Proofreader: Kagenesti

Chapter 6 - Alone in the woods

Asperd Isle - Winter, Herbalist’s Hut, Riin’s POV

The day that mother and father were to travel to the village came and with a long and boring talk from mother about all the things I needed to remember not to do and what I had to do, like lock the door, they finally said their goodbyes. Mother gave me her bone crushing hug all the while sobbing to me about being a good and sweet boy. Father just gave me a quick pat on the shoulder, telling me to take care of the house. In a whisper he also told me where the wood axe was, - not that he needed too since I had long ago searched the whole house, minus the root cellar, since I had yet gotten the chance to go down without being seen - in case of wolves, as he put it.

My thought… There is wolves running around? - must be a winter thing. Fuck the axe. I need a torch, nothing like barbecued animals on an open fire. They each took a small hand pulled cart, filled with the goods they intended to sell.

Mother’s cart held all salves, potions and raw herbs, roots - folded in a linen cloth to keep them safe from the cold - that she had prepared for use. Father's cart held his crafted bows, arrows and worked pelt from the animals he had hunted for dinner.

“We will hurry back as fast as we can, sweetie. Be safe okay? And remember to lock the door at night and re-”

At that point I just zoned her out. Take a deep breath and count to ten, remember she is just showing her love for you, it’s a mother's thing, it can't be helped. Smile and nod, smi-, fuck this, a man can only take so much.

“Mother. I know. You told before breakfast, remember?”

“Ah, yes. I love you sweetie, be safe, okay?”

I gave her a smile and a nod. Mother gave me her, ‘you are the sweetest thing, in the world’ smile and one last hug and kiss. She then turned and headed after father who was grinning like a complete idiot at the whole scene. Watching and waving at them, heading out of sight. I waited a few minutes before turning and heading inside to change cloth and get ready for my glorious plan.

Ah, sweet freedom, how I missed you. Changing to my travel boots - a set of knee high, water treated leather boots, with fur on the inside to keep one warm, like a sock it could be taken out when the weather got warmer. I also grabbed my wool cloak, going to my knees to keep me warm. I head outside.

Walking to the shred and grabbing the axe, I then went over to an old stump near mother’s garden, that I had covered with moss and a wooden plank from father - much to mother's amusement over my table building. Well let her laugh, the inside was hollowed out and covered with a thin clay wall to keep my items safe from rain, and bugs. Getting my items, I get a few ‘windows’. It took me along time to get arrows and the bow from father. Hmm, a good deal of information.

You have obtained [Woodcutter's Axe]!

Item: Woodcutter's Axe Durability: 50/50

You have obtained [Arrows - Iron Tip] x20!

You have obtained [Swine String]!

You have obtained a [Composite Shortbow - Wood]! Range: 0-70 ft.

Item: Composite Shortbow - Wood Durability: 20/20 Item: Bowstring - Swine String Durability: 200/200

Now to set my plan into motion, let the hunt for experience begin!

Going into the forest careful of where I step, I make my way deep into the woods after walking about an hour, I spot what I'm looking for. Tracks, hares by the look of it. Finding a good spot for my idea I get to work. Half an hour later my hard work pays off.

You have crafted a [Snare Trap]! Doing so you have learned the skill, [Trapmaking]! By creating a [Snare trap] from the environment, you have gained the skill, [Survival]!

Hmm, the [Survival] skill is interesting. So by using the environment I gain experience, in using it to my advance. That is very interesting indeed. Oh off to set some more traps. After seven more traps has been set and a few more windows informing me that I'm gaining experience in [Trapmaking] and [Survival], the sun is getting low. I turn and head back making sure to step in my old tracks to not spread too much of my scent all over.

I make it back after a three hour walk, getting inside and starting the fire so I can get some of the cold out of my small body. Now all I can do is wait til tomorrow and head back out to see if my plan have worked.

I get awoken in the night by the sound of howling, I sit and listen, recalling all the knowledge I have of the area and of wolves. As far as I know the forest continue on for more than little over ten miles before reaching the mountains, so that means they are more or less within a half days distance of travel from me, but that's counting a human's moving speed, so if I count them double as us that means they are around six hours of running from my location.

You have reasoned a way to track down the wolves by sound alone! Doing so have gained you + 1 [Wisdom] stat.

Ignoring the window as it pops up, I continue my train of thought. Ah, got it! I can use the snake trap method to catch them, - if it can keep an elk trapped then it can hold a wolf too - doing so will not damage the pelt. Going over to my backpack, I grab a stack of an inch thick sticks and get to work sharpening one end into a point, one sharp enough to dig into the skin if ripped against. After half an hour's work I head back to bed, getting a good night's rest for tomorrow's new plan.