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I followed GuYuk into Southern Koguryo with what could almost be discribed as a skip. I was so excited to hone my trapping abilities on this scouting trip. It wasn't long before we entered a clearing where my scouting guide stopped, examined the area, and asked me "Using your surroundings, what trap would you set up here to catch one of these quick little critters and secure a meal?" I scanned the area, watching the squirrels and rabbits play- darting across the clearing to the trees that lined it, playing under the gnarled roots. "Well, I suppose I would set a simple snare trap at the base of one of those trees. See how the roots arch above the soil, making tunnels that the critters run through or hide under. I would just have to wait for one to make its way through my slip knot and whammy! Dinner secured." GuYuk nodded and thought for a second. "With a small creature alive unable to escape, how would you be able to secure it for yourself?" He motioned towards some nearby tall grass, rustling and swaying. There was no wind today, so while examining the movement of the grass, I understood what he was getting at. A snake slithered out into the clearing. "Your trapping efforts could easily secure a meal for a predator instead," he said. I realized we weren't the only ones here looking for dinner. "Be mindful of that," he instructed. I nodded, appreciative of this lesson before we carried on deeper into Southern Koguyro. "Have you heard of an elemental beast in this area?" I nodded a few times while my eyes scanned everything around us, as if simply mentioning it would cause this strange thing to appear. "What traps could you use to capture the elemental and have proof of the feat? I will leave you with that question here, think about it and come up with a plan." We shared goodbyes as he started back north. I hummed as I thought and thought as I hummed, wandering around the thick woods. "Maybe if I...." "OH! I could...." Trying to keep everything I've learned in mind, half plans crumbled one after the other." The sun was about to set when I finally landed on the course of action I believed best... I found a tall tree off the path, private and shady. This was perfect as I wanted to be sure I had a vantage point in which I could conceal myself. After a quick climb (with only one or two slips) I decided the branches were strong enough to hold my weight, and full of enough leaves to hide in. With that, I began to dig. The sun plunged quickly and the woods turned dark, but I was on a mission. A black night wasn't going to stop me from digging the massive pit I would need. I figured my height deep by my height wide would be sufficent enough to hold the stubby monster. I dug and I dug, all through the night. My hands, my sword, ANYTHING I had to help me displace dirt- I dug as no digger had ever dug before. By the time the sun began to slowly peak over the horizon, my hole was finished. I began to sharpen some sticks and branches I'd found nearby, but I thought back to my conversation with GuYuk- he never mentioned HARMING the thing, only capturing it and having proof. What better proof than it squirming at the bottom of a pit? My next course of action was some camouflage. Branches and leaves, sticks and grass- anything that would give way easily but appear inconspicuous. After the pit was concealed to my liking, I climbed my nearby tree and began my stakeout. I patiently waited, eyes darting to any movement I detected. I was so sure this was going to work, how could it not? The sun reached its mid day peak, the sun began its descent, not until the sun kissed the horizon did anything -ANYTHING- happen. My tired eyes were not sure at first, was it really the beast I'd been waiting for... clumsily walking straight towards my pit trap? He skirted along in his goofy way, no idea what was about to happen. <b>Crrrraackkk - WHAM As the thud reverberated through the trees I smiled and thought "Mission accomplished." | |