Garnt with a bow crafted from oak wood and fibrous twine, shared a knowing glance with his spirited Aunt, whose weapon mirrored his own. Arrows of pine, their tips honed to a deadly point, were poised against the world of hunting.
"Remember, Garnt," Aunt whispered, her eyes gleaming with the thrill of the hunt. "Patience is the virtue of the skilled archer. We must be as the stillness of the forest, waiting for the perfect moment."
Garnt was surprised with how fast Ayra managed to master the vow, even though he was the one that made it in the first place.
[I can already see, she is a genius when it comes to fighting.]
He nodded in agreement, heart thumping in rhythm with the wild pulse of the woods. Their target was a majestic deer, its coat a tapestry of earthy hues that blended seamlessly with the surroundings. They hunkered down in concealing bushes, anticipation hanging in the air like a tangible scent.
Garnt nocked an arrow, his fingers finding comfort in the familiar grooves of the wooden shaft. With a glance at his aunt, they both drew back, aiming with practised grace. The release was almost instinctive, and the forest seemed to hold its breath as the arrows took flight.
Aunt's arrow deviated slightly off course, a testament to the wildness of the hunt. Her brow furrowed in momentary frustration as the arrow sailed wide, a whisper of air against the deer's flank.
[I guess even geniuses can make mistakes.]
Eva smiled, as she immediately had to swallow her words.
Garnt's arrow flew true, finding its mark in the deer's belly. A guttural cry escaped the wounded animal, a heartbreaking sound that stirred something primal within them.
"Yes! This is my best shot yet," Garnt was excited to see his accuracy getting better and better. He had been training with the bow for a few days and the development of his skills was rather abnormal compared to Ayra, who acted like a professional hunter but had the skill of a ten year old kid with the bow.
Even though the arrow hit its mark, the deer was not defeated. Adrenaline coursing through its veins, it hopped away quickly, which was surprising considering it was hurt. Garnt felt a mix of being annoyed and impressed, showing on his face with tight lips and a certain look.
Without hesitation, Aunt dropped her bow, the calculated mind of a hunter overtaken by sheer instinct. She sprinted through the undergrowth, a blur of determination. Her heart raced as she closed the distance, her fingers wrapping around the deer's neck with a strength born of desperation.
*Sigh
Garnt couldn't help but sigh seeing her acting like she always does, but he quickly came back to his senses.
"Aunt, let's go back. I think I'm ready for our mission, let's finish this and rescue those kids," Ayra laughed hearing Garnt's words and loaded the cart with their hunting goods.
"Time to hunt a scumbag," She responded to his words with an angry look, and they knew it was going to be a serious battle from now on.
***
"Even though she acts all confident, I can easily see that sister is anxious about our plan," Ayra mumbled softly while standing alongside Garnt, both anticipating the emergence of the gigantic man from the cave.
Garnt placed a reassuring hand on Ayra's shoulder, offering a subtle smile. "Don't worry, Aunt. I won't fail, we will go back to my mother without any wounds," he whispered with determination.
His eyes flickered with confidence as he reached into his pouch and retrieved a small wooden container. The moment he opened it, a pungent odour wafted through the air, causing Ayra to wrinkle her nose.
"This stuff sure is smelly," Ayra muttered, her face contorting in displeasure at the potent stench.
Garnt nodded, undeterred by the foul smell. "But this poison will do the work. Once I coat the arrow tip with it, even a scratch will be enough to take down that man." With steady hands, he carefully dipped the arrowhead into the viscous substance, its dark hue glistening in the faint light.
"I sure hope it works, otherwise Gundo will be sad to know that her medicine skills are not working," Ayra said her face still soured by the stinking smell.
"It will and when that happens, both of us will take him together, also we will have to keep an eye on that other woman," Garnt remembered about the woman, who was talking with the gigantic man earlier.
As they waited in tense silence, the quiet surroundings were suddenly disrupted by the unexpected sight of two kids dashing out of the cave. Their cries echoed in the air, contrasting sharply with the sound of a woman's frustrated shouts as she chased after them. Garnt's keen eyes quickly assessed the situation – it was clear that this was not a friendly chase.
"Looks like things are getting interesting," he remarked to Ayra, his grip on the poisoned arrow tightening.
Ayra's gaze followed the scene unfolding before them, concern etched on her features. "What should we do now?"
"We wait," Garnt replied, his voice steady. "The perfect opportunity will come. We just have to be patient until that man comes out."
[Looks like that woman is using them to find food for them, instead of doing it herself.]
"She is just as scummy as that man. Let's see what we are going to do with her after we kill that man,"
Their eyes remained fixed on the entrance of the cave even when they were talking, where a growing commotion hinted at the unfolding drama.
Then, as if on cue, the air seemed to vibrate with a low rumble, and the very ground beneath them trembled slightly. From the darkness of the cave emerged a figure of immense proportions. The man who emerged was truly gigantic, his hulking frame filling the entrance as he stepped out.
His features were etched with a mixture of frustration and anger, eyebrows furrowed and eyes narrowed as he surveyed the chaotic scene before him.
"What are they doing? Can't you even tame these brats? You're a really useless woman," He shouted looking at the woman, who was chasing the kid, and she had a scared look on her face.
"It's not like that, Ura. Ever since that day we found delicious fruit with them, but they keep acting stubbornly like this. I will hit them and tame them again. Please, give me another chance," The woman begged without stopping her chasing, and the man just released a low growl hearing her words.
"Last chance! After this, I will just eat all of you, worthless people," Leaving those words, he attempted to return to the cave. However, without his knowledge, someone was aiming at him from a distance with his bow fully drawn. The next few moments were crucial for both Garnt and the huge man since they would decide who would be the victor of this battle.