Noble Challenges
 

Closed for Shadowlight
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Dawn breaks over the vast countryside. The village safely nestled in the valley beginning to bustle with activity. But up in the castle, all is still quiet. At least, until a shout of excitement breaks the morning silence

The gallop of a horse's hooves rattles the pathway through the nearby forest. The rider of the horse simply thrilled and content as they rush through the greenery. Though, soon, the horse comes to a stop and the rider dismounts. Throwing back the hood of a rather lavish-looking cloak, reveals a young girl of about 9 years. Bold green eyes look about as the horse shakes its mane and gives a snort that gives the impression it does not seem to be happy with its rider

"Oh, don't be like that" the girl said, in a soft voice as she moved to pat the horse's snout affectionately "We'll be back to the stable before Father even notices"

Little did the girl know that her father was already well aware of her departure and had been informed by a stable hand early that morning. The man had in response saddled his own horse and set off through the woods to find her, knowing that it was during this time of year when the forest was thick with carnivorous wildlife such as wolves and bear.

He took with him his best hunters and a pack of dogs, just in case they were to run into trouble. Though his mind was truly only on his daughter.

Had he not warned her about going into the woods alone, especially during this season? He thought as he rode at a gallop into the greenery.

As they walked through the forest, the girl and her horse soon stopped at a pond in a small sylvan glen. The young filly drank from the pond, as the girl lazily lay at the base of a large tree

"The forest seems so peaceful" she said to herself "Why would Father make a big deal out of how dangerous it is? Seriously, he needs to get out more. He spends too much time doing things that are so boring"

She then sat up, as a sad look made its way into her expression "He's so busy with all that, that he barely does anything with me anymore" she said sadly as her horse came up to her after having its fill from the pond

Her father saw the horse and slowed his own into a canter.

"there you are!" he called, dismounting and coming over to her, a mix of disappointment and relief on his face as he knelt down.
"What were you thinking? There's wolves and other things this area!" he stated

The girl was about to mount her horse, when she heard another coming up to them, and the obvious always-serious tone of her father's voice. she half froze as he came up to her. Her filly turned to her hand gave a snort that seemed to say 'Told you'

"What wolves?" she countered with a somewhat arrogant tone, as she felt he was over-reacting "I haven't seen or heard anything. There's nothing scary or dangerous out here"

He sighed and gently put an hand on her shoulder.
"This is a hunting ground during the summer months." he stated, sighing as he glanced around and then got an idea.

"Do you want to go on a hunt with us?" he stated, he would punish her but he wanted to show her what danger really was hidden out there.

"What, me? Hunt? Kill animals? No way, are you nuts?" Korri said with high disgust

"No. You won't kill. I just want you to see what we see during that. No one will kill anything unless something jumps out at us. You said you didn't think it was dangerous here...I just want to show you why I have the rules I do." he stated calmly in reply.

He wondered why his daughter always seemed to try his patience or what to do. Grounding really didn't work and he was at his wits end

"Killing is the point of hunting" Korri said "Face it, Father, there is nothing scary out here" she said as she then proceeded to mount her horse "And there's no way you can prove me wrong"

Sighing he grabbed the horses reins and lead it toward the group.
"You're coming with us tonight then if you want proof. I don't know what's gotten into you lately but you're wearing my patience thin."

He stated, though he was trying to calm down so he didn't actually yell at the girl.