Setting out for a Royal Hunt, 10 AM, 11/10

[Hope]

Captain Russell and Mirtel

“Chess? I am rather fond of that game myself..." Edward replied with a pleased smile. It was boon to find a common interest with a woman so beautiful as she. She might not have been any good at chess, but never the less the fresh information emboldened him, both his smile and manner, he nudged his horse to increase it's pace "Then perhaps you are familiar with such a strategy as, this?" moving forward and then around the front of her horse, his mount came to block hers. "With your way to the clearing barred, your opponent seems to want you to move elsewhere."

He'd wanted to attend the full hunt in the forest, and yet, desired to keep her company.

"I would promise to protect you." he encouraged, "and perhaps the thrill of the hunt shall give you fresh inspiration for voice, it would surely give me something to sing about."

[Charles Whitehurst]

Charles went where the King went. He was not seeking to bag the hare, but to be seen in the company of the King. Though ladies would be in the clearing, and he did thrill to their company, duty called. As such, he followed the royal party into the undergrowth.

[Mirtel Hardwick]

Captain Russell and Mirtel

Mirtel actually held no great interest in chess. At father’s insistence she had learned the moves and had on occasion even played a game every now and then. At least before her father had given up on Mirtel ever learning to enjoy strategising in chess. Her strategy was to simply move a piece she hadn’t moved in ages or on the side of the board that had been inactive for a while. Although truth be told it made her a very unpredictable opponent, but a too careless one to really hope to win. She made no mention of that though, merely smiling as Edward professed his own love for the game.

Phae tossed her head with a snort as Edward manouvered his horse to block their way. With a tug on the reigns Mirtel guided Phae into a pirouette, the mare’s hind legs staying in place as she did a full turn. A most elegant dressage move and the pair did excel at dressage. And a move during which Mirtel Christabel could have at any moment guided Phae to move forward again to round the roadbloack that had erected itself in their path. Mirtel Christabel studied Edward thoughtfully, obviously torn between what to do.

“La! I’ve never been very fond of hunting myself. I always find myself feeling sorry for the animal,” she murmured, obviously torn between what to do. It wasn’t that she necessarily felt pity for the animals, although she did like animals but she was also addicted to eating, but hunting could be so very brutal. And one had to look out to not get her riding habit bloody and to keep elegant on horseback and make sure Phae wouldn’t spook at the smell of blood. And of course there was always the hazard of a brance tearing the dress or swiping her coquettish little hat right off her head. She really had been planning to head to the clearing. But it was so charming from Edward to invide her along. She liked him anyway and he was also a striking man. Mirtel Christabel had always appreciated strength, and strong striking features over classical beauty. Idly she found herself wondering about Edward's family. Might he had a title he'd come into? She'd have to take a peek at some lineage trees that Windsor library was also bound to have.

“Oh, do you sing?” Mirtel Christabel wondered with genuine interest, inclinging her head in a picture of demure feminine deference, “I shall trust in your advice then, I just hope I won't keep you back too much.” She didn’t have a weapon with her anyway, not that she wished one, but Mirtel Christabel directed her horse to follow the group heading towards the forest.

OOC: Hopping to the forest thread.

[Hope]

OOC: continued there!