The Arrangement

Chapter 10

The silence in the carriage was neither comfortable, nor particularly uncomfortable. Two people who were about to become married simply sat together and either contemplated to themselves or wondered what they should say to the other.

"You are trained in the sword as well?" The abrupt question came some hours down the road and Du Fen looked up in surprise.

"Yes, Your Majesty. I trained with the same Master as my brothers." He replied quickly and truthfully.

"Ah. He was quite good if We recall. We trained at your house one time, with your oldest brother." The Emperor informed him when he was shot a curious look.

"Your Majesty was at my house?" Du Fen asked in interest now. The Emperor nodded his head and smiled.

"Yes, We were here for some time with Our father the Emperor while He was inspecting the border. We stayed at your house and schooled with your brother during that time." He mentioned the full extent and Du Fen looked rather thoughtful.

"I do not think I recall that. I must have been too young." He sighed and inwardly shrugged.

"Ourselves and your brother were about ten. How much younger are you?" He looked over at the young lad just then, who looked like he was thinking hard.

"Next brother is one year... Second brother is three. I think five years?" He put his finger to his chin as he counted in his head. Then nodded decisively. "Five years."

"We are same age as eldest, so you are five years younger than Us. Ah, that means you are just marriageable age. Explains much about the timing." He smiled.

"Father really surprised me too. I was not thinking about getting married at all. I wanted to train more and help out along the border when I came of age. Mother was really against it though." He told the Emperor sadly.

"That's right, you like archery. Do you wish to help Us catch some dinner then? We travelled quite light to get here, and did not ask for many supplies from your family before we left." He asked the youth.

"DO I!? Yes. Ahem. That would be nice." Du Fen was too excited all of a sudden, and had to rein himself back. Though it was already revealed how eager he was and his eyes refused to stop sparkling with anticipation.

"Good. We will stop at the woods ahead and hunt then." The Emperor replied calmly, as though the youth had not burst out and startled him. He was not able to keep his gaze from travelling back to those lovely, bright eyes.

*

They both had bows in their hands. Du Fen was happy that he was wearing a dark colour green that blended into the forest backdrop. The Emperor wore a black set of robes, and stayed back a pace to watch.

The greenery was quiet, and still close to the road. The shadow guards watched with a keen eye for anyone who would try to ambush them. Du Fen tuned them out. His focus was on the forest.

They crept further in, listening and waiting. Du Fen watched the floor for signs of recent passage. He checked bushes for breakage. He looked at leaves for nibbles and caught fur. They heard a sound of snapping and both turned with caution.

Du Fen sneaked through the trees until they saw the movement through the trunks of the trees ahead. It was tall and brown. Also alone. Perhaps a deer separated from the herd when their carriages had blocked the road.

He got into position and drew back his bow string with a nocked arrow. His eyes focused and his breathing drew out into long even strokes. He held it as he aimed for the most vulnerable and quickest kill.

He let go. The arrow sailed through the air decisively and landed with a thud, deep into the heart of the deer. He ran forward and landed his knife, so that it would not suffer. He closed his eyes and offered a prayer to the gods for the bounty that they would eat, and the sacrifice of the beast.

The Emperor stepped forward and smiled down at the respectful kill. He approved. It was swift and clean. He had done honour to his teacher and his company. The lad was indeed skilled to be able to do such a thing.

"Very good, Du Fen. A very honourable hunt. Let Us go back and Our men will have this cleaned for Our dinner." He said with a clap on his bride's back. Du Fen blushed a little at the attention.

"I could take care of it myself." He pouted a little as two shadow guards came to take the deer away.

"Nonsense. We do not want you to dirty your hands on the road for Our account. As deadly as these beautiful hands may be, they should not touch such offal." He took the young lad's hand in his and stroked it gently. Du Fen shivered.

He looked up at the handsome Emperor in alarm, and then yanked his hand away like it was burned. The Emperor laughed to himself as Du Fen scurried away like a frightened rabbit. He made his way back to the carriages alone, and licked his lips at the sudden thought.

"Ah my dear Ger, be glad you are not yet on the menu."

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