“Bandit!” Cried Kai eagerly as she
made her way across the crowded Great Hall. “Bandit!”
Word had arrived that the famed hunter,
Bandit BearSlayer, had arrived from the lands far to the west.
Everyone in the Good Land had been expecting her visit. She was a
member of the House of Ehren. After the great warrior Otto and his
lively companion, Cowboy, left the Good Land and returned to the
Westlands OFG had received messages saying that Bandit would be
visiting. Princess Kai was particularly eager to meet Bandit.
Bandit was stunning. She wore a jet
black coat with white accents and a glorious mane. But the thing
everyone noticed first were her eyes. Bandit's eyes were a dazzling
blue. No one in the Good Land had such striking eyes. OFG's eyes were
a kind of hard, cruel grey but nothing like the glorious blue of
Bandit's eyes. They were like a wind swept blue sky on a punishingly
cold day.
Kai was somewhat out of breath when we
finally caught up to the famed hunter.
“Bandit! Finally you're here. I'm so
glad.” Said Kai.
Bandit turned her head to see who was
calling her name so insistently. Kai was stunned by Bandit's shocking
blue eyes.
Seeing only a stranger Bandit said,
“What do you want?” With Bandit's heavy, unfamiliar accent it
sounded to Kai like she said, “Vvhaat do you vaaaant.”
Kai was taken aback by the
dismissiveness in her tone. Surely Bandit must want to meet another
BearHunter. But instead Bandit's blue eyes pierced Kai with unveiled
annoyance.
“I... um... it's just.. I been
waiting so long to meet you. Cowboy talked about you so much. And..
and..I thought we could talk about hunting and I could show you the
Good Land.”
As Kai was stumbling over this awkward
meeting she saw Bandit's eyes flash toward the door. Col Ti was
gruffly coming into the Hall. Hurriedly, of course. He glanced up and
caught Bandit's ice blue eyes. For one second he and Bandit looked
directly at each other and the distance between them was absolutely
silent.
Then Col Ti appeared to trip over
something. Col Ti caught himself, flushed with shame, and then barked
at a page to immediately fix whatever imperfection was in the floor.
He hurried on his way. Bandit grinned a little and then returned her
gaze back to the Princess in front of her.
“Go.” Bandit said nodding toward
Col Ti, “Your commanding officer needs you, I'm sure.”
“Commanding officer?...You mean...”
Kai sat down hard and drew in a breath to calm herself. “My mother
commands me, Bandit. Not Col Ti.”
“So. You are the Princess Kai. The
BearKiller.” Bandit's tone was not respectful. It was mocking and
Kai was not accustomed to being talked to in this fashion.
“BearKiller.” Bandit sneered, “If you say so.”
Bandit moved to push her aside but Kai
stood her ground and grabbed Bandit's shoulder, “Bandit wait! I
want to...”
But before Kai could finish her
sentence the famed bear hunter rounded on the Princess and had Kai by
the throat. Bandit was eye to eye with the surprised Princess. Her
blue eyes narrowed on Kai.
Bandit snarled in a tone that was not a
warning.“What do you know about the hunt, you pampered princess!
You know nothing. All you have ever done is lounge around this Great
Hall and call yourself a hunter. You have not earned that name! It
was given to you because of your status. You lack the courage of a
real hunter. Have you ever even been on a real hunt? Has your own
prey turned on you? Have you fought for you life? Have you smelled
your own death and lived to tell the story?” Bandit roughly shoved
Kai away. “Go. Princess BearKiller and welp some pups. You haven't
the courage for the bear hunt.”
The Great Hall had fallen silent and
Kai's Men at Arms were gathering around their war leader. The
courtiers had all but disappeared and Kai could feel her mother's
hard gaze on them. Lucky was in the back of the hall, at his new
station as Master of the House, watching this all unfold. “Why
hasn't OFG intervened? She hadn't even reached for her sword – or
her ax. There must be a reason.” Thought Lucky.
Kai drew herself up to her full height,
determination filled her brown eyes, and she slowly moved until she
matched Bandit's fighting stance. They locked eyes and the entire
Great Hall held it's breath for a long moment. The tension between
the hunter and the Princess filled the whole of the space.
Kai suddenly lifted her head and
revealed the jagged scar that ran down her neck and chest.
“See? I have smelled my own death,
Bandit, and I have lived to tell the story. I alone took on the Good
Land's largest hog to save my father. I nearly died that day and I
would gladly give my life for any here. I do not lack
courage.”
Bandit lifted an eyebrow and gave a
half smile as she huffed. “So. It is true then. You fought that
huge hog. Perhaps you have some courage, Little Kai. But if you
fought that hog alone you are just foolish.”
This insult was almost too much for Kai
and her temper broke. Just as she drew in a breath and poised to
strike...
“BANDIT.”
OFG's voice, full of authority and
tinged with rage, filled The Great Hall. Everyone froze. Except for
Little Mo, who was clearing his throat noisily and tapping a scroll
too obviously. OFG cut her eyes at the former troubadour who again
cleared his throat... too obviously. He started tapping on the scroll
again. OFG blinked at him. She turned back to the Princess and the
hunter.
“Bandit.” Said OFG in a more
measured tone, “Come forward...and be welcomed.”
Little Mo exhaled audibly.
The Mistress of the House of Ehren had
written OFG to tell her of Bandit's coming and to beg forgiveness.
Altho Bandit lived with Erhen's Household she served none. Bandit's
independence and insolence was almost as legendary as her hunting
victories.
It was known that Bandit rejected all
forms of authority and submitted to none. It caused great heartache
and frustration for her Mistress but it was the way of the
BearHunters. OFG agreed not to be offended by Bandit's
insubordination as long as it did not infect the rest of her troops.
But OFG had not expected Bandit to challenge her own Princess in her
Great Hall. OFG was vexed and everyone knew it.
Bandit made her way to OFG's dias. She had the low slung stride of many great hunters and she walked with the confidence of an older woman who knew her beauty. Bandit knew that Col Ti was watching her. Bandit moved like water. Silently.
Bandit made her way to OFG's dias. She had the low slung stride of many great hunters and she walked with the confidence of an older woman who knew her beauty. Bandit knew that Col Ti was watching her. Bandit moved like water. Silently.
Little Mo had been furiously whispering
in OFG's ear as Bandit approached. Princess Kai followed just behind
and her stoney gaze was also on Bandit.
“I bring greetings from the House of
Erhen.” Called out Bandit as she made, with great effort, a cursory
bow acknowledging OFG. “I thank you for your welcome. The Warriors
Otto and Cowboy send their warmest regards to you and your officers.
My bearers and personal guard are positioned outside your North Gate
and await for your permission to enter this Good Land. My bearers
have gifts and messages from my Mistress.”
Little Mo was intrigued by Bandit's
thick accent and reveled in the way she said, “vfrom mai
Meeeestrezzz.” The foreignness of her voice tickled the inside of
his ear. “This was going to be an interesting visit.” He thought.
Seeing that OFG had relaxed a bit Little Mo settled in to watch the
spectacle.
“You are most welcome, Bandit. Our
scouts have reported your camp. Have your men come and we will give
them quarters.” Said OFG.
“No,” Said Bandit, “My thanks.
But do nothing for them. They will seem odd to you and they will
prefer to keep some distance. But please, send a runner to let the
bearers know the gifts will be received.”
“What manner of creature are your
companions, Bandit BearHunter, that they would seem strange to us?
Asked OFG.
“Kapvik.” Answered Bandit. “They
can be...difficult..and it is best for them to keep their own camp.”
OFG raised an eyebrow. This Bandit is
really something, she thought. A she-bitch who runs with wolverines
is no one to be trifled with. OFG smiled to herself. But neither is
My Fighting Uruk-Hai. OFG glanced at the Princess who was nearly shaking with
rage. Kai had been caught off guard by Bandit, but it would not
happen again. Having two BearHunter females under the same roof could
be problematic. She had expected some friction but nothing like this.
“Col Ti, recall the rangers from the
North and tell the troops to avoid that region. Bandit, tell your men
that they may hunt for two days North and one day East or West, but
to stay close to the gate. And I trust you will keep a firm hand on
your....difficult... companions.” Said OFG.
Then gesturing to the warriors gathered
in the Great Hall, OFG explained, “You see that we have both
Predators and Prey serving the Good Land. Make sure your men
understand the difference between friend and foe...and food." A little laughter rippled through the troops, altho some of the serving ducks looked around nervously. OFG continued, “Of course, they may help themselves to as
many rats and weasels they can find.” Bandit nodded curtly
acknowledging these orders.
Little Mo was watching Col Ti. Col Ti's
eyes watched Bandit's every move. He looked like a love struck puppy.
“This will be very interesting, indeed.” Thought Little Mo.
Meanwhile the Great Hall resumed its
typical level of activity. The crowd gathered to hear the news as
Bandit relayed the stories of her Mistress, Otto, and Cowboy.
Commander Zander entered the Great
Hall. He stood at least a head and shoulder above the rest of the
crowd. He was tall and proud and kingly in his appearance. He smiled
easily and people were drawn to his natural leadership. Wondering
what he missed Zander took his place next to his mother and his still
seething sister. He noted the new visitor and her amazing eyes.
“You must be tired, Bandit, from your
travels. Please enjoy the comforts of our hospitality.” Said OFG.
With this polite dismissal Bandit bowed
to take her leave. But before Bandit could rise OFG leaned down and
said in a barely audible whisper, “Have a care with my Princess,
Bandit. Had I not agreed to some... latitude... for your behavior you
would be dead now. Kai may be beguiled by your fame, but I am not.”
Bandit raised her eyes a bit to see that OFG was glaring at her. “You
will respect this court, Bandit, or I will kill you myself.”
Bandit could feel the full weight of
OFG's authority and rage upon her. Perhaps for the first time in her
life Bandit genuinely averted her eyes and knelt lower under
another's dominance.
“My apologies. I....”
But OFG cut her off, “Col Ti, please
escort our visitor to her quarters.” Said OFG.
Eagerly Col Ti stepped forward, “Of
course, Sir.” Then to the visitor, “Right this way, Bandit.”
Little Mo thought he might snicker at
bit at Col Ti's eagerness to show Bandit her bedroom. However,
everyone knew that you did not laugh at Col Ti and live to tell about
it. So Little Mo just silently watched them go. As did everyone else.
Her mother's disapproving eye was upon
her. “Kai. You will make your peace with Bandit. And you,” OFG
said looking at Zander. “Zander, you will make sure of it. The last
thing we need is some kind of incident. Just remember Kai, that your
dear friend Cowboy will not be happy to hear of a fight between you
and Bandit. She is a famed warrior and of a noble name. So give her
the respect she deserves – and keep that sharp tongue of yours in
check, my Princess, or I will send you on a very long and a very
boring patrol. Now go. Both of you.”
Zander and Kai trotted away. Kai's brow
was still furrowed. “What was that all about, Sister?” Asked
Zander.
“Nothing. It was nothing.” Said
Kai, deeply shamed, and she walked faster to get out of the Great
Hall.
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