King's notes

[Parker Tylman]

Bryce steps out of the den to allow for the ladies to disperse as they need. I see the tavern manager enter the throne room and curtsy with a warm smile, "Afternoon M'lord Darious. Would you like some of your tea Sir?"

Dima is walking with the other ladies out of the Den, chatting away quietly, and stops when they encounter Darious. She curtsies and tries to remember if she's met him before "Good day"

Darious comes in from cold i wipe my cloak off from snow and when I look up there are four woman staring at me. I gulp and wonder if I did something wrong. " Greetings Ladies. only me coming to see if the King left me any notes"

Yseulte Mistwood: Leaves the den and heads towards the stairs when I see Darious speaking with Bryce. I pause, looking back, wondering If I should speak with him regarding the issue that came up this morning between Lady Bonnie and Sindal, since Bonnie has been called away.

Sparrow wanders from the tea room, a frown on her face over the chat regarding that new tavern. "If they are stealing our customers, I will not stand for it" trying to think of a way to find out. She comes to an abrupt halt as she sees Darious there, her face lighting up. "Hullo Darious...how nice to see you."

Bryce nods and smiles with a blush, "Yes M'lord there is a stack in the kitchen, I will go get them" I curtsy again and scurry to the shelf.

Yseulte Mistwood: With a warm smile I step forward. "Tis a pleasure to see you, Darious. Come in come in. Bryce, can you find something warm for him in the kitchen? He looks cold."

Darious giving smiles all around " right nice of you ladies. it is very cold out there"

Dima goes and stands near a big pillar, almost like she might hide behind it. After their heated debate in the Den she was feeling like men were a whole other species that were dangerous, wild, and unpredictable. She watches quietly as she contemplates the man issues brought up today as she politely returns his smile
Bryce comes back with a small box filled with a handful of notes and a jar of tea leaves in my left hand and a fresh hot mug of tea in my right, "Mlord" I smile and offer him both. All this talk of men and women I look him over thoughtfully thinking about our last conversation and simply smile with appreciation.


Darious sees the maid come back with the notes my heart sinks. i think how can he have that much to say to me " thank you Miss. I will take the King's notes. Only take me rest of the day to figure out what they say"

Yseulte Mistwood: "Come, Darious, have a seat in the kitchen with us. Warm up first."

Dima watches and then it dawns on her. Darious said he runs the King's properties. Was he involved with the place THOSE women were staying at. She frowns a little in her own thoughts

Darious " If you have a cupa tea Miss I would like that"

Bryce offering him the warm tea I wonder if I can warn him about the conversation before he goes in there, "Did you want this Black M'lord?"

Sparrow stands quietly as Darious talk to Bryce, an idea forming in her head. It could work and she would learn if the Drunk Monk Tavern was a real threat to the Lion's Den business or not. Then she could tell Darious all about it.

Darious " aye Miss. be ok if i set me down at the table over here? I will not harm the nice wood Miss?"

Bryce looks to tea in the mug in my hand, it was black, but I lie, "Oh silly me, I put sugar and crème in it. Let me get you a fresh one." I hurry to the kitchen sure they may follow and have a seat as I get the tea redone. Why did she have to be so... bossy all the time. "Yes of course M'lord Darious, lemme get you a fresh mug"

Yseulte Mistwood: "Aye now that tis more comfortable is it not?"

Darious sits down and i put the kings notes on the table. I look them over and as I thought, I can not read one word of his handwriting. I sit waiting for the tea, warming up now that i am out of the wind

Yseulte Mistwood: Motions for Sparrow and Lady Dima to come in too. I notice the reticent look Darious gives the stack of notes.

Dima is hanging back, thinking to herself when she catches Yseulte's gesture. She heads over to the other side of the table from Darious and watches him shuffle through notes

Bryce not sure if this will help or hurt I think of how my Lady would serve our King. I hurry about the kitchen and grab all I need and then return to the table with a proud smile. Sliding around Darious to his side, I set down a fresh hot mug of black tea and a plate of warm cookies. I slide a fresh white candle into the box next to the tin of tea and letters and grin, "Here is your tea M'lord Darious, and some of cooks fresh oatmeal cookies. I put that white candle in there in case the letters are ripped like last time." I offer a curtsy and move to the wall to wait. I realize he may have candles but hope he feels seen knowing how frustrating that was.


Yseulte Mistwood: "I understand how you feel" I gesture to the notes. "I find his handwriting difficult to read as well. But I am starting to figure some of it out."

Darious trying not to ignore the ladies I look up and smile ever so often but my attention is on the notes. I look at the first one making out every other word and it surprises me when the note makes sense even by reading it that way. " I do get it just takes me a bit. My fault, not our King. I only learned my lessons from my mother so I do not consider myself any scholar"

Sparrow feels bad for Darious, assuming the notes have to do with the running of the Lion's Den Inn and Tavern and thinks again how unfair it is that he must now worry about competition from the other tavern. Her compassion makes her even more determined to set her plan in motion although she says nothing of this instead smiling sympathetically at the small grouping around the table.

Dima stands there for a bit with nothing to do, then takes a seat and makes herself comfortable even as she is considering if she should let the man be while he works.

Yseulte Mistwood: Uncertain of whether the other ladies realize Darious is also running the King's Choice, I decide not to talk to him about the women and their allowances.

Sparrow makes her way to the table and sees a large chair at the very head of it. "Is this where the King sits when he eats?" immediately hopping into it

Yseulte Mistwood: chuckles. "So i have been told but I have yet to see him do it. Um, sit at this table to eat." grins. I'm told he takes his meals in his rooms or his office.

Darious finishes the one note I shake my head thinking he asks much of us down at the Inn. I lean over and push the note to Sparrow. " here you can read this one. it is to do with meals at the Inn" i take the tea and drink some enjoying the flavor so I look around for the maid to give her a nod

Bertie practices his sneak move and glides across the dining hall, sure that no one will see him.

Bryce smiles overseeing the squire, "Afternoon M'lord Squire, would you like something to eat or some tea?" certainly seeing him as I smile and bite my lip adoringly.

Sparrow reads the note out loud trying to decipher the writing. "All...girls....staying in the King's Choice Mouse...oh wait, that's House....are to receive their pinks and beals free. What are pinks and beals? OH...drinks and meals." She looks up. "What is the King's Choice house? What girls? Are they guests visiting the realm? Where do the men stay? Why not at the castle?" peppering the conversation with question after question.

Bertie stops in his tracks at the greeting and turns around looking surprised "Oh, hullo" he moves closer , not looking at Sparrow at all. "Hullo all my friends who talk to me and tell me where they are going"

Bryce beams as Darious gives me a nod, I know he is enjoying the tea and for a moment I wonder if this is how My Lady feels when her King looks at her the way he does.

Dima has been staring at the pattern in the table's wood when she hears Bryce talking to Bertie. She looks up and sees the boy right there "Bertie" she calls to him, but when she hears Sparrow reading aloud about what she assumes to be about THOSE women she jumps up from her chair and goes over to him to distract him "We should get caught up on your lessons right away, don't you think?"

Yseulte Mistwood: "Um ......... oh ............ ah ..........." I look to Darious to see if he will explain.

Darious wishing now I had held off giving her the note." the girls who live in the house behind the healers place. they do work for the King but do not need rooms here. I moved into the house with them to keep an eye on them. So you serve them up nice when they come in. Just keep track of the meal costs for me"

Bertie keeps his face turned halfway away from Sparrow and only looks at her from the corner of his eye. "Oh, not today Lady Dima, this is a rest day. Maybe tomorrow when ALL my friends who do not just leave and make me worry are workin' too". The boy crosses his arms and turns to face Sparrow then, leaning over "The King's choice house is where my NEW Lady Fair lives.." his hand out in a flourish "Juliana" and then glares at Sparrow, daring her to say anything.

Sparrow suddenly hears Bertie's voice and looks up, a dazzling smile on her face. "BERTIE! HULLO! I'M BACK!" yelling across the table to him before turning back to Darious, waiting for an answer. "We give free food and drink to those who work in the tavern by why do they get it if they do not work for us? We cannot give away food and drink when we have competition opening up that eats into our profits." She turns back to Bertie, "N-new Lady Fair? Oh. I see. Well. All right then." looking hurt and turning away from him.

Yseulte Mistwood: Seeing Bertie for the first time in a long time I start to smile at him but his words stop me and I sit quietly in the chair.

Dima hears Darious and shoots a glare at him. Moved in to keep an eye on them INDEED! She hears Bertie talking and tunes back in to what he is saying. A look of abject horror blooms on her face when he says he fancies one of THOSE women. "BERTIE!" she begins to admonish "I do believe that a boy your age is not allowed in such a place!" she hopes with all her heart that the King would not allow it

Yseulte Mistwood: Lowering my gaze to my lap, I glance up from Bertie to Sparrow and back then to Darious.

Bertie keeps his arms crossed and sticks out his chin stubbornly "...Juliana...says I taste like a hard working man. She kissed me and says she will want to again. And Shia kissed me too, she lives there with ...Juliana.... Now, I am a REAL man even IF some girls don’t think so."

Darious drinks the tea as I listen " Mlady, it is a property of the King. Why would the boy be kept out? Nothing goes on in that house than in most homes in the village. My place there is like an over seer to 4 young girls who need to be watched over"

Sparrow : "Oh let him go there and see his new lady fair. ~I~ do not care one bit of course. I hope they will be very happy together."

Bryce watches all the looks and comments being exchanged and I step up against the wall and let my tush lean. I pray Darious will want a steak and potatoes so I can go into the kitchen for 3-5 minutes for a medium rare, or 5-8 for a well done steak. I could bake him a pie as well, I wonder if he likes peaches. I slide my hand in my pocket and play with the coins I mean to give him later and smile pleased as punch that I saved them.

Darious shaking my head " No Bertie, Juliana aint no lady fair to a squire. Her work is for the king so that will fill her time."

Dima puts her hands on her cheeks as her face gets hot by the very idea of it. "It is no place for a young boy! Who told you that you could go there?"

Bertie makes sure to raise his voice, directing it at Sparrow and still looking very stubborn "Well at least THEY told me where they would be dint they. Not just disappear and leave me ta wonder. Not that I worried, cuz course not, I am a MAN now." He gives Darious a "Work with me here " look. To Dima "I dint go there. ...Juliana comes to the castle and KISSED me right outside. And Shia kissed me by the docks. I think they couldn't help themselves."

Darious "he might be right there Mlady. the girls will be coming n going from the castle to the home. just like others that work here but live in village houses"

Yseulte Mistwood: Props an elbow on the table and places the hand over my mouth just watching and listening.

Sparrow swallows hard as she hears that and when she speaks her voice is very high and strained. "Well! I'm happy you have enjoyed yourself while I was gone and am glad to know that you have been indulging your baser instincts, Bertie, and know you need never fear I will ever use my feminine wiles on you again since such favors would clearly not be welcome."

Dima is fretting terribly and looks around the room hoping someone, anyone will back her up. No such luck. She turns back to Bertie "You avoid those women, young man, until you are old enough to know better! I will be speaking to the King about this matter! Kissing you, indeed!" she harumphs, thoroughly shaken by the idea and wishing she had more control over what the boy was allowed and not allowed to do.

Bertie now full out glares at her "What did ya expect? When my real Lady Fair took off. How was I sposed ta bring ya a dragon's head if I DINT EVEN KNOW WHERE YOU WERE?" He sticks out his tongue "AND you never used your feminine wiles on me" Not quite sure what that is he adds "I barely touched you"

Bryce or a baked potato, maybe he likes baked potatoes. He looks like a meat and potatoes man. I look up as Sparrow talks again of feminine wiles and I look between the two, such a shame they would not just be honest that they liked each other, it was obvious after all. Hearing Dima harumph I smirk and snark out, "I bet the King will pat him on the back" in a low voice.

Darious looks back and forth between the young people wondering what in the hell they are talking about. I know Sparrow is of age but with Bertie? hmmm I think i understand now why she had to go 'away' for a while. I lean back to glance at her tummy thinking she sure slimmed down again fast.

Darious drinks my tea happy now that I have figured it all out. I hear rumor they were engaged at one time, guess the boy has got his lessons learned right well. I finish the tea and look up the girl hoping for a refill.

Sparrow tries to stand up but the chair is so heavy she has a hard time pushing it away from the table finally having to thump thump thump it back. She points her finger at Bertie. "I didn't tell you because I knew you were an agent of the King and would have told him his ward was leaving during the cold of winter and would not have approved. But it seems you were not as dear a friend as I thought for you didn't waste any time find new girls to kiss and be your lady fair. I am glad I learned of your...your...perfidy so soon!"

Dima is still holding her hands to her cheeks and fretting like a bird guarding it's nest from a scavenger "This is preposterous! Has all of Caledonia gone mad? He's just a young boy!" completely forgetting the boy's ego at being addressed as such

Bryce sees Darious look up and I hurry to the kitchen to fetch the teapot. I step next to him and pour his tea fresh letting the aroma fill the room. In a low voice I ask, "M'lord Darious. I was wonder if I might be able to speak with you at some point, um.. alone? When you have time of course?" I finish pouring and stand with a smile watching his face and listening for an answer.

Bertie blows out a loud breath "I am NOT a boy...Juliana...says I taste like a man." He goes closer to Sparrow, toe to toe and leans forward "How was I sposed ta know that? A real friend and Lady Fair would have sent a note. What if I just up an left ya and never told ya where I went. You tellin' me ya wouldn't be kissin' Mr. Ric soon as my chair cooled? Hmph" crossing his arms angrily again.

Darious happy to have more of the hot tea " Aye Miss. If I can help ya I sure will"
surprised at the boy bringing up the clan chief. I do not understand what he has to do with the kc girls or Sparrow’s baby. oh wait, I think maybe i know. . . "

Bryce smiles up to my eyes and I curtsy quickly, "Thank you Sir." I return the pot to the stove to keep it warm and take up my post again at the wall.

Dima’s eyes are wide a saucers "Tastes like a man!" she doesn't even know what to think of that! She looks at the other adults in the room like they must have gone mad to not be on her side. For now, she is struck speechless.

Sparrow says with scorn. "Taste like a man? More like taste like that toad that you are always carrying around on your shoulder. I suppose you practiced your kissing on it? And no, I wouldn't have been kissing Ric as soon as you left but now that you mention it, perhaps I shall have since you have moved on. It's time for me to do so as well. I don't need to kiss boys anymore; I shall start kissing men instead."

Yseulte Mistwood: Unsure whether to let them continue and work it out or stop them.......

Bertie growls 'You already did that, remember? An how do I know that aint what ya was doin' all that time ya was away. Off ta see Josie, and we KNOW how much she likes kissin' dont we. Bet you wore out the lips of all the men there."
Yseulte Mistwood: "Bertie!"

Bertie turns fast "WHAT?"

Yseulte Mistwood: In a calmer voice "Bertie, please. You know you don't mean that. Stop it, both of you."

Darious seeing young Sparrow in a new light I have ideas for the tavern that could keep us ahead of the Rusty Monk. Maybe we will do fine yet. I give Sparrow a smile .

Sparrow lifts her chin. "I was not aware you had such a low opinion of me but I am glad I have learned now. So you go and kiss your girls, Mr. Tastes Like a Man. I will not bother you with friendship again since you clearly do not want it." She sweeps past him, wanting to run from the room as fast as she can but not wanting him to see how much he has hurt her so she keeps her steps slow and dignified.

Dima might find their fight a bit amusing if she wasn't so upset about Bertie kissing THOSE women. She looks to Yseulte, glad to have someone's help however small and late it was.

Yseulte Mistwood: Rising I look at Bertie. "Bert, you best go after her and apologize. You don't really mean any of those things you said."

Bryce stifles a laugh, she had to step in didn't she. I imagine a barrage of KC girls running in and tackling Bertie wanting to taste him. They seem more like horses to a salt lick, but I laugh a little to myself and then my waking dream is interrupted by Sparrow leaving the room and the healer once again commanding her presence. I blow the bangs from my eyes and wait for more fireworks to commence.

Bertie turns and watches her go. He wants to say sorry, but he still hurts too. He looks sadly at Yse "I did too mean it". Feeling badly now, the bow stammers "I er..need ta go check the horses" hurrying out before they can see anything more on his face.

Yseulte Mistwood: with a heavy sigh I watch him leave. The things people will say to each other in anger. I look to Lady Dima then to Darious hoping he volunteers to go talk with the young man.

Dima watches the boy go and collapses into the nearest chair, overwhelmed by the amount of sin Caledonia seemed to be wallowing in lately. Her face is hot and pink and she lets out a heavy breath as she begins to formulate her approach to the King on the matter. Something had to be said!

Darious drinks my tea as the lovers fight . I pick up the next note and try to make out the first 3 words having no clue

Darious " you ok Mlady? Ya look a bit pale. "

Bryce watches Bertie sulk off and I step forward, "If I may be excused" I look at the door, not sure if I can help, I offer, "I am not one of the grownups that tells him what to do, perhaps... “I shrug and just wait a moment for Yse to say ok being as she seems to run the room right now.

Yseulte Mistwood: "Of course, Bryce. Please, perhaps you can help him. Thank you."

Bryce nods and grabs a cloak off the wall and then I push through the doors. I look back briefly hoping I will still get a moment with Mister Raven, but know that some things will have to wait sometimes.

Dima turns to look at Darious and her brow furrows. This man, after all, was a part of the problem in her mind. "Perhaps you should move into their beds, too, so you can make sure they aren't dragging any young boys into them."

Darious‘s eyes open wide " such a thing you would suggest!! I am not the type of man to take advantage of a young girl. I have a reputation be that I am a fine man of honor" thinking she could use a man in her bed to replace that stick up her ass.

Dima’s tone matches his anger and sees it a raised chin "A young girl, indeed. I know what type of 'young girls' you keep in that... that... PLACE." She was beginning to think that there wasn't a man left in Caledonia who wasn't involved with prostitutes!

Yseulte Mistwood: I sit back down, also feeling the weight of the day, looking sadly at Lady Dima.

Darious defends the girls " Mlady, you need to speak to the king. The ladies are not prostitutes. They work for the King and I am a loyal subject to King Parker so what they do here I do not ask. He said to house them and watch ovr them. NOTHING goes on in that house, less the dirty things you think"

Dima's resolve falters for only a second. They had to be the same women, there was no other explanation. "You cannot be so blind as to believe those 'girls' are being kept there for no reason. Let me guess. They are all young, beautiful, and frequently visit the castle at odd hours?" That would settle the matter!

Darious " aye they visit the castle unlike living here as you do. They are young and beautiful, as you Mlady. would I never be so judgmental as to suggest what your job is exactly?" stands up " As you go visit the King to speak your piece, think if your being in the room alone with him will bring you a reputation such as you give to innocent woman who have done nothing against you" bows to the ladies and grabs the mail on my way out

Yseulte Mistwood: With a quiet sigh I rise from the chair. Feeling the deep need to meditate. "Good day Mr. Raven"

Darious walks out of the castle trying to see where the boy went. I see someone by the horse barn so I walk that way