"Jin, don't you dare," whispered Christill. The cat, who had dived low to the ground in a hunting stance, looked up at him to show its displeasure.
He watched as the flint hare moved slowly from its burrow and cautiously surveyed the area. Christill stayed as still as he could, arrow fully drawn in his right hand, his left hand struggling to hold his new bow completely steady. He had never attempted to make a kill from this distance, but this bow was much larger than the one he was used to. The smiths had fashioned him a composite bow out of horn and wood and he was pleased with the result. Although tougher to draw, the bow had proved substantially more powerful and could cover a larger distance than the old one.
He watched patiently, waiting for the right moment and then let the arrow loose. It soared with a faint whistle, cutting the air in a sharp line. Christill rose from his crouch and watched the arrow dart past the hare and hit the ground several feet behind it. The hare leapt from its spot in fear and hurried back into its lair.
Christill cried out in frustration and Jin let out a low growl to show his own disappointment.
"Trust me, I feel much worse than you do," Christill replied, laying his hand on the large cat's back. He hooked his bow over his shoulder and led Jin back towards Hamal.
Since the night of the wedding he had spent what little free time that he had outside of the city. Siri and Cathan had moved into their own home straight after the wedding and since then Christill had not seen her. He had done everything in his power to keep her and Reinar from his mind. Now his promise to Thibalt to join him in one of his hunts was his new focus. And the opportunity had presented itself.
To mark the end of their training, the leaders of Hamal had announced a trial. They were to be pitted against one another in a hunting competition, with the first to return to Hamal with the yet to be announced quarry, to be marked as the champion of their year. Thibalt had told him to stand up for himself, to show his strength. Now he was determined to do so.
Thibalt spent his own time with Beanon, who continued to teach him the more complex methods of weapon smithing. He endured long nights in the forge watching Beanon pound metal together with fierce strikes. When he was able to get away, he joined Palen and some of the other Miirvkin boys in the training grounds, gaining a feel for his newly forged axe.
The final day of their training arrived and the two brothers joined their Miirvkin counterparts in what would be their last day as youths. The excitement was etched into their expressions, all knowing that they would be shaping their own path from hereon. From tomorrow they would be considered true Miirvkin men. More so, they were relieved to be finishing the arduous schooling that had taken up every waking moment of their last eight years.
For Thibalt it marked a day where he would finally be free to join the smiths permanently. Beanon had already found a spot for him in the forge and Thibalt did not think twice about accepting the position.
Christill also attended their final classes with a renewed vigour. Despite the uncertainty that his future held, he was excited. He was confident that he would be able to prove to everyone that he was not a weakling. That he was as much a man as all the others. Even if he had no profession waiting for him, he would emerge from the hunt victorious. He promised himself that much.
In the morning, the Disciple made a short appearance and announced that he was astonished by the fact that none of them had failed in their training. His eyes lingered on Thibalt and Christill for a moment and then he sent them to their final lesson with Reinar. Both brothers avoided their father, as they had since Siri's wedding, and were pleased once allowed to head back to Hamal and see Beanon for one last lesson.
As their final lesson with Beanon came to a close, they were gathered together for an announcement. Beanon being a favourite to many of the youths, the group felt a particular sadness at the end of their time with him.
"It has been an honour to teach you and I hope that you will all live admirable and adventurous lives," he began. "But before you take that final step towards becoming true Miirvkin there is a final task to be done. On the eve of the summer solstice you will all embark on a trial. You will leave in pairs heading deep into the vast Miirvkin Desert. The paths that you choose will be your own, as will be the tools that you use."
The noise increased dramatically as the boys chatted loudly, forming partnerships and already discussing tactics. Christill looked at Thibalt, who had a thick smile on his face, and could tell he was thinking the same thing.
"Well it looks like you will get a chance to prove yourself after all," said Thibalt.
"Don't worry, I will try not to embarrass you too badly."
"I am not finished yet," Beanon interrupted. "This will be no ordinary hunt for herd beasts and foragers. You will have five days in which you must hunt down a Gorinian Devil and return to Hamal with its corpse."
The excited chatting was quickly replaced by a chilling silence. The group was left speechless, some openly showing their horror. Thibalt and Christill, who a moment before wore confident smiles, now sat in silence, colour drained from their faces.
The Gorinian Devils, which at times grew to over five feet, were amongst the fiercest creatures on the continent. Untamed and savage, they were avoided by Miirvkin hunters. The boys recalled the small Devil they had seen chase down a deer in the Arcein Arena and felt their spirits sink further.
"You cannot expect this," Cathan said, staring open eyed at Beanon.
Beanon chuckled loudly, pleased with the effect of this news. "I tell no lie, son of Bearn. On the eve of the solstice you will all gather in the Mul'Pha square. Practice well and make sure that you are adequately supplied. That is all I that have to say."
The room filled with the buzz of a hundred questions as every boy bombarded Beanon with further queries. Beanon raised his hand silently and the boys knew enough to realize that they were not going to receive any more help from him. The excitement that had been thick in the air was now replaced with anxiety. The youths slowly split into their pairs and began to eye each other with suspicion.
"Let's get out of here," Thibalt suggested.
Christill hurried after him, leaving the remaining boys to bicker amongst themselves. "I must have sand in my ears. It sounded as though he said Gorinian Devil?"
Thibalt shook his head. "It would appear that they don't want us to become real men after all. Surely we cannot be expected to survive an encounter with one of those beasts."
"We are going to have to practice a little more then. Especially given the solstice is but a week away."
"Then I suggest you spend every moment of it practicing with that stick of yours if you want any chance of beating me."
Christill raised his brow. "You will not be so smug when I enter Hamal triumphantly, with the carcass of the largest Gorinian Devil ever seen born upon my shoulders," he replied, tensing his arms to show his muscles. Christill then changed direction and began to walk to the northern part of the city.
"Where are you going, little brother?" Thibalt yelled.
"You told me to practice."
Thibalt waved goodbye and headed home. "The largest Devil ever seen," he laughed.
Dawn of the Valiant (The Valerious Chronicles: Book One) Page 14