Chapter 12 12: hunter by necessity

I would appreciate it if you could post reviews about what you think of the story so far. ------------------------------- "I'm becoming quite the experienced potato peeler, to be honest," I said as another potato skin fell in long strips onto the table. I tossed them one by one into the pot of boiling water, which hissed and steamed like an old boiler. "Like all of us, Albrecht... if we're not here to hunt, we have to make sure everything's ready," said one of the servants, eyes still fixed on the ham he was slicing into perfect rounds. "I'm done here... anything else I need to do?" I asked, setting down the knife and stretching my fingers, stiff from the task. "No... you're free for now. I'll call you when it's time to prepare everything for serving. In the meantime, make sure you eat something, because I doubt there'll be a scrap of meat left. Too many guests for even a bone to remain. So go get some vegetables and make a soup for you and the other pages," said the head servant, tasting the stew in a pot with a critical frown. "Great... more work," I muttered, deadpan. I grabbed a medium-sized pot and left the tent. I walked toward the one assigned to me for sleeping, passing by the guards setting up the perimeter. I noticed a pile of firewood someone had left a bit too carelessly near the communal fire, and without being noticed, I took a few small pieces. I crouched beside a clear patch of dirt, pulled out my knife, and started shaving thin strips of wood. Then, using a flint and a piece of metal I'd picked up somewhere, I struck sparks. It took a while, but eventually, one caught. I blew gently until the fire took hold. Once stable, I added the stolen wood and set the pot on top. I walked over to one of the barrels near the carts and filled it with some water. When I got back, I quickly chopped a few small carrots and two leftover potatoes. That was all I had. "Shit... I'm gonna go hungry today..." I muttered, staring at the watery soup, full of hope but lacking flavor. "I guess... no one would notice if I borrowed a bow... right?" I said under my breath, scanning the surroundings. Everyone was busy. No one was watching me. Casually, I approached the armory tent. No one stopped me, no one asked anything. I took the smallest bow I could find, one just my size. It was a bit bigger than the training one I had back home. I also "borrowed" a quiver half-full of arrows and slipped out as silently as I'd entered. I headed into the woods. It had been months since I last trained with a bow. At the margrave's estate, all we had was fencing and horseback training. The only experience I had was from the year before, when I'd been gifted my first practice bow. This one was different... heavier, tighter, far harder to use. Probably made for grown men, not boys. I wasn't aiming for a big catch. Just something I could kill, cook, and toss into the pot. Anything with meat: a hare, a bird, some feathered critter. Anything. So I moved quietly, stepping with care, even holding my breath. I wasn't a hunter—nowhere close. Honestly, I had more hope than skill. But hunger works miracles. And need makes even the clumsiest get creative. Before long, I spotted my first target. A decent-sized bird pecking at seeds on the ground a few meters ahead. It hadn't seen me. I drew an arrow from the quiver, set it to the string, took my stance... And couldn't pull the bow. The damn thing was stiff as stone. I tried again, this time putting all my back into it. Managed to draw it. I clenched my jaw, aimed as best I could, held my breath... and released. The bird took off immediately. The arrow landed meters away, buried in the dirt. Didn't even come close. Total disaster. I grunted quietly, retrieved the arrow, and kept looking. And so it went: miss, adjust, miss again. Some arrows flew meters off, others just a few centimeters. But I wasn't hitting anything. I was getting irritated at my own incompetence. My hands trembled from the effort and my stomach didn't even growl anymore—it just burned. But there was no way I was going back empty-handed. If I was going to "borrow" a bow and quiver, I'd at least return with something decent to offer in silence. Some "gift" to make them forget the temporary disappearance of the gear. I kept prowling between the trees. Saw more birds, but now I moved slower, more carefully. Then I spotted a nest, high on a branch. From below, I saw one of the birds pecking at the edge. I repeated the process: arrow, string, stance. Drew the bow. My arm muscles screamed, but I held. I clenched my teeth, aimed. Released. There was a violent fluttering, followed by a heavy thud on the ground. I ran over, heart pounding. There it was. I hit it. Dead on. The bird was still twitching, so without hesitation, I twisted its neck to end it quickly. Its body relaxed. The arrow had destroyed part of its side, so it wouldn't look too pretty in the pot, but it was something. I climbed the tree carefully and claimed four eggs from the nest, tucking them gently into a cloth pouch. I didn't know how much time had passed, but the sun was still high. I doubted anyone had noticed my absence yet. So I decided to push my luck a bit more. I kept wandering, though my shots were weaker now, less steady. My arm was shaking, and it was hard just to hold the bow straight. Then, just as I'd decided to head back, something moved in the grass. Crouched among the bushes, I saw it: a white rabbit. Beautiful, already wearing its winter coat. It looked like a patch of snow in the middle of the forest. I didn't have the strength to use the bow, so I went for the oldest weapon in the world: a rock. The rabbit was nervously scanning its surroundings. It had sensed me, but didn't know where the danger was coming from. I moved slowly, carefully, holding my breath. When I was close enough, I hurled the rock with all the precision I could muster. It hit the rabbit square in the head. It tried to run, but its body didn't respond. It twitched, dragging itself with limp hind legs. I rushed in and grabbed it with both hands. "Sorry, little guy... this is gonna hurt you a lot more than it hurts me," I whispered, pushing its head down and snapping its neck in one swift motion. I held it in my hands, still warm. It was a beautiful animal—white fur, perfect for winter. But in that green environment, it stood out like a beacon. Even I could catch it. I gave it a quick inspection and I put it on my belt. along with the bird and the eggs. Now I had a decent excuse for my absence. I started heading back, but it seemed luck wasn't with me. I ran right into Joachim. He had a bow in his hands and was probably doing the same thing I was. We both froze, staring at each other. "What are you doing here... you should be—" he started. "—yeah, at the camp," I cut him off, flatly. "You're in serious trouble..." he said with a smirk, glancing down. "You got a rabbit... and a bird... but how? You and your father... my father always says yours is more like a northern barbarian than an Imperial noble, and looks like you're not much different." "Oh? Really?" I replied, thinking fast. I noticed his eyes were fixed on my catch. "Give me the rabbit and the bird and I didn't see anything," Joachim said, like he was offering a favor. "Hey... hey, I did this to eat," I replied, holding his gaze. "Or would you prefer lashes for sneaking off... and stealing that bow... and the arrows?" he said, knowing full well he had the upper hand. His smile was that of someone already feeling victorious. "Maybe I'd prefer that over letting someone else take credit for my work," I said, serious. "Stubborn little bastard... fine, give me the rabbit and you keep the bird," said Joachim, sighing and running a hand down his face. "And what are you going to do with it?" I asked, holding it out toward him. "Show it to father. A white rabbit in summer... that's good luck for a hunter," Joachim replied, still staring at it. "You're not even going to eat it? If you want, I can skin it and you can show it to your father," I said, a bit annoyed. "It needs to look like I hunted it... or he'll think I stole it from someone... ha, ha," he chuckled, reaching out. "Fine... here you go. Now shut your mouth, or I'll open mine to your father," I said, handing him the rabbit. "You have my word... how did you kill it? No arrow wound... just... ew, one of its eyes is out... ew," said Joachim as he examined it. "I threw a rock and broke its neck... like this, see," I said, repeating the movement. "I see... he'll ask how I learned. He always does, never misses a detail," Joachim said as he started walking back toward the camp. "Tell him you asked me... that you figured, being the son of a northern barbarian, I'd know some tricks... and I'll back you up," I said, continuing with what I had left in my hands. We returned to camp, and I quickly returned everything I had "borrowed" before sitting down to pluck the bird, gut it with a knife, and start cutting it into pieces. I traded two legs for some salt a guard had on hand, and then realized someone had moved the soup because it was already done. I took the chance and tossed the bird pieces into the broth,wait,and serving myself a bowl. By the time I was on my second helping, the others began arriving, tired. "Nice, it's ready... I cut my hands like four times... hey Albrecht, where did you get... chicken?" one of the pages asked, grabbing a wooden bowl to serve himself. "What? They said they'd wait until after the feast to hand out meat... did you steal it?" said another, already helping himself. "Eat and shut up, or you can wait hours until they're done drinking wine. And if anyone opens their mouth, I'll break their legs at the next training. Understood?" I said, looking at the group. Even though they were older than me, none dared face me alone. Everyone started eating, taking a small piece of meat I'd left so they'd all be complicit. "Good... everyone ate. If anyone talks, we all go down..." I said, picking food from between my teeth with a finger. Their faces lit up at the taste of something decent instead of another bland stew. "What are you looking at? Eat, you ungrateful bastards. I do something nice for you and you're more worried about a punishment that won't come. If no one talks, there's no guilt," I said, stretching. I heard footsteps approaching the tent and immediately stood to block the entrance with my body. "Al... Albrecht... father wants to see you," said Joachim, looking tense. "Of course, I always have time for his lordship," I replied, stepping out quickly and following Joachim and his guards. We entered one of the largest tents in the camp, where the air was heavy with spices and the guests were stuffing themselves with endless luxuries. The margrave was sipping wine and speaking with the same dwarf from earlier, who held a mug of ale. "Father... uh..." Joachim started. "Albrecht, my son says you taught him one of your father's tricks. Is that true?" asked the margrave without delay. "Of course, my lord. Who would I be to refuse help to someone of your lineage? I'm here to serve you," I answered with a serious face, looking him straight in the eye. "Really... you're not lying to me?" said the margrave, adjusting in his seat and leaning toward me. "You really think I'm dumb enough to lie to your face, margrave?" I said with an innocent expression. The margrave laughed, licked his lips, and stared at his son. "Seriously, Joachim?" said the margrave. 'Because this idiot couldn't lie half as well as he struts around acting arrogant...' I thought. "Yes, father... he helped me," Joachim said, trembling from nerves. The margrave shook his head and looked at me. "Very well. Tomorrow we go for big game... no more small prey. So, Albrecht, you'll go with my son," said the margrave. "What... an honor... margrave," I said with the fakest smile I could muster. "Yes, a great honor... now go," said the margrave, and Joachim led me outside. "You owe me one," I said as we walked side by side. He just scowled at me and grabbed a tray from a servant. "I don't owe you anything," he said, handing me a tray full of roasted meats. "See you tomorrow," I said with a grin, quickening my pace, almost running with the food. ------------------------- If there are spelling mistakes, please let me know. Leave a comment; support is always appreciated. I remind you to leave your ideas or what you would like to see. -------------------------------