Trapped : The Island of Torment

Chapter 13 : A Branch Snapped

The skies grew dark as we reached a small makeshift campsite, left behind by someone or a group, judging by the burnt nature of the firewood. "Take point here." I say. "There's no way we can continue to move on." The camp was abandoned in haste, as indicated by the disorganized belongings but one of the tents was torn open. The torn pattern however, signalled that a wild animal was nearby, possibly a wild boar of sorts. "Light a fire, now." I say, readying my longbow. 

"What is it Sayalfir?" Nyssa asked. She also saw the tent and now with further inspections she made haste to light a new, smaller bonfire with the traditional method of friction. With the bonfire now lit the torn tent came into view of the team, which Candice grimaced and Kate said nothing. "A boar." she said. "That's your concerns."

"Why would there be boars here on Lian Yu?" Laurel asked. 

"Probably due to Malcolm Merlyn's need for foraging food on the island." Sara said. "I've been stranded here before but have never seen traces of a boar." 

"You were stranded here before?" Barbara asked in Sara's direction. 

"The less I talk about it the better." she replied, dismissing any attempt to bring up the tale. "Let's go hunt some boars then Sayalfir." I nodded in agreement and took a small branch, lighting it with the fire from the bonfire. 

"Let's go." I say. 

"I'll keep an eye here." Candice said.

"I'll go with you." Nyssa volunteered. The three of us soon set off, looking for traces of the wild boar, which could have been at the campsite earlier. 

"How did you find the league Isa?" Sara asked.

"It was my grandfather's greatest regret." I replied. "He met Ra's and they became friends due to their intellect and martial arts skills. He sent me to train under him when my training with Master Kirigi was complete." 

"All league assassins must swear an oath of allegiance." Sara said. "I ran away, even though I've sworn the oath."

"He released me from the oath, just as my training is drawing to a close." I say. "And grandfather was quick to cut ties with the madman."

"I understand your grandfather's regret Sayalfir." Nyssa said. "I too grew disillusioned with my father after learning of his plans, which I am more than grateful for when Oliver finally murdered him." A sound was heard in the distance and we forged on, still using my torn jacket to mark our path to and from the camp. "If we find the boar we could use it as sustenance for a few days." 

"Agreed." The sound of an animal moaning in pain was heard and we trekked carefully. The sound came from a wounded boar, but its wound is unknown to us due to the animal's dark skin colour. "This could be the boar." I say, still holding the torch. Sara took over the torch while I examined the wounded animal in detail. The boar would have been shot in the stomach, as we found it lying on its side, but it might also be injured on the leg as hinted by the slight limp. "We'll have to kill it." I say. "The boar is shot." 

"Do you know how to kill a boar?" Nyssa looked at me. 

"A family member of mine taught me." I say. Taking a breath I raised the arrow but before I could plunge the arrow into the boar's vital point the sound of a branch snapping was heard. Notching the arrow on the bowstring I fired a shot in the direction where the sound came from. Nothing happened but I fired a second shot, just as the sound of another arrow being fired was heard. My arrow sliced the incoming arrow in half and clattered to the ground simultaneously. "Show yourself." I demanded. A set of heavy footsteps was heard and Oliver emerged, his bow and arrow armed and ready. I held my breath as Nyssa also readied her bow and arrow. 

"Oliver?" Sara asked, still holding the torch. 

"Sara?" the man asked, the voice resembled Oliver's. "Where are the rest of you all?" As Oliver stepped into the sight of the lit torch Bruce appeared, his arm bleeding from a cut. 

"Isabella." Philip emerged. "Lower your bow and arrow." he said, his hands raised. "I can assure you of that." 

"You know this man Sayalfir?" Nyssa asked. 

"I do." I say, lowering the bow. "He was my cousin's husband." 

"We'll get the boar and head back." Sara urged. "Or else Laurel and the others would come looking for us." I nodded in agreement and turned back to the injured boar, only to find it already died due to immense blood loss. 

"It's dead." I say. "I'll tie it up and bring it back." Ripping off pieces of cloth from my jacket I tied the boar's limbs together. 

"I'll take it back to Candice." Philip volunteered. I nodded and stepped aside for Philip, and he hefted the boar over his shoulders. 

"I'll show you the way back to camp." I say, motioning for them to follow. As I walked I felt Batman's gaze upon me, but I was unsure of the identity of the man behind the mask because of Elliot's ability to change his appearance. Candice came to greet me as we returned but was shocked when Philip appeared, carrying the boar on his shoulder.

"Hey Candice." Philip greeted his wife by her nickname. Terms of endearment were not a common sight between them as they preferred to address one another by their Christian name, which according to Candice, is included as terms of endearment. Laurel, recognizing her husband Oliver, embraced him, as well as Barbara with her boyfriend Dick Grayson, as Nightwing that is. Philip handed me the boar and I carried it to place it next to the bonfire. 

To answer Nyssa's question, Granduncle Fabian, before he passed, had taught me how to hunt. He scoffed at the thought of my Grandaunt Helen providing me with an education that befits the grandniece of a British peer which was already a fine education, provided through the strict but caring Alice Montgomery, but he is also concerned that his grandniece was lacking in skills enjoyed by the British upper class such as hunting and riding so he taught me by himself, which I remained grateful until today, after he passed. Kate knelt down by the fire, bringing me out of my thoughts.