Beyond Eternity

DAY 14, A.M

“Good morning.” Greeted Lucas as he spotted Claudia at the main hall that morning.

“Good morning.” She replied. “Well you’re up early.”

“I suppose so.”

“Well, now that you’re here, how about we do some more hunting hmm?”

“Oh? You mean we’ve already eaten all of the Elk?”

“Well, yeah.”

“That was an entire Elk you know?”

“It seems you eat more than you realize Lucas, and so I’ve been serving you larger cuts of meat that my own.”

“Fair enough.”

“You have yet to answer my question.”

“Oh, right, sure, let’s go hunt. I’ll get ready. I’ll bring a bow for you too.” He said as we walked off.

“Alright.” She replied.

Claudia went out of the castle and lay by the grass, looking at the morning sky, right in front of her were fur in the ground along with the sound of cracking bones. Around a moment has passed and Lucas went to where she was.

“Ah there you are.” He said. “And it seems you brought company.”

Looking in front of him, Lucas was greeted by the sight of the wolf Lo and his pack, eating what remained of the Elk’s body.

“Oh, what’s new?” He thought to himself.

“I had them come here to help us out today. I spotted them close and besides, I was wondering how I’d dispose of the rest of the Elk. It’s not like we’ll be eating even its head or anything so it’s much more convenient this way.” Claudia said as she held one of the big wolves in her arms and hugged it as though it were an oversized plush doll, which it seemed to like.

Claudia gestured for Lucas to give her the hunting tools meant for her, and he did.

“Now then, shall we?” She said as she released the wolf and stretched her arms.

“Yeah, let’s go.” He replied in agreement.

The wolves began moving in a single direction which the two followed.

“Aren’t you going to call the birds around today Claudia?” Asked Lucas.

“The wolves weren’t with us when we left the castle last time.” She replied. “But now since they are, we can have them track us down a meal instead. They are born to hunt after all.”

“I see, although I bet this trip will lead us far across the land again, wouldn’t it?”

“That’s one of the joys of hunting you know? We haven’t even gone that far on the previous trip. You were lucky food was right around the corner.”

“Wait, you mean to say you consider that distance to be near?”

“Well, yeah, it was right close to where Lo and company lives, it isn’t far.”

“We ran for about an hour you know? Do you mean to say you’ve gone through longer trips?”

“Of course I did, on rare occasions when I want a specific type of meat, I stay in the hunt for an entire day or more just to get it.”

“Oh… I see.” Lucas replied, too amazed to say anything more.

“Besides, we don’t need to run around since we’re led by wolves rather than birds who don’t know how to wait. Especially with Lo around, this shouldn’t take long, right Lo?” She said as she gave the alpha a pat in the head.”

“Good point.” Lucas replied.

The two later reached a wooded area with towering trees, the scenery wasn’t vibrant, it was dim. The colors of the wood and leaves combined with the fact that little light was getting through gave of a sense of somberness.

Claudia, mischievous as she was, had an idea go to her head, her face suddenly showing a smirk.

“I’m scared.” She said as she held his shirt from behind. Lucas, knowing that it was all a prank, stared at her disapprovingly.

“A girl who can command pretty much every animal in existence has no reason to be scared, now let go.” He said.

“Hold me please?” She continued.

“No.”

“Or else you’ll be the meal we bring back.” She said in such a cheerful voice which wouldn’t hint of anything sinister were it not for the contents of her sentence itself.

“Fine, fine, you win this time.” Lucas said as a drop of cold sweat trickled down his face.

“Yay!” Claudia said as she hugged him from behind and kept walking in that position.

She gestured for Lucas to take her hand, by which he reluctantly agreed. As he did, Claudia let go of the hug. The pair kept walking just like that, their hands together. Lucas had a defeated look in his face for the time it happened.

After what seemed to the boy as a long time and only a moment for the girl, they noticed the wolves silently spread out and take position.

“It seems we have found our target.” Claudia said with a smile as she let go of Lucas’s hand. “Ready your weapon.”

“A boar?” He said as he looked at the round figure that lay ahead of them.

“I’m not fond of this kind of meat.” Claudia said, looking disappointed. “Let’s search for another meal.”

“Wait what? But we just went through all the trouble to find this one!” Lucas exclaimed.

“Fine, if you insist.” She replied as she shot an arrow, quickly piercing through the animal’s body. It barely let out a cry before Claudia rushed towards it and put a dagger at its neck.

“That… Was fast.” Said the astonished Lucas.

“It could’ve been messy if we had the wolves attack it, I think this is way is better.” She said.

“I suppose you’re right.” He replied.

“Now then.” She said, putting away her bow. “you mind carrying that?”

“Actually, I think I have an idea.” Lucas said. “Would it be possible perhaps to tie this thing behind Lo and have him carry it?”

“Maybe we can, but do you have a rope?”

“Well… No.”

“Then that’s not even a plan.”

“Sigh, alright, I’ll do it, at least, this one isn’t too large.”

“Could probably fill us for more than a day’s worth of meals though.”

Lucas lifted the boar on his back and began walking.

“I’ll be cheering you on.” Said Claudia playfully.

“Thanks.” He replied sarcastically.

The pair backtracked with the wolves, Lucas took a break every now and then as Claudia volunteered to lift it, only to give it back to him in no more than 2 minutes. Eventually, they arrived back at the castle, the sun was high up the sky but there was plenty of time before it was midday.

“We haven’t had breakfast.” Lucas said as he lay in the floor, the boar beside him.

“Then I think we’re just going to have to eat twice the amount for lunch, I’ll start preparing.” Claudia replied as she took the boar and headed towards the kitchen.

...

“Wake up Lucas.” He heard and opened his eyes. “Food’s ready.”

“Well, thanks, sorry I couldn’t help. I didn’t notice I dozed off.” He responded as he sat up and went the direction his nose told him to.

The two went and ate their fill right there at the kitchen.