The Hunted

Chapter I

Darius spreads the yellowed and torn map down on the oak table, his scarred and calloused hands tracing a path from where we are to Balmoral. I braid my long golden hair quickly, they finally let me grow it out since I'm 18, but I have to braid it or it gets cut again. As I braid I stare out the dirty window into the woods, smiling to myself as the trees sway gently in the wind. Darius thumps his fist on the table, drawing my attention away from outside. 

"Queenie? Seriously, this isn't my mission, it's yours so I expect you to actually care!"

I turn to him, my face serene. This only causes him to get angrier. I sigh. Even though it seems like I don't care, I do. These projects are dangerous and I could die if I make one slip up. So, instead of being a smart-ass like usual, I tie off my braid and give Darius my most serious face. He smiles and exhales with relief.
           

 "Thanks, Queenie. To continue, the target lives around this area," he slides his index finger to the woods, directly next to a stream. I wince at the way he doesn't even mind calling them a target, I hate it and I always have. It's like they aren't anything more than livestock. I know we've been raised this way, but I've always had more regard for the people we are going to kill. Darius continues to explain the lynching to me, looking up every now and then to make sure I'm still listening. A sudden uninvited thought slips into my head. "If you hate it so much, why not escape, leave?"

 I grit my teeth, trying to focus on Darius's chocolate eyes. He seems unknowing of my stare and continues to write up my list of supplies. 

"Nobody will even notice you gone Queenie."  I growl, barring my mind against these unwanted thoughts. Darius looks up at me, cautious curiosity dancing in his eyes. I quickly recover trying to give an excuse

 "Sorry, I'm hungry."  

"Queenie, we just ate. And you can't have anymore, rations remember?"                                                 

I nod like I simply forgot, but he still watches me oddly.  "I'm going to go train." Without waiting for an answer I dash out the door and into the cool autumn evening. I need to clear my head, I can't have those kinds of thoughts right before a mission. I walk down the path, going deeper into the woods. The sun is beginning to set and my heart thumps with anxiety. I stop and tug at my ears. Why am I being like this? I love the night and training and miss-. Why am I crying? I bite my lips against my urge to scream. I breathe out, trying to slow my heart and begin to run to the stables. If anything can calm me right now, the horses can. As I slip through the doors, everyone nickers to me and I sigh, nobody's here. Led by the dimming torch I find my way to Pine's stall, smiling as he nuzzles me for food. All I can offer him is the stump of a carrot I kept for dinner, which he gobbles with gusto. 

 "Sorry boy, that's it for today." He sniffs me for more, but his kind eyes focus on mine. He breathes on me softly, tickling my face with his whiskers. I pet him gently, leaning against his broad chest. The doors to the stables swing open and I fly into Pines stall, my heart thrumming wildly against my ribs. The people that have barged in don't seem to notice my presence. So much for top quality hunters. I press my back against the door of the stall, quieting my breathing.          

"Too bad Queenie gets the new sacrifice if I would of then I would be granted a new position."  

" Agreed, but she's such a beauty. You can't help but give it to her without a second thought." I recognize their voices immediately. Not names specifically, but they are both high ranking officers.                                                                                                                                                                              

 I'm surprised by their conversation. (Them eyeing me doesn't matter, with only 50 girls in a compound 150, I've come to ignore it.) I've heard many names for targets, but not once a sacrifice. And that my target is important? We are allowed their name and appearance but nothing more. No social status or occupation, we just kill. I understand that they're higher ranking, but what leeway does that give them to know this kind of information? I grip my hands together nervously as they continue talking.                                                                                                                    

 "This is supposed to be the last one for awhile so the trainees aren't suspicious. I hope this calls for more progress in the inves-" He's cut off by a sharp cough and harsh whispers are the only thing that follows until the doors are slammed shut. Trainees, suspicious, progress? What in the hell are they spouting about? For one we don't have trainees so they must be talking about the new agents. And you don't get suspicious in this line of work, its dangerous and causes too much disruption. But what worries me the most is the word progress they used. What are they doing that they can't tell all of us and uses human sacrifices? A few horses nicker and snap me from my thoughts. I peek over the stall door to find two horses missing and no sign of the officers. Just what is going on here? 

*                *              *

 Its morning already and even after a good rest, I haven't gotten their conversation out of my head. What did they mean by all of that and what have I got to do with it? I take my nightgown off, hanging it up and staring. I laugh a little with nostalgia, even though I'm a girl this is the only form of dress I have. I pull on my breeches, shirt, coat, and cloak. Serena looks at me from the top bunk, her amber eyes wide and curious. I smile and wink at her. She giggles and turns her back to me in defiance. I lace my boots up and finish by hiding my daggers and knives in every fold of clothing on me. My supplies are ready -courtesy of Darius- and Pine is outside tacked and waiting.                                                    

 I tug my gloves and mask on, covering the last of my tattoos. As quietly as I can I slip out of the quarters, and into the morning sunlight. Stomping his shod hooves on the frozen ground, Pines eager neighs ring out into the frigid air. I lift myself up onto his back, feeling at home in the saddle. I tug on his reins, hoping to get a good start on our trek. I need to kill the target by tomorrow evening so I want to get to Erith by tonight. Once we set down the path -made by the many hunters who pass through our compound- I push Pine into a canter, keeping him at a good, steady pace. The feel of the cold air on my face is luxurious and Pine nickers, telling me he feels the same. I holler into the empty air, my voice echoing throughout the forest. Every time I climb into the saddle all my worries retire, but even with the crisp air in my lungs and a straight road ahead they are still there, nagging in the edges of my consciousness.                                                         

I slap myself, angered by the fact that I would doubt people I've trusted all my life. Doubt the life my parents granted me. The sun finally peeks through the thinning canopy, warming my fingers in its unconditional light. I sigh and focus on the task ahead. If I'm to do this properly I can't let those foolish thoughts get to me. Birds begin to sing in the whole of the forest, calming me even the smallest amount. I chirp along, letting my voice ring into the cool air. I yawn and look at the endless trees, admiring the beauty of the fall colors. I was going to do this job and nothing would stop me, not even an annoying a persistent mage.