A disgruntled grunt left Odina’s lips as she continued trekking through the mountainside. While the Vandrea often tried to avoid earthling settlements, the recent events with her sister during an earthquake had shifted something within her spirit. Even if she didn’t necessarily see any reason to bond with the lesser races, the Vandrea did understand the feeling of warmth that spread throughout her body whenever she helped others in need. This even included the earthlings who made the bulky teen feel like it was her duty to offer them some sort of protection whenever she was nearby, not that she planned on making it a habit to get close often but still. Either way she had been going to get some supplies (mostly sweets that she could only find in this certain area of Belrea) and it was while she was shopping that she had heard the rumors of a local beast which had been causing havoc for the town. Apparently the beast would often find a way to break into storage or even scare away travelers coming into the village. So since Odina was recognizable after her help earlier this year it was no surprise that someone actually dared to ask her to keep an eye out if she did happen to see this beast. At first she had wanted to decline but then some smartass had to mention that they could handle their own situation and that some kid like Odina shouldn’t bother risking herself which of course struck at the Vandrea’s pride. So now here she was waiting with a trap to see if she could find the culprit of these thefts and attacks.

What she had not been expecting was the appearance of a folmar. The creature was mostly a dark brown with speckled fur, the muddy appearance making it easy enough to believe that the creature could disappear into the mountainside or the night without being easily spotted like some of its brighter brethren. What was strange was the fact that others were accustomed to seeing these creatures in a pack. “They love to roam together and don’t often come this close to town.” Murmured a lady whenever Odina explained what she had seen one night, the Vandrea not quite used to the creatures since she had never seen one near her own home. Still it was easy enough to believe that even without a pack the creature was dangerous with its compact body full of muscle and sharp claws and teeth ready to rip into someone. Strangely enough she almost felt a bond with the creature who looked more built for brute strength instead of speed. Almost like me. She realized with a soft chuckle before going back to work on her traps. The mountains were tall and dryer than the forest around her home, but thankfully the creature preferred the lower paths near town and so Odina did not have too horrible of a hike to the trap location. So instead of wasting months tracking, the teen instead spent a night camping under the stars waiting at the usual location of the beast when fortune smiled upon her.

The creature was used to taking and running, not someone trying to lure it into a trap. Odina grinned triumphantly whenever the ground collapsed around the folmar and the creature went into the pit with a howl. “Got ya.” She waited a moment before approaching to see the creature pacing back and forth a few feet down where she had dug out a pit with some help yesterday. Thankfully it was autumn so it was not strange to see some fallen leaves and other such foliage which she had scattered across the trap along with some bait. The fresh meat must have been too tempting for the folmar who had it hanging from its mouth even now as it paced back and forth.

“I’ll let you enjoy your meal and then decide what to do.” Called down Odina with a grin as she glanced around, her hand tightening on her spear as she made certain no other folmar had been tagging along with this rogue. It didn’t feel right to kill the beast for some reason, something about that spark in its gaze had caught Odina’s attention and she found herself pondering something almost insane. The folmar didn’t even look like a fully grown adult so maybe…just maybe it was lost and needed a family. A family who could put up with attitude and sharp claws. Odina smirked at the thought. Maybe she would see how their next few days together would go before she headed home from her little training mission, potentially with a familiar of her own to show off to her family and friends.

[790]