Forest Child Chapter 2

"A good day for a hunt."

Alexander now a young man of sixteen turned from his task of grooming Bucephalus and smiled as his oldest and dearest friend Ptolemy walked into the stable.

"Yes indeed." He replied giving the horses black flank a brush. He wanted Bucephalus to stand up to the now aged yet still powerful Thunder and those of his fathers noble men.

Ptolemy picked up a grooming tool and began to help taking the shoulder "You know they are taking bets. Young versus old. That sort of thing."

Alexander paused thrown slightly by the statement but soon carried on. Known his father it was just a game to belittle his son and his friends in front of his. "Let them have their stupid game." He replied

From outside came the barking of Phillips' hunting dogs. Alexander and Ptolemy downed tools as it would be soon time to join the rest of the hunting party.

The day started off with small furry animals but soon the hunters wanted to move up to bigger more dangerous animals. Another bet was taken between the nobles and the king as to who would bring down the first big animal of the day. Of course they all said Phillip.

So when a deer was spotted. Phillip was the first to throw his spear. In his haste it was a sloppy throw and instead of landing a killing below it just mortally wounded. The deer ran off. Phillip and the dogs began to give chase. Alexander couldn't help himself and decided to go after it as well. He gently kicked Bucephalus into action and very soon the much younger horse over took Thunder who was having difficulty in maintaining the speed Bucephalus had set. He ignored Phillips furious shouting.

When he caught up with the dogs Alexander found a strange sight. The dogs had the deer cornered but instead of attacking, these highly trained hunting dogs were stood by as docile as common household pets. Some had even sat down on the ground with their huge heads between their paws. Alexander got off Bucephalus and followed the blood trail. The deer had fallen and was now fighting to get back up but it didn't have the energy. A person was approaching the deer very slowly. The deer became very agitated but soon calmed when he crouched down beside it and put his hand on it bloody flank. Alexander found tree to hide behind and studied the skinny frame dirty from being outside, the long unkempt hair that was partly braided and decorated with feathers and leaves. The little boy who had saved him as a child had all grown up. He stood by and watched as he crouched down beside the deer and began comforting it before pulling out the spear and put his hands over the wound trying to stop the bleeding. The deer looked up at him and a moment of understanding pasted between the two. The forest child took out a small knife and quickly cut the deer's throat. Though it was clean and humanely Alexander couldn't help but gasp alerting the other to his hideaway. His head snapped up from where it had been bent downwards as if he was praying for the deer. When he saw Alexander his eyes went wide and he scrambled backwards. Alexander came out from behind the tree "No, no it's alright. Don't you remember me?

The forest child ran away and Alexander gave case. "Wait come back I mean you no harm. I'm a friend."

Alexander stopped and held his arms out wide in a non threatening gesture and shouted into the woods.

"I'm the little boy you found in the woods. I was the one returned your wolf cub. You took me in and then showed me the way back to my camp."

Alexander paused. He could feel himself being watched in all directions. He suddenly found himself laying flat on his back looking up at the sky with the forest child one top of him. The forest child lent forward so that his hair was tickling his face and peered into his face then he began to sniff. When he accepted that Alexander was telling the truth he suddenly back off but still contain to peer at him through a tangle of hair. Alexander sat up and then into a crouch.

"Are you hungry?" he asked reaching down into the pouch at his hip. He took out a small loaf of bread and tore off a chunk and held it out. The forest child looked at it before grabbing at it and stuffing it into his mouth. He chewed and swallowed before holding out his grubby hand for more which Alexander gave. The sound of dogs and horses approaching made them both snap around. Before he could escape Phillip and the rest of the hunting party showed up. Alexander stood up pulling his new friend up and behind him.

"Alexander?" Phillips asked "What is the meaning of this."

"Please father I can explain."

But Alexander never got a chance to for there came a strangle gasp from behind. He turned and saw the forest child was staring wide eyes at the spoils of the hunt. Before Alexander could stop him he launched himself at the nearest horseman.

Alexander had to fight his way through those that had joined in to get this wild creature off their peer. He was now beginning held struggling and biting. He was bleeding and bruised from where they had beaten him. As was the noble man he attacked.

"Arrest this barbarian." Phillip demanded "Take him away at once."

"Father pleases." Alexander begged putting himself in front of Phillip and the forest child "He doesn't understand."

"He attacked one of my lords. He needs to be punished."

"Please I beg you." Alexander tried "He saved my life."

"TAKE HI..." Phillip paused and changed what he was about to say "What do you mean, he saved your life."

Alexander had never explained how he had managed to find his way back to camp all those years ago but now was the time, if it meant saving a life. When he had finished explain his Father's face remained neutral. Alexander didn't know if he was believed or not.

"Please give him to me." He said "I will teach him and look after him. If it goes wrong punish me not him."

"Fine." Phillip hissed "So is it. You will take his punishment if anything goes wrong. Do you understand?"

Alexander nodded only once "I understand Father." He replied.