The Moon Thief

Chapter 1

Nia took a deep, steading breath, and loosed the arrow. The hare below dropped instantly and she breathed a small prayer before descending to the forest below. Just as the grass tickled the souls of her feet, she felt that familiar pair of eyes on her. Dropping into a crouch and looking about herself, she strove to remain as silent as possible. It had been happening over the past few weeks, the feeling of being watched, and she couldn't shake it. Nia closed her eyes and stretched her senses, straining her ears, but nothing. The wind picked up and she breathed deeply, hoping to catch an unfamiliar scent or anything she could track. Still nothing. She looked about herself once more then quickly gathered her kill and headed back to the village making a mental note to bring up the incident to Telani.

————————————————————————

He watched as the barbarian girl brought down the hare from her hiding place in the trees. Right through the left eye. Seemed to be her trademark. She liked hunting from the trees, well, truth be told, her whole tribe did - or so he had been briefed. She, however, seemed to exclusively hunt from above, even as far as spearing fish from the trees.

Her pure, silver-white hair flashed as she unfurled from the branch and swung down. He inhaled sharply. He almost swore her eyes met his across the marsh. She dropped suddenly into a low crouch, turning her head to each side as if listening intently. He breathed a sigh of relief then smirked. There was no chance she'd have seen him. In his 15 years as Karth's notorious Black Hand, he had never been discovered.

He watched as the girl quickly gathered the hare, slung her bow over her shoulder, and skittered back the way she had come. She was a decent tracker, a good hunter, and impressively stealthy. However, she also looked frail, couldn't weigh much more than 100-120 pounds soaking wet. He watched her train briefly with a silver dagger, she had good form. Either way, he didn't anticipate any delays and sent a raven a few days prior telling the Captain of the Guard to be ready to depart in 3 days time. 

All that was left to do now, was to wait until nightfall. He settled back, pulled his hood over his head and closed his eyes.