Chapter 20 Ariah
ARIAH
The more Iann speaks the more I realize how much he enjoys sharing his knowledge and adventures with others. He has moments of insecurities, questioning if he should continue or not, but with each hesitation I make a point to ask a question that opens him up to sharing more.
His life seems so thrilling it’s hard not to get wrapped up in his stories. Oh, how I wish I had something as grand to tell him, but there isn’t much to see or do in Foxhead, and my anecdotes somehow feel insufficient in comparison.
Iann theorizes different ways to catch the whitethorne. Never having hunted in my life, I listen and agree to take whatever route he thinks is best.
We bring along a hound, one Iann allows to roam ahead of us. In addition to our new four-legged friend, there is one guard, from Saden, accompanying us, as well as Iann’s courtier, Eli.
Eli carries our supplies in a large sack over his shoulder along with a cage in his left hand for any foxes we can find.
“So, if you were a fox, where would you hide?” Iann asks playfully.
I clear my throat at the irony of the question.
Of course, he is referring to the animal, but for a second, I think he’s referring to something else entirely.
I force a smile and tap a finger on my chin.
“If I were a fox, I would stick to the shadows, where I can watch my prey and potential hunters.”
He nods. “They are quite cunning like that. We need to find an area that’s perfect for hiding.”
Brushing aside a bush that blocks our path, it begins to rustle and birds come flying out. I duck my head until I realize they are only little red robins.
Iann, however, nearly knocks me into a tree in his panic.
Eli, releases a soft chuckle behind us that he smothers with a cough. “They are only robins, My Grace. Would you like me to scare them off?”
There is a quick flash of embarrassment, but Iann composes himself. “No, Eli. They startled me, that’s all.” He sucks in a sharp breath before putting his finger to his lips.
“Are you alright?” I take his hand without warning, causing him to flinch until he realizes I’m trying to help.
“It’s a minor splinter. I think I’ll survive.”
“I have no doubt.” From my pocket, I pull one of my many needles. “Do you mind? Removing it now will make it less painful for you later. Plus, I’ll never hear the end of it if you catch an infection.”
He chuckles and relaxes his hand. “Very well.”
It takes a little concentration and a few seconds to extract the sliver of wood.
“Do you always carry sewing needles with you?” It isn’t Iann who asks, but Eli. “Most people I know carry daggers or blades, not items intended for mending clothing.”
Iann cuts him a cautious look but it only makes me smile, because I am in fact carrying both.
“Always. You’d be surprised at the many talents a good needle and skilled seamstress possess.”
Eli finds humor in the answer.
“I overheard a few of the servants speak of spotting a fox near the creek this morning.” My needle finds its home back in my pocket and we return to the hunt.
“Might be worth a shot, Ia—Your Highness,” Eli seconds the idea.
It’s not a bad idea. I haven’t had much time to explore all of the castle grounds, but I do know of a spot near the creek that is a perfect hiding ground for creatures.
“This way,” I direct our small group.
I lead us through the forest where leaves are transforming from their greenish hues to an assortment of yellows and oranges. The air is losing its heat from months past and holds a cooler breeze. My lungs expand with the scent of oak and loose traces of cinnamon.
The hound stops a few feet in front of me, cocking his head to the left. He listens for a few seconds before his nose is back to the ground picking up new scents. He must hear the water in the creek because after a few moments I pick up on a trickling sound.
“Do you think we’ll find it?” I ask Iann, who quickens his pace until he matches my stride. “Or do you think the Queen is sending us on a wild chase?”
“You tell me.” He laughs. “She’s your queen. Would she send us on a hunt for something that doesn’t exist?”
My immediate thought is yes. I assume Queen Cayleen would get a thrill out of watching people fight to find something she knows is a myth.
“It’s hard to know with the Queen. She’s difficult to read at times.” I stop and question how much about her I should share with him. “It may exist, and if it does I feel our chances of finding one today might be slim.”
Iann shrugs. “That’s alright. It means our competition’s chances are slim as well. If anything, this can just be a mini-adventure.”
He’s so positive it’s hard to believe his outlook is genuine, but at this moment I do. Plus, who can resist an adventure, even if it’s within the Queen’s back gardens.
We follow the hound to the creek and watch him sniff the rocks along the bank. Iann doesn’t want to use the metal traps provided to all groups by the Queen, so we focus on a more gentle approach.
We search for hours along the creek, venturing the farthest north I’ve been on the castle grounds.
The time fills itself with more talking, mostly how court in Haymel differs from Saden’s.
Iann shares stories of his family. His grandmother in particular seems to be a feisty soul I would love to meet.
The hound stops, nostrils flaring near a medium sized boulder set between the creek and a row of trees.
“What is it, boy?” Iann whispers and slows his pace.
My movements lag with him, and I signal for the others to fall back.
The hound sniffs endlessly near an opening between the rocks. I call the hound back, patting him for a job well done as Iann inspects the rocks.
“I hear something,” he calls back, removing his coat and setting it on the dry rocks next to him. “I probably shouldn’t stick my hand in, should I?” he jokes.
“Might get it out faster.” I laugh. “Are we sure it’s even a fox?” I continue to keep the hound next to me despite its eagerness to get away.
“Let me try—” He’s cut short when we hear an arrow flying through the air.
It gets stuck in the trunk of the tree beside me causing the dog to become frightened.
The hound pushes off the ground with all his strength, breaking my hold on him, which sends me flying back.
I land right in the creek. My dress immediately soaks up all the water possible.
The only thing that doesn’t get wet is my head since I’m able to hold it above the shallow water.
Iann doesn’t see the hound charge in his direction and he too gets knocked into the creek, the water only soaking his pants.
Eli and the guard stand with arrows drawn, but suddenly lower them, Eli taking a little longer to release the arrow’s hold on his target.
Yards away from the creek are Prince Marcel and Vera who are still in position with their bows. Behind them is the rest of Prince Marcel’s party.
They look to have caught many redtail and silvershadow foxes, clearly winning our little competition. I don’t know if it’s their obvious win or the fact it’s Vera’s fault that I’ve fallen into the creek that pisses me off more.
Iann comes into view and offers me a hand. My insides are raging but I keep my calm in front of the princes.
Suddenly, our hound starts barking, behaving crazier than before, and starts chasing something that scurries out of the cluster of rocks.
I blink triple speed at the sight. The fox running near us is not a redtail nor a silvershadow.
“You’ve got to be kidding me,” I whisper between Iann and me.
A whitethorn fox, with the sleekest, shimmering fur, spotted with black comes running at us.
Iann pulls me in close, his dry body providing me warmth as the fox and hound race behind me.
In one quick movement Eli drops all the supplies, lowers the cage to the ground and watches the fox’s every movement.
Too concerned with the giant dog chasing it, the fox runs right into the cage, and we are the first team to capture a whitethorn.
“We did it,” I say, pulling away from Iann to look him in the eyes. I start jumping and he shares in on my enthusiasm. “We caught it!”
Prince Marcel calls out to me, “Job well done, brother. I didn’t think you would do it.”
Vera tosses me a half smirk, and the entire hunting party heads back to the castle.
Back in the courtyard where we began the hunt, the Queen grows overly excited about our findings. It’s almost as if she herself didn’t believe the rumors about the fox roaming her lands.
As she gives a small speech, Prince Marcel and Iann stand up there with her, and Iann finds me in the crowd and tosses me a wink.
Someone approaches my right side. From my periphery I see Vera come stand beside me. Together we watch the Queen show off her new pet.
“Looks like the White Fox caught a white fox,” Vera says.
“You shot at me,” I say coldly, not looking her way.
“I shot near you, not at you. If I wanted you dead, Ariah, I would have made it happen by now. Plus, the dead aren’t fun to play with.
” It takes me a few seconds, but I look at her as she keeps her vision on the Queen.
“Don’t be so bitter,” she continues, “You’re one of us now, you should be happy.
” Her gaze shifts from the Queen to the princes.
“You know, I’m not one to offer advice, but I will warn you to be careful. ”
“Of what? You? I’m not afraid of you, Vera.” My stance gets a little taller, but this only seems to humor her.
“It’s forbidden for a person from Haymel to be with someone from Saden.” She sees me open my mouth and stops my words by continuing on, “And even more deadly to defy a queen.”
There is a sudden bird call and we both turn to see Chana hooded and standing at the edge of the crowd. She nods in our direction.
“Time to go, White Fox. We have other matters to attend to.”