Winter warmth

*

Silent.

The world had turned silent again after the storm. Wind had died down, so not even the tree branches creaked under the weight of the snow. The white world gave me the image of having died from the cold, although the clouds of my breath proved I was still alive.

I slung my bow to my back and tried my luck at the stream. I had used up all my food in the days that the storm blew. Going outside during those days was no option since I would get lost three steps out the door. At the stream I might just find some wood boars. These creatures eat the hard grass and thin twigs during winter, so there's always a supply of meat available. As long as they stayed close enough to my cabin and hadn't moved somewhere else.

The snow came up to my knees, the crunching sound of every step echoing around me and betraying my presence. I just hoped any prey I spotted would ignore me for long enough to sneak up on it and kill it. If I couldn't catch something today, I might starve if another storm came down.

I did have my share of luck though and heard the grunt of a boar at the same time I heard the stream. My heart beat faster at the prospect of filling my stomach if I could shoot it. I halted, taking my bow slowly, loading an arrow. With careful, slow steps I moved forward, sliding, more than stepping through the snow. I felt rather proud of how silent I could move. I went into the direction of the sound, keeping an eye out on the slightest sight of the animal. If I scared it, it would take long to find another target.

From the sound of it, it seemed busy eating at a bush. The snaps and crunches of twigs hopefully covered any accidental sounds I made. Tension filled my body and I pulled my arrow, cursing inwardly at the creak of the wood bending. I saw a movement between two trees up ahead and froze for a while. It continued and I let out my breath. I was safe so far.

Sliding through the snow further, I got a better view of it. It was a nice, big boar. It would give me some trouble taking it back, but would be enough meat to keep me going for a while. I wanted to shoot it badly, but I needed a better position to pierce its chest.

I moved sideways, keeping myself hidden by the trees, until I had a clearer shot. Aiming my arrow, I pulled it back further, giving it more energy to kill its target. I held my breath, the boar looked up and bolted before I could release my arrow.

'Son of a..' I let go through my clenched teeth. Something must have startled it. I moved to the stream, hoping to see it near, or a trail from where it went. Reaching the stream I could see it walk down along it further away . My footsteps would be masked by the stream, so I decided to follow it. I might get another chance to shoot it.

A little later I spotted it again at the edge of a clearing. It was pushing its snout through the snow, presumingly snacking on the tough grass underneath it. I kept to the edge of the bank, providing me with some cover while I got closer. I pulled at the bowstring again, moving closer step by step. I might have to wait for it to turn its back away from me, to shoot it in the chest. Judging I was close enough, I aimed my arrow once more at it. It sniffed and rummaged in the snow, unaware of me, then turned its body.

My arrow flew through the air, a thud and squeal telling me it hit the target. 'Yes!' I said, happy to see I could fill my stomach today again as the boar sank through its legs.

I hurried up to it and could almost reach out to it when I saw a Kanis hunter reach out for it as well. At once we drew our bows and aimed at each other.

'Stay away from my kill!' it said, glaring at me over the length of the arrow pointing at my head.

'It's my kill!' I said. 'I shot it!'