CHAPTER III

*

For Alexander: A lifelong lesson to be learned

HEAD AND TALE

Now Alex’s coming of age hunt drew near. The Summer Hunt usually took place from the last week in June and ran for a week more into July; of which the Royal family would only participate in but one of those weeks. 

And in preparation for this, he tirelessly practised his archery while on horseback, within the confines of the Castle’s large training grounds.

On this day, he was proudly being watched, unknown to him at first, by his brother Damian;  late afternoon it was and though the sun was low in the sky, the air was uncomfortably warm. 

“Hey, Alex!”

“Damian!” Alex exclaimed, taken by surprise as he unsteadily brought his horse to a stop.  “Were you- were you there this entire time?” 

Then Damian laughed and said: “Yeah. And I must say, you’re looking like a fine warrior on that horse.”

“Hehe, you think so?” 

“Certainly. I almost did not recognize you.”

“Brother,” Alex said as he shook his head. “Now you’re simply making fun of me.”

He then dismounted the steed and made his way out of the enclosure. Damian grinning widely, questioned: “And what if I am?” He then pulled his brother close into a headlock and playfully tousled his hair saying: “I’m so proud of you- My baby brother..is all grown up..look at you.”

In his attempt to free himself, Alex cried: “Dami-n! You’re uffo-ating m-!”

“Liar. You don’t want me hugging you, is all that this is.”

“No.” said Alex, finally free. “You’re sweaty and you..smell.” he muttered lastly under his breath.

“What’d you say?”

“Nothing.” Alex laughed as he flattened his hair.

“Ha! You liar. Besides, you’re sweaty as well and you smell even more than I.” 

And as Damian spoke, he received a small towel from a servant. Swiftly he threw it at Alex’s face and asked of him: “Excited for next week’s hunt?”

But Alex caught it and grinned before patting his face dry he admitted, “I am! But I don’t think that I’m as good as you,.. or brother.”

“Not true!” stated Damian. “That is all in your head. If only you can see yourself, then you’d believe differently. As I do.”

“Thank you”

Then they both sat; one to a wooden stool, the other on a small boulder, and the pair was given a drink of cool water. Damian then added reassuringly: “Besides, each of us…we’re unique. Never compare yourself to me and especially not to Roman. We’re brothers, but never will we be exactly the same.”

“I suppose that’s true…”

“But?”

“…but Brother accomplished a lot of great things at my age and even before. And father gave to you your treasured sword after your first hunt.”

“Then,”  said Damian, “that simply leaves you to do something great as well.”

But another thought entered Alex’s mind as his brother questioned: “What would you want to do?

“I want…umm, I want,...to hear the story of your first hunt.” beamed Alex.

“Again? Did I not tell you this story many times already?”

“Can you tell it again please?”

And in not wanting to further dishearten his brother, he gave in and said: “Fine. Okay, very well, I'll tell you a shortened version of it.”

Alex smiled and Damian pleased, he began his tale saying: “Alright, so, on my first hunt, that day was really hot, even hotter than today and it was almost as soon as we had begun that I encountered a wild boar. You know that their hides can be tough and that they tend to be unpredictable too. Often, there are moments when you would be the one chasing and the next it’s chasing you instead.”

Wide eyed in excitement, Alex listened as his brother continued: “But yes...on my first hunt I encountered one. It ran extremely fast. And I gave chase- almost losing sight of it a few times. And as I wove in and out of trees and boulders, I remember thinking that I would never catch up to it, let alone kill the thing.” 

“Then, as it would happen, I came upon a clearing. Quickly I drew, and let two of my arrows fly. Killing the boar instantly!” Damian excitedly concluded before saying: “I shot some wild hares too, but the boar was the main prize for me on that day. And then on my second hunt, I shot a deer- but they’re found further into the southern parts, where there are poisonous snakes and the trees thicken somewhat. Father won’t be taking us there though.”

“…oh.”

Despondent Alex appeared yet again and this caused Daiman to ask, “Hmm, what’s wrong?”

“Mmm, I’m beginning to feel nervous about the hunt again.  I’ve been practising quite a lot, but still…” Alex said, not finishing his thought.

“What?...There’s nothing to be nervous about at all. I’m quite certain that you’ll do well.”

➵

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Update: 23rd May '23- Episode edited to novel format