The Tlaxcala Basin in February was cold, clear, and killing. The fields lay barren, the villages abandoned; for a hundred li there were no villagers, and across the four wilds every trace of human smoke had vanished. Yet on the cold, open plain, wild grass was putting out new shoots, and pines and cypresses were drawing tender branches. Flocks of birds flew through the bright, clear sky, and herds of beasts wandered the peopleless wilderness. On this fertile tropical plateau, once human presence suddenly receded, the vitality of nature surged in like a tide. Birds and beasts occupied the places where people had lived, breeding to their hearts' content—until a sharp arrow suddenly shot in!
Whoosh!
A wild goose sensed the threat and spread its wings to take flight. Yet it had only risen halfway when it suddenly plummeted from the air. Red-hair Hunter Chabo grinned, carrying his great bow as he ran to the water's edge. He reached out, grabbed the goose by the neck, weighed it slightly in his hand, and his face bloomed with joy.
"Haaha! What a fat bird! It must be over ten jin!"
"Whoa! What a huge goose!"
Very soon, Red-hair Hunter Mikui also burrowed out from the lush long grass. He looked at the goose that had just been shot down, grinned broadly, and even laughed until drool came out.
"Enough for the two of us to eat two meals!"
"No! Enough for me alone to eat four meals!"
Red-haired Chabo carried the goose and slanted a glance at Hunter Mikui, shaking his head to correct him.
"For this past month, I've had to run east and west every day, burrowing through the woods, hunting down those Snake People tribes hiding all over like Grass Rats. I need to have a good meal