Once Upon An Arrow

Chapter 2

Prince Nathaniel's POV

I woke up to the sun streaming through the window, momentarily blinding me. My mind was spinning, I got next to no sleep last night because of the hunters. I don't understand why it bothers me so much though, I just found out about them, or maybe it's because of that, that they interest me so. Father did always say that I had a habit of trying to solve mysteries and to study the unknown. Unfortunately my so called habits have gotten me into trouble quite a few times, once involving me having to bathe in the juice of tomato and having to apologized to the grounds keeper for scaring his pet. I was merely five and had always wondered why I was never allowed to play with the strange black and white creature. Father said that I started that day with my obsession of wanting to uncover the unknown.

I decided to get up and to get ready for the day, wanting to go see my fiancé before going to get answers from my mother. I quickly got ready for the day and swiftly made my way to the dining room, hoping to see everyone there. When I walked through the doors, I saw both my mother and father as well as my beautiful fiancé, all ready seated at the dining table. I greeted them all and gave Delilah a kiss on the cheek as I sat down. We all quietly ate until an eagle, with the darkest black feathers that I have ever seen, flew through the open doors that lead to the balcony. The eagle landed on the head rest of my mother's chair, a smile grew on my mother's face when she saw the black beauty.
"Obsidian, I haven't seen you in so long! Your feathers are still as soft as ever", my mother exclaimed while softly stroking the eagle's feathers.
"Dear, who's eagle is that?", my father asked with fascination evident in his voice.

"My old friend's, looks like he already answered my letter", Mother said as she took the parchment from Obsidians leg and started to read quietly to herself. You could see the curiosity burning in Father's eyes as he watched my mom reading the letter, especially when she started laughing. I look to my left to see Delilah also looking at Mother with interest. I realized that she probably didn't know about the hunter, I make a mental note to tell her about him later. Mother called a servant to bring her paper as well as ink and a quil.
"He says that the hunter will be here in four weeks time. The hunter is his top candidate and is currently busy with the guarding of one of the prisoners that escaped the Eastern Cells", Mother informed us as she handed Father the writing supplies that the servant gave her.
"The Eastern Cells? They still have prisoners there? And hunters, they still exist?" Delilah threw questions at Mother, surprising me that she even knew about the hunters.

Both Mother and Father were also surprised when they heard her ask these questions, before they were even able to answer one, she continued talking.
"I studied the history of the Four Kingdoms before I arrived here and I read about Hunters and about how they used the Eastern Cells to keep in their prisoners. I have always wanted to meet a hunter, the knowledge that they posses about the land and the kingdoms themselves is extraordinary", I haven't  heard Delilah rant like this since she found a rare butterfly near the lake a few months ago. Mother interrupted her before she continued with her ranting.
"Yes, well there is in fact still hunters but they decided to only do small quests for the past fifteen or so years. Now, honey, I need you to write a formal summoning letter with the royal seal to make it official", Mother gestured to the writing instruments in front of him.

"Ah, yes, but of course", Father started writing on the parchment with a concentrated look on his face. I guess that Mother proved him wrong since he thought that she was crazy about the existence of hunters. All of this is making me even more curious about these hunters, I hope that I would be able to speak to him when he gets here, but I also really hope that he would be able to catch the scums that keep threatening us. Mother told us to go about our day as if it was normal ever since the first threat was made. She told us that it shows the enemy that we are confident, prepared and that we feel safe. Unfortunately with our knights' recent failures the townspeople are starting to question their ability to protect us. This thought made me realize something important.
"No one outside of the palace should know", I spoke up, "If word gets out that we need someone else's help, then they will start to question the knights' capability to protect them."
At my words Father's eyes widen,
"You're right, I don't know why I didn't think of that, and we should also tell the knights about the hunter. They only know that Crystal send a letter to someone to inquire about one, they don't actually know that we have one."

We all quickly finished our breakfast and then headed off on our separate ways, Delilah went to get her dress fitted again, Mother going outside to release the eagle after Father tied his letter to its leg. And as for me, I headed back to the library, hoping that Mother remembered her promise to answer my questions

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Groaning I realized that Mother wont be able to give me answers because of Father who made an announcement that all knights, guards, servants and basically everyone who is in the palace most of the time to gather for some news. Since I already know what the news is, I try to prepare myself for the knights' reactions when they hear that we actually found a hunter. I cringe thinking about it, especially Canicus' reaction when he hears someone is going help because of them. Luckily he is still busy with another group of knights investigating in neighboring kingdoms, so he would not be here for another nine weeks.

I walk into the main hall were everyone was waiting for Father to make the announcement, the air was tense and buzzing with chatter about what they were all called here for. Even the knights seemed to be on the edge, probably because of the talk that they had with Mother and Father yesterday. People parted to make a path for me to walk through, bowing their heads in respect. I take my place next to the two thrones that stood tall above everyone. We all waited for my parents to arrive, I just wanted to get this over with as soon as possible. I do not want to be the one to deal with angry knights or scared servants.

Finally Mother and Father appeared, causing an immediate silence to wash over the entire hall. You could practically feel everyone holding their breaths, the atmosphere has been tense here ever since the threats started, it is obvious to everyone what this meeting is about. From where I stood I good see Father gulp before taking a deep breath and started to deliver the news.
Just as I suspected, all the servants started panicking knowing that they were not as safe as everyone thought them to be and the knights seemed more shocked than anything. When I look closely at them, I can see some of them are angry, others still shocked to the bone, but the rest look actually relieved, those that looked relieved are some of the older knights, I wouldn't be too surprised if they knew about hunters And their reputation.

After Father finished talking, he stood there and looked at Mother for help, it seems like he has no idea how to calm everyone down while he has barely any energy left from the past few weeks. Mother raised her hand and immediately the entire hall fell silent once again, Father let out a barely noticeable sigh and sat on his throne while all eyes landed on Mother.
"I know that most of you are scared to have a stranger in our midst to help us, but I am also sure that you have all realized how easily our forces are penetrated. Trust me when I say that this hunter is our last resort, he is not going to be here to tell you what to do or make you bend to his every will and need, he is here to help protect you and I ask that you will respect that. Those of you who remember the war with the Northern-Kingdom might remember how important these hunters were and still are, they are honorable so do not fear them. You may all return to your duties." Mother's voice was as clear as her name is, Crystal.

Mother never ends to amaze me, or others, with her random acts of courage. She rarely spoke in front of large crowd, but when she does, everyone listens because of her unique voice. Her voice is as soft as a river flowing gently over rocks, but when she is serious it is as if the ground surrounding her trembles. I asked her once how does she change her voice so easily all the while keeping her face calm and stoic, she answered me with, "It is a family trait" , it was obviously from her side of the family, whom I have never met, because Father's side are all impotent fools.
I love my family, but they really are fools, the only real sensible people are my grandparents. I always wanted to meet my mother's side of the family but her parents are dead and she hasn't talked with her siblings for many years now.
I quickly make my way out of the hall and headed straight for the library again, I have a feeling that Mother might take a while before coming to talk with me.

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A/N

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