Harvest time is a busy time around your manor.  There is a short window in which to bring in and store many of the crops before the weather turns.  Your peasants spend from dawn to dusk in the fields, or transporting the harvest to storage.  The cooks, and the women who are not working in the fields, make preserves and cure meat for the long winter ahead.

Amidst the bustle of activity, a messenger arrives from Prince Mark.  You are each invited (that is the nice way of phrasing it) to join the Prince in helping to clear Dartmoor Forest.  Of late, monstrous versions of common animals have been seen and you are needed to make the area safe again.

It is less than a day's journey to the forest heading north and east, where you meet Prince Mark and his small retinue.

"Well met, honorable knights.  Thank you for heeding my summons.  There have been reports of giant animals emerging occasionally from the forest and harassing the inhabitants.  It is a bad time, right before the harvest.  After witnessing your performance in the spring, I thought that you would be a good fit for this mission.  We start in the morning," the Prince announces.

Unlike the previous hunt, which was more of a social occasion, this one is strictly business and a dangerous business.  Prince Mark and three of his knights will be in one party while the three four of you are in another.

EDIT: Four, not three. - Teller
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:37, Fri 21 Jan 2022.

Sir Daron was less than thrilled to be summoned from his lands at so important a time but the prince was the prince so he swallowed his annoyance and tried to look grateful.

"It is an honour sire," he said to Prince Mark, bowing before looking to his fellow knights. "We'll see an end to these dire creatures."

Happy to let Sir Daron speak on his behalf (for what horrors might come out if he tries to talk?), Sir Aeddan bows to Prince Mark as Sir Daron does.  In Sir Aeddan's estimation, the hunt will be terribly dangerous, but the opportunity to fight alongside the Prince can only help them become better--and better known--knights of Cornwall.

"Indeed." Sir Abloc joined in on Sir Daron's praise of Prince Mark. He had not been pleased to leave his land behind but duty called and he was dutybound to answer the Prince's call. "It is a most noble endavour of you, Your Highness, to rid these lands of such unnatural beasts, and it is indeed an honor for us all to be allowed to join the hunt."

Sir Abloc did not like this one bit. The hunt would be dangerous but at least he was with his Brothers. When he was certain they were alone, Sir Abloc whispered to his friends "We may be doomed, but can we please try and stay on our horses this time?" He tried to smile but it was clear to them that even the brave Sir Abloc was afraid.

"But on to other things then ..." he continued as the squires made preparations. "Have you found a fair maiden swept away by your charm, Sir Daron?"