Chapter 18 Sudden Change

Logan was not able to track the boar until sundown the next evening. It was decided that they will try to lure the boar the next morning as Ren wasn't keen on battling a wild beast during the nighttime.

Even then, it took one entire day before they were able to track the boar and arrive in its vicinity. However, the veteran hunters didn't mind it much. Morgan told him that it was a common occurrence as even as they tracked the boar, the boar wouldn't stay idle in a single place.

While Duncan nodded in understanding, Mo Hong looked put out with the delay. He seemed to be blaming Logan for falling for a false track and wasting half a day while he followed it. Logan merely shrugged his shoulders saying that it was a common occurrence and didn't mind it much.

However, when the discussion came to when to lure the boar into the trap there was a severe disagreement. Logan didn't want to risk their safety as it was already nearing dusk now. But, Mo Hong, being the bait, didn't want to hear what he called pussyfooting and insisted that they lure the boar now.

His argument was that Logan had already lost the track once and what's to say that he won't lose it again if we decided to go for the next day? Logan looked angry at Mo Hong's blatant disrespect, but he held his tongue waiting for Ren's decision. Ren took a stock of his surrounding before informing his decision.

"While I would usually go with Logan's option as he is the one who works as a bait usually and has more experience, it is also a fact that we wasted an entire day for this boar. We are also carrying a large amount of game with us as we travel the forest," Ren paused looking towards the three deer that were being carried by Morgan and Duncan.

"Until now we have been lucky that the smell of the game hasn't brought any predators to us. But, I don't want to bank on luck for long. So, I say that we will finish this hunt, rest the night, and start back tomorrow."

"I don't have a problem with that as long as the one acting as bait is not afraid," Qin Rong grunted.

"Good, it has been tiring to carry these around," Morgan said with a large smile.

"I have no opinion," Duncan shook his head.

"I am fine with this," Mo Hong said in a superior tone as he looked toward Logan.

Logan had a troubled expression on his face. It was clear to Duncan that he didn't like to take this risk much, but Ren's valid points made him hesitate. In the end, he let out a huge sigh and looked at Ren.

"I am fine with this as long as we take proper precautions. As much as I think he is a pain in the ass, I don't want anything to happen to him," Logan said nodding towards Mo Hong who looked vaguely offended.

"If that is so, then don't waste time. I will guard the game with Duncan. Rest of you go and do your stuff," Leia said in a bossy manner causing the team to smile and nod.

Duncan guarded the game they had previously hunted with Leia while others left to hunt the boar. The moment the others were out of sight, Leia began to start taking out the medical herbs she had collected on the way. Duncan watched curiously as she went about her way in making poultices in a hurry.

"Don't look at me like that," Leia huffed. "If it was Logan who was doing the luring, Morgan would have opposed the plan as well. Logan has a good head on him. He is not greedy or in a hurry. Both will lead to carelessness during a hunt. The most important thing in a hunt is to bide your time and wait patiently for an opportunity."

"Mo Hong looks way too eager to finish the hunt. I have a bad feeling about this. Ren is a good leader, however, he always thinks along the lines of profit and loss. Right now he is worried that the game we have hunted will be too spoiled when we reach the city to fetch a good price. That is why he is in a hurry."

"So you think something might go wrong?" Duncan asked seriously.

"Not sure, it's just a feeling. But my old man had always told me to listen to these things when you are in the wild. It had saved me trouble a lot of times. With both Ren and Mo Hong in a hurry, there is a high chance that something might go wrong."

Duncan nodded his head in understanding. Even he had felt some niggling doubt when Ren had assigned Mo Hong to be the bait. He hadn't raised any objection because this was his first hunt. Unlike Mo Hong, he knew to keep his mouth shut when he didn't have enough experience.

Many times he has seen eager miners working on a seam without taking proper precautions only to end up injured or dead when a cave-in occurs. Experience is more important than other things when dealing with dangerous situations. His experience in hunting was truly limited and hence he didn't say anything.

"You seem to accept my words without much opposition," Leia asked raising her eyebrows.

"I really don't know much about hunting. So, I keep my mouth shut in regard to it. As far as your talk about feelings is concerned, I think that I can understand that. I too get them when I am in a dangerous situation. Several times I have escaped a cave-in in the mines due to them," Duncan shrugged his shoulders in reply.

Leia merely grunted in acknowledgment before beginning to grind the herbs in her possession to create a poultice. Duncan silently watched her work as dusk arrived.

The duo spent the time waiting for the others to return in silence as they went about their own work. After watching Leia for a while, Duncan began to practice his sword by performing repeated swings and trying to reduce the awkwardness present in his actions.

This was a new routine he had picked up after his first fight. He had some help from Tang De and other veteran guards while traveling with the merchant caravan. They had taught him how to swing his sword properly and told him to keep practicing it. He had been doing it diligently ever since then.

Time passed by and night truly came down in the forest. Leia and Duncan prepared the clearing for the night and waited for the others to arrive. Leia went about setting small traps around their site as Duncan followed her learning the basics. These traps could be used both to trap some animals and guard a camp in the wild.

After a while, sounds came from a distance causing Duncan and Leia to look up from their work. Their face changed as they heard it rushing towards their camp. The sounds seemed as if someone was running towards them in a hurry, neither lost their vigilance as it would be a fatal mistake to do so.

Duncan motioned for Leia to hide and took up a guard stance in the middle of the clearing. Leia hid in a tree with a bow hoping to surprise the approaching party if they were somewhat less cordial. Meanwhile, Duncan acted as a distraction in the clearing.

Duncan had heard all about hunting teams attacking each other for the game, so he didn't want to take any chances. If he too hid, then seeing no one at the campsite would increase the vigilance of the intruder. It is best to have them drop the guard if they were indeed hostile.

The duo waited in silence for a few minutes. After about five minutes, there was movement in the trees. Duncan could see two figures rushing towards the clearing at breakneck speed. He squinted his eyes trying to determine their identities. After a few moments, he let out a relieved breath and relaxed his guard.

​ It was Morgan and Logan that was rushing toward them. Morgan was also carrying someone on his shoulders. And the blood that was dyeing his shoulders indicated that he was bringing someone that was wounded. Just as he felt like calling out Leia, she made her appearance too.

"What do you think happened?" Duncan asked Leia.

"My guess is that someone got injured. And it looks serious. Otherwise, Morgan and Logan wouldn't be rushing in this fast," Leia grunted with a worried expression on her face.

Duncan thought it made sense. Just then Morgan hollered as he approached them.

"Leia, quickly get your supplies. This one is a bit serious."