Chapter 3

Loye spent the next few days preparing for his journey to find the Old Hunter. He knew that it would not be an easy journey, and he wanted to make sure that he was as well-prepared as possible. He gathered supplies, including food, water, and a few basic tools. He also sharpened his hunting knife and made sure that his bow and arrows were in good condition. He knew that he might have to hunt for his food along the way, so he wanted to make sure that his weapons were ready for anything.

Loye then went to inform his mother of his plans. His mother, who was busy weaving a basket, looked up when she saw Loye enter her hut. "Good morning, my son," she said, a smile on her face. "What brings you here so early?" Loye sat down beside her and took her hand. "Mother, I had a dream a few nights ago," he said, looking into her eyes. "A spirit appeared in my dream and told me to seek out the Old Hunter who will show me the path that is my destiny. It's important, and I must go."

His mother's smile disappeared, replaced by a look of concern. "A dream, my son? What kind of dream?" Loye hesitated, not wanting to worry his mother too much. "It's hard to explain, mother. But I have sought counsel with father, and we have both agreed this is something I should do for my own good and for the good of the clan."

His mother sighed, looking at him with worry in her eyes. "I wish you wouldn't go, my son. You're all I have, and I don't want anything to happen to you."

"I'll be fine, mother," Loye reassured her, giving her a hug. "I'll be back before you know it, and I'll bring back stories of my journey." With that, Loye left his mother's hut and started walking towards the edge of the village, where he would start his journey.

As he walked, he ran into his older brother, Ronu, who was also out and about. Loye and Ronu had always had a difficult relationship. Although they shared the same father, they never got along. Ronu was taller and stronger than Loye and was already a member of the clan's hunting team. Ronu was not very intelligent, but he was extremely cunning and would always think of new ways to torment Loye when they were younger. Therefore, when Loye first encountered his brother, he hesitated for a moment, wondering if he should avoid him, but decided against it at the last minute.

"Where are you going, Loye?" Ronu asked, eyeing Loye's backpack with suspicion.

"I'm going to see the Old Hunter," Loye replied, trying to keep his voice neutral.

Ronu snorted. "The Old Hunter? Why? You think he'll teach you how to track a deer or something? I heard the old man is strange and can barely be considered human these days."

Loye felt his temper rising but tried to keep calm. "Why I go to see the Old Hunter is none of your concern," he said firmly. "I only answered your question out of courtesy and respect for your status." Ronu laughed, a mocking sound. "You always were the dreamer, Loye. You think you're special, that you're destined for greatness. But the truth is, you're just a boy who's never left the village. You have no idea what you're getting into."

Loye felt a pang of hurt at Ronu's words, his brother had always known how to get under his skin, however, Loye refused to let his brother get to him. "I know what I'm doing, Rono. And I don't need your approval." Rono shrugged. "Suit yourself, little brother. But don't say I didn't warn you."

With that, Rono walked away, leaving Loye standing there, feeling a mixture of anger and determination. He would show his brother that he was capable of great things, that he wasn't just a dreamer. And he would prove to himself that his dream was worth pursuing, no matter what anyone else said.