Rodric guided his wife to one of the common rooms and gestured for her to sit. For his part, he knelt before his wife and took her hands in his.
"Your husband humbly asks for your forgiveness and your help." he said.
"We have a...number of guests that will be arriving soon and will be staying for some time." Rodric stood up and sat beside Habren.
"Cedwyn and I had been sent by Sir Bar to investigate what originally appeared to be a Saxon raiding party. What we found was actually a group of about 150 Northerners that had been captured and enslaved by the Saxons. They were being take somewhere by ship when a number of them managed to get free and over power the Saxons.
They beached the ships and headed inland looking for refuge. The first plan, which was given to us by Merlin himself, was to allow them to set up camp at the ruins of Broad. But when Cedwyn returned to speak with Sir Bar, he ordered us to take them in and support them until the Earl could decide what would be done with them. He also suggested that the group be split in two to ease the burden on us both." Rodric paused a moment.
"It did not feel right, forcing them to be divided after all they had already been through. I know the burden on our people and lands will be great, and our treasury will be hit hard, but in my heart I know it was the right decision. There are women, children and even babes among them and...all they have is each other.
So, I ask your forgiveness in placing this burden upon you, for I know most of the burden will be yours to carry. And I ask for your help in helping our people understand why this needed to be done and that we need to welcome them."
