Year 488 - War on the Continent

[Arne]

Arne shrugged and tossed in his own two denari.  "Sir Cedwyn, Sir Geoffrey . . . I think the riders would not leave their lady behind unless she commanded them to.  Not to abandon her, but to bring a Frankish host here to fight us and try to win her back - or at least bargain for her release.  Honor would demand it."

[Cedwyn]

“Unless the guards were commanded to take away something of greater vaue. My guess is an heir. There were agreat deal of goods and treasure in the manor.”

[Arne]

Arne thought about that, and nodded.  "I think you have the right of it, Sir Cedwyn." 

He looked over to his wife.  "Valka, you and Sir Artaigne went after the fleeing knights.  Were they protecting one of their number?  Maybe someone smaller or younger than the rest of them?"

[Geoffrey]

Geoffrey's sigh was audible when Cedwyn mentioned that one of the fleeing riders may have been an heir.

How long had it been now, the knight wondered.  The trail would be pretty cold but if they were more concerned about speed than leaving a trail there was a slight chance...

"Sir Cedwyn," he began, trying to speak quietly enough not to interrupt Arne's question to Valka.

"Permission to take some men and see if I can pick up their trail?"

[OOC: What time of day is it and how long has it been since the riders fled?]

[GM Craig]

[OOC: Early afternoon-ish. It's been about an hour by this point since the trail of the riders was lost.]

[Cedwyn]

Cedwyn shook his head, “Unless there is a compelling reason so to do, permission denied. Our mission is to search for supplies and support for the Earl and the army. We cannot chase down this rider even as much as I would the randosom an heir would give us.”

[Valka]

Arne thought about that, and nodded.  "I think you have the right of it, Sir Cedwyn." 

He looked over to his wife.  "Valka, you and Sir Artaigne went after the fleeing knights.  Were they protecting one of their number?  Maybe someone smaller or younger than the rest of them?"

"Yes.. and yes," Valka reluctantly replied. Her expression was sour, and by her soaked appearance it was clear she bent over backwards to try and capture the runners.

[Geoffrey]

"Very well." Geoffrey replied to Cedwyn.

"Shall I prepare the men to move on or do you wish to set prepare camp and move out on the morrow?"

[Cedwyn]

[What time is it Craig? Cedwyn would prefer to move on from the manor hereor at least find a place with really good defensive positions]

[GM Craig]

[OOC: It is about 5 or so. The main column is probably camping shortly. With no baggage train, you'll have made much better time that them, so if you left now, you'd be arriving about the time the camp setup was complete. You could certainly stay in the field as well - Earl Rodrick was not specific as to when or if you should return to camp, but such an assignment typically lasts for the duration of the march. Custom-wise, it is up to you how to proceed. Some knights would link back up with the column and join them at camp, departing early the next morning. Some knights would stay in the field.]

[Arne]

Arne nodded wordlessly as both an acknowledgement and acceptance to Valka's curt reply.  From her appearance it was likely her damn stupid horse had thrown her into the river . . . if it hadn't, she'd either still be chasing after the heir, or else bringing him back at spear-point.

Still, the fact that he got away is gnawing at her, he thought grimly, and she's in no mood to be reminded of that right now.  There were dead men that could speak of the look on her face right now . . .

[Cedwyn]

Cedwyn noted, "Let us find a worthy spot with good sight lines and defensible...preferably close to another defensible spot. I should like to construct one camp and keep fires lit there. Thence we should move to our real encampment and have no fire."

[GM Craig]

A packet of soldiers with some Northmen escorts take away your plunder and prisoners, to link up with the main column.

Sir Cedwyn and company move a little farther along, eventually picking a spot on a hilltop with good sight lines. Sentries and scouts are assigned, and work begins to set up a camp for the night. It is sunset before tents are all erected, and the knights and leaders are able to unwind after many hours in the saddle, and the fighting and frustrations of the day.

Despite frustration, lost opportunities, and some hassle, it has been a productive day. Plunder and ransoms have been taken, and glory from capturing a manor. Yes, opportunities were missed, but in the long run, Sir Cedwyn and the knights and mercenaries in his company have done well so far.

[Pausing here for any RP.]

The camp is a busy place, so there's a lot of movement at all hours, with sentries and scouts coming and going. Sleep is likely restless due to the noise, and being in hostile territory. The camp is, as normal, divided into sections around the knights and their troops, and any movement between sections is challenged. Those in Sir Cedwyn's service would be attending him. Valka and Arne would be in the Northmen section, seeing to the disposition and discipline of their troops. Sir Geoffrey would be in his section of the camp, seeing to his own troops, but you may come together as you wish. The knights and leaders would be well-recognized, and pass between areas with little trouble if you wanted to see one another.]

[Artaigne]

The Irish knight made his camp preparations as quickly as he could before going to see Sir Cedwyn.

[Cedwyn]

Cedwyn sat in a camp chair, nothing luxurious like the Earl might have but solid oak and good leather for easy transport and reassumbly. A hearth burned merrily providing warm against the evening as well as to heat the iron poker that Haydn, his squire held for make mulled wine.

A guard announced Artaigne as Cedwyn sat, awaiting his wine.

"Sir Artaigne, please...join me. Haydn is making the mulled wine."