“A simple, the Beast moves in mysterious ways, would have sufficed.” He advised, finding himself grinning. “But I suppose for the audience you have here.” His gaze travelled over the sweaty suitors. “The legend must remain suitably enigmatic and mystical.”
Given the scarf it was hard to tell Poulth’s expression, but there was a twinkle in her surprising deep blue eyes that she could not hide. “And romantic… or are you forgetting why our suitors hunt today?” A little sarcasm edging her tone. “Which brings us to the question, Captain Talac, why do you hunt today? Did one of the Keep ladies catch your eye? Or are you in need of money to pay off some gambling debts or fund your future retirement years?”
The woman had deftly steered the conversation away from the Beast, but Talac wasn’t that easily deterred. “The chance to ride with a legend was promised. Except for the occasional far off glimpse, I’m thinking perhaps Baron Gloomenthrall misspoke.”
“Be assured, when it comes time for the blooding, the Beast will be at our backs.”
So that’s what it took to bring the Beast out of the shadows. Raising his voice, Talac addressed the group. “Perhaps it’s time we trialled a new hunt leader?”
“Hah.” Elliott spun in his saddle, glaring back at Talac. “You think you can do a better job of it than me? Have at it, Sergeant.”
“Thank heavens.” Brandth fanned himself, the humidity of the woods had brought a flush to everyone’s cheeks. “I’m about to break the seal on my second flask and things were beginning to look a little dire. Which direction do you suggest we head, Talac?”
“I don’t believe it would be appropriate for me to lead the hunt, as I seek no prize here today other than a little entertainment. Perhaps there’s a volunteer?”
Other than a bird call everyone was silent. The five potential leaders suddenly finding the muddy ground, the treetops, and nearby bushes fascinating. All of them refraining from making eye contact with Talac.
“Ah, Kinnith.” The slight bespeckled older man flinched as Talac spoke his name. “It appears your sharp eyes have noted a trail, yes? Now that you’ve drawn my attention to it, I can see the freshly broken vegetation.” Talac moved his mount to flank Kinnith’s docile bay.
“Well done, Kinnith.” Brandth moved his horse so he was on the other side. “Lead on man. Let’s get this hunt underway… finally.”
Kinnith might have wanted to protest but both Talac and Brandth kneed their mounts forward, forcing Kinnith’s bay to likewise start forward down the track Talac had spied.
Elliot looked like he was going to baulk at this mutiny and clear manipulation of events, but suddenly found two of the experienced hunters massive horses crowding him. His own mount dancing to the side, skittish, requiring all of his concentration to soothe and gentle it. By the time he was done the last of the hunting party was disappearing down the trail and Elliott had no choice but to take up the rear position.
Kinnith, his faced beyond pale, found his voice finally, glancing first at Talac, then at Brandth, who were riding so closely their knees were almost bumping against his. “I… I really don’t know anything about… hunting, or trails.”
“What was that you say?” Brandth raised his voice so it travelled back to the group directly behind them. “Tracks in the mud? Possibly a boar or a fanged-stag? I say Kinnith, wish we’d had you at the helm from the start.”
“I… I…” Kinnith looked like he might faint. “I’m just an accountant. I really don’t know anything about boars or fanged-stag.”
“Then you’re a natural.” Brandth assured. “Just keep doing what you’re doing.” He and Talac continuing to drive Kinnith’s horse onwards down the trail.
“But I don’t know what I’m doing. I was just travelling through on my way to take up a job with Merchant Yussop in High Cliffs, when I stopped here for the night and met… Gretani.”
“Gretani? Lovely name for no doubt a lovely lady.”
“Oh, yes, she is.” Kinnith forgot to be afraid as he detailed the lady Gretani’s many favourable attributes for Brandth. “And she deserves so much more than I could give her on my salary so I thought I could join the hunt and perhaps… hang at the back, and maybe be rewarded with a small but still much appreciated sum to contribute towards providing Gretani with a comfortable home and life.” Kinnith failed to duck as his horse passed under a low hanging branch, which scratched at his face and tugged painfully on his hair. Recalling where he was once more, he paled yet again, looking like he might throw up. Abruptly bending low, hanging over the side of his mount, managing to hold on to his breakfast… just.
“Good man.” Brandth encouraged. “Spotting that fresh dung. A very good sign.”
“I think I’m going to be sick.” Kinnith whispered, straightening, but looking queasy still.
“Here.” Brandth handed over his second flask of mead, surprised when Kinnith grabbed it and chugged down the entire contents in one go. “Careful there, though your colour does look much improved.”
“Shhhsss.” Talac accompanied the sound with a hand signal to let the party following on their heels know that they were getting closer to their target. Unfortunately, the trail had grown much narrower and he and Brandth had no choice but to drop back a ways. Lucky for them Kinnith’s docile bay appeared to understand where it was going more than its rider.
The hairs on the back of Talac’s neck lifting as out the corner of his eye he caught a glimpse of a black clad rider and matching horse pacing them. The Beast. Yes, finally. Poulth had called it. When it was time for blood the Beast would be present. Skill, or an uncanny sense of timing? Talac was presuming both.
Kinnith kept trying to twist in his saddle, his expression silently pleading for help. Brandth made a show of lifting his hunting spear provided by the organisers, hefting it higher. Kinnith swallowed hard and fumbled for his, almost dropping it before tucking it closely to his body, where it would do him no good what so ever unless the animal they were hunting leapt up and impaled itself upon the weapon.
Despite the sunny day, little actual sunlight made it past the dense overhead canopies of leaves and vines. In the woods everything took on a shadowy cast. And thanks to all the recent rain the air was steamy and oppressive, scented by the abundant greenery, mud, and the animals who dwelt there.
In silence the hunting party travelled deeper still, the narrow trail twisting and turning. Except for the occasional snapping of a branch or creaking of a saddle as one of the amateur hunters shifted in boredom, or impatience, there were few noises to detract from the rustling of leaves, and the cooing and tweeting of various birds.
As with all hunting expeditions the moment switched from absolute silence and control to chaos in a split second. Brandth heard the snort of the wild boar not far up ahead. Talac catching a glimpse of its hind quarters. He did the only thing he could, reaching over to smack the mount Kinnith was riding hard on its rear flank. Suddenly the entire party was charging down the trail, no longer silent, as some of the hunters whooped in excitement whilst Kinnith wailed in fear, desperately trying to retain his seat. His horse surging forward. An old hand at hunting, the bay pounded down the narrow trail. The outraged squeal of the wild boar as it ran away almost lost amongst the sound of pounding hooves.
Talac saw a small break off to his left, steering his steed towards it, flanking Kinnith now, helping drive the boar forward. The front riders breaking out into a clearing full of ferns and water filled muddy puddles. It was now or never, Talac lifting himself high in the saddle, casting his spear hard at the running boar. It really was all in the flick of the wrist, as the lightweight weapon flew swiftly through the air, sinking deeply into the side of the animal, who released a pain filled scream but kept on running. Hampered though now by the shaft protruding from its guts, dragging it across the ground and battering it against rocks and trees.
