The day following the celebration was full of work but inconsequential. Farming continued, more trees were knocked down and stripped, and the work on the wall extended farther west and slightly north on the southern slope. They left a ramp in the middle for an entrance.
Near the woods, Vin had begun to erect the open-air sawmill with the help of Drew and Dragi. It would hold the small turbine powered by horses along with the circular saw and finishing band. The gears, levers, and support system needed would take a bit longer to construct and implement.
The only visible difference in the village proper was the four large posts forming a square at the southern entrance ramp. It took all day, but John was able to place the four pillars that would hold the platform for the watch tower.
The next day, however, was different. This day, John and Drew would go hunting.
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“Rise and shine.” John kicked Drew’s feet to wake up. “It’s hunting day! We gotta beat the others or they’ll take all the kills!”
“Ugh, but it’s barely even daylight. Really? Do you know how hard it was guiding a horse to lift those logs?” Drew stretched, waking. “They’re not exactly smart.” He thought. "Or maybe they’re too smart, I don’t know. I’d pull on the rein to coax it forward to pull the log higher, and it would just nicker at me and not move. I swear it was laughing at me trying to pull it.” Drew didn’t look amused. “We were able to get a box frame done, but man is it ugly.” He stood, groaning. “Vin is going to work on more cogs and gears today. And the apparatus that the horses will go around to spin the blade. Looking at the plans worries me. I don’t see how it will work, but then again, this isn’t Earth. I guess that’s what the blueprints are for.” Drew shrugged. “I’ll get changed, grab my bow and arrows, and meet you here in a few minutes.” He turned to find his gear.
John checked his gear once more. He wore his sword like usual, but today he also wore his bow and quiver. He didn’t have to wait long for Drew. He arrived wearing the leather armor he’d purchased in Innsbruck, along with his dagger and bow.
“Ready? Bring any food? Water?” John asked. “Gotta be prepared in case we get stuck out there for a bit, like if it rains.”
“I have enough, yes. I saw Veer getting breakfast. He’s probably getting ready to go out.” Drew chewed on some jerky.
“Ok then. Let’s go west past the outcropping. When we were going to the cave entrance, there were animals everywhere. Our luck though, we won’t see a thing.” John tightened the straps on his bag and headed west.
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Most of the animals they saw as they got farther west were small game animals, rabbits and such. Once they rounded the outcropping, where there were more hills and scattered trees, John believed they would encounter more deer, perhaps even a mountain goat.
John spoke as they walked. "So Drew. I've waited to ask you until it was a good time. And now is better time than any." He looked at his friend. "What's happening back home? What have I missed in 17 years?"
"Well." Drew started. "Currently Donald Trump is President." John gave him a look. "I know right? Um. The economy is good. Global warming still sucks. It's been relatively peaceful overall. I'll be honest. I don't pay attention much to the news. Oh but games have gotten exponentially better. That's mostly what I did when I didn't work," he said smiling. "Do you have something specific you want to know?"
John thought for a moment. "I wouldn't even know what to ask. I know you don't know the answers to the questions I really want to ask. Like how's my parents and my sister. What they're doing now. If they're happy." He trailed off. "You never really said where you're from. I'm from a small town in Illinois, near St. Louis." Drew raised his eyebrow. "What?" asked John.
"I'm also from near St. Louis, a small suburb though in Missouri. When I was younger, my parents took me down to Shawnee Forest quite often. It was beautiful down there. I doubt we ever came across each other though. Sorry." Drew tried to look sincere.
"It's ok. So anything else super important?" Drew nodded his head no. "I guess that's good. No news is good news," John laughed.
Drew continued for a whiile telling him tidbits of information from home. John listened intently, asking questions once in a while.
As they traveled farther west, Drew asked, “Ok. I’ll admit I know absolutely nothing about hunting. But shouldn't we be quiet so that the animals don’t run away?” Drew cocked his head as he spoke.
"You’re right. Thanks for telling me all that. It's good to hear about home. But yea, let's focus now." As they crested a hill, he pointed in the distance. “The rocks and boulders are getting larger and the trees more plentiful as we go north. We’ll camp by that grouping of several trees for a bit. Quietly. See what shows up. The wind is blowing from the west. That’ll help hide our scent. If nothing comes, we’ll go closer to the Forest. I’d really prefer not to venture in, but we may have to.” They made their way to the trees. Once there, they strung their bows and watched.
John hadn’t been hunting in quite some time, and it showed. He quickly fell asleep leaning against a tree. “What a person to go hunting with,” Drew laughed to himself. “It is pretty boring just sitting here.” Drew studied his status, noting that he still hadn’t gained any more attributes. “Nothing ventured, nothing gained. I’ll get there.” He laid on the ground, propping his head on his hands facing the forest. They were still quite a ways from the tree line. He noticed movement, barely visible at the edge. “Oh shit,” he whispered to himself. He nudged John. “John. Wake up. I see something.”
“What?” John replied, groggily. Drew put a finger up to his mouth to shush him. He made a motion for John to look the direction he was pointing. John crawled on the ground next to Drew.
They laid there, motionless, for several more minutes before the animal finally exited the forest.
“Oh god,” Drew said, barely above a whisper. “Tell me we aren’t going to kill Bambi and her mom.” He looked at John who smiled.
“For one, Bambi was a boy, and two, not from this distance. We have to be at least 500 yards away. I wouldn’t even come close.” John moved to a crouch from laying down. “And to further answer your question, no, we are not killing Bambi and his mom.” John had an evil grin on his face. “Just his mom.” John began to move forward, duck-walking, trying his best to stay behind trees and rocks.
Drew whisper-shouted at John’s back. “John, no. I can’t do that. Stop. Oh man.” He crawled on the ground, trying to catch up to John who was quickly moving between different obstacles. “Shit. What if I miss and hit Bambi.” Drew shook his head and kept crawling.
“C’mon. Keep up. They’re moving farther east, but also northward. We’ll lose ‘em if we don’t hurry.” John stood taller, crouching, and took off at a run to hide behind a large boulder in the distance.
“Damnit John,” Drew grumbled. “Son of a --,” he cut himself off when John took off at a run to get behind the boulder. Drew stood and ran as hard as he could to get behind the boulder next to him. “You’re too fast. I’m still me remember?” Drew huffed out.
“Sorry, but we gotta keep moving. If they’re moving at the same pace they were, they’ll be just over the next hill, within range. We’re going to run as fast as we can to it, ducking behind the hill. If they get east of us, we’re screwed. We stink. They’ll take off for sure.” John didn’t wait for an answer, instead taking off at full sprint to the next hill to the northwest.
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Drew grumbled again but chased after him. They crawled, reaching the top of the next hill quickly. John took peaks above to see where the deer were. He pointed with his fingers from his eyes to the general direction they moved. He nodded to Drew. Drew took a quick look, finding them where John pointed. He looked at John. John mouthed five, counted with his fingers, then pointed again. Drew looked where he pointed and they had moved to that position. Drew nodded, finally understanding.
Drew nocked an arrow. When John got to five, he looked and saw the deer again where John pointed. He followed with his own eyes now. He breathed in through his nose and out slowly through his mouth, nervous beyond all compare. You got this. Breathe. Take your time. Breathe. Relax. Breathe. He watched John count, taking aim where he thought, no, where the deer should be. John mouthed go. John looked over the hill to spot. Drew stood, adjusted his aim, and fired.
John jumped up. “You got it! There they go! You got it in the front leg, see it? It’s limping. After it!” John took off at a run, chasing the injured deer. John turned and yelled at Drew who followed behind him. “It’s slowing! Hurry!” He continued the chase.
Drew ran behind John, still in a daze. “I shot it. I really did it.” He smiled, gasping for breath. “I can’t believe it. I shot Bambi’s mom!” He smiled even bigger.
They chased the deer in the direction of the tree line. Bambi flew into the forest far ahead of his mom who was still moving, but quite a bit slower. They were gaining on it. “Shit! It’s going to make it to the Forest! I don’t want to go in but we aren’t losing your first kill! Follow me! Stay close!”
“That’s. Easier. Said. Than. Done, “Drew replied, wheezing. John stood at the first trees where it had entered, waiting. Drew leaned against one, to catch his breath. “Don’t mind me. Just let me die here.” His face was beet red.
John didn’t even register what Drew said. “Follow, quickly.” He entered the forest, Drew right behind him. “Watch for blood, tracks in the ground. The leg had quit working, and it was dragging it.” They went farther in, eyes watching the ground. “There!” John noticed blood against a tree and took off at a jog.
“Not again.” Drew followed, stumbling over roots and fallen branches. “John,” he hollered. “I’m about to bottom out. Leave me and go get it. I can’t go anymore.” He doubled over, hands on his knees.
John turned, smiling. “No need.” He pointed past a fallen tree. There, just on the other side, laid the deer. “It’s still alive. We need to put it down. It’s suffering, and not even an animal deserves to suffer.” They walked up to it. It tried to stand, but it’s energy was completely spent.
“I. I can’t do it. You do it.” Drew shook his head apprehensively. His eyes were watering. “It’s one thing to shoot it, from far away. But this close? No. I can’t.”
John took his dagger from his belt, grabbed Drew’s hand, and placed the dagger in it. “You must. It’s your kill.” He looked Drew in the eyes. “It’s never easy, but it will get easier. Understand? It’s suffering. We need to put it down.” He guided Drew forward, avoiding the powerful legs. “I will help you, but you must do it.” John grabbed his wrist, positioning it below the deer’s jaw. “It has to be deep. We have to puncture the jugular. Ready?” Drew closed his eyes. Together, they sliced through, causing a large spurt of blood. The deer quit moving.
Drew fell to his backside, not only exhausted physically but mentally. He still had his eyes closed. A tear streamed down his cheek. He leaned to the side and puked.
“Drew,” John said, trying to sound sympathetic. “I know how you feel.” He kneeled in front of him. “When I was with the farmer, we found a cow in the pasture that couldn’t even stand. It was incredibly sick. He told me the best thing they could do was kill it. He wanted me to do it, as a lesson. He wanted me to realize that not all killing is bad. I was scared to death. I was shaking so much I dropped the knife. He guided me like I did with you now.” He stopped for a moment. “Sometimes it's needed.” Drew opened his eyes and looked at him. “Yes, we caused its suffering. So it was our job to end it. But it served a purpose. We’ll be able to feed our whole camp tonight. Maybe two or three days. Please don’t feel bad.”
“I don’t. Not like you think. I know we need the meat. I just --” Drew looked at the deer. Seeing all the blood, he threw up again. He wiped his mouth with his arm. “I don’t want to do it again. Ever. Not unless I absolutely must.”
“Ok. Ok. I won’t make you. I understand” John stood. “We. I need to field dress the deer Drew.” Drew’s eyes got bigger. “I’m not going to make you help me.” He reached in his pack, removing two items. “Stay close, but find two long branches and tie them together with this rope. Bind the cloth across it. We have to make a sled to haul it back to camp. Take your time. It’ll take me a bit,” John said, putting his hand on Drew’s shoulder. He got another rope out of his bag and waited for Drew to leave.
Drew quickly left the scene. He found a tree to lean against. “I will never do that again. I can’t.” He took a deep breath. He walked in a circle around where the deer now hung from a rope over a large branch. Drew could see it out of the corner of his eye. He puked again when he heard several plops coming from the direction of the carcass. “Never, ever again.” He found two branches and created the sled. He sat, waiting for John to finish.
Drew must have spaced out, because a short time later he was startled by John poking him with a stick. “It’s finished. I’ll load it up, and together we’ll haul it camp. You won’t have to see it anymore after we get there.” John looked at him apologetically.
“It’s fine. I’m fine. The blood got to me. And the sounds.” Drew stopped, covering his mouth. “I’ll be fine. Let’s just go.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
They made good time back to the camp, even if it was in complete silence. As they approached, John saw they’d make more progress on the wall. Ivan saw them dragging an animal, so he made his way over to them.
“First kill?” Ivan asked, excited. “Congratulations Drew!” He slapped him on the shoulder. “Hey! Look over here!” He hollered at the people digging, causing them to turn their direction. “Drew got his first kill! If we had, ale, we could, celebrate, tonight,” he said, slowly getting quieter. He didn’t say anything else when he saw Drew’s demeanor. He looked at John and asked, “What’s with him?”
“He’s fine,” John responded, smiling. “We just found out that he’s not a hunter, that’s all. But yes, it is his first kill. But probably his last.”
“Aye lad,” Ivan said, putting a hand on Drew's shoulder. “It’s not for everyone, that’s for damn sure. Nothing to be ashamed of.” Drew looked up at him with a half smile. “Better to find out now.”
Drew looked at John. “I think I’m going to spend the rest of the day, um, alone. Fishing or reading or something.” John nodded. “Thanks for that Ivan. Thanks John. I’d say, let’s do it again sometime, but no. Let’s not.” Drew smiled, trying to joke. He walked away into the camp.
When Drew was out of ear-shit, Ivan spoke. “Taking it hard?” John nodded as they walked together towards the area they butchered animals. “Understandable. He seems a little squeamish. I’m kinda glad he doesn’t have the stomach for it, to be honest.” John looked at him questioningly. “I don’t need another person to protect out here.” Together they laughed.
“I don’t think he’ll be leaving the village much, which is fine. I definitely think he’ll be doing a lot the next few days to keep himself occupied though. Which is a good thing too.” They stopped briefly by the growing wall. “I’m going to help butcher this. Come if you want to. If not, that’s fine too.”
“Nah lad. We gotta keep digging if we want to meet our daily goals. I’ll see you later at dinner.” They clasped hands. John headed to the butcher area and Ivan picked his shovel up to help at the wall.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Drew sat alone at the edge of the camp. He had spent the day mostly fishing and doing some reading by the lake. He’d borrowed a book from Virgil, but found it too dry. No one approached him as he ate. Word had spread about his first kill and his reaction. And although Drew was embarrassed, no one blamed him for feeling the way he did. They left him alone.
After sitting near the wall for the majority of the evening, Drew sighed and went up into the camp. He was greeted with smiles and many thank yous. The kids even offered him a piece of cake that was left over from two nights ago. He gladly took it. I guess I did a good thing today even if I do feel terrible. I still don’t want to do it again. They really seem appreciative. I’ll have to help in other ways though. I hope they understand. Monty walked up and shook his hand, interrupting his thoughts.
“Good job today. A lot of meat.” Monty smiled broadly.
“Thanks Monty. It was your teaching that did it.” Drew paused, “But I hope to never have to use it again.” Monty nodded his understanding and walked away.
People aren’t very judgemental here. Back home, I would have been called all sorts of names. I guess it’s just the norm here. Some are hunters, some are farmers, and some just, are. Drew continued his internal musings as he laid down in his bedroll. I’m going to get a job and work even harder for now. I enjoy everything though! If I’m smart, I’ll get a job associated with running a town. I wonder what they are. His mind wandered through different scenarios. Eventually, he fell fast asleep under the stars.