Be a Man (Darren)

[Growl]

"We could try, but it would take a very large fire to smoke a few wolves out of some of the larger caves," Azendil began. "And surely at least a few of them have more than one way of getting in and out. So who is to say that the animals would escape in the direction we want them to? Or that we smoke out a cave with a family of wolves inside? Or any other animal for that matter?" He asked, before pausing a moment, to allow everything to sink in. "We would have to explore first, to make sure we were using our time and energy on the proper cave." There was another slight pause, "but even if smoking the creatures out did work, we'd have to remember that they would be very angry, maybe dazed. That in itself could be dangerous, don't you think?" Azendil asked, as he pushed the bottom of his spear into the ground. "Perhaps it is best we simply scout out the caves first. We could use the torch as a light, and hope that nothing comes to attack us." Some animals have to be afraid of fire, after all. "Unless you don't think that is a good idea?" Azendil asked.

[Darren]

Darren shrugged as his suggestion was deflected, nah of course not. What fun would this be if everything went right Darren sarcastically thought at the pessimistic Vantha. "Right, right. Can't expect them to act like other normal animals can we?", Darren mused as he took a closer look at the caves. It doesn't mean we can't try it and press that advantage. But I suppose we should continue looking around to make sure he thought as he considered Azendil's other points. The first mention did make sense to a point, if they were at the right cave dwellings or not. If they were really unlucky they can stumble on a bear, a bear in spring. "Meh, even I know that's a bad idea" Darren muttered softly to himself. Even though Spring was almost done some of the bears might still be quite irritable coming out of hibernation, "leading to the death of two very unlucky Whitevines" Darren finished as he took a look cursory look behind them. Not seeing any movement he considered thinking over the finer points of what Azendil had to say. Animals for the most part dislike smoke as much as they dislike fire. The options given to them when smoking them out is stay and get sick from the smoke, leave somewhat disorientated, or leave the cave and tear up the ones causing the fire in a less then comfortable position. "I suppose even though dazed they would be dangerous to themselves?" He asked Azendil, giving him an indignant look before adding "For the most part? I don't mind if it there is a small chance that might work against us." Darren sighed as he came to the last points Azendil put up, taking another sweeping look around the area around them. "I suppose that would be the better idea huh? Checking out the caves foremost? If time is really that much of a factor that's the only way we can clear the area within the day. Just a quick sweep around the caves, though I doubt we need to get in too far..." Darren started as then turned the conversation into inquiring the man's tracking skills. "Hmm, ...hey how good are you in your tracking skills? If we come across a cave that carries wolves would you be able to identify from the bones lying around if there are wolves or not?" he wondered as he looked at Azendil in a thinking. Darren then shook his head as he stood upright, if time was a factor they had to manage to think and look at the same time. "In any case let's check out this first cave, I suppose I'll hold the torch since you got that spear there" he said as he pointed at the man's weapon. The last part of what Azendil said still bothered him, the uncertainty in the sentence itself was bad enough but there was something else. He was missing something through his collective musings and the brain block was tearing at him. "Take point will ya? Let's explore us some Frostfawn caves" he said, trying to rally them with a smile.

[Growl]

"They could harm each other because of the smoke," Azendil agreed, "or they could harm us if we get in their way." There was a short pause as Azendil continued listening to Darren. "What does tracking have to do with the identification of bones? And why would their be wolf bones in one of the caves?" Azendil asked. "They are not likely to start eating each other unless they got really desperate, and they don't really have any natural predators." There was another slight pause as Azendil began to walk towards the cave. "Come along Darren," he called over his shoulder, "you wouldn't want to get lost in one of these things."

[Darren]

"Hmm well... we just have to make sure that doesn't happen" Darren mused as the two made their way to the cave. As they went past the surrounding landscape, a flush of adrenaline entered his system as his body tensed for action. However the words from Azendil's mouth worked to just annoy him more then anything as he answered them quickly. It makes up a portion of the tracking portfolio. Not wolf bones, their prey. And ugh, duh... he thought as they finally reached the entrance of the cave. Another word of caution to Darren and then it was back to business for him. "Yea, yea. I'm right behind you. And don't worry about me too much. I'm pretty familiar with being lost all the time" he said with a grin as they entered the cave. Deeper inside the cavern, Darren looked down the frozen cavern to find a huge tunnel that extended farther then he could see. A slight incline down for a few steps then a semi-steep climb up as they moved farther in, Darren looked at the scene with a bit better then he expected. He was a bit discouraged that he couldn't see where the winding, inclining, path inside went. But at least now he knew he was able to do something a bit more exciting. His eyes surveying the rest of the enterance he moved his hands to his belt. Taking a small moment to equip his gauntlets and checking his knifes he grinned as the metal shone dully against the light. before giving a quick nod to Azendil. Discretion is the better part of valor he thought as he grinned at the other Whitevine. He then lighted the torch before looking back at Azendil "It's your show Mr. Hunterman"

[Growl]

"It's Azendil, Darren," Azendil whispered as the bottom of his spear hit another portion of the rock. His voice was a little colder than before, although it was still rather friendly. It was as though the man simply could not be mean. Azendil led the way, heading deeper and deeper into the cave, which was only lit here and there by the light of Darren's torch. It cast everything in an eerie orange glow. Azendil's eyes darted back and forth over the sides of the cave, the walls seemed to sparkle, perhaps there was mica inside them, and perhaps there was water dripping down from the ceiling at a deeper point within the cave as well. Azendil was certain he could hear a plopping sound off in the distance, over the clicking of his spear on rock. "We can keep looking for another few minutes," Azendil whispered, without bothering to look back at Darren. "And if we find nothing, we can try another cave," he said, just as his foot stepped onto something, and split it in two. Crunch. Startled, Azendil raised his foot off of whatever he had split, and glanced down, it looked like some sort of slender bone. A sickly white, like the flesh of the deceased. "Well it looks like something does live here after all," Azendil whispered, as he lowered his foot to the cave floor, and gingerly wiped the bone off. "We should go deeper, and find out what it is, don't you think?" Azendil inquired.

[Darren]

"Oh do ease up. No need to be so serious in such an informal setting" Darren replied as he followed Azendil into the cave. He followed Azendil's eyes as he took in the cave composition. "Odd looking place" Darren remarked as he craned his head out, listening, looking for the source of the foreign sound. "Should we even bother heading in deeper? I mean-" Darren took a step back as he heard the crunch sound produced from Azendil's foot. He gulped nervously as he kneeled down to take a closer look at the bone. If only I-we were decent hunters he mused as he couldn't figure out what the animal could have been. "Yep" were the only words he offered as Azendil cleaned his boots. "That's what your impulse is telling you. Give me a moment to think will ya?" he said softly as he huddled over the torch. Darren tried out covering the light from the torch, taking care not to move too fast to attract any possible arrention. "Right... looks like we'll need this" he commented as they stood in the dark for the better part of a chime. Darren's pupils dilated as he slowly got used to the dark cave then shifted back as the torch's blinding light illuminated the area.. The composition of the cave, the mica letting off small particles of light, did so much to show them the way. For that reason he didn't want to continue. He motioned Azendil closer as he told him his thoughts. "I really don't like the look of this. This place is long winding and the way is easily seen. But for some reason there is no end in sight. Whatever is here must be adapted to with little to no light. Good news is there is a chance there will be wolves in this cave. Or something entirely different I'm not sure" he said as he peeked deeper inside the cave. He sighed as he was met with more darkness "Think you can handle it there isn't much light showing our way? I don't like the idea of heading into a possibly hostile situation with such a big disadvantage. But... if you think we can manage, by your lead Azendil" he replied in a soft, almost singsong voice.

[Growl]

Azendil was silent for a moment as he considered Darren's words. He allowed the bottom of his spear to tap lightly onto the ground, before he adjusted his grip, forcing his hand a little lower. Now, when he lifted the spear off the ground, and then put it back down again, the bottom of the spear wouldn't be able to reach the surface of the cave; producing even more noise than they already were. "You must remember Darren, that your light is the only thing that allows us to see," Azendil finally replied. "If you put it out, even a little bit, as you seem to be suggesting now, then we are at a great loss. Yes, it may make it harder for whatever lurks in this cave to see us, but you must also remember what you have said yourself: whatever lurks here adapted to the lack of light within this cave." There was a slight pause before Azendil continued, "so even if you put it out, it is likely they will see us. Hear us, smell us. But it makes it highly unlikely that we should spot them." There was another slight pause, "you must also remember, that one may fight with fire; so choose wisely whether or not to smother the flame, even in the slightest." With that, Azendil began to descend farther and farther into the cave, ignoring the sound of his own breathing; of Darren's, of the sound of their feet on the bottom of the cave. Of what sounded like raindrops falling from the ceiling into tiny pools of water.

[Darren]

Darren watched as Azendil's frame went deeper and deeper into the cave, slowly disappearing from view. He paused for a bit as he felt a wave of fear wash over him. He didn't want to be alone, least of all in a dark cave like this. "Hey! Wait up!" he stammered, as he stumbled over to where the other Vantha was. He grumbled as he resigned to his fate. This is crazy I have no idea where I am, with little to no idea of what to do. It's hard to believe there are people crazy enough to go ahead not knowing what coming next! Darren paused as a chill went down his spine, looking back and forth before hurrying near Azendil. He didn't like feeling so weak and helpless, and that's how he felt in that situation. The uncertainty of the situation belittling him, making it as if this task was impossible to do in the first place. "Damn it all to Ivak" he muttered as they continued along their path. If there was anything in the cave he could bet that it or they would know where they are. The pounding of Darren's heart seemed so loud to him, it felt as if it would explode out of his chest at any moment. This idle wandering is necessary though, he reassured himself as he stopped to take another look at the cave. He stopped to inspect the nearby cave, all running his finger down the cold stone, trying to collect himself. Trying to find a reason to continue, if he could find one. What happened next nearly surprised him. He didn't find a reason to continue, rather, Darren just chuckled. A low tremor rose from within him as he started to almost loss himself in his ill found humor. The emotion seemed so out of place, so foreign and unwanted in this situation but to Darren it just felt so right. Just real and honest emotion, and it felt good to release all the tension that was building up in him, empowering. He looked back at the other Vantha with a sadistic smirk on his face as he resumed the trek through the caverns. So what if I'm here with no idea what's going to happen? This is just how my life is and I'm fine with that. How can I expect to do well outside of Avanthal when I'm afraid of a dark cave? Satisfied and rallied, Darren's breathing started to steady as he raised his torch to the darkness ahead.

[Growl]

Azendil waited a moment for Darren to catch up, before continuing deeper and deeper into the cave. "You should keep your voice down," Azendil whispered, "words echo, sometimes, in caves such as this." After the last of the words had left his lips, Azendil grew silent. He walked along the cave rather steadily, listening to small drops of rain as it plopped on rock, and into small puddles of water. He listened to his and Darren's footsteps on the cave floor, watched the orange light of their torch illuminating the cave walls; flickering. As they got deeper and deeper, it seemed to get colder and colder, and a chill shot up the man's spine. This place is too petching cold, he thought to himself as he came to an abrupt halt. Situated before Azendil and Darren was a split in the cave. Two narrow passageways, which led away into the dark. It was impossible to tell from where they stood where each tunnel led, or what it led to, for they each wound away from their field of vision. If they stood in silence, trying to listen for any noise that may be headed their way from either of the two directions, they would find nothing would reach their ears. Thus, it was their best guess as to how safe each of the trails was. "So what do you think we should do now Darren? Should we take the tunnel to the right, or the one to the left? Or should we go back in the way we have come?" Azendil asked.

[Darren]

Darren nodded sheepishly as Azendil chided him. "Of course..." he whispered back as the walked. He too noticed the slight drop in temperature the farther along they got, he looked at Azendil to see if he also noticed the not so subtle changes in temperature. His breathe becoming hoarse the deeper they roamed, reaching a peak as they reached the fork between them. He watched with a grave face as he tried to look for any indications of where to go. Much to his dismay he couldn't find a reason to favor one way or another. It's said people prefer to go left when given a fork... he thought softly, trying to make up his mind. But these aren't people, they were wolves. I really have no idea which way they would go. Perhaps something to do with the wind ...the air ...the cold. He paused as he listened to Azendil. "That last part seems about right to me" he smiled slightly disappointed in the given predicament. It was a tad ironic that he was all set to venture into the unknown a few minutes ago, but now logic seemed to be screaming at him to turn back and try somewhere else. He let out a small sigh as he came to his decision, looking away as before he gave him his answer. "...Yea. We should head back. I wouldn't imagine wolves ever letting their children be borne in such a dark and cold place." he replied as he took a step back. He tried one last look before he motioned Azendil to turn around. "Let's go. We haven't have much time to lose now" he replied icily.