Pendragon
Personal Boards => Cedwyn => Topic started by: GM Craig on June 16, 2014, 06:43:15 PM
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You had been waiting for the muster for a week, but the blaster messenger never came. Finally, the Count's man shows up looking like he slept in a ditch and complaining of a lame horse. You are expected in Sarum with your muster in two days time. Normally, it takes a week to put that together and make the day's journey there. You scramble to put the levy together and get under way.
Way behind schedule, you worry that the heavier-than-usual spring rains would have flooded the ford at Stapleford, so you take a gamble and head north to Chitterne, planning to take the road from there to Shrewton and then south to the bridge at Amesbury Abbey. Then it's a straight shot south to Sarum. If God is with you, you might shave off much time by taking the road.
You are somewhat gratified to see Chitterne looking like a kicked anthill as they struggle to get ready when you march past.
God is with you, and you arrive at Sarum a mere day late.
Sarum, called Caer Caradduc.by the old Cymric knights, is a welcome sight. The massive outer wall of the city cannot hide the grandeur of the castle. You see the muster well under way already. Breaking off from your men, you ride up to the pavilion where the Count's flag can clearly be seen. You dismount as a waiting groom takes your mount, and head towards the tent. There you see Sir Hywel, banneret of West Lavington speaking to Sir Elad, the Count's Marshall.
You know both men from your service as the Count's squire. Both were frequent guests of the count and spent much time at court. Sir Elad is the Count's right-hand man, and is also castellan of fortress at Vagon. You know Elad to be a hard, military-minded, and unforgiving knight. Sir Hywel is a widower with an eligible daughter. Hywel has refused to remarry, which means his daughter will bring a great deal of wealth to any marriage. You recall him as a kind, generous man who loves his family and remains devoted to his deceased wife.
Sir Elad looks up as you approach, and Hywel turns to see you. Eld gets a most sour expression. "Winterbourne Stoke? You're a day late, squire! And how many men did you bring with you?" His tone clearly indicates he expects to be disappointed. Sir Hywel merely smiles his familiar smile.
[Actions?]
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[ooc: making some assumptions that I'd call in 3 of my relations plus my muster]
"God is with me, Sir Elad. I've brought my whole muster, 40 good strong men, along with my uncle and two other knights," Cedwynn replied reapectfully.
Turning to Sir Hywel, he returned the smile and added, "Well met Sir Hywel. I trust you and yours are well?"
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Sir Hywel is about to answer, a smile on his face, when Sir Elad cuts him off. "Under strength, as usual." He turns his head and barks, "Aldwyn!" A soldier comes up, a commoner sergeant by the look of him. Sir Elad turns back to you. "The sergeant here will take charge of your men. The Count has been waiting for you, and your services have been missed. Get you the castle - the grooms there will look after your mounts and baggage. Report to Sir Amig. Don't dally now, Squire!"
Sir Elad turns away, clearly dismissing you.
Sir Hywel claps you on your shoulder and waves a hand towards the entrance of the pavilion. He speaks to you as he walks.
"Don't mind Sir Elad, m'boy. King Uther has called the muster of his entire army here at Sarum, so Elad has his hands full trying to find space for everything. The Pendragon arrived three days ago, and is in a hurry to take a swing at King ?lle; but there's several of his vassals have not answered the call to muster yet, including the Duke Gorlois of Cornwall. It's got everyone on edge, but the King says we march without them."
You've arrived at your horses. "It seems to me that Count Roderick has much greater need of knights than squires in this fight. I hope you brought good clothes with you." He smiles warmly, then whistles as he catches sight of the destrier. "God in heaven! I heard that horse was magnificent, but I had no idea! I don't think there's a bigger or stronger horse in all of Britain! And not a mark on him! Your father knew horseflesh, m'boy, that's for certain. Why even your charger is the equal of the Count's finest mount, let alone that beast!"
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"Won in battle Sir Hywel. With God's Hand upon my father's sword. Peredur was just to fine an animal for my father to even think about ransoming back, even if we'd consider it when it comes to the bloody Saxons," Cedwynn beamed at his father's accomplishment, "I miss him greatly. He was a good man and a good father. I hope to be half the Knight he was someday."
It was then Hywel's comment registered. Cedwynn did his best to maintain composure.
"With God's grace, we'll smite the Saxons back into the hellhole they crawled out of."
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He nods. "Aye, God willing. You best get to the castle. Sir Amig will be glad to see you. I'll see you at the banquet tonight."
Sir Amig is well known to you - an old night, and banneret with vassals knights of his own. He oversaw the training of all Count Roderick's squires these last seven years. He is a hard man, but just and fair and very experienced. He was a good teacher, and a good knight.
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"Aye, Sir. I shall be on my way; I believe I have brought appropriate garments as well."
"By your leave?" He aske of Sir Hywel before going off to find Sir Amig.
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Hywell nods and heads back to the pavilion.
You ride through the Fool's gate, and enter the Eagle Market of the merchant's quarter. You are struck once again by the sheer size of castle Salisbury. The castle itself is big enough with the four spokes to split the town into quarters. The fortress on it's artificial hill dominates the town. You make your way up to the bridge and up the hill to the gate tower. Guards there recognize you, and one of them hails you.
"M'lord, Sir Amig said to keep an eye out for you. He'd be in the drill yard once you stored you're mounts!" The guards let you through without much concern.
Inside, the castle looks like a kicked anthill, and you see quickly why. The Pendragon banner hands next to the count's own. The king himself is within the castle.
You hand off your mounts and baggage to grooms, and head to the practice yard. You hear Sir Amig before you see him, drilling squires like he had done a thousand times with you. You coem up behind him without him seeing you, and you are struck by how grey his hair has gotten. The winter does not appear to have been kind to him, and he looks older than you remember.
[Actions?]
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Cedwynn waited somewhat patiently. It was very different to be on the other side, as lord of his own own manor, watching Sir Amig drill the squires, some of whom had been his comrades not but a season prior.
Cedwynn gave into habit and awaited Sir Amig's pleasure a bit before attampting to grab his attention, recalling that he was no longer Amig's squire, though (yet) his social equal.
"Well met, Sir Amig" he called after a few moments of watching and waiting.
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Sir Amig glances over his shoulder, then looks back at the squires. A moment later he says, "Yer late." In a louder voice, he calls out, "That's enough. Go get changed, you'll be serving at the banquet tonight." The squires give some good natured grumbling and head towards the castle.
Sir Amig turns then to you and offers a hand. "Welcome back, but don't be too familiar yet. You're still a squire, though that will change before sunrise or I'm no judge of men. Walk with me."
You move together through the castle grounds towards the great hall.
"You're to be knighted this evening, by the kings own hand. There's won't be all the ceremony it deserves though - Uther has grown tired of waiting for vassals that are not coming, and means to march at dawn. So, it'll be a quick ceremony, and a banquet. Not what you deserve, but the needs of the crown dictate haste. I have no doubt Salisbury will gift you something to make up for the slight. There's a few of you to be knighted today. On the morrow, you will ride as knights under my command, so exercise moderation at the banquet tonight."
He stops here. "I knew your grandfather and father both. They both would be proud of the man you have become."
He starts walking again before you can respond. "There's time enough for a few hours vigil in the chapel if you wish. Or, you can report to the Count's chamberlain and put yourself to service, after you change out of your travel clothes. Either way, you must be in front of the great hall in your best by the time the sun touches the western tower."
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The King's own hand! That was indeed an honor and Cedwynn said so.
He then added, "Sir...I would not say this to Sir Elad, for he is not one to tolerate excuses, but..." Cedwynn hesistated, "Could the problem be the messengers? I'm only here because I expected the muster for a week before the messenger arrived. He appeared to have been in the drink, looking like he slept in a ditch and blaming his horse."
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Sir Amig looks down his nose at you for a moment. "So that lout Mefin laid his duties aside again hmm? That would explain why Chitterne hasn't arrived yet. I'll deal with the boy. But to your question, no. The Count's younger squires were used as messengers in Salisbury, but the king uses knights for his messengers. The Duke of Cornwall not answering the muster was wilful, and the Duke of Caercolun is not here either, though no one seems too upset by that. He had the king's leave I'll wager. I'll not gossip about my betters - and neither should you - but we'll miss their knights and foot against ?lle before this is over."
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"Yes, Sir. Please forgive my impertinence. I shall be seeking out the Count's chamberlain. With battle on the horizon, there is a lot to be prepared for. As much as I wish to give time for reflection with God, the needs of tomorrow lay heavy."
"By your leave, Sir," and with that Cedwynn left to wash his travels from his face, change clothes, and seek the chamberlain."
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Sir Amig waves his acceptance and you head towards the great hall, bag in hand. You are recognized by the guards as one of the Count's squires, and are let in. There is a lot of activity about the entrance, and you conclude a great number of guests are coming.
Inside, once your eyes adjust to the gloom, you see Countess Ellen there with her daughter, Lady Jenna, looking a little frazzled as she greets a seemingly endless line of guests. When spots you, and quickly calls you over.
"Cedwyn, bless you! I need your help, young man. The Pendragon decided to stay here, and there's no end of guests to greet and make welcome. Please, I need someone to find them rooms in the north wing. Please help me?"
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Cedwyn made a deep bow to her ladyship, "Of course, my lady. I would be honored to assist you. If it please my lady, does the steward have a list of the personages still needing rooms?"
[ooc: doing my to convey manners befitting a squire technically still in service to the Count as part of the household]
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[OOC: Give me a courtesy roll.]
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[14...dang it]
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You spend the next hour escorting various personages to quarters in the North Wing. With the Pendragon here, much of the court has come with him. There are more nobles in one place than you have ever seen, and remembering the correct forms of address and social niceties becomes difficult. You receive more than a few frowns from people as you show them to rooms.
Then, the Chamberlain, Sir Gammon, finds you near the front door. He does not look happy. "Squire Cedwyn! Where in blazes have you been? Lord Salisbury has need of your services! And look at you! Still wearing the dust from the road! Disgraceful! Get cleaned up at once, and report to the Count's chambers!"
Sir Gammon is a household knight, with no holding of his own. He is responsible for the Count's chambers, treasury and bodyguard. You always felt he was keenly aware he had no holding of his own. An old knight with his best years behind him, rumour has it the Count gave him a position to fund a pleasant retirement. Sir Gammon seized on the task like a dog on a bone, and takes it very seriously. Too seriously, some would say.
This is an awkward situation - technically as a land holder, you outrank Sir Gammon. But, he is a knight and you are a squire, which gives him precedence. Still, he has the ear of the Count, so best to tread lightly.
Countess Ellen excuses herself from a conversation and steps over.
"Sir Gammon, this squire was delayed at my insistence, for I needed help to find rooms for all of King Uther's retinue."
Sir Gammon grunts, clearly unimpressed, though his displeasure is clearly directed at you. Turning to the Countess, he says with perfect courtesy, "Of course, m'lady. I see now what kept him."
Satisfied, Ellen returns to greeting guests. When she is out of earshot, Sir Gammon says quietly, "Your duty is to the Count, Cedwyn. If her ladyship needs you, let her ask her husband. You should have told her you had other obligations. Now, go get cleaned up and report to the Count's chambers."
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"Yes, Sir," Cedwyn replied with embarrassment at his breach of courtesy and duty, "I will attend to appearance at once and report forthwith to his lordship."
With that, Cedwyn quickly went to find his chamber and clean up to attend the Count.
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After a change of clothes, you get to the Count's chambers. The room is busy, and the count is changing for dinner. It's a long process, and your help is needed to get him into his finery.
You recognize the other two in the room with you. Wiggan of Grately and Ifan of Knook. Both became squires of the Count the same year you did, and the three of you have worked closely together. Wiggan will make a good knight, but you always found Ifan to be a little underhanded and boastful.
When the Count is dressed, he lines the three of you up in front of him.
"My squires. Today is the last day you will serve me in that capacity. Tonight you will knighted. King Uther demands we march at dawn, and so I cannot give this solemn occasion the celebration it deserves. This will be a short ceremony, but you have served me faithfully these last years and so I do not want you to feel slighted. At my request, you will be knighted by King Uther himself. In addition, I will equip and mount a squire for each of you, and pay for their support for one year. Sir Amig has already selected a squire for each of you, and they will enter your service immediately after you are knighted. If you prefer to take your own squires, I will still equip them, but their support will be your responsibility."
He smiles warmly at the three of you. "Go now nod make ready, for the festivities will begin shortly. Carry swords to my chamberlain, but do not wear them. They will be given to you once the knighting is complete."
When you turn to go, Count Roderick takes your arm. "A moment, Cedwyn. You have assumed your father's grant, but the circumstances last fall carried you away in haste. In the hall, before we begin the knighting, I will take your oath of vassalage. Be prepared." With a wave of his hand, he indicates you may go and prepare.
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Cedwyn nodded, "Of course, my lord. By your leave," and then he departed. He went to obtain his sword and prepare himself fully. He carried his sword to the Count's Chamberlain and offered it up to him, "His Lordship bade me bring this to you for the ceremony this eve."
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You go to the barracks and get changed. The others are there before you. Wiggan seems excited, but Ifan looks disinterested. A quick change and you grab you sword. A few minutes later, you are before the great hall. Sir Gammon is there, and he takes your swords and offers a few last minute words of advice as the guests file in.
Finally, the Pendragon himself, in the company of Count Roderick, comes to the door. They enter without so much as a glance at you. Moments later, the room beyond grows silent, and the doors are closed.
You hear only murmurs for a few minutes before the doors are thrown open, and the three of you are called to the front.
You have never seen Roderick's hall so full. There is barely room to move, but there has been an aisle left open up the middle of the room. The three of you make your way single file up to the dais where Salisbury and the Pendragon are standing. The Pendragon stands a little ahead of Roderick, a drawn sword in his hand, held point down.
The three of you step forward and stop where Sir Gammon indicated, and kneel.
"Wiggan of Grately, thep forward."
Wiggan is knighted according to the ancient custom.
"Ifan of Knook, step forward."
Ifan glances at you, a look of disappointment on his face that he had not been called last. He steps forward, and kneels before the King. He is knighted, and withdraws.
"Kneel before me, Cedwyn apTalfryn of Winterbourne Stoke."
You step forward and kneel before the King.
"Do you acknowledge me as your true and rightful liege?"
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[ooc: wait...who's asking that? Uther? Or the Count? Was it the same question asked of the others? I'm less than clear. Do I need a Courtesy roll here?]
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[OOC: Yes, same questions as the others. Uther is asking. It's not what was rehearsed - you were expecting to make oaths to Roderick and Uther would do the actual knighting.]
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[OOC: Corey rolled a Courtesy check to get a read on what's going on.]
Cedwyn glances at the Count, and sees the strained face. Roderick is not happy with this turn of events, but it doesn't seem to be anything sinister. The silence is growing as Uther waits for a response.
Technically, this will mean you answer to Uther as a knight. But Roderick is your liege lord, and so you are beholden to him. Custom dictates that a man cannot have two masters (there's even a verse in the bible about it), so this could be a tricky situation moving forward. You may in the future be caught between Uther and Roderick, and be forced to make a choice. You're not sure what Uther is playing at, but it is highly unconventional.
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Cedwyn struggled to keep shock from his face and body as Iffan and Wiggan were asked to recognize Uther as their liege. This was not what they'd rehearsed. What was the King playing at here? Some larger game was likely to be afoot and now Cedwyn knew he was a pawn in it.
This realization came in a rush. He had to say to the words; you could not deny the king. But he wanted to make sure the Count would be taken care of as well; for he'd been in service so long and felt a great deal of loyalty to him. Cedwyn's mind raced to find a solution; words to give the King what he wanted without taking away his loyalty to the Count. How could he serve two masters: one for his land; one for his knighthood.
The silence dragged on for a heartbeat, short but uncomfortable.
"I do, your Majesty."
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You see a small smile crease the corners fo Uther's lips.
Following the ritual, he continues.
"Do you pledge fealty to me, and swear your sword to me, to be forever at my service?"
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"I pledge my fealty to you and swear my sword to you, to be forever in your service." Cedwyn repeated. How much of Cedwun's mind did Uther think he knew Cedwyn mused. Rather than risk angering the king, Cedwyn hadn't added on "as a Knight" to his response. But that was the long and short of it.
This would eventually be a trap for Cedwyn and his heirs as he doubted Uther would let this stop. He also bet that Uther planned to do this as often as possible.
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Uther nods.
Continuing the rite he says, "Repeat after me: 'I, Cedwyn apTalfryn, do solemnly swear and pledge my sword to King Uther, my liege, to defend and obey him until he depart his demesnes or death shall take me, and to uphold the honour of knighthood.'"
As King Uther speaks, Sir Gammon steps over. You can see he holds your sword, shield and a set of spurs.
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"I, Cedwyn apTalfryn, do solemnly swear and pledge my sword to King Uther, my liege, to defend and obey him until he depart his demesnes or death shall take me, and to uphold the honour of knighthood."
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Uther sheathes his sword. Turning to Sir Gammon, he draws yours. Tapping you lightly on each shoulder, he says, "Then I dub thee Sir Cedwyn apTalfryn, and return this, my sword, to you to be wielded in my name. Arise, Sir Knight."
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Cedwyn stood, despite the discomfort of owing fealty to two masters, aglow at the thought that he was now a knight. He accepted his sword from King Uther and sheathed it as Iffan and Wiggan had done before him and then withdraws.
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When you go to depart, King Uther waves for you to stay.
"Sir Iffan, Sir Wiggan, come stand before your King."
Hesitantly at first, they come to stand beside you.
"Knights, remember always that you are knights of the King. Royal Knights you shall be, and wear that title proud, and always remember who your liege is and know that always you act in my name."
He pauses for that to sink in.
"Now, as your liege lord I give you a command. I assign your service to Count Roderick until such time as I order you elsewhere. Follow his directions as you would my own, give him your loyalty and service as you would me. But remember always who your liege is."
At a signal from the King, Count Roderick steps forward. You can see he is clearly displeased with this turn of events, though he hides it well.
He takes a breath and says, "I accept your service on behalf of King Uther."
He then looks at you for a moment, and appears to change his mind about something. Painting a smile on his face, he turn to Uther. "My King, by your leave, I can hear the grumbling stomachs of some the company from here. I pay thee, shall we begin the feast?"
Uther laughs. "By all means, Count Roderick, let us feast and celebrate these new knights!"
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[OOC: Cedwyn is awarded 1000 Glory for his knighting, and 100 extra glory for being knighted by King Uther.]