[Mid-morning]

[Southern Kingdom - Saaramae* Plains]

*((w/n: pronounced - Sa -ara- may))

Warm and dry. The North-easterly winds came in and whipped through the many white tents of the camp, picking up dust; it danced and swirled around the base of flag poles bearing the crests of various clans. 

And now, on another greatly anticipated hunting day, the southern men would take delight in their two week event. With the loud blast of horns to signal the start, young boys and men took off. Numerous hooves thundered against the arid savannah flats. Along with indistinguishable sounds of yelling and calling of the riders.

Alex felt delighted and free. All nervousness and anxious thoughts escaped him from the moment he began riding.

Though still morning, the heat from the glowing yellow orb which observed them in the crisp blue sky, stung at the faces of the riders. 

As the dusty clearing approached; some took off this way and another group that way - into the maze of trees and fallen leaves. 

Alex glanced to his right and found that his brother was not beside him but rode behind. Smiling to himself he then urged his horse onwards. To go faster. And soon enough, Alex was leading his own little hunting party towards a cluster of scorched tall trees and thorny bushes.

Deliberate and slower paced, he weaved through them while avoiding the whip like branches. He then recalled Damian’s tale and of how little effort it was for his brother to encounter the wild boar. 

Alex began to wonder to himself; as he took hold of his bow and slowly reached behind his back for an arrow, as to how long it would take him.

Further and further within he went. Arrow gently notched. Arms relaxed. Eyes alert. Completely focused. And Alex soon realised that he was alone. Glancing behind, he thought

{Brother and the others should be along shortly. - They were right behind m-}

-RUSTLE!-

The sound immediately drew his mind back towards his task. 

Something had scurried past him when he was not looking and darted through the bushes. Perhaps a ground hare, he thought. And then-

Dashing across him; bolting away, a flash of short tusks and a flailing little tail. 

While he, almost as quickly, took off behind it.

It was indeed as Damian had said -  a flighty creature it was. For the thing darted over there and the next, shot itself somewhere else. It had such short legs, Alex wondered how it was possible. 

He attempted to keep pace; and that he did, with much bobbing and weaving and jumping through and over obstacles. 

Then finally - he saw that he had it. It was trapped. And the shot was his to make. 

Immediately he drew and aimed at the boar. The cornered animal furiously grunted while it circled itself. 

Only then did he take notice of how harsh his own breaths were. So he steadied himself. 

But somehow, the longer he stared at the frantic animal before him, the less inclined he felt to release the arrow.

So, he did not. At least at first. Because with a sudden grunt and a short aggressive charge from the beast, his horse startled. And he in turn, wildly shot at the boar. The arrow missed. The only purpose the arrow served was to further frighten and infuriate the beast.

It snorted and squealed. Kicking up dirt and dust as it ferociously launched forward with its stubby legs. Straight towards him. 

The horse excitedly bucked in its haste to escape. Failing to take hold of the reins, Alex screamed as he ungraciously fell onto the ground.

His horse fled. He was now all alone; save for a short, angry bull which now sought to be the one to do the killing.

He scrambled backwards through dirt and leaves, pushing off with his elbows and feet. 

It rushed closer. He could see its teeth. 

It was almost upon him. He could smell its stench. 

So, he screamed and covered his face. Closing his eyes and preparing to feel pain. Intense and excruciating pain.

However, what he felt next was sudden and overwhelming relief. 

For he heard the beast give a high-pitched squeal and then a soft thud. 

Past his dirty hands, he saw that the animal now laid dead. It stared at him with blackened eyes, as it rested on its side; and two arrows pierced into the rib cage.

**

**

Besides the deafening thumping sound in his head; he heard absolutely nothing around him. 

His chest rose and fell with a speed he could not control. 

And when he saw the panicked face of his eldest brother towering over him, it was then he realised the enormity of the disaster he had caused and that his father would not be pleased with what occurred - should he be made aware of it.

[Roman's Journal entry]

---------*----------

24th June 18xx

I accompanied Alex on his first hunt today, Things did not turn out well. Not even a half hour into the hunt and Alexander had already excitedly rode off in pursuit of his first kill.

I briefly lost sight of him and when I did find him, it was because of his scream.

His horse had fled. And he sat on the ground - frozen to the spot. When I called out to him, he failed to hear me in his fright. A wild boar was charging at him. Why didn't he think to defend himself? He did in fact wear his hunting dagger. Instead, I shot and killed it with a couple of arrows. 

Then, Damian appeared.

Why did he have to bring father along?

-----

**

**

Roman: Why didn't you protect yourself? You could've died!

Alex: I- I'm not certain. I didn't know what to do. I-

Roman: Quick! Stand.

Dusting himself off, Alex looked around and asked

Alex: Where's my horse?

Roman: It ran off. The servants will retrieve it. Come, let's move on before father-

Damian: Hey! Roman! What happened? Everything alright over there?!

Roman: …

Damian called out as he rode up towards the two.

The Southern King, along with his personal guards and a few servants followed not far behind.

Tall and proud, Roman stood as he hastily addressed Alex. He spoke while maintaining his focus on those approaching. 

Damian was now leaping off his steed and striding across the dried grass, making his way towards them.

Alex observed that his brother's face had returned to its usual pensive and stern expression as he said

Roman: Remain quiet and let me explain to father of what took place. Understood?

Alex: -nod-

Damian: Are you two okay? What happened?! Alex!...you're covered in dirt...

He worriedly exclaimed while removing dried leaves out of Alex’s messy hair

Damian: Are you hurt?

Alex: N-

Roman: He's fine Damian!

-Whinny!-

Roman led with Alex a step behind along with Damian towards their father who now approached on horseback. 

Self-assured and commanding, he sat atop the horse; irritation plainly etched on his face, glaring intensely downwards at his sons. The King then demanded

Southern King: Speak! NOW!

A quick and respectful nod was given. Roman spoke up and calmly explained saying

Roman: Father, Alexander's horse was spooked by the boar, he fell and I shot and killed the beast.

The King’s eyes moved from Roman’s unreadable expression to Alex's, who was trying his best not to appear fearful.

However, Alex felt his breaths becoming quite unsteady as he internally tried to remember to maintain eye contact as he spoke.

Southern King: Is that what happened Alexander?

Alex: Yes, Father

As if searching to find the lie in his son's simple answer, the King glared at him and questioned 

Southern King: Is that so? Are you certain that it was indeed the horse becoming spooked by the boar?...

Alex: ...

The irate King continued

Southern King: ...and it was not instead because of your incompetence and pitiful lack of skill which resulted in your fall?! LOOK AT ME!

Alex had momentarily dropped his gaze

Southern King: Answer me!

Alex: Yes, father

Southern King: Yes, what Alexander?!

Alex: I- I lacked the ability t- to control my horse

Southern King: ...AND?!

Alex: ..a-and I'll do better-

Southern King: No! You won't do 'better', YOU WON'T EVER DO IT AGAIN!!

Utterly disgusted, he furiously pulled on the reins and as he turned he made sure to mention

Southern King: Expect to be disciplined when we return

Then, calling out to everyone present, he said

Southern King: Continue the hunt!

Downwards Roman glanced, and he noticed that his brother now stood beside him quite red in the face with downcast eyes and trembling lips.

➵