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Oh? Where had her shy little politeness gone off to?

“Well.” he retorted, “Maybe if you had someone to look out for you, you'd not have caught your foot on the trap in the first place.” he shrugged, “But you know what? You're right. It's none of my business.” he turned again and began to walk away, “Have fun with your treasure hunting.” or whatever, “And watch your feet.”

Aside from the encounter with the little Shifter bratling and the bad snare, hunting had actually been good. He'd cleared out all his snares from the area – too close to people for his comfort – and had set up camp. He wanted to be able to bring back a lot of good hunting goods, so he could sell it at market and get some things he needed... and wanted... in trade. He was after amulets, really, but if not those, then something else.

He set up a hammock in a tree and cooked up something for dinner on a fire, letting the smell of roasting meat and herbs relax him. It was, he thought, barring the heat and humidity, just like home...

Votzhem had seen some tracks in the area – those of a fearsome Jahuaran predator called a Nehkhu. It hunted solitary, with a sinuously single-minded crawl through the trees. It was dangerous but worth the hunt: it had a good skin and provided decent meat. It also provided interesting trophies – its claws were crystal-edged and there were gorgeous gems that lined its back, some as delicate as scales. He hoped to take that beast down tomorrow, when he was rested...

The Nehkhu had other ideas. It had spotted prey – small, weak, and on the ground. Easier to catch than in the tall Jahuar trees. It stalked behind the little girl, its toothy mouth watering in anticipation, its long body tensing as it prepared to pounce...

The Nekhu pounced and used its momentum to propel it into a run. It was ruthless and cunning. It knew it could catch this small morsel with ease. It's teeth shimmered in the forest's light, sharp and terrible, as it came ever closer to it's prey...

As it so happened, Votzhem's camp was right in their path... Unsuspecting, however, Votzhem had just taken his dinner off the fire, and was – at that very moment – about to bite down into his hard-earned meal...

Votzhem had just taken a bite and nearly choked as the beast and the girl came suddenly into view, knocking things around in their chase. He scrambled to his feet, hastily pulling his blades out as the girl tripped.

Initially, he didn't recognize her. All he knew was that a small child was being threatened, and he had to help them. He charged at the beast, tapping into the feeling of Aisha's life force that became easier and easier to access with every try.

He tackled the beast, cutting it ferociously with his swords and knocking it out of it's deadly path to Adie. He fought with it, not thinking, just trying to fight it, kill it, and stop its rampage. He tried to avoid it's claws and teeth, but inevitably, they struck him, opening his skin and making him bleed. Fortunately, nothing too serious. Fortunately, nothing too deep.

Votzhem, however, was more fortunate. His blades struck true, piercing deep into the monster. The nekhu screamed and rolled, it's goal changed from pursuit to flee, and in the moment of it's attempted escape, Votzhem saw an opening and took it. The beast squalled, tearing the sword from his grasp, before falling dead, the blade embedded in it's neck.

Votzhem panted, recovering...

Votzhem kicked the beast, just to be very sure that it was dead. It was. He retrieved his blade with a wet squelch and shook it off.

Well, he'd killed it. He supposed it was a good thing to get it done early. It left tomorrow open, certainly... what would he do with all of his time?

But that was a lesser concern.

Still out of breath from his fight and injured besides, he turned to the kid. ”Hey.” he said, looking at her ”You allright, kid?” He couldn't tell in this light, but he could swear that he'd seen the kid before.