The dog picks up on something Koa can't possibly smell. And though Koa lacks an Attuned bond or particularly strong animal husbandry skill, Jata's body language screams I found something loud enough for even the Dragoon to understand.
So he follows as fast as he can, dodging roots and low-hanging branches that snatch and slash his broad shoulders. He's so focused on keeping up that he almost doesn't notice when Sunjata stops, grinding to a halt mere inches away from collision with the dog. "What is it?" Koa asks in a whisper, the hair on his neck tingling. Pip has emerged from the pack on his back; now she, too, sits at alert, nostrils flaring and hair on end as she stares into the gloom.
A sound - faint, scraping, barely audible to Koa, but the two beasts who accompany him will pick it up clear. The human rot smell is stronger now, and above it something tangy. Something metallic, iron, hot-- blood. Fresh blood.
And they really should let it go at that, should turn around and let whatever monster is at work have its meal, but that sound again, a sound Koa can barely hear but Jata and Pip sure can. A whimper of fear, a terrified mewl, and in answer, a growl, hot and cruel enough to make a shiver rock Koa's bones. He looks down at the demigod, not sure what to do. The chakram has slipped into his hand. "We shouldn't---" he starts--
--but then in a shot Pipsqueak is off, a shrill, shrieking challenge roared from her throat, and Koa feels his heart sink it pure, horrific fear.
So he follows as fast as he can, dodging roots and low-hanging branches that snatch and slash his broad shoulders. He's so focused on keeping up that he almost doesn't notice when Sunjata stops, grinding to a halt mere inches away from collision with the dog. "What is it?" Koa asks in a whisper, the hair on his neck tingling. Pip has emerged from the pack on his back; now she, too, sits at alert, nostrils flaring and hair on end as she stares into the gloom.
A sound - faint, scraping, barely audible to Koa, but the two beasts who accompany him will pick it up clear. The human rot smell is stronger now, and above it something tangy. Something metallic, iron, hot-- blood. Fresh blood.
And they really should let it go at that, should turn around and let whatever monster is at work have its meal, but that sound again, a sound Koa can barely hear but Jata and Pip sure can. A whimper of fear, a terrified mewl, and in answer, a growl, hot and cruel enough to make a shiver rock Koa's bones. He looks down at the demigod, not sure what to do. The chakram has slipped into his hand. "We shouldn't---" he starts--
--but then in a shot Pipsqueak is off, a shrill, shrieking challenge roared from her throat, and Koa feels his heart sink it pure, horrific fear.
be love in its disrepute,
scorches the hillside and salts every root
