Chasing the Birds (open)

[Katlyn Isabel Blake]

Katlyn folded her arms on the table and began to wonder why Richard was so interested in crime and seedy parts of Camelot. She supposed everybody had secrets and so decided not to pry too much.
"Well," She began, "Like i say, it only be rumours mostly. But most the criminals do come from the slums. Thats one place that i don't like much..." She thought about the way people had looked at her when she had run an errand for her father there once.
"The men look a bit sleazy and the women aint much better neither!" She smiled before continuing.
"The city aint too bad for crime, just a few minor thefts and the like. At least up 'til recently. Like i said 'fore, the Guild got broken into just the other day 'n' rumours 'ave it that they got somethin' pricey! Other than that all i've heard of is a few break ins to castle property."

She took a moment to get her breath, for as usual Katlyn Blake was talking the legs off of an iron pot. It gave poor Richard a chance to reply.

"Oh yeah!" She suddenly exclaimed, making a man nearby nearly jump out of his skin. KAt barely noticed but dropped her voice down into a whisper.
"A slum boy tried to attack a girl in Arthur's orchard! Luckily he was there to save her and send the Low to the slums." She raised her voice once more, "Thats where he is now!"

[Richard Cabal]

Richard's eyebrows lifted. Things were a'stirring and old instincts that he had used in service to Grace's father and now to Grace herself, seemed to sharpen. If things were stirring something was stirring them and was it a coincidence that he and Grace had been led to Camelot around this time. Sure, nothing more than whispers at the moment. But even whispers had an origin.

He supposed he would have to get to know the slums a bit more; and the people in it. He realized he was being a bit rude, inviting Katlyn to this place and not offering her a drink.

"Thanks for the whispers," he murmured. "Would ye like a drink? Because I'm going ta be questioning ye some more." Richard ran his finger tips over his forehead as if in thought.

"What sort of trade does Camelot deal with? I mean, when ye see the wagons goin' by, what are they usually carrying? What sort of people do ye get through here? Nationality-wise anyway." His voice dropped. "I know ye like the heir. But what about the king himself? The other nobles and their officials?"

[Katlyn Isabel Blake]

Katlyn chewed her lip, face thoughtful. Trade? Katlyn didnt know much about anything like that, but Avalon was not far from the Kingsway where most of the wagons passed into Camelot. She acceoted Richards offer of a drink before continuing, for her throat was dry with her continuous babble.

"Well, I think most of 'em be from Gore and Cenred, certainly nowhere foreign. One or two from Mercia maybes. I'm not sure what most of 'em carry though, stuff for market usually, fabric, spices ya' know the usual." She paused for breath and thought carefully about what she would say in regard to the king. Of course she wouldnt badmouth him, but all the same her opinion was not especially high and she certainly didn't want to be arrested for treason.
She lowered her voice to barely a whisper, curling her hands into the fabric of her clothes.

"Well, and dont be passing this off to no one!" She warned, "I never heard no one speak highly of Uther, save for Arthur o'course. He keeps himself to himself and he can be quite tough to his people an' all." She accepted her drink from the barmaid, and continued on. The liquid felt good against the dryness of her throat and she kept pausing reguarly to take sips.

"We had this food shortage one year right," *sip* "And we had to actually starve" *sip* "until Arthur, bless his soul, managed to convince the king to share out the castles resources!" She took another gulp from her tankard and finally breathed. She had told all she knew on that topic.

[Richard Cabal]

The order placed and drink delivered, Richard listened attentively to what Katlyn said. Something stirred, a trained polite interest, when Katlyn mentioned fabrics. His wife's father had been part of the textile trade and Richard had taught himself to show a little interest in it. Then his eyebrow lifted as he heard of the king's callousness. He found himself wondering if perhaps the Pendragon was not part of Hwicee's fall.

"I've heard that some kingdoms, far far from here trades in exotic goods. I hear their knowledge of medicine and such is impressive. I was hopin' Camelot might attract some of those far merchants." He scratched his neck as he considered what else might be useful to know about Camelot. Although he was curious about the origins of Katlyn's idolization.

"Have ye met the prince? Ye always speak highly o' him."

[Katlyn Isabel Blake]

Katlyn listened and shrugged as Richard spoke of exotic traders. She wished she did know of what he spoke of, but sadly far off kingdoms were only dreams to her. She smiled as she thought of all the adventures she could have had were she not so dreadfully ill, but the melancholy aura that she gained was soon sent packing when Richard mentioned Arthur.

"The prince?" She replied excitedly again. "Well, no...not really.." She grinned, "But i talk to all the maids up at the castle. They says he is lovely, really kind 'n' all and everyone knows he is nothing like Uther." She sneered his name and realising what she had done, place a hand over her mouth, eyes wide in shock.
"No, Arthur is right different and thats not even taking into count how good looking he is!"

[Richard Cabal]

"It is hard to lead," Richard answered softly. "What may seem harsh to us may have had reason. What we hear gossiped may not be all true. Camelot is a good kingdom, there are certainly worse. The Pendragon is I think, worthy o' some respect. Aye?"

Time was wearing on and Richard wanted to get back to the inn he was staying in before he had to go to work.

"I have work and must leave. Thank you, Katlyn for talking to me. Twas a pleasure meeting ye." Richard stood respectfully and bowed his head.

[Katlyn Isabel Blake]

Katlyn mumbled a reply of something that loosely resembled agreement and rested her head in one hand, looking sideways up at Richard.
"I suppose i ain't met him and so i can't be judgin'." She grimaced, she wasn't happy to admit she was wrong, but knew deep down Richard was right. Arthur was still way better though.

"Oh no!" She exclaimed as Richard excused himself from her company. She had enjoyed the day and hadn't wanted to go back to the real world of farming just yet.
"Well thank ya' for an excitin' afternoon! It was lovely to be treated so nice." She smiled warmly and stood up for a quick hug.

When he had left Katlyn wondered what to do with the rest of her afternoon. It seemed that the world was a much duller place without any conversation or entertainment and after a short time Katlyn left the inn herself. She dragged her feet as she wandered back to the farm, listening to nothing but conversation of chickens and eggs and other such topics. But something she heard from a passing servant caught her attention straight away. There was to be a ball tonight at the castle!