CHAPTER 1 : A SUSPICION SHARED

Carreg had been well-trained to never divulge any personal information to any guests which he might be serving, but it built up in him until his wife noticed subtle changes in his moods.

"What's eating you now, Mister Carreg? Had a bad day?"

"Not so much bad, Missus Carreg, just that the guest I am seeing to at the moment acts like one big question mark. He never lets up quizzing me about things at the castle and not ordinary things that you might expect, such as how long I have been working here or like how many chambers are there or how large are the kitchens but more personal things about the King. Nothing that he needs to know, but I can't say that to him as it wouldn't be my place, him being a guest and all."

"Don't worry, he can't stay forever, Dear! Eat your supper. He'll leave and then you will go back to helping the old knights, like old Lord Mickleson. You've always said that he was a real gentleman and that you enjoy working for him."

"Well, the sooner this Lord Seymour Richworth leaves, the better it will be all around if you ask me."

But leave he didn't and Lizzie Carreg could see her husband becoming more withdrawn. He was suspicious of everyone, seeing things in dark corners, believing that around every bend in the interminable castle corridors, there was trouble waiting.

Finally, one day when she was bringing herbs to Gaius, and he asked after her Oswald, Lizzie decided that as her mother had always contended a burden shared was a burden halved, she would talk to Gaius about her husband's insecurities.

Gaius was understanding, agreeing that sometimes certain visitors could be taxing for the staff of the castle but he also said that any visitor would eventually leave.

"That's what I've been telling him but it's now a month and the man is still here."

"Well, make sure your Oswald gets a good night's sleep. Let's see, maybe an infusion of the daisy plant will help him. Also some lavender heads in a little cloth bag and put it near his pillow that might help his anxiety. Let me know how it works."

Lizzie thanked Gaius and returned to her home with two little herb packets. She trusted Gaius hadn't he seen her through the particularly difficult birthing of her last child.

-0-0-

Now, Lizzie also was on speaking terms with Arthur's manservant's wife. She liked Anna's Thomas and mentioned in passing that she was surprised that her husband Thomas hadn't been interrogated by the guest as he seemed interested in any and everything concerning the daily life of the king.

The two women had a long chat and later in passing, Thomas's wife decided to tell her husband. He was interested which was unusual for her as he usually nodded kindly but made no comment and hardly ever quizzed here about her friend's problems. He'd tut and say, "Yes, my Dear, how worrying for Lizzie." This time he'd added, "Well, you know visitors rarely stay forever."

Thomas in passing mentioned Carreg's suspicions to Humphrey, the assistant Chamberlain, as he truly felt that Carreg's worries merited being passed on to someone who would be able to do something about it. Thomas was concerned that one of their current guests should have extraordinary interest in the king's living arrangements. He'd been with Arthur for years and was very protective of the king's privacy. He was a public figure but his life with his family and his friends in his royal chambers was private.

Humphrey promised to look into it, mentioning that he would be speaking to Carreg.

-0-0-

Arthur, Sirs Simon and Spenser, Merlin and the boy Treva had gone to the royal stables at the farm to see twin fillies, the first ones to be born there in years.

Thomas had everything under control in the king's chambers and when Leon chanced by to see the missing king, he took the opportunity to tell him about Sir Seymour Richworth's interest in all things…Arthur.

Leon was not only surprised but troubled. He agreed that Thomas had done right in reporting it to Humphrey. Over the years, Arthur's friends among the knights had protected his private life. Arthur and Merlin were very careful that their actions in public never aroused any negative interest. They had their friends and relied upon them.

Leon asked what questions had prompted Carreg's uncomfortable feeling about the situation.

Thomas said," My Anna has been friendly with Carreg's Lizzie for years and she told me that it really is the continual questions about King Arthur which unnerved Carreg. He felt that the king's personal life was private and certainly had nothing to do with a visitor even if the questions were just being asked out of mild curiosity in the life of royalty."

"Thank you, Thomas for mentioning it. I too find it strange and will look into it. How long has Carreg been with us?"

"He is the son of a maidservant and followed in his grandfather's footsteps. He must be in his early forties and is well respected which explains why he was given the opportunity to represent the Camelot staff and work as a manservant for visiting guests."

"Don't mention anything to the king just yet, Thomas. I'd like to do a little checking up myself before worrying him. Do you happen to know off hand, where this Richworth comes from?"

"He was in the party of knights from the Duke of Guildwood's estate who came here for the tournament but he has extended his visit by what is now a month. He is not demanding of any special treatment and just seems to have stayed on."

Leon left determined to get some more information on this visitor who had obviously overstayed his welcome. However, before the man was encouraged to go on his way, Leon wanted to get to the bottom of the personal questions.

It wouldn't have been the first time that an unsavoury character masquerading as a guest had infiltrated the palace walls. Leon decided to also look into the Duke of Guildwood to see where he fitted into the scheme of things.

-0-0-

Humphrey checked the records and true to what Thomas had said the knight had remained in Camelot after the tournament. He was good with a sword and upon the invitation of the Squire Master had been giving pointers to some of the older squires. His behaviour on the training grounds had not merited any suspicions. Humphrey brought the senior knight up to date on what he had learned.

Leon approached Arthur, "Sire, one of the current visitor's actions are suspect. There is the outside chance that we have a spy staying in our midst."

Arthur immediately was on the alert, "What's the man after? Little is hidden in the castle. He could easily learn the numbers and steadfast allegiance of my knights. He could also see the numbers and strength of the castle guards. With a little searching, he could find out the location of any of my men out on patrols. Who is this man?"

Leon said, "One of Guildwood's men who stayed after the others returned home, a Sir Seymour Richworth."

Arthur laughed, "Come on, Leon, he's harmless, he's working with the senior squires. You'd better have some excellent proof, if you expect me to believe that he is a threat."

"At the moment, we only have word of a member of the castle staff who is acting as his manservant but..."

Arthur shook his head with a laugh, "You'd better have more than that!"

Leon nodded, "Please hear me out, Arthur. Carreg's wife mentioned how worried he was to Thomas' wife. Thomas went to Humphrey who after checking a few things found out that Sir Seymour, has been quizzing other staff members."

"Do some researching on Guildwood, maybe he's mixed up with those bandits on the western border. If he is planning an attack knowing about our forces is important..."

"But, Arthur, the man is not asking about our defences, he seems to be only interested in you…"

That had the effect that Leon wanted. Arthur was no longer brushing off his concerns, he had suddenly become interested. "What questions was he asking?"

Leon shuffled uncomfortably, "They all related to your lifestyle?"

"Why would my lifestyle interest him?"

Leon hoped that Arthur might draw his own conclusion, he had no intention of suggesting to Arthur what the man might be after by his insistent interest.

Arthur insisted that both Humphrey and the manservant meet with him, the following day. Leon nodded, "I'll notify Humphrey right now and he'll look after Carreg. Did Treva enjoy his visit to the farm?"

"He certainly did! He also decided that the twins would be perfect mounts for him and his friend Henry as gifts to them when they graduate to being trained as Squires."

Leon smiled, "Heaven protect us all, the two of them mounted on matched chestnuts will be something to contend with."

Arthur smiled, "If they manage to get to squiredom, I think it will be the families and teachers who will deserve the gifts. Treva really in the grand scheme of things is one of the best things that ever happen to Merlin and me."

Suddenly, his face fell, he'd realised what Leon had been delicately referring to. He looked at him and Leon's nod confirmed that he was on the same wavelength.

-0-0-

Humphrey upon hearing from Leon immediately sent for Carreg.

He came in apologizing for being late but Sir Seymour wished to eat in his chambers and he had to get the food from the kitchen and deliver it.

Humphrey thanked him for coming and said, "I'd like to hear a little more about Sir Seymour. I have the feeling that he sometimes makes you feel uncomfortable with his continual questions."

Nodding, the man explained, "His questions are always about King Arthur and his personal life. That is… 'Where does the king's personal staff live? How long has he had two manservants? Why doesn't Thomas serve him at banquets and not the other younger man? Is the younger man unmarried and where are his quarters? What exactly are his duties?'

"He just goes on and on, his latest questions involved Merlin, 'Why is the other man so familiar with not only the knights but also the young boy, Lord de Vire, the king's ward? Is it right that this man should have such a physical relationship with the young boy?' He never lets up!

"I was tempted to explain about the young master's being found by Merlin and how the King had made both of them his guardians but I didn't feel that I wanted to tell anything to this annoying man. It's common knowledge but we were told when we were trained, warned even from being too free with the information concerning people who lived at Camelot. He'll have to find out from someone else, I'm not telling him anything!"

"Why didn't you come to me sooner?" Humphrey said.

"Sir, you are so busy and I didn't want to be wasting you time."

"Something like this, is never a waste of time. For this castle to run smoothly we are very dependant on our staff, in many cases they are the people who see things first hand. Together, we will see King Arthur tomorrow. He's a fair man and will only be interested in what you have to say, you are not being reprimanded for anything. In the meantime, say nothing to anyone else. Thank you for being so truthful."

Carreg returned to his quarters in a much better frame of mind. His wife noticed and said as they got ready to turn in, "So, Sir Seymour's behaving himself is he?"

Smiling Oswald told her that he had spoken with Humphrey. It had felt good to share the information with someone in charge and that she was not going to believe it but tomorrow afternoon King Arthur wanted to see both him and Humphrey.

"My husband is going to be called before the king, Oh, Oswald, I'm so proud of you, guess you will be expecting me to treat you special after that!"

Oswald smiled and cuddled her, "You can and all, Lizzie my Dear!"