Solo By the Sword

[Urkut]

20th of Summer, 516 AV

Urkut sighed heavily, earning her several irritated looks from her patrons.

She had been hired by a group of hunters on an expedition into the wilds with the promise of plenty predators and monsters to kill. So far, it seemed there would be no such thing. They had spent a few bells getting ready; they gathered their weapons and armor, filled their waterskins, and distributed orders. Then, of course, they had to sit and talk until Syna was plenty high in the sky.

By the time they were ready to leave, Urkut's hands and feet were itching with the desire to move. But if she had been expecting action after that, she was sorely mistaken.

They ventured into the woods for perhaps a chime before they stopped. "Myri, stay my hand!" she muttered in frustration. She marched over to where the leader had stopped, her face deeply written with anger. "Why we have stopped?"

The leader jumped, startled by her voice. "The traps" He spoke slowly, as though she were thick, and pointed to convey his meaning. "We have to collect the prey. You know what collect means?"

Urkut snarled, her temper boiling over. "I am knowing what collect is, Deyhan. You?"

The man bowed his head humbly, gathering her meaning quite clearly. "Yes, I understand."

"I thought we are hunting? Why you play with traps?" She demanded.

"We will hunt soon. Traps first. Now go guard the rear; we're paying you for a reason."

With a huff, Urkut obeyed, moving to the rear of the party where she threw herself on the ground childishly. "'Wait, child. Sit, child. Are you dumb?' I am no such thing. It is they who are speaking nonsense! Hunting and trapping are not the same thing!"

[Urkut]

After nearly 15 chimes of grumbling, Urkut was finally permitted to rise to her feet. The group slowly made their way deeper into the forest, following behind their less-than-competent leader.

All the men walked as though they had giant rocks for feet. They ran over every twig in the forest, and managed to crack each and every fallen nut. The way they whispered to each other- so loudly, so harshly- grated on Urkut's nerves as well. The hissing of their voices was the loudest thing in the forest, it seemed. Of course, she was not so skilled in sneaking in a forest environment, but it looked like her coworkers weren't even trying.

Eventually, they tramped deep enough into the forest for the leader. "We'll stop here!" He called to the group. Urkut scowled. Why didn't they use whistles, or howls to communicate? It was so much more natural, and so much less disruptive of the wildlife. Slowly, the group dispersed, falling into positions in the bushes or up in trees, holding on to their bows and daggers tightly as they moved. Urkut was left standing in the center of the road, lost.

"What is happen?" She asked, bewildered.

"Come here with me." The leader commanded. She complied silently.

They sat for what felt like bells, but logically could only have been one bell at the most. Syna didn't move, nor did the branches, or the grass on the ground. What are they doing? How will we track anything by sitting still? This is a waste of time! But, remembering her earlier scolding, she stayed quiet.

Eventually, after many long chimes, one man across the road raised his bow, ever so slightly, aiming it directly down the path. Urkut strained her neck to see the prey, but the leader pushed her back. "Wait." He whispered.

She did. But not for long.

She was quickly rewarded for her patience as a herd of deer came trotting out of the woods. There were two doe, a tall buck, and at least three fauns that she could see. Urkut almost gasped, though managed to contain herself. When she tracked the animals by herself, she only ever sought after one animal- usually a wounded one- and here they had attracted an entire herd of perfectly healthy deer!

The arrows were unleashed at an unseen command, and the deer fell one by one. Two of the three faun reared and dashed back into the woods, but they were allowed to go. They were nothing compared to the buck. The leader moved from his position triumphantly to slit the throat of the buck. Others moved from hidden locations to do the same with the other deer. Once all the prey had breathed their last breath, they took a moment to celebrate.

"14 points!" One man cheered. The group nearly exploded, pride wafting around them like a mist. Urkut tilted her head at the words. Points. Points are a score, for games. Was this a game to them? She tossed a confused look at the man, who laughed at her expression.

He poked a finger at the end of the deer's antlers. "Points, honey. One, two, three." He counted them deliberately, grinning the whole while. Urkut inwardly scowled again, but nodded politely. She was not angry at them this time, but rather, ashamed at her own stupidity.

Clearly seeing the look on her face, one man pushed her forward. "Grab a foot. We got a long ways home." He assured her with a heavy pat on the back.