Hunting through the fields (Eyvimd please)

Isil Telperion · August 17, 2007, 04:02 PM

Start of Spring - Era XIV Post Fractum

My name is Isil Telperion. – I told the small bird – What is yours?
The small bird squeaked something like a distress call, and, although I couldn’t really understand it, I felt a shadow fall over me.
Immediately I raced back to the encampment, as if chased by wolfs, leaving my gear and the trail of the deer I was hunting.
As I arrived, I kneeled behind some bushes, next to a large tree, only to see my human adoptive parents being slain by some fifteen riders. Apparently, my father tried to defend himself, with his fighting stick, since one of the riders was senseless, down on the ground.
I reached for my bow but I’d left it behind next to my spear and backpack. Although, even if I had it, there would be nothing I could do, except get myself killed.
The hours seemed never ending as I waited for the raiders to end their looting and celebration. I watched as they dismembered my father’s body and raped my mother’s death corps. Finally they killed the cart’s cows and took whatever meat they could carry, before setting everything else on fire.
When they left I buried my family and wept. Then fear and pain turned into hatred, my tears a cry of anger, and I swore I would kill the very last of them.
There was little I could salvage from the cart, and nothing I could use in my vengeance. I raced back to fetch my things, and then began to fallow the riders trail, not really knowing what to do, but hoping they would stop to part the loot or attack some other traveler, so that I could strike them.
This was two nights ago and, since I had hardly anything to eat, I decided to hunt for a wild boar whose tracks fallow closely along the riders. In the mean time, after practicing with the bow and the spear, I’ll eat what I can hunt and collect, be it berries or mushrooms, or even small birds.
The day passes and I’m not closer to my primary target, but the boar e closer at hand. I decide that to be prepared to face my enemies I must rest and establish a strategy, so I lay on the ground to sleep on it.

Isil Telperion · August 18, 2007, 08:20 PM

I woke up to a cold morning breeze and a breakfast of fresh eggs and roots I found nearby. After long walking hours, hunger came and went, and all I though about was finding my adoptive parents’ murderers. I was shooting my bow as I went along, targeting specific areas of different trees, for the ability to shoot in movement and moving targets would be crucial the next time I met the riders. Since they were following the road it was easy to keep track of them, the same couldn’t be said of the wild boar. The tracks were prior to those of the riders and went a little further away from the road, but were also becoming fresher. So I kept following them, keeping an eye out for the road.
I kept going trough the nigh, eating whenever I found food trying not to divert from the tracks I was following. I practiced with the bow as I walked trough the nigh, and with the first light of dawn I made a small break to practice with the spear, and rest for a few instants. Then, thinking of my adoptive parents’ death, I moved out, keeping my focus on the tracks and my practice.
In the middle of the day I stumbled across the last riders’ abandoned camp site, the remains of firewood were still warm, probably from their breakfast. It was, then, obvious to me that they weren’t worried about being caught since they were riding slowly. Maybe they are close to their lair or just looking for another victim. It was late in the nigh when I decided I should go to sleep and refresh myself since the tracks were much fresher, and confrontation could happen at any instant.
I was finally gaining on them, and would probably have wild boar for lunch.

Isil Telperion · August 19, 2007, 01:15 PM

The next day, I fallowed the boar's tracks. The riders were close at hand and I wanted meat to regain my strength. The tracks went deeper into the forest but, still, I fallowed them for I knew where the road went.
After a wile I saw it. It was a male. Not huge, but with a respectable size. It would give me meat for a few days. I begged for it’s forgiveness, threw my hunting spear and pierced through it’s heart.

Isil Telperion · August 19, 2007, 01:30 PM

As I went to get my prey I saw a human warrior. It had a fierce but surprised look in his eyes. Immediately I raised my bow with an arrow targeting his left eye, for, although he dressed differently, I did not know if he was one of the riders hunting for food, nor did I know of his intentions.

Isil Telperion · August 19, 2007, 01:32 PM

I inquired then – Who are you? What are you doing here?

Eyvind Redbeard · August 19, 2007, 04:29 PM

Eyvind was hunting. This was the first time he had managed to leave the city and use some of his free time to do what he liked the most during his adolescence. Hunting. Eyvind still remembered the lessons he had been given on how to use the longbow, the same he was now carrying with him. The thrill of the hunt, the excitment during the wait and the adrenalin explosion after seeing the arrow thrusting the prey's hide. Eyvind remembered his greatest hunt, one he never planned. The greatest hunt of his life which had the purpose of saving his village. He still remembered the wolves, huge white beasts charging at him, luckily he didn't miss an arrow. His show of bravery was enough to save his village from savagery and a bloodbath. By slaying the pack the Great White Wolf had gathered to raid the village Eyvind had both won a nasty scar in his left should and started to have dreams of glory.

Today he was hunting a great animal as well. Not as mighty as the wolves of the ~far North where he came from but also a powerful beast. He had seen the wildboar from afar and had set an ambush to the animal. He was good in wielding the longbow but using it in the middle of a dense florest wasn't easy, even less if used while running after the animal. The spot was perfect, he could see a clearing in the woods, a place where the wildboar would probably stop to search for some roots to eat. The wind was against the red haired Vagaran and therefore the wildboar wouldn't sense his smell.

The wildboar appeared between two trees, it was still too far away for a clear shot, with some bushes in the arrow's trajectory. The animal wasn't that mighty, a normal male looking for food instead of a mighty wildboar like those of legends which used to kill entire hunting parties without getting tired. Still this was his prey and he wouldn't let it escape. Closer, it was almost at the perfect distance to shot! Then a vult came out from the trees wielding a spear and thrusted the animal's chest. With the bow's string still stretched Eyvind pointed to the newcomer as he noticed him and at an inhuman speed drew an arrow and a bow from Eyvind didn't know where and pointed at him.

Moments of tension, both pointing at each other, then the man spoke.

"I am a hunter who was waiting for his prey. Tell me your name elf and I will tell you mine. And place that bow down before I decide you aren't worthy of my time."

Eyvind was wearing his leather boots with a white shirt and brown pants. In his belt he had the scabbard of his standard issue Legionnaire Longsword which was laying on the floor. At his side on the floor was a backpack with his belongings.

Isil Telperion · August 19, 2007, 04:44 PM

My name is Isil Telperion, usually a merry and happy elf. And I've been fallowing this prey for days.
If you are indeed a legionnaire, as you seem to be, lay down you bow as I’ll now do, and we shall talk, for I have no quarrel with you.
But if you are one of the raiders which killed my family, my aim is true, my arrow fast, and I’ll kill you.
– Having said this I began putting the bow away, waiting for him to do the same, but ready to finish him if he wouldn’t.

Eyvind Redbeard · August 24, 2007, 07:48 AM

Grinning Eyvind glanced at his sword and then back to the elf. Slowly he started to let the string go to avoid the bow to be damaged. Grabbing the arrow the red haired Vagaran placed it back in his quiver.

"The name is Eyvind Redbeard and as you said a Legionnaire." he glanced to the sword "A good observant I'd say merry and happy elf."

For the first time since he had seen the elf Eyvind removed his eyes from his figure as he leaned to place the bow next to his backpack.

"Raiders you say...here in the Prime Province?" Eyvind turned to the elf again "It is not common...When and where was your family attacked? We must report this back to the authorities immediately."

Kneeling and picking his backpack up Eyvind started preparing himself for depart. His sword was returned to his belt, the bow and the quiver with the arrows was attached to the backpack with leather strings to prevent them to fall during the journey. Grabbing an apple he had previously got in the Barracks and throwing it to Isil, Eyvind stood up.

"You seem to be hunger, eat that and tell me what happened as we go. Leave the boar."

Isil Telperion · August 24, 2007, 11:55 AM

I wasn’t very happy to leave the boar I’d been stalking for the last days, but he seemed too heavy and slow to accompany me. So, if he was to, maybe, accompany me, and I could really use the help, we’d better start moving if we were to get the raiders.
I took the apple and thanked him, although I didn’t really need his provisions, but he might be insulted if I didn’t accept his offer and he seemed to be the wrong human to offend.
So, I retrieved my spear from the poor boar’s corps as I told him what had happened just five nights ago, and of my short journey through the fields. And before he took me to any authorities I asked him – If your family was murdered and all you had destroyed or taken, would you report the events to the authorities or would you stalk and kill every last one of the bastards whom did that to you?
I am bringing justice to those who hurt me beyond repair. You are welcome to join me in my quest or to leave me to my fate. But I will go nowhere but where those tracks on the road lead me.
I have more arrows than they have heads. I will hunt them down like I did this boar. They will not escape my revange.

Eyvind Redbeard · August 27, 2007, 07:45 AM

"If my family had been murdered I would indeed hunt the bastards down one by one but they are part of a large group from what I understood and attacking them alone will, besides useless, suicide. You want justice and I understand you. Now, don't get yourself killed to get that justice. Your family wouldn't want you to die in vain. Make a pause and think, you won't attack a large group completely alone. I am here and I will help you if needed but I won't die attacking an enemy that overwhelms me number and probably in combat capabilities. So we are going to call for some help, return, follow their tracks and hunt the bastards down like the dogs they are." Eyvind replied to the elf.

Turning in the direction of Aelyria Prime Eyvind started walking without waiting for the elf, he would report what he had discovered and then return with reinforcements to arrest the raiders.

Isil Telperion · August 27, 2007, 05:50 PM

The man was a trained soldier, so there was probably some truth in his words. Still, I was convinced that, if we were to attack during the night with our bows, we would be able to kill most of them before they even woke up. And the others we could kill before they got up. So, I fallowed the man and told him of my idea, after all there were only fifteen of them, and we cold kill some of them, the ones standing in guard, before we got to the others. I also told him I was worried about letting the raiders trail grow cold. After all, if it was unusual to see raiders on Primus Countryside, chances were they were either outsiders or a randomly formed group of looters that could suddenly disappear into the population.

Eyvind Redbeard · August 28, 2007, 07:29 AM

Eyvind walked as he listened to the elf. Isil was trying to convince him attacking a group of fifteen brigands all alone and besides that he was saying to attack them while they slept. Turning to the elf that was quite shorter than he was Eyvind grabbed him by his shoulders and looking down started explaining himself.

"We are not going to attack them alone because they are more than us and we won't attack them while they are sleeping because there is no honor in that. And do you want them to know they are dieing for what they have done or not?" Eyvind paused for a moment as he looked to the elf's eyes. He wouldn't give up easily and Eyvind didn't want to lose a day convincing him. "You want them dead right? And you don't want me to call for backups. Fine we will attack them. But we will attack them my way! With ambushes and the like. Are we clear? Now show me their tracks."

Isil Telperion · August 28, 2007, 11:05 AM

Immediately, I went back to the road, passing by the boar, remembering I was still hungry.
I showed Eyvind the tracks and we fallowed them, from out side the road, until they went into the forest across the dirt road. I stopped before I steeped into the road, listening and smelling the air, there was no one around. I examined the horse’s waste and the marks from their paw and determined they went slowly into the forest, not five hours ago, after having stopped for a wile, as if determining that their where on the right path. There were even some foot-prints of someone who had dismounted and wondered next to some bushes.
Only then did I speak – They went into the forest here. They seemed to be certifying themselves they were on the right path, so they are probably camped nearby. We should probably be very careful from now on for we are only, about, five hours behind them.

Eyvind Redbeard · August 28, 2007, 12:28 PM

Eyvind nodded and entered the woods following what seemed to be the track Isil had pointed. Indeed someone had been there with horses since Eyvind could see footprints on the mudd, he just didn't know how many they were. Isil had said fifteen. That wasn't a small number, at least to them. If Eyvind had his armor he would jump in their camp and force them into submission, unfortunately he had left it in the Military District when he left to hunt. As he walked Eyvind noticed the track they were following seemed to go around a hill with about 20 feet of height. As obvious no rider would let his horse get tired climbing such hill. Pointing to the hill's top Eyvind started walking up, when the gradient of the hill became too high Eyvind started using this tree and that to help him while climbing. About one third from the hill's top Eyvind paused and turned to Isil. He had a question to dire importance to make.

"How are they equipped? Do they carry armors?"

Isil Telperion · August 28, 2007, 12:50 PM

None what so ever. – I replied – The one that must have been the leader, wore some hard leader protections and there were a few others with such an outfit, one or tow of the others had what seemed to be a home made wooden shield. Some had sharpened sticks they used as spears, others, some farming gear and a few, some old swords. And I can remember at least two short hunting bows.
By the way, the leader was down on the ground, my adoptive father seemed to have dismounted him with his stick before they killed him. The others were victorious but nervous.