by Ryan Kirk
“We’d be happy to have you.”
Tev could hear the smile in Kindra’s voice. She told him she’d be down to the camp early that evening and signed off.
She arrived just when she said she would. The last of the lances was shuffling into camp, exhausted from another demanding day of training. The sounds of exosuits powering down blended with the soft roar of their nightly bonfire and the smells of pig roasting nearby. Xan’s lance had been responsible for the evening meal, and as much as it pained Tev to admit it, the big hunter was almost as good at cooking as he was at hunting. It was no wonder Neera had fallen in love with him.
Kindra came into the camp carrying a small backpack full of gear. Tev didn’t react outwardly, but he approved. The few times Derreck had come to spend the evening at camp he had brought a backpack that looked almost as heavy as an exosuit. Kindra, at least, traveled lighter. Tev told her to find any open space and set up her tent. She did so in short order and joined them at the fire, sitting on a fallen log beside Tev.
“What are we having? I’m starving.”
“Pig tonight. Xan is cooking, and he’s very good.” Here, in the camp, Tev spoke his own language. He was fluent enough in Kindra’s that he could have spoken without the aid of the translator, but he couldn’t set himself apart like that. Not here.
Kindra didn’t say anything about Tev’s language choice, which he appreciated. They sat together in companionable silence as everyone gathered around the fire. The meal would soon be ready, and the excitement was building. All of them had been active all day, and their hunger was about to be sated. Kindra seemed content to simply enjoy the atmosphere.
The meal began, and Xan cut off the best parts of the pig for Kindra, including the cheek. Kindra didn’t hesitate, but threw the meat down her throat, making appreciative noises. Tev had noticed while on Haven that Kindra’s people only focused on a few cuts of meat, and he was pleased to see she accepted the cuts offered without complaint. Xan also grinned his approval.
She was, in many ways, a remarkable woman, Tev supposed. Lately he had been very self-focused, but she was always present when he needed her, and he sometimes forgot she had left most of her people far behind as well. Tev had been to the society she came from, and to say it was different than his own was a tremendous understatement. She had made sacrifices too.
The conversation was wide-ranging and casual. One of the lances had brewed a strong fermented beverage that immediately relaxed the hunters. Most evenings were spent discussing training, but with Kindra present, the subjects changed. She asked about their hunting methods, and they were happy to oblige with story after story, each one slightly more unbelievable than the last. Kindra’s translator could decipher their language, and Tev translated her questions to the group.
Neera, who sat next to Xan, asked Kindra how her people acquired their food, and Kindra struggled to explain how their markets worked. Tev’s people had no concept of money, and so it was a challenge she eventually gave up on. Tev tried to fill in the gaps as best he could.
As the evening progressed, Tev realized that for the first time in his memory he could look at Neera with Xan and not be jealous. He smiled quickly to himself, thinking that it was good to be happy for a woman who was and always would be a close friend.
Kindra asked another question about hunting, and finally one of the hunters replied, “If you are so curious about our ways, there is no better way to learn than hunting yourself. I’m sure Tev could show you how. He once was well-regarded as a hunter, if he hasn’t lost his skills.”
Tev studied the smiles around the campfire. Didn’t they realize the danger they were in? He couldn’t spare the time to go hunting. “If I leave, who will prevent you all from shooting yourselves in the feet?”
There was a gentle laughter, but the other hunter persisted. “We will be fine. Game in this area is still plentiful, so it shouldn’t take you more than a few days, even with one who has never hunted before, eh?”
Tev sensed the challenge for what it was. He had proven time and again he was the best exosuit pilot, but that wasn’t the path to respect among the hunters. He sighed as he understood what was really being said. The contest had been laid in front of him. Bring back a respectable kill while escorting one who had never hunted. The feat would be difficult, but among the assembled hunters, nothing less could be expected. If he wanted to continue to lead them, to earn their trust, he had no choice.
Tev’s response was light. “Very well. I suppose I need to show you how that is done as well.”
The challenging hunter grinned, and Tev could see his decision had been correct. Around the fire, there were several subtle nods of approval.
Tev looked over at Kindra, studying her in a new light. She seemed to understand the subtext of what was happening, and had the wisdom to remain silent on the matter. Tev estimated his chances. To her benefit, Kindra walked lightly for one of her people, and didn’t breathe as heavily as some of them. With training, perhaps she could even become a hunter. The thought had never occurred to him before, but it felt right. He could do this.
Tev spoke to Kindra, loudly enough for everyone to hear. “Would you like to go on a hunt? We can leave tomorrow morning. Xan can oversee training for the next few days.”
Kindra smiled, and Tev saw it was filled with genuine excitement. “I’d love to.”
As the fire burned low, the hunters continued to share their stories. Tev noticed that Kindra seemed more welcome here than Derreck, and he wondered why that was. He suspected it was because Kindra didn’t project any superiority. She recognized that here she was the outsider, not the expert. Derreck couldn’t quite pull off the same feat.
They retired to their tents late that night, the entire evening an excuse to relax more than they usually allowed themselves to. Kindra walked with Tev away from the fire and whispered to him when they were out of earshot. “You don’t have to do this, you know.”
Tev looked up at Lys, the familiar pattern twinkling in the sky. He wished he had more answers, but he didn’t. Not yet. “Yes, I really do.”
The next morning Tev woke up with the rising sun, yesterday’s late evening notwithstanding. The hunter came awake immediately and rolled out of his tent, preparing their supplies for the journey. He basked in the silence of the early morning, the other hunters still asleep after their festivities. Nearby, songbirds chirped their morning greetings to one another and a soft breeze rustled the tops of the trees.
Tev paused his packing for a moment to take in a deep breath of the fresh pine smell. The refreshing scent was always strongest in the morning. He had been back on his planet for several months already, and most of the time, he didn’t spare too many thoughts for his home environment. But occasionally, a moment like this one would strike him, and he would realize all over again how much he had missed these places.
Kindra’s world and life were composed of right angles and smooth surfaces. Her people had lost touch with what their bodies were capable of. Although his time with them had been fascinating, he could never live among them. Not happily. He was grateful his path had brought him back home, back to the places that calmed his mind.
After another deep breath, he went back to work, a small smile on his face. By the time he was done the camp was stirring, and the noise of the hunters woke Kindra.
She didn’t take long to prepare. Together they were packed and ready to go before the sun even crested the tops of the trees. Tev said a few words to Xan, but the other hunter knew how to maintain the training. Knowing him, Tev would be welcomed back with open arms by the hunters eager to escape being under Xan’s thumb. Tev’s most pressing concern regarding the training was that the others would catch up to him in the few days he’d be gone.
They left without fanfare. Were it a larger hunt there would have been a small ceremony, a blessing of the hunting party. This hunt, though, was only about confirming Tev’s skills. The other hunters would consider the task no more than a chor
e to be completed.
Tev’s thoughts diminished the further they got from the camp. The Tev who was consumed by fear for his planet, the one who acted as a liaison between the Vigilance and his people, slowly evaporated. In his place, the old Tev reasserted himself. With every step, he became more immersed in the present moment, in the sights, sounds, and smells of the forest.
Kindra picked up the basics of hunting more quickly than Tev expected. When they left camp, their pace had been rapid, but as they entered areas where game would be more plentiful, their fast walk became slow and methodical. Tev showed her how to walk properly: how to check her footing before she made each step, how to brush aside dried leaves and twigs, and how to keep a close eye on low-hanging branches that she might hit as she walked under. He spoke softly about breathing silently. While hunting, stealth was far more important than speed.
She learned fast, but Tev could see the physical exertion was taking a toll on her. Kindra was in fine shape by the standards of her people, but she had never moved like a hunter, and even though the pace was slow, it was physically taxing. The sun was nearing its peak in the sky when Tev called for a break.
Their meal was simple. Dried meat from a previous hunt, some fruit and nuts that had been foraged from the area, and water from a nearby stream. While they ate, Kindra asked questions about hunting, and Tev answered as well as he was able. At times the task was challenging. Hunting wasn’t something he explained very frequently. He had demonstrated often, but to put his life’s passion into words didn’t come easily.
He had just finished explaining the importance of staying downwind of prey when Kindra went silent. Tev allowed her the space she desired for a few minutes, but from the way she stared blankly off into the distance, he knew something was on her mind. Finally, he asked her.
She startled, almost as though she had forgotten he was there. “Even though I’ve known you for years now, I keep underestimating you.”
“What do you mean?”
“There’s this mindset that is very easy to fall into. We’ve got technology that is so far ahead of everything your people have accomplished. Because of that, it’s easy to think that we, as a people, are more advanced. But the truth isn’t that simple.
“Take hunting, for example. When I first learned that you were a hunter, my thought was that it wasn’t a very demanding task. When I read about hunting in books, it sounds so simple: find an animal and shoot it. But this morning has taken all of my focus and all my strength, and we’re just beginning. When you say you are one of the best hunters, I’m only now starting to understand what that means.”
Tev felt a flush of pride in his gut. Derreck may have spent the most time with the hunters, but Kindra was the closest to understanding them. Kindra’s thoughts made Tev feel like it might be possible to build a true bridge between the two cultures. Perhaps there might be a real chance for coexistence.
The moment passed, but Tev couldn’t help but watch Kindra as he let her lead the next section of their journey. His heart and mind were stirring, but he couldn’t bring the thoughts to the surface. With a small amount of dismay, he forced himself back to the matter of the hunt.
Tev was torn about what, precisely, they should hunt for. He knew there were deer in these woods, and plenty of small game, but he feared such easy prey wouldn’t prove himself to the warriors at camp. There were boar deeper in the woods, but the deeper one went, the more danger one was in. Kindra, although a quick study, was still inexperienced, increasing the risk further.
He didn’t see any other option, though. The hunters didn’t have the time to decide who was best qualified to lead them. There was no telling when they would need to defend themselves. If Tev could bring back a boar while Kindra was with him, his leadership would be unquestioned, and they could focus on training and protecting their people. Tev took over from Kindra and led them deeper into the forest, hesitation heavy on his heart.
By mid-afternoon they had discovered traces of a boar. Tev gave Kindra a quick lesson on tracking, and let her take the lead once again, testing her new skills. Tev’s practiced eye saw that the tracks were over a day old, so the risk of Kindra actually running into the boar was slim.
Kindra proved to be a natural. Her scientific training made her an excellent observer, and she was willing to take her time to ensure she didn’t make mistakes. At times, Tev wondered how good of a hunter she could become if she had more time, or how good she would be if she had grown up like he had. Tev suspected she would be excellent.
While Kindra tracked, Tev kept an eye on their surroundings. Like most new hunters, Kindra was so focused on tracking that the rest of the world fell away. Her face was close to the ground, and she moved from sign to sign with an intensity that made Tev smile. She reminded him so much of himself when he had been younger.
At one time, Kindra turned to him and grinned, her joy at the experience obvious. Tev grinned at her in return. She was discovering the same passion that had driven him for most of his life. He had planned on taking over from her, but she was enjoying herself too much.
In the late afternoon Tev sensed that something was wrong. Kindra had been tracking the boar almost to perfection, but the environment made Tev nervous. Something was off, something he didn’t recognize at first.
When he realized what he had noticed, he cursed himself. His skills had rusted with disuse. The forest was too quiet, the birds and creatures unnaturally still. He heard a bird cry to the west of them, and now that he was paying attention, he recognized the call as one the bird made when it spotted a predator.
Tev didn’t panic. Such a reaction would only make the situation worse. The wind was coming from the east, so a predator to the west would most likely have their scent. What predators were in the area? The only ones Tev could think of were the big forest cats. They were uncommon, but were one of the few creatures that would attack hunters. They were almost fearless in that regard.
He considered their options, which were limited thanks to Kindra’s presence. She was a good tracker, but would be less than useless if the cat attacked. Thinking of Kindra made him realize she was moving farther ahead of him, so focused on tracking she didn’t even notice he had stopped following. He ran up to her quickly, the noise causing her to snap out of her focus.
Tev put a hand on her shoulder. “We are being hunted.”
Kindra pulled out her sidearm, a look of fear on her face. She offered it to Tev. He reached for it and then stopped.
“No. I must face this my way, or I can’t return to the camp.”
Kindra glared at him. “Even if it costs you your life?”
Tev didn’t have time to explain himself to her. “It’s better if you use the weapon to protect yourself. I have these.” He held up his spear and knife.
Kindra opened her mouth to argue, but Tev put his finger to her lips. He needed to figure out where the cat was, and soon. Fortunately, Kindra seemed to understand the urgency in his gesture and remained silent. Tev focused on the sounds of the forest.
The woods were still quiet, and if Tev had to guess, he would say that the silence was surrounding them. The predator was close. From experience, Tev knew he wouldn’t hear the cat itself. The beast was too good of a hunter. He tightened his grip on his spear and turned slowly around, trying to spot any movement that would give the animal away.
Behind him, Kindra’s breathing was ragged and loud. If they had been hunting he would have been upset, but as it was, he understood. Experience and willpower were the only two attributes keeping his fear in check. That, and the knowledge that his skills were all that separated them from an eternal hunt with Lys.
A realization dawned on Tev at that moment. He didn’t want anything to happen to Kindra. His own life was important, but he was suddenly certain that if he could give his life to keep her safe, he would do so gladly.
The cat didn’t give him time to fully process his thought. Tev only heard the animal as it made its leap. He spun quickl
y, the cat coming at him from his left side. He couldn’t move fast enough to stab the animal with his spear, but he knocked it sideways and away from them.
The spear shivered in his hands. Tev took the beast in with a glance. He had never seen one so large before. The animal landed softly on its feet and Tev glanced at his spear. Only luck and quick reflexes had seen them through that initial attack.
The cat leaped again, this time at its closer prey, Kindra. Time slowed down for Tev. Kindra was between him and the cat, and there was only a small window to try and stab his spear through. He thrust without hesitation and everything happened at once. He felt contact in his arms as the spear sliced through the fur of the cat. Kindra dove to the side, her reflexes not quite quick enough to avoid the attack. The pistol went off in her hands, but Tev saw that from the angle she was holding the weapon that she wasn’t even close to hitting the target. Kindra’s dive moved her away from the deadly jaws, but couldn’t get her out of the way of the claws, which raked the right side of her torso and arms.
Tev spun as Kindra fell, putting himself directly between her and the cat. He held his spear straight out, the cat eyeing him warily. The hunter had hoped that his cut was deeper, but it looked to be a shallow wound. The cat wasn’t hindered by the injury at all.
Tev knew that when the attack came, it would be sudden and without warning. He was right. The cat went from a slow crawl to a full sprint in a moment, leaping from tree trunk to tree trunk. Tev turned around as quickly as he was able, but his movement was hindered by Kindra attempting to stand. The cat leaped at him again, and Tev’s reflexes were just quick enough. This time he planted his spear in the side of the cat, which let out a ferocious roar of pain. The cat attacked as soon as it landed, ripping the spear out of Tev’s hands.
Tev ducked to the side as the cat clawed at him, drawing his long hunting blade in one smooth motion. The cat landed and turned. The animal was slowing down, but every moment it was alive, it was a danger to Kindra, who had collapsed back to the ground in shock.