Caion felt sweat drip down his face before splashing onto the ground with a soft plop. He opened weary eyes and raised his head. His construction lay before him—a barrier to control the smoking. He had been overjoyed after laying the final stones around the embers, believing the hardest part was over. All that remained, he thought, was the simple task of smoking the ash-covered meat. How naive.
Even though it didn't require the physical strength needed to build the barrier, the actual smoking of the elafiotéras was the most strenuous part. Watching the meat, feeding the embers, and regulating the rising smoke was a mental grind, unlike anything Caion could recall enduring.
He glanced to his left, where Sax sprawled on the ground, a leather pouch clutched in his hands. Caion chuckled softly. And I thought I had it rough. His gaze returned to the smoker, though his mind lingered on Sax. How had he managed until now? Whenever we bring back a carcass, it's left to him and Char to dress and prepare its materials.
Pushing the thought aside, Caion peered into the smoker's base through an opening meant for tending the fire. The embers were cooling. They needed more fuel. He straightened and grabbed a nearby grass sack.
"Sax?" he called, hurling the sack in his direction. The sack landed beside Sax with a thud, kicking a cloud of sand onto him.
Sax didn’t respond immediately. When he finally spoke, his voice was low and forced. “Yes, Caion.”
“The embers. They need to burn.”
Sax dragged himself upright with a heavy sigh, wet sand clinging to his sweaty frame. He blinked once before turning to his side, grabbing the sack to rummage for moss and leaves. Satisfied, he untied the pouch and poured its contents over the pile, dampening the moss and leaves. Scooping up the wet mixture, Sax moved to the smoker, carefully adding it to the embers. Smoke billowed upward, thick and dark.
As the smoke funneled upward, Sax reached into a small pouch tied to his loincloth. He withdrew a handful of fragrant herbs, inhaling their fresh scent deeply. Earlier in the hunt, he had scoured the forest underbrush for the finest selection. With practiced precision, he scattered a portion over the embers, watching their aroma blend with the rising smoke. Using a stick, he poked and prodded the fire before stepping back.
Caion clicked his tongue and got to his feet. Without a word, he walked away, attracting Sax's gaze. “Are you going?”
"Yes," Caion replied simply, striding forward. He sighed in relief as he left the fire’s oppressive radius, the cooler air brushing his skin as he approached the oasis.
It’s quiet, he thought, his gaze settling on the pool ahead. Rounded a large rock, he spotted the men gathered a short distance away, seated in a half-circle around a flickering flame. Shadows danced across their faces, obscuring their expressions. Their conversation reduced to murmurs as he approached, before ceasing entirely, veiled eyes turning toward him. Caion groaned inwardly, noting the cautioning gazes the hunters threw Fafon—who, unsurprisingly, sat at the center of the circle.
Fafon’s lips curved into a smug smile, his gaze fixed on the pool. “Caion, where’ve you been?” He spread his arms stagily. “You missed the gathering.”
“What gathering?” Caion cut in, his eyes narrowing at the group. “No, never mind that. Why didn’t anyone call me?”
Fafon shrugged, his smirk deepening. “We didn’t know where you were.”
Caion’s brow twitched. “Anyone looking would’ve found me with Sax,” he said slowly, his fists tightening. He jabbed a finger toward Fafon. “And anyway, I told you where I’d be—or did that slip your mind?” he finished, voice dripping with sarcasm.
"Really?" Fafon replied, dramatically slapping his forehead. "How scatterbrained of me—must've slipped my mind." He rose and stepped out of the circle, moving toward Caion. "Anyway, we had an interesting discussion—"
"About me," Caion interjected, folding his arms.
Fafon stood toe-to-toe with Caion, their gazes locked. “Right. Don’t think we didn’t notice. You nearly ruined the hunt.”
Caion pushed past him, his eyes sweeping over the group in the circle. He stopped, shoulders squared, spine rigid. “I meant to do this later, but it can’t wait.”
He met their eyes one by one. “I’ve already apologized to the Hunt Master, but that’s not enough—I need your forgiveness too.”
The silence hung heavy as Caion pressed on. “The group is only as strong as its weakest hunter. As the weakest, I’ll dedicate myself to my training so I’ll never put us in danger again.” He clenched his fists, his voice firm with resolve. “I swear, I will not be weak!”
"That's enough Caion."
All eyes shifted to the far end of the semi-circle, where Puty, the scout rested, his eyes shut. Although the Hunt Master led the group, Puty commanded immense respect and authority as the oldest and most experienced. He was a man of few words, only speaking when necessary, but when he did, his voice carried weight.
Slowly, Puty's lids cracked open, revealing sharp yet weary eyes. "I don’t see why we’re even having this conversation," Puty stated calmly. "This is your first real hunt. That you’ve absorbed and learned so much already is remarkable." His gaze shifted to Fafon, firm yet tinged with disappointment. "As for you, Fafon—stop this. What would your father think?"
“My father?” Fafon’s voice rose, trembling with rage. "To the ancestors with him!" He shoved past Caion, his burning eyes locking onto Puty. "This has nothing to do with him!" Whirling back to Caion, he pointed an accusing finger, his voice sharp and venomous. "This is about him! This parasite—"
WHACK! Fafon staggered back, his hand clutching his jaw as he processed the hit. Slowly, he lowered his hand, revealing the beginnings of a bruise. He spat a bloody tooth onto the sandy ground, his furious glare drilling into Caion. "You bastard!"
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Caion lowered his arm, his gaze frosty and emotionless as he stared down Fafon. His voice came out low but carried all the expression his face didn't show. "Shut your mouth."
Fafon's eyes narrowed to slits, his rage boiling over. Without warning, he charged, fists raised, eyes a scorching red.
"STOP!"
Collectively, the hunters' gaze moved to the pool, where a rough and disheveled figure had burst through the water’s surface, disrupting the chaotic atmosphere.
Puty exhaled deeply, fingers moving to massage his temple. He looked up at the figure and sighed in exasperation. “Hutu, you could have continued your training. This was under control.”
Only then did Caion notice the ring of hunters around him and Fafon. In their fury, neither had realized how quickly they’d been surrounded. One glance at their piercing gazes told Caion all he needed—another step and the hunters would have forcefully restrained them.
Hutu prowled back onto the ground, his every movement wild and animalistic. His eyes flitted between Fafon and Caion, his mouth curving upward into a smile. "No matter," he growled. "If want to fight, fight."
He stepped ashore, his long braids clinging to his shoulders, dripping with water. Even among the fit and muscled hunters, Hutu stood apart. Towering a head and a half above the tallest among them, with arms as thick as tree boughs, he could crush stones with his bare hands—and if the rumors were true, he had the strength to splinter a tree with a single squeeze.
Caion’s body relaxed, his fists unclenching as Hutu approached. There was no room for rage with Hutu present—he was power and strength incarnate, the steady force keeping the group afloat. Suddenly, Caion’s gaze shifted to the water, a realization striking him. How long was he down there? Is it even possible to hold your breath that long? He turned back to Hutu, newfound respect flickering in his eyes.
Hutu jerked his head toward Caion, grinning wildly. "No hear me? If want to fight... fight!"
Out of the corner of his eye, Caion noticed Puty giving him a pointed look, silently warning him off. With a sigh, Caion grudgingly turned to Fafon. "I’m sorry. I made a mistake in hitting you," he said, his tone flat and forced.
Fafon glared at him, resentment and hate in his eyes. "No, it was my fault," he spat, his face contorting with anger. "I hope you can forgive me."
Caion nodded and moved to sit at the edge of the half-circle. Fafon followed but made sure to position himself at the opposite end.
Hutu scanned the area, his disappointment evident, before turning and striding back into the pool. Gradually, his figure disappeared into the shadowed depths, leaving only faint ripples to mark his presence.
Paty clapped his hands sharply, the sound cutting through the lingering tension. "Now that that’s settled, let’s all calm down and get along." His sharp gaze bore down on Caion and Fafon, compelling them to avert their eyes. Satisfied, he began tapping his thigh thoughtfully. "Ah, yes. Caion, didn’t you say you were with Sax?"
"Yes," Caion replied, glancing at a wisp of smoke rising westward. "I was helping him prepare the elafiotéras’s meat."
"Good. Keep at it," Paty said, nodding firmly. "We can’t afford to waste any of it, especially—" He stopped abruptly, his gaze snapping past the group. "The ancestors be praised… the Hunt Master returns."
Caion turned, his gaze landing on the Hunt Master as he strode toward them, Char trailing at his side.
Faon shot to his feet, his gaze drilling into Char. "What's he doing here?" he demanded.
"I called him," the Hunt Master replied evenly, his sharp gaze fixed on Fafon. Char dipped his head respectfully as he stepped past the Hunt Master, settling quietly beside Caion.
Fafon's eyes narrowed. "But someone needs to watch the forest," he protested, his tone rising.
"My word is final," the Hunt Master said, his voice low, warning Fafon to submit. Their gazes clashed momentarily before Fafon slowly looked away, his fists trembling.
Puty cleared his throat, his calm voice cutting through the tension. "You were out longer than usual," he remarked, tone measured. "Was there trouble?"
The Hunt Master didn’t answer immediately. Instead, he stepped forward, his piercing gaze sweeping over the group. "Where is Sax?" he asked.
"Tending to the meat," Caion replied promptly.
The Hunt Master’s gaze swept left, lingering thoughtfully around the circle. He fixed his eyes on a lean hunter and gave a subtle nod. "Lak, fetch him. Everyone needs to be here for this."
"Someone has to watch the meat," Puty interjected, concern edging his voice. "We can’t let it char."
"I won't take long," the Hunt Master said, pinching the bridge of his nose, weariness creeping into his tone.
Lak rose silently, nodding once at the Hunt Master before slipping out of the circle and vanishing into the darkness. Before long, he reappeared, Sax silently trailing behind him. Lak returned to his position without a word, leaving Sax standing at the circle’s edge, his eyes darting nervously around.
The Hunt Master lowered himself to the ground, folding his legs and resting his hands on his knees.
"Hunt Master," Caion said, warily glancing toward the pool. "Hutu isn’t here. Should we be doing this without him?"
A wave of murmurs rippled through the circle, but the Hunt Master raised a hand, silencing them instantly. "Trust me—he can hear us," he replied, his tone firm.
Leaning forward, the Hunt Master’s gaze hardened, his posture wound and tense. "Alright," he began, his voice low and deliberate. "I’m not sure how many of you noticed, but there’s a disturbance in the forest." His eyes swept the circle, locking briefly with each huntsman, ensuring they grasped the gravity of his words. "Nothing seemed out of place, but I felt it—a chilling strangeness." A tremor ran through his body. "That feeling, it... compelled me to investigate." His hands squeezed into fists. "Instead of returning after marking the blood trail, I ventured inward."
"And?" Puty interjected, his sharp tone cutting through the silence. "What did you find?"
The Hunt Master slowly lifted his gaze, meeting Puty’s stare without flinching. "A stampede."
His words hung in the air, weighing down the atmosphere. A silence fell over the group as the Hunt Master paused, letting the weight of his revelation sink in. Finally, he continued, his voice measured. "Countless beasts surged from the forest's depths and raced outward, leaving nothing apart from a trail of destruction in their wake. I felt the tremors before they reached me and managed to climb a tree for safety, but..." His voice faltered briefly as he shook his head. "That was an experience unlike any I've ever had."
"So?"
The Hunt Master's body loosened, sensing an overwhelming presence behind him. Slowly, he turned.
"Where beast?" Hutu asked, his deep voice cutting through the air. He stood tall, hands planted firmly on his hips as he stared down at the Hunt Master.
"Returned to the depths," the Hunt Master replied evenly. "Some of the braver ones have already begun their journey back."
With a grunt, Hutu dropped onto the ground, his massive frame settling with a resounding thud. Arms crossed over his chest, he muttered, "Pity."
"Is that all?" Puty’s sharp tone broke through, his narrowed eyes scrutinizing the Hunt Master’s face.
The Hunt Master turned to meet Puty’s gaze, his expression stonelike. "Yes, that is all," he replied firmly.
Puty’s eyes narrowed further, but he held his tongue. He leaned back and shut his eyes, withdrawing from the discussion.
"So, what’s the plan? Do we leave the forest?" Lak cautiously asked, the firelight casting shadows about his face.
The Hunt Master shook his head. "No. I’m not certain it’s safe yet. I’ll monitor the forest. Once the majority of the animals return, we’ll leave. Until then, focus on finishing the preparations." His gaze settled on Fafon. "You and Puty, gather grass and hemp—we’re out of rope. Suio, Reo, join Char in keeping watch over the forest. The rest of you, stay on standby."
He rose and swept his gaze around the circle. "No one leaves the cave unless it’s absolutely necessary. And if you must, stay vigilant."
The Hunt Master turned and walked toward Hutu as the hunters dispersed. Lowering himself beside him, he kept his gaze on the pool.
"Welcome," Hutu growled, giving his back a firm pat.
"I'm back," the Hunt Master quietly replied, his eyes slowly closing.