Year 486 Summer Campaign

[GM Craig]

Sir Bar nods. "It's settled then. I'll send a message to the Earl. In the meantime, Sir Cedwyn and Sir Rodric can see to your needs. Sir Cedwyn, I presume you'll need a few days to sort out the details. You and Sir Rodric are released for no more than 5 days. You are free to petition the Earl for compensation of your expenses as your conscience guides you."

Sir Bar turns to Arne. "Forgive this cold reception, sir. I am not comfortable committing the Earl's treasury to support you on the Earl's behalf in a time of war, and I do not know enough to predict his mind on this matter. So, until a message is received with direction to the contrary, or the Earl returns and rules on the matter, you and yours will be guests of Sir Rodric and Sir Cedwyn. You may find that the willingness of two of his knights to pay your support will have a positive influence on the Earl. All the same, if you hear nothing sooner, be prepared to move on in the spring."

You both get the impression that this meeting is over. Sir Bar looks like a man waiting for farewells.

[Cedwyn]

Cedwyn offered Sir Bar a courtly bow, "With your leave Sir, we will go sort this out and get Arne's people settled in our lands."

[Arne]

Arne, too, aped Sir Cedwyn's bow to Sir Bar.  "Nothing to be forgiven, Sir Bar.  Your duties are many, and we arrived as a large, unexpected guest.  My people and warriors will be ready to move by the spring, I avow it."

[GM Craig]

The Sir Cedwyn and Arne, joined by Haydn, head back out and are soon on the road again. It is well after sunset by the time you pick your way down the river and finally spot the fires of the camp.

Reunited with the others, Sir Cedwyn and Arne join Sir Rodric and Valka by the fire with Holmg?r?r. Haydn and Suger are nearby, attentive to the needs of their lords. A small crowd of others gather as well to hear what you have to report.

[Both Rodric and Cedwyn would know the support costs involved with supporting the refugees, and what the costs for a given level of lifestyle would be. Remember that it isn't just coin, but reallocated resources as well (though resources could be replaced with coin).]

[Arne]

Arne watched the others and waited for the conversations to die down before rising to his feet.  "Sir Cedwyn and I were unable to meet with Earl Roderick, for duties had him elsewhere.  But we did meet with Sir Bar, a knight high in the Earl's standing.  Sir Bar's suggestion was that our people remain as guests of Sir Cedwyn and Sir Rodric."  Nodding to Sir Rodric with a smile, he added, "That is, if that agreement is acceptable to Sir Rodric until the Earl hears our plight and makes a decision."

Arne looked at his people intently.  "Of course, you all know that our hosts are showing great hospitality and generosity to allow us a place to stay, and the expense for this - at least, for a little while - will be covered by Sir Cedwyn and Sir Rodric.  Know, too, that Sir Cedwyn and Sir Rodric are taking us in upon their honor as knights, so our conduct will reflect upon them.  Remember this well.  Of course, we shall show our gratitude by helping their lands flourish.  I know that many of you have trades that you can practice, so we can put those to good use.  Another thing is that we will likely have to separate into two different settlements, for it's not right that one of the good knights here should have to see to the expenses of all of us." 

Arne raised a hand to forestall any possible outburst.  "This, too, may only be for a little while.  All of this depends on Earl Rodrick's final say.  He may very well decide to let us create our own settlement so all of us can live together . . . or he may also decide that he'd rather see us move on.  Either way, we must be ready to move by the spring.  But if we are allowed to stay, we shall earn our keep."  Arne grinned, and added, "Never let it be said that we Nords are not a tough, hard-working people.  We shall earn our keep, and we shall show our new friends that we can be mighty allies in battle, too."

[Geoffrey]

Rodric raised an eyebrow when Arne mentioned Sir Bar's suggestion.  Sir Bar obviously knew Rodric and Cedwyn's estates were meager.  To take in so many would prove a heavy burden for either of them, even if the Northerners agreed to split up.  Had he hoped Cedwyn would decline and the Northerner's be left to whatever devices on their own?

The knight looked out at the crowd, seeing their concern and apprehension struck a chord within him.

"Nay Arne, your people have been through enough.  To force you to divide yourselves...does not sit well with me.

I would welcome you all on my lands."

[Valka]

Valka was among the concerned faces, nearly incredulous at the suggestion that the northmen separate. Were they no longer welcome to the ruins?

"I could not fathom in a hundred years splitting our people. We are a family now, if not by birth, then by blood, having fought for each other, many having died for each other. And after news of the giant I dare say more than a few have come together. We will be seeing babes this winter, no doubt blessed by Freya herself.?

She turned to Rodric, feeling as though he was a sudden ray of sunlight in the frigid northern winter storm.

?Sir Rodric, that is a generous offer. More than generous - selfless even, to take our plight onto yourself though we are owed nothing.? Valka smiled wide. The respect she had for him was great.

?If we were to take you up on it, it is as Arne has said, our people would do all that they can to show their appreciation for your hospitality. But we are a council of three,? she gestured to Arne and Holmg?r?r. ?And together will decide.?

[Arne]

Arne was grateful for the knights' generosity, and gave the both of them a deep bow of respect.  He hoped that Cedwyn would not be offended with Rodric's offer, or especially the Nords' acceptance of it.   Despite the fact that having their people split up to live on different holdings would be far less of a financial burden on the two knights, Arne had despaired of the thought of having the refugees split up.  They had been through too much together already.

Arne and Valka liked Rodric's proposal, but all now rested with Holmg?r?r's decision.

[Cedwyn]

Cedwyn was grateful at Rodric's offer and nodded towards him. While Cedwyn didn't know what Rodric was thinking about Sir Bar's motives, Cedwyn thought along similar lines.

"Rodric, your offer is most generous. I was afraid that I could only accomodate but a few on my lands in a manner that would befit them, " Cedwyn made an attempt to keep relief from his voice. He had been worried about splitting them up. Family was important. But it was in that moment that he resolved to begin writing Ysbail daily, to inquire after her and their unborn child.

"Come the morn, we should forage for food and begin the journey to Falt," he looked at Rodric, "How long is the journey, my friend?"

[Geoffrey]

"Two, perhaps three days and we would need to ford two rivers."  Rodric replied to Cedwyn and then turned to look at each of Valka, Arne and Holmg?r?r.

"That is of course if my offer is acceptable to all three of you."

[Arne]

Arne brightened.  "Your offer is acceptable and generous, Sir Rodric."  Looking at Valka and Holmg?r?r, he shrugged.  "What say the both of you?"

[Valka]

"I am agreeable, but we need not decide this very moment," Valka replied, mostly so that the priestess would not be forced to decide on the spot if she wanted to discuss it privately. "Are you hungry or thirsty? May I get you anything?" she asked the two that had just arrived.

[GM Craig]

Holmg?r?r is quiet, watching the interplay between all of you. She smiles at Valka, apparently relieved at a distraction. "Yes, food and drink. Where are our manners?" She gets up from the fire, stopping to grip Valka's shoulder for a moment as a gesture of gratitude.

Food and drink are brought. It is not a rich meal, and there is not a lot of it, but the Northmen share what they have. There is also plenty of music and dancing, pretty women and handsome men to go around.

[PM sent to Arne and Valka.]

[GM Craig]

[OOC: Waiting on Valka's response to the PM.]

[GM Craig]

The rest of the night passes in revelry. One thing about the Northmen - they can celebrate. It is perhaps a little more debauched than the Christian knights are comfortable with, but the easy solution there is to withdraw to their tents. In the morning the trek to Falt will begin.

[OOC: Anyone interested in a 'liaison' can find a willing partner, and earn a check for Lustful.

That's all I had for this season. I'll keep the thread open for any RP, but unless anyone has any objections, I'd ready to move on to winter phase.]