Sanglier Fortress, Normandy.

[Carl von Döbeln]

Arthur slowly rose, and yet again ignored Kate's catchy remarks. He offered Kate his hand.

Come closer, milady.

[Mors Vigilia]

Katherine did so, slower than was necessary...

[Carl von Döbeln]

Arthur raised his hand, as if he was about to hit her. He had never done so, ever, but yet Katherine feared that he would. However, instead of using his hand as an instrument of violence, he grasped for Kate's hand, and wrapped his arms around her, embracing her. He had missed her.

[Mors Vigilia]

Katherine sighed as Arthur embraced her, glad that he was finally showing some emotion. She kept hold of him and whispered in his ear.

Use what you're feeling...

Then, as if no one else was in the room, she led him upstairs...

[ulti]

What, again?

Without waiting for an answer, he banged on the heavy door with the pommel of his sword. It opened and a head poked out.

Bishop o' Durham to see the Countess.

A grunt came from the other man who's head retreated behind the closing door. Ten minutes later, the door reopened revealing a small hallway with four Boars ready to escort the Bishop. Leading him left along the encompassing corridor, it took quite a while to get to the heavy oaken doors at the back of the keep. After what seemed to be a rather ceremonial knocking on this pair of doors, the Bishop was led into the main hall.

As he turned into the room he saw the Countess seated on a plush green chair, almost a throne. Behind her stood Geoffrey Dain and beside her sat a young girl of no more than thirteen who was the spitting image of her mother...

Ah, Bishop. You are properly rested, I hope.

The Bishop makes a semi bow out of respect, then answers.

"Aye, I am milady, and I must apologize most profusely for the state in which I have brought myself to your domain."

[Carl von Döbeln]

Katherine sighed as Arthur embraced her, glad that he was finally showing some emotion. She kept hold of him and whispered in his ear.

Use what you're feeling...

Then, as if no one else was in the room, she led him upstairs...

And the events that then followed would later be remembered as a most fiery, hot, extravagant, mighty, steamy, lucious, and slightly vicious night, worthy only of the most adventurous and intriguing of tales...

[Mors Vigilia]

The Bishop makes a semi bow out of respect, then answers.

"Aye, I am milady, and I must apologize most profusely for the state in which I have brought myself to your domain."

The Countess nodded and waved a hand, signalling him to continue.

And the events that then followed would later be remembered as a most fiery, hot, extravagant, mighty, steamy, lucious, and slightly vicious night, worthy only of the most adventurous and intriguing of tales...

That morning, Katherine arose early.

I notice that Daisy has passed the twelfth year of her birth and yet no fawning suitors come calling, I do hope that you have not been ignoring your duties in Scotland...

[Carl von Döbeln]

That morning, Katherine arose early.

I notice that Daisy has passed the twelfth year of her birth and yet no fawning suitors come calling, I do hope that you have not been ignoring your duties in Scotland...

Arthur, still in bed, entangled in the sheets, replied with a tired and casual voice.

Tending to them, rather.

[ulti]

The Countess nodded and waved a hand, signalling him to continue.

"I have travelled down to Normandy out of my own curiosity, to investigate rumors of disappearances, disappearances which the locals seem to put down to the famine. This is most unusual, and I was hoping that you might help me."

He then remembers the Lady's comments about the Chapel.

"And perhaps I may be able to help you with your Chapel as well..."

[Mors Vigilia]

Arthur, still in bed, entangled in the sheets, replied with a tired and casual voice.

Tending to them, rather.

Katherine sighed, quietly.

Yes? What have you accomplished?

"I have travelled down to Normandy out of my own curiosity, to investigate rumors of disappearances, disappearances which the locals seem to put down to the famine. This is most unusual, and I was hoping that you might help me."

He then remembers the Lady's comments about the Chapel.

"And perhaps I may be able to help you with your Chapel as well..."

A Bishop playing the roll of a Watchman? How droll...

Katherine flashed an unamused smile.

It is the same story that you will find everywhere. People either go on hunting way past sundown in an attempt to feed their family and they find themselves lost or prey to some nocturnal beast. Others merely wish to give their families a fighting chance by walking away and lessening the number of mouths to feed. Needless to say I have men in patrols, searching...

The Chapel however... Yes I would be rather keen to see that rebuilt, even relocated. You mentioned an Abbey yesterday but there would be no room for one. It would have to be outside of the walls and therefore I cannot spare the funds for such an endeavour at this time...

[Carl von Döbeln]

Katherine sighed, quietly.

Yes? What have you accomplished?

Arthur returned the sigh, in a much louder and sarcastic manner then Kate, and pulled her down onto the bed as he spoke, casually.

The famine has resulted in many complex problems. I have been busy dealing with them, as well as restrenghtening the harbour of Dunbar, the outer walls, and of course my fleet.

[Mors Vigilia]

Of course, of course...

Katherine lay on her back next to Arthur.

Perhaps Normandy can finally contribute to the navy... I suppose that I could fund four ships from these shores (20f)...

[Carl von Döbeln]

Yes you could. Said a smiling and slightly dirty Arthur as he allowed his hand to make it's way down across Kate's chest...

[Mors Vigilia]

Katherine turned on her side to face Arthur and thus shaking off his hand.

How do you think he's getting on?

[Carl von Döbeln]

Arthur, slightly irritated, turned to face Kate and placed his left hand firmly on her backside instead.

Like a fish in the sea, Kate.

[Mors Vigilia]

She did not stop him.

Swimming into a net, you mean?

[Carl von Döbeln]

He is doing well. He will be a new Alexander, rest assured. Arthur smiled and gently moved his hand up towards Kate's head and soon began to entangle his fingers in her long hair...

[Mors Vigilia]

Good, good...

Katherine looked into Arthur's eyes.

How long are you here for?

[Carl von Döbeln]

Arthur returned the look, and smiled.

How long do you want me to stay?

[Mors Vigilia]

Without any "intervention", I suppose that we can afford to have you here for another three or four days maybe...

If he stayed any longer, Katherine would have to see that more townsfolk disappeared...