PlaneStriders and Riftkeepers

The Hunt

Part 1

Peregrine and Kestrel don't usually spend time in the Wood Elf City. Their jobs as PlaneStiders and Riftkeepers tend to keep them from the city. And even when they aren't on the hunt, the usually stay in their hunting cabin outside of the city limits.

It is not as though they can not deal with the politics of court life.

They just prefer their own company when given the choice.

Yet even when they are safely within the protection of the City, they are not totally relaxed.

They are hunters after all; they are ever alert for the signs of danger and always prepared for an attack.

Even here, some distance from the Borderlands, the twins feel the presense of Other crossing into their world. They do not have to ask whether the other felt it.

Kestrel: "It tore its way into our world."

Peregrine: "It will be easy to track then."

They share a half smile and gather their weapons. They keep them close at hand, always.

Another brief smile and they push off from the wall, ready leave the city. To return to the Borerlands and begin the Hunt.

Omake:

Part 2

Their search for the creature that had torn into their world leads them down the mountain through narrow foot trails not even animals would use. But they are on the Hunt.

The terrain is not the biggest danger in the Borderlands; there are things here even practiced Hunters would rather avoid. Kestrel and Peregrine must be alert not to become prey themselves. They keep their backs protected by the cliffs when they can.

They turn at the slightest shadow, searching for its source.

Even as they scan the forest for signs of their quarry.

Finally breaking through a tangle, Peregrine senses the tear - the place where something has crossed into their world.

"Here." "Yes." The hollowed tree proved the gateway through which the Creature entered, tearing through the tree into their world from somewhere Beyond.

They study the tattered edges of reality finding the threads of their world and the threads that connect the creature back to its world.

The rift can not be completely sealed until the creature is either returned to its world or destroyed.

They feel the disorientation of something that does not belong in their world... It is powerful. And dangerous.

But now that they know its source, the Creature will be easier to track. The trail leads from this spot. Now the Hunt has truly begun.

Leads down into the valley. Leads towards the river. And they will follow it.

Omake:

Part 3
They track the creature overnight towards the river. In the morning, they take a few moments to change by its shores.

It is a chance to rest briefly.

And a chance to eat something (and to feed the cat).

But even during their brief pause, they are aware of their surroundings. While Kestrel feeds Fang, Peregrine looks for the subtle signs of their quarry. Overnight, they had closed the distance between them and the creature. Peregrine signals Kestrel silently.

They pull out their bows, knowing they are close.

But they are not alone.

Even as they seek their querry, they too are being hunted.

But their reflexes are well-honed. An inperceptible snap of a twig, and the twins turn as one to face the creature.

Instinct and reflexes take over as each notch their arrows. And then they are caught in the battle haze. They draw back and fire. And fire again as soon as the first arrow is loosed.

And then as suddenly as the battle began, the creature withdraws.

The twins take their time relaxing their battle-stance.

Waiting for it to turn around and continue the fight.

But the creature staggers away... Fatally injured... then it is gone.

But seeing it stagger back and fall is not enough, Kestrel kneels by the spot it fell and checks the magical residue.

Words are not necessary. The creature is dead.

There is momentary peace.

Starring: Kestrel, Peregrine, Fang
Photographs: Li & Akiko
Costumes:
Kestrel - brown: Angell-Studio Brown Queen
Kestrel - black: Dream of Doll, Shirt Iplehouse
Peregrine - brown: Dream of Doll
Peregrine - black: Dream of Doll
Fang - kimono - Li