Part of Eryk knew that his behavior was irresponsible and dangerous, and that he should wait for his guards. Reckless was the word his father had been throwing around earlier. Eryk knew news of this would make his father angry, and that was just fine, as far as he was concerned. Right now, he wanted nothing more than to escape from the arguments and the responsibilities, and if his actions angered his father in the process, so much the better.
Once out of the city, Eryk kneed his horse into a smooth canter, and he and Branden soon came upon their destination. Eryk slowed to avoid startling their prey as the forest they’d been riding through ended abruptly, the trail opening into a lovely meadow. It didn't take long for the guards, the huntsmen with the birds, and the beaters to arrive, along with another few members of the court who were tagging along, but it was long enough for Eryk’s temper to cool a little more. Branden was a comforting presence too, which helped to settle him down. He was determined that they enjoy this impromptu hunt.
Eryk usually preferred the more active hunts – deer and boar – but he hadn't had time to get that sort of hunt set up so hawking was going to have to do. It was still thrilling to see your bird bring down its prey, and it was definitely nice not to have the dogs along today. They did tend to be noisy, and he was enjoying the quiet. Eryk turned to look for his bird, eager to get started.
Today, the huntsmen had brought a red-tailed hawk for him and a peregrine falcon for Branden. The courtiers who had accompanied them were only here to observe, and perhaps gain some inside court gossip. Gossip was better than gold if you were the first to pass it along, and the heir to the throne was often a source of interesting stories, much to the king’s chagrin. Eryk turned away from the group, letting them fade into the background, unimportant and forgotten. His eyes turned instead toward the field, and he and Branden each held out their arms for their birds, ignoring the courtiers jockeying for position behind them.
The beaters had taken their places and started moving forward slowly though the long grass. Eryk and Branden unhooded their birds and loosened the jesses, being careful to avoid the sharp talons and beaks.
Suddenly, a bird shot up out of the grass. Branden launched his falcon into the air, with Eryk’s hawk just a fraction of a second behind it. Both birds struggled for altitude, needing to get up above their prey for maximum effect when they attacked. Eryk was really hoping that his hawk could get a lead, knowing that the falcon’s slimmer, sleeker profile would help it make a faster decent against the pheasant that was struggling to escape the predators.
As both raptors reached heights they seemed to think were appropriate for the attack, Eryk’s horse suddenly danced sideways as one of the courtier’s mounts jostled it. The prince jerked on his stallion’s reins, his blue eyes never leaving the birds as they wheeled in the air to angle for their descents.
The falcon arrowed down toward its prey, but the hawk veered away from the pheasant and dove straight for Eryk’s head, talons outstretched.
The King's Assassin Page 2
