Talaitha, the fortune-teller

The idea of visiting a fortune-teller is intriguing. If Duncan were here with you, it would be more difficult... not that he would or could prevent it, you are the King after all, but he would make his disapproval apparent in twenty different ways before the day was done. Besides, it's not like you'd put any real faith in what a strange Gypsy woman might have to say about your future. It's a near-certainty that she'll just tell you what she imagines a king would want to hear: that you'll rule over a prosperous kingdom, marry a beautiful queen who will bear you many sons, that your illustrious name will live on for all time, so on and so forth.

All the same... you can't help but be curious. If nothing else, it would be interesting to see if you can spot the various forms of trickery that Duncan has taught you about.

"I will visit the Gypsy camp," you tell your guards. "Lady Trina, accompany me there; Magnus, I would have you patrol the visitor's campsites and simply make your presence known. This place is peaceful at this time, and I would have it stay that way."

"I take my leave, Sire," Magnus says, and spurs his horse to a trot so as to move on ahead.

"Have you visited among the Gyspies before, Lady Trina?" you ask.

"Only in my youth, Sire," Trina says. "Before I came to Elyssia, my family lived in the foothills to the east. The Gypsies were not an infrequent sight. I recall that there was once an old woman among them who was accused of witchcraft by the townsfolk; normally the Gypsies protect their own, but I believe their leader held a grudge against this woman - I was too young to understand any more. What I did know was that the accusations were false, but I was only a child so no one would listen to me. The woman was hanged. I remember wishing that I could have held a sword, so that I could champion her in trial by combat. It was part of what set me on the path which led me to wield a sword in your service, Sire. Forgive me, I did not intend to indulge in personal recollection."

"It was clearly an important moment in your life, Lady Trina. If it pleases you, I would hear more of the tale someday. But for the moment, what else can you tell me of the Gypsy ways?"

"Not much more than is commonly known, Sire; they tend to be a secretive people who keep very much to themselves. I do know that the true name for their people is the Romani; they are called 'Gypsies' because it was thought that they came into these lands from Egypt. They are wanderers by tradition, but are not always well-received where they go; some kings have forbidden them from entering their lands at all. Family is of enormous importance to them. And, of course, they practice the arts of prophecy, fortune-telling, and the reading of souls."

"Do you know of Talaitha?"

"Rumors and stories only, Sire. However, I have heard from the City Watch that she does not seem to mingle with her own people; she travels with them, and her tent and wagon are erected near their camp, but it is as if she is compelled to remain at a distance from the group."

By now you are close enough to see that this is true. Talaitha's tent is clearly marked with a colorful banner, and the sign which you had heard about, an inverted triangle made of rough-hewn branches. You approach and dismount, and a young boy comes up to greet you. "I am King Xavier," you tell him, and his eyes grow wide. "I seek an audience with Talaitha. I did not send word in advance, so if she is unable to see me at this time, I will return upon the morrow."

"My mistress will be pleased to see the King!" the boy says, nodding enthusiastically. "I will inform her that you and the Queen are here, and then fetch water for your horses."

It takes a moment for what he said to register. "Lady Trina is not the Queen," you tell him with a smile. "She is of my Kingsguard. There is as yet no Queen in Elyssia."

The boy's skin is dark, but you can still see him flush red. "I beg forgiveness, Your Majesty... I meant no offense!"

"None is taken. Please, inform your mistress that the King awaits without, my good lad."

"Yes, Your Majesty!" he says, and scampers into the tent.

"I've never been thought a Queen before," Trina mumbles under her breath.

"You'd be the first Queen to wear chain mail, I daresay," you tell her with a smile, and then have the satisfaction of seeing Trina blush as well - not an easy thing to do!

The boy comes dashing back out of the tent. "My mistress is honored by your presence," he says, breathing hard. "She begs forgiveness, but she cannot come out here to greet you; it is forbidden. Also, if you are here so that she may use her gift of farsight to penetrate the veil of your future, you must enter her domain alone; the presence of another, especially a woman, will disturb her reading and make it unclear."

It does not concern you to go in and see Talaitha without a guard; you expected that. However, it strikes you as somewhat strange that she is not permitted to emerge, and you can't help but wonder why - and whether it is a good idea to enter.