The prince and the huntress

The night was silent as i hid among the dried leaves of the forest. I could see the deer grazing in front of me. The only sound was my steady breathing as i took aim. The arrow pierced the silent night finding its mark in the heart of the dear. It fell dead. The others around turned in alarm. They took off bounding away from me. I stood and chased after them jumping over the roots of the evergreen trees. The last thing i saw of the deers were the retreating white tails. I sighed in defeat and slung my bow across my back before walking back to the deer. I smirked and started dragging it towards camp.

I pulled the deer into my small house and set it by the fire. I set my bow and arrows down next to the deer.

"Father!" i called into the house. He stummbled towards me as if i had woken him from sleep. He saw the deer and held his hand out. I handed him the knife and turned away.

"You do know you will have to marry eventually," my father said as he gutted the deer. I sat at the table and spun the knife around on the table not cutting myself.

"Why must i?" i asked not looking up. i knew i had to marry because of the rules of the clan. I was turning of age(16) in a few days. I didnt want to. I didnt want a man waiting on me hand and foot like i'm a weak little child. I am far from such considering that i am the eldest child and i have all the responsiblities of the eldest son. I do everything that is expected from the eldest son. What i dont understand is why is till must marry?

"You are of age it is the rules of the clan you know that."

"Will you be choosing?'

"Yes." I stood and left knife in hand. I slid it in my belt and left. I walked outside and looked around. It was the same as ever; small houses like mine spread out around, people working constantly.

"Good evening, Ari," Jason my neighbor said. I nodded to him as he passed by. I walked into the woods and towards the mush pit. I call it the mush pit because there is no name for it.

As i approach it i tie a bandana around my nose and mouth to keep the sulfer fumes out. I crouched upon a sturdy piece of the mush pit and look into the mush. It produces heat so hot it could melt the skin off of your bones. It is very dangerous but it was the best place to get away from people. No one comes up here in fear of getting burnt.

"I knew i would find you here," a voice said. I had been crouching here for a while thinking about what was to come. I look up and smile seeing my friend Joshua. He is only two years older than i with a wife and son named Mel.

"Hello," i said quietly. He tied his bandana around his nose and mouth as well and walked carefully to me. He crouched next to me.

"You okay?" he asked.

"Just perfect."

"Let's talk about this when you cant push me into a burning hole." I laughed and let him lead me away.