The pathof the north (III)

Dorin and John came down the hill, surrounded by a light, cool mist. The weight of the crossbow bothered Dorin and the steep descent made it even worse.

- Well, boy. We are going to the Dark Crack. The villagers of Low Bridge claim to have seen an enormous grizzly there. It will be a good chance to try your training. Consider it your initiation test.
John smiled at him, but Dorin could feel the tension in his voice. They both knew that a bear like this was never an easy prey.

- Excuse me, master, but I understood that we only hunted dangerous beasts. No matter how big that bear is, at the moment it isn´t a problem.

-There you are wrong, boy. Five foolish villagers left from Puente Bajo to kill the beast, because the grizzly's skin is very coveted. So far, none has returned. - John replied grimly.

Dorin didn´t answer, more afraid now of the situation that was coming. The dagger grew heavier on his side.

The path of the north (II)

Chapter 1

The air was cold and Dorin trembled under the fine clothes and the leather breastplate, his only protection. John insisted that in front of a beast, not even the strongest armor would serve, it was better to be light and agile.

The hut in which they lived was on top of the Orgol Valley, surrounded by vast mountains and small and scattered villages. Autumn was approaching and the dry cold and the withered leaves were proof of that. He remembered the first time he had stepped into the valley, so long ago...

- Are you ready, Dorin?- his master's voice cut his thoughts.

- Yes, sir. I have the knife and the crossbow ready.

- Okey, I am taking the bag of ointmenst and medicines.- John agreed while throwing the bag over his shoulder.

  

Byron, the John´s horse neighed nervously and bit the rope that held him.

-Not today, friend, you would only delay us. Come on, Dorin. Today begins your new life.

The path of the north (I)

Prologue

 

The dew was already flooding the fields. The moon, which that night was full, gave way to the sun and the morning. The valley woke up little by little and from the chimney of hut rose a black smoke.

Dorin fanned the embers of the last night, while John, his master, was examining a map of the area.

 

- Today is the day, boy. You must to be focused, Dorin. Are you listen to me? ¡Wake up!.- John was nervous, although he tried to hide it.

 

-¡Yes... sir! I am only thinking- Dorin replied.
 

"One day I will left this place and you will be the best hunter that this region has seen" John told him days ago, after entrusting him with his first mission. He was going to become a hunter, one of the oldest trades: a hunter of wolves, bears and other beasts. A kind of mercenary, at the service of every man who could pay it.

"Would I be ready? I hope so", he repeated as he watched the bear head that John had as a trophy on the wall, whose teeth were snow-white knives. "Everything will be resolved today", he thought. "Or I live as a hunter or I die as a prey".