“
The massive claws from the stone crab would make a good trophy, caution is to be used when fighting them. It takes a team to immobilize it then the hammer needs to be used to strike it down, repetitive strikes in a line breaks it apart but the threat of dismemberment is always there. They provide a lot of meat plenty of food for several villages.”
Roman smiled at the two of them while the hunting was about to begin.
“
The snow cats are sought after for their fur, in muscle mass they are about the same size as Nala but with their thick fur they look about twice the size. They have huge wide paws that make them nearly float across the snow, very difficult to track, more so to kill.”
Mayet’s comment about how she felt that her beauty was stifled while out hunting the scorpions made him smile. Yet the thought made him frown slightly internally, that instead of enjoying the beauty of nature she was still worried about her looks. but the fact she went hunting in those conditions in the first place was a good sign. He did like other people that enjoyed the outdoors as much as he did even if her killing intent was a bit higher than his own.
Roman wasn’t sure who Munir was talking to when he said ‘Atwood’ he couldn’t tell if it was a joke or the man was having a stroke likely just a joke. The giant tilted his head to the side yet again when he talked about getting shot, he had a spear not a bow. Perhaps he was still affected by whatever happened last night.
He couldn’t help but watch Mayet break off from the group to go hunt a snack, her posture changed to what he would expect from a hunter. Munir also galloped off in another direction with a falcon of all things. He knew of a few southern nobles that hunted with them but he always preferred an owl.
Standing alone in the forest for a moment gathering his bearings, listening to the rustle of the wind in the trees and the distant voices of other party’s the occasional sent of gunpowder or perfume wafted through the air. Roman did not wear any strong perfumes or hard shoes, all the better to lull prey into a false sense of security. His eyes began to pick up the subtle trails of small and medium game in the area so he too ventured into the forest following the sounds of a small creek.
Upon reaching the creek he could tell that the water level had dropped a few inches possible because of a blockage further upstream. With no new animal sign along the sandy creek edge he began walking up the creek being sure to stay just in the tree line, quietly glancing at every step as to not break any twigs, slow and steady, heel to ground first then slowly roll the bottom of the foot down to the toes. Every 15 to 20 steps he would stop look and listen to his surroundings paying attention to every detail.
The obstruction in the creek was in view now, the start of a new beaver dam protruded from a point in the creek with large stones on either side. There was a few places where water was still slowly pouring through and a few other places where he knew he could crawl to get a drop on anything that may have been working on the dam. Approaching one slow agonizing step at a time, spear in hand and the sound of his heart in his thought roman proceeded forward until he could see the entirety of the dam.
His prey was not there but a quick inspection of the shore line showed recent activity of a beaver eating and working to secure what looked to be a new place of residence as he did not see an obvious beaver hut. He didn’t have the time to set a trap so he would have to lure the giant rodent in to an ambush. Slowly moving back towards the base of the dam in a low almost belly crawl behind the small hill he observed the area from it was mostly tall grass but would make due. Pulling a few sticks from the dam to create water flow and the noise of running water resuming his position once he was finished spear in hand.
It took about five or ten minutes before he saw activity on the small section of swollen creek. A ripple in the water told him that something was moving out there and moving towards him. Watching as the beaver surfaced looked around then headed for the dam. Roman waited as still as he could be as it continued to draw closer. Beavers had an instinctual need to stop the sound of running water, the fur traders back home talked about it in great detail. It would seem that they were correct as the rodent pushed itself up onto the dam and started repairing the holes he had made.
He only waited a few moments more before getting up and throwing the spear at the beaver. His spear hit its tail but it still attempted to return to the water. Springing up and lunging after it with his axe in hand Roman dove into the water after the creature just barely getting a good grip on its back leg before it vanished into the murky water. Pulling the beaver back onto land was a bit trickier than he thought as he was constantly trying not to get bit by its giant teeth. Once on land it tried its best to get away but a swift strike to the back of its head with the back of his axe ended all resistance.
Roman took account of himself for a moment then his catch, he was soaked but he had all of his things still. The beaver didn’t suffer any damage to its pelt just its tail and he didn’t hit the scent glands it has so that was a plus. He spoke a quick prayer to the animal thanking it for its pelt and meat promising it that it will not be wasted. Making a small incision on its stomach he proceeded to carefully remove everything from inside it. The heat of the day would be quick to spoil the meat of a creature like this if left inside.
As part of his hunting ritual he left half of what he removed in the creek and the rest on the edge of the creek this way the other denizens of the forest would be able to feast on what was left. Walking back towards the forest he paused for a moment to mark a rune on one of the larger trees with the blood of the animal. The simple bind rune represented a combination of luck and protection for the area with the life of the beaver as payment and thanks for the harvest. The beaver still had quite the weight to it he noticed while he walked back towards the group.
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