OPEN

[hornedomen]

Date & Time: All throughout January
Location: Outside places.
Characters: Ico and you!
Summary: Hunting and following hunters.
Warnings: Animals will die.

[a]

[The natural talents of a Sacrifice could only go so far. Though Ico picked up the bow and arrow with eerie efficiency, hunting was an entirely different matter. Not all his hunts were successful. It took time and failures for him to learn. Though at times he grew frustrated, he persevered.

Successful hunts ended in the death of a small animal such as birds. Ico did not enjoy it, but it was necessary. He prayed over the animal in a strange language. Because he had never hunted back in Toksa, he made up the prayers, and even the act itself. Once he finished, he hesitantly grabbed his knife.]

How am I supposed to do this?

[b]

[What better way to learn than by learning from a hunter? The hunters of Toksa village often hunted in groups, so he believed that by joining others, he would also better his chances of a successful hunt. Should Ico see another person hunting, he did not hesitate to follow. Snow crunched loudly under his feet as he quickly approached.]

Hey! [He waved to get their attention.] May I hunt with you? I'm still learning.

Comments

[B]

[wolfuncaged]

[Fenris had only hunted when he absolutely had to back home, when he couldn't find a market stall he could steal from. But things were dire, and he moves silently through the snow, sword at the ready, poised for any prey that happens to come his way.

And then Ico decided to be loud.]

That much is obvious. If you are unable to be silent, you will not hunt anything.

[At least that wasn't a no?]

[hornedomen]

[He hushed his voice.] Sorry.

[In the absence of a no, he followed Fenris. It sounded as good as an invitation. If Fenris did not want him around, he assumed Fenris would tell him. Ico held his bow in his hands.]

[Quietly:] What are you hunting?

[wolfuncaged]

[Fenris walks in silence for a moment, before exhaling]

Whatever I happen to find.

[hornedomen]

[Now he was beginning to see that he should just stay quiet. He nodded and he did not say another word. While he looked around, he noticed something. He reached out to tap Fenris' arm and he pointed to where he saw movement in the distance.]

[wolfuncaged]

[Fenris turned with a scowl, ready to berate the youngster again, but...oh, there was indeed something. He gives the smallest of nods, to acknowledge Ico did well, before starting to stalk quietly after the prey]

[hornedomen]

[He observed the way Fenris moved and followed him closely. The animal they followed was unlike any that Ico had seen before. If Ico were to try to describe the arctic fox, it looked closest to a dog to him.

He raised his bow and he looked at Fenris for guidance.]

[wolfuncaged]

[Fenris turned to watch him, before sinking down closer to the snow. Pointing to Ico, then to the fox, lowering his hand too. Sneak up, quietly, and shoot the thing down]

[hornedomen]

[It did not take long for Ico to understand. He copied the way Fenris had been sneaking before to get closer. This was much easier, he found, to get a good shot of the animal when it did not move around so much. The arrow hit the fox near the leg. It fled at a wobbly pace, leaving behind a trail of blood.]

[wolfuncaged]

...I suppose it is better than missing it.

[High praise from Fenris, really. He gets up and starts to trudge after the wounded animal.]

Be on your guard, the blood may attract larger predators.

[hornedomen]

I'll do better next time.

[He did not know it was praise. However, Fenris was his elder so he accepted his comment. While he followed Fenris, he occasionally looked around. There was snow as far as he could see and it did not help. Although there were no trees nearby, many of the animals here easily blended in with the snow.]

[wolfuncaged]

I am sure you will get better with practise.

[Was that nice sounding? He was going for nice. Eventually, they make it to where the fox lies still.]

We'd best move fast. There are mountain beasts here.

[hornedomen]

[It did sound nice. He smiled briefly before looking at the fox.]

Is it dead?

[He moved forward to check.]

[wolfuncaged]

I believe so. [He pauses at the sound of branches snapping a few feet away. Carefully, he picks up their prize, hanging it over to Ico.]

We should run. [He's drawing is sword regardless, eyeing the moving treeline. A yeti, perhaps?]

[hornedomen]

[As he stepped back, he muttered a quick prayer for the fox. He held it in one arm and he put his bow away so he could draw out his sword.

Admittedly, a dead animal and a small child looked like easy prey. The beast rushed out, its stealth sacrificed for a vicious attack. To Ico, it looked like the snowy hills had gained life and claws. The polar bear struck at them with its massive paws.]

[wolfuncaged]

[Fenris swore in Tevinter, racing after the beast, swinging his sword in a strike he hope would at least give Ico a chance to scramble away]

GET UP.

[hornedomen]

[Ico was not helpless himself. Both their swords sunk into the bear's paw. The bear was powerful, and Ico's heels dug into the snow. Undeterred, the bear renewed its attack, slashing with its claws and snapping at them with its teeth.

He shouted desperately:] Should we run?!

[wolfuncaged]

[Fenris, uncaring of any locals who might be nearby, suddenly started to glow]

You run if you wish. I will take down this beast, it will feed my group for weeks.

[He'll just be...clambering up on that bear now don't mind him]

[hornedomen]

[Luckily, there were no locals around. They probably knew of the dangerous creatures in the area.

Fenris stayed so Ico stayed as well. He used his sword to keep the bear from getting too close. The bear thrashed about, trying to throw Fenris off its back. Its roar filled the air, causing nearby animals to flee. When it stood on its hind legs, Ico rushed in to stab the soft belly. The beast struck Ico, knocking him away.]

[wolfuncaged]

[And it's for reasons like this Fenris works along. He scowls as Ico gets knocked away]

If you cannot stay on your feet, I suggest you run.

[Already his hands are slipping THROUGH the animal, grabbing muscle and sinew and PULLING]

[hornedomen]

[The beast cried, its claws weakly running through the air. It started to fall. Ico ran, but he ran to it; he grabbed its paw and he pulled so it would not fall on Fenris. Even though he watched the bear move, he could not believe he had the strength to pull the bear far enough that it fell on its stomach.]

I think you killed it.

[wolfuncaged]

[Fenris doesn't respond right away, still focused is he on destroying this enemy. Eventually, though, he removes his hands, and the glow ceases. He lets out a huff of breath, and jumps down to the ground.]

That could have been unfortunate.

[hornedomen]

Thank you, Fenris. I've never seen anyone fight like you.

[He did not want to say that it frightened him. Ico moved to see if any part of his body hurt. A sharp pain hit him when he twisted around. He winced, but did not make a sound. Now that it was over, he felt weak. He sat before the bear and he put his hand over its nose. Quietly, he said another prayer.]

[wolfuncaged]

I doubt you ever will again. It became my purpose.

[Literally. He watches Ico with his silent prayer, reminded of the Dalish and their ways.]

If we could take the beat back, our community would be well fed for a while.

[hornedomen]

[He finished praying first before he spoke to Fenris.]

It's very heavy. How are we going to bring it all the way back?

[Ico already had a few ideas in his head, but Fenris was the elder and more experienced here. He relied on him for an answer.]

[wolfuncaged]

[Oh if only Fenris had a clue.]

I don't suppose you have some rope?