The Kingsroad; 598

[Sam]

"I insist, Marge. I cannot imagine that selling mushrooms is the most lucrative living. I will certainly pray for you but I wish to also pay you for helping me the way you have," Rodrick persisted.

[The Stranger]

"Well alright, if you insist, I'm not allergic to copper and silver, never have been," Marge says.

[Sam]

Several days later, when Rodrick was at least well enough to walk, though he still could not ride, he made ready to set out from Marge's shack to head north toward King's Landing.

"Again, I offer you my thanks Marge; I will not forget what you have done for me." He pressed a purse filled with silver stags into her hand. "I owe you a great debt," he added.

[The Stranger]

Marge took the coins and bowed her head, "You're always welcome to stop by if you like. You know the way to Marge's now." she said with a smile, "and i've always some mushroom soup hot on the fire."

[Sam]

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Lord Steffon Baratheon leaves Storm's End with nine knights, as many squires, and a gaggle of servants and horses. The Master of Horse and Kennelmaster of Storm's End are both present, leading the horses and pack of hunting dogs respectively. Lords from surrounding castles are invited to join the hunting party, and Steffon Baratheon makes his camp at a spot five days south of King's Landing, where his brother had pointed out on a map having seen the giant boar that was the target of the hunt.

The party settled in to wait for the King and whoever he would be bringing as well, having sent word by raven to King's Landing just before leaving Storm's End.

[Lord Rhaegar Targaryen]

Lord Rhaegar, with an entourage, join the men as they ride the Kingsroad.

"Hail, Lord Steffon," he greets his cousin.

[Sam]

"Welcome, Rhaegar. Come to join the Hunt?" he asked, taking a swig from the wineskin that hung on the pommel of his horse's saddle.

[Lord Rhaegar Targaryen]

"I cannot deny a chance to witness the largest boar in history," he shrugged. "Or the chance to taste it."

[Sam]

"Who would?" Steffon asked rhetorically. Though his bastard sword hung on his back, a long hunting spear was also mounted on a cunningly designed harness on his horse's saddle. "We must need wait only on his grace the King, before we can begin the hunt. These are his woods, afterall," he added.

[The Smith]

Only a little late the King and his entourage arrive for the hunt.

[Sam]

Steffon welcomes his brother with a smile, and the large hunting party begins to make its way north toward the spot that Rodrick had marked. Steffon's best tracker rode next to the Lord of Storm's End, and the kennelmaster as well, with three dogs ever at his side.

Rodrick had described a huge puddle, in which the boar could hide despite its size, and since the rains had been good in the last few months Steffon hoped the puddle would still remain as a landmark.

[The Stranger]

The Boar wallow is exactly where Rodrick said it would be, although the tracks around it look very old, and seem to head southeast.

[Sam]

Steffon begins to lead the hunting party southeast into the thicker part of the wood, with the Kennelmaster and his dogs beside him. He has the dogs smell around to hopefully pick up the boar's scent, although they remain on their leads until it is clear they've found something.

[Lord Rhaegar Targaryen]

Rhaegar rides up beside Daemon. "Hail, coz," he says with a grin. "How do you fare?"

[The Smith]

"Well enough." Daemon replied as he rode along.