With each moment of wizened preparation they took, it seemed to almost be in vain. The wasted stead, burned as it was, came as calm as any other sight short of their innate knowing. Had they just so happened to have past it by it would likely have given them this same feeling, that it was all to tranquil. All the death along the way they had seen scattered between the brush and the life of the season coming was foretelling; so many things had died clambering over this little spit of land. Ages past, years even, and only was it here no one dared disturb it. Except, of course, for the brave or foolish lot of five who scoured the remains before them where all they saw was the sweeping, wavering field, and the faint sound of the breeze.
From where they stood, it only settled in upon them that they were not along the longer the waited and watch. It was keen of them to not rush in, as they began to see three distinct silhouettes among the field, and in short order they realized just what they were; boar, wild boar more specifically, which had seemingly stopped rooting and were watching them back. The two groups spent a painfully long moment observing one another before the hoofed creatures, with no warning, bolted away and into the woods. Their fleeing figures first covering the blackened farm, through its remains, and off into the woodland beyond.
Boar, let alone three, were no idle game for any man. They were deadly and even skilled huntsmen put their life on the line to down one such a pig from a position of advantage. A single thrust of a lacerating tusk could pierce a man's flesh as violently as any sword or spear and worse yet, like the scratch of a cat, leave them with a wound that might never heal without aid. Perhaps they all sighed a collective breath of relief or perhaps the moment of seeing their quarry flee at first threat was disheartening - expecting a fight instead. Yet it was telling just what was withing spitting distance of the town and how the warnings were far from old wive's tales; the boar would have gutted them all had they the chance. Whatever shyness they displayed likely only came from the fact their opposition was much more numerous than they, to include both elf and giant at that.
But with the stillness of the moment settling in, it begged the question, where to begin searching the stead? Would they dare the field first? The cellar? The home itself? Each needed to be investigated and there was no telling what else was lurking nearby or, perhaps more deviously, waiting for them.
@BangoSkank@Hellion@Lauder@Lord Wyron@TyrannosaursRex
From where they stood, it only settled in upon them that they were not along the longer the waited and watch. It was keen of them to not rush in, as they began to see three distinct silhouettes among the field, and in short order they realized just what they were; boar, wild boar more specifically, which had seemingly stopped rooting and were watching them back. The two groups spent a painfully long moment observing one another before the hoofed creatures, with no warning, bolted away and into the woods. Their fleeing figures first covering the blackened farm, through its remains, and off into the woodland beyond.
Boar, let alone three, were no idle game for any man. They were deadly and even skilled huntsmen put their life on the line to down one such a pig from a position of advantage. A single thrust of a lacerating tusk could pierce a man's flesh as violently as any sword or spear and worse yet, like the scratch of a cat, leave them with a wound that might never heal without aid. Perhaps they all sighed a collective breath of relief or perhaps the moment of seeing their quarry flee at first threat was disheartening - expecting a fight instead. Yet it was telling just what was withing spitting distance of the town and how the warnings were far from old wive's tales; the boar would have gutted them all had they the chance. Whatever shyness they displayed likely only came from the fact their opposition was much more numerous than they, to include both elf and giant at that.
But with the stillness of the moment settling in, it begged the question, where to begin searching the stead? Would they dare the field first? The cellar? The home itself? Each needed to be investigated and there was no telling what else was lurking nearby or, perhaps more deviously, waiting for them.
@BangoSkank@Hellion@Lauder@Lord Wyron@TyrannosaursRex