Once Upon An Arrow

Chapter 3

Canicus' POV

My jaw started to hurt from clenching my teeth so hard. I just received a letter from another search group stating that they have found nothing and that we are the only ones left. I hate failing my king, but it looks like that we too have found nothing. The scum disappeared with so little trace that it's practically impossible to track them. I look at the rest of the knights and see how worn they are, the bags under their eyes contrast with their determination within their eyes. My anger is slowly starting to flare when I think about these fools who dare to threaten our soon-to-be king. I try to calm myself down, knowing that one of my outbursts isn't what we need right now. The maps lay in front of me, mocking me, telling me that they know something that I don't.

It is nearly impossible for the bastards to escape with such an ease, meaning that they had help from someone trained. I couldn't think of one soul in the kingdom that would want to harm their king, unless it was someone that is capable of holding an very old grudge. I have a feeling that the next few months are going to be hell on earth with the more intense searches that are to happen.

I look at the maps another time, each line, each landmark burned into my mind giving me a headache. I give one final sigh and signal the men to gather.
"I know that all of you are tired, and I know that we've been here out for days on end, but I also know that you do not want to fail the kingdom and our king. Unfortunately it seems like we are the only group left and we have came up with nothing. Our only option is to return and help with the defending of the kingdom. As frustrating as this is, there is no point in chasing our tails like dogs while the kingdom is in great need of protection. So get some rest, then we'll leave at the crack of dawn, dismissed", I ended after giving them their instructions.

We are not expected back for another nine weeks, but it will take about a week to get back, nearly two if we inquire for more information along the way. My father told me that the last time when the Kingdom was in trouble like this, it was the Northern Kingdom that was responsible. We already know that it couldn't be them since their current king, King Zion, signed the peace treaty nearly 10 years ago and no one wants to repeat history. For some reason this war effected us more than we originally thought, I guess the disappearance of the hunters scared everyone. I remember when I was young that I always dreamed of being a hunter, being able to travel to all of the kingdoms and to help when needed. Unfortunately that never happened, I heard rumors that they were still training hunters, but my father never let me leave his sight in order for me to go and search for them. Eventually he let me train to become a knight, I trained as hard as I can in hopes to one day find the hunters.

I shook myself awake of my thoughts trying to focus on packing up and getting ready to take the first watch. I quickly and neatly fold the maps and place them in the leather bag that was strapped onto the horse's saddle. The men seemed to have already set up the camp for the night, telling me that I was deeper in my thoughts than I thought I was. One of the knights, Sir Casimir, came up to me looking calm yet energetic as ever.
"I can take the first watch tonight, Canicus, you need sleep more than the rest of us", he offered and cut me of before I was about to protest, "You are our leader and if you're too tired then you will not be able to stay alert." I knew that he was right and tried not to snap at him for cutting off his superior, but I let it slip this time. I make my way to my makeshift tent and fell asleep as soon as I closed my eyes.

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The sun is bright and scorching down on us as we stand ready to begin training. It was like this everyday for the past few weeks, the week before we had to get up at the break of dawn and now they're making us bake in the sun as if we were bread just put into the oven by the baker. The knights stand tall above our 13 year old bodies, assessing us, trying to spot the strong between the weak. Each knight could chose a page to stay by their side and to start training with the said knight, I hoped with all my heart that I'm one of the chosen few. I have been training by myself in the woods for the past two years just to be able to convince my father that I was strong enough.

After what seems like hours, but was mere a few minutes, we were dismissed. We were all confused as to why, but that was quickly answered when some knights walked up to certain lads and led them away to speak to them in private. My eyes scanned each knight, praying to see one coming up to me. My face slowly fell as I see more and more knights leaving with a young lad by their side. I realized that there was only one more knight left and there were still a lot of us. I didn't realize that I was holding my breath until I felt my face turn blue.

The knight was by far the scariest that I have seen, I have no idea how I haven't seen him before. He stood still for a few moments then swiftly made his way over to me, he came to a stop once he was in front of me and I could practically see his years of experience in his eyes as they studied me. I nearly leapt out of my skin when he spoke to me, in front of everyone that was left, "Be here at dawn", and just like that he walked away. I was still frozen in place trying to comprehend what has just happened. The others around me already left, some glad that they were not chosen by this 'Dark Knight', while others were crestfallen that they were not chosen at all. I quickly made my way home after I was fully focussed again.

I just hope that I won't die before I start my quest to search for the hunters, but with this knight, I am slowly starting to lose some of my hope. I recognized him as one of the honored knights that thought in the war a few years ago against the Northern Kingdom. They call him the "chevalier noir", he thought ruthlessly in the war and there were rumors that he used the blood of his own enemies to send letters to the king. There is one big rumor that said that he wasn't accepted to become a hunter, so now he is set on proving them wrong. I never want to become him, I just hope that he wouldn't try and make me hate the hunters, not while I want to join them...

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I felt presence beside me and immediately jumped up, holding a knife to the culprits neck.
"Sir! It's me, Casimir!" I heard a voice shout and let go of the idiotic knight in my arms. I glared at him, my mind not being able to phantom how on earth he has been able to survive the knighthood for so long.
"How many times do I have to tell you to not sneak around me?" I scolded him, surprised that I was actually calm. He gave me a sheepish smile which just made me sigh in defeat. Nothing that I will say now would be able to go through that surprisingly thick skull of his.
"Are the men ready to leave?" I ask while gathering my things, he nodded his head, " They are well rested and ready to go, Sir."

I walk past him and mount my horse while signaling to everyone to do the same. I heard the cry of an eagle close by and admired it's beautiful, brown feathers. For a split second I could've sworn that I saw something on it's leg blink in the morning's sun. I shook it off, knowing that if it was a messenger bird then it was for a different kingdom since there is no one in this area for miles on end. We have been searching this same area for about a week now and the only life here is animals. The thought only fueled my anger once again, I wan't able to complete the wishes of our king. The knights surrounding me must have sensed that my mood turned dark, since they slightly moved away from me, pushing Sir Casimir to the front.

Sir Casimir is my complete opposite, while I'm fire, he is water, hence our names. We were set to work together since we balance each other's personalities as well as our skills. I tried to calm myself down at least a little bit before I lash out on everyone. My mind is racing a thousand miles a second, thinking of scenarios of how the criminals were able to do what they did. I also couldn't stop to think about how disappointed the king would be when his final hope comes back without any answers. For the hundredth time today I needed to stop my thoughts from running again. I take a deep breath and keep on going down the path, trying to focus on the road ahead.

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A/N
Sorry for the wait, I have been quite busy with school recently.
Please do comment, I would love to hear from you all.
I hope that you enjoyed it.