Returns and Truths (Casalynn)

[Prince Arthur Pendragon]

[OOC: For this thread it is probably an idea (and you have full permission!) to rp as Casalynns guardian as well as Casalynn herself]

Arthur tugged at the horses reigns, trying to force him into a walk. The stubborn beast refused, digging his hooves hard into the soft turf in the orchard and grinding 4 shallow trenches into the earth.
"Oh come on!" The prince sighed, throwing the reigns down and crossing his arms. "Casalynn better appreciate this.." He moved round to behind the animal and placed both hands on his flanks, with a firm push he managed to get the horse to move a few steps ahead, before he decided to kick.
Arthur landed with a thud on the ground, a muddy hoof-mark in the centre of his freshly cleaned tunic.
"Well Merlin will have an interesting job tomorrow.." He chuckled, and went to try again.

By the time he had gotten the horse to move of its own will, an hour had passed and Arthur had several more muddy marks and a few bruises to remember it by. Still, he was well on his way to Casalynn's home now and hopefully he had the right address.

It had taken a fair few coins and all of his powers of persuasion to convince the citizens of Camelot to give up Casalynn's whereabouts. They seemed apprehensive and a little wary of Arthur going to visit, but he had assumed that it was simply the fact that he was the prince. But as he drew nearer, he began to realise that the citizens might have had other reasons for trying to keep it to themselves.

He pulled up at the door and knocked three times. He was suddenly aware of just how muddy he was, and he slipped his jacket off quickly, throwing into a shrub just as the door swung open.

[Casalynn Laymont]

Casalynn had been locked in the storage closet all night after disobeying her Guardian and staying out all night against his judgement. She had not told him where she really was for she doubted he would believe that she spent the night in the Camelot Castle after being offered to stay there by Prince Arthur. Because of this, his anger overuled any conscience that was buried deep in his soul and unleashed the monster she was more accustomed to. Her eyes were puffed and inflammed, a pink glow surrounding her eyelids and they were slightly stained with tears after a restless and uncomfortable night sleep. The cuffs that bounded her were still tightly wound around her wrists, drawing blood everytime she attempted to free herself. Deep bruises ontop of bruises were beginning to form after past experiences in the closet.

She had never been a big fan of enclosed spaces and now she had reason for this phobia. The dirty, dingy, cob-webbed fill walls pressed coldly against her back; concrete wasn't exactly the most comfortable place to sleep. Darkness overwhelmed her and she had no idea how long she was going to be cast into darkness. Depending on her Guardians mood it varied from days to even a week. Her throat burned and was dry with dehydration making it painful for her to swallow. She summoned up a hoarse cough in an attempt to forget the stinging her throat had succummbed to.

She winced as she tried to move, her mind constantly reminding her of the lashings and beatings her guardian gave her whilst she lay defenseless on the floor. Her stomach pulsed and throbbed and her heart thrashed against her rib cage as she relived the episodes of thrashings. She spat out the blood on the cold floor and moaned when she re-positioned herself so that she was sitting up. She tried to free herself of the hand-cuffs once more yet they were as tight as ever and only dug into her skin deeper.

She panted as she stopped fighting. Remembering the fun day she had had of previous with Arthur. She also thought back to the comfortable night she had spent in the Castle and it was enough to bring a small smile to her face. When she remembered about Bassett, her horse her smile faltered. Another reason why her Guardian was so angry was because she had lost his horse meaning his hunting trip had to be delayed. She jumped with fright as she heard a loud knocking at the door and flinched as pain shot its way through her body again.

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Baldrick strolled proudly through the corridors of his home, pleased with his nights work. The clothes in which he wore still held signs of Casalynn's blood but this didn't seem to bother him at all. More than anything it showed his dominance and control over her and was a prompt reminder to his servants and staff not to cross him. He had since gauged himself at breakfast, selfishly scoughing all the food whilst his 'ward' starved in his cellars. A shrewd laugh rose to his mouth as he imaged her pained face. That'll teach her to stay out late. He thought to himself.

His stomach hung loosely over his clothes, a large un-groomed ginger beard touching the bottom of his neck and a thick bed of curley-greasy hair covering his head. He was the typical image of a rich man spending his life in comfort, spending his life eating his life away and not wondering where his next meal was coming from. Not many people could stand being in the same room as him as he was a pompous arrogant old fool who thought the whole world revolved around him. His servants feared him and Casalynn feared him giving him the pretense that he was 'ruler'.

Baldrick heard a knock at the door and his mind immediatly searched through the list of possible visitors. He had always liked getting visitors; it gave him the feeling of importance. He waved his servants away who followed his orders and returned to their quarters and a rather big-headed egotistical smile arose on his face. He really was an insufferable man protrayed by everyone's eagerness to avoid him. He 'waddled' over to the door and opened it up with an unneccasary amount of force to see the likes of King Uthers son. A most unexpected visit.

Baldrick had never been one to follow the pleasantries so didn't bow like may be expected. He simply breathed in a deep breath and exhaled with a slight amount of annoyance. "What brings you to my door boy?" His booming voice was enough to fright any living soul but whether he would have that affect on Prince Arthur remained to be seen. Baldrick opened his door wider and tapped his foot impatiently to wait for Arthur's answer. His long, loosely fitting garments floated in the wind and his blood-stained shirt worn conceitidly as if he was proud with what he had done.

[Prince Arthur Pendragon]

Arthur instantly took a dislike to the owner of the house as he saw that he did not succumb to the social prequisites that denoted he should bow before a member of house Pendragon. It was not a practice that Arthur felt very strongly about, and usually if someone did not follow the pleasantry he barely noticed but there was just something about the rudeness of this man that meant he did notice and disliked it.
He narrowed his eyes as he noticed the blood that was spattered across the mans chest and laid one hand on the hilt of his sword- not aggressively, but almost with an heir of command.

"I am here to speak to Casalynn Laymont." He said abruptly, as the man ran a fat hand through his greasy hair and began tapping his foot. "Is she home?"
The more he looked at this man the more uneasy he felt, he was suddenly reminded of the way he had felt when in the forest with Casalynn- worried that she might be coming to some sort of harm. The appearance of the man did nothing to ease his mind, especially that he was so covered in blood.

"I also bring her horse." He added before the man had a chance to reply. He was shocked that as yet the man had not invited him in, and placing his free hand on the door, he marched inside himself.

[Casalynn Laymont]

Baldrick shuddered when he heard Arthur was here to see Casalynn. Did he know something? Was he suspicous? Maybe one of the Citizens of Camelot had ratted him out and he was here to face his consequences. Baldrick shook of his doubts, surely this would not be the case. A solitary bead of sweat edged it's way down the mans face and he looked edgy and uneasy for the first time. It made him glad that his Servants were not here to see this as it would surely put a stamp on his authority. Baldrick slid his fat hand into his pocket and pulled out a hankercheif in which is dabbed his forehead with, removing the evidence of sweat that was beginning to irratate him. He thought of his next step very carefully deciding to make out that she wasn't here.

Before he had time to answer he saw his horse beside Arthur. Baldrick sighed a heavy breath of relief and realized his visit was solely due to his horse going missing and Arthur was here to simply bring it back. He had never really grown an emotional attachment to the horse and saw it more as a possession and thing of ownership than an actual living, feeling animal. Just like his servants and Casalynn, the horse had grown to fear him too which could easily be seen as Bassett took a few steps back to increase the distance between them.

Baldrick opened his mouth to speak, planning to 'thank' him for retrieving his horse and was about to slam the door in his face. An outraged gasp followed as Arthur invited himself into his house and walced in like royalty. It didn't matter to Baldrick that Arthur was a future king, in his mind he had no authority in his household. Although he was a little surprised that Arthur would even know that Casalynn existed, it was too late to turn back now. Baldrick grunted in annoyance before addressing Arthur.

"She's not in, never in. Stupid girl. Anyway what would you be wantin' with 'er. She's of no use to 'nyone?" He said with an exaggsperated sigh, taking a sly glance to his bloody garments. He regretted now not changing it as it was bound to raise suspicions. He could see the likes of his servants cowering in the corners, looking as though they had something to share. He knew his staff knew full well what he did to Casalynn yet doubted they would find a voice to tell prince Arthur. Although his paranoia got the better of him and he walked over to a young boy holding his towels and bed-linen. "Oi, get outta here boy or yell be getting a beating from me" He said, his booming voice overpowering the young man before he delivered a sharp slap and watched the boy retreating to his quarters. Glad that he had re-established his dominance and shown his authority to Arthur.

[Prince Arthur Pendragon]

Arthur found it hard to believe that Casalynn was not at home. She had only left the castle that morning and he hadn't seen her on his way here. No, something funny was going on and it only confirmed his suspicions when Baldrick voiced his threat to a servant. Turning sharply Arthur spoke.
"You beat your servants?"
The idea disgusted him. Uther and himself had more servants than anyone in Camelot and both of them found conversation and communication to be enough to keep them all under control. Lashings and punishment was merely a way to show off power and authority and it was usually the tool of cowardly men.
He turned now to the rest of the servants remaining in the large room and said softly, "If any of you have been beaten or punished i wish you to tell me now. If you tell the truth I will be able to help, otherwise i can do nothing."

He turned now to Baldrick again and pointed at his blood stained clothing asking whose blood it was and why he was covered in it. He used a commanding but not rude voice as it was not his intent to anger him. He guessed the man would lie, but it was too late for Arthur already knew that this man was not innocent and that the blood might possibly be Casalynns. He prayed one of the servants would speak up soon for it was the only way he would have enough evidence to prosecute this dishonest man.

After a few minutes of silence, during which Arthur scouted out the other rooms in the house, he decided it was time for action, no more words. In one deft movement he had his sword at Baldricks neck, so close he could smell his body odour and see the beads of sweat that speckled his forehead. He truly was foul.
"You will tell me where Casalynn is." He hissed, "And if you do not, you should expect a night or two in the cells, and there will be no food there either!" He added the latter part and nodded his head at the mans paunchy form.

[Casalynn Laymont]

As far as Baldrick could see, punishment was the only way of control for his servants. He knew they would not obey him if he remained pleasant and nice and they would only take liberties if he did so. Plus the jobs that they undertook would not be performed to the same standard that they did under fear and pressure. In his mind Servants were the lower-class people and deserved to be treated as their master wished, fulfilling any duty that they got asked. His servants were not there to become his friends but instead to wash, cook and clean for him so that he could live the life of luxury that any man in Camelot wanted and strived for.

"You beat your servants?" Baldrick raised one rather over-grown eyebrow at the prospect of doing anything else. How else would Servants do as they were told if a certain area of punishment weren't involved? "Of course I do. How else do you think I've gained this amount of respect?" He stated as a matter of fact and as more of a rhetorical question than one to be answered back to. This made him wonder how they controlled their servants if they obviously thought beating them was such a bad idea.

Baldrick grew slightly uncomfortable from then on. He was scared his Servants may tell on him about the crimes he had commited and desperatly hoped that they wouldn't. As long as he remained in control then nothing of that sort would happen; he wouldn't let it. He turned his head, looking at each one of his staff that had joined them and in turn gave them a threatening look. As soon as Arthur was gone, they were all likely to face the consequences of nearly getting him detected and caught. Likely to recieve more than a slap to the face.

"I ask that you get outta my 'ouse this instant. You 'ave no right to be troubling men like me!" He said, spitting out his words with disgust and anger. It was soon that he wished he could take these words back as he felt the cool blade of Arthurs sword resting against his neck. He swallowed hard and listened to his demands of Casalynn's whereabouts. He knew that if he gave it all up now then he would face a death sentence, yet if he said nothing a few nights in the cells would be all he would get. He knew which he preferred. "I told you, she's not 'ere! Said sumink about berry pickin' in the fields. She won't be back 'till noon" he said trying to convincingly sell his lie.

Through the spur of the moment he opened his mouth and said something that he regretted. "She's worthless waste o' space anyways. Never does whats she's told. Never should o' took her in, she's caused more 'arm than good. Deserves everything she gets" He said referring to his beatings. He grew fed up and tired now of the pretense and came straight out with the truth. Anger had corrupted him and he had already said too much to turn back. "The blood on my shirt, Casalynn's. Good riddance I say, she's more useful dead" He spat out the words and produced an evil laugh, his loud voice echoeing throughout the halls of his home .

[Prince Arthur Pendragon]

"Dead?" Arthur repeated, the point of his sword pressing so hard into Baldrick's neck now that he was struggling to breathe. He released it a little, but still kept the cold steel touching his skin where he would be under control.
He took another quick look at the mans shirt, quickly deducing that there wasn't quite enough blood there to warrant a death-although that didn't necessarily mean anything. Instead he turned to the servants and begged them to tell him the truth.
"There is nothing this man can do to you now. Whether you tell me the account of what happened to Casalynn or not, your master is going to be executed. Please show me her- whether alive or dead."

He dragged Baldrick forwards still keeping his blade close to his throat. He went to the door and called out for his knights, one of whom was bound to be patrolling the lower town. Luckily it didn't take too long before Sir Matthew appeared and Arthur passed the man over to him, making sure he would not take his own blade away from the mans throat.
Sheathing his own blade, Arthur made his way through the house for the second time, looking for any sign of blood or of a struggle that might lead him to Casalynn's whereabouts. The only thing he could find was a mess of smeared blood on the kitchen floor. But it still didn't look like enough blood had been spilt to cause a death- unless she had been murdered in some other way.

"Casalynn!" He called out, hoping, praying that she might be alive and able to hear him.

[Casalynn Laymont]

Baldrick coughed and spluttered as Arthurs blade tightened around his neck. He was trying to gasp for breath to supply his overly large frame with oxygen and was soon granted air when Arthur loosened his sword. He gulped in a large breath and only now realized messing with Arthur Pendragon was definatly something to avoid. He struggled to believe why Arthur would put himself out to defend nothing more than a peasant yet feared raising his suspicion as Arthur was the one wealding the sword, not him. Baldrick had never invisioned getting caught but now it was turning out to be quite a real reality.

His heart quickened as Arthur called for his knights and now he was truly fearing for his life. He had never been a man that scared easily yet the prospect of death was enough to frighten him somewhat. The word 'excuted' rattled through his head until it eventually sinked in that he was going to die, but not before he put up a fight. He frantically tried to struggle free, spitting and splurging in his haste to escape. He was not going to go easily.

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One of the maids had been biting her tongue for a while now, waiting for her opportunity to raise her suspicions and concerns to Arthur. She knew no harm would come to her whilst he was there and with her master restrained she had found her chance. She eagerly followed Arthur as he made his way around the house, waiting for him to stop so she could direct him to the right location. She had not seen where Casalynn was hidden yet knew where she typically went when she had done wrong.

"Over here" The maid wearily said as she elegantly flitted over to a closet with a padlocked door. She didn't have the keys yet knew which one of the Servants did. "You'll need the keys, wait here while I get them" She said in the heat of the moment, only realizing that she was actually giving orders to the future king of Camelot. She flushed a bright shade of pink before hurrying out of the room to fetch the keys.

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Casalynn dozed out of her drifting sleep, hearing shouts and voices from around the castle. Her eyes flew open in alert as she tried to distinguish what the figures were saying and who they were. She could hear the bellowing shouts of her guardian, muttering some inaudiable language she couldn't quite make out and hoped that someone was here to help her. She painfully shuffled over so that she was closer to the door and pressed her eye against a small hole in the wood. She could hear people shouting her name and was confused as to who it could be.

"Arthur?" She wordlessly mouthed recoginising his voice, not quite knowing what he would be doing here or if he even knew where she was. She cleared her throat after not speaking for a number of hours and hoarsly shouted them over. "In here"

[[OOC: I Hope you don't mind I RPed one of the maids. I thought it would make it easier for Arthur to find her ;D]]

[Prince Arthur Pendragon]

Unsurprisingly Baldrick was not going to go down without a fight but Sir Matthew was stronger and fitter and he managed to keep the fat man under control easily. He decided to wait for Arthur before he took him back to the castle dungeons, for if he were to break free Sir Matthew would have no backup and who knows what Arthur would do as punishment!

While Matthew was debating how best to proceed, Arthur was in the kitchen with the maid. Thankfully, the woman had finally found the courage to come forwards and point out where Casalynn was hidden. The fact that she knew suggested that Casalynn had been locked away at least once before today. Arthur placed his ear against the rough wood, listening out for any sign of life in the cupboard- the last thing he wanted was to open the door to a mangled corpse and having seen the "Uncle" she lived with, he didn't doubt it was a possibility.

"Cas?!" He called out, shocked to hear those hoarse words that she spoke. She is alive he thought, looking round the room for something, anything, to break down the door with. He was about to smash through with a wood axe he found in the corner, when the maid hurried back in with the key.
Grateful he didn't have to risk harming Casalynn, he took it from her and unlocked the door, appalled at the state the girl was in as she practically fell into his arms.

[Casalynn Laymont]

Casalynn was relieved to see Arthur and just for a few moments she was completely care-free. Then her mind began to buzz with all sorts of questions, why was he here? what had happened to her Guardian? How did he even find her in the first place? In an instant all the pain she was feeling seemed to disappear and her curiosity and inqusitiveness took over. She wobbled into a standing position and felt a small inkling of embarrassement as she navigated herself out of Arthurs arms. She hoped he wouldn't be angry at her for lying to him and not telling him about the abuse she was recieving yet in her pitiful state she doubted that would be the case.

She smiled at Arthur and turned her head to the maid who had helped her. Flora had always been willing to help her out and showed the upmost respect and care for her. Now that her Guardian had been taken care of (or so she guessed), Flora was out of a job. Casalynn knew Flora had a family to take care of, a mother who had fallen gravely ill, her baby brother growing up without a dad, she was the only member of the household bringing in an income. She felt sorrow for her as her act of kindness was surely going to doom her family to death and starvation. Casalynn made a mental note to suggest to Arthur a possible position for her in the Castle; she worked harder than anyone else she had ever known.

As she maintained her upright position she slowly felt the throbbing and stabbing pain returning. Her chest felt unusually heavy and her weak legs struggled to support her body weight through dehydration. She could feel a tickling and burning in her throat and lowered her head to spit as to rid herself of the blood forcing its way up her throat. It embarrased her to think such a man had done this to her as she always thought she was a strong person able to withstand anything. She also felt slightly embarrassed to be in such a state in front of Prince Arthur. She arched her back more in an attempt to make herself more comfortable as her stomach was beginning to aggrivate her.

"I'm fine" She said reading the shocked expressions of the people surrounding her, most of all Flora's. "What have you done with Baldrick? Where is he?" She asked curiosly, using the question also as a way to direct the attention away from herself; she had never liked being the centre of attention, least of all now.

[Prince Arthur Pendragon]

"Don't worry." Arthur spoke softly, reassuringly. "You're safe now." He smiled and held out a hand should she need to steady herself. He was not happy with her health as she looked both physically and mentally exhausted and also extremely unwell. His suspicions were confirmed as she coughed up a substantial amount of blood.

"Casalynn, before we talk about anything I think we should take you to a healer." He told her, not wanting her to have a chance to disagree. "Flora would you take her? I need to deal with the poor excuse of a man that has caused this mess." He grimaced a half smile and helped Casalynn walk over to the kind lady who had helped Arthur save the girl before it was too late. If she needed any help walking, Arthur was sure the other servants would help, for they were good people, only scared to speak up for they lived in fear for their lives.

Arthur mind turned from the brightness and goodness of Casalynn to the dark almost demonic man that was Baldrick. He would be hung, there was almost no doubt, but first Uther would wish to know the details and there would have to be a counsel on the matter. It would take time but Arthur would make sure that he was locked up so securely that he could barely breathe in peace.
There was things to discuss with Casalynn too, and he had a few ideas about what would happen to her now her guardian was gone. He feared she would never be able to keep up the cost of a house like this one, but it would mean all of the servants were going to be left homeless as well as Cas herself. Yes, he definitely needed to talk to her soon.

He put on a blank face as he dragged Baldrick to gaol with Sir Matthew. It took a time, for the man continued to curse and struggle, but he was no match for the two men and soon they had him in a cell. Safely locked away until his turn on the gallows came round.


[OOC: Dreamer has asked if you would mind going to see him for healing. Im sure if you start a thread he will come join...otherwise pm him to sort things out! Once your healed we will rp again discussing what will happen to cas next ]