Vukasin opened his eyes; thin red veins surrounded the navy blue circles. He tried to handle the arrow, but he could only touch a soft, ropy, wet tissue. He was disgusted by the idea that his skin was so torn apart that even blood was not gushing out anymore. He wished to decompose before anyone saw him, especially his brother, as if I would ever despise him. All of a sudden, he wondered where is the arrow. He tried to lean forward and saw that the soft, ropy, wet tissue was a thick, soaked, leaflike fabric tied to his body. A shadow was lying before him; he took a deep breath and looked back. A girl, an armed girl, was looking down at him. She was a native, as he could understand from her almond eyes and dark hair tied back by raven feathers. "Miss," Vukasin called out. "Miss, I am very much thankful for your help." The girl kept staring at him. "Do you speak Tigrisian?" Vukasin asked. The girl took his dagger out. Vukasin tried to grab anything that could defend him hurriedly. "You foe?" the girl screamed. Vukasin gathered himself. He showed his empty hands and kept them rising. He spoke slowly, "I am NO FOE, I came with KING BAYEZID, I am ALLY." The girl held his dagger close. "ALLY?" she looked confused. Vukasin rapidly answered, "FRIEND, I AM FRIEND." The girl hissed, "Who, friend?" Vukasin tried to get up, but she prevented it. "Whose friend?" Vukasin asked. The girl nodded. "I am a friend of Bayezid and Prince Dragarevic. We came here to take Lady Tomris as wife to Prince Mehli." The girl hid her dagger and offered a hand to Vukasin. Vukasin stood up; he was in terrible pain. The girl saddled Vukasin's horse, "Who you?" she asked. " I am Vukasin Dragarevic, second son of King Dragar and Prince of Tigrisia." The girl smirked. "Your name is long," she said. Vukasin checked the wound, "You don't let otherwise." he muttered. The girl hissed, "Huh!" she said in rage. Vukasin leaned his hand on his forehead. "I mean, you asked too many questions," he said. Vukasin tried to mount the horse, but the wound was so profound. "Bad cut, I use notch arrow,  big pain, fast kill," she said. Vukasin closed his eyes and squeezed his teeth, "I appreciate it," he hinted. The girl put her hand on Vukasin's shoulder, "Come, I help." Vukasin laughed miserably. "I don't want help." The girl cleaned the arrow that she had just taken out from Vukasin, "You don't want help, then you fool." Vukasin angrily turned to the girl, "Who are you anyway?" The girl hesitated, yet Vukasin ignored her. "I hunt," the girl finally said. Vukasin retried to climb on the horse, "I can feel that," he muttered. Hunter walked away 'til Vukasin fell from the horse again. She ran back to him and helped him to stand upright. "We wash cut," she demanded. Vukasin nodded desperately. They half walked, half crawled to the riverside. Vukasin bit his lips while the girl splashed cold river water onto the wound. "What should I call you?" Vukasin asked in pain. "Hunter," the girl responded. Vukasin leaned forward, "You are joking?" he said. "Yes," the girl nodded her head. "What is your name then?" Vukasin sighed. The girl didn't say anything. "You are not going to tell me, eh? " Vukasin mumbled. The girl didn't say anything. "It's Hunter then," Vukasin cheered. Hunter picked up a long, sharp needle. "No, I need to get back," Vukasin said nervously. "You dead," Hunter answered, then she placed a thick wooden piece into Vukasin's mouth. Vukasin spitted the piece of wood, "Talk to me; it heals pain," he said. Hunter nodded, and she started to stitch the wound. "I aimed for big deer, but you get shot." Vukasin mocked, "Yeah, I look so like a deer." Hunter stabbed the needle more vigorously, and Vukasin burst in. "I think my leg is broken because of the fall," Vukasin whispered. Hunter said, "Don't cry," and then helped him to mount his horse. 

"Where are you heading?" he asked. Hunter pointed to the hills where the last light of the day patted. Vukasin smiled, "I was going to ride there too; jump up!" Hunter mounted behind him, "How coincidence," she said. Vukasin replied, "Eh, see how coincidental." They rode together to the hills. Hunter jumped off; then she helped Vukasin to dismount. They walked to the edge of the mountain. The only plant except shallow bushes was a thin young tree that dared to root at such height. They stood there for a while, quiet as white clouds. All of a sudden, Hunter started to murmur in Turkish. 

The wind cleans us like it blesses people's redemptions. Sometimes, I feel ashamed of complaining about the sun, while numerous are desperate to feel its welcoming heat. Everything changes and stays the same as it is a part of the inevitable destiny that gathers us all and gives us meaning. If it is accurate and there is a destiny for us all, why mine separates me from this land? These grasslands won't miss me; the river will float differently each day, but not different than when I stood there and watched it. Hence, I will be the only one miserably wanting many trees, rocks, hills, sun, and wind to miss me. 

Vukasin sighed, "You are not the only one." he said in her language. Hunter was bewildered. "You talk Turkish?" she asked. Vukasin turned to his tongue. "I know Turkish." he corrected. "I couldn't bear to leave my own country; I already feel missing as I took this trip here. I believe one thing that one can always return to where he belongs." Hunter nodded. "I go," she said. Vukasin looked her in the eye. "Don't. I don't know why you are leaving, but you don't have to if you don't want to." Hunter mounted the horse. "Duty and sacrifice are beyond what I want; I leave you here if you don't mind," she said. Vukasin smirked. "Well, if you decide to stay, come find me." Hunter had a woeful smile, and then she urged on. 

Vukasin watched her fading away in the distance; he looked down to the valley. Duty and sacrifice... he grumbled. He looked back to the forest. He started to walk.

When the number of trees got scarce and stone houses were seen forward, Vukasin saw his horse tied to a tree. He patted him and mounted him. He led to the fortress of Karamania. The gates opened as he was identified. He found his brother and Bayezid discussing some severe matter as Mehli laughed with Chief Käahl - he understood from the cape and the thin crown - A well-built man with a long beard was standing beneath them. I noticed him, approached him and lapped his shoulder. "Glad you joined me; I wouldn't want to ride Tigrisia alone," I chirped. His eyes became more significant, and hope blossomed inside those dark oceans. "Thank you, brother," he whispered, then continued. "I understand that the matter has ended, and Prince Mehli is successfully betrothed." Bayezid nodded in peace. "Tomris is a daughter of mine now," he added. 

Abruptly, Chief Käahl got excited and lifted his hands. "Here, my darling daughter Lady Tomris has come!" The gates to the throne room opened. Vukasin saw the long, fancy blue dress and its golden motives. He heard the rhythmic sound of her steps. Her half-braided hair and fair skin... Her big eyes and small nose... Yet, he cannot keep looking at Hunter's face under the coronet. He was too sorrowful for that.