Gypsy Rover

Chapter 5-Greetings

As the men unloaded their gear and settled into the dorm, Baron Conrad approached Winter. "Excuse me my Lady," he began and Winter looked up at him, then he continued. "While my men are getting ready I would like to see the King and greet him properly," Winter nodded her head in understanding. "Of course, right this way sir," Winter started off towards the castle.

As she approached the Main Room the men guarding the doors bared the way from the Baron by crossing their spears in an 'x' formation. Baron Conrad looked up a little surprised, and Winter sensed he was about to confront the men so she stepped in.

"Please don't let them get on your nerves sir. They will stop anyone unless they are trusted by the King to pass through," Winter explained. Baron Conrad nodded at the fact, "I guess it is a good idea to be extra careful in a place like this," he thought. Winter turned to the men.

"This is the Baron Conrad from Sakamoto Castle, he wishes to greet the King formally, you will let him past for now," she told the men and they nodded in their turn. "Yes your Majesty," they growled in deep voices then parted the spears to allow the way through for the Baron.

Baron Conrad nodded once "Gentlemen," he barked. The two guards lifted their hands to their foreheads in unison, "Sir," the bellowed together then the Baron strutted his way through the door. Winter had discretely rolled her eyes at the scene.

As she and the Baron approached the King he was still talking to the Head Chef, Winter turned to face Baron Conrad. "Please excuse me for one moment," she said with a forced smile then rush over to her father still keeping grace. She could hear Baron Conrad muttering to himself as she walked away and she rolled her eyes again.

"Ahem," she interrupted her father, "I'm sorry for the interruption your Majesty but the Baron Conrad wishes to see you, he is over there by the table," Winter pointed. Her father glanced up at the dark shadowy man still fully armoured. Winter thought she caught a slight glimpse of surprise on her fathers' face, but he covered it up as quickly as it showed.

King Rowan looked back down to his daughter, "Tell him I won't be long. Invite him to sit down and offer him something to eat and drink," he instructed. Winter nodded, "Yes, your Majesty." Even though she was his daughter, she still had to respect that fact that he is King and of much higher rank than her in public, so she must address him by title.

Winter glided her way back over to the waiting Baron. "He won't be long sir, he is just discussing final preparations for this evening's banquette. But in the meantime please sit down and would you like a drink or a snack to eat while you wait. Baron Conrad sat down clumsily and shook his head.

"No thank you my Lady, I will wait until dinner," he answered. Then with that Winter turned and strode out of the room back upstairs to her bedchamber.

"I wonder why he seemed so dark and foreboding when he introduced himself to me," she wondered deep in thought as she walked through the halls of the fourth floor, navigating her way to the room. Still racking her brains she passed the locked room once again. She stopped and looked at the hard wooden door for a moment. Hesitating slightly, she reached out her hand and grasped the cold metal handle and tried to turn it. "Of course it's locked Winter," she said to herself angrily. She crouched down to peer at the locked keyhole shape and then around her to see if there were any objects of similar shape. To her disappointment there were none and she sighed in frustration.