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[servant]

[Merlin's face hasn't appeared on the network for awhile. It looks a little older now than it did before.]

I'm missing one horse. He stayed in the gardens, where i know there's been some talk of eviction lately. If anyone removed him, I'd like to know. He's-

[Merlin pauses, swallowing hard before he continues.]

He belonged to King Arthur of Camelot, who some of you might remember as Prince Arthur while he was here. He disappeared a few days ago - the horse, not Arthur. At first I thought he'd just wandered off because I overslept, but I've searched all over.

His name is Llamrei and he's almost as much of a prat as his rider, but I've always suspected that he saves the worst of that for me.

[Another thing that horse and rider had in common.]

I have nothing of value to offer as a reward - unless you want me to wash your socks and fetch your breakfast until the next jump. [He shakes his head a little, a thin smile on his lips.] But you'd probably be better off just accepting my thanks.

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[sweetbreads]

A psychiatrist, but my family kept horses. Since then, I have always seen them as something of a familiar. A totem, if you will.

[ That was almost completely honest. Rare, from Lecter. ]

I've done some hunting myself. If you do have trouble finding him, I'd be more than willing to offer my services, opportunity presenting.

I have to admit, as a therapy tool, the animals on board would be an invaluable asset. It would be a shame to lose even one of them.

[servant]

Therapy. You think Llamrei could be useful to someone?

[sweetbreads]

Certainly. But clearly that can only happen if you find him.

[servant]

I have to. He's more than just a horse to me.

[sweetbreads]

King Arthur's horse. Which would make you a companion of King Arthur, I suppose?

[servant]

That's right. You've heard something about him?

[sweetbreads]

Only legends. Certainly not from the mouth of his friends. That makes you an intriguing primary source of information.

Do you mind if I ask your name?

[servant]

I wouldn't mind hearing some of the legends myself.

I'm Merlin, King Arthur's personal servant.

[sweetbreads]

Servant? No. Bard, prophet and legend. Deeply wise, and born of the supernatural--that is what the stories say.

Or perhaps time and retelling has twisted your identity further than anyone could have thought.

[servant]

[It shouldn't surprise him anymore that if someone's heard of Arthur, they've heard of him too. But it still does sometimes.]

It's hard to believe that I'm destined to become all that. But helping Arthur to become the greatest king that history's ever known...I would be proud if people in the future believed that alone.

[sweetbreads]

If legend is to be believed, you stabilized Britain in its time of greatest need. A considerable achievement.

I understand you're preoccupied at the moment, but perhaps we might continue this conversation at a later date?

[servant]

I would like that very much, actually. But how will I know you?

[sweetbreads]

I can be contacted on this number. Alternatively, you may visit me in the medical center. I am the oldest man present. Would that suffice?

[servant]

Yeah, I help out there sometimes. I think that should suffice.