The Gauntlet

Challenge 3: Dedication Part 1

Chapter 8:

(Zandar POV)

No one had seen Hildegard since last night. She wasn't at breakfast, no one saw her in the halls and when we went out into the courtyard for the final challenge she wasn't there. I had asked the others if they had seen her, some of the servants, even her sister and brother-in-law. She was gone. Did she run away? Did something happen? I just wanted some answers but, no one seemed to tell us anything. But, the people I asked weren't panicked either. The other tributes seemed worried too though. All except Duke Vladimir. King Henrik came out onto the balcony and we all turned to face him.

"Gentlemen, you have all made it this far through feats of strength and intelligence, now it is time to see how dedicated you truly are. Princess Hildegard was taken last night from her design room. She is being locked away in a tower in the far mountains of the kingdom. You are tasked with rescuing her. This sounds straight forward in theory however as you travel to reach her you will be eliminated based on your ability to get the materials to rescue her, starting with the items we are going to bring out. You are to choose an item that will be most helpful remember that this is to help you later on. Later, you are going to race to get keys to the tower, there are only 5. If you don't have a key you are at a greater disadvantage. Then you must travel across the kingdom to climb up the tallest mountain in the mountain range and reach the tower. The tribute that saves Hildegard and brings her home safely is the winner. You are all about to be given a badge that will bring you back here if it becomes too much for any of you, but those who return without Hildegard eliminated from competition," He said looking out at all of us.

I took a deep breath as I tried to control my anger. They had her kidnapped and locked her away in a tower for a competition. I had to let it go for now. I had to focus on getting her back. We were each handed the badge and a map that would lead us to the keys and the tower. They then brought out a board with a bunch of different resources: swords, daggers, shields, bow and arrows, grappling hook, rope, etc. King Henrik then announced, "Everyone take your materials." Many of them ran forward and grabbed the swords and daggers. I went over and grabbed the bow and arrows along with some rope. I went back and stood with the others, "Good luck gentlemen, may the best man win."

I secured the rope over my shoulder and across my waist same with the bow and the quiver with the arrows. I looked down at the map and saw the general direction I needed to go to get one of the keys. I headed off and saw all the other footprints going in that direction. I came to an intersection and looked at what direction I needed to go the right path led to the keys and the left path led to the tower. I took out one of the arrows and used the tip to mark the tree. I looked down at the ground and saw footprints, some of the tributes were in front of me. I couldn't tell how many but, it was clear I had to move faster.

I continued to travel until I reached the grove where a guard was looking over all the keys. I hid from the others and saw that there was 4 in front of me: Sir Myles, Duke Vladimir, Count Julian and Crown Prince Edward. I watched them all run off in different directions and went over to the keys but, they were all gone. I closed my eyes and let out a breath. One of them took more than one key or someone had a significant lead on everyone. I heard footsteps coming from behind and hid again. I watched Lord Bartleby, Sir Michael and Sir Ryann come in. They looked at the table and saw that there were no keys. They then immediately hit their badges and disappeared. Was that it, was I done because I didn't get a key.

I shook my head. I couldn't give up, not on her. I didn't care if I had a key or not I would figure something out but, I had to save her. I was just going to have to work harder. I went in the tree line and ran back down the path. I found the tree that I marked and looked back at the map. I recognized the region from the books in my suite. This was the habitat of the Freezenburg Lynx. I knew that because of the caves that I passed meaning that I should be able to find a Lightening Hare nearby. If I could catch one, it might be able to help me get to her faster and be able to save her.

I began looking around and felt the breeze pick up rushing in front of me and behind me. I looked over at the bush with the silentium berries next to me and noticed all of the berries were gone. Silentium berries were the main dietary component of the Lightening Hare and I knew that one had to be close. I saw another one of those bushes and then took a branch and picked off the silentium berries putting them in a straight line. Lightening Hares rush in straight lines and run past the point of their target to make sure that they are a safe distance away so if I had the berries in a straight line I might be able to catch one. I watched and saw one coming towards me. I held out the rope but the hare stopped in front of me and looked up at me. One of his ears went down as he looked up at me and I put down another berry. I remembered Sofia and the other princesses talking to animals when we were kids and they seemed to understand what the princesses were asking so I looked down at the hare, "I need your help to save my princess. Will you help me?" I watched as he nodded his head.

He then hoped over and picked up a large piece of broken bark. I took more of the berries off of the bush for two reasons. One I was going to feed this guy especially for helping me and two these berries have an effect on humans that might help me later. I went over and sat on the bark and tied the rope to the hare. He then took off and I held on to the sides of the bark as we quickly moved. I was looked at the map and guiding the hare when he had to turn and I made a lot of progress as night began to fall. Soon the Lightening Hare began to slow down and I knew we needed to rest. I pulled on the rope for him to stop and he did. I went into my pocked and pulled out more silentium berries and watched as he hoped forward and ate some. I got to see him closer and he looked a lot like the picture from the book. A white hare with a black lightening bolt marking on his side. That is how predators are able to see them but, they are quick and are usually able to get away if they are alerted. I untied the rope from around him and went to the bark I leaned it up against one of the trees to shield me from the elements that night. I looked around and found some dry wood and got to work on a fire to warm up. One of the good things about being King was that I was taught a bunch of survival techniques in case of an attack so I knew what I had to do to keep me safe. I looked over at the Lightening Hare expecting it to hop away but it stayed. I smirked, "Thanks for the help..." I thought about how quickly he dashed off after helping me, "Dash." He shook his tail and I could tell he liked the name. I rested for an hour in my small make shift hut near my fire before turning to Dash to see if he was ready to go. When I saw he looked alright I took off again. I was still tired and wanted to rest for longer but I couldn't risk that. The longer I waited the longer Hildegard was going to be locked away and I wasn't going to let her be stuck there a moment longer.