“What?!” Civ stood up and faced Kivrah and Safi

  A silence of death. Animals leave their habitat when migrating. But in some cases, they leave because of danger.

  “We have not seen a boar since this morning,” Kivrah replied.

  “I noticed this since yesterday. There were still some footsteps and chirping yesterday. But today, it was silent.” Safi replied as she twiddled her thumb.

  “Alright, give me a moment.” Civ talked to Vel and Arsh.

  “Vel, Arsh, Stuff the leather like this. It should be almost filled up to the entrance of it. After you finish filing it, store it in the cave.” Civ instructed the two. They both nodded.

  “Good, Vel, you can do the daily task that you have. Arsh, follow us once you finish it.” Civ finished his instructions. Then he started walking to the north wall as Kivrah and Safi followed her.

  “Did someone already go outside the wall?” Civ asked Kivrah.

  “No one yet. But Luk was willing to go outside. I stopped him since I need your opinion on this.” Kivrah swiftly replied.

  At the north wall, the three of them climbed up. They look around to see any creature.

  But what they saw was grass and leaves that were swaying in the wind’s command. The sound of leaves felt like something uncomfortable.

  The group above has a solemn look.

  “Father, I think we need to talk about it further. Let’s go to the Shaman’s hut.”

  “You are right.” Kivrah nodded.

  They left the north wall and went straight to Shaman Mashu’s hut.

  When they arrived, Kivrah called the Shaman.

  “Shaman Mash-” Kivrah quickly shut his mouth.

  What they saw was that Shaman Mashu was sweating beads. Her voice was low, but you could hear the rasps in it. It’s like she was praying non-stop.

  Civ intently listened to what Shaman Mashu was saying.

  ‘What? Our tribulation is near, Oh Goddess, guide us with your light?’ There are some words he is not familiar with. But using context clues, he was able to grasp what is the Shaman is saying.

  She was praying for the tribes safety, guidance, and protection from the Sun Goddess.

  Kivrah and Civ silently wait for the Shaman to finish her prayers.

  After a few minutes, she finished her prayers.

  “Sorry for the wait Tribe leader and our Chosen one. I know, I dreamed about it!” Shaman Mashu revealed.

  Both of them clenched their fist, and Kivrah asked. “Tell me Shaman. What happened in your dream?”

  Shaman Mashu takes a deep breath. She wiped her sweat and replied.“I saw all of the animals in all directions leave their home. They are trembling and did not look back. Then a darkness filled our camp.”

  Kivrah nodded. “It seems that the day has come.”

  Civ thoat went dry for a second.

  Kivrah continued. “The Tuanir, it's coming fast to us!”

  Once he blurted that sentence, Shaman Mashu trembled a bit while looking at them.

  “Civ, what do you think we need to do?” Kivrah asked his Son.

  He has some ideas in mind. But getting input from his Son will be a good starting point.

  “I think we need to first check the north. If we can find a boar, we try to hunt as many as we can.” Civ immediately replied.

  They have enough supply for the next few days. But if the animals totally leave the area, they need to secure as much meat as they can. Boar is the best option they have.

  “I agree, let’s do that. About finding a new camp, who do you think we can give this task to?” Kivrah asked about the second plan he had in mind.

  Civ paused for a few seconds.

  “Let’s not think about it. It is better to check what is going on in the north and our surroundings first. Then we decide if moving the camp is needed.” Civ suggested.

  Civ doesn’t want to leave this camp. They have already set up many defences here, so it's a waste if they leave right away. If they needed to leave because of immediate danger. He wanted to make sure that there was another option they could try before moving the camp.

  “I agree with you Civ. But don’t you think it is better to look for another camp to make sure we know where to go?” Kivrah raised his concern.

  “About that, I already have a good area to move the camp if needed.” Civ raised the idea to Kivrah.

  “Tell me Son. Where is it?” Kivrah leaned forward to his Son.

  Civ pointed in a certain direction. “To the South!”

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  “South?!” Kivrah's face was full of questions.

  “That is right. The trees there are plenty. In case the giants follow us there, they cannot chase us away.” Civ explained.

  Kivrah went silent and wandered his thoughts to the South.

  He looked at Shaman Mashu. “What do you think Shaman Mashu?”

  “I agree with Civ’s suggestion. Better to check the surroundings before taking action.” Shaman Mashu decided.

  Kivrah concluded the plan and agreed also to scout the surroundings.

  “For scouting the north. I will give you this responsibility Civ. For whom you need to bring, it's up to you. But make sure you are all going to return safely.” Kivrah gives the freedom to decide on the scouting process.

  Now that they need to prepare thoroughly in the coming Tuanir, they need to split the tasks to maximize the day.

  Their discussion ended in planning to check the situation on the North side. Kivrah and Civ discussed some things to prepare in the camp while they are away.

  In scouting, Civ has already decided his group.

  On his way back to the cave, he came across Arsh.

  “Hey Arsh, you all finished filling up the leather?” Civ wants to confirm.

  “Yes Civ. We put it inside the cave. Then I left Vel, he said he plans on working on the jars.” Arsh replied.

  “That is great. Please call Luk, Safi, Ras, and Pil. We need to do something. While you’re looking for them, I’ll prepare the tools. Then let's meet at the hut,”. Civ quickly instructed Arsh.

  Arsh wants to ask Civ what this is all about. But seeing his friend was in a rush, she followed his command and started looking for the four.

  After gathering the three, they went straight to the hut.

  At the hut, Civ was sharpening knives and spearheads.

  Looking at Civ, he was sitting facing west. So he didn’t ask Arsh and the group to come. Arsh, Luk, and Pil have an idea why they called them. But Safi felt she knew what they were going to do.

  “We are here Civ.” Arsh called the attention of her Civ, who was busy.

  Civ turns around from his seat. Even though he was sweating, his face was solemn.

  “Listen. As you noticed, the forest was quieter than usual. As I discussed with the Tribe leader and Shaman, we need to go north to see if the boars really left.” Civ revealed his plan.

  Hearing this, everyone trembled except Safi.

  “I understand Civ. I agree that we need to check the north.” Luk replied.

  Everyone agreed in silence.

  “Great. Now, let's prepare the items we need. Once it’s ready, we’ll go to the North.” Civ instructed them and went to the cave to pick their items. While everyone is picking up their weapons, Civ went to look at the leather.

  He thinks about it deeply. ‘Sigh, we are short on time. I might need to do it later this evening or early morning.’

  Abandoning the plan, he grabbed his spear and stone knife. Then he waited for the rest to finish.

  “We are ready Civ.” Pil readied himself.

  “Why did you not bring your bows and arrows?” Civ asked.

  “We cannot bring the arrows. That's too many to hold.” Luk replied.

  Luk is right on this. The last time they were able to bring the arrows was using a basket. But since this is a scouting task. For Luk, he wants to bring as few items as he can.

  Everyone has the same sentiment.

  “We still need to bring arrows to this task. Luk, please get some cordage and arrows. The rest, bring your bows.” Civ instructed.

  They immediately left and got the items he requested.

  “Here it is Civ. How can we bring these many arrows?” Luk’s asked. Civ noticed Luk’s slightly unfocused eyes.

  To clear their doubt, Civ quickly gets the coradage. He grabbed his spear. Then, using a clove hitch knot, he secured the cordage in the spear. After that, he picked 5 - 6 arrows from the pile. Put it around the spear. Then, using the tied cordage, he wrapped it around the arrows. Securing the arrows in the spear.

  “See? We can bring arrows!” Civ exclaimed.

  Luk, Pil, and Safi's eyes widened. While Arsh slapped her forehead.

  “Heh! You are right Civ. I should have also asked if the cordages can be used.” Arsh came into realization.

  The rest of the group also replicated what Civ did and wrapped the arrows around the spear.

  “Now we are ready. Let’s go to the Shaman’s hut. Father and the Shaman should be waiting for us there.” Civ instructed.

  The was almost noon when they finished preparing. The unusual silence in the surroundings was already the topic of the tribe. Seeing Civ and some of the hunting team bring their weapons, this rumor was more discussed.

  Arriving at the Shaman’s hut, Kivrah and Shaman Mashu were already waiting for them.

  “Tribe leader and Shaman, we are ready to depart.” Civ greeted them.

  Kivrah sees that the group has clarity in their eyes. Willing to follow is Son in any danger.

  “Thank you for following my Son. As Safi mentioned earlier, we need to know what is the situation around the camp. First location you need to look at is the north.” Kivrah explained.

  “That will be no problem Tribe leader. We are more than willing to help the tribe!” Arsh replied with a proud face.

  The rest also looked at the Tribe leader with a smile.

  “We are blessed by the Goddess. The bravery of each of you will never be forgotten!” Kivrah proudly praised the group.

  “Shaman Mashu will pray for all of you.” Kivrah continued. Shaman Mashu walks towards the group. Using the praise language, she asked for protection for the group. Then she sprinkled the crushed pine bark on them.

  “Thank you Shaman Mashu. Tribe leader, we will take our leave.” Civ replied.

  “You all. Be careful. If you feel that you are in danger, please run back to the camp. Remember, you all need to prioritize your safety before anything else!” Kivrah reminded the group.

  “We will Tribe leader!” Everyone replied in unison.

  As the group started to leave the hut, Kivrah wanted to talk to his son a little bit more.

  “Please be safe Son.” Kivrah taped Civ’s shoulder.

  “I will Father. I will make sure our group returns safely!” Civ confidently replied.

  The group finally left the camp. On the other hand, the tribe was filled with fear and confusion.

  “There are still boars around right? Why did Civ and some from the hunting group go to the north?” Some from the tribe asked.

  “I don’t know. Maybe to hunt some boars?” someone replied.

  “But the forest is too silent. Can they find boars?”

  “We can only know after they return.”

  The conversation ended there, and the rest did their daily task. But the silence of the surroundings was still being talked about.

  A few minutes after leaving the camp, Civ and the group slowed down to observe the soundings. The forest was full of trees, but a heavy, pressing feeling was looming over them. They only hear their own footsteps as they walk further.

  “Civ, it's too silent. I think we can walk faster.” Safi suggested.

  “You are right. The faster, the better. So we can also check the place where the boars usually eat.” Civ agreed, and they fastened their pace.

  So far, they have not encountered any boars around going to the grazing area of the boars.

  When they arrived, their faces tightened.

  “No boars?” Pil softly exclaimed.

  “This is weird. At least we can see a few male boars.” Civ replied.

  They walked into the grassland.

  As Civ looked down, a cold sweat ran down his spine.

  “These footprints. They left a few days earlier!”