Deep in a verdant green sea of trees, Lakatonkway lay low among the brush. His face painted with patterns like crawling vines and the features of animals. With his gift of farsight, he was able to clearly see distant features far into the jungle, noticing the slightest movements for signs of the game. A break in the beams of light that peered through the trees revealed the presence of a beast. At the end range of his vision he could see its feline form on all fours. The only thing between its life and death was the bow Lakatonkway held in his arms. Pulling back the string with his left arm, he felt the tension in his grip and carefully aimed. The arrow whistled and soared forth, rotating in the air, moving through the spaces between trees, for many yards before sticking into a coat of brown and blonde fur.
The sabrecat reared its head back in a moan, baring its long canine teeth as its dying howl broke out atop the forest. The beast collapsed into the piled up dried leaves and black soil. Lakatonkway rose from his hiding, wearing naught but a loincloth on his red and muscular body. Three other hunters also revealed themselves from the forest, and together surrounded him, walking towards the fell game. “A true shot.” said Bahkala, the senior among them. They walked out to the carcass. Lakatonkway gazed into the dying creatures eye. At the creatures body he knelt and laid his right hand on its powerful shoulder. He closed his eyes and within himself offered thanks to the Spirit of the Forest, the Mother Earth, and the Great Ancestor, the three whom the Lagogwei revere. After a moments pause, he placed his left hand at its neck, the shaft of the arrow between his fingers, pressing down on the carcass he pulled out the arrow with his other hand.
On his shoulder he felt the hand of Bahkala. Bahkala had been his mentor since he was but a little older than a boy. It was he who had shown him the art of the bow and the techniques of hunting. As a member of the Bird tribe, Lakatonkway had been called to be a archer and hunter. Having the gift of farsight only made him that much more gifted with the bow. Bahkala had been training a new generation of hunters, and Lakatonkway, had proven himself most capable among them. “Let us pack out of here, Lakatonkway.” said Bahkala. Together they lifted the heavy carcass. Bahkala looked at the other hunters, and gestured with his hands for them to follow him. Lakatonkway followed behind his mentor, and watched as he signalled the direction back home with the turnings of his head. He knew a fond welcome would await.
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Coming to the forests edge a trail led away into a lush plain. The four hunters walked upon it returning to where the largest settlement of Lagogwei resided, Sadhagara. There was a central fire pit, adorned with gathered stones, skulls of creatures, sticks and branches, and many half-dressed celebrating tribes folk. Opposite the entrance of the trail, on the other side of the pit sat the Chief, Ra-ya-hashi and his Priestess Queen, Ishmu. The chief wore on his head an antlered headress, and wrapped around his body was a tanned elk hide. The Priestess wore a handmade crown of threaded beads, gems, shells, and teeth, draping down the sides of it were feathers and strung pearls. She wore a tunic of plant fibers, assembled from the stalks of Ma, a widely used cultivar. Along her waist, held from a strap around her body was a medicine bag, containing rare and precious medicinal substances.
“Lan-kys home!” his friend Keeva said. Greeting him with faces of familliarity were Lakatonkway's two closest friends, Keeva and Rickitaw, who affectionately called him “Lan-ky”. He dropped the parts he carried close to the central gathering, and hasted to greet them. He opened his arms and gave a big hug to Rickitaw, a member of the Bear tribe. Rickitaw's broad body and thick arms embraced his friends. “Glad you are home safe.” Rickitaw said. “All back in one piece.” Lan-ky replied.
“Praise the Spirit of the Forest, The Great Mother, and The Great Ancestor!” Queen Ishmu said, raising her voice above the gathered tribe. The tribe people bellowed in response with cheers of approval. The three boys began to take part in the festivities of the Lagogwei that followed a successful hunt. Keeva packed a carved pipe with Da Ma, an herbal sacrament which he lit with a wick in turn from the fire, taking a draw and passing it around. Lan-ky joined the hunters from his trip in throwing the meat of the sabrecat onto the fire. The smoke from the cooking meat mingled with the smoke blown in the air, and a spiritual image of the sabrecat appeared in the smoke, roaring with the flames before leaping up and out into the sky. The gathered tribespeople bowed in respect together as this offering was received with gratitude. Rickitaw's thick paw-like hand grabbed a skewer stuck with meat and held it out across his two friends. With glee Keeva took his hand axes from his belt and sliced off a serving for himself. “Thank you, for your cooking” Lan-ky said. “Lemme get that for you” Keeva said, as he sliced the meat free from the skewer. “Thank you - for hunting.” Rickitaw said. “Let's not forget he who chopped the wood!” Keeva said, making sure his effort had been noticed. “As well as our chief, Ra-ya-hashi, whos Dragon spirit continues to light our fires.” Lakatonkway said.