May 4: The Great Hunt What: The Great Hunt Who: Any Interested Courtiers. When: May 4 – (Cool but sunny, perfect weather for a great hunt. The king and his court will not be expected back until late in the evening.) Where: in the Kingswood. Rating: PG-13 for violence Status: OPEN for everyone.
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The sun was barely visible on the horizon as the preparations began. The dew was still slick on the cobblestones as the first horses were brought from the stables, the chill of the morning sharp in the lungs of those working to prepare the day's festivities. The gray light of dawn was fading just beginning to brighten to the rosy tint of morning as the first riders passed out of the gates toward the kingswood.
Tradesmen in the street watched as the brightly-gowned nobles passed through, some waving merrily and others ignoring those beneath them. The King and his white-cloaked guards rode in the lead, at least in the beginning. The party passed through the city gates and into the forest, with the echoing laughter and jingling of harnesses and bells echoing behind them. But all the gaeity and bright silks did not quite hide the weapons carried at every side, the bows slung across nearly every back.
The king and his court were hunting.
In the shadows of the kingswood, figures dashed along hidden paths, careful to leave little sign of their passage, and fires were hurriedly banked, campsites dismantled. The outlaws of the Brotherhood knew their forest well, and hid with the surety of those all but born to forest ways.