Riding

JP with Islana and Hunter

Given current concerns, it was difficult to take in the beauty that surrounded the huntress but impossible to ignore it. It was a magnificent view of cliffs that reached into the sky, valleys that rivaled the greenest Islana had ever seen and peaks covered white with snow.

The goats seemed very much in their element as they stood on the ledges. The animals were far more designed for this terrain than poor River who was wearing down due to the weight he was carrying and the landscape they were going over.

Based on the smoke she could only assume it was a village but it was a good assumption they wouldn't take well to strangers.

"We should probably stop before we get to the village." The young woman commented to both men, but figured only Stran might respond as Hunter seemed to not have much strength to argue.

The trio made their afternoon stop. Islana asked Stran to help with getting Hunter off the horse and situated.

It was then on to lighten River's load. They didn't really have much and Islana held off on asking Hunter to get rid of any of his weapons as that seemed illogical.

She could only legitimately think to get rid of the bedroll and maybe the small shovel but neither weighed a lot. It was more like they would have to ditch a lot of items for it to make much difference.

Islana had already gotten off to walk some of the trip but couldn't do it the whole way. Her back was still hurting but she was back to being convinced it was more bruised than anything and just attempted to ignore the pain.

Looking over River, the huntress was starting to wonder how much longer the palomino had in him. It was a big concern. Not just because she didn't want to lose River but the horse was needed for Hunter. Losing River would be bad but Islana resolved if it happened to find some way to never leave Hunter behind.

With River on a much needed break, Islana's concern turned to Hunter. She tried to get the man to eat something and drink some tea. Islana had stopped using any of the leaves for herself as Hunter needed it more. She hadn't slept but it wasn't affecting her the way, the woman imagined it was with her friend. He was looking worse by the moment it seemed.

Once Hunter was settled, she would spend time looking for the mushroom. The only ingredient that stood in the way of saving him.

Hunter appeared to be in a drone like state as he was removed from the horse and put on the ground in a sitting position with his back leaning on a mound of grass covered rock. He was barely speaking now even though his eyes would wander around from time to time. He looked tired as black markings developed under his eyes from lack of sleep. Sadly he had experienced this a lot and knew he was hallucinating under sleep deprivation and the poison. His mouth reeked of ash as it was now black from all the charcoal he had eaten. Even though he managed to eat some meat that Islana fed him along with her medicinal tea, Hunter was not getting better. He was moving like a a man in in his 90's now and his hands were slightly shaking. Any other man would have died by now, but due to his harsh training and life style, Hunter was able to hang on on sheer will power. The hallucinations continued on and on and Nora's ghost was was nagging Hunter like an ex-wife as he stared off like he was catatonic.