Just Another Day

"Do you two have that out of your system now?" Katari asked grumpily. How in the world have you managed to live this long?

"That depends, are you going to keep being so snarky to us?" Shanku asked as she hauled Piram to his feet.

"I still think you're nothing but trouble," Piram chuckled. "But I suppose I should ease up."

"Thank you," Shanku grinned broadly. "Let's keep going."

"We'll have to slow down now," Hilael shook his head. "You're still sluggish from that thing last night and he's got an injured side."

"That was considered sluggish?" Piram asked skeptically.

"You weren't there when she took on Jagan and his three friends," Hilael said flatly.

"What kind of training did these giant Kurach put you through?" Piram asked as they continued on.

"Mostly one on one combat, but there were quite a few group fights. The Highland clans often clash with each other just to establish pecking orders and to have bragging rights. So they focus on blunt force attacks that would sooner incapacitate an opponent rather than make them bleed out or risk infection," Shanku replied. "It wouldn't be hard for them to do it either, their claws are much longer and thicker than ours, both proportionately and directly."

"A worthy adversary," Piram said wistfully. "I think I should like to meet them."

"Now don't go talking like that! You might find yourself in my position!" Shanku laughed.

"I will never understand warriors," Katari shook his head.

"Why is that?" Hilael asked.

"For the past week, they've been snarling and snapping at each other. One little tussle, and now they're best friends," Katari jabbed a finger back at Shanku and Piram as they laughed and talked about techniques.

"That is the way of each class. They must connect through their skill," Hilael shrugged. "Hunters hunt. Gatherers gather. Healers heal. Warriors war. They won't be satisfied elsewise."

"I thought Shanku was supposed to be a hunter?" Katari asked. "She's certainly put a lot of effort into it, and stalked that thing the other night pretty well."

"She is a hunter because she is a warrior," Hilael said simply. "They require similar skill sets, especially if it is a warrior trained to seek an enemy rather than wait for it to come to them. Much like how a healer must also be a gatherer."

"Unlike Piram, who seems trained only for combat," Katari said thoughtfully. "Do you think the other Feral warriors are the same way?"

"I hope not," Hilael said quietly. "I hope they are all hunting warriors rather than just simply warriors."

Katari nodded. He and Hilael walked on in silence as their injured comrades came merrily along behind them.

As per Shanku's advice, they began taking shelter in the trees at night. Shanku and Piram both healed from their injuries and Hilael's concoction also helped to prevent terrible scarring on Shanku's arms. Innugati had since taken up with Hilael and spent much more time with him than Shanku, much to Shanku's surprise. After two weeks of travel, they arrived at the Scissortail border without further threat from strange creatures from the underground or further arguments with Piram.

"So, should we announce ourselves to the Weolcen or something?" Katari asked and looked around. "It's not like they knew we were coming, were they?"

"We don't look like Imperials, so perhaps they'd just let us pass in peace?" Shanku ventured.

"They will stop us as we near their den," Piram said and looked around. He pointed. "There."

It was a runepost, a large stone with many carvings of both pictures and letters, used commonly by both Sylvans and Highland to denote territories. Piram walked around it carefully, then began to walk more north than the direction they had been travelling.

"You know which way to their den?" Shanku asked.

"There are special markings on the side that faces a Sylvan's den," Piram nodded. "So long as we don't present as threatening, we will hopefully be approached by a scout who will relay our message to the Weolcen and Blade clans."

"We have a message for them?" Shanku asked, puzzled.

"Mostly just an explanation of why we're here on their land," Piram shrugged. "But it couldn't hurt to inform them of our actions and see if they would like to join us."

"The more the merrier!" Shanku chirped.

They did not have long to wait. The following morning, there was a scout waiting below the tree they had slept in. He wore the traditional tunic and breeches, and guards on his forearms and shins.

"Identify yourselves!" he demanded.

"Howdy!" Shanku called out and climbed down the tree. She jumped down when she was about his height up. "We're Scissortails on our way to Imperial lands."

"What business have you with them?" the scout asked warily.

"I have it on good authority that the entirety of the Sylvans will be under attack from Arctics, Plains, and man if they don't learn to play nice with others," Shanku stated.

The scout gave a low whistle. "And what do you plan to do?"

"Talk some sense into them," Shanku grinned broadly.

"That is our intentions, however crudely put," Piram said as he joined them. "All we ask from the Weolcen is to pass safely through your territory on our way to them."

"The Weolcen will unlikely attack you, but no guarantees you can pass safely the closer you get to our opposite border," the scout shook his head. "We've had many raiding parties to contend with. You may even find a few Blade encampments."

"Have you need of Scissortail help?" Piram asked as Katari and Hilael came down the tree. Innugati wisely hid on top of Hilael's pack behind his back.

"Not yet, I don't think," the scout replied. "Not that I've heard, anyway. I'm sure a summons will be sent to the Scissortail requesting help if that changes. I'll inform others of your passing through."

Piram nodded and they parted ways with the scout. On occasion they would catch a glimpse of one of the Weolcen scouts as they passed through, but none approached them. The group was carefully directed away from the Weolcen den and allowed to continue on their way.

"I'm getting excited," Shanku said gleefully as the neared the Weolcen border.

"I'm not," Katari muttered. "What if we get attacked by a raiding party?"

"We fight back," Shanku said with a devilish grin.

"We're on a peaceful mission, I shouldn't think that wise," Hilael said and laid an ear back.

"We should stand our ground, but not go on the offensive," Piram mused. "Surely you can control yourself enough for that."

"Of course!" Shanku chuckled. "But it'd be so much fun to see what they're capable of."

Definitely not a hunter. Katari shook his head. I don't think her tree has all its leaves.