Feast at Winterbourne Stoke

[Cedwyn]

Cedwyn shruggged, "Attention yes...luck no."

He gave a sidelong glance at Lady Elaine, "Beautiful. Rich. I doubt she'd be interested in the likes of me. Poor...moderate looking."

[Geoffrey]

"One never knows.  In any event I doubt she would decline the company of her host.

And at the very least I am sure she would appreciate some kind words from a kind soul."

[Cedwyn]

"Are you trying to start a scandal, good Sir?" Cedwyn said winkingly.

"Though I suppose a good host should greet her."

[Geoffrey]

"Nothing like a good scandal to make a great party even more memorable." Rodric replied with a chuckle, though his smile faded and he turned a little more serious before continuing.

"Whether the rumors hold any truth or not, she has traveled here with the Earl has she not?  I do not think he would not keep her in his company if there was anything sinister in her nature."

[GM Craig]

The minstrels finish a song, and after a moment take up another one - a quiet instrumental, appropriate to the waning hours of a party.

From out of nowhere, Haydn appears with a carafe of wine.

[Cedwyn makes a mental note that he seems to appear from nowhere with startling regularity.]

"With 4 manors under her control, Earl Roderick certainly has an interest in seeing her married to a loyal knight. That is unlikely to happen if she is not out in society - no other family has invited her to any events since her husband's death. Doubtless that is why she was brought to this event as a member of the Earl's party. I have heard rumours that she herself instigated the murder of her husband, so many keep their distance from her socially. I have seen no one but the Earl speak to her this entire night."

Hayden stops and bows his head. "Forgive my impertinence, my lords. It is not my place to gossip about my betters. Please pay my comments no mind." He refills both your cups, and stands dutifully nearby, apparently to serve Cedwyn's needs as required.

Haydn's presence brings something to mind. Sir Rodric has not seen Suger for a couple of hours. Searching his memory, the last time he saw Suger, the squire was chatting up a female jongleur.

[Cedwyn]

Cedwyn sighed. He felt a certain bit of sympathy for Lady Elaine.

"Perhaps a friendly voice will do her good then. After all, scriptures have much to say on mercy."

Cedwyn poured a goblet of wine for Lady Elaine and made his way over to her.

"Lady Elaine. May I join you?"

[GM Craig]

She looks up at you and smiles. You can see she has the watery eyes and small uncontrolled movements of someone who has perhaps imbibed overmuch. Her voice is steady and clear, however.

"Sir Cedwyn. Whatever your purpose in speaking to me, I welcome the company and distraction. And, since my mug is empty and I see you carry two, you are doubly welcome sir. Please, sir with me."

Cedwyn notices one of the Earl's squires lurking about not too far away, obviously assigned to keep an eye on lady Elaine. He seems to recall the young man's name is Agned, though he's not sure.

[Cedwyn]

"Of course, my Lady," Cedwyn said, glancing at the squire that he should come hither with the slightest of nods, "I thought I would come greet you personally. How was your evening?"

[GM Craig]

She eyes you up a moment as if trying to get a read on you. "It was pleasant enough. I had the opportunity to dine here as a guest of your father when I was a young girl. You have outdone yourself, Sir Cedwyn."

The squire comes over. "Yes, M'lord?"

Without looking at him, Lady Elaine says, "Ah, my shadow speaks at last." She gives you a wry smile.

[Cedwyn]

[OOC: trying for subtext...that Agned should make sure the lady has no more wine than what I have given her...Cedwyn doesn't wish to have her be made a fool of...and that he should stand by]

"Agned, yes?" Cedwyn asked, "Have you been able to assist Lady Elaine? A Knight skulks not in the shadows, but rather stands proudly before his lord and his God. Or those he has been designated to assist," he added, his eyes (pointed away from Elaine, glanced down at her wine cup and have a slight shake of the head, hoping the boy got the message that the Lady should be cut off).

To Lady Elaine, Cedwyn replied, "Thank you, my Lady. My father was a good man. It was he who made this feast possible with the capture of Peredur in battle. It is a sad day that he is not here to celebrate. I am afraid that I must apologize to you as well that I greet you now in this late hour. Twas unchristian of me not to speak to you first after greeting his Lordship."

[GM Craig]

The squire seems to get the message, and takes a seat at the lady's elbow.

"Of, you were polite enough at the reception line, of course. That alone was refreshing. It has been some time since I was welcomed anywhere. No doubt - No Doubt - you are aware of the rumours surrounding my late husband." She finishes her cup and sets it down. Agnad, with some skill in subtlety, removes the cup from sight without her noticing.

"So I wonder why a handsome young knight like yourself deigns to speak to a pagan widow suspected of inciting murder? Some act of christian charity perhaps?" She waves a hand. "Do not take offence - I appreciate your company, I really do. It is hard sometimes to keep bitterness from a tongue loosened by fine wine." She smiles.

[Cedwyn]

Cedwyn nodded, "I would not call it charity, my Lady, but I have heard the rumors. I came in part because I hoped my presence sitting next to you and sharing a cup of wine...a young Knight who had just battled a witch and escaped...would help you by making the rumors die down more quickly."

"And to hear your telling of the tale if you wish it known. The rumormongers spread their gossip, but it is scandalous and definitely not worthy of a knight's time."

[Cedwyn is trying to be kind and gracious...he is genuinely interested in hearing her story, hoping that if the rumors are presented to him, his word might carry some weight as well.]

[GM Craig]

She looks at you levelly for a few moments. "I find myself believing you, sir. I am unaccustomed to such kindness. The tale then, if you wish to hear it."

She glances around, but cannot seem to locate her cup. Putting it out of mind, and clasps her hands before her on the table and gazes down at them.

"You should know, Sir Cedwyn, that I am not a Christian. I respect God and his followers, but I follow the Old Ways. My former husband was Christian. He was a good man, and I was a dutiful wife, but in many things our faith disagreed. We managed to keep a civil house, but there were points of friction.

"One spring equinox, he was absent for the fertility celebration. For a pagan, there are few celebrations more important. With my husband gone, I took another man to my bed to honour the old ways. The man I chose was a trusted servant, faithful and true. But behind his smiles and loyalty lurked a darkness and jealousy neither my husband or I ever suggested. He fell in love with me, or so he professed ardently the next morning. Out of loyalty to my husband, I put him off, of course. He became sullen, but let the matter lie. I thought that was the end of it.

"Later that spring, my husband returned from garrison duty. The first night, he took me to his bed. While we slept, the servant crept into the room and took my husband's life by foul murder. There, with my husband's blood soiling the marriage bed, and a bloody dagger in his hand, he once again professed his love for me, claimed to have freed me from my marriage obligations, and bad me take him as a husband. My screams summoned my husband's squire, who struck the servant down.

"After, the Earl's Marshall investigated, and the servant was put to death, hung by the neck before the doors of our home. I was not charged with any crime, but nor was I exonerated. The stigma of that spring has hung about my head ever since, and yours is the first kindness I have been shown. Even my peasants hate me know, and my vassals are barely civil."

She stops and sighs. "So there you have the whole sorted tale, Sir Cedwyn. So answer me, what think you?"

[Cedwyn]

Cedwyn listened intently. Different faiths...but Merlin had aided them and was a good man.

"You followed your faith as best you could; there is no fault in you,.I think that my God and your gods know your heart and all have absolved you," Cedwyn replied, "I truly believe so, my Lady. I've known many brave and valiant men of the Old Faith, my companion Sir Gwyn was one such. Merlin saved our lives and brought us home safely. We Christians have a difficult time understanding it; myself, I am only two generations removed. Twas my grandsire who converted...well his sire really. But our beliefs can make trouble from time to time."

Cedwyn turned thoughtful.

"Come the morn. We should break our fast together. Where you can be seen dining with a good Christian knight. 'Tis my hope that will go a long way to breaking these foul rumors. I won't bore you with the details but our Faith places a great deal of emphasis on helping those in need, and it is part of a Knight's duty, especially so when the aid needed is not so obvious."

He paused and added, "Vassals are one issue, but the peasants. I believe they can be easily appeased. A good harvest should keep them happy. Perhaps throwing a feast or giving them a new well will help. [ooc: and whatever Courtesy might suggest would work on her vassals.]

[GM Craig]

Her eyes shine when she looks up at you.

"Sir Cedwyn, you are the first kind soul I have met since my husband's murder. Do you..." she pauses then lowers her eyes. "Never mind. It was an idle thought best not spoken aloud. You truly are a kind soul to make such an offer. But do you have no concern for you reputation? There will be scandal for you to be seen with me - you already risk such exposure, though you may shield yourself somewhat by claiming you were simply being a courteous host."