Hunt part-2

By now the Kingswood was in sight, a vast stretch of dense woodlands that was unlike anything Jason had seen back home. While his world had plenty of forests, it was often split apart by roads, swamps and the destruction of war. If monsters existed in this world he was certain these woods would be prime grounds of such creatures to live and breed in, secluded considering how unpopulated the region was around the wide forest. It is an hour of riding until the party reached the woods and half an hour until they had travelled deep enough.

"Far enough! Men, set the camp off the side of the road while the rest of us begin our hunt. Get the skinning table set up first before everything else." Robert ordered as he came to a stop, getting off his horse and handing it off to a servant.

Everyone else did the same, dismounting and letting the servants get the horses safely tied up nearby in a grassy area. Jason stretched a bit as he'd watch the camp quickly get set up as the cart was unloaded before focusing on the rest of the royal party.

Already Robert and Renly were handed boar spears before the King spoke out. "Let's see what we can catch today. Surgebinder, I'd like you at my side, want to see your famous tracking skills up close."

Jason guessed Ned must have shared the story of how he deduced the events of the dead direwolf and stag. "As you wish your grace." Moving up Lancel offer up a board spear to him, shaking his head as he refused the weapon.

The group began their march away from the camp, taking a side trail leading deeper into the woods. Jason was close beside Robert while Renly followed just behind, while Barristan and Lancel were at the back, carrying extra supplies for everyone.

"So Jason, tell me about the beasts you hunt, these monsters you slay."

"Can say most aren't like your usual beasts sire. One of the fiercest creatures has always been a short or their larger cousins the fiends."

"What are they like?"

Jason paused to think for a moment before answering. "Imagine a beast the size rivalling carriage with the thick muscular body that could crush a bear. Claws on the front end and solid hooves on the back. Head is like a goat or warped stag often with the accustomed horns for the type. The oddest feature is the third eye that many claims can hypnotize others, although it's just superstition."

Robert gazes quite the puzzled look before grinning and chuckling. "Heh, if such beasts exist back home I can see why they trained men like you. Sounds a lot like the things rumour live in Essos." The man sighed as he'd shake his head a bit. "Wish I could have gone off to see such things...be a thrill to hunt a creature like that!"

"I'd be hesitant on that sire. Seen even a pig kill half of an experienced hunting party before they took it down."

"Well lucky I'm no ordinary hunter." Robert jested back. "You do live the life Jason, travelling across the world, hunting and fighting along the way. If the war had never happened I'd probably have done the same."

Lancel suddenly moved up to the two with a heavy waterskin, speaking up to just interrupt. "Wine your grace?"

"Aye. Always good to have a drink early in the hunt." The man chuckled as he took a deep drink from it before offering some to Jason.

The Surgebinder didn't refuse if anything he needed something to help relax during the trek. Taking a sip, he recognized the taste of the drink being the same strong wine Robert had shared back at his tent during the tournament. Handing the skin back, Lancel retreats to the back of the line before Robert spoke up.

"Slow down…think I see something."

Indeed there was marking in the dirt, large and rough tracks fitting of a big boar. Already Jason crouched down as he focused his sharp eyes to the ground, noting how the trail started from the dense underbrush before scrapping a tree as a territorial mark before heading down the trail.

"Big one. At least a grand old boar, maybe eight or ten years in age." Jason muttered.

"Quite the prime age," Renly remarked as he stepped closer. "Going to have to be mindful with tracking it."

"Heh, boars this age have no fear. If we get close enough the boar will come to us instead of run." Robert chuckled eagerly, hefting up his spear. "Let's keep going. Can't have gone too far."

The group resumed the match with Jason taking more of a lead, his cat-like eyes keeping track of the boar's trail. Robert was quiet for a while, watching the Surgebinder closely.

"Anyway, I miss the simpler times Jason. Enemies were right in front of you, vicious and bloody inviting you to face them. Nothing like today…"

"Sounds exhilarating," Renly remarked back offhandedly.

"Exhilarating yes! Not like those balls and masquerades you like to throw!" Robert gave a deep chuckle of amusement, although his brother's sour expression was quite the opposite. Lancel again moved forward, offering the wineskin to Robert who took a short drink with a pleased sigh. "So Jason, enjoyed any Northerner or Riverland women yet?"

"Haven't had the time sire." The Surgebinder muttered back dismissively.

"Heh, back in my day we had a little right of manhood were you had to fuck one girl from each of the Seven Kingdoms and the Riverlands. We used to call it making the eight!"

"Those must have been some lucky girls…" Renly remarked back, hinting mockery in his tone.

Robert seemed to ignore his brother's tone though. "You ever make the eight Barristan?"

Jason couldn't help but glance back as the Lord Commander seemed stoic as ever with the calm expression on his face. "I don't believe so your grace." He answered back formally.

Again the king laughed out loud at the commander's reply. "Ah, those were the days."

Suddenly Renly had a look of frustration cross his face as he suddenly spoke up. "Which days exactly?

He firmly planted the end of his spear into the ground, making everyone behind him come to a sudden stop. Robert turned to look at his younger brother, a stern look showing in his eyes. "The one was one half of Westeros fought the other and millions died? Or before that when the Mad King slaughtered women and babies because the voices in his head told him they deserved it? Or way before that when dragons burned whole cities to the ground!?"

Everyone seemed taken aback at Renly's words, even Jason as the young noble and Robert had a tense staredown. The King gripped his boar spear tightly before speaking back. "Easy boy…you may be my brother but you're speaking to your king."

Renly seemed ready to snap back, showing tell this was only going to get worse. "Sires. Hate to break up the family feud, but something is close." The Surgebinder spoke up, silencing the younger noble before their spat got out of hand.

There was a long pause, Robert seeming to forget the argument as his attention returned to the hunt. Lancel seemed oddly nervous as he glanced about before moving towards Robert. "Ah…more wine before-"

"The King has had enough to drink," Jason muttered back. "Save it for after the kill."

The Surgebinder expected the King to argue back yet the man remained silent. Perhaps the small lesson on the day of the Melee had left an impression with the ruler. "Big…something big is lurking."

Indeed there was a heavy rustling nearby and a deep squealing grunts that grew louder each time. Jason moved one hand behind his back, gripping his crossbow while Renly and Robert took positions facing different directions. Barristan had a tense look in his eyes as he gripped his sword, that same alertness before the Melee showing once more.