Carnival Arrival Side Thread - The Beverleys and the Carnival Master

[Aria]

The field was bustling with activity. Carts full of wood and colorful fabrics were dotted everywhere. Shouting and hammering filled the air as workers set up tents and built stages and seating. It was an organized chaos. Everybody seemed to know exactly what they were supposed to do.

 

A nondescript black tent sat in a corner where it would be easily overlooked once the carnival was in full swing. The flap was open so that people who needed the master’s attention could walk right in.

[Robert Saint-Leger]

"I agree, a black tent seems most ominous," he said to Mary as they rode through the clamoring activity of the carnival setting up.

 

Before long there was a black tent with the flap open.

 

He dismounted and let Fleet's reins hang to the ground. His horse was fully trained to ground tie so would not go anywhere whilst his master was in the tent; it would be as if he was tied to a post without a post needing to be there. He then helped Mary dismount and tied her reins off to his saddle. Fleet was inherently mild unless there was racing to done, so he instantly looked content to snooze in the autumn sunshine. 

 

"Shall we?" he asked, feeling a bit bolder with her by his side.

 

"Good day," he said as he neared the open flap, pausing in the entrace. "We were told we could find a Master Kinsley here?"

[Hope]

Dismounting with ease, and following her husbands example Mary let her horses reins drop to the ground near Fleet.  (Though hers was a newer horse, a wedding gift actually, so she was not quite as confidant as Beverley that it would still be there when they exited later...)

Mary was pleased to join her husband, even though the Tent was an unfriendly black.  Some men left their wife behind at the drop of a hat, but the look Beverley gave her with his invitation told her that he was happy she was with him.  "Yes." she replied, and upon an impulse she bounced a kiss to his cheek.  Afterall nobody was nearby, nor paying them any attention (that she knew of) and he was just adorable.

Barely a step behind she entered the tent after Beverley, her eyes round with curioity.  

 

 

[Aria]

A few children ran by while the Beverleys were dismounting. Most common children would be fascinated by their fine horses, but this group didn’t even spare them a glance. Horses were boring when you grew up around lions, elephants, and other exotic animals.  One of the children had a small monkey sitting on his shoulder.

 

The tent was black so that it could either stand out or go unnoticed. Visitors would likely not see it as the more colorful tents would attract their attention. Yet if anyone wanted to speak to the owner of the Carnival, they would easily find the black tent when directed to it.

 

The interior was furnished much like an office with several chairs in front of a desk.  A man sat behind it writing. He was in his mid forties, tall, a bit on the thin side, and dressed as well as a nobleman in rich dark colors. On one of the chairs sat a pretty girl of about fifteen with long brown braids.

 

Master Kinsley and his daughter both looked up when Beverley spoke. A smile lit up the Carnival master’s pleasant face, even as he groaned inwardly. Nobles. Alex had warned him that they would cause trouble, but he believed that they would bring in more profit. He was curious about what this couple wanted. They were very young, so probably not in positions of authority.  He hoped that they weren't going to complain about his son flirting with a sister or cousin.

 

“You have found him,” he said, placing his quill in the inkwell. “How may I help you?”

 

[Robert Saint-Leger]

Beverley was unused to more common people continuing to sit when he entered a room, for it was very poor manners to not stand when in the presence of a lord. It was something not ignored. So, he blinked once at the sitting pair, though he said nothing of it. Yet, at least. Perhaps they did not realize he was a lord.

 

"I am Lord Beverley, Aide to the Duke of Cumberland, who is Constable of Windsor. This is my lady wife," he introduced himself, being as he did not have a servant with to do it for him. "I was hoping to discuss some particulars of your carnival, dates and such, that I might bring the details back to His Highness, who will share such with His Majesty and the court that is at Windsor for the season."

 

His position had taught him that it was best not to lead with a request but to something that was beneficial to the other personage.

[Hope]

At this point Mary remained quiet, allowing her husband to take the lead.  But she did smile towards the other woman present, whom she imagined was the fellows wife. Although in such a wayward lifestyle as carnivalists (if such a word actually existed) she might be a lover, or even one of the performers.  Nearly anything was possible.  Mary ran her eyes over the others costume, looking for clues. 

 

[Aria]

Though Oliver Kinsley believed that this couple belonged to the nobility, he wasn’t certain until the gentlemen introduced himself. Some very wealthy commoners … like himself … dressed just as sumptuously as they did. He was not dressed as finely today, since it was nearly impossible to avoid dirt and grime on a construction site.

 

He did rise and bow after Beverley explained the reason he had come. The Carnival master recognized the name of Cumberland and the reference to the King, though both of those figures were as mythical as unicorns to him. He had never even seen the King.

 

The young woman, who was dressed in an embroidered green silk gown, remained seated and smiled back at Mary. She looked enough like Master Kinsley that they must be related. If Mary was observant, she might see the crutch propped against the girl’s chair.

 

“Of course, my lord. We will be honored for His Majesty’s court to enjoy our humble offerings.” Sitting back down, Kinsley plucked a sheet of paper from one of the stacks on his desk and held it out. “This is a list of all our attractions and show times.”* Some of the advertisements were even now being passed around to the the people attracted by the caravan of wagons. Others would be placed in various places in town.

 

“I will be pleased to answer any questions you might have.”

 

 

*See carnival locations for details.