Source: Lifora on dA | Date: 6.26.20
Hunting - Bear and Caribou - Roenden
“Thanks again that you are helping me out with this,” Penance broke the silence. “I really have almost no food left in my cold storage.”
“No problem,” Destan responded.
“It’s dangerous to not have much reserve when living further out, so I would’ve felt bad for you anyways,” Aventurine added, hoping the others wouldn’t pick this comment up in a wrong way.
Penance, a Vayron they had met a few weeks ago during the autumn carnival in Roenden City, had become quite a close friend to Destan and Aventurine, at least as much as the short time gone by would allow for. They were quite happy about a new member in addition to their group, as many of their older friends had moved away like many other hunters as winters had gotten colder and summers less mild up here in the north, resulting in subjectively less prey. Penance seemed to enjoy talking about that, without any reason why that the others could figure out.
But upon closer inspection, the disappearance of many hunters had actually created a surge in population for many species that had grown rare long before, creating a paradise for the remaining hunters. Aventurine had been a hunter for most of her life and while Destan was less experienced he had grown used to the amenities and challenges of the rather simple life he was living now. Against one grown up in the desert of Thedale or central Warrenfall might suspect, hunting for the rare pelts of animals living in Roenden’s mountains and valleys were quite lucrative, as there was almost no competition in quality and exclusivity with any other regions of Reos, while additionally, it was only a few dozen hunters out here left.
Destan loved to talk about politics and economics and would often annoy the others, and it was not much different today. Therefore Aventurine was happy to spot one of the animals they had been looking for - a Caribou, that was strangely lonesome going by its grass lunch. Alerting the others, she tried to be careful as she then began to walk towards it. The others noticed and crept along with the snow, trying their best to not let the snow crunch. The caribou continued to eat until it finally heard the soft crunch of snow, a noise made from Destan. Before a second could pass, the caribou was beginning to run in the opposite direction but it was not quick enough before Penance lunged towards it, capturing its hindleg in the jaws of the large puller.
“Nice!” Aventurine called out to him before jumping into the action, Destan behind her. Destan attacked the legs of the caribou, being careful to not be kicked. Aventurine instead targetted its throat, dodging the antlers that were being swung in all directions. Penance helped hold it in place. The caribou continued trying to kick at Aventurine but luckily Destan was helping keep her safe. Penance then released the Caribou after it got damaged from Aventurine and helped Aventurine finish it off.
“That was quite quick,” Aventurine noted.
Before Destan could speak, Penance responded to her, “Well they are fairly small,” he finished.
Next Penance stored the dead caribou in a tree where it would be safe from critters until they would collect it later on their way back. Without the ballast, they would be a lot quicker and have more success in finding more caribous. After the other two had finished getting some water from a nearby creek, the Trio continued the shrinking path up a valley that was filled with rocks brought down from further up the mountain by the rushing waters during the melting season. Many obstacles made their further progress slow, but eventually, they walked just around another big boulder that was no different than the many before, when Aventurine discovered a bear.
“B-b-bear!”, she whispered excitedly.
“Next round huh?” Destan whispered. The bear seemed to notice Aventurine right away since she stuck out. Unlike her, Penance and Destan blended in with the snow. Twigs were snapping under the large bear’s paws as it rushed towards Aventurine, but she did not back up. Instead, Destan and Penance went to different sides of the bear quickly after they noticed it coming towards them, carefully and quietly they got to the sides of the bear and jumped into the bear’s coat of fur as they startled them. Aventurine then took the opportunity she was given by jumping at its throat, as the others attacked the paws of the large animal. After the harmed the paws they helped Aventurine take the bear down. Penance was on the back of the creature while Destan blinded it. Through careful timing, Aventurine finally brought it down with the help of others. It was a difficult task, but they managed.
CP Counter
Land Bonus + 1 Added Reos + 2 (Destan 9121) Hunting + 1 801 words + 8 Total = 12