The Spring Hunt - Day One [ 4/20, OPEN TO ALL ]

[Deleted]

As a gesture to the idle and giddy Court, the King gave order for a Spring Hunt to be conducted in the thick forest that separated Triadon from Meirin. Servants hastened to prepare a temporary camp fit for royalty and nobility alike. Pavilions were raised to serve as housing, carpets laid and portable furnishings brought with cushions to cradle pampered rumps. Makeshift corrals for the horses and an aviary for the birds were erected, as was a large area intended for the purposes of food preparation. Servants were chosen to attend on the hunters, the horses and birds, creating a mobile city for three days.

Those who approached the camp saw fires burning, pennons and flags snapping in the light breeze. Grooms hurried forward to receive reins and aid the ladies in dismounting before leading the steeds off to be tended while other servants led the arrivals to their assigned tents and apprised them of the schedule of events. The King had commanded a grand outdoor feast for the first night with entertainers and plenty of wine. All were expected to attend on His Majesty, of course.

The Spring Hunt's first day had begun.

[King Sedrick Carlisle]

Ignoring his advisors' caution that it was too early in the Spring to host a hunt, Sedrick waved them off. Was he King, or was he not? He was, and he wanted to hunt. His court, if they wished to continue in his favour, would accompany him and ensure the hunt was successful. He longed to feel the wind of a swift ride against his face, the surge of excitement in hearing the scream of a hawk or the bell of a hound, the flutter of wings as beaters flushed his quarry from its place of concealment. His bow was strung and ready, several quivers readied to hunt what prey was available, whether it was quail, pheasant, doves or such. His horse's saddle was polished to a high gleam, a fitting match for his boots.

Striding forward to open the feast to commence the festivities, Sedrick swept a gaze over the assembled courtiers, dismissing most as useless sycophants and hangers-on. There were only a few truly worthy men - the women were largely useful only for marriages and childbearing in his mind - that merited his attention. A nod to the major-domo had the man's voice ringing over the throng to call forth their attention and request they be seated. As if on cue, the rich scent of roasting meat wafted over, underscored by the tempting aroma of freshly baked bread. A man's meal, suited for their environs, with plenty of wine, mead and ale to wash it down.

Sedrick approached his chair and sat, the better to allow others to be seated as well. He watched with glittering eyes as they filled the tables, set in an open square to face him. Only once the servers had filled mugs and goblets did he seize his mug and and rise, a hush falling over the crowd as every eye fell on him. He felt his chest puff out, aware that when these sheep looked upon him, they saw him for what he was. A King, lord of all he surveyed. Their master and herder.

"My lords and ladies, to the hunt! May the Triad bless our bows and blades to rich success!"

As they echoed his words, Sedrick drank noisily and dropped back into his seat, setting his mug down with a loud thump and a belch. It was definitely good to be King.

[Prince Riordan Carlisle]

It was entirely too early to go on the hunt. A few men had approached Riordan in some vain hope that the prince could convince his Majesty to postpone the hunt if only for a month, but Riordan had declined to interfere. There were battles to be fought in the future and the timing of a hunt was not one of them. If the matter were truly dire to the kingdom, then Riordan step in. It was not hemming and hawing, as some might suspect. Rather, it was being practical and careful.

Fortunately (or unfortunately depending on one's viewpoint), the King had spared no expense for the event and thus assured that everyone would be comfortable and well fed. That or they would be suitably impressed by Sedrick's ability to provide for them. Either or. Riordan was seated not far from the King, watching the man out of the corner of his eye and raising his mug to make his pronouncement. The aftermath was truly charming.

Still, Riordan shook his head in an amused manner, and turned his gaze outward toward the crowd. Who would be his conversation partner for the night?

[Lord Spencer Lancaster]

Too early to hunt, and a foolish extravagance, in the Duke of Indigane's mind. They were likely to bring down nothing but arrows; the only slaying they would accomplish was that of kegs, hogsheads and casks. And glorious headaches every morning when they finally pried themselves from the lavish tents, but the King would hear nothing of it. His mind was made up, the site arranged and the event commented. Seated a table or two away from the King's, Spencer shook his head, his gaze skimming over those present. He'd ensured his daughter remained safely (and chastely) back in Triadon; bringing Selena, as attractive as she was, into a camp of half-drunk men where they'd deem her easily accessible was not a way of securing himself a decent night's rest. Thankfully, she had not objected to remaining in the city.

The King called for attention, the duke's eyes falling on the tall, still proud form. The whispers of incipient madness were growing louder - wasn't this hunt just another piece of evidence to support the allegation? - but for now, Sedrick looked and sounded the King he ought to be. The toast was precisely the right note, and his mug rose easily for once. He only hoped it proved an omen of good for the event, a nod acknowledging the presence of the Crown Prince.

[Prince Nikolai Fyodorov]

A hunt. Nikolai had no objections towards being outside in the fresh air with the king and the others, if it gave him the opportunity to win favor. Representing his family and kingdom was forefront and paramount, and he was determined to maintain a decent impression.

For the moment, his thirst got the better of him and he sipped at his cup of ale. Delicious. Nikolai had to admit that Demeria could make a tasty cup of alcohol. He raised his cup when the King gave his toast and smiled out into the crowd as he said, "Hear, hear!"

Time for a quick toast of his own. Nikolai rose to his feet with his cup held at eye level. "May the game be as plentiful as His Majesty's generosity!" he declared loudly over the crowd, a grin flashing to the king and those by his side. They had given him a warm welcome and for that he was appreciative.

He returned to his seat, posture straight as he surveyed the food spread upon the table. After slicing several pieces of bread, he offered them to the people around him.

[Princess Emmaline Carlisle]

...what was she doing here, surrounded by all of these men? Ah yes, her father demanded her attendance. Emma sat quietly at the King's table, her hands wrapped around the stoneware mug that contained mulled cider. She'd refused wine or mead, preferring to keep her wits about her, aware that the camp was not the safest place for her to be at the moment. Wisely perhaps, she'd requested that Fiona accompany her. No one in their right mind would dare to impugn or otherwise offer impertinence in the presence of the Iron Princess, an aspect of her great-aunt's personality that she greatly respected.

She was a decent rider, thankfully, though she took little pleasure in hunting. It was not the ideal time of year for it either, but Emma told herself to enjoy the spring air, the time away from the castle and city, and the company of her family about her. Hearing the voice of Prince Nikolai, she smiled faintly at his reply to the King's call for a toast. If nothing else, it might be a good opportunity to get to know the Prince in a setting where there were not so many formalities and gossips.

If she could catch his eye, she inclined her head to him and offered a soft smile of greeting. It was a start.

[Prince Riordan Carlisle]

Riordan had already spotted several agreeable people within the crowd, and nodded the various people within it. There was Lord Lancaster, a man he had been meaning to speak with privately, but that would come in time. For now, though, he watched the foreign prince make a proud and good announcement. Good for him. It would be good for the Court to see a foreigner approving of their ways... or it would anger them. Riordan was more curious about the latter, already seeing a handful of the vassal lords giving Nikolai a suspicious or dirty look.

For now, though, he leaned closer to his sister, and murmured into her ear. "Have you had a chance to meet with our guest privately as of yet?"