More than Hunting

[Saer Elias Aldebaran]

The clunk of each hoof step taken by Saer's horse brought the future into the heir's mind. Someday he would hear the roar of steps created by an army of animals and men, the distant hum of each beating drum, and the silence that stood over each human being. That silence was the most intriguing aspect of war for Saer. How could such a chaotic scene be caught in silence? The pride and loyalty that each man grasps for his country and for his leader is what Saer desires. Obviously his father had that, why else would they do as they're told? II must be blind and deaf if the country is just scared into obedience, thought the young noble.

Neehee brr. The soft winny of Saer's horse dragged him back to the awareness he needed for hunting. It also brought him back to the awareness that his father wasn't there yet. He probably just got caught up in a meeting with some generals. It's important matters, it's okay. However, the thought of his father just not wanting to pry away from his matters to go hunting with his son stole his optimistic thoughts from his mind.

Not being one to talk much, Saer even surprised himself as much as his horse when he said, "We better get started, Henry." He turned his gaze from his horse to the top of his boots which were secured in the stirrups. Sucking in the crisp morning air, Saer gave a slight kick to Henry and trotted to the border of a clearing where he hopped off his horse. Reaching back for his bow he gripped his saber off his horse instead. Lurching forward in one quick step, he sliced the side of a tree. It was all he knew. It was all he had been trained for. And waiting was not among those teachings.

[Ramose Sa'id Aldebaran]

The sun rose high above his head as Aldebaran headed for the eastern rim of the fire forest on his fastest horse. He sped past the outer gates of Alcos with a velocity that carried great plumes of sand into swirling patterns high in the air. He ducked low onto his horse and urged it to go faster before his rage finally broke through his uncharacteristic calm. He was disappointed and annoyed with all that had happened this morning. Everything that could have gone wrong, did, and Ramose hated it when things went wrong. He was a man that would plan weeks ahead of time in order to avoid any type of disaster. A lot of his free time was actually spent trying to plan and re plan events in case of an unexpected occurrence. Ramose drew in his breath sharply. He had planned for everything this day and still, nothing had gone according to plan. Damn it all..

Aldebaran gave his horse a kick and urged it to go even faster. Its hooves struck the ground harder, sounding like thunder over the earth. He was beginning to fume. Had not that slave girl gotten a mind of her own, he would have never been so delayed in seeing his son. She had stepped completely out of bounds and decided to leave the palace without permission or an escort. What was worse was that she left the palace unchallenged. Was not that the reason why he had hired free men as guards for his palace. To keep enemies out and to block slaves in? She had damaged his authority. She had challenged his ruling ability, though he understood it was completely unintentional. She had made a fool of him by demonstrating to other slaves how easy it was to leave his Palace. Aldebaran could not stand it. She would have to be made an example of in front of the others to scare anyone else off from daring to even breath outside their stations.

But she was repentant. She had no idea of the magnitude of her actions. . Aldebaran shook his head angrily. That has not stopped me before. She deserves no mercy for her actions! She knows the consequences. But then, Aldebaran slowed. Could you bare to hurt her though? chimed a voice in his head, When she looks so much like your lost wife Rachel? . Aldebaran shook his head. Rage began to boil inside him. Rachel was the only person he had ever loved. Nothing could replace her. She is not Rachel. He growled remembering his wife’s dark brown eyes and her soft dark hair. Leah did not have those eyes or that hair. Ramose, Kicked the horse sharply and picked up speed once more. He had a lot of business to attend to at home. He had a slave to punish, a guard regiment to discipline and a corran drunk to review and plans to make for the expansion of his empire. There was so much to do, and time, however infinite it seemed, felt like it was running out.

The eastern rim of the fire forest had finally come into view and as he neared it’s border, he began to slow his pace. Ramose sighed deeply. No matter what he had to do, today, was a day to spend with his son, and Saer meant the world to him. He was the last bit of Rachel that Aldebaran had left and he was the future of Aldebaran’s empire. Nothing was more important to him than Saer. Aldebaran leaned back in his saddle as he neared the meeting place that all hunting parties usually met. He searched for Saer, but the young heir was nowhere to be found. Aldebaran’s trained eyes slowly skimmed over the surrounding sage, white willow and desert spruce. Though the Zaherran landscape was thought of to be mostly barren desert, the fire forest was teeming with life. It was an oasis in a barren land of nothing-ness and was home to some of the most rare and sought after creatures in Ara Alanair. The sonoran desert landscape thrived off seasonal monsoons that passed through the region every year, but dissipated before the rains could ever hit Alcos. Suddenly, Aldebaran caught the sight of shallow indentations in the sand. He grunted expertly dismounted the horse. The shallow potholes in the sand were undoubtedly made by hooves and judging by the depth, Aldebaran knew that horse was carrying a person. Transferring his reigns into his right hand, Aldebaran lead his horse down the path created by what he hoped to be Saer and his horse. It was not long before loud cracking and thwacking followed by a few subtle grunts, led Aldebaran to the clearing where his son was residing. Silently, he looped around the edge of the clearing so that he was now standing next to Saer’s horse. He tied his own to a stable trunk next to his, then stepped out of the shade and leaned against the trunk of a nearby tree. Ramose smiled slightly as he watched his son nimbly attack a tree. Sear was young, but he was a skilled fighter. One of the best he had ever seen. Aldebaran cleared his voice slightly before he spoke.

“Ruling an empire is no easy task Saer, Things can go wrong at any minute. And one day, you will have to deal with those problems. “

[Saer Elias Aldebaran]

Saer's elbow only met halfway to his hip before he ceased his last blow to the tree. He turned around and saw his father, already dismounted from his saddle. The ringing of each thick slice into the trunk of the tree was still in his ears, even after his father spoke. "Hello father," he said, slightly bowing his head in his direction. Saer wasn't sure if he was angry in his father's late presence right now or if he was in understanding and relief with him. The young heir blew out of his nose quickly with the words his father had just spoken, but instead of blowing up, calmly said, "Yes, there is plenty of game in the forest but never enough time to hunt it all. And there is no simultaneous order in the palace as there is out here. I know."

Saer wasn't sure if he looked forward to the tasks and duties that would be applied to him when he too became ruler of the country. Zaheran had so much in store for him, would he miss it all in becoming the warlord? No, not possibly. For being in such a position he could do anything he wanted- just as he father chose to go on a hunt. What exactly held Ramose back from being out here earlier? that Saer did not know. He wasn't just about to ask either. He knew his father might fill him in anyways so he too can one day properly address the problem and stamp his power wherever it need be.

Saer tied up Henry and slid his saber back into its scabbard. He swung his arrows across his back, but left his bow on the horse's side.
He turned around again, and hopefully escaping the explanation of his father's tardy, asked "Ready?"

[Ramose Sa'id Aldebaran]

Ramose raised his eyebrow slightly as he watched Saer sheath is sword and grab his arrows. He could tell his son was disappointed in him. If anyone else was disappointed with Aldebaran, he wouldn't care so much. He was the ruler of an expanding country. He had an excuse and it was a good one at that. But Saer was his son. He could not just wave Saer away like anyone else.

He sighed a bit. Saer's temper seemed rather short. He didn't know if his son wanted to listen to an old man rambling about Alcos and its petty little problems when they were to be hunting together. He decided to hold off for a bit. If Saer wanted to know, he would ask him. Ramose stepped forward. Saer wasn't facing him. "Are we short range hunting today, Saer?" He asked, noticing that Saer was not intending to bring his horse or his bow.

[Saer Elias Aldebaran]

"I think I'm in the mood for long range," he said, turning around to Henry and grabbing his bow. He turned back around once again and looked at his father. Saer was relieved when Ramose spared his son from a lengthy explanation of the quandary in the palace that had kept him from coming. But he was past that now, or at least tried to shove it aside and concentrate. "I have seen nothing yet in this forest, but hopefully we will have luck."

Saer wasn't sure if he felt like sitting at the top of a tree and waiting for the prey to walk innocently by or if he felt like more of a hunt, a chase. Maybe his father would want to decide, since that seems to be all he does. "Wait, what do you feel like hunting today?" Glancing around, he just now realized that there were no ribbon hounds, so birds were off the list.

[Ramose Sa'id Aldebaran]

Ramose shrugged his shoulders, "Today was supposed to be your day Saer, not mine. I don't really care what we hunt so much today. Whatever catches your fancy. " Ramose turned to his horse a grabbed a long bow that was slung on its side. Though a saber was his weapon of choice, he was far from unversed in archery. He pulled his string and made sure his bow was taught, but still, Ramose was rather distracted.

He had so much on his mind and he was beginning to feel he could not do everything on his own. A thought crossed his mind to give Saer more responsibility, but he wasn't sure if his son was ready. Aldebaran juggled the thought in his mind for a few moments before deciding to speak up. "Saer, I think that it is time you take up more responsibility for this country. You are 23 years old, and I think it is time you get some experience leading. I am not getting any younger, you know and I could use your help."

He turned to look at his son. They were the same height so Aldebaran's eyes were level with his. He waited to see what his son would do.

[Saer Elias Aldebaran]

"Alright," Saer said, with a slight smile in his eyes. "Let us find a tree to climb then, away from our horses. And continue, please," he said, yearning now for his father to keep talking. Saer felt slightly bad for coming off shallow this morning, and he knows it does take hard work to achieve what he must.

Saer started walking from the clearing and into the thicker part of the forest again. He hopped over a mossy log and waited for his father's words again.

[Ramose Sa'id Aldebaran]

Ramose followed Saer, over the tree and then took a few long strides so that he could walk next to him. " Perhaps it is time you take over the overseeing of the black hand for me. My dealings with them are numerous and I cannot always be there to control them. I would also like you to begin participating in the expansion of Zaherran starting with the expansion and fortification of Alcos. I need someone to over see the plans and the engineers. Alcos in the capital city of our nation. I want it to look grand. Do you think you could handle such as task?"

[Saer Elias Aldebaran]

Saer looked to his side where his father stood and replied, "Yes father." his voice sounded dedicated. He was finally dubbed a man of responsibility in taking on this task. He wasn't so much looking forward to the control of the blueprints of the capital as he was to be in control of people, like the black hand. Being in control of such devious people would be a great way to address the beginning of his rule. He would finally be in control of people more than his father. "I look forward to it," he said with a smirk. "When would you like to go over what you've started with the capital?" He asked, stepping over one more log in order to stop in front of the perfect climbing tree.

[Ramose Sa'id Aldebaran]

Ramos stepped over the log as well. He found a tree near opposite Saer's to climb up but he didn't head over there quite yet. " Saer, being in charge of overseeing the construction of Alcos is a great responsibility, but controlling the Black hand will be a responsibility greater still They are a collection of very devious people, and they are used to only answering to me. To them, you are just a kid. You have to make them fear you and command respect form them. They may try to trick you or taunt you. You cannot let that happen. If I give them orders, you must enforce those orders. If something goes a -rye, you must take control of them in the empire's best interest. "

Ramose knew that the black hand was pretty much tamed now, but he also knew you could never rest with a band of wrong doers residing in the city, even if they were sworn not to lay a theiving finger in Zaherran.

[Saer Elias Aldebaran]

"Yes, Father," Saer said again. "I'm ready for it," he said reassuringly. "Perhaps this evening you can announce it to them?" He asked, laying his hand on the tree, getting ready for his quick ascent.

[Ramose Sa'id Aldebaran]

Ramose nodded , "Ahhh... perhaps not tonight, Saer. I have a slave to deal with. We had a slave leave the palace today. She ruined a reputation, now she has to take on the punishment."

"But tomorrow night, we shall have a proper announcement, " Ramose added as he walked off to the tree across the way and began to climb. When he reach a good sitting spot he continued. " We shall host a dinner feast for you. " Ramose smiled broadly, knowing that his son could see his face through the foliage.

[Saer Elias Aldebaran]

Saer found a foothold in the bark and swung his hand up and around the lowest branch. He still listened to his father. He nodded in agreement to tomorrow night, and knew it was an exotic idea to have it this evening. Saer would be tired by this evening anyhow. He smiled as he gripped another branch two feet up and clutched the trunk with his other hand. "Sounds great father, thank you."

When Saer made it to the middle of the tree where a wide branch and three more around it were naturally woven into each other to make a support for him, he sat in silence and glanced around, hoping he would get a catch today. He gripped his bow and swung an arrow from his bag and slid it into his front hand- a relaxed but at-the-ready stance.

[Ramose Sa'id Aldebaran]

Ramose nodded slightly and rested his bow in his lap. He looked at Saer, more ready to hunt than to do anything else and suddenly, he wondered where his youthfulness had gone. He shook off the thought and tried to concentrate on the ground below. Ramose caught the glimpse of the spotted ocoat of a Zaheran Hare, but he could not find the concentration and patrience to actually shoot it. Instead, he let his mind wander to the Corran man. He was good fighter, and Ramose could use someone like that to help him maintain his armies once he gets on the move again. He wondered if the corran man would work for him and if not, if he could force him to. It was possible. Zaheran was his country after all.

[Saer Elias Aldebaran]

Saer sat in silent and wondered what his father was thinking about after their conversation. In hunting there must be silence. And in that silence Saer was once again reminded of what war had in store for him. He was more than eager to hear that silence among the men, just as it stood above the hunter and the prey.

Saer heard the smallest of a rustle in the bushes as a Hare made its way around a bush. The creature was pretty scrawny but Saer wasn't out here for the best kill today, he was just in the mood for showing the power he held. He wanted Ramose to be proud of him. Seeing that his father wasn't taking it, Saer strung his bow in one swift movement and the arrow split through the air. It permeated the creature in its lower neck- an instant death.

The young heir swung down from the tree in three grips of bark. Landing on the flat of his foot, he walked over to the Hare and rid it of his arrow. He had misjudged the size of the Hare from the tree. It was far scrawnier than he had thought and what little meat cling to its bone would not even be enough for a meal. He dropped it into the bushes where some lucky predator will have a meal.. if it came soon. Which in that case it wouldn't be so lucky...