BLACK ARROW - ACT 1

HUNTING DAY

[Mid-morning]

[Southern Kingdom - Saaramae* Plains]

*((w/n: pronounced - Sah -ara- may))

Warm and dry. The North-easterly winds came in and whipped through the many white tents of the camp, picking up dust; it danced and swirled around the base of flag poles bearing the crests of various clans.

And now, on another greatly anticipated hunting day, the southern men would take delight in their two week event. With the loud blast of horns to signal the start, young boys and men took off. Numerous hooves thundered against the arid savannah flats. Along with indistinguishable sounds of yelling and calling of the riders.

Alex felt delighted and free. All nervousness and anxious thoughts escaped him from the moment he began riding.

Though still morning, the heat from the glowing yellow orb which observed them in the crisp blue sky, stung at the faces of the riders.

As the dusty clearing approached; some took off this way and another group that way - into the maze of trees and fallen leaves.

Alex glanced to his right and found that his brother was not beside him but rode behind. Smiling to himself he then urged his horse onwards. To go faster. And soon enough, Alex was leading his own little hunting party towards a cluster of scorched tall trees and thorny bushes.

Deliberate and slower paced, he weaved through them while avoiding the whip like branches. He then recalled Damian's tale and of how little effort it was for his brother to encounter the wild boar.

Alex began to wonder to himself; as he took hold of his bow and slowly reached behind his back for an arrow, as to how long it would take him.

Further and further within he went. Arrow gently notched. Arms relaxed. Eyes alert. Completely focused. And Alex soon realised that he was alone. Glancing behind, he thought

{Brother and the others should be along shortly. - They were right behind m-}

-RUSTLE!-

The sound immediately drew his mind back towards his task. 

Something had scurried past him when he was not looking and darted through the bushes. Perhaps a ground hare, he thought. And then-

Dashing across him; bolting away, a flash of short tusks and a flailing little tail.

While he, almost as quickly, took off behind it.

It was indeed as Damian had said - a flighty creature it was. For the thing darted over there and the next, shot itself somewhere else. It had such short legs, Alex wondered how it was possible.

He attempted to keep pace; and that he did, with much bobbing and weaving and jumping through and over obstacles.

Then finally - he saw that he had it. It was trapped. And the shot was his to make.

Immediately he drew and aimed at the boar. The cornered animal furiously grunted while it circled itself.

Only then did he take notice of how harsh his own breaths were. So he steadied himself.

But somehow, the longer he stared at the frantic animal before him, the less inclined he felt to release the arrow.