[ARTHUR] a legendary camelot hunt

[Prince Asketel Endellion]

Asketel had been in Camelot for a total of two days. The first day he'd more or less spent having a light wander around the castle itself and the grounds. The castle was beautiful. He'd woken up early, more or less by chance, but he'd had an incredibly comfortable lie in before pushing off the warm blankets. The sky had passed dawn, something he'd seen frequently for a week or so. He'd only brought a change of clothes, and again they were travelling garments, at least they were warm. With winter setting in, he was used to having to wear the occasional brace of fur, it wasn't too much warmer here, but at least it was a noticable change. In any case, a servant had asked if he'd wanted them cleaned and he hadn't refused. The same servant had given him the invitation for the hunt, and that was something he'd never refuse.

The young prince shrugged on his jacket, warding off the chill from a passing breeze. The courtyard was wide in width, rather than the one up North which was long and thin. Great for the occasional race until a certain one legged king had come and given the brothers a royal ranting. Being told off by your father in front of an entire court wasn't exactly good fun. King Bridgham enjoyed saying that whatever he told his sons not to do, they took to heart. And they did, mostly, as long as he wasn't watching. Round the back of the castle there was the jousting lines, which made for even better race tracks.

The stable hadn't been all that busy, so he'd simply slipped in to check on the large chestnut charger. He hadn't expected to be riding Deystria, having decided to give the horse a good few days rest. Which were doing him some good, although he'd already taken to kicking the door on occasion. It was a vice he'd always had and it didn't bother Asketel. As he exited the stable hall, there were two horses already being led out by a stable hand, a few knight, or at least Asketel assumed they were knights by the cloaks, onto the courtyard. He'd been shown the dark bay horse the day before, and the stable hand wasn't all that forgetful. He gave a curt bow of his head as Asketel took the reins of his hand. The tall bay mare stood patiently, her long mane comb neatly onto one side. So, a few knights and extra horses. Asketel had never minded waiting, gave him time to have a glance around as he stuck his foot in a stirrup and swung himself into the mare's saddle.

[Prince Arthur Pendragon]

Hunt days were Arthur favourite. He always awoke at dawn and went for a gentle ride to break whichever horse he was using, in. He found that a horse always worked better and harder when you had eased it in gently rather than rushing it suddenly into the fast pace of a hunt. Especially when those hunts were taking place in the forest of Balor.

When he left the castle that morning, the sky was dusted pink with the warning of winter's arrival. Winters could be harsh in Camelot and it only made his worried for those in the slums worse. Still, today was a day for fun, and Arthur pressed his mare into a trot back towards the castle, forgetting all of his cares for the moment.

"Ah finally awake I see!" He teased, halting his horse beside Asketels. He was glad to see that the young prince had accepted his offer and was using the dark bay for todays hunt.
"That there is one of the finest horses we have to offer, I expect he will do you justice." Arthur smiled, walking his horse round to the front of the little group that was gathered by the stables.
"I trust you have brought weapons, whether your own or from the castles weaponry?"

When everyone was saddled and wrapped up as warm as they could. Arthur urged hsi steed into a canter. The clatter of hooves upon the stone of the courtyard was staisfying and Arthur was soon enveloped in the rhythms. The group was 7 men strong, led by the two princes and followed by three knights and two servant-beaters, who would search out the hunt. The servants also rode, but on smaller horses not made for hunting and they were soon lagging behind as the others tore on towards the forest. At the edge, Arthur wound to a stop and waited patiently as they caught up.
"Go ahead and beat us a path through. Do not stray too far east or west, for we intend to rest at the entrance to the cave which lays in the centre."

While they waited for the beaters to return, Arthur dismouted and gave his horse a firm pat.
"Have you heard of the Caves of Balor?" He asked Asketel. They were infamous in Camelot and in the days of banished magic, were home to many a witch and sorceror. In truth Arthur hadn't been inside since those days, but his guess would be that several darker characters still lurked inside, away from prying eyes, biding their time.