Chapter 8: The White Hart

"How's my sister doing now?" Rhaegar inquired with concern.

"Sigh," Rhaegar's worry was palpable as he considered Rhaenyra's actions.

Erryk didn't mince words, "The princess dashed out of the tent ahead of me, heading into the Kingswood to ride her horse."

"Alone?" Rhaegar's concern deepened.

"Indeed. Ser Cole quickly followed in pursuit," Erryk confirmed.

Acknowledging the situation, Rhaegar's tone turned cold, "Ser Erryk, what were my father's instructions when he sent you to me?"

Erryk, slightly puzzled, replied honestly, "His Majesty ordered me to bring the prince back and ensure your safety."

"Very well," Rhaegar replied, his expression softening. "Next, I'll need your protection."

Erryk looked puzzled as Rhaegar trotted toward the nearest tethering fence and vaulted inside.

"Prince, I don't understand your intent," Erryk trailed closely, uncertain.

Rhaegar eyed a tall black horse and asked, "What about this one? Looks sturdy, doesn't it?"

"Prince, you're not suggesting we head into the Kingswood?" Erryk's tone was incredulous.

Rhaegar, with a serious expression, replied, "No, we're going together."

"His Majesty won't approve of such a venture!" Erryk protested.

"With a Kingsguard escort, it's hardly reckless," Rhaegar retorted.

Before Erryk could refuse, Rhaegar gently grasped a handful of horsehair and whispered, "Ser, I believe you don't wish harm upon me either."

The black horse, feeling the pressure, shifted uneasily and neighed.

Rhaegar stood by the horse, calmly observing Erryk. "What's your decision, Ser?"

Erryk stared back, grappling with Prince Rhaegar's coercive tactics. He lamented the king's predicament, dealing with such stubborn children. Ultimately, he bowed his head. "I'll lead you to the princess, but I set the terms of the journey."

"No problem, Ser," Rhaegar replied, smiling faintly as he extended his arms.

Erryk approached, lifting Rhaegar onto the horse's back before leading them out of the enclosure.

Not long after, the black horse walked out of the encampment and galloped down the Kingswood path.

"Ser, do you know where my sister went?"

With his tattered hair blowing in the wind, Rhaegar asked a question.

Erryk's face was solemn as he replied, "Ser Cole is a vigilant man, he marked the path."

None of the people who were qualified to become Kingswood guards were simple, and a small thing like leaving a message was easy enough to do.

Time passed quickly.

The sun was high in the sky when he left the camp, but in a flash, it was sunset.

Under the light of the setting sun, Erryk held the black horse and slowly walked in the Kingswood path that was thick with pines and cypresses.

"Ser, it seems my luck in searching people is really bad."

Lying on the horse's back, Rhaegar's lips were white, his forehead slightly sweaty, and he spoke breathlessly.

Erryk sighed, "Perhaps, the mark left by Ser Cole disappeared halfway through the journey, and we became clueless of where we are."

"Oh, it must have been Rhaenyra, she probably didn't want anyone to find her."

Rhaegar shook his head and laughed bitterly.

Erryk didn't respond, trying to discern his surroundings and find his way back to the encampment.

The Kingswood was large, and with Rhaegar directing them haphazardly, they had run too far.

Suddenly, they heard rustling nearby, prompting Erryk to tense, hand on his sword.

Erryk, who was worthy of being a member of the strongest knight group in the kingdom, instantly sensed that something was wrong.

Rhaegar was already weak, and at this moment, he was so tired that he didn't even know what was happening around him.

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Erryk, alert, whispered, "There's movement nearby, something sizable."

"Could it be dangerous?" Rhaegar adjusted his posture, anxious.

I'm uncertain. It could be a poacher or a wild boar," Erryk cautioned.

Rhaegar suggested, "Should we ride on to avoid confrontation?"

Erryk reassured, "Fear not, Prince. I'll protect you."

Soon, a majestic white hart emerged, stunning Rhaegar with its presence.

"A white hart!?" Rhaegar exclaimed in awe.

He loved reading history books and naturally knew many customs and traditions, Before Aegon the Conqueror unified the continent and the dragons ruled over Westeros, the white hart was a symbol of royalty and luck.

More than a hundred years had passed, and the White Hart had long since disappeared from the eyes of the world.

Unexpectedly, they found one in the Kingswood.

"Prince, this is not the time to be curious, this white hart is very big and it'll be dangerous if it decides to charge at us."

Erryk's face changed slightly as he stared at the white hart, his long sword slightly sheathed.

Hearing him say that, Rhaegar noticed the size of the white hart.

Not counting the pair of huge antlers, the white deer was visually two meters tall and no less than five meters long.

Underneath the satin-smooth white fur, there were hidden gnarled muscles, so one could imagine the strength that this peaceful creature was capable of exploding.

"Are you sure you can handle it?"

Rhaegar was a bit worried.

Erryk: "One-on-one, I'm fifty percent sure."

"What about me?"

"Let's just pray that it won't actively attack us."

Erryk's words were full of helplessness.

Rhaegar held his hand to his forehead, feeling powerless for his small arms and legs.

But perhaps the Gods favored him after all.

The white deer didn't attack and chirped softly at them, its amber eyes filled with curiosity and innocence.

"It doesn't seem to possess the ferocity of a wild beast?"

Realizing this, Rhaegar's thumping heart eased slightly, with a bit of sense of excitement.

Seeing that they didn't make a move, the white hart slowly approached, its nostrils twitching slightly as it sniffed their scent.

"Ser, carry me down."

The more he looked into the white deer's eyes, the more Rhaegar felt it was special and asked Erryk for help.

"Prince, it's dangerous..."

"The creature is peaceful, I'm sure it's not a wild beast."

Interrupting Erryk's admonition, Rhaegar spread a smile at the white deer and beckoned to it.

"Come here, my friend."

The white deer bowed slightly and assumed an aggressive stance, cluelessly eyeing the human child on the horse's back.

"Quick, carry me down, Ser."

"Please be careful, this is not a joke."

Once on the ground, Rhaegar unclasped a small pouch at his waist, pulled a few stored red grapes from it, and called out softly:

"My friend, care to try some?"

Seeing the red fruit in the human child's hands, the white hart's eyes lit up and it couldn't help but move it's hooves forward.

When the two parties were less than three meters away, Erryk's sharp eyes were like an eagle's, and his long sword was slowly sheathed.

Rhaegar immediately stopped him, "Take back your weapon, don't scare it."

"Prince.."

"That is an order, Ser!"

In the vigilant eyes of the white hart, Erryk reluctantly sheathed his sword and followed closely behind Rhaegar.

If there's any danger, he would be ready to protect him.

(Word count: 1151)