The Fall Hunt: Honourable Pursuits [Quest]

by **Denen Sunsinger** on November 1st, 2010, 7:27 pm

Denen's entire world was spinning. He had never experienced anything like this before, had never been in such real danger. He was grateful for Reth, as old as the horse might have been, and he gripped his mount's sides with his knees for support. He had to pay close attention to everything going on around him, as he couldn't hear if anyone cried out. During his watching, he caught sight of Vanah's injury, and when he was motioned to come and help, he obeyed without question.

His heart pounded in his chest, and his cheeks flushed brilliantly in excitement. Blue eyes shone eagerly, as he scrambled off of Reth's back to stand beside Vanah. "I can do it," he answered quickly. He reached for his bag, trusting on Castin to keep a look out for him while he sought the right herbs and tools.

As he was searching for rags and herbs, he felt Eldon's arms wrap around him, and his blue eyes widened. It took him a moment to register, and his face went hot, a shy smile marking his lips. In reply, he gave a simple nod of his head, and returned his attention to the horse. "Y-Y-You're all r-ri-right, l-love," he whispered as deft fingers lifted a dry, clean bundle of cloth to hold against the wound. He needed to staunch the flow of blood first, before he could clean it out and bandage it properly. He was pleased to realize it wasn't deep enough to cause permanent, and he knelt alongside the horse. The entire time, he whispered soothingly to her, and his thin fingers moved so gently and quickly, that he scarcely seemed to be touching her.

When he had managed to slow the bleeding properly, he located a thick, bone needle, and leaned back to jerk a hair from Reth's tail. The horse snorted at him, but didn't seem truly bothered by it. Two other hairs were plucked, and he quickly braided a thick thread to stitch the wounds shut. It had to be thick and strong enough to maintain whatever Vanah might attempt. Instead, he watched with attentive patience.

He held the needle between his teeth, while he carefully washed out the scratches with water from his canteen and gently, and with the greatest of care, began to stitch them shut. His brows furrowed in concern, but his delicate hands were steady. When each gash had been attended to, he groped about for a tightly sealed jar, which he popped open, and brought out a glob of paste, largely containing aloe to numb the pain and keep infection at bay. He glanced up to Vanah's head, praying she wouldn't bite him. He slowly brushed it across the stitched wounds, and rose, dusting off his knees.

He turned, then, to see the others circling the alpha male, and his jaw dropped in awe. He was a part of this. He was doing his part, helping to tend to one who was hurt. His soft eyes welled up with proud tears, and he could not help but smile. He was Drykas.

by **Aiken** on November 2nd, 2010, 9:30 am

Aiken Lunged forward with his maw open, teeth baring down on the lion who struggled to cling to life. He fell onto her throat in a heated rage, tearing veins and arteries, pulling flesh away from bone. To Aiken's pleasure, she was dead within seconds.

He moved on then, searching wildly for more kills when he noticed the hand gesture. Aiken made a growling noise to indicate that he was ready to attack, while also hesitant to be the first. He was a resilient beast, not doubt, and definitely strong, besides well versed in combat. The younger male he had slain gave plenty of evidence for that. A certain caution would be required if the wolf wanted to come out alive.

by **Sama'el Sunsinger** on November 3rd, 2010, 12:36 am

Sam was so glad that Aiken was here for this hunt. The last group hunt had not felt so secure without the furry mass of teeth and claws, and he made a mental note to thank Denen again for healing the kelvic. If he had been less focused on the hunt, he might have wondered if Denen wanted a certain kind of thanks, but he would leave that to Aiken. Instead, when the wolf took out that lion, Sam rode up to Dymphna, leaned expertly in his saddle and kissed her on the cheek.

"You're all right," he told her, because he needed her to know that and to accept it, because he was afraid she would turn in on herself if things got too heated. Thankfully there were no Zith or glassbeaks as yet. But he had orders, and he gave a salute to the fleeing lioness and a silent prayer to Caiyha to speed her on her way.

Then he wheeled Dohaina and rode to his comrades to circle up around their proper play. Quick jerks of his eyes made sure that Denen and Eldon were safe, and then the others, casing the situation as quickly as he could. Once they formed the circle, he sighted the wounded bull with his short bow since it was already out. It was safer to fire a ranged weapon rather than go in with his scimitar flashing at this point; there was glory, but there was also survival.

The arrow sped toward the beast, fingers releasing the deathly shaft as he also loosed a sharp breath from his lungs.

by **Vanator** on November 7th, 2010, 3:12 pm

Vanator, near the front of the stampeding cows and calves, pulled around as the shaggy mothers suddenly shifted formation, surrounding their young in a rough circle, their horns a wall of thick spikes protecting the young. The rider could see the last of the lionesses being dispatched at the far end of the herd, the last one fleeing into the grass. He watched carefully as the great male olid dispatched his rival, but at a cost. At Zethar's signal, Van urged Backlash on with his knees, racing back as the hunters circled the wounded beast.

Watching as Sam'ael let his arrow fly, Vanator prodded his Strider into a lope, his battle ax lifted from its loop and into his hand with a tight grip. Vanator was on the opposite side of the wide circle from Sam, the animal facing away. The male was a beautiful, noble protector, and it garnered Vanator's respect. But they knew it would not survive, so Van took a little solace in knowing they were going to speed its journey to the spirit world. Having faith that the young Drykas' arrow would hit its mark, further wounding and distracting the olid, the older grasslander trotted up behind the prey on its weaker left side, hoping to surprise it. His battle ax raised in his hand, Vanator brought it down in a wide arc at the beast as Backlash slipped by it.

by **Dymphna** on November 12th, 2010, 7:22 pm

Her aim was even worse than she'd hoped it would be, and in a blind moment of terror Dymphna pulled Dara close to her and away just enough she hoped neither of them would get hurt. It hadn't been her riding skills that had saved them, though. It had been Sam.

She peered at him when he came up to her, nearly ready to cry. The sting of being an unskilled archer stung her pride, and she was chiding herself for coming at all. Though everyone had their place there, she had no doubt, in that exact moment she felt useless. Why had she come?

A tiny smile lit onto her lips though when Sam kissed her cheek. She bit her cheek and nodded at him. Yes, she was okay. Things were fine. He was moving away before she could think to do or say anything to him.

However, when it came time to help with the next kill, she found herself still too shook up to do much of anything save stand there until her eyes caught sight of Eldon. She rode over to him, leaning down to extend her hand out before saying, "Come on. Let's go help."

by **Kayiri** on November 14th, 2010, 7:43 am

Right on the mark! The arrow pierced the chest of the cat, causing it to sprawl out on the ground as blood poured from its open heart. A glorious hit, one worthy of song! The Drykas pounded his chest twice with his free right hand, grinning triumphantly. "Haaooh! Haaooh!" he screamed proudly. His celebration, however, was short lived. He still had to herd the herd around, so that they could pick off their prey! The Strider continued to gallop alongside the herd, only ceasing his pursuit when the order was given to surround the Olidosapux alpha male, whom had emerged victorious from his combat with the younger male.

Now *that* was gruesome. Kayiri watched with attentive eyes as the younger Olido was skewered through the flank, then violently shaken from the horn. Entrails and blood poured from the fatal wound, decorating the ground underfoot and the face and horn of the alpha male in almost equal amounts. Finally, his gaze fell upon the wounded alpha male, noting the injuries that he had already sustained in the fight for control with the younger male. Aye, it would go down eventually, all they were to do was end its suffering and save the meat and hide.

This was quite possibly the most dangerous point in their hunt. The male Olidosapux was high on adrenaline, having just emerged from a fight for its position, and by extension, its life. This would not be an easy kill, no, not in the slightest. This battle would require the full attention of the Drykas hunters. If anything less was offered, their survival was in grave peril. A hand passed down to his sword, but logic got the better of him once more. No, he would stay outside of the Olido's range, ready to gallop out of the way if its sight set on him. Another arrow was notched in his bow.

Vanator! What was he doing!? He was possessed by the bloodlust that Kayiri had just resisted! Damn him! There was no way he could close into melee range with the Olido and escape unharmed! Kayiri pulled back the string of his bow, firing the arrow at the Olido. Another arrow found its way onto the string of his bow, but it was not fired. The Drykas was ready to dash in and aid his friend in the escape, if he required it. If his Strider was struck from beneath him, he would need a friend to pull him from the stampede of the wounded Olido, or his fate would end poorly, that much, Kayiri could be certain of.

by **Sama'el Sunsinger** on December 12th, 2010, 11:31 pm

OOCSince it has been nearly a month since this thread has seen any activity, I vote we just call it and have it awarded. We're already into Winter now. If plot points need to be addressed, they can be done separately or in the XP award.

by **Sabazios** on December 13th, 2010, 12:30 am

I have been reading this over and I don't think I'm able to take on such a big project in the middle. However if you need anything addressed I will get onto those as quickly as possible.

I will be reading this in depth when I have time, and will give you the benefits of your labor.

-Vinnie

P.S - I'm terribly sorry for the way things turned out with this thread.

by **Sabazios** on January 14th, 2011, 5:09 am

Reap The Benefits Of Your Labor

Kayiri

Rewards :

Dymphna

Rewards :

Vanator

Rewards :

Sama'el

Rewards :

Aiken

Rewards :

Denen

Rewards :

Eldon

Rewards :

Ryjaoka

Rewards :