Year 486 Summer Campaign

[Cedwyn]

Cedwyn was a little wary; he heard tales of such requests. A goat herder was not likely bold enough to speak to knights like this.

He offered, "Good fellow. If it is within our powers to help you we will. But, we are escorting a large party of women, children, and injured who are fleeing Saxon slavers, seeking refuge here. We cannot abandon the duty we have taken on."

"I am Sir Cedwyn and this is Sir Rodric. Our squires, Haydn and Suger. At your service."

[ooc: i rolled as well if that means anything. I got a 9 on the first roll and a 10 on the second..both versus a skill of 11. Success for both.]

[Arne]

Arne bristled as Sir Cedwyn failed to introduce them, but held his tongue.  He had noticed that Sir Rodric was paying less attention to the gnarled old man and more to his surroundings.  Arne gave Valka an almost imperceptible wink, and dropped his left hand down within easy reach of his shield.  His right hand strayed near the hilt of his sword.


OOC:  Any rolls I need to make here?

[GM Craig]

[OOC: No, Darren, you already gave me an awareness.]

[Valka]

Ooc : I'll have a reply up this afternoon

[Cedwyn]

Cedwyn saw Arne stiffen and felt a little shame.

"My apologies. With us, also are Arne Torvaldson of Thule and Valka Ingarsdottir of Thule."

[Arne]

Arne looked at Sir Cedwyn, a momentary look of surprise.  Then a faint smile grew on his face, and he nodded his appreciation to the knight.  Looking at the goatherd with a piercing gaze, he gave the man a brief bow.  Something about this man had put Sir Rodric on subtle guard, and now Arne was feeding off of that unease.

[Valka]

"Once again you honor me with your words, Arne. It is an agreeable plan. I believe our warriors will comply, save for the Saxon mead they spilled blood for."

<time warp!>

Valka smiled to Arne and her hands also strayed to shield and weapon. While she appreciated the introduction, her eyes wandered elsewhere into the valley. Honesty was extremely valued, but giving the  fine details of the makeup of their people to a stranger made her uneasy. They had many warriors to protect the children and others but it was unfamiliar and rough territory with little defenses.

OOC: Valka Awareness
1d20 <= 4
5 ... failure

[GM Craig]

All of you scan the area with an appraising eye. This spot would make for a good ambush - you would be caught against the river, with no where you flee to. But none of you see anything threatening in the vicinity.

Cedwyn, however, spots something up the bank and on a hill not far away. A black goat of large size stands on a hill past the banks of the river, lazily munching on grass.

The old man says, "Pleased to meet you, my lords and lady! You are knights of the Earl, yes? I used to serve the earl as chief goatherd, before I crippled my leg. My trouble is this - my goat has gotten away from me. I'm too old to chase after him. Would you do me a great favour and fetch him back for me?"

The man points up the bank towards a nearby hill, less than a hundred yards distant. "That's him right there, stubborn thing. Please fetch him? Just look at the size of him! He's a prize, to be sure! I'll never find the likes of him again, and my herd will suffer greatly for his loss. Please, my lords, help a poor old man?"

[OOC: It is not uncommong for peasants to seek help from knights, and though this man showed a little cheek when asking for help, if he was the Earl's chief goatherd, that would explain his manner. But he is a peasant - a warrior or knight would be under no obligation to render service in this case. Having said that, it is less than a hundred yards away, and will not take you long.]

[Valka]

"He is a fine beast to be sure. Though, have you lost the rest of your herd as well?" Valka made an obvious point to look around for the rest of the goats. They had not seen any thus far, would they not be nearby if he truly was a herder? Would one leave the herd to slowly fetch a stubborn, wayward one?

[GM Craig]

[No other goats are visible.]

"Nay, mistress. I had taken him to another herd to breed. I was on my way home when he got away from me."

[Cedwyn]

Cedwyn offered the former chief goatherder a friendly smile.

"Yes. We can fetch him for you. What is his name? And...is there anything we should or need know about him? He seems a spectacular creature."

[GM Craig]

"His name is Cadarn, m'lord. He is normally a docile beast, unless there's ripe does around. He is my pride and joy. He was gifted to me by the Earl himself when I had to give up my post."

[Cedwyn]

"Cadarn," Cedwyn repeated, "I wil fetch him for you goodman."

[ooc: go get the goat]

[Geoffrey]

"Is there a treat he favors that we would use to gain his trust?" Rodric asked, before he followed behind Cedwyn.

[GM Craig]

[Anyone else coming? By total Glory, Cedwyn has right of first place over Rodric, but others can follow if they wish. Also Northmen don't much care for "right of first place"]