Love and Liberty

Chapter 5

Rays of light streams through the Curtain of prince Jasper massive room. Prince Jasper squints his eyes open expecting to see someone by his bed side waiting with his necessary's, but to his surprise the room was empty, he alone was present there. He swiftly got up with a frown on his face, heads out and stops the first maid he crossed path with. You there" Jasper says as the Maid bows, "have you seen my personal servant today", "No your grace" she replies. Jasper fumes more and storms his way to the servant quarters, where he asked around for Davis's room. As he got in, goes sees Davis spread on the bed sound asleep, "Are you for real" Jasper mutters, as he yells his name. Davis whose sleep was abruptly interrupted, was also pissed at Jasper for waking him, but all he could say was "Good morning", "Morning?" Jasper yells, "it's mid day already, I know I said I would be lenient with you but you need to take this seriously or else Father would believe you have no use and may eventually have your head on that spike". Jasper continues "This is not the first incident three days ago you said you were tired and I understood you, but today was meant to be a meeting day, and the meeting should be in a couple of minutes and I'm barely ready for it, don't make me regret saving you". Davis feeling remorseful for his nonchalant and lazy attitude towards the only reason he is still moving his head, and promises to get him ready in time for the meeting. Jasper added on his way out as he pinches his nose, "and get this room cleaned it stinks". Davis sniffs his armpit and his awkward face says it all, as he whispers "That might be me". He runs out to make preparations for the prince.

Jasper got ready just in time for the meeting which was in a high ceiling massive room with a huge golden chandelier which lit the room. Jasper tells Davis to wait for him outside the room as he barged in abruptly cutting the current speaker mid sentence as they all gazed at him. He apologize silently with a prayer gesture, as he takes his seat beside his father around the only large table in the room. The meeting which had just began comprised senior officials in several areas in the kingdom Such as the War General, General Thompson, Father to one of Jaspers friends, the King's Advisor also called the hand of the king, Sir Nikolai Franklin among many other attendees to the meeting. During the meeting, General Thompson briefed the board on the upcoming hunting event and how it shall be carried out, after which Sir Franklin brought up the topic of Jaspers arranged wedding with princess Myrcelle and how it is in the best interest of the kingdom, This brought a frown on Jaspers face as he spoke to make his stand known. "The kingdom's economy is in an all time high, and with the new trade from Africa we are set on a good part, also I am led to believe that Africa also produces many crops better than those produced in our lands, if you would your Majesty, we could import those crops to-. General Thompson stood up to cut him mid sentence saying, "Your Majesty no offense but I think your son wants us to become a Kingdom of farmers" Everyone around the table laughed, even the King Chuckled, General Thompson Continues "We are known for our military might, no one dare to stand against us for they know what they would be facing, having the princess's Kingdom as an ally by marriage would solidify our position as untouchable, we all know their military capacity wouldn't want them to be on the other side of a battle. This is your duty to the Kingdom as it's Prince, you should be proud you get to marry someone Beautiful as she is, and also do your part in serving your kingdom". Jasper was quiet through the rest of the meeting.

As he got out, Davis was waiting for him but he absent mindedly walked past him. Davis shocked by his action followed him swiftly to enquire what the problem was. On getting close he saw he wasn't in a good mood and followed him quietly to his room. Jasper about to slam the door discovered Davis was behind him and apologizes for walking past him. Davis playing a long game decided to enquire the reason for his current mood and after Jasper had explained he laughed. "Why do you laugh?" Jasper asked puzzled, "You know what,never mind forget we had this conversation I would like to rest now alone". Davis rethinking his action apologized and left his room.

A couple days later, Davis woke up frightened from a vision he had of the prince getting injured badly by a bear because he wasn't fully prepared, Davis vowed to prevent that from happening. It was hunting day, Jasper still in bed opened his eyes to see a fully kitted Davis in armour with his arms spread out to show off, Jasper laughed and rolled to face the other side of the bed. "What are you doing in those?" asked Jasper who couldn't bring himself to stop Laughing. "We going hunting my prince and we are going to capture the largest kill I have a good feeling about that". Jasper replied, "Well for you info Davis, Servants don't really go hunting so to say, you stay in a safe camp with the other servants and the wives of those who actually goes hunting". "Oh" replied disappointed Davis, to cheer him up Jasper asked if he had any combat experience to which Davis replied no, but reassured Jasper that he worked in a forge, and had experience with the weapons made as he used them to pass time training, Jasper nodded in approval and said "then we going hunting" mocking his accent and grammar, they both laughed and Davis helped Jasper get ready.

Outside the palace which was a castle of engineering masterpiece nothing like Davis had seen before docking here, Davis helped Jasper saddle his horse, as he got on the King peeped through his wagon and asked if Jasper would be Joining him in the Wagon, Jasper replied he would be in the front line of the caravan. Jasper asked Davis if he had a horse, and Davis shook his head in disapproval and said "Servants are to walk", "Nonsense" replied Jasper, "go get one of my horses from the stable, I'd be waiting". Thank you Davis responded as he saddled the horse got on, and they both rode to the front. After a while, one of the riders blew his horn under the command of General Thompson and Yelled "We shall set Camp here", and blew the horn again. Soon tents were made, Davis assisted like other servants, and when done alerted Jasper to go rest before they moved on.

Jasper got in unbuckled his sword kept it and sat down on a mat in the tent to rest, he also removed his dagger for extra comfort and placed it by his side. Davis got in and sat with him. Davis apologized for mocking the match with the princess which Jasper waved his hands that he forgot about it, and also mentioned he wasn't in a good mood. Jasper enquired from Davis once again if what he said about Africa producing better crops was true, to which Davis replied " You don't have to take my word for it, you could ask Liam Moore the Lord of Slavers in Africa". Another horn was blown to signify the start of the hunt, Jasper Stood up picked his Sword and left the tent while Davis followed immediately.

Jasper went to see his father, who was coming out of a much larger tent to know which direction he would be going, as he told him, Jasper mentioned he had plans of going the other direction which was fine with the King. The King then said loudly "May the best hunter win", the crowd cheered in appreciation. Each hunting party got ready to roll out. General Thompson saw Jasper and mocked him saying "Hope you're not going to farm out there" and laughs as he rode on. As Jasper was ready Davis noticed his Dagger was gone and asked Jasper where it was, Jasper replied he must have forgot it back at the Castle, but Davis was convinced he saw it on him in their way here. Jasper was dismissive of the thought and suggested they moved on or they would fall behind, Davis tried persuading him to be fully ready, to which Jasper answered he was and drew his sword. Davis insisted, which was getting on Jaspers nerve but he was calm about it thanks to Davis's way of approach. Davis rushed back to the tent to scour for the Dagger which at this time was under the mat, after a while he saw it but Jasper was already long gone. He got on his horse and chased after him following Jasper's horses hoof marks. He soon got to Jasper. Davis panting heavily trying to catch his breath muttering "I have never ridden so fast my entire life". Davis returned the Dagger to Jasper who asked him to keep it, Davis replied "I went through all that trouble to get you this, please have it" he stretched his arms out with the Dagger, Jasper reluctantly collects it, and said, "I have no idea why you went through all that, but thanks" and he sheathe the Dagger. As they proceed, Davis felt some strange deja Vu because they were in the location he saw in his vision. He became more alert and told Jasper to remain vigilant. Jasper didn't take it with much consideration, suggesting the animals had moved further into the forest so there would be nothing here. They both heard a twig snap and looked in that direction but saw nothing. Soon they heard it again, Davis was convinced it was the bear he saw, but a rabbit jumped out of the bush and ran away, Davis sighed heavily in relief. Jasper came down from his horse and laughed, immediately the horses both started neighing in agitation as Jaspers horse runs off, and Davis's throws him off and runs also. The were both puzzled by the horses that they didn't notice the bear come up close behind them. They heard a silent growl behind them and looked at each other in fear before turning to see the massive bear behind them, the both tried running but he bear got Davis and pounced on him, Davis scared to death screamed, Jasper cut it in it's back with his sword which distracted it calling it towards himself saving Davis. The bear became more angry and charged towards Jasper, disarmed him and stayed on him growling, Jasper tried to free himself but the bear was stronger, Davis tried getting Jasper's weapon but it was too close to the bear which made him helpless, he ran to get something to hit the bear with then he remembered and yelled "your dagger", Jasper was free enough to reach his dagger and stabbed the bear in the chest and dragged it with his two arms and splitting the bear and pouring out it's inners on his face socking him with blood and the bear dies.

They both caught their breath, and head back to the camp on foot as they dragged their heavy kill. On getting to camp, all were surprised seeing Jasper soaked in blood and even more when they saw his kill, he was praised and cheered by all even General Thompson who caught a deer and was almost made winner.

On getting back to the castle, He was announced winner of hunt by the king and awarded by General Thompson himself.