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Post by Richard Cabal on Nov 23, 2009 6:25:43 GMT
Before Richard was a table laden with vegetables and fruit. It was with sadness that Richard looked at it all, they couldn't afford salted meat at the moment and so would be living like rabbits for a while. But he had known that it would come to this.
A scrawny dog wound its way through the crowd and its whip thin tail wagged with boundless love for the world. Richard selected some food carefully, picking fruit that would last the longest before it would have to be stewed. The dog suddenly charged towards Richard. He dodged, hand flying to his sword hilt to keep the scabbard from getting tangled with his legs. The dog was unmindful of Richard's dexterity, intent as it was with chasing down the birds.
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Post by Katlyn Isabel Blake on Nov 23, 2009 23:39:29 GMT
Katlyn had finally got a day off. Harvest was nearly over and her father, feeling generous, had given her a few coins to spend in the market. He had intended her to spend the money on sweet meats or perhaps fruit, but as usual she had stashed the money away in the straw of her mattress and instead come to Camelot to watch and observe.
She had been sitting on a stone wall on the edge of the marketplace for many hours, watching everybody as they rushed about, shopping and gossiping. Part of her loved to mingle with them, to find out the latest rumours from the castle and to swap stories and jokes. But she knew that if she spent too much time with others then her disguise as a noble may not hold up for much longer, for she would be recognised and caught out. Even now as she sat watching her face was hidden by a scarf and her hair scraped back into a style she would never have worn in court- she refused to ruin her only escape from rural life.
She had met, on her way to Camelot, a scruffy looking dog that had refused to stop following her- it hadn't helped that she had kept feeding him titbits of her lunch either- and now he sat beside her, nuzzling at her hand as she rubbed his half-furless head.
"There boy, is that nice?" She crooned smiling, as the dog barked and seemed to get a new lease of life.
"Oh you want to play is that it?" She said picking up a stick and waving it around. "Come on then! Come on!" she laughed throwing the stick across the square and wincing as it bounced a little too close to a group of sparrows that were pecking at the flagstones. Instantly the stick was forgotten as the canine turned his attention to the birds, chasing them across the market with Katlyn in tow.
Uh oh
"I'm sorry!" Katlyn cried as she reached the man finally and stopped for breath. "It's my fault, I didn't mean-" She gasped for air and grinned, "I threw the stick, but he got a little distracted." She gestured to the dog who was now sitting proudly on the other side of the square, a limp featherless form hanging from his chops.
"Ohh..." She frowned. She hadn't expected that. "I hope you didn't get hurt?" She smiled but pulled her scarf a little tighter all the same, this man had the body of a soldier and she didn't want him to see her properly in case he was ever in court.
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Post by Richard Cabal on Nov 24, 2009 3:37:08 GMT
"He's only doin' what dogs should do," Richard answered. "No harm done, miss." He couldn't help but long for the dead bird in the dog's mouth, saliva and all. With that longing churning his gut, Richard decided he would hunt some game. Even a rabbit would be fine.
"My name is Richard," if this lass was a local he might be able to get some information about Camelot. Including the darker rumours. "I come from Surrey, close to the border of Hwicee. Is there anything about Camelot I should be aware of?"
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Post by Katlyn Isabel Blake on Nov 24, 2009 19:46:59 GMT
"Well I suppose..." Katlyn shrugged as she looked sorrowfully at the poor bird. She knew how the food chain worked, but it was still heartbreaking to see something as full of life as a bird, killed to feed another creature.
"I'm Katlyn." She replied to Richards introduction. Richard was a suitable name, she decided. Strong and proud, just the way he looked. "I'm not actually from Camelot meself, but just down the road in a village called Avalon. I doubt you've heard of it..." She added miserably. "But as for things you should know, well its the Pendragons who run the place. King Uther and his son Arthur. He's really handsome...but i s'pose you don't want to know that..."She grinned, laughing, and chewed her lip as she thought of anything else Richard should know as a newcomer.
She couldn't think of anything important, for she was only 17 and adults rarely spoke of important matters to her, but suddenly she was reminded of something many of the ladies in the market had been gossiping about that morning.
"Oh! There is one thing you might find interesting!" She smiled mysteriously before continuing, "There's this rumour going around that the maids from the castle have apparently said theres this rebel group in the slums, intent on killing and stealing anything and everything they can get there hands on. Not sure I believe it meself but ya never know!"
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Post by Richard Cabal on Nov 25, 2009 5:28:32 GMT
"I've heard Avalon is a good place ta rest when travelling. A pleasure to meet you, Katlyn." Richard was unaware of Katlyn's sadness over the dog's breakfast. The corner of his mouth twitched when the lass revealed the quality of the Prince's appearance. He hoped that this prince was not the sort to go tumbling a wench and leaving her with a bastard child. So long as Grace is safe from that happenin'.
"Is slum violence unusual?" Richard asked with an encouraging smile. "Where I come from it ain't unusual. Is yer guardsmen unable ta keep control o' them?" He wondered if this unrest was being stirred by higher powers.
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Post by Katlyn Isabel Blake on Nov 25, 2009 18:57:33 GMT
"Oh no!" Katlyn replied enthusiastically, "It's not the violence thats got everyone talking. Its the way they been venturing out into the city thats got 'em all gossiping. I even heard that one escaped gaol!" She was getting really excited about the whole thing now, and made a mental note to see what she could find out herself. Perhaps when she was next at court she could use the information as a reason to talk to Arthur!
"Well, I think the guards can usually handle it alright, but its no secret that the guild was broken into the other night. And thats been protected by magicians an' all!" She stared wide eyed at the man wondering what he would make of all the gossip.
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Post by Richard Cabal on Nov 26, 2009 3:55:36 GMT
"Wow lass," Richard grinned and noticed the shop owner was standing impatiently nearby. Richard paid for his food, depositing it all in a basket at his feet.
"Ye have some juicy gossip there. What is this guild," Richard offered his arm to the girl with a steady grin. "If ye have no where to be, can I take ye to a pub for a drink? Ye can tell me the details of this story."
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Post by Katlyn Isabel Blake on Nov 26, 2009 19:03:28 GMT
Katlyn's eyes lit up as Richard offered his arm. She felt like a proper lady as she accepted his offer and the two began to walk.
"Well," She began, "The Guild is where all them magical people go. I've never seen it meself, nor have I actually seen some of their magic neither, but its a huge tower- like a school!" She continued on, describing the building and the people who went there. Everything she told Richard was of course what she had heard from market traders and maids, but she was confident that it was true.
"It's run by Merlin, Arthurs servant. Apparently it turned out hes the greatest magician ever and saved Arthur countless times!" She rambled a bit more about how amazing Arthur was before realising Richard probably wasn't too interested and she shut up.
"I talk too much!" She giggled, "Tell me stories of your life instead? Please?"
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Post by Richard Cabal on Nov 27, 2009 3:44:03 GMT
"Tis Merlin sounds like a powerful man," Richard mused and made a note to pass the information onto Grace, even if she did get irate. "But sounds like yer prince needs ta start lookin' out for himself, no matter how amazing he is." A fool hardy noble was a guard's worst nightmare. He figured this girl was not going to give him more information about the break ins or the rebels. Perhaps he would need to go for a stroll through the Slums.
"Hmm? My life?" Richard answered, broken from his thoughts. "Before arrvin' here I used ta guard merchant caravans. An inglorious business tha'. Its all mud and waitin' for the workers to fix the axle. A few bandits tried ta take my caravans but they had no success. Still, they spilt a bit o' my blood." Parts of him were probably fertilizing plants around the countryside, now that he thought about it.
"So what work do ye do in Avalon?"
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Post by Katlyn Isabel Blake on Nov 28, 2009 12:56:49 GMT
"Oh no Prince Arthur can handle himself better than anyone!" Katlyn replied fiercly. "But sorcerors have a bit of an advantage over a mere fantastic swordsman like the Prince, and so Merlin helped out." She had no idea at how defensive she was being over Arthurs reputation.
She skipped over a puddle, holding on to Richards arm a bit tighter for support in the process. She listened intently as he explained his previous job of guarding caravans. It was all so new and exciting for someone like Katlyn.
"They got you?!" She exclaimed, "Do you got any good scars?" He face was bright and eager to know any gorey details, but Richard change the topic of conversation to one that was a little duller.
"Well me dad owns the main farm in Avalon, so I help 'im out most days. Then on me days off i usually come up 'ere! I like to see the goings on in Camelot." In truth she really only liked to see the goings on in the Noble world of Camelot, but she had onyl just met Richard and didnt quite trust him with her secret life yet.
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Post by Richard Cabal on Nov 28, 2009 23:25:46 GMT
"I hear farming life can be repetitive," Richard mused as they walked. "Given the chance, what would ye leave the farming life for?" He returned to Katlyn's original question.
"I have scarring yes." If he had been with Grace, he would have left it there because she was used to his long silences, but he supposed this perky young thing was looking for excitement. "On my legs mostly. Chainmail protects yer arms and chest, see. So in battle fighters aim for the legs, the unprotected area. Unless of course, yer opponent left their coif at home. That is, their mail hood. Very uncomfortable things, they are. Particularly in Summer. Now if ye did hit the chain, the most damage ye can expect ta do is bruising." Of course, war scars were not the only scars he bore. There was the pox that had nearly killed him, still marking his body with little circles of thin skin tissue. It was said that such marks were cursed, making the bearer prone to illness.
"Luckily, most bandits can't afford the full protection. They wear leather mostly. Makin' 'em faster but easier ta kill once ye do get 'em." Still, it was never a pleasurable business. Richard was haunted by the sight of once lively eyes looking as dead as the rocks around him. Deep down, it felt like an abomination to snuff out life but he reminded himself that there was cause and sent a prayer to Morrigan.
"Can't say I recommend the life. Although I think it leads to a deeper appreciation of the living."
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Post by Katlyn Isabel Blake on Nov 30, 2009 21:05:14 GMT
Katlyn cocked her head, eyes bright, toying with the idea of telling Richard how much she would love to lead a noble life. In the end she decided it couldn't hurt, for he would still never know that she frequented court.
"Noble life." She grinned. "Wouldn't you love it? All the fancy soldiers and the pretty dresses. Ah what a life!"
She continued smiling as Richard began to explain the details of his life as a merchant's guard. It sounded interesting, and her smile soon faded into awe as she listened to his tales of scars and armour.
"I don't think I'd like it much..." She shuddered. It didn't even bear thinking about. "Are we nearly there?" She asked, lightening the mood again.
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Post by Richard Cabal on Dec 2, 2009 3:17:42 GMT
I'm the fancy soldier, Richard thought and found himself hoping that Grace had never thought of him like that. He knew he was at the beck and call of his superiors and that was the way in which their world worked, but he did not like feeling like a pet.
"Each to their own," Richard answered. He didn't particularly want to be responsible for dashing young dreams and idealizations. He'd already managed to make his life seem disgusting.
"Just around this corner," they turned the corner and the whole distance Richard had heard the clicking of dog claws. The dog seemed to be like one of them. The place he was thinking of was not one of the popular establishments. It was quiet however and the people there kept to themselves. Richard opened the door politely and indicated that Katlyn should walk in first.
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Post by Katlyn Isabel Blake on Dec 4, 2009 21:37:48 GMT
Katlyn giggled as she dropped into a low curtsy and entered the pub. She stopped just through the door and waited patiently as Richard came to join her. The only pub Katlyn had ever visited was the one in Avalon, a tiny establishment that was usually empty save for a couple of old timers who were always intoxicated in a corner. She could remember looking through those windows as a little girl and lauging at the old men who couldnt walk. It seemed a long time ago now.
This tavern was larger, and defintiely much brighter than the one back home. The staff were smiling and the patrons quiet and reserved. She liked the atmosphere much better in here.
"Where shall we sit?" She asked, grinning up at her companion.
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Post by Richard Cabal on Dec 6, 2009 5:24:58 GMT
"There looks fine," Richard gestured to towards a table at the far side of the room. When he reached the table, Richard put the basket of food by his chair and sat down. He was determined again, to find any rumours or discover what Camelot was in relation to the other places he had visited. Particularly Hwicee.
"Tell me," he wasn't particularly in the mood for drinking and so didn't call a serving lass over. "What are the crime levels like around here anyway? Is any of it organized? Which way is the seedier part of Camelot?"
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