Raieya sat in the window of Gwaine's chambers, watching the sky grow dark as she tried to sort out her thoughts. Two days ago Gwaine had ridden out with a patrol, sent to accompany Gwen, Merlin, and the lady from Longstead. She knew that their purpose was to help the people of Longstead who were dealing with some type of sickness. However she also thought that they should have returned by now. Logically Raieya knew there was a number of reasons why they might be late in returning but she couldn't help but feel a little worried. What if they had fallen ill also? What if something had happened to them on the road? As far as she knew, none of the group had sent word of any kind since their departure. Surely they would've informed Arthur if there had been any problems.
Of course, she could be wrong. Perhaps word had been sent to Arthur and she had simply not heard about it. There was one way to find out. She could just ask Arthur himself. Raieya couldn't think of any reason why he would want to keep that information private. Besides it couldn't hurt to ask.
Making up her mind, Raieya quickly finished putting away her lute from dinner and hurried off to the king's study.

Reaching the heavy wooden doors that led to the king's study, Raieya was relieved to see there was no one save the guards standing in the hall.

"Is the king available?" asked Raieya, nodding slightly to the guards.

"I believe he is," answered the one on the right. "Give me your name and I'll alert him of your presence."

"Raieya," she replied. "Thanks."

The guard nodded, knocked on the door, and disappeared into the room.

"The king will see you now," said the guard, returning to his post.

Raieya thanked the guard once more as she passed into the room, the large doors closing behind her with a thud.
"Sire," said Raieya, dropping in a curtsey.

"Raieya," Arthur replied warmly, gesturing for her to rise. He stood from his desk and walked over to her. "What brings you to my study so soon after dinner?"

"I was just wondering if you had heard any news of the patrol you sent to Longstead," said Raieya.

"I haven't," he answered, looking slightly troubled.

"Oh," Raieya replied, somewhat disappointed. "Perhaps they have run into some bad weather on the road then."

"No," said Arthur, shaking his head. "I've already checked. A patrol passed through the bridges yesterday."

"Do you think they too have fallen ill?" asked Raieya.

"If any of them had, then surely they would've sent word," countered Arthur.

"They would need Gaius," agreed Raieya.

"Indeed," said Arthur. "Which is why I have decided to take him and some of my men to Longstead at first light to find out what's going on."

"I want to go," said Raieya quickly. She was well aware she was overstepping her boundaries but she didn't care. She did not want to be left behind at the castle while everyone else went to Longstead.

"Raieya-" began Arthur reproachfully.

"Please," interrupted Raieya. "I want to help. I can keep up with you and I can fight if there's trouble."

Arthur looked her over, furrowing his brow.

"Please," she said again. "If something's happened I want to see for myself."

"Alright," agreed Arthur after a moment. "You may go but there are some conditions. First, you join us as Gaius's assistant. You help him some now, correct?"

Raieya nodded.

"Good," said Arthur. "Second you may bring your sword but you must follow my orders. You will stay with Gaius unless I say otherwise."

"I understand," said Raieya, nodding again.

"Go and get some rest," said Arthur. "Be prepared to leave at first light."

"Thank you," she replied, dropping into a curtsey.

Arthur nodded to her and Raieya rose and turned to go.

Raieya returned to Gwaine's chambers with a feeling of satisfaction. Not only had her concerns been shared by Arthur but she would get to ride out to Longstead in the morning. Eager to pack, Raieya headed over to the wardrobe to retrieve her bag. Opening the right hand door of the wardrobe, Raieya slid it out from the top shelf. She placed it on the bed and then turned to see if she'd left any of her traveling clothes there. Since she spent more of her nights in Gwaine's chambers than her own, she couldn't remember what clothes she put up where. Pushing aside a couple of her dresses, she found a pair of her breeches and some of her shirts. Raieya grabbed them from the wardrobe, laying out the breeches and a shirt for the morning and packing an extra shirt in the bag. Next she grabbed her boots and sword from the bottom of the wardrobe and set them with her clothes.
Packing complete, Raieya began to get ready for bed. She wasn't really too tired but she knew it would be hard to get up at dawn if she didn't get enough sleep.