Year 488 - War on the Continent

[GM Craig]

Negative, they were too far away.

[Valka]

"What are the odds that all of the soldiers of the countryside are gathering en masse instead of each protecting their homes?"

[Arne]

Arne listened with great interest as the manor's lady let loose with an invective that would likely make a Cymric lady swoon or gasp, and couldn't help but grin.  She has spirit, if not wisdom.  He looked at Sir Cedwyn, and reddened slightly as his smile faded; the knight's sensibilities would likely be offended were Arne to translate word for word.  "She doesn't seem to believe me. Sir Cedwyn.  She has . . . made suggestions about the romantic exploits of both of our ancestors.  Some of them are about goats, pigs and . . . trees.  Knotholes in trees."

[Cedwyn]

Cedwyn sighed.

"We need the supplies...and it looks like we're getting hostages. No one is to harm any inside. I want them alive," he called out, "We can take them fairly easily," he said to Arne, "Just watch yourself please."

[Arne]

Arne chuckled.  "Now where would the fun be in that, Sir Cedwyn?"  He eyed the door, and dropped his hand to the haft of his great axe.  He thought of adding his own axe-arm to the labor of the men already hewing away at the door, but stopped.  Taking in their immediate surroundings, he started looking for anything that could serve as a battering ram.

(OOC:  A)  Is there any extra room for Arne at the door with his great axe?  B)  Is there anything around the area that could serve as a battering ram?  Like, say, a 5'+section of log?)

[GM Craig]

A battle axe is designed for chopping people, not iron-reinforced oak. But you can give it a try.

There's some trees not too far away, but hewing one down enough will probably take as long as the axes.

Your men are making good progress.

It takes about another quarter of an hour before the door starts to give way. With a mighty shove, the door collapses and the inner bar comes away. A few crossbow bolts are fired from within, but with poor accuracy, and none of your men are injured.

As per Sir Cedwyn's orders, they stand aside and do not enter.

[Actions?

[Arne]

Arne raised his shield and stalked toward the demolished door, scowling as he went.  Banging his sword hilt against his shield thrice to gain the attention to all within, he bellowed in Frankish, "<I will say this AGAIN to all those who skulk inside this household!  Surrender NOW, and upon Sir Cedwyn's orders, all within WILL be spared!  The lady of the manor's virtue will NOT be sullied!  Do not be foolish - look around you!  You are outnumbered, and you are AGAIN being given a generous offer!  Do NOT cast it back in our teeth a second time, for you will not be given a third chance!>" 

(OOC:  Keeping an eye out for crossbowmen.  If Arne sees any about to fire on him from ground level, he'll charge them.)

[GM Craig]

Arne peeks over the rim of his shield and can see nothing moving beyond the door. However, a fierce female voice delivers a stream of expletives and profoundly rude suggestions as to where Arne can put his offer. She also has apparent fashion aspirations involving Arne's innards if he so much as crosses the threshold.

[Arne]

Arne gritted his teeth, and tightened his grip on his sword until his knuckles cracked.  Without turning his attention from the interior, he growled, "Sir Cedwyn, I have told the 'lady' of the manor that all will still be spared if they surrender.  The 'lady' - if it is her speaking - has told me to take my offer and ram it up my backside.  She has also said that she will wear my guts for garters if I enter the manor.  Either the lady of the manor is a foul-mannered fishwife, or one of her maids is speaking to buy her lady time for escape.  This manor might have an escape tunnel."

Arne was seething with anger.  His word of honor had been spat upon by the Frankish bitch, and she had foolishly refused the generous terms of surrender twice, despite being heavily outnumbered.  Were it up to him, his solution would be swift and merciless.  Attack the manor with ten men, hack down the crossbowmen and anyone else that dared to offer resistance, and drag the lady of the manor of the house out bound and gagged.

But, unfortunately, I am not in command.  "Sir Cedwyn, your orders?  I say we storm this manor with ten men and overwhelm the defenders."

[Cedwyn]

[ooc: How long until my men hack the gate down? I assumed that was what we’re doing since Cedwyn ordered that.]

[GM Craig]

There's enough space to enter the manor now, one at a time. A few more minutes will have the door down completely, but that will expose your men to possible crossbow fire.

[Cedwyn]

Cedwyn nudged his horse forward.

"Let us see to lady of the holding, chieftain," Cedwyn said as he went through, sword drawn.

[GM Craig]

[OOC: You'll need to dismount to get into the manor.]

[Arne]

Arne readied his shield and sword.  "I am ready, Sir Cedwyn, although I cannot promise gentle treatment for those crossbowmen if they seek to feather me again."

[Cedwyn]

Cedwyn dismounted and said, "That's what hostages are for. Capture the lady of the house and we can force the crossbowmen to drop their weapons."