The Sky Beast

Chapter Four

Chapter Four

 

Four Years Later…

In the early morning sun, sweat gleamed off the prince’s forehead and he wiped it off with the back of his gauntlet. The doe draped across the prince’s horse hung limply as he re-strapped his bow to his back. It was a typical morning horseback hunt, alone in the forest with Oskar, who foraged berries nearby.

“Ryou!” Oskar shouted from the bush. “There’s enough here to feed a whole army!”

Ryoumaru laughed a hearty laugh. Sixteen years of age, and his voice had changed after his thirteenth birthday. He had grown taller, slimmer, his hair in a short cut around his frame. They shaved it the summer before, like every summer for the last four years and in the autumn; his dark hair had regained growth. Today, was the day of celebration, the day he would turn sixteen, officially a man in the eyes of his father.

Oskar grinned, his bright blue eyes sparkled. In the past, Ryoumaru had taunted the small boy for being a Westerner. Now, the boy was whole head taller than the Prince, bulkier as well. He was near the final stages of his training as a monk, in a few years; his master would retire to the deepest reaches of the mountainside in search for inner peace and never return.

“You’re dining with the royal family tonight, right?” Oskar asked as he began to trudge back down the mountain. Ryoumaru followed suit, the horse clomped beside him.

“Yeah,” he replied. “That was the plan. Father has informed me that there is news he wishes to share with me.”

They chatted aimlessly until they returned back to the SkyTemple’s main gate. Ryoumaru slipped down from his horse, passed the reins to a young monk who tended the stables. He hauled the deer over his shoulder as they continued to talk. “You must be nearing the end of your stay here,” Oskar commented. “There’s talk of war.”

Ryoumaru nodded. “Yeah. The West has threatened of taking territory in the small islands off the south. The armies in all regions are gathering together to discuss further action.”

“Sound complicated,” Oskar commented. “At least Sora’s gonna be ready by then.”

“Yeah…”

When they reached the courtyard, they separated and Ryoumaru headed to the SouthTower. The doe was heavy on his shoulder, its long legs bounced against his chest. But the thumps in his chest continued as he pushed open the door and climbed the many steps.

Four years ago, the Head Monk had enlisted a new set of rules. With the presence of a new dragon, only certified people were allowed to enter the SouthTower. They needed more control, he explained and with plans of war, they didn’t want any escapees.

Ryoumaru slid open the door and the figure inside turned her head. Instantly, his heart pounded wildly against his chest. Sora blinked her gold eyes at him. Since the branding ceremony, her eyes had never returned back to their original colour. They were permanently gold, like the summer sun. Her brown hair had grown longer and spilled over her shoulder. She was beautiful, and her lips spread into a grin.

“Hey!” she called out. “You got food?!”

“Y-yeah,” he replied as he placed the doe on the ground.

She hurried forward, and Ryoumaru noticed she wore orange monk clothes today, pants instead of her robe. “Why are you in male clothes?”

“I can move in them better,” she answered as she lifted the doe effortlessly with one of its leg. She licked her lips. “She looks delicious,” she drooled.