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The hunt

The village, next morning. 

A cold early spring morning a young tribes woman goes about her way. Making a meal for her two boys and hus and who are preparing for their next hunt. She hasn't felt well since the evening before, and prays maybe she is ready to bear another one of her mates strong children. She smiles preparing the meat and porrage. Aleway, Samuel and Darzen come in setting their packs by the door of the sturdy plank shack. Building materials where s a race with the glass cities to the north taking a lot of the resources. Lilly greets her husband with a kiss on the cheek, then wave him and her two rambunctious boys to the sitting cushions "Settle down boys, be nice to have a quiet meal with your mother before your great adventure." the two boys look up to their mother and nod, merely ten months apart. Aleway and samual settle. Darzen insists on helping, Lilly giggles at his presustance. They set bowls and toasted bread in front of their two boys then sit together on the larger cushion Lilly leans on Darzen "Can you believe they are almost on their seventh summer?" Darzen chuckles and takes a bite of food chewing slow as he nods. His jaw muscles working before he swallow "They are big boys, but their mother feeds them well." Lilly laughs a bit. Small talk settles as the small family eats.

The meal comes to an end, the boys get up and clean the dishes as their mom and dad get a few more moments together before the hunt. Aleway is the first back, and knowing tradition kneels by his mother. Samuel shortly follows, hands embracing they say a short prayer. Afterwards Darzen and his sons gather their gear. He watches his boys. Memories trailing his thoughts. Aleway was three when he killed his first rat with a stick. Ferocious but kind hearted, by for Aleway was commonly seen protecting the seed house with a bow. Samuel was a little slower, but the first to talk and read. Samuel was their observant, scholar type. The shaman Emry had much interest in him. An eager tug pulls him from his thoughts, looking down it's Aleway smiling "Come on Pa, the deer won't hunt themselves." Darzen laughs and pats his sons head then hugs Lilly. Samuel is out the door hot on his brother's heels, Darzen follows. Lilly waves from the doorway, before closing it. Aleway walks happily south, his eyes collecting all the activity in the cool morning. People washing clothes, the smells of meat and bread, animals moving around. The farms south where his favorite, he thought the cows where rather interesting. He compared them to slow deer, but had learned their use. He wanted cows when he grew up. As they approach the end of the village, Aleway lost among his thoughts is a bit startled as Emry steps in front of them. Aleway watches Emry's staff, knowing the unusual old man liked to test his an Samuel's reflexes. The unusually tall old man who was born without eyes isn't smiling. Aleway's heart sinks a little. Aleway knows the look isn't good, and Emry was pretty accurate. Samuel greets the shaman happily "Hey Emry, what's going on?" Samuel doesn't mind the look, taking it as a moment to learn more about shamanism. Darzen frowns a bit at Emry "What's wrong?" he knew this look, it was rare, but it carried accuracy. Emry first greets each hunter feeling their faces, flashes of his dark vision charging chills through his arms. He would smile if it was possible. He enjoys Darzen and his family. Samuel being the first in many years with any remote aptitude to replace him. Emry puts his hands on Darzen's shoulders "Boys listen close, this isn't for just your father.. And most the village won't listen." a vision hits him strong, he shakes his head. Tears rolling from his eye less sockets. "Something dark comes, I see cities burning. Be on gaurd, a pale horse has come." Darzen swallows, his heart skipping a beat. He understands, years before it was a burning sun. The village and forest almost died as a terrible drought came. Emry had led them to a deep cave. It was cool enough, and had enough water to keep the people from death, but the night hunts where dangerous. The boys look between their shaman and their father. Samuel and Aleway know not to ask. Emry shakingly sighs, he sighs putting a smile on. His hand produce three sweets. The small party accepts, then part ways from the shaman. Hours pass as each think on the message. Samuel knowing more than Aleway has to ask "Dad.. Do you think the pale horse is death? Like in the tales from the apocalypse and the four horsemen?" Darzen looks at Samuel, a stern tone "My son, let us not turmoil over the details. Let us watch, and be ready as we have always been. Emry is a guide, let us get our meat stock then contemplate the details." Samuel nods, by now they are edging the forest. Darzen takes the lead, leading the boys towards the low lands. Where deer and other creatures stay during the ice season. Darzen enjoys looking up at the snow caps, they also tell him where to go. The snow was getting higher, which meant they slowly had to go farther. He listens, the boys are silent in step and voice. He will encourage them when they stop for midmeal. Aleway us feeling more watchful, the old shamans words striking his mind as maybe an enemy out here. He has his bow close and partially knocked. The day passes to midmeal, Darzen has noticed Aleway's tense posture. He smiles softly as he hands them some dried fruit. The boys take it with a nod, Darzen reaches out and pats each boys shoulder 'You two are doing well.' His eyes going to Samuel 'I know you are a scholar, I know this frustrates you at heart. There will be a day the skill of forging your food will be needed.' Samuel nods and smiles swallowing his bite of food 'Yes dad..' he hesitates and sighs softly 'It is frustrating, but as a scholar and possible shaman I must learn every path to understand those I might lead some day.' Darzen chuckles and teasingly ruffles Samuel's hair 'Just don't grow up too fast my son.' Darzen looks over to Aleway who is sile tly observing as usual. Aleway greets his dads gaze with a soft smile. Darzen chuckles 'My great warrior, I've noticed you are tense, maybe jumpy. What weigs on you?' Aleway chews a bit of jerky and swallows slow. Young but Co templative 'Just the talk of death and shadows.. I'm a bit scared.. Wanting to protect us if it's a creature that stalks.' Darzen muses a bit 'Well, I'm sure we are safe with you covering us, my watchful warrior.' Darzen leans in close, resting a hand in Aleway's shoulder 'But my son, remember as you are thought. Flow like a river. Deep and unstoppable. Calm on the surface, but leathe below.' Aleway relaxes and nods 'Yes father.' Aleway closes his eyes, a deep breath in and let's it out slowly. Relaxing. Darzen moves his hand away and smiles softly 'You boys are doing good. I can barely hear you. We should get a deer or something soon.' 

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