The Kingsroad; 598

[Lord Rhaegar Targaryen]

Rhaegar, who had been chatting with the King, dismounted when the commotion climaxed. He drew his own spear (Expert) and joined his other cousin in the hunt.

[Sam]

"Thanks for helping," Steffon said as his squires were binding his wounds. He shot a withering look at the knights in the hunting party who were snickering to themselves after the small fight against the Boar, which had ended with Steffon, Rhaegar, and the Summer Islander looking like fools.

Once the mens' wounds had been bound, Steffon remounted and ordered the tracker to try to pick the boar's trail up again. Perhaps attempting to follow it back to its cave, or some other place it could be cornered, would yield a better result.

[Fel]

Ashurgi grunted, "the prey has great spirit. His strength will be ours when we defeat him."

He began examining the point where the boar had run off, to try and continue following it.

[The Stranger]

There is a lot of blood and trampling footprints, likely the trail was destroyed by foolish attendants and knights in the confusion surrounding the tuskings.

[Sam]

Steffon frowned, and turned to the King. "What do you think, your grace? Shall we attempt to regain the beast's trail and pursue the hunt, or would your grace prefer to return to Storm's End and hold court?"

[The Smith]

"You would surrender to a pig so easily Steffon? I know who not to give command of my soldiers during war." Daemon laughed, and winked at his brother.

[Sam]

Steffon laughed with the King. "I would not call it a surrender, but a tactical retreat. This monster hog will remain, and I am more concerned about these bandits said to be raiding out of the Dornish Marches into the Stormlands."

[The Smith]

Daemon nodded, "I know the curse of duty. I guess this hog will live another day."

[Sam]

"Hopefully next-time he will not make me look like quite such a blundering fool," Steffon said, clapping the king on the shoulder. "I will ride for Storm's End, I've many preparations to make for the arrival of your grace's court, so, by your leave, brother, I'll turn south."

Before he made ready to leave, he came to the Summer Islander who'd come recommended by Prince Maekar. "You skills were of great use to us, even if our ability to bring down the prey was lacking. If you wish it, I could use your tracking abilities in the Dornish Marches, hunting a different kind of pray, one that wlaks on two legs and fights with a sword."

[Fel]

"This is the prey I have come to know best, milord. He is much less cunning than beasts like the one that has just out-witted us." He smiled.

[Sam]

"Aye. I will send word to Storm's End to assemble a force of Knights, I think five and twenty should be sufficient, so that they shall be ready to ride into the Marches when we arrive. This so-called 'Vulture King' will learn what it means to raid lands under my protection," Steffon said.