Tales Of A HUNTSMAN

THE GAME

Adonis with his wolf rushed through the battle field and into the woods.

The defeat was spread to the world, this signaled that the Age of empires was not coming to an end but rather the final might actually come to an end.

Adonis struggled moving through the woods hurrying back to the capital. He still could not accept the fact that one of his closest friends who he had gone on countless campaigns with would actually betray him in the midst of battle.

His journey through the woods was not as swift as he hoped, his wolf had sustained some injuries during his attempt to escape the battle field hence reducing his mobility along with the elements the journey back actually took twice the initial time.

When Adonis arrived at the capital, the tense and stifling atmosphere was prevalent amongst the people. His pitiful look caused all eyes to turn to him, the bright and cheerful atmosphere was no more and he could see it in the eyes of the people with that he knew the news of his defeat had spread causing him to sigh. At this moment a few knights arrived before him, “your father, the king demands your presence.”

He knew he had gone against his father’s wishes when he charged into the borderlands little more than a 100 men and even worse he was the only one to return. If he had achieved some success his return would be different but now his steps were extraordinarily heavy, each and every death weighed on him as he headed to see his father.

He finally arrived at the throne room, the scene that greeted him was one he had seen countless times but the atmosphere was now entirely different from before. His father sat on the throne clad in battle armor, his ministers all to the side their eyes locking onto him as he entered the throne room.

All was silent for a few minutes, Adonis did not have his usual arrogance he faced down looking at the polished marble not daring to face his father, “…father…” “don’t. you. Dare. Call me father! I told you not to head to the borderlands… I warned you not to battle the invaders, but what did you do..”

“…”

“you led your men straight to the border, ignoring my words. Do my words no carry an weight to you.”

“father…”

“SILENCE! You do not TALK WHEN I AM SPEAKING!” the king slammed his spear as he spoke. “not only did you lead your men, you lost each and every single one of them. You lost great men who could have contributed their strength to the nation but due to your stupidity, your unbridled arrogance and utter disregard for my words good men have lost their lives. Now tell me, tell me…how exactly are you going to tell their families, their wives, their parents, their children that they are never coming home. How exactly tell me boy HOW!”

Adonis did not dare answer, he could not for he knew his father was right. He could not speak anything about the events of the battle, for without him there would not be a battle in the first place.

Seeing his silence, the king stood and walked down from the throne, each step thundered through out the throne room until he stood right before Adonis… what he did next was something none of them were expecting with brute strength he ripped off Adonis breastplate, the resulting force sending Adonis tumbling down “you are a disgrace to this family.”

He released a kick to Adonis abdomen causing him to roll further away “you are not fit to bare the name Horwich” he proceeded to raise Adonis by his neck and ripped his sword away before tossing it to the side “you are unworthy of this throne.”

All present watched on not daring to let out a peep.

He finally ripped of his cloak, “I hereby declare from this day forth you are no longer a member of this family, I king Horwich the fifth  enact the labors of the land you are not to return until completion. SO MOTE IT BE!”

His words stunned all present, none more than Adonis himself who opened his mouth in attempt to speak but stopped as he was flung through the window and down into the river below. The king looked down as he saw his son being dragged away by the current.

Everyone remained rooted, still not believing anything their eyes had witnessed. “leave” a single word was spoken causing all to be brought out of their thoughts and quickly left the Throne room. Anwir walked out the throne room with an expression showing how sad he was for his brother.

“I know you are responsible.” A voice spoke as he turned a corner into an empty Hallway. Turning to the source he saw his sister “whatever do you mean sister”, Anwir spoke in a sad and confused tone. “Save your lies brother there is none beside us. You might have every one else fooled but I know who you truly are.” Anwir still wore an innocent expression as he spoke, “you must be mistaken sister.”

“I know you killed Erik and tried to do the same to Adonis but failed.” Her words caused Anwir to loose his innocent look and break out in laughter “well, well aren’t you a smart young lady. I’m truly lucky you born a female or you would be a terrifying player”

“player?”

“yes don’t you think politics is truly a game, all empires are playing this game trying to rule the continent and the remaining kingdoms trying their best to survive its truly an interesting game where you either win… or you die”

“don’t think you have won just yet your still aren’t king.”

“and who is going to stop me? You? Please…you know Duke Reginald is looking for a spouse for his beloved son and it just happens you are of marriageable age.”

“you wouldn’t dare.”

“good bye sister” Anwir wore his innocent mask once more and left for his chambers after leaving behind his threat. Maria stood watching  his back when her  personal knight appeared from the shadows “what do we do now mistress”