THE ANCIENT HUNT

CHAPTER TWO *I'M IN*

Passionate and soulful music plays from Shael’s Erhu as she plays passionately in the pavilion with the king closing his eyes to enjoy the atmosphere while incense burns at the corner of the pavilion planted on top of one of the seven lakes in the palace while a servant gently fans him with a fan made of lovely peacock feathers

Shael pulled the last string and everywhere went silent, signaling the end of the music it’s over for today, Great Maeil, she informed gently.

Maeil opens his eyes, slowly waking up from his sweet journey the Erhu had sent him on.

"so quick? For some reason, there seems to be a very strong vibe to your sound, anything bothering you?" He questioned, picking his ear.

" Nothing in particular. I just feel myself missing something". Shael smiled behind the veil and answered

"uhm, Shael is not the type to miss something easily, what could that be?" Maeil grunts, pressing further.

"I miss the sight outside the palace. I want to have some fresh air. Who knows, if the scenery will bring new inspiration for my next song" she answered, turning her head towards the gate-side.

" As ambitious as ever, Scov, make sure you prepare whatever she needs for her outing and make sure she sees the best in the scenery", he commands his Chief Eunuch.

"Yes Great Maeil", Scov bowed.

"You are merciful Great Maeil" She bows with a smile.

"I should be able to do this for someone who makes me happy", he laughs and signals for his drink. Scov gently lifts the coconut shell filled with the rarest wine and places it in Maeil’s hand.

"this wine smells nice" passing it through his nose to get drunk on its scent

" Then I will take my leave". Shael stands up

" How about seeing your face today? It’s been a while" Maeil grunts with eagerness.

" My face is not prepared to meet Great Maeil. Maybe next time, I will be prepared" she responds with a bow.

"as elegant as ever, that’s why I like you. You should go and have some rest" Maeil signals for her to leave.

"Thank you Great Maeil" She leaves while her robe flows with the gentle wind.

"Doesn’t she ooze classiness and elegance all the time?" Maeil asked, facing Scov while laughing hysterically.

Liam arrived at the weapon shed, checking out the weapons and arms in storage while taking notes of everything present.

"is everything prepared in enough quantities?"

"Yes sir, it’s been supplied in enough quantities and we are still expecting more as of tomorrow" Chief Guard replied with a bow

" The recruitment is closing tomorrow, right?"

"Yes, they are all expected to be in the center in two days" the Chief guard confirmed his question.

" That's great, well-done" Liam complimented him and touched his long beard.

"it’s nothing" Chief Guard bows

(Orphanage)

Ahiga had been tossing and turning all night, unable to sleep due to some reasons best known to him. Adistan had questioned him about his restlessness but he didn’t reply with anything tangible. He suddenly flips his blanket and stands up to go outside.

" Where to?" Adistan questioned with his eyes open half-way.

"I left an important thing under the tree in the yard", Ahiga responded, putting on his slippers.

" Can’t you wait till morning? It’s so dark!"

"I will be back". Ahiga heads for the door.

" He only does things that please him" Adistan turns his back and sleeps..

Ahiga comes into the yard and searches for a box under the tree. He suddenly hears whispers coming from the storage room. He tries to figure out what’s being discussed but couldn’t due to the thick door.

" What do you suggest we do to pay up the orphanage debt?" Alona asked his wife.

"I heard the palace is looking for maids. How about we give them some of our girls? We can just tell others they were adopted", Aylen proposed.

" So do you have any names in mind?"

"Morgan, Aponi, Chepi and Doli, they are big enough and suitable" Aylen listed

"uhn that's good since they are big and mature enough, how much can we make from them?"

"I heard 20 pounds for each, so for four that should make 80 pounds" Aylen replied.

Alona gasped at the huge price. " Wow, that’s a lot, we can pay and also have extra to run the orphanage.

we can also dress our children in new attires", Aylen added, while Alona chuckled.

" That’s a deal" he remarked, and made high fives with Aylen

Adistan wondered why his roommate was not back, since he was digging a well, what could be taking him so long. He wondered and decided to go look for him before meeting him halfway.

" You didn’t find it? Why are you so pale?"

"I found it" Ahiga said, entering the house.

"Then why are you looking so gloomy?"

"Nothing, I just feel sleepy."

" Let’s get some sleep then" Aditsan said, pushing him in.

(Morning at Orphanage)

Morgan and Chepi are busy hanging the laundry as they chat away in the rising sunlight. They had to wake up at dawn to take care of the laundry. They have to be that early so all the laundry can get enough sunlight to avoid taking them out the next day.

" Do you want to go see the flowers we planted?" Morgan asked Chepi as they hung the laundry on the line.

" Let’s go after lunch" Chepi said, and they both made an OK sign.

They both pulled the big bed sheet to spread out before placing it carefully on the cloth line. They sighed as they were exhausted from washing those heavy sheets and clothes.

" Let me bring the rest of the laundry", Chepi offered, going towards the house.

"ok"! Morgan said and sat on the stone before Ahiga suddenly emerged from the back of the tree and whispered her name.

Morgan turns to see her caller

"oh Ahiga" she whispered

Ahiga signals come closer

" Why are you smiling so much?" Morgan asked, moving closer to him.

Ahiga dips his hand into his pocket and brings out the earrings.

" I got you this. Do you like it?"

" Wow, it’s so beautiful, it’s really pretty" her eyes lit up.

" You do have a great taste indeed. What are you doing today?"

" Nothing much. I’ll see flowers with Chepi and cook dinner with Doli, anything you want to do?" She asked, still checking out the earrings.

" Let’s go see the plains in the evening"

" No problem, I’ll be ready". Morgan smiled

"Cool, I have to go now" Ahiga waved and left

"what’s making you smile hard?" Chepi asked snapping Morgan out of her grinning mode

" Nothing". Morgan quickly hides the earrings.

"are you sure it's nothing?"

"Yes let’s. sundry them fast."

" OK!" Chepi said, getting to work.

"it’s been so long I came here, any new development or scenery?" Shael asked, moving around.

"I heard the river has taken a great turn and has formed a new magnificent shape" Mica answered before Aditsan suddenly ran past to inform Ahiga of a very urgent situation.

"Ahiga! There is trouble" Aditsan announced, breathing hard.

"and what would that be?" Ahiga asked, examining the arrows on the table.

"Morgan, Chepi, Doli and Aponi have been adopted"

Ahiga drops the arrow in confusion. "when? By who?"

" They were just taken now."

"s**t! "Ahiga muttered and sped off.

" He’s always leaving me behind, wait for me". Aditsan runs after him.

" Shall we go visit the river then?" Shael proposed.

The horse turns and heads for the river but Ahiga brushed past it so hard that the horse staggered, making Shael terrified and her veil flying off with the wind, her beautiful face behind the veil was bared, her eyes were sparkling blue with her small plump cherry lips outlining her perfect facial features. She’s truly a beauty who would make heads turn if she walked without her veil. Her sharp pointed nose is beautifully carved to fit her perfect face with a little bit of fat in the cheeks that protrudes happily when she smiles.

"are you okay Miss?" Mica quickly asked, terrified.

" Pardon my rudeness" Ahiga bowed and ran away quickly.

" Is something wrong with your brain?" Mica screams while running to give Shael another veil, since the other one had been carried away by the wind

" Leave him, it must be something urgent" Shael said calmly.

" You are just too kind, Miss", Mica remarked, handling over the veil to her.

" Am I? Let’s go". Shael covers her face and gives a smile

"Yes miss."

(At the orphanage)

"why are you panting so hard?" Aylen asked looking at him.

" Where is Morgan?" Ahiga asked trying to catch his breath

"oh she? She and the older girls were sent in for adoption this morning", Aylen answered and proceeded with what she was doing.

"without informing us?" Ahiga questioned sharply

" Since when do I need to inform you of an adoption, Ahiga?" Aylen asked, taken aback.

"I mean, it’s Morgan and others, I mean freaking". Ahiga gritted his teeth trying to keep his cool.

" By chance, do you like Morgan?" Aylen drops the fruit she’s peeling

" What are you saying? We’ve been here together for eighteen years and she just disappeared suddenly. Why can’t I ask about her?" Ahiga shouted.

" Well, she didn’t disappear. Don’t worry, she was adopted. She will be fine". Aylen pats his back

"but…" he protested.

" That’s enough, go chop some wood". Alona cuts in

" What did they say? Are they coming back soon?" Aditsan asked, finally catching up with him.

" Let’s apply for the palace recruitment". Ahiga dropped the bomb.

" So suddenly? You were bent on not going yesterday. What’s up?"

"want to go or not?" Ahiga fired sharply.

"I’ll go, of course."

" When is it closing?" Ahiga asked, looking impatient.

"today"

" Let’s go register then". Ahiga turns and runs towards the market.

Aditsan nodded and muttered an “ OK” as they both ran as fast as their legs could carry them.