Cinders

Chapter 1: The Hunter

There was so much blood on the freshly fallen snow. Red and white mixing together into a striking colour that was impossible to ignore. The beast lay on its side, breathing heavily. Each breath spilling more blood from its partially opened mouth. A dagger was stuck in its neck... my dagger. But even with the iron blade, the beast was taking a while to die. So, I watched it. This great big elk with its large antlers taking its last breaths. Its chest heaving with every breath, labouring to take in oxygen. But, then what? I was so excited to make this kill that I didn't think of how I would get the animal home.

Hungry bellies lived in my house, expecting this food. My step-mother and two older step-sisters waited for me. I suppose it was kind of them to keep me around when my father died, but necessity was a more likely culprit there. I was the only one willing to get my hands dirty - I was the provider. They mostly stayed home, preened, and complained about being poor. They still treated me like their servant, even though their survival was dependent entirely on me. I could leave them, let them fend for themselves. I could sell the pelt of this elk and use the money to run away. I would definitely have enough meat here to last me a while. But I couldn't leave. I promised my father on his deathbed that I would take care of them. I promised him I'd stay.

The beast heaved its last breath as blood continued to drip from its mouth. Its eyes rolled to the back of its head as it finally lay at rest. What now? Whatever I decided I needed to do it fast. There were wolves in this forest who have likely already smelled my kill. As skilled as I was at hunting, I would be no match for a pack of hungry wolves.
I worked quickly as I heaved the animal onto my sled and started to slowly pull it out of the forest. It was a slow process and every crack and rustle in the bushes sent me reaching for my bow or dagger. Luckily it was still early in the day so I had daylight to my advantage. The forest was divided by a road and once I got out of the woods, the smoothness of the path made the trek a bit easier. 

In the distance horse hooves thundered. This path was travelled frequently by merchants and people going about their daily business. So, I was not too concerned with who I might meet here. Any human was by far better than the hungry wolves that still prowled in my mind as I hurried to take my kill home. The sound of hooves slowed as it got louder. As if the rider was sidling up beside me while I pulled my sled with a giant elk.

"Nice kill," said a man's voice beside me.

I looked up to see a young man on a chestnut horse riding beside me on the path. The man was effortlessly handsome and dressed in good quality clothes that were very different to my worn leathers that often exposed me to the elements from which they were designed to protect. His eyes were looking at the elk on my sled and then slid onto me in an appraising look.

"How did a small girl like you, took down this beast?" He asked and a smile pulled up in the corner of his mouth.

"Shot it, then stabbed it," I said shrugging my shoulders.

"Impressive," he said in a sweet, lazy tone. "And what is your name, miss hunter?" He then asked and I felt his eyes on my face. I suddenly felt hot. I could feel my cheeks redden. I tried to hide my blush in folds of my auburn curls, but failed. I could feel that he noticed. I tried to pick up my pace, but the stupid sled was just so damn heavy! I heard him speed up to keep up pace with me.

"No name then? Well, miss hunter you shall be... for now," he purred. "So, miss hunter, what will you do with such a large animal?"

"What business is it of yours?" I asked, anger creeping up in my tone.

"Curiosity. It's not always that you get to see a little girl take down a large elk," he said with amusement. I must have looked ridiculous. I was thin and pale, no more than a skeleton walking around in worn clothes. My bow and quiver took up most of my back and my daggers hung low on my belt that I could not tighten any more. I suppose I did look "little" in comparison to this kill.

"Sell it, eat it," I answered dully.

"Hm... such a beautiful beast and you only killed it for sustenance?" He mused. "I could confiscate it and stuff it."

I turned about to look at him. His face was thoughtful but amused - a wolf on a prowl.

"And who are you to do such a thing?" I asked coking my head to the side, my right hand resting firmly on my dagger.

"My name is James. I am your prince, miss hunter," he purred and his smile widened. "So, are you compelled to tell me your name now?" He asked.

"Ash," I said and gave him a shallow curtsey.

"And where do you live, Ash?" he asked pausing on my name as if savouring its sound.

"In the village, where all of your servants live, your highness," I said tersely. I continued walking and pulling my sled. the head of the great elk bobbing and balking at every bump on the road.

"Well... Ash," he said again teasing out my name slowly, deliberately, "take the elk's meat and do what you will, but be careful with its pelt. I will purchase it from you. I'll have someone pick it up in a few days."

With this the horse and rider took off down the road leaving me and my kill to our journey.