The bright green shoots of new vegetables and herbs are seen in rows of dark brown earth. The stone wall that surrounds the garden is low enough to let in the warm sun. A basket has been left near the wall for gathering items for meals.
Garden, Outside Palace
servant
chiefs
I am the chief of the kings' guard. I have many duties to run around and attend to day and night which makes me always on edge and a bit irritable. I am very serious and professional, and I don't tolerate nonsense.
Up servant. You have business to do.  Gah!  Hands off me, you!  I work fer the Lady of this place, and I don't haveta answer ta you! And I am the Chief of the King's Guards. I help protect your lady. How will she feel to know you attacked her protector?  I think she be thinkin' tis time fer a change of guard if they be threatened by a wee lass like meself.   I don't have time for this nonsense. I have been awake all night keeping her AND you safe.  Well then you of all people should know that a body's gotta take a rest, now and again, or else ye'll just keel over.  And what good would I be to me mistress, or you ta this place, if we just collapse from being tuckerd out? Very true, but stay out of my way. This garden can be dangerous.  Aye, I keep tellin' the missus that that wall there is in a terrible state and should be fixed.  You know them lordlings, though, always pinchin coin unless it's fer some new trinket. We had someone jump over that wall the other night and get it. No worries, I killed them before they made it out of here. Oh my - how dreadfully brave and strong of you.  Were there... were they very fierce? To me? Never. I'm used to thugs like them. Well, a brave man like you be needing ta keep his strength up.  Tell you wot - you slip into the kitchen when ye've a break and I'll see to it that cook saved some of the cake from the fancy feast the lords and ladies be havin' this evening.  They never eat much more than a crumb, anyways, they won't miss a treat like that.