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Gale pushed himself to his feet, the world momentarily spinning before it steadied. He winced, but the pain wasn’t enough to knock him down. His muscles still ached, but the raw energy within him kept him standing. His hand reached for the black cloak that had slipped off during the night. He refastened it around his shoulders, the fabric cool against his bare skin. The cloak felt like an old friend, a reminder that he wasn’t completely exposed—at least not yet. Next, he retrieved his bow, the smooth wood familiar beneath his fingers. He methodically loaded an arrow, the action fluid despite his exhaustion. The bow was still in his hands, his lifeline to the world outside. "The king might be dead.Shot him in the shoulder and again but that's all I saw before I jumped." He paused, eyes scanning the quiet forest around him, before nodding once, as if sealing his resolve. He wasn’t sure how much longer he had before they’d be hunted down again, but he knew he couldn’t stay still. Not anymore. “Let’s move,” he muttered, his voice low, but the fire in it unmistakable. With one final glance at Kayla, he took a step forward, ready for whatever came next. |
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Kayla followed him, wishing again she had thought to grab a knife. Her gaze swept around them as they walked |
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Gale slowed his pace, turning to Kayla, his eyes sharp, his voice low but firm. “Wait here.” He didn’t give her time to argue, already reaching for his bow and quiver. He could feel the hunger building inside him, not just for food but for something to give him that extra edge, to replenish the strength he'd lost. He needed to hunt. Without waiting for a response, Gale moved off the path, slipping into the trees with a quiet fluidity that came from years of training. The forest was alive with movement—small creatures rustling in the underbrush, birds chirping overhead. But Gale’s focus was singular: he needed something to eat, and he needed it fast. He moved silently, drawing an arrow from his quiver and nocking it with practiced ease. The air was thick with tension as he crept deeper into the woods, each step measured, his senses heightened. He could feel the sharpness of the bowstring, the anticipation building in his chest. A deer appeared ahead, grazing in a small clearing. Gale froze, his every muscle tense as he drew the bow back, the arrow aimed at the creature’s heart. The wind shifted, but he was still. The arrow flew, slicing through the air with deadly accuracy, hitting the deer cleanly. It dropped almost instantly, and Gale approached quickly, pulling the arrow from the kill. The rush of success, of survival, flooded him. He stood for a moment, catching his breath, the stillness of the forest settling around him. Then, turning back toward Kayla’s position, he began the walk back to her, the deer in hand. "We move soon," he said, his voice steady. "I’ll take care of the rest." |
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Kayla nodded, automatically knowing he was in charge here. Without a knife or dagger, she felt helpless. They were her main weapons she'd taught herself how to use along with the help of her youngest older brother |
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Gale crouched down beside the deer, moving with practiced efficiency. He quickly cut through the hide with his blade, stripping it away in clean, measured cuts. The deer’s legs were separated first, then he carefully gutted it. There was no time for finesse, but he was precise enough to get what he needed. He stripped the flesh from the bone, tossing aside the entrails and focusing on what would keep them alive. After a few minutes, he hoisted the carcass over his shoulder, the weight of it pulling him down slightly, but he adjusted quickly. The meat was fresh, and it would last for the time being. His breath came in shallow bursts as the strain of carrying it settled into his muscles, but he wasn’t about to stop. Not yet. He stood and moved toward Kayla, the deer hanging heavy across his back. His eyes briefly met hers—silent, a sharp nod to signal it was time to go. No words were needed. He turned, carefully making his way back toward the path, his senses sharp as he listened for any signs of pursuit. The air was still, but the tension of being hunted never left him. The weight of the deer was almost comforting, a reminder that he was still fighting, still surviving. "Let’s move," Gale muttered, more to himself than to her. He didn’t slow down. He wasn’t going to. Not until they were far away from here. |
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Kayla didn't respond, following silently behind him. She wondered if he had a specific place in mind or if he was just going |
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Gale moved swiftly, the weight of the deer over his shoulder reminding him of the need for speed. Every step felt heavier than the last, but he didn’t let up. The forest seemed quieter now, the stillness almost suffocating. He kept his eyes sharp, scanning the trees around them, listening for any signs of pursuit. The silence was his only ally. Behind him, he could hear Kayla’s footsteps, a soft echo in the dense underbrush. He didn’t look back, didn’t give her a chance to ask if he was okay. He wasn’t. But he didn’t have the luxury of stopping, of showing weakness. The forest opened up in front of him—a small clearing just beyond the trees. Gale slowed, his posture still rigid, his muscles screaming from the effort, but he had a purpose now. He needed to find shelter, someplace they could rest. The deer would provide food, but they couldn’t stop here. Not yet. He moved into the clearing, dropping the deer from his shoulder with a grunt. It hit the ground with a heavy thud, and Gale knelt beside it, quickly beginning to carve off some of the meat. His fingers were numb, but the fire inside him burned bright, pushing him to keep going. When he glanced up, Kayla was just behind him. He didn’t offer any words, but the silent tension between them spoke volumes. They weren’t safe yet. But they would be. Eventually. |
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Kayla watched around them a he cut the deer, on alert |
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He grabbed one of the deer’s legs and ripped it free with a quick, practiced motion, the bone snapping loose with a sharp crack. The heavy leg dangled in his hand, but it was exactly what they needed. |
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Kayla jumped slightly at the crack, but quickly turned back to the forest around them, listening for any pursuit |
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Morning Rain, with Cooling Temps Later
