Crispian looked at Tannir is semi-disbelief. The KING? By Arthur's horse's third ball but this was getting bad!

"Tannir, get me something, uh, courtly ready. Jashen, find Rasputyn. I have a job for him at the Palace." He turned on heel and started out of the tavern, "Oh, and Jashen, cover for me til tomorrow morning."


He was gone before Jashen's scowl had turned to full outrage as he looked at Tannir and then at Glavain. "Well, get to it!" he snapped at the young Squire before turning back to his drinking companion of the last few minutes. "And can you enlighten me any here?"

 

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Moryan strode along with the guard, wondering if she was to be imprisoned or what. She hadn't done anything she was aware of, well, least not recently. What would the farking king want with just a lowly mercenary? Course, she was guildmistress, and now this damn Jealyan D'vena was putting her nose in everywhere. And the nobles seemed keen on her guild since the days when it was the Crimson Band.


She sighed, then straightened her shoulders and tugged her fingers through her hair. Farking king or nae, she was going to keep her dignity intact. Suddenly she wondered, is swearing in front of a king punishable by hanging?

The Captain of the Guard watched Moryan closely as she was led to the Palace. When they reached the outer gates she he ordered the escort to halt.


He turned to face Moryan and said, "ou must disarm yourself. Turn over your weapons to me and they shall be kept at the guard station for safe keeping. They will be returned to you upon leaving the Palace grounds."


He waited for her to hand over her weapons.


Moryan looked at him as if he had asked for her to cut off her arm. "I do nae turn over me farkin' weapons to anyone."


The Captain raised an eyebrow at her and said, "Moryan of the Wayward Band, you have been commanded to attend the King. No man or woman outside of the King's Guard enters the King's presence armed. Now hand over your weapons or face the consequences of denying the King's command."


The Captain never raised his voice. He simply spoke the words as if he expected to be obeyed. Moryan could tell by looking at the man that he was not one to be trifled with. Reluctantly she unstrapped her weapons and handed them over to the Captain.


"There ye farkin' are. They better be here when I get back." said Moryan.


"The dagger tucked under your kilt as well." said the Captain.


Moryan blinked. She wondered just how the man knew about that. She reached under her kilt and pulled the dagger free, handing it over to the Captain.


"Sorry. I fergot that one." she said giving him here sweetest smile.

Then she slowly bent, and pulled the two from her ankle sheathes, the two from her thigh sheathes. Then the one from its sheath against her back. And finally, she took the two from their straps at her wrists. She mentally counted, and made sure the brace of them she wore was already in the Captain's hands.


"Iffen that farking magma sword is harmed in any way, ye'll be bleeding answering ta me." She gazed at him, nodded, and went forward to meet with the King.

Upon hearing the news of Moryan, Glavian threw a silver on the table to cover his, and Jashens, drinks, and donned his cloak.


Looking at Jashen, he replies;


"Nay, lad. I dunna know why de King would want er fer anything, unless....Bah, if de bleedin high and mighty wanted a bed partner, I dunna think he'd want a highlander lass. Looks like I'll be needin ta get some elp on dis one."


Shaking his head, obviously disturbed about his last thought, he stormed from the tavern and headed toward the market square.

As the escort led Moryan through the halls of the Palace to the Great Room she saw the many tapestries hanging on the walls. Tapestries depicting the battles of Arthur. Visions of the glory of that time ran through her mind. She couldn't help but feel a bit overwhelmed in these halls.


Then her thoughts were interrupted by the Captain of the Guard speaking to her.


"When you are in the presence of the King you will address him as Your Majesty or Sire. You will curtsey upon introducing yourself and you will not swear in front of the King. This day you will act a proper Lady. Even if you never do again. It is a great honor to meet and speak with the King. Conduct yourself accordingly."


That was it. The man never seemed to show emotion. He was as focused as a man could be. His eyes darting down every corridor. He seemed to be totally aware of everything that was happening around him.

"Believe it or nae, I can control how I bleeding act. Yer king brought me here, now ye going ta farking show me in or what?" She swore at him, just to relax herself a bit.


And she vowed to herself, she was not going to curtsey, he'll get a damn bow like everyone else does.

Crispian stopped briefly at the chambers he shared with Jashen, thankful it was late and few were about. He donned an outfit of fine materials and scooped up his Guild ring, mentally setting himself to be able to contact any whom he may need. Then, he head for The D'Vena house again.


It was not so much that Lady D'Vena herself was not fetching. Her tall Avalonian body was still in fine shape for a woman of her years. Her brown hair a luxourant cascade down her back and green eyes that perhaps once held warmth. Her manner and bearing were all noble. It was her soul that Crispian found so repelling. He swallowed down his pride and remembered that there was a cause he was serving, and certain personal distastes must be stomached. He DID wish, however, that he were fighting pygmy goblins. At least they were foes that just tried to rip your guts out openly.


The Stewart of the House conduct him to the private withdrawing were D'Vena lounged. The young man's eyes took in Crispian almost the way D'Vena's did and the warrior repressed a smirk.


"So, young Crispian, you return again so soon?" she purred, her hand stroking his forearm.


Control a shudder, Crispian smiled. "Aye, m'lady. Your company was most," he raised an eyebrow, "entertaining."


He hoped that what he was about to endour yield some deeper information.

 

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The Captain of the Guard then barked, "Halt!"


The escort stopped abruptly and the Captain turned to face Moryan. He seemed to tower over her. Somehow seeming taller than he had before. He glared at Moryan obviously becoming annoyed. Then just as quickly as the expression had come upon his face it was gone. The towering height however was not.


"ou will cease your cursing now. You are in the Palace of King Constantine and you must conduct yourself with some modicum of respect. The greatest warriors and mightiest of Lords bow before the King. The fairest of Ladies and strongest of fighters curtsey before him. He is a good man. A fair man. He will not tell you you to do these things therefore I will tell to do them. He deserves your admiration and respect regardless of what your Band may think. He is not a mere Noble Lord or Lady who has an inflated sense of self-worth. My King is a man of the utmost honorable character and you will show him respect. Now let me see your curtsey."

The mercenary wench folded her arms across her chest and glared back at the Captain. Then, her features changed to an impish grin and she said in a soft, simpering voice, "But m'lord Captain, I am but a wayward young woman swooned ta the e'il life o' a mercenary. I am ill-knowing the verra graces o'f court and its mighty happenings. Perhaps, ye would be so kind as ta teach me exactly how a proper woman is ta curtsey? I've ne'er tried and I would hate ta look a fool and fall upon my arse in front o' yer noble and gracious king."


"Or perhaps ye'll just let me bow as I know how ta do, and show him the proper respect a 'warrior' gi'es ta another. I am a simple mercenary, but I can show respect. Iffen tis nae good enough fer yer king, then I'm sorry."