Year 487 Summer Campaign

[Arne]

Arne roared with laughter at Valka's comparison, but at Cedwyn's admonishment his laughter trailed off.  He stared at his comrade incredulously, realizing that he wasn't joking.  Were Christians really that stuffy about such a natural thing as sex?  It was one of life's better enjoyments - almost as much as defeating a foe and winning glory -  and it ensured one's lineage!

"Huh!"  Ane exclaimed, as if being granted a revelation.  "Ummm, very well then, friend Cedwyn, this is something that we did not know about.  We would not wish to offend our Christian hosts or comrades."  Arne gave Valka an apologetic shrug, and a look that tried to say these Christians have strange values, but we should respect their wishes.

[Artaigne]

The Irishman looked with some amusement at the Nor'woman's comment...being a social outcast himself, he didn't always stick to the cultural norms of his day personally, but Cedwyn was correct...one certainly had to observe the expected cultural values when dealing with others. 

"I understand that getting used to a new culture can be challenging, and I am sure that no one is seeking to diminish the value of yours.  Sadly, though, most people fear what they don't understand."  Artaigne breaks off here as he rubs his left hand pensively.  "If you every wish a guide in navigating our cultural mores, please avail yourself of my services."  He smiled and bowed to the two foreigners.

[Arne]

Arne reached over and gave Artaigne a comradely buffet on the man's shoulder and exclaimed, "That we shall, good Artaigne!"  He caught Artaigne's preoccupation with his left hand, but refrained from asking about it.  Arne had a feeling that it would be poor manners to bring up something that might be causing the man discomfort.

[Cedwyn]

With the mud washed off, Cedwyn felt better.

"Before we go to the Preator's court, mayhap we should visit the Baths as well so as to present ourselves as 'civilized' people, and not barbarians."

[Arne]

OOC:  Umm, do we have any cash for these baths?

[GM Craig]

[OOC: You're talking small change to use them. It will not be an issue.]

[Arne]

Arne chuckled.  "That should draw a crowd.  Yes, I would like to try these Roman baths for myself."  He looked over at Valka and grinned.  "What say you, Valka?  When in Rome, do as the Romans do?"

[Cedwyn]

"And if mocked, we can always say we did not wish to track mud and muck into such a beautiful place. We look polite and compliment the Romans at the same time," Cedwyn noted, a sly loo on his young face.

[Valka]

"My apologies, good sirs, the enchanting tale must have gotten the better of me," Valka smiled, feigning innocence. "These baths seem to be quite the talk; we should investigate them then, as Arne says, 'do as the Romans do.'"

[GM Craig]

You make your way into the town. The guards no longer mock you as you pass into the city.

It is a little degrading - having to procure stabling for your own horses, and filing into the baths like commoners. But no one seems to raise a fuss, so you swallow your pride and enter with the masses.

There is an attendant clothes-washing service also provided (again, you have to pay out of your own purse). It is all very pedestrian, but a step up from bathing in the river. Women and men are segregated, so you bit farewell to Valka for a time.

For her part, Valka draws a lot of glances and whispers, but no one comes to speak with her.

Some time later, you emerge. You are reunited with your clothing (and your purses), and retrieve your horses from the stable where they have been brushed clean.

So, despite the lack of hospitality, you emerge from the baths looking cleaner and much more presentable. Thus polished and shiny, you make your way to the castle. The guards are rude when you present your credentials, but they let you in. You end up lingering in the courtyard of the bailey several minutes (another affront) before an imperious figure dressed int he roman style, with a roman hair cut, emerges from the castle.

He speaks in Latin, <Gentlemen. I must inform you that you have wasted a journey. The Preator is in the field fighting Saxon raiders. It is not known when he will return.>

[OOC: If your sheet doesn't specify Latin, you don't speak it.]

[Cedwyn]

Cedwyn remained composed. The haughty Roman legatus spoke in his tongue rather than the common tongue of Britain. Of course, they would, their superior airs would let them do no less. Moreover, they were left cooling their heels for several long minutes, a clear affront to the dignity of their mission as emissaries of Uther Pendragon. All because Heraut believed himself High King...or because his people thought he should be High King?

"Arne," Cedwyn began to ask the Northman, "Could you translate for me please?" He awaited the chieftain's assent to begin.

[Arne]

Arne nodded first to Cedwyn, then he straightened, gave the steward a Roman salute and replied in a crisp voice, <Salve, (OOC:  use Roman title if known) Alexander!  All honor to you.  I have been asked by King Uther Pendragon's emissary Sir Cedwyn of Winterbourne Stoke to translate for him and his fellow emissary, Sir Rodric of Falt.  I will now inform them of this.>  To Valka, he gave her an apologetic smile and hastily added, "I wasn't leaving you out, Valka,  I already know you speak Latin."

To Sir Cedwyn, he said in Cymric, "Sir Cedwyn, I will repeat everything you or Sir Rodric say to him exactly as you have said it . . . just as I will do so for steward (OOC:  again, using Roman title if known) Alexander when he speaks to you."  With that went an unspoken warning that he wouldn't honey-coat anything from either party.  And it was more than likely that this arrogant Roman standing before them spoke fluent Cymric . . . and a few other languages to boot.

Arne took a step back and to the side so he could focus on the translations, and repeated the steward's words in Cymric word for word to his two friends and wife, making sure to emulate the man's tone and mannerisms in the process.

[GM Craig]

Arne's words appear to rattle the steward somewhat. He pauses for a moment to re-evaluate, one eyebrow raised. He clearly was not expecting to hear Latin from what he took to be mercenaries on the employ of Logres.

He clears his throat. <Tell the emissaries that the Preator is not here. I would suggest they return now, and save themselves what will likely be waste of their time.>

[Cedwyn]

Cedwyn began, "Major Domus Alexander. We are here at the request of our Lord and King Uther Pendragon to treat with the Preator. We are duty-bound as Knights of Logres and by sworn oath so to be here. We cannot leave till we have spoken with the Preator."

It was simple, true, and honest. They were duty-bound to speak with Preator and Cedwyn for one, would not leave till he had done so. But...he suspected something else. For no good reason at all, he was beginning to think the Romans wanted them gone. It was no uncustomary for emissaries to have to cool their heels for a time whilst a lord or king returned. So why send them away?

[GM Craig]

The steward is quiet for several moments before he sighs. He drops the pretense, and speaks to you in Cymric. "If you insist upon waiting, I suppose you must enjoy Roman hospitality. You may take rooms within this castle. You have leave to wander the southern city at your leisure, but do not attempt to cross the river into the northern city, nor enter the northern castle. If you can abide by these terms, you may wait for the Preator. I warn you again that we have no word as to when the Preator might return. You may have a long wait ahead of you."