Lilium

Something else...

     -Master, do you think we gonna catch something today?
     -If we do? I have no idea whatsoever, Joey. But at least we get to enjoy this breezy afternoon. How long has it been that we've last been hunting?
     -You're right, master. You've been really caught up in your royal liabilities for the past few weeks. Now that I think about it, I really missed spending time together...
     -Aw, don't be cheesy, Joey, or you'll make me give u a kiss.
      Joey looks at Iolas in an awkward manner, his cheeks showing a tint of blushing.
     -I'm just pulling your leg, man. No need to blush like some young lady. I'm not gonna steal your first kiss. Not yet.
     Iolas bursts out laughing as Joey gets even more embarrassed hearing his friend's jokes.
     - Master, what I meant was that I enjoy when we get to go hunting together as we have some time off from all the court's noise and drama.
     -You tell me? God, how much I've waited for this week to come to an end so I can unwind my mind for a bit. This hunting trip is a blessing, I swear.
     - I noticed you almost lost your temper these days.
     - When I was taking part in that quarrel concerning the man who almost killed his neighbor for eating one of his apples without permission I thought somebody was playing a prank on me... let alone Elias' plan to get me married...
     -But taking one's goods without asking for permission is an act of robbery, My Lord.
     -Oh for goodness' sake, Joey! That apple was fallen on the neighbor' s ground and the man just took it and had a bite... that apple tree is so big that the branches overstep the fence between the 2 dwellings. What's the point of getting mad on someone that found an apple on the ground and ate it. It's not like the man who started the quarrel has a shortage of apples.
     Joey grins noticing the rant in Iolas' voice.
-And what's wrong with Lady Anabelle? She seems kind and humble. I'm sure she'll be a good wife.
-We barely know each other, Joey. And I can't stand having imposed on me something as big as a marriage. I know that's how things are meant to be but I refuse to marry someone without my approval...
-My Lord, why don't you give her a chance? Maybe you'll get to like her.
-No way, Joey. I won't let Elias arrange a marriage for me. The kingdom is doing very well so there's no need to make a new alliance any time soon.
-Hmmm... some would say our king is an idealist who dreams of finding his true love...
-Oh, shut up Joey! What do you know about my...
The two didn't get to finish their conversation as a rustle caught their attention.
     -Have you heard that, Joey?
     -Something is moving in the bushes in front of us, right?
     -Joey, I'd say we gonna have some deer steak tonight, said Iolas with a wide grin across his face. Now give me my bow and follow me quietly. We need to be careful not to scare it away.
     Indeed what they heard was nothing but a deer. The animal was enjoying peacefully his "last" meal. The two men started moving cautiously towards it. Within a second Iolas releases an arrow which scrapes the animal's foot, enough to impede its walking. The deer starts wobbling, getting away from its hunters.
     -Shoot! I should have taken seriously the archery classes, said Iolas with anger.
     -Don't worry, master. Your hit managed to hurt it. If we start following the blood traces we'll  catch it sooner or later.
     -Cool. Let's go.

     After wandering around for a while the two manage to find a trace of blood.
     -Wow, the wound must be worse than I thought considering the big amount of blood left behind.
     -Maybe by the time we reach it, the deer will be already dead.
     Iolas and his companion go on with their hunting. The further they walk, the more blood traces they find, reassuring them that they are on the right track. Time passes and they proceed deeper into the forest. Joey suddenly stops.
     -Master! Look at this!
     Joey points towards a tree. There's a bloody handprint.
     - If someone got our deer I swear I'll cook human steak too tonight, said Iolas impatiently.
     -Let's keep our guard up. We can't know what's going on here. Worst case scenario there might be a criminal on a killing spree looking for their next victim. Stay behind me, My Lord. I'll try to protect you.
     -It's all good, Joey. Don't need to worry. I can take care of myself as well. But you're right. We should be careful. Let' s move forward.
      After some time the two men end up in a grove. The blood traces start to get messy.
     -It looks like our deer has finally reached its limits. I think it must lay dead somewhere around here. Should we split up and search for it in the surroundings? suggests Joey.
     -Sounds good to me.
     Iolas goes into the opposite direction of his companion . He walks carefully analysing the ground for clues that might give away the dead deer's location. Drips of blood and nothing more. However, something unusual catches his eye. He bends over and starts rooting the bush on his right. It's a broken bow.  Rifted in two, the weapon has human bloody handprints on it.But more than that, Iolas is intrigued by its ornaments. Intricate designs made of a shiny metal, which looks like silver, grace the bow. He recognises the pattern. The same flowers and leaves that he saw on his mother's bracelet back in his childhood. The familiarity of the design recalls sweet yet nostalgic memories. His eyesight follows along the broken bow. It's mesmerizing. The weapon was forged with such a precision that it blows his mind. However, Iolas is awaken from the trance by a sharp scream. He immediately recons Joey calling his name and runs into the direction which the sound comes from. As soon as Iolas meets him, the boy manages to let out some words:
     -Master, I think we've been following the trace of something else...

     In front of Joey, Iolas makes out the silhouette of a petite woman. She stands in a bath of blood, while she holds her torso. It looks like she's been stabbed. Fainted due to the loss of blood she breaths heavily making the stained white dress slightly rise in her chest area according to her breathing rhythm. Iolas and Joey watch the horrific scene without muttering a word. Despite the cruelty depicted, the image of the hurt girl is somehow unusually mesmerizing. Her long golden hair shines in the fainted rays of sun and her milky skin glimmers as if she was bathed in glitter. Although his mind was fully aware of the reality that was unreeling in front of his eyes, Iolas couldn't control any of his movements. He stood still enchanted by the beauty that the girl was emanating. It felt unreal. Something was drawing him in and he wasn't able to resist it. And he didn't even want to resist it. He could get lost admiring her allurement.

    -My Lord! Hurry! We must do something or the girl dies. My Lord?! My Lord!
     Joey's screams manage to break Iolas' lucid dream. He regains his composure and gently grabs the girl into his arms.
-Fast! Let' s head back to our horses.