Catharina

Chapter 6

I have never travelled further in my entire life. And my life wasn't even over yet. "Could we stop at least once and see the sights?" I asked.

"No. The last time we stopped, you ended up buying dresses, making friends, going into town, and disobeying my orders," Asher said.

"I apologized for my actions," I reminded.

"And I still think you're a stuck up Princess who thrives about being better than others," Asher replied.

"Asher, please, I would never do such a thing. I care about my people, the people of Adelidon," I assured him.

"But not from other places?" Asher asked.

"I care about them too," I added. Asher scoffed. "Right. So when we get to Igathod and someone steals your money, remind me to tell you you care about them," Asher said.

"People from Igathod steal?" I asked.

"It's a lower classed kingdom. Basically one big town. The smarter live spread out and away from the hustle and bustle for bulgar sakes and whatnot. The not so much and careless live within the city," Asher answered.

"They need a ruler," I stated.

"Because every kingdom needs a ruler?" Asher asked.

"Only the ones that are in need of one. I'm sure there are others that can be happily and live about without a king or a queen but sometimes there are kingdoms that aren't so lucky," I told Asher.

"So you would be okay if I just dropped you off in Igathod and I would never see you again?" Asher suggested. I swatted his back gently, earning a chuckle from him. "I am merely joking, Princess," Asher said.

"Would you stop calling me that?" I asked.

"What? Princess? That's your title, I thought you would enjoy it," Asher said.

"It's just, it reminds me of Adelidon and my family. Only the reminder that I left them and they're in mourning of me," I explained.

"You didn't die. It's not like I killed you," Asher said.

"I know, but they have no idea where I am. They might think I died, that I'm in a ditch somewhere, that the person who kidnapped me wants to use me for money and bargain with my parents for some large price to have my return," I suggested.

"That's not such a bad idea," Asher said.

"Asher!" I replied. Asher laughed. "It's just a suggestion."

"A bad one at that." Asher sighed and gently pulled back on Littlefoot's reins. "Fine. We'll make a short pit stop. Where do you wanna go?" Asher asked.

I looked around. "Teach me to hunt," I stated.

"What?" Asher asked even snapping his head around to look at me. I slid off Littlefoot. "You heard me. Teach me to hunt. After all, I'm hungry and it's lunchtime. Teach me to hunt," I told Asher, "Please."

Asher smiled at me. "That's not a lady-like thing, Princess," Asher said. I scowled. "Catharina, sorry," he corrected. I smiled. "Please? If I don't do good, you can take over," I said. Asher sighed while shaking his head. "You're mad, Catharina," he said, "But alright. I'll attempt to teach you." He climbed off of Littlefoot. I smiled and ran to him and hugged him tightly. "Thank you! Thank you!" I exclaimed.

I froze when I realized what I was doing. Asher cleared his throat. I pulled away and tucked back some hair. "Uh- I'm sorry," I apologized. Asher raised an eyebrow at me and walked past me. "I'll go make you an bow and arrow."

*******

"So what am I hunting?" I asked. Asher didn't look back at me and kept walking forward. "Whatever I find," Asher answered. I nodded. I was excited. Of course not to hurt an animal, but that I was going to learn something. Something that involved not sitting up straight without my elbows on the table, or dancing around with books stacked on my head.

I suddenly ran into a wall and almost fell down before an arm caught my own, the other around my waist. I let in a sharp breath, locking eyes with Asher. He furrowed his brow. "Watch what you're doing," he hissed. I nodded, noticing his arms flexed, the one curling around my waist nicely. Even in a matter where I wanted it to stay.

Asher lifted me up and turned away from me, his focus somewhere else. "What is it?" I whispered. I followed his eyes to a deer. I adjusted the bow and the arrow in my hand. "Not that one," I stated. Asher looked over at me. "Why?" he asked. I pointed at it with my free hand. "It's a doe, she might have a fawn somewhere. I can't imagine what would happen if its mother didn't return," I explained.

"It's a deer," Asher said. I scowled at him. "Yeah, and you're a person. Don't you have any feelings at all?" I hissed. Asher grabbed my hand and pulled me away from the deer, back in the direction of where we came. "Where are we going?" I asked as Asher pulled me along.

"Back. I don't think hunting is your thing," Asher answered. I tugged my hand away from his grip. "Why? Because I'm a girl?" I asked.

"Because you wouldn't hurt an animal. I can see it in your eyes," Asher huffed.

"My eyes?" I asked. He had looked at my eyes? An unnerving feeling grew strong in my stomach. Asher nodded. "Yeah, I doubt you've ever gone to a butcher," Asher said. I gasped. "No, no, no, no. That's terrible," I replied.

Asher gestured towards me. "And that's exactly my point." He started walking away. I glared at his back. I still wanted to shoot an arrow, not necessarily to hurt a creature, but just within free air. Before I knew it, I had the arrow within the bow just like Asher had shown me. I aimed it at the sky a good 75 degrees or so. I pulled my arm back and in one sweep let the arrow release. My eyes followed it until it went straight to Asher who had walked some distance.

"Asher!" I yelled. He didn't hear me and in an instant was crying out in pain. I dropped the bow and ran straight to him. Asher pulled the arrow out of his shoulder, blood seeping through the back of his shirt. "Asher! Asher, I am so sorry! I can't believe how stupid I was! I- I don't-" I rambled.

"Calm down, it's not like you stabbed me in the heart," Asher waved off. I shook my head profoundly. "You need a bandage," I stated.

"No I don't. I'll be fine."

"Asher you are getting a bandage whether you like it or not!" I ordered. Asher raised his eyebrows in surprise.

*********

I tore a small part of the under skirt of my dress and dipped it in the stream. "You don't have to do this," Asher grumbled.

"Shh!" I hissed. I squeezed the cloth before looking up at Asher. "Take off your shirt," I instructed. Asher smirked. "Now Princess, isn't that a little harmful to your virgin eyes?" Asher asked.

"Take off your shirt," I repeated more strongly.

"So demanding," Asher replied grabbing the end of his shirt. I blushed. "Please," I added quietly. Asher slid off his shirt and placed it aside. He sighed as he turned around. I found the injury by his right shoulder blade. It wasn't deep thankfully.

I gently placed the cloth on it noticing Asher's back tense up, the muscle becoming more prominent. I held my breath as I started to clean him up. When I was done, I tore another strand from my dress and wrapped it around his shoulder blade and under his armpit.

"There, all done," I said releasing my breath. Asher turned back around and pulled his shirt over his head. His chest and torso no longer visible from my sight. Asher got up and started walking away. I cleared my throat as I got up. He looked back around.

"Thank you, Catharina."

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So now you can see feelings are kinda going in the mixture. I hope you like it so far!

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