Scout

I am sauntering along the road to the summit as is my wont, making occasional deviations in course to climb a hill topped with hemlock, or to gain a vantage into a cut or gully. My progress up the road is slower than usual, but the ground I am covering is rather more than usual. It is a nice enough day; a bit brisk so that the melting has not yet begun, although it will be well under way before I return this way.

I cross the Hayhay brook where it meets Roaring Brook, loving the sound of the waters blending and rushing off down their bed. The Sunderwood lies quiet all around me as I continue questing back and forth as I climb the road. I have noted the RF trail where it joins the road..and the fallen trees from last year's storm that make an obstacle course of the area.

I climb to the Bend, where the road almost doubles back on itself as it makes its run for the ridgeline above. Here the RF bypass splits away; it will join the trails that run into North Mountain Road after a time, yet I turn and head up the Mountain as I ever do.

I pass through the glade that lies at the foot of the last real ascent; all is quiet here and as it lies in a saddle between two ridges, sheltered too. I pause for a moment to soak in a bit of sunlight and the sounds around me.

Almost two hundred paces later I am brought up short; voices are coming down from the Mountaintop...I think I perhaps recognize one or two of them. I slide off the road and 'tree' as I consider. In my quiver are only six common arrows, in my hand my ash war bow, unstrung and cased. I have not even a knife with me this day; it was an excursion meant for pleasure and exercise rather than real scouting. I am well dressed; hooded mantle over tunic, simple braccae and high soft-leather boots. My belt with its pouches and need wallet is comfortably cinched about my waist.

After considering for a moment I decide to see who is up there, but I do not wish to be seen in turn. I raise my hood and wrap the liripipe about the lower half of my face, tucking the tip under my quiver strap. Now I take on the aspect of the predator hunting prey. I exercise silent movement and slip across the ground with very little sound. I note that I am not as fast as once I was, but I am more sure of my route and footing, more patient in my technique; wisdom has refined the raw skills of the younger years. The intensity remains but the flame that sustains it is a steady, constant one...not the blazing and flickering one of years earlier. I am working my way around to face into the wind...if these are the ones I think they may be there will be at least one dog present.

It takes some good time, but that is no matter as the work itself benefits from the care...and I manage to slide into a small depression screened by bushes that lets me see those on the hilltop while remaining hidden....and I am only some thirty feet from them so can hear quite clearly. I was correct, there is a dog present, and some children, running about the place. The wind blows into my face so I do not worry overmuch about my scent reaching the dog.

They are speaking of someone they seem to have expected but have not seen. No name is mentioned but they say that sign of said person was noted at the trailhead and that they had taken a faster route to here in order to beat 'her', who always takes the road up. Another, who comes in from the road, offers that he has seen no sign of anyone coming that way. I have no idea who they might be speaking of, but I do recognize them from some days before. I observe them for a time; closed, wary, shifty...all words that pass through my mind in regards to these people. I see no reason to remain here, and I definitely do not wish to reveal myself. As I am considering the best route down, a squirrel scampers across my buttocks....I am amused.

I slip from the Mountain and return to the Road by the glade. Down the Mountain I go, once again questing from side to side along the way. I am moving faster now though, I wish to put distance between myself and the folk on the Mountaintop.

Near the trailhead I come across a gentle walking up the Road. We pause and exchange greetings; he asking me about the Road ahead, myself simply wishing him a good day. He goes his way, and i go home to Peperharow.

By the way, the device on this page is the one I created for my Guild of Rangers & Foresters. It is both in and out of the SCA..in, it is a kind of Baronial Guild, out it is all about Rangers, Hunters, and Foresters. It is unusual, especially in an SCA context, as to be a member requires one to have attended the basic hunting safety courses, whatever they might be, wherever a person resides. It also expects said members to actually hunt....it isn't about make believe or pretends. It is really about hunting and scouting and the surrounding activities and crafts.

Probably why it has a membership of just one; me. Hehehe My son and lass might join, once their hunting courses are sorted. The courses here are free courtesy of the Wildlife Service, but they are offered by volunteers and fill up so fast it is hard to get into one. That and they are not one day evolutions either. They are quite thorough..and I will say this for them; they are acceptable for licenses in any state of the union...the archery course too. They cover a lot.

Lady Siani
Peperharow
The Sundered Lands