Meanwhile, at the Royal College...
Vesairus prepared for the hunt.
It would be his first true recreational outing since his arrival at the Royal College, and the excitement swelling within him was difficult to contain. Not only did the idea of hunting stir his instincts, but there was also a thrill in bonding with the twins—Jaho and Jago. He felt a sense of ease around them that he hadn't expected when he first stepped into the College's grand halls. The bond was real, and it gave him hope.
He strapped his sharpened dagger to his side, slung a quiver of arrows over his shoulder, and picked up his finely polished bow—its curved body gleaming in the morning light.
Just as he stepped into the corridor, a familiar voice called to him.
"I was just heading to your room, young Alpha," said Oliver, his steward. "But it seems you're off somewhere."
Vesairus raised an eyebrow, offering a smile but keeping his tone casual. "Heading out for a hunt with the boys."
Oliver's brow furrowed. "And where exactly is this… hunting practice taking place?"
"The Silverwood Forest."
At that, Oliver's demeanor changed. His expression turned grave, the lines around his eyes deepening with concern. "Young Alpha," he said, his voice low but firm, "I do not oppose your desire to bond with your peers. You've hunted Blackwood with your father—I've seen your skill. But Silverwood is no playground. It holds more predators than prey. It is a dangerous place."
Vesairus gave a confident grin and waved off the warning. "It's not my first hunt, Oliver. You worry too much."
Oliver stepped forward. "Then allow me to accompany you. If only to keep watch."
But Vesairus was already walking away, laughing. "What would that make me? The boy who brought his steward on a hunt?"
Oliver sighed but didn't press further. There was no reasoning with the son of Sairus once his mind was made.
---
At the Edge of Silverwood...
Far from the stone towers and courtyards of the College, the morning sun filtered through towering trees as Jaho, Jago, Kaliana, and several others gathered at the edge of Silverwood.
Jaho turned, spotting Vesairus in the distance. "Finally!" he called out, his grin wide. "I thought you'd changed your mind."
"Not at all," Vesairus replied with a smirk, catching his breath. But then he saw her.
Kaliana.
She stood apart from the group, bow already in hand, calm and sharp-eyed. There was something untamed in the way she carried herself—grace and danger in the same breath.
There she is again… the girl from the opening ceremony. That flame in the crowd.
Vesairus tried to focus, but the memory of her gaze that day stirred something deeper than interest. It stirred memory.
"Let's go!" Jaho called, slapping his brother on the shoulder as the group began to move into the trees.
Still caught in his thoughts, Vesairus leaned toward Jago. "I thought this was a boys-only hunt. What's she doing here?"
Jago chuckled. "My sister? She insisted on coming. Wouldn't take no for an answer. And besides, she's a better shot than both of us on most days."
Vesairus blinked. "She's your sister?"
"With pride," Jago said, puffing his chest. "Daughter of Kazili, Alpha of the Great Pack Kanujagu. Our mother trained all her children—boy or girl—to survive any terrain."
Before Vesairus could respond, Jaho raised a hand, signaling silence.
"Quiet now. If we keep talking, the prey will vanish. We're here to hunt, not parade."
He looked around, assessing the terrain. "It's a wide forest. We'll cover more ground if we split. You three—come with me. Jago, take Vesairus and Kaliana. We regroup here by twilight. Stay sharp."
---
**Back at the College...**
Sairus, Alpha of Zuganis and father to Vesairus, had arrived unannounced, hoping to see his son before departing for home. But when he asked after him, only Oliver was there to answer.
Sairus's voice thundered. "Where is my son?"
Oliver dropped to his knees, eyes to the floor. "Frakazi, please forgive me. He's gone to Silverwood. I tried to stop him. He would not listen. I failed you."
Sairus's expression darkened. "You let him wander into that cursed place? That forest swallows men twice his age—and you let him go, unguarded?"
But the fury in his voice gave way to something else. Worry. Fear only a father would dare carry.
Then, calmly, he said, "Get up. We ride. Now."
---
**Deep Within the Forest...**
The sun hung high as Vesairus, Kaliana, and Jago crept through the underbrush, their steps soft and practiced. But Vesairus's focus was split—drawn again and again to Kaliana. Her eyes were fixed ahead, alert and unmoved, while his heart seemed to race for reasons he couldn't name.
*Focus,* he told himself. *Stay sharp. Distraction leads to downfall.*
Suddenly, he froze. "Shhh," he whispered. "Antelope."
He pointed through the thicket, and both Kaliana and Jago followed his line of sight.
Vesairus nocked an arrow, pulled it back slowly, and let it fly.
The arrow pierced the animal's neck. It bolted forward but staggered quickly, already losing strength.
"We've wounded it! Come on!" Vesairus called, dashing after it with the others close behind.
But then—chaos.
A thunderous roar shattered the forest's silence.
The trees shook as a massive bear crashed into view, its bloodied snout twisted with rage. The wounded scent had drawn it. And it was far from full.
"Run!" Jago yelled, and the three darted in different directions.
But the bear chased Vesairus.
With desperation in his chest, Vesairus turned, loosed another arrow—this time into the bear's thick shoulder. It barely flinched.
He grabbed another.
But the beast was already upon him, roaring loud enough to shake the ground.
And then—
A spear ripped through the air with deadly force.
It buried itself in the bear's skull. The creature gave one last groan, then collapsed with a deafening crash, falling just feet from Vesairus.
Sairus stepped forward, breath steady, cloak fluttering behind him. Oliver stood beside him, spear still quivering in the bear's hide.
"Father," Vesairus breathed, heart pounding.
"Gather your friends," Sairus said quietly. "We're leaving."
"Yes, Father."
---
**The Meeting Point**
Back at the gathering place, Jaho, Jago, and Kaliana waited. When Sairus emerged from the trees with Vesairus behind him, a hush fell over the group.
Sairus stood tall before them, eyes sharp.
"This forest is no place for heirs," he said, his voice neither shouting nor soft—only true. "If harm had come to any of you, your stewards would have died. Your College would have answered to your blood. That kind of recklessness breeds rebellion… or worse—war."
He turned to Oliver. "Is the bear ready?"
"Yes, Frakazi."
"Good. Skin it. Cut it into pieces. I'll wear its hide as a reminder of the beast who dared chase my son."
Then he turned to the others. "Return to the College."
As they began to move, Sairus placed a hand on Vesairus's shoulder.
"Not you. Walk with me."
---
**A Father's Lesson**
They walked in silence for a time, only the sounds of birds and cracking leaves beneath their feet. Finally, Vesairus spoke.
"Father, I'm sorry. Oliver tried to warn me. I just thought—"
Sairus lifted a hand. "It's done. Don't let it happen again."
Vesairus nodded. "I understand."
Sairus glanced at him. "Oliver is more than a servant. He was appointed to guide you—listen to him. His wisdom might save your life."
A pause.
"But," Sairus added, "that shot at the antelope was clean. And drawing the bear away from your friends? That was instinct. Warrior instinct."
Vesairus's breath steadied. "Thank you, Father. Everything I know, I learned from you."
Sairus smirked. "Everything except your stubbornness. That, you got from your mother."
They both laughed, their laughter echoing through the trees like old stories returning home.
And together, they walked through Silverwood, the light of twilight stretching long before them.