676-02-10 - Hunting a Giant Wolf
| Hunting a Giant Wolf | |||||||
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| Summary: Prince Jerrick Onimus is working on completing the first task required for gaining Princess Zuhur's hand. | |||||||
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Prince Jerrick of the Isles had made a deal with Domitianus, heir to the Ningo and his sister Agostina for aid in his quest to win Zuhur's hand. Agostina had promised that upon his return a eohippus would be waiting at Mergorand Castle, which she would personally hand over so the prince would know how to take care of the animal. Domitianus had agreed to send some of his soldiers to help in the hunt of a Dire Wolf, largely those left that did not escort Patricia Barbeta home when she returned earlier.
It had been a few days but here they were, in the edge of Felaguria and the border of the Unknown World. The party had turned off Granville Road and onto a newly restored road that was bound north. A formerly ancient road, it is anyone's guess why it was originally built, but whatever the reason it provided a nearly direct line to the edge of Ningo lands.
The Ningo soldiers are dressed in the crimson tunics which seem to mark them as soldiers, trousers worn underneath consisting of some form of cloth. The chainmail the Ningo favor overing their bodies, the spears used by the Ningo in-hand, with metal grieves to protect their shins, and leather sandals which have what seem to be metal nails hammered through them which sink into the earth with every step.
The Ningo are largely quiet as they march with military precision and discipline, the unique metal helmets of the Ningo on their heads. All told there are only four of them, but they lead the way and looks like they can handle themselves, both the pair of men and the pair of women.
Jerrick glances over his shoulder for the hundreth time since they started into the forest, he can't help but wonder what an eye sore the marching soldiers were. He is wearing thick leather armor, solid boots and has a pack slung over one shoulder. His weapon is in his hands as he uses it to knock away low branches and to also be on the ready incase one of the wolves should take them by surprise. "Thanks again for this Zephan." He tells his brother knowing he is leading him into danger. "If things don't go as planned, I need you to go home and tell Zuhur I'm sorry. Do not risk yourself, mother doesn't need to lose both if us if things go south." He sighs softly not wanting to dwell on what might happen but instead focus on the objective a head. A wolf pelt, he homes the Emir will enjoy it, though by Ningo tradition it is he whom should be keeping it. Maybe he'll let him use it on their marriage bed as a blanket..."Anyway." He says coming back from his thoughts. "We should be able to handle one wolf...The pirate will be the tough part.
A faint smile adorns the features of Prince Zephan Onimus, his steely blue eyes watch his surroundings with outwardly casual interest, but the way his gaze darts here and there suggests he is very much aware of their surroundings. A certain tension of anticipation is present in the way he moves, in clothes that are heavier than he is used to but matching the harsh winter season. There are two armed men in his company, trusted members of his crew, while he had left the others, along with Pureal on the 'Mermaid' at the harbor of Equis. A medium-sized sword hangs from the belt of blonde Onimus, but apparently he is not wearing any armor - or just some very well disguised below his attire. A low snort leaves him when his brother addresses him, and for a moment he takes a break from his study of the forest about them. "If anything should happen to you, I assure you, brother, I will go to Zuhur as you request. To tell her and..." here he smirks, "to comfort her, if that is your wish." He pauses and shoots Jerrick a glance. "We? I thought you were thinking of killing the beast all by yourself?"
The Ningo leads them into the 'Dark Forest' as it is known to the Two Rivers. The Ningo had strongly encouraged Zephan wear some form of armor, also suggesting metal armor for Jerrick yet they don't force the matter. They leave the formerly ancient road and step foot onto a very different kind of road entirely, one sunk into the ground with a curve to it as the cross over into the forest where all of the plants grow larger then normal. The Ningo Guards shift with a gesture from the acting commander as they move to surround the party, on high alert.
Spears are brought to bear, the uniquely curved tower shields held before each Ningo, spear held in hoplite-style as they scan the forest. The reason for the name the Two Rivers uses becomes obvious. They had left Felaguria during the day and entered a forest of twilight, the sky can't even be seen overhead.
Jerrick gives Zephan an long look before he shrugs. "Knowing Zuhur, she'll take you up on your comfort and no doubt try and get you to marry her." He tells him, his sword whipping out to chop at the vegitation. "I wonder how damned hard one of these bloody creatures are to find." He murmurs, then calls over his shoulder. "What does our tracker say, can he pick up any sighs that one of the wolves have been this way lately?" As for Zephan's other witty comment he snorts. "I would if I could, why, you going to stand back and watch it maul me?"
Zephan glances back at Jerrick and he smirks. "Comfort her I might. Marry her I won't. Which could start a war. Amusing thought, that." He pauses and looks towards the tracker as well, before he shrugs. "We need to get deeper into the forest. And besides... we need to trust in your newly found friends, brother. As for whether I would watch you getting killed..." He chuckles in cold amusement. "One day I will probably. But not today. I was just asking whether you'd want me to help you or not. The more dashing tale would be of course that you killed that thing yourself..."
<FS3> Jerrick rolls Perception+REACTION: Good Success
<FS3> Zephan rolls Perception+REACTION: Moderate Success
One of the Ningo looks to Zephan as he speaks about being happy to see his brother die, they don't say anything about their thoughts on the matter but the look on their faces clearly shows Zephan has just spoken some unthinkable evil they cannot comprehend. They do however say, "Better be alert. Talk less." in broken but passable Common. Jerrick actually catches sight of something off the road, a closer look reveals they look like the prints left by a dog only much larger.
Jerrick nods his head slowly, smirking almost at his brother's comment. "She's try, but yes you are correct, it more then likely would." He then sighs. "I suppose it would be more heroic and gallant if I killed the thing on my own. I suppose I could give it a go, I might even manage it. I'm not totally unless with a blade." He continues to walk on, bantering with his brother, though his eyes are constantly scanning the area looking for the wolf. "Here!" He calls suddenly going to crouch down and examine the footprints more closely. "I think this is what we are looking for, follow me."
Zephan may notice the glances given to him by the Ningo, but he does not give a fig, obviously. The evil of his existence has been a permanent notion, and he certainly does not mind to share it with others. "It was a jest," he clarifies half-heartedly, before his eyes narrow again as they come to settle on Jerrick. A lift of his brows betrays he is surprised to see his brother manage /something/. "Not so loud," Zephan murmurs with a light rolling of his eyes. "You'll scare the beast away!"
One of the Ningo rushes over to look at the trail found and nods to Jerrick as though confirming and touches the mark lightly then looks in the direction the paws are headed and says something in Ningo, as the one that spoke before says, "That way. Hour. Less." then moves towards the direction the prints are bound, the others moving to maintain a defensive formation around the party, scanning the area cautiously. The Ningo makes no reply to the mention of a joke. At the mention of the beast being scared the one who spoke responds, "No run. Watch or attack."
Jerrick leads the way, his eyes darting around the trees and overgrowth around them, he's half expecting the thing to jump out at them at any moment. "He could he around here somewhere." Jerrick mentions. "They are an hour old, but that doesn't mean he walked straight for an hour." None the less Jerrick is ready, his body tense, his heart racing, fear and excitement gripping him. "Well, brother if we pull this off, they will be singing songs about us for generations."
The Ningo shift to maintain a defensive formation around the party, though there is only four of them, two men and two women. All are wearing Ningo armor, namely the chainmail they wear, and have their destinctive curved shields and spears ready as they cautiously scan the surroundings. They don't seem too concerned about the wolf jumping out of no where, but then they are more accustom to the Dark Forest then Felagurians are, even Marcus. Though Marcus is among the few Felagurians to have spent any real time in the Dark Forest previously.
As the party moves the Ningo prove they are a professional military given their highly disciplined and controlled movements and positioning, minimizing the risk to the party as much as possible.
"As you say...", Zephan responds with a vague smile to Jerrick's remark about songs being sung about them in the future. His own gaze is no less alert than that of his brother, as he moves along. The military expertise of the Ningo barely catches his interest, he himself being not really interested in knightly pursuits, as becomes obvious in his lack of armor - but this being an advantage as well as he'll be able to move about more swiftly.
Marcus happened to come along or at least came along to learn more himself. Once again he is back in this forest, this time he is more prepared, yet equipment pretty much the same, it's the knowledge. He keeps an ear and eyes open, staying behind the princes, perhaps as protector or using them as shields, who knows with Slider.
Jerrick continues to move quietly through the forest area, his eyes scanning the area, his ear listening to the slightest sounds. He is determind to find this beast and kill it. "You all stay back, when it attacks. I want to try and kill this thing on my own, if I can't which I'm sure I can't come in. But only when I call for it, do you all understand." And his eyes linger on Slider. "This is my tasks, and I shall call the shots." He knows Zephan will be more then happy to stand back. "And pray to Nirmoria I don't get my foolish arse killed."
If the Ningo understand Jerrick's words there are no signs of it as they maintain a defensive position around the party, shields head, spears at the ready as they scan the surroundings closely as they move. The normal sounds associated with a forest can be heard. As they move cautiously there is a rustle in the bushes, and the Ningo all look straight to it and come to a stop. Shortly after a small, almost equine head pokes out and looks around, spotting the party it immediately disappears back into the brush. The Ningo that spoke before points to where it once was and says to Jerrick, "Eohippus." perhaps explaining what he'll find when he returns to the Two Rivers capital.
An odd thing happens when Zephan hears what his brother has to say. It starts with a low rumble within his chest until it breaks free in a chuff of laughter. "If it will make you happy, brother! You'll never catch me praying to any mortal woman though. Nimoria is impressive, I agree. Still I won't pay reverence to her, nor to her almost name-sake, Onimoria!" Bold words, but he spits them out nonetheless.
Even so, the sudden appearance of the eohippus manages to distract the blonde Onimus from his mockery of Jerrick, and he draws back, accepting the explanation from the Ningo in silence.
Jerrick gives his brother a glare and mouths, your an arse to him before his head moves back to the front, side and ever other direction. This creature must be near by, more then likely watching them as the progress.
Marcus had been following the two Princes, close enough to make sure he is ready to assist. He is also silent, knowing silence is also a key, even before he met the Ningo. As the Prince speaks Slider only smiles and nods to the man. Then in Ningo. "The Prince does not want help, until he calls for it. Hope he can do that with his throat inside the beasts maw." As to the praying Marcus cares not, it's skills out here.
Soft chuckles and giggles erupt from the four Ningo at whatever Marcus says in their language. One of them responds in Ningo, "Tell the Principe, Few can take any animal of our lands alone. Why the pelt is valued when earned such as yourself. A pelt has been promised, we will help him get it for his desired match. If he seeks to take the submissive place to his wife that is his concerned, she may be worth it." even as the Ningo continue to move, still on alert.
As the forest grows quiet around then the Ningo stop and back up cautiously, as though to trap the Princes between them like a cage, they are clearly focused and expecting an attack, yet there is no sound from anywhere or anything.
Zephan blows his brother a mock kiss for his rather unfriendly albeit quiet retort. "I love you too, bro," he murmurs, loud enough for Jerrick to hear. Even though he notices the Ningo soldiers are takng them into their midst, Zephan does not object, keeping alert and attentive despite his display of cold mirth.
Jerrick shakes his head and can almost imagin that they are getting along and having some brotherly banter...Almost. He takes note of their escorts but doesn't say anything, they are close he can feel it. Every nerve in his body is alert and ready, his heart racing and his breath shallow. He won't fail the Emir.
Marcus knows this forest is dangerous and so the Ningo response to him was expected. "Prince Jerrick. The Ningo have mentioned that not many have accomplished taking one down alone, they are dangerous. The pelt was promised, with help as well. They intend to Protect you, that is what they are here for." As they stop and get closer, it is when Marcus pulls out a long blade and a short one. Then he crushes, listening, waiting, seems he is going to protect the Prince after all.
There is a rustle and a call goes out from the Ningo and they all move forming a shield wall, spears forward, as they brace for impact. The action is accomplished with a hair's breadth of the right timing as a massive form leaps out of the flora and lands on the shields. Two are knocked down by the impact, another pinned underneath the body of a massive cat with muscles to spare. The Ningo is pinned under their shield and isn't moving, they might have just got the wind knocked out of them, but the feline of laying atop, knife-like teeth sticking out of its mouth, nearly touching the face of the Ningo underneath, as the beast doesn't move and crimson flows out of its body from at least two places. The Ningo get back up and rush over to start trying to roll the body of the massive animal off. To those paying attention the coat of the cat looks very much like the fur cloak Marcus is wearing.
Jerrick glances over his shoulder at Marcus. "You stay back." He says, not liking the man one bit, he doesn't trust he won't take the kill himself. "If I need help, my brother is here, this is a family matter and if we can't take it alone, then the Ningo will help." He points to the back of the little group. Suddenly the feline jumps out of nowhere and Jerrick already tense goes to help defeat the cat. He places his sword away briefly to go help roll the body off the Ningo warrior. "Well done." He tells them quietly. "We will wait here for a few moments and make sure everyone is unjuried." He glances down at the man under the shield. "If he is hurt we shall take him back and come another day. I am in no rush to complete this task, we need to make sure this man is taken care of first."
There is a hardly a flinch when Zephan sees the giant cat break forth from the undergrowth, just a smooth slipping a step further away from the beast, his hand going to the pommel of his sword but resting there without drawing the weapon at once. When it becomes apparent that the beast is dead, the blonde Onimus will move forward and help to roll the huge thing off the Ningo soldier, his steely eyes studying the animal with wonder, while he does not mind to stain neither his hands nor his clothes from giving a hand. "What is this...?", he inquires in Common, with cold curiosity flashing in his gaze, in Slider's direction, as well as to those of the Ningo close enough to hear.
It was quick, one moment nothing and then it was there. It takes him a moment to realize that this was already dead but he had met one of its kind before. He had ignored the other Prince words to him, knowing that man does not like him. He does look to his brother."Smilodon Fatalis. A predator one that kills to kill, I had the unfortunate time a ways back in confronting one alone, kill and live....but not without scars." Now he looks at the Ningo."Are you alright, he wants to continue only if not hurt."this in Ningo.
Once the feline is cleared the Ningo waste no time moving the curved shield off the fallen soldier's body and unfastened their belt, then lifts the chainmail shirt and crimson tunic. Fortunately they were wearing those cloth trousers as when the tunic rises there is obvious under-boob visible, though the Ningo don't seem to care the one that fell is female, there is a massive bruise forming on her abdomen. A few moments later there is a deep gasp of air, abdominal muscles tensing painfully as she starts coughing and choking for air and the other Ningo helps her to sit up and get some air. One telling her, "Leave it to you to try and show off and kill a Smilodon on your own." in the Ningo language as all but the down soldier chuckle and smile, the one down merely smiles and responds, "Well I can't kill one with my face alone like you can." also in Ningo and another eruption of merriment as they help the woman up and fix her tunic and mail, picking up her belt and handing it back to her. Her shield seems fine, if a bit dented towards the top edge, her spear however is broke and the spearhead seems to be inside the beast. The female soldier nods to Marcus and says in the Ningo language, "I am fine, won't even leave a scar sadly." winking playfully to Marcus.
Jerrick watches for a few moments, long enough to ensure the soldier is okay and then he motions with his hand to continue their hunt. He didn't miss their guide ignoring him, he will deal with that later. "Come its getting late I'm sure." He says, moving forwards briskly his attention now totally focused on their hunt.
Marcus listens and watches as the woman eventually comes to. There is a smile and even a brighter one at the words been said back and forth. To the female soldier."Well, at least we here will know. A scar would have made you impossible to ignore." he winks back to her, all, this in Ningo. At the Prince word he nods." If you like, we can set camp." that is saying if the man is tired. .
There is a flicker of interest in Zephan's blue eyes when he becomes aware the soldier beneath teh feline is a woman. He will step back though, and leave her to the assistance of her comrades in arms, noting the odd language which is foreign to him. Even though the obvious playfulness of the woman's remark towards Marcus does not escape him and he shoots the man a glance. "Seems she's fond of you, huh?", he says with a slightly bored and detached tone, before his attention shifts to Jerrick and he follows along. "Set camp?" he replies to Marcus with a low snort. "I thought we came to hunt, not to sleep."
The Ningo return to their previous state, though the one still has a missing spearhead so she kneels down, pulls out her dagger and starts to cut into the body to dig her spearhead back out. No hesitation, simply dive right in and get her weapon back.
Jerrick gives their guide a blank look. "If I wanted to make camp I would have asked, I merely wish to continue." He states, getting very annoyed with the man. "This guide is pissing me off." He murmurs so only Jerrick can hear. "Next time, I'm doing this alone, I think being killed is perferable to his constant, showing off and belittling." he adds just as quietly.
Marcus looks at the one brother." Killing one brings respect, specially alone. Scars and the cloak means alot to Ningo." that is the only answer he gives. As both say keep in hunting in their own way he nods." It shall be as you say then." Then he says likewise to the Ningo."We continue." Then he smiles to the Princes and motions for them to continue.
After digging the spearhead out of the animal they start using their tunic to clean off her weapon and looks to Marcus asking in Ningo, "What are we to do with the smilodon? It is a lot of good meat to just waste, but it will slow us down hours to field-dress it."
Jerrick moves along side his brother now, sword back in his hands. He is silent now, having nothing more to add. They sounds of the forest fill the air around him and if it wasn't for the fact he was hunting a deadly beast he could almost enjoy the tranquil forest and its peaceful sounds.
Marcus had thought of the creature just killed and at her question." It is alot of good meat. Perhaps you and one other can dress it. Use the pelt to put meat and hang high on trees. Or you can take it home. Either.case two, the two continue the hunt, more meat from that to."
One of the Ningo nods to Marcus and says, "We didn't bring any rope sadly, it would be hard to carry it with us and leaving it means nothing will be left for us. We could use a couple hasta to help carry it, but it would also reduce our fighting ability." in their native language.
Jerrick glances back as he hears voices behind him, it seems the guide and the locals are talking among themselves. He pretty much ignores them and carries on.
Marcus nods and then in Ningo." Well, then we will have to leave it behind, much to our dismay. We will hunt once again, once they are gone." then he looks to the Princes and notes they are moving." We must go, would hate for them to be eaten."
The Ningo nod as one says, "Two of us can stay behind to get what we can carry then move on. The raw meat might even attract predators to us, which can be a good or bad thing. What does the principe think?" in Ningo.
Marcus nods to the Ningo .Now he looks to the Prince who is walking away." Ningo suggest staying here. The scent of death may bring predators. May be good, may be bad. Up to you."
Jerrick nods his head slowly. "Then we can spread out here and look around." He tells Slider. "If they think that is the best way to attract the thing. I'm beginning to get inpatient."
The Ningo looks to Marcus for what was said as one asks in Ningo, "Did he say he wanted to leave us here to hunt on his own? Are you sure this is a smart Principe?" in a confused tone.
Jerrick glances at the Ningo and then at Marcus. "What was said?"
Marcus looks to the Prince." They are suggesting to cut up pieces if meat, carry it to get beasts to come to us. Spreading out is not a good idea. It is what they are asking. Hunting alone, not a good idea." now he looks at the Ningo. " we shall see what he decides, though he does not like me much, he may just do it out if spite." now he waits for him to speak.
Jerrick shakes his head. "I meant while sticking together, I am not stupid and this constant display of disrepect and belitting it getting old. I am not some child prince wanting glory and fame. I have a task to do and I intent to do it. So listen to what I am saying more carefully and don't assume something. If you don't understand I can repeat it for you. Is that understood." He looks to the ningo and bows towards them. "We stick together, good isea." He says motioning his hand around them all and bringing his hands together trying to mimic what he wants.
The Ningo nod to Marcus as one says, "If so petty then he is a fool and undeserving of his place. If he had any skill he'd manipulate you into a position that would benefit him." in Ningo.
(...to be continued)
