When Vexie offered me a job to be a ranger for her new territories, I agreed to it. She sent that overly fluffed rage kitten for me, and so Biri and I were brought to the Dueling rivers area. He handed me a pedigree from the Queen, then I placed my palm against Biri, and had her lead me towards the town.
We approached the gates, the guards stopped me, asking who I am and what Biri is. "I am Vern. Can you tell me where Tilton is?"
"Yes? Do you have Identification?" The guard asked.
"I have a pedigree to present to Tilton from the Queen." I said, showing that to the guard.
"Alright." One said. Another said, "I can take you to him."
I nodded and said, "We'll follow you. Your other question, this is Biri. Biri helps me see."
"Ah. That's interesting. As long as it doesn't go around breathing fire it will be fine." The guard said.
It did not take long for the whispers about Biri and I to summon the Tilton person to us. "Ah, hello. And who might you be?" Tilton asked.
I wasn't sure where he was, so I just kept my head straight, "I am Vern. I am the Ranger the Queen has assigned to your territories. I have the pedigree from her, here." I held it up.
He took the paper and after looking it over, he said, "Everything seems to be in order. Is there a young you would need?"
"Just to know the boundaries of your territory. Once I know it, it will be easy for me to keep track." I said.
"I have two skilled hunters who know the territory. I could have one of them show you around." Tilton said.
"That's perfect. I will need to know them anyways." I said.
"Good point. Where will you be staying?" Tilton asked.
"Not sure. That rage kitten just dropped me off. Though I am resourceful enough to figure things out." I said.
"I cannot have the Queen's ranger figuring it out. We have a nice in you can stay at until you find a more permanent residence." Tilton said.
"If that is preferable, that is fine." I said. Biri turned her head to look in another direction.
"As a fellow ranger, I know that an Inn compared to the outdoors barely has a difference, so if you prefer sleeping in the outdoors, that is fine. It will simply be easier for the hunter to find you at the Inn." Tilton explained.
"I understand. I will stay there for three nights, then. I wouldn't want to make people too nervous with Biri." I said.
"You'll find the people of Dueling Rivers adapt quickly. They are accustomed to seeing unusual things." Tilton said. "I will take you to see Arthur. He is my longer standing hunter."
I nodded and he began walking. Biri took a nudge before she followed him. He introduced us as soon as he'd come to a halt. "Ah, also, I need a rough number of how many residents you've got in your territory."
"Roughly about four hundred fifty. It is difficult to keep an exact number. People enjoy moving out to the woods." Tilton said.
"A healthy population. Congrats on doing so well." I said.
"You should have seen this place before I took it over." Tilton said.
I smiled wryly, while Biri looked at him pointedly. "You can certainly describe it to me, that is the best way I will 'see'."
Biri said he was staring. "Well, I'd draw you a picture l, but I don't think that would help, either."
"It may. I can borrow Biri's sight." I replied. "Though I don't much need to."
"I never had a companion, myself. That sounds like a handy ability." Tilton said.
"Quite alright. I am not sure if the Queen has told you, but my job is to report to you weekly, and to her monthly." I said.
"If you can not find me, then the guild master Gregor will be able to help you." Tilton said.
"Very well. Arthur, when will you be available to show me the parameters of your Lord's territory?" I asked.
"Since it's a request from Tilton, I can get it taken care of immediately. This will be a long trip, are you stocked up?" Arthur asked.
"I have supplies and skill enough for any length trip." I replied.
"Good enough for me, then. I'll close up and we can head out." Arthur said.
"Don't worry about Biri. She doesn't bite... friendly people." I said.
"I'll try to be on my best behavior, then." Arthur said.
I listened to him put up his shop as Biri started looking off in another direction again. "You can go." I told her, taking my hand off her. She immediately walked away. Tilton had already been moving away.
"Is she supposed to just wonder off?" Arthur asked.
"She can, just like a pet. She has her own mind." I said. "She won't do anything very bad."
"Good. I would much rather not get asked to hunt someone's companion. Can't imagine it would go well anyway." Arthur said.
"It could be entertaining for you for a moment." I replied.
"How so?" Arthur asked.
"A vanishing, more intelligent than human prey to hunt." I said. "It's all fun until they hunt you."
"Hmm.. Never wanted to he hunted myself." Arthur said.
He'd finished up closing his stall from the sounds of it, and was getting things together to go. "That's a shame. Where I lived as a child we'd have husband-hunts. The best huntress would catch her intended husband." I told him.
"Did the potential husbands get a head start?" He asked.
"Of course. How else would it be hunting?" I asked.
"That's true. Not much of a hunt. Unless the husband is just that good." Arthur said.
"It seems to have intrigued you." I noted. I'd just been joking, though. The giants who'd raised me had ended the practice ages before I was taken into the clan.
"A little, I'll admit. It could interesting, but the lasses around here would be poor hunters I'm afraid." Arthur said.
We began leading me outside of town, then. As he showed me the parameters f the territory, we kept chatter to a minimal, with Biri joining us. It took about a week to complete. It was a fairly simple terrain that Biri and I could manage. The first day back Biri took it upon herself to humble an adventurer.
She'd bristled at his old and boisterous voice, and rushed ahead, picking him up. All this, I assumed from what his cries stated. Meanwhile, I pretended to not know what happened, who'd blame a blind person for their pet? I had my hand out, seeming confused, and asked Biri where she'd gone.
I borrowed her eyesight as she tormented the man. She just briefly pretended to want to eat him, before I said her name a little more sharply. She dropped him and came back to me. His group came up to me, voicing their issue with it. How it was too dangerous to be in town, blah, blah.
I placed my hands on my hips, and facing slightly the wrong way said, "Well, how is Biri supposed to know you from a dying animal or not if you make such ruckus?"
A man stepped out of the guild hall and said, "What in the hells is going on out here? Why am I getting reports of a blind girls pet getting harassed by you idiots, huh?"
"That's not it at all, that lizard tried to eat Franklin's head." One of them said.
"We was minding our own business. But it just ran up and grabbed him." Another agreed.
"Oh really? So you're saying several known and trusted informants are lying to me to protect someone brand new to town?" The man asked.
"The tone of his voice irritated Biri. She decided to scare them into being quieter. I can only assume Biri picked the man up. But if Biri meant real harm, we'd need a healer to tend them." I clarified. "My being blind has little to do with the matter."
He walked over to her and quietly said, "Listen, this group causes me alot of headaches. With this, I have enough complaints to send their ass to the capital for re-training. Just go with it, 'kay?"
I tilted my head a little, puzzled. Biri then started acting up like a traumatized child, and slunk away. "B-Biri?!" I called after her. I wasn't even sure where she'd gone, as she cur the connection for sight, being mischievous, no doubt.
"You lot, my office, now." The man commanded them.
I had assumed by now, that this man was Gregor the Guild Master. I listened to the men march away, as I started walking about on my own. I only vaguely recalled the layout of the area. I was pretty sure that the Inn was next to the gates on my right. So, I turned that way, and began walking.
After walking for fifteen steps, I did not reach a building. I frowned, confused, and paused. Turning my head left and right to see if I could hear anyone nearby. I did. The sound of calm breathing and metal scraping into wood, though it was hesitant, as though the one doing the action was focusing elsewhere.
"Are you lost?" A man asked.
"Yes. My companion ran off, so I can't seem to find my way." I replied.
"I can help." He said. "I know the town very well."
"Ok, I can accept that. I was trying to find the Inn so that I can acquire a room." I explained.
"Okay, I know where that is. Follow me, I can take you." The man said.
He stood, and I heard the creak of the wooden thing he'd been sitting on as he got up and set his things aside. "Were you working on something?" I asked.
"I like to whittle things. Was making a spider that time." The man said.
"What else do you whittle?" I asked, reaching out a hand towards him.
He placed something made of wood in my hand. "Lots of things. That one is a horse."
I had a puzzled expression for a moment, then started feeling the carving carefully. After a moment, I said, "This reminds me of the Thunder Hooves, a large horse that Hill Giants raised. Is it modeled after them?"
"Yup! No body here knows them, so I just call it a horse. How do you know thunder hooves?" He asked.
"I was raised by a clan of Hill Giants called Ironslag. Iruk and Aggra were my parents." I replied. "I am Vern, short for Lavern. And you?"
"I am Kershka. Born to the Mountain Giants." Kershka said. "But I am small."
Judging from where he sounded like he was, I reached out and touched him. I'd reached up high enough to touch his chest, then I felt up his chest to his neck, then his face. I patted his cheek, then trailed my hand to his shoulder. "You are small. But still larger than I. A stone Goliath, right?"
"Yup." He agreed. "Did you want to find your friend, or just go to the inn?"
"I don't think Biri would be allowed in an Inn. She is a large drake." I said.
"Biri could stay here. As long as she does not mind company. Shaksa is curious of new things." Kershka said.
"She might be behaved, I can't promise that.. I believe it was Gregor from the guild that got her to run off." I sighed.
"Well, I will be here to make sure everyone gets along good." Kershka said.
"I'll trust her with you. Wherever she has run off to." I said. "Is there a good place to take a bath at the Inn? Or would I need to go.to a city for that?"
"The Inn has a bathing area. If not good enough, Hearthstone has good bathhouse." Kershka said.
He was leading me to the Inn now, while I rested a hand against him, and still was feeling the Thunder Hoof in my hand. "I will keep that in mind. Thank you for telling me."
"No problem, if you can't find something, Hearthstone probably has it. Hearthstone has a lot." Kershka said.
I smiled, hearing a fast approaching large creature coming up behind us. I felt Kershka whip around, and place an arm behind me. The creature, who must've been Biri paused. "I think your friend found us." Kershka said.
"It does seem to be Biri." I agreed. "You are fast."
"I have to be fast to protect Bibs, or else Bibs protects himself, and then it gets messy." Kershka said.
"Who is Bibs?" I asked.
"Bibs is my friend. He is small goblin man." Kershka said.
"If he is a friend to you, he must be an excellent person." I said. Biri bumped me, then tried to get ahold of the thunder hoof carving. I swatted her nose, raising the carving above my head. "You may not see it. You'll damage it."
Kershka chuckled. "I could make stronger carving."
Biri was swishing her head around, mocking us. "You are such a child, Biri." I scolded her.
"What is she doing right now?" Kershka asked.
"Knowing her, mocking us." I huffed.
He shook moved, "You shouldn't mock people it's rude."
I could hear Biri hunker down, sway at him, then pop up, thrusting her wings out. "Now she is trying to taunt you into chasing her. She is just an overgrown child."
"I am very fast on my feet. She would have to run very quickly." Kershka said.
"By all means." I said, finding some grass and sitting. Biri pounced at him, then took off. I felt it when Kershka began to chase her. She made a shrieks sound, and I could hear the two still running.
I heard Tilton approach after a moment. "Why is he chasing your drake around?"
"Because Biri is being a naughty child. I assume they are having fun." I said, feeling the carving. "He is very talented. His carving is very detailed."
"Yes, he is." A smaller person agreed.
I jerked visibly at the new voice, "Well, hello. I only heard Tilton approach."
"My apologies. It's not really a conscious thing I do anymore." The new person said.
"In other words, he's a little creeper by nature." Tilton said.
"It's alright. You only startled me." I said.
"My apologies, nonetheless. It was an unintentional spook. Pay no attention to the lad over there." The man said.
"To Tilton? I certainly must. If I don't do a good enough job, then he can get the Queen to replace me." I noted.
"Your already on Kershka's good side. If I fired you, I'd feel bad. But that only carries it so far." Tilton said.
I laughed. "How does he look?"
"I can't tell if he's oozing winded, or just having a lot of fun." Tilton said.
"He offered to watch over Biri, so I don't have to worry about her in regards to the Inn. It's not really necessary, but he does seem to be handling her well." I said.
"He's always had a natural affinity for taking g care of creatures." The man said.
"I am Vern, by the way." I said. "I didn't know there would be someone I could reminisce of my childhood with here."
"...With Kershka?" Tilton asked, confused.
"Yes. I am a Giant Founding, raised by Hill Giants." I said.
"Kershka will love taking about the past. He doesn't have a lot of people to talk to. I'm Bibs, by the way. I never introduced myself." Bibs said.
"Oh, the little goblin. Kershka mentioned you." I replied, smiling.
Tilton chuckled. "Yes, the little goblin."
"Oh, hush you, less I bend you over a knee." Bibs said. "How are you finding the territory?"
"It's unusually flush with game. But seems peaceful, even with treants. Though, I had noticed there are some low grade undead wondering around. I didn't get rid of them because people are touchy about undead.. but is there a reason I should leave them be?" I asked.
"No, there is no particular reason to leave them be." Bibs said.
"While Biri observed them, they just seemed to walk circles as though confused. Didn't react to any living thing." I said.
"Well, that's.. certainly odd. Undead typically have some sort of purpose." Bibs said.
I nodded. "There is also a little dilapidated shack in the woods that is being fixed up. It's solitary and in a very small clearing."
"I don't remember any requests to fix up any shacks. I will need to go speak with our guest." Tilton said.
"It's around a days walk, North East of here. Biri relayed that there was one strong scent, one lesser scent of a human and one nearly gone of a feline person." I explained.
"I'll have to send someone to inspect it, then. Can't take all day to wonder around anymore. Got things to do." Tilton said.
"I could easily do it on my next trip." I offered.
"Does something like that fall into your range of responsibilities?" Bibs asked.
"Yes and no. Keeping poaching down is also rangling people into easily traceable packs-" I heard a reptilian shriek. "It would appear he caught her."
"Yes, he has lifted her off the ground now." Tilton said.
I smiled, hearing him say so, "Oh, she won't let him be now. She enjoys that. She knows she has wings now, but she seldom uses them."
"Hmm.. well back the topic of the strange shack. I must inform you of one individual who roams those woods. His name is Osgard, he looks after people out there. He is...different from most of my people. Have you ever met someone who destroyed all your expectations or preconceived notions?" Tilton asked.
I blinked, and turned my head to where I thought he was, "Dear Lord, I understand your confusion, but I am blind. I don't know how any person is or should be unless I touch them all over or borrow Biri's sight. But Biri has to be with me for that to be applicable. In addition to this, I was raised by Hill Giants who are known for their laziness and brutality."
"Heh, fair enough. The shack may belong to him. He won't move to town because he fears people's reaction to him. If it's his, it can be left alone." Tilton said.
"I will remember this. I don't know about around here, but in the Silver Reef Isla and the Empire poachers set up shacks and tiny camps to avoid immediate notice." I said. "Is it similar here? Or are they more open?"
"There have been camps but not shacks typically. They try to get out of my territory quickly." Tilton said.
"Excellent. It shall be a challenge to catch them, then." I said. "How do you prefer poachers dealt with? I do understand the Queen's policy, but each Lord has their preferences."
"With the new laws in place, I want to give her new system a chance to work." Tilton said. "So for now, I would like to give her system a try. Once I have some of your reports, we will go from there."
I nodded. "You do know that maiming and killing are on the table, then?"
"I am aware. Obviously to be used as a last resort. If those actions are your go to, then you'll have to find another employer to work with." Tilton said.
"I do not know about here, but murder is illegal where I come from." I said. "Even for monsters."
"They were a little more loose around the rest of the Kingdom." Tilton said. "Monster races were always at risk."
"Being quick to kill will always result in a premature death." I said, while Kershka and Biri approached. Biri bee-lined for the carved figure in my hands, and I expertly cradled it to my chest while popping her nose. I heard her flop onto her bottom and huff.
"Don't worry, Quick One, I will make a sturdy one for you." Kershka said.
"You're very kind, Kershka. Biri. You can look, but to not touch, alright?" I said. I waited for the confirmation snort before I showed my drake the carving. She listened and did not touch it.
"Have you managed to procure a room, yet?" Tilton asked.
"Oh, no." I said. "Biri was being a scamp due to Gregor's insistence, and ran off, so I got lost and ended up over here. My sense of direction is off when I am not amongst the trees. Kershka was showing me the way when Biri came back wanting to play."
"Well,you're almost there let's get you squared away, alright?" Tilton said.
"Yes, alright." I said, standing. I wasn't sure where Kershka was, so I offered out the carving.
"Are you trying to hand that off to someone?" Bibs asked.
"Yes, it is Kershka's." I said.
Kershka chuckled. "Nope. It's yours."
I showed confusion for a moment, then said, "You're letting me keep this?"
"Yup." Kershka said. "That one has been waiting on a home for a while."
I adjusted my hold on it, feeling it's fine features again. "Thank you, Kershka. I will treasure this Thunder Hoof."
"Thank you. I am sure it will treasure you, too." Kershka said.
I smiled, accepting the gift. Tilton took me to the Inn and helped me set up a room at the Inn. Once I was properly settled in, I searched around until I could organize a bath for myself. Tonight I pampered myself. Tomorrow, I'd properly begin working.
And so the next morning after breakfast, I left the Inn with my things, calling Biri to me. I had her lead me to the other hunter Tilton had mentioned, Mills. He was in the process of setting up his stall. I waited for the process to be done, then greeted him.
"Hello, I believe you are Mills, the second hunter for Dueling Rivers, and also for Hearthstone Town?" I said.
"Yes. I am Mills. How can I be of assistance?" He asked.
"I am going to be removing any and all traps that are unmarked in a way I can equate them to the appropriate hunter. Snares and traps are not allowed unless it is the town, city or village hunters. Individual families may be permitted to hunt now, but it is bow only. I am going to demonstrate for you how you shall begin marking your traps. Any questions?" I asked.
"After you show me how to mark them, can I not just go back and mark the ones I've already set?" He asked.
"Yes. If they are still up, you may. If they are marked, Biri and I won't touch them." I replied.
He hesitated, Biri said he looked at his stall, "How long do I have? Because I really don't want to have to close down my stall after just opening."
"Which is your range?" I asked.
"Currently, I am to the West." Mills said.
"Very well. I'll focus on the East first, Arthur was escorting me, so he had the chance to mark his traps." I said. Then I took out a length of rope and showed him how to mark it. "If you have the time or funds to, I will also accept an enchanted talisman." I showed him what I meant. "This sort let's out an energy I can detect when I touch it."
"Well, I can certainly look into the talismans. It will take some time though." Mills said.
"That's alright. I will change the mark for you bi-monthly. It just helps keep poachers on their toes in case they learn your mark." I explained.
"That's fine by me." He said.
"The good thing about this system, is if a poacher steals your kill and I catch them, the kill will be restored to you." I informed him.
"That is helpful. I have lost a few. It's caused me to delay Margaret's order." He said.
I nodded slowly, "Which quadrant would that be? I can send Biri to monitor that zone. Biri will not scare off prey."
He took something out, that sounded like paper and spread it out. "It's this quadrant right here. Several of my traps have been his this month."
I smiled slowly, "I am blind. I can not see that." I said, as Biri looked it over. "Ah, Biri said the South West region."
"Mm- I'm sorry, I hadn't noticed." He said.
"It's quite alright. Is Biri accurate?" I asked.
"Yes.. that it indeed the correct area." Mills said, his voice holding guilt.
"I'll send Biri to try and catch them." I said, nodding for Biri. As soon as she brought me out of the town, she'd go investigate.
"Well, that will be much appreciated. They are a nuisance." Mills said.
"Ah. One more thing, if I come across your trap and it is damaged, or triggered with no catch, would you like me to repair it or reset it?" I asked.
"I would hate to impose." Mills said.
"It's just something I offer out of respect. Especially if a hunter may be struggling, but as I understand it, Dueling Rivers does very well." I said.
"We do quite well here, yes." He said. "Tilton makes sure any new hunter understands how to not over hunt."
"An excellent man, then." I said. "Good day, Mills. I must be off to my job."
"Well, then. I will see you at some point. I will have them marked as quickly as possible." Mills said.
"Thank you for your cooperation." I said, as Biri took me out the East entrance. As soon as I was amonst the trees, Biri left to go to the area indicated. It took two days for Biri to notify me that someone tampered with Mills' traps. She tracked the people via their scent, and I joined her, having removed some traps.
They had a camp set up just outside of the territory when I arrived. A scuffle ensued, and because of the implications, I arrested them. I placed them in a cart of their pilfered goods, along with their own ample proof of poaching, and brought them to Tilton's home. I wasn't sure the time, but he'd just have to forgive me it it was late.
I knocked on his front door with Biri at my side, having the horses pulling the cart stay still near us. After around a minute, he opened the door.
"My. What have we here?" Tilton asked.
"Biri tracked them after catching them stealing a kill from Mills' trap. The cart is full of what they've caught or stolen. As it is a stealing matter, I figured I should bring them in." I said. "I do know know My Lord's law about thievery, especially when unsportly."
I heard the sound of paper ripping, and felt magic flow around us. "Why are you stealing from Mills, my hunter." Tilton asked. After they refused to speak, he continued, "Since there is no defense for you, then I will punish you to the full extent. Which you may or may not know is death." Still silence. "Well, take them to jail. I will have them sent off to the Capital for execution."
"And what would you like done with the goods? I would prefer to give what was Mills' to him, but I do not know how to differentiate it." I admitted.
"I would recommend you ask Mills. He may be able to determine his kills from someone elses." Tilton said. "As for the rest of the kills, they should be distributed to Hearthstone."
"Fuck you and your dragon whore." One of the men spat out.
"Hm. You're a mouthy one, aren't you?" Tilton commented. "I think I'll have Kershka sit before your cell and explain the ways of whitling at length."
"I'll take them to the guard house. I think it was at the South gate?" I asked.
"Indeed. It is. I hope you all enjoy your lecture." Tilton said.
I took them along to the jail house, as was ordered. Then hauled the horse and cart to the Square, led by Biri. She stopped us before Mills. "Hello, Mills."
"Ah, welcome back. How is the job going?" He asked.
"Well enough. Come look in here and see what is yours. The rest I am to give to Hearthstone. Though I am uncertain of who to see it to." I said.
He said, "Well, I will take a look, but it will be rather difficult to tell what trap killed what."
"That's fine. You can take what you needed. It's Tilton's property as the Lord, and he trusted you to take what is yours." I shrugged.
"Eh. I'll just take what I need to fill the orders, and that will be all." Mills said.
I nodded. "Do you know where I should take the rest, or who I should see it to?"
"Well, if you want the simple route, you can just simply leave it with the guards at the gate. The more complicated way..." Biri told me he smirked. "Is to take it to a man called Isarial."
"Are you picking on me?" I asked.
He chuckled. "Not in the least. Isarial is my friend. He'll do exactly as I said, it's more like I'm picking on him by making him do things."
"Very well." I said. I waited as he sorted through things, and once he was done, Biri and I took the horse and cart to Hearthstone Town. Once we got there, and had approached some guards, I stated, "Hello. I have seized these goods from poachers, Tilton bade me to bring them here. I was recommended to leave it with Isarial, but an authority would do."