The sudden silent whistle of the arrow cutting through the air only lasted a brief few seconds before the deer dropped with the projectile sticking out of its side. The young woman raced over to the animal and grabbed one of its antlers to keep it still for this part. Even though the arrow had struck the heart, it was still too slow. Taking a much more shaky breath, the girl held out a sharp knife. She was a little more nervous about this part. ”I’m sorry.” she whispered, before bringing the dagger quickly down.
Sirus nodded with a approving, near silent, rumble as he watched the girl make the kill. Then he slowly stepped out into the open again, this time shifting as soon as he was sure one of them had seen him.
”You did well.” Corvin beamed proudly at the newly deemed hunter before turning to the other male. ”Did you enjoy watching the hunt?” he said calmly but still obviously on guard at the Changer’s presence.
The girl looked away from her kill, not expecting to see the stranger and let out a surprised noise before standing and gripped her knife tightly.
"She's quite good." hummed Sirus quietly, "I apologize for startling you earlier, I got closer than I meant to out of curiosity." he hummed softly when he saw her with her weapon. "I wouldn't do that." he told her, "I'm not hear to harm anyone. At least not yet."
The young woman grew flustered by the compliment while Corvin seemed even more proud. ”Thank you. She learned quickly.” he said before glancing at her and shook his head slightly. ”Clean your knife, cub. It’s alright. If he had meant to kill us he would have done so when we first spotted him.”
She nodded back, thankful that the paint kept her embarrassment at the term of endearment hidden. Through a small huff escaped her lips in affectionate annoyance before she heeded his direction.
Sirus hummed softly, watching her for a moment longer. "Do you know why I'm here?" he asked the man, watching the girl curiously. noting her movements.
”No.” Corvin stated truthfully, though the way he kept looking at the girl made him more protective, and a little paranoid, than before.
Sirus nodded, "I'm here for a girl that was kidnapped a few moons ago. A royal." he said calmly, turning his attention away from the girl. "Her father would greatly appreciate her return."
Corvin raised a brow at that while the girl froze in place. ”And you are a bounty hunter searching for her to claim the reward?” he asked curiously, not intending to offend the other man.
A soft growl came from the young woman. She knew what this stranger was after and he wasn’t going to get it. Not if she had anything to say about it.
"I was paid to go after her, but I'm doing it more because I needed an excuse to move around again. I missed the hunt. Depending on what I see here.." he shrugged leaving it open for interpretation.
Corvin nodded a little. ”I see… You are more after the adventure, rather than the reward.” he concluded. ”And you think this royal might be nearby?”
"She was supposedly taken captive by a tribe near here." said Sirus, "The King doesn't wish to start a war, which is why he came to me." he shrugged. "Which is also why I feel I may take my own liberty with this situation. Should I find the girl in danger, then I will act. Should I not… well.. that will be a different story."
Corvin shifted slightly at the insinuation as the he girl stood up and looked curiously at the stranger. ”You’re not what I expected when you said you were looking for a royal.” she said softly. Her voice had slight accent compared to Corvin.
Sirus raised an eyebrow, "And what would you expect?" he asked, his attention completely on the girl now. He had made it very clear he came with mostly peaceful intent for the moment, so he had no fear of the girl's mentor.
She shrugged. ”Someone more… demanding. Desperate for the money or thinking they are bound to their king and are doing the girl a favor.” she admitted with a light scoff at the notion.
Sirus shrugged. "For all I know that princess ran off on her own cause she didn't want to be a princess." he said, "Who am I to argue with her wishes?"
The girl's eyes widened. ”You would leave her if she wanted to stay where she was? Despite being hired to bring her back?” she asked hopefully.
”But… What if she didn't run away and was taken?” Corvin interjected cautiously.
"I might." he spoke to the girl first. "After all, I can personally see why she might choose to live out here."
"As far as kidnapping goes.. it's these sorts of questions that lead me to the decision to observe first before acting."
The girl smiled softly feeling less nervous around this man. Before she could speak again Corvin interrupted. ”We should start heading home. It’ll be a longer hike taking your first hunt with us.” he pointed out since the deer was no doubt going to be heavy.
Sirus stayed silent at this, simply watching them now. He figured he might make an offer to carry their catch home, but he wanted to see how to girl handled it.
The girl nodded, knowing what her mentor was doing… but she had a different idea. ”Would you like to come with us? You’ve probably had a long day yourself.” she offered to Sirius. ”There’s usually a celebration for this kind of occasion. You’d be welcome to join us.” she said, gesturing briefly to her kill.
Corvin looked at her in surprise and concern but she met his gaze confidently.
Sirus nodded, "I wouldn't mind trailing along so long as your master isn't too upset by my presence." he said coolly, studying her carefully.
The girl barked out a surprised laugh while Corvin chuckled, shaking his head slightly. ”Corvin’s not my master. He's my teacher, yes, but I don't follow any master.” she smirked a little, sounding quite proud of that fact.
Sirus shrugged, "Same difference in some places." he said calmly, pleased he had mostly established that he was not a threat.
The girl smiled ruefully. ”In some places, maybe. But not to the people around here, and certainly not to me.” she said firmly before grabbing the deer’s front legs. Corvin walked over to her and grabbed the rear legs to help carry it back to their home.
