The bag had some movement to it, but there was no blood. It seemed that the crow's assistance was helpful indeed. For the little creature was moving, but seemed still groggy. With it's belly still full, it was unlikely to try to bite through the bag unless violently stirred.
"Aye, Rook is right." Samel says with a wince and a grin. "Perhaps we should turn back, If only for lunch. Now that you mention it, some of Havak's peach mash would hit the spot right about now. Loosen up these old bones a bit."
Standing below, Samel gasps as he sees Amara lose her grip on the tree."Oh gods! he says as he quickly gets into place below her, arms extended. The 20 foot fall would have been quite extreme had not he managed to get in place.
THUD
Amara landed on Samel in a heap. It knocked the wind out of the older man, and the both of them lost consciousness for several seconds. When they came to, Samel was flat his back, with Amara "resting" on his stomach. Both of them ached quite a bit, but there were no broken bones.
nonlethal falling damage: 1d6 ⇒ 6
lethal falling damage: 1d6 ⇒ 5
because Samel managed to catch you the first 10 feet is nonlethal and you each split the damage, so 2 lethal and 3 nonlethal each.
Amara Sontan wrote: Amara relaxes when it becomes apparent the crow hasn't alerted the feasting serpent. She replies back to Rook "Something new my friend! We are just observing for now."
She blushes slightly at Samel's praise, pleased that she has earned his approval. She thinks for a moment then whispers, "I don't know Samel. I don't want to kill it, but I am unsure how to capture it without doing it harm." She pauses again as if trying to come up with a plan, "Perhaps we could just watch a while, maybe an opportunity will present itself."
"Aye, I doubt any cage would hold it. And you are right, little fox, to kill such a young and interesting creature would be a waste. Having just ate, though, it should be a bit slower. We might be able to knock it out of the tree and into a sack...if you indeed wanted to capture the little bugger."
Samel waited with a grin on his face for Amara's decision on how to proceed.
Samel takes note of the tree as Amara points out the little snake creature. Blinking with pride, he reflects to himself...the girl has come a long way,she knows the signs well. He glances up as Rook floats into a nearby tree from above, and tenses some, also hoping the gregarious crow doesn't scare away the unusual little serpent. Returning his attention to the new "prey", he whispers to Amara;
"Well, you've found it. Well done, girl. It seems to just have gotten a bit of food too, so it probably isn't going anywhere anytime soon. The question, then, is what do you want to do now?"
"Good idea, little fox."
Samel grins.
"When you're tracking something that can take wing, things can be tricky. You have to watch for droppings, or bits of feather that may fall. Naturally, that's easier in calm weather. In some cases, you just have to trust that you can catch a little bit of movement. These little beasties, having just hatched, I reckon are pretty hungry."
He begins to move slowly, taking in the area, looking up into the trees, watching for any movement.
You come to the same conclusion when Samel speaks;
"I figure there's about a half dozen there. Looks like they all flew off. I caught sight of what I guess was the mother about two nights back, and followed her a bit. I came across the nest here this morning. Figured you'd like to see."
Samel smiles and pats Amara on the shoulder. Looking a the shell peices as she turns them over in her hand, examining them.
Externally, they are smooth and black, with a slight gloss, similar to obsidian. Inside, little bits of membrane still remain, speckled with gold grains.
Samel stands and stretches then, taking a deep breath of the forest air.
"Nothing for it now, though. 'Spose we could try trackin' them, but that could take a bit, seein' how the beasties fly and are rather small.
We could do that if you like litte fox, but we might not get to the shooting practice today. I'll let you decide."
Samel nods his approval a the curious girl.
"I don't suppose it will hurt to get a closer look"
With that, the two creep ever closer to the mound, noting as they approach that the area is meticulously arranged. Sticks have been gathered with some care, prehaps even in a pattern, in the manner that a bird would build a nest. Were it not for the trained eye of the two of them, they doubted they would have noted it out of the ordinary though.
On closer inspection, Amara could see that what little light that cast its rays through the trees showed that the burrow was empty, save for several eggs, each little bigger than that of a chicken, ebony and in peices some six inches in the ground.
Samel began to chuckle, but caught himself, putting his hand over his mouth to muffle the few sounds that got out.
The foot long creature froze, and in a split second, coiled and shot into the air with a burst of speed that was accompanied by a small spark, disappearing into the trees above.
"Blast," Samel said with a smile on his lips. "You know, little fox, I don't rightly know...I've seen a good number of beasts in my day, but I can't say as I've seen one quite like that."
He pointed again at the mound from where it came.
"I think that there is a nest." he said, an amused grin still showing on his face.
Standing in the trees just past the orchard, Samel waves at Amara from the under the canopy, a smirk on his face. He enjoyed the company of Amara, for she had reminded him of his own daughter, and a wife he had long ago. Most had know of the Berits, for they were a family that helped found Solace so many years ago. The were an integral part in picking the spot for settlement, and had been in the area for generations. It was not just a sadness for Samel, then, when what was meant to be a simple relaxing trip out to sea turned tragic and his wife and daughter were both lost.
He grieved for many years, and apart from that, never went back to the sea, as the memories were too painful. He was grateful then, when Amara's parents alowed her to go on trips with the ranger into the forest.
When Amara came close to him, Samel put a hand on her shoulder.
"Well, little fox, are you ready for more target practice?"
Already knowing the answer, he spoke again before she could reply;
That thing I wanted to show you, we need to hurry, or we might miss it."
With that, he begins making his way into the forest, crouching low, and moving silently, only a slight rustle of fallen leaves beneath him.
Before too long, about 500 feet or so, he stops, and motions for Amara keep silent and still.
Pointing to a peculiar mound next to a tree just ahead of them he subtly points and an odd looking snake begins to emerge from a hole in the mound. Its scales, red and black and gold and blue seem deep under the shadows of the nearby tree. An odd thing occurs then, as Amara watches. After a second or so, she sees that the strange little snake also has strange little feathered wings!
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