Tempest Rise (Treborel) - By Alaina Stanford Page 0,8
encouraged by the sightings of several females and their cubs searching for berries. Cap was the first to take a large male. In the days following Katar and Commander Connor also killed and butchered a large sraeb.
The butchered meat was sprayed with an ultra-coolant, instantly freezing it solid. Then it was loaded it onto the pack animals for storage at the Lodge, still days away. The early spring weather had continued and with it the animals began to emerge. Making the journey a joy for Katar, who had missed the quiet calm of the mountains, especially at night.
The beginning of the second week found them at the lodge unloading their supplies. Hanlin expressed great pleasure at reaching their half-way point to the Chasm. He was thoroughly intent on spending every available moment in one of the cabin's soft beds. The large log cabin lodge was nestled in a dense grove of evergreens. Directly behind the lodge nestled between two large evergreen trees was a small bathhouse, built over a hot spring. The rest of the week was to have been spent on daily excursions, returning to the warmth and comfort of the lodge at night. Instead, due to Commander Connor's wish to find larger game, they left the lodge and continued on into the more dense areas of the mountains.
As the noon break arrived the company found themselves facing a deep ravine, stretching far into the trees. Separating into two groups, after their meal, they left the horses at base camp and climbed down to the base of the ravine. Katar, Commander Connor and Bosen headed west along its base as Cap took Eades and Hanlin east. The ravine twisted back into itself several times. After several hours Katar worked his way up the side of the steep embankment to find their position. Leaving Bosen and Connor searching a patch of brush covered in berries.
On his return a few moments later, he found no sign of the two hunters. Scanning the moss that covered the forest floor in the dim light, Katar found Bosen's heavy footprints heading deeper into the ravine. The Prince moved to follow as the air filled with an angry roar. The beast's scream was deep and full of rage, turning quickly to pain. Running toward the commotion Katar could tell it was a large male sraeb, judging by the deep tones of its roar. As he ran the cries of the beast mingled with that of Bosen's screams.
Breaking through the line of trees before him, Katar arrived as Bosen snatched up a tree branch and began swinging at the charging beast. Even at a distance Katar could see the Blacksmith was covered in blood. The dark gray fur covered creature was nearly 8 feet long. It had a low center of gravity that enabled it to maneuver quickly and get under its prey. Its long lanky body hugged the ground as it looked for an opportunity to spring. The beast kept its head low to the ground; its short square snout had a vicious sneer, which displayed a massive set of jaws full of razor-like teeth. The short rounded muscular legs ended in long steel-like claws.
Bosen stumbled backward swinging wildly as the beast charged. An arrow flew from the brush behind Bosen toward the beast as Katar rushed forward pulling his laser rifle from the scabbard on his back. The beast's head flew back as the arrow dove deep into its back. An angry roar pounded Katar's ears as he ran forward and shouted at the massive beast. Katar fired into the beast as it turned stopping a few meters from the sraeb. Screaming in pain the beast rolled onto its side and turned toward Katar. The beast charged with surprising speed yet Katar held his ground and fired one last time at the base of the beast’s skull. It fell dead at his feet.
Katar rushed to Bosen who collapsed onto the ground. Katar glanced around for Commander Connor, thinking the Bantorian had been injured or killed. There was no sign of him. Katar pulled off his jacket, ripped off his shirt, tore it in half he pushed it gently against the pulsing flow of blood seeping from Bosen’s shredded shoulder. Katar turned back to retrieve his knife from his jacket and discovered Commander Connor looking down at him silently. Katar snatched up his rifle and tossed it to the Commander. He ordered, "Fire it twice into the air, wait and fire again."