Caught by a Hunter

Chapter 4

Since asking help from Hassian was no longer an option - thanks to his ridiculous amount of pride - Alderoth had no other choice but to try and find out a way how to make his own bow and arrows. He had to borrow a book about hunting from the library and it wasn't an easy task since Caleri didn't yet trust him. She warned him over and over that if something would happen to that book, Alderoth would definitely regret not taking good care of it. He believed her.

He was sitting on his sofa flipping through pages and reading every word carefully, trying to understand all the information he was getting. He understood the basics fast, but he knew just reading about hunting did not yet make him a hunter.

He went through the pages that told him how to make a bow. It did seem a bit complicated and he was not sure at all if he could do it... Maybe he would be a lot more suited building traps? There were all kinds of traps mentioned in the book and how to make them.

Suddenly he heard barking coming from outside and quiet hushing. He raised his eyebrow and put away the book, standing up and he went to the door. He was sure it was Tau who was barking, but why would the plumehound come back?

He listened, hearing Tau jumping around and panting and there was someone with him. Alderoth frowned a bit and he grabbed the handle of his door, opening it.

"Yes?" he asked, looking at the dark purple skinned man who was just about to put down a box he was carrying. Obviously he had not expected him to be home and he looked stunned for a second when staring back at him.

Finally when Tau barked happily to greet Alderoth, Hassian straightened his back and cleared his throat with a tiny blush.

"Sorry, you surprised me", he muttered. "I thought you would be at the tavern."

"Why are you sneaking around here?" Alderoth asked and he was still frowning.

"I didn't mean to look suspicious, I merely wanted to apologize for the mess Tau caused. He didn't mean to cause destruction in your garden but that's what he ended up doing so I feel responsible to pay for the loss. Hopefully this will be enough."

Alderoth looked at the big box Hassian was carrying and he was surprised. It was full of wild vegetables, two nice looking leathers, a few antlers and obviously meat enough to last for a whole week.

He looked at Hassian and the man averted his eyes, almost looking shy.

"Anyway, that's all", he said. "I hope you're not mad anymore. To Tau, I mean", he said a bit clumsily and it almost made Alderoth chuckle. "He is feeling really sorry."

"I'm not mad", Alderoth assured and it did seem to make Hassian a bit more relaxed. It was almost funny. "We can forget what happened. I can take the box -"

"It's pretty heavy", Hassian said bluntly and Alderoth frowned again.

"Do I look that frail to you?" he snapped.

"Yeah. You're like a twig", Hassian said with a small smirk. "Just let me inside and I'll put it away."

Alderoth huffed and he stepped aside so Hassian and Tau could get in. Hassian looked around in the small one room house seeing a simple bed, very creaky looking sofa and a crooked bookshelf.

"Wow", he said and he put the box on a table which looked like the only furniture in the house that was actually sturdy. "You suck at making furniture too."

"Thanks", Alderoth grunted.

"Guess you just need some time to learn more from Tish."

"You know her?"