Year 487 Summer Campaign

[Cedwyn]

"Major Domus, we thank you for your hospitality," Cedwyn replied while thinking your hospitality has been lacking so far. Which was still and now that he'd dropped the pretense Cedwyn suspected even more something was afoot. What though?

"If I may ask, how long has the Preator been in the field?"

[GM Craig]

He waves his hand dismissively. "Some weeks. We expect him to be some many more."

[Cedwyn]

Cedwyn gave a small bow to the Majordomo, signifying his respect for the position but not fealty.

"We thank you for your hospitality, Major Domus," what little you've show so far was the added thought unsaid, "Do we also have leave to ride close to the city as well? Peredur is a fine horse and I would prefer him to have exercise."

[GM Craig]

He nods. "As you wish, but do not try to enter the northern gate. It will be barred to you."

[Cedwyn]

"Of course," Cedwyn replied, "If it does not offend, may I ask the reason why we are barred from the north?"

[GM Craig]

He raises an eye at the impertinence. His tone is icy when he speaks. "Because the Preator commands it."

[Cedwyn]

Cedwyn cocked an eyebrow at the Major Domus.

"That is a more than sufficient reason, Major Domus. Though it was not asked to offend but rather to inform. I apologize for my any perception of impertinence."

[GM Craig]

He waves a hand dismissively. Not that it wasn't important - more that he did not care to hear your apology.

"Your credentials mentioned two knights and two mercenaries. I will honour your credentials on behalf of the Preator. But your credentials spoke nothing about an Irish sell-sword. The courtesy of the Preator's house is not extended to this landless, lord-less, fortune-seeking Hibernian ransom-hunter. For all we know he may be a spy, with no lord to speak to his honour."

[Arne]

Arne smiled faintly at the steward's comment, although he itched to ram the arrogant popinjay's head into the nearest chamber-pot.  No, Arne was smiling not because of the man's excessive rudeness, but because he might have discovered a way to include Artaigne into the Praetor's hospitality after all.

Coughing lightly, Arne turned to Cedwyn and murmured, "Sir Cedwyn, if I may be so bold . . . it's unseemly that two knights such as yourself and Sir Rodric - two knights that stand in good favor with Lord Roderick and King Uther Pendragon, I might add - should be travelling without at least one capable aide-de-camp as part of your staff.  Perhaps if you wished to take one on . . .?"  Arne let his voice trail off as he pointedly looked at Artaigne with an expression of pure innocence.

[Cedwyn]

Cedwyn pondered this. Artaigne had said he was here to do as God willed. So if a relic was handy, an oath to serve faithfully would do. But his swornnword only would not be enough, as the majordomo had said...landless and lordless. His own word would be hard to take without redress to a leigelord.

"Perhaps...Major Domus Alexander. Could we impose by asking for a relic upon which Artaigne of Ireland might swear an oath before God, the Christ, and all his Saints?"

[GM Craig]

The steward looks horrified.

"Most certainly not! You presume too much, sir!"

[Cedwyn]

[ooc: he's shocked like an uptight Victorian moralist...I want to tell this guy to chillax and have a glass of wine]

Cedwyn nodded. As he feared; it had been an outrageous request. But again, these Romans were extra touchy even as he only requested permission to impose. That might be useful.

"Artaigne of Ireland, who is your liege and holds your Fee as a Knight?"

[ooc: do I gain any insights off the majordomo and all the interactions I have with the Romans?]

[Artaigne]

Looking to skirt the issue of Cedwyn's question without seeming to, Artaigne produces the torch he carries and presents it, "Good sir, I so happen to have this relic presented to me by the monastery in which I was a novice in my native lands.  It is the torch of Saint Brigit.  Would it serve for my oath?"  The Irishman lit and extinguished the torch to prove its authenticity.

[GM Craig]

[OOC: For the others, the torch leaps into full flame without any apparent action on the part of the Irish knight. A moment later, it snuffs out without any action.]

[Arne]

Arne reared back in surprise when the torch suddenly burst into flame, and caught himself before he could clap his hand to the hilt of his sword.  He stared at it in wonderment, and almost told them about his Freya- blessed weapon, but caught himself.  These are Christians, Arne.  If you told them about your great axe, they'd think it was bathed in black magic.  Instead, he waited quietly to hear what the others had to say.