Good Hunt (1)

1.

Inside the secrete room of the Baron's mansion, Catherine sat on the chair with her hands folded and her legs crossed. She had the expression of someone who can go into a rampage anytime and the reason for her anger was the sheet of paper in her hand.

Today Catherine received a letter from her husband Baron Markus and that letter was an order from Baron Markus asking Liam to join the extermination group that has been decided by General Ishtar. She was furious that General Ishtar decided to invite a 12-year-old boy on a dangerous mission but the fact that Ishtar dared to describe it as a favor from him to Liam was something she cannot forgive.

The letter said, "On the request of Lady Catherine, I Baron Markus Dey Ursandra allow my son Liam Cinn Ursandra to join the extermination forces led by Lieutenant Simon S. Silk. … The purpose of Liam's attendance in this expedition is to educate him on the duties that a noble has to perform to protect their citizens. … Liam is allowed to take a few companions with him. … Liam and his selected companions shall be working together with the soldiers of the extermination forces under the leadership of Sir Simon. … The mission shall be considered accomplished when the number of the attacking beasts are reduced to acceptable numbers or the threat of their recurring attacks is completely eliminated…"

Inside the secrete room were also two of Catherine's most trusted companions who glanced at her with confused eyes. She handed the letter to one of the two individuals.

Her first companion was Portus the current bodyguard of Liam, he was once a great warrior who lost against the ever-weakening force called old age.

The later was Gideon, Liam's teacher. She was someone who was the youngest woman to ever wear the robes that were only granted to archmages.

Gideon took the letter that was placed near her and read it out loud to make sure others could hear her reading. As she started reading the expression on Catherine's face changed and soon she could not control her emotions.

"My husband wants to send Liam into a forest that is filled with monsters." She barked, "I don't know what his plans are but my instincts tell me that Liam will not be safe if he goes in with Ishtar's men."

"Please calm down Lady Catherine," Portus tried to calm Catherine who was shaking in anger, "It does appear like that but I am sure that Ishtar isn't stupid enough to hurt Liam under his leadership."

"I agree with Portus, I don't think Ishtar is planning anything that will physically harm him." Gideon joined.

"Then why else do you think he invited Liam?" Catherine aggressively questioned both.

"I think he wants to recruit Liam." At Gideon's statement, both Catherine and Portus gave her a questioning stare.

Ishtar would never sit in the same room as someone who has insulted him in front of many high-ranked individuals moreover recruit him. Even though what Gideon said could be considered impossible but after thinking about it in his mind Portus felt that this might not be as impossible as he assumed it to be. After tinkering with this idea for a while he concluded.

"I believe that rather than recruiting him Ishtar plans might be to scare Liam into submission. He might be planning on saving Liam from life-threatening danger and gain his respect only to abuse it as leverage over him."

Gideon being somewhat convinced by Portus's words added her conclusion, "That way he can easily control Liam and use him as a political tool."

"That Inbred swine." Catherine cursed, "I will kill him and all his subordinated and bury their bodies below a pigsty. If he thinks he can enslave my son with cheap tricks then I shall make him regret thinking those thoughts." Catherine exploded without bothering about the surroundings.

Both Gideon and Portus looked at each other for help, they did how to calm the current Catherine.

"We are not sure that this is what his plans are." Portus glared at Gideon, he was warning her to never bring this topic to Catherine again, "There is nothing to worry about Ishtar, I believe that Liam can already see his real personality and Liam being a smart child tricks such as these will never work on him." Portus tried to comfort Catherine, "I heard that some of the soldiers inside Ishtar's battalion are talking ill about him which means he only wants to invite Liam into this expedition to show them the strength gap between your son and the soldiers he trained ."

Portus did not believe what he said to be true. He had only heard the rumor that soldiers from Ishtar's army were impressed by Liam's intelligence, using which he created an acceptable excuse that would calm Catherine.

"When you place it like that it does sound like some that swine would do." Catherine instantly calmed herself and brought out her regular calculative side, "Portus you are his combat teacher, what are your opinions about Liam joining the expedition?"

"I believe that this is a great opportunity for a warrior and missing it would be a shame, aside from what Ishtar's real plans are Having a real-life experience will help Liam in the long run." He believed what he said. Liam had been practicing for years now but he has never had a chance to use his training in real life. "If Ishtar believes that my student is inferior to his brain dead soldiers then he has a loud slap coming to his face." His eyes burned with the passion of a teacher whose pride has been challenged.

"Are you not afraid that Liam would get hurt?" Gideon asked.

"I am very confident that Liam can handle any beasts." Portus squinted his eyes at Gideon, who seemed to be questioning his abilities.

"Are you only saying that because you will accompany Liam as his bodyguard?" Gideon questioned.

"I have confidence in my student's talents something you clearly don't have." He provoked her. "And I won't be the one who will escort Liam instead it will be my grandson." He proudly announced.

"What? Why?" Catherine puzzled, the reason why she had calm herself was because she knew about Portus's true strength. Even though age has taken a great toll on his body Portus was still the strongest man she knew inside the Baron's Domain. She believed that as long as Portus accompanied Liam, he was safe, "Are you sure that your grandson can handle this job?" Catherine asked.

Portus turns to Catherine and bows her head, "My grandson has inherited my strength and wisdom." He answered, "I assure you that his strength is more than enough to keep your son safe and I believe that in a decade from now he will be as strong as I was in my prime or even better he might surpass me." He proudly raised his chin and praised his grandson, "Milady can rest assure knowing that her son will be safe."

"I have seen your grandson once and he is a good warrior but I don't believe he is the person that you just described. Are you sure that the boy can protect Milady's precious son." Gideon questioned. Gideon did not believe that the person she saw can be tasked with such an important task. To her, Portus's grandson was someone who can easily fight in equals with the capital knights but will have trouble when it came to protecting someone.

"I am not talking about my official grandson but my son's illegitimate child that he had with a maid." He explained.

At his words Catherine raised her brows, she had never heard of this illegitimate grandson of his and hence doubted Portus.

"Are you sure he can protect my son?" Catherine asked. She trusted Portus but she wasn't someone who would blindly agree to everything he said and as she had never seen or heard about Portus's grandson she was having a hard time believing that his son would be safe without Portus.

"Let me assure you Milady that my grandson is capable. He has an innate talent for martial art and seeing how he has managed to learn all my fighting styles at the age of 16. I can proudly say that he has already surpassed all my offsprings."

Seeing how Portus urged her to agree with his decision Catherine decided to submit to him, "If you are that confident in your grandson's skills then I don't mind him being my son's bodyguard for this expedition but before that, I would like you to explain everything to him. He must know to whom does his loyalty belongs to and what is his main task."

"Please don't worry milady I have disciplined him. You will find him to be a great asset for your son."