Possible Anthology Story?

[Jinxerz]

I've been working with this for a little while, wrote it because my girlfriend asked me to write something for her.

It's just what could be the first couple of pages for a story.

Reviews, thoughts, and any errors you pick out would be appreciated.

Thanks.

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A bird's call sang out through the morning light, and the first rays of the pale sun pierced through the window. The chestnut-haired boy sat up in his bed, pondering what would come. His eyes were lined with heavy bags, and his well-weathered features showed much the same wear; a yawn he softly stifled more than enough proof that he had been up much longer than he should have been. But that night he had spent in contemplation had been only one of many sleepless twilights. Young Edwinn Heathridge was fast becoming accustomed to it.

He sat up, slipping out of bed and berating the coming dawn with a dull groan, before pulling his trousers up about his waist, donning his worn shirt, and a sturdy set of boots. (ones he'd fashioned himself out of blackened leather from the tannery down the road, an accomplishment he was quite proud of) He shook the remaining confines of sleep from himself and shivered in the cool morning air. It was midsummer, but even still, the mornings oft found themselves being rather chilly.

He stretched himself out, and donned his sword, an old, nicked blade of iron, passed down in his family from father to son from generation to generation. He imagined that once it must have held a glimmering hue, shining as it bit into the flesh of its foes... but those days had long since passed. Now it belonged to a humble hunter that lived in the outskirts of Lanthalas, a small village in the densely forested west of the Kingdom of Kusharan.

With another dampened yawn, Edwinn stepped outside into the dawning sun, grabbing his bow from his smoking shack and hauling it over his shoulder, his quiver soon atop the other. The sun, he noted, was far off in the east sky, shining into the forest from behind him with its blinding rays. A lazy cloud or two strolled aloft in the pink morning sky. softly, the birds sang their morging greetings to one another, as Edwinn loosed the shackles of sleep, and entered a focused state. It was time for his morning hunt. With a practiced step, he ventured across the grassy meadow that lie before his home, and into the woods, stalking as usual, for something to eat for his breakfast. But, even so, his eyes shifting slightly, it was not only food he sought.

Stepping as a great mountain cat on its prowl might, the young hunter recalled that face... those striking features he had memorized so well, the long brown hair, hanging around her face in an ethereal curtain, the angular features, her willowy figure... he had never seen such a woman before in all his life within Lanthalas. Women of the country were a stockier breed, rough, and well adjusted to a life on the frontier. This was no woman he had ever known... this was a lady through and through, he was certain.

Although, as he carefully avoided branches and twigs which scattered the ground, drawing his bow and fitting an arrow along it, he had to question why such an enchanting mistress would walk the woods of the west so nonchalantly. He had not heard of any nobility coming this far into the wilderness, nor had he heard of any elven encampments around the area. No, this seemed strange... and even though her features were angular, he had seen a few of the elusive elves before... this woman... this being... whatever she was... looked nothing like the diminutive elves.

His hawk-like eyes stuttered through sleep as he searched for prey, stepping softly and checking snares he had set throughout the bushes. He'd had little luck, managing to snare but a single, white hare. With a resigned sigh, he strung the catch along his back and continued creeping along the underbrush, under the canopy of the tall, ancient trees of the forest. He sniffed softly at the air, hoping to acquire a scent; his eyes searching the leaf-strewn ground for a trail. The oaks and elms grew sparse here, but thickened about him quickly the farther he went in.

His breathing was soft despite how swiftly he moved between the copious arbor stands. His nose was to no avail, but his ears picked up on the rustle of a creature in a nearby bush. His knuckles went white as they held the arrow in place along his wrist, ready to be drawn and fired within a moment's notice. Truly the hunter now, relying on his instincts, he stalked his prey; listening for sounds, calls, mewls... anything that might alert him to that which he preyed upon. As he drew closer a smile dawned upon his face.

The characteristic low breathing, soft ripping and chewing of grass... the occasional snort, the rustle of a hoof pawing at the ground... This could be no other. Keeping downwind, Edwinn circled the area he stalked, a small clearing in the dense forest, where he saw the moose grazing. No easy kill by any means, but the practiced young boy stepped forward, drawing the bow back, and straightening himself up to face the behemoth's back. He slowed his rapidly increasing breath as he struggled with the sudden rush of tension and nerves. He only had one shot at this.

He close one eye in concentration, as he heard birdsong around him. The moss beneath his feet was porous, it absorbed the sound of his footsteps as he closed the distance to fifteen paces, then to twelve, and to ten. The bow was raised, and the moose seemed oblivious to his approach. He could smell the creature now, heavy with a woodland musk. Adrenaline pumped through his veins as the thrill of the hunt came upon him. He waited with tensed muscles, each second it's own eternity as he brought his arm up level to his eye and aimed carefully, knowing he'd only have bare seconds. He whistled softly twice, and let his bow follow the moose as its head raised, almost in slow motion, before it turned towards him, it's throat open and vulnerable.

A dull twang sent the missile flying forward from the bow at rapid speed, covering the minimal distance quickly. It whistled through the air with abandon, streaking straight towards its target, before the beast even knew what to do.