c11 (1/2)

Chapter 11 - Prey (start)

Presently, the weather wasn’t too cold. Rumont, Feivel, as well as Nick, all set off on the road as a group of 3. Nick carried a large rucksack on his back. The trio placed the majority of their luggage on Nick’s body. Rumont was lightweight and unrestricted, scouting the path out at the front, while carrying his shortsword. Feivel brought the back, carrying a short bow with a quiver set on his waist, he was guarding against attacks that could come from other directions.

“We’ll follow along the river, and then go further in some more. “ Rumont was scouting in front, he was observing for the footprints of wild beasts, as he called out behind him. Although the 3 had agreed upon a set of simple hand signals, however, in normal circ.u.mstances, they didn’t need to utilize them.

Continuing on for a short while, Rumont suddenly drew his hand out, making out a hand gesture. Indicating to his companions to stop.

“What is it? “ Nick casually asked, to which Rumont turned around to stare at him, causing him to feel a touch awkward. They had agreed upon, that when they ran into prey, they would communicate with hand gestures and not speak. However, this was their first time doing this, thus, had forgotten unwittingly .

Feivel took the shortbow from his back, setting it up in his hands. He looked towards the direction Rumont was in. Not too far off in the distance, was a few elks, drinking water.

“What luck, we’ve only been out since morning, and we’ve encountered some prey! “ Rumont thought. He licked his finger and propped it up, a.s.sessing the direction of the wind.

“We’re currently downwind. “ He mouthed the words to the other two. Next, he pointed to Nick’s bag, and then pointed to the ground, followed with his pair of hands clasping each other silently. He was trying to indicate to put the bag down on the ground silently. After this he mimed the gestures of walking on, with his hands.

Nick and Rumont slowly snuck closer to the elks, soon they were just a short distance away. Even though they were downwind, they were not one bit careless towards a beast's vigilance. Feivel was readied for an ambush with his bow in hand, midway of the road. From within his clothes, Rumont took out 2 ropes, giving 1 to Nick.

The group, respectively readied themselves. It was currently morning. The sun was still in the eastern side. Following on, Rumont then glanced to the not too far east, at Feivel’s position. He then took his sword out into the air, catching the sun.

The wielder of the bow saw the flash of light from the sword. While concentrating his eyes, he then strung an arrow upon his bow, “sou” the next instant, he had released an attack.

Practically at the same time, Rumont and Nick, threw out their ropes.

“Success!” Feivel whispered out. The bow had shot out a feathered arrow, piercing through the air, through the leafy foliage in the way, eventually piercing through the leather skin. Nick and Rumont’s la.s.sos both caught onto an elk’s head, however, it was on different antlers of the same elk.

Rumont and Nick, at the same time, heaved, they wanted to topple over the prey.

“Careful! “ the far off Feivel dashed towards the two roaring out loudly. “The herd of elks are running in your direction! “

Nick did not hear clearly, he was occupied with securing the rope.

Rumont suddenly raised his head up, and saw the blood crazed eyes of the elks. Originally they were docile pair of eyes. “f.u.c.k! Nick, it’s an aberrant! “ he started to holler out.

The forest was extremely complex. It had an unusual energy. Sometimes, some animals would be corroded by said energy, and was liable to go mad. Even though it did not change the physiques, it did change their minds to become more warlike, causing them to struggle to the very end.

Nick cast aside the rope and as he took out his longsword he was then struck on the chest by the madly charging elk.

“Hack…..that hurts! “ Nick was unable to hold onto his longsword, dropping to the ground. Hastily cried: “Rumont help me! “

Rumont, at Nick’s side, saw an opportunity. He dashed forward, thrusting his short sword out. He was able to gash open a wound on the elk’s abdominal area. The sword was embedded in.

The elk was skewed through his stomach, immediately, it weakened. Nick immediately felt that the fierce pressure on his abdomen, was greatly reduced in force. Afterwards, blood pumping, he pushed both his legs against the ground, while grabbing onto the antlers, fighting to the death with the prey.

“Die! “ Rumont’s breathing could be heard, he roared with a strong force. His heels were off the ground, his forefoots was grasping the ground. Arising from his feet, he acc.u.mulated his strength, to his waist following onto his back, eventually exploding it all into his sword.

The aberrant elk was in great pain, letting out a bawl. It struggled with all it’s might. Its red eyes sighted upon the astonished man, shortly it erupted, gaining in strength against the hindrance. Nick’s only thought, was that both arms holding on for dear life, was starting to numb, almost unable to exert any strength.

Rumont and Nick, together as one, worked to defeat the aberrant elk. Meanwhile, another aberrant elk was charging towards them. “Careful! “ Feivel turned to the other deer and shot an arrow, hastily warning the other two.

Nick heard Feivel’s warning, however, he was currently on the verge of death, being pinned down. Momentarily, he was unable to think of a solution to resist.

Rumont abandoned his short sword, letting it remain in the first elk’s stomach. Promptly rolling away on the ground, avoiding the second elk’s charge. “Nick, use it as a s.h.i.+eld! “ While at the same time, he fluidly grabbed for Nick’s long sword that was on the ground.

Although Nick understood immediately, though, his face, for a long time was deathly pale. He simply wasn’t able to spend any more strength. He was barely hanging on to the dying elk. But, he soon contended with the strength a.s.saulting him, flipping it onto the ground.

Meanwhile, Feivel’s feathered arrow, made a thudding sound. Injuring the elk’s hind leg. The charging elk, at once, collapsed onto the ground.

Covered in dirt, Rumont grasped onto Nick’s long sword as he got up. Sighting onto his target, tranquility shown in his eyes, he struck his arm out. The sword point traced out a semi-circle. In a short while, the second elk’s artery, situated on it’s head, was lacerated. “Gulu gulu” fresh blood flowed out.

Presently, Nick slowly breathed in a mouthful. Immediately feeling more relaxed. He also saw a similar expression on his friends. Shortly, he was emotionally in shock------he felt that this event, filled with a life or death situation, was suitable even for the st.u.r.dy, experienced warriors to learn from.

“Thanks…...hack! “ Nick, just a moment ago, was contesting with all his strength with an aberrant elk, right until it was injured. He was perspirating heavily, his whole body flowing with sweat. His face was so pale, it would scare others, even if his face was originally white.

“Can we rest for a moment! “ Nick rubbed his stomach and said, immediately after he violently coughed out: “hai…...a hai…..I’m really…..” he sat on the ground again.

“No problems, you rest up first. “ Rumont examined, he didn’t discover any traumatic signs. As he looked, Feivel walked over, releasing a long breath, he then explained the Feivel: “Nick was struck in the stomach by the antlers, currently, he’s not feeling well. I’ll go bring the rucksack over first. “

“I’ll look after him “ Feivel squatted down. Examining Nick’s condition. Nick’s leather armour had a small hole poking in, clearly, it had been pierced by the elk, at the same time, the iron lining showed an indentation.