Chapter 19: Preparation For The Hunt Part 2
When Armani walked inside Vir’s shelter, he saw Vir sitting with someone. He didn’t know who it was because the person’s back was facing him, but when he noticed the prosthetic on his right leg, he instantly understood who was the person. Because there was only one person in the tribe who had a prosthetic.
Armani walked closer and greeted Vir. Alfred finally noticed a person behind him, when he saw who it was, he felt uncomfortable. The last time he met Armani was the time Gunnar was trying to intimidate him. Vir noticed a change in behavior of Alfred when he saw Armani. Vir tried to ask Alfred what was wrong, but before he did, Armani apologized to Alfred.
“I am sorry for the last time we meet each other, I know what Gunnar and the Arrows did to you was wrong, I understand if you cannot forgive us right away, but we sincerely regret our action that day.”
Armani hated Alfred too because he was an outsider, but he knew that the Elders are not fools to just invite anyone to join the tribe without a prior reason. That was why when Gunnar was intimidating Alfred, he stopped him before it got too big, by using Vir’s reputation.
Gunnar only listened to Vir because he Idolized him. Therefore, Armani knew that if he used Vir’s name Gunnar would stop and listen to him. Armani’s theory was proven on the night of the celebration. When he saw the unbelievable things that Alfred did that night, he finally understood Alfred’s value and why the Elders invited him.
At that time, he told himself that he must definitely apologize to Alfred and fixed their relationship, because Alfred was too valuable to the tribe. If Alfred left the tribe because of what they did, they will become the worst sinner in the history of the tribe.
“What are you apologizing for? What is this about?” Vir asked with a frown.
Armani was about to explain to Vir, but Alfred interject.
“It is nothing, it is just a misunderstanding. I bump into them and I got into a little argument with Gunnar, but nothing serious.”
Alfred was surprised when Armani apologized to him. He saw this as an opportunity to get into a better relationship with the Arrows. Because the Arrows were one of the main forces of the tribe, if he really wanted to be accepted in the tribe, he needed the Arrows to accept him. Therefore, when Armani was about to explain what happened, he interjected as a sign of goodwill.
Vir stared at Alfred suspiciously and then shifted his gaze towards Armani. When Armani saw Vir staring at him, he nodded his head showing that what Alfred said was true. Vir knew that there was something they didn’t say, but he didn’t care as long as no one got hurt. Vir finally changed the topic and introduced the two to one another.
“Armani come closer and sit down with us. This is Alfred, he is the new tribesman of our tribe, and Alfred this is Armani, he is the second in command in the Arrows. He is also the smartest hunter in the Arrows, most of the time he does the planning of our hunt. I want you to tell him your whole plan, if he agreed to it then we will do your plan, if not, then convince him. I trust Armani when it comes to the planning of our hunt, he never failed me.”
Alfred nodded his head and started explaining his whole plan. After a while, Armani left Vir’s shelter. Vir stood up and said.
“You can go now, just a reminder, in half a moon you will be coming with us in the forest to prepare your plan, you better be ready at that time.”
Alfred nodded his head, then left the tent. During the whole two weeks, Alfred didn’t do anything besides preparing himself and the materials he would be using in the operation. There was some time when he played with Leo or talked to some people, but most of his time was consumed by practicing his Life Energy control, expanding his Energy capacity, and training his Rune.
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Finally, on the day of the operation, the Arrows were gathered by Vir on the entranced of the tribe, but not just the Arrows are there. The Elders and all the tribesmen also gathered to show their support for this important mission.
“Today we are here for the important mission. The mission to hunt a beast, I know some of you are scared. But do not worry, as long I am alive, I will do my best to protect every single one of you, even if I sacrifice my own life to do so. FOR OUR TRIBESMEN! FOR THE TRIBE!” Vir yelled in front of the Arrows and tribesmen.
“FOR OUR TRIBESMEN! FOR THE TRIBE!” All people yelled.
After the cheer, 15 arrows started walking including Vir into the forest while carrying 5 large pots made from clay soil. Alfred was also a bit pumped up when he heard the yell. When he saw the Arrows start moving, he gave Leo to Aponi.
“I will leave Leo to you, thank you. Leo, you must behave and listen to Aponi”
“You do not have to worry I will take good care of Leo. You must be careful and do not let yourself get hurt.” Aponi replied.
Leo felt something wrong and whimpered. When Alfred heard Leo whimpering, he pets Leo’s head.
“You do not have to worry I will be coming back soon”
After reassuring Leo, Alfred shifted his attention toward the Elders.
“I will go now, Elders”
“You must be careful” Chief Viren.
“Remember to prioritize your safety, do not forget Leo is waiting for you to come back” Elder Ahote.
“Take care of yourself young Alfred I know you are smart enough to avoid danger.” Shaman Catori.
“Thank you I will remember all of your advice.”
After saying that, Alfred finally walked toward the Arrows. A lot of the families of the Arrows who were participating in this mission cried after the Arrows left. These tribesmen didn’t want their family members who were participating in the hunt to worry, that was why they decided to cry after they left.
While the Arrows are walking toward the destination of the final preparation, Alfred was excitedly observing his surroundings. Alfred was fascinated by the different kinds of wild plants that he has never seen before, and because his focus was everywhere else instead of in front of him.
The time he got trip was countless, and because of this, the journey of the Arrows became even slower. While Alfred was observing the trees and the plants, he felt that something was wrong, he felt that the forest was a little off because he didn’t see or heard any kind of animal or monster.
He felt like the forest was dead. The atmosphere in this forest was very different from the forest of earth. On earth, you can always hear a different sound in the forest such as the cry of a small animal, a singing bird, or some animals running around, but in this forest, the only thing he could hear was the rustling sound of the leaves and their footsteps.
Alfred felt a little eerie, then as usual his prosthetic foot trips again. Vir finally lost his patience and walked toward Alfred to carry him on his back.
“You are affecting our pace, do not move and just stay still,” Vir said with annoyance.
Alfred didn’t struggle and just let Vir carry him. When Gunnar saw this, he glared at Alfred with hatred that even Alfred with no danger awareness felt it. Alfred looked in the direction of where he can feel the cold feeling. When he saw Gunnar, he just ignored it.
Alfred was already used to Gunnar’s hateful glare, he always glared at him whenever he saw him, and that was why he learned that it was better to just ignore him. After walking for 3 days, they finally reached their destination. Vir put down Alfred and asked Armani.
“Is this the place?”
“Yes, this is the best place to do the plan,” Armani replied.
“Then let us start.”
After a few days, the preparation was finally done. Armani walked up to Vir and asked.
“Head arrow, the preparation is done, what should we do about Alfred, should we send him back?”
“No, we do not have enough manpower to escort him back,” Vir replied.
“But head arrow, what if something happened to him? It will be a great loss for our tribe.”
“I know that, but my decision is still no. We need all the Arrows here, usually, we need 20 Arrows to hunt a beast, but we only have 15, if we want to send back Alfred, we need to give him an escort of at least 3 Arrows. Just let him stay and leave one Arrow to protect him, this hunt must succeed no matter what.
After talking to Armani, Vir gathered the Arrows.
“The preparation is done, so today the only thing we need to do is rest. We need energy so we can fight with all our best. All of you will relax for the rest of the day, tomorrow we will start the hunt!”