[center][h3][color=c93636]Hasdrubal Hjort[/color][/h3][/center][hr][hr]From the time he was old enough to understand danger, Hasdrubal had been conditioned to respond to the sound of travelers in distress. Before his conscious mind had the chance to take in the commotion, he was already striding towards the group of hunters, sheathed sword in hand. His eyes tracked the katari as she made her swift way through the village, stopping only when the woman crossed Pepper's path. The soldier breathed a sigh of relief--whatever was happening, at least his young charge was high up in the treetops, presumably out of immediate danger.

And then he watched her, after only a moment's hesitation, take off the way the hunter had came at her best pace.

[color=c93636][i]She's as bad as a toddler.[/i][/color] Hasdrubal snorted and shook his head, but he couldn't find it in himself to put that much heat into the thought. [color=c93636][i]At least she'll be where I can see her.[/i][/color]

That train of thought carried him up to the little knot of hunters, where he interrupted their conversation by physically leaning over one. He addressed himself to one of the two who had been carrying their injured companion, relying on his physical presence and the basso rumble of his voice to cut through the commotion.

[color=c93636]"You there! What happened to your friend?"[/color]