- Messages
- 2
- Character Biography
- Link
The mist settled early in the morning as they woke from camp.
The previous day and a half had been to get to the spot the creature was last seen. A road along the northern region of the Spine Mountain range that was frequented this time of year by those hoping to get the last goods and trade home before the snows started which made the pass inaccessible until high spring and the thaw.
Voe, having taken the last watch was on breakfast duty and did his classic mushroom and ham in a skillet cooked in fat with and laid on thick cut soda bread that absorbed the juices.
For a ranger he was dressed the part, his clothing was simple and effective against the coming cold days and rainy evenings and padded to provide modest security from the monsters which he often found in his journeys through the mountains though he often simply reported them for more experienced members, he had no desire to die too early.
Still when it came to finding such creatures he liked to think he was one of the more reliable choices which was of course in no small part to Otho who was waking to the smell of the frying ham, even before his mind returned from his dreams his nose twitched and his legs kicked in anticipation. The Blue Drake-hound had a nose unlike anything Voe had ever seen and he put it to good use. There was no quarry Otho could not find with a bit of time and a scent to follow, save those things that flew or swam.
Behind him, in the orange light of dawn, the tent made the noise of bodies rustling in their sleeping hems.
"You lot better hurry up. Otho is almost awake and I can't save your breakfast from him forever!"
Turning back he saw his pets large fin-like ears begin to twitch and he knew any minute now the little bugger would be up and bounding about, thrashing his blue tail for his breakfast with all a beasts demanding.
Until then he covered the skillet and cut the bread, laid it out on wooden plates for serving then he checked the tea, his supply was still good as he brought the rough dried bits to his nose and gave a sniff. Satisfied he dropped them into the pot of water and put the pot on the fire, replacing the skillet in one swift motion.
It wouldn't take long now.
The treacherous wind blew smoke into his bright yellow eyes and he blinked away the dry sting that made them water and run down the mottled green of his skin. Tieflings were not unheard of but they were uncommon in the Spine at least as far as he had seen and from what he heard some of them had very wide and long horns for which he was thankful his were short under his short straw-like hair and did not interfere with his daily dressing of himself. The same could not be said for his tail, which needed its own accommodations in his trousers, a discomfort he felt regularly when presented with a narrow backed chair but out here in the wilds he was very comfortable sitting on his little rock and cooking breakfast.
He thought of the monster they hunted. Its description defied anything he thought he knew. An insect, larger than a stag and with claw and many legs. He suspected it was merely a giant spider, but they rarely go out of their caves and least of all in the daytime. Otho came begging, roused at last by the smell of food and crammed his large head under Voe's arm which got him a rub on the horn and on the saggy underskin of his leathery neck.
"Good morning big lad. You dream of chasing tree cats? Yeah, I'll bet you did."
Otho's head had a single horn on its snout that let out a huff of impatience.
"Okay, okay alright."
With measured motions Voe picked up his own plate and served himself breakfast. Otho ate afterwards and while his big orange eyes pleaded as they always did and the great head lay on Voe's lap looking up pitifully, Voe knew better than to risk breaking what boundaries he had established. Otho could wait a few minutes longer to eat but Voe had to eat first.
Drake-hounds were clever and knew simple animalistic social rules, if you ate first it was because you deserved to. If you slept in the best spot, you deserved that too and their relationship was one of master and pet, not equals.
The previous day and a half had been to get to the spot the creature was last seen. A road along the northern region of the Spine Mountain range that was frequented this time of year by those hoping to get the last goods and trade home before the snows started which made the pass inaccessible until high spring and the thaw.
Voe, having taken the last watch was on breakfast duty and did his classic mushroom and ham in a skillet cooked in fat with and laid on thick cut soda bread that absorbed the juices.
For a ranger he was dressed the part, his clothing was simple and effective against the coming cold days and rainy evenings and padded to provide modest security from the monsters which he often found in his journeys through the mountains though he often simply reported them for more experienced members, he had no desire to die too early.
Still when it came to finding such creatures he liked to think he was one of the more reliable choices which was of course in no small part to Otho who was waking to the smell of the frying ham, even before his mind returned from his dreams his nose twitched and his legs kicked in anticipation. The Blue Drake-hound had a nose unlike anything Voe had ever seen and he put it to good use. There was no quarry Otho could not find with a bit of time and a scent to follow, save those things that flew or swam.
Behind him, in the orange light of dawn, the tent made the noise of bodies rustling in their sleeping hems.
"You lot better hurry up. Otho is almost awake and I can't save your breakfast from him forever!"
Turning back he saw his pets large fin-like ears begin to twitch and he knew any minute now the little bugger would be up and bounding about, thrashing his blue tail for his breakfast with all a beasts demanding.
Until then he covered the skillet and cut the bread, laid it out on wooden plates for serving then he checked the tea, his supply was still good as he brought the rough dried bits to his nose and gave a sniff. Satisfied he dropped them into the pot of water and put the pot on the fire, replacing the skillet in one swift motion.
It wouldn't take long now.
The treacherous wind blew smoke into his bright yellow eyes and he blinked away the dry sting that made them water and run down the mottled green of his skin. Tieflings were not unheard of but they were uncommon in the Spine at least as far as he had seen and from what he heard some of them had very wide and long horns for which he was thankful his were short under his short straw-like hair and did not interfere with his daily dressing of himself. The same could not be said for his tail, which needed its own accommodations in his trousers, a discomfort he felt regularly when presented with a narrow backed chair but out here in the wilds he was very comfortable sitting on his little rock and cooking breakfast.
He thought of the monster they hunted. Its description defied anything he thought he knew. An insect, larger than a stag and with claw and many legs. He suspected it was merely a giant spider, but they rarely go out of their caves and least of all in the daytime. Otho came begging, roused at last by the smell of food and crammed his large head under Voe's arm which got him a rub on the horn and on the saggy underskin of his leathery neck.
"Good morning big lad. You dream of chasing tree cats? Yeah, I'll bet you did."
Otho's head had a single horn on its snout that let out a huff of impatience.
"Okay, okay alright."
With measured motions Voe picked up his own plate and served himself breakfast. Otho ate afterwards and while his big orange eyes pleaded as they always did and the great head lay on Voe's lap looking up pitifully, Voe knew better than to risk breaking what boundaries he had established. Otho could wait a few minutes longer to eat but Voe had to eat first.
Drake-hounds were clever and knew simple animalistic social rules, if you ate first it was because you deserved to. If you slept in the best spot, you deserved that too and their relationship was one of master and pet, not equals.
