Tales Of A HUNTSMAN

THE TEST

With his shout everyone came to a halt “release the lord and no harm will come to the child.” The knight spoke his fear was evident to everyone present, no matter how hard he tried to hide it.

The huntsman had a good look at him then at me then back to him, “release the child first then I will release your lord” he spoke as he placed his sword on Batsa’s neck. “No what guarantee do I have you will keep your word.” The huntsman only sneered when he heard that, “do you think I am one of the snakes of the Drakon empire? I am a huntsman and a huntsman’s word, is his bond “his words clearly angered the knights of the Drakon empire but they were powerless against him.

After a short internal struggle, the knight finally released me to the huntsman who in turn released Batsa, who glared at him as he was escorted by what was left of his knights out of the village. Soon it was just the huntsman and me, I looked around at the remains thinking of how quickly everything had changed and at that moment, I fell to my knees crying out, morning my friends  and family.

A short distance away from the village was venting out his frustrations while his men could do nothing but watch him lash out, “argh! How dare that bastard! How dare he look down on me! Argh! Dammit, dammit all.” They were all well aware that when he got in such a mood going anywhere near him was the same as giving up one’s life.

Suddenly without any warning he turned to one knight, the knight being the same knight who had saved him and motioned for him to fall out, the knight did as he was told. Once the knight stepped out, he moved to him with a calm face but his men were not deceived they were all aware of how this lord was and his calm face seemed reminiscent of a devil to all his knights. “you were the one who exchanged the child’s life for my own were you not”, he asked calmly “yes sir!” “good, good, very good.” Everyone was confused it sounded as though he was praising him but they could all also feel there was a hidden trace of malice somewhere.

Whilst everyone was still pondering of his words, the sound of a blade being drawn out of its sheath was heard and what followed was the knight’s head being liberated from his body. A chill went down the back of all present.

“Let this be a warning to you all, as knights of the Drakon empire you must never, and I repeat never! Show mercy, neither to  your enemies nor allies as having mercy to your allies is the same as having pity on them, pity is the greatest insult to a knight of the empire do I make myself clear?” “…” all the knights fell silent, they were still in shock after their comrade’s head fly of. “DO I MAKE MYSELF CLEAR!” “YES SIIIRR!!” the knights shouted in unison afraid if they weren’t loud enough, it would be off with their heads next.

“strip him of his armor and leave his body to the beasts he does not deserve a warrior’s burial.” Those were his last words before heading away to treat his wounds.

The knights were once again shown just how ruthless their lord was, he would not even show mercy to the dead.

I knelt for an unknown amount of time, silently mourning my family and friends first I felt sadness, with then turned to anger, which then birthed an unquenchable thirst for revenge but I knew I was weak, I could not go against a common knight much less a commander who was infinitely close to becoming a chapter leader but then a thought popped in my head.

Standing up my legs felt numb from the cold unforgiving winds and searched for the huntsman. It took a while but eventually I found him, he had prepared his horse and was about to leave. I called out to him, “wait! Take me with you, I want to be strong I want to be like you.” The huntsman paused as he heard me then spoke, “head west you will meet a town by noon tomorrow.” After he was done talking he left, as I watched his horse leave I made a decision, a decision which would change my life forever I followed him.

He turned, when he saw me he ignored me he thought to himself that if he did that long enough I would give up, but I didn’t. for seven days I followed him, for seven days I followed him, I was hungry, I was thirsty, I was cold, I was tired but I kept going the thought of revenge was all that kept me gong. The huntsman kept going, his horse didn’t stop as he slept on his horse I had to keep following and I hadn’t caught a wink of sleep for six nights. My lack of sleep was catching up to me but I refused to close my eyes as I had a strong feeling that once I did I would never open my eyes again.

Suddenly he came to a stop “kid I told you, stop following me “, I remained silent and stood still my attention focused in staying awake and on my feet. He threw something at my feet, looking down I realized it was a dagger which confused me “pick it up” he spoke a he got down from his mount “you said you want to be like me. Then prove you have what it takes, if you pick up that dagger you have two choices, you land a hit on me with that when you fail I’ll kill you.” His tone firm as he stared me down with his piercing eyes.

Looking down at the dagger I picked it up there was a flicker of emotion in his eyes when he saw my decision, I felt the weight of  the dagger and rushed at him but with one punch I was sent straight down.

I got a mouthful of snow but I struggled back up, looking at me he spoke up ”give up. No matter how hard you try you won’t be able to land a hit just give up” I ignored his words, with the faces of my family appearing in my mind I charged at him once more with reckless abandon but with a kick to my chest, I heard a cracking sound and an unbearable pain went through my body and I couldn’t help but scream as I fell to the ground. “I’ll say it once more, give up” his voice sounded once more but I refused and so the process continued, after so many tries the result was the same, me on the ground my limbs. My limbs felt sore and I knew most of them were broken and the huntsman knew that as well he looked at me with tired eyes then turned to leave.

I forced myself and tried to stand up, “give up. Your limbs are broken tendons torn, you can’t get up much less pick up a weapon” I ignored his words. Gritting my teeth, I stood with the dagger in between my teeth. The shock was evident when he saw me standing, I charged at him once more. He attacked again but the feeling this time was different, all my senses told me this attack would kill me, I felt as though I was before Hades.

The attack landed on my abdomen, I wanted to puke but I had nothing to puke. The pain was worse than ever I tried to stay awake but it was useless as I fell to the darkness.

……

The huntsman was shocked, true he had knocked out the kid but the kid spat out the dagger at that moment embedding it into his armor, looking down at the dagger the huntsman broke into a smile.