Chapter 4

"Invite him for a hunt," Henry said. Henry had been moody all day, and whenever he spoke, it was about that damn boy

"What?" Charles replied, "Why?"

Henry shot him a look, "I've been told he is an excellent hunter."

"Yes, and what should he ride? A donkey? The boy works in the kitchen, he does not have a horse."

"Then borrow him one," Henry replied easily, "I have many. I want him on the hunt tomorrow. Excuse him from work, and inform him. We meet at ten AM."

~*~..

"Dean," Elena caught up with the older boy, "I heard Sarah telling the cook that the king asked of you today," she said with a smile on her face.

Dean stiffened. He took a breath and tried to make his voice steady, "What did he want?" he asked gruffly.

Elena paused, "You should be more respectful to the king."

"Asides from his lineage, and paying my wages, he is just another man I do not know. I'll be sure to add the titles when I speak with him myself," he muttered as he worked on the deer.

"My, you are in a foul mood today," she said, "He asked all sorts of questions. Your work, demeanour, family -"

Dean paused, "And what did you tell him?"

"Only that you're the best hunter in his employment, that you're a adorable, - though with some mouth on you. And that you spend every penny you earn on your brother."

"That is not entirely true," Dean protested.

"Yeah, I forgot," she rolled her eyes, "-you buy treats for your precious baby," she teased.

"Mr. Winchester," they heard a man call. They both turned around to see Charles Brandon, one of the king's best friends looking around curiously as he approached them.

Dean stood up and greeted the man, "What can I do for you, sir?" he asked.

"The king has told me, to give you this," he said and handed him a letter, "It is an invitation to tomorrows hunt. He expects you to be ready at ten AM, if you do not have a horse, you can borrow one at the stables-"

"I have work," Dean replied and turned back to the deer, "Tell the king he doesn't pay me to play around chasing foxes."

Charles paused. Did that boy just turn down an invitation from the king? He cocked his head. How curious. "The king must be clairvoyant," he said, "he also told me that I should not take no for an answer, that you will be compensated for a days missed work. He is most eager to see his best hunter in action," he added sweetly. "A personal advice, if you do not show up, you might find yourself out of a job, in stead of being paid to chase foxes." He gave the blond boy a short nod, then he turned to leave.

"Fuck..." Dean groaned.

Elena just shook her head, "The king wants to see you personally. It's a great honour."

"Right... "

~*~..

"He wants what?" Bobby looked up from his desk.

"To join his hunting party tomorrow," Dean repeated.

Bobby put aside the book he was reading on djinn lore and studied the young man in front of him. "And you not wanting to go might just have something to do with you returning and ruffled and bloody a few nights back?" he cocked a brow at Dean, "And I know you have not been hunting anything but deer in the past three weeks."

Usually, Dean only hunted with his father, as he was still very young, but he could do simple hunts close by, when needed. He was quickly gaining his own name. Though he was certain it was only because he was a Winchester, and the work he did when with his father. Ghosts, vampires and the occasional demon was hardly something to get famous for in the hunter community, though it did give a rep of dependability and skill. Not many could take down demons.

"Yeah,..."

"Gonna tell me what happened?"

"No?" Dean looked doubtfull - because he was sure Bobby would not let him get away with it.

Bobby just shook his head, "Fine, but only cause I'm busy up to my neck. Go on the hunt - and dress in your usual hunting attire, not that scruffy thing you work in- tough I doubt the king will strain himself, and give the man a show, prove to him why you're the best he has. Maybe you'll get a raise- or hunt with him more often. It's a days pay for half a days play, Dean. That in itself is a promotion."

Dean nodded. Bobby and his father never pressured him to work, but since he did, they did pressure him to do his best and succeed. Building contacts and making your name, they said. He supposed having friends in court, or people who admired his skill, would be useful at some point, if not being him work.

Now if he could only avoid spending time with the king as much as he could.

~*~..

A/N; Y'know, I don't think anyone knows how amazing it is to sit on the steps outside of the Tower of London and write this story. It just seems so incredibly real to imagine all the people running around, when you're sitting where they walked, talked and did their business five hundred years ago. It's just a priceless writing environment.