The Hunt for the Lion Round II

[The Smith]

Hugh stepped into Finn's face and growled, "I command the King's Guard last time I checked."

[The Stranger]

Finn looked at Hugh with contempt, "Those men have Hightower livery on, last time I checked, Ser. By all means, command the Kingsguards." He said gesturing at Hugh himself and the other white knight. "You know as well as I do that this village needs searching, and the dead need disposing with. We can spare a dozen men to do it, out of the hundred and more here with us. If it makes you feel better to repeat the orders I just said, by all means, do so, rather than simply nodding silently, treating this menial but necessary task with as much of your dignity as it deserves."

[Gregor Corbray]

Ever curious, Gregor walked into the hut to study the half-eaten corpse. He had seen many corpses under the tutelage of Maester Lymon.

[The Smith]

"When these men protect the king they are his gaurds, and you may right as fucking rain that the work needs to be done, but I will be skinned like a gutter snake before I let you order around real soldiers." Hugh looked over his shoulder, "Search the gods damned town, and be careful." The men drew their weapons, and began to slowly walk through the town.

[The Stranger]

Finn rolled his eyes, and went back to his horse, besides Mariya, "Fool." he muttered.

[The Smith]

Michael walks up to Finn, "Whats wrong?"

[The Stranger]

"I'd say its our lion. Maybe both of them. I don't know what else would eat a man like that. I can't imagine all of the villagers were mauled though. Some of them must have fled somewhere."

[The Smith]

Michael already had his sword out, and then turned his gaze away from the village, "Thats true..." He raised his sword "Look there is a trail there." He pointed down the side of a wheat field, and Finn could see it.

Michael begins walking toward it.

The men are moving through the village. The king weeping into his hands.

[Marie]

Mariya looked anxiously from Finn to Michael.

"What a horrid situation. I hope he doesn't remember this," she whispered to Finn. "It would be awful if you made an enemy for him."

[The Stranger]

"I think the damage there is done, c'mon," Finn said, grabbing Mariya's hand and yanking her after Michael.

[The Smith]

Michael walked along studying the trail and the woods looking for any sign of the villagers.

Then Sable began to growl.

[Marie]

Mariya folloed Finn and Michael. Her whole body was tense.

[The Stranger]

"Michael..." Finn warned, "We ought to be cautious..." He scanned the woods as best he could, looking for any sign but sure he would see none until it was too late.

[The Smith]

The dog was not barking at the forest, but the grainfield behind them. Finn looked at it just long enough for a single thought to pass through his mind. Thats the same color as the beast's fur. Then a Lion leaped from the field toward Michael.

Michael turned to look back at Finn when the beast struck him from behind. They crashed to the earth together. The beast ripping down, as Michael fought back.

[The Stranger]

Finn cursed himself, and the lion. "Gods!" Yanking his blades out of his belt he stepped forward, and began stabbing at the beast where Michael was wrestling with it.

"Mariya... help!" He yelped.