The Wild Hunt (Part One)

Cat and Mouse

"Your highness."

General Koh, bowed before me. His gold, flame, headpiece was secured around a neat, black bun and was held with a emerald pin. A single emerald stone rested in the center of the golden flames.

Miran was rich in emerald deposits. The Bayor family were the first to acquire the precious stones and built their legacy off of the green wealth.

"Rise."

General Koh lifted his head. He was in his mid twenties. A young cub in a den of lions. Though he was young, he ascended to his rank pretty quickly and I always favored his choice of weaponry. I eyed the silver, chain whip that was coiled at his side. It's emerald flags draped down his thigh. The Bayor insignia stitched into the corners. The many links allowed the whip to strike and curl around objects, necks, ankles and of course it's flexibility allowed it to be easily concealed. The weighted dart at the end allowed for high speeds and in the hands of a skilled practitioner like General Koh himself, it was a dangerous weapon indeed.

"I expect results from you General Koh. General Kapor died because of his foolishness in being soft towards the princess."

General Koh nodded. His chest plate was gold and sleek. Stamped to resemble a gorillas chest. It was fashioned to his hard, muscular body. He was fast and lethal and his chain whip acted as an extension of his long arms. Similar plates covered the tops of his thighs. They were strapped around the black, billowy pants he wore, with thin, green, leather belts.

"We are not to make known of the princesses disappearance. I want a small team to scout the banks of the forest and villages. She was last seen in the servant quarters going towards the stables. If she made it past the infirmary then she ran through the east gate into the forest. Start there. You were informed of her appearance. As far as I know she is alone. No one aided her escape and those who did died. Now go. Bring me back the Princess and I will reward you the title of son-in-law."

General Kohs eyes brightened at what I offered him. His gaze finally met mine and there was only steely determination set in those dark brown eyes.

"Yes, your highness. I will not fail."

I clasped my hands under my chin. "That you will not."

The general turned abruptly and strode out the arched door way. A set of guards followed in his wake and I knew he would use everything in his repertoire to finding the princess.

The sound of chains rattling carried down the hall as I approached the cell door. Yakoto was continuing to be unforthcoming. The boy was strong and resilient to mental and physical abuse. If he hadn't been born a servant he may have made a great spy. It left a bitter taste in my mouth.

I approached the door and the two guards posted on either side of it bowed before opening the cell. It smelled like piss and blood upon entry into the damp, dimly lit cell. The boys wrist were strung above his head, bound in a leather cuff that was attached to a hook by a chain in the ceiling. He hung there with his chin pressed against his bare chest.

Streams of dried blood ran down his wrist and inside of his forearms. His face was swollen on either side. Blue and purple bruises blossomed along his temples and jaw. His nose was bent at an obtuse angle and dried blood crusted beneath his nostrils.

Sweat and blood covered his neck and chest. His pale body was covered in bruises and scars. He had looked small and thin under his baggy tunic but standing here now, nude, aside from the square cloth covering that hung low on his hips, he was quite muscular. Lean, shapely muscles lined his arms and rippled down his flat stomach. There wasn't an ounce of fat on him. He was purely muscle and bone.

"How old are you boy?"

His head hung there and his eyes stared down at the floor. When he didn't answer a guard to the right of me punched him in the gut.

"Umph!" He grunted, swaying around on his bound feet.

I stepped closer. God it smelled in here. "Answer me boy." Did you want to get beaten again? Do you savor the feeling of pain like I savor inflicting it?

"Nnh.... nh.... nineteen."

The guard punched him again and the boy groaned, leaning his head back before dropping it forward again.

"Y-your highness." He breathed out.

Nineteen. Barely a man. But not a boy. I wondered if he was more to Serri then he let on. Rage simmered under my skin at the thought of him sullying her and that being the reason she took off. I would not allow a bastard heir to sit on my throne.

"What are you to Princess Serri?" I demanded.

His blue eyes looked up at me finally. They were dull, no longer bright, but a shimmer of emotion glittered across their iridescent surface. His lip was busted and his mouth hung slightly ajar. I knew the pain pulsing along his jaw kept him from closing it completely.

"I... I didn't hear you, y-your high...ness." He panted, slowly.

I stepped in front of him, only a few inches from his face. His normally bright, blond hair was damp with sweat and blood and it's short, feathery strands clumped together.

"Did you fuck my daughter?" I said, low and threatening.

A slight smile tugged at his lips and I narrowed my eyes. I felt a warm liquid run down the front of my leg and stream to the floor.

This bastard!

He wanted to play, then I'll continue to let him play. I turned abruptly around and nodded towards the two guards.

As I walked out the door I heard a sickening crunch and smiled to myself. He should be thankful it wasn't his third leg.