The Rest days came and Drak took his Carriage out of the School City. Traveling through the scenic Landscape Drak was relaxing while his Maids were drinking tea. The trip was made to appreciate the scenery around them, while also looking as harmless as they could.

  — Meanwhile in Redwood

  “He is on his way. Right now he is taking the scenic route.”

  “Let him, it might be his last happy trip. What about the Merchant?”

  “No signs of him. No one has been seen entering or exiting Redwood who was suspicious.”

  “Good, still be wary of the freaky battle maids. Two are confirmed, treat them as all being able to fight.”

  “What is with the other side?”

  “Bad news, the Target suddenly got a high fever and had to see a healer. While everything seems to be fine again, the Doctor said unnecessary things such as to let the patient rest and not move too much unless absolutely necessary.”

  “So the framing might fall short? How do we connect the dots?”

  “We will find a way. Let the Merchant rampage and afterwards we will incarcerate all who have something to do with him.”

  “What about the Noble Kids?”

  “If they work hard, we can give them titles. If they are a liability, just find a way to remove them.”

  —

  Entering the small Village the large difference in wealth was seen. While it was a clean and rather well built Village, it was filled with the smell of blood, as it was a hunting Village and not a place Nobility normally goes to hunt.

  Most people looked normal but if someone looked closely, they were slightly off in their demeanour.

  “Alice, look into what is going on here.”

  “Yes, Seria~”

  Closing her eyes, Alice sat there and just looked asleep. The Carriage got closer to the center, where already some people sat on a large table, drinking and laughing. Their Nobility was rather obvious, as their clothes were way better than the ones of the people around.

  “Found out, what is going on~”

  “And?”

  “They can not see us~”

  “This means the whole trap might be the worst case. Master?”

  “No change.”

  “Understood.”

  Exiting the Carriage Drak was looking unsure and intimidated. As the people on the Table saw him they came to him with gentle smiles.

  “Drak, long time no see. Do you remember me? I am Martin, we saw each other at the Berklin Banquette, but were not allowed to speak to each other.”

  “I remember you. And those are?”

  “Oh, these are my friends, we are all either seen as third choice or not even thought of. You won’t believe how many of us are in the School City.”

  “Hello, I am Drak Berklin. Bastard Son of Lord Berklin.”

  “Don’t add that. We all are Noble children, even if not favoured. Just be yourself for once.”

  “Okay.”

  After the first few explanations and talks everyone introduced himself. With Martin there were six Noble Sons plus Drak. Everyone had some story about how they were the lesser of their Siblings and tried their best to include Drak. Seeing how Drak slowly started to smile they talked for a while before starting the preparation of the hunt.

  Being ready the Carriages drove out of the Village, which Martin said out of courtesy for the Villagers as they could not occupy the place the villagers would later need forever.

  Exiting the place they came to the entrance of the Forest, where they began to explain the Hunting.

  “Everyone has his own Guards, I might have forgotten to say that. Do you need some of ours?”

  Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

  Seeing the men exiting the Carriages they had a sharp glint in their eyes. Experienced Hunters or maybe worse.

  “Oh, no. I have my Maids with me. While they look simple I can trust them with my Life.”

  “Oh, are you sure? Well I will not say something against it, when you say so. The next step is crucial. Everyone has a sending crystal. If you are in danger, infuse it with Magic to send a signal for us to get to you. Even if you think you might be fine, do not risk too much.”

  Giving him a crystal, it was not only at first sight but truly a sending crystal for a rescue signal. While wondering why they would not just give him a fake he gave it to Seria. The others noticed that and concluded Drak can not even push enough Magic out of his Body to send a signal.

  While the Nobles did not say anything about it, the Hunters under them noted it in their minds.

  “Now, I see you have no Gear, do not worry I thought about you. Do you like a bow or do you think a Crossbow would be better?”

  There were different tools which most use Magic for hunting, but under them were also some bows and crossbows. Light and heavy variations respectively.

  “I suggest this hunting crossbow. It is easy to load and you can shoot straight. Servant, place a target on the far side for us to practice.”

  The Target was placed and while explaining in detail how it works others shot also for fun and to adjust their aims for later. Experimenting and having a hard time to make precise shots, Drak was not deterred while the other Nobles encouraged him. If Drak didn't know about the slight hiccups at the start and the Letter he might be convinced they really want to be friends with him. Albeit he knew it was just for show, Drak felt nice for once and just went with the flow for the time.

  Explaining the Forest Wildlife and how the simple hunt mostly does not bring much back, the others said whoever brought back the biggest game would be the one who hosts the feast while the others are obliged to bring sides for the meat at the last rest day. This was normal etiquette between Nobles as friends who hunt together also eat together. If none brought something back, which often happens they go to a restaurant to eat vegetable soup together and break bread as a penalty.

  Drak remembered etiquette lessons and knew the rules were true. Many Nobles go hunting once or twice in the hunting seasons, but Drak also knew they don’t do it in the Redwood Forest.

  “Why are we hunting in the Redwood forest? This is a rather unusual hunting ground.”

  “Sorry for that Drak, you see we are more the outcasts in Nobility. While we still have our Blood Status, if we clash with other Nobles we have the short end of the stick. All Students are equal only applies to the School City, but out here they do not hold back. They can not outright attack us but an ‘accidental Arrow’ to mock us can fly and if you retaliate they can make it a political issue which mostly has only demerits against us. Going out is that dangerous, so better use the worst place to hunt to not be seen by whoever might want to antagonize us.”

  “Makes sense, but why hunting to begin with?”

  “It is a common Noble sport. Later we will go back to wherever we live and one of the most used ways of mockery is showing us off by how we can not even do the simplest entertainment of the Nobility. You should also learn to dance and if you are left to dine alone, learn etiquette on the table. Right now I am learning Wine tasting, even if I do not like that stuff, but when the time comes to tell if it is a Vellieux or Nardanth imported wine will make it harder for people to mock me.”

  Drak understood. Nobility was looking mostly for Image. If you are a disgrace, no one would even think of working with you in the future. Many Merchants also have a high standard for etiquette and he was seeing the similarities. To be respected is to not make a fool of himself. He noted to learn practical things in his offtime.

  Seria, noticing the face of Drak like he was enlightened, was having a hard time to keep her poker face under the veil, because she was delighted to see how Drak suddenly was willing to learn on his own. She needs to find ways to create sparks like that in him, already starting to burn all her brain cells in how to best find those ways.

  “Korn, tend to our horses. We will be back close to sundown.”

  “Yes, my… Master.”

  Bowing and quickly changing the slip of the tongue, Korn detached the horses to let them grass on a piece of grass a bit further away than the other horses. Afterwards he sat next to the Carriage and started to take a nap. The other Coachmen were wondering what he was doing as he just let them roam free, but said nothing.

  Entering the Forest with everyone the hunt was starting. Martin stayed with Drak as he brought him to show him the ropes while the others spread out to find better prey, as they want to show Drak how it is done and have the biggest game of them all.

  “They are pompous, but nice people, Drak. As we all have inferiority complexes, they try their best to show off, when they have the chance for once. Maybe we can eat a boar or maybe even a stag, but do not hope for anything magical. The Redwoods are the least magical and therefore totally deserted by Nobles unlike us.”

  The day slowly got older and while the red in the sky was only faint it got late. Drak had fun searching and learning how to identify animal tracks or to read footprints. He even was not the slightest bit disgusted by the explanation of which animal created which droppings and even had the chance to fire twice at Rabbits, which unluckily escaped as he horrendously missed.

  “Believe me, the first time I hunted, the only thing I could hit was trees. you at least got the right direction, I am slightly envious.”

  “Martin, you flatter me. I am just trying my best. I never had a weapon in hand before. While it is exhausting to walk so much it also makes fun to see what-”

  At that moment an emergency Signal was sent. The place was deeper in and came from one of their companions.

  “Something is wrong! I need to help them, do you want to come with me or go back to the Carriages, Drak?”

  “I come with you!”

  “You are brave, fine. Come with me but I will hurry up in front. Hope it is nothing serious!”

  When they started sprinting Martin used all his strength to hurry in the direction of the Signal, slightly startled by how Drak with so much mass was barely keeping up. While running Martin had no choice and pulled out a windwalk amulet and activated it. With its power he felt lighter and started to dash further in leaving Drak and his maids slightly behind until he was close to disappearing behind the row of trees.

  The next second, arrows came flying at Drak and his Maids. Evading them while Drak rolled ungracefully to the side, Martin was gone with his Retinue. Now alone smoke started to surround Drak and the others.

  “...~”

  Nodding, everyone coughed lightly while stealthily ingesting an antidote. In the middle of the Forest, covered in smoke and being shot at by archers were dangerous circumstances, but no one panicked, even Drak was calm and collected, which made the other side surprised.