The way back to our Village wasn't as perilous as usual, thanks to the Soaring Leaf technique; I even crossed quicksand before noticing!

FUN! Was send by a exited Charcoal whom despite his wounds enjoyed the breeze of the travel with open mouth.

Again chipping on the perceived aloofness of dogs I held in my heart.

We were halfway when I spotted it on the surface of a fallen log; a fog mold mushroom.

Better known as Gillum is the second most common spiritual plant to be found in the bog.

I saved the location of it in the back of my head I had to get home before night.

The Gillum potion isn't like the purple mist potion, as it is more complicated than dissolving Carex in hot water.

Birch-glue, a mortal pain medicine and bog-white, a plant used against fever and cramps, are only two of the dozen medicinal herbs needed to turn fog mold into the lichen-green potion.

A lot of work lied ahead of me and I needed third Uncles help to even begin realizing our plan.

The unease of that dreadful night a dream I desperately could not recall as important as I thought it was left me restless.

Closing on the village the guards on top excitedly shouted when they recognized what I had brought before lowering the ramp.

The following days were bustling with activity as Second Uncle Ohnir prepared to initiated me as a full fledged hunter while first uncle Saron had me retell my and Charcoals adventure in the woods.

In between hurrying from one place to another I spent the time with Master Bran brewing potions and improving my Cultivation.

The day of my Initiation turned to a important festival, much to my dismay

Usually people spent a month or more in the woods to get some hares and a deer or boar. Rarely someone brings a Wolf pelt making him a proper hunter.

The Village had only two-score of Spears of Bronze and the rest of our tools were made of stone. Twenty spears for the hunters and twenty for the militia and only our best could be allowed to carry one.

This was exactly right, since Manpower was sparse and everybody that wasn’t hunting or protecting us from bandits was needed in the fields.

There was a tradition that the firstborn son of a previous holder was the first that was to allowed to prove himself worthy and to be honest father was afraid I wasn't quite

But I brought harvests aplenty in plants and game within a single week. It was unheard of in the history of our Clan!

There was even talk of another festival upon the arrival of the taxman in the coming months.

The Clan wanted to give me a proper farewell when I entered the fold of the military.

Face paint and Ceremonial Clothes, which decreed lineage and rank, were donned by everybody.

Food was prepared aplenty and the two shamans were sacrificing an ewe and burning herbs for the goodwill of the spirits.

I walked into the Main hall and the murmuring of the crowd quieted.

The main hall was three men tall till the ceiling and more long than broad.

It could fit around hundred people on its carved tables and benches. This was a tad bit small considering that the hansa clan was three hundred people strong.

The inside was reserved for my direct family and the most important members of the clan and their families while the rest sat on the benches outside the tall gates open to let everybody partake.

The inside was decorated by painted pelts and woolen tapestries telling the stories of the Hansa torched illuminated the spots where the light from the windows didn't reach.

Ritual fires were lit inside as the conclusion of the rituals outside.

At the far end of the hall stood Father and Ohnir upon the dais; next to where the current clan leader Sorokin sat on the Throne. Father was visibly bursting with pride and he seemed to stand much straighter than usual.

Ohnir as the Head of the Hunters was today's master of ceremony.

He said in dignified intonation:

“Ghali Hansa! Son of Saleh Hansa and Saska Hansa!”

He paused for effect a look of satisfaction on his face.

“Today marks the day that you, Ghali Hansa, take up the spear of your father and join the ranks of the hunters!”

My father handed me his spear that was now mine. I turned around facing the crowd and waited until Ohnir crowned me with the Wolf Head and fastening the pelt-cape around my shoulder finishing my Hunter attire.

Cheers could be heard from the people in attendance as I lifted the spear above me.

I raised my voice, before the crowd could begin to guzzle the rice- and berry-wine, while nodding to my father.

“Brothers and Sisters of the Hansa Clan! Some of you know I will join the ranks of imperial military!”

I paused hesitant for a moment. I lifted the spear again and looked at it to hide my nervousness.

This of course made my sister Rena snicker and one of the Elders quaffing wine despite me talking almost chocked.

I was later told I looked like a drama actor again.

“This spear will be once more without a hunter! I have a suggestion about who will wield it in the future.”

Thanks to the practice the dogs gave me, I could convey my feelings and intentions by spiritual sense.

The effect wiped the smirks off the faces of everyone present.

Seeing that gravitas was restored I finally could call Rena on the stage, much the same way father did when he chosen me as his succesor.

There were discussions in the hall. It was against tradition to have a woman be a huntress and choosing a succesor at the same ceremony as my initiation was also a first.

The political side of this was also something to consider. Another male of the Clan could wield and many were eager to prove themselves.

Before the situation could escalate I called my secret weapon.

Charcoal! Now!

A black shadow entered the hall. His eyes were illuminated by the lit fire and gave them an ominous glow. He was already a large fellow but his presence made him taller, instantly stopping any noise inside the hall.

He approached my sister and they locked gaze it was obvious that they had a battle of wills and she stood tall.

Satisfied he reined his sense in and sat in front of Rena waiting for her to complete the gesture of approval.

She lowered her head as did Charcoal and they gently locked heads.

He even tolerated her ruffling his fur.

The conversations started up. This was a masterstroke, as it was hard to argue against the approval of a dog. Even some of the Wolf-pelted hunters didn't have it.

To make our case and to show the unison of our family Mother gave her speech:

” Brothers and Sisters of the Hansa! Hear me out. Some of you may know that I, Saska, was born in the Narra Clan. Today I offer you all a gift!”

The pause was well timed.

I didn't know until later but she was schooled as a narrator of the Narra Clans history. Sometimes your parents surprise you.

“The Narra also had once the same hunting tradition as our Hansa Clan. We learned in time of dire need a harsh lesson.”

I will abridge you the Story of the Narra for the sake of brevity.

The first female huntress emerged in a time of famine and before she ended it in hunt and ritual faced adversity from her own clan. The spirits punished the obtuseness of the Narra Elders with death as they ignored a mandate. Gifts no matter the form they take should be received with grace. At that part she gave me a meaningful glance.

My heart ached then my vision still hidden in the subconscious.

“This is the gift of the Narra! My Daughter carries that very blood in her veins. Let the Hansa prosper under the gift of the spirits.”

Father stepped forward and bellowed:

“You all know me! I, Saleh always abide by the traditions of the Hansa !”

Murmurs of agreement could be heard and many of the hunters were old friends. Fathers words still had weight in the clan.

“You know I bled for the clan!” He pointed to his injured leg. “ You also know I am not one to be easily swayed.” He also gave me a glance before continuing.

“We Hansa have a saying: tradition is passing the fire and leaving the ash. Please give my daughter a chance to prove herself.”

He looked around I think most people were in awe that my father could string so many sentences together.

His children usually have to piss him off to get as many and we rather like him silent.

Seeing that my father was done making the case the elders had a little chat and said:

“Taking the cases made for Rena Hansa, daughter of Saska Hansa and Saleh Hansa, we conclude that her linage and her abilities qualify her to take the Hunters Test!”

Cheering could be heard and the festivities continued. No matter what people thought or what Family politics were involved today was a special day for the Clan.

Since the moment I found the manual change came dizzingly fast to my home.