Thinking about your options, you decide that you REALLY don't want to deal with a bunch of sycophants sucking up to the royal family today. Seeing as you will be dealing with their kind for the better part of the foreseeable future once you complete the ceremony, better to take the day to yourself and enjoy the freedom while you can.
Which is exactly why you found yourself stalking through the trees of the outer forest. A hunting expedition was exactly what you needed right now, with nothing but your wits and your bow to help you out. Sure, several guards had been dispatched to follow you and make sure you didn't do anything stupid that would get you killed, but you were very experienced at giving them the slip by this point.
After taking pains to make sure you were no longer being followed by an unwanted retinue of armored escorts who would no doubt scare away anything that you were looking to hunt, your journey began properly. It was quiet out. The faint buzzing of insects and birdsong were more subdued than normal. Everything about it was relaxing. Here, far away from the court, you didn't have to worry about politics or parties or which noble built a what on the edge of who's property. Now, it was just you and the wild creatures that inhabited the forest.
Or rather, it had been. You realize suddenly that the birds have gone silent. No more insects are buzzing. It's like the whole world has frozen, except for you. Warning instincts flare in the back of your mind, telling you that something is off, but there is a thrill with that discomfort. Something was out here. With you.
You steady your breathing, knocking an arrow and half-drawing your bow to a ready position. Ahead of you, a fern twitches. Just once, and no more.It could easily have been a stray breeze, but even the air feels still and quiet. Something is behind there, and while the sense of warning is stronger than ever, so is the urge to bag whatever is lurking in the dark.
One step at a time, you creep forwards, pulling back on the bowstring and aiming in a full-draw. It was hard work to keep it pulled back and steady, but the strain on your muscles was an acceptable tax at this point.
Taking a moment to prepare yourself, you push the ferns aside.
