Chapter-12 Hunting

As the storm finally subsided, the forest was enveloped in an eerie fog that obscured their vision. Despite the exhaustion that weighed heavily upon them, Drogan knew that they couldn't risk continuing on in these conditions. The treacherous terrain combined with the fog could lead them into danger.

"We need to stop," Drogan said, his voice hoarse with exhaustion. "Everyone is too tired and the animals need rest too. We'll set up camp here for the night."

His companions groaned in agreement, grateful for the chance to rest. They had been traveling for two days without a break, and their muscles ached with fatigue. Drogan gave the order for Arin and Niall to set up a temporary camp while the others tended to the horses.

Arin, who spoke with the gruffness of a dwarf, grumbled under his breath as he helped Niall pitch the tents. "By the forge, this forest gives me the creeps," he muttered. "I can't shake the feelin' that we're being watched and not by friendly eyes, if ye catch what I'm sayin'."

Niall, who was more optimistic than his dwarf companion, tried to lighten the mood. "Well, if there's anyone out there, they'll have to deal with me," he said, brandishing his sword. "I can take on anyone."

They worked in silence for a while, each lost in his own thoughts. Niall couldn't help but feel grateful that they had finally stopped to rest. His legs were aching, and his stomach was growling. He looked around at the others, who were all equally exhausted. Drogan was sitting off to the side, his eyes closed as if he was sleeping. Lith was staring off into the distance, lost in thought.

Niall glanced over at Lith and smiled. "Hey, Lith," he called out. "When we go scout the surroundings, I'll show you where and what trap is best to place to catch a rabbit."

Lith looked up, his face breaking into a grin. "Really?" he exclaimed. "That would be amazing! I've always wanted to learn how to catch my own food."

Niall chuckled. "Well, don't get your hopes up too high," he warned. "Rabbits are quick little buggers. But with a little patience and a lot of luck, we might just catch ourselves a tasty meal."

Arin grunted in approval. "Aye, a bit of fresh meat would do us all good," he said. "We've been living on dried fruit and jerky for too long."

Lith's eyes lit up with excitement. "That sounds great!" he exclaimed.

Arin chuckled to himself as he watched the two of them. "Reminds me of when I was a lad," he said. "Always eager to learn something new."

Niall nodded, his face taking on a wistful expression. "Those were good times," he said. "Simple, but good."

As they talked, the sun began to set, casting long shadows across the forest floor. The air grew cooler, and the sound of crickets filled the night.

"Time to start a fire," Niall said, rising to his feet. "I don't know about you two, but I could use a hot meal and some warmth."

Arin nodded in agreement, and the three of them set to work gathering wood and kindling. As they worked, Niall took the opportunity to teach Lith some basic survival skills, such as how to start a fire and how to tell which plants were safe to eat.

Eventually, they managed to start a small fire, and the warmth and light it provided was a welcome relief from the cold darkness of the forest.

While Arin stayed and tend to fire Niall decided that it was time to hunt for their dinner. He led the way, his keen eyes scanning the forest floor for any signs of rabbit tracks.

Lith followed closely behind, his eyes wide with excitement. He had never been hunting before, and the thought of catching his own food was both thrilling and a little scary.

As they walked deeper into the woods, Niall began to explain the basics of rabbit hunting. "Now, the trick to catching rabbits is all in the trap," he said. "You want to find a spot where there's lots of rabbit activity, and then set up your trap with the right bait."

Lith nodded eagerly, hanging on every word. "And what kind of bait should we use?" he asked.

Niall grinned. "Carrots work great," he said. "But rabbits also love things like clover and dandelion greens. We'll use a little of each to make sure we attract the most rabbits."

As they walked, Niall pointed out several spots where he had seen rabbit tracks in the past. He showed Lith how to look for telltale signs of rabbit activity, like droppings and gnawed twigs.

Finally, they came to a clearing where Niall set up a few traps. "This is a good spot," he said. "Lots of rabbits come through here, and there's plenty of cover for them to hide in."

Together, they set up their traps, carefully baiting them with a mixture of carrots and greens. Niall showed Lith how to make sure the traps were properly set, and how to check them without scaring off any potential prey.

As they worked, Lith couldn't help but feel a sense of awe at the beauty of the forest around him. Moonlight was shining down at the grass, casting long shadows across the forest floor. The trees were still dripping with dew from the morning's rain, and the air was cool and fresh.

After they finished setting up the traps, Niall and Lith sat down on a nearby log to wait. They talked about their journey so far, and Lith shared stories of his own adventures as a traveler.

As they chatted, Lith couldn't help but feel grateful for the chance to learn from someone as skilled as Niall. He had always admired hunters and their ability to survive in the wilderness, and now he was getting a chance to learn from one firsthand.