Page 2 - Tracking Prey

Tracking Prey

Neren continues to trail his way across the mountain range, stopping only when he finally comes across tracks that stand out. Trickles of blood, drag marks and finally bones left lying around under a bush. They’re a few days old but it’s the first signs of the prey they might be after.

“A few days old tracks...” He traces his fingertips on the stone, soil and bones to test what remains of the beast’s last meal. Probably a mountain goat by the looks of it, he figures.

“What do you think Faldur?” Neren gets up to calm Faldur that moves a little restless in the presence of the animal remains. He speaks in quiet, soothing tone until the horse eases down and continues to ponder. “Worth a try?” He asks his companion, patting Faldur’s mane.

Neren admits, “At least it is better than nothing,” then looks out to the valley below. “Now we can be sure there’s prey in these mountains.”

They had been traveling for days and only now they got their first sightings, although such wasn’t enough to confirm whether the beast still lingered in the area. The beast they were after had large wings like a bat’s and fearsome screeching voice that echoed in the forests as it preyed on animals and unfortunate passing travelers.

With the sun still so high Neren knew for sure that the beast would stay in hiding. It preferred darkness over sunlight and seeing how the early sun illuminated the area it was highly unlikely to catch a glimpse of this beast.

Sighting, Neren covers his eyes to block the sun, the brightness bothering even him somewhat due to his sharp sense of vision. “It’s so damn bright, I’ll go blind at this rate,” he silently curses in his mind yet, “There’s still ways to go but we’re on the right track.”

Neren starts to walk Faldur along, “There should be a lumberyard with some lodgings around. We should be able to resupply and carry on our way.”

"Trent, that’s the name of the place," Neren recalls in his thoughts, thinking of the supplies they need in order continue their hunt. For sure the locals might know something as well so talking to them might be of benefit.

“Let’s try to make it there before nightfall.”

He wants to pick up their pace once more, knowing well enough not to linger in these parts of the region. The path ahead is thick with danger all around since these forests are known to be highly populated by tree spirits and ents. Not to forget the Mansha tribes to the Northwest and giants’ territory that lies further to the Northeast.

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Author's Notes:

Second page and text are done. I have few more pages already finished but the novel texts are yet to be written. I'm looking forward to finishing them in the days to come so I'm going to be releasing them gradually. Hope to see you around for the next updates.

Much love, Hen Lia.