It was just like all the other days for Oisin sore from the last days work and under appreciated. Like every morning he decided to take in the atmosphere as he headed towards the city gate. There was still an hour before sunrise, the moons were full giving the city dim pale light. The uneven cobblestones not helping his steps. As long as he didn't step in someone's filth they threw out on the streets it would be a good day.
The city was magnificent, one of the few that had push far and deep into the wilderness hoping to find riches that had yet to be discovered. Like the dumb sod he was he joined the damn caravan out here looking only at the rewards that could be had. In order to get the great rewards that lingered in this frontier, he would need to take risks that would likely get him killed. There was always the other option joining one of the few powers that ran the city but oisin was never someone to live under someone else's rule.
Looks like I'm coming up the the hunters lodge one of the few powers in the city that you can work through and not slave under. It was a large tent made of bone and leather from creatures brought in by hunters much more skilled than me. Hunters under the rankings not a washed up unranked like me.
Hopefully I can get something to turn in today if I don't I'll go hungry again especially if that clerk Rodney has anything to say about it. You spread a few rumors to the girls down at the bars and it always comes back to bite you in the ass. There he is waiting out front, knows I have to pass by in order to leave the city.
“Hey Oisin when you going to pay me back for those crossbow bolts. You haven't caught shit the past week. You don't catch something big today you'll have to turn in your crossbow like the deal stated.”
“Rodney calm down you know what it's been like out there this week I'll get you your catch.”
I never should have signed that deal damn rat wants to sell my crossbow to make a quick silver or two. Damn things are worth more than I make in a year but you need them to take out the game that really sells.
“You better bring your bow or the money by the end of the day or you'll be talking to the guards.”
“Ya ya ” I'll have to go deeper into the forest if i want to catch something. It's not safe for someone like me I'm just a hunter go out get a rabbit or something weak that wandered out too far. The plains before the forest are where the sane people stay. Can't be staying there if I want to get out of this shit hole though.
Finally reaching the gate, always admired the fifteen yards tall walls and the four and a half yards tall gates. They are made of a smooth white stone found locally in the area. Ramparts of wood behind to save on the cost and time to build. That what to expect on a border city though.
“Hey Oisin you heading out for the day. It's been awhile since anything major has happened in the forest. Awfully quiet for my liking. I'd stick to the grasses if I were you.”
“Thanks Greg but you know how it is got to be able to afford the bars somehow. Besides I'll just hang around the edges then maybe i can get you that beer I owe you. Hmm and a nice lass I know a few who'd like an old guardsman in uniform haha”
“ Don't tease me boy you know I'm too grey these old bones need more rest and less fun haha.”
“ well I'll be off want to be there before sun rise see if I can catch an early riser.”
Old Greg is one of the few who would stay and do such a menial job after retiring from a knights order. Orders with armor smelted from powerful metal mined from dangerous areas and incorporated with beast parts. The truly powerful have the armor powered by beast cores.
Well out of the terrible smell and uneven cobblestones and into the mud and sharp grasses. All the way until the tree line were the grasses the sharp edges will give you a nick or two if you are not careful.
I could heard the grasses rustling in the wind as I made my way through them towards the forest. I'd be another long day of trekking through the terrain if I'm lucky on the trek back I'll be carrying some extra weight.
There's the Forest beautiful as it is deadly. Trees growing to heights of one hundred meters and the roots of these Giants leaving no room for the dirt to show through. Other plants having to adapt by burrowing into the trees roots with their own.
This complex floor made only the nimblest creatures survive. Anything too clumsy and not strong enough would be caught and eaten by something more powerful.
Well enough lollygagging Oisin time to get to one of your more dangerous roosts. I'll have to go deep into the first section nearly into the second if I want to make enough to pay back the rat. Dear god please don't let the core beasts wandering out of the second layer can't afford that.
Passed my first roost on the way nothing accept for the darn rabbits. They'll only earn you a copper if your lucky. It's more worth it to eat the critter yourself. Only a hundred meters more and I'd be at my deepest hunting spot.
There the beauty is now just to climb the fifty meters up and get to my special branch. Perfect for laying prone with my bow in wait.
Better to be in the trees for an ambush then on the ground prey to one. Wise words every hunter is told by there seniors too bad most take them for granted. It doesn't take long for that to change, a few new scars and some open ears or more likely nutrients for the forest.
Few big creatures will hunt from the trees above the twenty meter branches in the first ring. This makes my spot perfect to snatch a prey animal or predator alike. Hunting from a perch is always a waiting game and so I wait.
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After not seeing anything for weeks looks like my luck is finally improving. Something has finally broken through the bushes it's a green horn elk. The beautiful brown haired four hoofed creature. Stood at two meters tall and had a single spiraling horn coming out of it's head. The horn was a foot long with a forest green and earthen brown making up it's two colors.
The creatures were protected some nonsense about keeping the forest thriving. Heh all hunters poached a little on the side. While he couldn't sell the whole creatures in town the horn could be smuggled. It would sell for ten to twenty silver to the right chump. Probably only get the ten the rest would go to the black market and the Nobel s behind it. It would be enough for Oisin. Hell if he could sell a few it would be the same as the worth of his crossbow. He would have to risk it.
I'll have to use the expensive bolts the ones Rodney gave him. They were made entirely from core beast bones. Harder than a forged steel if i landed on the mark I'll be set.
A Lot of the most nutritious fauna is right around my roost setting me in the perfect area. It is heading towards me from the right. Just ten more meters and it will be in optimal range.
Aim down the sights fletching lightly waving in the breeze. One more step deep breath in exhale. Squeeze trigger. The arrow bolt flies true landing right behind the front shoulder blade just nicking the heart. It was enough the poor creature goes into its death throes.
I quickly slide down the tree and run up to the creature it's green eyes staring right at me as it wheeses a frothy blood out its mouth. I hold its neck firmly and sink my dagger in, it flinches once and then is still. Well time to get the horn. I'll take the dagger and cut through the skin around the horn. The hard sheath of the horn is connected to the bony core with connective tissue. With a little elbow grease and some prying the horn slides off. Well this beauty will set me up fairly well. It's still early though and might as well see if something is attracted to the elk carcass. It's easier to hide the horn inside another animal they don't check their insides. And the rabbits are too small.
Well back to waiting. It's quiet too quiet…
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It was coming time for the feast, the hunt. We would grow stronger turning others strength into our own. It had been too long since we had hunted outside of our territory but that would soon change. The tension is rising all of us can feel it.
No longer will we be the hunted but the predators. Those of the sky fly above some carpases shining in the starlight others loose feathers drifting down. Looking to the stars they are nearly blotted out by the flurry of motion. All are called and all shall come.
It would not due to be late where I go mine shall follow. Digging my dark black claws into the root of the tree I lift my body off the floor. It was time to feel the wind in my fur. Taking a leap I hit the lower roots running the others following close behind. A late comer was a challenge or an example. I have no desire to turn me nor mine into either.
That damn stench was ruining this forest again. It was a bloody stench of iron and filth. Not close to the smells that rewarded you after a great hunt. No it is a rotten vile smell filthy creatures don't even wash. They think they are better that us. Fur the color of our preys insides, agile bodies and an aggressive temper. Looks like the damn cat Racta and his littler.
“Racta your kind will always stand out from a mile away with that awful stench. Usually your kinds stealth is admirable. Your breed can only rush into death no embrace of the shadows for you”
“I'll waste no time with you Kalo soon will be the feast. You will have no shadows then, nor pack at your side. My kind will come back stronger and the lands taken from us will be reclaimed. My son has been born blessed by the forest our clan can only rise to leave yours behind.”
Stupid creatures will run at the head of the group no point in bickering with them any longer. The first to run ahead will only be stepping stones for thoses that come from behind. While they do the hard work we will come behind to reap the rewards. Gaining strength from others efforts and silencing the weakened enemies that were before us.
The cats may be strong but they revel in the battle and blood. When they feast they gain even more strength then others. What they have gained in strength they have lost in stealth and with our level this gains them nothing. There are always stronger packs deeper in the forest but if they do not see you they will not hunt you.
Racta seems to agree with me no use talking one of will be dead soon anyway so why continue this farce.
We are almost there the call to the deep where the true rulers of the forest lie. The trees slowly get shorter and are spread farther apart. Where tree roots used to be the only foot hold fresh soil is slowly revealed. The smell of fresh soil and the feel of the dirt in the pads of my paws in foreign. My pack is from the dread woods dirt is rare you would have to go deep beneath the roots to find it. That is a place no sane pack would venture.
The last few trees break ahead to a clearing filled with assortment of animals of all kinds. It is a small lake with an island in the center. The water, the shore and all the land till the forest is filled with those that have answered the call.
There are the great bear families colors of black and brown being the norm. Several have even broken through showing bright tinges of bright oranges and reds. Even these slight awakenings are too strong for my pack. The elements of fire that are strengthening them would allow them to tear us apart.
There are the reptile clans covered in their smooth scales or hard plates. Primates with their clubs and spears. There are even semi-aquatic animals that have came from the wetlands to south. The hoard is growing filling the opening it will truly be a great hunt.
Further in are the true strengths groups with not just tinges of color, no deep concentrated color in their favored parts. Bright reds in claws, fangs or eyes showing true power.
The center of the lake are the current rulers of the forest the forest elk. They are all in varying shades of brown and green. Their spiral horns mark the truly powerful the stronger they are the more beautiful it glows. The call was from the patriarch of the family his deep forest green coat with a brown underside. His horn a deep forest green spiraling with a bright lime green stuck four feet off the center of his head. This pack were not herbivores no if the sheer four meter height did not show the patriarchs strength then the razor sharp teeth filling its mouth would. This pack was not a cloven hoofed not they had paws with claws to make traversing the roots much easier.
A roar breaks me from my thoughts it seems the patriarch is ready and everyone has gathered.
“The new creatures outside our territory grow bold, they kill our kind. If they wish to kill my children and feast on us we shall feast on them. Those that kill the most will be rewarded with territory close to the lake where those who wish to be truly strong must rest. Now go, kill, feast!”
The closer to the center of the forest the quicker elements are strengthened but in death that means nothing. We will be like we should and follow other and take their glory after they do the hard work. A city filled with those creatures ripe for the taking.