Black Water

Chapter 1

               My feet pad softly against the forest floor. I'm so quiet that even the animals with the keenest hearing wouldn't be able to hear. I have established this task from years and years of practice. I hear a branch snap and I slowly search for the source of the sound. There. Exactly what I was looking for. The doe thankfully hasn't noticed me and is peacefully grazing the juicy grass that grows in-between the roots of the majestic oak tree. I silently reach behind me and carefully take out an arrow from my quiver. I position the arrow in the bow, maintain a comfortable crouch, aim, and shoot. The arrow burrows right between the doe's shoulder blades. I always hit this spot so that the beasts die an instant death with minimal pain. I get up and run over to the kill on my tiptoes, careful not to alert any other animals of my presence. Wouldn't want a wolf or cougar stealing my dinner. I slip the game bag over the doe and tie it closed. Slinging the bag over my shoulders, I quickly start to make my way back to camp. Well, as quick as I can with 100 pounds on my shoulders. 

                    Back at camp, Griffin greets me with a slap on the back. "Nice job, O'Brien. Third clean kill this week." "Yes, well we can't all earn our living off of betting now can we." I joke. "Aw come on O'Brien. You know I do more than just play cards. I caught that thief from Carroway last week." He complains. "What was that? Your 18th catch? It's a good number I guess, for a slacker like you." I retort playfully as he puts his hands on his hips and gives me a pout. I just chuckle and shake my head. "Maybe you could make yourself useful and help me carry this to the kitchen." I say motioning to the bag still slung over my shoulder. At that he hurries over and takes the bag from me. 

                We walk over to the kitchens and I call for Jeffrey, the camp's cook. He greets me with a frown but it is soon replaced by a smile when he sees the large game bag. He takes the game out of Griffin's arms and deftly tosses me my pay, all the while never taking his eyes off the doe. He was so distracted that he gave me three coins instead of two. I didn't point this out to him though. Quickly, before he can notice the mistake, I speed walk to the tent that I share with Owen. To my dismay, I find it empty.

 "Owen?" I call out cautiously. 

No answer. 

"Owen?" I call out again this time my voice more frantic. 

No answer. 

                Then there are hands around my waist lifting me up and twirling me in the air. Relieved, I throw myself into his arms. Then I pull back and smack him across the face.

 "Ow, what was that for?" He asks. 

"That was for scaring me." 

I slap him again. 

"That was for not answering when I called for you."

 "Jee, so violent." He says with a smirk on his face. 

       Shaking my head a unlatch the small game bag from my hunting belt and take out the small rabbit and herbs that I gathered. I slap the rabbit onto the table and set to work. When I have it chopped into little pieces I toss the pieces into a pot along with the herbs and set it over the fire pit that we have set up in the middle of the "room".

 "So how was the hunt?" Owen asks me as I stir the rabbit and herbs in the broth.

 "Fine, I got two rabbits and a deer. I also found a few berries. Their a little ripe but they'll do." I say and look over to see him nodding his head thoughtfully as if contemplating the ripeness of berries. 

"How was your search today? Find out anything new?" I say trying to continue conversation. 

          I already know the answer from gossip but I need a distraction from the growing pain between my shoulder blades. 

"No, nothing new. The little fecker's still keeping well hidden, but we'll catch up with him and his gang."

 I nod my head. "I have no doubt you will." 

 Our conversation is interupted by someone standing at the entrance of the tent.

 "Captain wants ya as soon as possible." The messenger boy says. 

"Be right there." I say and he nods once before leaving the tent.