Chapter 4

The group continued to follow the Shammusmi as they traveled, the flowers showing deeper and deeper shades of red as they went. They were close to the Heart of Agrios, which meant they were close to the Shaman. However, they were not yet clear from the dangers of the jungle. Without a native tribal population in the area, certain creatures of the jungle had forgotten their fear of humans.

Prey was also more numerous and easier to attain. They did not have to stray from the path set by the Shammusmi to hunt, as there was so much game along the path. Taermus walked with an arrow nocked to his bow until they came across a doe, small enough for him and Ahu to carry as they continued the journey until dusk neared. He normally preferred to place his shot right under a deer's shoulder, so the arrow penetrates into the animal's heart, providing a quick death. However, the denser foliage of this part of the jungle prevented his ideal shot. Instead, he had to shoot the arrow through the beast's neck. This was a minor inconvenience to Taermus, as the shot was more difficult and the deer suffered a few seconds longer than his prey normally had to endure.

The main issue with the circumstances of the shot would go unconsidered by Taermus and his companions. A neck wound bleeds more than a shot to the heart. They tied the doe's legs to a large, sturdy branch they had cut from a tree. Then, Taermus and Ahu each hoisted an end of the branch over their shoulders. As the doe dangled from the branch, blood steadily dripped from its wound, creating a trail as they traveled, a trail to be followed.

Tiama walked ahead of the men, carrying a spear which she used to push branches and such out of the way for the men carrying their dinner behind her. As dusk approached, they planned on stopping soon but had not yet come across an ideal campsite. At the back of the line, Ahu fought exhaustion from carrying his part of the doe's weight. His gait was relaxed, his shoulders slouching. He looked weak and vulnerable.

Having just begun its nightly hunt, an adult tiger was drawn to the blood scent that permeated from the group. It stalked them from a slight distance, fervently sniffing the trail of blood they left behind, shortening the distance between itself and them as darkness overtook the jungle. By the time it reached the group, the tiger's bloodlust was fully activated.

Taermus heard the snap of a twig, turned his head and saw the beast. It was too late to react, however, and the last thing Ahu would see was Taermus's expression of terror at something unknown to him. The enormous cat launched itself onto Ahu's back, sinking its giant fangs into his neck, crushing the bone and ending the boy's life in an instant. The tiger did not wait to savor its kill, but immediately looked up at Taermus once Ahu's body went limp. Taermus stumbled backwards as the tiger stepped towards him. Just as it was about to pounce, the tip of a spear thrust out from behind Taermus to land in the tiger's left eye. Still stumbling backwards, Taermus fell into Tiama, who stood strong as she caught him with one arm and continued to use the spear to harass the wounded tiger with the other arm.

The tiger howled in pain from the wound to its eye. It thrashed about, half blinded, trying to defend itself from Tiama's persistent poking. Taermus regained his composure and drew his axe from his waist, holding it ready in case the tiger tried to strike. Instead, it retreated into the darkness, still wailing from its wound; leaving Taermus and Tiama with the corpse of their young companion.