Chapter 23

Attila POV:

‘Oh Aki it’s cold.’ I thought as yet another frigid gust of air bombarded my body

I was having a hard time understanding just what was happening.

When akigi first rose, it was like any other day…

“Mother… Father” I muttered, tightly gripping my rugged top. Desperately pushing away the terrible pain that throbbed in my chest and echoed throughout my body.

Tears streamed down my face as I watched the surrounding murderers with hatred.

‘Them! They did this!” I seethed

My eyes settled on Togba as he sifted through the crowd like a snake through sand, speaking briefly every now and again with his former enemies and comrades alike. Occasionally a few objects or softly spoken promises would be passed between the two parties, as Togba devoutly tied his leather straps, for reasons unknown.

Trailing behind him was a young girl… a bit older than me maybe. Her name… it was, was… I can’t remember.

‘Not that it matters, she’ll pay. They’ll all pay!’ I roared internally.

Another gust of bitter wind uprooted me from my vengeful contemplations and I leaned closer to my pitiful fire.

‘Endure. Endure!’ I commanded myself.

“Attila…” A voice called out

“Atilla!” It yelled, yanking my attention in the direction of the noise.

“Y-yes Togba?” I asked stutteringly.

Pino POV:

“Togba?” I inquired while staring at the bleary eyed Attila quizzically.

‘Another nightmare’ I thought, before ignoring what’d just occurred all together.

I took my index and middle finger, both covered in ash from the night befores’ fire, and began rubbing my teeth.

I can’t remember if I’d read it somewhere, or maybe saw an ad about it, but this should keep my hygiene in as good a condition as possible.

At least when considering that dentists don’t even exist yet!

“Brush your teeth and get ready to go.” I said, throwing my voice behind me while I reached for the pottery that we use to hold drinking water.

“Awww, but it tastes so bad!” Attila moaned.

This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

I turned to stare at him blankly, my mouth full of water.

After swishing the water over my tongue and teeth a few times, I spit into the fire before saying, “Do you think I like the taste of ash in my mouth?

“Trust me,” I continued, “You’ll thank me in the long run.”

Albeit grumpily, Attila got on with the task.

‘He’s a good kid at heart’ I mused, a small smile on my face.

Once the daily sanitation was over, I tossed Attila the stone spear he made himself, as well as two more stone spears made by yours truly.

I figured that since he has been so energetic, and eager to leave the house lately, I might as well take the chance to teach him how to hunt.

This not only handles his excess energy, but also helps to resolve the food issue.

We strolled within the ‘safe area,’ near the house, towards our prospective hunting grounds, making small talk.

“What will we catch today?”

“Who will cook it?”

“Will it be tasty?”

This type of light conversation filled the air as we continued leisurely forward.

When finally reaching the tree that I demarcated long ago, I asked, “What’s the first rule of a hunter?”

“To be as silent, as invisible, and as lethal as possible.” Attila whispered in response.

Instead of providing praise, I simply nodded before moving on, “What’s the second?”

“Be observant, use everything, from touch to taste to track both prey and predators. “ He responded swiftly.

And finally, I said, a hard look in my eye, “What’s the third and most important rule?”

“Life is more important than any prey, don’t take unnecessary risks, and run from predators if possible.” Attila said solemnly.

“And if you can’t run?” I asked, cracking a smile.

“Then try to take it with you!” Attila replied, a wide grin on his face.

After enjoying that small moment, we got about the business of the hunt.

For the most part, I let Attila take the lead, he spotted small flecks of fur against thorny bushes. Still warm dung heaps in thick patches of grass, and the smell of rotting corpses, no doubt leftovers from Teddy’s newest escapade.

As the day wore on, it seemed less and less likely that we’d bring any meat home tonight.

Our mood, equally dampened with each less ray of sunshine.

Suddenly, I froze, slowly crouching my body to the ground. Attila, noticing my movements, did the same.

“Wha-” He began to ask, but a swift fist motion shut him up.

I then used hand signals to explain that I’d heard a grunting sound a little over 100 meters in front of us.

Attila’s eyes lit up, but stemming his excitement he questioned via signals, “What’ll we do?”

Giving him a wicked grin, I motioned for him to follow behind.

Tana-Il POV:

The desolate landscape and biting weather did nothing for my mood. I was eager to begin the trek back to Tula territory, but first, I had a final few matters to handle

The wind blew strong, the frostiness that it held stronger. The two large tents flapped in the wind as I stood starkly between them. Glowering strongly as Togba walked forward with a boy in tow.

“I’m very sorry about what happened to your mother.” I said abruptly to the child as soon as he was within talking distance.

“Although your father is a mutton, I always stick to my promises. If your mom hadn’t ran out to him in his last moments, I would have ensured both of yours safety to the Tula lands.” I continued

The child stared at me blankly, but I could feel the anger, the rage, the indignation just below the surface.

‘Interesting’ I thought, a small smirk slithering across my face.

“This new situation is complicated for me.” I thought aloud while sighing.

“None of your former tribesmen will want to take care of the child of the betrayer… and if I forced one of them to, I have no doubt that one day you’d end up dead.” I continued to ponder.

“I could make you a servant, but that would break my agreement with your father…. What do you think I should do?” I asked, staring piercingly at the boy.

The kid stared at me…

And he stared…

And stared….

The wind blew a frosty breath into my lungs, and just as I was about to say something more, he finally spoke.

“Will you kill them?” He asked, staring at the tents behind me with a raging passion.

I turned slowly, relishing the moment.

“Some of them,” I responded softly.

“Just enough to make them too scared to rebel. Why?” I asked.

“Let me…” He whispered.

“What?” I asked

“Let. Me.” He repeated.

“I. Can’t. Hear. You.” I said.

“LET ME!!” He screamed.

“Let you what?” I smiled broadly.

“Kill Them! KILL! KILL! KILL! KILL! KILL!” The boy screamed his guts out.

“I can grant your wish, but what can you give me?” I asked, barely containing my laughter.

“ANYTHING!! ANYTHING!!” The boy croacked.