by Vance Huxley
Billi lost interest in the talking because something hid in the Forest ahead. Rabbit’s song sharpened, then held a hint of resignation because they weren’t hunting today. Billi knew why when a small wild pig burst out of some low evergreen bushes and raced away. A pig small enough for Billi to carry home and so worth an arrow if he’d been on his own. With Rabbit’s warning Billi would have been ready with his bow, and the pig wouldn’t have run far if he hit it.
“Come on Billi. Da tells me you are one of the best with a bow on the targets.” Seifort still stamped along in front and had a good view of the pork dinner that had just escaped.
“He’s too slow getting that bow because of the crutches.” Edan reverted to having another go at Billi.
“I already knew what hid and where because Rabbit told me, so if I’d wanted to try I would have been ready.” Billi cursed silently because he shouldn’t let the youths get to him. “No Hunter can be sure of a clean kill every time, and I’m responsible for keeping you safe.”
Mandy had heard enough. “Mind your manners Edan. Any more trouble and I’ll be asking someone’s Da to make sure a certain youth gets some extra teaching. You are all old enough to know the Law, and showing ignorance won’t impress any maids.” The youths turned to berating the red-faced Edan and the maids joined in.
Mandy had moved up just behind Billi and ignored the banter behind. “Edan is old enough for a Hound now Billi. When did you get Rabbit?”
“Just past sixteen summers, Mandy. I’m told he limped right through the Village, door to door, and then out along the lane to Da’s farm. He scratched and whined until Ma opened the door.” Billi sniggered. “That was some shock for Ma, a Hound on the doorstep. He limped over to my chair, the one with wheels, and sat next to it.” Billi sighed. “I came into the room and there he sat, and I heard the song.”
“That’s always the way.” Billi heard Mandy sigh as well. “The Hound comes from the Forest, and looks all over the Farm until he finds his Hunter. They only come for one youth, and once they’re together, only death will part them.” She shook her head. “All the Hunters speak of something, a connection, though only you call it a song.”
Billi didn’t answer because he was lost in memory, lost in that wonderful moment eight summers ago when Rabbit’s song had burst into his head, full of joy and welcome. The wordless song had been there ever since, and there it would stay while they both lived. A Hound, the giant oversized Forest version of a dog, lived as long as his Hunter and then pined and died of grief.
Occasionally Hounds died when prey fought back. The Hunters who didn’t stay by the body until the Wild took them both were few and far between, sad old men with the grief stark on their faces. Most of those went out to meet the Wild one day with just a spear, knowing that they would never come home. Among the lines of skulls upon the great rock those of Hunters were clear, as a Hound skull lay alongside each one. Billi knew that if that gentle song humming in the back of his mind ever silenced he would also take his spear to meet the Wild. Then someone would place a small token on Skull Rock, to show where his skull and Rabbit’s should have rested.
* * *
The way ahead became less clear as the animal trails became fainter. “Far enough Seifort, and thank ye. I’ll stay out front now.” Billi turned to Mandy as Seifort joined the rest and began to add his own teasing. Mandy had come with the wood gathering party today for a special purpose, as a guide. “How much further, Mandy? I’ve never taken wood gatherers past here, and usually hunt along the river.” Billi didn’t go deeper into the Forest because he couldn’t carry the meat from larger prey, or carry anything much through the thicker undergrowth.
“I’m not sure now we’re past the usual trails, Billi, only the general direction. I’ve been gathering wood plenty of times, but only came this way once before today.” She sighed. “This winter is a long one, and all the decent windfall branches have been gathered from the usual places. It was the same back then.”
One of the maids stopped teasing the youths for a moment. “When was that Mandy?”
“Before ye were born, Bliss. That was a bad winter and so Da and Unk brought the whole family, even us littluns. We brought back a huge load even if it took much longer. I’ve kept the memory against the day ‘twas needed and there should be plenty of big branches fallen since then.” She looked around and pointed confidently. “There, Billi. The two tall evergreens and the path up the little valley betwixt them. I’d hoped they’d still be here.”
“Trees like that will be here when your littluns are bringing their own littluns this way, Mandy. They grow slow and ‘twould take something terrible to knock one down.” Billi went ahead up the dip between the trees so that he and Rabbit could check the undergrowth and especially those trees. “All safe everyone, you can come through now.”
“That’s why I’m pleased it’s you, Billi. One of the other Hunters would be complaining about the extra time and distance, but you just keep going.”
“No trouble at all, Mandy.” Billi had a soft spot for anyone who treated him decently and Mandy always did, though most of the Village and farmers ignored him if possible. Billi was an oddity, and some resented a cripple getting a Hound when many healthy men never did. In return Billi kept out of the way in his little hut. He knew he didn’t really pull his weight, that he rarely brought back extra meat to help feed the Village.
The party pushed on and Billi, and especially Rabbit, were warier now. They had come well past the usual areas travelled by escorted parties and the Wild would be stronger, a little more bolder. Behind him the youths grumbled and teased the maids and the maids mocked the youths, while Mandy stopped them getting out of hand.
Billi thought they would do well to look around at the Forest and remember it, especially the youths since they might never come this far again. Youths who were not chosen by a Hound before their eighteenth summer knew they were destined to be wheelwrights, farmers, leather workers, carpenters, merchants or blacksmiths. They could specialise, learn or improve upon a skill, and if skilful enough could prosper. Others worked for tradesfolk earning extra food or silver, or helped out with the farming or in the business that would be partly theirs someday. Either way the youths would stay in the Village, working, and their littluns and lasses would collect wood.
Many were pleased to work in the Village instead of risking the creatures of the Wild. Hunting was a dangerous occupation, though the rewards could be great if a man and Hound were lucky. Hunters roamed all over the nearby Forest, though not much further since few risked staying out overnight. The Hunters would look in streams for the occasional stones and nuggets that were prized by the Traders or Tinkerers, and for any signs of ironstone or blackstone for the blacksmith. Only Hunters could find the fallen trees, and be paid finder’s fee and guard fee when the Villagers came with ponies to drag the trunks home to supply timber. Even a one-legged Hunter always had some income because all those who ventured into the Forest, even for firewood, needed a Hunter and Hound nearby.
* * *
Billi had been keeping an eye out, but he relied on Rabbit’s much keener senses to warn him of any real threat because wood gathering wasn’t hunting. Scaring animals away rather than sneaking up meant Billi could relax, or he could until the song gave him a wake-up note. Rabbit crouched down a little, but not all the way because he only had three legs. After the sharp warning note, Billi felt a trickle of excitement and anticipation in his head that might mean prey they could take. He also stopped, with a hand raised. “Hush.”
“Why, what’s…?”
Edan stopped because Mandy had a hand on his mouth and as the rest stared at her she said, very quietly, “Hunter said hush.” Billi saw the shock on the faces of youngsters who really had never processed it despite parroting the Laws. To them he was Stumpy Billi who lived in the little hut with Hoppity, a three-legged Hound and a one-eyed cat, but now it hit home. Only a real Hunter could escort them and even three-legged, hoppity Rabbit
really was a Hound. If the Wild had allowed them to guard the Villagers, the Wild considered Stumpy Billi a true Hunter and now all the older lasses were glaring at the youngsters and nodding. Well in that case Billi thought he had better act like a Hunter. He beckoned Mandy close.
“Rabbit says prey, maybe. Upwind and so far not alarmed.” Billi shrugged. “It’s not small. I’m minded to make a noise and scare it away because of the maids. If the first arrow doesn’t drop it, it might charge.”
“It might be worth taking a chance, Billi, because the Village is running short of meat, really short. This cold has gone on too long and the Hunters are coming back empty-handed. If ye can take anything, there’ll be those who will be grateful.” Mandy smiled. “Only you wouldn’t know how bad it is.”
“As long as there’s enough for us, I don’t really bother anyone.” Billi listened to the song in his head. Prey, real prey, and still not moving away judging by Rabbit’s interest. “I’ll try. Now who is steady enough to carry my spear?” Her eyes widened. “I’m going to be using my bow and will be just ahead, in sight, but I want my spear back here.”
Billi indicated the group behind them. “If anything in the Wild is feeling hungry and comes looking, everyone must yell at it. If someone waves a spear it’ll hesitate and I’ll stick an arrow in whatever it is.” Mandy looked hard at him, weighing it up. Then she nodded, satisfied that Billi thought the villagers would be safe. “Keep me in sight, quiet and not too close and please make sure they all know. If I stop they must freeze.” He grinned at Mandy. “I’m the slow careful type.” Mandy smiled back, fully aware Billi couldn’t be anything else. “Now who is steady, and will stay at the back and alert?”
She thought a moment and beckoned to Hektor, a strapping youth who could be getting a Hound any time if the Wild favoured him. “Billi has a job for you. Keep very quiet.”
Hektor looked at Billi, who took his pack off slowly and carefully. “Have you practiced with a spear?” Billi held out the hunting spear with its wide, sharp blade and Hektor stared at it.
Then he nodded. “I have, just in case.” Hektor glanced at Rabbit. “In case the Forest sends me a Hound.” Every youth Hektor’s age hoped for a Hound.
“Then you are guarding the rear. Take the spear.” Hektor took the proffered spear and held it with easy assurance and Billi felt relieved; the youth really had practiced.
Though Hektor’s eyes were wide as he looked from the weapon to Billi. “But.” His voice stayed very quiet, but strained. “In the Forest?”
“You aren’t trying to be a Hunter or using a bow. You must stay at the rear and watch for anything unusual. If any animal appears, everyone must shout and you get set with that.” Billi put as much confidence as possible into his voice. “It’ll stop to weigh you up and I will get whatever it is with my bow, but sometimes it takes them a few moments to die. You will slow the beast up, make it cautious enough for me to get a second arrow in it.”
Hektor relaxed. “All right Billi, er, Hunter. Da says you are better than him with a bow.” Hektor stood up very straight. “I’ll not let you down.”
“Good, now go to the back while I find out if this is all for nothing.” Behind Hektor, Billi could see Mandy and the older lasses talking to the rest. As Hektor went past the group to take up position at the back, Ethan started to speak, but Mandy hushed him. The youth subsided but shot a glare at Billi. Hektor took station at the rear with a very determined look about him and Billi began to move cautiously forward.
Billi soon knew why the prey hadn’t heard the villagers. He could hear the animal grunting and splashing up ahead, making too much noise to hear anything else. Nor would it scent the party, because the wind blew Billi’s scent back, away from the sounds. Billi kept checking that everyone kept up, moving slowly forward until a note of urgency came into Rabbit’s song. Billi put his hand up and glanced back. Everyone stopped and some even crouched a little. He pointed at the bushes ahead and mimed opening them and then loosening an arrow, then made a ‘stay there’ gesture. A round of nods came back, mostly accompanied by wide smiles and shining eyes.
Billi should have realised that none of them had been on a hunt before, except a couple of the older youths who had accompanied a parent. Maids never ever went on a hunt, and here they were in the Forest creeping up on prey! This could be the most exciting moment of their lives, even if they still might not see a hunt. Despite what Mandy said, if whatever Billi saw through the bushes looked too big and dangerous then Billi would snap a twig to spook it and let it go.
He wouldn’t risk a wounded animal getting to the others even though the youths would be scathing in their mockery if food got away. These were villagers who had come to collect firewood, not Hunters. Billi concentrated on moving quietly up the gentle slope and into the bushes, keeping a thick tree trunk betwixt him and the beast. He could do this almost silently, even on crutches, because Billi had practised for years. At least the creature ahead still grunted and snorted and splashed loudly enough to cover any small rustle of leaf or grass.
Rabbit crouched as low as possibly while still moving quietly. The Hound disappeared into the bushes and Billi could feel Rabbit’s interest spike and settle into real intent. The hunt was on! Billi finally reached the tree and eased an eye far enough round the trunk to see the prey, a boar. Not a yearling, but a big old lad in his prime. Even if his flanks were a bit gaunt, the great hump of muscle on the boar’s shoulders would feed half the Village.
Billi’s shoulder’s slumped because a boar would definitely charge if wounded but not crippled. Then if the beast made it past Billi, villagers would die. Worse, if the boar killed or even crippled Billi, the Villagers would be defenceless when the Wild moved in. He even reached out to snap a small branch but hesitated, since Mandy had made it clear the Village really needed meat. Sideways on, the boar stood just like the target at home, the target Billi had spent long hours aiming at to hit the perfect killing spot.
The song in his head sounded eager, expectant, so Rabbit thought that Billi could do this, should do this. Billi took one quick glance back and the wood gatherers were all keeping low and still. Though he could see the youths straining forward, wanting to be here, wanting to see. Except for Hektor, still looking back the way they had come with the spear held firm and ready.
Billi carefully propped his crutches against the tree, leaned his back against the wood, fitted the shaft and half-drew his bow. Then he swivelled his foot and with a practised movement rolled his back slowly around the trunk. The boar still rooted in the marshy bank for succulent roots, up to his hocks in the sand of the stream bed. The animal looked hungry and probably felt over-confident; only a Great Hunter would tackle such a big boar, or a Hunter with a bow. The bow came up inch by slow inch, no jerking to catch the boar’s eye, and Billi could feel Rabbit’s anticipation. He blessed the arm muscles built by years of heaving himself about as the feathers tickled his lips for a moment and Billi loosed.
Perfect shot! And Billi knew it from the moment he loosened his fingers, that special feeling that meant a perfect Bullseye. He reached for a second shaft, while Rabbit bounced forward through the stream well behind the stricken beast. The Hound bayed as he did, drowning all other sound and attracting the boar’s attention. The beast tried to turn to challenge what threatened from behind and screamed in rage and pain, but the challenge faltered as bright arterial blood gushed around those great tusks.
The boar tried to turn back again as Rabbit went up onto the far bank. The animal thrashed frantically because the soft sand and mud were giving him no purchase and the bank directly in front of him was too slippery to climb, and then Rabbit crouched in front of his snout. The Hound snarled and threatened, keeping the boar’s attention on him and that steep slippery bank in front. The boar tried to heave himself up the bank by sheer brute force, and Billi froze momentarily when its chest came clear of the water and mud and he saw the true size of the beast.
But the feathers of the second
shaft tickled Billi’s lips as years of practice kept him moving and the bow moved a little as Billi concentrated on the red splash and short exclamation mark of the first shaft. His aim dropped from the marker to drive his second shaft lower, deep into that big barrel of a chest. Panic joined the pain and rage when the shaft struck and the boar lunged up the slippery bank again. But already the blood filling the beast’s lungs sapped the power of his frantic lunges, every breath spraying crimson into the water and the mud. Even though he still fought to live, the dying prey, definitely prey now, wouldn’t run far or mount a real charge. Billi put his bow over his shoulder, picked up his crutches and looked back.
“Come up into the bushes to see, but don’t go near yet.” There the rest came forward in a stampede but Hektor came slow and steady, still looking back down the trail. Billi made a quick decision. That really was a tremendous application of willpower in a youth and deserved a reward. “Hektor.” The youth’s head came round. “How much training have you had with the spear?”
“I killed the pig a moon ago but it was held. Da showed me exactly how to strike.” That meant Hektor would have used the same killing thrust through the throat the Hunters used to finish downed prey, exactly what the Laws demanded right now.
“Well if you don’t mind getting cold and wet you can kill another, and it will save time since I’m a bit slow with getting my boot off.” The lad’s eyes were eager and sparkling with excitement but Hektor glanced at Mandy, who looked in turn at Billi. He answered the question in her eyes. “He earned it. I kept an eye on everyone and Hektor always had his eyes back there, even when the boar squealed. He guarded the rear as well as any Hunter.”
“Boar?” With a big smile Mandy turned to Hektor and her voice became very serious. “The Hunter says you earned it, but you be careful since it’s a big chance. Don’t mess this up and cause the Hunter any trouble.” Hektor answered with a quick head shake. Billi didn’t think the youth could speak. “Well get your gear off, lunch is waiting.” Hektor hesitated a moment and Mandy held out a hand for the spear so he could shed his boots and pants.