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Post by Tandar on Jan 6, 2014 20:55:46 GMT -5
[*OOC: This private thread is for Allison Motte and Gale Thresh.]
The morning sunlight shone brightly on the light-colored carpet in Castle Redmont. It was Choosing Day—the annual event during which the orphans of proper age at the ward were allowed to select a trade they were interested in. Half a dozen masters were present this year including a new one who stood apart from the rest. The figure was positioned in a corner formed by the wall and a large mohaghany bookcase filled with literature. Although the corner wasn't particularly draped in shadow, the harsh, almost blinding light reflected by the floor made it hard for the wards' eyes to adjust and focus on the mysterious hooded master wearing a camouflage cloak, giving said master ample opportunity to scrutinize the boys and girls as they came in one at a time to determine whether or not there was a potential Ranger among them. Due to the increased need for Rangers in the near future, Commandant Crowley had strongly encouraged silver oak leaves to take an apprentice if they hadn't already, even if they lacked the years of experience normally required to become a master.
The kid in front of Gale returned from the medium-sized room with a grin on his face. "Good luck, buddy!" he said as he passed by. Most of the wards in the single file line were fifteen years old, the minimum age for them to be accepted as an apprentice.
One of the double wooden doors was pulled open from inside, and the baron's voice called out, "Gale Thresh."
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Post by Sycelus on Jan 6, 2014 21:18:13 GMT -5
"Good luck, buddy!"
The words rang hollow in Gale's mind. 'I'm not leaving the wards. Period. They need me too much,' he thought to himself.
This was to be his third "attempt" to impress any one of the mentors waiting on the other side of those accursed doors. As Gale walked forward his usual confident stride turned into a lumbering slouch. The room was bright and sunny as it was the last time. He had a general idea of where the usual mentors were, the smith was by the fireplace, the knight by the desk, the courier by the door, etc. This time however there was a new mentor, he couldn't see through the blinding glare but he knew someone was leaning against the wall and the mohaghany bookcase. He knew most of the mentors by name at this point and they all gave a general greeting to Gale as he entered the room, but like last time he didn't even acknowledge them. The mentors knew not to press the gross matter of appalling lack of etiquette and went on with the proceedings. As Gale's eyes began to adjust in the glare he spotted a camouflaged cloak, 'The new mentor must be a ranger,' he thought, 'Best put on my worst face. Maybe I'll scare this one off like the last one.' A slight grin formed on his face for a split second, but he kept his head low and did his best to look pathetic and bored.
"Gale Thresh reporting," he said as unenthusiastic as he possibly could.
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Post by Tandar on Jan 7, 2014 20:34:08 GMT -5
Unbeknownst to Gale, Baron Arald had pleaded with the masters before the Choosing Day ceremony to accept him as any sort of apprentice. The boy was seventeen, and as such, he would not be allowed to stay at the castle ward for another year. On Gale's eighteenth birthday, he would be a man and would be sent out to make his own way in the world. The baron knew the boy had the best of intentions at heart, and he had looked out for the other orphans like they were family. Arald wanted Gale to have the best chance of success in whatever occupation he aspired to be though, and that started with formal training through an apprenticeship.
Now, Thresh stood before the masters once again, and for the third time, no one appeared inclined to take in the apathetic kid. The Ranger, however, examined him closely with a critical eye. He was in good shape, and the baron, having seen some of the game Gale had brought in, had mentioned earlier that he was an excellent shot. The Ranger fingered the animal skin ball held under the camouflage cloak.
Baron Arald brought his open palms up in a helpless gesture. "Is there any profession that interests you that's represented here today, Gale?"
Without warning, the figure in the corner threw the ball at the center of Gale's mass with a fast, underhanded pitch.
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Post by Sycelus on Jan 7, 2014 21:09:00 GMT -5
"Is there any profession that interests you that's represented here today, Gale?"
He had started to lift his head when the animal skin ball came hurtling right at his chest. Gale saw it coming and started to turn, as he made it so his back was to the Baron the ball simply rolled off his back adding a spin to it. The ball continued on its path after grazing Gale's back and he started walking back the way he had come in.
"Not really Arald, thanks for your time," Gale said.
The ball, being hurled at such speed and now spinning, hit the corner of the wall twice at right angles and flew back towards Gale. He caught it without even looking and held it aloft. Without turning back he called out to the person that flung the ball at him saying,
"I don't know why you all bother, I'm not leaving and none of you want me. Also, I don't like having things thrown at me, but the kids will like their new toy. Thank you."
Gale was completely indifferent to the vast breech of protocol he had just administered as he continued his slouched lumbering towards the door.
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Post by Tandar on Jan 7, 2014 23:37:47 GMT -5
The Ranger anticipated Gale dodging the small ball thrown at him but hadn't seen the effortless catch coming. It seemed everyone in the room turned and stared at the strange new master for a moment, questioning the sanity of one who hurls objects at children in the presence of such priceless artifacts as the baron's vase display. Some of the other masters covered their mouths and averted their eyes at Gale's disrespectful attitude, but Baron Arald had no such reaction. He had a soft spot for the boy. Not only did Gale pass the reaction time test, he also displayed remarkable skill with his blind catch. He seemed to be a great candidate notwithstanding his behavior. As soon as Gale left the room, the Ranger stepped forward, leaning in close to whisper in the baron's ear. "He has potential. I'd like to take him as my apprentice." Arald looked at the Ranger with surprise, but seeing the look of conviction, he nodded. "I'll ask him to meet you outside after we're finished." * * * The camouflaged master waited patiently in the courtyard of Castle Redmont following the Choosing Day ceremony. Although the weather was warm and sunny, the Ranger wore the cowl of the cloak pulled low to protect the face. Gale exited the building, descending the steps, and the Ranger removed her hood, revealing a young woman with two long, blonde braids and sapphire eyes. "My name is Ranger Motte," she began, smiling. "How do you feel about joining the Corps?"
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Post by Sycelus on Jan 8, 2014 11:55:47 GMT -5
As Gale passed the remaining candidates on his way back to his cot he said to them, "I gave them a real performance just now so do your best!" Later, as he waited to hear the report he had heard for the passed two years, he thought to himself, 'That must have been one of the rangers, no one but their corps would be that reckless... Or ingenious! Curses! I did just give them a real performance! Now the old man might try to pawn me off on them. I can't leave these kids. It's still my choice to leave. I'll just, politely this time, decline.' Sometime after the revelation in his head Gale had a knock at his door, "It's open, come in," Gale said as he saw that the Baron himself crossed the threshold. Gale started to sweat as the Baron walked closer to deliver what looked like papers to the boy. "I'm sorry about all that Baron Arald. It's just that you know how much I hate..." The Baron stepped up to Gale and, before Gale could say another word, clobbered him with a heavy right hook, knocking Gale to the floor.
"It's time you understand something boy, you can't stay here, end of story. I know you lost your folks to a cruel man and let me assure you he has been dealt with, but you can't hold on to the kids here. They are not your family. I'm trying to get you to see that out there in the world you can do so much more than protect a few kids without parents. I guess you've figured out that new mentor was a ranger correct? They want you for the Corps. I told them yes, right now you have no say in this. You will be leaving with that ranger or you can go live in the woods by yourself, but you can't stay here. I will have you forcibly removed if I must by the time your eighteenth year arrives, which isn't but a couple weeks away. You will leave Gale either with that ranger or by the end of my boot kicking you out the front gates. I care for you boy, I truly do, but I can't idly sit by any longer and watch you under rate and underachieve yourself. Gather your things, you leave within the hour. God speed boy," and with that the Baron left the room.
Gale, now favoring a busted lip, was stunned. He couldn't believe what had just transpired and steadily started to cry, for the second time in his life he just lost what family he had. After about a quarter hour a gentleman knocked at the door and called out that he should hurry up and gather his things, his room had already been given away to another orphan. So Gale begrudgingly set about gathering what little he owned in this world and packed it as tightly as he could. Once he gathered everything from his room he left without looking back, the same as when he left his family at the charred ruins of his old home. He headed to the smithy where he kept the spear and knives his father had made for him. Thanking the smithy for watching over his weapons for such a long time Gale handed the man one of the few silvers he had left, stowed his gear, and headed back to where he would be meeting his... 'master' he supposed.
As he exited the building still in a mild state of shock he saw the ranger hooded with their cowl and started heading towards the ranger. He started getting furious, 'How dare this person walk into my life and destroy it! Destroy it so easily even! I'm going to give them a piece of my mind and go live in the forest alone!' he exclaimed in his mind. As he got to be ten or so feet away from the person the ranger spoke and removed the cowl.
"My name is Ranger Motte," she began, smiling. "How do you feel about joining the Corps?"
Gale ignored the question and pointed at her accusingly, "You! You were the one that has done this?! You, you, you... are a woman?!"
She was a young woman with two long, blonde braids, sapphire eyes, and probably the most beautiful woman he had ever laid his eyes upon. She was still smiling at him when Gale had come to the realization of her gender. Gale's cheeks flushed a bright red with embarrassment over what he had just said, forgetting that he had even said them as he looked upon her beauty. "Ahem," Gale said clearing his throat, "Sorry I wasn't expecting a woman." He suddenly recalled that she had posed a question to him. "Oh! Umm yes I kinda have to, I suppose. The old man has kicked me out, already got another kid for my room."
A brief silence followed, and Gale shuffled his feet nervously, "So what happens now?" he asked waiting to be told something of the, once again, new life he was to lead.
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Post by Tandar on Jan 9, 2014 14:38:23 GMT -5
Allison was a bit taken aback by Gale's unfriendly first words, but her smile was barely affected. She glanced down as if checking to make sure she still had developed breasts. "I am a woman," she confirmed. "I assume you're referring to Baron Arald when you say 'old man.' We're gonna work on breaking that habit. We have a walk ahead of us, so let's get started, shall we?"
"Look on the bright side. The baron told me you're all about helping the other wards. Your room went to a good kid who would otherwise be sleeping in the common area." During the five and a half mile trek through the forest to Old Bob's place, Allison questioned Gale about his knowledge of Ranger skills to get an idea of his current standing. "Old Bah-ob!" She dragged out the name a little and her pitch moved up and down in a singsong voice.
An elderly male with a short, white beard appeared from the open stable door. "Well hey there, darlin'!"
"Old Bob, I'd like you to meet Gale."
Bob stuck out his hand for a shake. "You know how ta ride, son? That dark bay over there's yours ... if you can catch 'im."
There were two mounts in the small, grassy pen.
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Post by Sycelus on Jan 10, 2014 1:22:48 GMT -5
Allison was a bit taken aback by Gale's unfriendly first words, but her smile was barely affected. She glanced down as if checking to make sure she still had developed breasts. "I am a woman," she confirmed. "I assume you're referring to Baron Arald when you say 'old man.' We're gonna work on breaking that habit. We have a walk ahead of us, so let's get started, shall we?"
As she glanced down to her ample chest so did Gale, call it a male reflex, and back to her face as she looked back to his. He really didn't understand why he couldn't call Baron Arald, 'old man' anymore but Gale didn't care one way or the other. When she suggested that they walk he wondered where they were going but that was all, he didn't question his new master. So he started walking. As they walked she mentioned,
"Look on the bright side. The baron told me you're all about helping the other wards. Your room went to a good kid who would otherwise be sleeping in the common area."
This put Gale at ease, only kids skilled or useful to the castle got a room of their own, and if someone was there to replace him in such a short amount of time there could only be a bitter sweet joy to Gale's departure. He still felt slightly betrayed by the Baron but he had other problems to attend to. Gale had noticed when Ranger Motte's smile lessened faintly at his accusatory tone and harsh words. As they kept walking he mentioned to the female ranger, "I'm sorry about before. I didn't mean to accuse you of anything. I was simply upset at the situation, not you." A few minutes passed and Gale sheepishly said to her, "They were like family to me, the only family I had left and year after year some of my family left because of The Choosing and that has left me feeling bitter. The only thing that made me feel better was welcoming the new children to the Ward. Now, I won't have that and I tried to blame you for it. Again, I apologize, not that it means much, but I truly feel terrible for my actions."
During the five and a half mile trek through the forest to Old Bob's place, Allison questioned Gale about his knowledge of Ranger skills to get an idea of his current standing.
Gale admitted to Motte that he really had no idea what rangers could even do. Yes he could shoot and track, even fight some with knives and his spear, beyond that he was poorly lacking. So on the road he demonstrated his skill with a bow by shooting some apples from a tree near the road. He wasn't sure what the ranger was looking for but telling her, he thought, wasn't going to give her a good idea of what he could do so he demonstrated. After a couple hours they arrived at what appeared to be a... horse farm? Gale could only guess when his master called out.
"Old Bah-ob!" She dragged out the name a little and her pitch moved up and down in a singsong voice. An elderly male with a short, white beard appeared from the open stable door. "Well hey there, darlin'!" "Old Bob, I'd like you to meet Gale." Bob stuck out his hand for a shake. "You know how ta ride, son? That dark bay over there's yours ... if you can catch 'im." There were two mounts in the small, grassy pen.
"Old Bob," Gale said to the man as he glanced at Ranger Motte and thought, 'Break me of the habit huh?' as he looked back at Old Bob he finished, "I'm Gale Thresh nice to meet you. No, not really, I know some of the basics but that's all. I mean me and horses... well... we don't really get along." After a pause he continued, "So wait... you want me to do what?... Catch him? How do you catch a horse?"
The two remained silent, Gale supposed this must be another test, to see if he could figure out how to catch a horse. "Well I guess I'll just see what I can do..." he paused for a moment and dropped his backpack where he was standing. "Oh ballocks, I can't think of a single thing." He was a bit sore from the five and half mile continuous walk, so he started stretching and lightly messaging his leg muscles. "No time like the present," he said and acquired a smirk of confidence. Gale knew he was fast but also that he couldn't out run a horse, so he viewed it like hunting an animal. Animals tire after running for a long time Gale figured he would simply wear the bay out and simply take hold of the beast. So that's what he did, he ran into the pen and started mock chasing the bay. Whenever he got close the bay ran from him. Gale's plan seemed to be working. He didn't even take notice of the other horse or even Motte and Old Bob. He stayed focused on his task. Again and again he lunged towards the beast to scare it and make it run, run the bay did but after many hours and well passed dinner time the horse was still just as spry as it was when they had first arrived. "Horse one, Gale zero," he thought to himself as he lumbered to the edge of the pen. Exhausted and hungry, Gale flopped onto his back panting heavily. He didn't even realize he had fallen asleep until he woke up the next day.
A blanket and a bowl of hot meal awaited him when he rose from his slumber. Even more sore and stiff than he was yesterday he headed back to the pen to try again. This time Gale's tactics were to corner the horse and try to grab its head. This worked out just fine until he finally grabbed the horses head and received a healthy bite on his forearm for his troubles. The biting went on for some time, every time Gale grabbed the horse it bit him. Blood was starting to flow when Gale gave in to the horses assault. It was dusk again and he hadn't eaten another meal. "Another day gone," he thought and once again fell asleep without knowing.
He woke up again to the bowl of hot meal, ate it fast, and hurried to the pen grabbing some rope proclaiming, "This time I'll get him for sure!" He had gotten a bit of rope from a hook on the outside of the pen and fashioned it into a loop so he could hold on to the horse from a distance. When Gale entered the pen the bay merely looked at Gale like he was out of his mind. Once again Gale managed to corner the steed. This time when he got close and looped the rope around the horse's head he exclaimed, "I got him! I got the... whoa-oh-oh-oh!" The horse took off dragging Gale behind it. It took a turn and headed straight for one of the walls of the pen and smashed right through the wooden barrier still dragging Gale. The horse ran and kept running. Gale didn't know how far he had traveled when he started to reel himself in and get closer to the horse. When he pulled himself to only a few feet left of rope, while still sliding along the ground, the horse abruptly stopped and Gale slid a couple more feet. As he rose the horse lashed out and kicked him square in the chest knocking his breath from him and back the way he came a good five feet. The bay turned and trotted back to the pen where it started grazing. Gale was starting to get frustrated and annoyed with this horse. As he wandered back towards the pens, he ached and could hardly breathe, it took nearly the rest of the day to make it back. When he arrived back at the pen he crumpled and lost consciousness.
He still laid where he had fallen when his eyes opened on the third day, someone had placed his blanket on him again and left more hot meal. While he numbingly ate his breakfast he thought, "This meal would do well with some apple in it, sour apple would make this perfect..." He stopped in mid motion and leapt to his feet, the bowl of meal still in his hands. "I've got it!" he said with assurance in his voice, and ran off down the path he had used to get to Old Bob's ranch dropping the bowl somewhere along the way. After some time he came upon the very tree he had shot apples out of and started gathering as many as he could hold. He stuffed them in pockets, cupped in his shirt and even crooks of his arms, then made his way back to the pen. Still damaged from yesterday the hole on the pen made it easy to carry all the apples into it. Gale walked to the center of the pen and dropped all the apples onto the ground. The bay was intrigued by this and came to investigate. Gale however made sure to keep himself between the horse and the apples. Every time Gale did this the horse spooked and ran off. Eventually the horse got used to this and came closer and closer to Gale. He then picked up a couple of the apples and offered them to the horse. Soon after the horse was allowing Gale to stroke its mane while Gale kept giving it apples. Eventually the horse got used to Gale and his touch, even without the apples. In all it took Gale three days to befriend the horse bloodied, broken, and bruised as he was. He then started looking around and there was Old Bob peering over the pen at Gale and the horse. Gale asked Old Bob, "So, now that I think I've caught him, can you teach me to ride him?" he grimaced and thought of how much riding would hurt with all his sores, cuts, and bruises.
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Post by Tandar on Jan 14, 2014 21:53:56 GMT -5
Ranger Motte and Old Bob watched with interest as Gale tried to wrangle the bay. He had a unique approach to the challenge, she thought. She recalled her own vain attempts to catch her mount not too many years ago.
Although she had been taught to ride horses early in life, Motte had yet to learn the finer points of horsemanship at the start of her training. She had first tried coaxing her horse into letting her mount bareback with soothing words. Having failed at that, she had resorted to speed and surprise. It didn’t quite work the way she had imagined. The memory made her grin.
Gale lunged time after time, and Motte realized that her apprentice, having no knowledge of Ranger horses’ resistance to fatigue, was trying to tire the beast. Old Bob left after a few hours to begin preparations for the evening meal. Ranger Motte lingered at the edge of the pen until Bob signaled that the stew was ready. Even while the pair ate in the farmhouse, they observed the boy’s efforts.
At dusk, when Motte could no longer spot her new apprentice through the window, she went outside and found him slumbering on the soft grass. She draped a borrowed blanket over his peaceful form. “Good night, Gale,” Motte said softly.
The Ranger spent the night in the guestroom in the farmhouse but woke up early to cook a pot of oatmeal for Gale to give him the energy he needed to complete his difficult task. She set his breakfast beside him before she set out on her morning run. While the day seemed to be not so productive for Gale, Old Bob returned to training and caring for the other steeds in the stable, and Motte set up a makeshift archery range within sight of the pen. She practiced for hours but kept an eye on Gale.
By day 3 of the apprentice’s ordeal, Motte was beginning to wonder whether she had made the right choice by selecting him. Again, she had covered him when he fell asleep outside and left him a bowl of hot oatmeal—this time with some added cinnamon and raisins. When he had passed out, she had examined his body for injuries to make sure nothing required immediate attention. Finding nothing critical, she ended up cleaning and bandaging a couple of the larger wounds.
She was coming back from her run when she saw Gale feeding his horse. She was intrigued and stopped to lean against the fence beside Old Bob to view the unfolding event. The boy had finally done it. Motte smiled at him.
“Watcha gonna name ‘im?” Bob asked Gale. “Yeah, I’ll teach ya ta ride, but first,” he paused. “You ever mucked out a stall afore?”
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Post by Sycelus on Jan 21, 2014 0:04:18 GMT -5
She was intrigued and stopped to lean against the fence beside Old Bob to view the unfolding event. Motte smiled at him.
Gale watched as his master trotted up to the fencing of the pen. She looked absolutely stunning, running the way she did. He felt his cheeks heat up a little. Then she smiled at him and he almost lost it. She was just so beautiful with her light sheen of sweat that he had to look away before things in his nether regions stirred and he looked the fool for getting so worked up. Luckily Old Bob spoke.
“Watcha gonna name ‘im?” Bob asked Gale. “Yeah, I’ll teach ya ta ride, but first,” he paused. “You ever mucked out a stall afore?”
Turning to Old Bob Gale said, "I'm not sure what I'd like to name him but I do want to call him 'pain in the ass' for all the hassle I went through to get him. Speaking of I hope it wasn't too much trouble making that meal for me," he directed to the pair of them unsure of who actually made his meals. I am certainly indebted to who ever did make it and the raisins were a nice touch. They really added in a good flavor."
Gale patted the side of his new mount and said to Old Bob, "No I've don't believe I've had the pleasure of mucking out anything." He had no idea what mucking out a stall even meant. The thought of slinging mud all over a stall came into Gale's mind, but he assumed that couldn't be right, even if it might have been fun to do.
After Gale and his horse got more accustomed to each other Old Bob showed the two of them back to the stables where Gale was to do his mucking about. It was hard work cleaning out all the stalls, laying out new straw, and carting the 'muck' to the muck pile out back. His only time to rest was while he was waiting for the stall's floor to dry. During that time Old Bob gave Gale some pointers about riding, saddling, feeding, and general care for his new horse.
Days went by of nothing but mucking out stables. Gale thought it would never end, but he learned a lot from Old Bob in the caring and maintenance of equines. Then after what seemed like an eternity Old Bob told Gale to go saddle up his horse, it was time to put what he had learned to practice. More time passed and as Gale practiced riding he was quick to learn how much of a 'pain in the ass' his horse could be.
The first time Gale mounted up his horse promptly bucked him right off, but then went over to Gale almost playfully encouraging him to get back onto the saddle. The horse looked like it wanted to buck him off again just for the fun of it. After about the fifth time of being unsaddled Gale was able to hold on, for dear life mind you, but he held fast. When he figured out how to stay in the saddle everything became easier. A couple days passed and Gale was able to pretty much ride as an average rider thanks to Old Bob's tutelage, now it was up to Gale to round out his riding abilities.
"I think I've figured out what I'm going to call this beast," he said to Old Bob on the last day of their training. "I think I'm going to call him Scourge because he has be nothing but a scourge to me ever since we met..."
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Post by Tandar on Jan 28, 2014 18:54:31 GMT -5
“I think that’s a fine name,” Old Bob had said following Gale’s final riding lesson.
Allison and her new apprentice were now mounted and on the move. He was really starting to grow on her. The pair had been spending more time together the past couple evenings talking and learning about each other. Allison could see their relationship becoming that of two friends instead of just a master and trainee. As Gale had found out, the other steed in the pen was Motte’s horse, a dapple gray mare. The Ranger glanced down to read a sheet of parchment in her hand. She spoke up.
“This letter is a request for service I received yesterday from Baron Arald.” She emphasized the title and shot Gale a look warning him against disrespecting the nobleman by referring to him as “Old Man.”
“It seems Wensley Village has a bit of a wildcat problem. One of the girls at the outlying Vester farm was attacked a couple of nights ago. It’s our job to see if we can find the beast and take it out before the situation gets worse. Oh! Here we go.” She tugged on the reigns and dismounted to examine something on the ground for a moment.
“Come dig through this animal scat and tell me whatever you discover. I’m gonna check around for sign.”
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Post by Sycelus on Jan 29, 2014 14:37:06 GMT -5
"Oh! Here we go.” She tugged on the reigns and dismounted to examine something on the ground for a moment. “Come dig through this animal scat and tell me whatever you discover. I’m gonna check around for sign.”
Gale followed through with his instruction. He also hopped off his horse and went to examine the scat. Ranger Motte went off checking for signs of the beast nearby. Gale grabbed some of the scat, found that it was quite dried out, and started crumbling it apart. Not much was on the scat save for some dirt and dried leaves. What was inside was a different story. He found a couple bones and what looked like the pendent off of a necklace. The undigested bones he set aside and stared at the pendent. It was fairly large considering, but somehow the animal managed to swallow it. It looked odd but Gale shifted his attention back to the bones. After a few moments of wracking his brain Gale finally managed to deduce that these bones were from a canine. That made this finding all the more odd. Most hounds could chase off any wildcat. He looked back at the pendent, picked it up and examined it further. It looked like it was perhaps a paw of some kind. Gale ventured over to his bag, grabbed his water skin and proceeded to clean off some of the muck using the water on the pendent. It defiantly looked like a paw, but with red gems embedded into it. "Motte! You might want to look at these," he called to his master, then presented the bones and the pendent to her with a confused look.
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