I will follow where the stream goes
I've begged spirits for solutions
I've asked all to reverse time
They have all said time's an illusion
Stalking Death
Raven's POV
northern Dunland, TA 2907
Carrying weapons prevented me from turning wolf and escaping the thousand little inconveniences Unfurred was prey to. At the moment, the most unbearable thing was the midges. The spring had been cold and punctuated by torrential rains, and now since early summer it was hot and dry. Vast amounts of flies and midges populated every bit of water, and all of them were intent on reproduction. And hence, on blood. They followed me even under the trees, where the shade provided at least an illusion of coolness.
I slowed my trot through the sweltering forest with an impatient grunt and slipped down a steep edge towards a small, shallow pool. The soft ground around the water was pockmarked by the tracks of many animals coming here to drink. More midges danced over the still pond. I waved them and a few insects skidding across the water aside. The water had become so shallow that scooping it up with my hands would only get me a mouthful of muddy sand. Casting a last wary glance around I dropped to all fours and carefully drank from the surface.
This was going to be a problem. There were grasslands ahead which I had to cross to reach the next stretch of forest, and no river ran there. The stagnant pools that usually could be found all over the plain would long be dried out, and I had nothing to carry water.
If I hunted well, blood would do. But I had not hunted well the last days. I had tried to run down a weak, late-born deer in a swamp, overlooking the remains of dead trees under the surface. I had stumbled into the sharp branches, and the wounds had not healed well. The amounts of insects did not make it better at all. I felt tired and weary, and much too exhausted to start another long chase.
Koth'nakira my people said, Stalking Death. I had been koth'nakira for the past year, and the Orcs I was following now were the fifth large group I had tracked and eventually killed since…then.
The once again still surface of the water provided me with a haggard reflection of myself. With a sigh, I rubbed dried Orcs' blood off my cheeks, the remains of the last victory paint. Time to replace it with fresh blood would soon come.
Midges sirred all around, already starting to settle on my bare skin. If I continued playing host to all those tiny vampires they would probably suck me dry before I overtook my current prey. Curse unfurred's lack of protection. I scooped up a few handfuls of mud and spread them on my face and body. For a moment, the mud had a cooling effect, but the thin layer dried quickly. Also, it stung in the open wounds. After a moment's hesitation I added another generous layer. I was sweating, and anything that aside from keeping the cursed insects at bay for a while might camouflage or at least cover my own scent was an advantage.
Orcs did not travel by day. Let alone a day so hot and glaring bright as this one. I would catch up. Tomorrow, I would be Stalking Death again.
Though sometimes I rather felt as if Death was stalking me in return. No, I was courting it.
I scrambled up the steep side and took up my bow and sword again. Sunlight of early afternoon filtered through the canopy, and insects danced in the beams. The plains were not far. I resumed my slow trot, wishing once more I could call the wolf and double my speed while lessening the effort.
Chapter Notes:
Quote at the beginning from the song "Timescape" by Kenziner ("Timescape")
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