Hunter's Pride
Words in italic are thoughts.
Chapter 1: The Gift of Vision
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Somewhere within the Payon forests, a small figure struggled about the forest path. The woman's bloated stomach evidence of her plight. Each step of the way, she could not help glancing back, wary of the creatures hiding in the dense greenery.
A bigfoot growled at her in warning, clutching its jar of honey protectively. The woman ignored it and continued to hobble through the woods, clutching her stomach just as protectively.
The gates of Payon were just beyond these woods…
"Halt!" a guard calls. But his partner laid a hand on his shoulder, indicating the woman's prominent distress. Also noting the crest on her bow, they quickly hurried to her aid. Two fresh guards took their places at the gates.
In the healer's cottage, the woman's cries echoed through the district.
The old healer ordered the available guards through a series of tasks, "Be quick, but stay out!"
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Several hours has passed, a healthy, wailing baby boy lay in his mother's cradling arms. She kissed the newborn's forehead, blessing him in loving prayers. Just then, the healer came in with a bowl of herbal tea.
The elder helped the young mother drink the tea. The drink's healing effects took hold immediately, sending the woman into a comfortable rest.
The old woman was just about to leave when she noticed the baby's eyes were open. She set the bowl down and peered closely at the child's eyes…
"Oh my…"
The baby was asleep but his eyes were open, yet his pupils were nonexistent within his white irises.
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A day later, the child becomes orphaned as his mother passed away, leaving behind her bow and crest. The old woman took him in and raised the child like her own, feeding and teaching him everything she knows of her profession.
Years flew by and soon, the boy was finally old enough to choose the starting path of a profession. The old healer told the boy, Keen, as his mother had named him, to take a walk before deciding.
"Choose wisely, dear child, and work hard in that field. Whatever you choose to take, your mother would surely be proud of you."
Keen decided he would stroll through the forest he grew so fond of, careful to avoid the areas where he knew the stronger monsters dwell. He travelled his path relying on memory and habit. the old woman had brought him through this forest countless times to help her gather herbs for medicine.
As he sat down on a tree stump to ponder on the many professions available to him he began to wonder if he ever could take on a profession due to his disadvantage.
He could try for priesthood in the Prontera Church, they could teach him their ways with the ear and spirit. That could work.
Maybe he could try for bardic profession, he discovered that he found great enjoyment in music after he heard the local performers play their traditional tunes. But to be a bard, he must first be an archer, and that won't be easy…
Before he could ponder any further, a low growling could be heard from behind him. Keen stiffened at the sound, it didn't sound like any bigfoot's growling. Soon, he could hear several other bigfoots growling in unison.
What is an Eddga doing here? I'm at least 2 charts away from its territory…I think…
As the powerful creature hulked its way towards the child, Keen thought he heard a twig snap behind him. Oh this is not my day, I'm surrounded.
But he thought he heard a sound of stressed wood and a string being drawn back. Next thing he heard was the agonizing cries of the Eddga. Wha—
A gloved hand patted him on the shoulder, how Keen wished he could see.
"Are you alright, boy?" A male voice questioned. The child simply nodded. He backed up into the hand when he heard the monster pick itself up from the ground and summon more bears to its side. The hand on his shoulder squeezed reassuringly.
"Watch." The hunter commanded, as if everything he says will be. Keen could hear the man's bow being stressed again.
Oh how I wish I could see, in any way I can. I want to see! Keen wished with all his will behind it.
The arrow was released, and Keen saw it strike the Eddga straight through the head. All his bigfoot minions evaporated, and the hunter turned back to smile at Keen.
The hunter was still quite young, it was clear that he had great power. His wavy brown hair flew in his eyes as a timely wind blew into the forest, taking the Eddga's soul with it. In his hand he held a bow that looked vaguely familiar. But embroidered into his collar was a crest symbol that Keen could recognize anywhere within the entire Rune-Migard kingdom once it touches the tips of his fingers. His mother's bow bore the exact same details…
"See?" the hunter said, bringing Keen out of his stupor, "You can see after all…"
After that, Keen's vision disappeared and his knees met the forest floor. His head met something solid as well…
--End of chapter 1--
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