Once Upon An Arrow

Chapter 1

A week earlier
King Xavier's POV

WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOU CAN'T FIND THEM?!" I shout, outraged at my so called 'knights'. They came back to me empty handed again, this is the fourth time in a row for the past two weeks.
I sent them to track down a group of servants that recently trashed my son's room and wrote a threat on the wall in the blood of one of our dog's. They were low life slaves and my best knights can't even find them. "My love", a voice spoke from behind me, "I might have an solution." I turn around to see my beautiful wife, Crystal. I was a bit taken back, since she barely ever spoke in front of the knights, due to the enemy's knights that murdered her parents as a child.

The knights immediately bowed when they saw her, paying their respects, after they have gotten over their shock. "What do you suggest Crystal?" I asked her, still confused as to why she is suddenly so confident.
"I still have contact with an old friend that would be able to supply us with a hunter", she continued and I could feel my eyes widening.
"But Your Majesty, hunters haven't been used or even seen for the past fifteen years!" One of the knights voiced my thoughts. "The last hunter ever seen was during our battle with the Northern Kingdom when he fought King Tristan. He disappeared after the king was slaughtered and it was as if all hunters vanished off of the face of the earth", as he spoke the other knights silently nodded their heads in agreement.

"They are right, my love, it is impossible to find a hunter with them being no where in sight", I tried to explain to her, gently placing my hand on her shoulder. She shrugged off my hand and shook her head.
"They never left to begin with, only hid. Something happened that day of the battle, something only the hunters know, something that made them so scared that they would go into hiding. In spite of their fear they still train new hunters, do small quests and trade with kingdoms. They are still out there, but they use the shadows to quench their fear. With your permission, I will send a letter requesting for his top hunter. When it comes to my son I will do anything to keep him safe", she ended looking me straight in the eye, showing me that she was serious about this.

"Very well, you can send a letter tonight, but you are not to be anywhere near this hunter when  he arrives. I have never worked with hunters like my father did, I do not know what to expect. The knights will be keeping an eye on this hunter", I gave in, giving the knights a meaningful look, making their task clear. They immediately bowed their heads, showing that they understood. My wife nodded her head, understanding the situation from my point of view. "I will go prepare the letter then", with these words she bowed and retired.

I dismissed the knights and called my butler to prepare me tea and to bring it to the garden. I was starting to get a headache with everything going on. I barely had any time to rest and gather my thoughts. I take a seat near one of the fountains where my tea sat waiting for me. I let out a heavy sigh when I take a sip of the warm Rooibos tea, breathing in it's calming aroma. My mind drifts to my adventurist son and his gentle fiancé. They are being prepared to become the next rulers after their wedding, but as soon as they announced their engagement threats started raining on them. I really hope that Crystal was right about that hunter, I have no more options left.

My peace was broken by the sound of horse hoofs galloping on the peddle path. I looked up seeing my son on his horse, nearly trampling the roses. "Good morning father!" He greeted me, jumping off of his horse, "Why do you look like you have the world on your back?" He sat next to me taking his gloves off.
I sighed deeply before replying, "Nathaniel, how many times do I have to tell you that the garden is no place for horses. But to answer your question, the knights have not recovered the servants that have threatened you. Your mother is currently writing a letter to a man who would be able to send us a hunter." A veil of confusion fell over his face when I mentioned the hunter.

"What do we need a hunter for other than to bring us newly slain deer?" I understood his confusion, he was too young when the last hunter was assisting a kingdom.
"Not that kind of hunter, Nathaniel, these hunters are assassins that are usually summoned by kings during wars. Your grandfather was the last king to ever summon one before they all just disappeared. No one could find them, they did not even respond to a king's summoning and they left their villages. The land was in panic when they left, they were some sort of comfort for everyone, we knew that we were safe if our knights ever failed. Now your mother says that they're  still here? I find it very hard to believe." I put down my now empty cup feeling even more hopeless than before.

"How come I have never heard of them?" Nathaniel asked, his voice full of curiosity.
"People were saddened, scared even, with their disappearance. We just decided to bury it in the back of our minds and not to think about it." I explained with a shrug. Curiosity is practically rolling off of him in waves, I just hope that he doesn't do anything idiotic. "Where is Princess Delilah?" I change the subject, hoping he wouldn't try to get more information about them.
"She is getting her dress fit for the wedding, we will be seeing very little of each other for the next few weeks. That reminds me of an errand that I need to run, I will see you at supper father," he said taking a bow and mounted his horse. Just as he came, he went. I shake my head and try to value the precious silence once again.

Prince Nathaniel's POV

As I ride away from my father I think about these so called 'hunters'. If they really were as precious to the kingdom as my father said they were, then why would they leave us? Why did Grandfather summon one? Was it because of the war with the Northern Kingdom? Are the hunters the reason why no one talks about it? All of these questions swirl around my head as I make my way to the castle. I jump off of my horse and one of the servants quickly takes the rains and leads him away. I quickly make my way to the library to do more research.

*****

I rub my tired eyes as I look outside, seeing that it's already night. There is so much history about the hunters, but yet there is so little information. No one knows when or how they came to be and where they all stay. There used to be little villages, like my father said, but since the war they are deserted. No one wants to stay there in hope that they would return. There are rumors that they have a giant, hidden academy for hunters in the dark forest, and those that find it have a chance of becoming hunters themselves. A knock on the door caught my attention.I turn my head to see my mother standing in the door.

"If you think any harder then your mind might just explode", she teased me with a slight smile on her face. She look towards the books that I was reading while walking towards me. "Hunters? I guess that you talked with your father. How about we eat and afterwards you get some rest, I'm sure that you have a lot of questions about them. I will answer some of them in the morning", she continued, making me more confused.
"How much do you know about them, mother?" I voiced my thoughts.
"Let's just say I used to be very close with one", she said and just like that turned around and walked away, leaving me there with a headache.

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A/N
I know that about 90% of readers skip these so I'll keep it short.

Thank you for reading, if I have any mistakes that I have missed, please do not hesitate to tell me.

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