Eshara

Chapter One

It was a cold, damp night. The kind that makes your bones cold to the core. Collin reached the dark edge of the forest just in time to see the moon rising from the horizon. He took out his ivory bow that he had strung over his back. He took out an arrow and set it to his bow before moving into the forest. Leaves and dry twigs softly snapped beneath his stealthy steps. He found the tree he was looking for. A large, oak that grew close to a small clearing about an acre across.
Patiently he waited. He was good at waiting when it was necessary but he didn't need to long. Hearing leaves rustle on the opposite side of the grassy clearing he crouched low and pulled half way on his bow. The deer slowly walked into view. Not a very large one but Collin was satisfied. He pulled harder on his bow and took aim waiting for the right moment.
The deer must have suddenly caught scent of him as it looked around, tail and ears held high in caution but it was too late. Collins arrow twanged though the air with accuracy and struck the animal in the heart. It fell with a thump and Collin walked over to it. He drew the arrow out and cleaned it off and then tied the feet of the doe together, gather it in his strong arms and flipped it over his head. Picking up his bow he set off back home proudly. He shivered to the piercing cold of the night as he advanced, the moon lit his way better as it rose, though Collin knew the land just as well in an ink blackened night, as he would on this night.
The large house of his parents came into view as his came over the pasture which separated the forest from his home. No lights were on save for the kitchen as it was late and everyone was in bed. Save for Emily the beautiful young servant who Collin knew since he was just a boy.
Bensir, the carriage house keeper, was at the back gate waiting with a lantern for him as he walked heavily up the stone steps.
'Sir Collin', the young keeper said.
'Its a good night Bensir', Collin replied in a smile.
'Ahh yes sir. A good kill there. I believe Emily is waiting for you in the butchers kitchen as you requested'
They reached the kitchen door, 'Thank you Bensir! Have a good night'
With a nod he walked back across the stone court. Collin like the keeper. They were friends, though Bensir refused to stop waiting on Collin, as it was his duties he would say.
He entered the kitchen where he had brought in so many different catches of his many days and nights of hunting, trapping, and fishing. Laying the doe on the wood counter in the center of the room he looked up with a smile at Emily who was indeed waiting for him. She came up to him with a bowl of warm wash water and towel for him to wash his hands. The water was soothing to his half-frozen hands. He dried them off then wrapped his arms around the girls small waist. They kissed and she smiled, 'How was your hunt? You where not gone for long'.
'No I got the deer sooner then I thought I may. It was for the better though. It is very cold'.
'Should I draw up a hot bath for you dear?'
Collin smiled and kissed her again 'Yes my love. If its not a bother, it is getting late'.
She laughed a sweet laugh 'You hang up your prise and I will get your bath ready in the servants bath'. She ran off before Collin could say anything. Hoisting up the deer he hung it on one of the several iron hooks that hung along one wall of the room. The chill of the room would keep it fresh to take care of in the morning.
He walked out of the kitchen blowing out the light as he did. Down a long, narrow passage he came to the end where a flight of steps led down to the servants bath. It was already a little steamy from the large pot of water Emily was attending to. He stood in the doorway and looked at her. Her sapphire blue eyes and blonde-brown hair. The thin fragile body and her sweet smile. He loved her more then he did anyone else even his own mother. He took off his jacket and hung it on the hook lined wall to the right then he stepped toward her.
'There you are my dear', she said, nodding to the large wood bathtub she had already filled with steaming hot water. He took his shirt off revealing his strong muscular body.
'Sit down and ill help you take your boots off', Emily sat on a three legged stool opposite one for him. He did and thanked her. He took his leggings off and dipped into the water. It was wonderful to his body. He could feel Emily's eyes staring at him. He turned to her and they locked their eyes together in a longing look. She keeled down beside the tub and they kissed. Her lips where sweet, scented in lavender oil. He caressed her and she wrapped her arms around him before saying 'Collin when will you tell your parents about us?'
He had been attempting to tell mother and father for quite some time now. So he said 'Tomorrow Emily!'
She jumped in surprise. Really!
'Yes I have put it off for too long now. And you never know when someone is going to find out in this house and tell them before I can myself'. He laughed. 'It would not be good if Miss Pratrich told them'. At this they both laughed. Miss Pratrich was the housekeeper in charge of all the servants and she had once caught the two of them kissing in the back courtyard one morning. She liked Collin to much to report it to the Master of the house. So she kept quiet but told them that she would not allow one of her servants to be "pecking" the Master's son.
Emily kissed him again and said 'I should be with you when you tell them'.
'I think it would be better if I confronted them alone. That way it isn't overwhelming'
'Okey love. Finish your bath and let me fetch you your towel'
She was back in a minute with a soft white towel she held up as he stepped out of the tub. He grabbed it and wrapped it around his waist. She pulled the plug in the tub to drain it and Collin took the opportunity to whip his towel off to playfully smack her bottom. She yelled out in surprise and perhaps a little louder then she should have. He bent over laughing so hard he had tears in his eyes. He wrapped his towel once again around his waist and quickly grabbed his clothes and ran out leaving her sitting on a stool laughing just as hard as he was.

Well how was that? Its my first try at doing a story so hope you enjoy it and I will be updating asap :)