Once we had finished, the troops had brought the wagon up and the deer got loaded one by one. By the time the hunt was done, a wagon a day would be sent back to the village for processing. Our two would be the first ones featured for the big feast when we returned to the village. The following two days, we gathered up several boars, rabbits, and other types of game. Knowing we were almost done on this trip; we would have enough meat for the village for six to nine months if it were prepared properly. With all the pan's help, our stock of bush style foods and medicinal herbs was replenished greatly as well. The sham-men would surely be happy with a fresh stock of healing supplies as well. We spent the first half of the third day hunting and gathering supplies, the other half of the last day would be spent tearing camp down so we could head out the next morning. The long day came to an end and we settled in for the night. We got up the following morning and began to head out. From the shadows, the unknown person watched as the caravan pulled out and headed toward the village once more. With them having such a haul, they would have to stick to the main roads, while the unknown person rode ahead through the animal trails to get back first. That was the only way to not be seen by the caravan, and it was to ensure and maintain cover. After half a day's ride, we made it back the village with our remaining haul in tow. On the back of our horses, the deer we took down the first day, ready for this evenings feast. We indicated to the rest of the troops that they were to take the rest to the cooks. Nuvaro and I then finished going to our house, where we presented our haul to his father. We dismounted our horses and went up to his father.
Nuvo Hact: "Well now. I have seen the hauls from the last few days as I was heading to the house before you. I am rather impressed. And how did your mate fair on her first massive hunt with you?"
Nuvaro: "Yes, as you can see, she managed to get the bigger deer this time around. But that is fine. Her form was beautiful father. Like we'd been hunting together all our lives."
Nuvo Hact: "It seems she has surpassed your expectations and mine. I couldn't be prouder to have her here with us."
Nuvaro: "I know what you mean father, I'm never letting her go. She will do our clan proud and give us some fine children."
Cedren: "(Oh my god, my face must look like a lobster right now. Do they always have to make sure there is a huge audience around when they say certain things?) Hey now, I am standing RIGHT HERE you know."
Nuvaro: "I know, what man wouldn't be proud of his mate after how they performed. Let us get ready for the feast. Father, I leave the food preparations to you and the staff. We would like to freshen up after being gone for all those days."
Nuvo Hact: "No problem son. You guys go and clean up. Things will be ready for the most part by the time you're done."
Nuvaro: "Thank you father. We shouldn't be long."
He saw us off with a smile as we turned to head toward the baths. I grabbed his hand smiling up at him as we walked down the hall. After gathering up some clean clothes in a basket, we headed to bathe. This time, we did not care if anyone saw us head in the same one. We locked the door and proceeded to relax and enjoy the warm water. We spent hours relaxing the tension from the day in the hot spring, it was just the thing needed after a long hunt. When we finished, we headed down to the main hall where his father was waiting. And just like the first time I was introduced, his father made a big deal out of our first extensive joined hunt. We just shook our heads and enjoyed the feast. Our first extended joined hunt was a complete success, and I could not have been happier. Especially knowing that there would be many more large-scale hunts to come. Little did we know that our happy times were going to be hit hard by the turmoil outside our village sooner or later. There will always be good times and bad times. It was all a matter of how our goddess Inari, balanced it out. We spent our days making sure the troops were in tip top shape. Each day filled with the routines we had become accustomed to. With minor hunts that took place in between our large-scale hunts.
Thankfully, the majority of those did not have to be supervised so hard core like the big hunts did. Unbeknownst to everyone in the village, there was one person who was still angry about their rejection and had been following them around, was about to betray everyone. Cedren and Nuvaro spent their days in complete routine, never knowing that this unknown person had already spent a year or so watching them from afar. Though I had no idea to the extent. It was nearing spring again and it had now been roughly a year and a half together. With each hunt taking us further out. So far, the goddess Inari seemed to be blessing the village thus far. We were able to start heading further away from the village proper. The hunts, training rituals, and supply gatherings had become so ingrained, it is hard to imagine I never lived here my whole life.
I so enjoyed every day of my life in the village, even the projection training was getting easier and easier. Though lately my mate seemed to be more troubled than usual, and I worried terribly for him. I knew nothing of this person or issue that was bothering him, I only knew that my mate had said he was having issues with someone in the village and left it at that. I suppose he did not want to make me worry, but it was having the opposite effect. I had made several offerings to the goddess Inari myself in hopes of things going better for my mate. Though I still could not shake the feeling that we were constantly being watched. It unnerved me so, I then decided it was best to ask his father if he knew anything of the situation that plagued my mate. After all I could not help my mate with anything if I did not know what the issue was. And so, I headed to Nuvaro' s father's study. I knocked softly and he told me to come in.
Cedren: "Excuse me, may I come in?"
Nuvo Hact: "Oh, is that you Cedren? How may I help you this evening?"
Cedren: "I was curious to know if you knew who the person was or what it is that is bothering Nuvaro, when I ask, he says nothing to me. If he is trying not to worry me, it's not working."
Nuvo Hact: (Sighing softly he began to speak.) "Well there is no point in keeping it from you. It does kind of evolve around you as well. There was a girl, from one of the council families, whose mating match up with him failed. It was well before you. We are talking at least five years. She has been distraught since the failed pairing. Interfering with things. We have been at a loss as to how and deal with her. Her own family does not even have the slightest clue what to do with her either. We have almost gotten to the point of wanting to kick her out of the village. Disrupting the order of things is going to far."
Cedren: "Wow, I was not expecting that. Anyway, what do you suggest I do to help my mate out. This has been bothering me quite a bit."
Nuvo Hact: "All I can say is just be there for him. He is prideful and does not like it
much when help is offered to him. But you as his mate, may stand a chance far better than I even."
Cedren: "Okay. I will do my best. Sounds like she does not understand fully the mating ritual. Even I know the blood magic is specific and has significance."
Nuvo Hact: "I know you will do us proud, you have so far, and I will let the both of you know if there is something, we can do about the rejected village girl. Besides, we all know disrupting things can be a problem."
Just then the door opens and Nuvaro come in. I turn with a smile and walk over to him. He looks so tired the last few days. All I want to do is comfort him and try to ease his burdens. But will my stubborn mate let me? That was the big question at hand.