American Hunting: Starting with Solitary Life in the Wilderness

Chapter 153 Damascus Hunting Knife (with illustration)
As all the equipment was packed into the huge expedition backpack, a sense of parting began to quietly permeate the air of the woodland.

There's only one week left before we officially set off.

Before leaving, Lin Yu'an had to make sure everything at home was settled.

That night, the fire in the fireplace was burning brightly.

Lin Yu-an, Ailiya, and Emily, who had already started staying in the guest rooms, were sitting around the long dining table.

“Emily.” Lin Yu’an put down his knife and fork and looked at her.

He spoke in a serious yet natural tone, "I'll probably be away for about two months. During this time, I'll be leaving the household in your care with Arya."

"Don't worry." Emily nodded, her blue eyes filled with an unprecedented determination.

After settling things at home, Lin Yu-an began his farewell journey over the next few days.

He drove his modified, powerful F-150 to visit each of the neighbors who had helped him.

His first stop was old George's house.

"What? You're going to participate in that awful show again? And in Labrador?" Old George's eyes widened when he heard Lin Yu'an's purpose.

"You rascal, you're a madman! Winters there are much harder to endure than here! The wind can blow right through you to the bone!"

Despite his complaints, he turned and went into his workshop.

A moment later, he came out carrying a long, rectangular object carefully wrapped in thick, oil-tanned leather, and slammed it onto the table.

He unfastened the leather buckle and slowly unfolded the leather sheath.

A sheathed, handcrafted hunting knife, gleaming with a cold, sharp light and possessing the warm texture of wood, lay quietly on a dark deerskin.

The size of this knife is similar to that of the Ace 6 that Lin Yu'an bought himself, but it is far superior in both design and craftsmanship.

Its blade has a beautiful Bowie shape, a thick back that is thick enough to be used for chopping, and an edge that is sharpened to an extremely sharp point.

Most notably, under the light, a layer of varying depths of texture, resembling flowing water, can be faintly seen on the blade.

“This is…” A hint of surprise flashed in Lin Yu’an’s eyes.

“Damascus steel pattern.” Old George’s tone was full of pride in his work.

"This is a treasure I made two winters ago when I had nothing to do. I used 1095 high carbon steel and 15N20 nickel steel to fold and forge more than 300 layers. Its hardness and toughness are much better than those factory-made products you buy."

His fingers slid to the hilt: "The hilt is made of deer antler and stabilized birch burl, and it feels absolutely comfortable to hold. I've maintained it with walnut oil several times."

“Here you go, kid.” Old George pushed the work of art hunting knife, along with its matching handmade leather sheath, in front of Lin Yu’an, his tone leaving no room for argument.

“I know you have some good tools, but they have no soul! We old folks believe that what we make with our own hands brings good luck.”

"Once you get to Labrador, whether you're dealing with the fish you've caught or butchering the rabbits you've snatched, it will be your most reliable partner!"

"Remember, you must come back safely. When you return, I'll teach you how to forge a sword!"

Looking at the hunting knife before him, a weapon imbued with Old George's heartfelt care and blessings, Lin Yu'an felt a surge of emotion. It reminded him of his teacher and his teacher's wife. He didn't refuse, but solemnly accepted it.

"Thank you, George. I will cherish it as I would my own life. I'll come back and learn how to forge knives from you."

After leaving old George's house, Lin Yu'an's second stop was Stan's cabin.

Stan's house was more primitive and rugged than old George's; the yard lacked a neat lawn, containing only several huge wooden racks used for tanning hides and rows of animal traps drying in the wind.
Stan remained silent, sitting on the porch, repairing a mink trap that had been damaged during the hunting season with a small pair of needle-nose pliers and a thin wire.

Seeing Lin Yu'an approaching with gifts, he merely raised his eyelids, gesturing for him to sit down on the wooden post opposite him.

Lin Yu'an placed a bottle of baijiu and a pack of cigarettes at his feet, and then succinctly explained his upcoming expedition to Labrador to him.

Stan listened quietly, his hands never stopping.

Only after Lin Yu'an finished speaking did he put down the mink trap in his hand and walk into the dimly lit wooden house.

A few minutes later, he came out carrying something—a natural bluish-black whetstone with an extremely fine texture.

This whetstone is not regularly shaped and retains its natural outline, but its top and bottom surfaces have been polished smooth as a mirror through years of use and maintenance.

Stan's words were as concise as ever: "I know that show. The whetstones they provide are too small. In the wilderness, your knife and axe are your life!"

“This is a hard Arkansas stone that I found in a dried-up riverbed deep in the Brooks Mountains.”

"I estimate its mesh size to be over 2000, making it a very good natural whetstone."

He pushed the whetstone in front of Lin Yu'an and continued, "Take this with you, so that your tools are always kept in the most reliable condition."

“Thank you, Stan.” He accepted the gift with great respect.

Stan looked at him and finally nodded, his eyes full of approval: "Go ahead and don't worry, kid. Just make sure you take care of yourself and don't die in that ice cave."

Lin Yu-an also visited his neighbors Cody, Hank, and Buck. These tough guys, upon learning that he was going to participate in "The Frozen Throne," all expressed their support and encouragement in their most direct way.

"Hey Lin! You'll definitely win! Take another championship! Then we'll throw an even bigger party to celebrate!"

"Go ahead without worry, we've got your house under our watch! Anyone who dares to cause trouble will be met with our hunting rifles first!"

After returning home, Lin Yu'an carefully placed the handmade hunting knife given to him by old George and the natural whetstone given to him by Stan into his backpack, which he was about to use for his expedition.

David and Mike also came to say goodbye, as their filming schedule would be suspended for a while, allowing them to take a long vacation.

After saying all his farewells and entrustments, Lin Yu'an had no more worries in his heart.

The night before departure finally arrived.

The cabin was unusually quiet. Arya and Emily had already put the children to sleep.

Three adults sat in front of the fireplace, none of them speaking, only the crackling of the firewood in the flames, the warm firelight illuminating their silent faces.

After a long while, Emily stood up. She glanced at Lin Yu'an, then at Aria, and said softly, "I...I'll go back to my room first. You two...have a good talk."

She turned and walked towards the guest room, leaving the space to the couple who were about to part ways.

Lin Yu'an watched Emily's figure disappear at the top of the stairs before turning around and gently embracing Aria beside him. "I'm leaving first thing tomorrow morning," he said in a low voice, with a hint of barely perceptible hoarseness.

“I know.” Arya buried her face in his chest, her arms wrapped tightly around his waist, as if she wanted to use all her strength to feel his strong heartbeat and real body temperature.

The two didn't say anything more, they just hugged tightly, and Lin Yu'an could feel Alia's reluctance to part.

He lowered his head and kissed her lips. The kiss was filled with the taste of parting, tender and deep.

Then, he picked her up and carried her towards their master bedroom.

Arya obediently rested her head on his shoulder and wrapped her arms around his neck.

The firelight from the fireplace, filtering through the open door, bathed the room in a warm orange glow.

Outside the window, the Alaskan night sky is cold and sparkling like diamonds.

After removing their protective gear, they embraced tightly on the soft bed. There were not many intense movements, but rather a tender and affectionate embrace filled with longing and reluctance to part.

Lin Yu'an's large hand slowly slid over Ailiya's smooth back, feeling the temperature of every inch of her skin.

Arya responded to his silent farewell with her kisses. Each kiss and each caress seemed to be engraving the other's warmth and breath deep into her soul.

Lin Yu'an could sense Ailiya's worry about his upcoming expedition, and Ailiya could also sense Lin Yu'an's deep longing for his family.

This intimate moment is both a farewell and a promise.

In their final union, they seemed to want to blend their souls into each other's bodies to resist the impending fifty-day separation.

When everything calmed down, the two lay in bed embracing, Arya lying on his chest.

“Darling~” she suddenly whispered.

"Ok?"

"Why don't you go and keep Emily company tonight?"

Lin Yu'an's body stiffened abruptly, and he looked at his wife in disbelief.

Arya raised her head, her pale green eyes filled with determination in the dim light.

"She's part of this family too, isn't she?"

Arya's voice was soft, yet carried an undeniable strength: "You're about to leave for fifty days, or even longer. During those fifty days, she will be with me, protecting this home and caring for our children."

"She needs your comfort, she needs a... farewell ceremony."

She cupped Lin Yu'an's face in her hands and said earnestly, "Go, darling. Let her know that she is not an outsider, nor is she a recipient of charity. She is the master of this house, just like you and me."

He lowered his head and kissed her forehead deeply.

"……it is good."

He got up, put on his bathrobe, and left the master bedroom.

He gently pushed open the door to the guest room. The room was dark, with only moonlight streaming in through the window, casting silvery patches of light on the floor.

Emily wasn't asleep; she was sitting on the edge of the bed, hugging her knees, quietly gazing at the starry sky outside the window.

Hearing the door open, her body visibly trembled, and she turned around abruptly.

Lin Yu'an didn't say anything, but simply turned around and gently closed the door.

He walked to the bedside and, from behind, gently and warmly wrapped his arms around her shoulders.

Emily's body stiffened at first, then she felt as if she had found a safe haven.

Her tense body slowly relaxed, and she gently leaned her head back against his chest.

"I..." She wanted to say something, but Lin Yu'an gently pressed his finger to her lips.

"Nothing needs to be said."

His voice sounded exceptionally gentle in the quiet room: "Arya sent me."

These words, as if possessing magic, instantly shattered the last trace of doubt and unease in Emily's heart.

Lin Yu'an picked her up and gently placed her on the bed.

Unlike his kiss with Arya, which was full of marital intimacy, he leaned down and kissed her in a more direct and possessive way.

This kiss was filled with comfort, promise, and a declaration—from now on, you belong here.

Emily responded to him with all her might.

Moonlight streamed through the window, quietly illuminating the two figures tightly intertwined on the bed, outlining a silhouette full of primal charm.

Emily knew that from this moment on, her nightmares filled with blood and betrayal would completely vanish.

Because she finally found her place, a place accepted by both owners of the house.

The next morning, Lin Yu'an stood alone in front of the wooden house's porch.

Although he fought two battles last night, he showed no signs of fatigue.

Behind him were Arya and Emily, and two children they were holding in their arms.

He turned and took one last look at everything he cherished: Arya's gentle smile, Emily's resolute gaze, and the children's adorable faces.

Then, he shouldered the heavy expedition backpack, without looking back, but simply raised his arm high and waved.

Stan drove him to the airport, and the plane sliced ​​through the sky, carrying him toward that cold coastline.

A new journey has begun!

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

(This knife is so cool, just as cool as the guy who voted for me!)
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(End of this chapter)