Warning
Blood descriptions of gore
—----------------------------
The clouds moving in that specific dance spoke all she needed to know as she felt the familiar refreshing cold spring wind dance inside her . She can finally hunt !
She did inform the others of course , even if the karzelek makes her feel like an apprentice before a seasoned master of their craft . There is also the half blind one , but he is still a child so , meh . Hes what , 80 maximum ? That's a child . Then again it might just be a human thing , most don't even make it to 100 dying as children , a true tragedy . Then again they don't see themselves as children , their adulthood age is what ? 40 ? That is still way too low .
Still now is not the time to mourn when a sickly child will be taken from the world , or ponder why the Gods made everyone else a toddler in comparison .
The bows those cabbage heads used are shabby but it was all they had . So she took one of the better looking short bows for the hunt . The look Boris was giving to the other better one spoke for itself what his preferred fighting method was . And between him and herself he can use a subpar weapon better , with all her decades of experience .
Having done their parting with the little herbalist , she and Vasilisa took to farter in the forest . The simultaneous quietness and cacophony of noises was broken by their steps on the soft mud on the forest path . In no time they were met with old crossroads , the old rotting wood barely having held for what looks to be a century or two . On the right were the fresh tracks on a deer and on the left she could smell the unmistakable smell of white silk and other than maybe a river finger , but with no smell of animals more than normal it looked to be peaceful . And no matter how cursed or not her new baby friend it should be fine .
I go right , you left . - The nod she got was all the confirmation needed for them to go their separate ways .
So they took their separate ways . Quickly she started to scale the trees , the feel of branches under her feet bringing a familiar sensation she dubbed she would have again . Devana had smiled upon her . She wonders would she be let free to be something other than a hunter as well ? The Huntrest was a benevolent goddess as can be seen in her holy grounds yet … Can a born blacksmith even be called a proper follower of her ? A samodiva should follow the wild , yet even the half mix was more wild than herself .
No , it matters not what she thinks . Only gods and tsars have that privilege . What she should do is focus on the hunt , the time to think will come later . Not so long after she found the tracks of the deer . She took the short bow out , ready to shoot at first sight , even a moment of hesitation would make the meat run to far away into those unknown forests .
And with a Dolla on her side she found the elk drinking from a small river . She calmed her breath to a still and aimed her shot . The sting of the bowstring a familiar feeling long having calloused her fingers . The bow's wood bending , forced to bear the brunt of her strength . Had it been in any worse of condition it would no doubt break in two .But it was enough for what she needed here and now .
Shoot !
The familiar scarlet liquid started to ooze from the wound at the back of the head , still twitching after death but firmly to the path to Nav . Jumping down from the tree's protective crown she took the deer and with no mind to the possibility of blood ruining the clothes on her back .
Having done her hunt , for now at least . She took back to the crossroads and followed Vasya's tracks . However the stench of blood , cooked meat and fire caused her to throw away the elk , start running and take out her bow .
It should be good for at least one more shot .
With the speed of a galloping horse she was on the clearing and in it the signs of a battle , signs of fire and a fallen oak tree . And underneath the tree lays Vasilisa , her face bloodied , wounded and sheepish after having noticed Draga . Her whole body no doubt wounded and hurting yet what caught Drana's attention was her right hand , dark almost black blisters were sprinkled on the skin like a child handed paint . Her clothes hid what other wounds she might have , but the fall wouldn't have been kind to her .
What in the name of the Gods happened ?!? - Was it the kazerlek ? He must have been , Who else has fire on command ? But if so why Vasilisa or even why leave her alive ? Would you believe me if I said a pig ? - Either she had gone crazy , it's lying be it her will or anoters or the least likely of all … A pig attacked her and it somehow resulted in her under an oak tree , with a broken hand and the remains of what seems to be fire …You survived a pig ? - Was she being made to lie against her will ? Was it the cursed kazerlek , a death fanatic like the rest of his people . Or some other knower . Did they accidentally come too close to those chorts mastress ? - You know you can tell me the truth right ?It really was a pig … or well someone taming a wild boar into being a pig again . That's not important however . - The air around her suddenly changed , turning snow cold and serious like Morana herself . And , wow , the cursed hair color definitely only adds to the comparison . - What is important is the notches .Notches ? - Why should notches be somehow in this ? Marking a pig isn't uncommon so why give it importance ?
Having no doubt seen Dragana's confusion Vasilisa continued .
The notches were fresh , no older than a day at most . However no other blood was on it . Do you know what that means ? - Having started helping Vasya out of the oak Draga had almost no chances to ting let alone observe , and yet Vasya kept on adding to her cart of thoughts .It has an owner … An owner that is still alive and no doubt taking care of it . Yet the fact it came at you means it has tasted meat before ? I've heard pigs start craving meat after tasting it , but I'm not fully sure as I'm a hunter not a swine shepard .Yes . And with it attacking unprovoked leaves only one option . Someone trained it to attack mortals on sight … - Oh this is bad , very very bad …How good are you at hiding tracks ?Relatively good . Wh- False trail ? - Her mouth curled into a smile at the strategy . - I know a few good zagovars for this , and with the rain helping … even a seasoned hunter would have problems tracking .Excellent ! - Was the response for the knowledge they won't be found or for finally getting her out from under the tree ? Maybe it was both .Also Vasya was the fire from you ? - The question seems to have taken her by surprise , almost immediately however she recovered and had the sheepish smile returned . I might have used the zagovar the old man used . - She used a single word zagovar ? She must be skilled and knowledgeable then . Draga herself hadn't started to even start experimenting with them until her 30s , Vasilisa doesn't seem to be that much older . She was maybe 50 ? Other mortal races do age rather fast , with all of them considering 40 as a age for adulthood .How high is your [Knower] level ? It must be high with you being a dampire surely ? - At least level 30 surely . With how hard single words zagovor are . Not to mention how notorious her race's ability to glean secrets of the word only helps in it .How did you know I am a dampire ? - Her stance shifted suddenly into one a distressed animal might take . Her eyes took a sharper and more dangerous look , similar to a cornered animal . Did she truly think … Draga wouldn't notice ?Your hair is the color of a raven's feather . Is there a mortal with such color who is not of cursed blood ? - There truly wast such a morla , the black only found on the night with no light a signature of those half of this word and half of Nav . - Still the question of your levels stays .6 . - Only so little ? Even she , a pure mortal has more . So is why she someone of mixed blood so ignorant ? And how did she create the fire then ? Perhaps she knows the full incantation for fire . Or maybe it was a fluke ?I don't want to talk about it .Do you want help walking ? I could probably carry both you and the elk .Just get me a big and tall stick . By tomorrow or after i should be good .
So Dragan took to the tree and started searching for a good enough branch . Having found it she muttered a zafovar softly .
Rezhi !
With those simple words the tree and branch separated as if cut by a sharp axe in one smooth swing . The design was crude at best , the branch it was not even a finger ago screaming clear like a particularly annoying rooster on sunrise . Still it will work as it needs to , so it was handed to Vasya . Using her strength to grip the branch as support she lifted herself to her feet and started to slowly try and walk back to the shelter , even while limping and looking like a strong wind will topple her .
Letting out an exhausted breath at dealing with such a stubborn child , Draga threw the elk back on her and started walking after the beaten up wolf cub . She felt like a character from a bailichika .
—-------------------------------------
Maslo ! No ! - The scream of the younger of the shepard siblings was heard across the clearing and beyond . - Spit it out ! No ,come back here ! Spit ! It ! Out ! Get back here ! - A chase was started starring the previously mentioned shepard and mule . Some people would say that chasing a four legged beast from behind is a bad idea , they would be right . Not that she was chasing from behind mind you , she moved more like a cattle dog . Still with her surprising speed she caught to the mule in no time at all . She leaped-Master , we bring news of the mutt ! - The ugly voice to an even more disgusting chort forces him to lay his attention on it . If the too big , crooked and uneven smile was anything to go by it found his attention rather pleasant . News . - The cold voice coming out of his mouth a refreshment after constantly having to imitate the sun garbage in an attempt of pacifying the brats . Perhaps soon it wouldn't be needed . A wandered swine attempted to add the mutt to its diet . - Bad luck , to run into the only beast as strong as you yet more ready to harm itself to take you down with it . What happened then ? Hehehe . The mutt tried fleeing up a tree . The swine was a good one and kept on its effort . Eventually the oak fell on her , we even helped keep her in . For those prai- You did what ? - The threat of pain and scars on the mind clear and blinding like a night in winter in the northern parts of Mraz . Those nitwitted cretins tried to kill the most acceptable of this bunch ? Unacebtle ! - Did you ever ask yourself "Why would master tell us to look after a dampire girl ?" . Or were you so stupid as to think you can curse her for your lack of adequacy ? Maybe I should find a better use for you , a house gift might just do the job ? - He stared deep into the chort's soul to look into what might be the biggest failure created by the gods . At least vulglavs and even the red haired fools can have more intelligence than this ting .Ugh , no … We didn't … - Came the reply from one of those behind . Fools , fools every last one of them . Maybe you should have . - He took a deep breath to try and calm himself . His subordinates were low already , no need to lower them even more . - Still … is she alive ?Yes master . Just before being stomped she finally succeeded in recreating your zagovor . - His zagovor ? But why should a damprire use a fire creation zagovor and not a more bat- Oh , she isn't trained . Well this might just have become so much more interesting . An untrained dampire , he is going to have fun with this . His smile caused the chorts to take a step or five aback , so there was some intelect in them after all .
Having been satisfied with the news Svetlen took back to the thing happening around him . What was he doing ? Ah yes , watch the samodiva shepard stop the strangely named mule from indulging in poisonous mushrooms . The snow had ended unfortunately while he was dealing with dimwits , a pity but with such a good shepherd it's to be expected .
What in the name of Semarg happened to you ?! - The concerned shout of the elder shepard caught his and everyone else's attention . He had a good reason to steam , Vasilisa was limping only supported by a large branch , looked to have been run over by an on fire wagon with disheveled and even slightly burned hair . And that is without mentioning the wounds , frankly most would be either in agony unable to move or in Lady Morzana's embrace . Her kind were always hard to kill . He thought it was training but it might just be a race thing . Guess a dampire is a dampire .An aggressive mortal eating boar that almost definitely has an equally bloodthirsty owner . - The dry and matter of fact speaking she took on speaking those no doubt fear inducing fresh as morning dew memories could only mean two things . She was either superesing them at the moment in a trained way or she was distancing herself from them in an untrained way . Both were bad , but judging from her almost guaranteed lack of training and support her status as a Non-Knowerer in a way only a steel forged under the same flames as those of the sun can .And an oak falling . - The samodiva hunter said with the elk on her shoulder he didn't notice before .As she said . - Eh , he can work with this .
Having let the rest of the brats sort things among themself while talking to dealing with his chorts . After all , it wont do to kill their master's apprentice and possible future mastress .