Chapter 4 Excellent Hunter

Meridian Water I entered the grand room, where the imposing King Fondark sat on his obsidian throne. I had been summoned to a special hearing, but I had no idea what to expect. As my footsteps echoed around the room, I felt the intensity of everyone's gaze on me. Powerful warriors and influential advisors watched me with a mixture of curiosity. It was an honor and a challenge to be recognized in front of so many important figures. When I finally arrived before the throne, I knelt as a sign of respect. The king's gaze fell on me, analyzing me carefully. "Meridian, the excellent hunter", said the king in a deep and imposing voice. "Your deeds and skills as a hunter have echoed throughout the kingdom. You have distinguished yourself as one of our most valiant defenders." I felt a mixture of pride and gratitude for the recognition. But I kept my head up, attentive to his words, memorizing them to always remember who I was. One of the most valiant defenders of the kingdom of Umbra. "It is with great honor that I offer you an even more important role," continued the king. "From this moment on, you will be designated as the protector of our crown prince. Your mission will be to ensure his safety. Protecting him with your life." Murmurs echoed throughout the throne room, this was no ordinary role for a renegade. And I could feel the weight of the responsibility entrusted to me. I raised my head, meeting the gaze of the crown prince, who was standing next to his father. "It will be an honor and a privilege to protect the prince." I responded with firmness and determination. "I promise that I will dedicate my life to this mission and will do everything in my power to ensure your safety." The king smiled with satisfaction at my answer. He recognized my devotion, and that was what I needed to stand out within the royal guard. To get where I always dreamed of getting to. "So be it," declared the king. "From this day forward, Meridian, you are the Crown Prince's Protector. Do your duty with dedication and loyalty, and our gratitude will be eternal." After the consecration, I was given a room inside the main house. Where the royal family lived. I didn't imagine that I would become the prince's protector, and all I ever dreamed of was just being part of the royal cavalry. I couldn't describe what I was feeling, and although the feeling of emptiness was always present with me, like a gap reminding me of how empty my story was... I felt, in a way, happy for this appointment. The prince didn't seem like someone who needed me, he fought just as well as me. But I would do it masterfully. I would defend him with my life. We had never had contact except on the last day of training, he had always been very reserved, I imagined because he was the prince. But there didn't seem to be the same instinct for mockery and irony in him that the magicians carried, his trademark was the seriousness. I never saw him smiling. He didn't even talk much, and whenever he talked it was about his responsibilities. He looked different from his kingdom, his power gave him away, but his different personality was intriguing. Umbrans were generally rowdy, ironic, mocking, and were always making their bitterness evident. They were thirsty for war, and destruction and chaos were their surnames. They threw parties and were always willing to consume lustful souls. Feasts, women and unfortunate souls were served whenever a war was won. But although his reputation was that he always served himself at these feasts, every time I saw him, he did not seem like a troublemaker. It seemed more like a solitary being. I could easily mistake him for an unhappy soul if it weren't for his appearance and magical aura. The first day began with a thorough presentation of the main house, an imposing building that exuded history and authority. Its spacious halls, decorated with hand-embroidered tapestries, displayed scenes from the kingdom's great battles. The dark wooden floor creaked slightly under your footsteps, while crystal chandeliers hung from the high ceiling, illuminating the room with a warm glow. The rooms were equally majestic, with four-poster beds adorned in fine fabrics and wide windows that offered a privileged view of the surrounding fields. There were also emergency exits, hidden behind discreet panels, the existence of which only a select few knew about — a constant reminder that, even in the safety of home, danger was imminent. Later, I was led to the meeting room, a space with a long polished oak table surrounded by heavy chairs, where the leaders were already gathered. The walls were decorated with detailed maps of the kingdom, marked by pins indicating conquered territories and threat zones. The air was thick with tension and low murmurs among the commanders, interrupted only when the door opened for the official start of the meeting. I, now as the prince's official protector, had a prominent position at his side. He was sitting at the head of the table, but his behavior was curious: he remained completely silent, his eyes fixed on each person who spoke, as if registering everything without showing any emotion. His posture was so restrained that, at times, it seemed as if he wasn't there. As for me, my keen memory was in full use. Every word said was absorbed, every plan drawn up was fixed in my mind. The prince's itinerary was presented with precision — trips around the kingdom, diplomatic events and visits to conflict zones were just part of the routine that I was supposed to follow. From now on, I would command your security, just as I did with the hunters in our past missions. My reputation among them was what guaranteed me success; they obeyed without question, and I hoped the same would apply to the men who would now be under my supervision. The main focus of the meeting, however, was the growing threat. Small territories had been annexed to the kingdom, arousing the fury of our rivals. But the real concern was greater: the silver pack, whose next steps were unpredictable. As leaders discussed strategies, maps were drawn up, escape routes suggested, and ambush possibilities considered. Although the tension was palpable, I felt a strange sense of familiarity. Planning, anticipating, and leading through chaos was something I was good at. What was new, however, was the prince's silent presence at my side, a constant reminder that my mission now went beyond survival: I was the guardian of the kingdom's centerpiece. As the words unfolded in the meeting room, the weight of the story seemed to echo in every stone in the walls. The tension was palpable, and the leaders began to plot their strategies. I remained silent, like the prince, but my ears were attentive to every word. “The silver pack is not just a strong enemy; they are calculating. For years, they have been using war to wear us down, waiting for the right moment for the final blow. But this time, we won’t make the same mistakes.” Said General Luthor. He pointed to the map on the table, indicating the lost territories. “These three northern regions are our priorities. If we don’t recover them, they will have direct access to the heart of the kingdom.” “I agree, but we need to be smart. Attacking directly could be suicide. If we plant spies at their posts, we can discover their supply routes and weaken them.” Captain Exalin said. “I don’t think spies would be a good idea. We don't have enough magic for this disguise, it would be dangerous. We have to defend ourselves.” Commander Vanya said. “Defending is not enough, every day they get stronger.” Retorted General Luthor. “This is the time to act!” I took advantage of the silence that followed to intervene, aware that my voice was new to the room. “Can I talk?” Everyone's eyes turned to me in surprise. “You are right in your concerns, but we need balance. If we use the hunters to track the pack's movements and intercept their communications, we will know exactly where to strike. Furthermore, I will lead the prince's escort myself. Any move they make will be covered by my team. Our strength is in precision, not momentum.” “And what ensures your team is ready for an enemy like the pack?” General Luthor stared at me, crossing his arms. “My reputation.” My response was firm, and the silence that followed was proof that there wasn't much to dispute. “Then it’s decided. We will use hunters to track and gather information. We will reinforce defenses and launch a coordinated attack as soon as we know the pack’s weak points.” It was Commander Vanya who confirmed it. The prince, still silent, made a slight movement of his head, approving the plan. The meeting continued with details being fine-tuned, but I knew that moment was just the beginning of something much bigger. The shadows of the Umbra kingdom were moving, and war was getting closer.