Hunter and Hunted

The nighttime breeze blowing across the relatively empty plain makes it too cold to really enjoy the majestic scenery.

“So what’s the target?” Goodswell asks Tuta.

“Giant millipede.” The tracker replies handing him the piece of paper.

“Why can’t I ever get a challenge?” Goodswell rhetorically asks looking over the paper.

An anthropleura? I have to see this. I try to look over Goodswell’s shoulder, but alas I am still much shorter than he is.

“It’s night time, what do you expect?” Conall inquires looking at the paper as well. “Not exactly a lot of targets for apprentices or applicants.” He explains.

“True.” Tuta replies before looking out at the horizon. “At least this will be interesting to track.” The orc adds before she closes her eyes and begins to take deep sniffs of the air.

“Can ogres and orcs see in the dark?” I inquire finally being handed the piece of paper.

“We can see just fine.” Conall answers. But quickly adds “Orcs sort of can. At least better than some other folk.” I nod my head in understanding before I look at the paper.

I cannot read a thing on this thing. I close my eyes and think about the glow of a light.

I open my eyes once more. I can actually read the paper! I did not think that would actually work!

Looking the paper over I note that it is indeed an anthropleura. Sure it can climb up any of the trees very easily but it cannot be that difficult to find. It is a giant millipede probably only shorter than Conall here. I doubt I need to worry about being attacked by it. Is this even really a test for us?

“Why are your eyes glowing?” Conall asks while looking back at me.

“Oh!” I exclaim looking at him. In response he puts a hand up and turns his head away. That is when I notice two small spotlights on the ogre where I am looking at him. I look away from him before explaining “Sorry, I didn’t realize the spell was gonna do that.”

“Do you think you could light up my sword?” Goodswell asks looking at me.

“If you want, I could probably set it ablaze.” I answer giving the paper back to Tuta. “You know, gives you a light and you can burn the big insect.” I add.

“I like your thinking.” Goodswell replies with a nod.

-- -- --

The crescent moon hangs high in the sky. Being at this for sometime now and still very few sights of tracks… The chilling wind is not making it any better or easier.

“Strange.” Tuta mutters looking at the ground and kneeling in the tall grass.

“What is it?” Goodswell inquires. The orc girl points to tracks that are very clearly not a giant arthropod’s. “What do those tracks belong to?” The boy asks looking where she is pointing.

“A large cat.” She answers before standing up. “I’m not sure why there are tracks like that here.” She explains looking at the rest of us. “Not to mention these are fresh.” She adds.

“Do you think a big cat got out and they just haven’t gotten to telling us yet?“ Conall inquires.

“I personally think that they probably let it out as a complication.” I reply staring at the footprints.

“Why would they do that?” The ogre retorts.

“And not tell us there was going to be a complication.” Tuta adds defensively.

My gaze rises to Goodswell. Oddly, he is not saying anything.

“Complications are going to happen with actual contracts.” I begin with a sigh. “We won’t know about them until we are already on the hunt. Like this.” I explain.

The only sound for a moment is that of an owl hooting off in the distance and the wind blowing.

“That makes sense.” Goodswell finally responds. He draws his sword before continuing “Two hunts for the price of one as well.” Not how I think most would think about it, but whatever gets us on the same page.

-- -- --

A loud skittering sound fills the air. Tuta looks around while cupping an ear.

A moment passes before she points in the direction of an abandoned shack and an orchard full of trees. How long has this been here? This is definitely not something I have seen out here before.

“We will need a plan.” Goodswell says to us walking ahead of us. “We need to be prepared for whatever and wherever that large cat may be.” The fighter draws his sword before continuing “Depending on its size it may strike at Yamakuma from the shadows.”

The tracker and trapper look back at me while I point at myself before remembering I am in fact the smallest one in the group by quite the margin.

“So we should probably have me not do much against our actual target?” I inquire rubbing my hands together.

“No.” Goodswell answers pointing his sword towards me. Not exactly sure how he is doing that when he cannot really see anything. “Tuta will keep an eye out for it. The rest of us will deal with the target and once the cat strikes, we help Tuta.” He explains turning back around. Damn, joining the leadership specialization really gave him actual teamwork skills. Tuta nods in understanding before she slinks into the plethora of shadows.

“I don’t think we really need traps for a giant bug.” Conall retorts looking down at his utility belt.

“No probably not.” Goodswell says lowering his sword. “However, you have a weapon on you. Correct?” He adds glancing back.

“I do.” The ogre confirms with a nod.

“Save the traps for the big cat.” Goodswell says before turning back around. The skittering of our mark is the only sound for a moment before Goodswell speaks. “Let’s go.” He stalks towards the orchard.

“Yes sir.” I reply following him.

“Got it.” Conall says following behind.

The three of us stop at the corner of the abandoned hovel and look around it. The anthropleura is curling around a leafless tree. Goodswell raises his sword up in front of Conall and I.

“Light the blade if you would Yamakuma.” He whispers.

I focus on the blade and put my hands out towards it. Flaming blade, flaming blade. A moment later, the mythrail sword is ablaze.

“Thank you.” Goodswell says before stepping around the corner. “You two try to pin it down. I’ll set it ablaze.” He orders slashing the air with his fire blade. He lowers himself towards the ground and nearly disappears from sight at the speed he is going.

Conall and I just turn the corner ourselves before Goodswell’s sword ignites the thick shell of the massive arthropod. The burning arthropod begins to flail its legs wildly spreading fire all over the orchard.

“Conall, help Goodswell finish it off.” I order the ogre closing my eyes.

“What are you gonna do!?” The trapper inquires not able to hide his shock.

“Put the fires out.” I answer. I hear the ogre huff before his heavy steps move away.

Water. Rain would cover the most area. Rain clouds, even just one could help. A blinding blue light flashes behind my eyelids before the sound of a gentle rain begins.

I open my eyes to see a little bit of the flames extinguishing around the charred corpse of an anthropleura with Conall and Goodswell standing over it. The mythrail blade of Goodswell’s sword steams and hisses as rain drops hit the blazing metal.

I think that takes care of that. Now for-

I barely see the large mass of fur pouncing on me from the roof of the hovel.