The delicious smell coming from the brown meat caught the attention of Kivrah and Mashu. Their mouth turned watery and without a second thought grab one of the strips.

  Chomp

  “Ohhhhh”

  Both of them chewed the meat while their eyes closed. Savouring every bite. A new sensation and taste improved their mood and they felt younger.

  “Civ this meat is delicious! Please tell me how you made it?” The Shaman leaned forward waiting for Civ’s reply.

  Civ expected their reaction to be like this but they are a bit more enthusiastic about tasting a new flavor.

  “Do not worry I’ll tell you step by step.” Civ meticulously explained the process of sun drying and warm smoking to Kivrah and Shaman Mashu.

  The new idea of Civ teaches them to give Kivah and Mashu more reason to trust him more with responsibility.

  “Sun Goddess is really amazing.” The Shaman continued her praises.

  “With this process, we do not need to hunt every day to feed the tribe.” Kivrah's heart felt lighter knowing that there was a new way of eating the meat in without spoiling it.

  “Thank you my Son, I will teach this to our tribesmen and they can do the task next time. But-” Kivrah looked at the pale-looking dried meat strips in front of them.

  He shakes his head.

  “Never mind, it is much better that we have meat that we can eat in the future. Even though it tastes pale.” Kivrah keeps a positive attitude.

  “Oh, the sun-dried meat? We can do something about it.” Civ forgot to mention it to them. He explained that since they can smoke the meat, there is still a chance to add a flavor to the sun-dried meat.

  Hearing this excited both of them.

  “That is great my son! I’ll let the tribesmen know what to do.” Since Kivrah saw how Civ did it yesterday, he is confident that he can do it.

  “Sure Father.” Civ smiled and gave him the rest of the meat strips for his Father to distribute later.

  “Thank you, you can return to the cave to rest,” Kivrah advises Civ.

  “I think I cannot rest yet Father.” Civ seriously stared at his Father.

  “And what is the reason?” Kivrah sensed there is something bothering Civ.

  “When we went to the place where we hunt the boar, there is only one in the area!” Civ was worried about this one.

  There are two possible scenarios running on his mind. Either the boar migrated in a different area, or it was already eaten by the giants.

  Kivrah and Shaman Mashu also felt dread of this news. They know the Tuanir is coming soon but they did not expect it this soon.

  Kivrah excitement earlier was replaced by solemnity.

  “We might need to move again. Might be on the south end since there are less boar there.” Kivrah is already thinking about what to do.

  Civ knows also this is a big problem right now if it's true. But he thinks this still needs validation.

  “Father, that is why we still need to hunt for a boar. If we see more boar in the north-”

  “It means the giants are still not near here.” Kivrah holds his chin.

  Kivrah tried his best to contemplate the possibilities. If the boar are still in the north, it will be dangerous for the hunting group. But if the giants are near the camp.

  It is more dangerous. They can retreat south but they might not have enough food there.

  “Can I suggest something, Father?” Civ looked to the both of them.

  “What is it?” Kivrah wants to hear his son’s suggestions but he has a feeling he needs to reject them.

  “I want to confirm if the giants are near but I have a feeling that these boars just went somewhere. So I want to explore deeper into the north.”

  “I have a feeling you will be in danger if you go there.” Kivrah still hesitant.

  “Do not worry my Father, I’ll bring Luk also. He can run as fast as me. We can escape safely.”

  Kivrah tries to understand Civ’s idea.

  But for Civ, this is a good opportunity for him and Luk, he has a strong guess of where the boars will be. He can train Luk also on this expedition on how to bait a boar. Luks speed is by standard, a speed that boars cannot outrun easily. Once Luks masters the baiting technique, he can expand the hunting team into two. Securing the food supply of the tribe.

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  “Civ and Kivrah, can I tell you something?”

  Hitting the deadlock between Father and Son, the Shaman wants to share her idea. Getting the Shaman to talk seriously, Kivrah immediately focuses his attention on the Shaman.

  “Please tell Shaman Mashu.”

  “Yesterday I had a dream.” Shaman Mashu closed her eyes trying to remember. Then she shares it with the two.

  “I see one spear and two boars

  Both were fierce and running, our huts were tore

  I threw the spear and split it in half

  The boars I heard screaming stopped.”

  Kivrah's eyes widened. “Another prophecy?!”.

  He tried his best to remember every word the Shaman said since the last time was about killing the boar.

  ‘A prophecy?’ Civ tried also to understand what the Shaman said. But he did not expect that it was a cryptic and structured poem. He smiled in his heart.

  ‘I guess surprises will come to you every time’

  The hut was covered in silence as they were thinking about it.

  A couple of moments later, Kivah's eyes lit up and asked the Shaman.

  “Shaman Mashu, There are only two boars in your dream?”

  “Yes.”

  “So this might be a sign that the giants are still not near!” Kivrah concluded.

  Civ also agrees with that interpretation in the context of what they are worried about. But it still gives them somewhat of a guide to follow.

  “My Son, I can let you explore deeper into the north. But be sure to return before the Sun Goddess sleeps.” Kivrah already gives Civ’s permission now that there is less possibility of giants in the north.

  Civ bowed to acknowledge the permission. “Thank you Father, I will bring Luk later to explore the north.”

  The sun was already shining when their discussion ended. Most of their tribesmen were already awake. They also sleep in the campfire.

  Civ did some stretching for today since He and Luk will explore the north.

  Once all of the hunting team woke up, they gathered at the back of the cave and the Trible leader also followed.

  “Everyone, I hope you got a good rest last night.” Hearing this, the hunting team anticipates what the Chosen One will plan.

  “I know you already heard what happened on yesterday's hunt. But there is something I did not mention to all of you.”

  The crowd is stayed still.

  “Yesterday, when I looked around in the place where the boars eat, I only saw one boar!”

  Everyone gasps and their heart is racing!

  ‘The Giants are near!’

  But since they are in front of the Chosen One, they hold their composure to listen to what he will do.

  “That is why, We need to find where the boar is.”

  Before the crowd panics-

  “Listen, I already discuss this with the Tribe leader and the Shaman. Based on the Shaman’s prophecy, the giants are not there possibly.” Civ assures them.

  Hearing this made everyone relax.

  “Luk!”

  Luk quickly moved forward and raised his hand. “Luk is here!”

  Civ followed the voice and stared at Luk.

  “Besides me, you are the fastest in the group. Can you come with me to explore the north?”

  Civ asks Luk with seriousness. He doesn’t know yet what will they encounter further north but they need to do this to make their tribe survive.

  Without hesitation, Luk replied. “Yes, I will follow you the Chosen One.”

  Since Luk is being trusted with a heavy task by the Chosen One, it is an honor to fulfill the call.

  Civ felt the determination from Luk so he did not ask it anything and nodded.

  “For the rest. I need you to learn with the Tribe leader how to cook these dried meat.”

  Civ handed over the dried meat as their ration for today. He gave them 3 strips each since they needed to smoke it.

  The team patiently listened to the additional instructions Civ gave to them. Aside from learning to smoke meat, they are instructed to work on learning stone knapping. Then how to make cordage.

  For Civ, the hunting team needs to learn most of the tasks. This is also for future plans and contingency he is anticipating. He is hoping it will not happen but it is better to be prepared.

  Once everything he needed to tell the team was discussed, Civ and Luk prepared to leave. Kivrah did not send them off but Horm and Arsh.

  “You know you can bring us too Civ.” Arsh was a little bit upset that his friend would leave the camp without them.

  “I’m sorry Arsh and you too Horm. Both of you are the most skilled in the tasks we need now. You are more needed here.” Civ painfully explained it to them.

  In Civ’s heart, he wants to bring the whole hunting team for this expedition. But with limited time and resources, he needs to make this decision for the sake of the tribe.

  Arsh and Horm smiled. “Do not worry, we understand your decision. We are just messing with you.” The group laughs then Civ and Luk proceed to leave the camp to the north.

  On this expedition, they only bring a stone knife, spear, and 4 strips of dried meat. Walking behind Civ, Luk's face is shining. Being side by side with the chosen one is a divine feeling for him.

  “Luk aside from your speed, do you know why I chose you to come with me?” Civ asked while looking on the ground.

  “Uhm, because I can catch your speed?” Luk wildly guessed.

  “Hmmm I agree on that. But the other thing is I need you to learn and experience it. I’ll let you know once we encounter it.”

  Luk was riddled but he enthusiastically replied. “Yes Oh Cho-”

  “Civ, please call me Civ. This is also to make sure our communication is quick and short.” Civ reminded Luk as his ears were turning red.

  “Yes Oh Cho- Civ.. Yes Civ I will do it.” Luk tried his best not to call Civ in his designated position.

  They arrived at the grassland where Civ baits the boar. Today, the boars were nowhere to be seen. They walk around the grassland.

  “The footprints here are not fresh.” Civ followed one of the footprints of an adult boar and Luk followed.

  But this footprint was led to nowhere.

  Civ sat down on the last footprint and held his chin. “Hmmm since it was raining when we hunted the sow, most likely the footprints were erased.”

  They go back to the starting point and follow another footprint. This also led to nowhere.

  ‘We cannot look blindly here. We might encounter the other animals that are more dangerous than the boar'. As the time passes by, they need to accurately look for answers. The longer they stay here, the worse it is for them.

  They already followed all of the footprints from going east and west. This leaves them with the only option, deeper to the north.

  In front of them a two big boulders with a gap in between. It is like a gate going to peril. Both of them were nervous but this was a task they needed to complete.

  “You ready?” Civ asks Luk to lighten the mood.

  “Yes Civ!” Luk firmly replied and even though he was nervous, he was also excited to see what was coming.

  They follow the footprints deeper into the woods. While walking, he is start marking some trees for them to follow when they return.

  15 minutes later of following.

  Oink Oink

  “Civ I thin-”

  “Shhhhh lower head.”

  They quickly duck to avoid being seen.

  Civ eyes sparkle as in front of him are multiple adult boars.

  “Is this their mating season?”