The Grandeur

Chapter Three - Hunter

He’s been out for at least three days.

That’s long enough to rummage through his pack and see what he’s got.

      I find no weapons, food or first-aid of any kind. He must have been in a hurry to leave. He has a book though, an old one, and a thing delicate map. Also he’s quite stupid for leaving with nothing to help him survive – not even a small knife.

      I decide to refill the water-carrier. I’ve used so much trying to clean his wounds, but they don’t seem like they’re going to get any better without medicine. He also seems to have gotten a fever. I’ve cleaned up what I can of his injuries and bandaged them up, though; I don’t know why I’ve helped him, but I couldn’t have just left him.

      Walking down the path to the river, I decide to go to where he first appeared. There’s a big patch of blood from when he collapsed, and if I follow the small drops of it I find another large patch of it by a bella plant.

      If you’re going to survive in the wild, everyone knows not to eat any berries, unless they’re strawberries or raspberries. Especially if the berries are belladonna, they’re the worst. They cause hallucinations, said Tiff once, when we went hunting.

      I shake my head thinking about the boy; you are so stubborn.

      I carry on following the blood drops, till I come to the edge of a clearing. It’s early morning and an eerie mist takes over. It’s usually cleared by the time the sun’s up.

      I hear voices.

      “Any clues, soldiers?” Male, deep and commanding. I see one of them scouting the grass, wearing a soldier uniform. My eyes widen. Soldiers never come in the forest; they follow the main roads only.

      Crouching, I concentrate on listening.

      “No, sir.”

      “Scour the whole of the Grandeur if you have to! We have to find him!” Him. Is him the boy lying on my mattress unconscious?

      They disappear back into the fog. I listen to the wind. It’s usually fresh and salubrious in the morning, but since the boy arrived it’s been timid and corrupt.

      Anger takes me over.

      I furiously fill up the carrier, and race up the hill.

      I burst open the door. He’s just lying there on my mattress and under my blanket. How could I have been so soft? Letting him stay here without paying or even contributing anything! He’s leading the soldiers right to my Place! Yes, he’s unconscious, but he’s had long enough now to wake up.

      “Wake up!” I shout, whilst pouring the ice cold water on his face. I bend down and shake him.

      “Ughhh!” I stand back up, and face the door. I don’t want to see his stupid, tranquil, attractive face anymore.

      “Whoa, where am I?” He says groggily, rubbing his eyes. He tries to sit up but pain explodes in his ribs. He lets out an excruciating yell. He sees me and grins: “And who are you?”

      “Shut up! First, you lead the soldiers to the forest,” I say, acquiring my dagger. “You decide to come to the forest with no equipment to help you survive,” I slowly step closer to him, looking down. “And you scare off the only game I’ve ever seen, that would’ve got me so much silver I could eat all the food I like,” I bend down and put the blade to his cheek. “Just because you’re so clumsy and stupid and you actually eat wild berries.” I stare straight into his frightened, vivid green eyes and say, “So just answer me this, who are you?”