ᴋɪɴɢᴅᴏᴍ ᴏꜰ ᴀꜱʜᴇꜱ: ꜱᴇᴍɪ-ᴀᴅᴠᴀɴᴄᴇᴅ ʀᴏʟᴇᴘʟᴀʏ discussion

The dawn was only just rising as Levitt Turner walked on the gravel path around his home, carrying an empty woven basket. It was quiet and serene, except for the sound of birds calling to each other from the forest and the rocks and twigs snapping under the man’s feet. He entered through a creaky wooden gate into the small garden on the side. A canopy of leaves from apple and orange trees shaded him as he trailed through the garden, till he reached the farthest area where the light shown on all those plants which needed the most sun.

In the dim morning rays, Levitt kneeled down near a tomato plant. Rolling up the sleeves of his cotton work shirt, the man carefully plucked the ripest red tomatoes from their vines, placing them into the basket.

This was the work which made Levitt whole. The give and take of nature. The peaceful action of planting seeds in the soil, tending to what grows, in order to graciously accept the gifts given back by the earth.

He focused on the plant as he worked, a calmness in his eyes and experience guiding his hands.

Davy walked to the house on the gravel path a little after Levitt. Knocking on the door a letter from Levitt in hand, written on it was the directions to this house.

“Hello? Is anybody home?”

Davy asked. Still embarrassed about what happened the day before. Wondering why he would say that.

He knocked once more. He thought: Why am I here? I should leave. turning around he started to walk away.

Levitt lifted his head, hearing a knocking nearby. He looked towards the house, only seeing the silhouette of someone by the back door. Standing, the man left his basket behind and walked back toward the gate. He was not sure who would be visiting so early in the morning, and he could only think of a few who knew of his family home. Squinting down the gravel path, barely able to see in the brightening light of the morning sun, Levitt suddenly recognized who it was.

Levitt smiled, he could feel a strange heat reach his cheeks once again, thoughts of their past encounters entering his mind. Trying to relax himself, he shook the expression away and regained his blank facade. The man stepped a foot out of the gate, one hand braced on the wooden door and the other waving as he called out.

“Sir Davy? Is that you there?”

The man was glad that his letter had reached the guard. Of course he had not expected the invitation to be acted on so soon, but he was nevertheless pleased to see the other man had come. If not for the serious nature of the information he was expecting to receive, Levitt would even feel quite excited having the guard as company. This was rare feeling for the head of agriculture, he reminded himself silently that he must stay professional, ignore whatever odd feelings seemed to be appearing.

Davy turned around glancing toward Levitt. The feeling came back but Davy pushed it down. He waved.

“Yes, it is. It's nice to see you today.”

Davy said with a smile. He walked back towards the gate door. A little red, but very subtle.

Levitt nodded, smiling politely, though he was sure it appeared misplaced on someone as strict as him.

“Yes, nice to see you as well. Ah, please come in, I was just doing some morning gardening.”

He led the other man through the quaint garden toward the light area where he was working. Gesturing toward a cast iron bench with plush green cushions, Levitt invited Davy to sit.

The head of agriculture stood by the tomato vines, not yet continuing his work, wanting to give Davy his full attention.

“I see you received my letter. You seem well, I hope there wasn’t any trouble for you with the… the mission.”

Levitts eyes carried a concern, a sort of caring that he usually only showed to those who came to be special to him. Truly he did want to help the community, however he hoped he did not put Davy in harms way at all through the investigation.

“ I did, and there were no bumps along my mission. I got Intel and some most interesting news.”

Davy said. Sitting down on the iron bench. Crossing his legs, trying to sit with perfect posture. Holding Levitt in High Regard, wanting to impress this person who probably didn't feel the same.

“So, I've been hearing about some people wanting to overthrow the crimsons, and also the farmers are being overworked for basically no pay and it is very dry out there. It seems like someone has been cutting the water supply out there.”

Davy said with utmost importance.

Listening intently to what Davy found out, the head of agriculture became more and more agitated.

’No that can’t be…’ he thought ‘How could I not hear of this sooner…’

Rubbing his chin in contemplation, his brow furrowing as he started to pace, Levitt was very visibly worried. This was not good news at all. He knew that the farm folk must be under so much pressure to even consider revolting. And it was so odd too, the whole thing sounded suspicious to him.

“The water supply… I’ll have to get to the bottom of that immediately. I suspect some meddling from ex-royal supporters, trying to sow conflict within the village any way they can, don’t you think?”

Standing tall with his hands on his hips in a power stance, the man nodded to himself.

“Yes I’ll have to make a visit myself and see the conditions, meet with the people. I will schedule a meeting with Aubree promptly, discuss fair wages and the possibility of an uprising.”

Looking to Davy with a serious yet appreciative gaze, Levitt walked forward so he was standing closer to the bench, and reached out his hand to shake.

“I cannot thank you enough Sir Davy, this intel will not go to waste. I shall do my duty to assist the people and make this all right.”

Grabbing Levitt's hands. Seeing how agitated he was. Davy said:

“Hey, be safe.”

Davy let go of their hands. Feeling a little embarrassed but what he said was true. He just wanted them to be safe.

“Oh, please don’t worry about me, I can handle my own I assure you.”

Unsure of how to proceed, and noticing he the closeness of where he was standing near the bench, Levitt turned and idled a bit toward the plants.

The only thing he could think to do was keep working. Kneeling back down on his knees, Levitt placed the basket on his lap. With gentle hands he started pluck more of tomatoes from their vines.

Looking back at Davy, he held one up.

“Would you like some tomatoes? I can send you home with a basket if you like.”

Looking around the garden, he continued in a soothing voice;

“You can pick anything you like really, I wouldn’t mind, fresh strawberries, sweet apples from the trees. I… I would be happy to share with you Sir Davy.”

He glanced back at the guard, his usual stony expression now soft and almost inviting.

“Ok.”

Davy says, hesitation in his voice. Still a little concerned for levitt. They got up. Davy said:

“Thank you for the generous offer, I’ll just take one apple.”

Walking to the near by Apple tree. They took a big plump one. Biting it. They walked out of the garden. They waved goodbye.

As Davy picked out the apple, Levitt watched with a certain anticipation as the man bit into it. He wasn’t sure what he was waiting for. Why was it that he felt so hung up on the reaction of the guard?

He wasn’t sure what it was he wanted at all but their goodbye was brief and he watched as Davy left back down the gravel path.

Shaking his head, disapproving of the confusion thoughts in his mind, Levitt grabbed his basket of tomatoes and made his way into his home.

The matter of the people and making a meeting with Aubree was heavy on his head, and he knew that he would be in for a lot of work in order to make things right. For his people, whatever needed to be done, he would do it.