To Hunt Royal Game

[Sir Darton de Lac]

The Prince's blessing given to track and apprehend the Crown Prince of Sarkozsy, Darton did not immediately set off. As a knight of the realm, he preferred to take a few hours to see himself well-prepared, kitted out and able to seize every advantage he might possess in the hunt. His quarry did not know the lands, he left with the barest minimum of preparations, and with no allies to serve him, the largest lead Prince Nikolai might have would be three days. He could easily close that gap, the moreso for the genuine possibility that the Prince would find himself disoriented and lost in foreign climes.

Two horses were prepared, one his own personal mount, the other to serve temporarily as pack-horse to hold his supplies on the journey out, then to convey the Prince when apprehended. Taking care to study the skies, to test the air, Darton prepared himself for a long, hard ride and a long hunt. Even if the Prince could reach the coast, the knight doubted he had the wherewithal to hire a ship or secure passage to his homeland. The ship on which they arrived would not do; only a fool would opt for that choice. He trusted the Prince was no fool.

The horses stood ready as he fastened the cloak to the front part of his saddle, a garment of well-oiled wool that would serve to stave off cold and wet; if his senses were attuned correctly, a storm would come within a few days. As a native, he knew when he could ride through a storm and when to seek shelter; would the Prince prove so lucky? Time would tell, but he would leave a trail to follow, of that the knight was certain.

Taking a moment to bow his head to the Princess as she passed, Darton clapped his hat on his head, ensured the packhorse's reins were affixed to his saddle and set off at a steady walk. He saw no need to gallop; speed would prevent him from seeing signs of passage, making it all the more likely to lose the Prince's trail. As a man on a mission, he did not intend to let arrogance blind him in this hunt of royal game.