the number of pelts one didn't acquire and the number of shots that hadn't done a petching thing.

He sighed as the water seemed to boil. He'd leave the water to boil for at least a few chimes before removing it, force of habit from his days trying to survive the Syliran forests. As he poured the tea into a nearby cup he looked at the tent flap and wondered when Arundel would arrive. Hopefully she wasn't too busy today.

[Arundel]

Endrykas was bustling with activity. The fall hunt was officially underway, and it breathed a renewed energy into the soul of the city. As Arundel mounted Domero, she looked around at the bustling bodies. Everything seemed more alive than it had been for a while. The smells and sounds were richer. Speaking of smells. Arundel inhaled deeply as she coaxed her Strider past an open pavilion. Its walls were rolled up high and tied with strong chord to keep them from falling. Inside were all kinds of hanging meats. Various sizes of game and cuts in different stages of curing and cleaning hung from racks and poles lashes together in long rows. This was a common sight during the hunt. Butchers set up shop on a large scale, with so much food coming in.

A woman jogged by carrying a basket on her back filled with edible plants; berries, roots, and tubers of all sorts. Quite the haul. Her family was out and about today, and some of her brothers were hunting with friends from the Emerald Clan. Likely they would bring in a nice catch, with all of them working together. She just hoped they didn't do anything stupid, but that was wishful thinking and the likelihood of the twins not doing something silly was very low. Thank the Gods their eldest brother had a good head on his shoulders. If one of the twins would become Ankal they all might as well set fire to the pavilion. The mock severity of these thoughts made her laugh, and she leaned forward to lay across Domero's muscular neck as he plodded through the thinning crowd.

A large majority of the activity was happening in the Emerald Clan's area of Endrykas. Her own clan - Amethyst - would be helping or going about their own business. Even though the Hunt was a vital time of year and many people pitched in, that didn't mean that all other facets of business stopped. She herself was not much of a hunter. There hadn't been many occasions where she'd gone out and tried, though the idea was very appealing, especially right now. She would be busy enough couriering goods back and forth between pavilions. Not everyone would have the time to transport the foods collected in the Sea before running out into the grassland for more. It would keep her busy and she could make some money on the side - maybe even share in some of the spoils.

Thinking of food reminded Arundel that she hadn't had all that much to eat today. She pushed herself back into a proper sit atop her stallion's back and urged him into a steady lope. He tossed his head and complied happily, loving the increase in speed. Arundel grabbed hold of his mane and loosened her hips, letting them move with the steady back and forth rocking motion of his gait. They were riding sans yvas today - just a pleasant bareback outing. It was pointless to tack up when she didn't need to carry anything. They'd only gone out to watch the crowds. She hugged his sides with her knees and squeezed with her right. He pivoted at the command and turned to the left down a lane between pavilions, and they continued on their way home.

Once they arrived, a sudden inspiration came to her and she dropped once more to his back, flattening against his neck and withers and grasping him tightly. Without checking his lope, she guided him toward the entrance of their pavilion and right through. He tucked his head and rammed against the hanging tent flaps, parting them and squeezing inside the large home. As the fabric fell back down around his flanks, he tossed his hind end up and kicked out in an excited buck. Arundel squealed with delight and hid her face on his mane, but then he suddenly dug his front hooves in and stopped. The momentum made her pop out of place and roll forward over his head, where she fell flat on her back on the floor of the pavilion.

It knocked the air out of her lungs and she rolled onto her side, coughing and laughing all at once. Domero had stopped so he didn't trample of Nathan, and the Strider stood calmly now examining his unseated rider. His head dipped down to her face and he breathed against her cheek and hair curiously. When Arundel managed to catch her breath, she sat up and gently moved his head out of the way, but gave the side of his muzzle an affectionate caress. Then her eyes fell on Nate. There was surprise there in her expression, and she blushed at the realization that she hadn't known he was here. She'd assumed that the man would be off visiting his sister Kat, whom he had just been reunited with earlier that morning.

She scrambled quickly to her feet and ran her fingers through her hair, trying to get the wavy mess back in place, as well as straightening her crooked shirt. "Umm...," she began awkwardly. Smooth. The red on her cheeks spread down her neck like wildfire. "Why alone? Not out? No visit Kat?"