Natural Blessing

Fast. Orange, Purple, Zao Clan Member. Those were the words he could describe the figure that had flown past, a phantasm from his previous life, a reminder that his dreams were real.

'Now isn't the time' The singular thought dominated his mindset, frustrating him further. A childlike ability for combat in the world, he would only get himself killed quickly. 'I need to figure out how the Zao Clan got so strong.' He was sprinting, passing his way through the forest. The Village wasn't much further.

The Elder in the Village center sat on a basket. His eyes closed, he could smell a great many things coming from Errit's scent. Hints of herbs, the smell of salt, sweat and even the smell of blood. "You've been hunting?" The Elder's Tail stopped as he got a whiff of fur on Errit's clothing.

"Yes, I have a stag. We should roast it. I found some basil, garlic and what looks like apples. Please, let me know if any of these are poison." Errit brought out a basket of each and then the stag. No blood flowed from the corpse. "I'm not exactly sure how to clean this meat up, do you have any advise on taking the hide?"

It was intact, which was a rare thing when hunting some specific types game. Korel'ssen hides for were incredibly useful, the Elder examined it. "You did this?" He poked at the body, it was still slightly warm, except for the wound, a hole, frozen on the interior of the wound kept all blood from leaking out. It was an exceptional strike, boring through the spinal column and slicing off the heart. "Go get the grey one, tell him our new hunter requires a knife." The Elder sent one of the children to find someone he was calling the 'grey one.'

It was not long before they returned, as he looked at the corpse, the Grey One unsheathed his knife. He demonstrated his skill, reluctant to ask what had actually happened during the hunt. Taking the hide from the meat, it was laid out upon a large stone. "You'll need to prepare that better, otherwise.. But this meat will be great."

The Grey One had double meanings in his words, the hide would need to be tanned, yet, it also needed to be tempered in a timely manner. The Hide of the Korel'ssen had been used for generations for its ability to help the recovery of its wearer. Korel'ssen were a sign of vitality and vigor.

"Soak it, sacred waters, yes, that is best. Elemental Essence pond, always bitter choices, will it kill you? Will it help you. Visceral, these. Choose wisely. The Moonflower guides you, its blessing full. Waste not." The Grey one sounded cryptic but there was no loss in his words. "Clean. Work is done."

"Grei, will you show me again sometime?" The words were too fast, too insincere. Errit understood it right after he spoke.

"Complicated. Find your place, then find me." Grei cleaned his knife and sat down.

֍ꟷꟷꟷꟷ֍

The feast went off without a hitch, using the heat spear as a spit to turn the Korel'ssen, it was roasted to perfection. The Masked Villagers looked like they would claw their neighbors to shreds for just a taste, it was animalistic indeed. Prowling like feral cats, most of them fawned for some of the meat. If it was split equally, there wouldn't be much left among any of them. In the end, it was decided by the Elder.

Errit wanted to bring the meat to the group, he was extremely grateful for the Mask and the protection that the Village had given him. It was his last night in the Village, he had to make it worth remembering.

"Elder, I'd like to find my own path. I've proven that I can be a Hunter in this World, like my last. I do not know if this is something I choose, or am compelled to do.. therefore, I ask that you help me understand this." He pulled the scroll from the dead Scarab Rider from his bracelet storage. "I do not understand this, where would I go to learn more?"

A puzzled looked passed over the Elder.

"You do know of the Humans desire to seek all answers? Do you know from whence you came? The City upstream, it would have much written about what you want to know. Seek out great ruins, they also have what you desire." The Elder opened his eyes and stared at the fragile looking body of Errit while he stood in front of him.

A prod came to his chest, the Elder's stick shattered.

"Remarkable. Do that again." The Elder grabbed a stick and proceeded to stick Errit in the ribs with it. "Hmmph. Trial and Error."

Eating the Korel'ssen, Errit finally understood why it was so prized. Aside from being an excellent source of materials, its meat was first rate.

'Soft' Chewing it was delightful. The meat melted in his mouth, followed by tastes of the Onion and Pepper.

No one spoke long enough to make a complete sentence, the stag was devoured in a matter of minutes.

"Hunter, we part ways in the daybreak but life is long. This Valley comes to an end further downriver. Go there, then head east. It is faster." The Elder pressed his stick to Errit's ribs once more. "Good Hunter. Cares for the People. Eat. Drink."