Chapter 5- Lessons in Hunting
"The first thing you need to learn is how to shoot anything that hurls a projectile," Pinkerpie lectured as she set out a bow, a crossbow, and a blunderbuss on a makeshift table.
Each weapon was followed by a quiver of arrows, a case of bolts, and a pouch of shot made up of lead balls. Of course then there was the gunpowder and replacements for the flint. Just so I could see the progression of firearms through history I set my pistols and rifle on the table as well, including clips of ammo and belts of bullets.
For the next two hours Pinkerpie instructed me on the parts of each weapon and how to maintain or replace every part when and if necessary. Once we came to my weapons it was my turn to instruct her on the internal working of the pistols, their fabrication, especially the barrel, and their ammo. So far no one had developed or mass produced bullets. The idea of waterproof ammo was very exciting to Pinkerpie, and even more so when she saw how quickly reloading was.
"What do you call these fine weapons," She asked as she pointed a pistol at the target.
"Just line up the sights, and then point and pull," I said softly.
She fired and nearly squealed as she laughed, "The recoil is nothing like the blunderbuss!"
"Exactly," I laughed, "It makes it where you can fire faster with more accuracy. I call the pistols M1911s, and the rifle I call a Winchester 1894. They are based on guns from my world."
"Fascinating!" Pinkerpie whispered as she handled the pistol and then set it on the table, "I'd love to tear it apart and find out how it works, but maybe another time."
After practicing shooting until I was fairly proficient with the bow and crossbow, we spent the least amount of time on shooting the blunderbuss and more time on learning how to load the damn thing. In return Pinkerpie practiced shooting my pistols and rifle. By midday we left our makeshift range and we talked as Pinkerpie showed me how to track the various local animals. By prints on the ground and what certain scuff marks on trees meant.
"Now, sit and get comfortable," Pinkerpie commanded as we rounded a large tree west of Thelsamar.
"What are we doing now?" I asked.
"Learning how to truly track beasts," Pinkerpie answered as she sat cross-legged opposite of me. She looked me up and down and then continued, "The first thing you need to understand is that this world is a world of magic. Almost everyone has some arcane ability, though the best usually become mages or priests, and then there are the others that dabble in what they ought not such as necromancy. Later, I will teach you how to harness the arcane magics within you in order to amplify your shots, but for now let's focus on another magical talent, Beast Tracking."
Looking off to her left she pointed and said, "About a hundred feet that way is a black bear. If you look hard you can see him."
I did look, but I saw nothing.
Smiling, she continued, "It's alright if you can't, though I find this part easier if you can. Now, close your eyes and visualize that there is a bear over there. Once you have, I want you to reach out with your mind. Let it take wing, kind of like you're a bird flying above the trees."
"Or like a bat's screeches and receiving them back like sonar," I added excitedly.
"Yes, that too," She said, though she was apparently confused by what I meant, "Your magic is like a muscle, once you start trying to expand your consciousness it will automatically give your mind the power you need to do so. It will be weak at first but then soon you will be able to feel every animal within a hundred yards of you or more."
We sat there for a long time. For the better part of the rest of the afternoon, and just when I was tired and frustrated, and about to give up, I felt her. A small black bear. She was eating berries. She was young, only months separated from her mother. Hadn't even slept through one winter on her own yet. But, there was plenty of food and she was putting on weight at a very good pace. Now, all she needed to do was find herself a good cave...
My connection seemed to fade away like something was turning down the volume, and then I felt the world tilt. Pinkerpie was right there waiting for me. She caught my head as I collapsed, and then slowly lowered me down into her lap as she whispered, "You did it husband, and on the very first day of training. You really do have some talent as a hunter!"
That was the last I heard before darkness swept over me.
----(!)----
The smell of pine was thick in the air as I awoke. In my previous life, on Earth, Megan and I had lived in a city. Not a huge city, but it was growing, and it was busy. There was always noise. Alarms. Traffic. Sirens. Honking. Even in our apartment there were always sounds of people. Walking. Talking. Yelling. Singing. Fighting. Making love. Then I found myself in Azeroth and within Blackrock it was still always loud, and even when it was quiet there was a constant thrum, like the mountain itself was breathing. Even Thorium Point was loud. But as I woke up all I heard was the wind blowing softly through the grass and trees. The scratch of pine needles and the shake of leaves. The grass sounded like thousands of pieces of paper being softly rubbed against each other, and then there was a sudden scent of honeysuckle interlaced with pine sap.
Fluttering my eyelids a soft small hand combed my hair out of my face as I looked up into large indigo eyes framed by blue lashes and earthy green skin. Pinkerpie gave me a plump lipped smile before saying, "I never knew it would be so hard to not fall for a man that naps with his head in my lap. Who would have guessed? I certainly didn't! I never wanted to fall in love, much less get married, but now here I am. Married, and falling in love!"
