I never thought that I would be blackmailed. But this morning, a folded letter was sitting on my doorstep with my girlfriends silver necklace loosely wrapped around it. I didn't really understand it at first. Maybe she had gone off with some merchant. I leaned over and snatched it from the wooden stair. I shook the necklace off and opened the letter. It read:
"Master Lindel,314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡimbxH5D6Y3
We have your girlfriend. You are to kill Lord Bradley's daughter within the next twenty four hours and bring her body to the Blue Lady. Guards will be there to relieve you of her corpse. You have until midnight to deliver. If you should fail, we assure you, the results won't be pretty.
-Your delightful friends
Oh and by the way, our little lady in waiting was seen fleeing through the west gate at dawn. Good hunting."
The asshats. To give them credit, I was the only tracker in this place that was worth a damn. The only reason I wasn't the lords huntsman by now was because the current huntsman threw me out before I could take his job.
It was the middle of winter. He had sent me back to my lodge in the forest because there were never any hunts once the snow hit. Bradley always hated the cold and he was the only one allowed to lead a hunt. He was stupidly prideful in that way. But anyway, I was out checking my traps for rabbits. Snow covered the barren ground as I hunched over one of my snares. I was fiddling with a new slip knot, hoping to fill my empty stomach. I heard a branch snap. My head snapped up and I saw a scrawny doe limping through the snow. Its ragged hide was covered in mud and a large gash ran across its back thigh which was matted in blood. It wouldn't survive the winter. So I stood up and drew my bow. And released.
The huntsman came to my cabin a few days later for god knows why. He opened the door to find me leisurely cooking a venison steak with a couple of cuts hanging from the rafters. His face slowly darkened. He turned and slammed the door behind him before I could say anything.
"You're banished!" He yelled as he stormed off.
So here I am, sixteen, unemployed, and now blackmailed.
But I'll survive. I always have.
I turned back inside, walking through the open kitchen/eating room. A small table and a pair of chairs sat to my right. Along the left wall was my counter, which was basically a giant oak slab that operated as my cutting board. In the back corner sat a wood fired oven. My dad was a baker and he had made it years ago when he built this place. Strange, I don't think about him much.
I ducked underneath some herbs that were drying and found my chest against the back wall. I crouched and flipped it open. I rifled through it and found a shirt, my hunting jacket, and some trousers. I put those on and headed back towards the door. On my way out, I snatched up my bow and quiver.
I walked down the stairs and followed the deer trail that twisted though the trees. The forest was just staring to bloom. Wild flowers had just sprouted out of the ground. The trees were budding and I could hear birds playfully chirping as they chased each other branch to branch. A cool breeze brushed against my face. I wished I could relax and take it easy today. But there was work to be done. I walked until I hit the main road leading north to the castle. Finally I reached the west gate. I searched around for a while until I found footprints that led back into the forest. I followed them until I heard the sound of rushing water.
I found her sitting on a large, flat rock with her feet trailing lazily in the river. It was a good shot, unobstructed by the trees. I could kill her right now. But maybe she's now even the Lords daughter. Why the hell would I kill her anyway. My girlfriend is kind of a bitch anyway. And I've only known her for maybe two months. Shouldn't I just find the people blackmailing me and kill them? Possibilities flooded my mind. Stupid stupid stupid. I frustratedly got up and bumbled through the undergrowth. I plopped down on the grass next to her. I pretended not to notice her existence.
An awkward silence hung in the air.
"Hi" She said finally.
"Hi" I responded.
"So, are you here to kill me?" She asked.
I looked at her for what seemed like the first time. Even though she was staring across the river, her eyes drew you in. They were brown, but that was insignificant. They were deep and sad. The kind that threated to capture you and never let go. The kind that contained the secrets of the universe if only you looked hard enough. She was beautiful.
I suddenly became self conscious and looked away.
"Umm, I suppose so." I said slightly embarrassed.
"Well," She said rolling away from me and then popped up. She brushed her hair back and straightened up. "Let's get this over with."
"Wait, I just told you that I'm supposed to kill you and you act like I'm about to give you a haircut or some shit."
"Well, there is no point of running, is there? You look like a hunter and this space is pretty open."
I rubbed my eyes thinking of what to say. She walked over and grabbed a arrow out of my quiver.
"I have nothing to live for." She said, tears in her eyes.
And then she stabbed herself in the throat.
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