"It looks like an advance party," Leon said. He and Gwaine were leaning out of one window on the third floor of the castle. Merlin and Percival were leaning out of the one next to it. All were squinting toward the distant wagons in anticipation. "Like what one of the lords would send out."
"Perhaps," said Merlin. "But I don't recognize that standard, so it can't be someone who's been to Camelot in the last five years."
"I don't recognize it either," Leon admitted.
"Neither do I," said Gwaine with a frown. "So not only is it a lord who's not been to Camelot or Old Orkney; It's also a lord I've never run into while rambling those seven years."
Percival grunted and shook his head. "My village was on the way to Cenred's castle and I never saw that standard in Mercia either. Which, of course, is New Orkney now."
They watched as one of the flaps went up on one caravan and a collection of motley-dressed men tumbled out into the street and began jumping around. "Oh, so they're acrobats," Merlin said, the delight obvious in his voice. "The standard must be their troupe's. I love watching acrobats. Why d'you suppose they came?"
Leon shook his head. "They're acrobats with a lot of heavy security, then. That wagon, without any cover? It's full of swordsmen."
"So we're back to an advance party theory?" Gwaine asked.
"No," Leon said, elbowing him. "And advance party wouldn't bring acrobats. They expect to be entertained here. They don't bring their own entertainment. Besides, where does it look like they're going?"
"To the castle," said Percival.
Merlin laughed lightly and shook his head. "They're taking an awfully roundabout way."
"Maybe they want to swing by the tavern?"
"Not everything is about the tavern, Gwaine," Leon said, frowning at his friend.
"They already passed the tavern," said Merlin.
The tumblers somersaulted their way behind the wagon of armed men, waving to the applauding crowd who had assembled to watch. "Maybe they're an acting troupe?" Gwaine suggested.
"And acting troupes have armed guards?" Percival said, jerking his thumb toward the back wagon. The motion jostled Merlin, who'd leaned further out the window. He lost his balance and fell face first onto the roof. With a shout, the other three reached for him and caught him by his feet. Gwaine and Leon waited for Percival to get a better hold on the servant before letting go. Percival pulled him back inside with a quiet laugh.
"Nice one, Merlin," Gwaine said. "Very graceful."
"Oh, shut up," Merlin grumbled, dusting himself off.
The commotion caused them to miss the opening of another wagon and the appearance of a tall man with a crown gracing his short-cropped head. "Look, look, look," Leon said, pointing to him. "A Lord of Misrule, perhaps? Although once again, why would a troupe of actors and jesters need armed men? And why come to Camelot now? Unless they missed the canceling of the wedding two months back. News does travel slowly."
Gwaine straightened and nodded to the caravan behind the man. "I don't think they're all actors and jesters. Those two men behind his majesty? In the purple capes? They look like knights, and I think they just jumped out of that wagon behind him."
Percival squinted down. "That crown glints like real gold."
"Yeah, you're right. A bit fine for a Lord of Misrule." Gwaine said with a nod.
"Guards, knights, tumblers, and someone with a crown," Merlin said.
Leon snorted. "We're back to advance party again, aren't we?"
"But whose advance party?" Percival insisted. "And why did Elyan run away?"
"Elyan was a wanderer before he came to Camelot. Perhaps he stumbled into this man's country at some point and had a disagreement?" Merlin said.
"There's no one in the five kingdoms that has that standard, and no one who has purple as a color," Leon said, shaking his head.
"Well, what about one of the kingdoms not listed in the five kingdoms?" Gwaine asked.
"True," Merlin added. "There's a ton of kingdoms too small to be considered important by those five big kings. Think about Westmorland. Or Orkney, before Lot got greedy and Orkney got huge. There're lots of kingdoms in the northlands."
"None that use purple," Gwaine said. "It's a sissy color up north. They all use grays and dark reds and greens."
"Percival, what did Munsalvaesche used to use?" Leon asked.
Percival closed his eyes for a moment. "Gold," he said, nodding and looking down again. "Gold and light blue."
"So who uses purple?" Gwaine asked.
Leon frowned. "They've got to go to the castle. A party that large has to speak with Arthur before they're allowed to stay. But they can stay within the walls for up to a day before doing that."
Merlin nodded. "…I know someone who would know who they are," he said with a small grin. "Anyone fancy a trip to the library?" He turned and took off down the hallway.
Percival and Leon looked at each other and followed. Gwaine made a nasty face, but ran after them.