"And if you want to come back up the Spiraling Road, just present your Token of Entry and you'll be let in with none of the hands-on inspections getting in your way." the uniformed man behind his secured box informed me. And while I waited for him to be finished with my equipment, I moved the item between my fingers. It was a small circular thing, made of a brass-like metal like most of the things in this nation of deep-earth. Then, when I was done looking at it, I slipped it into an animal skin I had strung to me.
"So this is the way to the hunting reserve?" I asked one more time just to make sure I was reading it right. I hated all this technology as it deprived me of the joy of finding it myself. But, in cases like this, it was much better to rely on the easily despised produce of men. I did not know this land, and it was too different to my own.
This place was narrow, long and winding. I came from a land of crystalline plains that we never got too familiar with. I could ride freely back home, yet here, I was dictated to by the stone giants. This land of mountains was anathematic to my way of life.
"Indeed, the Animal Congregation Centre for the Light Seekers is along the Thrurstradtur-Enfeort ring-tram route." he confirmed before my equipment was finally returned to me.
"I see, thank you." I told him before I went outside to go see Lukhi. A small smile came to my face when I got outside as well. Because it has been so long since I have been able to ride him since coming to this land. I almost felt nostalgic as well once I saddled myself onto the partially gaseous creature.
Lukhi had grown quite popular in the time I was inside that building. Because he was surrounded by curious children who were now obstructing my way out. But, much to my pleasure, the parents were not careless enough to let their children see Lukhi on their own. He was a foreign steed, after all, they would have no familiarity with him.
"Shreychuo!" I barked in my native tongue before Lukhi reared up onto his misty rear legs before charging. And soon, we had put enough distance between the crowds and I that I could elicit greater speed. Speed that made me bring down my hood just so I could enjoy it more. For a moment as well, I felt the nostalgia of home come to me.
The wind was sending my hair flying and Lukhi's thunderous hooves provided a steady rhythm. And, not long after, I let my throat sing a soothing tone once I got into that rhythm. But, while I was enjoying the joy the sensation of the ride gave me. All these great stone pillars I rode by, the well-maintained roads and isolated groups of guards.
It made it clear that it was only nostalgia, a necessary evil to make sure I did not vanish mentally. I may often dream of home, but I came here of my own volition. Our elders and shamans spoke of developed lands often. And I wanted to see one of them so that I may learn. Some of our tribe's greatest riders, after all, went on an adventure before they led the charge of our people.
I intended to do the same, or, at the very least, emulate such a journey. I was not married, yet, but when I finally did share such a bond. I would have many great stories to tell to encourage similar spirits. I hated these mountains, but even I could not deny the awe of my first sight.
To head south from the tip of the world and along the rolling hills of northern lands. To then finally arrive at the borders of the land of the self-proclaimed Great People. It was a memory I wanted my future sons and daughters to have. We could even revel in our hatred of the mountains when they came back.
"But, you're not all bad." I told the divided, fractured land once Lukhi came to a stop at a cliff of sorts. Down below, an open field rimmed by jagged rock. It was a plateau of a lesser mountain, but, it was close enough to a field for me. To make it even better, this was along the route I was told to take.
So I could ride down this cliff with no fear and enjoy that expanse of grass and flowerbeds. But, before I could do that, I had to bring Lukhi away from the cliff. Then, I ordered him back towards it until he sent us soaring into the sky. From there, the rest of Lukhi's strength became apparent, and we gently floated down to the land below.
And once we were close enough, the land echoed with Lukhi's thunderous charge once again. A contradiction some might see, but for me, it was a thing to respect. I was never going to be able to fly on my own, my magic wasn't good enough for it. But, I could at least feel the way a bird does for a brief moment on top of Luhki.
Another familiar sound, however, would catch my attention as well. Because I could hear the faint sounds of distant throat-singing. So, with that in mind, I directed Luhki towards it while staying silent. Either, it was a partner to converse with, or, I would find lands to hunt in.
To my joy, it was both, because I found a small horde gathering at one spot. We may have not built many permanent buildings in the far north. But, when we did, it stood out and I felt happy seeing it. Because I was now beholden to a vast crystalline dome of sorts.
It had the misfortune of carrying the signs of wind-people hands and craftsmanship. But, it was close enough that I could not say it bothered me. And it seems I shared the common opinion, as once I joined the horde. I heard many praises and compliments between other discussions.
"Hello, fellow rider, your face makes it clear you have only been here once." a square-jawed warrior said to me. He had split away slightly from the main body to come over to me. Why I could not figure out, but, I had no issue with it. A warrior as scarred as him would surely be an interesting conversationalist.
"It is that obvious?" I asked with a small smile. I was pretty sure my face was mostly devoid of emotion. But, riding Lukhi put me into a different mood when compared to being up in that school.
"No." he laughed out before I shook my bemused head.
"So, this is the hunting grounds for our people?"
"It is, but there is much more to it than just hunting. Depending on how used to it you are, it is either a blessing or a curse." he told me, something that made me frown.
"The wind-people have filled it with their manufactured amenities?"
"Yes, but that is because this place is seen as a place of entertainment."
I cocked a brow before frowning, "They ruin the hunt in seek of cheap thrills?"
"No, they only ruin it if your focus is not on your prey." he clarifies.
I scoff either way, as I just wanted to hunt like I used to, "Well, so long as they stay out of the way." I then mutter.
"Their absence can be counted on. They watch through magical means. They see us, but we don't see them."
"So you have been here many times before?"
"Ever since I have arrived in this land." he tells me, which, leaves me a little confused.
"Why would you spend so much of your time hunting? This land is not suited to our ways."
"Because for some, the appeal of a light-blessed hunter is enough to spill coffers and shatter open vaults."
I nodded at his answer, but, I felt some disrespect grow, "Well, I wish you well in your endeavours, then."
"So what do you seek to accomplish here?" the greedy rider asked me before he pulled out a plant to chew on.
"To no longer be cursed with blindness."
"Ah, you made a mistake that you seek to correct. That is a good goal."
I groaned quietly before I brought Lukhi to a halt, "I intend to be ignorant that this mistake ever happened. So, bless your hunts, fellow rider, but, I must be going." I tell him once we arrive at the vast building. And, to make it clear I wanted to be left alone, I pulled up my face mask and brought my hood up again. Those who were well-raised would understand what it meant.
But, I had the misfortune of being so knowledge deprived when it came to this place. Because there was some more boring line-waiting before I could go and hunt. It was a very boring affair and I was glad when it was finally over. Because, once it was done, I could just sprint out into a forest and move on to enjoying myself.
And, as much as it pained me that I could not ride Luhki during this hunt. It was, unequivocally for the best. If I could not hunt without blinding myself, then I endangered myself and Lukhi if I was to hunt from atop him. And I do not know what I would do if I lost my loyal steed because of my own incompetence.
So, for now, I had to hunt on my own. I had to give up part of myself so I could come back to it better than before. Yet, it was not all bad. Because hunting on foot had its own thrills and joys.
However, I would not be stalking large prey here, I was interested in the smaller things. Rodents and birds would be my desire for the time being. Their small size and the swiftness that often came partnered with such animals is what I needed. Because, they were harder to shoot, maybe the embarrassment of missed shots would purge me of my mistakes.
I did, however, find myself despairing at the thought of getting rid of this mistake. I have tried to learn what I could from the school, but only I could teach myself to be free of it. It was not like using a bow or riding or cooking your well-won game. I had to figure it out for myself, it was an uncomfortable situation, but I was a rugged man.
I was not going to back down from the challenge and I would see it triumphed over. So I was doing what I could to try and break away from it. Between failed shots, I sat and pondered while my vision recovered. Or, to calm myself, I let my lense crystal float between my palms.
"Perhaps if I did it without it...?" I then asked myself once I stood up. My vision had not fully recovered, but, it was only blurry at the edges of my eyes right now. So I could hunt right now, and, instead of bringing my lense crystal to my fingertips... I just held up my arm and let that guide my shot.
Unfortunately, however, not much came of it. But, I could at least take joy in the fact the bird I aimed for was now dead. A fine and small, but searing hole had been punched straight through it. I was now also half-blind as I had sacrificed only one eye's eyesight.
"Now, I must try and figure out how I can reduce it further." I commented before I fell to the ground and picked up the bird. And, with each feather that I plucked off while I stewed in my thoughts. An optimistic feeling grew because only losing one eye was better than two.