A Southern Journey {open}

[Erec de Bellièvre]

Erec scanned the city before him in awe. Although it was late, there were still people and soldiers going about their duties, carts and horses moving from here to there. Candles and lamps glowed from every building now that the sun was setting and the city becoming darker. The main path to the Castle seemed clear enough, and Erec kept pace alongside Beth as the walked with their horses toward it.

When Erec wasn't distracted by the novel urban surroundings, he was distracted by Beth. Surreptitiously, he hoped. Erec was glad to hear that she's be staying up at the castle, and wondered if all of the palace servants were given lodgings there.

"It's all just... so big." he said, squinting up at the castle with a face carrying an expression of boyish wonder. "I mean the countryside is big, but this place, it's so full of life." he laughed awkwardly, knowing that his words sounded odd. "I've just never been in a place with so many people before." He explained with a grin.

[Elizabeth Severn]

"I know," Elizabeth said, still gazing around at their new surroundings. "I've never seen anything quite like this. I've heard stories, but I didn't think..." Her sentence trailed off, and for a moment Elizabeth just walked on through the city. That is until, Greere found something that caught his interest and wrenched his head around.

Momentarily surprised, Elizabeth gave the reins a sharp little snap, pulling the wayward stallion back in her direction. He snorted loudly stamping one large hoof in protest. With a tiny sigh Elizabeth reached over and grabbed the cheek-piece of his bridle, tugging him along. After a few labored steps, he gave in a followed her.

Shooting a little grin at Erec, she shrugged as Greere rested his head on her shoulder. Patting his soft nose with her free hand, she said, "He's just a moody teenager, really. He sees something he wants and he's as good as gone." Her little explanation over, Elizabeth made a sort of half teasing face at Erec. "But anyway, will you be staying in the castle or getting lodgings of your own?"

[Erec de Bellièvre]

Erec chuckled as Greere almost pulled a surprised Beth off balance. The city even smelt different. Perhaps the horses could feel it too. He laughed at her explanation as she tugged the stubborn stallion onwards.

"We all go through that phase!" he replied, waiting for Beth to level with him again before continuing walking, "I can't really afford lodgings here." Erec added, colouring a little as he knew where his explanation was leading him. "Actually, I have nothing but my title, and that only recently. I'm hoping Uther will offer me a place at Court and a room in the Castle, if not, I'll have to head on over to the slums!" he finished lightheartedly, but ventured a glance at Beth to gauge her reaction. She's the stable master, she's not going to judge you Erec attempted to reassure himself as he wrapped the reins tighter around his hand.

"I'd like to come and visit you, wherever you'll be staying." he added. Erec wasn't particularly looking forward to rubbing shoulders with the nobility. He didn't expect his farmboy habits would go down very well...

[Elizabeth Severn]

Elizabeth nodded, her eyes roaming her surroundings as they walked. "I'm sure Uther will be generous, after all, he doesn't seem like the inconsiderate type." A slow, lopsided grin crossed her face for a moment. "And I'm also sure that you'll be welcomed into the Court. You look like you could handle a sword, and ride a horse. That's all those men really care about."

A large cart rumbled in front of them, pulled by a lumbering team of oxen. Pulling the stallion to a stop, Elizabeth waited until it passed out of their way. As she did, she turned to Erec, continuing their conversation. "I'd love if you could come a visit me. You know, since we're both new here, I'd be nice to see a friendly face."

[Erec de Bellièvre]

Little V's creased at the corners of Erec's mouth as he laughed at Beth's assessment of the men at court. "Riding horses, that I can do. But swordsmanship? Hopefully if I go about in this heavy armor all the time, they'll assume I can handle a sword..." he tapped the hilt of the weapon that hung by his side, "But until I start training, I'm more of a threat to myself and anyone near me!"

Halting his mare for the passing of a cart, Erec was reminded by the working oxen that he needed to sell his family's old farm pony in order to buy a horse for army training. He left this train of thought as Beth resumed talking and they both resumed walking.

"I love to pay you a visit." Erec echoed her words, suddenly feeling a flush of heat underneath his clanking armor. He cleared his throat, "I'd be honored if that friendly face could help me pick out a new horse sometime this week? I was planning on visiting one of the small villages just outside of Camelot, it's the only plan I have for my first week here, and whilst I'm sure none of them will be as impressive as Greere, it'd be great to have your expertise, and your company." he added with a smile, finally breathing after his awkward speech.