At your Service.. For a Price [Richard]

[mysery]

Morgana was not too pleased when it became apparent she would need to rely on someone other than herself, or her sister for something. However this herb was not easily come by, and it was a neccessity for the potion she had been preparing for days now. It would assist her sister in recovering from the injuries she had sustained in Camelot before they had fled and Morgana wanted to do all she could to help Morgause. So, she was forced to accept that she needed help here. It had taken almost a week of discreet enquiries before Morgana had finally latched onto someone who said they knew of a person who could assist her.

For a small price of course, they had said they could arrange a meeting. She would much rather have set fire to their clothing to show how much she agreed with that, but her need outweighed all else. For now. And it was a mere few coins. Clearly they had not realised that money meant nothing to Morgana, or she supposed they would have asked for more.

Despite her dislike of the method however, the man had told her he would be in contact in a few days when he had confirmed that his 'acquaintance' would meet with her. His signal had come a scant day ago and Morgana had set the meeting place. After sunset, in the forests, by the entwined birch trees. She would not set foot into town at the whim of some man she had paid. Paranoia was going to keep them both alive, and Morgana had no desire to be hunted when Morgause was in no condition to move. So, it was after sunset, in the forests by the entwined birch trees that Morgana now waited for this 'Richard de Calys', procurer of rare and magical items.

Her cloak was dark, and she blended almost seamlessly in with the darkness surrounding her. If that peasant had set her up, or if this man did not show, she was going to personally take it out of both their hides.

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Setting: The Forests of Balor

Tag: Richard de Calys

Timeline: After Series 3

[Richard de Calys]

OOC - this was more than worth the wait!

Richard had not been told who this new customer was, which irritated him rather a lot. His contact always told him who the customer was and what sort of thing they would be looking for. Richard liked to know what he was about to get himself into, that way he could fully prepare himself for whatever task would be set. This job could be anything, and while this would normally provide him with some interest, perhaps even excitement, but tonight it was just annoying. It was cold and dark and Richard was wearing inappropriate clothing for the circumstances. His cloak kept catching on branches, he would be very put out if it were to be ruined. He may have only stole it, but it was one of his favourites, and how he obtained it really wasn't the point.

He had been told this customer, whoever that may be, would be waiting for him in the forest. From the location and time of their meeting he assumed it was someone who wanted something magical, or something equally banned in Camelot. Those who wanted to meet in secret often had something to hide, some dark motive they wanted to keep well hidden from the city's authorities. Richard had no particular affiliations himself. His loyalty went to the highest bidder, regardless of whether they had good intentions or bad ones. As long as he was given his money, or his favour, he was happy.

Eventually he saw a figure, not too far into the distance, one that he took to be a woman. It wasn't often that his customers were women, and the revelation took him by surprise, but he managed to compose himself before striding forth and clearing his throat. "Richard de Calys, at your service. And you are...?"

[mysery]

Morgana watched from her position as a man came into her line of view. It was only one man. So that contact hadn't sold her out to the Knights of Camelot. Not that she expected to be, but it was a possibility she had to live with now. And if he had, she would have hunted him down and ripped every breath from his body for betraying her like that. It may mean nothing to him, some gold or whatever, but to her it was her sister. To betray her was to try and kill her sister and Morgana wouldn't tolerate that. She would murder any who tried.

She watched with steady eyes as he approached and finally seemed to take notice of her. So this was Richard de Calys. Part of Morgana prayed that he could get what she needed to help her sister.

When he cleared his throat, Morgana straightened and stepped forward, reaching up to push the hood of her cloak back over her head and allowed her hair to fall free. It felt haphazardly off and she lifted her chin. If he recognised her or not, that was his problem. She didn't care. Right now, there was only one thing on her mind regarding this man. "I am told you are one who can procure rare and magical items for a price," Morgana spoke. She was aware that money here would be the currency, rather than the fear she could envoke in him, and she was prepared to pay. Morgause's life meant far more to her than simple money.

"I have need of your services," she added a moment later. She wouldn't reveal of course the truth of her need until she was certain, but a little taste wasn't dangerous.

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Setting: The Forests of Balor

Tag: Richard de Calys

Timeline: After Series 3

[Richard de Calys]

In Richard's experience the only people who witheld their identies were those with requests of a less savoury nature - the best kind. Whoever this woman was, no doubt she wanted something special, something fun. Well, fortunately for her, she had come to the right man. Richard de Calys was not famed throughout Albion for nothing.

Before answering her, he took a moment to study his new customer. He always liked to have a feel of the person, that way he could suit their needs more precisely. It was clear from the way she held herself she was nobility, and she was certainly a beauty (even Richard had to admit that). There was something else about her, something that seemed familiar. Richard never forgot a face, not in his line of work, so he knew with quite some confidence that they had not met before. Her familiarity, therefore, must be from other people - gossip and hearsay most likely. It all served to make her that much more perplexing.

He pressed his lips together in thought, thumb and forefinger at his chin. It was rather irritating, for someone who liked to know people, that he could not think of who she was. Although it was necessary for his work, he liked to know exactly who he was working for, if only for just his own peace of mind. Nevertheless, he was not one to question his customers. If she wanted him to know who she was, she would have told him. Asking her would surely be a mistake, so he kept his thoughts to himself.

"You were told correctly." He said with a grin, he liked the fact that he had a reputation, that people knew of him and talked about him and that he was the person to go to in such situations. "What exactly did you have in mind?"

[mysery]

The man made no indication that he knew who she was, though Morgana doubted she would have cared if he did. He would not have gained his reputation if he had been in the business of selling out anyone of less than credible standing that came to him. That and if he was, Morgana would make sure she was the last person he saw before his death. She knew he was examining her, he was a man after all, and Morgana simply lifted her chin a fraction. Nobility had been bred into her and suddenly being an exile hadn't changed that.

When finally he deemed to answer her, to his own delight she would add, Morgana answered. "I have need of some plants. Magical ones that, for certain reasons, I am unable to procure myself." And it would take time Morgana couldn't afford to spend away from her sister. "Mandrake, Belladonna, Myrrh and the like," she added, as if to make her point more clear. "I was told you were the person to see for such searches. I am prepared pay handsomly for your services."

If she had been permitted to return to her sisters lair, she could have found the herbs and plants she sought without fuss, but Morgause was too injured to be moved that distance, and Morgana could not bear leaving her for the time it would take to retrieve them. Not to mention she would be on foot, making her journey even longer than it had been before. As Morgana awaited his answer, she glanced to her left and right for a moment. Being hunted wasn't a feeling she was accustomed to just yet, so it was essential she keep her mind about her here.

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Setting: The Forests of Balor

Tag: Richard de Calys

Timeline: After Series 3

[Richard de Calys]

The woman's demands seemed reasonable enough. He didn't have any particular knowledge about magic himself so he had no idea what they were for. Probably something not all that nice by the look of her. He could have told her that whatever she was planning was forbidden in Camelot - but presumably she already knew that, and it wasn't any of his business what she was planning. He had no particular loyalty to Camelot anyway. It made no difference to him who this woman was or what she wanted. Well, not after he'd been paid anyway.

He repeated the list in his head so as to remember it - he'd always had a good memory and this line of work only strengthened it. They shouldn't be that tricky to acquire, he knew people who dealt with such goods who owed him a favour, so that should save him a few coins. Speaking of coins, he wondered just how much "handsomely" meant. A woman such as her could have a fortune or nothing, he couldn't really tell. Personally he'd prefer the former, then again, not all payments had to be made with money. As he considered this his index and middle finger ran across his mouth and chin. Well, it was worth a try anyway. "Your requirements can be met easily, I assure you." He said with a tone that suggested the words were oft spoken. It was a natural response to keep his customers happy while he continued to think. "Now this payment you speak of...that is very interesting. My services are not cheap but if you cannot pay me with coin I am sure we could come to some sort of arrangement. I do so like being owed a favour."