Raolin, like me, was not born noble. I was happy. My kids would be able to have friends. "Raolin, we really should get to know each other more. I would be honored if my children got to be friends with your children." I said. He looked surprised. "I would like that too." he said. Securing a nice ally was important in times like these. All the hybrids would face challenges. The best thing for them would be to have several spaces that they could go where it was safe to be who they were. We would train them all into the very best knights in the kingdom. Raolin and I trained together. A member of the royal court came soon after the auction to check the place out for the king. It was the reason we were out here. Everyone in the town made sure to kiss his ass when he passed by. We all knew how important it was that he bring good news to the king. He himself was a hunter. He was pleased with the facilities on hand. The sauna impressed him. "The king will be pleased to hear of a method to preserve his health when not hunting." I was told the man said. A huge royal hunt was called a year later.
We made sure that everyone in the free folk village stayed away from the town for the whole royal visit. We did not want them or their families to be in danger. It was only fair when they were the ones that helped when we first arrived. Because it was a royal hunt, it was on the nobles to make sure that they received him well. As knights, we were all there to attend to our lords. The king had his own retinue of knights to accompany him. I was pleasantly surprised when Sir Killroy was among them. He smiled at me when he recognized me. We were both working, so there was no time to catch up at that moment. Lord Swiftheart and his wife were at the front and he welcomed our king to the town. The sickly king was not feeling well, but it was his duty to be received publicly. Out of concern, the Swifthearts made their introductions short and led them to the lodgings that had been prepared. The resort itself had some rooms for hunters not native to the region. Those would be taken up by the royal retinue and the kings acclaimed hunters. The king would rest his weary head in the Swiftheart manor.
The king had an heir, a 13 year old son. He had only been 7 years old when I saw him at the feast. He also had a 4 year old son. That was the spare. He had been born after we left to do this venture for the crown. The king had his line secured. For someone so ill, it was good on him to have been able to do this. Both princes and the queen were present for the hunt. Obviously, they would not be participating. We did not want anything to happen to them while unattended in the deep dark woods. The royal family was to be protected at all cost. Luckily, the king and queen had their retinue of 6 knights each. The princes also had some nice companions to keep them company. It was a really prestigious position to be a friend of one of the princes. The noble children of court that they liked came along at their suggestion. The children of the hunting party and the servants were also milling about the camp and town. Needless to say, Raolin and I kept our hybrid children safe at home. They already had exhibited cool, amazing abilities. They could photosynthesize and speak with plants.
