Hall of Mirrors

Chapter Eight: The Hunters of the White Stag

"Is it true? The Hunters have returned?" Skallion asked, disbelief crowding his face.

His question was answered almost immediately by laughing and talking spreading through the crowd. The crowd parted slowly, and River could tell a group of people were moving through their midst.

"Who are The Hunters?" She asked, looking at Coal.

"The Hunters of the White Stag," Coal answered, smiling. "Our small group of trained men. Their names come from the legend that with a White Stag comes peace. They are spies who scout out and plan for the overthrowing of the Troll Queen."

River nodded, and looked onward, where the group of men had come to stand in front of the Council of Seven.

The Hunters were surely a wonder. There were about twelve men, all young and strong. They all looked similar- with dark black hair and light, grey-black eyes. Brothers, maybe?

They wore chainmail of the purest silver, and they had white tunics over the chainmail. Each tunic was woven with a silvery gold crest. The crest had the head of a stag with magnificent antlers, and was wreathed in a circlet of golden flowers and crossed with two shining swords.

The captain of the Hunters, a tall, attractive young man with chiseled features walked to Coal and River. "Hello, Councillor Coal," he said, smiling, and then turned to River. "And who is this pretty young maiden?", he asked Coal, nodding in her direction. "Sir Trin, this is the Daughter of the Prophecy, Princess River."

Sir Trin gasped and bowed, kissing River's hand. Coal smiled.

"I'm sure this development is a big plus in your plan, Trin," he said.

"Yes, indeed," said Trin, nodding and throwing a glance at River. Maybe she was imagining it, but she caught a bit of a flirtatious smile flitting across his face.

"Well, I'd absolutely love to spend some more time with you, River, but I must speak with Councillor Coal about some matters that are of very much importance- in private," said Trin.

"Of course," smiled River through gritted teeth. She had just met Trin, but he was already getting on her nerves. His confident swagger and his flirting weren't impressing her. Coal and Sir Trin walked toward Coal's office and River was left standing alone.

Something felt empty in her heart, but she didn't know why. River decided to go over to where Aleste and Elandor stood, even though she knew that would arouse more controversy.

Elandor and Aleste were deep in conversation and Aleste was smiling. Her eyes were rather cloudy, and her head was tilted to the side, staring at Elandor as he talked. River immediately felt a twinge of annoyance.

Just then, Keira, Elandor's mother, placed a hand on River's shoulder.

"Your father would like to speak to you," she said in her soft voice.

River stood.

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Trin and Coal made their way to Coal's small office just off the main hallway. Trin kept his eyes on the floor, afraid that Coal would see the shard of uneasiness in their handsome slate-gray irises. No, he wasn't afraid. He just wasn't sure. He wasn't sure if he could pull his job off without giving himself away.

Trin silenced his doubtful conscience with a scowl and looked up.

Coal smiled and ushered Trin into his office. Trin conjured a chair and sat down, as well as Coal.

"Well?"

"We've made much progress, Sir Coal. Much progress."

"Your tone sounds foreboding. Explain," smiled Coal.