The Gambler
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Alea Iacta Est
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Post by The Gambler on Sept 21, 2016 21:56:25 GMT
"Would you like an escort, Lady Aelison?" one of the guardsmen inquired as she road through the gates with the animals. He was clearly loath to let kin of the lord ride out with only dogs for protection.
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Bret
Peasant
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Post by Bret on Sept 21, 2016 23:15:21 GMT
"Thank you but you have your duties", she grinned. "And I am no Lady, just the Kennel Mistress. I think my beasts and I will fare just fine."
Aelison stared at him, with an inquisitive look,"Besides what would my Lord cousin think, if one of his gate guard were missing?"
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The Gambler
Administrator
Alea Iacta Est
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Joined - December 2015
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Post by The Gambler on Sept 22, 2016 13:57:45 GMT
"Among those duties is the protection of members of Hiuse Blackfort, my lady," he insisted, ignoring her assertion that she was not one. "There are no shortage of men to guard the gates. I'm far more concerned with what his lordship would say if we allowed his cousin to ride out alone without escort, especially when the last kennelmaster to ride out with just two hounds did not return."
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Bret
Peasant
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Joined - September 2016
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Post by Bret on Sept 22, 2016 14:46:07 GMT
Sighing heavily, looking at the guard, his persistence was taxing. She really wanted to enjoy the morning and do this alone, but after his subtle reminder of how Gerdy bit the dust she nodded her head.
Aelison shifted in her saddle,"Come on then, but you better keep up. And don't touch my dogs or get in their way."
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The Raven
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Post by The Raven on Sept 25, 2016 1:59:08 GMT
She encountered Hoster Shoreham not far from the gate, armed with bow, arrow, and leather. "Mistress." He bowed on his horse. "I hope we both gain some satisfaction from this hunt."
His face didn't quite sour when he saw the guard behind her, but Aelison could imagine his likely disappointment with ease.
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Bret
Peasant
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Joined - September 2016
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Post by Bret on Sept 25, 2016 2:10:16 GMT
"Lord Hoster",she grinned,"I am with you, being that this my first hunt, I'm sure we will." Glancing back at that guard,"He'll only be here to protect me, which is his duty."
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The Raven
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Post by The Raven on Sept 25, 2016 2:32:36 GMT
"Well, I hope he finds nothing threatening about a fox. Would spoil my sport." He winked at her as he rode his horse into position beside her and the hounds.
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Bret
Peasant
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Post by Bret on Sept 25, 2016 2:39:03 GMT
Chuckling,"We'll be fine... You have my word." Gathering her reins,"Shall we?"
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The Raven
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Post by The Raven on Sept 25, 2016 3:09:04 GMT
***
Hoster seemed to enjoy the ride itself, more than the actual hunt. He rarely took aim at passing rabbits and birds, and did not appear bothered by a wasted arrow. His technique was competent, but his focus was lacking. This was a man who had never known real hunger.
Perhaps half an hour after the hunt, the dogs found the fox. Hoster immediately took aim and fired as well as any tourney competitor...
(Miss.)
...but not necessarily the winners. The fox scurried away into the woods, with Hoster and the dogs trailing after it.
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Bret
Peasant
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Post by Bret on Sept 25, 2016 3:17:09 GMT
Aelison dismounted, knocked one arrow and followed behind the dogs into the woods.
(Survival 40)
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The Raven
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Post by The Raven on Sept 25, 2016 13:30:07 GMT
(Pass. Two points awarded.)
While Hoster cuts a striking figure on horseback, the fox vanishes into several thick bushes impeding his glorious charge. Aelison looks over the landscape, and carefully judging her prey, directs Hoster to aim towards a stretch of open land before another set of hedges. The second son follows her lead and steadies his bow.
The lean body eventually darts out as predicted, just a second before it is pinned to the ground by the Shoreham arrow. It's owner dismounts and stands over the whimpering creature with a sad expression. The look is replaced by something that is probably meant to be exhilaration when he sees his companion, and crouches to slit the animal's throat.
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Bret
Peasant
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Post by Bret on Sept 25, 2016 13:51:53 GMT
"Good job, Lord Hoster", she smiled nodding. Aelison could've taken the fox at anytime but feeling it would have been rude, she let Hoster have the prize of the kill.
"You have your fox." She called the dogs to her and rewarded them. .
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The Raven
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Post by The Raven on Sept 25, 2016 14:22:22 GMT
"Aye..." Hoster picked up the dead creature and placed it in his horse's bag. "I suppose I do."
He turned to Aelison. "You have a fine pair, Mistress. Of hounds, of course." He winked, his earlier moment of anxiety now truly gone.
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Bret
Peasant
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Post by Bret on Sept 25, 2016 14:36:26 GMT
Accepting his flirty compliment with a grin,"Yes, I have been told that on many occasion."
"I do my best to make them available when needed", she retorted with a smirk.
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The Raven
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Post by The Raven on Sept 25, 2016 14:53:58 GMT
"That's a charitable attitude. And I am told I can be quite needy." He stepped closer to her. "Spoiled even."
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