Year 486 Summer Campaign

[Valka]

Valka enjoyed the tales regardless of how well the men did - or thought they did, giving them her full attention and support, with reactions fit for bards. For her part, however, another retelling simply would not do - no, this required a humorous song/poem of sorts, accompanied by the drums at appropriate stops.

"Cedwyn the stern and Rodric the polite
Arne the brave and Valka the sprite
These four went off to find a campground or site
And instead came upon an old man with a plight!

The old man cried, my goat, my goat, a kingdom for my goat!
A goat had stood, tall and proud on a hilltop, black as midnight was his coat.

It dashed and it weaved, banked left and we heaved
Through the brush and forest fast was he.
But through the wood it fled quick
And horses could follow no more through the thick.

Into the wood these four warriors on foot tracked
But not a goat they found, that was fact!
A big, 3-eyed giant, ugly as ugly can be
And behold, this thing was quite mighty!

It plucked up a tree about as big as me
Yet not a scream from the likes of we.
Forward we dashed, with sword and spear, and ax to be sure
And from that tree a massive blow did Cedwyn endure. Ouch!

The giant swung, left and right
Oh he was such a sight!
Mighty Thor was with us though
We gave it such a fright!

With fire in our blood and weapon in hand
We brought down the giant, no longer could he stand
A crash and thud and down was he,
Elated and victorious were we!

Our companions searched for treasure while we- Arne and me
Well... nothing short of a tribute to Freya would do properly!"

[GM Craig]

[OOC: Ok, that was awesome. Very well done. For the extra work above and beyond, Valka has earned an advancement check for Compose and Singing.]

[GM Craig]

The crowd listens through Arne's story, but seems to have trouble piecing it together. Rodric fares a little better, but it is plain the crowd is not engaged. But when Valka starts up her drums, and begins singing an impromptu song about the adventure, the crowd reacts well. They cheer and gasp at all the appropriate parts, and when, with a lascivious grin she mentions a tribute to Freya they break into laughter and cheers.

[Cedwyn, Rodric, Arne and Valka get 10 glory for the tale. Valka gets an additional 10 glory for her singing of it.]

All of you get hearty claps on the back, and get mugs of heated Saxon wine pressed into your hands, and the gathering winds down into a more quiet celebration.

Before long, in twos and threes and family groups, the Northmen head to their tents, with more than a few reciting lines from Valka's song as they make their way to bed.

Morning dawns clear but chill, and a thick mist rolls off the river.

As discussed, Rodric, Suger and Valka remain with the refugees while Cedwyn, Haydn and Arne ride off to Sarum to speak to the Earl's steward.

Arne has seen cities before, but as he comes out of the river valley and spies Sarum for the first time, he can honestly say he has never seen a city such as this one. The city is almost circular, and surrounded by high walls. The centre of the city is a huge hill. upon which stands a fortress. This is a city built for war.

Arne catches more than a few stares as he passes through the gate, but the presence of Sir Cedwyn means you enter with no problems. Men-at-arms are not about to stop one of the Knights of the county, regardless of the company he keeps.

The city is a press of people, so that they must make way or risk injury from your horses. Never has Arne seen so many people in one place.

You ride through the town and climb the hill, crossing the drawbridge over the deep ditch into the castle itself. In the courtyard, boys overseen by squires take your horses. Haydn leaves you at this point, as is his duty, to ensure your mounts are cared for properly, and you enter the castle.

After some quick introductions, you find yourselves before Sir Bar, a great bear of a man. He looks like he could crush Arne between those powerful arms with ease.

"Sir Cedwyn, what do you have to report?" He is looking at Arne as he asks this.

[Cedwyn]

Cedwyn gave Sir Bar a courtly bow.

"Sir Bar. May I present to you, Arne Torvaldson of Thule. It was his people we received reports of. They are fleeing enslavement by the Saxon pigs," there was a distinct note of disdain, "and seek shelter, allies, and revenge against them. Sir Rodric remains with the Northmen to guide them to the ruins of Broad (with Merlin's permission) and let others know they are peaceful in their travels. There they were instructed to remain by Merlin whilst we came to report."


[ooc: Cedwyn follows whatever courtly procedure is...]

[GM Craig]

Sir Bar looked confused. "Merlin? What has he to do with all this? And let them stay? His permission? Perhaps you better start at the beginning."

I don't need the whole story if you don't want. I'll allow an Orate roll to see how well you get the information across.

[Cedwyn]

[ooc: my orate sucks...]

Cedwyn began from the start.

"We journeyed south by southeast for several hours after you orders, Sir. As we crested a hill, we spotted a large group coming north, almost directly on a bearing towards Sarum. The Northman. From our vantage, Sir Rodric and I could see that the party numbered a great deal of women, children, elderly, and wounded, making it very clear it was not a Saxon war party."

He paused, seeing if Bar had any questions, but continued, "Sir Rodric and I went went down to hail them and see about their purpose in the kingdom. We discovered at the point for certes they were fleeing Saxon enslavement, many having been captured on a holy pilgrimage for their gods. We learned that they desire revenge against the Saxons and so Sir Rodric and I began to guide them towards Sarum so we could find a place for them to camp peacefully and stay out of trouble."

"That was when we met Merlin. Towards twilight, Sir Rodric, Arne, myself, and another named Valka (plus our squires) went ahead to scout for a suitable camp. On our way, we met an old goatherd claiming he'd once been the Earl's goatherd and had lost his goat. It fled into the woods upon sight of us and we gave chase where we encountered a giant."

Cedwyn pointed to the scar, "It gave me this, but we managed to bring it down. Afterwards, the goatherd revealed himself as Merlin and asked our aid in a task. We gave him that aid, though it is not my place to mention what was done, I think. Afterwards, Merlin informed Arne and Valka their people could camp at the ruins of Broad. Sir Rodric remained with them so the local lords would know they are under protection and have tentative permission to be there (at least until refuge is granted or denied). I brought Arne with me to make his petition directly."

[GM Craig]

Sir Bar looks even more confused. "What in God's name was Merlin doing there? Surely he has better things to do that escort escaped Saxon slaves?"

[Cedwyn]

"He was there on other...business for the King. He wanted help from us to complete it. We crossed the faerie-land where we fended off a warrior made of a tree while Merlin retrieved a sword for his Majesty. Merlin's instructions to us were part of the reward for our assistance."

[GM Craig]

Sir Bar looks like he wants more, but he frowns and says, "If it is business for the King, then it's none of mine, though I daresay the Earl will press you for details when he returns." His frown deepens. "I know the King has taken your oath, Sir Cedwyn. But I suggest you remember who you owe your lands to, and consider where your loyalty lies."

Apparently done with that, Sir Bar turns to Arne. "And what am I to make of you, who march under arms into Salisbury? Merlin may be the king's adviser, but these lands are Earl Roderick's to administer. We prepare for war - we have little enough in the county for our own, let alone enough to spare to support refugees and escaped slaves. I grant you that Earl Roderdick is a god-fearing man, and kinder and more generous than most. But I will not commit to supporting to many refugees in his name. Are there any among you who would earn their keep?"

He turns to Sir Cedwyn and asks, "What did you imagine we would do with them when you came here?"

He looks back and forth between you, expecting answers from both of you.

[OOC: Can I get an awareness roll from Arne?]

[Arne]

Arne grinned broadly.  "Sir Bar, all of our people are hard-working and all will earn their own keep, although some are still not fully hale.  The road has been long and hard for us since we escaped slavery and butchered our captors.  But if you want to know if our fighting men will readily spill Saxon blood, then yes, we will most eagerly earn our keep."


(Awareness skill of 5, roll of 13 = fail)

[Cedwyn]

Cedwyn nodded to Sir Bar, "There is magic involved, Sir. And I daresay what was done helps his Lordship. My oaths are not in conflict."

To the question of what do, he added, "Only as Arne had suggested. Enlist their warriors in the war. We need men to fight. Settle them somewhere where they can be productive. But it the Earl's perogative, but I've seen Arne fight. He is a true warrior."

[GM Craig]

Sir Bar works his jaw is if chewing a distasteful thought. He looks at Arne.

"Not all your people are warriors, by your own admission.  Hiring mercenaries is one thing.  Taking on refugees is quite another.  And you are likely unaware of this, Northman, but the hiring of mercenaries is at the root of our current problems with the Saxons. I am not convinced.  But we can't have you wandering the county either.  And there is the matter of that pagan wizard who holds the King's ear..."

His frown deepens, and he continues to chew.  Then the chewing stops, and he brightens a little.  Looking to Sir Cedwyn he says, "Are you and Sir Rodric willing and able to host and support them until the Earl returns?  Putting your purse and lands behind your words would go a long way towards easing the Earl's mind.  Young as you are, if you are willing to support them it would at least show the strength of your conviction."

[Arne]

A muscle twitched along Arne's jaw as he barely checked his anger.  The oaf's insinuation that his people would somehow be as untrustworthy as the Saxons made his blood boil, but he bit his tongue.  He was in a new land, and these people had their own ways, even if most of them came across as insulting.  He was about to coldly suggest that he and his people would be more than happy to take the two longships they captured, sail back to Ostland and take their chances there when the clod brought up an idea to Sir Cedwyn.  Again, the man spoke as if Arne wasn't even there, but he still held his tongue.  An ill-mannered, insulting lout, yes, but he had a good idea.  Arne watched Sir Cedwyn, awaiting a reply.

[Cedwyn]

Cedwyn wondered if Sir Bar was setting a trap of sorts. He wasn't a poor knight so much as currently not yet fully invested.

"While I cannot speak for Sir Rodric, Sir, I would welcome Arne's people to my lands," he nodded to Arne. It would allow him to grow his lands, but how would it set with his people now, Cedwyn wondered.

"Arne...if Sir Rodric also accepts, are you people willing to split up? Falt and Winterbourne Stoke are not close by any means."

[Arne]

Arne smiled at Sir Cedwyn's generous offer and gave the knight a bow, but faltered when he mentioned splitting his people up.  "You have my gratitude and that of my people, Sir Cedwyn.  But for having my people separate . . . I regret that I do not know how they will take to that idea.  Please understand that I do not speak out of ingratitude when I say this.  If separating will make matters easier for you and your holdings, I shall do what I can to convince them that it would be for the best."