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+JMJ+
Diary of a Hunter Prince
Part Eight
Being
the Fifth Day of the Harvest
Dear
Little Book,
I
remained in Kildimere until the wedding and coronation. I wanted to
cut down on any sailing. I went hunting crocodiles again. This time
only with Grant. He was very embarrassed over what happened last time
and quite ashamed of himself for not standing up to Ryker. But I put
the past behind me. After all I could go hunting again in peace.
When
the day of the coronation dawned the beautiful Capitol was even more
beautiful. The Pits had been cleaned and the people fed. Happy
children danced through the streets tossing flowers and leaves. My
family, who had arrived a week ago, took a tour from me, to see
everything. I suggested them arriving early so they had time to get
over their seasickness. Only Xander and Deborah failed to get sick.
Lucky for them. There were so many people crowding into the streets
that I was sure that someone would get lost. I was afraid I would not
make it to the palace in time. Toledio and I were groomsmen. Hugo got
to carry the crown and Cigore carried the banner with the coat of
arms.
Verek
came into Philip's chamber to find me before the wedding. A very
mournful looking Philip was wearing an ankle length red silk robe,
embroidered with gold and silver flowers and green leaves. His
shoulder length hair was braided. His golden embroidered slippers had
long pointed toes that curled and had a little bell at the end. I had
done a remarkable job not laughing. But one look at Verek's amazed
face and I fell over with uncontrollable laughter. I could not stop
even when Philip threatened to feed me to the crocodiles. But I did
stop laughing when I was shown what I was to wear. Then Philip smiled
and rubbed his hands gleefully. I refuse to describe it.
Anne,
looking every inch a princess, came up the isle escorted by father.
She was wearing a white robe that slit up the middle and a long
sleeve black silk tunic underneath. Her hair had been braided into a
tower and a red and white veil arranged on a tiara fell down her back
to the floor and over the front to her neck. Two gold bracelets were
on her left arm. In her right hand she carried a single lily. A
golden chain crossed over her breast and met in the back with a
silver clasp. When she reached Philip's side, she moved the Lily to
her left hand and took Philip's left hand in hers.
But
perhaps I have bored you enough. Who wants to hear every detail about
the marriage ceremony. They mixed the traditions of Kildimere and
Glittering Island so everyone would be happy. I thought it was
stupid. They should have done the Kildimerean version as it is less
stupid and showy. Anyway, after the vows, rings and bracelets were
exchanged, Philip and Anne were crowned, King and Queen of Kildimere.
The
only further thing of importance to note on this day, was that I
punched both Master Batrayo and the Honorable Jasper in the face. I
would have been punched in return, except Giselladona and her mousy
baby stepped between Batrayo and me, then Verek stepped between
Jasper and me. Jasper ended up accidentally punching Verek.
“This
is not over yet.” Verek told Jasper, “Punching innocent strangers
are you. Just you wait. I shall hunt you down and make you pay.”
Yaron then told them to behave themselves. I sauntered off feeling
proud of myself.
Regards,
Myself
Being
the Sixth Day of Harvest
Dear
Little Book,
As
I come to the closing pages of your book, I prepare to end my
adventures and head home. For old time sake, Goldie and I walked down
to the Pits. They were no longer a slum. Philip worked fast. But we
visited all the old places. People bowed to us. We were certainly
celebrities.
“So
you leave tomorrow?” Goldie asked, as she paused to touch the door
of her old cottage.
“I
have been here far longer then I ever should have been.” I sighed.
Then I grimaced, “I am not looking forward to the return. I shall
certainly be sick for days.”
“What
about all your friends here?” Goldie cried, “We shall miss you
very much.”
“Even
you?” I asked. My heart started pounding. A little like when I am
closing in on my prey in a big hunt.
“Of
course.” Goldie cried, “I am your friend, right?” she looked
away. I put out my hand and touched her hair. She turned. We looked
into each others eyes. As if some other force was moving me. I
started to lean towards her. She leaned towards me. Then someone
yelled and my head exploded.
Regards,
Myself
Being
the Seventh Day of the Harvest
Dear
Little Book,
I
woke up bound and gagged in the dark. Where I was I could not tell.
But wherever it was it surely smelled foul. I was sitting on
something damp too. I wriggled around and my feet struck something.
Another body. I struggled violently. What happened? Where was I? What
happened to Goldie?
I
heard a lock click, then a door opened. I blinked in the sudden
light. A figure was framed in the doorway. Rushamorn. I groaned
behind the gag. I heard a scuffling sound by my side. Goldie, also
bound and gagged, was lying on the floor. I scowled. Rushamorn strode
into the room chuckling. He dragged me out of the room and into the
dim light. We were under the sewer bridge.
“Waylan
of the Glittering Island at last.” Rushamorn said with a fierce
pleasure, “I shall obtain my revenge.” I of course, said nothing.
But I thought a lot. “What? Nothing to say?” Rushamorn jeered.
His long nails bit into my skin. Tears of pain squeezed out of my
eyes. I blinked them back. “Oh you poor little boy, crying for your
mama.” the evil man laughed. He ripped my gag off. I could not hold
back the cry of pain. Rushamorn laughed long and evilly. “Try
screaming.” he sneered, “Shall we see who will come running.”
“Go
on then.” I said bitterly, “Kill me.”
“Thank
you, I shall.” he sneered. My heart sank.
Rushamorn
flung me to the stinking muddy ground and walked off. When I looked
up, he was dragging Goldie out of the secret room. I saw that the
door was made to look like the stone wall. I struggled violently. But
it was useless. Rushamorn flung the girl to the floor then drew his
katana.
“Lets
hear you scream Hunter.” he sneered and stabbed at me. I twisted
slightly then cried out in pain. The katana cut through my side and
bonds. Blood poured out of the wound, but I was free. I rolled over
and leaped lightly to my feet.
“It
might take a lot of work to kill me.” I told him and jumped back.
He slashed again. I held out my bound wrists. The blade sliced
through rope and scraped the skin slightly. I smiled through gritted
teeth. I was free.
“You
infuriating pest!” Rushamorn screamed and rushed at me. I leaped
out of the way. His katana hit the wall with a dull clang. He
grimaced at the impact. I booted him in the back sending him crashing
to the floor. But he easily somersaulted over and came up standing.
When he turned, there was murder in his eyes. I snatched up a rock
and hurled it. He ducked. But he had failed to notice that I really
snatched up two rocks. The second one hit him square in the nose. He
dropped the katana and fell over backwards. I snatched it up and
leaped on top of him.
“Surrender!”
I cried.
“Never!”
he snarled and stabbed me with a hidden knife. I cried out in pain.
The katana slipped and punctured the evil man's neck. Blood spurted.
Rushamorn gasped gurgled and grew still. I fell backwards coughing
and trying not to cry. I felt like a murderer.
I
crawled in a daze over to Goldie and used the knife protruding from
my ribs, to free her. She was crying. She put her arms around me and
we both cried. That was how Toledio and Uli found us.
“What
in the blazes?” was Toldedio's comment.
“Icky!”
was Uli's comment. There had been a search party looking for us all
night. We had made the returning ship late and annoyed everyone. But
I hoped they would think I was punished enough. I was a walking steak
and would soon be a very sick one, once we started sailing. But
Toledio and Uli were to happy to find us alive to scold us much. I am
sure once everyone stops thinking of me as a miracle to be alive they
will have plenty to say.
Many
happy regards,
Myself,
Waylan, fourth son of Maldirk of Glittering Island
To Be Continued
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