496 - The Anarchy Era

Water isn't served, as it is a well known source of sickness, and the reason why alcoholic drinks are so widespread are that they are safe to drink, but fruit juice is served and I suspect you would consider the ales and beers as not a drink that could get you drunk, being that they would be low in alcohol - about enough to kill pathogens and no more, so by your aims, I suspect you would categorise this differently to the wines and stronger ales which will get a knight tipsy. Would you, while we give the others a little more time to let us know their actions, just give me a quick roll against your Temperate vs your Indulgence. The food and drink is all of fine quality, even if the spicing and herbs are foreign to your palettes, they are delicious and very tempting after a long ride here.

(( Taron rolled a success for Temperate and a fail for Indulgent)) Taron, you do manage to avoid drink and only eat a small amount of food!

(How similar would the feast be to those that Owain would have experienced during his time away? I'd assume fairly comparable, but wanted to ask before writing anything).

Very similar indeed, the lack of rules and structure related to heirarchy are gone completely, though the concept of the high table is still here, at which the king and his closest advisors sit - except the unarmed, skinny elderly Saxon man, he moves around the various groups speaking with everyone.

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The unarmed Saxon approaches Sir Dylan first, and after some pleasantries, asks "Sir Dylan, I understand knights of Salisbury to be honourable, what does honour mean to you?" He next approaches Sir Owain "Sir Owain. Your adventures are well known, but you spent time away, in the frozen North. What did you learn about your own peoples while you were there?" Next he approaches Sir Balen "Sir Balen. Your disdain for our people is palpable. What keeps your sword in it's sheath?" Next, Sir Taron "Sir Taron, you are not eating or drinking. Is your intention to cause insult or do you mistrust us. Would you eat if I taste it first?" Finally, Sir Ullin "I understand that you have risen to prominence in Salisbury, leading men with twice your years experience in combat. What is your mightiest military victory, and what is your most embarrassing defeat?"

"I am not drinking for I am a temperate man. I prefer to keep a clear head.  As to not eating, I confess I am uncomfortable - my Lord was recently killed in battle against your people. And yet, here we are sitting down at table with those who have conquered one of neighbouring counties. Any normal man would be nervous. May I ask who is questioning me?" (this only if the 'pleasantries' didn't include an introduction)

Oh, sorry, yes, he would have introduced himself as King Cerdic's brother

Dylan appraises the man for a moment.  “Like most places, Salisbury has those who are less honourable than others, but by in large, yes...we are an honourable people.  To me honour means courage...both courage in battle in the face of one’s enemies as well as having the courage of one’s convictions. Justice, for it is a knight’s duty to deliver justice at the behest of his lord and to his own charges. Mercy, for with justice must come mercy for those who truly seek forgiveness for their missteps. Generosity, for we have much and through sharing the bounty we have we can improve our lands and our peoples whose toil we all benefit from. Faith, for no matter what god you may believe in, remembering that everyone must answer to a higher power is healthy even among the greatest of us. Nobility, for we are in a position to be an example to all those who we rule over. It is through our example that the country’s strength and resolve is built. And lastly hope. For we can be that shining light in the darkness that others can use as their guide, even in the darkest of times. I hope your people share a similar outlook”

Sleepy Will said:  "Sir Owain. Your adventures are well known, but you spent time away, in the frozen North. What did you learn about your own peoples while you were there?" Owain cocks an eyebrow and gives a smile "I am surprised that you know anything of my reputation or adventures; I'll have to start being more careful about what I get up to if Saxon chiefs are being told about it." "I did spent some time in the north. I was... it was a confused time, and much of it is still a blur. I certainly learned a lot about the kindness of strangers, and the struggle to retain a cultural identity in the face of those who deem themselves superior. So perhaps it is better to say that I did not learn much about my people, but instead did some learning on their behalf."

Balen tries to remain calm. “Cracked the wrist a week ago. Not really a threat at the moment. Meeting halls and feasts shouldn’t really be about murder and death. That’s how I see it.”

Apart from the highlighted question, your conversations are polite, pleasant, even friendly if you reciprocate. The food and drink is consumed and as the feast begins to wind down - while the brother is still making his rounds (yet to speak with Ullin), King Cerdic stands and raises the clay mug he has been drinking from and silence takes over the hall. "Friends and neighbours, I am so very pleased to have hosted you here today. We understand that our occupation of our rightful lands has come as a shock. We know that such large scale movement of our people to these lands has usually triggered war and strife. I hope you are reassured today that we are not invaders, we are not an occupation over a population who does not wish us to be here. It is sad that we did have to retake our lands from a Lord who usurped our territory with no legal basis other than he was not us but I hope you see that this magnificent feast, all produced locally proves that we have established a functioning..." he struggled for a word for a moment... "..  a functioning nation, one in which we were welcomed by the people who loved us when we were here before and love us again now. We are not the same as those tribes of Sussex who wage wars to take territory that is only theirs through might. We are not the same as those tribes of Essex who while they have a legal claim for their lands..." Sir Blaine snorts incredulously at this, but holds his tongue "... are taking it against the will of the people who now live there, as I feel Sir Blaine would agree. We are here and rule only with the consent of our people. Cymric or Saxon does not matter. We are Wessex, and we will never raise weapons against our neighbours to take what is theirs. We will never raise weapons against our own if they reject us, as we have proven once before, when we left peacefully. We hope to establish good relations with you, our closest neighbours. We hope to trade peacefully, so that we all may be strengthened by our mutual co-operation. And we hope that we will never bore you with a speech that outlasts it's welcome, so drink, gamble, eat your fill and sleep in safety here, an invitation of hospitality that will remain open when you leave, we hope always. To your good health, and the health of your families" He drains his mug and sits back down again.

Dylan toasts as the king does. He is impressed by King Cerdic's speech. Not at all what he expected from a saxon. Dylan will circulate among the feast-goers and look for the other knights of Salisbury to confer with on their own impressions of Cerdic.

(Finally... catch up time!) Along the journey to the feast, Sir Ullin is surprised by the sights he sees.  He half expects to see a land ravaged by war, but this does not seem the case.  Still, things feel off to him.  A feeling he cannot shake and is reintensified when he sees that Silchester and Sir Blaine (actually, I think this might be their first encounter...) are present as well.  After he reflects for a moment, it does make perfect sense to him to have representatives of the neighbouring counties all present at once. When Sir Blaine makes his statement about 'junior knights', Sir Ullin recalls the foolishness of his cousin's intervention and rolls his eyes.  He thinks to himself : Perhaps if Sir Blaine knew a bit more about heraldry, he would not make such a mistake in miss identification.  That is... unless he is throwing a personal slight against me intentionally...  Either way, I will not debase myself to his level while conducting official business for our Liege. He does mentally tsk-tsk Sir Dylan's rashness, but he does applaud his sticking up for the honour of the name Salisbury. Sir Ullin during the feast still feels a sense of being surrounded, but also feels secure in the fact they are not the only ones of high profile in attendance.  He knows things are safe at the present, but could soon change shortly after the feast concludes.  He takes this time to try to learn more about their new neighbours.  He knows not much of what will be said will stick, but he does try his best to try and understand what truly motivates these Saxons.  They were sent here to gain information for Lady Ellen, and he will try his best to do so by paying attention to what is said by those in attendance. Finally, Sir Ullin "I understand that you have risen to prominence in Salisbury, leading men with twice your years experience in combat. What is your mightiest military victory, and what is your most embarrassing defeat?" "I will gladly answer your question, but I am curious...  You seem to have heard something about me already, what have you heard are my greatest victory and defeat?"

The brother nods seriously "I know a great many things of Salisbury, I like to talk to people, I enjoy listening to them. Have no worries, this is for my own gratification, I do not whisper in my brothers ear, he hates those who judge people on heresay. I use them to compose poems of great deeds. The people I talk too might each tell a false version of events, but buried deep in all of their versions lies the truth. But on you, the merchants all agree, there is no good reason for your promotion. Yet you thoroughly deserve it. The commoners who escape the feudal system - beg my pardon, I mean no insult, but you should know we Saxons would never accept being never allowed to never leave a village - but the commoners who are granted leave to travel with the merchants, some have been soldiers and they tell their stories, and fine stories they are too, but none of you. That isn't unexpected, given how little time you have spent leading, but somehow you seem to have inspired loyalties in men, and forgive my frankness, I don't know why!"

"But surely you would have spoken to the knights who survived the battle.  Did they not say anything of me?" (He will answer the original question, I just ran out of time this morning and this question popped into my head.)

"No, the knights of Hampshire knew little of affairs of the other counties of Logres, and those aboard the ships, who were of different stock to Lord Semele's men all perished under the waves sadly. Lord Semele was not loyal. He was no true Lord, but a common thug who happened on our holdings first. I doubt his knights..." he glances to Dylan ..."would have measured up to your standards, they didn't even answer to Semele, who himself bowed to some character known only as 'Hood'."

To Owain's mind, King Cerdic's words seem no different to those spoken by Prince Aescwine. Perhaps dressed up more fair, but the essence is that the Saxons have come to claim the land granted to them by Vortigern. That the commoners don't seem to mind is irrelevant in many ways; they have never been consulted when land is passed over to a different ruler, and none would pay heed to their opinion anyway. As to the claims that he is content with Weesex, and will not seek to expand his lands or fight his neighbours... well, time will tell. In Owain's experience, those who seek power never seem to be content with what they have, and there is no indication that Cerdic is any different. In fact, he might be more dangerous than the other Saxon Kings. They at least act fully Saxon. With Logres in chaos, a strong leader who talks of honour like Cerdic might sway native Britons to his side more easily.

(Does Ullin know anything of Lord Semele?) "I do have to admit, what you have said is a rather interesting tale.  It would have been nice to have had a chance to speak with these men who pledge loyalty to this 'Hood'...  But I promised you an answer to your question, and it would be rude of me to keep you waiting." "I fought at Bayeux and did not suffer even a scratch; at Lindsey, I struck down Octa and brought him before the King; while hunting in the wilds I slew singlehandedly a mighty Avanc with a single blow; at St. Albans I stepped forward and pulled our unit from the clutches of death most certain; and there are some fights I have seen and been privy to which you would call me a liar if I spoke of them to you...  but for each of these, which some may call mighty victories, there was always a price to be paid, something important was always lost and that makes them tarnished in my eyes.  Though it was not always apparent immediately at the time...  But what would make them mighty is the fact I learned from the mistakes of each of those battles and endeavoured to not repeat those mistakes again..." "Hopefully, that answers your question."

Balen approaches Sir Blaine. ”Sir Blaine,” Balen mutters quietly into his drink..., “He speaks of the differences between the Saxons. Do you believe it? Are they truly divided?”

(( This is one of those questions that I can't answer for you, I know I hinted as hard as I could that Hampshire might be a place to check out, whether you understood and chose not to or missed the clues, I can't risk answering your questions without giving spoilers away! )) "That's a fine answer Sir Ullin, I thank you for it!" ----- Sir Blaine eyes Balen as he approaches, and listens quietly to the question. He steps outside to take some air and in the cool of the night, when he is sure that none can overhear, answers "The Saxons are a tribal people, to them each King is as the Kings of Malahaut, Cambria, the North and even the Dukes are to us. Some of them are such natural allies that they may as well be as one, Duke Ulfius is... was loyal to his core to Logres and the Pendragons, so you couldn't separate Silchester from Uther. But as you know, Malahaut is a very different place to our lands." "The specifics of the relationships between them are hard to discern. We have the disadvantage in this area, they have had eyes of Britain for decades, while most Britons would not even know where the Saxons hail from if they had a chart of their territory under their nose."

If there's nothing else, and you definitely don't want to help someone with one of their personal quests or don't have a general quest that you want to tackle this year -  then we can end the year when you're ready!

Owain will attempt to follow up on Blaine's words to have a discussion after the feast.

Ready to end the year. 

Sir Blaine leaves for Silchester with your party and as soon as you cross into Salisbury and reach the main road, he seeks you out Owain. "What did you make of the Wessex Saxons?"

"Full of fine words about keeping to themselves now they have their 'rightful' land, but I'm not sure I believe it. There will be hawks in his court eager to extend their lands or claim more plunder. Saxons favour a warrior to lead, and I doubt Cerdic would last long just sitting where he is. Give it a year or two whilst he establishes himself, and then I expect he'll look to expand." "Cerdic speaks dangerous words of friendship to those of this land. There are likely landless knights or malcontents who might be tempted to throw their lot in with him, whereas the other Saxon Kings are less charismatic." "What are your thoughts?"

"Pleasingly similar. I don't trust honeyed words, not from a Saxon. I would like to know more about them, I think it would be prudent to have the Duke visit Sarum to discuss this further. In the meantime, I think we need to watch our Southern border like hawks and freeze out any merchant trading through their port. That old skald, he knew far far too much about me... about your regent Lady Ellen and the future Earl of Salisbury. "

"Far too much information on all of us. That he recognised the heraldry of all the knights Salisbury sent and something of our reputations speaks volumes. It would be wise to have our Liege Lords meet anyway. Isolation is likely to lead to each of us slowly getting worn down in turn, whilst some degree of co-ordination can only help us both."

Taron would like to see if being appointed to the Earl's bodyguard increases his chances with the Lady Bethan's father?

After returning to Sarum, Owain will gather the knights together. "I would like to request your help. It is a personal matter, but I believe that there's other implications behind the events  which may impact the internal security of Salisbury." "During winter three years ago, my wife Violette came to Sarum to visit Lady Ellen. Ullin's cousin was also present at that meeting. Neither returned home after leaving Lady Ellen's company. I looked into the matter at the time, and was told my wife had not left Sarum. This means that the ladies were spirited away from within Sarum's walls. That two ladies can simply vanish from Sarum is a worry, suggesting that there's possibly parties at large that could be a current threat, or a future one." "Earl Roderick had me travelling away, so I've not been able to discover much. What I know for sure is that Lady Ellen knows something; what that is, or why she will not speak to me of it I do not know. You may have seen the token of Violette that I worn since her absence. I sent that to Wynchbank in my stead after St St Albans to stand as my pledge to Robert. That token was apparently kept in the castle treasury, and returned to me as the tribute was brought out for Prince Aescwine. The token was not in the same state as it was delivered, stained with dirt and grime. So it had been taken somewhere, which I take to mean Violette is alive somewhere." "I would be honoured if you would lend me your aid in trying to find Violette, and working out what plots are afoot." ---‐----- (I think Will can add or correct as appropriate)

(( I see absolutely nothing inaccurate from Owain's understanding in that summary ))

"Of course, Sir Owain. If indeed there is some person or even people inside the court at Sarum operating for some hidden interest, we must rout it out." "Have you questioned Lady Ellen yourself? If she is not talking to you, there are several possibilities. Perhaps she has been sworn to keep you in the dark by Violette or whoever knows where she is. Perhaps she would talk to someone other than you? Sir Taron is present in her retinue now, so he might be a good choice. Or perhaps someone is forcing her to remain silent under some kind of threat, in which case we might be able to learn more from some of her ladies in waiting. Again, perhaps Sir Taron, who is familiar to them, might a good choice to do some initial investigation."

"There are others who were present at Wynchbank that might have seen something too. The Armello, Robert, various men at arms and other retainers that have accompanied Lady Ellen to Sarum. There's one place that I want to visit back on Violette's old manor, a hideaway from her childhood. If ever there was a place that Violette may put a message for me in secret, it is there." "However, Violette is only one of the people missing. Ullin's family may have other information about their missing kin."

Sir Arnold makes the short trip from Newton, jumping from his horse and pounding up the steps to Sarum. He smooths his hair and pulls his dark green tunic flat. He moves effortlessly into the hall. "Sir Owain, I have answered the call. Is there any development?"

(Sorry, taking some liberties with this... I hope it is OK.  If not, I will amend.) With Sarum just in sight of the knights returning from the feast with the Saxon King, a rider swiftly approaches.  Sir Ullin recognizes the squire rushing towards them, and at a distance recognizes it is Sir Ean's squire.  The lad approaches Sir Ullin with a tired and wide-eyed expression on his face.  He whispers into the elder knight's ear and waits for him to respond. Sir Ullin raises an eyebrow, shakes his head and says, "Tell him it should not be an issue...  But I will head home first for a few days to clear the air and then I will return to Sarum for a while to coordinate training activities and a few matters before heading on to the castle..."  The squire quickly turns about and heads back to Sarum. Sir Ullin turns to his travel companions, "It looks like this is where I will take my leave.  I have a few matters to tend to at the manor before heading to Sarum to report to Lady Ellen on what I saw at the feast.  From there, I will have to take up my responsibilities at Vagon (? correct castle?).  It appears it may be best I am not at Sarum for the next few days... I will see you all soon hopefully..." With that, he says his farewells and heads in the direction of Burcombe. (Scribbs, your meeting of knights.  Where are they gathered?  In a room, with or without guards?  In an open space, like a courtyard?  Just curious for flavour purposes...  A character will be joining you shortly...)

(I wrote it to be agnostic in terms of whose attending, so assume that whichever PKs you want be have been invited (which I think Will is okay with?). As for where, let's say in the armoury at Sarum. Owain's going to have some space there anyway as part if his cover for his Spy Master role)

(( Will approved the change of characters and is OK with everything else, he's super busy at the moment, but is reading everything and will be with you asap ))

Just as the meeting is getting started, it is clear why Sir Ullin had departed for Burcombe as Sir Cubeth bursts through the armoury doors.  The Silchester knight, formerly squire of Salisbury, enters the room and quickly assesses those in attendance.  Her mood only brightens when she sees Sir Owain as she approaches him and says, "Sir Owain!  I am glad they have finally put someone competent in charge of finding my little sister.  With how short Salisbury had been of knights, you would have thought they would have been looking harder for a lost squire.  I would have tried to come to look for her myself; but, alas, they have had me stationed along the Southern borders for two back to back terms of service." She gives the room another look and rather unimpressed further comments, "I see we have Salisbury's finest to aid us...  I am not sure I have met any of these others..."

"Sir Cubeth, may I introduce Sirs Arnold, Taron and Dylan. You may have heard of Arnold as one of the knights who accompanied Narwar to bring back that bottle of wine as a present for Uther. Dylan aided Sir Massen find his daughter, and both he and Taron prevented a piosoner at her wedding celebrations." --------- (Owain has picked events that might resonate the most with Cubeth, who is a Silchester knight)

Sir Arnold bows precisely, ‘it a a great pleasure.’

Sir Cubeth puts her hand on her chest, turns toward Sir Arnold, and cordially says, with a beguiling smile, "I never knew all the knights who accompanied my brother on that fateful errand...  It was said that when he returned, my brother was a changed man...  Perhaps, after this, you might be able to provide some insight as to what may have caused the madness which engulfed his mind and caused his disappearance...  The pleasure is mine." (Sorry for this.  The dice roller... was unkind...  Luckily, time slipped away and caused to soften the blow...) She abruptly turns to the younger knights and with a venomous glare says, "Oh... the great feats of Sir Taron and Sir Dylan are well known throughout Silchester.  Now, I am able to put faces to the names...."

“Sir Cubeth, was it?”, Dylan nods and goes back to looking around the hall. 

Sir Arnold fills the gap in conversation quickly, "Sir Cubeth, feel free to join me at Newton if the need ever takes you. What news have you heard from Silchester?"

Her eyes linger, sharp as daggers, on the younger knight for a long moment in silence after the quip is finished.  Clearly, she has an opinion of this young knight; but, it is hard to say if she would have said something further to Sir Dylan, as her attention is diverted back to Sir Arnold as he asks her a question. She politely replies, "And you and Sir Owain are most certainly welcome to visit Foxcotte if you are to journey that way in the future.  Being born and raised in Salisbury, I know how few knights in this court would go anywhere near Levcomagnus, but know that you are welcome if you wish to brave its proximity.  I do say, Sir Arnold, I am glad the Earl's court is not as entirely cold as I remembered it... that warm embers still reside in the hearth..." She spoke the last comment slowly to draw it out for effect but quickly continues in a pleasant yet unexcited tone, "Anyway, news has been hard to come by.  The last several years I have been resigned to either garrison duty or patrol on the Southern Borders and by the time I accomplish anything at my estate, I have had to turn back around to the South to yet again be unable to find anything of significant occupation during my term of service.  I must say, with how well the watchtowers are working, there is not much action on the roads anymore.  But, there have been interesting rumours, such as the exploits Sir Owain mentioned of your... finest young knights..." her hand indicating Sir Taron and Sir Dylan, "Along with sad news of the death of a dear friend by the hand of my cousin... but if the claims are true Lady Ellen absolved him of malice intent... then I would believe her seeing of the situation, however hard it may be to stomach..." Her face slips into a slight moment of remembrance and melancholy.  She realises the lapse and quickly continues in a more joyful tone, "I have also heard Sir Roderick was not among those poisoned at the Feast at St Albans.  I was relieved to hear this but surprised he was not near Uther after the battle.  But, then again, I heard the Salisbury unit was bogged down during the battle and did not win much in the way of favour during the fighting; so perhaps being spurned by the King ended up being a blessing in disguise.  That is why I am here.  I was hoping to speak to Sir Roderick about what has been done to find my sister.  Surely there has been some effort and resources of the court to help find her.  After all, she is a squire of Salisbury and her knight would have at least spent some time trying to find her."

"Cubeth, Earl Roderick fell in the battle. Silchester was one of the only counties not to lose her leadership because Duke Ulfius was wounded. Lady Ellen is standing as Regent on behalf of Robert." Owain is surprised that Cubeth is unaware of this, perhaps a strong indication of how removed she is from the centre of Silchester's court.

(That, or how little Silchester chooses to discuss Salisbury.  Maybe those around her thought it best not to mention it for not wanting to stir her ire or even had a scheme of there own for not telling her.) Her demeanour changes before your eyes, an obvious mixture of sadness, anger, confusion, and possibly denial.  She thinks to herself: Truly, I am now a guest in my homeland...   These shades of emotions cycle through and fade quickly as she regains her composure.  She remarks, "A great loss... Though I disagreed with his choices from time to time, he was a good man and will be missed...  I am glad you were the one to tell me Sir Owain.  A lesser knight I would have accused of making jest or being a liar.  Clearly, being away from the court has diminished my knowledge of current events and this explains the mood as I arrived to Sarum..." "Let us return to the task at hand.  What has been done so far?  What is your plan?"

Owain will summarise as is written above, and will ask Cubeth if she has any information on her sister that she could contribute.

Cubeth has a disappointed look on her face, "So we have this little of information to go off of...  Sadly, because of my duties and her being a squire in a separate court with duties of her own, I do not have much to offer in the way of information...  Except she did birth a child with a supposed member of the Hood... a horsethief evidently."

"So the hood. What do we know? Sir Hogarth recognised some of their members at his last encounter. Failed esquires and a rogue knight. A murderous squire as well. Is he still rotting in Sarum's dungeon? What else? They wanted suits of armour." (With Arnold being married into the family of a wealthy trader, could he have better access to reports of banditry?)

"I'm not sure these disappearances have anything to do with the Hood. I'm not ruling it out, but chasing bandits without a solid link does not feel to be the right course of action. I think talking to those who were at Wynchbank this winter is the first step. They may have seen something that can shed a light on why Violette's token is such a state."