Shaon's Tale, An Interlude

[Sochi]

Shaon was fletching arrows. Sitting on a low hill just on the outskirts of Brill, she sat in the grass and worked. Glue and fine silk thread held each split feather to the shaft. Once all three feathers had been applied, she would trim them with a pair of small, sharp scissors. True, she could buy arrows, but there was something satisfying about doing the work herself.

Eiskal was on the hill with her, lying on his back in the grass, eyes closed. He’d left his heavy armor in his room, choosing to wear dark leathers instead. His broadsword was still present though, the icy runes carved into the metal glinting in the sunlight.

Shaon could feel Subek but not see him. The Bond told her exactly where he was and she could have walked to him blindfolded and spun about until she was dizzy. The bear was somewhere below and to her right, probably snuffling about in the small thicket. He was in no trouble for the townsfolk all knew him as a hunter’s companion. Shaon had tied a small bell around Subek’s neck, a feat that had required some reassurance. The bear had no love for the ringing thing his mistress insisted he wear. But the bell told the townsfolk he was no wild bear and even a newcomer would hear it and see that he was no threat. Subek resigned himself to the bell, but only after a few treats and some scritching of ears.

The Forsaken produced some excellent salted fish. Cured, it was cut into small cubes. It lasted for months and was tasty both as it was and in soup. Curing and preservation of food was something that the Forsaken seemed to know very well. Subek loved the salted fish cubes, would do just about anything for one. Shaon had fed him several pieces when he showed agreement to the bell.

She smoothed out the feathers on the latest shaft and sighted down it to check the wood for trueness. Satisfied, she set it aside on the mat with the others and moved on to the next. The sun was warm on her back and she lost herself to her work.

A sharp yell brought her out of her work. Charging up the hill came Subek, eyes as wide as a bear’s could go. Chuffing and huffing, he galloped past her and Eiskal, who came awake with a start as the bear charged past.

“What in the…Are we under attack?” Eiskal asked, scrambling to get to his feet.

Shaon was up, bow in hand. She felt Subek not far off, cowering in a nearby stand of pine. Something had scared him. “I see no danger,”

“Hunter!”

Shaon and Eiskal turned. Coming up the hill was a Forsaken and he looked very upset. He was leaning heavily on a shovel and was holding something in his other hand. He was missing his right leg below the knee. Shaon met him halfway up the hill, her bow slung over her back, Eiskal at her side.

“Hunter!” he snapped, looking past her. “Where is your bear?”

“Why? What has happened?”

“Your bear,” The Forsaken thrust forward was he carrying and wagged it under Shaon’s nose. It was the other half of his leg, a ragged, muddy shoe still on the foot. Yellowed tibia and fibula were showing through a few ragged tears. There were tooth marks in the dessicated flesh near the ankle. “Your bear attacked me and ripped off my leg. Do you know how hard it is to reattach a leg, girl? They’ll be sewing it back on for hours!” he growled, gesturing with his lower leg. “How am I to work with one leg, eh?”

“Wait, Subek attacked you?”

“Yes! He mauled me while I was cleaning my latest crop of truffles. One fell and I bent to pick it up. It had fallen into the cuff of my pants. Then he attacked! Ripped my leg clean off!”

Shaon held her hands up in a placating gesture. “Now, I am sure there has been a misunderstanding. I don’t think that…,”

“Misunderstanding!” barked the Forsaken. “Misunderstanding? What is there not to be understood? He ripped off my leg!” With every word, the Forsaken jabbed the air with his severed leg to punctuate his argument. “I demand a formal apology and recompense! Reattachment is not cheap!”

Shaon was getting upset. Seeing this, Eiskal stepped between. “Now, now, sir. If you will take a deep breath.” The Forsaken glared at the deathknight, but did as asked. “Good. Now, you say that the bear attacked you?”

“Yes!” And the Forsaken gave a start, holding up his severed leg like a shield before himself. “Dark Lady, preserve me! He’s coming for the other leg!” he moaned.

Subek ambled up the hill towards them, the small bell announcing his arrival. His head was down and he looked very sheepish indeed as he sidled up to Shaon, placing her between himself and the riled Forsaken. The Bond spoke of his fear and uncertainty.

Eiskal rolled his eyes. “He looks quite repentant to me, sir. Now, when did he attack you?”

“When I dropped the truffle into my cuff. He came out of nowhere and grabbed my ankle with his jaws and ripped my leg off,” The Forsaken jabbed the leg at the bear. Subek eyed him back warily.
Shaon arched an eyebrow. “A truffle?”

The Forsaken folded his arms. “Yes. I hunt mushrooms. Truffles fetch a fine price in Silvermoon and in Thunder Bluff.”

The hunter looked up at the deathknight. “Bears adore mushrooms. Blood elves and tauren are not the only ones who appreciate truffles, bears will dig them up if they find them.” She turned her gaze on the Forsaken. “I do believe my bear smelled out your wares while you were washing the truffles. He watched you working and when you dropped that truffle, he went for it, and by accident, he got your leg, too. I'm sorry that he has caused you trouble, he may be a companion, but he is still a bear and bears have a taste for things like your mushrooms. For his mistake, for that was what it was, you have my deepest apologies.”

Shaon fished three gold coins from a small pouch behind her belt and handed it to the Forsaken mushroom hunter. “That should help cover the cost of getting your leg, uh, reattached.”

The Forsaken eyed the coins in his hands, and glared at the bear again. Finally, he huffed and nodded to Shaon. “I accept your apology on the bear’s behalf, hunter. But keep him away from my wares. Good day.” Tucking the leg under his arms, he stumped off, grumbling about hunters and their pets and why this was a very good reason for the Forsaken not to have them about.

When he was out of hearing, Eiskal began to chuckle. He turned, grinning at Shaon, who shook her head at him. Shaon sighed knelt beside Subek and through the Bond soothed him and admonished him for his theft, sending her message, making it clear. Through the Bond he replied, understanding the rebuke and promising to be more respectful of other two-legs. But, he sent, the Bond full of his happiness, that was a very good truffle.

[Ketchaeatcha]

“Dark Lady, preserve me! He’s coming for the other leg!”

De Win

[Gala]

i love reading your stuff. i really do.

it actually makes me want to start writing again, and that is saying something.

[Sochi]

Thank you! I enjoy sharing my writing with all of you and I really enjoy reading other folks' works here. Everyone has a different style, a different point of view.

I should have more of Shaon's adventures sometime soon. Stay tuned

[Stamina]

Wow that was Wonderful!

[Ket Shi]

Cute story! The relationship between owner and pet is very believable. The only issue I can spot is that Shaon's response to the irate farmer seems a little unnaturally stiff and formal.

If you have more stories, please do share!