Chapter 1: The Rainland Capital (Arthur)

[Lady Xian Zheng Fa]

Xian wiped the last of the raindrops from her face with great annoyance as she entered the city limit on horseback. Her ceremonial silk robe, predominantly blue with intricate gold patterns, was moistened but thankfully not unbearably soaked, and she was trying her best to keep the splashes of mud from her horse's hooves away from it. Behind her, four servants carrying oversized chests each over their back were equally peeved by the weather and the consequent state of the ground.

The island that she had spent three years of her life was the most humid place she had ever been in, to the point where she decided to call the place "Westernmost Rainland" in her chronicle. She already had several chapters done about the southern parts of the land, but she was saving the vast majority of the chronicle on this Camelot place. Her impression of the place so far wasn't great; the castle in question looked much smaller than even the one granted to her father by the emperor. The people did look significantly healthier and cleaner, but she couldn't help but think of them as a bunch of primitive barbarians. Still... she thought, this place ought to be better than anywhere else in the Westernlands...

Coming up to the soldiers who were apparently guarding the entrance, Xian dismounted (while thankfully noting that the ground was relatively solid around there) and smiled politely. "I represent empire at great distance east, and I would speak to someone at official capacity concerning prospective exchange of culture, knowledge, and friendship." She recited the translated version of the same comment that her diplomacy group has been given.

[Prince Arthur Pendragon]

Arthur loved the weather the way it was today. It had rained all through the morning and now the air was clean and fresh and the ground soft. The sound his horses hooves made as he rode was satisfyingly squelchy. It was his intention to go for a quiet ride today, to get his legs used to being on horseback again after his accident.

He was just passing the entrance to the city when he sensed some sort of disturbance, and pulling his mare into a slow walk, he turned and approached the great gate.
"Who goes there?" He asked, allowing his voice to gain the pompous air of authority that he loved to lord over others. "Please state your names and business in the city of Camelot."

Arthur considered himself to be well versed in the cultures and races of Albion, but these strangers were from a land of which Arthur had no knowledge. The unknown made Arthur wary and a little scared, and he compensated by showing off and lording himself over others.
But despite his nerves at the newcomers, he was interested and wanted to know more about their history and intent.

"I am Prince Arthur, son of King Uther of Camelot." He stated when the newcomers were done answering his earlier questions. "I find your business quite interesting, will you not come discuss the matter in the castle, where it is a little drier?" He smiled as he noted the way in which the four men on horseback were looking at the wet ground and wondered just what their own homeland must be like.

[Lady Xian Zheng Fa]

"Who goes there? Please state your names and business in the city of Camelot." Xian turned to the slightly better dressed person who approached her and the bemused guards who didn't seem to know what to do. She took a quick look at the... kid who, despite his age, had an air of authority. 'Heavens, I can practically smell the insecurity,' she thought wryly while putting on a polite smile.

"I am Xian Zheng Fa, imperial scribe and chronicler of distant land in east called Ming. Our emperor is quite curious about world beyond our knowledge, and has sent me, along with many other officials of diplomatic corp to record the cultures and events of faraway worlds." She broke off from the prepared comment and gave a friendly smile. "It has been long and difficult journey, but seeing this amazing place," she snorted in her head, "has already made the effort worth it."

"I am Prince Arthur, son of King Uther of Camelot." Ah. Well, that explains the authority disproportionate to age. While undoubtedly attractive (or will be, in a couple of years), Xian had to try her best not to let out a snicker as she put the pieces together. Like all young princes of the world, Arthur seemed eager to prove himself and not get outshone by others... most likely his father. I guess this means Uther is at least a formidable ruler... Perhaps, she considered, it wasn't a bad idea to come to Camelot after all. Despite the barely paved roads and near-complete absence of hygiene among its population, there seemed to be a grand story to tell in this tiny realm.

"I find your business quite interesting, will you not come discuss the matter in the castle, where it is a little drier?" A genuinely grateful smile, at last, appeared on Xian's face.

"I would really appreciate that, my lord." Xian turned back and told her servants the news, whose grim and annoyed expressions immediately became brighter. "We are not used to humid weather. Even in our long travels through Silk Road, we never experience such frequent rain." She explained sheepishly, vaguely getting an understanding of this 'Arthur'.

[Prince Arthur Pendragon]

Arthur smiled back at Xian and it reached his eyes, for now his apprehension had faded and he was truly honoured that the group had chosen Camelot as one of its studies. In fact Arthur was amazed that the East was so ahead of the times and was actually sending scouts out to record other lands. Camelot as far as he knew had done no such thing, the only place he knew of was Albion.

Leading the way on horseback, Arthur briefly explained Camelot to Xian and her servants. He told her of the different social classes, the nobles, the citizens and the Lows and he quickly explained how crime was rife in the slums, and that it was best to avoid them if possible. He also spoke of the Guild and the Royal Army and when she seemed puzzled by the prospect of magic, made a mental note to introduce her to Merlin.

"I myself still find magic quite a mystery!" He laughed, as they finally arrived at the Royal stables and Arthur dismounted. He offered to take the reigns of their horses before continuing.
"The best person to speak to regarding magic and what its about is my servant, Merlin. I can fetch him now if you like? Otherwise you can usually find him in the guild." He laughed, "When I'm not running him into the ground that is!"
Arthur was a little unsure of what the language barriers were like, and hoped that his use of idioms wouldnt make him difficult to understand.
"Is there anything else you would like to know?" He brushed his hands on his thighs as a stable hand appeared to take the horses.

[Lady Xian Zheng Fa]

Xian made numerous mental notes as Arthur went over the general situation of Camelot, and definitely decided to visit the slums after he recommended against it. She had found that such problematic places were perfect for finding out about facts and informations that the nobles and royals preferred to hide away from the outsiders' eyes. A couple of drinks in a shady parts of the cities was all it took, for example, for Xian to find out that there was a general discontentment against the Sultan in Delhiland despite her capable governance.

She became slightly baffled, however, when Arthur began to speak of magic being used in the military. At first, she had assumed magic was a term used idiomatically to describe advanced weaponry (the empire's generals preferred to call their gunpowder weaponry as magic, for example, in order to scare the less educated rivals to the north into thinking the imperial soldiers can perform sorcery)... but the way he was describing it was something else entirely. Besides, she thought unkindly, given the state of this place, it is unreasonable to assume that these primitives would have any technology that can be considered "magic".

"I myself still find magic quite a mystery!" Xian and her servants dismounted and handed over the reins of their horses. "The best person to speak to regarding magic and what its about is my servant, Merlin." Xian's suspicion that 'magic' wasn't just technological marvels was confirmed, given that a lowly servant would not be allowed to acquire such sensitive knowledge.

"I can fetch him now if you like? Otherwise you can usually find him in the guild. When I'm not running him into the ground that is! Is there anything else you would like to know?" Ignoring the image of Arthur ordering his servants to run vertically into a hole in the ground, Xian nodded.

"I would love to meet your servant and learn more about this magic," she said diplomatically, now ignoring the mental image of Arthur's servants running towards a slope that went underground, "but I would be committing terrible insult to your father, King Uther, if I did not report my intentions to him first." Her servants, dismounted, got the heavy wooden chests on their backs again. "I also have gift of friendship from emperor that I need to present to him..."

[Prince Arthur Pendragon]

"Of course!" Arthur replied as Xian stated her wish to see his father. At the moment King Uther would most likely be in his chambers and Arthur knew that should he mention Xian and her people coming to Camelot he would be more than happy to grant them an audience.
"If you follow me, I will take you to the great hall, Uther will receive you there, I am sure."

The small party slowly made its way on foot, from the stables to the castle. It was headed of course by the Prince, beside him Xian and behind them the servants, carrying large chests which Arthur was fascinated by.
"So what are those chests for?" He asked, half expecting Xian to deny him the knowledge, for who knew what secrets from the Eastern Kingdom were contained in those huge boxes?
"They look very important!"

Soon the group reached the castle and Arthur had a servant lead them to the great hall and fetch them some wine. He himself ran up the winding stairs three at a time until he reached his fathers chambers.

***

"But father!" Arthur exclaimed loudly, slamming a fist on the table in front of him and shaking his head frantically. "They have made a particular effort to visit Camelot. They want to include us in a study of the world. The books will be available for years to come!" He was clutchiing at straws now, but he couldn't think of any way to convince Uther to grant the visitors from the East an audience.
Apparently, Uther did not want anyone digging into Camelots past or present, for fear of what secrets they may uncover and what methods they may take back for use in their own empire. Arthur himself, could not think of a single thing that would be worth hiding from anyone, and he guessed that Ming already had their own methods and ways, and had no reason to steal Camelots.Even if they did, the Kingdoms were worlds apart, and it would not matter anyhow.

"But father!"
"Arthur..." The king warned, taking a deep throatful of wine from a goblet in front of him. He was so relaxed about this whole thing, Arthur imagined he was just too lazy and stubborn to really think it through. He thought it would be a fantastic advancement to become allied with an eastern force but alas, it was not down to him.
"Father, imagine the ally they would be in a war! They could be far more advance with weapons and-"
"Arthur, they are probably here to get a feel for our lands before they invade!" Uther was yelling now, and his son could tell it was time to give up.
"As you wish sire."

Arthur walked down the stairs, thinking over the conversation he had just had. If the king was right, and Ming did wish to invade the shores of Albion, would they have sent a woman and 4 servants to scout? Arthur doubted it. No, Uther had other reasons for wanting the foreigners dispatched from his realm and Arthur intended to find out what they were.

"Xian," Arthur bowed his head and spoke softly as he entered the great hall where the visitors sat.
"I am afraid that Uther hasn't the time to greet you himself, but he is more than happy for you to continue your studies, with myself overlooking your stay here." Arthur lied, knowing full well that when his father found out, the consequences would not be pleasant. "I will have the servants prepare you rooms here in the castle, unless you wish to stay in the city?"

[Lady Xian Zheng Fa]

"So what are those chests for? They look very important!"

Xian smiled politely. "Two of them are filled with inks and papers for my writing... I expect I will have to write a large volume to cover Camelot. One of them carry my personal belongings... and last one contain gifts for Camelot, as it had contained gifts for other nations we have so far visited.."

They were to wait in a relatively larger room while the young prince went up to see his father. Xian took a sip of the beverage offered, and had to try extremely hard to smile gratefully while ignoring the urge to vomit the foul liquid out. A peasant's tribute her father once received (apparently out of gratitude despite the taste) was easier on her tongue.

"Xian, I am afraid that Uther hasn't the time to greet you himself, but he is more than happy for you to continue your studies, with myself overlooking your stay here." Xian barely stopped herself from expressing her displeasure and shock, nodding while smiling understandingly. Ming had larger and richer tributary states than Camelot, and such treatment of the emperor's emissary typically meant punitive military actions. Indeed, her servants were less adept at hiding their aghast expressions before Xian gave them a look. "I understand. It must be taxing work to govern such large place as Camelot."

"I will have the servants prepare you rooms here in the castle, unless you wish to stay in the city?"

"If you would allow me to stay in this castle, I would be most grateful." She bowed graciously. "If I may, I would like to transfer ownership of contents in this chest to you, Prince Arthur, so that His Majesty Uther would be able to see them immediately." She nodded to the servant with the heaviest chest (the poor man was unusually large and strong for a man of Ming), and the servant put down the chest with a loud thud. When the chest was opened, one could see that it was compartmentalized into sections holding the finest purple silks, gold and jade ornaments, lacquered dishes, and various precious gems of different colors. Two items in particular, however, seemed a bit out of place - a brown-colored pot with a red paper seal, and an ornamental silver ax with intricate golden patterns.

Xian first pointed at the brown pot. "Millennial wine is emperor's wish for King Uther's good health and long, prosperous life." She paused, remembering the little misunderstanding back in Seljikland. "It's not 1000 years old, before you make that assumption. It's just good for your health." She smiled playfully, then pointed at the silver ax. "Moon ax is emperor's bid of friendship, a solemn recognition and sign of respect that matter of life and death in Camelot rests solely on King Uther's hand." She waved her hand and the servant closed the chest. "I hope our emperor's sign of good will would please His Majesty."

[Prince Arthur Pendragon]

Arthur frowned as Xian of Ming nodded understandingly about the situation with his father. He shouldn't say this but...
"My father is not at all busy." He said shamefully red faced. "I am afraid he is concerned that you may steal our ways and methods, or that you are here to plan for an invasion from your homeland in the near future." He looked up, meeting Xian's gaze and getting just a hint that she might be scoffing at the fact that the king thought there was anything worth stealing in Camelot.
The thought put Arthur's nose out of joint slightly, and he replied a little less shamefully and a little more abruptly "Well your rooms will be ready in an hour. Feel free to do what you wish until then."

He stalked to the jug of wine that rested at the head of the table and poured himself a goblet-full. In one swig, he downed the lot, flashed the Ming visitors a quick look and stalked out of the room.
In truth he was angry mostly at his father, and for all he knew Xian may not have been thinking what he thought. But he just couldnt shake the idea that much of what she said was sarcasm.

[Lady Xian Zheng Fa]

"My father is not at all busy. I am afraid he is concerned that you may steal our ways and methods, or that you are here to plan for an invasion from your homeland in the near future."

It took a lot of Xian's self control to not laugh out loud at that point, and she was very impressed by her servants for being able to hold in the laughter as well. Ignoring the logistical absurdity of Ming invading Camelot, the idea was laughable in that the Empire would even want anything from the primitive, backwater of a place other than to fulfill the emperor's curiosity. What would we take away from here, the dirt? Rain water? The precious mud mixed with horse manure, perhaps. She thought deridingly, while trying her best to only display disappointment and awkwardness while suppressing the amusement.

"I understand His Majesty's concerns, but please convey to him that the emperor has absolutely no interest in conducting espionage against Camelot for critical information or acquiring its territories despite its very apparent prosperity." Xian noted with alarm that her voice was shaking from amusement, and hoped that Arthur took it as frustration mixed with awkwardness.

"Well your rooms will be ready in an hour. Feel free to do what you wish until then." Xian swore inwardly as Arthur shot an unfriendly look. She was usually very good at hiding her thoughts, but that last one was far too strong to simply ignore. Her servants were shaking while suppressing their laughter, and Xian grinned as well.

"A prideful prince, that one." She said in her tongue as she smirked. "I should work more to appease him. It appears this Uther does not trust me." Thinking for a moment, she decided to stay put in the hall for the moment.