Hunting Party

The Never Ending Quest - Episode 20614

Cuthbert:

I'm a little concerned that our cover might be blown, especially as the hounds are beginning to get a little restless. Perhaps they get a hint of the scent of a fox from our demifoxes. It doesn't help that our clothing marks us out as foreigners. No local woman would wear trousers, as ours do. (Dresses would not have been very practical, given the things they might have to do on a quest like this. Besides, I gather from Jarlath that if I had tried to persuade Astra, in particular, to wear a dress I'd just have been wasting my breath. Apparently she only wears one to weddings and funerals.) Fortunately Samuel, at the head of the column, calls impatiently for everyone to follow, and the hunting party moves off again before any harm is done.

It occurs to me that, whilst we couldn't make a move here right outside the castle, this hunting trip may nevertheless give us an opportunity. If we can manage to intercept the party, perhaps on the return journey, it will be a lot easier than trying to gain entry to the castle. Though there will still be some guards to take care of, these will be comparatively few, and the forest (where I assume they will be heading for their stag hunt) will provide us with cover. As the hunters head off, I gather my companions together for a whispered conversation.

Rebecca

That was strange. I can't really have seen what I thought I did - can I? But there's no time to worry about that now, as I have to give almost all my attention to my riding. I seem to be a skilled horsewoman. That's just as well, since riding side-saddle - necessitated both by etiquette and by my ankle-length hunting dress of heavy velvet - is not easy, especially at speed and often across rough ground as hunting demands. I fear that, if anyone gets thrown and breaks their neck, it's far more likely to be me than Samuel.

Before we set off, I had overheard a whispered conversation between two of the nobles who are part of our group. "What does the Prince think he is playing at?" one had grumbled. "It's not at all fitting to bring a woman along on a hunt. Hunting's strictly for men. I'd have thought that he of all people, given how he feels about the New Amazons, would have known better."

"Not so loud, unless you want us both to experience the castle dungeons! I think he's brought her along so he can keep his eye on her. I wouldn't be surprised if he suspects her of having New Amazon sympathies. After all, their leader - Princess Illura - is a cousin of hers, so it wouldn't be surprising."

"But haven't you heard?..."

But I never got to hear what that might have been, as at that moment the signal to move off was given. If I hadn't had to concentrate on my riding, I could have pondered rather more about what this all meant. In particular, who are these New Amazons? I instinctively feel that if Samuel is against them then I am all for them.

  1. Soon we are cantering across the grassland that lies between the city and the forest.

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JH

9/23/2002 10:55:46 AM

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