Peter woke before sunrise. He was accustomed to quickly washing his face by the pre-dawn glow, dressing, gathering what he needed. Less customary was his impulse to open the door opposite his own bedchamber—inside, his sisters slept peacefully. They had given their well-wishes last night, which was fine. He didn't want to worry them more than necessary.
A creak behind him startled Peter. Edmund peeked out from the third room on the hall, drowsy eyes shadowed by dark, tousled hair. "You're heading off, then?"
"It's just a few days at most. I won't be doing much of the work anyway, this is the prince's crown hunt," Peter whispered back.
"Still, keep your eyes peeled. Anything can happen out there."
"I will, Ed. Thanks."
The walk was easy and familiar—one of the nice things about being a royal knight was that he lived close to the palace. Most of the impressive citadel was still quiet, though the stables and lower barracks were plenty busy. Peter walked toward three figures standing to one side of the preparation tables.
"Look who decided to join us," Geoffrey chuckled as he noticed Peter's arrival.
"Can't let you have all the fun, can I?" replied Peter. He clapped the tallest figure of the three on the shoulder. "Of course you'll have a trophy bagged and get us back before sundown, won't you, Sire?"
"Oh, where's your sense of adventure, Peter? This is supposed to be when I prove myself worthy of the throne," scoffed the young man.
The other guard, Ned, began checking over the supply packs that two servants had just delivered. "Don't want to hurry home too quickly, people will suspect Prince Caspian sent someone ahead to do the work for 'im."
"You both know the fun is in the chase. Anyway, I've got to be choosy about what I decide to bring back, how I want to one day be seen as king."
"Think you'll try to take a stab at the Great Lion? That'd make a statement all right," said Geoffrey.
"I said I'd be choosy, not spend the rest of my life chasing a myth. Although if the opportunity miraculously presented itself, it would be hard to pass up."
Peter let them banter on while he silently helped with preparations. He barely remembered living in Narnia, a kingdom to the east, before his parents took up the ambassadorship to Telmar, but they had continued to tell him stories from their homeland. Chief among them was the old saying that a great guardian, Aslan, roamed the deep forest, and would come to the aid of travelers in dire need. Those who claimed to have seen him said he appeared in the form of a lion. By contrast, the people of Telmar regarded the Great Lion as a legendary, elusive prize, the conquest of which would mark the greatest ruler of the kingdom.
Their pack horse was just about readied when a squire appeared in the door to the stables. "Sire, the court has assembled."
"Thank you," Caspian responded with a nod. They each shouldered their weapons, and set out for the square in from of the palace gates. There, in the light of the sunrise, waited a group of richly-dressed nobles, knights in ceremonial armor, and Caspian's uncle and regent, Lord Miraz.
"This is an auspicious day!" boomed the imposing man. "Today our prince sets out to prove his destiny. He joins a great lineage of strong, courageous rulers who have commanded the Telmarine throne. Good fortune and good hunting, my nephew. Your father would be proud. Hail, Prince Caspian!"
"Hail, Prince Caspian!" echoed the gathering. In response, Caspian gave them the customary royal salutation, while Peter, Geoffrey, and Ned made small bows. Then the four of them turned to the road leading out of the city.
At regular intervals townspeople waved out of windows or paused on the street to cheer the hunting party on. The larger, more formal celebration would be upon their return. They set out on foot, part of the challenge. The point was for Caspian to achieve the hunt with as little assistance as possible. The horse was to be used only for supplies, and for carrying the spoils. His companions accompanied him merely for support against potential attackers or other complications.
Fortunately, the morning was perfect for a hunt. It had been a few days since the last rain, so the ground was firm. The summer was still early, providing a comfortable temperature. They made good time through the surrounding farmland into the forest. By the time the sun began to set, they were well into the wild ranges.
"Best we make camp while we still have a bit of light. Start fresh in the morning," Ned commented. Geoffrey elbowed him in the ribs.
"Feet hurting already?"
"No, he's right. We're less than a league from the Underwood River," Caspian cut in over them. "Everything living needs water. There are sure to be tracks along the banks for us to start on."
In short order they had a fire going, and supper rations set out. Peter volunteered to take first watch. With darkness closing in, bedrolls out, cloaks on, they all settled down. The two citadel guards dropped off to sleep quickly, but Caspian enjoyed the fire a little longer.
"I'm glad you agreed to be part of this hunt," he spoke up after a long silence.
"Someone has to keep you out of trouble," teased Peter. "Watch your back, do the hardest part of the work you take credit for."
"Only you're usually the one getting me into trouble first, as I recall." The two of them shared a laugh. It was true; they had played together as young boys at court. Trained together. Fought together. "I wouldn't have it any other way."
"The pleasure it mine, to serve as the crown requires it."
"Oh, drop the formality. Here we are simply fellow warriors. Fellow nobles."
"With the purpose that you return to take your place as king."
"That is the future, Peter. And it still doesn't change the fact that you're my friend. I'm grateful for that."
"Which is why I took up this assignment without hesitation."
Caspian threw an empty drinking cup at Peter, who caught it with a cheeky smile. "Enough of this 'assignment' and 'service' waffling, that's an order." They continued to snicker and mess around, but before long Peter turned serious.
"I mean it though, I wouldn't be anywhere else."
"Thank you," replied Caspian.
"Get some sleep. It'll be your turn for watch before you know it."