look in someone, silly.”
Gus rolled his eyes as they walked. Children!
Chapter 4
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The Hunt
Crouching in the shadows behind a large, fallen tree, Osric, Kenneth and Toby watched a boar rooting through the underbrush in the distance. They had spent the greater part of the day in silence as they followed various tracks, searching for prey. It had given Osric time to reflect on the last month and what it meant to be High Wizard. Truth be told, he was not too comfortable with the title the dragons had assigned him, but at least they were not calling him Turgent like the eagles. He was troubled by the pressure he felt from the dragons and eagles for his future. Yet the hunt brought relief to the building tension, and he reveled in the simplicity and honor that came from it.
Kenneth stood up slowly and drew the bowstring back. Osric recognized the familiar focus in his friend’s eyes when he activated his Hunter’s gift. Osric held a silencing spell on the bowstring and Toby readied the same spell for the arrow in flight. If they could keep the sound from reaching the swine, they could drop their prey without it panicking and causing more pain than was necessary. Fear and pain are the last things they wanted to gift the honored prey with on its last day.
Osric knew the moment Kenneth was notched in and ready. He had felt the same feeling himself since acquiring the gift. It was like the arrow found its own groove for the ideal flight path to its target. Kenneth released the arrow, straight and true, and the bowstring was silent. Toby’s face scrunched in concentration as he focused all his efforts on silencing the arrow’s flight. It hit true to its mark, and the animal dropped.
“Great job, men. Let’s go show it some appreciation and end its confusion.” Osric stood, feeling good about the drop. They ran to the side of the animal laying in the snow.
“Oh, thank Archana! I thought I ate a bad berry and was going to lay here until I died!”
“Are you in pain, my friend?” Kenneth was always concerned for the comfort of his kills.
“It’s Garron, hunter. And no, I felt a pinch, but I thought something bit me, is all. This isn’t nearly as bad as I thought it would be. I have been feeling pretty old lately. At least now, I know I won’t rot.” Garron chuckled nervously.
Kenneth examined the wound and smiled.
“Straight through the spine?” Toby’s question showed more admiration than inquiry.
“Yes, just a pinch was the goal.” Kenneth bowed in respect.
“Is the killing going to hurt,” Garron asked.
“No, my friend. You can’t feel anything below your neck. It will be like falling asleep.” Kenneth located an appropriate vein and readied his dagger.
“Oh, good,” Garron visibly relaxed, “I like falling asleep. It’s like getting to go on an adventure where you are in control of everything.” Peace came over his face.
“Your sacrifice is greatly appreciated. Now, what can we do to honor you?” Osric wondered what being on the other side of the hunt had been like for his parents, and he choked back a tear.
“Tell my wife I won’t end up at the bottom of a cliff like her brother.” He laughed.
“Deal.” Osric and his companions all shared a chuckle at Garron’s timing with his sense of humor. “Are you sure we don’t need to bring her food or anything else?”
“Oh, no. She’s bigger than I am, and the sucklings don’t need anything either. They’ll miss me, but be honored just to know how I went.”
“Where do we find them?” Kenneth stuck the tip of the dagger in and life slowly poured from the wound.
“Straight east, follow my tracks just over the rise and you will find them next to the cliff face.”
“Thank you. You will be feeding several needy people. Nothing will be wasted.” Kenneth set the dagger on the ground.
“You were right. I feel tired.” Garron yawned. “Tell my wife I want you to have the ring I nearly choked to death on. I hear that prickly fruit goes well with swine. Have your cook use some.”
“Don’t you worry, we have the best cook for miles ready and willing to feed people.” Osric knew that nobody but James would do for Garron.
“Good,” another yawn, “no cloves, they make me sneeze and I hate the smell.”
“Anything you want.”
“It was an honor meeting Hunters like you.” Garron’s last sleepy words before falling into his final sleep brought a