496 - The Anarchy Era

"There's two things that come to my attention from your information. Firstly, the story of the husband being held accountable for his wife's murder despite witness accounts stating he was elsewhere sound remarkably like the tale that Sir Dylan has so diligently bought back from Cornwall. The same lie told twice as a feel of more than mere coincidence." "Secondly, you mentioned that the records were wet, correct? As was Violette's token when returned to me, or at least there was evidence of it becoming wet at some stage between last summer and now. Again, I do not think that is a coincidence. Was there a note as to when the records had been withdrawn? Perhaps we can try and narrow down the identity of this mysterious baron."

((nudge! anyone got any replies to Sir Owain?))

(Busy weekend and I realised I did not hit post on this question below) (Cubeth would have likely asked when this Baron took the records.  Was that information explicitly given?  He said it was years ago, but I feel like if a date was recorded she would have asked for it though I forgot to put that in words.)

It was three weeks after the ladies vanished

"The records were withdrawn around three weeks after the vanishings...  I believe this was possibly around the time of the commoner's trial, or perhaps shortly after.  Truly, disturbing is the time frame in which this all has occurred.  Lady Ellen, does this time frame align with when the Silchester delegation visited?" She further muses, "And why dampness?  I can see the written records, to destroy their contents...  But your fabric artefact Sir Owain, why get that damp?  Unless there was something on it which could have been washed away, or perhaps it travelled a distance and was wet due to weather?"

(Owain was referring to the fabric token that was described as being dirty as though it had gotten wet repeatedly. I read that the records were wet through handling rather than their storage, and the timeframe is out anyway. Owain's suspects that the fabric token had probably left Wynchbank to wherever Violette is, and had been cried over. However if a particularly damp individual had also been holding the records between now and last summer, it might eliminate his theory.)

"It seems to me like the record that was misplaced which stated Lady Morgelyn intervened when a knight was acting roughly with the commoners may have been a plant to support her story, as told by Sir Dylan. That she had Violette's agate points to some involvement, but without more to go on, there's no point in riding to Cornwall to accuse her of dishonesty and false witness." Owain is looking quite unhappy, as he feels close to working out what happened, but he also knows Lady Ellen is holding something back. The key is probably the movement of the fabric token out of Wynchbank's treasury, but it seems unlikely that Lady Ellen will be forthcoming with any more information, as she is protecting other interests, likely her son. There's a tangled web here, and everything seems to point to a Silchester knight of rank that wears the black.

Sir Dylan interjects, "I would not be so quick to accuse Lady Morgelyn of false testimony. I believe she speaks the truth as she perceives it. She did not leave this story here in order to plant some mischief, she kept it to herself, and only my journey caused it to come to light."

"If she insisted on my involvement, then it is false testimony., whether she believes it true or not. I don't think it was she who left the record, but the individual who was responsible, rewritten to match the narrative as she tells it."

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Take your time, a few people are busy for a few days more so feel free to edit in the complexity or add it in a second post as and when you're able too!

“There are many who would seek that. The last few years have been nothing but poisoning of strong bonds. I am more than willing to interview anyone in person. It’s the only way to tell the truth. In someone’s eye.”

"I can think of one group who could be easily behind this plot...  The Men of the Hood.  There is at least one set of black armour which is unaccounted for.  The armour which was not returned when one of our knights fell in the forests of Salisbury.  Anyone in the approximate size of the former holder of Clatford, if brazen enough, could come along and convince any commoner they are of noble blood and have access to the archives.  All they would have to do is obtain a sword and find a time when it would make sense for a knight from Silchester to be visiting Salisbury...  during an envoy of Silchester knights..." "That is why they murdered the commoner and his wife.  He must have recognized the imposter in the market place, and they slipped in the seeds of confusion by marring Sir Owain's name with a story and to cover Lady Morgelyn's tracks.  The documents could have been damaged and forged by someone sympathetic to the Hood's cause.  Perhaps a clergy member.  Wasn't the armour last seen with a clergyman to the South of Sarum?" "When I visited the scribe, he indicated there was a number who went missing during this time.  The ones we know of are: Violette, wife to a high member of the court; my sister, a squire and supposed mother to a child of one of there own; and Lady Morgelyn, their spy who actually returned to try and help tie up loose ends..." "And this this "Baron", maybe it is a reference to an ancient title which is no longer used... Or perhaps associated with land which was absorbed by another...  Perhaps we should consult the herald since Lady Ellen is not familiar with the name..." "This is the only theory I can piece together with what little information I have.  Perhaps it is wrong, but it is the only lead I can think of...  Unless anyone else has any better ideas?" (Sorry, a bit rough...  But hopefully, you get the idea.  If I need to correct or need clarity, let me know and I will do.)

The witness talked of two knights not one. Have other suits of armour gone missing?

(Not sure, I just know of the one... but that does not mean it has not occurred in the background...  Or maybe a Silchester knight is aligned with them?  But Cubeth would be hard-pressed to admit such a thing, given the circumstances...)

Dylan scoffs at Cubeth’s theory but keeps quiet. These fanciful plots seem too far fetched to him. The simplest theory is usually the correct one and he knows which one that is. But as the Earl had decided to keep things quiet for his own reasons, and Lady Ellen also seems not forthcoming, Dylan is inclined to keep from adding to an argument that would go nowhere. He will continue to observe Owain for any further reactions. 

Owain keeps his face impassive. He bows to Lady Ellen "I thank you for your time your Grace, but I think that we have taken up enough of your time." He turns to the others and gives them each a small bow. "Thank you all for your efforts too, I will remember them. I have much to think on." Owain goes to take his leave.

A day or two later, and Sir Owain is no-where to be found... He seems to have taken a journey....

Can Dylan discover anything about where he has gone to?

He can certainly try - how do you go about it?

Sir Arnold goes to visit those merchants his family are most closely associated with to see if any of their caravans passed the missing knight as they rolled into Sarum...

Critical Success - A wagoneer who runs between Tisbury and Sarum saw him travelling North through Salisbury from Tisbury. "The road he was on Sire, would take him up towards Aughton, then on to the border at Littleworth."

When tales of Sir Owain’s journey come to his attention, Sir Dylan will speak to the stablehands at Sarum and anyone else who may have spoken to Owain or his squire to see if they overheard anything of Owain’s intentions. 

(Is that a tick to something?)

Ross M said: (Is that a tick to something?) Yes, for the wagoneer Keith W. said: When tales of Sir Owain’s journey come to his attention, Sir Dylan will speak to the stablehands at Sarum and anyone else who may have spoken to Owain or his squire to see if they overheard anything of Owain’s intentions.  You don't find anyone who knows anything about Sir Owain's intentions, and furthermore, you get conflicting information as to whether he headed East to Silchester or West to Cornwall.

Dylan will retire back to his manor until any further information (or Owain) comes to light. He will stop by to pay his respects and inform Sir Hogarth of events on the way home. 

Sir Hogarth is apparently away on the Western Border of Salisbury, ensuring that relationships remain friendly, But Lady Emblyn promises you that his squire will be riding back in the coming days and she will relay the information.