The smell of early morning mist usually put Aric’s mind at peace. As a child, he enjoyed waking up early before dawn to tend to his pet doves, Castor and Pollux. He had discovered them just outside the castle walls, crying out for help. They had fallen from their mother’s nest, perched high above the castle turrets, and Aric had decided to take them in. Feeding and nourishing their small frames, he healed wounded wings, restoring hope to the newfound pets he grew to love and care for. This morning was different, though. Instead of a sense of calm, Aric’s thoughts were filled with anxious anticipation, and his heart rattled by the drumbeat of trepidation.
His father had decided it was time for Aric’s first hunt. Xander had already accompanied father on numerous hunts. Ever since he was eight, Xander had had the edge in experience and practice over Aric. But years had passed quickly and Aric was now eight. Time now called for him to make his first kill in the wild. He had practiced over and over again with Patros, the Master at Arms. In the armory he raised his spear above his head, steadied his aim, and launched it into the center of the wooden target. His aim had improved steadily throughout his practice sessions, and now the side of the wooden boar was notched to the point of unrecognizability. If he needed to, he could still hit the target while on horseback. He couldn’t quite hit the vital points, but he rationalized that if he could wound the animal, he could run afoot and finish the kill up close. Xander had brought back a trophy on his first outing, and there was no way Aric was going to fail his father.
The hunting party numbered but a few of King Maximus’ most trusted friends and advisors. Aric and Xander followed closely behind their father, flanking him to the left and right of his horse. Dontos and Constantine brought up the rear, followed by four soldiers from the Fifth Legion, the kingdom’s hunting and tracking unit. They cautiously made their way into the Vicedonian Forest surrounding Mount Syphax. Wild boars roamed the area, ferocious beasts that did not fear humans. Always eager for a fight, King Maximus felt them to be a worthy enough adversary. He fervently believed killing one would honor the passage into manhood for his sons. It was Aric’s turn to prove his worth, not only to his family, but also to himself.
Deep into the forest they tracked the boars. The hunting unit analyzed every broken branch, snapped twig, and muddy footprint. Soon they discovered a set of prints much larger than those belonging to an average boar. Aric was torn by the discovery. To kill a massive boar would impress his father mightily. However, at the same time, he would have to battle this monstrous beast to do so, something he knew he was not fully prepared for. But it was too late now; the prey had been found, the hunt was on, and he the appointed hunter.
They followed the tracks to a nearby creek where they found the boar devouring the bloody remains of a carcass. The boar was larger than Aric’s wildest nightmare. It stood nearly six feet tall, five feet wide from shoulder to shoulder, and easily weighed in at over five hundred pounds. Aric’s world seemed to go white for a moment. The doubt in him was beginning to take over, but he quickly shook it off, remembering his mission, and what he needed to accomplish this day. He would not be outdone by his older brother again. He could no longer be confined to live in Xander’s shadow.
“It is time, Aric. Time to become a man,” spoke the king.
Aric marched out slowly, separating himself from the group. He stared back at his father, who nodded approvingly. The simple gesture helped Aric to focus his mind. He slowed his heart rate and breathed in deeply. The boar, preoccupied by its meal, suddenly turned its giant head, glaring at the oncoming predator. Instead of fleeing, though, it turned its full attention towards Aric, its mouth dripping red from a recent kill. The beast hunched low, lowered its massive head to the ground, and prepared for an attack. Aric could no longer recognize who had become the prey in this scenario. Without realizing it, he had turned his horse around to search for a way out. Instinct told him to flee, turn and run as fast as he could, escape the situation and survive. He glanced back once more at his father, looking for another sign of reassurance, but instead found his father’s piercing eyes digging deep into him. He was already shaking his head, leaving Aric feeling unhinged. He could not tell whether it was a disapproving nod that suggested it was too late to run, or what Aric truly believed, that it was a show of how disappointed his father had always been of his youngest son.
The rest of the hunting party remained motionless; no words of encouragement or compassion were offered. Not a single look of support, or outstretched hand for an eight-year-old child faced with imminent death. Aric’s horse now sensed the trepidation of its rider, and began to lose control. It reared up onto its hind legs, neighing ferociously, kicking its front legs into the air. The boar snorted loudly, inducing more panic. Aric began to lose control of the reins, and felt his weight shifting backwards. He was about to fall off when Xander grabbed a hold of his back, planting him back firmly into the saddle. Xander clutched onto the reins, gripping them tightly in his left hand, while his right hand stroked the horse’s neck, calming the beast. In a matter of seconds, Xander had regained control of the situation.
He gripped Aric softly by his shoulder, and whispered into his ear. “Now’s the time to make father proud. You’ve practiced for months. I know you can do this. You know you can do this, Aric. Make us proud.” Xander trotted away and rejoined the hunting group, nodding his head at Aric.
Aric closed his eyes for a moment. Xander’s right, it is time. I know I can do this, for father, for myself. He turned towards the beast. It grunted loudly, as if mocking him for his moment of cowardice. The thought angered Aric, sending him into motion. He charged at it, the beast reacted in turn. Aric raised his spear, steadied his aim, and threw it with all the strength in his body. The spear pierced deep into the backside of the beast. It squealed loudly from the pain, but much to Aric’s dismay, it continued its charge without hesitation. Aric reached for the sword strapped to his belt, but the beast drove its tusk into the side of his horse, sending both rider and equine crashing to the ground.
Aric landed flat on his back, knocking the wind out of him. He was struggling to catch his breath when he saw the beast barreling down on him again. He searched for his sword, a spear, any weapon at all. No steel was available so he grabbed the closest rock and hurled it. The rock collided with the beast’s face, blinding him momentarily. It lost its footing, and slid into the ground, kicking up dirt and leaves everywhere. Aric recognized the moment of opportunity before him. His breath had returned. He charged the fallen beast, climbed onto its back, and grabbed the spear that was still lodged tightly. He wrenched it free with all the strength he could muster. It finally unhinged itself, sending Aric reeling for a bit.
He regained his footing, found his target’s heart, and drove the spear into it. The beast squealed and wailed, writhing violently. Aric jumped back and looked at the horror he had just inflicted. The beast somehow managed to get to its feet again, one final attempt at vengeance. It desperately charged at Aric, but Aric rolled out of the way. The beast continued charging in a straight line, now directly aimed at the hunting party. Everyone moved away to let the beast pass through, except King Maximus. He quickly dismounted his horse and squatted low with hands outstretched before him. The beast ducked its head, gaining speed before it collided with the king. The king was unfazed, refusing to move an inch. He grabbed each of the beast’s tusks and tossed the monster over to his left, twisting it in the air, flipping it upon its back. He looked over at Aric. “Kill it now!” he shouted. Aric ran over to the vulnerable beast, grabbed the spear stuck in its heart, and stabbed it viciously over and over again. The monster finally relented, slipping into permanent unconsciousness.
The hunt was over. He had finally done it. Elation permeated through Aric’s body and mind. He was overjoyed at his accomplishment. He ran towards his father, wanting to embrace him, to feel the love that a father exudes when he is proud of his son, but the look on his father’s face revealed something much different. It
was a look of disappointment.
“Gather your things, mount your horse; we return to the castle,” he commanded.
Aric’s heart broke. “Father! Is that all you have to say to me? I killed the beast! I’ve completed the ritual. I’ve done everything you’ve asked of me!” The anger in him was boiling over now. What else could he possibly give? What more could you demand of a child?
His father spoke without even looking at him. “You killed the beast because Xander kept you from running away, and I flipped it over so you could deliver the killing blow. It was a disgrace of a hunt. Xander killed his beast with a single stroke. You, on the other hand, performed exactly as I expected, Aric. You are average. And being average is not befitting of a prince of Vicedonia. You… will never be like Xander.”
The memory replayed over and over again in Aric’s head as they made their way out of the depths of the Dark Forest. After escaping battling armies of the dead in the underground tunnels, they followed the mountainside path out and down towards the open plains of nearby Raphia. They had reached the outlying borders of the Dark Forest, where the thick mist, foul smell, and blackened mud began to disappear. They marched for a full day and were now surrounded by lush trees, sparkling creeks, and wild animals. Life had returned. They had made it to the edge of Lake Raphia.
As Aric stared at Lake Raphia off on the horizon, the fear and confusion that had overcome him in the Dark Forest was now beginning to dissipate. In its place were renewed feelings of victory and conquest. He reminded himself why he had marched in the first place. He would be the deciding factor in this war. He would turn the tide in this moment here and now. The Battle of Lake Raphia would be won by his deeds alone. Deep down, he knew he had found another chance to prove his father wrong. He would defeat the legendary General Yagar. He had found another beast in the forest, and this time he would slay it without their help.
Chapter 27