The Kings Mistress Chapter 117

[ … words ]

Outside the forest, at the spectator stand, the first scores were revealed. Princess Cassandra was leading the charge with 19 points, Princess Myra with 10, Princess Taita with 9, and Princess Agnes with 7. Sierra, on the other hand, remained at zero.

“She can’t be that bad at archery, right?” Lady Diane asked worriedly as she turned to look at Roxine.

“She’s most certainly not,” Alistair added with a chuckle.

“Oh? Sounds like his Majesty might have a story to tell?” Diane asked, intrigued by his response.

Roxine explained on his behalf, explaining that he had seen Sierra’s archery skills before. Not only did she win the little competition, but she also proved herself to be a skilled archer.

“I heard she never misses her targets, even during training,” Roxine added towards the end.

“If that’s the case, something just doesn’t add up, doesn’t it,” Diane remarked as she leaned back in her seat in thought, “Perhaps she’s waiting to catch the big fish.”

Alistair turned to Diane, “That might just be it.”

Back in the forest, Sierra and her friends continued on their hunt. They discovered more targets as they made their way through the forest and Sierra guided them both to shoot down as many as possible.

It was clear Sierra was on the lookout for something, but Myra and Taita did not know what it might be. As luck would have it, she eventually found a series of tracks, just the ones she was looking for.

“I’m going to chase this trail down,” Sierra explained as she showed it to them, “I’m afraid this is where we part ways. We can meet back in a while-”

“Don’t worry about us, Sierra,” Myra replied reassuringly, “All the best for your hunt.”

The princesses exchanged a final glance before they split up. With Midnight, Sierra carefully made her way through the forest. The beast she was hunting was the largest and successful capture meant she would gain a large number of points. It was unlikely anyone would go for it.

Known as the Deerphant, it was a creature as tall as an elephant, with antlers like a deer. Many make the mistake of assuming that the creature had slowed movements. In fact, it was particularly agile and light-footed.

Just then, birds scattered across the sky, flying away. Sierra looked up, her ears picked up the deerphant’s trumpeting.

“We’ve found our catch of the day, Midnight. Let’s go,” Sierra rode off in the direction of the sound.

When she got to the forest clearing, she was stunned to see the area completely thrashed. Trees fell all around. As soon as she got close, she noticed two horses charging in her direction.

“Get out of here if you want to live!”

“That abomination has gone mad!”

The princesses on their horses wheezed past Sierra, she barely had a chance to speak to them to find out more or see who they were. But from the sound of their voices, she was able to deduce their identity.

It was Princess Agnes and the other princess who teamed up with Cassandra.

“That means…”

Sierra looked across the clearing. Just a short distance away, she saw Cassandra’s horse on her side, whinnying, and struggling to get back up. Her eyes darted around. She was looking for Cassandra.

“You vile beast! You’ll not get away!” Cassandra’s voice rang loud and clear.

Sierra made her way over at once. Cassandra was on her knees on the ground. She had her arrow drawn, ready to fire at the deerphant who was rampaging before her.

“Is she out of her mind?!” Sierra muttered to herself as she handled the reins and leaned in close to Midnight.

Her mare sped up immediately. The deerphant’s shadow was already looming over Cassandra. It was too late when the princess realized just how much trouble she was in. Her hands began to tremble and shake. The bow and arrow fell to the ground.

Her mouth was agape.

Cassandra thought she was about to meet her end. Realizing she would not be able to make it to Cassandra in time on horseback, Sierra knew she needed another solution. She steered Midnight out of the path of the deerphant.

Once she was stable, she got up to her feet on her saddle. Wings sprouted from Sierra’s back as she took to the sky. At unseen speed, she flew straight towards Cassandra.

In the nick of time, she got her out of the path of the deerphant. Sierra held onto Cassandra as they flew. Once they were a safe distance from the deerphant, Sierra landed on the ground safely.

“Your Highness, are you alright?” Sierra asked as she checked on Cassandra to make sure she was well.

“Sierra? What are you doing here?” Cassandra asked, clearly still in shock from the situation.

“I ah, was tracking the deerphant. Looks like you beat me to it. Are you hurt?”

“I… I think I’m fine.”

As soon as she finished speaking, the deerphant stomped its hooves on the ground and thrashed its head around. Sierra grabbed Cassandra immediately and took to the air once more. She whistled for Midnight as well, so that she could get out of the way in time.

It did not take long for Cassandra to realize she could not feel the ground beneath her feet. She made the horrible mistake of looking down. Vertigo took over most of her senses as she felt her heart palpitating in her chest.

“Are… are we in the air?!” Cassandra exclaimed in shock as she clutched onto Sierra tightly.

“Yes, yes we are. I would really appreciate it if you don’t move too much, Cassandra. I wouldn’t want to drop you. Not from this height,” Sierra said as she held onto the princess as best she could.

“I’m sure you’ve considered it at some point,” Cassandra replied crudely as she regained her composure.

“I’m fairly certain we both considered it at some point,” Sierra chuckled as she landed at the edge of the clearing.