Why I Hunt

Chapter One

1

As soon as I heard the horns, I flew out my door. I run as fast as I could, like I always did, to the gates, like I always did, just in time to see my older brother, Pete, and his team march through. Behind them, a Yian Garuga, which had recently laid waste to a felyne mining camp, lay lifeless on an Aptonoth-drawn cart; it was their kill, their victory, their duty. My brother was co-captain of our village's hunting team, to protect us and manage any guild quest in our area. I always looked up to him. Some days, I think of how much I would love to be like him one day... until I remember I haven't killed anything bigger than a velociprey.

They parade up the main road of our town. The streets, as always, is lined with citizens paying their gratitude and respect to our guardians. This time is more respect, of course, for a Yian Garuga is no match for our hunting team. They've fought a Nargacuga before, and returned with only minor injuries.

I push my way to the front of the crowd. My brother spots me and walks towards me. As we meet, we embrace. I'm grateful each time he returns, and we embrace each time regardless of how uncomfortable of a thing it is to do with his armor. As we release, he beckons me to walk down the road with him.

Tonight, like each time our hunters return, we will party in the village square. There will be music, dancing, games (with gambling of course), and a LOT of drunk adults. The parties are so carefree that it isn't very hard for the under-aged to sneak a few drinks. I always had a blast with my friends, and naturally I couldn't wait. It starts at sunset, but it is only noon.

Once we get to the guild hall at the end of the street, I part from my brother so that he can finish up with the guild protocol. He'd be home by two o'clock where wed privately celebrate his return as a family with a nice big lunch.

As I'm walking back to my house, someone jumps on my back. I assume it to be Charlie, one of my friends. "Nate! Nate! They're hatching!" Charlie exclaims. Her dad runs our Aptonoth farm for the Great City. We specially breed Aptonoth for work purposes. Every year, we send part of our herd according to a quota to the city, which will distribute them to its village branches who are willing to buy. Our village, however, does not need to buy any. As long as we meet our quota, we can keep extra Aptonoth for our own use. Any odd Aptonoth that isn't fit for the tough work that we breed for end up being slaughtered for food.

Charlie is also my best friend, so she runs straight to me every time there is an egg hatching. She takes my arm and pulls me, urging, "Come with me! They're so cute!"

"Charlie, I would, but my brother will be coming to the house soon," I try to reason with her.

"Aww," she whines overdramatically. "Pleeeeeaaaaase?"

I look at her for a second. "I guess... but I have to be home by 1:30." She shrieks in delight and starts pulling my arm again. I follow.

She does not slow down until we are at the farm gate. We run straight to the breeding yard. Some are fully out of their eggs and standing by their mothers. Some are still working their way out of their shells. The rest of the eggs remain unbroken. I'm not gonna deny that the baby Aptonoth look pretty cute. It's always fun watching Charlie freak over them, too.

"Did she drag you all the way down here again?" her dad asks, laughing.

"I'm used to it by now," I reply.

"Can Nate and I go in there? I wanna hold one," Charlie pleads. Her dad looks back-and-forth between his daughter and the pen, pondering.

"Well, I guess you can. Be careful of the ones that haven't hatched or are still hatching and be careful around the mothers. They know you, not Nathan." She shrieks with joy, walking fast through the gate to the breeding yard. She slows once we're in, so not to startle the mothers, which can be protective whether or not they know you. The funny thing is that the children are oblivious, and have no reason in their mind to fear you. Provided the mother allows it, they will walk right up to you.

"So, your brother returned alright?" Charlie asks me.

"Yeah. The whole team returned without injury this time."

She urges me to be quiet as we approach a mother and her firstborn of her nest. We approach very carefully and cautiously. The mother looks at as and snorts, stepping forward as a warning. Charlie holds up her hands and shushes her. When she is close enough, she places her hand on her snout and begins to stroke it soothingly. She has gained the mother's approval and comfort, and now she beckons me to earn my approval. As I get closer, the mother begins to make noise and be cautious again, but Charlie soothes her just as before. Eventually I, too, am petting the creature's snout. It truly is an exhilarating experience. Charlie leaves me alone with the mother for the Aptonoth calf. I remain with the mother in order to earn her trust more deeply without the presence of Charlie. After a couple minutes, I am able to approach the calf. Charlie steps back first so that us crowding the calf doesn't upset the mother.

The calf staggers towards me. It is not fully able to walk yet, but it's learning. I have no complaints; it's hysterical watching these things take their first steps. Soon, it is close enough to pet. Apparently, it was comfortable, for it collapses into me as I knelt beside it. It may just be a calf, but it still weighed a good hundred pounds. I try to gently push it upward again, but it wouldn't move. All this time, I can hear Charlie giggling at the spectacle behind me. "Oh, shut up and help me," I tell her. Together, we lift the calf off. While we are doing this, the mother begins to act nervously. We back away quickly once the calf is on its feet. The mother calls for it. As it walks back to its mother, Charlie and I leave the pen.

"Well, I did enjoy that. Thanks for bringing me," I tell Charlie.

"It's not like I do that every hatching," she says sarcastically. "I'll see ya tonight, then."

"Yeah, see ya later." I thank her dad and begin to walk home.