You have been a squire for six years in the Count's service. Sir Amig, your tutor, tells you the time is almost ripe for you to be knighted. It stung your pride a little when you were serving Count Salisbury while Cedwyn, Ifan and Wiggan "got their spurs," but given the unusual oaths they were made to swear, owing fealty to the Pendragon over Count Salisbury, perhaps it was for the nest you were not knighted with them. A man cannot serve two masters, or so ancient Pagan wisdom goes.
As the evening wore on, Count Roderick released you to find some food for yourself. Having worked so closely with him over the last 6 years, you could tell he was disturbed by this turn of events, and some of his officers spoke of Uther's brashness. More than one lamented that Merlin was not here to moderate the King's behaviour. It seems Merlin helped King Uther out at a battle last summer, but the cost of his pagan magic causes him to sleep for months at a time when he uses it.
But that is not all the bad news. Several vassals of King Uther have not responded to the muster. Conrwall, in the west, being the most prominent. No one discusses it openly, but you know they are troubled. If Cornwall can openly defy the king, it could lead to trouble. Then there is the absence of Caercolun. You heard the prince reporting to Count Roderick that an army of Saxons landed there and were pillaging the county. Spies also report that a thousand Saxons have reinforced the Saxons in the southeast. The whole situation has made the King's advisers tense. With the army marching in the morning to face king ?lle in the southeast, news of reinforcements combined with several prominent vassals failing to respond to the muster, made the planning meetings Roderick attended tense.
That is all above your station, of course, but your family has always had a knack for intrigue, a talent Count Roderick has made good use of the past six years.
You grab a plate of food in the kitchen, and a mug of beer before heading to the barracks to turn in. It is perhaps an hour later when are still surprised to see a servant appeared in the barracks door. Most of the castle had gone to their rooms.
"Squire Gwyn?" When you respond, he walks over to you. "Count Roderick bade me tell you that he requires you to attend him in his chambers. He also said you were to done your armour and bring your sword." The servant gives you a short bow and departs.
Now this was odd - you ordinarily only wore a sword in the field, not around the castle. Only knights were permitted.
Three other squires who share the room with you give you looks that run the gamut from concern to jealousy. It is not unusual for Count Roderick to summon you to his quarters at odd hours, given your penchant for hearing things. But never before has he bade you to come armed and armoured.
