by Vance Huxley
“Billi?” He glanced back and Perry stood by the elk, and had scooped up a double handful of blood. “Can you? Please?”
“Of course.” Billi hadn’t thought of it because Perry would be training to be a Tanner. Though every youth hoped for a Hound, and always considered being blooded a good way to catch the eye of the Wild. Billi looked at the elk. “If you take the horns you’ll never stand upright again.”
Most trophies were hung around a neck, and Perry burst into laughter. Then he assessed the horns. “No, but the maids might be interested in coming to look at them. If a youth found somewhere a bit private to keep them?” Then he straightened his face while Billi dipped his fingers and did the honours.
Both the other youths were wearing twin lines of blood on their cheeks and big smiles as well. One had a boar tusk and one an antler and both congratulated Perry and agreed the elk horns would be a trophy to tempt a maid with. Then everyone set into gathering the animals together before the scavengers moved in. Ice lined the banks of the small, swift stream, but the fresh cold water in the centre turned out to be ideal for numbing, then scrubbing, various small cuts and grazes to stop wound rot. In addition to the usual collection, the water numbed two broken fingers and then a bite that would remind Tempert to never assume any animal dead before the spear made sure. More water went into pots over a fire to boil so a poultice could be heated and bound over the bite.
By the time the three Hunters returned from tracking down the escapees, laden with the hides and meat from two and towing the third, fires were lit and skins were being roughly scraped and rolled. Now the small group were in a race against the night, because nobody wanted to camp next to a pile of offal like this once the bigger scavengers arrived. “These are lovely pelts.” Hektor stroked a lush dappled pelt, one of several taken on the slopes. “We didn’t get many down here.”
“Don’t worry, you’ll get a share, enough to make Bliss a winter jacket at least. I’m more interested in some of that heap of lovely meat you took down in the valley. There weren’t many big prey animals up towards the ridges. That’s why we took hunters, especially those with good pelts.” Mikkel stopped a moment, puzzled. “Why was that, why didn’t we get any elk or boar?”
Eddmune gestured at the spotted hunter he’d been carefully skinning. “These, the hunters, were trying to avoid being injured. The others, the prey animals, were trying to stay in cover and break through into the Forest.” He looked round the interested younger faces. “If you give a hunter a way out, it will usually run. Unless it’s a Great Hunter.”
“In which case nobody will find the bones,” Cynel concluded.
“We might attract a Great Hunter, with all this meat.” Ewward, one of the newly blooded youths, looked around nervously.
“Not likely, if we get clear of the offal. Even a Great Hunter will take the easy option.” Billi didn’t say why he sounded so sure. “What we leave isn’t going to be bare bones.”
“Hide and hair, no. There won’t even be room for any trophy heads.” Cynel looked over the carcases still to be butchered. “I doubt we’ll be taking any of the gristly cuts or offal. The Hounds won’t need offal on the way back, or any food I reckon.” The Hounds were setting into the feast with a will and some stomachs already looked tight.
Eddmune laughed. “As long as we take all the usual cuts, and the hides and pelts, the Law has been met. Unless you have a particular liking for gristle?” They all bent to their task, only pausing to deal with a long shallow cut in a forearm.
“That’ll teach me not to hurry too much. Aaah.” Ewward’s knife had skittered off a bone, and he winced as Eddmune scrubbed the cut with ice cold water to clean it. He winced again as Eddmune bound a poultice to it, then brightened. “Worth it though.” He indicated the bloody stripes on his cheeks and two similar smiles agreed.
Everyone felt bruised and sore, the usual result after a hunt involving crashing through undergrowth. The youths would probably have traded at least another broken finger or two for the experience since they were now all blooded. Just as importantly, all had a really good story and a trophy from their first real hunt.
With everyone working as fast as possible they were finished and packed before dusk. By the time the last Hunter strapped the last hide to the last load the trees were full of eager, hungry eyes, as were the bushes. They’d started gathering even as the Hounds fell silent and the men began to finish those not yet dead. Now only the fires and the Hounds were keeping them back, though even what the party left behind made a magnificent feast for the scavengers.
Eight Hunters with Hounds and three youths staggered behind a pony, all twelve dragging travois loaded with meat, hides and pelts. The ninth Hunter and his Hound stumped along with his pack of meat, leading the pony as the party left the valleys behind. The Law had been kept, and all the good meat left on a travois or inside a Hound even if that meant the party would travel slowly on the way home. The Hounds all had rounded, tight bellies and none would eat for a couple of days at least, though a couple limped badly and others had collected their own scars. As the group came clear of the valley, the noises of fighting and feasting rose behind them. The noises carried clearly, fading gradually as the party opened the distance. It was late in the winter for scavengers too.
The group pushed on until full dark to open the distance between the valley and their own heap of meat, and made camp with five fires lit around them to help keep any opportunists at bay. Even as they finished a hurried meal and curled up in sleeping furs, a long, loud howl echoed behind them. Half the party came erect and reached for bows, but the Hounds just pricked their ears. The volume was due to the size of the beast, not it being close.
“Is that a Great-Wolf?” Hektor sounded awed. Despite the head in the alehouse, few Hunters ever heard one, and the three youths were completely speechless. So were most of the rest when an echoing roar answered.
“A Great-Hunter?” Perry looked and sounded distinctly nervous.
“No, that is more likely one of the other hunters, but a Great-Cat of some sort?” Eddmune couldn’t be sure, since few ever heard any call by the outsized hunters.
“That might be a dappled cat. They get pretty big, so a large one?” Cynel frowned. “I’ve seen some big marks now and then and don’t want to tangle with any of them.”
They were all back out of their furs now. “This size?” Billi drew the pug marks he had seen in the snow, what he thought might be a Great-Hunter, being careful to get the size about right. This seemed a good chance to find out.
“Forest and Farm, Billi, where did you see that?” Despite being an experienced Hunter, Eddmune looked decidedly nervous. “That’s bigger than any I’ve ever seen. It has to be a Great-Hunter.” Eddmune glanced round. “It wasn’t near here?”
“No, a long way away. I wondered if I’d come near a Great-Hunter.” Billi chuckled. “Now I know not to annoy it.”
Hektor pointed at the big shape Billi had drawn. “You needed a name to realise you shouldn’t annoy that!” The rest laughed then rolled themselves back into their furs and slept, exhausted, secure in the knowledge that the Hounds would let them know of danger. Billi smiled the next morning to see Rabbit carefully pee on the pawmark as they were leaving. It seemed the marking competition extended to any sign of the opposition.
The group spent a fourth night in the snow on the way home, at least partly due to Billi’s speed although some claimed the pony hadn’t toughened up enough. Others blamed slowing up to hunt to eat on the way home. Everyone agreed on the extra time spent hunting, rather than waste any of the meat they carried on the bunch of layabouts carrying it home. Those were very tired and happy layabouts when they broke free of the Forest mid-afternoon and the Hounds loped ahead, belling loudly.
The greeting turned into a larger repeat of the return after the Wood Hunt, with happy family members greeting the returnees and taking over the loads. A few looked over and frowned as if about to say something to Billi, but then se
t into helping the other Hunters. Perry offered to help Billi with his, both the sorting and carrying the meat and skins home. Fortunate the cold meant the meat had frozen on the trip so all it needed was storing.
* * *
Billi’s homecoming happiness didn’t last long, because Timath met him sporting a black eye and a split lip. “What happened to you? Edan?” Billi knew that might be jumping to conclusions, but usually one person lay behind most aggravation around Billi. Though this looked like a lot more than sneaking around spreading lies.
“Probably. It’s been dealt with, but Spots was the real hero. Ellibeth is here and she’s made bread in case you came home tonight.” Timath smiled which looked ghastly. “She made some yesterday and that was really tasty, thank you.” He gestured. “You’d better go in there to get the story or I’ll get skinned.” He looked past Billi. “Perry! You’ve been blooded!” The dried remnants were still just about enough to show.
The door opened and Ellibeth clapped her hands briskly. “Come on you pair. Get the meat packed away, whatever there is, then bring the pelts or hides in here so the scavengers don’t get them. Billi needs to get his boot off and have a hot drink.” Perry opened his mouth to object or point out he’d done the same trip. “Scat. I won’t tell him one word until you get back.” She shooed them out with her hands.
So Billi got his boot and his big coat and jacket off, and put the bag of claws and teeth in one corner for cleaning. Then he sat in his chair and drank warmed ale while Rubyn explained how he had looked after the hens and how many rats One-shut had caught. Also how many rats Spots had eaten, and how many eggs Rubyn had gathered, and sorry about breaking one. He continued with how much milk Ma took from the goat, how much feed the goats ate, and from the sounds of it had spent most of his free time here.
At last the two youths came back in. “Some of the meat is in the shed because it won’t all go into the cold room, Billi.”
“I’ll trade most of it anyway. Is your share safe, Perry?”
“It’s in the shed as well for now. Where do the hides and pelts go, Billi?” Both youths were carrying some, rolled and tied.
“Take them with you, for your Da to sort out if you will, Perry. You’ll have some of your own this time.” Billi grinned, waiting, and sure enough Timath’s, Ellibeth’s and Rubyn’s eyes lit up.
“I’ve got a full half-share of what was taken in the hunt so there’s a pelt and some hides, and some are beauties. But I’ve heard some of what happened here and Billi needs to know.” Everyone looked at Timath.
Timath sighed. “Four days since I heard a noise outside and Spots barked. I opened the door, and someone shouted to stay in here if I knew what was good for me.” Timath shrugged. “I’m stupid so I opened the door and went out, and there were three of them.”
“Who. Do you know who?”
“No Billi. None of them was Edan though. You know how tall and thin he is?” Billi nodded. “They were shorter, and all had a bag on their head, a leather hood with eyes cut out. They were going into your shed, Billi.”
“After the cold room?”
“I reckon. I told them to clear off and they said no, and if I interfered they’d smash up the hut as well. That I was a hut guard and should stay there.” Timath sighed again. “Spots ran forward and tried to grab a leg, and the man kicked out. Spots yelped and I lost my temper.”
“That’s not hard. He does it all the time.” Perry might have been teasing a bit, but he wasn’t smiling.
“Shush, Perry, let Timath tell it.” Ellibeth gave Perry a warning look.
“I took the bit of firewood you keep by the door. Then I threatened them.” Timath gave a short laugh. “I got in one good lick, maybe. Then they took it off me and knocked me down. I reckon Spots saved the day.”
Everyone looked at the little dog laid with Rubyn and Rabbit. “Spots?” Billi tried to work out how the little dog driven off three young men.
“He howled, just like a Hound but not as loud or as long. It worked though. A real Hound answered, and then another, and then half a dozen. The three of them dropped the sacks and ran.” Timath blew out a long breath. “They’d got me on the ground by then so I didn’t get chance to chase them.” Everyone laughed at that and Timath gave his ghastly grin. “So Spots saved the meat and me.”
“So what had they brought in the sacks?” Ellibeth probably knew and just wanted Timath to get on with it, but Billi wanted to know anyway.
“They were full of manure from the stockyards. I reckon those three were going to spoil your stores, Billi.” Timath wore a big scowl now. “That’s a disgusting thing to do with food in the winter.
“They maybe intended stealing some as well, to feed those dogs of Edan’s.” Ellibeth’s sneer had a lot of satisfaction in it. “Well it’ll be harder to feed them now because nobody is feeling sympathetic.”
“So it was Edan?”
“No. Most folk reckon they were some of that crew that hang around drinking his ale and agreeing with everything Edan says.” Ellibeth sighed. “But there’s no proof.”
“Did the Hounds actually come?” Billi thought of Rabbit tracking Edan before.
“Oh yes.” Timath’s eyes were wide with wonder now. “Four of them, running like the wind. They came from different directions, then three took off after the men.” Timath shook his head. “The Hunters came behind and followed the three. Barimar picked me up and dusted me off, then stayed here with Ripples.”
“The tracks went to the stockyards, but the Hounds can’t pick out a man. Barimar thinks the men rubbed their clothes with manure before coming, to stop Rabbit hunting them down.” The bright anger in Rabbit’s song said he would have liked that. Ellibeth glanced at Rabbit, although she couldn’t hear the song. “That would have been justice, if they’d spoiled all that food.”
“So nothing can be done?” Billi fancied finding whoever had thumped Timath, to dish out a bit of thumping himself.
“Not really. There’s a few doors closed to them now that were willing to listen, and Canitre has cut off the silver to Edan. He’ll come round and explain.” Ellibeth’s tone softened. “The man is embarrassed, Billi.”
“Fair enough. I’ll not blame him since Edan more or less lives in the stockyards now.” Billi sighed. “It might be best if I don’t go into the Village for a little while. If I bump into Edan and he makes one of those remarks, then I’ll be paying a fine.” Because Billi would lose his temper, and thump him good and proper.
“You go when you like, Billi.” Ellibeth looked and sounded defiant. “It’ll be Edan keeping low for a bit, I reckon.” Her lip curled in a sneer. “Spoiling food in winter? They’re all lucky the Hounds couldn’t pick one out because the elders were talking banishment.”
Billi smiled at Timath. “Well then, I’d best pay up for the injury, since you were defending my stores. There’s plenty of meat in the shed, ye tell me.”
Timath shook his head. “No Billi. ‘Tis my job and you pay well enough.”
Billi’s smile widened. “Then I’ll pay Spots.” He cupped a hand round his ear. “Spots isn’t saying no though he’d like you to carry his pay, Timath.” Everyone laughed and Timath gave in and accepted extra meat and a hide “So that you can practice without your Da complaining.”
When everyone had left Billi talked it over with Rabbit and One-shut but there was nothing to be done. He did decide to buy proper iron locks from the blacksmith, for the shed as well as the hut. They were expensive but Billi had plenty of meat to trade just now. Sure enough, Kravitt welcomed extra trade in the middle of winter, especially when Billi paid him in fresh meat. He promised they’d be good strong locks, since he’d somehow come across a lot of good charcoal.
The visit from Canitre, Edan’s Da, turned out to be very awkward. The Hunter couldn’t actually apologise for what had happened because that definitely wasn’t Edan. What he did promise Billi was that Edan wouldn’t be getting any extra silver to keep his friends in ale. Then perhaps, as
Canitre put it, “The fools won’t be so keen to believe him, or encourage his foolishness.” Billi offered him a drink, and talked about the Winter Hunt and other subjects until Canitre seemed to lose his embarrassment.
* * *
Over the following weeks a sizeable part of the proceeds of the Winter Hunt were traded away to the villagers. Some went to other Hunters who hadn’t had much luck lately, traded against future pelts, hides or meat that would then be traded on to the Traders or Tinkerers when they came. Some traded meat for future pots, mugs, arrows, sewing or flour, so those who were feeling the pinch could relax a bit. Those with nothing else promised their labour. The benefits spread through the Village and eased the period betwixt Winterfest and spring. Since a lot of the trading from those on the trip went against items not usually bought in the winter, the villagers were doubly pleased with the little boost.
The hunting party had made an agreement before coming home, none of them would trade all their extra pelts and hides at once as that would spoil the market. The first caravans would get a good few, as they always did, but some prime goods would be saved for later Traders and Tinkerers.
The party insisted that Billi had both the spotted pelts from a pair of hunting cats as part of his share of furs. Maybe ‘twas because of the euphoria after the hunt, but someone suggested Billi keep them for leading the party. He refused, so then the laughing youths pointed out the furs would be spoilt by cutting them into shares. Billi hadn’t anyone else to support so he could keep them until he found a use. Billi had no idea what he’d do with the spotted furs, because they were simply too beautiful to trade. There were several jokes made about being chased in earnest if the maids caught sight of them, or the amount of pies Billi might receive. Eddmune started them all laughing again by wondering what sort of beguiling a Tinkerer maid might produce if a spotted pelt showed up in the Tinkerer camp.