The Hunt

Aunt Rihanna seemed hell-bent on keeping me inside this full moon. Perhaps it was the visitor that had her so bent out of shape. Breanna left a bowl of soup for me on the top step around mid-day but they kept the door shut for another full night. I guess it was a good thing I told Makya the day after to come to find me.

When the light finally came down the stairs, my stomach was growling so loud, I am amazed it didn’t scare the whole woods to silence. No one was in sight when I climbed the stairs. They must have simply unlocked the door and gone about their lives, not even bothering to check if I was still alive.

I dumped my bowl in the kitchen and went to my room. I started throwing on layers and thanked the goddess my idiot family had been kind enough to simply dump my gear on my bed, which meant it was packed and ready, though a bit stale from use. I checked my rifle sleeve and was relieved to find it was all in order. I went to my closet and fished around in the back for my lockbox, and pulled out a handful of new bullets, and replaced my one spent silver round.

I prayed as I raced down the stairs that Makya would be true to his word and be waiting now that the sun was above the trees. The goddess must smile upon me because as I cleared the door, Makya was waiting, leaning against a sled. He grinned and then whistled. I flinched and dropped my pack, just in time to be pounced by six malamute pups.

I pulled myself out from under the slobbering heap and pet a few heads. “This your team today? Where are the others?” I asked as I pet the fuzzy ears of a gray and white pup.

Makya smirked, “If I didn't know better, I would swear the dogs love you more than their own mothers. Dad wants the pups to get some experience. Figured I could take you into town. We will get the team this afternoon. That one is Astrid”

“Afternoon? What is going on this afternoon?” I asked curiously as I tried to distribute my lovings to the black and white pup rubbing on my leg.

Makya’s face fell. “Chief Eyota has ordered all the hunters out by tomorrow. Most are heading out tonight for a hunt. While you were, indisposed-”

“Imprisoned, more like.”

“Imprisoned, sorry. While you were imprisoned, wolves attacked the Zachriel homestead. The whole herd of cattle were wiped out, and the family was found… Eileen, it was bad.

My hand flew to my mouth, “Sasha? Bridgit?”

Makya come over and folded me in his arms. “I am sorry, Eileen. I am sorry. We buried them last evening at sundown. I know you were close.”

Sasha had been a sweet girl who had turned sixteen just last week. Her little sister Bridget was only twelve. I had spent many summers with them. I let a few tears slip into Makya’s shoulder before I could pull myself together. “You said the hunters are all going out?”

“Yes, it was an official decree from dad as chief. He rarely does that. He asked me to collect you as well. The village knows how effective we are.”

“How many is he thinking?”

“It was weird. It was as if three separate packs attacked. The herd was 20 head of cattle. The tracks show there were at least that many wolves. Eileen, we have not seen that many wolves in one place let alone in the same 100 km in over 20 years. Even then it was only once in our history, written or oral.”

“Mother above.”

“Come on. Let’s get to town.”

“Only if I can get some food when we get there.”

Makya pulled out some jerky and handed it to me. “Enough to hold you until we get to my place.”

Twenty minutes later, we unhooked the pups and let them run into the yard. I followed Makya inside their log cabin, where his father was eating a bowl of porridge.

“Ah, Eileen. Good to see you in one piece. I feared when you didn’t come to the funeral but Makya reminded me about your, ah, situation at home. The hunters will be glad to hear you have joined in.”

“Cernunnos guide us, I am glad to avenge the Zachriel family. I am sure Morrigan has embraced them, and will guide our hunters well.”

Chief Eyota nodded. We have prayed to our gods as well and feel the great spirit is moving. I hope that yours guide you well.”

I think he heard my stomach then because he smiled and stood, pouring another bowl of porridge. “You cannot go on a hunt on an empty stomach. Eat, then help Makya with supplies. I have enough gear for you both for a week. Dakota and his cousin, Eris, left a few hours ago. They plan to meet you by the lake on the northeastern slope.”

I devoured the porridge and thanked Chief Eyota. After I washed my bowl, I found Makya in the supply room loading cans of food. Several were already in cases.

“Go ahead and take these outback. We will take the long sled this time.”

I grabbed a case and walked out the back to find Makya’s long sled already partly loaded with gear, and tents, and other supplies next to it. It took us an hour to load the sled but after it was checked and everything lashed down, Makya led me to their gated paddock and whistled. Eighteen dogs came bounded over.

“Who are we taking with us? It’s going to be a long trip.” I asked.

“The huskies are doing well in training and malamutes love this kind of hunt. I think we will take a mix. We will be out long enough I would rather take more with us. If we have a good hunt, we will be bringing back a lot of pelts.”

“How many does your dad need?”

“If I leave him the six pups, he should only need two of the adults to be leads. So we can take sixteen with us.”

“We normally only need six!” I said, surprised.

“I know, but we also don’t normally go for a week at a time, and I don’t know what we will bring back. I would rather have the full team.”

I nodded and helped hook the dogs in. Akira, a brown and white Alaskan husky, licked my face as I clipped her harness and Nova, a black and gray malamute, nuzzled in when it was her turn. Makya’s dogs were amazing and so well trained.

“They never stand that still for me,” Makya said, clipping in a very energetic Jiro, one of his male huskies, on the other side. 

I grinned at him as I finished my row and started on his. “what can I say? They have good taste.”

When we were all set, Chief Eyota came out and handed me a box that felt like it weighed ten pounds. “What is this?”

“It is a fresh case of ammo for your rifle.”

“That feels too heavy to be the ammo for my-”

Chief Eyota smiled at me and pulled out a long case. “This is going with you two. Consider it an early birthday gift.”

I opened the case to see a 308 battle rifle with a scope. “It can handle the cold. That will shoot the same round as your hunting rifle and do it five times as fast. If you get in a situation where there are as many wolves as we think out there, you are going to be glad for it. The extra ammo will be helpful as well. Be safe, both of you, and good luck on your hunt.”

I hugged the chief tight. “You are like the father I never had. Thank you.”

I packed the battle rifle in next to my hunting rifle and then snuggled my way down into the sled. Makya climbed on the back as Chief waved to us as we headed out to meet up with Dakota and Eris.