Envoy of the Earl

[GM Craig]

Northman Refugee Camp
Falt
Salisbury

Not long after the Earl returns to the county seat, a visitor arrives at Falt, but he does not proceed to the manor. Instead he heads to the refugee camp, and is brought before the trinity council.

He gives a low bow. Arne recognizes Sir Bar.

"I bring greetings from Sir Roderick, Earl of Salisbury. He bids you welcome to the county, and is pleased that arrangements could be made for your people. He also has an offer. He finds himself in need of skilled warriors, and word of your prowess in battle as reached him. He is prepared to offer the sum of ?1 for every able-bodied warrior you send to Sarum in the spring and takes an oath of service. Furthermore, as an act of good will, a shipment of supplies, tents and clothing is being prepared, to better enable you to put more warriors on the field. I have been asked to convey your response back to the Earl. If you need time to discuss it, I will take lodging at Falt with Sir Rodric."

[Arne]

OOC:  Arne would have made certain that food and drink were brought to Sir Bar when he rode up, as well as someone to feed, water, stable and curry his horse while he's here.  Assuming no one else beat Arne to it.   


Arne smiled broadly, and returned Sir Bar's bow.  "It is good to see you again, Sir Bar, and we are most grateful for the Earl's great generosity!"  Arne rubbed at his jaw, still smiling, but the hard glint in his eyes reflected his eagerness to take the fight to the Saxon swine.  "Yes, I think it only fitting and honorable to show our gratitude for all that Sir Roderick has done for us, and more than fitting to repay the Saxon pigs for the 'hospitality' they showed our people."  He turned slightly to take in Valka and Holmg?r?r.  "What say you, Valka?  Holmg?r?r?"

[Valka]

Valka was a bit reserved, knowing that she hadn't met Sir Bar initially specifically due to the fact that she was a woman. And now that she had a potbelly it would be even more apparent. But what was done was done, Arne requested a reply to the surprise guest and it needed be answered.

"Generous indeed. I believe the Earl will find himself many hardy and very eager warriors taking an oath this spring." She gave the Knight a polite nod and smile.

[GM Craig]

Sir Bras nods. "He will take all you can offer. The Earl is not prepared to outfit them with war gear, but given your situation, the Earl is willing to advance some of that pay to the warriors who require equipment. Such an advance would be held back from the final pay, of course."

[Arne]

OOC:  Waiting to see if Holmg?r?r has anything to say.

[GM Craig]

[Nope. ]

[Arne]

Arne nodded in agreement.  "Of course, Sir Bar.  Let me see now . . . "  Arne thought for awhile on the warriors they had with their people, and took a quick tally on the equipment they had taken from the Saxons.  "Yes . . . yes, I believe we can bring forty-five to Sarum in the spring, with Valka and I in that number."  Arne hesitated, then grinned.  "If Valka wishes to accompany us, that is.  I am very happy to say that she is with child, and is expecting in the springtime!  As for equipment . . . hmm, we took enough weapons and armor from the Saxons to provide for . . . twenty warriors?  Yes, twenty.  Valka and I have our own, so we would need to equip the others."

Arne thought for a moment, then smiled.  "Sir Bar, would you have time to honor us by being our guest for at least a few hours?  In that time, Valka, Holmg?r?r and I could easily find out what kind of equipment our warriors would need.  If we could ask for your counsel, I think that we could also find out how much it would all cost, and the best place to buy it all."

[GM Craig]

He nods. "The Earl commanded me not to return without an answer. I shall wait."

[Arne]

"Good!  I'll see to it that a hearty meal is brought to you, and perhaps some mulled mead to cut the chill from the bones.  If you'll excuse me, Sir Bar, I'll need to speak to our veterans for awhile.  Please, enjoy our hospitality in the meantime."

Arne spent the next hour and a half speaking with the veteran warriors in the camp, and together they composed a list of equipment needed for the spring campaign.  He had also left instructions for the warriors to start training the other levies in the use of the spear, axe and shield.  The excitement was plain to see in the warriors; they, too, welcomed the opportunity to kill more Saxons and take plunder.

Returning to their lodge (ie. guessing it's a lodge?), Arne sat before Sir Bar and placed the list between them.  "This is the equipment we think that our men will need, Sir Bar.  Our veterans and our two svends - squires - should be mounted, so we'd need eight horses.  What is it you call them?  Rouncies?  Yes, rouncies would be good, with tack and harness.  Ordinary tack and harness would be more than good enough.  That leaves us with a need to equip twenty-four more men.  For each of these men we were thinking hardened leather and plain shields for armor, and a spear, axe and dagger for weapons."


OOC:  This would be the list that I posted earlier in the Winter phase OOC.

[GM Craig]

He nods. "Very well. I'll see this is delivered. You are to appear, ready for war, four weeks after the feast of Pentacost."

[Arne]

Arne gave the knight a bow.  "We shall be there, Sir Bar."