The Hunt
(Swords with Souls)
Cover by Darren Joy
Fantasy Fiction
(Adult content)
Sir Oisin trots to the entrance of the castle's great hall and leaps off Ronnin. He watches as his noble stead walks over to a nearby trough and takes a drink before he hurries into the great hall. Behind the king stand the other main royal guards. Sir Afamefuna, rigid as usual but also older looking; Sir Oliver, steadfast and at ease; Sir Olaf, who leaned over to whisper to the seated monarch; and a new guard, with a similar build to Sir Olaf. It didn't surprise him that Sir Olaf was going to gradually replace the current royal guards with his own. The current royal guards were so busy with their own fiefdoms that it wouldn't matter, accept in this case Sir Olaf would have greater access to the king's ear.
"You're here, Sir Oisin," King Leopold chides.
"As soon as I heard, Your Highness," he replies, and gives a sweeping bow. The king's conniving stare is ever present but the rest of his face looks grey and worn.
"You missed it by a few hours," the king says with a sweep of his hand. "My son's hand has been boxed, his royal blood wiped up, and my wife insane with vengeance. A platoon has been sent to kill Sir Ganbold but he is shrewd."
"I will find him, Your Highness," he swears.
"We will have a battalion of the army ready when you return," the King says in a dark tone as he glances behind him at Sir Olaf.
"That we will, Your Highness," Sir Olaf replies with a snarl in his voice.
"A battalion, Your Highness?" Sir Oisin asks. This could be bad, that many troops would look to prove their strength by eating off the common people's land and bedding daughters and possibly wives who may not share their desires.
"It would be better if Sir Ganbold does not make the sea and his homeland but we must be prepared if he does."
"I will go now and find him, Your Highness." Sir Oisin also sees potential in this. A divided army is easier to defeat.
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