LUCAS’S POV
I stood in the palace courtyard, reviewing the supplies being loaded for the royal hunt. Carts lined the space, filled with tents, equipment, and provisions for a week in the wilderness.
The head merchant, a rotund man named Gregor, hustled toward me with armfuls of fabric samples.
“My lord! Please, see the quality of these canvas materials. The finest in the kingdom!” He spread them out for inspection. “And the cooking equipment, all new this year. No rust, no damage.”
I examined the goods methodically. The canvas was indeed high quality, waterproof and durable. The pots and pans were well-made, the utensils sturdy.
“Acceptable,” I said. “What about the weapons for the hunt?”
“Ah yes!” Gregor gestured enthusiastically toward another cart. “We have the finest steel-tipped
