(The White Forrest) First Day With a New Friend

[Wald Lowca]

2nd of Ashan 719, Morning

The night was quite eventful for Wald. Before he could even sleep he was disturbed in his rest. With a new surprise a spirit wolf named Ylfa, this was a gift from Karem, who recognized Wald's hunting talent. Even so this was going to be the first day with her. And Wald had no idea how to truly take care of the creature. He slowly woke in his camp that morning, the wolf materialized through the night at his feet. The wolf's body didn't give off the heat it should of, even though it was furry. Wald assumed it must be because of how spirits work. Though he was inexperienced in such matters.

As Wald was getting up, Ylfa had also arisen with him. Looking towards her new master, with panting mouth. Her color was white, with a dark line of gray down her back. Her eyes also had the same dark grey around the left one. Wald honestly thought she was quite cute, especially in this state. Ylfa broke the silence. "Master Wald, what are our plans for the day? Ylfa would love to help." The voice of the wolf was only in Wald's head. Even so the communication was quite clear.

Wald did a quick stretch before replying to the wolf. "We are going to work on the campsite. I want to make it more permanent of a place to camp in the future." The wolf had sat down and tilted her head. As if asking why. "The small hot spring intrigued me. I took it as a sign of good fortune." Wald did understand he didn't need to speak. This was instinctual now with the mark. If he directed thoughts Ylfa would hear them.

[Wald Lowca]

The two left the tent, leaving the two pack animals asleep. Wald looked out for a moment, then he remembered. "Can you check around the camp. In case any visitors came last night." As soon as Wald said this, Ylfa dashed off. Making a patrol around the camp to check for signs of disturbances over the night. Wald's head had a pulling in it. He went to look where it was coming from, It was a squirrel in the tree. His mind was able to follow its motions through the trees. This must have something to do with that gift Wald had received.

Wald took a moment to breath, this cleared the pulling of his attention. Once he had a solid grasp on reality, Wald took a hold of the hatchet and wondered back to the tree. Wald went back to work chopping into the tree in a new spot. Once again he did so around five hatchets in length. The motions Wald took helped to wake him up fully. The impact of the hatchet helped by cracking his joints. Helping his morning stretch.

When Wald made a good chunk of process through the cut, he was interrupted. Ylfa came up to Wald, sitting in front of him as if waiting to be acknowledged. Wald simply looked at her and nodded. With a happy sound that rang through Wald's head. "I found no signs of animals that would pose a danger to us." Wald simply smiled at first.

Then he thought of the phrasing of the words. "You are including the rest of our pack right. The donkey and horse." Wald had a slight concern, since he only just meet the spirit.

Ylfa simply wagged her tail. "Yes, I remembered the large ones." This set Wald at ease, since he could trust her a bit more now.

[Wald Lowca]

Wald went back to chopping at the tree. After a few swings he noticed Ylfa was still there, waiting for something. "What is it Ylfa?" Wald asked as he continued his work.

Ylfa tilted her head and asked Wald. "I want to help. Can you give me a task?" The canine said this with a tone that sounded of looking for approval.

While Wald continued his swings he thought. What could a wolf do to help me here. He would need to figure something out for Ylfa to do. He had an idea. "Can you dig a ditch around the campsite. Just to ground level." The request seemed to please her. As she ran off with a wagging tail. It seemed like Ylfa enjoyed helping. Though to what extent was still to be seen. After a few more swings, Wald made his way through the tree again. Making a new log, as he proceeded to roll it to camp.

While he rolled the log, Wald was able to see the wolf at work. She seemed to be enjoying her task. The snow was easy to move, and it was something that helped with hunting. As wolves would dig into burrows to get rabbits out. Wald started to split this log into pieces as well. Though this time it was in much smaller plank like pieces. Each one took some time to split of the log. Each one was quite crude, and if you were to walk on them your foot would probable bleed of a week. Wald seemed to smile at the hard work he did. As all the effort took a long time to get through.

[Wald Lowca]

2nd of Ashan 719, Noon

The two had worked hard all morning. Wald had been working on the log, getting it into a hand full of crude planks. As Ylfa had been digging out a ditch, then slowly working into the campsite. As the time ran on, the dim sun started to show its light. Wald looked up to the sky as it turned into blue. A time to hunt was near, though he did not know what to do about Ylfa. Should she stay here, or go on the hunt. Wald was a lone hunter normally, though this could be a bonding experience. As he thought, Ylfa made her way over. "What is wrong?" The wolf could sense the slight distress coming from Wald.

Wald shook his head, before he replied with. "Nothing is wrong, Can you stay at camp. I will go and find some food." Wald paused for a moment after saying this. "I will take you hunting, after all the work is done."

Ylfa went back to work, after a quick nod like shake of the head. Wald went to grab his equipment for the hunt. Then he relaxed in the camp before setting out. This relaxation was to release that sense he had gained. Letting his mind open to its pull. Wald could feel some of the creatures around him pull at his mind. This was a weird feeling. Using this felt like he was cheating. Though the pulls were in general directions, surely if he used it more he could control this skill. Wald got up after the quick rest, and walked to where the pull was strongest.

[Wald Lowca]

Wald began his walk on his hunt, leaving poor Ylfa to continue working on the camp. His new companion was allowing for more work to be done. This was good news, since working alone would of taken much longer. The strong pull of Wald's gift led him forward through the forest. His instincts were telling him prey was ahead of him. He did not know the number, or what animal it would be. The only thing the mark had told him, is where they were to be found. This sense had somewhat morphed into something akin to touch, or sight. It felt natural for him as he used it more.

The predatory sense led Wald to a gathering of trees and bushes. Though somehow he knew that this was the spot. What ever this power was, it was of great use even for a hunter of Wald's heights. Taking his bow out he searched the area around looking for what was here. The bush had green leaves adorning it. Along with small pink berries. The berries peaked the interest of Wald, So he gathered a few to test. If they were poisonise he would refrain from eating them. But adding them to his pocket allowed for testing later.

Wald then looked under the bush and spotted several holes into the ground. They we obvious rabbit. Once he got a grip on where most the holes were, the sense still told him they were near. Wald walked off into the tree line, placing a few berries near the hole.

When Wald waited out of sight, he simply watched the holes. Slowly a pair of ears came from the hole, Wald did not ready his bow yet. He needed to test the berries first on the rabbits. The small white fur of the animal hopped out of its home. Not really wasting time with the matter of the berries. The rabbit seemed to scarf them down. As if knowing they were not poisoned. This was a relief. Most plants in Viden were dangerous due to the harsh nature of the environment. It seems Wald found a berry he could eat out here. After the test was finished, Wald began to draw his bow. Feeling the tension of the string in his fingers grow. "Master, Emergency, Come quick!" The sound of Ylfa rang through his head. At that moment Wald stopped the hunt, and began to run to his campsite.

[Strange]

Thread Review

Wald

Wald Lowca

Skill Points: +10 (cannot be used for magic)
Magic XP: None.

Renown: None.

Injuries/Overstepping: None.
Wealth Points: None.
Loot: None.

Skill Knowledges:

• Field Craft: Splitting logs into boards
• Field Craft: Testing berries on animals
• Field Craft: Videnese Snowheart Berry bush
• Hunting: Using Predator Sense
• Hunting: Waiting for information about the animal
• Trap Making: Using berries as bait

Non-Skill Knowledges:

• none requested.

Notes: n/a

Oh, what a cliffhanger! Nice to see Wald with a companion who can talk with him and help him out. I believe Ylfa will be a good addition to his party, she seems like a great balance to him. Maybe this campsite could serve as his hub-home for a while.

Great job and enjoy your rewards!

PM me if you have any questions, issues or concerns.

Total Word Count: 1,566 words.

Review Request Link: viewtopic.php?p=116200#p116200
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