Milady

Collin and Jack

The Knight and his groom followed the road leading to the Keep. It was late afternoon as they approached the front gates of the Keep. There should have been a guard on duty to warn of riders coming but none could be seen as the two rode through the open gates. People stopped and stared at the two, The one a very fine gentleman, astride a huge black stallion, the other a small older man, dressed in the livery of a groom, rode what looked to be a donkey. they rode into the center of the bailey and stopped. When no one come out to greet them the gentleman swung down from the saddle, he stood holding the reins of the stallion, then turned and looked towards his groom. The groom climbed down off his donkey, and reached for the reins of the large stallion, who started to prance and paw the ground as it looked at the groom. The gentlemen gently touched the horses mane and leaned down as if whispering to the horse, then tossed the reins to his groom. Drapper came out of the stables, just in time to see the groom catch the reins and look around as if wondering what to do next. He walked up to the gentlemen and bowed, introducing himself as the stable master and apologizing for lack of a formal greeting from the residents of the keep. He suggested the gentlemen go inside and take a seat in the hall, someone would see him and find Captain Kurlew or Dame Agnes. The gentlemen turned to his groom and instructed him to go with the stable master and see to the animals, then join him in the hall. For a second the groom looked as if he would argue the order but muttering under his breath he turned and followed the man. The Stallion had other idea's and pulled back, rearing on his hind legs, Drapper laughed and reached out taking the reins from the groom. "a very spirited animal your master rides" commented Drapper as the stallion calmly followed. The groom leading his donkey, with a few tugs and muttered warnings followed Drapper into the stables. He was shown what stall to put his donkey in as the stallion was lead into a larger, sturdier stall. Drapper didn't want the stallion kicking down the stables if it got out of hand. After getting the animal settled in, he stood watching the groom rub his backside. Drapper chewed on a piece of straw and suggested the groom remove the donkey's bridle and saddle, which the groom did with much fumbling and muttering. Dropping the saddle on his foot the groom started to swear long and loudly. Drapper couldn't contain himself any longer and started to laugh, holding his stomach from laughing so hard he looked at the groom "I gather that's Virlane now sitting in the lady's hall, I knew this was going to be fun to watch, but I had no idea, it would mean seeing you as a groom" he started laughing again. The groom walked over and punched Drapper on the shoulder, "You think its so funny, well me arse bounced all the way up the mountain and that beast of a stallion has already tried to take a bite out of it. I don't know how I let Virlane talk me into this!" Trink headed out of the stables and turning told Drapper, "You can call me Jack!" He left to the sound of Drapper laughing and muttered about rude stable masters.

Virlane walked into the dining hall and took a seat at the head table, he looked around, not missing a thing, the stench was enough to make a dragon gag. Virlane had always been very fastidious and this filth offended him greatly. A scullery maid came out of the kitchens and skittered to a halt as she saw the man sitting at the mistress's table, he turned and looked at her. "Would you please inform your mistress that she has company, child" her mouth hanging open, not saying a word she nodded and ran back into the kitchen. The girl ran up and started to shake Harriet's arm, babbling about handsome knights and the main table. Harriett gently cuffed the girl on the side of her head and told her to get ahold of herself and speak plainly. Loosing patience Harriett headed for the dining hall, stomping in she saw the man and advanced on the table, Harriett curtsied as this was to her eye's a very fine gentlemen and of high rank. Virlane had just given Harriett the same message he had given the young scullery maid when Trink ambled into the dining hall. He wrinkled his nose and looked at Virlane "Pheww this place stinks to high heaven, your sure this is the right place? Me Lord" He then turned and looked at Harriett "Me Lord and I have been traveling long and hard, a cold mug of ale and a bite to eat, would be nice right about now, my good woman." He then winked at Harriett, suddenly flustered Harriett bobbed a curtsy and went back to the kitchen. She sent a maid scurrying to find Dame Agnes and Kurlew, then ordered another to fetch ale, bread and cheese ot to the men in the hall. The girl was just setting the ale and food on the table before the two men when Harriett suddenly came flying from the kitchen, she grabbed the pitcher and platter, trying to think of something to say Harriett blurted out "this isn't fancy enough for the likes of you." Virlane chuckled and informed the flustered woman that plain fare would do them just fine. Harriett nodded and ran back to the kitchen still clutching the pitcher and platter, the girl following on her heels. Virlane and Trink looked at each other and grinned. "Lord have mercy "cried Harriett as she threw down the platter and pitcher "We almost served his Lordship the tainted food and drink." with that she sat down and fanned herself furiously with her apron trying to calm her nerves.