Kratz

31

                For the beginning of the trip the hunting groups stuck together. Bas and Wallens led both as one unit. It was hardly a difficult job. Much of the work was preparation for the hunt to come. Along with packing food and water in case they didn't come across any. Their plan that late summer was to pursue some deer tracks that had led them to guaranteed spots before. Particularly some fields not too far north of the village. In fact, only a day's walk from the walls.

Bas believed once they hunted their necessary amounts to get through the winter then they could return. Thanks to Bas' superior hunting skill and breaking up the groups they always finished early. Although they planned for a much longer duration, it hardly ever lasted longer than a few days under his command. Wallens had become an exceptional hunter as well thanks to Bas and Sara's own training. He became quite skilled with a bow and arrow in a short amount of time. Though neither leader considered themselves masters of the tool, they were good with them. Enough to establish their places among their men.

As the two groups split in half they'd split again into their smaller squads. Branching out into the fields ahead. Every man possessed an eager attitude about the hunt ahead. An excitement really. The quicker they could finish, the quicker they could begin returning home. Added that the two groups enjoyed competing. There was a certain honor in finishing first. As well to brag over the other crew. Bas' own was quite good at meeting their goal in a certain timeframe. But Bas often split the men accordingly. Trying to make both groups as even as possible rather than one that is better than the other. Wallens agreed with this tactic, though both publicly supported such a competitive nature. It was only to boost morale, as either did not care over who completed their hunting first. They cared more for bringing food home in general, and, of course, meeting their goal.

Along the way they'd spot other game. Sometimes smaller animals that made good practice, and good snacks. There was an occasional threat, such as a bear. Bas had killed a couple bears over his time as the leader. Only a couple other men could proudly claim they killed bears as well. They weren't uncommon creatures, which made them plentiful enough to make the men attentive. Safety was important, but the Leponese respected nature. Nature was a living thing. Sometimes it fought for you, other times it fought against you. Managing it was the true challenge. Fortunately, Bas and his men got good at managing. They were quite well off for their hunt and looked at it as only another duty to their people. It was how they helped the village continue to thrive.

Howard had continued to drink more heavily through the years. First, when his wife would not get pregnant. Howard turned to spirits to ease the pain. Unlike his sister, he had no children at all. The village leader was not as upset over this, only slightly bothered. He wished to have someone to pass his legacy onto. When he began fighting the commoners he started to drink more. Commoner soldiers often carried spirits on them. He looted the bottles after battles for himself, claiming they were for back home. Some were gifts, but most were for him.

When his father passed, he was left with an entire village to lead. As time went by more people came and Howard became a designated leader for the Leponese. He envied a position of power but hated leading. It was a contradictory time in his life. While dealing with the stresses of war and a likely fight on the near horizon, he drank more.

Only two days after Bas and the hunters had left Howard found himself asleep in his study. A small room with only a table covered in maps and a small chair. There was also a wooden box in the corner of the room. That was where he kept his collection of spirit bottles. Whenever he required something to drown his pain, he went to his study. Oftentimes when he drank, he would also look over their maps. Scouts were always gathering information on the surrounding areas. Prior to drinking himself into a stupor he had found the commoners were closer than ever. Slowly making their way to the village. Preparing for an attack. Howard was truthfully scared by it all. The war was likely to be in their backyards. Instead of acting, he had decided to drink and wait.

Time was not on Howard's side, but staying put might've been. The Commoner forces were indeed close. Roughly a thousand of them waited just beyond the valley. Camping, and lying in wait. It wouldn't be long until Howard's scouts came across them. They planned to make their move that night. The night Howard spent eating himself back to sobriety, before pursuing another bottle to sleep soundly. It is most unfortunate their fearless leader was not there when the commoners came. It is most unfortunate he slept, while they fought. It is all unfortunate.