Mark of the Hunter [R'le]

[catsavage-Z]

74.07.27 | Mid-Morning | Weyr Infirmary - Jungle - Family Cothold

---

It had been two days since Sanderon had been found unconscious and crushed under the weight of a giant feline he had killed with his bow. His family had expected him back the day before and were probably searching for him right now as he sat on his borrowed infirmary bunk and waited. He waited for the rider R'le to come meet him there. He was still in a lot of pain but was stable enough to return home now. The healing the lifewings had done on his body had been very good but not complete. He would mend in time, he knew and was just thankful to be alive.

With his trained senses always being on alert, Sanderon noticed the faint footsteps of someone coming closer. Whoever it was, they walked with boots on and a slight hint of confidence in their stride. It screamed 'dragonrider' to him, but really, it could be anyone. He kept his eyes upon the doorway, wondering who might come into view.

[Shoki]

R'le walked to the infirmary, looking around as he went. He was supposed to meet with Sanderon, but he wanted to be sure the man wasn't lurking anywhere else, just in case. Burn, was again clinging to his collar, unwilling to let go to fly around. R'le reached back to give the Flame firelizard a pat, which he accepted quietly. Still soon enough he found himself at the right place, and walked into the room. Sanderon was sitting on the cot, apparently waiting for him. R'le got a big smile on his face and gave a casual wave. Burn poked his head out from behind R'le's head and viewed the man with interest. Silent interest, but interest none the less. Burn wasn't very loud as far as flitters went, but he certainly had his own way of letting R'le know he wanted something. That just generally involved him chewing on something R'le didn't want chewed on.

"Hey Sanderon. Not too bored I hope? Quiorith's waiting for us, so shall we get going?" R'le took the chance to appreciate the fact that he got to meet a very interesting person out of this whole thing. That happened to him a lot. He really did meet the most interesting people when he went into the jungle, though that was both good and bad. Fortunately, they were able to put Sanderon firmly in the good category.

[catsavage-Z]

It was just as Sanderon had expected. It was a rider and not just any rider. It was R'le the one that had been a part of his rescue. Giving the man a half-smile, he took his bow that was halfway under his cot, into his hand. And the quiver of arrows was taken into his other. He did not put either one of them over his shoulders as their straps would rest painfully upon his ribs. His dagger was already at his belt.

Standing a little painfully, he schooled his expression way from his discomfort and nodded his respect to the rider. And gave the Flame firelizard clinging to R'le an appreciative nod as well. It was a handsome-looking thing.

Warmed by the rider's greeting, Sanderon took a couple steps forward, walking silently as was his custom. He also threw in an extra bit of caution when he took his steps now as well so as not to jar his aching body too much.

"I have been bored a bit." He admitted. "But mostly anxious to return home. My family will be out looking for me by now. I'm glad for the extra time to mend though. Thank you again for...finding me."

Having thought of something even when they were transporting him to the weyr during his rescue, he voiced it now. "I need to return to the feline that attacked me. I would..." Would the rider understand? "...collect it's fangs to show my father."

[Shoki]

"Ah, well lets see if I can't fix both those things. A ride on a dragon can be lots of fun and it gets you where you want to go to boot." R'le, as was rather easy to see, was very much a fan of flying with his dragon. Though perfectly aware that such things were not for everyone, he liked to spread enthusiasm for it when he could. "I'm just glad I could be of use. The jungle sure brings surprises..." R'le seemed to muse over the statement for a moment then shook his head to chase the thoughts away and return his attention to Sanderon.

R'le listened to his request quietly, looking intrigued. Wanted to get the feline's fangs? Having been Harper trained, he could see a reason why he might want to. Proof of a story was a powerful thing, and if one was a Harper, it meant that they could use it to good effect when telling such a story. As it was, he probably just want to show it off to his father to show it actually happened. R'le would vouch, of course, but he could see why he might need them.

"Sure, let's go there first then." R'le saw Sanderon already had a good knife so it should be an easy affair. After all, this time Quiorith would be around, and R'le hadn't seen any wild felines since he started taking him with on his jungle adventures. Barring Elraishsa of course.

"Ready then?" R'le grinned, ready to trot off to the Weyrbowl once Sanderon gave the okay.

[catsavage-Z]

Sanderon's lips twitched up in a slow half-smile when he listened to R'le talk about riding a dragon. His first and only experience of the flying sort had not been pleasant at all but it had brought him back to the weyr where his injuries had been tended. For that, he was deeply grateful. But that had been a lifewing and not a dragon.

He wasn't entirely sure that his ribs or thigh wound would like this trip either, but he was looking forward to it just the same.

Sanderon was very pleased when R'le agreed to stop at the feline. It meant more to him than R'le might realize. It would be proof for his father and it would also be something of a visible symbol for his accomplishment and bravery in the face of certain death. That one event had not only shaken him badly but made him much more confident in his abilities. He knew that if he faced death again, he could stand up to it again and act with a cool head when it mattered the most.

"Thank you." He told R'le and added, "Yes. I'm ready."

When R'le turned and began to hurry away, Sanderon did his best to keep up but after a few jogging steps he slowed down to as quick of a walk as he could manage.

To the weyrbowl they went and when Sanderon saw all the dragons round about there and in the air and upon the heights, his normally passive face became one of awe.

Yes he had seen dragons before. He had seen them flying high over head and had 'sort of' seen the cloud before he had been carried by the lifewing back to this weyr. This site of so many colors, sizes and activities of those dragons that he could immediately see overwhelmed his mind with thoughts of amazement and a sudden quick spurt of longing. It was a strong feeling and one that surprised Sanderon as he had never felt it before.

To be a dragonrider must be the most fulfilling life anyone could ever have. This was not his conscious thought but merely a feeling deep down in his heart. His eyes tore away from the weyrbowl all around him and settled their focus upon one. A cloud dragon that was closest. It, he surmised, was probably R'le's.

"What is his name?" Sanderon asked quietly, without taking his eyes away from the dragon.

[Shoki]

R'le trotted over to the Weyrbowl, and was making sure the riding gear was in place when Sanderon finally made it out as well. A wide grin broke over the Cloudrider's face when he saw the other man's reaction. This was probably the first time he had seen so many dragons in one place. Admittedly, R'le had been excited himself when he saw all the dragons at the Weyr. It was amazing to think you could get used to such a sight, but it happened. R'le turned back to Quiorith, checking the gear on last time. After making sure he gave the dragons' hide a pat and looked up to face Quiorith. The dragon was staring at Sanderon. Not in a bad way, R'le could feel he was expecting something. That was odd. He opened his mouth to speak but then Sanderon asked after the dragon's name.

"Ah yes, this is Quiorith. Quiorith, you remember Sanderon." The dragon stared at him a moment longer then pointed his head at R'le and spoke to him simply.

He's good. R'le's head turned back to face the Cloud, looking a touch confused.

"Good? What are you talking about?"

For the hatching. We could always use another candidate for the Queen's hatching. R'le looked at Quiorith blankly for a moment then grinned again. Quick as anything he spun to face Sanderon again, becoming more animated.

"So, Sanderon, to you want to become a candidate for the coming hatching? I mean, if you want to." R'le's enthusiasm had him hoping he would accept.

[catsavage-Z]

Sanderon was still staring at the Cloud and he noticed with more than a little amazement that the dragon seemed to be staring at him in return.

He heard R'le speak the dragons name and repeated it respectfully with a kind smile. "Quiorith."

The very brief one-sided conversation that R'le had, was obviously directed to Quiorith. What it was about Sanderon did not know. Until, R'le turned to him with more excitement in his countenance and expression and said, "So, Sanderon, to you want to become a candidate for the coming hatching? I mean, if you want to."

For the first time in his life, Sanderon could not get his mind to think. He turned as if in slow motion to look completely upon R'le. All of his focus and attention was directed upon the man. Replaying the rider's words in his mind over and over again, he suddenly realized this was no joke.

"I've been Searched." Sanderon spoke very quietly. It was unclear who his words were meant for or what emotion his tone suggested.

There was no doubt in his mind or heart what his answer would be, but he would not give it yet. Turning to Quiorith he asked simply, "You have given me a great honor. May I see my family first before answering?"

[Shoki]

Quiorith looked on as Sanderon spoke, and merely nodded at the end. The Cloud was not particularly worried, if he accepted, all the better, if no, it was well to see him back to his family. R'le looked at the Cloud for a moment then back at Sanderon. He was less sure of what would happen there but an amused grin made its way back onto his face all the same. One adventure at a time he supposed.

"Well then, now that you both are properly introduced, what's say we get on to the party, eh?" R'le moved back to Quiorith and naturally swung up into his place, sitting upright in a moment. Yeah, he had practiced that. They were a flying duo after all. He leaned down and held out a hand for Sanderon, so he could use it to get up easier. Even as he did that he spoke again casually. "Now Quiorith's gonna be as calm as he can be but that place we are at can be a touch on the tricky side to land in. Not much more then a bump will be needed, but I thought I should give you a heads up." On his shoulder, Burn got himself settled, still clinging to the rider. He liked to be back out of the wind when flying on the dragon with R'le, it was less of an issue when he was flying himself.

[catsavage-Z]

Seeing R'le mount up so effortlessly did not fool Sanderon into thinking it was easy. His trained eye could tell that it was a practiced art that had gotten so smooth because of considerable repetition. Not even attempting the same, especially in his current condition, Sanderon handed up the bow and quiver of arrows and then took R'le's hand for himself. Climbing up carefully he sat behind the rider and took an appreciative look at the man's firelizard.

When he had been secured into the straps, he braced himself and waited for the launch off the ground. He imagined it would be jarring. But just the opposite was true and it pleased him.

Looking down as the ground slipped away below them, he could not help the full-blown smile that came to his lips. Dragon flight was awesome!

[Shoki]

R'le face was already a full blown grin by the time they made it to altitude. The feeling of flying was exhilarating, just as always. Quiorith, of course, loved it to, though he was doing best to make a smooth ride. It was almost effortless the way that Quiorith flew, catching air currents and using them to his advantage to make the ride smooth and quick. Of course, he was used to flying over the jungle, he and R'le were out here almost every day. Which is why he had no trouble at all finding his way back to the place that Sanderon had been found.

The Cloud went by once, just making sure that the two felines' bodies were still there. He and R'le both knew that there could be someone else happy to find two dead felines but from the looks of it, she hadn't. Good, they could get what they came for. The Cloud looped downward, to get closer. Now that he didn't have to worry about squishing people, it looked like there was room to land, and take off again right in the clearing. Handy. Quiorith swooped down gracefully and landed in the clearing neatly, and settled as R'le slipped off. The rider looked around briefly, but didn't see signs from anyone so he merely turned to Sanderon and spoke again.

"Want help or would you like to get them yourself?" R'le didn't seem worried in the least about creatures, which made sense. Quiorith would keep almost any creature away, just by virtue of being a dragon. Mostly wild firelizards when he went by the beaches, but even then, not very much. He'd only found the clutch once though. He'd brought his knives though, on account of the other things that could be in the jungle...

[catsavage-Z]

The wind in his face, the ground far below, the jungle passing by so swiftly under cloud-like dragon wings, feeling the touch of dragon hide below his hands that gripped the straps... it was all surreal. Flight...Sanderon could definitely get used to this!

Everything looked so differently from up in the air. The jungle looked almost peaceful, serene. He knew better though and so was at full alert as they came in for a landing. He braced himself again for the jarring he thought there would be. In truth there was some but not nearly as bad as he had feared. A twinge of pain came but nothing he couldn't take.

Sanderon watched as Quiorith settled after landing and R'le slipped off to the ground. Sanderon kept his senses open for danger and was pleased to see that the rider was doing the same. Nothing threatening seemed to be in the immediate area so Sanderon offered R'le a quick glance when the man began to speak before looking around again.

Sanderon was in full-alert mode and it was pretty obvious to anyone that saw his expression and countenance that he wasn't even letting the presence of a dragon distract from his observing ways. It was second nature, instinctive.

Having R'le ask him if he needed help, made him consider the ground he was going to have to slide to. It wasn't that far of a drop but he did not relish the idea of the landing. Debating within himself for a moment, he relinquished his bow and quiver of arrows to R'le when he handed them down to the rider. Then he carefully made his way to the ground using the straps as a climbing tool.

The second his feet hit the soft mossy terrain, he reached again for his bow, then took his quiver as well. Checking his belt dagger he looked around and saw the two felines, not just the one that he himself had killed. The area had been trampled by many tracks, human and animal.

He tried to piece together what might have occurred after he was crushed but the signs were too trampled by fresh tracks. He could only piece a part of it together. What he did see, alerted him to the fact that he had 'thanks' to give to someone with smaller feet and a quick, brave canine. Saddyris. If she had not found him when she did, the second feline would have...

Sanderon shook his head and brought his mind out of the 'what could have beens' and placed them on the 'now'. Turning to R'le, he asked a favor. "I can take care of this if you wouldn't mind keeping watch?"

Turning back to the feline that was already in decay, he took a few steps closer. Taking in the arrow lodged in the feline's eyes he stopped and jerked terribly, his hands he threw up in a fighting defense and he crouched at the ready as a very realistic flashback slammed into his senses. All he could see for a very brief moment was the feline's murderous gaze a foot away from his own as it plowed him into the ground. His breath became shallow and his heartrate quickened.

When his vision cleared he looked down at his hand and saw that he held his dagger there. He had no recollection of pulling it out of it's sheath. His lips had been pulled back off of his teeth. Had he growled or gave a snarled yell? He had no idea. Keeping his dagger in his hand, he took a few steps closer and knelt down in front of the giant cat. He noticed right away the depression his own body had left in the ground there and the dried blood that still showed.

Coming back here was a whole lot harder than Sanderon ever thought it would be. The collection of the fangs was very important to him but one he did not know if he could complete. Taking a few quick breaths, ignoring R'le and Quiorith all together, he faced this terror again and set his bow and quiver at his side. Then he grabbed the stiff lip of the cat and pried it back a little. Everything about this animal was a bit stiff now. That helped only a little to lower his fear. This beast was dead. It would never hurt him again. But the flashbacks of facing his own death eye to eye probably would not leave him in a very long time to come, if ever.

Seeing that the fangs he wanted were still intact and not broken or missing, was some small consolation. Though gaunt, this had been a fully-grown, healthy cat. He paused though before he would get to work. Just sitting there for a moment, he let the lip go and just stared at the cat's head. It alone was nearly as big as he was if he curled up. It was huge.

He kept staring, trying to come to grips with everything that had occurred. Sanderon's heartbeat still raced. His back grew slightly sweated and his eyes burned with focused fear. Sanderon was afraid.

[Shoki]

R'le accepted the bow and quiver when Sanderon offered, and returned them after a uncomfortable looking landing. He watched as he went to look over the ground, apparently reading it for the events that had occurred while he was less then aware. R'le hadn't been back here since the events with Sanderon had occurred, though he had noted the clearings here for his map of the jungle. He was a Cloudrider, so things of the group were less important, at times. He did notice the precision with which the ground was examined, and left him to it. He certainly wouldn't be much help. However Sanderon spoke up again and R'le nodded quickly before responded.

"As you like." The rider headed toward a nearby tree and tested one of the lower branches. This would do. He climbed the tree right quick and started to look, and listen. He was entirely focused on people, not animals. Jungle could still be holding the people he met, or maybe Elraishsa. The former was a danger, the latter... Well she was something, just had to make sure she didn't get to excited. He had already been caught by her once, though now she seemed like a fine friend to have.

His eyes searched for anything, and he absently flipped the knife in his hand. like he thought, nothing here. Lucky them. Quiorith was sitting comfortably on the ground, not really worried. They tended not to meet anyone or anything in the area right around where they landed. This was something they had learned by experience if nothing else. After a time R'le turned back to see how Sanderon was getting on, and he noticed, he hadn't moved. Huh? He leaned toward him, getting a better look. That was weird. He wasn't exactly close enough to see much so he just called out.

"Hey, Sanderon? Are you sure you don't need help? I can hop on down if you like." Burn, the clingy flitter that he was, poked his head up to see Sanderon over the rider's shoulder. He wasn't sure what was up either, but he did give him a single chirp for Sanderon. The Flame continued to watch, and gather what reception there was to be had.

[catsavage-Z]

"Hey, Sanderon? Are you sure you don't need help? I can hop on down if you like."

Sanderon jumped terribly at R'le's sudden voice. His gaze found the rider in the tree and he frowned as the man's words sank in. Shaking his head, not trusting his voice yet, he turned back to the feline.

It was dead. Sanderon had faced it and won. Sanderon was still alive. The feline was not alive.

Sanderon worked himself through his panic with reasoning. After a few more minutes, he was ready to proceed. He had needed the time to come to grips with what had happened. Though afraid of felines more now than before, he knew his heart. If he faced another one, he would be okay. He would not panic.

Reaching forward, he grabbed the lip again and pulled it up. Working swiftly with experienced movements, he had what he came for a short time later. Tucking the fangs into his side pouch on his belt, he reached again toward the feline. Putting a hand on its forehead, he gripped the arrow that was through it's eye and pulled it out with a twist and a yank. It was deep. Brains and gore came out with it and he took a handful of moss and wrapped the moss around the arrow and the mess. It too, would be his proof.

Standing up slowly still feeling a strong ache in his body, he sheathed his dagger. Then he reached down with one hand and gathered his bow and quiver. His other hand held the killing arrow.

"I am ready." He called out to R'le as he looked around, fully alert.

[Shoki]

R'le looked surprised when Sanderon jumped, not realizing what was up with him until that point. However, it looked like something he wanted to do on his own, and Sanderon got to it this time. Now that the Rider though about it, he might be a bit jumpy to be in the same place he had fought a feline earlier. He'd been in a bad way so recently, so he supposed he understood why he might be not himself. the presence of Quiorith's mind searching his gave R'le pause, since the Cloud rarely had to look deeper. What exactly had the Cloud worried now? After a while R'le could Sanderon about done with what he came to do and hopped down to the ground. When a verbal confirmation was given R'le nodded and hopped back on the dragon.

"Well then, lets get going. I wouldn't wanna have you wait to long to get back after all this time." He held out his hand again for Sanderon to get back on, Burn once again comfortable on R'le's back. Quiorith still hadn't quite found what he was looking for in R'le's head it seemed, but regardless he started to pay attention to what was going on around him. Maybe R'le would ask later what exactly he had been trying to figure out.

[catsavage-Z]

Situated back on the dragon and strapped in, it was not long before they were all air-borne again. Sanderon was silent, deep in his thoughts and memories. What would he tell his family? Would his father even be home or would he still be out looking for him?

He would not know what would be said or done until they had arrived.

After what seemed like an eternity, but which was only about the same distance from the weyr to the feline, they came over his small cothold. He had never seen it from the sky before. It looked so...different. Had it changed somehow? He doubted that was the case.

Circling down with the R'le and Quiorith, he kept his keen eyes out for any sign of his family. As he watched he saw a fleeting glimpse of something moving swiftly through the trees. It was a person, a man.

Touching down, he saw it to be one of his brothers. His father was right behind him but the harder to see as he had used the shadows to hide his passage. But now they were in the open and his mother came from the doorway and hurried forward, tears in her eyes and great relief when she saw him astride the dragon.

They must have seen him on the dragon as it came in for a landing. "My family." He called out quietly to R'le as he waited for the rider to unfasten the safety straps from him. He yearned to greet his family but kept his countenance calm and controlled.

To the rider, Sanderon's father called, "Ho there rider. Welcome."

His father did not acknowledge him yet. It was not the proper time yet. They would face each other soon. Then the words that needed to be said, would be shared.