Another Haul

Later that day, they encountered another flock of swans, and the birds were flocking nearer to the road. Seeing so many target practice, Anthony was itching to dismount and practice the Bowhunter skills, which he was unable to use against the tough elks.

But he kept his word, uncharacteristic of Ron, but expected of Anthony. A change only one person would have influenced.

He held himself down and let Irene enjoy the view of the swans enjoying the swampy fields.

"Can we stop for a bit, my lord? I want to see them closer." she requested.

When Anthony did not stop the wagon, she figured he was serious in keeping the promise. But she couldn't bear saying goodbye to the swans a little too soon.

The wheels stopped their creaking, and the wagon instantly halted. Her request was heard and answered.

Like a bird freed from its cage, she went wild and went directly to the fields, in her sandals and her robe. The wolf pups in both of her hands. Anthony's warning would not leave his tongue in time.

The swans, as if sensing her gentle soul, let her come close, and she couldn't be happier. While Anthony couldn't get near more than forty feet, Irene could walk in the midst of them.

Alex and Andrea, the name of the puppies, joined her in her fun. Together, they chase the swans and the swans only flying away enough to get out of their immediate reach.

A smile sneaked to his lips. Anthony let himself be drunk with what he was seeing. Suddenly, the driver seat became the most comfortable seat in all the world.

The already beautiful sight became even more magical, when before they knew it, the day was already ending. The tawny hues glistened against her silver eyes, and her smile outshone even the splendor of the setting sun. Anthony saw what no brush could paint, nor words could contain.

He let her continue having her fun, and decided to stop the wagon there for the night.

He couldn't get the beautiful images out of his mind, and Irene looked became too irresistible that evening. The young woman, readily presented herself available, when he showed motive.

Thus, for the second time, they made love, even fiercer than before. The energy that would've been normally poured into hunting, was allocated for another activity that would last until just before the dawn. The wagon would shake, not with the bumps on the road, but with his every thrust.

They were lovers, and any doubt of the existence of their relationship, completely vanished.

+++

True to what he had hoped for, the elks and the swans wouldn't be the only animals that would come his way. As their wagon continued in its route and the treeline in the horizon got closer, the fields became even livelier, more trees, more flowers, bushes and more animals

And in their fourth day of travel, Anthony would get another taste of how rich the grassland truly was.

It was early morn when he saw a large herd of a hundred antelopes, kicking up dust in their wake, and something he could see even from kilometers away.

The thought of another hunting session, made him forget his aching hip muscles. He made use of the reins to have the horses ran faster, eager to reach the herd before they decide to go farther from the road.

After a few words with Irene, he left the driver seat, pop the horse out and rode towards the fields. He excitedly equipped his Bowhunter Occupation, which, for the task at hand, was more practical than the Huntsman Occupation.

The antelopes will run away at the first sight of him, and so he would never be able to get too close to use the throwing spear. The Bowhunter's long-range capabilities, on the other hand, were perfect for the kind of prey.

Furthermore, the antelopes which were only slightly bigger than the deer he'd hunted wouldn't need the power of the throwing spears, as the arrows would be able to do the job.

For what proceeded next, the "Longshot" skill proved to be more than useful.

The Antelopes have excellent vision and would easily spot movement. But with a skill that's still effective even a hundred yards out, and a sagebrush coulee to use as a hiding spot, the herd had no idea what came to them.

Due to the distance, he was not deadly accurate, of course, although he had significantly improved. But the herd were too tightly distributed, and what did not hit his target, hit another. And what was not instantly killed, was injured and weakened, waiting to be finished.

Out of their sight, he picked them out one by one. Those killed in an instant went down where they were hit, while those with lesser cleaner shots ran around until they had lost too much blood.

He had down eleven of the antelopes, until the herd finally started moving. Not because they spotted him, but were alarmed that some of their members had started dropping dead for no apparent reason.

Using his horse, he would stalk them and find another hiding spot, this time he climbed a red oak tree. Once settled, he would resume raining down arrows, now from above, on the clueless animals. Eight antelopes would fall, until the herd, now more alert, decided to move again.

He would not let them go just yet and went on for a third round. Another three antelopes would be victimized.

Then early afternoon, finally exhausted, he stopped the chase. He concluded the hunt by finishing the wounded and butchering the dead.

22 Antelopes in all, and with a meat yield of 40-50 kilos of venison each. The haul converted to 60,720 tokens.

This time, there was no reason to delay the purchase of a D-Rank Occupation. Right after, not even waiting until he had returned to the road, he went to the shop.

After a brief consideration, he made his choice.

[Are you sure you want to buy Leatherworker Skill Set?]

[You have spent Tokens x60,000]

[Leatherworker Skill Set Obtained]

[Learned Skin]

[Learned Refine]

[Learned Craft]