The Lady and The Hunter

Chapter 1

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The sound of thunder along with lightning outside and rain hitting the window had startled the little girl that was asleep awake.

She sat up, letting out a loud ear-piercing scream and within seconds later, a maiden rushed into her room to see her crying in her bed. "Oh, Laura.." She closed the door behind her and made her way over to the crying child, climbing into bed and cradling her gently.

This was Eliza, a maiden who worked for the royals, but took care of Laura all the time. The King and Queen never took the time of day to raise their child, so Eliza was like a parent to Laura, tending to her every need to make sure she was healthy to one day grow into a fine lady.

"There there. It's okay little one, Eliza's got you." She gently caressed her short black curled hair and comforted her.

"I. I had a nightmare.." She whispered, hiding her face in Eliza's clothes. "what about?" She asked. "There was a ship.. it was attacked and on fire.. broken into many pieces! and. There was a boy.. the only one who survived, watching in horror and alone at sea.." She cried, holding tighter onto Eliza's dress.

"That's terrible and I do hope that little boy is alright..hmm" Eliza reached over to a book on the side table. "How about I read you a story?" She asked. The little girl slowly nodded as Eliza gently moved her fingers along the cover of the book titled 'Gentle As The Heart of A Beast'

Laura made herself comfortable in her bed and watched as Eliza opened the book to the first page. "I believe beasts have a gentle heart and I say this because I've met one myself when I was a little lady. She too was a little beast herself! Her coat was red and smooth. Her tummy is pink like my rosy cheeks! A little horn between her eyes that were too big for her head, but I'm sure she'll grow into it!" Eliza read, putting a smile on both her and Laura's faces.

"I'd sneak out during the light of dawn to see her at a nearby cove where no one would go. I gave her food and we'd play together. She taught me out to swim and I'd teach her how to communicate starting with the smallest of words, but I'm not sure she ever understood." As Eliza read on, she would glance up at Laura from time to time to see her drifting off, until she was finally asleep.

Eliza closed the book and gently tucked her in, placing a kiss on her forehead. Eliza picked up the book and smiled. "I miss you so much, girl. I do hope you're doing well." She mumbled before walking out of the room and closing the door behind her.

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16 Year Later

"Rise and shine Laura!" Mother shouted as she barged into my room and immediately pulled the curtains aside, letting the light shine in. "Just one more..minute.." She mumbled.

"Get up!" She shouts again. I quickly sat up to the sound of her outburst, my heart rapidly pounding in my chest at her attempt to startle me and she was successful. As I looked over at my mother, I immediately almost gagged and the sight of her hairstyle which was in an updo and the shape of a heart. A for the effort I supposed. Was still horrendous.

"Did something die in your hair, Mother?" I asked as I stepped out of bed.

"Where is that useless maiden when you need her?" She asked. "She's not useless Mother. She's not getting any younger.." I said softly. "I'll have to see to a replacement then." She said, walking out of the room.

"I'll die before I let that happen.." I muttered. "What was that?" She popped her head back into the room. "Nothing.." I responded.

"Ah that reminds me, we should be expecting some company from those filthy hunters. I have a bone to pick with them for the news I've received." She said finally leaving the room.

"The inevitable.." I mumbled and quickly ran to my closet, throwing the doors open. Below my hanging dresses was a long wooden box. I opened it slowly to see the sword that lay there with scratches along its blade. I closed the box and pulled it out, pushing it under my bed. I went back to my closet, took my trousers and blouse out, and threw it onto my bed along with my belt and straps.

The door to my chambers opened and I panicked, looking over. I relaxed to see that it was Eliza with a tray of food. She noticed the clothing on the bed and sighed. "it's that time isn't it..?" She asked, placing the tray down.

"Yes... I've waited a year and they're finally back. I can go with them!"

"Your parents will not allow it, but I suppose this is where you'll sneak out? I do hope I don't get in trouble for this." She said. "You will not, I assure you. I've already planned ahead and we could just blame the guards." I walked over, placing a bag of gold in her hand. If anything were to happen while I'm gone, use this and get away as far as you possibly can."

She took the bag and placed it into her pouch. "Let's get cleaned up for the meet and then you get going alright? Meet me back here soon after and I'll have everything ready for you." Eliza said. I nodded and quickly picked out my dress.

Jacob's pov

"If you know what's good for Ya, you'll keep clear of the captain." Mr. Crisp spoke. "He was close enough to smell that red devil."

"But if he can't have the bluster's hide, he'll have ours, to be sure."

Jacob listened in on the crew conversation they held as he was being stitched up in the back. He was covered in fresh cuts and scars from previous hunts. As he was being stitched up, it was like he felt nothing at all. Unphased at the feeling of his skin being pierced by a tiny needle.

He looked at his injured crew members getting themselves wrapped up, noticing how silent and gloomy all of them were. "Why, it's gloomy as the Helgard trenches in here," he grunts as he gets off the table, the doctor still trying to stitch his wound.

"We've taken some right proper monsters on this hunt, and the royals will pay us accordingly. And then we'll come back, and we'll take that red devil." Jacob says.

"Can we beat it, Jacob? They say the Bluster moves the very sea. Aye, and it shoots fireballs out of its eyes, they say." Jacob began putting his shirt on, starting with his sleeves as he smirked. "It's enough to make your knees wobble." He puts on his shirt completely as the doctor snips the thread.

"But I ain't afraid, 'cause I'm on the inevitable with you lot. This ship has taken more of them beasts than any other, and she's got the scars to prove it."

"As do we, Jacob!" A crew member said, laughing with others.

"Aye, and every hunter's scar is a life saved. A merchant sailor on their first voyage. A mother. A son. All hunters die of the same thing." Jacob said.

"Aye, being a hunter."
Others laughed together at the crew members' comment.

"That's right. Being a hunter. But every hunter did a great death. Because every hunter lives a great life!" Chatter and laughter began to fill the area as the sailors began to gather closer.

"Jacob!" Sarah called and everyone froze and turned to look at her.

"Captain would like a word." She finished. "Speaking of dying a great death."
"Nice knowing you Jacob!"

As Jacob walked away, he didn't seem quite happy that he was being called upon. "We'll think of you often, and fondly!" They all laughed.

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