I'll Meet You At Dawn

Sir Vander Ray treaded through a forest on a horse. His arrow marks the target of every edible magical living creature, as it is the day of the giving. Whoever has the largest hunt, win's the honor of feeding those who cannot afford to eat.

Something, or rather someone ran in between the trees. A shadow casted over their position from the sun positioning on them. He got off the horse, bow and arrow left behind and just his palm sitting on the hilt of his sword.

"Who's there?" He asked.

Silence answered him. Just as the person shuffled back, he lunged around, braced them back towards the tree, forearm to their throat. The woman squeaked.

"Ow, darling how could you?" She said.

He instantly lowered his arm and held her arms.

"My apologies love. I wasn't aware that you..."

He cocked his head to the side, "Why are you here?"

"I just wanted to see you." She smiled.

Her pink glistened under the setting sun. She brushed her fingers against his black wavy hair. Taking a leaf out of it.

"I must win the competition." He sighed looking towards the direction she came from.

"I wasn't followed. Besides, I had come to the decision to assist you."

"An assist?"

Sir Vander rubbed his jaw. She had the great skills of geography and nature.

"And if we get caught? I would assume our families would be banned from attending any future hunting competitions."

"I highly doubt that. If anything, I would presume that my mother and father would attempt to marry me off to the winner."

Sir Vander blinked.

"Pardon?"

"My parents made a hasty decision. Word is, the royal courts decided to bestow an excessive amount of gold, as well as access to the royal archives due bringing prestige an honor across the lands."

She watched Sir Vander look at the sky.

"I was unaware."

She smiled, "You were focused on helping those who need it. I believe that is more important than anything else."

He looked at her, a smile forming on his lips. He took a step closer and cupped her tanned cheek.

"I would do anything for you, Elisa."

He looked past her and saw a arrow striking a horned gem rabbit. He quickly took Elisa and guided her back to a horse. They head west, according to her knowledge there would be silver scaled boars. They're rich in meat and their scales could sell for a hefty amount.

"Oh, I see one!" She smiled. Pointing up ahead to see one grazing some grass. Issue was...someone also spotted the boar.

Sir Vander had lady Elisa hid behind a tree a few feet down from the horse.

"Are you going to fight him for it?"

"That is the whole point in the competition. To prove your worth, whether by hunting animals or besting someone in action."

Sir Vander caught the worried look in her brown eyes. He crouched a bit to catch her lowering gaze.

"Don't worry love. I'll be fine." He subtly smirked.

Lady Elisa's cheek flush as she hums. She cleared her throat, waving him off.

Sir Vander and the other man shot an arrow at the boar. It squealed from two arrows hitting it, one in the thigh and the other in its side. It flopped on it's side from Sir Vander's second arrow to the head.

"That's my kill." A man shouts. Sir Vander glanced at him and his glare.

"I did the finishing blow."

"I had the first shot."

The man who had a brooch of a horse emblem on his cloak refused to stand down.

"House of freedom. You're Sir Rian, correct?"

Rian's breath hitched as he nodded.

"I need this for my house. My family is depending on me."

Sir Rian was the sole heir. His family after the war was no longer needed and thus their power and influence had significantly decreased.

"My children are depending on me." Sir Rian lowered his head.

Sir Vander glanced over his shoulder before putting his hand on the man's shoulder.

"It's fine. Take it."

Sir Rian held Sir Vander's hand, thanking him profusely.

By the time Sir Vander got back to Lady Elisa her arms were crossed. He lowered his gaze and said, "I came to a situation..."

"Let me guess. He needed it for his family?"

He nodded.

She sighed.

"I should have expected it. You're too kind." She smiled.

He raised his gaze and smiled back. Coughing into his fist and looking away.

"Shall we?" He asked

"We shall."

As the hours went by nightfall was approaching. Lady Elisa led him to many hidden hunting grounds and Sir Vander took every opportunity to increase the hunted load.

By the time there was half an hour left till submission he steered the horse to a safe ground for her. His hands tightly held the horse reins, and Lady Elisa put her hand over his.

"I believe you'll do just fine." She said soothingly.

"I truly hope so." He said lowly by her ear.

He had the horse stop for a moment, lifting Lady Elisa off and setting her gently on the ground.

She pushed back some of his hair, a soft smile on her face.

"Walk with confidence, darling."

"I will and when I win, I'll meet you at dawn.'

"Then, I shall see you then."

Once the sun had fully set every noble, man or woman had displayed their hunts in front of the judges. The three judges looked at each one, judging their hunts on size, height and width, magical components, and more. After a long grueling hour it was decided with a final call.

In third place we have..."Sir Rian Freedom!"

The man who's gaze was unstable and had widened at the sound of his name. He went and collected his prize.

Next was, "Lady Nylah Flamesworth!"

A woman who's house specializes in culinary. She accepted her prize with grace.

Next was a unanimous decision. "This winner hunted beasts that live in the shadows and because of that their hunts can feed a village for months to come!"

Another judge chimed in, "And because of their skills we have decided that they shall be our winner for this years hunting annual competition! Please give a round of applause to Sir Vander, heir to the house of Reins Ironmere!"

Sir Vander approached the judges, they put a winners brooch over his cloak.

"Your gift will be given to you in private. Once again, congratulations."

Sir Vander bowed his head in respect to everyone around. Some had cheered for him, others had not. Either way he was the one who claimed the winners seat.

He woke up with water being splashed on him. His sister, Eva had her hands on her hips as she said, "I thought last night you said that you'd see Lady Elisa at dawn?"

He looked at her, then the golden light pouring through the windows. He bolted out of bed getting ready.

"Why didn't you wake me up beforehand?!"

"You're always on time brother. Perhaps drinking with the contestants made you sleep a little too well."

He rolled his eyes, buttoning his shirt. By the time he was ready he rushed to put his cloak back on.

"Come on girl!" He said tapping his foot against his horse. He raced against time as the sun began to rise. In minutes he was at a bridge of a small garden. Where Lady Elisa stood at, admiring a swan couple sleeping together.

She turned her head at Sir Vander let out a breath of relief as he stood by his horse. Admiring his one and only love.

"Good morning." She smiled.

"Good morning, love." He said wrapping his arms around her.

After a moment she pulled back. Holding a envelope. She held out it to him.

"This is?" He whispered.

"A gift." She smiled.

Sir Vander pulled it open, reading a letter. From her household, Valer. It entailed a marriage proposal.

"Aren't you glad that you won, darling?" She smiled.

He tucked the letter back into its envelope and into the pocket of a coat he hand underneath his cloak. He tapped his brooch and smiled.

"This was for you. I wouldn't have won without your help."

"I believe that you would have won regardless of my heart. Your kindness has no bounds."

"Is that so? Then I should bring my kindness to your family, shouldn't I?"

He cupped her cheek, "I'll send a marriage request instead. Do you accept me to be your husband, Elisa?"

"I do. You've always been the one for me darling."

He smile, pressing a kiss to her forehead then resting his against hers.

"Thank you for everything, my love."