Chapter 14: Night Hunt
The communal hall quieted as the last villager drifted off to their meager quarters. Antoinette waited until the soft snores filled the air, a sign that the town had succumbed to sleep. She rose silently, moving with a practiced stealth that belied her royal upbringing. Alright, time to see what these monsters are made of, she thought, a thrill coursing through her.
She had no intention of bringing anyone else along. This was her hunt, her way of assessing the threat. She wasn't about to risk anyone else's life on a scouting mission. Besides, she worked best alone.
She slipped into the palace armory, the familiar scent of oiled steel and leather filling her nostrils. She strapped a well-maintained sword to her back, the weight comforting. Then, she moved to a hidden compartment, a place she had discovered through Raven's information about the palace's black market dealings. She pulled out two Borchardt pistols, their sleek, metallic forms a stark contrast to the medieval weaponry surrounding her.
These babies are gonna be useful, she thought, a grin spreading across her face. She checked the magazines, ensuring they were fully loaded. She slid one into a holster strapped to her thigh, hidden beneath her dark trousers, and held the other in her hand, its weight reassuring. She had acquired them through Raven's information, a risky transaction in the city's underbelly. She had no allies, no one to rely on but herself.
She had learned to handle firearms in her past life, a necessary skill in her line of work. She knew how to shoot, how to aim, how to take down a target with precision.
She had traded some of the royal jewels, carefully selected and hidden from the queen, to obtain these. Raven was surprised, but took the deal, no questions asked.
She had replaced the jewels with fake ones, a sleight of hand she had learned from her old crew. No one would notice until it was too late.
She dressed in practical dark pants and a simple blouse, tying her long red hair back into a tight ponytail. She was ready for the hunt.
With a silent nod to herself, she slipped out of the palace, the cool night air a welcome change from the stuffy confines of her chambers. The forest loomed before her, a dark, impenetrable wall. Let's see what you've got, she thought, her eyes glinting with anticipation.
She moved with a quiet confidence, her senses heightened, her instincts on alert.
She moved silently through the trees, a shadow amongst shadows. She climbed with surprising agility, finding purchase on branches that seemed too slender to hold her weight. She scanned the forest floor from her elevated perch, her eyes sharp and focused. Gotta get a lay of the land, she thought. Can't just go in guns blazing.
She spotted movement below, a low, guttural growl reaching her ears. She descended swiftly and silently, landing lightly on the forest floor. She crept towards the sound, her pistol raised, her senses on high alert.
Through the dense undergrowth, she saw it. It was unlike anything she had ever encountered. It stood on two legs, its body covered in thick, matted fur. Its face was canine, with sharp teeth and glowing red eyes. But its arms were long and muscular, ending in razor-sharp claws. Okay, that's new, she thought. Looks like a wolf-bear hybrid gone wrong.
The creature sniffed the air, its head turning from side to side. It hadn't sensed her yet. Time to see what this thing can do, she thought.
She moved silently, circling around the creature, observing its movements. It seemed to be patrolling a small area, its claws digging into the ground. Protecting something? she wondered.
Suddenly, the creature stopped, its head snapping up. It had sensed her. It let out a deafening roar and charged towards her, its claws extended.
Antoinette reacted instantly. She sidestepped the creature's attack, her pistol firing. The bullet struck the creature in the shoulder, but it barely seemed to notice. It swung its claws at her, and she barely managed to dodge.
Tougher than it looks, she thought, her mind racing. She couldn't rely on the pistol alone. She needed to get closer, to use her sword.
She drew her sword, the steel gleaming in the moonlight. She charged towards the creature, her sword raised. She swung with all her might, the blade connecting with the creature's leg. It roared in pain, its claws slashing at her.
She dodged and weaved, her movements precise and deadly. She was a whirlwind of steel, her sword finding its mark again and again. The creature was strong, but she was faster, more agile.
Finally, with a well-aimed thrust, she plunged her sword into the creature's heart. It let out a final, agonizing roar and collapsed to the ground, dead.
Antoinette stood over the fallen creature, her chest heaving, her body covered in sweat. Not bad, she thought, a smirk playing on her lips. First monster down.
She examined the creature more closely. Its fur was coarse and matted, its claws were razor-sharp, and its teeth were like daggers. Nasty, she thought. Glad I took it down.
She continued her hunt, moving deeper into the forest. She encountered other creatures, each one different, each one a challenge. There were giant spiders with venomous fangs, reptilian beasts with razor-sharp scales, and winged creatures with talons like steel.
With each encounter, Antoinette grew more confident, more skilled. She learned to anticipate their attacks, to exploit their weaknesses, to kill them with efficiency and precision.
She moved through the trees like a ghost, a silent predator in the night. She was no longer just a princess; she was a hunter, a warrior, a force to be reckoned with.
As the first rays of dawn began to peek through the trees, Antoinette emerged from the forest, her clothes stained with blood, her hair tied back in a ponytail. She carried her spoils of the hunt – several small animals and a large, boar-like creature – slung over her shoulder.
She had faced the monsters of the forest, and she had survived. She had proven to herself, and to the people of Seabarrow, that she was capable of anything. She was ready to lead, to fight, to rebuild.