Memories come flooding back to you. Ever since you were little you've had experience with the bow, often riding out with your father to bring back a meal or two to cook. In the many years since you first started hunting, you have never stopped and continually gotten better. Of course, it's not the same as being trained to be an archer, but you think you'll fare well enough.
"How much experience do you have with the bow?" asks the Queen.
"Twelve years of hunting, your majesty. I am not as good as your expert archers - not even close - but I think I will be able to hold my own with the militia."
"The militia it is then." She consults her maps for a second. "Hmmm, there is a town near the border called Braune, with a militia garrison of a few dozen. It is relatively out of the way, so you should not have to worry. If the enemy does attack, remember that you need only hold them off until the citizens escape. Patriotism does this country no good if you die. Now if you'll excuse me, there are other urgent matters I must attend to."
"Of course. Beg pardon, you majesty." Turning, you are escorted back the way you came. You appreciate the Queen's polite concern, but you are a little disappointed that you are placed so far from the action. Ever since your first kill, you feel a thrill whenever you were on the hunt. It was exciting to think that you might have seen a few battles.
The castle guards provide you with a bow and a quiver full of arrows, a mount, provisions to last till Braune, and a map. Thanking them, you ride your new chestnut steed through the capital, under the gate, and out into the forest. Braune is a lumberjack community, with wooden walls and a population numbering only a few hundred. It is a good two day's journey, but you were prepared.
Looking up, you see bright sunlight pierce the canopy of leaves that casts shadows along the trail. The healthy green plants help you feel calm, and you slow your horse to a trot. It is hard to believe that this vibrant country is at war, let alone at war with one of the strongest military powers in the area. You do find solace in the fact that at least the violence hasn't spread too far across the border of either nation. At the thought, you quicken your horse's pace to a run.
The amount of traffic lessens as you proceed further and further away from the capital, to the point where you are the only one on the path. A brief check of your map confirms that you are making good time - better than expected. Braune is only a day's ride away, and nightfall isn't for a couple hours. It is only logical that you should take a break.
Leading the chestnut mount off to one side, you hitch it to the branch of a tree and let it have some nuts. You suspect that the horse's excellent pace and stamina are due the credit of getting you this far so quickly. Seeing no harm in resting, you lay your bow and quiver on the ground, lay your head on the grassy earth , and nap.
You awake just as the sun is setting, the beautiful colors setting the sky alight. In no rush to continue, you stretch and slowly sit up. A quick glance shows that the horse is waiting patiently and your weapon is still by your side.
A rustle in undergrowth behind you shocks you out of your reverie. Grabbing you bow and notching an arrow, you spin to face the noise. The rustling continues, until something emerges from behind a tree...
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