Redemption

Chapter Eight

"Sir, are you sure that you want to hire these people? Eventually word will spread at how much effort you are putting towards killing the prince. People are suggesting that there's more to the rumors. The Queen has never failed to address her people before." Ferrin's advisor, another of the lords that served on the late King's council spoke softly so only Ferrin could hear. Sitting upon the King's throne, Ferrin looked out over the small crowd of people. Each of them were assassins, mercenaries or muscle for hire. He wanted someone who would get the job done, someone driven by money and he wasn't disappointed by what he saw so far.

"It has to be done, I cannot have the Prince inciting a rebellion against us." Ferrin said roughly, his eyes narrowing as the man chose to speak again.

"We are weak, we haven't yet had time to properly train our troops. No matter what we do, they are nothing like the Aesin were. Perhaps we made a mistake..." He never had a chance to finish before Ferrin smacked him hard, sending the man sprawling onto his knees on the floor.

Ferrin glared at him, "Make yourself scarce and never say that to me again."

Ferrin stood as the man ran away quickly, walking down the steps slowly. He smirked as he inspected the men in front of him, "I'm tasking you with hunting down a treasonous son - a son so corrupted by the idea of the power that came with the throne that he couldn't wait. The Queen has appointed me whilst she is in mourning to do what she cannot: decree that Prince Alistair be brought to me. I need him alive and subdued. Remember that he has great power. You will all be paid a sum to help you on your hunt and the one who brings him back to me will receive enough riches that they will never have to work again. There is one other thing you should know: the prince is accompanied by what we believe is the last Aesin. For those who can bring him to me alive, your pay will be doubled."

There was a murmur through the crowd of people as they were handed pouches full of gold pieces. A slender hooded figure in the back of the crowd took their share as well, pocketing it and listening to what Ferrin had to say. As soon as he was finished, the figure slipped away out the door before anyone else could. They raced through the town, their cloak and hood never belying their identity. They merged with the crowd of merchants and travellers at the gates and slipped by unnoticed, breaking away once they had gotten through. They ran through the open fields surrounding the walls and ducked into the forest.

It wasn't long before they came to a clearing, slowing down and stepping through the dewy sunlight that fell warmly upon the moss and fallen leaves. A white stag stood from where it had been laying among the soft, supple grasses and gently pawed his hoof upon the ground, bobbing its head adorned with breathtaking antlers. With at least twenty to thirty points on the unique antlers, twisting and curving like the branches of an old birch tree, it was clear that this was no ordinary beast. Even the pure white coloring of the fur was unique, the antlers not only shaped like the bows of a birch but sharing in their unique texture and black streaks. The stranger let their hood fall back against their shoulders and revealed the gentle curves of a woman's face adorned with light blue markings and framed by a halo of snow white hair.

"The chieftain's son lives, Dóchas." She smiled warmly up at the massive hart, who lowered his head to greet her, rubbing his soft nose against her chest as she sunk her fingers into his fur, pressing her forehead against his. Dóchas snorted softly, his hot breath fanning across her shirt as he spoke into her mind, [I will tell the birds and they will tell the beasts of your island... we must keep looking for him.] Dochas snorted softly again and a few moments later, a few of the small birds resting in his antlers flew away towards the north, chirping softly. Dochas looked down at the woman again and lovingly rubbed his nose against her cheek, [We will find the heir, Sylvi.]

Sylvi looked up at the sky and the position of the sun. She nodded and spoke again to Dochas as she climbed onto his back, "Can the birds help find him, if we have nowhere to start then... we should go to Kaandar. I've never been yet."
[Then to Kaandar we will go. We should pay our respects and pray for good luck on our quest.] Dochas made his way carefully through the trees, his antlers seeming to move and melt out of the way as he walked. Dochas was no ordinary stag; he was an ancient creature, a guardian of the forest and he had chosen Sylvi for her unique talents. Every young surviving member of the Aesin clan had started developing unbelievable abilities and Sylvi was no different; she often experienced dreams that turned out to be visions of the future. For what it was worth, it had kept her alive since she had come to the mainland in search of Niko Aesin, son of the Bear.