Claimed By Zodiacs

Chapter 4

Earth Kingdom

#Lillian Summerfield#

The smell of bark and moss filled my nostrils. I raised my crossbow. The boar disappeared out of sight. Dang it! Sliding down the branch, I jumped. The branches reached out to me. I landed nimbly then jumped to another branch. The trees roared with life...their singsong voice greeting me in that indistinguishable way of them. Focus Lillian. I squinted ahead. There it is. The boar, eating fallen fruits nearby the bushes.

I slowed down. There you are..
Jumping to the last branch, I raised my crossbow. Aim. Shoot! The arrow found its mark. The beast fell down the forest floor with a thump.

"Too easy," I muttered to myself.

I jumped off, the smaller branches reaching out to catch my fall. The forest was silent except for my uneven breaths. I'm alone. It's better to hunt this way. Crowds chase away prey. I stared at my kill, wondering how to carry it home. The boar was three feet, almost four, with furry black hide and tusks as long as my arms. Well, this could be a problem.

I rolled the sleeves of my hunting gear, ready to carry it back home...when the roots of the trees moved and curled itself on my kill. There was hushed whispering in my ear. I think it wants to carry the boar for me..

"Okay. Sure?"

The root pulled the kill back and threw it across the next tree. The other tree caught my kill with its branches. The tree did the same and passed it to the next tree. I jogged back to the way I've come, my eyes trained on my juggled kill.

I chuckled under my breath. "Just be careful. That's for dinner."

#Sam Summerfield#

Springfield Castle

"Prince Sam, Princess Lillian's here," Rico said.

I motioned for him to let her enter, not bothering to tear my eyes away from the paperwork.

"Hello little brother!" Lillian greeted, her cheerful voice breaking my concentration.

I dropped the paper and fell back in my seat, eyes closed.

"So, how was your frolicking today?" I asked, rubbing my eyes. I winced as I brushed the black eye I'm recently sporting.

She chuckled. "Same old. Same old."

I opened my eyes. Lillian stood there in her bloody hunting gear, with mud at the sole of her boots.

"You're staining the carpet Lilly," I groaned.

She laughed as she sat down the visitor's chair.

"Chill your a-"

I knocked her raised legs as it was about to lay in my paperwork.

"Do. Not. Dare. Put. Your. Feet. Here." I said.

She pouted and placed her mud coated legs on the chair opposite her.

"My, my. Such a short fuse. What made your temper in such a knot?"

I groaned. "Stop looking at me like that."

She touched the bruise on my cheek.
"Still hurts?"

I held her hand, stopping her.
"Like hell. But not as much as my pride."

She clicked her tongue.
"I told you not to bite her bait. She's trouble spelled in flesh and bone. You know that."

I glared at Lillian. I know. I just can't stand the thought of my sister being deprived of her kill. That Aria...