Woop woop chapter 10 is done. As you know, DAI and LoZ are not my properties. enjoy this late one.
The dwarf won't shut up.
He was persistent, she gave him that, but Muara had her patience tested with this voe. His ideas on herself were outlandish and his questions were invasive or scooted around the one he wanted to tell (which she answered with silence) but he seemed to keep the worst of his snarky teasing to the others.
Cassandra had an obvious dislike for him. She told her to "never believe anything that liar tells you." She must have been tricked or fallen for one of his overly dramatic tales which he told along the road. The Inquisitor, Erui, seemed to enjoy his company. Maybe he was brought along for moral, to keep her spirits high after the loss of Haven. Overall, the hypothesis was to not take anything he said seriously. It's a joke, a lie or both.
Muara was not used to others asking about her and her people. Most knew they existed and to stay away if you didn't want to get robbed or killed or whatever threat one would give to a child when describing a monster in a story. It was best that they stayed away. It was against the law to reveal too much Gerudo culture to those outside their race as people might use it against them. It was also their way of not getting involved in the affairs of other races. They were neutral, though many disagreed, and wouldn't join a war if not affected or involved. It never worked out for them in the end.
But to be asked from someone who had no experience with her kind whatsoever, what was she to tell him? A stranger whom she met less than a day ago? She couldn't be completely silent forever. Her reaction was probably unwarranted but the instinct to protect her people drove her to act on the defence. She needed their trust in order to stay alive long enough to find out what happened to the others on that ship.
Or was this threat too big to ignore. Like He was.
Either way, Muara would have to tell them something sooner or later.
Light was starting to dim when the Inquisitor decided to set up camp. The dense forestation would cloak the land in darkness before the sun truly set and it would be too dangerous to move at night. They had come to a small flat piece, not quite a clearing but it would do for a few bedrolls and a fire. They each dismounted and started setting up camp, unpacking their bedrolls and collecting branches. After tying up the horses by the edge of camp, Muara started heading towards the bushes.
"Where are you going?"
"To hunt," answered Muara as she continued.
"Wait." Erui stood up from where she'd crouched and did a slight jog towards her. "I'll come with you." Muara turned her head to nod and they walked together into the thicket.
"Keep an eye on her, Inquisitor," Cassandra warned as she watched them disappear.
Muara's mind began to focus. In order for the rations to stretch, they needed to subsidize their diet. She didn't know enough of the land's flora to know what would be edible so fauna was the next best thing. First, they would have to find a spot where animals would pass through, prints, fur, something to indicate life. Erui seemed to have bought some small traps with her and were laying them out near the trees and under bushes as they went. They would work for some small mammal by morning but Muara had something more immediate in mind.
A natural path through the bushes wasn't far. Something big had passed through recently. The branches were bent with odd traces of dark fur hanging at the ends. Still smelt of the animal. She knelt down to check the ground for tracks. Large paw. Deep. Quite fresh, possibly passed through within the hour. Her amber eyes shot in the direction the tracks were headed and started moving, almost crawling, to find the target like a tiger stalking its prey.
Neither hunter spoke a word as they followed the prints. They moved as quietly as possible as their soft footfalls caught up with their intended target until it was in sight. A brown bear. Probably on it's way to it's den for the night. No cubs and didn't appear pregnant.
They hid in the bushes, keeping downwind from the creature as they crept closer. When the bear was fully turned away, Muara slowly stood up, took a step forward and launched her spear into the air.
A pained roar broke the silence followed by the beating of wings as birds fled from their nests. Blood seeped from the deep wound of the bear's hind leg as it tried desperately to remove the offending object. Muara leapt forward, tearing the spear out to hold it defensively in front of her. The bear's paw swiped furiously at it's attacker but the Gerudo's reactions were just too swift as she blocked and dodged the onslaught of sharp claws and teeth. The bear flinched again in pain when a throwing knife hit its shoulder. In it's distraction, it didn't notice the curved blade of the spear launched into its thick neck.
Finally, after such a great struggle, the air grew still as the large mass of fur ceased movement. The sound of deep, heavy breaths was all that cut through the encroaching darkness but not from the bear. The beast was dead. Muara wished it's soul away in her native tongue. "Rest, warrior. You fought bravely." With that, she grabbed two of its legs and hauled it ,with a groan, onto her shoulders. It was heavy but it would be easier to butcher back at camp without wasting anything.
Erui picked up Muara's staff and both started retracing their steps back to camp.
"I'm impressed. I don't think I'd take that down alone." Erui complimented.
"It is good to know your limits." Muara said, remembering the advice of her elders. "Thank you for your assistance. You seem to be at home in the wild."
"My clan were always on the move. We tended to stay away from human cities so hunting and foraging was our main food source."
"My tribe is similar. Why are you not with them?"
"I was sent to the Conclave to find out how the talks between the mages and templars were going. There are three mages in my clan. As the Keepers First, I needed to ensure their safety."
"And?"
"And then the Breach happened. I was imprisoned under charges of mass murder, then named 'Herald of Andraste' and joined the Inquisition."
"A criminal to a hero is quite the achievement."
"It took three days to change their minds. Three! I'm Dalish. I don't even worship their Maker." explained an exasperated Erui.
"Have you managed to contact your clan?" Muara asked, trying to change the subject to something less stressful.
"Only recently. They're in the Free Marches now but… they may be in trouble."
"I know you can help your clan, whatever they face," Muara reassured.
"Thank you. What about you? You are not with your tribe."
"We were out at sea when a storm hit. I was flung overboard."
"And your ship? Your crew?"
"...I don't know."