People following king and saint (5)

I believe the answer is:

folks

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'people' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both related to communication as well as being plural nouns.
Perhaps they are linked in a way I don't understand?

'following king and saint' is the wordplay.
'following' becomes 'fol' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should believe this answer much more).
'king' becomes 'K' (chess abbreviation).
'and' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'saint' becomes 's'.
'fol'+'k'+'s'='FOLKS'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Another definition for folks that I've seen is " People in general".)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.

Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app