Arc 712, Ymiden 12
"What are we practicing today papa?"It was a given that if the fledgling huntress was being sent out with her father, it was a lesson. He'd likely spent the night before discussing with his familiar what they would cover.
"And is Degotoga with us?"
Awo'san glanced back at his daughter, before offering her one of his slow smiles and looking ahead into the Makubwa Lori.
"Yes, he is with us."
He extended his right hand, fingers tangling in the fur of the great bear that was his familiar. Degotoga was an old spirit, old and wise, a fast friend to his bonded. Tose of course, saw none of this, beyond her fathers hand reaching out, but it was enough. She was used to those around her interacting with creatures she could not see, hear or feel. What would be madness in many parts of Idalos was commonplace in Desnind. The great bear did not always actively accompany his bond during a hunt, but he often did when the man was also teaching, helping to keep an eye out for the many dangers that lurked in the Makubwa Lori while his bondeds attention was split.
"Good morning Degotoga, thank you for lending us your aid."
For the most part, neither she nor any of the others tried to interact with someone elses familiar, but since those of her mother and father had been around, helping them keep track of their daughter and watch over her since infancy, Tose felt she owed them as much recognition and politeness as she could manage.
"And we will be working on your tracking. You have improved, but I think you are doing it intuitively, which is good, maybe best, but you must know what you are doing and why, so if intuition fails you, you have knowledge to depend upon."
"Yes papa."
"First, you know we hunt at any time of day, depending upon what prey we are after. Obviously for true tracking, daylight hours are best, but if stealth is not an issue, even night with a good lantern is better than high noon."
"I don't understand, is it not better with more light?"
"For best tracking, you need light and shadow. This is why at night for a lantern is sometimes easier, the shadows are exaggerated. But this is more for finding one who is lost. Obviously if you were hunting your fire would be seen and scented and your prey would easily evade you."
Tose thought about this, brow furrowing. why would you need shadow? Often under the great tree canopy you wished for more light, rarely less. Her father remained silent. This was often how he taught. He gave information, and thenhe waited patiently for her to digest and understand it. If she remained stumped for too long he would elaborate, but he felt that knowledge one came to on ones own was retained better than that which was simply given.
"Because.. it helps pick out the contours? Helps show you indents or ridges that without shadow you might miss when colour is all the same?"
"Just so! Good! It is not a problem we have often, within the Makubwa Lori there are almost always shadows, but if you have need of hunting elsewhere.."
She nodded, understanding. When her familiar set her upon her quest, if it led her far from home, her father would see to it that she was prepared.
