The Arrow of Fate

3 THE HUNT

11

THE HUNT

The hunters formed a crescent with the King and his guests in the front followed by some knights and then the Queen with her maids closing ranks. Dragan looked at Sophie with appreciation as she appeared in a red and green cloak, her face a bit pale but beautiful nonetheless. She didn't look at him so he didn't even have a chance to nod in a way of welcome. He rode behind the King wondering when he'd get a chance to talk to the girl.

Some of the hunters at the far ends sounded horns to drive the bear towards the main party but so far they hadn't seen any sign of the animal. Sophie stole a brief glance at Anna riding on the other side of the group but still a way behind Dragan. It was quite cold and the girl was wearing a thick coat and a hood like most of the women but Sophie still could see her pink cheeks and bright eyes looking towards her fiancé most of the time. Sophie averted her eyes and swallowed hard. No point torturing herself more than necessary, she thought.

The temperature had fallen at night and now there was a thin layer of frost covering the ground. Typically for this time of year everything was still, only a quiet word every now and then could be heard from the hunters. There was a rustling sound somewhere to the left and Sophie turned her head in that direction. Everything happened so fast she hardly had time to think. A huge bear tore through the bushes right next to them and the Queen's horse reared violently putting the Queen at risk of falling. Sophie pushed her own mare between her lady and the wild animal and grabbed the Queen's mare by the bridle. She pulled down hard on it trying to make the horse get back on its all four legs and indeed the mare did so but at the same time it reversed wildly in another direction. Sophie, still holding the bridle felt it pull her along and she realised that she was sliding down from the saddle. She let the bridle slip from her hand but it was too late. Her own mare sprang to the right and Sophie fell and hit the ground hard with her side. For a moment she felt dizzy and disoriented.

'Protect the Queen!' She heard someone cry.

She managed to half sit and turn back and saw the bear speeding towards her. Time seemed to stop for one terrible second and in the next Sophie saw Dragan running between her and the beast. He must have jumped off his horse and now when he was right in front of the animal he pushed a spear straight through its chest. The beast gave a terrifying roar and tossed wildly towards the man. The spear broke like a dry stick but at the same moment other hunters reached them and stabbed at the animal with whatever they had in hand. The bear slumped to the ground and Sophie felt like she might do the same.

Dragan turned towards her, his face white, and reached out to help her up. Her hand was shaking when he held it and she didn't know whether that was the result of fear for her own life or his.

'Are you all right, Sophie?' He asked with agitation.

'Yes. You, sir?' She asked in turn looking up at him. His jaws were still locked with terror of their predicament.

'Nothing wrong with me.'

They didn't have time to say anything more because the King himself came towards them.

'Lady Sophie, am I right? Are you hurt?'

'No, sir. Thank you, nothing's happened to me.' She bowed before the King.

'You've saved the Queen.I must say I've never seen such bravery on a maid's side. And you sir, you act very quickly. I suppose I should think of some kind of a prize for you both.' He turned towards Dragan.

'I only did my duty, my lord.' Dragan said briefly.

There was a small gathering around them now. Anna got off her horse as well intending to come to them but suddenly she swayed and the man closest to her had to hold her up.