We were crawling on our chests between several trees, moving toward a group of deer that were only found deep within the forest, when suddenly one of the five guards began screaming with his mouth shut:

  “Mmmmmm! Mmmmmm!”

  All the deer, hearing the sound, panicked and fled.

  My father quickly turned around and, seeing the blood on the man’s clothes, said with concern, “What has happened to your hand?”

  The wounded guard, clenching his teeth, said, “My lord, a dry branch caught onto my sleeve. I pulled my arm to free it, and the sharp wood cut into my forearm.”

  My uncle stepped forward and examined the wound. Under his breath he said, “His main artery is torn.” He wrapped the injury with a cloth and added, “The wound is deep. If it is not treated as soon as possible, he may lose his arm. I have tied it with this cloth, but it is not enough. It must be pressed firmly.”

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  Another guard, a friend of the injured man, said, “Then I will take him by horse to the palace physician, if Your Majesty permits.” He looked toward my father.

  My father said, “No. The movement of the horse will worsen the bleeding.”

  The soldiers were frightened and worried for their friend. One of them asked, “Then what should we do, Your Majesty?”

  My father said, “Two of you will return to the palace and bring the physician with all his instruments. Two others will remain beside Rethrat and apply pressure to his wound. Be careful that the scent of blood does not attract wild animals. If it does, protect your friend.”

  Rethrat said, “My lord, forgive me. My injury has ruined your hunt.”

  My father replied, “Soldier, do not trouble yourself. The hunt remains where it is. Do as I have ordered. We will move ahead to reach the herd before it escapes our range.”

  Rethrat’s friend said, “My lord, are you certain you wish to go alone and take none of us guards with you? I fear for your safety.”

  My father answered, “Do not worry about me. Follow my orders exactly and no problem will arise.”

  All five soldiers said in one voice: “At your command, my lord.”

  Then the three of us — my father, my uncle, and I — left them behind and moved deeper into the forest.