Gerard began his life as a poacher. He later became a mercenary. So, the hunt for an elk was a bit nostalgic for him. He remembered all the old tricks--how to keep his footsteps quiet, how to control his breathing, keeping his bow ready for when the opportunity finally presented itself. Slow and steady movements were the name of the game here.
He was distracted too, of course. How could he not think of Teagan now? Despite the time they'd spent together, there was still so much to discuss that their parting felt like some great injustice. But there was nothing to be done for it--they had to do this. They had made a decision, or at least Gerard had, that the guild came before they did. He only hoped that decision wouldn't haunt him.
Gerard finally happened on a long stag, and carefully approached it, each step bringing that familiar thrill of the hunt. He neared, just close enough that he figured he could make a clean shot, and raised his bow.
And that's when it happened.
He felt the very earth beneath him start to tremble. He bolted, narrowly avoiding the massive green maw that erupted from the dirt. Gerard tripped from the impact of the ground itself shifting. He was scrambling to get up, but he knew that this was it. He had been the prey all along. He still tried to crawl away, but he heard the sounds of the Wurm behind him and knew he was mere moments from death. He turned to face that death, and he laid eyes on the beast, its eyes glowing with hatred, its green scales shimmering in the morning sun. It resembled a wingless dragon with only two forearms, yet a much larger mouth than normal for such a creature. The rest of its body was serpentine. Yet it did not strike. Gerard braced himself for the inevitable end, but it never came. Instead, the creature studied him for a moment. Then, with a terrible rumbling, it spake.
"Prey wanders into my domain, and thinks it can hunt me. It carries bows, and arrows... swords, and spears... all to shatter against my mighty scales. For eons, I have been the hunter, and mortals the prey... Yet never have I been the one hunted... I have watched your steps. I watched you make camp on the mountainside... did you think it safe?"
The creature bellowed a terrible laugh.
"And now, the prey sits before me... Gal-Thurak, the Serpent of the Spine... great and terrible, lies before you now... and I see no difference... only weakness. I tire of such prey..."
It grinned a terrible grin.
"But, I think, this prey will provide the hunter some entertainment... Where is your companion? Your mate, perhaps? I have eaten many mates... But even so, that would not enthuse me... Would you wager, little prey? I offer this unto you... Gal-Thurak's mercy... if you can reach your mate before I can... then I will spare you... but should you fail... I will make sure you see her carcass before the end..."
It laughed again, the terrible sound echoing throughout the valley. As swiftly as it appeared, it dug its head back into the earth, and began to tunnel again.
Barely catching his breath, Gerard thought quickly.
I can't outrun it, it's rigged. I'm going to die. Teagan is going to die.
He started running towards her anyway. But he quickly thought of another way.
I can't outrun it, but maybe I can outshoot it.
He broke for the tallest pine he could find, and began to climb its many branches. In short time he reached the top, the old pine supporting his weight. He whistled--once, twice, thrice--hoping his voice would pierce the valley. Then, he drew the Everbow. His request was fervent.
Granger, guide my shot.
He nocked an arrow and drew, studying the treeline and quickly calculating where he thought Teagan might have ended up. Finally, with a moment's hesitation, he loosed. He only hoped the arrow would get there before the Wurm did, and that Teagan would somehow understand.
