The Throned Crown

The hunting grounds stretched far beyond the palace, an untamed expanse of wilderness where the nobility entertained themselves with blood sport. Aelric rode behind Cassiel and the others, his posture straight, his expression composed. But his thoughts churned with unease.

The prince's note lingered in his mind, its cryptic tone a constant weight on his shoulders. "Loyalty proved through fire…" What game was Cassiel playing? And how far would he go to force Aelric's hand?

The morning sunlight broke through the canopy of trees, dappling the forest floor in patches of gold. The air was thick with the earthy scent of moss and the distant trill of birdsong, but the mood among the hunting party was anything but light.

Cassiel rode ahead, his dark stallion a striking figure against the vibrant greenery. He didn't look back at Aelric, but his presence loomed like a shadow over the group.

"General Thorne," one of the nobles called from beside him, a smirk tugging at his lips. "I hear you've already made quite the impression on His Highness."

Aelric didn't take the bait. "I serve the crown," he replied evenly, his tone giving nothing away.

The noble chuckled, leaning closer. "Careful, General. Serving the crown and surviving it are two very different things."

Aelric's jaw tightened, but he said nothing.

They reached the heart of the hunting grounds, where servants waited with trained hounds and weapons. Cassiel dismounted gracefully, his movements deliberate, his eyes scanning the gathered party like a predator assessing its prey.

"Hunting is a skill that demands focus, precision, and cunning," Cassiel began, his voice cutting through the murmurs. "Qualities I expect from all who serve me."

His gaze settled on Aelric, the intensity of his stare enough to silence the forest itself.

"General," Cassiel said, gesturing to the hounds. "You'll lead the first pursuit."

Aelric inclined his head, hiding the tension coiling in his chest. "Of course, Your Highness."

A servant handed him a spear, the weapon's weight unfamiliar in his grip. Aelric preferred blades—close, personal, and precise. But this was no ordinary hunt.

The hounds barked as the servants unleashed them, their noses to the ground as they picked up the scent of prey. The forest came alive with movement, the distant rustling of leaves and snapping of branches echoing through the air.

Aelric moved swiftly, his senses honed, his every step calculated. He could feel Cassiel's gaze on him, watching, waiting.

The hounds led him deeper into the forest, away from the others. The underbrush grew thicker, the shadows darker, and the air heavier with the scent of damp earth.

Suddenly, the hounds stopped, their growls low and menacing. Aelric froze, his grip tightening on the spear.

Something moved in the shadows.

A boar. Massive and wild, its tusks gleaming in the dappled light. The creature snorted, pawing at the ground, its eyes locked on Aelric.

He adjusted his stance, his breath steady, his focus unyielding. The boar charged, a blur of muscle and fury. Aelric waited until the last moment, then sidestepped, driving the spear into its side with calculated force.

The boar let out a piercing squeal before collapsing, the forest falling silent once more.

Aelric withdrew the bloodied spear, his chest heaving. But the triumph was short-lived.

A slow clap echoed behind him.

"Well done," Cassiel said, his voice smooth and mocking.

Aelric turned to find the prince leaning casually against a tree, a faint smile on his lips. He hadn't heard Cassiel approach—how long had he been watching?

"I see you've earned your reputation," Cassiel continued, stepping closer. "But the hunt isn't over yet."

Aelric frowned. "Your Highness?"

Cassiel's smile widened, his eyes gleaming with something dark and dangerous. "The true test isn't in killing beasts, General. It's in hunting men."

Before Aelric could respond, two soldiers emerged from the trees, dragging a figure between them.

It was the prisoner from the clearing, his face bloodied, his body trembling.

"Your prey," Cassiel announced, his tone devoid of mercy.

The prisoner's eyes widened in terror as he was thrown to the ground. He scrambled to his knees, his voice hoarse with desperation. "Please! I've done nothing wrong!"

Cassiel ignored him, his gaze fixed on Aelric. "This man betrayed the crown. Prove your loyalty and finish what you started."

The forest seemed to close in around them, the shadows stretching like claws. Aelric's grip on the spear faltered, his mind racing.

This is no longer a game.

"Your Highness," Aelric began carefully, "surely the dungeons—"

"No," Cassiel interrupted, his voice cold. "Justice isn't served in darkness. It must be delivered in the light, where all can see."

The soldiers stood still, their expressions blank. They would not intervene. This was Cassiel's arena, and everyone knew it.

The prisoner crawled toward Aelric, his hands clasped in supplication. "Please… have mercy…"

Aelric's heart pounded, the weight of the spear unbearable. This was exactly what Cassiel wanted—to force him into a choice he couldn't undo.

Cassiel stepped closer, his voice a whisper that only Aelric could hear.

"Loyalty is a fragile thing, General," he said, his breath brushing against Aelric's ear. "And so very easy to break."

Aelric turned his head slightly, their eyes meeting. In Cassiel's gaze, he saw no cruelty, no malice—only calculation.

He's testing me, Aelric realized. But why?

Time seemed to stretch, the forest holding its breath as Aelric weighed his options. Then, slowly, he raised the spear.

The prisoner sobbed, his body shaking.

Aelric's arm trembled. The tip of the spear hovered inches from the man's chest.

And then, without warning, Aelric spun, hurling the spear into the ground at Cassiel's feet.

"I'll prove my loyalty in battle, Your Highness," Aelric said, his voice steady but cold. "Not by slaughtering an unarmed man."

The forest was deathly silent.

Cassiel stared at the spear, his expression unreadable. Then, to Aelric's shock, he laughed—a low, quiet sound that sent a chill down Aelric's spine.

"You're bold, General," Cassiel said, his smile returning. "Dangerously so."

He turned to the soldiers. "Take the prisoner back to the dungeons. For now."

The soldiers obeyed without question, hauling the trembling man to his feet and dragging him away.

Cassiel stepped closer to Aelric, his voice low. "You've intrigued me, General. But don't mistake my curiosity for leniency."

His smile faded, his gaze hardening. "Next time, disobedience will cost you more than your pride."

With that, Cassiel turned and strode away, his presence leaving a suffocating void in its wake.

Aelric stood alone in the clearing, the echoes of the encounter etched into the very air.

He had survived the prince's test—this time.

But as he watched Cassiel's retreating figure, Aelric couldn't shake the feeling that he had just stepped deeper into a game where survival was anything but guaranteed.