Quest for the White Stag, Act II

This is the story of Meleager and Euriponditis. How Euriponditis became Meleagers Sidekick, adapted from Nickson's story “The Calf and the Hyena.” Then adapted to fit with the White Stag

Euriponditis was an inexperienced Hunter but a great weapon maker, to establish a stronger reputation he felt the need to capture the White Stag to show the great quality of his weapons. During this hunt Euriponditis was having grave struggles greater struggles than he had ever had before. He pleaded with God to aid his hunt. Time went by and he became more and more frustrated. He would sell everything he owned to gain knowledge on how to catch the White Stag, he lost everything.

One night at a Tavern near his home Euriponditis overheard a man named Meleager who claimed to be the ultimate Hunter. Euriponditis thought that maybe Meleager could lead him to the White Stag. Euriponditis confronted Meleager and challenged him  to prove he was a great hunter by capturing the White Stag. Meleager with a war of words guarantees success. Atalanta overhears this conversation and decides to go and observe this hunt. The next day the hunt begins, and Meleager with his superior skill captures the White Stag quite easily. Before he returns he decides he might as well relax for a bit to appear as thought it wasn’t too easy, and that it took a little fight.  As Meleager is resting Euriponditis comes across the White Stag who is tied to a tree.

When he sees this Euriponditis curses the gods. "To all the gods of mountains and trees, you can't claim to have helped me find this stag," the Euriponditis said. "And to you, who claims to be the provider of everything and my mighty creator, I have nothing to do with you but to let you know that I'm very disappointed. Wait a minute! Don't even try to trick me that you provided this to me. No, this is entirely my efforts. Where were you when I sold all my belongings? Was it too difficult for you to bring this boar closer to me when I hadn’t sacrificed anything? Now, if you would excuse me, I want to enjoy this prized stag, and if you feel like you are the one who brought it, try and take it away from me."

So Euriponditis decided to capture the White Stag, but to prove he didn’t need God to help him decided to let the Stag go first and then recapture the Stag.  He started to loosen the rope, and prepare for the fight. He loosed the rope, and the White Stag went loose. Euripondits could never catch the Stag. Poor Euriponditis, that was the closest he got to his prize. He started crying and wailing and telling Orion that he was kidding, but that didn't help. Meleager came back to obtain the White Stag and was surprised to find Euriponditis sitting in the place of the Stag. With great sorrow in his eye Euriponditis pleads with Meleager to help him prove his weapons, Euriponditis offers to be his sevant, and provide him weapons for the rest of his life. Meleager not necessarily liking this man but keen of the idea of free weapons helps him catch the boar and give Euriponditis the credit and they have been friends ever since.  This relationships proves beneficial to both sides Euriponditis providing superior weapons to Meleager and Euriponitis increasing his reputation for fine weaponry.

Little did they know Atalanta saw and heard everything. She rubs it in Meleager’s face that Euriponditis is a better hunter, and said that she could hunt better than him as well. Atalanta challenges Meleager to a Boar hunt. But is denied the attempt because she is a woman, and women have no place in the hunt.