The ride to the forest was rather quiet, a knife could cut it like butter

  Eventually Ernest spoke “ So, my brother's have informed me you are Lord of Mosion yes?”

  “ Yes, and if my memory serves you just got back from the new world?” The Duke asked

  “ Aah wee, wee from New France it is quite something colder than I have ever felt “ he chuckled

  “ Hmm, it amazes me still theirs a whole nother world across the ocean, I remember when I first heard about it, blew my mind” the Duke chuckled

  “ We, do you have any colonial properties my lord “

  “ Oh, no, I'm to busy at home to have concerns with the Americas, perhaps one day but at the moment are current strife distracts me” the Duke said

  Course Robert didn't say anything just listening

  As they disembarked

  “ Me and Philip were out here yesterday, the deer have started coming back should be able to get a doe or so “ Robert said looking at the Duke

  “ Well whatever you wish to hunt, your more aquatinted with this land then me” the Duke said

  After walking some bit Philip couldn't take it as he stopped his brothers

  “ I can't do this, we promised Teresa” he said

  Robert sighed “ Philip shut up and walk” he said

  However Philip stood his ground “ No, she's so happy every time I see them together, and he is a respectable man, also Robert I think something were all ignoring is hes centuries old” Philip said

  The Duke watched the brothers argue as he sighed walking foward” Gentlemen, I understand your distrust of my intentions with your sister, I wouldn't expect you to trust me, but your sister has grown dear to me, and I hope you will bless me to continue to see her, and of not allow me to show my interest is only with goodwill “ he said

  Robert scowl soften a tad as Ernest who admitbly was starting to like the guy nodded, much to Roberts dismay as he was holding his ground

  “ Gentlemen, I suggest we not dwell in these things for now, for now let us hunt some fine game, like men “ Ernest said before whispering to his brother” let us give him a chance my brother, and if not these are deep woods” he said

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  They continued on deeper into the brush, as the winter was thawing more game had become to return a great day for a hunt, not so much for Roberty as he walked ahead having to listen to Ernst ask the Duke things

  “So I heard you crusaded in the holy land yes, I always have wondered how was that, was it like the stories say” Ernest asked as he was very much a enthusaisth of Knightly orders and was currently attempting in France to be knighted though the obvious issue of the war and his standing as a Dutchman made it difficult

  The duke entertained his questioning”Aah well, I only participated in one, and truthfully that was m,ore under Papal threats I was with Barbarossa jounreying to the Levant, He never made it of course, you be suprise how hard it is to pull a man out of a few feet of water in full plate” The Duke sighed “I did go later well after for a visit, rather beautiful place, especially the temple, It amazes me even after all these centuries it still stands” he said

  Ernest listened with fascination ,as Philip weary eyed his brother, increasing annoyance. They would arrive at the brothers usual spot, the ground worn from its use over the years as they left their horses

  Philip would whisper something to Ernest as they nodded to each other “I think we should split up, I’m taking Ernest with me to check the usual areas” Philip said clearly having planned to force his brother to socialize with the Duke

  Robert mouthed to his brother “ I'm going to kill you traitor”

  As Philip quickly pulled Ernest away leaving the Duke and Robert alone

  Robert exhales annoyed “ well come on I their should be some buck around “ he said walking as the Duke followed

  After some time of quietly walking the Duke broke the silence”sir Robert I understand your dislike of me any man would but I….”

  Robert interrupted” yes I do not trust you Mosioner, because my sister I dealt with more shit then any of us could imagine my father was impossible to stomach yet she stuck it out when we all left. “ Robert stuck his finger on his face “and just because you have some gift of long life doesn't mean a thing to me, I owe my sister alot I can't repay but making sure vultures like you don't woo her I can ensure “ he pulled back” let's just split up for now meet back with the others ‘“

  The Duke was left speechless but nodded” If that is your wish “

  Robert walked still angry as after a hour he spotted a deer grazing as he crouch he would aim his bow

  But just before he let go the deer looked up suddenly in his direction and fled

  Robert sighed annoyed before hearing footsteps behind him and a grumbling growl

  Wolves

  As he stood frozen they'd lunge of he turned to quickly as he slowly reached for his knife

  He turned just as one pounced grabbing his arm as he yelled in pain getting pulled about

  As another Wolf neared he prayed in panic as he tried to break free

  But then “ shunk” the sound of tearing as the wolf holding his arm fell over a arrow on his forehead

  Then a whistle as Robert looked it the Duke drawing his sowrd” come on now, this way ya” he said drawing the packs attention

  Robert pulled himself over a rock watching as the Duke walked towards the circling wolves

  Their was a reason his house banner was of a wolf. Man and beast clashed as blade met fur

  Robert watched as the Duke stood huffing the wolves dead around him before turning to Robert “ well next time I think best to take a Buddy” he joked as he helped Robert up ripping his coat to wrap the bite on Roberts arm

  On the ride back quarry on tow Robert thought to himself as he looked at the Duke “ perhaps…he will be alright “ he thought

  Teresa came out to greet them before running over concern” lord above Robert, what happened to you?” She asked

  Robert simply chuckled” oh just a little eun in with some wolves but nothing are guest couldn't handle “ he laughed pointing to the cart of wolves

  Teresa was unamused by that” I swear I can't leave you alone for 5 minutes without you doing something stupid go get clean up your not allowed to die of rot at my house “ she sighed as Robert was helped in by his brothers

  Teresa sighed as the Duke stood next to her” thank you for taking care of him I imagine he gave you a hard time “

  The Duke chuckled “ aah not at all it's been a while since I went on such a fun hunt “ he said

  Teresa looked at him with a smile” well sir Hunter I think we best get you changed out of these bloody garments for your trumphent feast “ she said smiling

  “ Oh but of course how rude of me if it is your will my lady “ he said with jest

  She chuckled” oh come now, even in this short reprive I found my self rather bored and require your intellectual company “

  “ Oh but what of my physical “ he teased

  “ I suppose that as well “ she shrugged joking with him

  Teresa however did hope that this time they might be

  allowed perhaps time to”talk” without interruptions

  The spring was nearly full