The king dropped his hand and the huntsman released the hounds. They tore from the underbrush, barking and growling as they quickly closed the gap between themselves and their prey. The deer, momentarily paralyzed with fright, recovered quickly and darted for the trees.
Before Hakon realized he had mounted his horse, he was following Athelstan across the meadow. He squinted against the rain as his drenched cloak and hair slapped behind him. Chunks of sodden, sticky sludge flew from the hooves of Athelstan"s horse, splattering Hakon"s clothes and face. Wide-eyed deer darted everywhere, some in groups, some alone. Ahead of him a deer crumpled to the ground with one of the hounds at its leg. A whoop of excitement rang through the air.
Hakon stuck close to his foster father, marveling at the
