The woods had become a deep maze of snow and ice.
I'd been monitoring my favourite hunting grounds for about an hour, and my vantage point at the edge of the crook had been rendered unusable thanks to the carpet of snow that had been laid across the ground just last night. The gusting wind blew terribly sharp squalls, pinching my cheeks and nose red.
Intense starvation had lead me into a desperate attempt at reversing my fortune today, making me risk losing my way back to the village for a little bit of venison or boar. Winter is a tracker's favourite season but not mine. The thick snow bites my toes, almost giving me frostbite every second that I stand in it.
I have no choice.
I wiped my numb fingers across my eyelids, slapping me awake. Snowflakes, all as unique as the other, clung to my hair like pearls, decorating it with a serene touch of winter. I was always told that I was quite the belle. My long golden locks, inherited from my father, paired with my mother's glimmering green eyes made me a beauty on anyone's list to marry. But if they saw this side to me, this desperate, agonising side of me, they'd most likely run to the hills.
I moved closer towards the middle, observing around me for any indication that any animals were nearby. I was not going home hungry. Either I return with something or starve out here in the cold, waiting for nature to devour me. It would be a fitting end, being taken back by the aspect that gave me life.
Suddenly, I lowered myself down to the ground upon hearing the crackle of a branch. I drew out my bow, my eyes doing a survey of what was around me. Trees, snow, more trees, an occasional bush and... My mouth began to salivate at the sight of two deer and an elk slowly approaching the delicious bark of the trees. All I could see in that moment was what I'd make with that much meat.
Sure, a family of five couldn't eat all of that meat before it spoiled, but I could have Elden rush to the market and sell it for a price, leaving us with a little money to tide us over. That way, he can at least be useful for something. I pulled back my bow, keeping my sights on the family of three in front of me. I need to be fast, before they run away.
I loaded two arrows into my bow at the same time before closing one of my eyes and aiming towards them. Gently pulling back the string, I aimed right for both of the deer's heads. If I can't get all three of them, I'm at least getting two. I held my breath, lowering my shoulder, tensing the string a little bit more before I exhaled and let go.
The arrows cut through the harsh and cold air, embedding themselves into both of the animal's skulls. The young elk immediately took off and I knew by the time I had loaded another arrow, that he'd be long gone. I guess that I can't be annoyed by this terrible luck, I've got enough money in front of me to last my brother's a month tops.
I walked over, tying both animals to a rope which I threw over my shoulders immediately. I had forgotten how heavy an animal of this size could be, let along two, but I was desperate. I couldn't start cutting them up here, leaving their pelts and carcasses to the wolves. These two animals were too beautiful for that.
I slowly headed back to the village, following my tracks right back. Remember when I told you that snow is a tracker's paradise? Well, tracks are mostly why. As I struggled to drag them back, my back aching after thirty minutes of pulling, I finally decided to have a break. I'm exhausted... my mind is spinning because of the cold. Just a little bit further... one small more step, and you'll be home.
"Urgh..." I suddenly froze, wondering if the cold had finally made me hallucinate, or hear things. "Urgh..." That same groan again... but this time, it's louder. I turned my head towards the noise, dropping my spoils while I went to investigate closer. I gently brushed my bare fingers against the bark of a tree before looking down only to find a grown man clutch his stomach in pain.
Who the heck is he?