The Rogue's Apprentice

1

The arrow missed as the bird darted up into the air. The missile plummeted past the branch the bird had been sitting on a moment earlier, struck an embankment, and clattered to the ground. If that cursed bird hadn't moved, Sounder would have gotten a meal.

He cursed as he fitted another arrow to the string of his bow, just in case. He walked forward and picked up the arrow he had shot and stored it in his quiver. Then he turned slowly around, gazing in all directions, eyes searching the sky and land for some sign of prey.

He coughed dejectedly. He couldn't see anything. But he didn't want to head back to the base until he had found something to eat.

The Roquarian Agitators were starving. All of them were combing the Borderline Mountains and the Rivakiam, searching frantically for something to eat.

Hunting in Riverquois had been declared off limits. The last time Sounder had gone there, he had had so much trouble breathing, he had left almost immediately with only one goose to show for his time.

Scalper, the medicinal for the Agitators, had instantly condemned Riverquois as infected with a deadly, never before seen plague. Stabber concluded that Zana had sent the disease to her worst enemy, King Gillan Avelas. He had then warned everyone against going across the Stone Bridge to hunt in Riverquois.

Fortunately for the rebels, animals from Riverquois had migrated into Roquar to avoid the disease, birds especially. Sounder hadn't seen much other creatures, but if they didn't get meat soon, they would have to butcher the horses. And so the Agitators searched because horses were valuable.

The disease had been in Riverquois for a while, and the Agitators were running out of supplies fast. Sounder had had to take over the job of collecting water ever since his sister had left.

He winced. Sprinter had gone to Riverquois with Ferras Irek, the prince of Roquar. Hopefully, the prince was still alive, but the last time Sounder had seen him, he had been unconscious and dying. Sprinter and Sounder had told each other that their younger sister, Lucks, who had been captured by Zana but hadn't been in the dungeons (according to Ferras), was still alive, but Sounder had begun to lose hope. He hadn't seen any sign of her, and if Sprinter had any word, which he doubted, she couldn't contact him because it was too dangerous to attempt.

Sounder strained his ears, trying to pick up any sound. A slight rustle in the dry bushes sent him spinning to the right, arrow poised on the string.

As the rebel released the arrow, the quail was pierced through the neck. Sounder sighed in relief and went to gather his kill.

As he crouched to collect the carcass of the quail, he heard another sound from the ledge above him. He froze. Sounder's hand went slowly to his belt for the rusty old dagger he carried as the predator showed itself.

The black panther jumped from the ledge above him with a finesse that would have been beautiful had it not been about to kill him. It was pure black, the only spot of color its fire-like eyes, glittering with ferocity around the slit pupil. Sounder stumbled backwards as the feline landed on his chest and clawed at him, yowling angrily. Sounder hit the dirt with a shout of pain.

Sounder struck with the blade as the bird fell from his hand. The dagger penetrated the skin on the panther's shoulder. The feline yanked back with a howl, jerking the dagger from Sounder's hand.

The rebel catapulted to his feet, eyes wide. The panther growled, baring its teeth, preparing for another attack.

Sounder stumbled slowly backwards. The panther stalked forward, eyeing him suspiciously, the knife handle bobbing in its shoulder. Sounder forced himself to move slowly, but then the feline sprang.

Sounder fell to the ground as the cat landed on his chest, claws shredding through his tunic. He pummeled the feline in the nose, shouting and cursing. There was something unusual about this panther, which looked sleeker and better fed than anything else, being or beast, in Roquar. It must be from Riverquois.

Sounder managed to strike the panther in the eye, causing it to recoil in pain. He rolled over, trying to put as much distance between himself and the wild beast.

By the time he felt the empty space beneath his outstretched hand, it was too late. He had already thrown himself into the roll, and before he knew it, he was tumbling off of the side of the cliff, the panther leaping after him.

**********************

Zana lounged back in her chair, watching the general of Roquar's military shrewdly. He appeared to be nervous, probably because she just threatened him and his daughters.

"Listen, I don't want Yaurée for this," she soothed with a cruel smile. "I want Amaé."

"I tell you, I don't have custody of Amaé," the general protested. "Kuina's sister Iril has custody of her."

Zana curled her lip in distaste. "Those Agitator sympathizers." She snapped her fingers and a young man materialized behind her. He wore a long cloak and a hood that shadowed his face. Yet, when he lifted his head, you could see the ice blue of his eyes. It was all you could see of his face.

"Bring Amaé here," she demanded of the general. "Or Zander will go collect her."

The general stood. "Fine."

Within an hour, Amaé stood at the table, wavy, short, brown hair tucked behind her ears. Behind her were her father and her older sister, Yaurée. Zander stood behind and to the right of Zana.

"Amaé Skyracer," Zana intoned. "You will do a little job I have."

"If I don't?" Amaé asked, lifting her chin defiantly.

Zana smiled. "There will be certain...penalties for your family. Your aunt Iril's family."

Amaé quivered as Zana continued. "But let's start with the rewards, shall we?"