Chapter 1 Part 1
Blaine crouched, back bent, concealed in the undergrowth; the woods around him quiet, sleeping. Keeping his eyes sharp, he waited for any sign of movement.
Edging forward, in a crouched position, he was careful not to disturb anything that lay beneath him. Any noise, a rustle or snap of a twig as he slowly moved, and it would be over.
His ears caught something his eyes could not see. He froze, his legs protesting against the sudden stillness in his body. A deer moved into Blaine’s vision. He smiled to himself as the deer’s ears pricked and swiveled, at a constant ready for some unforeseen predator. The deer lowered its head seemingly happy that it was in no immediate danger. Blaine took this moment to carefully slip his bow off his shoulder and retrieve an arrow from his quiver. Looking up he checked the deer again; it was still grazing happily unaware that its death was a breath away. Blaine sucked in that breath and held it. He set the arrow to the bow, pulled his arm back and…..
“Master Blaine!”
The deer started, lifting its head, then bolted straight into the thickness of the trees.
Blaine relaxed his arm, releasing the tension in his muscles slowly, and sighed a curse of annoyance. The arrow he pushed back into its place in the quiver, before slipping the bow once again over his shoulder.
“Master Blaine!” the call came again.
Blaine stood to his full height, which was over a good six feet, his gaze lingering on the place the deer had been grazing only a few moments before. A small, skinny man bustled around the trunk of a tree and hurried at the sight of Blaine.
“There you are, Sir.”
Blaine sighed again and turned to face the small man that had disturbed his bounty. “Caswallan, this had better be good.”
Caswallan looked Blaine up and down, obviously taking in his hunting garb and weapons. He smiled sheepishly. “I’m sorry, Sir.”
Blaine smiled, despite his annoyance, wanting to reassure his assistant. “No matter, was there something you needed me for?”
Caswallan seemed slightly perplexed but collected his thoughts soon enough. “Oh yes, of course. You are wanted at the castle, by your father.”
“Any particular reason?”
“Yes, yes, certainly. An urgent Alliance meeting, Sir.”
“An Alliance meeting?” Blaine began to walk towards the castle, retracing, the way that Caswallan had arrived. “There isn’t supposed to be one for another month. Do you know what it’s in regard to?”
Caswallan looked flustered and hurried to keep up with Blaine. “I’m sorry Sir, all I was told was that I must fetch you right away.”
“That’s fine, Caswallan, let my father have his secrets,” Blaine quickened his pace. “Could you go ahead and let them know I’m on my way.”
“Of course sir, of course,” Caswallan rushed off ahead of Blaine to do his duty.
Blaine watched him go and had to admit that even though the man looked constantly nervous, he was enthusiastic. He probably could benefit from a little more training but he was proving to be a very proficient assistant already.
An urgent Alliance meeting? Something important must have happened. Blaine was intrigued but also begrudged having to spend the rest of the day in a meeting with people much above his own age, who rarely paid attention to his input. His father later murmured compliments on what Blaine had said in the meeting but usually out of earshot of the nobles. Rarely did anyone within the meeting even acknowledge his presence, other than the obligatory abeyance made to the King’s son. No doubt two nobles were having a mini civil war over boundary issues.
Coming to the edge of the trees and leaving the gloom behind him, Blaine walked out into the evening sunlight. The last rays were hitting Castle Lenbard, the residence of the Kings of Janovia, shining the roof tiles as they slid down to sparkle on the dark windows.
Blaine stopped to gaze at the spectacle, then remembering his purpose, he continued forward up the path towards the castle. He was just about to enter the main gates that led to the castle’s keep, when something caught his attention. He came to a standstill, turning, surveying a section of undergrowth, which ran alongside the outer castle wall. He was certain he had seen movement out of the corner of his eye. Now, however, everything seemed still, eerily still.
“Sir! Sir! They are waiting for you!” Caswallan was hurrying down the steps of the keep towards Blaine.
Damn the man; Blaine’s earlier annoyance came back. He continued to stare at the undergrowth waiting for movement.
“Sir! The Alliance meeting!” Caswallan was beside him now shaking his arm gently, hoping to snap him out of his reverie. Blaine jerked his arm from Caswallan’s grip, vexed at being disturbed from his examination of the undergrowth. “What is it?”
“Your father Sir, he is waiting for you.”
“Yes, I know,” and with one last prolonged look at the undergrowth, Blaine led the way across the courtyard and up the steps into the keep.
******
Blaine strode to the door of the grand hall, halting an arm’s length from its strong oak planking. He had not changed from his hunting attire but given Caswallan his bow and quiver. He was late. The nobles would already be gathered and no doubt, already fighting.
Blaine exhaled a long, low sigh. He composed his facial features, making sure no trace of his aversion to these meetings showed in his demeanor. He then inhaled deeply and, placing his hand on the large metal circle of the handle, twisted it to release the latch. He pushed the door open and stepped into the great hall knowing that every eye would turn to him.
The light from the high arched windows overwhelmed his eyes, burning into his retina. It made him stop, hesitate in the doorway, to allow his vision to adjust.
“Ah Blaine, take a seat,” a voice rich, deep and commanding, emanated from across the room.
Opposite the door a long thin table ran the length of the hall, wooden benches tucked underneath in readiness for the evening’s meal. The men, the nobles of course, were gathered at one end of the table, and as Blaine had expected, were all staring in his direction.
“Well, are you coming in or not Blaine? We’ve been waiting,” it was the voice from before, Blaine’s father, King Gorsed of Janovia. Blaine dipped his head slightly in acknowledgement, closed the door behind him, and took the seat opposite his father. He could now see the magnificent tapestries of rich reds and browns which hung lining the walls. If the meetings became too tedious he would often look up losing himself in the depths of the picture, until recalled back to the table by minor dignitary.
“Good Gracious! Is he still wearing his hunting clothes?” Mailan of Grundork barked loudly, in what Blaine supposed was to be a side comment to his neighbor.
“My apologies Lord Mailan. I was, after all, hunting when Caswallan arrived with the message and came as soon I was able,” Blaine smiled politely ignoring the insult.
“Yes well we’ll let it go, for now, but it wouldn’t hurt for you to show some respect. That is hardly dress for an Alliance Meeting, especially for a young…Prince.”
Blaine endeavored to keep a polite smile on his face, whilst trying not to rise to Mailan’s bait. The man was infuriating, but powerful, and not a man to cross lightly.
to be continued....
Well I tried to take on your comments and added in your suggestions. I also wrote down all your tips about grammar and mainly punctuation and then went back through this and tried to apply it all. It probably still isn't 100% and I bet I ended up putting punctuation where it wasn't actually needed lol. But I tried! and will keep trying
I've also been busy, but for some reason I haven't had the reviewing mood for a long time, and I apologize. It certainly hasn't got anything to do with you or your story!
