The thrill of the hunt. It never grew old. Never grew stale. In this world where survival was of the fittest, few luxuries were afforded to those that survived and co-existed with the creatures that roamed the lands. Taellana accepted that simple truth and lived by it. However, the hunt was not a chore for her. Not some obligation due to her being a hunter. She loved it. While many questioned her balance of the harmony between the self and mother nature, she knew where she stood. She was a hunter blessed by the Paragon of the Hunt to provide for the tribe. What others thought was inconsequential.
Every kill was a celebration of life. An brutal contradiction Taellana admitted. Taking a life was never easy in the beginning; however as Taellana grew older, her opinion of the act changed. She didn't hunt for the simple pleasure of taking a life. That was the sign of simple madness. She killed to survive, to take the technology that each living game had and use it in a productive manner. While she took life, she celebrated the game's life by using everything from it. From meat to technology. Every part was honored by finding purpose by the tribe. It was this way of thinking that allowed Taellana to shrug off the gossip concerning her. However, those voices - as foolish as they were - resided in the minority. All in the tribe were prepared to do whatever it took to ensure the tribe's survival.
Hearing a cry from the distance, Taellana responded with a response of her own. She crept closer to the mixed herd as she clutched her bow. It was almost time. In a matter of moments, explosive powder that the shaman created would send the docile creatures into a frenzy. The catch was that the explosives meant for the grazers, watchers, and thunder jaws needed to go first before the explosives intended from the organic grazers went off. From there, it was the usual hunt.
Another cry from afar filled the air. Taellana inhaled then exhaled. Seconds later, sulfur saturated her sense of smell as her body shook. Hearing shrieks from the machines, Taellana watched as they scattered towards the direction the hunters had intended them to go. Ducking even lower into the tall grass, the heavy footfalls from the thunder jaws shook the ground as several followed the mechanical herd. Before the deer could follow, another explosion went off from afar.
When she heard the next signal, Taellana shot out from her hiding spot after the deers. The other hunters followed suit. Her legs pumped harder and harder as Taellana made it to her top speed. Her responsibility wasn’t to kill the game but to herd them. There was another group of hunters waiting for them. The twin silently prayed that her twin was in position. Alliminum and a few hunters were providing overwatch for the hunters on the ground. Taellana hoped her sister could at least do that job. She was useless as a hunter.
Nearing the killzone, Taellana signaled to the other hunters as her group separated to the far sides of the herd's path and eventually disappeared into the nearby foliage. They continued pursuit in case there were any stragglers.
Before the deer could get too much further, a volley of arrows flew out from the trees as several deer cried out and fell to the ground. The barrage continued until the bulk of the herd disappeared leaving their wounded brethren to die.
Breathing hard, Taellana came out from the forest foliage and quickly made her way to one of the animals and gave it mercy. The other hunters started to emerge and dealt the same mercy.
“Not every day a plan like this goes well,” said Kolton. A senior hunter. “The other group should be back soon. Spirits, I hope they didn’t have any trouble with the jaws.”
Taellana grunted as she cleaned off her knife and placed it back in its sheath. “Veteran hunters were tasked to this hunt,” she said. “They’ll be fine.”
Kolton grunted. “Let’s hope so. Signal the overwatch to bring the carts. The village will eat well tonight.”
Walking towards the edge of the killzone, Taellana signaled to the overwatch group as she looked around the clearing. Something didn’t sit well with her at all. A shudder traveled down Taellana’s spine. That was always an ill omen. She pushed the thoughts away though her vigilance never wavered. She respected the forest and creatures too much to not fear them. Those who lacked that respect died first.
