A Frustrating Hunt Part 2

    “We’re lost!” Lazuli said as the hunting party looked around the forest with an ever so slight feeling of panic. The group had been so caught up in trying to catch the pesky fox that had stolen their hare that all sense of direction had left them long ago. The sun had also begun to dip below the horizon which would bring even colder weather, not to mention darkness. The hunting party knew they would have to find their way home as quickly as they could, or risk being stuck lost in a dark forest.  

    “Please tell me you know where we are, Colton. I don’t want to be a popsicle” Aaron said. The Vayron officer was typically quite good with directions, but he had been so focused on finding prey along the walk that he had forgotten to survey the environment around him. Not only that, but the forests of Roenden were a completely unfamiliar place to him being from Thedale.

    “Uhm… Well.” Colton began as his icy blue eyes glanced around the area that surrounded the group.
    
    “Maybe… left. I think. Maybe. Or was it right...”

    “So… we’re lost?” Ethan said as he glanced around. The poor non-vayron was getting colder and colder since he obviously lacked fur, and even his jacket was not nearly enough. Especially considering the fact that he had already been out in the cold for so long.

    “No no, I certainly know where we are.” Colton huffed as he refused to admit that he did, in fact, have no clue where they were.

    “Uh huh sure you do… Then where’s the city?” Lazuli questioned and Colton narrowed his eyes at the Vayron.

    “Somewhere.” He replied gruffly as he turned and began to trudge through the snow once again.

    “Well where are you going?” Aaron questioned, but Colton merely ignored the Vayron in his annoyance and continued on his way. Wherever that way was leading to anyway. Aaron sighed as he trailed after the Vayron with Ethan still shivering on his back. Lazuli wasn’t far behind the other two Vayrons as she certainly didn’t want to be alone in the freezing woods.
    “I don’t think we went the right way.” Ethan said as he glanced around the forest, but Colton rolled his eyes.

    “Great information, thank you.”

    “Hey don’t be a jerk just because you got us lost.” Aaron grumbled and Colton shot him an angry look. Behind them Lazuli was still carrying their arctic hare so she remained silent. Meanwhile Colton carried the arctic fox, but that didn’t stop him from mumbling harsh words through the fur. Poor Ethan didn’t say anything else as he was far too cold to deal with Colton’s nonsense at this point. Aaron could sense that his handler needed warmth as soon as possible. “That’s not important” He admitted with a sigh. “We need to get Ethan somewhere warm. Maybe we can at least find a house.”

    “Look Im going to the city, it’s not my fault your human friend’s cold.” Colton snapped back, the Vayron’s frustration had been elevating more and more the longer they were out in the woods.

    “Hey I wouldn’t leave you out in the cold to die! Or anyone for that matter!” Aaron replied sharply. The vayron was extremely level-headed, but he wouldn’t stand around while Colton shot insults at his best friend. Colton gave a rough growl in response as he moved closer to the large Vayron.

    “What are you going to do about it,” Colton challenged with a growl. Aaron, however, didn’t give any satisfaction to the angry Vayron as he resumed walking. “That’s right walk away!” Colton mumbled back through the thick fur of the arctic fox.

    “Lazuli are you coming with me?” Aaron questioned, and Lazuli gave a quick nod without hesitation and trotted over to Aaron, still carrying their prized hare. Colton sighed as he followed the Vayrons, mostly because he wanted his fair share of the catch. Aaron had now come into the lead and Ethan was grateful for his friend’s determination to keep him warm and safe.

    Before long, the hunting team could hear their stomachs rumbling and they were no still closer to civilization than before. Lazuli sat down as she dropped the arctic hare at her paws and Colton stopped to watch the Vayron. He certainly didn’t want anything to happen to their catch.

    “We’ll have to eat our catches, unless we want to starve.” Aaron said, and for once Colton agreed with him as he dropped his arctic fox. Aaron took care to give all three of them equal portions of the catches, and lucky for Ethan he had packed some protein bars for himself. As hungry as he was, raw meat didn’t seem all that appealing. The three Vayrons quickly scarfed down the hare and fox as they wanted to be back in the safety of civilization as soon as possible.
    “Guys look!!” Lazuli called. The party had walked for what seemed like ages after they had eaten the fox and hare, and at last it seemed that they were near something other than woods. “Smoke!!”

    “There must be a house!” Aaron called as he began to run towards the smoke that was visible above the trees. Ethan clung onto the Vayron for dear life and he couldn’t help but be excited by the idea of warmth. Colton sprinted behind the Vayrons and before long they found themselves in front of a small wooden cabin.

    “Hello?” Ethan called as he dismounted from Aaron and knocked on the door. Much to his relief an old man answered the door, his face wrinkled with age and his hair a bright white.

    “Oh my you must be freezing. Please, please come in and I can give you directions. After you warm up of course.” He said as he ushered the Vayrons into his house.

    “Thank you!” Ethan replied graciously as he followed the Vayrons inside. The three hunters were relieved to feel warmth once again as they sat around the fireplace and retold their tale to the generous old man.