dressed as a warrior.
At Kaichen’s affirmative nod s he took in his well made animal skin vest and fitted leggings. His feet were covered in moccasins that were finely stitched and decorated.
The other man was just as well dressed and he was armed as a warrior. She counted two short spears, one long spear as well as a large bow and quiver of arrows. He wore an array of knives that were fashioned to fit into a belt strapped over one shoulder. It was difficult to believe that these men were simply hunters.
“It is not safe to allow you to wander by yourself without a village or band to return to. You must come with us to our village. We will seek the guidance of the village leader; he will know what to do.” Kaichen’s words did not leave room for argument.
He was confused by the feelings evoked by the brave young woman standing before him. He wanted to protect her and shelter her from harm. He wanted to touch the softness of her skin and press his face against the hollow of her throat. She stood before him, undecided, with eyes as large as a young doe.
He tried to see past the loveliness of her features to the person within. The yearning that the woman’s presence brought forth was so powerful that he felt blinded by it.
I f anyone from the woman’s village survived the raid then they had been taken captive or they were already dead. Kaichen urged Antuk to keep watch over their resting place while he made preparations for the night ahead.
They would not hunt before the sun took its place of rest. Tonight they would keep watch and they would find little comfort in the darkness of the night.
It was by chance that Kaichen caught sight of the buck’s antlers, nestled within the hedge of bushes that offered shelter. If the animal had been a doe, he would have allowed it to pass.
Females were needed to bring forth young during the beginning of the warm season. Azin had taught him to respect the ways of balance.
If he killed a young female, who was to say if there would be enough young born to feed their village during the coming season? Kaichen had learned these lessons well. He motioned for Antuk and Amara to remain silent and wait. Amara had remained silent and watchful throughout the morning. He was not certain that she had even slept during the night. Fatigue was plain to see as she stumbled to a halt.
Kaichen’s bow was strung with a blur of mo tion that was almost too quick for the eye to follow. He inhaled and sought his target before releasing one arrow after another.
Killing a deer was difficult, if the animal was not felled by the first shot it would often run until it tired. Searching out an injured animal in the heat of the day was not only dangerous but foolhardy.
Kaichen knew that Antuk would look after the woman if needed, but he did not want to let the young woman out of his sight. Though he had sought to reassure her, she still appeared shaky and fearful.
Amara watched in stunned fascination as the man before her displayed the skill of a trained hunter. She watched as he sent arrow after arrow flying toward the buck.
The large animal never stood a chance of escape. A lump formed in her throat as the animal collapsed. She watched as the man strode forward with sure steps. He ended any chance of suffering with the sharp blade of his hunter’s knife. He murmured a few words that were indecipherable and then he placed a multicolored feather upon the ground.
Amara had never watched as an animal was brought down. She was a woman and as such, it was not her place to take part in the hunt.
Like all women, she was adept at skinning an animal’s hide and working the skin into clothing, moccasins, and a multitude of other uses. Even the sinew could be used to make string and rope. Nothing was wasted.
She held her breath as the man set about quartering the meat from the buck and severing the
At Kaichen’s affirmative nod s he took in his well made animal skin vest and fitted leggings. His feet were covered in moccasins that were finely stitched and decorated.
The other man was just as well dressed and he was armed as a warrior. She counted two short spears, one long spear as well as a large bow and quiver of arrows. He wore an array of knives that were fashioned to fit into a belt strapped over one shoulder. It was difficult to believe that these men were simply hunters.
“It is not safe to allow you to wander by yourself without a village or band to return to. You must come with us to our village. We will seek the guidance of the village leader; he will know what to do.” Kaichen’s words did not leave room for argument.
He was confused by the feelings evoked by the brave young woman standing before him. He wanted to protect her and shelter her from harm. He wanted to touch the softness of her skin and press his face against the hollow of her throat. She stood before him, undecided, with eyes as large as a young doe.
He tried to see past the loveliness of her features to the person within. The yearning that the woman’s presence brought forth was so powerful that he felt blinded by it.
I f anyone from the woman’s village survived the raid then they had been taken captive or they were already dead. Kaichen urged Antuk to keep watch over their resting place while he made preparations for the night ahead.
They would not hunt before the sun took its place of rest. Tonight they would keep watch and they would find little comfort in the darkness of the night.
It was by chance that Kaichen caught sight of the buck’s antlers, nestled within the hedge of bushes that offered shelter. If the animal had been a doe, he would have allowed it to pass.
Females were needed to bring forth young during the beginning of the warm season. Azin had taught him to respect the ways of balance.
If he killed a young female, who was to say if there would be enough young born to feed their village during the coming season? Kaichen had learned these lessons well. He motioned for Antuk and Amara to remain silent and wait. Amara had remained silent and watchful throughout the morning. He was not certain that she had even slept during the night. Fatigue was plain to see as she stumbled to a halt.
Kaichen’s bow was strung with a blur of mo tion that was almost too quick for the eye to follow. He inhaled and sought his target before releasing one arrow after another.
Killing a deer was difficult, if the animal was not felled by the first shot it would often run until it tired. Searching out an injured animal in the heat of the day was not only dangerous but foolhardy.
Kaichen knew that Antuk would look after the woman if needed, but he did not want to let the young woman out of his sight. Though he had sought to reassure her, she still appeared shaky and fearful.
Amara watched in stunned fascination as the man before her displayed the skill of a trained hunter. She watched as he sent arrow after arrow flying toward the buck.
The large animal never stood a chance of escape. A lump formed in her throat as the animal collapsed. She watched as the man strode forward with sure steps. He ended any chance of suffering with the sharp blade of his hunter’s knife. He murmured a few words that were indecipherable and then he placed a multicolored feather upon the ground.
Amara had never watched as an animal was brought down. She was a woman and as such, it was not her place to take part in the hunt.
Like all women, she was adept at skinning an animal’s hide and working the skin into clothing, moccasins, and a multitude of other uses. Even the sinew could be used to make string and rope. Nothing was wasted.
She held her breath as the man set about quartering the meat from the buck and severing the
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