Year 486 Summer Campaign

[GM Craig]

Word reaches you that Prince Madoc plans to take an army to harass and raid the Saxons around Colchester. This brings with it the promise of fighting, plunder and glory, so it is with great anticipation that the knights of Salisbury assemble in Sarum in late spring. You are disappointed, however.

The Earl is indeed assembling a muster for the King, but several knights are selected for garrison duty. Sir Rodric and Sir Cedwyn are numbered among them. Their levy and troops are assigned to patrol the borders of the County, man fortresses and the city, and safeguard the manors of other knights. Ostensibly, the Earl says it will allow for more time spend at your with your wives to father heirs, but you cannot help feeling disappointed. Were you not heroes in the last campaign, valiantly defeating a vile witch? It is hard not to have a heavy heart as you set yourselves up in Sarum and organize your forces to protect the county.

It is in Sarum, shortly after you take your posts, that word reaches you of an armed party of approximately 150 is moving into Salisbury from the south. The information is unconfirmed, and not from a reliable source. The ranking knight, Sir Bar, orders you to the field to investigate.

Sir Bar is a bear of a man, and  a little slow. He is a solid knight, however, and a member of the Earl's inner court - strong an obedient. His is able to be swayed by convincing argument, apparently trusting that others are smarter and wiser than he, which is often the case.

With your marching orders, prepare to ride south.

[OOC: I need to know who and what you are taking with you - Sir Bar has only ordered you to investigate and report back, but if you wish to, you could convince him to let you take a portion of your levy with you. Best guess puts the party about a hard day's ride away, two days at least if you travel in force.]

[Cedwyn]

[intrigue roll: 8 versus skill of 6. fail.]

Cedwyn clapped Rodric on the back.

"I say we go have a little adventure for ourselves and find out who is acoming our way."

[Geoffrey]

"Possibly one hundred and fifty saxons against the two of us?  We should leave our swords at home to give them a chance." Rodric laughed.

"We should keep our party as small as possible." he continued, turning more serious.

"If this is simply to scout, I would say a dozen at most unless you foresee a need for a larger number."

[Cedwyn]

Cedwyn shrugged, "If indeed this is a raiding party, we need to know more. Speed is of the essence. Haydn and Suger would be sufficient in this. God's teeth...we don't even know if the rumor is true. It could be some peasant's fever dream."

[Geoffrey]

Rodric was conflicted, speed was indeed of the essence, but if they were caught, the extra men would be very valuable.  Finally he gave a nod of assent.

"Very well.  If a battle ensues, then we shall just have to fight like a dozen men ourselves." he said with a smile.

"Suger, ready our horses."

[Cedwyn]

Cedwyn nodded to Haydn, "You as well, Haydn. Prepare Peredur and Swift."

[GM Craig]

It is not half a glass later and you are thundering out of the main gates. Peredur chomps on his bit to stretch his legs, but it would not do to get too far separated, so Sir Cedwyn reins him in to a pace that is healthier for the other horses in the party.

[I need Awareness rolls from both of you, and if you succeed, a recognize roll.]

[GM Craig]

[OOC: Taking some liberties.]

Several hours of hard riding later, you crest a hill and rein in sharply. In the valley below you you see a group of some 200 souls marching north. You can clearly see mounted warriors among the party, and it certainly looks like a raid - and a large one.

Cedwyn curses under his breath and says, "A Saxon raid, and a large one at that!"

Sir Rodrick squints a moment and says, "I think not. Saxons yes, but look! I see no more than half a dozen warriors on horseback and no more than a dozen more on foot. And look at the main force? I see women - some carrying babes - and youngsters among them. And their condition - they are dirty, many are wounded or injured. I do not know why they are here, but it is not to make war. This is no raid. "

[Actions?]

[Cedwyn]

Cedwyn uttered a mild curse, "Damn me for a fool, Sir Rodric. You're right. They are running from something. They can't be left to run around though. We should make contact and discover their intentions."

[Geoffrey]

"By the looks of the group, I would guess their intent is to seek refuge.  But why would Saxons seek refuge here?" the knight wondered.  Surely they would know that it was highly likely they would be attacked on sight.

"It may very well be fortunate for them that we have discovered them.  And I agree, we should indeed make contact.  I will defer to you in that regard Sir Cedwyn."

[OOC: Recognizing that Cedwyn seems to be better in social matters than he is, and of course deferring because Cedwyn's glory is higher.]

[Cedwyn]

Cedwyn said to Haydn, "Haydn...please raise my pennant and tie a parley flag with it. Let's see who these people are."

[ooc: assuming Haydn hasn't done that already...if he has I compliment on his insight and good thinking. Once Rodric's colors are up, let's head down.]

[GM Craig]

Sir Cedwyn turns to give the instruction to Haydn and finds the boy is already in the process of doing exactly that.

As you ride down, two mounted warriors from the group break off and move to meet you. They are armed, but their weapons are not being brandished. The two of them - one male and one female - appear to be about the same age as Suger and Haydn. Both are armed and outfitted as warriors, though the female has a drum strapped to her saddle.

*****************************************

The group of Northmen have been heading steadily north, looking for the kingdom of Logres. You have been watchful and careful, because you've been seen by a few locals who have run away in terror. That alone has made you questions the wisdom of this decision, but when you try to discuss it with Holmg?r?r, she merely says, "We must hold to this course."

So, some days later, it is with no small amount of trepidation when you see four men in Crymric mail riding down to you. The two older have swords at their sides, but they remain sheathed. The two younger ones each carry a bundle of spears tied to their horses, and each carries a small flag with some sort of pattern (each one different). One of the flags has a white pennant flying below the flag, but you've no idea what the significance is.

Holmg?r?r nods in their direction and says, "You must go out to meet them. I will remain here in case they are hostile - we must not deprive our people of all their leaders, hmm?" She seems fairly light-hearted given her words.

Arne and Valka break away from the rest of the group and ride up to the four warriors. The two older are obviously in charge - the younger ones (who appear to be about the same age as Valka and Arne) are obviously subservient. They still carry swords, however, and appear to know how to use them.

[OOC: All of you go ahead and describe yourselves (and your squires if you have them), and post whatever greeting you wish to make. For simplicity sake, you can understand one another.]

[Valka]

Valka slightly turned her head to Arne as they rode closer. <What does that white flag mean? Are they in trouble?> she asked. <If this go wrong, I suppose we could tell them we're Northmen traders.>

OOC: Valka is about 5'4" and 120lbs (or around there). The leather Saxon armor doesn't fit her very well and is likely made for a man's build. She is rather dirty but her strikingly fire-red long hair stands out against everything else. A round shield is strapped to her back and a spear to the side but not in hand.

[Arne]

Arne shook his head, mystified.  "<I don't think they're in trouble.>"  He thought for a moment, then chuckled.  <"Maybe they're here to see if we're trouble.  Many of us are wearing Saxon armor and carrying Saxon weapons.  Ha!  No wonder those villagers ran screaming from us!  But these warriors haven't attacked us, so that's good.  The white flag, though?  Well, let's stop and introduce ourselves first, yes?  I'd like to know what that flag means, too.>"

As they got closer, Arne brought his horse to a halt and raised his right hand in a salute.  In accented Cymric, he called out, "Hail, Cymric warriors!  I am Arne Torvaldson, and this is Valka Ingarsdotter, late of Thule, from Thelemark of the kingdom of Ostland!"  Here, he smiled broadly, and added, "And we are no friends of the dung-eating Saxons, this I swear!"


OOC:  Arne is about 5' 9" and about 170 lbs.  He has short blonde hair that's very closely cropped at the temples, and his eyes are pale blue.  He's wearing Norman chain-mail, and has a scabbarded longsword belted to his waist.  Attached to a carrying harness on his horse is a Nor'man shield, a brace of spears, and a Norman great axe.  Oh yes, and he also looks like he's been on the road for a long time.   

[Cedwyn]

[ooc: Cedwyn is about 5'6" and 134lbs. He's average in appearance, not overly handsome nor ugly...but his long curly red hair is somewhat striking. His pennant is a field of blue with a red stripe top left to bottom right, emblazoned with a tree in fruit. Ken...Craig...I'm assuming since my Glory is higher I speak for us. If that is not the case, then I'll edit as appropriate.]

"Hail to you, Arne Torvaldson. I am Sir Cedwyn of Winterbourne Stoke and this is Sir Rodric of Falt. Our squires, Haydn ap[insertdad] and Suger ap[insertdad]. We welcome to you to the Kingdom of Logres and the County of Salisbury in the name our of King Uther Pendragon and Count Roderick."