2 days since leaving Silva
It had a been over a month since they'd originally started travelling, and Astra could now confidently conclude she wasn't a morning person. At all.
She groaned as the bright morning light crept into her tent and attacked her eyes. She twisted her body to try and dodge the morning's greeting however was utterly unsuccessful and the comforting grasp of sleep faded away. With one final grumble she reluctantly sat up and quickly found out how the light had gotten in.
The tent door had been left wide open and Amara and her palico Lucy were nowhere to be found.
Under Amara's discretion, her and Astra shared a tent. But luckily it was huge and could comfortably fit the two of them plus Lucy and all of their belongings.
She gave her top a quick sniff and winced. She happily decided it was time to change outfits.
Back when they were resting in Silva they'd made sure to wash all their clothes, allowing Astra to add another thing to her short list of things that brought her joy this journey brought her.
'Wearing fresh smelling clothes.'
She quickly slid into a red top, that was definitely made for boys, but she couldn't complain, clothes are clothes, and put on thick, black bottoms. It was no armour, but Amara told her the thickness would prevent vegetation, sharp edges and pests getting at her legs. She equipped her pair of black boots, that Amara had gifted her when they first met. Finally she threw on the black cloak she used as a blanket over her shoulders. It was made from some monster's thick, furry hide.
She tightly pulled the cloak close and left the tent embracing the morning's chilly air. Instantly her mood dropped as she was reminded where she was.
'This damn forest.'
During this journey her list of joys has been short but her list of things that well … pissed her off wasn't. It was long. Very long. And half of them were due to this damn forest.
From its towering trees creating a shadowy abyss all around them, to the endless, thick, overgrown vegetation that made every step you took a pain. Not to mention the fact that humongous apex monsters could be lurking around any corner, who'd happily make her their next meal. As if that wasn't enough Astra recently discovered that the Great forest Mori wasn't an official hunting grounds, meaning if something happened to them they were completely on their own. No support from the guild whatsoever.
It would be easier for Astra to list all the things that she did like about this place. The fact that she'd eventually get to leave. Hopefully, as long as she wasn't killed first. But that shouldn't be a worry, she had Amara protecting her. She'd already proven how capable of a hunter she was time and time again since they'd been on this journey.
Both stoic, fearless and caring, Amara hadn't wavered once. Well except for in Silva. The only time Astra had seen Amara faulter is when that hunter said no. After that encounter, it'd quickly became clear to Astra that the only reason Amara had taken them there was for him.
'Just who was he?' Astra wondered. She'd never admit it and had no idea why, but she was also a little upset he said no. Which made no sense, as she had no idea who he was. Maybe it was because Amara liked him or that he looked cool she considered. She abruptly, aggressively shook her head. What the hell is she thinking?
*Growl*
Her stomach groaned destroying any train of thought she might've had. Damn was she hungry.
"Oh look who's up?" Amara said. She was sat on a rotting tree stump in front of a little campfire, already cladded in her armour and longsword. There were four empty stools around the fire, but no one else was in sight.
Astra wandered over and sat in the stool next to Amara, folding her cloak under her as a cushion.
"Here, I saved you some food." Amara handed Astra a plate of cooked meat and bread and a half full waterskin. Amara then glanced at down at Lucy who was lying by the campfire bathing her white coat in its heat.
"She's up Lucy," Amara said and instantly the palico jumped up and, like every morning, she went off to pack up their stuff.
When they'd first started travelling, Astra had felt bad that Lucy always done it alone and had once attempted to help her but had quickly been 'told off' (Almost lost an eye) by the felyne in return. Through hysterical laughter, Amara then informed Astra that apparently Lucy didn't like anyone messing up her system and routine.
"The other hunters are packing up. Once you finish eating we'll set off," Amara told her.
Astra nodded and then began digging into her breakfast. As she bit into the sandwich, she'd made from the meat and bread, she glanced around the camp. She could see two of the hunters were still rustling around their tents while one was packing his belonging onto the back of their horse. She didn't know what monster he'd killed but he wore thick, ice-blue armour with white fur and wielded a greatsword.
Astra didn't know any of their names. Amara had made it very clear at the start of the quest that there'd be no communication between her and the hunters for her own protection. There would be no sharing of names, history, anything. To them, she might as well just be cargo they need to transport to the city, Dundorma. Astra didn't know much about the city except it was apparently a huge hunting town and sometimes referred to as the capital of the Guild. Astra had never questioned Amara's choices but after their encounter in Silva, Astra had to question, why had Amara revealed everything to that hunter in Silva? Why could he but not the hunters they're trusting with her safety be told. They didn't even know her name. Although it made the journey a lot more boring, she didn't mind not having any relation with the hunters. Being honest she missed when it was just her, Lucy and Amara. She also felt a little bad for them as Amara hadn't even really wanted to recruit any of them and made no effort to hide those feeling back in Silva's guild hall. Post the quest had been forced on her by necessity and the Guild. Even a blind man could see she had wanted that hunter, Ryo, if she remembered his name correctly. She didn't know why but, again, if Astra was being honest, she'd also kind of wished he'd joined them instead. She couldn't explain it, but he was different to these hunters, in fact he was different from anyone she'd ever met.
'That Leo didn't seem bad either,' Astra considered as she remembered the village hunter, who'd helped them out. He had kind of felt similar to Amara. But then Amara told Astra he'd also said no, so whatever she thought of him didn't matter. It wasn't as if she'd ever see that village again. After they had been denied by those two, Amara was reluctantly forced to pick between the few qualified hunters interested in the quest. Or more accurately the quest reward. Astra had complained to Amara, questioning why they couldn't keep travelling alone. Amara then told her she'd want nothing more, but she also knew wasn't strong enough to escort her further alone. Astra didn't know how she felt about that unveiling.
And now here they were, in the middle of this godforsaken forest of endless dangers with three hunters. What could go wrong?
Seeing the two other hunters emerge from their tents, in red and green scale and plate forged armour, Astra quickly finished off her breakfast.
They then saddled up on their horses and set off into the forest's abyss. The three hunters trotted upfront while Astra travelled beside Amara behind on her own dark chocolate coated horse, she'd decided to name Coco.
'Maybe today we can escape this place,' Astra hoped.