Herbalists' Cache portable ops

The snake hesitated, perhaps catching scent of its pursuer, and that pause would be its undoing. 

The boy pounced, landing his bite about two-thirds of the way down the creature's body, nearing its tail-end. The creature immediately writhed, and Veteran tightened his grip. He shook the snake's body violently, whipping it around in a tight circle. 

The snake's fangs found Veteran's flank, and the child yelped. He dropped the tail and bit again at the creature, this time finding a hold just behind its head. If he had been a more experienced hunter, this is where he would have aimed his first blow, so that he would have had more control of the creature's head from the very beginning. He would not make the same mistake again. 

Veteran wrenched the snake off of his flank and flung it away. As soon as he threw it, he was running after it once more, unwilling to to allow it to escape. It was personal, now. 

Although she made no effort to conceal herself, Veteran did not yet notice the presence of his company.