Year 488 - War on the Continent

[Artaigne]

Saluting the senior knight as his presence was acknowledged, Artaigne took the seat that was offered.  Taking a sip of the wine once it was offered he paused for a moment to gather his thoughts before speaking, "Milord, I came to attend you to see if you had any needs that I could handle.  Also, I came to apologize for my failings today.  I do not wish to reflect poorly upon your person, and I am humbled that I was not able to secure further hostages.  We had little practice in hunting on my island, and that lack of experience was at the core of my failure today."

[Cedwyn]

Cedwyn listened carefully to Sir Artaigne's apology. If pressed, Cedwyn would admit some frustration about Artaigne's...and Valka's...inability to catch that knight fleeing with a potential heir. Yet...there were other successes and prizes found.

Cedwyn delayed a response with a long sip of the warm spiced wine as he thought about how to speak with his knight.

"It is not nothing that the knight managed to escape; yet, neither is it a true failure for you or Valka. You both made your best attempt to capture the knights and in fact partially succeeded and have some ransoms for yourselves."

"We captured the manor and took the supplies the Earl needs for the army. We have additional hostages for ransom as well as treasures we have procured from rebels."

"In the scheme of things, any failure here is far less than our successes and nothing against my failure last summer in the north with that Saxon princeling."

[Arne]

Arne walked about their encampment, making sure that he took the time to speak with each warrior personally.  They swapped stories and crude jests, and more than one mug of wine or ale was shared.  Arne was careful not to guzzle too much . . . they were in hostile territory and he preferred to keep a clear head about him in case the Franks were planning some mischief.

And one of the first things that the Nord warriors had done was to set up a tent for Arne and Valka.  He peeked inside, and found food and drink waiting one a crude table inside.  Well, it would be shameful to let that go to waste.  Finding Valka nearby, he waved at her and said quietly, "Have you seen the tent yet, Valka?  Food and drink inside for us.  And a tent flap that closes.  I think our warriors would be offended if we did not accept their thoughtfulness.  Yes?"

[Geoffrey]

Sitting at a small table in his tent, Geoffrey found it difficult not to dwell on his failure today, even if Cedwyn still considered the day, overall, as a success.

It was he that had been left in charge of the main force, and it was his decision to send Artaigne and Valka to lead the chase of the fleeing riders while he remained back should Cedwyn need help or if they found themselves under attack by another large force.  Cedwyn may have succeeded, but he himself had failed.  The large knight brought his fists down on the small table in frustration.  He needed an outlet, something to focus his frustrations on.

The man stood up and headed out of his tent.  It was time to run the men through some combat and tactics drills.  He needed to find something of a second he could be confident that if left in charge things would be run as he expected them to be.

[Artaigne]

"My lord is as gracious as he is generous.  Is there anything else that you require before I turn in, sir?"

[Valka]

Arne walked about their encampment, making sure that he took the time to speak with each warrior personally.  They swapped stories and crude jests, and more than one mug of wine or ale was shared.  Arne was careful not to guzzle too much . . . they were in hostile territory and he preferred to keep a clear head about him in case the Franks were planning some mischief.

And one of the first things that the Nord warriors had done was to set up a tent for Arne and Valka.  He peeked inside, and found food and drink waiting one a crude table inside.  Well, it would be shameful to let that go to waste.  Finding Valka nearby, he waved at her and said quietly, "Have you seen the tent yet, Valka?  Food and drink inside for us.  And a tent flap that closes.  I think our warriors would be offended if we did not accept their thoughtfulness.  Yes?"

"A tent flap that closes," she smirked, a twinkle in her eye. Her mug and not-so-angry demeanor showed evidence that she'd gotten to the ale before him. Or was it ale? Freya knows the woman was good at getting what she wants - probably used her vast wiles to con her way into someone's special cache. "Of course you would notice."

With that Valka nearly sashayed past Arne and into the tent.

[Arne]

Arne grinned broadly as he watched his wife enter the tent, and motioned over one of his veterans.  "Gunnolf . . . Valka and I wish to enjoy the fare that you and the others laid out for us."  He shot a glance back at the tent and chuckled.  "We should be finished our supper in . . . a few hours?"  He clapped a comradely arm on the warrior's shoulder.  "Keep an eye on our warriors for now, and make sure they do not guzzle too much, eh?  Rouse us if there's trouble, or if Sir Cedwyn asks for us."

Gunnolf thumped his fist against his chest, although there was a ghost of a smile on his otherwise grim features.  "It shall be as you say, Arne."  With that, the warrior strode off, wordlessly signaling guards to take station near the tent - albeit a few paces further away than usual.

Arne nodded his approval to the guards, and followed Valka into the tent.  He made sure to close the flap behind him.

[Cedwyn]

"My lord is as gracious as he is generous.  Is there anything else that you require before I turn in, sir?"

Cedwyn took a draught of his wine.

"Naught lest you want to warm yourself by the fire and share some wine. And tell me a story of your land."

[Artaigne]

"Ah, a story of my land...now that is definitely something worthy of a good fire, a good wine, and good company."  The Irishman settles back into his chair and takes another sip to moisten his throat.  "The green hills of Eerie are a sight to behold, and are home to some interesting lights at night.  The mists seem to give off an otherworldly glow that the superstitious locals call wisps.  They think that they are creatures that lead the way to one's destiny if you can follow them.  Of course, it is nothing more than local folklore, but it is a reminder of the variety that our Lord God displayed in his creation and a breathtaking reminder of his glory."

[Valka]

Valka wasted no time sitting and pulling apart the food left on the table. Small she may be, but still had a ravenous appetite after a long day.

[GM Craig]

[OOC: I don't want to cut off any role play, but things seem to be petering out. Are we good to move on?]

[Valka]

Ooc: we can, although I still want to do the thing I asked about.

[Arne]

(OOC:  Sure, good to go.  We can put Arne and Valka's tent conversation on Arne's private board.)

[Cedwyn]

"Ah, a story of my land...now that is definitely something worthy of a good fire, a good wine, and good company."  The Irishman settles back into his chair and takes another sip to moisten his throat.  "The green hills of Eerie are a sight to behold, and are home to some interesting lights at night.  The mists seem to give off an otherworldly glow that the superstitious locals call wisps.  They think that they are creatures that lead the way to one's destiny if you can follow them.  Of course, it is nothing more than local folklore, but it is a reminder of the variety that our Lord God displayed in his creation and a breathtaking reminder of his glory."

Cedwyn sat backwards further into his chair and raised his cup to his lips.

"Do not be so sure it is only folklore," he offered Artaigne, "I've seen enough to know that there is magic in the world. The druids have it...or at least something like it. I've seen it done more times than I wish to count. There mayhap be something truly fell in those lights."

[Artaigne]

Artaigne looked a bit taken aback by what Cedwyn said but he wasn't about to question the truth of his leige's words.  "May Christ preserve us from such, should it be good and right for him to do so."