Cobalt raced between the trees on his destrier. The wind chill blew silently, he could feel his face absorbing the cold. The leaves whistled as he passed. Light beads of sweat formed on his pale skin glistening under the moonlight. He slowed his horse to a light trot, his companion Clay right behind him.

  The king’s son, Cobalt, ravaged through the forest. They had been hunting animals all day, but Cobalt wanted to play another one of his games, in particular, his favorite hide and seek.

  “I love a good hunt” Cobalt said, a devilish smile crept on his face, steam escaped his lips as he spoke. He embellished himself with fine leather and wolf fur, the animal, he wore as a trophy. It was a deep charcoal grey, so soft it felt like touching running water.

  They came to a halt. Cobalt scanned their area, in search of the other participant. He observed the trees, then the horizon but for a second he wasn’t sure which direction to follow.

  “My prince, perhaps we should turn back we’re a hard ride from the Capital, our armor is not suited for such unforgiving weather.” Clay suggested, his body trembled in the below freezing temperature. Cobalt darted eyes at him, his face grew hot with frustration.

  “Does the night frighten you, surely the Lord Commander of the Crimson Guard has a stomach for blood.” Cobalt looked on the ground and found footprints in the soil. The clue he was searching for had revealed itself. He plodded on in their direction, unbothered by his subject’s request. Clay acquiesced and caught up with his prince, it was a death sentence to refuse him.

  Cobalt enjoyed hunting, far more than any man should, for him it wasn’t about the prey. In his mind it wasn’t about the killing, but about something else. The one thing a lifetime supply of gold and privilege couldn’t afford him.

  A Muhr dashed through the thicket of trees, ducking low branches, leaping over logs. He ran as fast as he could as if something was pursuing him. He sensed there was something right on his tail, so close he could feel breathing on his nape. Was it his imagination or had they caught up with him. Nonetheless he couldn’t take any chances, he needed to run and fast, it was too late to rely on his people coming to his rescue.

  He ran into a river long in width and the waters calm. He stopped, panic was setting in his chest like a dry cough. Though he could see the other side, it still felt too far. He looked for a boat or any type of logs, but he had no such luck. Behind him, he heard horse hooves closing in. They sounded close enough to peek through the trees at any moment. It was now or never.

  He ran into the stream confident he could make it across. His movements became slower after every step, kicking the waters became more and more difficult. After a handful of steps his legs froze in the water. His teeth chattered uncontrollably, the water was so cold it felt like it attacked his bones. Despite his best efforts, he could not find the strength to continue.

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  Cobalt reached a wide stream of water, he had located his prey. Excitement filled his expression. To Cobalt this was simply a game, and he had the advantage.

  “Hand me Phantom.” Cobalt stretched his arm towards his companion, keeping his attention forward. “Are you certain my Prince” Clay knew what was about to happen, he hoped to prolong it.

  “I should not have to ask twice” Cobalt commanded, Clay handed him a double-curved wooden bow taller than he was. Cobalt snatched it from Clay’s grip cutting his eyes at his companion. Cobalt gently removed an arrow from his quiver, careful not to alarm the other player of his location. He placed a feathered arrow carefully in the bowstring. His movements were slow and calculated like threading a needle.

  Cobalt’s eyes gleamed an arctic blue, a subtle frost outlined Phantom, it mimicked his eye color. The weapon lifted from his grip, and hovered above them both. Clay watched Phantom levitate upward into the night sky, the arrow had not moved an inch. Cobalt kept his eyes ahead, his gaze remained on the hairy beast knee deep in the water.

  Cobalt felt his body growing colder the longer he held his weapon. It was so cold it burned. A layer of frost began freezing the arrow and in the process, it doubled in size. His fingers and toes turned a shade paler, he felt a thousand needles poking at them all at the same time, but he endured the pain, for him it strangely calmed him. All he focused on was his target, and this time he would get it right the first try.

  In one swift motion the arrow released itself. Cobalt blinked, his eyelids fluttered and his eyes returned to their normal cinnamon color.

  The projectile pierced the Muhr’s chest, he looked down and saw the sharp end of the arrow peeking through his sternum. The frozen arrow stunned his body upon impact, he felt the frost seeping into his body. He coughed up a mouth full of blood. He dropped to his hands and knees, then fell face first into the freezing cold water. The river flowed red around his lifeless body.

  “Bulls eye, I’m getting good at this” Cobalt exclaimed, a wide smile brightened his face. Clay was less than enthused.

  “Father has banned me from using magic, I don’t see why” Cobalt continued. He buried his hands into his fur. He had an idea as to why his father prohibited him from using magic, but he never explained in detail. Everytime Cobalt used his powers, he felt different afterwards. He figured it meant he had grown stronger, but deep inside the change felt off, it couldn’t figure out what it meant.

  He leaped from his horse and marched toward his victim. Clay dismounted and followed behind his Prince. Phantom dropped from the sky into Clay’s arms, he gasped he figured he would be used to it by now, but the tasked proved challenging. He slung it around his back.

  Cobalt flipped the muhr over. He forced the arrow down with his foot, it crunched under his boot, the body was stiff as a plank.

  “I wonder if he bleeds red, I’ve heard stories” Cobalt stated, he unsheathed his sword, and struck him once more. This time his final blow landed between his eyes. Blood splattered from the entry wound, it sprayed onto Cobalt’s face. He could feel the warmth sprinkle on his skin. He inhaled deeply, he enjoyed the scent of bloodspill, it was like fresh linen to him.

  He wiped his blade on the Muhr's chest. He placed his sword back in its sheath. He looked at the muhr. Its face had turned pale blue, the hair that adorned his body was frozen still. Cobalt’s face twisted in disgust, he figured he was doing society a favor by eliminating such beast from the realm. He kicked the body out into the water, it floated for a while until the river swallowed him whole.

  “I guess the stories are just that” he chuckled. He stepped back onto dry land, his face sprinkled with droplets the color of sangria. Clay took a step back, he didn’t have the same taste for violence.