Kapitel 6: Chapter 06: Safe Paths and Fruitful Hunts
Another month had passed, and the time had come for the new hunters to embark on their first hunt. The village elders had organized the novices into four groups, each consisting of ten hunters and led by two seasoned veterans. Elan found himself in the first group, guided by his father, Daren, and a burly hunter named Torin, known for his formidable strength and sharp tactical mind. Group two included Elan's best friends, Aiden, Jarek, and Lian, and was led by Gawin, Daren's second-in-command, and Alric, a sharp-eyed tracker whose stealth skills were unmatched. The third group was led by Burd and Roderic, a veteran hunter with extensive experience. The fourth group was under the guidance of Bran, a master of traps and snares, alongside Eamon, known for his remarkable speed and agility.
As the groups gathered in the village center, awaiting the final preparations, Elan approached his father with a curious question. "Dad, why didn't we have any wild beasts to help us travel faster and carry the heavy loads?"
Daren, an imposing figure standing at 6'4" and weighing two hundred pounds, exuded a quiet strength. Despite his size, he moved with remarkable silence and agility, honed from years of training and hunting. He smiled down at his son, placing a reassuring hand on Elan's shoulder. "Son, the wild beasts we encounter in these lands are far too fierce and unpredictable to be domesticated. These creatures possess incredible strength and a wild nature that makes them unsuitable for taming. Attempting to use them as beasts of burden or for travel would be far too risky. They could easily become agitated or aggressive, endangering both themselves and us."
Daren continued, his expression growing more serious. "It's safer and more effective for us to rely on our own skills and training. We can move more quietly and efficiently on foot, track the movements of our prey more precisely, and adapt quickly to any dangers that arise. The wilderness demands a certain level of respect and caution, and traveling on foot allows us to be more attuned to our surroundings and the challenges we might face."
"Wild beasts would only attract more danger and make it harder for us to move quietly and strategically through the forest. Our survival and success depend on our ability to adapt to the environment and outsmart the wild beasts. That's why our training is so important. We rely on our own strength, agility, and teamwork," Daren said as he watched the rest of the hunters finally arrive.
As everyone gathered in the village center, Gawin called for the group to assemble, signaling that Daren had something important to say.
Daren surveyed the forty young hunters before him, noting the excitement and confidence in their eyes. Their eagerness brought a smile to his face, and he chuckled softly. "I see a lot of confidence here," he began, his voice carrying a mix of warmth and authority. "But remember, confidence alone won't ensure your survival in the wild. Out there, where the wild beasts roam freely, you must exercise caution. Trust your instincts and rely on the training you've received. Most importantly, trust your fellow hunters. Recklessness and bravado will only lead to danger, or worse, death. Understand?"
The young hunters nodded firmly, their faces reflecting a mix of seriousness and determination. "Good," Daren continued, satisfied with their response. "Let's move out."
With that, the groups began their march toward the exit of the village. Parents accompanied them, their faces lined with worry. They whispered prayers under their breath, hoping for the safe return of their children from the perilous hunt ahead.
As they reached the village exit, the lead hunters paused and exchanged knowing looks. Daren then stepped forward to address the group one final time. "Safe paths and fruitful hunts," he said, his voice resonating with tradition and encouragement. This phrase, a long-standing blessing among the hunters, was repeated by the other lead hunters. It was a custom passed down through generations, meant to bestow protection and good fortune upon the hunters as they embarked on their hunt.
With these words, the groups parted ways, each heading in their designated direction. Group one, with Elan, Daren, and Torin, set off towards the west, where dense forests awaited them. Group two, led by Gawin and Alric, moved eastward, toward the rolling hills and open plains. Group three, under Burd and Roderic's guidance, headed north, towards the rugged mountains and their hidden dangers. Lastly, group four, guided by Bran and Eamon, ventured south into the thick woodlands known for their abundance of game.
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"Our destination is an area inhabited by wild beasts, but don't worry, these creatures aren't particularly dangerous. Most of the time, if they see humans, they'll run away," Daren announced.
The children nodded in understanding, absorbing this reassuring information. One of the young hunters piped up, asking how far the destination was. Daren replied, "It's about ten miles away, so you can relax for now. For the first eight miles, we're unlikely to encounter any wild beasts. If we do, it's a rare occurrence."
Elan listened intently, his eyes shining with eagerness. He clutched his spear, feeling the comforting weight of the weapon in his hands. The spear's shaft was made of sturdy wood, and its stone tip had been honed to a sharp edge. His clothes, crafted from tough, woven fabric, were well-suited for the rugged terrain they would traverse. A belt around his waist held pouches for small tools, and his knife was securely sheathed and easily accessible.
The anticipation on Elan's face was unmistakable. This was the moment he had been training for. Over the past month, he had devoted himself to mastering the spear, refining his skills with relentless practice. His early attempts had been clumsy, but through perseverance, he had gained proficiency. His movements with the spear were now fluid and precise.
While Elan's newfound confidence in his abilities was palpable, he knew better than to be overconfident. He understood that, even with his training, facing a wild beast was no small feat. The spear gave him a fighting chance, but success depended on striking a vital organ or the head. Anything less might only provoke the creature, making the encounter even more perilous.
As they walked, Elan's father continued offering advice, occasionally supplemented by Torin from the back of the group, who kept a vigilant eye on their surroundings. This routine carried on for about three hours until they neared their destination. At that point, Daren signaled for everyone to crouch and whispered to the young hunters to use their training.
The children immediately sprang into action, moving silently and efficiently, just like seasoned hunters. They spread out slightly, each one scanning the area with keen eyes, listening intently for any signs of movement. They kept their bodies low to the ground, using the terrain to their advantage to stay hidden and avoid making noise.
Elan, in particular, demonstrated his training with fluid grace, his spear held at the ready. He carefully placed each foot, avoiding dry leaves and twigs that might snap underfoot. His eyes darted around, searching for any signs of wild beasts, while his ears were attuned to the slightest rustle of leaves or breaking of branches.
After several minutes of vigilant observation, Elan finally spotted a herd of wild beasts. These creatures appeared to be a cross between cows and bulls, with very muscular bodies, faces like cows, and the horns of bulls. They were twice the size of regular cows, their massive, muscular frames giving them the appearance of weightlifters among wild animals. Elan was shocked by their impressive stature, unable to take his eyes off the sight of these imposing beasts.
He glanced at his companions and saw similar expressions of awe and surprise on their faces. Just then, his father approached him and quietly explained, "These wild beasts are called cowbulls."
The name struck Elan as amusing, and he almost burst out laughing at its literalness. However, he quickly composed himself as his father continued speaking. "Cowbulls are easily spooked. If they see other wild beasts, they tend to flee immediately. They're actually quite easy to hunt due to their size; they can't run very fast. Because of this, their numbers have dwindled in this area. However, we can only take down two of them because they're very heavy. This is also good, after we take down two, we can head back home."
Daren then instructed Elan to find a position where he could cut off the cowbulls' escape route. He also signaled the other young hunters using their unique hand signals, instructing them to prepare and find their positions.
Elan moved swiftly and silently, searching for the best vantage point. He found a spot that would allow him to intercept the cowbulls if they tried to flee. The other young hunters, understanding the signals, spread out, each taking a strategic position to encircle the herd.
Seeing his son and the other children in position, Daren looked at Torin and signaled for him to make their move after he counted to five. He then raised his hand and positioned himself to attack, starting the countdown.
When Daren finished counting to five, he and Torin launched their attack, each selecting a cowbull to strike.
From his position, Elan watched as his father and Torin made their move. The cowbulls immediately noticed their approach and, true to Daren's words, quickly became rattled. They scattered in different directions, lacking any coordination.
Elan observed his father as he targeted one of the cowbulls. The moment the cowbull realized it was being pursued, it bolted to the left, aiming for a less wooded area where it could run more freely. However, it was blocked by two young hunters. Desperate, the cowbull turned to the right, towards a denser part of the forest, but again, it was met by another pair of young hunters.
With no other options, the cowbull was forced to run straight ahead into the thick forest where Elan was positioned.
Seeing the cowbull heading his way, Daren shouted to Elan, "You know what to do!"
Elan tightened his grip on his spear, his heart racing with adrenaline. He positioned himself strategically, ready for the charging beast. As the cowbull drew closer, Elan timed his move perfectly. With a swift, precise motion, he leaped from his cover and thrust his spear into the cowbull's path, aiming for a vital spot—the head. The spear struck true, penetrating deep into the cowbull's skull. The beast stumbled, its momentum abruptly halted by the force of Elan's strike.
Elan watched in a mix of awe and shock as the cowbull slid to the ground at his feet, the spear lodged firmly in its head. Blood flowed steadily from the wound, and the cowbull's life force ebbed away. He stood there, breathing heavily, staring at the lifeless body of the creature he had just slain. The gravity of the moment washed over him—this was the first time in his life, in this world or his past life, that he had taken the life of a living being. The realization hit him hard, and his stomach churned with a wave of nausea. He nearly retched but steeled himself, forcing his emotions into check. "I did it," he murmured to himself, the weight of his actions settling in. "I killed one."
Before he could fully process the experience, the other young hunters rushed to his side, their voices filled with excitement and admiration. They shouted and laughed, celebrating his successful strike. One of them clapped him on the back and exclaimed, "One shot, that's all it took! You're amazing, Elan!" The sudden attention pulled Elan from his introspective state, and he couldn't help but smile at his friends.
His father arrived shortly after, his face beaming with pride. Daren placed a firm hand on Elan's shoulder, his eyes shining with approval. "Well done, son," he said, his voice filled with warmth. "That was an excellent throw."
Wöchentlicher Energiestatus
-- Power-
Rangliste 
-- Power-
Stein