Warm steam rose in billowing clouds of fog through the forest, fat leaves glistening with large droplets of beading water. The rising sun was melting the permafrost underfoot, making my footfalls silent. With the ground so soft, it was easy to read trails. An elk had passed just a few moments ago, moving swiftly but with not urgency. I studied the hoof imprints, crouching and placing two fingers on the ground.
I followed the marks with my eyes, calculating my chances of actually bringing down a large male elk. By the marks in the mud, I could tell he was over 800 pounds and probably a 6 point. A heard a bugle ring through the trees, it was the buck, bellowing his dominance to any male's within hearing range. And boy, was it loud.
I moved from tree trunk to tree trunk, using the undergrowth and thick fog for cover. Swinging his head back and forth was the regal beast, pawing at the fforest to reach the tender grass hidden underneath. His antler's looked sharp and lethal, dew covering the spider webs that had been weaved by small spiders. Smart creatures, spiders. His coat hung in shedding bunches, the thick winter fur glistening.
A shudder ran over the beast as he shook his head again, snorting out a breath. His herd must of been near by, otherwise he wouldn't have been bugling. I readied my bow, drawing an arrow over the string. I held the feather and string between my thumb and forefinger, raising my arm as I pulled back to my jaw.
Thwack! The string vibrated as the arrow whizzed through the air. It sank snugly between two ribs, finding a home deep in the buck's flesh. I watched the beast stagger to the side, stunned. It sounded the alarm, the below piercing the air. Admiration flashed through my eyes, he would protect his family before running for his own life.
There would be no time for him to run though, by the time his below had hit the last note, another arrow was deeply embedded into his lung's, followed by yet another in the shoulder. Elegantly, even in death, the royal buck fell, dust fluttering up from the grass. I breathed hard, waiting and listening. It was dangerous to approach a kill right away, bears always had a knack for stealing.
I crept out, keeping myself low to the ground. I moved quickly though, coming to kneel with my knee in the buck's side as I plucked my arrow's from his chest, ribs, and shoulder. They had been pretty good shots. I wiped the blood from the buck onto the grass at my side before putting them back in the quiver strapped to my back.
I took a moment to listen again, something wasn't right. The birds had stopped singing. I stood, looking around, straining to hear something, anything. My eyes went wide as I heard the tall tale sign of what every hunter dreaded. Hooves, and lots of them. The ground started to shake, the undergrowth shivering.
The head of the herd burst through the trees, eyes wild. I leaped over the buck, sliding down next to it and curling up. I heard the numerous hooves before they began leaping over their dead father and mate. I squeezed my eyes shut as they flew past, landing only inches away from where I was. A whimper of fear escaped me.
With the elk still thundering overhead I could barely hear anything, except for the faint voice at the back of my mind, tickling like a memory I couldn't quiet grasp. I was dead and this was the hell I had to endure. It was every hunter's worst nightmare to get caught in the middle of a stampede. I swore at myself, stupid, stupid, stupid! I should of gone around to the side.
Don't worry, I'll protect you. The voice was in my head, causing me to yelp and curl even tighter into a ball, putting my hands over my ears. Don't be afraid, Elliot. I'll always protect you, Elliot...
Elliot....Elliot...."Elliot!"
That voice was real, and unmistakable. Maverick. He had come after me, thank Thor almighty. The last of the deer finally leaped over the buck and me, my eyes opening to see Maverick coming down onto his knees next to me.
"Elliot, are you hurt? Are you okay?" His voice cracked with worry as he sat me up, brushing hair from my face.
I took in two slow breaths, trying to hold back any sobs that may surface. I hiccuped before being pulled into a hug, Maverick's large and warm hand stroking my long hair twice before rubbing my back.
"It's alright, I got you." He whispered into my hair.
I'll protect you...
That wasn't maverick's voice. This voice was dark and smooth, enticing. Goosebumps covered my arms and I knew I shivered.
Maverick released me for only a moment to take his robes from his shoulders and place it on mine. I wasn't cold though. I struggled to stand up, Maverick catching my elbow before I could collapse. I looked around, searching for the owner of the voice as my fiance guided me away from my kill and to a tree, leaning me against it.
"Stay here, I'm going back to camp to get men to bring this home and the doctor." He informed me.
He placed a soft kiss on my forehead, touching the side of my face before he turned and jogged off back the way we had came. I slide down the tree trunk, sitting and laying my arms on my knees. This day just kept on getting weirder and weirder.
