"Don't get too close, M'lady," Garth warned as they came upon the scene with the wild man. Wild man he most certainly was. Long hair and beard, what few clothes he wore were strange. They were reminiscent of the clothing now worn, with the long linen shirt. They seemed almost unfinished. Had he lost the rest of his clothing somewhere?<br/><br/>Stopping her horse a safe distance away, Maria called out to the knight who had arrived before her. "Sir Cedric, what do you make of him?"<br/><br/>Cedric, in full armor, inclined his head to the Duchess, but did not bow. "He seems friendly, your Grace. He has not attempted to pick up his crude weapon, and seems near mirthful for some reason."<br/><br/>"Mirthful? Garth, what do you think?" Maria smoothed the burgundy house dress she wore absently. The garment wasn't made for riding, or the outdoors. Hopefully the ride wouldn't damage it.<br/><br/>"He seems peaceful enough. Take him to the castle, I suppose. We can put him in the spare room near me so I can help keep an eye on him. Have one of the guards escort him when I'm working for now, until we're sure he's safe." Garth still wore his leather blacksmith apron and doubtless his apprentice was working on whatever work he had left to come with her.<br/><br/>"I suppose that's all we can do for now. If he becomes a problem we can lock him in the room, I suppose."<br/><br/>At that moment, the wild man decided to speak, directly to her. She frowned, not understanding, though comforted by the smile on his face. "I'm sorry, but I don't understand you," she replied. She gestured to herself as she continued, "I am Lady Bennett, Duchess of Juneora. If you come peacefully as you seem, you are welcome to be a guest in my home."<br/><br/>Maria faltered, uncertain what to say to a man who likely couldn't understand her any better than she could understand him. Nonetheless, she had to try. "Do you have a name?"