RAMSEY
We form two parties, one going east inland, the other west inland. Fiona and Araelya join us, and I decide not to go with them, as they would only remind me of the Little Vaeyark invading my hut.
Knowing the Veriskans have been traveling further out onto the island has me on edge, but they dare not come within two days of the village, as it would risk their numbers thinning ever more than they could bear.
Caen, Haelden, Gaerth, and I stalk the forest, locating a bruntler den quickly, and move to surround it.
Bruntlers are not the largest beast in the forest, but they are hearty and most delicious when smoked, feeding us for many days whereas an endergulf’s meat is not only lean, but it is not long lasting.
The best we could hope to stumble across is a terragulf, that is several times as large as a bruntler, with enough meat to feed the entire tribe for several passing moons.
Still, a bruntler found so early in the day is nothing to complain about.
Haelden and Gaerth flank the cave, while Caen stands behind a tree, bow in hand. I stand opposite him, readying my axe.
It is Gaerth who makes the call, cupping his hands and blowing into them to make the correct pitch to rouse the beast.
After a few blows, a deep growl erupts from the cave, followed by a stomping sound. I ready myself, gripping my axe and holding my position as the others do the same.
Bruntlers may not be as large as a terragulf, but they are twice as ornery, and one should never let their guard down against such a foe.
The beast erupts from the cave, his tusked face thrown back as it unleashes its battle cry.
Haelden and Gaerth charge forward with spears, spearing its flank and driving the beast forward, further away from the cave.
Caen unleashes an arrow, drawing the beast’s attention toward him while I charge its shoulder with my axe.
While the bruntler is dangerous, it lacks the shredding claws of a vensar and the intelligence of an endergulf, so the greatest risk when it is in peril is that it will trample you.
My blow lands near its mark, but it halts at the bone plates that shield it just beneath the surface of their flesh. Haelden and Gaerth stab the beast again, angling their jabs to hit between the internal plates as Caen shoots it three more times.
Furious, it turns towards me, lunging forward.
I sidestep, swinging the axe at its jaw.
We spin a deadly dance, four against one, refusing to relent for even a moment until the beast falls.
Caen brings a horn up to his lips and signals to the other party, so they can help take it apart.
Typically, each party manages its own kills, but it is not often we take down a bruntler, and with its bone plates, it can be hard to cut down, and if we are not quick enough, the mean could sour.
A short time later, Fiona, Araelya, Elric, and Eddard join us.
“You need to slice between the plates,” Elric tells the Penticari women. He points to a spot and Fiona hacks at it with an axe, but it is clear her weak muscles were not made for such labor.
Because they are lessers and made only to ready the land for those better…
As large pieces are hacked away, others haul them to the village, so that they might be made into a stew or jerked.
Elric has Araelya start a fire, so we can cook the most sensitive pieces that are quick to spoil, and I see that, despite her weak form, Araelya’s skills have improved.
Sometimes I wonder if she and her people are capable of more than I realize.
Elric squats beside the Penticari to place some sticks and I see them exchange furtive looks, for few of the women come close to being worthy of a mate, and she is one of them.
Dread grows through me like ivy, though I do not know why. I should not want these women—they lack honor. They are weak, tire easily, and must depend on others.
I had thought that maybe there were a few worthy of our help. Nori, Meg, and Araelya perhaps, but all three are being courted, leaving the rest of us with crumbs.
