“Concentrate!”

Toale grimaced as he attempted to focus on his dance. Trepidation and wariness causing him to fail as feared going berserk. The thought of not being in control of his body was not pleasant and the constant reminder kept him from entering his trance.

“You’ll have to come to terms with the side effects, otherwise you will never see anymore progress.”

Toale flopped down onto the ground in defeat as he looked up at his stern uncle. He knew his uncle was correct, the Dance being the only way to remove impurities and further condense blood into his rune.

But for such a useless effect. For it to only be something as lame as improving physical aspects. Morphing will do the same and to a better degree.

Despondently thinking about his crushed dreams of being a mage, he heaved himself up and joined in breaking camp.

A strong body and an unstable mind, if that's not a recipe for disaster I don't know what is.

“Toale!”

The cheery call further dampened his mood. The image of Bryan's bulk giving rise to waves of envy.

No, not jealous. Just, why couldn't it be me to get Sky’s Weight?

“What?” His mood irritable.

“Olins leading a party out soon. They caught the track of a Shadow Lynx. We’re invited.” laughed Bryan as he ambled over.

Toale smiled, his friends happiness was infectious. A good hunt was the best remedy for his bad mood.

“Give me a second, I need my stuff.” Toale called back as he rushed off.

Looking at the disappearing back, Bryan smiled.

Looks like his back to his usual self.

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A Shadow Lynx was weaker during the day than night. Their natural camouflage, sharp vision in the dark made them adept at hunting in the twilight hours. Their stealth and cunning was well known, preferring a tactic of ambush or preying on the weak. Rarely did they take risky action. This particular Lynx must have been young, lack of experience causing it to come dangerously close to the camp at night and failure to hide its traces alerted the humans to its presence.

Despite their cowardly tactics, the beasts themselves were not to be trifled with, 3 metres in length and 1.5 in height. Well toned muscles rippled under the luxurious dark fur. The soft paws hiding claws, bloodied sabres.

The quarry in question was basking in the morning sun, its position brazenly displayed, its arrogance and pride as the local hegemon overshadowing any of its ancestral cautiousness. It lay on a smooth, weather beaten rock in a field of such of broken stone. The rocks differed in size, the highest reaching Toales shoulders.

At this moment, Toale and a group of 15 men were hidden 300 metres away. The feline was definitely aware of their location. It did not register them as a threat. At most it would need to escape.

“Hehehe. Look at that fur. How much do you think it could be sold for?”

“At least 10 silver. More if it's kept intact.”

“Good with this I’ll have saved enough to move to Xuclea with the missus.” The one who spoke was Olin. his frame was large and sturdy, dwarfing even Bryan. He proudly bore scars typical of a mercenary, and despite his look, he was a devoted husband and father.

“When you do you need to take us out to drink.” One of his companions replied.

Glaring at the other man Olin hissed, “You think I have enough saved up to satisfy you pigs?”

“Olin you can't treat a brother like that.”

Their conversation may have been playful but they were all experienced. The time was spent surveying the geography of the surroundings. Planning possible avenues of attack and the placement of hunters that would lower the probability of escape.

Olin disregarded his friend as he spoke seriously, “Its young, grew up in the periphery that mercenaries have cleaned out. It's most likely brash and will confront us.”

“Best course of action is to take it down in one strike. The terrain is advantageous in case it tries to escape. None of us are a match for it in speed.”

Olin nodded as he tried to puzzle out a plan. His eyes travelled over his squad before alighting on Bryan. His craggy face broke into a grin as he chortled. “How could I forget, we have Bryan. The cat can try to escape but with this kids rune, how fast can it be?”

Everyone turned happily to Bryan, it seemed that this hunt wouldn't be as difficult as they had thought.

In the midst of this only one person's expression was downcast.