On The Hunt

It was a dim, cool afternoon on the border between Earthclaw and Nightclaw territory, with the canopy of the grand forest shrouding the undergrowth in a calm, black sheet. In a small grotto, sipping at the water's edge, was a magnificent bull moose, his massive antlers casting an imposing look on its face.

Suddenly, it perked its hears up, scanning the tree line around the grotto, before resuming it's drink.

Suddenly, from the side, a near silent twang sounded out, and a long, broadheaded arrow struck the moose right on the top of the neck, burying itself in its spine. The moose fell over, thrashing around as best as it could as it's hunter appeared from the forest.

Ikkrik slung his hunting longbow over his shoulder by the string, and drew his fighting pick, walking over to the moose and striking it in the head with the blunt end, caving in its skull.

Another successful hunt for the Earthclaws patriarch.

He started skinning the moose, keeping an eye out for any other creatures that might be in the area.

Noticing the presence of another reptilian, a NightClaw made its way towards the green EarthClaw. Silently she approached him, and said in a high, regal voice, "Hello, Ikkrik. I must say, I have not seen thee in quite a while." Silver Shine's gaze drifted over to the moose carcass. "May I join thee in thy hunt?"

Ikkrik, being occupied by the carving of the moose, didn't immediately notice Silver Shine approaching him. Normally, he would've smelled her, but the smell of moose blood was almost overpowering his sense of smell.

When she spoke, he spun around at first, Kukri drawn and held in one hand with the other on the handle of his fighting pick. Once he saw who it was, he lowered his weapons, giving Silver a brief smile. "The company wouldn't be unwelcome, Shine." He said as he sheathed his Kukri and returned to skinning and carving up the moose. "We can get going once I finish up here. How're the Nightclaws doing? Word on the wind is that you've run into a spot of fortune." He said, idly making conversation as he laid the moose skin down inner-side out. He then started carving the good meat off of the moose.

A spark of emotion appeared in Silver Shine's eyes, but it was hard to tell what it was. Fear? Anger? In any case, it was now gone. "Yes, that is true," the matriarch said slowly. "Have thy EarthClaws been having... trouble... of any kind? With humans, by any chance?'' She was careful to keep her expression clear of any emotions now.

As he carved the moose, Ikkrik looked up at Silver Shine when she posed her question. "Humans?...not really..." He started, placing the meat onto the skin and rolling it all up, using some pins to keep the skin folded. He strapped it to his back, and stood up off his knees.

"Sometimes, they come into the forest, but those are just hunters. They leave us peace offerings to prove they mean us no harm, and we leave them alone." He explained, wiping his carving knife on the grass before sheathing it.

Silver Shine opened her mouth to reply to Ikkrik, but suddenly she froze. Scenting the air, she said, "A herd of buffalo, nearby. Shall we go for it?" She was feeling somewhat hungry by now.

~Gosh so short. I have nothing to say.

Ikkrik raised a scaled eyebrow, and made his thoughts heard.

"Buffalo? It'll definitely take more work than this moose, but I think we can handle it between the two of us." He said, taking the scent in with his nose. He drew his bow again, and started walking up the small stream which fed the grotto.

"C'mon, they're drinking from this stream, their smell's coming from that direction" He said as he pointed up the small stream and started moving again.