Chapter 71: Piety
“You wished to speak with me, Grand Hunter Joseph?” Bratik asked, the sun falling slowly through the sky. If it hadn’t been for the shadow that Joseph cast, then it probably would have ended up as a much less intimidating experience for the poor guy. As it was, the Lilhun seemed just as on edge as when he initially arrived, sans the wolf mask that was, frankly, nightmare fuel.
The Human nodded, both in thanks to Pan for helping him hold the small meeting in his office, and to reply in affirmative to the cautious male.
Though he had some concerns regarding the artistic direction of the space, he had to admit, it gave off an intimidating aura. The large machine eye on the back wall was pretty cool to look at, and the scribbles along the wall gave the place a slightly eerie vibe. If it wasn’t for the fact that it apparently actually read something, he would have been all over it.
Slightly religious undertones notwithstanding, it was going to be improved in future with more furniture. Joseph would rather the place look like a proper office, especially since he planned on doing most of his actual work in there. It was fine to do it in the base, but it made him feel like he was working all the time, so separating the spaces would be helpful.
Rubbing his eyes to work off the fatigue and to refocus himself, he brought his mind back to his guest.
“Thanks for coming on short notice. I would have arranged something a bit earlier, but working out a time with everything going on was a bit...complicated.” He folded his hands on the table, more out of habit when sat at one than any attempt to seem professional. “We have an offer for you, as well as gifts.”
The High Hunter took the proffered seat after Pan gestured towards it, tensing slightly at the mention of a prospective deal to be made. “I am not sure what i may have to reciprocate an offer.”
Joseph raised his brows, lowering them again when he noticed the wording issue. “No, no. We want a favour, I guess I should have said.”
“A favour?” The male shifted, ease falling over his shoulders.
The Grand Hunter pulled a stack of tablets out of his pockets, each fitting within his palm and etched with Atmo runes, a secondary set of English words scribbling under it that conveyed a welcome to any Atmo who find it. A clack sounded out as he laid them down, sliding the pile across the desk with a nod. “The insects. Do you know of any packs that might have some?”
Bratik picked up one of the small rectangles, squinting slightly as he failed to make sense of the script before raising a brow. “I do not, but perhaps my mate might. Have you not asked the servants?”
Joseph shook his head, a long exhale through his nose telling of the long days he had pulled to chip in with getting the new members taken care of. “They’re still trying to make sense of everything. We’ll ask once they get their feet under them, but I was hoping you could help.”
“You wish to find more like your kit?”
A smile spread at the casual acceptance of the otherwise odd pairing. “I do. Those are a message for them. If you could get them in the hands...er, blades of the others out there, I’d really appreciate it.”
Bratik examined the small tablet for a moment longer, collecting the rest and fitting them within a pouch on his person. The male nodded, a warm expression returned. “I will speak to those who pass through my settlement as well as those who reside within it.”
He let a breath carry off the worry, sinking into his chair as Pan smiled brightly in a reflection of the emotions he was too tired to display properly. “It would mean the world to me.”
The ash-furred male shook his head, dismissing the words gracefully with a smirk. “You have proven yourself to this one, Grand Hunter. Such a request from one of your importance is but a natural thing to accommodate. Is that all of your requirements?”
“No, actually,” Joseph corrected, fixing his posture as a slight grin slipped onto his face. “I wanted to let you know that if you’re having issues with food at your place, or if anyone else you trust are, you’re free to send people here—temporary or permanent. With how much hell you put yourself through? I figured you would like the option to ease the strain for a bit while you sorted everything out with the new weapons and traps.”
Bratik paused, his absent motions of attentiveness following suit. “New weapons and traps?”
A chuckle escaped him, a short whistle leading to the door to the office being opened. Jax entered, two bundles wrapped in leather and leaves being laid on the table before he took a spot in the corner, his arms crossed as he watched with amusement on his muzzle. It seemed like he wanted to see the look on the High Hunter’s face.
Joseph rolled his eyes at his friend, loosely waving his hand at the bundles. “These are new bows, snares, and armour. It’s not a shit-load, we wanted you to keep this to yourself, but it should be enough to outfit a hunting party or two.”
The male’s eyes widened as they flickered between the Human and the offered gifts, the moment dragging on as his jaw fell. The wild disbelief settled in him, a few false starts being required before the High Hunter was able to speak. “You...you are the one whom High Hunter Loptr acquired the weapons from?”
Joseph huffed a laugh with a slight shrug. “I gave them the basic idea. Those there are a few steps up in quality.”
“I...” Bratik started, falling silent as his ears drooped.
“Acted like an arrogant dick about weapons that are miles worse than what I’m giving you? Yeah. Don’t worry about it. These are a ‘thanks’ for everything you’ve done, not a way of me threatening you or something. The bows will hit harder, further, and faster than what you’ve got over your shoulder. Plus, they shouldn’t break unless you really try, or get stupid with them. The armour is the same, though it’s just arm and leg gear, since anything bigger would stand out.”
“The ‘traps’?” the male asked quietly, slowly processing that Joseph really wasn’t trying to send any message that wasn’t a ‘thank you’.
“Snares,” he answered, letting some humour into his words. “You run one end through the loop then tie the same end to a tree or something near the ground. In the trees works too, but you need to pay attention to where everything likes to go. Set them a bit outside of your settlement and foot traffic so the wildlife doesn’t get spooked away. They’ll get caught on the loop, and the pressure will draw it closed, either killing or immobilizing them long enough for your guys to collect.”
“Is it dangerous?” the male asked instantly.
“Not any more than any other method of walking around. I’d say to go in groups of two or three so they won’t be surprised by something if it finds the food first, but other than that, it’s why we haven’t had...” Joseph’s face fell as his usual point of pride in the settlement, besides his daughter, was suddenly weaker than before. “Why we have only had one death.”
Bratik glanced between the pair, noticing the two of them both seeming rather remorseful at the required amendment. He stood, walking around the desk to rest a paw on the Human’s shoulder. “That is not something to feel woeful about, Grand Hunter. You have kept your own safe, and now you seek to protect mine.”
“You’ve been a huge help.”
The High Hunter distanced himself, placing an arm across his chest and bowing. “If you will allow it, I would like to speak to my mate of your nature.”
Joseph straightened in his chair, turning slightly to quirk a brow. “I...guess? I’m not going to make you sign an NDA about this place or anything.” He placed a fist to his lips and hummed for a moment. “Actually, I’d appreciate if you left out the fact that we’re looking for Atmo, and that we’re the ones giving you the gear.”
Bratik raised his head a blink of confusion given. “Do you not wish to spread your name as a force in which one should hesitate to antagonize?”
“Not right now, no. If someone seems on the up-and-up, you can send them here, but I want this to be vague until we get ourselves sorted. Send out servants and the like who could use something productive to do besides worry about their next meal, and any Atmo that might willingly want to join. No point in advertising as we are, some might take that as a challenge, so save it for those who need our help. Word should get through slowly enough that we should be ready for when someone we rather not know hears about it.”
The ash-furred Lilhun bowed again, a satisfied smirk playing at the corner of his lips. “As you wish, high one.”
Joseph nodded, happy with how the exchange had gone. “Will you be coming with the next caravan?”
“It is difficult to predict,” he responded, an exhale punctuating his uncertainty as he resumed a standing posture. “If much of the goods are to pass through my domain, myself or one of my own will likely be the ones to transport it. If it is to pass through another, then it would be improbable.”
“It’s never simple,” the Grand Hunter sighed out, propping an elbow on the table and dropping his head onto his fist. Pan’s tail wrapped around his free hand, her speech being unbound from the conversation for once.
“Perhaps we may use a moniker for those in need to use? It may help us identify those who are recognized by the High Hunter or those of trust. It would also allow us to offer sanctuary to those like our kit without directly implicating ourselves.”
He glanced up at her, giving the suggestion some thought as he chewed his cheek. Eventually, he nodded, the gesture becoming more firm after a few repetitions. “Alright. You guys work out what to use. Tell him to pass along anything he learns about the Atmo, too. I want to know if they’re out there and unable to come if they wanted.”
She smiled at him, nodded before launching into a short discussion with the male that ended with another bow. “We have reached an accord,” she announced happily.
He returned it, happy to be moving forward with his loose ‘plan’ at all. There was still a lot to get ready, but even this much was a start. “Good. So, bows, snares, armour, Atmo summons, Lilhun invites... anything I’m missing?”
Bratik shook his head as Joseph glanced at him to confirm, unable to propose a possible addition that could be useful at the moment, though he seemed amiable to doing more if it came up. Satisfied that he had done all that he could for now, and ignoring the feeling that he had forgotten something, he clapped, rubbing his hands together as he took a breath.
“Alright! You’re headed out in the morning, and the new arrivals are mostly sorted out until they get well enough to move around on their own. How’s a small celebration sound? I think we could all fucking use it.”
Pan giggled, breaching decorum to give him an affectionate peck. “I will inform the pack so that they may arrange a rotation.”
A sense of comfort flushed through his system, his smile almost painfully wide despite the fatigue in his eyes. “I’ll leave it to you. Love you.”
A second peck was given before she left the office, giving him a moment to groan out a stretch. Jax’s voice startled him slightly, the black-furred male offering translation for the soft comment that Bratik made.
“I would never have believed that one with her condition may have bonded, but I am truly glad that she was able. It was as if the Hunt Mother crafted her with you in mind, Grand Hunter.”
Joseph laughed, the juxtaposition between Pan’s soothing vocalizations and Jax’s booming cadence proving to be rather hilarious when back-to-back like this. He let it run its course, enjoying the sensation before looking to the door that his girlfriend had left through. A soft smile accompanied the adoring gaze. A line his father favoured crossed his mind, it seeming appropriate to voice in the moment.
“I could search the universe a thousand times, and I will never find a sun as bright as her.”
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They arranged the seating much like the last time they gathered, though the visiting party and the new members who were well enough to traverse the small distance required more fires. They situated them outside of one of the constructions, Jax suggesting that it would be unwise to invite those more interested in gleaning their secrets to peer within the den. Joseph accepted on the condition that they place them near enough to the barracks so that those who were interested in joining, and were able, could.
Jax stretched, the moon rising in the sky highlighting the otherwise dark vista of their settlement. Much had changed since the season had began. They were in possession of far more buildings and members, the Grand Hunter had gained a new mate, and Sahari had finally recovered from the loss she suffered so long ago.
It drew a smile on his face to watch the visitors and extended pack assist one another, small bouts of laughter and jests accompanying the setup process. It was even more amusing that the Atmo were about, Joseph giving up on hiding them after Violet was seen fully by the visitors and inspection-oriented Lilhuns during her aid.
Rose, the large red insect that stood just shy of Mama’s height, was in the process of cutting tinder and splits out of the wood while Cobalt ferried it from storage piles to the fires. Mama was staying close to the Grand Hunter, the male taking a moment to rest his legs and leaning his back against the upright torso of the Atmo who thought good of the idea as well. Violet was following Pan around as she noted who was able to attend from the feeble, passing along dietary requirements to Kelth for him to prepare some appropriate meals for them to be able to join the celebrations proper.
“Amused to be the only one who is idle, Jax?” Sahari prodded, walking up from his blind side. The black-furred male turned his head to see her, smirking as he shook his head.
“Admiring our progress,” he admitted, shifting his gaze back to the flurry of activity and jovial chatter. “It is quite the departure from finding hovel after hovel within the dense foliage in which we may take shelter, no?”
Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.
He heard her snort, a fulfillment in her voice that he thought would never come to pass. “Indeed. We owe much to that strange male.”
Jax took a breath, his regard landing on the female by his side whose eyes followed her newly marked mate that was arranging seating.
“It seems he has given both of us more than shelter.”
She nodded, glancing up at him before looking to the ground, a hesitation in her voice that seemed more of bashfulness than concern. “I wanted to thank you.”
“Me?” he asked, a brow raised. She repeated the soft bobbing of her head.
“For listening to me during our journey. For mediating my concerns with my bond... For everything, I suppose.”
The soft expression of fondness for the female wiped any confusion away, Jax pulling her in for a tight hug. He gave her a few firm pats on the back before releasing her. “The greatest gratitude you could show me is to thrive along side us,” he reaffirmed, his paw being placed on her shoulder. “Your position as a Head will be required now.”
She blinked, eyes flickering between him and the gathering of the few able-bodied of the new members. Her voice took on a tone of awe and disbelief. “I suppose it will.”
Jax laughed, giving one last push to her back to incentivize movement. “They should be prepared to begin. Let us go bother our favourite Human.”
She chortled, catching her off-balancing with a long stride and walking alongside him. “Seeking his bed again?”
“I do not deny it was rather comfortable,” he admitted with a claw scratching his chin.
“You did not feel his wanderings,” she retorted, more amused than annoyed. He grinned at her.
“Then I suppose I should insert myself within his rest more often so that I may share the burden.”
“Or be lessened as a male by Tel.”
The burst of chuckling drew the gazes of a few of the pack, those of Mi’low’s origin shaking their head with a smile at the amiable atmosphere. “Then I ask for your forgiveness for not doing as such.”
Sahari lightly punched his shoulder, the two bickering and ribbing each other with companionable conversation as they assisted the final portions of setup.
Everyone gathered, each group taking to their own fires. Unlike the event during the winter, none seemed to hold any reservations about mingling with the others. Heralt, the smith that Harrow often spoke with to oversee progress with their craft, had become something of an accepted member throughout all members of the pack, as opposed to seeking refuge from his own due to a mistake.
Atrox decided to sit with their pack for a while, taking a spot near Mama as his mates begrudgingly let him have some space. Mi’low stuck to her own, though didn’t take to shooting dirty or wanting looks like last time. Bratik stayed with his group and accompaniment, having conversation with any who sought to partake with him.
The only exception seemed to be the Blades, save for Scarlet who seemed perfectly content to stand near the Grand Hunter, though far enough for her presence not to be uncomfortable. Not that it stopped him from blatantly ordering her to relax, the subtlest smirk on both of their faces telling that it was some sort of game between the two of them.
There wasn’t any speech this time, not in the same manner as before. He did call out to thank everyone for their contributions in stabilizing the new members of the pack, as well bringing attention to those who had worked longer shifts to expedite the process of erecting the second barracks. It was devoid of anything besides genuine appreciation for everyone’s efforts, and was received with several telling him that they wouldn’t need to work so hard if he would spend more time not cleaning ink off of himself.
Those who didn’t know his character as well all shifted an eye nervously until the Human burst out laughing with his pack, Jax taking the time to add onto the ribbing. Whatever unease existed was swiftly extinguished when the Grand Hunter needed to be helped to his feet by Mama after falling off his seat in his fit, something that Harrow was quick to quip on and almost caused a repeat of the incident.
Having broken the tension, all relaxed a fair bit, several visiting the other fires to chat amongst the members and visitors alike. Bratik joined their seating when Atrox and Heralt had been called to other conversations, the male slipping in easily thanks to his more easy-going nature regarding the Atmo and Joseph. The conversation was paused when the Grand Hunter flicked his claws together in curious fashion, a snapping sound resonating through the air that drew the gaze of everyone present.
“Ah... sorry,” Joseph mumbled, dismissively waving a hand to signal to those in attendance that nothing was out of sorts. He wore a confused expression as he redirected his gaze to the pack. “Jesus, you guys really hear snapping, don’t you.”
“Might be something to do with our origins before we became civilized,” Harrow offered, though she didn’t seem to be certain. The Human tilted his head to consider the point before shrugging to give up on it.
“Whatever. Bratik.” The male in question glanced at his acknowledgement, Pan taking the direct mention as a cue to translate while Tel seemed perfectly happy to lay across the log and use Joseph’s lap as a pillow. “What can you tell me about the other Grand Hunters? I forgot to ask earlier.”
The High Hunter looked upwards in thought, his tone somewhat apologetic. “I am afraid that I am only passingly aware of the others.”
“Anything you might have is probably more than I currently do,” Joseph affirmed the male, though it was clear he was hoping for more.
“Well,” he started, slipping into a more casual tone after all the curiosity died down from the snapping sound. “Grand Hunter Trill himself is the one whom I am most familiar with, save for Grand Hunter Toril.”
“Toril?” The Grand Hunter perked his posture with the question. Jax noticed Volta’s ears pivot towards the conversation from her somewhat distanced seat, the female preferring to remain less involved with all the chatter.
Bratik raised his brows in passive interest at the tone the Human took. “To my understanding, the two have a long standing business relationship.”
Joseph glanced down at Tel, the latter keeping her eyes closed and offering a slow shake of her head to indicate that she didn’t have anything to comment. “What can you tell me?”
“I believe he is the only pack with no fixed settlement.”
“Nomadic?”
“Something along those lines,” the High Hunter confirmed with a nod. His expression shifted to one of a tentative concern. “He is rather...eccentric.”
The Grand Hunter absently ran his claws across Tel’s form, using the tips to play with her fur. Whether she was aware of it or not, her tail curled and flicked in response to the increase in mood that her face failed to display. “Eccentric how?”
“He is a chemist,” Bratik stated simply, continuing when Joseph maintained eye contact expectantly. “He is the one who discovered the scentless plant that the Blades use to cover their heat.”
Tel stiffened slightly, an eye cracking to sneak a peek at her mate until it was clear he was more stunned at the information than anything else.
“Heat?”
The High Hunter smirked, coughing lightly into his paw. “Most, if not all, of the Void-touched are rather motivated by their tasks. Perilous activities often trigger it.”
Jax looked to the Human to see how he would react to the information. It was a little disappointing to see him ponder it for a moment before cocking his head to the side with a fairly nonplussed expression. “So, adrenaline junkies, basically. Though, I guess you’d want to hide that, considering your sense of smell. Okay, so he wanders around to find shit to play with?”
“That is the gist of it, yes.”
“High Hunters?”
“They are much the same,” Bratik confirmed, though his apparent opinion fell rather dramatically. “Though they are less...restrained.”
Joseph rolled his eyes, noticing the cleaner’s ears for the first time. “Something to add, Volta?”
She jolted at the Paw’s translation, quickly shrinking back into herself when she noticed the pack giving her a look. “I was under a High Hunter of Grand Hunter Toril.”
The Grand Hunter hardened his stare, exhaling through his nose after she seemed ready to flee at a moment’s notice. “That’s on me, I guess. I really should have asked by now. What do you know?”
The blue-furred female hesitated before answering. “High Hunter Hasen was the one who chased me away when I offered shelter to the insects.”
“Is he going to be a problem?”
A cold shiver ran through Jax’s spine, the effect likely felt by all nearby except for the Grand Hunter’s bond and the suddenly interested Tel. Volta flinched, her legs failing to support her attempt to retreat.
“N-no, I d-do not believe so.”
Joseph didn’t change his tone or intensity. “Why not?”
The silence stretched for a moment, Harrow shifting in her seat anxiously until Bratik broke the stalemate with a soft voice. “Grand Hunter, Hasen is a male of interest in metals and technology. He would be far more interested in mining efforts than this settlement, assuming he remains unaware of your involvement with weaponry.”
Joseph glanced at the High Hunter, the latter doing a respectable job at not allowing his unease show. The Human closed his eyes to breathe, Tel helping his efforts to calm his mood by reaching up to paw at his neck, her claws dragging across his jaw as her tail flicked. “Nalah?”
“Yeah?” the blond-furred female responded, sitting up straight instead of remaining leaning on Sahari.
“How long would it take to expand our walls to the cave?”
She blinked. “What?”
“The Atmo prefer to form their dens underground,” Pan supplied in response, apparently understanding why Joseph found the question pertinent. The Head planner looked to her mate, receiving a curious nod.
“It would be a while if we were to connect it to our current walls.”
Joseph waved a paw dismissively. “That’s fine. How long? We have three Atmo who could do logging and we’re hoping for enough to make it worth it. We’d need to expand eventually, anyway.”
Nalah shook her head. “With all the construction needed to support our expected numbers, it would have to be a low priority. We could work on it once things slow down, but I’m not able to give you much of a time-table.”
He closed his eyes for a while, only opening them when Pan grabbed his paw in support. He stared at the fire and nodded. “That’ll have to do. Scarlet?”
“Yes, sir?”
“Assign one of the girls to watch over our trips to the cave. I doubt they’ll be needed, but I’d rather have someone there.”
She had a slight smirk tug at her lips as Tel glanced at her, though the grey-furred female voiced no complaints. “Of course, sir.”
Joseph nodded again. “Well, that will slow their training, but I’d rather the peace of mind. Anything else you guys know about Toril and his crew?”
Bratik shook his head apologetically, Volta copying the motions with much less composure, her eyes flickering to the white-furred Paw every so often.
“Alright. So, Toril is god-knows where, and Hasen is probably someone we don’t want to meet.” He ran the claws of his free paw through his hair. “Anything else I should know?”
A voice called from the side of the fire, Atrox returning with one of his mates, Ferra. “I believe I have good news for you, if you would not mind the change in tone!”
Jax raised a brow at how chipper the male seemed to be. The dark-blond-furred female held something behind her back, a smug expression tempered by the slightly wary eye she was giving to the agitated Grand Hunter.
Joseph took a breath, moving his lowered paw away from the grey-furred female who seemed more inclined to nip at his claws than pay any real attention. Or so Jax would say, were it not for the ears of the Blade being strictly focused on the new presences.
“Is it more terrifying equipment?”
Atrox chuckled, shaking his head at Pan’s mirrored defeated amusement. “My mate has taken on a task in her spare time and would like to report her results.”
Ferra stepped forward, revealing the object she had been hiding for the Grand Hunter. Joseph furrowed his brows, blinking a few times. It took a few tries, but he stopped opening and closing his mouth in befuddlement long enough to ask his question. “A rock-worm?”
“I have taken to breeding them,” Ferra clarified, a subdued smile formed when the Human let his jaw fall slack. “This is of the second batch of offspring.”
“Holy...” Joseph paused to take a breath, his face contorting through various emotions as he tried to fabricate a reasonable response. “How much work is it?”
“It is rather simple,” she admitted, blushing slightly when Atrox placed a paw on her back. “They seem to be quite content to feed off the detritus of the forest, and reproduce rather quickly.”
“How long until they get to a size we can eat?”
“I would approximate twenty suns for them to grow to a size that would be edible, but longer would allow them to reach the size we have been gathering.”
Joseph placed a fist to his lips, muttering to himself for a few moments. He shot a glance back at the female. “How much room do you need?”
“For?”
The Grand Hunter smirked. “Raising a bunch of them.”
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Bratik gathered the weapons from the bundle on his personal wagon as they took a break to make them easier to store when he eventually returned to his own settlement, glad to be freed from the supervision of the other High Hunters as he did so. Though, two of the forced accompaniment belonged to High Huntress Idee, the female was more concerned with fashion than she was with being in any station in particular. It seemed that she was looking to abdicate her position rather than pose any trouble for Grand Hunter Joseph, so the High Hunter held little concern that she would do much with what her informants had observed.
It was the other two that drew worry.
High Hunter Loptr was far less dismissive of information. Where Idee would be pleased to know that a fellow seamstress resided within the male’s den—as a Paw, no less—Loptr would be very interested in the construction of the buildings there.
It did not escape Bratik’s notice that each structure was shockingly sound and complex. Even the buildings within Grand Hunter Trill’s domain were weak imitations in comparison. It was something that Loptr would be more than willing to bend rules over, though it would likely be through espionage rather than any harmful application. More so, if he were to learn how critical the insects were to erecting them so swiftly.
Everywhere he looked within that settlement, he had seen things that the others would go to great lengths to covet. The only things stopping them from pulling more drastic measures was the treaty, the contract, and more specifically, the heiress.
Though the information was gleaned by listening to the grumbling Blades that he had accompanying him, the two seeming too perturbed that they were disabled to mind their mouths, he did pick up some pieces that were a relief to know. The grey-furred female being the successor to Avalon, and the curious male being her chosen Sheath, had effectively made the entirety of Grand Hunter Joseph’s pack untouchable to those who wished to stay within Grand Hunter Trill’s good graces. It was something he was surprised to learn, but something else itched at him. It was if he felt the vestiges of information trying to warn him of something he had overlooked.
A sigh was exhaled loudly as he gave up on trying to parse what he might have missed, the sound only just covering the rustling of foliage nearby.
He and his pack drew their weapons, his prototype bow being pulled, only for the string to snap under the pressure. If he needed a reason to place even more faith in the Grand Hunter’s claims to have better ranged weapons, this was it. He cursed as he drew his short sword.
It lasted for a few moments, the shifting and snapping drawing his ears towards the advancing creature. His pack formed a semicircle, each ready to dispatch whatever beast would reveal themselves.
Their caution fell when a female tripped over a root, crashing to the ground in front of them. Recognizing the attire common amongst those under Grand Hunter Toril, the male preferring his pack to have long sleeves when dealing with chemicals and concoctions, Bratik gestured for his escort to stay at the ready as he crept closer to the female.
“State your name, rank, and purpose,” he barked, keeping the tip of his weapon just out of range of her paws should she see fit to grab for it. It didn’t have much application, given the nature of his armament, but training had insisted as much with his guns, so he fell into habits.
She coughed, her voice dry and pained. “Please assist the Grand Hunter.”
His brow furrowed. “You are of Grand Hunter Toril’s pack, no?”
“Please, there’s been a revolt.” His sword wavered as she reached towards him with her plea, blood dripping from her claws as they uncovered a deep wound on her stomach. “Please save him. He is near.”
He swallowed his urge to assist, a need to get back to his own people to give them the Guardian’s gifts keeping him from ordering them to help. “Who has rebelled?”
She drew breath, coughing blood onto the forest floor. Tears stained her fur as her eyes dulled, the relief of finding others who might be able to render aid dissipating the adrenaline that had kept her going. “I ask of you, save my mate. Please...”
It only took a moment, but her eyes continued the delirious pleas until there was nothing left behind to continue begging. He stared into the breathless female’s gaze for a heartbeat, wondering what was right to do in the moment.
It was likely that Grand Hunter Toril was back the way she had appeared from. It was possible that their assistance would be sufficient to resolve the situation. It was a stretch to think that just the five of them would be adequate. They lacked enough of an advantage to fight off a force that would endanger the Grand Hunter’s purported pack. Especially if the force was comprised of those within.
He hesitated, playing through the scriptures that his mate had regaled to him when they were still courting amongst the ship. Tales of heroes and divine intervention saving the faithful.
His mind was brought back to the sight of the Human watching over the funeral pyre of the one whom he had lost, his gaze mournful yet at peace. It was a moment of serenity for the High Hunter, as if he was witnessing a tale of the texts played out before him. A depiction of the stoic grieving that one who seeks the path of the Aspects should aspire to. It was not the loss of one who was close to him, it was the loss of one who he might have been able to protect—a mark of failure.
Bratik drew a breath as his arm fell limply. He wished to be even a fraction of what that male represented. To defend those in need and guide them to safety. He wanted to charge into the forest at the slightest chance he could save those who required it, but he couldn’t risk his members. He couldn’t lead them into danger like that.
He prayed for the female, unable to bring her on the singular cart they had already struggled with transporting for a proper funeral. He prayed for the Hunt Mother to save her mate, if such a miracle was possible. He wished to be given strength so that he might be in a position to do as much in future, should the need arise.
The clack from the cart drew his eye from his silent orison.
“What are you doing?” he barked at the escorts arming themselves with the gifts they had received.
“Following the example of the Guardian,” one replied pointedly, a knowing glance delivered to the High Hunter. “He has given us the tools to provide safety to his kin.”
A pained expression donned on his muzzle, a fight between his piety and his vain hope to keep his own pack safe at odds. “They were given to feed our own.”
“Would he not see those in need as his kin?”
Bratik failed to voice a counterpoint, the sorrow upon the male’s features still burned into his mind. He had been so distraught by the loss of one who he had just met. One who, by his own admission, was merely someone in need of aid, and he wished to be the one who offered it.
The High Hunter’s pack, those being comprised mostly of the faithful who sought Bratik’s mate for spiritual guidance, were surprisingly receptive to the High Hunter’s claims of the Human being an Essence. They had tentatively accepted, more firmly believing once they had witnessed the male in action. They all reported feeling drawn to help him, as if it was their duty as faithful. Their calling.
To see them now disregarding worry on the slim chance that they might do as the Hunt Mother would wish for her kits...
The High Hunter lifted his sword weakly, his ashen-fur bleeding into the colour of the crude iron past the handle. A slow lift of his gaze rested upon the weapons and armour given. The tools crafted by an Essence and passed to those whom had proven their piety.
If he did not use them for this, could he still return to his mate and claim to be a follower? Would Sorren still smile so brightly upon him if they knew he had denied a trial?
Bratik nodded, confirming his resolve. “Arm yourselves. The Guardian’s will guides us.”
A bow was tossed into his paws, him taking the time to examine it with a claw plucking the string. True to his word, Grand Hunter Joseph had indeed crafted a far superior weapon than the ones who would seek little more than conflict. It was not given to be a weapon of war. It was provided to be a weapon of security and care.
Luckily, there were people who were in need of protection.