A Southern Journey {open}

[Elizabeth Severn]

The sun was behind her now, slowly dropping down in the clouded sky. It left dark streaks of color moving through the windswept horizon, providing a sharp contrast to the dark figure riding along the road. Mounted on a tall, steel gray stallion, the rider was wrapped in black furs, sheltered from the occasional winds that picked up and swirled drifts this way and that across her path. Apart from that, she had on soft leather boots, reaching all the way up to mid thigh. They were pretty much the only piece of clothing visible on her, besides the expansive fur cloak. Occasionally, a black clad hand would reach up and push back the hair that feel into her eyes, buffeted by the wind.

Sitting behind her saddle were two very large saddle bags, filled with her personal effects. She didn't need that much, truthfully. Before leaving her home lands far in the north, Elizabeth had taken only the bare essentials and left the rest of her belongings in their castle. The only thing she would really need in these new lands were her weapons, steed, and a fair amount of money. All three or those were with her right now.

She had been riding since early in the morning, hoping to make it to Camelot before night had fallen. A job for her had already been arranged, and she was comfortable in the fact that she would have somewhere to stable her horse and a dry bed to sleep in tonight. Although it also meant that she would probably have to deal with unpleasant nobles and boastful knight, she would simply have to deal with that. All part of the job, she assumed.

And there, over the next hill, she could see her destination. Rising above the landscape, the fortress was the prominent feature before her. It's sprawling town looked warm and inviting compared to the gnawing cold all around her now. With a little tap of her heels, she sent the stallion into a gentle canter. They were both eager to have a place to rest tonight, and it was so close at hand now.

[Erec de Bellièvre]

Erec had been riding all day. He would much rather have been wearing a loose white shirt, but as there was nowhere to pack his armour- he had resorted to wearing it, and it was very uncomfortable. The horse was one borrowed from his father's farm, and so wasn't used to taking a man's weight for long distances, especially not in combination with a suit of armor. Erec had only one meager bag of belongings with him, full of clothes and his family's coat of arms. Uther was aware that this young man was traveling to his kingdom, and although a little nervous at the prospect of the Castle and its inhabitants, Erec was looking forward to seeing the city and experiencing life outside of his small coastal home village.

It was almost dusk now, and Erec urged his horse to go a little faster down the Kingsway. He felt guilty for pressing the old farm horse, but didn't want to be on the road into the night. Spotting a rider not too far ahead, he decided it would be best to catch up and inquire how much further the ride to Camelot was. Erec spurred his horse into a gallop, leaning forward and promising the beast that the moment he caught sight of the city, he would get off and walk. Within a few yards of the stranger, he pulled the horse back into a slow trot, realising that his query was obsolete. Erec could see the spires of Camelot castle in the distance, and the flickering lights of the city below.

"Wow." he breathed, patting the horse's neck without looking down. After a few moments of awe, Erec honored his promise (to the horse) and jumped down from the saddle, his boots hitting the ground in a cloud of dust. The horse was still breathing heavily from the exertion to catch up with the stranger, and Erec ran a hand down it's flank that glistened with sweat.

"Sorry Old Girl, you'll be well looked after in the stables I'm sure." he assured her. Erec looked up to see the saddled stranger only a little way ahead; he hoped that they didn't think he was a bandit, or worse.

[Elizabeth Severn]

Elizabeth's horse was the first one to figure out that there was someone behind them. His sense were much better then his rider's and he ears soon turned back and he shook out his mane. Shifting slightly in the saddle, Elizabeth turned to glance over her shoulder. There was indeed a rider behind them and he seemed to be moving along the road rather quickly.

She had been on the road for several days by herself and a little bit of company could not go amiss now. slowing her steed to a sedate walk, Elizabeth waited for the other rider to pull level with her. When she glanced over at him, however, he was then walking alongside his horse. Slightly puzzled by the new turn of events, Elizabeth looked over at him

"G'day there," she said lightly, keeping her voice rather friendly. Hey dark green eyes surveyed the stranger quietly. He was in armor, so perhaps he was a knight from Camelot. but his horse wasn't all the impressive, and defiantly not what someone would call a warhorse. "Having a little trouble with you horse?" she asked lightly.

[Erec de Bellièvre]

The person ahead twisted in their saddle, and Erec realised he'd been noticed. He continued to lead his horse at a steady pace, and when he was aligned with the stranger, they spoke in greeting. From behind, Erec had been unable to tell the gender of the rider who was swathed in a thick fur cloak. Now that he was closer, she was unmistakably female. He wondered if the young woman was safe riding around so late by herself, and opened his mouth to say so, then quickly thought better of it. City women were bound to be different; Erec knew very little about women outside of his village, and he didn't want to put his foot in it by saying anything that may offend her before he had even introduced himself.

"Good day m'am, well what's left of it!" he replied cheerfully enough, angling his head upwards slightly so he could see the girl's face. Her grey steed was very large, and put his farm bay to shame. "Not so much trouble, it's just this old girl wasn't built to handle long distance. Not when she has to lug me along for the ride!" he gave the woman a lopsided grin, and patted the horse's neck with his free hand. "Name's Erec. That is..." he added quickly, "My name's Erec. Not the horse..."

[Elizabeth Severn]

An errant little grin slipped on to her face and Elizabeth chuckled slightly. "Well then Erec," she said happily. "I'm Elizabeth and this it my good friend, Greere." Reaching down, she gave her horse a good pat on the neck with one gloved hand. In response, the stallion tossed his head and looked over at Erec, letting out a big sigh.

With another chuckle, Elizabeth shook her head. "Don't mind him, he's just tired." Freeing her free hand from the furs, she reached up and undid her cloak, slipping it off her shoulders. As it pilled up on the saddle behind her, Elizabeth swung one leg forward and dismounted. As her feet touched the ground, her long leather jacket fell around her legs. The slit up the back allowed her to ride with it, as the double breasted jacket was well tailored to her figure.

Smiling at her new companion, Elizabeth nodded in the direction of the castle. "Since you're walking, I might as well give my horse a brake as well. If you don't mind the company, that is."

[Erec de Bellièvre]

"Nice to meet you Greere." Erec addressed the horse with a grin and a small bow. He quickly averted his eyes as the woman slipped off her cloak to reveal her slimline form, and slid down from her horse's back with ease. Now she was on the ground, they were able to walk alongside each other with their respective horses flanking them.

"No, I'd love the company." Erec replied, his eyes genuinely lighting up at the prospect, "I've only had this old girl's company all day, and she's not that talkative..." As if the farm horse heard him, she whinnied and tossed her mane playfully. She was enjoying the walk more now Erec wasn't riding her.

"So," Erec began, turning his attention to the woman walking beside him, "I've been introduced to your horse, but am I allowed to know your name?"

[Elizabeth Severn]

"I know what you mean," she said lightly, ruffling her horse's mane. "This boy isn't really known for his stimulating conversation." Elizabeth gave a Erec a charming smile. He seemed very friendly and was rather good looking, all in all quite endearing company. Lifting the hand that wasn't full of reins, she slipped her hand into the jacket of her jacket, letting out the tiniest sigh. She was rather stiff from riding so long and it felt really good to be walking again.

"Severn. Elizabeth Severn. But please, call me Beth." She waved her free hand lightly, and continued speaking. "So you're traveling to Camelot then. would you mind if I was to ask what your business here is?"

[Erec de Bellièvre]

Erec chuckled at the girl's response; he was thinking how fortunate it was to find such amiable company on the last leg of his journey.

"Elizabeth," he repeated thoughtfully, "That's a very pretty name. It suits you." Erec continued, commenting offhandedly. Realising how flippant the compliment was considering he had only just met Elizabeth, Erec coughed and quickly answered Beth's next question to hide his embarrassment.

"Of course not. I'm heading to the Castle, to Court actually. It's going to be my new home for a while. It's the first time I've ever been to Camelot..." Erec ran a hand distractedly through his hair, looking toward the spires of the not-so-distant castle that were only just visible in the glow of the setting sun. "Are you new too?" he inquired, turning to Beth.

[Elizabeth Severn]

For the most part Elizabeth suppressed the smile that came at Erec's response. What she couldn't help was the way the one eyebrow raised slightly in amusement. Before she had a chance to respond, however, eh continued speaking. Elizabeth settled with simply brushing over the comment, which was probably what he hoped she would do anyway.

"It's my first time to Camelot as well. Actually, this is my first time this far south. My home is far north of here," she said happily, looking ahead to their destination. "I've come to the castle to be their stable master." She glanced over at him and continued. "So are you planning on becoming a knight with the Prince then?"

[Erec de Bellièvre]

"I, uh, well yes I suppose." Erec replied, sounding anything but sure of himself. He hadn't actually considered that he'd be working and fighting alongside the Prince, "I don't actually know how to fight." he admitted. Well, that wasn't strictly true. Erec had had scuffles in his village back home, and had gotten into several fistfights with his sisters' unwanted suitors. "I'm much more at home with a rake in my hand than a sword!" he added, his eyes crinkling with amusement at the thought.

"Perhaps I'll join the Cavalry. That way I'll be able to visit the stable master, and she's going to be the only person in Camelot I know." he glanced at Beth with a grin. Erec had already planned on joining the cavalry. Whilst he was useless with a sword, he had good horsemanship. "Besides, I'm going to need some advice on picking a new horse. This old girl couldn't hack it as a knight's steed. I think I need something a little more like Greere..."

[Elizabeth Severn]

Without much thought, Elizabeth shrugged lightly. "Well, he's just a prince. Nothing overly amazing about that," she say quickly. After all, there was no point in building up his reputation any more. Arthur had done plenty of that already.

"Well, I'm sure you'll learn. After all, it's all just instinct." Elizabeth nodded, almost to herself, and continued with a little smile. "I"ll be joining up, in the Cavalry. We might very well be fighting alongside one another." A bright grin spread across her face at the thought, and she looked once more toward the castle's walls.

As they started down a slight incline in the road, she chuckled under her breath. "I'm sure the stable master would be more then happy to have a little company," she said with the slightest edge of mischief in her voice. "And I'm also sure that she would be more then happy to find you a horse. Of course, I don't think you'll find one like Greere." Elizabeth gave him a loving pat on the shoulder as the walked. "He's from purebred stock up north. There's nothing quite like them down here. Of course, I'm sure there will be respectable warhorses," she said with a wink to Erec, "Even if their not quite as good as him."

[Erec de Bellièvre]

Erec liked the way Elizabeth shrugged off Arthur's status. It made him less worried about meeting the Prince; after all, he was just another person. And Erec had to remember he would soon be Sir de Bellièvre, and not simply Erec Bellfry the farm hand. He had nothing to be ashamed about.

Beth was joining the army? Erec was a little suprised at that. In his village the only options open to women had been marriage and motherhood; very few strayed from that path. Still, from speaking to Elizabeth, Erec realised she was unlike any village girl he had ever met. And, he reluctantly admitted to himself, physical differences aside, she could probably beat him in a fight of skill. He wondered if all the females in Camelot would be like her.

"Well, I'm glad I have made an ally as well as a friend." Erec replied, wondering if it would be too forward to suggest they trained together. He decided it was. Erec was interested to hear that Beth was from up north, as he was from one of the southernmost villages. They were geographically poles apart. It seemed travellers from all directions merged to enter Camelot via the Kingsway.

"I've honestly never seen a horse as impressive as Greere..." Erec admitted, "It appears there's a lot up north that I've been missing out on." Erec intended the last sentence as a compliment, and although it was anything but direct, he felt mouth feeling dry again. Luckily, the city gates came into view.

"Well, we're almost here." he observed with a grin, "Are you heading straight up to the Castle?"

[Elizabeth Severn]

Although he didn't say anything out loud, Elizabeth caught that little flicker of surprise on Erec's face. Which, with all things considered, was to be expected. Up north this kind of behavior might have been accepted, but that didn't mean that women ran around with swords and spears in Camelot. So she answered his unasked question with a small grin. "Don't worry, I'm kind of an anomaly. I couldn't abide with cooking and cleaning, so I steered my life in this direction."

After a moment, Elizabeth nodded. She gave Erec a firm pat on the shoulder, letting him know that she agreed. "As am I. I'm glad to know someone in this strange city has got my back." When the conversation turned back toward her horse, (and possible herself, although she was rather unsure if that was what he had meant) Elizabeth chuckled. "Just what my family does. We all have a passion for our steeds, and he's a result of years of careful breeding. Perhaps, one day, you might have a warhorse from out herds." Elizabeth spoke sincerely, a touch of a smile sweeping across her eyes. Trust was something that she usually had trouble with, and she wanted to see if this man could eventually earn her trust. Hopefully, he would.

As the gates of Camelot came toward them, Elizabeth removed the hand from her pocket and ran it through her dark hair, trying to get some order to the free waves. "I suppose I'll be going to the keep..." she said slowly. Really, she hadn't given it that much thought. "I suppose I should report to the king and all." Turning to look at him, she cocked her head to the side slightly. "Will you be heading up there as well?"

[Erec de Bellièvre]

Erec distractedly watched Elizabeth run her hands through her hair. "I suppose I should!" he replied brightly. He hadn't really thought much further past reaching Camelot's gates. "I think I'll accompany you to the stables, get her all set up for the night." Erec patted his horse's side as he spoke, then pulled a face at the dirty armor which covered his arm. "I don't think I'll be up for meeting the King with several days travel on me, and it'll be quite late by the time we reach the castle... I think I'll go the day after, as long as that's not rude." Erec mused on the fact that he would have a lot to learn about custom and behaviour in court.

"Will you be staying at the castle as well?" He asked his companion. Despite the castle's size and inhabitants, it would be pretty lonely not knowing anyone, and it wouldn't do to spend all of his time down at the stables because he felt more comfortable there...

Erec waited for Beth to reply as they walked under the gates and took their first steps into the city.

[Elizabeth Severn]

"Well, I think we should first determine which way the stables are located in," Elizabeth said slowly, looking around the city. It was quiet unlike what she was used to, with its high walls and bustling atmosphere. But there did appear to be a Keep farther in, and the stables where probably located around there. After all, that would be the sensible thing.

Casting a sidelong glance at Erec, Elizabeth then turned to look down on herself. There was a healthy amount of mud on her boots and her hair need a good wash. Beyond that, she didn't really smell like a rose, and Greere need quite the rubdown as well. She crinkled her nose and turned to Erec. "You and me both. I don't think it would be rude to wait until tomorrow to see the king. After all, we need to get cleaned up."

With a little bark of laughter, Elizabeth continued through the streets, heading in what she general hoped was the right direction. "I think I will be staying in the castle," she replied after a moment. "I'd like to get my own place around here eventually, but we'll see how it goes."