n

n

n'My butt is aching, hnnggg'

nSitting atop a horse sure is uncomfortable. We have been riding for two hours straight now and here we are, chasing a swift deer in the woods.

nThe others had went ahead and left us in the dust, I knew it…

n

"Tch,

" Nathan clicked his tongue,

"Nadia…

"

n

"Yes?

" I yelled through the wind. I could not hear myself at all.

n

"I will try to get as close as possible then shoot it with your arrow.

"

n'Shoot?! But it is not a still target, how am I going to do that?!'

nI looked onward, watching the sprinting deer who seemed to disappear within the trees, and gulped. I have practiced before, yes, but only on a target board. But this… it's moving, and very fast at that! I don't think I can do it… .

n

"B-but…

"

n

"Do it,

" he says,

"I know you can.

"

n'Brother, you have too much faith in me…'

n

"Fine then! But don't expect me to hit it okay?

"

nI grabbed an arrow from my back, now how am I supposed to remain balanced?!

nMaybe Nathan heard my thoughts because he immediately wrapped one of his arms around my waist and leaned to the other side so that my arm could stretch out to pull the string.

n'This seems so dangerous it is making me nervous…'

nNathan grabbed the reins and the horse zipped forward like the wind now, and it's totally giving me whiplash. I raised my bow, while my eyes glued at the deer's behind. I think I saw Ezekiel not far from us but I ignored it and just focused forward.

n'Steady… steady…'

n

"Now!

" Nathan shouted.

nIt surprised me which made me almost lose my hold, but I didn't and shot the arrow smoothly.

nIt whizzed forward, and I thought I almost got it. But then the deer suddenly changed direction and only grazed it before lodging itself on a tree.

n'Damn it!'

n

"Ah, it got away,

" Ezekiel joins us at the side.

nYes, it did. It had disappeared from our sight now.

nThe horse slowed down, and we stopped right before a clearing. Bea and Noah came after some moments, looking exhausted.

n'Ahhh, my butt, my face, and my ears hurt…'

n

"Sorry Nathan,

" I mumbled as we got down.

n

"It is fine, you almost got it anyway,

" he says.

n

"Yeah, almost…

"

n'I need to practice more, huh. And with a moving target this time.'

nEzekiel sidled beside us,

"I saw it. You were great, Nadia.

"

n

"But I did not shoot it though,

" I pouted.

n

"But at least you grazed it, that is already an incredible feat,

" he says and smiles at me.

n

"Three-horned deers are really hard to catch. Only a few ever caught one,

" Noah voiced out after tying his horse on a tree and let it graze there.

n

"Dad caught three and won the competition,

" Nathan mentions.

nI gawked at his words.

n'Wooow~ He had caught that fast as hell deer? And three at that? He sure is awesome.'

nBea then joined us under the shade of a big tree after securing her horse nearby. It was then decided that we are resting for a moment before trying again. We sat there drinking water and basking in the peacefulness of the surroundings.

nHow ironic is it for a forest teeming with monsters and dangers to be called serene? Well, it does, at this moment.

n

"Where do you think Conrad and the others are at this moment?

" I inquired as I stared up at the blue cloudless sky.

nBea shrugs and munched on a cookie I had brought with me.

n

"They're probably playing around,

" Ezekiel replies.

n'I bet they have captured a lot within these two hours. And here we are, getting nothing…'

n

"You think there might be some creatures nearby that we could catch?

" Noah mutters as he surveyed the trees beyond.

nI wonder what part of the forest we are now in. I could still see some marking stones so it doesn't look like we're in too deep. The royal family had ordered them to put those stone markings for those who venture into the forest regularly. It is a sign that it is still considered safe as long as you see them.

n

"Yeah, maybe we can look around but not too far,

" Ezekiel says and stood up from the tree root he was sitting on.

nNoah got up as well and grabbed his sword from the horse's saddle.

nEzekiel turns to us,

"You coming too, Nathan?

"

nNathaniel glanced at me, so I nodded.

n'Jeez, I don't want to hold him back anymore.'

n

"We're fine here, we will look out for the horses so you can go on without us. Unless Bea wants to go either,

" I said.

nBea shakes her head,

"I'll stay here with Nadia.

"

nNathan was looking reluctant at first but because nothing seems wrong anyway, and the fact that it was an open clearing, he then agreed after a while. Moreover, they were only going around the perimeter and not going that far, so if there were problems, they could easily get back to us.

n

"Shout when something happens,

" Nathaniel reminded me.

n

"What could happen? Like the wild boar appearing?

" I chuckled and waved at them,

"Go on. We are going to yell so loud if any wild snakes slithered to us.

"

nI was just kidding anyway but knowing me, I tend to jinx myself all the time.

n

"We'll be back quickly!

" Ezekiel says.

nWe watched as the three of them set forth and disappeared behind the bushes. Now, Bea and I are alone. The only thing that I could hear is the rustling of leaves being caressed by the wind and the faraway chirping of birds. It was such a serene atmosphere that it was making me feel drowsy. Add the fact that I was seriously exhausted from the horseback riding from earlier.

n'Hmm, how to chase away boredom and sleepiness…'

nIt wasn't helping that Bea was a woman of few words. I could not possibly engage in a heated talk or debate with her to spend the time. So what could we do?

n