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]

[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.]

[wolfuncaged]

It must be a big sword. [He wouldn't try it with his at all, it's far too precious to him.]

[hornedomen]

It is. And it's strong.

[The sword was nearly as long as the boy was tall. Yet it was light enough that Ico drew it out and held it in one hand. White light poured from the blade.

That branch looked about the right size. He swung the blade at it and it sliced through the branch in one swing. Ico pressed his hand against his side. That hurt a little more than he thought it would.]

How much do we need?

[wolfuncaged]

That...is most impressive.

[Look at that, he'll even admit it out loud.]

Perhaps two more?

[hornedomen]

[He squeezed the sword in his hand and he smiled.] Thank you, Fenris.

[Two more, okay, he could manage that. He breathed deeply and he worked through the ache. The second and third branch went just like the first. It hurt just like the first as well, but he did not let it stop him. The sword split it apart as if the trees were made of thin tissue.

He put the sword away and he gathered the branches in his arms.] Do we need anything else?

[wolfuncaged]

Think nothing of it, it is only commendation where it is due.

No, we are fine. [A pause.] Are you alright?

[hornedomen]

[Quickly, he nodded. He did not want to stop just because of a little pain.] I'll be okay. I'm not bleeding.

[He approached Fenris, dragging the branches behind him. He looked around to find his bearings again.] Let's hurry, before it gets eaten. This way.

[wolfuncaged]

Is it the sword reverberating? [Or is it magic, the question going unanswered.]

Yes, we should move fast. [He'll pick up tow of the branches.]

[hornedomen]

What? [He turned his head only slightly to Fenris as he continued to move. The question seemed so strange that he did not know why he asked him that. After a moment, he responded.] The sword didn't hurt me. That big animal did when it hit me.

[When they came back, the bear was still where they left it. Ico sighed in relief.] I think it's okay.

[wolfuncaged]

Are you sure? [He needs to check these sorts of things, he's paranoid.]

That, at least, is something. Come, we need to tie the logs under it to pull it along.

[hornedomen]

Yes. I know this sword. It won't hurt me like that.

[It confused him to have Fenris ask about it so much. He wondered about it while he moved the logs into position. There was not much rope left; he tried to use it wisely when he tied the logs.]

Do swords normally do that where you're from?

[wolfuncaged]

If they are enchanted.

[His tone suggests he's not happy about that practise.]

[hornedomen]

[He noticed his tone. It must mean terrible things where Fenris was from. Ico shook his head, still focused on finishing his task. This was no simple enchantment.]

It's not that. It's much more. This sword is from the Book of Light. It's blessings are from the Sun God, Sol Raveh. It will not do that.

[wolfuncaged]

[Well that...was unexpected.]

Ah. So it hs links to your world's religion?

[hornedomen]

[He smiled peacefully.]

Yes. It's very important. It will help me put an end to a great evil when I get back.

[The logs were in place. Ico brushed the snow off his gloves.] It also has happiness in it, from all my brothers and sisters. Maybe from me, too. It's part of me.

[wolfuncaged]

An evil? Was it magic?

[Always got to blame magic first. Yep.]

I was not aware weapons could have happiness in them. By their destructive nature alone, they rarely bring joy.

[hornedomen]

[He tugged on the rope. However, that bear did not move.]

The sword has all the memories of the past Sacrifices. It kept it safe, even after they died. I saw them through the sword. They were all happy. I think that makes it stronger. That's why I'll win.

[He wound the rope around both his hands and he pulled, putting all his weight into it. The only thing that moved was Ico. His feet slid out from under him and he fell onto his bottom.]

[wolfuncaged]

[It still sounds far too magical for Fenris' liking, but he'll let out a soft hum regardless.]

You are fighting a war?

[He'll reach down to help him up.] We may have to abandon it if we cannot move it.

[hornedomen]

Thank you.

[He brushed the snow off his clothes and he tried to move the bear again.]

I am. It's a war between me and the Queen. In a way, it's also between the gods. They're always fighting, you know? But if the Queen wins, she'll be able to bring the Dark God here. So I have to stop her.

[The bear's body began to move, slowly. Ico's face turned red from the strain it put on him.]

[wolfuncaged]

[Fenris sighs, moving to help him.]

I see. We had Old Gods in my world to worry about. They come back as dragons.

[hornedomen]

[With Fenris' help, it was much easier to move the bear. It was still a lot of work, however. He wiped the sweat from his brow with the back of his hand.]

There's none where I'm from but I've seen a dragon here. [He sounded happy that he knew this.] She's living in the same building I live in. She never said anything about being a god.

[wolfuncaged]

[Darkly.] I was not aware there were more dragons here. We have those who are not Gods, either. They are just as much trouble.

[hornedomen]

Trouble? I think she's different. [He paused between pulling the bear along.] She's really nice. She helped fix the building so it won't fall.