Since Merlin's miraculous resurrection, Gwaine's been holding a lot of parties at The Rising Sun - a few of them have even had the guest of honour in attendance
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One very obvious hallmark is that the man will never give his name, all he will give is the simple, Matthew, though it's likely he will not immediately respond to it.
"Building is an important matter. I have plans to work from."
It's unlikely Gwaine will be able to translate the plans. They look like building plans. It's a village. There are two large huts and four smaller ones. The plans show which buildings are the most important -- of the four smaller buildings, the second largest is marked as the first to build, followed by the smallest.
The largest of the buildings, the one with the second story, is meant to be next. The other buildings are to be completed on if there is the opportunity. There are monetary values to each of the buildings. For the size of the building, the cost to build is astronomical.
Matthew will say nothing as Gwaine examines the plans.
Matthew smiles innocently. The plans are odd looking, but even more importantly, they don't make any sense. The smallest building vein worth so much, while the price differential between the largest buildings is great indeed, though one of them is to be leased at a very high fee.
"There's been tell the King's given out tracks of land, and I was hoping for some in the forests to the north. I would like to establish a small village for trade routes, given the north is still so sparsely populated." That explanation makes a great deal of sense.
Matthew smiles. He is very good at his given occupation, and thus has a perfectly rational explanation. It will sound a little mercenary, but he doesn't look like the do-holder type.
"Of course, sir."
There is a small detail on the plans, so tiny it could easily be overlooked. One detail of the building plans, in relation to the largest of the smaller dwellings, and the second smallest states that they must be completed to make the leasing of one of the larger buildings possible.
Arthur is going over various treaties in the Council Chambers when Gwaine enters with 'Matthew' in tow and a scroll of parchment in hand.
Arthur raises an eyebrow. "To what do I owe this pleasure?"
Gwaine sets the scroll down in front of his King. "I found this gentleman at the rear of the Castle. He claims to be a builder...he's planning a village, up north."
Gwaine's meaning is clear to Arthur and he looks at 'Matthew' with a frown.
"I see...and do you usually investigate the rear of castles you visit?"
"I apologize, your majesty. I've never had cause tovisit the capital before. I am afraid my curiosity got in the way of my good sense." It's smoothly done. Matthew is an impeccable liar.
"And this is such a fascinating building. As you can see from my plans, I'm very interested in building."
Arthur spots Gwaine's not so subtle eye rolling and unrolls the scroll to take a look at these plans.
He frowns and looks at 'Matthew' carefully. "I can't say I'm a builder myself, but these plans don't seem quite right to me. Care to explain why these four smaller buildings are going to cost so much?"
"They are more finicky to build. It's difficult given the exact lengths of the materials. Unless they're made to the highest standards, it's unlikely the type of people -- merchants, traders, that I'd like to entice there to help improve trade, would be interested in smaller dwellings unless built perfectly."
Of course that doesn't answer the really obvious question about the size, but the answer is smoothly delivered.
"Such building would require extra monetary contributions. I'm not sure where I will get the funding but I'm willing to take it from whomever is willing to pay." He smiles benevolently.
"I might even change my plans based on my treatment."
"Building is an important matter. I have plans to work from."
That last part isn't a lie.
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Honestly, some people think others are just complete idiots.
'Matthew' isn't ever going to get back to his plans if Gwaine has anything to do with it.
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The largest of the buildings, the one with the second story, is meant to be next. The other buildings are to be completed on if there is the opportunity. There are monetary values to each of the buildings. For the size of the building, the cost to build is astronomical.
Matthew will say nothing as Gwaine examines the plans.
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But there's something about the layout...not to mention the monetary amount.
Gwaine looks at 'Matthew' with narrowed eyes. "And where exactly is this village to be constructed?"
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"There's been tell the King's given out tracks of land, and I was hoping for some in the forests to the north. I would like to establish a small village for trade routes, given the north is still so sparsely populated." That explanation makes a great deal of sense.
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'Matthew's' made a mistake, Gwaine's heard about Urien's outrageous demands, including seceding villages on Camelot's northern borders.
That's all he needs to know.
"I think the King will definitely want to discuss this with you, my good sir."
If 'Matthew' has any sense he'll be quaking in his shoes.
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"Of course, sir."
There is a small detail on the plans, so tiny it could easily be overlooked. One detail of the building plans, in relation to the largest of the smaller dwellings, and the second smallest states that they must be completed to make the leasing of one of the larger buildings possible.
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Arthur raises an eyebrow. "To what do I owe this pleasure?"
Gwaine sets the scroll down in front of his King. "I found this gentleman at the rear of the Castle. He claims to be a builder...he's planning a village, up north."
Gwaine's meaning is clear to Arthur and he looks at 'Matthew' with a frown.
"I see...and do you usually investigate the rear of castles you visit?"
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"And this is such a fascinating building. As you can see from my plans, I'm very interested in building."
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He frowns and looks at 'Matthew' carefully. "I can't say I'm a builder myself, but these plans don't seem quite right to me. Care to explain why these four smaller buildings are going to cost so much?"
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Of course that doesn't answer the really obvious question about the size, but the answer is smoothly delivered.
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Four small buildings...
"I believe Merlin and the Lady Morgana would like to see these plans as well."
He nods at Gwaine who hurries off to get the two of them.
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That's also smoothly delivered.
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"I might even change my plans based on my treatment."
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"Weren't you comissioned by someone before drawing up these plans? It seems rather...short sighted if not."
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