Phaedrae and her Hounds had hiked back to base camp after a long day of exploring along the creek. Her bag with filled with ore chunks, and a few plants. The Hounds' energy was used up. At least mostly. Tangie looked like she could head straight back out, but Interloper and Black Gold seemed fully tuckered out.
Base camp itself wasn't anything fancy. Some tarp tents near the steam carriages, some bedrolls, a cookfire. But at the moment is seemed like a haven after all the walking. Other explorers were still filtering in, just as the sun started to dip behind the valley walls. She suspected that night would come quickly. As the last few stragglers made their way into camp, and into line for food Roderick appeared out of his tent. It was easy to tell that it was his tent, it was significantly more luxurious than the rest of the camp.
The merchant positioned himself on a rock, and began addressing the group. "It's been quite a successful day. We've found two places of interested to scout - a runnel down the valley side and a cave. We'll spend half the day scouting those tomorrow before we head back. Also, it's been reported that there's a wild Hound in the vicinity, so please be aware."
Phaedra perked up at the new about a wild Hound. How curious! She knew that Hounds were native to the area, but she'd never actually heard of a wild one appearing before. Considering this news she gathered Tangie, Interloper and Black Gold and headed towards her bedroll. The Hounds settled near her for the night.
---
The next day dawned bright and clear. Phaedra's tent, which was mostly just a waxed tarp, didn't block much of the light. Her trio of Hounds danced around her as she got up. "Well Hounds, runnel or cave?" She waited a moment while Tangie barked and Interloper and Black Gold watcher her closely. "Cave, then?"
She grabbed her bag, and her Hounds were close to her heels. Tangie tried to rush ahead, as if she knew right where she was going. Occasionally one of the Hounds would pause and put their nose to the ground, and take a long sniff. Phaedra pondered if they had caught scent of the wild Hound. "You smelling a new friend, Hounds?" It would be exciting to even catch sight of a wild Hound ...
The group hiked for a couple of hours before the creek started to get steeper. Phaedrae carefully picked her way along the bank, not wanting to sprain an ankle. Her Hounds were quite eager, and frequently scented the air. Finally up ahead she could make out the cave entrance. If was like a dark maw on the side of the valley.
Phaedrae cut across the creek, taking care not to get her feet too wet. Her Hounds didn't bother, and splash right through. Tangie seemed to want to stop and play in the water, but followed Interloper and Black Gold within a few heart beats. Whatever was up ahead must have been of too great of interest.
The cave wasn't far from the creek. Phaedra wandered inside, and was immediately surprised with just how dark it was. "I think we should have brought a torch. But maybe we can find something to use outside?" She ducked back out, and nearly fell over. Standing just past the cave mouth, near the river, was a brindle Hound. No collar or leash marked the Hound as owned, and she looked extra wily.
Tangie gave a friendly bark, and bounded over the Hound. Interloper and Black Gold stayed near Phaedra, unsure of this new development. Tangie began sniffing the wild Hound, wagging her tail happily. The wild Hound sniffed her back enthusiastically. With the wild Hound occupied Phaedrae started fishing around in her satchel, hoping to find a treat to lure the Hound with. Her fingers brushed against a crumbled treat, and she pulled it out.
She carefully threw it towards the wild Hound, not wanting to spook her. The brindle Hound regarded the treat chunk with a moment of interest, before turning around and taking off. Phaedra let out a sigh. Of course it wouldn't be that easy. The brindle Hound was already into where the scrubby brush grew, and was growing harder to track by the second. Her stripey pattern seemed to be the perfect camouflage. "Well Hounds, what do you think? Think we can win her over?" Tangie spared a glance at her before taking the opportunity to eat the fallen treat.
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Phaedrae and her Hounds had hiked back to base camp after a long day of exploring along the creek. Her bag with filled with ore chunks, and a few plants. The Hounds' energy was used up. At least mostly. Tangie looked like she could head straight back out, but Interloper and Black Gold seemed fully tuckered out.
Base camp itself wasn't anything fancy. Some tarp tents near the steam carriages, some bedrolls, a cookfire. But at the moment is seemed like a haven after all the walking. Other explorers were still filtering in, just as the sun started to dip behind the valley walls. She suspected that night would come quickly. As the last few stragglers made their way into camp, and into line for food Roderick appeared out of his tent. It was easy to tell that it was his tent, it was significantly more luxurious than the rest of the camp.
The merchant positioned himself on a rock, and began addressing the group. "It's been quite a successful day. We've found two places of interested to scout - a runnel down the valley side and a cave. We'll spend half the day scouting those tomorrow before we head back. Also, it's been reported that there's a wild Hound in the vicinity, so please be aware."
Phaedra perked up at the new about a wild Hound. How curious! She knew that Hounds were native to the area, but she'd never actually heard of a wild one appearing before. Considering this news she gathered Tangie, Interloper and Black Gold and headed towards her bedroll. The Hounds settled near her for the night.
---
The next day dawned bright and clear. Phaedra's tent, which was mostly just a waxed tarp, didn't block much of the light. Her trio of Hounds danced around her as she got up. "Well Hounds, runnel or cave?" She waited a moment while Tangie barked and Interloper and Black Gold watcher her closely. "Cave, then?"
She grabbed her bag, and her Hounds were close to her heels. Tangie tried to rush ahead, as if she knew right where she was going. Occasionally one of the Hounds would pause and put their nose to the ground, and take a long sniff. Phaedra pondered if they had caught scent of the wild Hound. "You smelling a new friend, Hounds?" It would be exciting to even catch sight of a wild Hound ...
The group hiked for a couple of hours before the creek started to get steeper. Phaedrae carefully picked her way along the bank, not wanting to sprain an ankle. Her Hounds were quite eager, and frequently scented the air. Finally up ahead she could make out the cave entrance. If was like a dark maw on the side of the valley.
Phaedrae cut across the creek, taking care not to get her feet too wet. Her Hounds didn't bother, and splash right through. Tangie seemed to want to stop and play in the water, but followed Interloper and Black Gold within a few heart beats. Whatever was up ahead must have been of too great of interest.
The cave wasn't far from the creek. Phaedra wandered inside, and was immediately surprised with just how dark it was. "I think we should have brought a torch. But maybe we can find something to use outside?" She ducked back out, and nearly fell over. Standing just past the cave mouth, near the river, was a brindle Hound. No collar or leash marked the Hound as owned, and she looked extra wily.
Tangie gave a friendly bark, and bounded over the Hound. Interloper and Black Gold stayed near Phaedra, unsure of this new development. Tangie began sniffing the wild Hound, wagging her tail happily. The wild Hound sniffed her back enthusiastically. With the wild Hound occupied Phaedrae started fishing around in her satchel, hoping to find a treat to lure the Hound with. Her fingers brushed against a crumbled treat, and she pulled it out.
She carefully threw it towards the wild Hound, not wanting to spook her. The brindle Hound regarded the treat chunk with a moment of interest, before turning around and taking off. Phaedra let out a sigh. Of course it wouldn't be that easy. The brindle Hound was already into where the scrubby brush grew, and was growing harder to track by the second. Her stripey pattern seemed to be the perfect camouflage. "Well Hounds, what do you think? Think we can win her over?" Tangie spared a glance at her before taking the opportunity to eat the fallen treat.
2024-07-23 18:28:28
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