Silence No More

22. A-Hunting We Will Go

"Go!"

The moment the command rang out across the fields, the four of us set out without the slightest hesitation, striding forward while making sure to keep sufficient distance between the two competing duos. When I passed Mr Ambrose, two whispered words reached my ears.

"Stay safe."

It was not a request. It was an order. I wanted nothing more than to throw my arms around him and hug him tight, but I couldn't. With the others watching, all I could do was give him a brief nod and walk past. My eyes, however, told a different story.

I will. And I'll come back to you and Berty.

Hopefully, I would be able to keep that promise. Straightening my shoulders, I looked ahead. Now, it was time to hunt!

Side by side, Karim and I strode through the knee-high grass. We were both holding rifles and, with his other hand, the big Mohammedan was leading a pair of dogs behind him. Sidling up to the massive man, I leaned over and lowered my voice.

"So...how exactly do you hunt pheasants?"

The bodyguard's big beard twitched. "You went on a hunt without knowing how to actually hunt?"

I cocked an eyebrow. "I live in the middle of bloody London! You might not have noticed, but pheasants are rather rare there."

"There are more than enough pigeons."

"And policemen, who for some reason seem to disapprove of people firing guns in the middle of the city. Now, how do you hunt bloody pheasants?"

"With them." Karim gestured at the dogs.

"Hm. So that's why they're here!" I glanced at the dogs curiously. They seemed rather familiar... "Oh, it's you, Barb and Wire! Who's a good boy? Who's a good bo—"

"Grrrrwl! Grrrrwl!"

"Um...adequate boy?"

"Woof! Woof!"

Good to know some things never changed.

"So..." I tapped my chin. "How does this work?"

In answer, Karim gestured at the earth-coloured fields in front of us. "We send the dogs ahead through the underbrush. When they find pheasants, the birds' flight instinct will make them want to save themselves by, well, taking flight."

"Must be unimaginative birds."

"And rather stupid ones. If they stayed on the ground, hidden in the grass, they would be perfectly fine. But by rising into the air, they present the perfect target."

I glanced at the rifle in my hand. "And that's when we strike."

"As you say, Sahiba."

"You hear?" Bending down, I patted Barb and Wire as Karim let go of the leash. "It's all up to you now. Go, run! Run and find pheasants!"

They didn't move a muscle.

"Run, I said!"

Still, they did not move. Unless you counted Barb cocking his head and giving me a "Why don't you run?" kind of look.

"My apologies for having to inform you of this, Sahiba, but dogs usually do not speak English."

"Oh? You think so?" Raising a challenging eyebrow, I stared at him. "Let's try again, shall we?" And I turned back to Barb and Wire. "If you find me some pheasants, you can have them all once you are done. In addition, I will give you some treats and shiny toys to play with."

Instantly, the two dogs' ears shot up. Whirling around, they dashed off through the tall grass, sniffing and searching.

"There, you see?" I sent the bodyguard a smug look. "Me, best hunter in the world."