Tracking In The Rain

[Vrelt]

A light, misty rain fell over Mossflower Wood, a welcome change to the recent cold spell the forest had gone through. It wasn't odd for the temperature to be low in early spring around these parts. Cad Bane took off his wide brimmed hat, shaking the rain off of it with a grimace on his face, at least it wasn't cold out here, he thought. He placed the hat back on his head and resumed walking, following the River Moss toward the ocean, in pursuit of a beast with a large bounty on his head.

Normally he wouldn't pursue a bounty throughout Mossflower as he was, but the money he would get for turning in this beast was impressive, one of the larger payments he was offered the last few years. Not as many beasts put full confidence in him as the best bounty hunter around any more, due to his age. Most who wanted a job done wanted someone younger and cheaper to bring in a bounty. Buying the services of Bane was costly, but he had always proved that it was worth it. The particular beast he was after was responsible for the death of one of the children of a beast of power at the island Vardav. He normally didn't hunt for justice as some bounty hunters claimed; he hunted strictly for money. But in this case, he wanted the beast to be brought to justice, preferably a slow, agonizing death. Cad had personal connections with the family of the beast that was killed on Vardav.

The mongoose had been hot on the killer's trail the past couple of days, it was easy to track a beast that had never been to Mossflower before. Cad decided that now was a good enough time to stop for a few minutes. The rain had almost stopped, the tracks would still be there if he rested for a while. Maybe he would try his luck at catching a fish from the river instead of eating more of the bread he had brought with him. He slung his sack from off his shoulder, setting it down on a nearby rock and he ripped a low branch from a tree, which would work to help him catch some lunch. The only thing he didn't like about his spot along the river was that he was out in the open. Any beast walking along the river could easily spot the bounty hunter. Cad Bane was well armed if he was faced with a threat, more than likely a vermin would come along while he was fastening a fishing pole together, or maybe somebeast would come along to steal the fish he was going to catch. Either way he would be ready.

It didn't work out that way, however. The rain started to pick up again, and Cad knew that the trail could be lost if the rain got to heavy, so he slung his sack over his shoulder, leaving the branch he tore out of the tree on the ground. He resumed his hunt, but the rain forced him to move quickly, making more noise than he would have liked. Any beast in the vicinity could easily hear him.....

[Garret Strife]

Garret had left the Abbey. It seemed best, with all the commotion over, that he leave, and resume dealing with his personal demons. So, he now found himself marching through the rain, walking slowly toward the shore. His informants had told him his prey was back on his island, seeking refuge at this point, with most of his force decimated.

At the moment, he wore his cloak, wrapped tightly around him, his hood pulled up. Though his eyes were partially covered by the brim, he was carefully observing the environment with trained senses. As such, he picked up upon the sound of somebeast rushing through the woods in a direction moving toward him, coming from the front, to the left side. He waited. There was no need to pursue trouble, when it might very well come to your doorstep.

Though the pace, and fact that, though noise was made, sounded as though the other was in a rush to get somewhere, perhaps a trip, or in pursuit, as the noise wasn't such to wake the dead, indicating skill of stealth, but also not sounding like an outright sprint.

He palmed the hilt of the Fenrir. Best, in any case, to be prepared.

[Vrelt]

Cad slowed his pace, realizing how foolish he was acting, rushing through the underbrush like he was. If his prey was nearby, which was possible, but another hostile beast could be lurking around the river. The mongoose stopped completely, checking the ground for another print; and he quickly found one. He resumed the chase, at a far slower pace, however.

As he kept moving, his fears were confirmed, Cad spotted a cloaked beast standing ahead of him. At his first glance, he could not tell the species, but he spotted a black snout, which he guess belonged to a fox. The bounty hunter did not stop moving on his present course, determined not to lose the trail. He would have kept up his current path if he would have known who this beast was, but he didn't. So the mongoose stopped, raised his gaze from the ground, deciding to address this unknown beast the way he would any other beast in his way. With a scowl, the bounty hunter spoke to the cloaked beast in his regular, slightly raspy voice. "You're in my way. I suggest to move."

Cad thought about adding more, but this beast might recognize him, then he would more than likely move out of the way. His reputation was a deadly weapon just like the saber he had thrust through his belt. Hopefully this cloaked beast wouldn't want to fight, Bane did not have time for that.

[Garret Strife]

Garret stayed where he stood, and looked over the Mongoose.

“Cad Bane, I would assume? Greetings. My name is Garret Strife.” He said, pleasantly, wondering if the famous bounty hunter knew who he was. He had already decided upon a course of action. This beast's reputation meant he could be invaluable against Baron. So, he'd follow, if he was unable to draw Bane from his current task.

As a pleasant gesture, he lowered his hood.

[Vrelt]

The mongoose tipped the brim of his hat slightly upwards, so that he could see this beast better. This beast's name, Garret Strife, was familiar to the bounty hunter, though he would have had trouble recognizing the fox from his face alone, the fox's fur color would have given him away, however.

Despite Garret's pleasant reaction to the mongoose, Cad didn't have time to stay around and chat, his reply was brief and straight forward, without much pleasantness. "Indeed. What do you want, Strife? I've got a tight schedule t' keep." He didn't know if the fox wanted to employ him, but judging by the pleasantness in his voice, that was more than likely why Garret stopped him. No beast ever talked pleasantly to Bane unless they wanted to employ him. Cad doubted that the fox had enough money to draw him away from his current quarry, but, if Garret made a nice enough offer, even if it was below what he was getting paid now, he might just consider it. Depending on who the bounty might be and where the beast would located. Cad didn't want to go gallivanting off to catch somebeast for lower than average pay.

[Garret Strife]

Garret shrugged.

"Two things. I'm trying to put together a group of the best, so as to bring an end to the life of a particular beast. I'd do it myself, but he's well fortified, and has a mass force to protect him. Henceforth why I need people such as yourself. I cannot pay you a great amount until it's over, he's amassed my family fortune, but, at the moment, I can aid you with your current mission. I don't want a cut, it's merely an act of good faith." He looked at the ground, for a second, to confirm a hunch.

"Which seems to be tracking a target. I can assure you, I won't slow you down." He then turned looked back up to Bane, cocking his head slightly.

"'Tis up to you, however, what to do."

[Vrelt]

With an impassive look on his face, the bounty hunter stared back at Garret. He never worked unless there was some kind of money up front, or if it was at least guaranteed to him. In this case, getting paid wasn't guaranteed unless he achieved victory over somebeast that was apparently quiet powerful. Cad knew of Garret Strife's reputation, however. The fox could easily get beasts to follow him to fight in his war, how many would follow was another story. Bane had always worked alone, never joining in a joint effort with any other beast, this may very well be the exception.

Cad didn't like to make a decision without having plenty of time to think it through. Logic called for him to stick to his current mission and leave Garret to his own devices, but something told him that it was time to take on a big job. He wanted to leave his mark on the world, and in many ways, the notorious hunter had done just that, but he wanted to do one great thing that would be the pillar of his long career. This might be the opportunity he was looking for.

The bounty hunter decided against his better judgment, and he replied to Garret, finally giving the fox his answer. "I'll help you bring down this beast, but know that it will cost you. We'll work out a price once I see what the beast has." Before the hunt to kill Garret's enemy began, Cad determined that he needed to know all of the details about this beast they were going to fight, that would be essential to him. "You may join me on my current hunt, I am close to catching my quarry. After I bring that hunt to a close, then you must tell me whatever you know about this beast we'll be fighting." Cad Bane pushed his wide-brimmed hat down further on his head, preparing to resume the search for his prey, as soon as he heard whatever else Garret had to say.

[Garret Strife]

Garret nodded, pulling his hood back up.

"Fair enough. Let's get this done, then we'll sort out the concerns with my job. And I will promise you one thing: If we survive, it'll be the highest payout of your career. Now, let's go." He said, stepping aside and sinking into step behind Cad.

[Vrelt]

A ghost of a smile appeared on the bounty hunter's lips, the highest payout of his career? He hoped that was true, risking his life against a totally unknown enemy was well worth a lot of money. Cad looked back to the ground, searching for the trail again, and quickly, the mongoose found it. He didn't look back to see if Garret was following him, and he took off, tracking his quarry.

The hunter kept a reasonable pace, to make sure he didn't lose the trail. Following a beast in the rain was difficult, but for a bounty hunter with his experience, added to the fact that he was a mongoose from the Eastern Jungles, it was not an impossible task. He did not just use the tracks from his quarry, he used his surroundings; broken branches, any pieces of fur stuck in the foliage, and he tried to pick up the scent of his bounty. Cad's species are natural hunters, from infancy on, they learn how to survive in the jungle, with hunting for prey one of the primary skills for living there. The bounty hunter was already a supreme tracker, his experience throughout his long career had also taught him how to deal with beasts without using his teeth or claws, though on occasion, he did kill his quarry that way. He decided that once he caught up to his current prey, he would kill him with one of his blades. Garret might object to him tearing his quarry's throat out with his deadly claws.

Cad slowed his pace after a few minutes of following the trail, they were getting closer, in fact, his ears could pick up the distant sound of branches breaking as a beast tried to run through the forest, completely terrified and making no attempt to be quiet. The beast he was trailing was from an island far from Mossflower, and it was obvious that he had never been in a forest. Or maybe he was just to afraid of the hunter that was after him to make any attempt to be stealthy. Either way, Cad Bane was closing on his target, and his quarry would not escape.

[Garret Strife]

Garret's eye's noted every movement made by Bane. He was good. Very good. His reputation thus far proved to be accurate. After all, Garret was a pretty good tracker, but Cad outclassed him.

His keen ears picked up on the sounds of a rushed retreat, of a beast scrambling through the foliage. Most certainly, it was the mark. As such, he would soon witness the combat prowess of the bounty hunter. He hoped that, too, lived up to it's reputation, as he was otherwise wasting his time.

He continued moving without a sound behind the Mongoose, gently resting his hand on the grip of his massive blade, should things become complicated. He hoped they didn't. Any bloodshed is best quick and simple.

He pondered whether he should give immediate aid, or simply watch until it prooved necessary. Untimately, he figured it would be best to go with the second option. No need to irritate a potential ally. And so, he continued following, his eyes picking up on the shadow moving through the trees before them. They were almost on him.

[Vrelt]

Cad continued moving, they were tantalizingly close to his quarry, a few more swift, silent strides and the hunter would be on him. Without checking on Garret, he prepared to make his move; he reached into a pocket in his cloak, drawing out a dagger which glistened with poison. This was the blade that would strike down the murderer. Bane could have thrown it into the beast's back, but he crept on, determined to look into his prey's eyes when he jabbed the blade between his ribs.

The bounty hunter licked his lips, feeling adrenaline rushing through his veins and his muscles tensed. He charged his quarry. The beast let out a cry as he heard the pawsteps of the hunter behind him, and he made one more desperate attempt to escape, but he was nowhere near fast enough to outrun the mongoose. Bane had him, grabbing him by the shoulder and slamming him into the unforgiving ground. The weasel on the ground screamed, pleading for mercy, "Nooooo! Don't kill me! Please spare me!"

Cad would have none of that, he pinned the weasel to the ground with his free arm and locked eyes with him, a snarl on the hunter's face, which silenced the prey. "You think you deserve mercy, scum? When you murdered Sena, did you think about that? When she screamed for mercy what did you do? It's time to meet your fate. Welcome to hellgates." With that he stabbed the weasel between his ribs, and he twisted the blade before pulling it back out. Bane's prey squirmed for just a few more moments, his eyes glazing over as a mixture of the poison and the wound from the dagger killed him.

When the weasel was finally dead, Cad searched his body, and quickly found what he was looking for; a necklace that belonged to Sena. That was enough to prove that he avenged her to her father, since he would not be able to bring back his body to show Sena's family. Cad stood, after cleaning the blood off of his dagger on the dead weasel's tunic. The bounty hunter had a grimace on his face, killing this beast brought justice and avenged Sena, but it would not replace what he did to Sena. This weasel did more than simply murder the daughter of one of the powerful members of the most prominent ruling family on Vardav. The dead beast deserved much more that what Cad gave him, a proper killing would have been much longer and more painful, in fact, Sena's father mentioned skinning alive. With Garret with him, Cad couldn't give this scum exactly what he deserved, this would have to suffice.

He acknowledged Garret, trying to keep his voice flat, though a trace of his emotion was evident. "There. My quarry has been taken care of. What now, Strife?" Cad was close to Sena's family, working personally alongside her and her family as a body guard, and of course, as a bounty hunter. Her death was significant to Bane, unlike the deaths of so many other beasts.

[Garret Strife]

"We need to finish gathering a force. Though everyone I intend, as well as you and I, are the best at what we do, we need a fair group to have a hope of survival. But this matter, here, should be finished first. It's not just a job, I can see that much." Garret said, slowly, looking upon the corpse and pondering exactly what had happened.

To evoke any emotion from a famous bounty hunter meant this was deep seated, quite so. The mention of the name Sena give a few possibilities, but he didn't want to assume, not did he plan on asking.

[Vrelt]

The bounty hunter had totally regained his composure now, the strong emotion that moved him was nearly faded. He rarely displayed his feelings that openly, but with something as serious as the death of a beast he had cared about was enough to send him outside of his normally controlled emotions.

Cad forced his eyes away from the corpse of the weasel, meeting the eyes of the fox. He didn't know if Garret was worth trusting, and even if he was, it would have been unlikely for him to tell the fox anything. It was clear Garret knew that there was more to this hunt than a regular job, Cad felt as if he wanted to say something to the fox, but kept himself from it. One of these days, I might tell him. He thought to himself, Wait, what am I thinking? I can't be getting soft now.

The mongoose spoke to Garret, his voice completely under control, "Then I will finish it. I have a corsair ship employed by the island Vardav waiting along the coast. It will take us t' the island, where I can finish this and we will find plenty of seasoned fighters that would join with you."

[Garret Strife]

Garret nodded curtly.

"It's your job, 'tis likely best you take the lead." He said, looking to the sky, raising an eyebrow.

"It's going to turn over into a serious storm, mate. Perhaps better we get some shelter going. A little rain never hurt a beast, but a lot can kill you. As can thunder." He looked back to the Mongoose. It was his party, right now. His choice.