"I hope to pin Aislin down for language lessons during our camping trip. We can't get a time scheduled otherwise," For which, Lou looks disappointed. "I need to learn enough so as not to get myself entirely kidnapped next time." She grins a bit, then adds. "Mason was not as amused as I was. I was sure I could play a fine game of charades as I've done over all the years I've been exploring and encountering them." She gives a small shrug of her shoulder. Estaban gets a wry grin. "Hey! Luca ganged up on me three warriors to my one bow. I think he's gotten enough revenge on that. Besides which, Mistress Leola has taught me to be better with the bow. Now, that doesn't mean I don't still miss, but I am better!" She pauses, then says. "I am well. Mason and I just got back from Everwinter for one of the House Redrain missions. Lord Tarik Morien was able to find that which he was looking for which will also help us in our coming battles."

"Our camping trip is basically going to be the best whenever we can manage to schedule it," Tikva says with a laugh, and then turns her easy smile on Estaban. "Doing well, thanks. But hey, looks like they're getting the horses ready; I should check on Kicky." Tikva makes a little face, and then turns to start to stride off the green towards her hinny. Kicky has been snuffling around and occasionally pawing at the earth with her hooves; Tikva catches her head and murmurs to her, stroking down her neck with a faint frown as she flicks her flowing tail and then noses at Tikva's pockets like excuse me where is my food.

Shard returns, after some time, and heads right back to the table she previously vacated.

Shard has joined the wrought, dark wood tables and unique chairs.

    Merek has taken time to fetch his mount, Beauty, who he brings back to the lodge. Once there he brushes her coat and then smiles a bit, while he prepares the saddle on her. He seems to be participating in more things while he is here!

For those wishing to spectate there are tables and chairs set about the Lodge grounds. A large table as been set up for refreshment for both those watching and the hunters. Pork pies, fruit pastries, crumbling cheeses, cured meat and thick cut bread to partake in. Wine, whiksey, water and tea are being set out by attendants and Saedrus is present of course; just a touch distracted for a moment.

Saedrus steps away from the tables for the spectators, though not far, to greet any new comers to the Lodge, "Welcome to the hunt! The next will be the mounted hunt for stag, so those participating can find their way to Khinn and Leola," the former being his grouchy attendant lurking by a pair of horses.

Christine arrives following Shard and Calarian and looking around with a smile. "Well, this is nice..." She doesn't seem to be taking to anyone, just to herself. She smiles and waves to those she knows, though, so Saedrus and Merek get a wave.

Leola smiles, stood amid bustling horses, and she steps out to the front of them. She rode bareback on the way, comfortable and easy atop her own grey mare "This time, the hunt is more traditional. They call the Hunt the Stag Riders!" She calls, smiling to all "So we shall ride. There are herds of deer, and my hunters will move with you, guiding you to them. But they are swift, and they know the country! You may take a single adult; no foals, no pregnant doe; run them down and bring them back to us here. Those of you who return within, oh, let's say an hour, will have their takes judged against one another, with my hunters reporting on your technique and respect for your prey. Hunt well, in the name of the Forest Lord!" She calls, smiling and gesturing those who would to come forward. "We have horses, for those who do not ..."

Christine has joined the wrought, dark wood tables and unique chairs.

Tikva swings easily up into Kicky's saddle and urges the surefooted little beast into line where she starts sniffing curiously at one of the horses and then pretends that she wasn't doing that at all, digging at earth with one hoof until Tikva clicks at her to behave. "This is going to be fun! It's been ages since we had a real chase, and the venison will be wonderful."

"I'll be joining this event," Lou tells Estaban, then excuses herself to go make her name known to Leola and Khinn as requested. "Lou Grayson will be joining the hunt!" she calls out.

Estaban grins looking to Lou, "Oh well that is good." he shakes his head, "Dame Leola is a fine teacher." he looks to Taikva nodding his head, "Good luck, Princess, also good luck Lou!" he looks over, "I will be joining as well!" he makes his dog go lay down near his guard and he moves to go get his horse that he had parked some wear, it is a land boat right?

Tikva has joined the line.

Lou has joined the line.

Merek has joined the line.

Estaban has joined the line.

"Well I don't want to show you the painting!" Aleksei's voice raises from one of the tables as he argues with Mae, who is obviously upset. His voice lowers for a few final words before he pulls away, only lingering a moment with Saedrus before he turns off to head over to where the other hunters gather. He hasn't brought a horse, but he make friends with one of those provided soon enough.

Aleksei has joined the line.

Marian has joined the line.

"Ride safe and strong, all of you!" Saedrus gives a final little cheer as the riders gather with the horses.

Aleksei has left the wrought, dark wood tables and unique chairs.

Marian swings up onto her horse and calms the beast as she watches and waits for the signal to go. She salutes Saedrus for his words as gives them encouragement. Her hand that isn't on the reins is holding her spear.

Meeka arrives, delivering a message to Shard before departing.

The hunters lead the mounted riders from the Lodge of the Petrichor out into Gray Forest. It's not overly long or particularly hard. The group are brought to the lighter area of the forest, open enough for mounted hunters to manoeuvre, where the wildlife is beginning to recover after the destruction caused from the siege. The ground is upturned but showing life with the patches of greenery breaching the soil. There is a winding creek trickling through the still standing trees, which offers the predominant sounds of running water amongst the birds calling overhead. The fallen logs have grown moss and created its own little world of life from small animals to insects. Everything is alive -- and the rustle of shrubbery, and kick of earth suggests the stag and deer are about.

It is now Tikva's turn to speak.

Khinn does follow out with the group, on his own horse. He's here to lift heavy game -- and probably glare at Aleksei. He seems more interested in watching the skills of the participants at least.

Tikva rides smooth and sure through the woods, breathing in the scent and listening closely to the sounds on the wind. Her eyes are sharp and bright, and as the blithe gait of the dauntless hinny carries through over moss, careful in her step through the ground as she rides out with Leola's hunters. "There," she breathes, and rises in the saddle as Kicky picks up speed, bracing her knees with strength and might as she takes steady aim, hauling back on the longbow by main force and sending a clean shot through the neck of one of the fleeing deer. She fires a second shot and puts it neatly in the animal's skull to end any potential suffering as they charge up over the soft ground.

It is now Lou's turn to speak.

Mae stands at the table, as Aleksei yells (sort of yells?). Whatever the situation, it's clearly not a happy one. She grabs a kerchief offered by Saedrus, wipes her eyes, then turns and quickly hustles away from the gathering, paying no attention to the hunt. She just sweeps off into the woods... probably in the wrong direction to get back to Arx.

Mae has left the wrought, dark wood tables and unique chairs.

When her turn is called, Lou mounts her horse Destiny - which one of the Grayson stable hands brought down for her after her arrival. She follows the other mounted riders, until they find some of the game. Her riding today is easy and steady, and soon enough they find one of their prey. She drops her reins, using her legs to guide her horse as best as possible, and grabs her crossbow. She very carefully aims, feeling the rhythm of the horse's movements to gauge when she should let loose the bolt. Only when she's sure the horse's movements will not affect her aim does she let it go, and it strikes the deer cleanly in the region of the heart. The deer leaps a few more steps here and there, not yet knowing it's already a goner, and then finally drops to it's death.

It is now Merek's turn to speak.

Christine checked perception + empathy at difficulty 15, rolling 6 lower.

    Merek moves to his horse and saddles up on it, before he takes his time to adjust the reins, then he hefts up the bow he has with him. With a shift of his foot, he rides with his beast and lifts up his arrow, lining up a shot and then shooting at whatever he can manage to find in his path that isn't a person, before he comes back around towards the line, and relaxes.

Christine seems to be quite happy, chatting with the remaining people at the table.

It is now Estaban's turn to speak.

Estaban mounts up on his horse patting it gently on the neck, "Whoa its okay." he speaks softly to the animla, he looks out to where he needs to go and off he goes. Its not a fast run but a more relaxed trot moving with the horses rythm. He breaths deeply whispering to the horse once he is on the trail of one of the deers, he tried this before but he was on the back of Silas horse trying to protect Luca atthe time, so he lets the reins go pulling his bow out moving with the horse he aims and at the right time lets the arrow fly hitting the deer in the side, it takes off but after a few feet it falls to its side and stops moving.

It is now Aleksei's turn to speak.

Aleksei is a bit distracted as he mounts his horse, but his seat is still steady, and he seems to find his focus as the others begin the hunt. Soon enough he's riding along with the group, whatever fight he was in the midst of previously being forgotten for the moment -- or at least shoved to the side. He's favored a spear instead of a bow like most of the others, and he holds it in a firm grip as he brings his horse in a canter alongside a fleeing deer, keeping one hand on the reins and directing his horse with the shift of his thighs. He watches closely, weighing his moment -- and then leans in to spear the deer between the ribs. The animal goes down, and he circles back around, pulling the spear from the animal and striking it back more precisely to finish it off swiftly rather than let it linger and bleed out.

It is now Marian's turn to speak.

Marian keeps a careful hand on her mount as they enter the forest. Her green eyes searching for her quarry. She sees movement in the corner of her eye and then gives her horse some head, letting him move swiftly as she pulls back her spear. She gets a bit away from the group, her intent to run her stag to ground and then she lets her spear go and the tip lances the stag. She pulls back on the reins, grabbing the wood to press in deeper. Her feral smile plays across her lips as she puts the stag down. Then she brings her horn to her lips and it lets out a cry so the attendents know she's landed one. She takes a moment to lift the stag on to the horse, securing him so she can jump on and ride back to show what she caught.

Khinn, Saedrus' attendant, more keeps an eye on Leola's hunters rather than interferes any. He does bring his horse in close to consider the felled game for measure. Once the beasts are strapped and loaded to a thin cart, he calls through to the riders. "All of y'have done a good shot, each animal done. Damn sight better then flogging an arrow off th'damn things flank or skull. Princess Tikva, Princess Marian--" Khinn's dark eyes regard Lou a moment and he balks against everything Saedrus has taught him, "ah, Lou and.." he just points in Aleksei's general direction, "mount up and take another run."

Khinn pulls to turn his own horse, a very docile mare, about and nods to Estaban and Merek. "Lord Saik, Merek, both good hauls -- just not greatest measures. Good riding though, yea?"

leola nods after discussing with Khinn, giving Estaban an apologetic look, and Merek a rather quiet smile "We can't all be hunters, and I know your talents lead you both to more important pursuits. But I thank you both for honoring Petrichor with me in this way"

"Ready to go, Kicky?" Tikva pats the hinny's neck as she snorts and stamps. She has to haul on her head to get her to not attempt to bite at the tail of another rider's horse. "Would you stop that. All right, here we go... hunt's luck, Lou, Aleksei, Princess Marian!"

Tikva has joined the line.

Aleksei has joined the line.

Lou gives Khinn a thankful smile, then goes turns her horse back to the line, rejoining it.

Lou has joined the line.

"I was successful, regardless the measurement," Merek mentions, then he moves back on his way after an incline to the two. Once dismounted, he takes his time to move off for a while, not really known where.

Marian has joined the line.

Khinn upnods Lou. He likes her better than Aleksei, clearly.

Estaban nods his head turning his horse back to where everyone is he dismounts and Leola may know the horse he was riding. He pats the horse speaking to it, "It is okay my friend we did well." he says in a sfot smile.

Marian gives a satisfied look as she hands over her stag and is given another chance to run in the hunt. She pats Herceles as he moves under her, excited to get back out there, "Steady boy." She salutes Estaban and Merek for their fine efforts. Then the other competitors get her salute, "Good hunting." She looking forward to see how this second round goes.

Lou inclines her head to Estaban. "As you said, it's not winning that's important, it's the trying."

Aleksei gives Khinn a bit of an exasperated look, like maybe this is something he's been living with for -- oh, say a year now. But he offers a quick smile to his fellow hunters, both those taking another round and those who aren't. "Good hunting," he echoes.

Tikva calls with a grin across the arched neck of her beast, "Princess Marian, I'm sensing from our mutual participation in this event that we have some shared interests and that at some point I should invite you out for a drink!"

Marian calls back out, gripping her spear and waiting for the call to hunt, "Yes...we should most definitely have a drink some time. And bring that wonderful husband of yours. It's been ages since I saw him down at the training center."

"As soon as he returns to the city from his jaunt in Bastion, I'll haul him down, I promise," Tikva says with an easy laugh. "He's probably getting rusty with the sword!"

Khinn's voice carries far, and loud, "a'ight, hook in." he calls to the riders -- Aleksei gets no response for that look either.

Estaban nods to Marian, "Good Hunting!" he replies back to her slipping out of the saddle and puts his bow back on his back. He moves now to where people are watching and nods his head to them all.

It is now Tikva's turn to speak.

Leola smiles to Estaban, gently patting his horse's head and scritching between the ears as she talks to her lord "It's good to spend time with you, I must say. I was pleased and proud when you allowed me to be knighted, more than I ever said" And she nods to the group - sending them off, away!

This time, when Tikva rides out into the brush, she sets her sights on the impressive rack of a tall and muscular stag, and hunkers low to Kicky's saddle, urging her forward as she catches him up. It's not quite as pretty as the sure and smooth riding of their first run, but it's still a pretty respectable trip at Kicky's steady trot. It does take her two shots to kill this stag, too, one arrow flying swiftly after the other as she ends it. "Hyah!" she says in satisfaction as the stag goes down.

It is now Aleksei's turn to speak.

His second attempt, Aleksei seems even more focused, his attention even more in the moment. He shifts in his saddle, spurring his mount onwards, and shifting his bloodied spear in his hand. His gaze marks his prey, narrowing on it, and his horse surges forward to draw up alongside the stag. (Getting ambitious, it seems.) He hoists his spear, and then he leans in, managing to pierce right through the stag's neck. The beast falters, stumbling in its run, and then tumbles to the ground.

It is now Lou's turn to speak.

Lou makes her way back out into the hunt, following the huntsmen until she finds her next target. She's riding more smoothly this time than she did the last, and her seat is steady. She raises her crossbow and takes aim, expertly hitting one of the deer in the heart region again. It doesn't take long for the best to drop, never quite knowing what hit it.

It is now Marian's turn to speak.

Estaban smiles to Leola watching her, "It is something I have been meaning to do Dame Leola, I am happy have been given the time to do so." he grins, "There was no reason to say no, you have done so much." he looks to the horse when he snorts and head buts Leola's arm.

Marian rides into the forest, her sharp eyes looking for her next quarry. She sees the flash of horn, the blur of fur as the stag she comes across tries to weave away from her. She throws her first spear, wounding the creature but then the horse has to move to avoid a tree. She swears under her breath as she dodges and then grabs another spear. This time her aim is true and she falls the impressive stag, taking him down. She pauses to retrieve the first spear and then circles back around to get him. Once the stag is lifted and tied to the horse, she lifts her horn to let them know she was successful and on her way back.

"Well" Leola smiles at the end of the run, looking over the game caught. She fingers two with tags of green and red, looking to Tikva and Lou "The two of you caught twins, one apiece, it seems" She gives a soft, amused smile "But with the first take as well into account ..." She gestures to marian and Tikva gracefully "Your highnesses. One last run, if you will. Archlector, Princess Lou, thank you for the honor you have shown Petrichor in this, and I have, for both of you, something while these two make their last ...."

Khinn brings his horse close to the shrub and out of the way, while he helps with the beasts as the last riders ready themselves for the final run.

Lou smiles over at Leola, nodding her head. "Thank you for running this event," she tells her. Then she grins over at Tikva. "Good luck!"

"The book!" Suddenly, Christine taps her forehead, laughing, before lowering her voice to the table again.

"Good hunting, your highnesses!" Aleksei calls after Tikva and Marian. "You should /definitely/ get that drink sometime!" He doesn't seem put out by his elimination, and accepts the skinning knife prize Leola offers him with pleasure. "Nice!" He turns his horse back towards the others, eventually dismounting once he's close enough to the spectators to settle in to watch the last rounds.

Saedrus moves to his feet, though it's not for Christine's epiphany. Aleksei is returning and unharmed.

Alexis may be arriving a little bit late, but she's moving along and has tried to dress sort of for the occasion. Or at least as she imagined she should. Offering small bows here and there to the many many nobles and otherwise noble personages.

Lou gives her horse back to the Grayson groom with instructions to cool her off and such, then goes to find a seat in the stands until Tikva's completed her run with Marian and the next event begins.

Christine waves to those coming back, but it's not a wave of greeting, but of farewell. She's leaving!

Saedrus in all his ohmygod Aleksei didn't get trampled, state, he catches sight of Alexis' entry. There is a gracious bow, despite nerves, to the woman and a brilliant smile. "Dame Alexis, welcome! Are you coming to watch or participate?"

"All right, girl, one more time," Tikva mutters to Kicky. She knees the hinny into a trot, and she picks up speed, gathering momentum. They give chase, and Tikva sets her sights on one buck in particular and they give chase, riding at speed and leaping a boulder only to crash through the waters of the creek in a splatter of wet mud and hurtle up the bank. As they crest the other side, they break into the sunlight dappling through the spring growth, and Tikva looses her arrow in a breathless pause. It's a difficult shot, right through the eye and into the stag's brain. The arrow breaks in the beast's skull, but she's felled it one strike. She whoops with abandon and punches the air, bow held high.

Alexis sketches a bow to Saedrus in turn. "If possibly, Softest Whisper, I would be honoured to participate." She murmurs. Looking over the area. "You have done a marvellous job, if I may say so. And I'm sorry I didn't arrive earlier."

Aleksei leaves his horse with one of the attendants and makes his way over to Saedrus with a slight hook of a smile. "I'm fine," he tells him, dragging knuckles up Saedrus's back. "I have some things I'll need to take care of after this one, though. I won't be able to stay for the boar hunt." Which he looks honestly disappointed about. He offers Alexis a quick smile.

Christine has left the wrought, dark wood tables and unique chairs.

Marian gives a bow to the others for their fine efforts, and turns to Tikva, "Good hunting." And there's that competitive gleem in Marian's eyes as she prepares her steed for the last round of hunting. She makes sure that both spears are in the ready and then lets her horse that is ready at the bit to go. They shoot off in the opposite direction as Tikva, looking for her quarry, knowing that it needs to be impressive to beat her rival. She scans the brush until she sees an impressive buck. A low whistle brings her horse to bear and just as the stag scents her, Marian moves into position and lets the first spear fly, wounding the stag as she quickly comes in for the kill with the other spear. There is a brutal beauty at the skill that Marian uses to make her kill. With an eye to back to camp, she jumps down and loads up the final stag, wondering if it will be enough to take the prize.

Saedrus leans close to Aleksei's side with a smile. "I can see that now," ANYTHING COULD HAVE HAPPENED, ALEKSEI. The Whisper touches a kiss to the Archlector's cheek, "that is alright," Saed does not look disappointed, "there will be other hunts. I will see you tonight?" he asks first to Aleksei then smiles brilliantly to Alexis. "The mounted hunt has just concluded but there is the boar hunt yet to start, and you are our honoured guest. All of this is thanks to the Lodge and the Faith, wonderful, yes?"

Alexis proffers a small bow to Aleksei, but does not interrupt the archlector's moment with the Whisper. Giving a small smile. "I'd be honoured to partake in the boar hunt, Softest Whisper." She replies. "And - it is rather marvellous. I'm glad I was able to aid Paladin Leola some."

Khinn whistles for the eye-shot from Tikva. "Abyss, ay," he rumbles and his attention follows close to Marian as she rides through and takes down another stag. The attendant looks off to Leola as the last kills are measued up.

Saedrus offers Alexis a seat before the hunt. He's sitting with Shard, there's port on the table, cheese, cured meat and bread. "Care to join us before the hunt begins?"

Leola whistles softly as the catches are brought in, nodding a little and giving a smile "Well. Princess Tikva, congratulations. I've rarely seen such a prize brought down - truly, you're a skilled hunter. Thank you, your highness" She bows her head to Marian with an apologetic smile, and moves to present a spear to Tikva

Saedrus applauds for all the hunters, "well done all of you, come and have something to drink and eat and recover. And congratulations Princess Tikva on your win!"

Marian gives a rueful nod to Leola as she's told Princess Tikva won this match, and then gives a round of claps to let her competitor know just how proud she is, "Good work Your Highness." She motions for an attendent to come take her horse so she can get off and give the other princess her well wishes for a good hunt.

Alexis, too, applauds politely. And gives a small wave to Leola once she spots the Horn of the Hunt.

Sitting back in her saddle, Tikva beams with clear delight at the gorgeous spear that Leola proffers. "Thank you so much," she says. "It's been a lovely event to honor Petrichor and I'm so glad that I was able to participate." She swings down Kicky's back to hold up the spear for all to see, and then lowers it again. "Thank you," she says with a bright grin to Marian. "I was only lucky to spy that rack before you did. You are killer with that spear."

Lou takes a moment to cheer for Tikva from the sidelines! "Great job, Tikva!"

Lou is overheard praising Leola for: For running a wonderful set of hunts to feed the people!

Lou is overheard praising Saedrus for: For running a wonderful set of hunts to feed the people!

Leola smiles a little to Alexis, nodding gently "Welcome, Dame Alexis. I hope you're here for the boar?" She asks gently, moving to get a drink and settle down in the comfort of the Lodge grounds, as the final preperations are made - and the wagon of meat is brought in