Spoiler
Chapter 1
Caedryn sniffed the air as he perched himself on a tree branch, the shade from the leaves covering most of his body from the sun. The scent of grass and meat filled his nose as his green eyes scanned the ground below him. His prey was near.
Ignoring the two swords strapped to his back he un-sheathed a small curved dagger, its blade made of sharpened bone as Caedryn’s clawed hand wrapped around its leather handle.
With speed and silence that took years of practice, Caedryn went from perched atop the tree branch to hanging from it using his feet and tail, his long black hair almost giving away his presence. By the time the beast looked up, it was over.
Quickly and painlessly, Caedryn had slit his prey’s throat before sheathing his dagger and landing on the ground, next to his prize. Kneeling, he said a quick prayer before heaving the body over his shoulder, his red fur and blue stripes visible in the sun as he headed back to the village.
~*~
As he entered his village, Caedryn was greeted with a smile from his long-time friend Maya. Her yellow eyes met his as he walked passed her and lay the beast he had killed earlier on a stone altar, Maya speaking as he prepared tonight’s meal.
“Fast, wasn’t he?” she asked as she walked up beside Caedryn.
“Indeed.” He replied, casting a glance to Maya, his eyes resting on her mocha colored fur a moment before meeting eyes with her.
“His stamina was something else. I gave chase for about twenty minutes straight and he hadn’t lost his breath even then.” He stated, Maya embracing him from behind as she pulled him close to her, her breasts covered by a thin red cloth squishing against his back as she spoke, “Unlike me?”
Caedryn stopped preparing the feast as he lay his dagger on the altar, his left hand rising up to his chest and slowly placed his hand atop Maya’s as he replied, “Yes.”
Maya smiled to herself as she kept embracing Caedryn a while longer before letting him go, her red cloak fluttering as her tail moved side to side. She loved him and he loved her back.
“I’ll let you finish tonight’s dinner then.” she said as she turned and walked towards her hut, Caedryn watching her leave as he smiled to himself before grabbing his dagger and proceeded
to finish the dinner preparations.
~*~
“This feast tonight would not be possible without the aid of Caedryn Thalos, one of our most reliable hunters, able to down the quick and agile Beth’esk, a tricky beast even for seasoned hunters. Tonight we celebrate our best harvest and hope for many more to come. Great Beth’esk, we thank you for our feast tonight and hope you rest well. Now, let us feast!” spoke Al’Andir, one of the village elders, his white fur glowing in the dim candle light, the shadows covering his black stripes, his eyes glowing a dim orange from the light of the candles.
Smiling, Maya sat next to Caedryn as they ate the Beth’esk he had brought back.
“You know, I’m going to have to try and beat your record of downing a Beth’esk the next time we’re on a hunt.” whispered Maya into Caedryn’s ear. Grinning, Caedryn looked at Maya and whispered, “You’re free to try. An expert bows woman as yourself might find it hard. Once they get a whiff of you they’re off. And I know how hard it is to fire your bow while moving.”
Without warning, Maya had jabbed her elbow into Caedryn’s side and caused him to wince in slight pain. The fox grinned as she eyed Caedryn before speaking, “I’m pretty sure I’m not your average bows woman.”
“Oh really?” inquired Caedryn as he moved his face closer to hers.
“Really. And I can show you in-“
“Ahem! Not while eating, please.” Interrupted Al’Andir, smiling as he and some of the village children looked at Maya and Caedryn.
“Elder Andir, will Maya and Caedryn undergo the mating ritual sometime soon? They make a cute couple!” asked a child, Al’Andir smiling as he responded, “Perhaps, but such rituals of old are rarely practiced anymore. Many practices and rituals of ours are mere guidelines. What is and isn’t enforced is for the council of elders to decide.”
“So, there’s no need for the mating ritual because they always mate anyways?” asked another child.
Al’Andir said nothing but instead smiled, his age showing through the wrinkles on his face. No need to answer what is already known in the village, even if it meant passing up an opportunity to poke fun at the two.
Blushing, both Maya and Caedryn finished their meal in silence before getting up and heading back to their respective huts as Al’Andir watched them from afar. He wished everyday could be filled with happiness and fun, but as an elder he knew otherwise.
Especially with hunters of distant planets that eventually came to hunt for the fun of it, and the skirmishes his tribe has had with the exiled ones. He did not let such facts get to him though, for there is always hope for a better future.
Today though, he savored the happy and jubilant atmosphere, for no one knows what tomorrow will bring.
Caedryn sniffed the air as he perched himself on a tree branch, the shade from the leaves covering most of his body from the sun. The scent of grass and meat filled his nose as his green eyes scanned the ground below him. His prey was near.
Ignoring the two swords strapped to his back he un-sheathed a small curved dagger, its blade made of sharpened bone as Caedryn’s clawed hand wrapped around its leather handle.
With speed and silence that took years of practice, Caedryn went from perched atop the tree branch to hanging from it using his feet and tail, his long black hair almost giving away his presence. By the time the beast looked up, it was over.
Quickly and painlessly, Caedryn had slit his prey’s throat before sheathing his dagger and landing on the ground, next to his prize. Kneeling, he said a quick prayer before heaving the body over his shoulder, his red fur and blue stripes visible in the sun as he headed back to the village.
~*~
As he entered his village, Caedryn was greeted with a smile from his long-time friend Maya. Her yellow eyes met his as he walked passed her and lay the beast he had killed earlier on a stone altar, Maya speaking as he prepared tonight’s meal.
“Fast, wasn’t he?” she asked as she walked up beside Caedryn.
“Indeed.” He replied, casting a glance to Maya, his eyes resting on her mocha colored fur a moment before meeting eyes with her.
“His stamina was something else. I gave chase for about twenty minutes straight and he hadn’t lost his breath even then.” He stated, Maya embracing him from behind as she pulled him close to her, her breasts covered by a thin red cloth squishing against his back as she spoke, “Unlike me?”
Caedryn stopped preparing the feast as he lay his dagger on the altar, his left hand rising up to his chest and slowly placed his hand atop Maya’s as he replied, “Yes.”
Maya smiled to herself as she kept embracing Caedryn a while longer before letting him go, her red cloak fluttering as her tail moved side to side. She loved him and he loved her back.
“I’ll let you finish tonight’s dinner then.” she said as she turned and walked towards her hut, Caedryn watching her leave as he smiled to himself before grabbing his dagger and proceeded
to finish the dinner preparations.
~*~
“This feast tonight would not be possible without the aid of Caedryn Thalos, one of our most reliable hunters, able to down the quick and agile Beth’esk, a tricky beast even for seasoned hunters. Tonight we celebrate our best harvest and hope for many more to come. Great Beth’esk, we thank you for our feast tonight and hope you rest well. Now, let us feast!” spoke Al’Andir, one of the village elders, his white fur glowing in the dim candle light, the shadows covering his black stripes, his eyes glowing a dim orange from the light of the candles.
Smiling, Maya sat next to Caedryn as they ate the Beth’esk he had brought back.
“You know, I’m going to have to try and beat your record of downing a Beth’esk the next time we’re on a hunt.” whispered Maya into Caedryn’s ear. Grinning, Caedryn looked at Maya and whispered, “You’re free to try. An expert bows woman as yourself might find it hard. Once they get a whiff of you they’re off. And I know how hard it is to fire your bow while moving.”
Without warning, Maya had jabbed her elbow into Caedryn’s side and caused him to wince in slight pain. The fox grinned as she eyed Caedryn before speaking, “I’m pretty sure I’m not your average bows woman.”
“Oh really?” inquired Caedryn as he moved his face closer to hers.
“Really. And I can show you in-“
“Ahem! Not while eating, please.” Interrupted Al’Andir, smiling as he and some of the village children looked at Maya and Caedryn.
“Elder Andir, will Maya and Caedryn undergo the mating ritual sometime soon? They make a cute couple!” asked a child, Al’Andir smiling as he responded, “Perhaps, but such rituals of old are rarely practiced anymore. Many practices and rituals of ours are mere guidelines. What is and isn’t enforced is for the council of elders to decide.”
“So, there’s no need for the mating ritual because they always mate anyways?” asked another child.
Al’Andir said nothing but instead smiled, his age showing through the wrinkles on his face. No need to answer what is already known in the village, even if it meant passing up an opportunity to poke fun at the two.
Blushing, both Maya and Caedryn finished their meal in silence before getting up and heading back to their respective huts as Al’Andir watched them from afar. He wished everyday could be filled with happiness and fun, but as an elder he knew otherwise.
Especially with hunters of distant planets that eventually came to hunt for the fun of it, and the skirmishes his tribe has had with the exiled ones. He did not let such facts get to him though, for there is always hope for a better future.
Today though, he savored the happy and jubilant atmosphere, for no one knows what tomorrow will bring.
So, after seeing Rakshiv make a thread for her art, I thought I'd do the same for my writing
I'm a sucky artist, but at least I'm a slightly better writer... Hopefully.
Anyways, I hope for critique and that you like my story.
