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It had been a long journey, but finally they seemed to be in the home stretch. Because the roads were harsh, the army needed to go around Tale and through Jauhar before they could head back home. The extended time from the trip left Nuri with plenty to contemplate, and even more to observe.

Instead of seeing the lands as dangerous or disgraceful, he saw opportunity in each animal he was able to see. The war-party ran most off, but now that they were in the jungle, they were forced to travel in smaller groups that often caught the curiosity of the animals in the woods instead of fear.

It was then that he was able to catch sight of Radaku, creatures often used as war animals for both Shifters and Alkidikes. Curiosity flew through his mind, the potential to capture and train one in order to study it's strengths and weaknesses clear. This was an opportunity Nuri needed to take before he got home, in order to show his superiors the potential he had as a foreign beast specialist.

All he needed was one Radaku. Thankfully, he was able to find two.

They were off the path, and well grown. This would be unlike when he had tamed Naraka, a young pup and easy to capture. No, this would be a challenge for him to overtake, and he was more than ready. He left Naraka back a ways, within earshot but far enough to not startle the wild Radaku. Then, he took out his whip, and struck.

The noise broke through the clearing, startling both. One swiftly moved to dart away, while the other stood ground and snapped it's tail in return. Nuri knew this would be a battle of wits, and it was proven with the creature struck out, forcing him to dodge the tail. Never on the receiving end of the whip, he was quite surprised to find himself being directed by the Radaku, as if he were being tamed instead.

In an effort to change the direction of the battle, he took a smack to his arm before sending out a whip in return, landing a hit and causing the Radaku to move toward Naraka. Quickly he determined he would send the creature toward his beast, and hope that the Janarim could cause the animal to fall back. It was a slow, and painful process, but soon he was able to call out to his familiar, who then darted on the smaller Radaku.

Both fell in a tumble, and Nuri stood back and waited for his companion to take the upperhand. Naraka had a tough hide, and the Radaku soon realized that it had no change to do much more than claw at the animal atop it. All at once, the clearing fell into a hush, only the soft grumbles of the Radaku filling the air.

Nuri knew that the hardest part was done, the animal was trapped enough for him to attempt to contain it. Now it was time for the gentle, coaxing attempt to get it calm enough to follow him home. There was no illusion that the animal would come willingly, so he had to figure out a better way and do it quickly.

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After a few long minutes, Nuri really couldn't find himself getting to close to the Radaku. It was agitated, and as long as Naraka lay atop it, it would do nothing but hiss and spit. So, he looked around the area for any other clues. This was foreign territory, and he had no idea exactly what a Radaku needed. It made him painfully aware of what little knowledge they had on wild beasts outside of Oba, and reinforced his drive to help change that fact.

As a good friend once forced him to realize, they were no longer just Oba. They were part of Tendaji now.

Walking to where the two beast originally stood, he noticed that there was a strange creature half-eaten. Reaching down, he realized he would need to attempt to feed the animal with hope it would allow him to put a harness around it temporarily.

More training would happen later, when they made it home and he had time and space.

Pulling up the meat, he walked back toward Naraka and sat down. Lower was always better. Inching closer, he paused every time the creature growled, waiting for it to calm before making another attempt. Once he got close enough, he slowly held out the meat and settled it on the ground, making it clear that it was from him. The Radaku seemed disinterested at first, before it began to reach and eat it once more.

It took nearly an hour for Nuri to get the faith to touch the creature, and another for him to get a harness around the Radaku's neck. He unfortunately had to wrap it around the maw for safety, but the Radaku seemed subdued and reasonable.

Once they got back to camp, he would find a better suited harness, for both his and the creature's safety. Now, it seemed that Naraka's presence (and surprisingly gentle coaxing) kept the creature in line.

Sighing, Nuri resisted letting out a cheer as he headed back, two familiars in toe and a pleased smirk crossing his face.

He had done it.

He had tamed his first beast.

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