Gora
I moved slowly through the forest, crouching low and carefully watching my step. I needed to be silent for this hunt. A few yards away stood a group of deer. The three deers were males judging by their longer antlers. The brown-furred creatures were occupied by the lushes grass that grew in this area. I was able to sneak up on them while they ate the foliage. A few yards away from me was Canem, my female jackal waiting patiently.
Wheee!
I whistled loudly, getting the deer's attention. All three were focused on the direction of the sound. Canem wasted no time as she pounced on the animals. Of course, the deer noticed her immediately and began to run away. On cue, I leaped out of the bushes and charged. The beast was startled and scatted. Each deer went in a different direction. I picked the best one to follow, and Canem followed. Over the months I've been in the forest, I'd gotten much faster and stronger. Although the deer still outpaced me, it was because I had to watch out for obstacles. The deer I was persuing moved through the forest with ease.
Lucky Canem could move quickly in the forest as well. Whenever the deer would turn and start going in a different direction, Canem would bring the creature back in. Pushing in the direction we needed it to go, this went on for a minute when the beast tried it again. This time the deer made it past Canem. I wasn't disappointed with the jackal for letting our prey get past her. Deer were far better at turning than dogs were.
I summon my sword from my spacial ring while still sprinting. I threw the blade up, catching it by the hilt. I now heald the long sword like a spear. I launched the sword with all my might. I applied my heavy magic to the blade just before I released it.
BooM!
My longsword flew right past the deer, striking the ground to the right on the creature. Pieces of the earth exploded and created a dust cloud. The deer was caught off guard, causing it to leap to the ground. The animal scurried to its feet quickly and was off ran once again. Canem had caught up to it by now and was sending it back in the right direction. I retrieved my blade before I, too, continued the hunt.
Wheeeewww!
I let out another whistle when we got in position. Out of the shadows cast by the tree, a black figure emerged. The figure pounced and snapped its jaws on the deer's neck. The whole ordeal happened quicker than the deer could react. Both the deer and the new figure hit the ground. I heard a sickening snap and the deer stopped moving.
Good boy, Canis!" I yelled as the Jackal dropped the now limp deer. The dog turned to me and smiled, at least I think he was. He had his mouth open, showing all his bloody teeth. Canem and I made our way to him. Canis tried to lick me, but I dodged him. I didn't want his blood tongue on me. I did, however, give the little guy a pet behind the ears. Canis closed his one good eye as he started kicking his leg. He loved it when I scratched his ears.
Grrrrrrr
Canem started to growl, getting my attention. I turned to see the jackal face behind us, looking into the trees. Canem's hair stood up on her back, giving her a tiny mohawk. Canis decided to join his sister and started growling as well. I looked in the direction they were looking and saw two wolves. The beast didn't look hostile, but I was still on guard after the battle with the wolf pack months ago. I'd rarely seen them. They made a habit of staying away from me. I still heard their howls at night, but they were much farther than they used to be. ( They must have found a new den around here.) I thought as I examined the wolves.
We had gone further in the forest to hunt the deer. We must have trespassed on the wolves' new territory. I decided to leave them the deer as an apology. I ordered my two hounds to stop, and we left the wolves and the dead deer. The wolves would leave me gifts of their kills here and there. So, I decided to return the favor, especially since I was now trespassing.
"Come on lets go get another one." I told my two companies. I actually had fun hunting. I calked that up to me living in the forest for months. There wasn't much entertainment out in the woods.
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Hours later and we were back at camp. We had managed to catch another deer, and I was busy butchering the carcass. I had gotten better at cutting up dead animals after months of practice. Canis and Canem were laid up under our make-shift shelter. It was just a bunch of longs tied together. Still, it had become home over these few months. The hounds and I had made a charming little home together. After I finished cutting up the deer, I decided to rest under the shelter as well.
"Move over. I'm tired too. I said to the dogs as I plopped down on the pile of leaves I called a bed. I had grown accustomed to the forest life. ( Out here, I can do whatever I want when I want it.) I thought as I lay flat on my back. Although I loved my new life, I still felt like something was missing. I was missing my maid.
"I wonder what Mog is doing?" I said to myself. The jackals were great companions, but they couldn't talk back to me. I wondered if Mog was missing me. I hoped she did. (Maybe I will go back to see her.) I thought as I sat up. The forest was great and all, but it didn't have wine. I also wasn't a great cook. I missed the food I ate like a princess. My diet now consisted of fruits, nuts, and meat that I prepared. I was a horrible cook, and I burnt the meat half the time. I longed for an omelet or a nice seasoned steak. My mouth watered as I thought about all the food.
If I wanted to eat delicious food, I was going to have to leave the forests. I had no desire to see any humans. So my next best stop would be the Darven kingdom. They have the best spirits, and I was curious about the race. The problem was I didn't know the way to the Darvan territory.
"Damn you old man! It would have been nice if you'd given me a map." I cursed my father. The man left me with a sword, dresses, jewelry, and a bunch of books. But no map. ( I guess I need to start making my way to the mountain, maybe there's a clue there.) I thought to myself. I had been training for months, but I was only able to progress one layer. Canis and Canem had also gained a layer, making them both peak layer three beasts. By increasing the layer of my soul core, I could now conjure more weight to my element. I also had more Ki than before.
I trained every morning and hunted every day. I used the books given to me by the trolls to practice my Ti-Ki and used my element to strengthen my body. Thanks to all my training, my body was highly toned. I doubt I had any body fat. If Mog could see me, she would be very angry with me. She always told me that women shouldn't have big muscles. I didn't mind my muscles though, one of the advantages of practicing Ti-Ki meant I would hit harder than people my same layer. Most people only train their core making their body weak in comparison. A person training only their core would need to use Ki to strengthen their defense and offense. In my case, I didn't have to use Ki to defend or attack.
Mog would also scold me on my hair which was long and wild. I saw no reason to fix my hair, and no one was going to see me way out in the woods. I wore my torn tunic and pants that were more like shorts now. If I could see myself, I'd probably look more like a beast than a princess. I laughed to myself when I thought about the face Mog would have if she saw me now. Her jaw would surely hit the floor.
"I think we are ready to go further into the forest." I said as I pet my two dogs. I'd been training the jackals to fight as a team. I was preparing them for the journey to the mountain. My father had said that the trip to the mountain would be torturous, so I had to get the jackals ready. I noticed that the only beast around the area I was currently in, Were layer three or below. But I was told that they could reach layer six at the max. Meaning the beast further in would be very powerful.
That fact wouldn't stop me. However, I had made up my mind to make it to the top of the mountains to the south. I desired to learn more about my mother and her people. (I wonder what ill find when I get there?) I thought to myself. The suspense was killing me, and I wanted to know what time people lived in a place like this. I also wondered why I hadn't seen them in the woods. I've been here for months, but I witnessed no signs of human life. I figured it was because they didn't travel far from their home. It didn't matter. I was going to travel to them and find out for myself. (As an added benefit, the people living there may have wine with them.) I thought, licking my lips.
"Tommorow we will set off twords the montain," I said as I got up and walked back to the half butchered deer carcass. I was going to prepare a farewell meal for the dogs and myself.
"But tonight we feast!" I shouted Canis and Canem. They both looked excited. I was thrilled to have them around because the forest gets pretty lonely. My little Jackals had grown quite large. They were now taller than the wolves we had run into earlier. Felt like a proud parent as I prepared our food. We ate grilled deer and fruit, nothing to fancy, but it filled us up. Afterward, we slept peacefully for the last time. After tonight, finding a safe place to lay our heads would be hard.
The next day I awoke to the sound of birds chirping. I had gotten used to the sounds of the forest, but I still didn't love waking up to the screeching birds. I got up, whipping the drool from my face. I needed to get up. Today was the day the hounds and I were going deeper into the beast forest. I skipped my morning training so I could pack up our camp. It didn't take long. I didn't have much to pack. Everything I needed went into my special ring. I mostly pack food.
I felt a little sad leaving the place I called home for serval months. I wished I could bring my shelter with me. It took me days to put the thing together. I said goodbye to my home as the Jackals and I moved out. I decided to follow the river south. We walked for hours before I stumbled onto something interesting.
A boar stood at the edge of the river, taking a drink. (Look who we have here!) I thought when I noticed the crack on the boar's tusks. It was the same boar that tossed me in the river months ago. A mischievous smile crossed my lips. We were far enough away that the beast didn't notice us yet. I signaled for the dogs to follow me quietly. We snuck around the beast emerging right behind it.
"Hello, I beleive we met before." I said, glaring at the boar. It turned quickly, looking at me in confusion. The beast looked around, probably trying to find a way to escape. I whistled, and both Canis and Canem went to block the boar's retreat.
"Your looking a little dirty friend, I think you could use a swim." I said with a big grin. With another whistle, the dogs and I charged the boar.
Splash!
The boar was so scared that it jumped into the river to get away from us. I laughed as the beast struggled against the river's current. I felt good to get some payback. I waved to the animal as it sailed down the long river. I doubt the boar would die. The current was pretty weak here. After a hard laugh, I continued my journey. `