“Well good night,” said Prince James walking out of my room.

“Wait!” I said grabbing his arm. “You can’t possibly expect me to sleep here after that?” I said panic rising in my voice.

“Don’t tell me that the mighty hunter who singlehandedly killed a giant elk is afraid of the dark?” He said mockingly with a half smile dancing in the corner of his mouth.

“You can’t stab the darkness,” I said and a shiver went through me as I thought about the disembodied whispers.

“You will be alright, Ash,” he said softly noticing my discomfort. “But, you can always come and sleep in my room, if you are worried.” He teased and softly brushed a strand of my hair off my shoulder.

“Fine, I’ll sleep in your room tonight,” I said confidently moving his hand away with my palm. He looked at me incredulously. “But know that, aside from shadows, I can stab and kill just about anything.”

“Noted,” he whispered leaning in close. I could feel my blood rising to my face. My heart sped up in response to his proximity. I pulled away from him and stalked down the hall. As I did I heard him chuckle behind me.

***

James led me toward his room. The castle was decorated in gold and marble - a vision of wealth. I thought about my cabin and how small it was in comparison. When my father went bankrupt before his death he sold everything to make ends meet for a few months. As a result, we had only one bed to share among the four of us and a small table where we took our meagre meals.

The Prince’s rooms were on the far side of the west wing. He led me to his bedroom which featured a large canopy bed dressed in dark blue and silver sheets.

“Well… since I have already been threatened with stabbing, I’ll sleep in the sitting room tonight,” James announced with amusement. “But…” he said softly. “Should the shadows chase away your sleep, know that I am only on the other side of this door. Good night, Miss Hunter,” he said and left the room.

I was alone. A prisoner? A servant? What was to come of me? The Prince was kind, or was he playing coy? I took off my boots and climbed into the bed. The bed was warm and smelled of lavender and jasmine. I suddenly felt every inch of grime on my body as I tried to get comfortable in these immaculate sheets. I closed my eyes and tried to sleep, I sang lullabies my father used to sing to me, I recited poetry I learned as a child, and I told myself fairytales to keep my mind from ruminating. But, nothing helped. Sleep eluded me.

***

Morning came far too soon. I opened my eyes to the lightening sky as the morning light illuminated the bedroom. I saw that the room’s walls were also decorated in blue and silver with designs of trees and forest animals hiding among them. In the corner stood a vanity with a silver-framed mirror. On the other side was a small writing desk.

“Good morning, Miss Ashley,” said a cheerful voice in the doorway. It was a young servant, not much older than me. She wore a sensible blue dress accented by a white apron. Her hair was braided and hung elegantly on her shoulder. “My name is Mila,” she said her voice sounding like a bell and interrupting the morning silence of the space. “I am here to dress you.”

“I can dress myself,” I said but then realized that I didn’t have my clothes. “Um… where are my clothes?” I asked.

“Being washed,” said Mila matter-of-factly. “I was instructed to help you bathe and to outfit you in a riding habit.”

Mila went into the adjacent bathroom and started filling up the washing basin. While doing so, she kept talking.

“I wasn’t sure what colour to pick for you, because… well… I haven’t met you and all… so I selected three choices. Now looking at you and your lovely auburn hair, I think the blue habit would suit you best and you’d match His Highness!” She giggled.

“Where is the Prince?” I asked seizing the pause in the conversation.

“He is out. Got up very early this morning… said something about not sleeping well. I don’t know where he went, but said he’d be back to have breakfast with you,” said Mila while fighting me over control of my nightgown.

“I can do this,” I said taking off my clothes.

“Forgive me, Miss Ashley, but I am to be your maid and it is my very first time being a lady’s maid and all…” she said but I cut her off.

“I am no lady,” I said abruptly. “I am to be a prisoner here for slaying a protected animal.”

“Well…I only do what I am told,” said Mila going back into the bathroom to put some essential oils into the washing basin. “And I was told that I am your lady’s maid starting this morning. I was so excited I hardly slept! I got up very early to select your riding clothes and I already have your evening outfit picked out as well…” she kept talking excitedly.

Lady? I thought half listening to Mila. I should be rotting in a dungeon, not bathing in jasmine oils! Confusion clouded my thoughts and anger threatened to bubble up to the surface. What is he playing at? I would confront him. Prince or not, it is not okay to toy with people like this. What is to become of me? I needed to know!

***

Dressed and washed I headed to the dining room where Mila said the Prince was waiting for me. I felt ridiculous in my blue and silver riding habit. How was I supposed to ride in skirts? I missed my leathers. As worn and old as they were, at least I could breathe.

Prince James sat on a pale blue sofa. He wore blue riding clothes similar to mine. In his hand, he had a small cup that he sipped from slowly. He was serene and elegant.

“Ash,” he half said and half breathed my name. “How did you sleep?”

“Well, thank you,” I lied.

“You look…” he started but then paused looking at me appraisingly. “Different.”

“I don’t much like riding in skirts,” I said slightly tugging at the velvet fabric that draped around my thighs.

“I’ll talk to Mila. She is a lovely girl but does get carried away when it comes to fashion,” he said apologetically. “What do you think of her?”

“I like her, she is very nice, but…” I said wanting to shift the conversation to the questions that were searing themselves into my heart.

“But… you have questions,” he guessed and his expression became thoughtful. “You are to be a prisoner, but yet you are not in a jail cell. What are you? A servant? A lady?” He smiled casually.

“Do not toy with me, Your Highness,” I said coldly.

“You are a companion,” he said sensing my tone. “You are a good hunter and I love the sport. Most of my squires are barely adequate but you brought down a giant elk alone,” said James all amusement gone from his face.

“That was mostly luck,” I said tersely.

“Luck or not, it certainly caught my attention,” he said with a smile. “My Stuart thinks I should jail you, but I want to see you hunt first.”

“Is this a test?” I asked my heart catching in my throat.

“Consider it an audition,” said James.

“What do I get if I succeed?” I asked.

James slowly rose from his seat and walked over to me. He leaned in so close that I could smell the Jasmin oils on his skin.

“Whatever you want,” he whispered.

Chapter 5: The Hunt

We rode together in silence. The dense sounds of our horses’ hoofs echoed through the forest. The prince looked regal riding his black stallion. His dark blue riding clothes were accentuated by a slim silver rapier that hung from his belt. This was not a weapon I would have chosen to hunt any large game. I was armed with a bow and a dagger. The bow felt lighter than the one I had at home. It rested comfortably on my back. It felt nice to have the feel of the weapon again. I felt safer and more alive.

I rode a smaller chestnut mare. She lagged behind James’ horse as if trained to never pass the Royal stallion. No matter how much I prompted her, she would not so much as trot alongside the prince. And so we dredged onward through the snow-covered forest

I didn’t want to speak. I had so many questions buzzing in my brain, that I felt overwhelmed. This hunting trip was to be my audition - my test to see if I become a companion or a prisoner. Frankly, I wasn’t sure which I preferred at this moment. I was furious with Prince James. I felt like I was being played for a fool and now I am to kill an animal for sport?! I only ever killed because necessity compelled me… and this felt wasteful.

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“Not one to talk?” Asked James casually looking behind him in my direction.

“Not much to say,” I said tersely.

“I doubt for a moment that you ran out of questions,” he mused.

“I have plenty of those,” I said. “Just don’t feel like asking them right now,” I added moodily.

“Well, I am at your disposal… when you are finished brooding,” he said with a light chuckle.

Asshole, I thought as our horses continued to move forward in silence.

Prince James stopped suddenly and dismounted his stallion. I did the same glad to be off the slow chestnut mare that now lazily munched on some dry grass.

“Well, Miss Hunter, we are here,” he said in a hushed tone. I looked around me. We stood at the entrance to a small clearing. There were no animal tracks or sounds that I could detect.

“What’s here, exactly?” I asked straining my senses to ensure that I wasn't missing anything.

“Your kill,” he said and a wicked grin spread across his otherwise lovely face.

“What am I missing?” I ask admitting defeat. I was definitely not picking up on anything he was hoping I'd notice.

“Look through those trees,” he said pointing to the other side of the clearing. In the morning light, I could see a cave structure hidden in the dry snow-covered bushes. “A hag lives in that cave. Your job is to kill it.”

“A hag? Like a witch?” I said my eyes widening in surprise. “But they are not real… just old wives’ tales to scare the children.”

“That one is real and the last one,” he said, his eyes fixated on the cave in the distance. “My family made it a mission to exterminate the fey in this land. Some remain and, with your help, I hope to get rid of the rest.”

“So I am auditioning to be your monster hunter?” I said incredulously. My heart sank into my stomach. I can bring down a deer or an elk. Most days I was lucky enough to return home with a squirrel. A hag? Was he really expecting me to kill a hag?

“I’ve seen what you can do, Ash,” he said and his gaze was warm and reassuring. “You are not just some kid from the village aiming at birds with a slingshot,” he continued. “You are a hunter with a skill honed by necessity and perseverance.”

“You are basing this on just one kill… and as I told you, it was mostly luck,” I said anger and panic rising in my words.

“My steward would prefer for you to rot in the dungeon,” said the prince, his tone cooling. “I’d rather you not. Kill the hag and prove your worth.” This was no longer a request but a command that compelled me to act with immediacy.

“As proof, I need you to bring back an item. It is a golden sword that the hag covets,” he said calmly, but something was dancing behind his eyes - an emotion I have not seen in him yet - ambition.

“And what if I fail?” I asked panic rising to my throat.

“If you fail, she will kill you,” he said slowly ensuring that I fully understood the gravity of this situation. “Don't worry too much,” he added quickly noticing the reluctance in my eyes. “The hag is blind. You should have no issues dealing with her. Just stay low and quiet.”

***

The cave reeked of mould and blood. The darkness here felt as oppressive as in the castle. It felt alive somehow. I could feel its yearning and hunger. I carried a torch inside and some matches, but I did not dare light it. The cave was illuminated by daylight seeping through the cracks in the stone. After a few moments, my eyes adjusted well enough to make out basic structures in the space.

Grotesque objects of all kinds occupied the small room. Rat skeletons, pelts of animals, jars with various plants and fungi, and in the corner was a giant skull of some unknown beast. It looked like it may have been a deer or an elk, but it had great tusks coming out of its jaws and large tree-like antlers sprouted from the top.

“Who is this I smell?” I heard a raspy voice coming from the other corner of the room. The voice reminded me of a rusty squeak of a wheel as it rolled against a cobbled street. It grated on me and penetrated my every fibre.

“Not the princeling, I wager,” the hag continued while slithering her way closer to me. “But someone who shares his bed. Why have you come little thiefling?” she hissed mere inches away from me.

I did not dare to speak. I backed away as quietly as I could. In the dimly lit cave, I could see the hag’s form. She was tall and slender. Her long bony arms protruded from a burlap robe that hung from her body. She moved towards me smoothly, quietly as if gliding on the air itself.

“You are as quiet as a mouse, little thiefling, but I can smell you better than you can see me,” she said and a tooth-filled grin spread across her skeletal face. “Tell me what you want or die before you take your next breath.”

“I-I-I came to kill you and claim the golden blade as proof,” I said stammering with every word.

“Kill me?” the hag let out a piercing squeaky laugh which forced me to cover my ears. “I’ve been alive for millennia, you are not the first little rat that attempted to bite me,” she said and pointed to a large pile of what looked like human bones by the stone wall. “What sword does the princeling want?” she asked, her long fingers reaching out to me.

“I don't know. He said it was gold,” I said as I kept backing away from her.

“Luminaria’s Edge,” she hissed. She was so close that I could smell flesh and rot on her breath. “You are not the first little rat the prince has sent, thiefling… but you are different,” she said and stopped inches away from me. I could see that she had milky blue eyes. While it looked like they were looking at me, I could sense that she was staring through me as if peering into the core of my being.

“Different?” I said trying to sound composed.

“You are the first little rat that spoke to me and offered me the truth,” she said and an almost awe-like tone. “Are you not afraid of me? No… that can't be… I can taste your fear on my tongue,” she hissed. “So, why are you not scurrying like the rest of them?” The hag demanded.

“I… I don't know,” I stammered. “I suppose by killing you I’d earn my freedom. If I don't I’ll be rotting in the dungeon for killing that elk.”

The hag considered my response.

“You are an honest theifling, little rat. That wants freedom. We are alike you and,” she said. “You were honest with me, so I’ll share some truths with you,” the hag went on. “That sword you want - Luminara’s Edge - can pierce the shadows itself. It is an ancient and dangerous relic. Now, what do you suppose the princeling wants with it?”

“I suppose to banish the shadows in his castle,” I mused.

“Ah, but what are the shadows, thiefling? It is unwise to fight the monsters that you do not know,” she said and her milky eyes widened. “The princeling is hiding something from you, he sent you here to die…much like he did his other rats.”

The realization that I am not the first person to do this for Prince James hit me like a stone. There were others. Was I so naive to think that I would be the only one bid to do such a dangerous errand?

“You are a pawn, thiefling,” the hag whispered as if reading my mind.

“So… what now?” I said mostly to myself.

“Play the game little pawn, but play it as if you are a queen,” she said with a grin once again spreading across her face.

“If I don't kill you and bring proof, I will be as good as dead,” I said meeting the hag’s eyes.

“Luminara’s edge is spellbound, little queen,” said the hag pulling out the golden sword from the folds of her robe. “It can not be used if forcefully taken. She must be given willingly.”

I reached for the sword fully expecting the hag to have conditions or to pull it away, but she yielded it without a fight.

“I will leave these lands, but will return once you win this game, little queen,” she said.

“I don't know how to play,” I said holding the sword that seemed to sing at my touch.

“Speak to the shadows, and know your monsters,” said the hag and retreated into the darkness of her cave.

I exited the cave, blinking at daylight, the sword clutched firmly in my hands. James ran up to me excitedly.

“You did it, Ash!” he shouted. “You killed the hag.” and without another word, he snatched Luminara’s Edge away from me. I felt the sword resist but said nothing. I will play his game, I decided.