Huntsman

1

"Any and all use of magic in the entirety of the kingdom of Divencia is hereby forbidden. Those caught wielding, speaking of and associating with it will be executed, along with those that try to harbor them. Executions and searches will be held once a month. Children are to be handed over to the Queen's Guard for testing. Any resistance will be met with execution."

-The New Law, by order of the Queen, on the 29th day of the month of Faversham, in the third year of Queen Evelyn's reign.

I woke up with the taste of blood in my mouth.

The morning air was chill and damp, the last clings of winter still holding out, even to the inner months of spring. Or so some said. Sucking in a breath, I sat up, slowly, as to not awaken Adralia.

Or... just one kiss. To chase away the nightmare, I told myself. To make sure she was still there. After all, after that much crying from Hope, she'd be knocked out for a solid few hours before rousing. Perhaps that wasn't for the best. Not today.

My lips gently brushed her forehead, wishing for more. No. Not yet. Food first. Tugging my boots on, I walked downstairs to the door, not before stopping at Hope's cradle to kiss her too. A stupid smile bloomed on my lips, unable to turn off. Losing them... no. I'd never let it happen. Not today, during the Hunt, or any other.

Out the door, into the mist. It was thick today, unusually so. Then again, nothing had been usual for years. I trod as silently as possible, unsure of what stood even a few paces away from me. Hopefully visibility wouldn't be this low in the market square. Too many people, too little awareness.

Now at the edge of the forest, I calculated how long it might take for the mist to start thinning with the sunrise. How long until it would be efficient enough for the Hunt to begin.

Too little. Too little time. I had to be quick. Trusting my years of climbing through the forest, I headed straight for where I knew a patch of Devil's Bloom lay. Planted long ago by Adralia, tended to by both of us.

Frowning at my stiff fingers, I cut through some of it, enough to make a few good doses of the poison later. Or to trade. Goodness knew real coin was hard to come by nowadays anyway.

On to real food. I picked up a trail of wild berries growing, along with other plants to take back. Not much, but they would have to do for now. Heading somewhat west, I eventually heard the telltale clamor of the market square, subdued as it was today.

Slipping through the shadows, I found the tent I was looking for. I sighed in relief as I walked into Marcia's tent and found her alone with her wares. Wares being food, as somber as they all looked.

"Maven," she called to me, grimacing as she noted my expression. "This weather hasn't been easy on any of the plants, much less the crops. We take what we can get."

I nodded and pulled out the Devil's Bloom, slightly unsure. Some were opposed to the idea of outright poisoning anything, even in self defense.

A grim smile spread across. "Devil's Bloom. I'll take some of that if you don't mind. Anything to keep those guards in their place. Two stalks for a bundle?"

Fair price. I didn't possess the time to bargain, anyway. I passed her the stalks and selected a bundle of potatoes. It would have to do for now.

"How is Adralia? And baby Hope?" my eyes flicked to the opening, wary of the time. A little interaction wouldn't hurt. It could be our last.

"Safe, and in good health. I trust you are the same?" I stayed wary of her, not entirely trusting her with more information than was necessary. Still, avoiding the question altogether would have simply made for even more suspicion, with everybody on edge today.

She nodded, but not before narrowing her eyes in the slightest. I kept my expression carefully neutral, betraying nothing for her to see. "Stay safe today. You should not be out."

"As to you."

I walked quickly, wanting to get back as soon as possible. The conversation with her had been too long for my liking and far too suspicious. The hunt would start soon anyway. The mist was already thinning, working in my favor to get back fast.

Somehow, the route seemed so much longer, now that time was running short. I was cutting it far too close.

Halfway through the forest, almost running now, the palace bells began to ring. Again. And again. Along with it emerged the inevitable sound of houses being broken into. And screams.

Shit.

I ran faster, not caring for stealth anymore. No one would be up here, that was for certain.

The Hunt had begun.