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

[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?

[hornedomen]

[Not knowing that, Ico readily took some rope out of his backpack.]

Here. What will you do with it?

[He watched Fenris, ready to observe and absorb everything he could teach him.]

[wolfuncaged]

[Well, at least the kid is prepared. If Boy Scouts existed in Thedas, Fenris would have compared Ico to one.]

That will do well. Perhaps with some logs we could tie the animal down and drag it back.

[hornedomen]

I don't see any trees.

[He looked around, trying to find his bearings. Once he found where they were, he pointed.] I think there's some that way. Should we both go?

[wolfuncaged]

Hmm. It may be for the best, if there are more, one of us alone will not be able to face it.

[hornedomen]

Okay.

[He took more rope from his bag and he used it to tie the fox. The bear was probably large enough to leave alone, but he did not want anything to take the fox so he carried it over his shoulder.]

This way, Fenris. [He walked ahead.]

[wolfuncaged]

[Fenris noted that, and a ghost of a smile crosses his features. Good job, Ico, you've impressed him (a little).

Silently, he follows the youngster off.]

[hornedomen]

[As Ico thought, there were trees in the direction they went in. Thankfully, it was not a far distance away.]

Over here.

[He felt his baldric under his Mark. The sword was strong enough to cut through stone; he did not doubt it could cut through the trees.] How big should the logs be?

[wolfuncaged]

Big enough to slide under the beast, I imagine. [He's frowning up at them. This was a terrible idea.] I do not suppose you have an axe?

[hornedomen]

[He watched Fenris. Honestly, Ico was not sure about this idea himself. However, he followed Fenris.]

No, but I think my sword can cut through it. It cut through stone before.

[He went ahead and he began walking under the trees, looking for the right size to cut.]