15 Hunting I (1/2)

At dawn, some fifteen men, the first hunting group to set out, could be seen outside their houses, getting ready for the day's hunt. The women of their houses were passing a few packed food to the men but they usually ate what they got from the hunt.

Today, a few smaller figures were included in the group. In this gathering, one little boy was especially obvious since he was also jumping up and down beside his father, showing that he was excited to start the day's hunt.

Since he was the youngest member of the hunting group, Ling didn't voice out his opinions but the others can also see it in his face, 'Why aren't we leaving yet?'

”Go now or the ground will be uneven in that spot with all your son's jumping.” Mahina kissed her husband and son goodbye. She was a little worried since it was the first time a four-year-old joined a hunt but she trusts the shaman's judgement.

Shaman Matnaad was also present in that day's gathering before the hunt to check on the children who will be joining. Once they reached the village border, the children were hoisted up on the men's backs so they could run faster. They waved goodbye to the border guards and off they go to the vast forest.

It was the first time Ling and the other children saw the 'haze' in the forest without the protection around the village. Because of the life 'mist' from the huge trees, most of the colors in the atmosphere were a lively green. It was different from what they usually see inside the village like the fields and gardens because the trees here were full of life longer than even the oldest villager.

When the hunting group ran a few meters away from the border, they speeded up, so fast that the green of the trees and the 'haze' in the forest blended together. When one looked up, the leaves from the tall trees were already blocking the sky, until that part of the forest got darker with only a few rays from the sun lighting their path. You can't even see the tall volcano with how close the trees were getting.

The feeling inside the forest was also different. Even though they were shielding themselves from the 'haze' from the forest, they can still feel the life inside it. Some animal sounds can also be heard, adding to that sense of life.

Once they slowed down a little, they can see some of the small animals scurrying around, as if going to hide from the foreign creatures.

Ling was so excited with what he was seeing and he kept asking his father, ”What's that?”

”That's a bird's nest.”

”Whazzat?”

”... a bird.”