Hunting the Spirits of the North

[Bowno]

(This was written while I was waiting for him to spawn. Please not that I would never steal a tame from a hunter. There really wasn't any one there at the time. Some times people flew by. But by the time he spawned, I was the only one on my faction in the zone at the time and it was very late. I hope this doesn't offend anyone)


The sound of wind howling between the tall trees dotting the hills was almost haunting. Perhaps the cries of the spirits warning the beasts of the land that they were in great danger. Even the trees seemed to quiver and tremble at this, their pine covered branches rustling softly.

The fauna, already on edge in these harsh times, would scatter for cover as the long sleek shadow from above passed over them. Mothers calling for their young and threats of attack from those more bold in defending what was theirs... These sounds so familiar that they brought no concern to the intruder riding upon the serpent that had caused the ruckus. Even if there had been a real danger there, the rider would not let herself be deterred from her destination. Her goal. Her calling.

The build of the dark onyx serpent was perfect for the swift flight through the Grizzly Hills. Slipping between the trees with ease with no wings to get caught up or tangled within the branches. There was nothing to get in their way. Nothing to stop them. Even the burdened with a large rider and supplies did not slow this marvelous creature down. And because of its perfect form, it would not be long before they had reached the spot.

Water. The bringer of life. With out it, there would be no flora or fauna. With out it, there would be no life. There would be no death with out life. There would be no cycle. It was water that was sought out by the rider. Beautiful chilled falls flowing into a wide river surrounded by bright green grasses. Caribou running in and out from between the trees while Grizzlies lined the shores for their fishy dinners. This was the spot. It was here that the rider would bring her serpent down from the skies and would finally dismount.

Her body was armored in chain covered leathers, softly rattling together with every movement. While not filthy, the mail looked quite dirty. Colored to blend in with the dirt, shrubs and trees. Camouflaged to hide from those she did not want to notice her. Strapped to her back would be quiver and bow where razor sharp arrows rested the for the time being, waiting for their chance to soar. Both were kept from brushing along the chain links by a strangely colored cloak made from a creamy white pelt spotted with brownish black spots... Which were filled in the center with an eerie blue.
It was quite clear that the rider was a hunter simply by these looks. No one would have reason to question it. Eyes hidden under the rim of helmet scanned the area. Her gaze passing over the many critters, bear and caribou. She was here for something special. Not for common game. But for now it seemed that nothing was here for her. But yet she did not leave to search. Instead, the hunter would slip into a large bush resting at the base of a tree and wait.

It was cold. Freezing almost. Even the serpent had trouble with these temperatures. The long beast coiled up during the long wait while the rider sat patiently in the bushes. She kept huddled up as best she could to keep warm, for her body was falling to the harsh chill of the night in the Grizzly Hills. Perhaps, she would be thinking, if she were to move about she would be warmer! But no. Then her chance would be ruined. She needed to wait.
It was odd, really. Other riders would pass over the area on their steeds, perhaps for the same reason. But they would only stay for a few moments before continuing on.. Possibly unaware that the hunter remained lurking in the bushes. This one did not care, however. She even seemed to smirk faintly when the riders had passed by. She cared not for them, only for what she was after.

As the night went on, stars began to emerge from the deep blue cover blanketing the heavens. The only light to be had during her wait. But she had not come prepared for if it had been overcast and completely dark. It would seem that the light was the least of her worries. While many would have turned their attention skyward to enjoy the dancing orbs of cosmic energy and power lighting the night, the hunter only kept her eyes forward with blank expression across her face. Her features emotionless. It was as if she did not want to miss a second of the nothingness that was before her.
Things were not going as planned. The hunter had sat there for hours, freezing to the bone. She was not sure how much longer she would be able to wait around without giving in and making a fire. But, in doing so she would have to wait all over again. She was torn. Perhaps it would have been better to come back another day. Perhaps without her serpent so that she would not scare off the wildlife she was after. As these thoughts ran through her head, she did not yet notice the skies becoming brighter. There was still hours before daylight. The sun would not rise for a while longer. Finally, the strange lights would catch her attention and at long last bring the hunters eyes skyward to witness the dancing lights of the North, with bright greens, reds, and oranges flickering and waving like the tide of the ocean. Brighter they became, the entire sky almost beaming with the powerful energy running through.

Quickly, her eyes would return forward. She could still see the Lights of the North growing brighter and brighter, but she dared not look away from this spot. For if she had, she would have missed the shift of the realm before her where the form of an ethereal Grizzly stepped out from the Spirit Realm into the Realm of the Living. The hunter watched silently, taking in this breath taking moment. The bear flickered in and out of existence, its ghostly blue body taking to the land like a normal living breathing bear. Wandering like a lost spirit around the area while its body finished entering into being. Other animals wandering about the night seemed not startled by the presence of the beast, though acknowledged it was there with calm looks. If anything, they were curious.

The time was now. The hunter could not just let this moment escape her. There was no telling when the next chance for this would be! The hunter reached back for her bow and notched an arrow into place before slowly pulling back the string. She would take careful aim at the beast, letting one eye fall shut to make sure that she would not miss her mark. For that moment, the area was eerily quiet. Too quiet. But the silence would be broken the moment the hunter released the string of the bow and let the arrow fly. A loud buzz of the arrow whizzing through the air.. And the loud reversed roar of agony from the Spirit Bear as the sharp tip of the arrow ripped through its ghostly skull. Surprised the hunter was to see that the arrow kept going. It tore through the great beast straight through, finally coming to a stop when the point was met by the trunk of a tree behind the bear. The hunter kept to the bushes, watching curiously to see what she had done. The great Spirit Bear, whom had just rejoined the world stood there with a gaping hole through his skull and body, then collapsed forward onto the ground. Though not a living creature, it had been slain. Silence would take over once again.

The hunter finally departed from the cover of the bushes and wandered to the fallen ghostly Ursa. Her face expressionless as it had been before. She just stared and watched, as if expecting something to happen. But nothing did. Perhaps she was dumbstruck that a single arrow had killed such an amazing creature. Perhaps she was horrified by this as well. Or perhaps this had been what she had came for to do. Either way, she would turn with a heavy sigh and remount her serpent without a single word.