The sun was dipping toward the west when Ferio and I returned to my house.
Since we'd come back quicker than expected, she planned to spend the next few days kicking back like it was a vacation.
"To think the uptight knight who tried to skewer me through the window the moment we met has gone all soft and rounded now."
"That uncle of yours had his monster dangling out from his lower half back then."
Reshi was here too. She'd come over to fix dinner before I headed out hunting. She'd been squealing with excitement ever since seeing the gifts Ferio brought.
"I still remember when you sniffed my cloak. Nothing as humiliating as that had ever happened to me before."
"What could I do? Lady Knight smelled so damn good."
"What? What about me, uncle? Me?!"
"Reshi probably smells like piss, so no thanks."
"Argh! You jerk!!"
Reshi launched herself at me bodily, rubbing her scent all over me in a noisy frenzy, when a knock came at the door.
"Hey! Kirgil, get your ass out here cheap! Got a spot to check before hunting today!"
It was Elias calling.
Ferio and I finished our preparations and stepped outside. Since Ferio was joining the hunt today, I'd grabbed a bow from the outpost.
"Oh? Lady Ferio's here too. It's an honor to have such a fine young lady join us."
"Who the hell are you? Why so polite!? Elias, is that really you???"
The Elias I knew would've snarled something like,
'What the fuck is this brainless brat doing barging in without a damn hair on her head?'
"Kirgil, what nonsense is that? Elias has always been a gentlemanly hunter. Instead of just learning to hunt, you should pick up some of his dignity too."
"Kirgil, us elves often have more years under our belts than we look. Keep that in mind."
Whoa! That hits home like a thunderbolt.
Elias, you sly old elf! Worldly wisdom like that is your real superpower!! What 'years'? You're just as cunning as your age!!
Anyway, lesson learned. Don't judge humans... no, elves by their looks.
The three of us grabbed our weapons and headed to the planned hunting ground.
The sun hadn't fully set yet, so the sky was a mix of red sunset and white clouds, painting the white winter landscape in vivid colors.
Elias said he wanted to check the deer guts we'd scattered yesterday before nightfall.
"The bow you gave me last time was top quality. But the arrows were better before."
"I'll pass Elias's opinion along to the lord. Very helpful again. Could you evaluate this new bow I'm carrying after today's hunt?"
"Always grateful for Lord Prosek's consideration. Fine bow this time too. Though it seems suited for a different purpose."
Elias was testing bows for Prosek's soldiers too. No wonder this place had so many decent ones without a bowyer around.
That explained why he was kissing up to Ferio—she was basically a free weapons supplier. Probably scored other perks too.
Old folks' survival skills never cease to amaze.
"Wait here a sec. Kirgil, you come with me."
We'd finally reached the spot where we'd left the guts yesterday.
Elias and I cautiously examined the area, which only had a few bloodstains left.
"See? Wolf tracks."
"Weird. Looks like only one came."
Wolves are pack animals—social, smart, high intelligence.
Even a greedy one wouldn't hog all this food alone, then slink back to the pack after wiping its mouth clean. Their noses are too sharp for that.
"Could be a lone wolf that split off... but this feels different. Maybe an injured one."
"You mean a bad sign?"
"Wolves are cunning—they don't pick fights they can't win or that'd kill their packmates. This one ate its fill here, so it might not be a threat itself. But we gotta figure out why it came. Their territory might've shifted because of some threat we don't know about."
"So not the wolf itself, but whatever drove it here."
"Yeah. Tell the villagers no wandering alone for a while. Always carry a weapon."
I'd just witnessed a true hunter in action. No wonder they make such great scouts. A few like him could form a special forces unit easy.
But something'd been bugging me since earlier.
"Elias. What's with the polite talk? Who the hell are you really??"
Elias just grinned. Annoyingly smug.
After that, before sunset, we checked animal tracks in the snow and set simple snares in a few spots.
Then we ducked into a forest hideout—a small cave with a door rigged up. Like a hunter's cabin in a game. By waiting here till the moon rose bright, we could hit nearby grounds without wasting stamina.
Yesterday was close range, so today we needed farther spots where animals were less alert. In freezing winter, preserving body heat and energy is key. Heading far means warming up by a fire here first. Hunting isn't just shooting—hauling meat back takes real endurance.
Being in a cave with Ferio like this... reminds me of that rainstorm night. Hot in more ways than one.
Ah... Ferio's thinking it too. She whipped her head away the second our eyes met. Kinda cute. If Elias weren't here, I'd tease her. But hey, holding hands works.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇Today's hunt under the full moon's blessing went smoothly too. We butchered and piled up guts and byproducts in the same spot as yesterday.
Last time it was just bait. This time, very intentional.
Before leaving, Elias pulled out an old rag from his gear, wiped off his sweat and mine to soak it in our scents, then draped it by the meat lump.
"Let's see how it reacts."
"What reaction?"
"Wolves have keen noses. They'll sniff our scent and think something over."
We couldn't know the wolves' thoughts, but it didn't feel like a bad play.
Like leaving a gift with a name tag. Now, how to divvy up this horned deer meat on my back...
Small villages like this don't run on cash. Instead, you share big hauls you can't eat alone and trade.
Like anywhere people live, family and close ones first. Others later, or via middlemen.
Can't snub anyone outright—makes friction in a tight-knit place. Tiresome.
Like that awkward class vibe with someone you don't click with. Plus, rumors fly fast, and the chief steps in.
That's why we hunt like this today. Moon's bright tomorrow too.
Village chief first, for sure.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇"Uncle's back?"
Today, coming home, Reshi greeted me like a daughter welcoming her dad.
"Lady Ferio, good work today."
With Ferio here, more like a daughter with both parents home? Meanwhile, Reshi had stoked the fire to warm the house and poured hot fruit wine.
"...Well then, I'll head out."
Reshi's voice sounded a bit down as she moved to leave like her chores were done. Felt like I was treating her like a servant.
So I threw on my furs to walk her home. Elias had warned against solo trips anyway.
"Kirgil, I'll go."
Her ladyship the knight offering escort herself. Fitting, but was it okay?
"Gonna chat on the way."
Couldn't crash girls' talk. I'd warm the bed. I earned rest hauling this meat.
I lounged in bed a good while. Their chat was dragging. Just wind and crackling fire for tens of minutes.
Tired, but winter night worries crept in with no sign of them. Time to check? Then the door opened.
Cold draft never felt so welcome.
"Reshi must feel like this waiting for me."
"What the hell's that mean?"
"Just mumbling. Don't mind. Cold out. Hurry in."
Ferio and Reshi must've circled the village on purpose to talk. Whatever it was, they'd spill later. Felt rude prying.
Obviously, Ferio and I'd share the bed. For body heat, but sharing warmth on cold nights feels great.
We'd joked lewdly earlier, but both wiped from late hunting.
"Mm. Stripping down feels so chilly."
Ferio shivered beside me. Long exposure to cold air—chill rising off her skin.
I hugged her close; she melted into me. Natural, no lead. Best way to warm straight up.
"Hnnng..."
Ferio let out an unconscious moan—feels that good, huh? Like me sinking into hot bath after freezing.
Bonus rubdown for our cold bodies. Funny how women's firm muscles still feel so soft...
"Mm. Kirgil, not tired?"
"Sniffing your scent while friction-warming? Woke me right up."
"...R-really?"
Eh? Why's she leaning in... Words cut off as Ferio's lips sealed mine.
Damn. Meant to warm her skin, but got her chest heating up too.
Too much rubbing soft spots? Can't blame a guy.
Didn't hate her boldness. Tonight, I'd match it.
Next day, even with Ferio there, I skipped training.
She drilled me rain or shine, even post-monster fights. First time seeing her mercy on a sore-back day.
...Shit.
Uncle stamina overreached.
Thought my endurance had shot up, but can't outlast a fit young woman.
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