Ouroboros Spine Dutiful Hunter

@Nasamik

Rodyn traversed through the pack lands. There was small game  here, and some larger game near the fringes and that was his goal today. He was going to scope out what he could and then hope that someone would join him.

If no one came across him, it would simply be a way to stalk the prey, learn their habits and perhaps have a hunt soon. Quiet russet steps he moved along the trees near the copse of mamatuk. Yellow eyes taking in the wonders of the world he lived in.

He steeped himself in shadows and watched with glowing eyes as the herd moved along the fringes staying far away from their border markings, but still close enough to grasp one.

Nasamik couldn't help but notice the lurking beast. 

He watched the herd that grazed not too far from the tree line.

Curious, she stepped close. When enough so to be heard, she chuffed lightly. He would have known of her presence by now. Driving a young or elderly one in through the density of the woods would be a fairly easy catch. Nasamik spoke in a whisper towards his ear.

It didn't take long to pick out one of them that moved with a noticeable limp. So, to the hunter beside her, she gestured towards the ideal choice.

Plainly, she was inviting herself to join him in this hunt. That is, of course, if he accepted the assistance. Not all were keen when it came to having a little bit of help. But when it came to hunting, teamwork was essential.

Rodyn was found by another. Pale in her coat. A sight he was growing accustomed too. To imagine not too long ago, he had never really seen a white wolf before. Now he lived with many.

He turned and met her gaze and nodded. Yes it would be. I'm Rodyn Ardeth, sivullik. It is good to meet you. Are you interested in doing a little driving?

A small smile lit up his face as he turned back around to the wolves. He loved the thrill of the chase, the hunt. Though he offered a quiet whispered prayer to sedna to bless their jaws.

You drive it to the forest line and i'll ambush? Or would you rather ambush?

Rodyn could do either one. He didn't mind. Though it had been some time since he was the ambushee, having been teaching to hunt lately he was allowing the ones he taught to take that initial kill.

He greeted her kindly. Something she herself was growing in tune to. It was refreshing, really, to see so many with spirited hearts and warm souls. 

Sivullik, Nasamik knew this term. I welcome the pleasure of our first meet, firsthunter. I am Nasamik. She returned a soft smile, eyes placed upon him while her ears remained keen upon the bellowing sounds of the herd. 

This hunter was keen to see the work done. He even had a strategy well prepared. A simple one, but it was better than marching in blindly.

With their differed sizes, it seemed almost too obvious who should take which role. But he did not appear too new to this art, so she could not scorn him for the question. 

I am smaller, nimble. You are larger than I... more strength to pressure the creature and forcibly subdue them. I will herd it, you may take first attack. Their ways of speaking in sense of the hunt were slightly different, but in the end, they both had the same idea. 

Nasamik waited now, expecting either acceptance or denial of her suggestions. He was called firsthunter, so it seemed only fitting that he have the final say in their plans.

Rodyn had been thrown his first arrival on Moonglow at how friendly everyone was. However, it did not give way for anyone to be a push over either. Everyone was kind, but could also easily fight for what they felt was right if needed.

Well Met Nasamik. Rodyn preferred simple strategies. Especially when he was hunting with someone new to him. He and Helph he was happy to hunt with different strategies with her and Void as well, because he knew how the two operated.

He nodded. Very well. I'll lay in wait then. I know it doesn't need repeating, but just because i prefer safety. Mind the horns, and the hooves. I'll pull them my way when i grasp them.

Rodyn shifted, moved his body into a position to easily run and jump upon the haunches of whichever one she sent towards them, bellowing and wrathful.

They both were in agreement. The plan would proceed as spoken.

Move a bit further down that way ... conceal your scent with the bark and shrubs, With her nose pointed towards the collection of topiary a bit a ways downward, Nasamik gestured there. Once they are spooked, we will not know which direction they will run. You will have the advantage that way, so whichever direction is chosen, you will be able to cut them off from the front or flank, rather one over the other. It wasn't her intention to step on any tails by tossing out tiny commands, but like any other would, she wanted to see this hunt a success.

It was up to him whether he listened to her suggestions or not, but she would not delay the hunt while waiting to see.

Before given the chance to speak, the hunter's small frame whisked away, moving quietly through the grass. It wasn't overly tall, but enough to give her some amount of leverage towards surprising the herd.

Once as close as she could possibly get, Nasamik locked eyes upon the injured doe and then quickly surged forward, snapping her teeth to drive it off towards the trees in a scare. Her feet moved in a fast, steady pace, keeping herself from distancing too far from the elk. With each stride, she snapped her teeth again and again to keep it moving. Occasionally, when she got close enough, her fangs even met flesh; but it wasn't yet enough to make an impact.

On and on she pushed the two, hoping to soon reach her partner hunter's trap.

Rodyn stared at her for a moment with a raised eyebrow. The only proof that he didn't like being told what to do. Not that he was exactly angry about it. But she ordered him around like she was higher up the rank than he. And he found that part of him rankled to be told how to hunt, when he clearly knew how.

He also knew about the direction they would run. Part of him was a bit irritated that she treated him like a wolf that didn't know how to hunt. He was the first hunter, he had brought in furs, pelts, meat all autumn and winter long. He had earned his place by hunting.

He shifted into position and settled to ready himself. He knew how to conceal and be ready. She drove the beast with drive, which he couldn't fault her for.

Rodyn tore from the underbrush and bull rushed the creatures side. She drove it forward and he grasped the haunch and pulled to topple. WIth her combined energy, and drive. The creature would begin to fall. And with skill and precision he snapped into the creatures throat and tore it out.

Then with sides heaving he stared at the female. Irritation clear on his face. His tail no longer neutral. She had insulted his intelligence, then she had walked away before he could speak. He found that despite the kindness that beat in his heart. This he could not let slide. Though he was nice when he spoke.


I know how to hunt, Nasamik. In the future don't order someone else around. It's offensive . Suggest yes. Order. No. Secondly, you don't walk away after telling someone what to do. It's rude. I'm the first hunter and I thank you for the successful hunt. I thank you for offering your assistance. However, you do not get to order me around as if I know nothing. You are not in charge of me.

Her part had been played well. Now it was his turn.

The beast was brought down quickly, and with ease. Its injury had aided with that.

She soon joined him at the flank of what was now a blood drawn carcass. But what came next, she not expected. Instead of congratulate their triumph, Rodyn turned with a look of irritation and proceeded to scorn her.

Nasamik was both visibly confused and hurt by his words. Gaze hardening, she spoke with a firm distaste. In my first village, we did not have firshunter, nor secondhunter. We were equals in the hunt, regardless of our rank. We work as one. What I said was meant to help us both as a team, not to be a show of authority in my place. Where before she thought highly of the man, her view of him had changed oh so quickly. Her stance shifted, now appearing as one of defense against his coldness. It matters not how long you have been a hunter. There are always ways to improve and areas another can be of help. That is why hunters do not often hunt alone.

Perhaps before you are so quick to scorn another, you should think with some consideration. Saying that she was still new may have appeared too much of an excuse, but it was a truth that anyone could tell. Their ways of life were different, but this man clearly cared only for his own.

Rodyn studied her, and his gaze softened. He frowned, thinking, listening. Perhaps he was hasty. But he didn't like being told something he would know. However, he had done her wrongly and that was unkind. His stance softened, and his tail returned to it's neutral spot.

Though he had tried to speak kindly. His words hadn't been meant ot be cruel in any capacity. Though he fast realized perhaps an apology was in order. Despite that she too had been wrong.

He held up a paw and nodded. Okay clearly I was hasty. And I do apologize, sincerely for upsetting you. There seems to be a miscommunication. The way you spoke and how i took it.

He shifted. It was clearly wrong how I Took it, and though that is a flimsy excuse it is the truth. Hunting to me is, is.

He looked for the words. It is sacred. It is how I hunt for my fiancee, for my family here. It is my existence, it is how I provide for those under my care, and when you spoke so cavalier to me as if I didn't know the basics, it upset me. Here when you spoke so hastily, telling me what to do. I took it as an unkindness on your part. As i said I was wrong. But I didn't scorn you. You are a very good huntress, and you did as well as any seasoned hunter in our ranks. And i thank you for it.

He blew out a breath. Can we try to start again?

The hunter admitted to his faults openly, including what seemed to be a sincere apology.

Nasamik was still slightly stunned by the whole situation, but she was with a forgiving heart.

I can understand the mistaken delivery ... We both were at fault in some way. But as I grow to know better of the command chain, I will not so easily make the same mistake again. She hoped she wouldn't, or else she would end up on bad terms with yet another Moonglow member.

Softening her own body too, she offered him a faint smile. It is not my wish to be in poor standing in the eye of any in this village. This is my home, now. I would like to consider everyone here family and be able to treat them as such. So when he offered for them to start fresh, she would not be hasty to decline. I would like that, if we could start new. You seem a fair hearted man, and with a soul keen on seeing his people well tended. For this, we both have in common.

If Rodyn was not known for anything else, he would be known for his kindness. That he was sure of. Because he couldn't fathom being open mean to anyone. He could barely stomach the thought of making people listen to him on the hierarchy ladder. This just touched in a wrong way given that it was the one thing he loved above all else.

He dipped his head in agreement. They were both at fault, and they both had misconstrued something and spoke cruelly. Even if they hadn't meant too.

Rodyn nodded his head. I do. You should seek out my intended, Samani. I think you'd get along well. Mojag, Stratos, and Aiolos are all fair hunters as well. Shikoba is the star hunter, and she is better than all of us.

Rodyn offered a set of names. Other hunters that were acclaimed to be skilled. The young girl appreciated this. Later, they could be sought out. But something else probed her mind in this moment.

And what of the secondhunter, Kivaluk? It was a cruel thing, to ask of another.. but she couldn't help but be curious. Kivaluk certainly seemed a very pleasant individual. He was kind and generous. Nasamik had come to enjoy their moments together immensely. Part of her was eager to know how well of a hunter he was, specifically in blind interest of how he would fair acting upon a court dowry. Not that she thought it would happen, but nothing could prevent the idea swarming through her mind.

Rodyn blinked and then smiled and gave a soft nod.

I've been tasked with helping Kivaluk improve his skills. He doesn't need much help. He just needs practice with the larger prey, as his former pack was smaller than us and didn't have the numbers to bring such prey down.

Rodyn was thinking. He's stealthy and quick and agile, and his size will rival mine i believe. This year he could possibly go on his own bride price journey.

Yellow eyes looked her over, she would make a good match to Kivaluk. He would make a mental note to say something to Kukutux. Their leader was very much a matchmaker at heart.

The larger do indeed take practice. She did her best to keep an even, agreeing tone, so that he did not mistake her words as a mock to what he already knew.

Perhaps him and I may hunt soon. It is my wish to improve in strategy with the bulkier game. We may be of help to each other.

Rodyn shifted. It's true enough. I was lucky enough to come from a pack that was large and there were many able bodied wolves. So i learned early enough to hunt the larger game. Though it's been some time. I hunted some with other packs for my bride price though this last seasons.

You may. Now this beast here.

He motioned towards the 4 legged caribou. Do you know how to scrape and clean a pelt? I ask because this one can go in your den if you like? And if you don't know how i can teach you?

To learn was harder for some than it was for others. But in the end, the provided lessons prove beneficial.

The caribou. A new pelt. The offer was tempting, but she wasn't sure this would be an ideal addition at the moment. I already have too many pelts skinned, and others waiting to be. Thank you, though, She added a bit wider and softer of a smile this time. And yes ... I have known how to skin, wash, and cure pelts since a young age. It was one of the first things hunters were taught in my first village — a trade for the women, especially. But by this, she did not imply man were not capable. Based upon Rodyn's words, he clearly had been taught. The same could be said for Kivaluk as well.

Rodyn knew it was harder for others. For instance he himself had trouble learning things other than hunting. Hunting had come easily, but like herbal plants and the like. He wouldn't have known one from the other.

I have many too. I'll skin this one and add it to the pile for our guests when we have pack hunts or for trading. You can never have enough to trade with.

He chuckled and shook his head. That seems to be the consensus, but I asked Moonwoman to teach me. It seemed unfair to have someone else skin the thing that I had caught, and it made it nice to trade with packs.

He shrugged a shoulder. You okay with skinning it and separating it here? That way we can carry less each, and you can start a cache near your den if you haven't already?

He also wanted to see Samani some tonight. He had missed his peachy queen.

perhaps end here, since the thread has been sitting a bit?

Rodyn thought it unfair to have others to work for him. Nasamik found this surprising. In a village like this, surely it would be anyone's delight to help another out. Perhaps he still did not wish to bother anyone, though.

She simply nodded in agreement to what he'd said, not finding it necessary to drag on. It is a good skill to know.

When it came to skinning, she preferred to do it in the quiet setting of her ulaq; though, he did make a fair point in suggesting the weight difference. I suppose it would be easier this way, yes. It will take a minute, though. Pick a side, and I will start from the other. If they both worked, they would get it done faster.

Nasamik would wait until he chose which side he wanted. Once he did, she would begin her diligent work, humming softly. They would work like this until the skin was torn free and then later split the carcass into easier loads to be carried back to the ulax.