Sir Quillam here...
I'm back at St Christopher's now, and right glad to be home. I hear that Count King Idar took the news of Camelot well, as it was relayed by Sir Cynfyn. I heard all this from the man myself, as well as the other Leicester knights, at the feast Sir Perseus threw in honor of his joining the Society of the Candlebees. He certainly proved his reckless and fanatical nature during our journey to France.
Father Merle was too ill to attend—rich food and late nights do not sit well with him these days—and sent me with instructions to assure all that he approved of our actions against those fey-tainted de Ganis knights, and that his absence should in no way be taken as a sign of disapproval. That may change, however, as the Archbishop St Dewey came to Leiceister...I missed Perseus setting torch to his apiary as I had to attend His Exaltedness in his audience with Abbot Merle and Count King Idar. The Archbishop threatened to excommunicate the count and everybody in his lands if he did not settle the dispute with King Arthur!
I am shocked. I do not know why the Archbishop would take the side of faerie lovers and heretics against a hero of the realm and deeply religious man like Count King Idar. I had much to occupy my thoughts as I patrolled the county on garrison duty, waiting for the storm surely headed our way.
Sir Perseus, Candlebee.
The calm before the storm is boring. Garrison duty! We should have raided someone! It is clear to me, especially this last year, that fortune favors the bold. Nothing in this life is free, and it is up to we of noble blood to take initiative. My Lord King Count Edar is taking this initiative. One example of this is induction of me into the hallowed ranks of the Candlebees! HUZZAH! The first Candlebees stood against the hordes of invading Saxons, and now I will continue the tradition of stout defense of our homelands. Unfortunate that we will be fighting our own countrymen, but it is their choice to go against the righteous King Count Edar, who has a just claim. If it comes to war, My lord will find none more willing than I to fight and die for his cause. We Leicestermen will not be broken!
Edar Speaks…
So many new faces are gathered. I bid all of you welcome to Leicester. Never before have I had the honor of hosting so great a collection of friends from so far away. Though it seems all of you have heard of me, I will take a moment to make introductions that you may know the great company we share…
Newly arrived from Trond, I welcome King Valliant and his men. When my beloved Valerie and I were wed I told my brother-in-law that I would look forward to the time when I could host him in my hall and show him the love and courtesy he showed me as a guest in his. Although these are not the happy circumstances I spoke of, it does my heart good for him to be here, and I can see that Valerie is delights. The warriors you brought on your ships do you honor sir, and I expect that the site of your vessels on the Humber shook Count Dyrfel wonder if massing troops in Lincoln was wise.
As ambassadors from King Claudus of France, Sir Caldemar and the Bishop of Troyes are most welcome in my home. I have been assured of the King’s friendship and his offers to help resist the injustice we face is most welcome. I am certain that if King Arthur were aware of the nobility of these men, he would realize that surely the DeGanis lost their holdings to a people who are striving to live up to the highest ideals. That they do this after having to fight through the poisoners and hooligans of the DeGanis clan is testimony to their virtue.
Also from the continent, I am pleased to present Uno. If this man looks familiar to you, he should. His father was Duke Ulfius of Silchester. While the Duke and I were not close, he was a loyal servant to both King Uther and King Arthur. He earned pledges of loyalty from these kings, and yet when he passed, King Arthur would not confirm title on his sons. It is very regrettable. As a knight of the round table, I did not consider that Arthur was finding a convenient way to escape his word. I was among the voices that called for justice to be done to the sons of Ulfius. Now I understand that justice is what was lacking. Should I have the opportunity, I will see Silchester restored to its rightful lords.
From Ireland we have Sir Aidan, son of King Anguish. I have had the privilege of hosting this knight in my house, and have accepted him as a vassal. As further proof of friendship between our peoples, one of my knights recently stood to champion Anguish against charges leveled by the DeGanis. You may have heard of the brawl that ensued in Camelot. I have heard it from my own men that the fighting was started when young Perseus asked that the DeGanis blade be checked for poison. You may think this a rash request, and one that impugns the dignity of a knight. Indeed, when first I heard it, I was shocked. Then evidence was presented that Sir Cynfyn was nearly poisoned by a DeGanis man in France. If they would act to do this in a foreign court, then the request is only reasonable. I am certain that had the High King been present for the “trial” of an ally such as King Anguish, this would not be a problem, for I doubt the DeGanis would act this way before the king. But the king was away dealing with business in the north. While I am certain his business was important, once again an ally of the High King must be sacrificed and face insult from the DeGanis clan. I am pleased to say that the last word I have of King Anguish is that he is returned to Ireland safely. I trust his friendship, and I am certain that if needed he will act to protect Oriel and its people.
From Hertford, my eldest daughter’s husband Randolph, heir to Hertford is here. There are few places outside Leicester that have made me so welcome as Hertford. Randolph and his knights are here to assist us though their own lands are threatened by Arthur’s vassal in Anglia. I have learned that just this year your younger brother repelled an incursion by Sir Hervis. The reports say he led his men through the enemy lines and none were able to resist his advance. You are most welcome in my hall. You honor me with your friendship. Along with his knights he has brought his son Gwyn – my grandson – to fight at his side. Gwyn travelled with my knights to France, and earned recognition on the field.
The Lord of Lonazep has been unable to join us, but his son, my second daughter’s husband is here with a detachment of knights to serve on our behalf. You are most welcome.
It saddens me that Bedegraine declined to join us. Rumor has it of troops massing there, but he is family through my third daughter – I doubt he will attack us unless he has no choice.
Lastly, it is my honor to present to this assembled host the Candlebees of Leicester – Sir Cynfyn, knight of the Medlar, and Sir Perseus of Medbourne. Sir Cynfyn is one of the finest knights in Leicester, noted for his loyalty and cleverness. Sir Perseus is the newest of the Candlebees, and the son of the late Sir Bledri. Already this young man has begun the path to greatness, slaying a troll in tournament!
I have made no secret of Sir Gawaine’s visit to Leicester. He has asked me to attend Arthur in Camelot. I have expressed my regrets that I cannot go. When I was a young man I suffered imprisonment and shame for my service to the Pendragon. Although I was released, that stain on my name remained for years. I re-entered the service of the new Pendragon with assurances of justice and recognition of my claim. I even received writ and charter showing my rights. Do you see Father Merle over there? He is seated with Sir Quillam. The venerable father is abbot of St. Guinifort in Leicester and they have reviewed the charter. None doubt its accuracy, but if you would look on it, speak to the abbot.
Some of you may have heard a rumor that the High King has dispatched the Archbishop Dewey to speak with me. It is true. He threatened me with excommunication if I did not return to Arthur. I told him that I would not betray my honor as a young man when I was threatened by the last Archbishop, and that he did not frighten me. I am concerned that the High King, unable to cajole me into his camp, unable to bribe me, and seeing I am willing to stand by my principles and that my friends will stand with me, has instead turned to the clergy. He knows from my past that I do not fear to die in for a just cause, so instead he would threaten my soul with eternal damnation. I remember well the High King’s response to such a threat when the Pope of Rome made it – if you look to the tapestry to my left, it once hung in one of the great halls of Rome. I am not proud and will not ride to Camelot with an army behind me to answer the charge, but I will not shrink from the threat.
As the masses of footman gather around the county I promise you all this. Nothing would sadden me more than to go into conflict with Arthur and his knights. Nothing except breaking my oath and compromising my honor. Go into any of the lands of Leicester and ask the people there what they think of Count Edar. They will all tell you that above all, I am a just man. All I ask of others is that they are just as well. If Arthur and I can be resolved to a just agreement, then all will be well. If not, we shall have to place our faith in god and trust that justice will prevail.
Sir Arddur hastily reporting!
I can not talk long for I am in a hurry. I left my Count a message by way of Sir Henry knighton, and when he finds out what I am doing he will be Wroth with me. Sir Ellidyr, my brother in arms has dissapeard. After questioning father Merle, and some other people about what he has been doing and saying lately I have put the pieces together. He is carrying some type of Guilt for something that he had done in Ireland, and has carried it for quite a time now. That I know. But what has me panicked is that he talked to Merle about making amends for it! And The old Coot agreed that he should amend his ways but left it up to ELLIDYR about how best to do that! SOOOO....What does that damned fool Eliddyr tell his sister that he is planning, that has her running to find me? He is going to find his Best friend Amadis no matter where he is, and then with Amadis they are going to then go find Lancelot and either convince him to bring peace between the De Ganis clan and our Count...Or if that wont work....To Murder Lancelot and thus fully cripple the De Ganis Line!!!!! AAAUUGGHH!!! What a fool.
I spread a bit of Denarri around a few monthes ago to try and gain word on where Sir Amadis went, and all I could come up with is that he took a ship to the continent. That much is known reliably. I can also say that I doubt he was in France or Brittany because the recent voyage there by some leicestermen would probably have spotted him(Amadis is not really one for laying low, he just can't help himself)....So where then, is he? Elidyr has a two day start on me and he knows that Amadis is on the continent somewhere as well. So All I have to do now is try to figure out which port he will go to to find a ship. Edar will be angry to find me gone since war is looming and his war councils are being held. I must find that damned fool Ellidyr quickly! What a twit.
Sir Amadis reports in...
This King Theudis is an interesting man, perhaps next to Idar, the most interesting man in the world…his court is made up of men from much of Spain and parts of Africa, Italy, and France, too. They flock to his banner because of his crusade to repulse the hated Franks, but they stay because he is a man’s man, and much loved by his knights and sergeants. He is well-born, but not of a noble family. True! He ascended to the Visigothic throne on the desires of the people for a proven warlord. Because he is of the people, his justice is renown, and men commoners and nobles alike accept his judgements as fair. Riding with his court, though, I have seen nobles who do not appreciate is blunt honesty. But those are the men who prefer empty flattery to substance, so I care not a whit for the perceived slights to their honor. The king is also no carouser as are so many of King Arthur’s knights of the Round Table…the men say it is because of the trouble brought on Spain by Queen Chrotilda that Theudis keeps his hands to himself. Nor does he drink much. Yet his court is full of good cheer, as the Spanish are marvelous cooks and entertainers, placing great emphasis on the well-being of their stomachs, and delighting in vigorous song and dance.
But the king and his men—myself and my band among them—did not spend the summer at court, but rather on the campaign trail, working our way north with the Franks retreating before us, fighting us each step of the way. In the land of the Vascones we met Clothar’s Frankish army on the banks of the Arga. A tough fight, but we took Pompey’s city back from the Franks thanks to a last-ditch effort: a company of Bungundian knights accompanied by crossbowmen was pushing into our camp when the squires and wounded men opened the corrals and ran the army’s cattle into the Frankish troops. It was marvelously chaotic as the bulls ran through the town, trampling men unlucky enough to be in their path. That broke their charge and we regained the day.
King Theudic next wanted to retake Salduva, a fortified city on the road to Bordeaux. We were unable to take it by storm and so settled in for a siege. A very boring affair, especially as we were reduced to eating mutton and goat. But my comrades, those of my wife’s cousin’s who rode out with me, have divers ways of preparing goat, making it a very delicious meal. They travel very light and fast, and in a battle prefer not to engage in direct combat as I am used to, but prefer to throw javelins and then dash out of harm’s way on their speedy mounts. (However, they do make sure to bring sufficient pans and spices. Strange but practical.)
After three weeks of siege-work, the king called me to his tent. I went with three of my cousins. I was surprised to see a Dane in the king’s tent, and even more surprised to hear from Theudic that the man was a messenger from Queen Valerie of Leicester! He told me that King Arthur’s jealousy of Edar had reached new heights, and that the king was moving to disenfranchise good Count King Edar of his lands and rights. Fie!
King Theudic of course had heard of Count King Edar, and I had told him firsthand of my lord’s extreme prowess and generosity, and though he was sad to give me leave, he did. The Danish messenger followed me back to my campfire, and I told my cousin’s what was up. We decided to pack up then and there and ride back to the coast and take ship for the green hills of Leicester.
It will be a long journey, but if Edar has a need I must answer the call.
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Friday, April 10, 2009
533: Dischord at Camelot, part II
Quotes! We need quotes:
"A rouncy? Paint it black and white and have a zebra feast!"
"Eleven? 11 Honor? Aren't you one point from being disbarred or something?"
"These things happen."
Sir Quillam here...
I will leave it to the better knights to describe the whirlwind of court life in Paris, which we experience first-hand on the occasion of the marriage of Queen Guenevere's cousin Lisabet to the Frankish prince. I will say that I am uncomfortable around such glitz, and spent much of my time reading the Good Book and exploring the lovely churches on the isle of the city.
I will also say that Sir Gwalchmai of the Round Table is a fearsome opponent.
We returned to Britain accompanied by Sir Caldimar the Bold, a relative of the Frankish king, and the Archbishop of Troyes. Both men will meet with King Count Idar once we reach Leicester, as will Sir Uno, a priestly man and son of Sir Ulfius....I know! Yet I say we experienced nothing but comraderie and respect on the Continent from both the sons of Ulfius and the Frankish court. And then on our road to Camelot we picked up a traveler lately from Ireland, a Sir Tristram of Cornwall, a pleasant fellow and of good company and cheer.
Upon reaching Camelot, we heard and saw that Sir Aidan's father, King Anguish, was being held on charges of orchestrating the killing of Sir Hugh de Ganis. King Arthur and many of his knights were up north attending to some matter of state, and the de Ganis knights hanging about had convinced King Uriens and King xxx to hold a trial in Arthur's absence. Yet King Anguish had no champion, since Sir Marhaus, Sir Aidan's uncle, was recently deceased—at the hands of our excellent travelling companion, Sir Tristram! Yet Sir Tristram, seeing the distress in which King Anguish found himself, stepped forward as his champion. At that point, in a pique of womanly rage, Sir Marhaus's sister, the queen, stabbed Sir Tristram. I expediently rendered first aid, but the wound, the blade, was poisoned, and Sir Tristram out of contention.
So brave Sir Perseus stepped forward. Oh reckless youth! Seeing what was most likely the end of his companion's life, Sir Gwalchmai stepped forward to reason with the de Ganis knights, asking for a suspension of the trail until the return of King Arthur, surely the best man other that King Count Idar to judge such a matter. But Bleoberis would not hear of it, and began clamoring for the trial to start NOW. And to insure it did start he drew his sword and advanced toward young Sir Perseus.
Now, I do not think it was entirely the sight of Bleoberis moving to strike Perseus untimely that set us off...but we Leistermen, unarmored though we were, all drew weapons and leapt to Perseus's defense. It was only a short step from defense to utter mayhem as all the de Ganis mob, the Irish throng, the Leistermen, and sundry all drew and began hacking away at each other. By the time it was broken up, Bleoberis, Blamore, and Ector de Maris and several other de Ganis cousins were dead, and Sir Cynfyn majorly wounded. Sir Kay the Steward looked over the carnage under the Justice Tree and quietly told us to leave, though I believe they kept Sir Gwalchmai at Camelot for killing Bleoberis, a fellow Round Table knight.
And even though Cynfyn was in pain from his wound, he was cheerful thinking how pleased King Count Idar would be that we had resolved the problem between him and King Arthur.
I think that Lancelot fellow might have something to say about that, when he learns what happened.
Sir Perseus the Bold:
Where do I begin? We all survived the melee at the tournament in Paris. I think Gwalchmai accidently killed a few of his opponents, but we were okay. He had the honor of leading our side, deffered to him out of respect by the gracious Stephen of the Blue Fountain, a very couteous knight. I pity the poor knights who faced Gwalchmai in combat, even for love. most came away wounded, and some came away dead. Anyway, Ufo was declared the winner of the tournament, even though anyone with eyes could see Gwalchmai would send him over the cruppers every pass. But, in retrospect, perhaps it was best that way, since there was already a great deal of bad blood from the slain knights. There were challenges after the melee!
A young warrior, (I hesitate to call him a knight), challenged Sir Cynfyn. Cynfyn bested him without being hit. And a good thing too! the young rascal's blade was poisoned!!! Found on his neck was a pendant bearing the device of the DeGannis Clan!!! Oh, how I hate them! They are causing so much trouble. Once turned over to the King of France, his short future will now include terrible torture.
Also challenged, not surprisingly, was Gwalchmai. One famous knight attempted to revenge his fallen brother. The outcome was never in question as he joined his brother in death at the hands of Gwalchmai. Sad.
In a private dinner with The King of France and Ufo, several offers of assistance were made to Our Lord King Edar should the situation go ill with King Arthur. I hope it will not come battle. Having seen Gwalchmai in action, I shudder to think he would be on Arthur's side against us. None of this would be happening if the de Gannis knights weren't taking advantage of Arthur's good nature.
So, back in Britain, we come across a disgusted Sir Ector walking away from his defeat by Sir Tristan, a knight from Cornwall. We all tilt with him one by one, and he defeats us all. Except for Gwalchmai. He says he is going to Camelot where King Anguish is, so that he might gain his favor for the hand of his daughter, Isolde. When we arrive however, King Anguish is held prisoner! The loathesome de Gannis knights have accused him of some dastardly thing that is not even worth mentioning since it is a lie. Tristan agrees to champion Anguish against the de Gannis champion. But Anguish's own wife, the Queen, rushes out of the crowd and strikes Tristan with a poisoned dagger! Why would she do such a thing! Insanity! Poor Tristan, having just recovered from being poisoned my Sir Marhaus, whom he then slew, just to be poisoned again by the wife of the man he is trying to save. These Irish, I tell you... nuts.
So, now Anguish needs a champion. Gwalchmai can't do it since the champion for de Gannis is a Round Table Knight. Cynyn won't do it because he hates the Irish. So there it was. My chance! I hate the de Gannis. And you know what makes it ever sweeter? They were raised by the fey!!! I hate the fey!!!
As I faced my foe Cynfyn spoke my mind and demanded this fight be stopped unless the de Gannis knight's sword is checked for poison, a reasonable request considering recent events. They went crazy with indignation. So on one side we have a whole mess of de Gannis knights with blades drawn, and on the other we have the Leicestermen and our allies, ready to jump in and cover my back should the enemy stoop to nefarious measures. Well, they charged. WE charged. Gwalchmai, with a veteran calm, attempted to keep order. Cynfyn, Quillam and I cut down their Champion, then turned to other foes. I didn't see what happened after, since I was up to my shoulder in de Gannis blood. In the end we had three Round Table knights dead, including Bleoberis and Sir Ector, whom I slew. He was not quite dead when he fell, so I helped him complete his journey to the other side. In retrospect this was a dishonourable move, but he had it coming and I don't regret it. The de Gannis clan is full of lies and deceit. And let me tell you my friend, when your blood is pumping and enemies are all around with swords drawn, you make sure the ones who fall can't get up and stab you in the back, a move I;m certain is in the reperatoire of the de Gannis scum. It was the decision of but a moment, and I don't regret it. One less rat. Oh and on a side note, Anguish went free.
It should also be mentioned that King Arthur was not present for all of this. He is in the North on some tomfoolery. Present were two Kings of the Norht, who did not really do anything. Not very noble bearing at all. Sir Kay eventually showed up and told us to go home till we are summoned by the King to sort this thing out. I fear though that when we arrive home, we will find our kinsmen ready for war, and that the next time we see King Arthur will be on the field of battle.
Sir Amadis here...
Although I miss the green hills of Leicester terribly, I feel myself being caught up in the excitement of a new-made king's court. Theudic has only been king for a year, and the first anniversary of his victory over the French for repossession of his Spanish lands has yet to pass. The king is in the prime of his manhood and surrounded by strong, eager knights, all filled with the light of their noble purpose (that is, to regain their country from those well-coiffed Franks). It reminds me of the stories the Old Man told from the Resistance times, when the Saxons over-ran the old Duchy of Lindsay and my lord King Edar was on the run with his brave band of men...
And as King Edar made himself a new capital at Leicester-town (and even King Arthur at Camelot), so King Theudis wants to make the city of Barcelona his capital, forsaking the old king's seat in Narbonne. The court moved during the winter months, when the lower temperatures make heavy work more pleasant.
But while the state was topsy-turvy, word came from the south of Spain to court. The messengers told King Theudis that the Zazamancs were (again) restless, and this time they had the aid of the Byzantines of all people, and that the governor was requesting the king's aid in retaining the fortress of Ceuta. The king has his eye to the north, though, and left it to his men in Tarifa to safeguard the Straits. Shortly after he began plans to take his army north, though he will not say where we are to go.
The excitement is palpable.
I am Sir Cynfyn, Lord Bannerret of Medlarwod and Bunny, Knight of the Candlebees, sworn man of Count King Edar of Leicester. My man Odio here will record this.
"A rouncy? Paint it black and white and have a zebra feast!"
"Eleven? 11 Honor? Aren't you one point from being disbarred or something?"
"These things happen."
Sir Quillam here...
I will leave it to the better knights to describe the whirlwind of court life in Paris, which we experience first-hand on the occasion of the marriage of Queen Guenevere's cousin Lisabet to the Frankish prince. I will say that I am uncomfortable around such glitz, and spent much of my time reading the Good Book and exploring the lovely churches on the isle of the city.
I will also say that Sir Gwalchmai of the Round Table is a fearsome opponent.
We returned to Britain accompanied by Sir Caldimar the Bold, a relative of the Frankish king, and the Archbishop of Troyes. Both men will meet with King Count Idar once we reach Leicester, as will Sir Uno, a priestly man and son of Sir Ulfius....I know! Yet I say we experienced nothing but comraderie and respect on the Continent from both the sons of Ulfius and the Frankish court. And then on our road to Camelot we picked up a traveler lately from Ireland, a Sir Tristram of Cornwall, a pleasant fellow and of good company and cheer.
Upon reaching Camelot, we heard and saw that Sir Aidan's father, King Anguish, was being held on charges of orchestrating the killing of Sir Hugh de Ganis. King Arthur and many of his knights were up north attending to some matter of state, and the de Ganis knights hanging about had convinced King Uriens and King xxx to hold a trial in Arthur's absence. Yet King Anguish had no champion, since Sir Marhaus, Sir Aidan's uncle, was recently deceased—at the hands of our excellent travelling companion, Sir Tristram! Yet Sir Tristram, seeing the distress in which King Anguish found himself, stepped forward as his champion. At that point, in a pique of womanly rage, Sir Marhaus's sister, the queen, stabbed Sir Tristram. I expediently rendered first aid, but the wound, the blade, was poisoned, and Sir Tristram out of contention.
So brave Sir Perseus stepped forward. Oh reckless youth! Seeing what was most likely the end of his companion's life, Sir Gwalchmai stepped forward to reason with the de Ganis knights, asking for a suspension of the trail until the return of King Arthur, surely the best man other that King Count Idar to judge such a matter. But Bleoberis would not hear of it, and began clamoring for the trial to start NOW. And to insure it did start he drew his sword and advanced toward young Sir Perseus.
Now, I do not think it was entirely the sight of Bleoberis moving to strike Perseus untimely that set us off...but we Leistermen, unarmored though we were, all drew weapons and leapt to Perseus's defense. It was only a short step from defense to utter mayhem as all the de Ganis mob, the Irish throng, the Leistermen, and sundry all drew and began hacking away at each other. By the time it was broken up, Bleoberis, Blamore, and Ector de Maris and several other de Ganis cousins were dead, and Sir Cynfyn majorly wounded. Sir Kay the Steward looked over the carnage under the Justice Tree and quietly told us to leave, though I believe they kept Sir Gwalchmai at Camelot for killing Bleoberis, a fellow Round Table knight.
And even though Cynfyn was in pain from his wound, he was cheerful thinking how pleased King Count Idar would be that we had resolved the problem between him and King Arthur.
I think that Lancelot fellow might have something to say about that, when he learns what happened.
Sir Perseus the Bold:
Where do I begin? We all survived the melee at the tournament in Paris. I think Gwalchmai accidently killed a few of his opponents, but we were okay. He had the honor of leading our side, deffered to him out of respect by the gracious Stephen of the Blue Fountain, a very couteous knight. I pity the poor knights who faced Gwalchmai in combat, even for love. most came away wounded, and some came away dead. Anyway, Ufo was declared the winner of the tournament, even though anyone with eyes could see Gwalchmai would send him over the cruppers every pass. But, in retrospect, perhaps it was best that way, since there was already a great deal of bad blood from the slain knights. There were challenges after the melee!
A young warrior, (I hesitate to call him a knight), challenged Sir Cynfyn. Cynfyn bested him without being hit. And a good thing too! the young rascal's blade was poisoned!!! Found on his neck was a pendant bearing the device of the DeGannis Clan!!! Oh, how I hate them! They are causing so much trouble. Once turned over to the King of France, his short future will now include terrible torture.
Also challenged, not surprisingly, was Gwalchmai. One famous knight attempted to revenge his fallen brother. The outcome was never in question as he joined his brother in death at the hands of Gwalchmai. Sad.
In a private dinner with The King of France and Ufo, several offers of assistance were made to Our Lord King Edar should the situation go ill with King Arthur. I hope it will not come battle. Having seen Gwalchmai in action, I shudder to think he would be on Arthur's side against us. None of this would be happening if the de Gannis knights weren't taking advantage of Arthur's good nature.
So, back in Britain, we come across a disgusted Sir Ector walking away from his defeat by Sir Tristan, a knight from Cornwall. We all tilt with him one by one, and he defeats us all. Except for Gwalchmai. He says he is going to Camelot where King Anguish is, so that he might gain his favor for the hand of his daughter, Isolde. When we arrive however, King Anguish is held prisoner! The loathesome de Gannis knights have accused him of some dastardly thing that is not even worth mentioning since it is a lie. Tristan agrees to champion Anguish against the de Gannis champion. But Anguish's own wife, the Queen, rushes out of the crowd and strikes Tristan with a poisoned dagger! Why would she do such a thing! Insanity! Poor Tristan, having just recovered from being poisoned my Sir Marhaus, whom he then slew, just to be poisoned again by the wife of the man he is trying to save. These Irish, I tell you... nuts.
So, now Anguish needs a champion. Gwalchmai can't do it since the champion for de Gannis is a Round Table Knight. Cynyn won't do it because he hates the Irish. So there it was. My chance! I hate the de Gannis. And you know what makes it ever sweeter? They were raised by the fey!!! I hate the fey!!!
As I faced my foe Cynfyn spoke my mind and demanded this fight be stopped unless the de Gannis knight's sword is checked for poison, a reasonable request considering recent events. They went crazy with indignation. So on one side we have a whole mess of de Gannis knights with blades drawn, and on the other we have the Leicestermen and our allies, ready to jump in and cover my back should the enemy stoop to nefarious measures. Well, they charged. WE charged. Gwalchmai, with a veteran calm, attempted to keep order. Cynfyn, Quillam and I cut down their Champion, then turned to other foes. I didn't see what happened after, since I was up to my shoulder in de Gannis blood. In the end we had three Round Table knights dead, including Bleoberis and Sir Ector, whom I slew. He was not quite dead when he fell, so I helped him complete his journey to the other side. In retrospect this was a dishonourable move, but he had it coming and I don't regret it. The de Gannis clan is full of lies and deceit. And let me tell you my friend, when your blood is pumping and enemies are all around with swords drawn, you make sure the ones who fall can't get up and stab you in the back, a move I;m certain is in the reperatoire of the de Gannis scum. It was the decision of but a moment, and I don't regret it. One less rat. Oh and on a side note, Anguish went free.
It should also be mentioned that King Arthur was not present for all of this. He is in the North on some tomfoolery. Present were two Kings of the Norht, who did not really do anything. Not very noble bearing at all. Sir Kay eventually showed up and told us to go home till we are summoned by the King to sort this thing out. I fear though that when we arrive home, we will find our kinsmen ready for war, and that the next time we see King Arthur will be on the field of battle.
Sir Amadis here...
Although I miss the green hills of Leicester terribly, I feel myself being caught up in the excitement of a new-made king's court. Theudic has only been king for a year, and the first anniversary of his victory over the French for repossession of his Spanish lands has yet to pass. The king is in the prime of his manhood and surrounded by strong, eager knights, all filled with the light of their noble purpose (that is, to regain their country from those well-coiffed Franks). It reminds me of the stories the Old Man told from the Resistance times, when the Saxons over-ran the old Duchy of Lindsay and my lord King Edar was on the run with his brave band of men...
And as King Edar made himself a new capital at Leicester-town (and even King Arthur at Camelot), so King Theudis wants to make the city of Barcelona his capital, forsaking the old king's seat in Narbonne. The court moved during the winter months, when the lower temperatures make heavy work more pleasant.
But while the state was topsy-turvy, word came from the south of Spain to court. The messengers told King Theudis that the Zazamancs were (again) restless, and this time they had the aid of the Byzantines of all people, and that the governor was requesting the king's aid in retaining the fortress of Ceuta. The king has his eye to the north, though, and left it to his men in Tarifa to safeguard the Straits. Shortly after he began plans to take his army north, though he will not say where we are to go.
The excitement is palpable.
I am Sir Cynfyn, Lord Bannerret of Medlarwod and Bunny, Knight of the Candlebees, sworn man of Count King Edar of Leicester. My man Odio here will record this.
I do swear.—O
We brought the good maiden to Paris without incident. Some of the Round Table knights shunned us, having expected my good Lord Count King Edar to accompany them. Sir Gawaine was his usual convivial self, and Sir Gwalchmai was our friend, as always. The only questionable part of the escort was Sir Aiden, the Irish prince. He is seeking a wife of means and family, but of course no one of sense would willingly graft an Irish limb onto a noble tree. He seemed to vent his eagerness upon our ward, but after I realized he was simply practicing that romance prattle, I tired to watching him. He is not of my party, and was named by King Arthur to his task. I’ve enough to worry about without also spying on an Irish knight and the queen’s cousin.
Paris is a ratty town, like London, but smaller and filthier. They hung tired old banners from the balconies and threw limp flowers upon the street before us. I’ve never seen such a collection of filthy, drunken men and debauched old whores as those who showed up to cheer us. Oh wait, yes I did. In Rome. Odio, did you know there’s an order of prostitute nuns in Rome that are dedicated to Saint Jezebel! Sir Lucius practically moved in there.
Ah, Sir Lucius, I’ll remember you well. He was that whore mongering lawyerly knight, who spent the time in Trond with Count King Edar in exile. No more, though. He was murdered in Paris—hung from a street sign one night. That caused some discomfort with King Claudas. It would do poorly to have such an offense mar the wedding between the two kingdoms. Promises were made, investigations were begun and I several times heard the screams of the criminals being interrogated. Personally, I figured that the old horn dog had bonked the wrong girl, but no one cared for my opinion, and Sir Gawaine seemed amused by the king’s distress. The wedding was completed, and we retired outside of the foul city to a grand tournament.
King Claudas is an ugly man, and despite all their élan, his men are slouches. The French are a backward people—hardly more than barbarians if you ask me—but one thing they did well was that tournament! It was a gala affair, with knights from all over the French lands and some from beyond. Thousands, I say. A glorious spectacle of chivalry from across the continent. Of course, none of them shone as we did, the original knights.
I was shocked when they declared that the jousting would be done for the horse and arms of each participant. Of course we participated, for the Honor of Leicester. What? Oh yes, and of Britain. I put aside Thunder, for I didn’t want to lose the biggest horse in all Britain for sport. I bested seven knights in all before falling to one greater than myself, a Sir Sigbert of Frankfurt, a subject of the French King. Sir Gwalchmi the Round Table knight won the joust, and in passing killed four and maimed six others. Wonderful sport.
For the melee we chose to be on the lesser side, that of Bretagne and some other western lands. The French knights are poor fighters, as I said, for we pushed forward with vigor until the Bretagne knights gave way and let the enemy into the camp. We never did that, though hard pressed. We fought under sir Gwalchmi.
I would have been done, but a stranger pressed me for a challenge, a fight unto death. I didn’t know the man, and after he insulted me and my lord, I took it up. He did not last long, and though he had challenged me to the Death I spared him. When they found his blade smeared with poison, the French heralds were ready to hang the stranger. He was searched, and tokens of the de Ganis house were found, and confessed to being one of them. Some urged me to kill him, as was my right, but I still did not. I turned him over to the King Claudas instead, to deal with as he sees fit in his land.
All us nobles were generously gifted by the king upon our departure. My Lady Lizabet and my men will all wear French silk to the Christmas Court this year.
Accompanying us back to Leicester were two diplomats from King Claudas, Sir Caldemar the Bold, and the Bishop of Troyes; and a priest from the Count of Tours, named Uno, who is the son of a famous British Duke Ulfius, who served under Kings Uther and Arthur. They wished to speak to my lord Count King Edar, and I have sworn safe passage for them. With their entourage, our return party is much larger than before, and so we return to Britain.
Now, those Damned Foreigners
I know now what is wrong with the King. It’s the foreigners—the de Ganis. They have done nothing but harm to Count Edar since they came here and poisoned the ears of our king. That’s what His Grapes Uno told me, anyway, before he stopped talking to me. Odio, what was that about anyway? He’s a bishop, a holy man and all like you, but he goes into battle in armor with lance and mace. Everyone knows that. So what did he say about Fightin’ Jesus again? Aunty Ma? What?
I do my best. –O
Pfh, he’s got balls. If His Grapes gives me that crap again we’ll see whose Jesus is tougher.
My Lord is amused.
See, it began when King Arthur was at Badon and the foreigners needed his help. Our king had said he would help them, because they helped him. But he didn’t, and so all of the lands of Ganis were conquered by that French King Claudas. And instead of staying to free their own lands then instead they all came here because our King Arthur is generous, and they said his Honor would be besmirched if he didn’t correct the error of his broken oath, see, the one that was when he didn’t help them. So now they are all at court when good men like Count King Edar are all at home doing what British lords are supposed to do, like keeping the land safe and rewarding his own good men.
See, that’s what was wrong there, with Sir Tristram. What right did those foreign kings have to be sitting under our Tree of Justice passing judgment on an Irish king for something that happened over in Ireland? Bullies, court bullies they are, all of the grasping and greedy and pushing everyone around because they have the king’s ear.
He is amused again.
But a few less of them to whisper now, eh Odio? Well, the king’s problem is over now anyway. This whole thing was because that Blamore convinced King Arthur to give him our Count King Edar’s lands for whatever cursed reason he gave. Now that Blamore is dead then that’s over, I would think. No more problem. I don’t think he has any heirs, since we killed his two brothers too. They were his brothers Odio, right?
Oh, brother and cousin then. They sure chose the wrong party to bully that day though. Poisoners, they are, all of them. First with that assassin in Paris, then with this attack. And you know they had poison on the blade, or else they wouldn’t have complained so loudly, you know. Fools. Attacking us, now three of them dead, and how many of their supporters? Only fourteen dead? I thought it was more. Fourteen then, and three that matter.
Now there’s only two of those bloodsuckers left, Sir Bors and Sir Lancelot. What? Lionel? A little rat—I meant important bloodsuckers. I’m confident that King Arthur will banish them all after he sees the crimes they and their men have done. Let us hope this little fight ends the trouble between our king and King Arthur.
Oh, and King Leinster is my witness, I struck Sir Blamore a fair wound when he attacked us, and I was attempting to bandage him when his vile brother struck me from behind. We were attacked, unprovoked, and defended ourselves. He swore that, did he not? Good. And the French bishop, too? Good then, I will rest again.
He sleeps. Lord FJ protect me from wounds like those.
Sir Blamore de Ganis, Blioberis de Ganis and Ector de Maris were killed at the Duel of the Oak. Sir Gwalchmi is under house arrest for his part, for they say he killed another Round Table knight. My lord praised our knights greatly for their parts in this. We are hoping that King Anguish’s word will exonerate us. My lord expects to be back on his feet in a month or two, “in time for the war,” he told me.
Sunday, April 5, 2009
533: Dischord at Camelot
Sir Perseus of Leicester:
My first task as a knight! We knights of King Edar are to escort a maiden of Queen Guenevere's court. At the feast where we received this order, I was in rare form. Many people I have seen, thanks in great part to my father's glory. I was able to attend many functions with him when I was a child. Remembering all of my courtesy, I greeted and recognized EVERYONE at court! Briton seems very much smaller than I recall. Even the pages and handmaidens I recognized. I'm sure father would have been proud. We spoke with High King Arthur about Edar's claim to lands north and south of Leicester, namely Lincoln and Lambor. The King was reminded of his oath to Edar on several occasions to confirm Edar's rightful claim. But, it seems the King's broken word to the Aquitainians is more important. It seems the King will try to mend one broken oath by breaking another. Not a very noble thing to do, if you ask me. Still, being King must be difficult. No matter what he decides, someone will be pissed off. Derfyl, or this new Count Bedigraine, or Edar. Edar made a wise suggestion that he be made Duke of these disputed lands, and that way everyone keeps what they have, and the strongest and most glorious among them, (Edar), takes the rightful position of rule. We will see.
As we rode south through Lambor on our way out of that land, we were confronted by several knights entering. Round Table Knights! There was Sir Lionel, and Sir Bors, and another knight whom I fought but just fumbled my awareness of his name. Anyway, to my shame, I was defeated on each pass. At least I lost to a Round Table Knight. This Sir Lionel made rude noises about my Lord King Edar, then knocked Sir Lucius off his horse when confronted. Sir Cynfyn and all us Leicestermen took immediate offense and a melee ensued. Cynfyn got the better of everyone, wounding terribly Sir Lionel. The fight was broken up when Sir Bedigraine road through. I think many grudges were made that day. These de Ganis knights are going to be trouble, I think.
I am Sir Cynfyn, Lord Bannerret of Medlarwod and Bunny, Knight of the Candlebees, and Odio here will record this. I swear it.--O
Sir Amadis here...
A very interesting country, this land of Carthaginiensis. They have many strange and divers customs, one of which they call the siesta, whereby each family retires for several hours after their dinner. I found it odd at first, but with the great heat of the day I find it enjoyable to take my ease and wait for the cooler evening hours. Both the low- and high-born take this siesta, and also keep hours late into the night—on all nights, not just feasts or holy days.
And in the afternoons, thus refreshed, the caballeros—that is, the knightly class—entertain themselves by fighting dangerous animals. At first I was amazed to see these men engage with beasts whilst on foot, but they persuaded me to try it, and it was quite fun. Because I prefer to fight with my spear, in the style of Leicester, they call me the Pickador, Amadees El Pickador. As we waited for King Theudis to return to Toledo, they tried me on successively larger and larger bulls. Finally I went into the village ring with a great brute of brindle bull. This was an older animal, and clever too, and managed to slip the tip of a horn into my flesh and ripping upward. Ooh, that hurt! I went over the top of his head, sliding off his neck and hitting the dirt before I managed to stand up and thrust at him with my bloodied spear. That did him in, and I sank to the ground, just about done in.
A month or so later I was well enough to ride with my new cousins to Toledo, where I was introduced to the king, who has asked me to join his household. As charming as the seaside life is in little Gilet, I accepted. Seven of my cousins will join me in Theudic’s household, and in a few week’s time we march to meet the French in the north of Spain.
My first task as a knight! We knights of King Edar are to escort a maiden of Queen Guenevere's court. At the feast where we received this order, I was in rare form. Many people I have seen, thanks in great part to my father's glory. I was able to attend many functions with him when I was a child. Remembering all of my courtesy, I greeted and recognized EVERYONE at court! Briton seems very much smaller than I recall. Even the pages and handmaidens I recognized. I'm sure father would have been proud. We spoke with High King Arthur about Edar's claim to lands north and south of Leicester, namely Lincoln and Lambor. The King was reminded of his oath to Edar on several occasions to confirm Edar's rightful claim. But, it seems the King's broken word to the Aquitainians is more important. It seems the King will try to mend one broken oath by breaking another. Not a very noble thing to do, if you ask me. Still, being King must be difficult. No matter what he decides, someone will be pissed off. Derfyl, or this new Count Bedigraine, or Edar. Edar made a wise suggestion that he be made Duke of these disputed lands, and that way everyone keeps what they have, and the strongest and most glorious among them, (Edar), takes the rightful position of rule. We will see.
As we rode south through Lambor on our way out of that land, we were confronted by several knights entering. Round Table Knights! There was Sir Lionel, and Sir Bors, and another knight whom I fought but just fumbled my awareness of his name. Anyway, to my shame, I was defeated on each pass. At least I lost to a Round Table Knight. This Sir Lionel made rude noises about my Lord King Edar, then knocked Sir Lucius off his horse when confronted. Sir Cynfyn and all us Leicestermen took immediate offense and a melee ensued. Cynfyn got the better of everyone, wounding terribly Sir Lionel. The fight was broken up when Sir Bedigraine road through. I think many grudges were made that day. These de Ganis knights are going to be trouble, I think.
I am Sir Cynfyn, Lord Bannerret of Medlarwod and Bunny, Knight of the Candlebees, and Odio here will record this. I swear it.--O
Our old friend Sir Gwalchmi came in late winter, bearing word from King Arthur for King Edar. Our lord was summoned to come early to the High King’s Whitsun court. We set off at the end of April, in a cold rain and raging rivers. We traveled by the King’s Road and got late to Lambor in two days. The steward, a new fellow there, seemed nervous. The next several days were clear and brisk, and the roads were crowded as always. No events delayed us—it is the King’s Road after all—until south of Kinetown.
A procession of knights approached from the south. As we were travelling south the commoners were already clearing the road. They all bore the arms of Aquitaine, notably many of the de Ganis clan. King Edar hailed them as fellow Round Table knights—three of them, Sirs Lionel, Blioberis and Bors. I heard, indeed, we all heard, Sir Lionel slander our own good king and of course I will never allow the honor of my King Edar to be shamed so I rode up and challenged the dog, “to joust” I said and rode off to gain distance. He took his spear and we each broke lances. When rearming Jerry found a lance head in my shield, where I had used a harmless jousting lance! I saw that others of us were also fighting, so took my best spear and charged against his attack. Round Table he might be, but this knight dashed him down, and then his brother Blioberis too, dogs both of them. I was prepared to knock them all down, but the fighting was over. Gwalchmi had broken one of them in two—I doubt nothing now of that dragon story! Another even greater procession came about the bend flying the banners of Marshall Sir Griflet and High Butler Sir Bedivere among dozens of knights. Fighting stopped.
Sir Bors apologized for the high spirits of his men, and while the many dead and wounded were borne off, slipped away. Sir Bedivere explained that they were going to Lambor to invest Sir Blioberis with the title and rights of earl to Lambor. King Edar showed nothing when this as said.
King Edar wasn’t silent on the ride though. We discussed the insult that King Arthur had given to him by bestowing promised lands onto a court favorite. Countess Valery said she wanted to return home immediately. King Edar has patience as great as his sword skill, though, and great faith in the sovereign. We reached Camelot in mid March, and after a few days of welcome and feasting our lord was taken, with a few key advisors, to the king, in his bedroom. I do not know how it is done, but the room was actually warm, though there was ice outside.
King Arthur told us he needed an escort for his niece to Paris, who was to marry into the family of King Claudas. He wanted King Edar to go, who balked, and finally King Arthur asked what was troubling our lord and so he brought up the matter that the High King had violated his oath by giving away the lands he had promised to Count Edar at his coronation, and swore again at his wedding. Our good king explained that he owed many favors to the de Ganis, and tried using argument, flattery, appeals to past friendship and every other diplomatic art short of threat and coercion. King Edar, ever in the right, parried each argument and came back to Justice each time. At last the king, admitting nothing, said he would make a final judgment on this next autumn. As an act of generosity the high king gave King Edar a great treasure to repair his castles. Our lord assured him that this would be done.
All of us of Leicester are shocked at King Arthur’s arrogance, and many bold and foolish words were said at first, until King Edar silenced them. He bestowed upon me leadership of the escort to France while he would go home to Leicester and repair fortifications, as ordered. He’ll confer with his wide-flung family and friends, hire some armorers and fletchers, and stuff the castles with provisions.Sir Amadis here...
A very interesting country, this land of Carthaginiensis. They have many strange and divers customs, one of which they call the siesta, whereby each family retires for several hours after their dinner. I found it odd at first, but with the great heat of the day I find it enjoyable to take my ease and wait for the cooler evening hours. Both the low- and high-born take this siesta, and also keep hours late into the night—on all nights, not just feasts or holy days.
And in the afternoons, thus refreshed, the caballeros—that is, the knightly class—entertain themselves by fighting dangerous animals. At first I was amazed to see these men engage with beasts whilst on foot, but they persuaded me to try it, and it was quite fun. Because I prefer to fight with my spear, in the style of Leicester, they call me the Pickador, Amadees El Pickador. As we waited for King Theudis to return to Toledo, they tried me on successively larger and larger bulls. Finally I went into the village ring with a great brute of brindle bull. This was an older animal, and clever too, and managed to slip the tip of a horn into my flesh and ripping upward. Ooh, that hurt! I went over the top of his head, sliding off his neck and hitting the dirt before I managed to stand up and thrust at him with my bloodied spear. That did him in, and I sank to the ground, just about done in.
A month or so later I was well enough to ride with my new cousins to Toledo, where I was introduced to the king, who has asked me to join his household. As charming as the seaside life is in little Gilet, I accepted. Seven of my cousins will join me in Theudic’s household, and in a few week’s time we march to meet the French in the north of Spain.
Sunday, March 29, 2009
532:part2; The Tower of Spite
Sir Arddur sadly reporting:
After my companions and I left Camelot and journeyed to Leicester, Prince Aedan recieved some type of message from an errant knight. He did not say what the message held, but immediately said he regretted that he would not be able to accompany me upon the quest for my son. As Aedon was leaving we noticed nearby, a knight that then eagerly came up to us and said that as a man of Leicester he would be happy to accompany us. His name, he said was Sir Quillam. Ahh I remembered the young man now. He has but lately been knighted, but if is heart was so stout then.... We welcomed his aid and we were off with our guide Sir Emelyn. He led us all the way to Carduel in Cambenet. And then to the forest of Inglewood. Cynfyn sent father Odio back to Carduel with one of his squires for company after he heard how treacherous the forest and mountains were. After a grueling time spent wandering aimlessly( Sir Emelyn left us at the forests edge!, even though Sir Bledri gave him a good tongue lashing. ) We finally came upon........ Peasants!!!!! We thought them bandits so Cynfyn immediately skewered one with his crossbow(seriously though, why were they skulking in the underbrush and hedges?). We gathered the two men up and we went to their village. We had to send a peasant search party out for Sir Gherrin, as he had lost himself in pursit of a peasant earlier.
The whole time we were at this dilapitated peasant village full of 3 walled hovels, we were miserable. These people had so little food that many of my companions felt it prudent to share some of their own rations with these dirty commoners lest they immediately faint from malnutrition. Cynfyn was especially gracious. The peasants Then said that the reason for their desolation was a beast. They could not describe it for it came in the night always, but it had eaten chickens by the score and whole oxen at a time, as well as knocked holes in buildings to get at small sheep which it devoured by the dozen!!!!!!! WOW! So now we were excited! Leicestermen HO!!!!!!!!!!!! Hazzah!
So we corraled our horses and set out the hunting dogs as bait/ a warning. Then a watch was set. Sometime after midnight I heard the dogs begin to whimper and pull away, and I knew the beast was coming. I awoke the others and then before they could even wipe the sleep from their eyes I saw it. Four hovels down and behind one. It seemed as big as a horse. So in the typical leicester way I charged. My companions bid me to wait for them but glory waits for no man!!!!!! So i set upon the beast and to my very great surprise it was quite a bit larger than a horse. I had heard Sir Priamus of Alexandria once tell the story of an Olyphant, and from the way he described it this beast was roughly the same size. It's legs were a little taller than the turf roof of the hovel! Not knowing what it was yet, and seeing only a snapping maw I struck and felt my battle axe bite deeply. It .... Yelped!..... Hmmm... But soon my companions had taken my example and thrown caution to the wind. They began hewing at the dastardly thing and soon, the beast was slain. I am not even certain weather one of us was touched by it. But we grabbed torches and we the went to see what we had slain. It was a .... HUGE FOX? So it was. An Hovel-sized fox. This forest wasnt cursed... it was tragically silly! We had a quick laugh, and Gherrin insisted on making a necklace out of one of the beasts 10-inch long canine teeth. CynFyn in his usual style declared that the tail would be fine for him as he would make it into a helmet plume. Or perhaps a Lance cozy. The tail is after all, about 10 feet long or so. But it will certainly distinguish our good friend on the field of battle. After the melee we noticed that Sir Bledri was no where to be seen and as we spoke of it, we all agreed that indeed , no one could say that he had battled the creature with us.......And then we all shook our heads ruefully and cursed our selfishness. Bledri had stayed behind with the mounts and performed the meager duties of a squire( as ours had no doubt run away at the sight of the beast) and he gad given all of us the honor and Glory to share. What a prince among men!!!!!! So we had the huntsman skin the creature and preserve the hide, then later we presented our generous companion with it in thanks for his modesty.
Next day we had some peasants lead us through the cursed mountains and there we saw the tracks of Giants! But we had no fear because we had our own Round table knight Sir Bledri among us. And we were hardy as well. We were unlucky this day however for we ran across no giant. Mores the pity.....
Finally after a grueling travel filled with quite a bit of trouble controlling our mounts, we made our way over a rise and there before us was an old and decrepit tower. Nasty place for a son of mine to be raised. I wouldn't have it. As we approached, a knight rode out of the keep and Introduced himself as the knight of Ash. Appropriate because on this desolate hilltop ash covered everything. I told him that I had brought my brothers in arms and come to this strange tower to claim my son who is being held captive here against his will. I know this because CynFyn professes a great knowledge of all things fairy, and said to me that this was an Unseelie group, which translates to Villanous. Very handy is sir CynFyn. The knight of ash politely refused me and so I politely rebuffed him and his four knights most impolitely road out as if to accost us. So we fought them. They were armed like no mortal man ever could be. Only Gofannon's smith's could have made such beautiful armour and such biting weapons. Actually beautiful even as they struck us. Their mounts were as wild beasts, huge and powerful, and evil. Our own mounts wanted very little to have ado with them but like all men of Leicester we were master horsemen, so our problems were not overmuch to deal with. We fought as demons and smote like boars such huge buffets that it was terrible to behold, and Had there been ladies present they would have wept for sheer pity to see such noble knights do so much in manly deeds at arms.
I fought the knight of ash and as i did so my blood boiled and my heart swelled and i thought of a child of mine and Fiona's locked in yon tower helpless and scared and mistreated and then I could contain my anger no longer, but as he grew faint I grew mighty And i told him that no one may mistreat a grandson of the great line of My father Brandegoris Scourge of the saxon wastes and so I slew him at the last.
As i looked up CynFyn was having ado with his in a most civil manner. Jousting! Ahh.. Dear CynFyn, what style. I then saw that Sir Gherrin was unhorsed and contending desperately with his own knight and that sir Quillam Was in the same plight. As I moved to aid them I spied sir Bledri and was reassured. He had slain his foe easily. He looked like the battle lord of old. Glorious to behold. I helped both Gherrin dispatch his foe and then saw that Bledri was coming to my other companion's aid. So I went to watch Sir CynFyn gain honor by destroying his knight foe. As i watched Cynfyn took a bad fall unfortunately, and so I came to his aid and dispatched the fool. KEEP MY SON FROM ME!!!!!!!!????? I yelled at the corpse as I turned to watch My other companions deal with the last fiend. I swear that I have never seen a more villanous sight then what I am about to tell you. Sir Bledri had clearly vanquished his foe and so asked him to surrender. The man said That he would not and so Bledri did as was his knightly duty and right and made to strike. Then Bledri in a moment of tender mercy hesitated, and it was that benevolent mercy that betrayed him, for in that moment of hesitation the villain struck my good Lord down..... We all pounced on the man and we were arguing over his fate. We wanted to hang him as a common thief, but in the end we had mercy and as Bledri showed us through his own mercy, and we forgave the foe, on the condition that he disarm and lead us to his master. The captive introduced himself as the knight of the raven and said he would take us to his lord master. He did so and we met the old master knight with the long gray hair and beard.
While speaking to the Lord of the spiteful Tower, we saw ushered before us tree children and two large green furred dogs.As I told him that I came for my son he said that one of the three children before me was my son, and that I would have to choose one child, then the other two would be devoured by his canines!!!! What a monsterous proposal. I nearly attacked the old Lord there, but refrained. Taking the advice of the pious sir Quillam, a most useful and knowledgeable lad, I allowed him to use his Cross and to examine the children. When the first two recoiled and the last was only mildly uncomfortable, I knew it was my child. Plus he was well made. I was confused though because instead of being 7 years old as he should have been , he was nearer 14 years old. I chalk it up to fey magic. True to his evil word the Lord let his dogs devour the other boys.
At the end I took my son, Gandid ,by name and vowed to never return to this place if he would allow us safe passage out of this realm. It was agreed and his huntsman led us by a different route to the castle of Penrith.There we sent for father Odio and had Sir Bledri's body blessed and packed in salt, then wrapped the coffin in the fox fur. It was a magnificent site. We then sent word all along the King's road and to all neighboring counties,of Our champion's death, and made a slow and glorious procession to Leicester to bury Sir Bledri and inscribe his name on the Pillar of resistance. The weeping of all the common folk and Lord's and Ladies alike was almost too much to behold. So sir Bledri gave his life ,that I may find my illigitemate child. What a faithful friend. My father no doubt greets him in heaven even now. I must go and concsole my 1/2 brother Extavias. Though he was not Bledri's true son he was raised at Tilton with His mother and Bledri since infancy. He is distraught. I will tell Gandid, my son, of this year whenever we celebrate a feastday so that he always remembers the lesson of faithfulness and friendship. Goodbye old friend and may God take you to paradise. When I return I will beg Lord Edar to make me a Candlebee So that I night Honor Bledri , my father and all the others who came before!
Perseus, Son Of Sir Bledri speaks: My father was a great man. Difficult times forged the steel of his blood thusly. Bardon, Bedigraine, Carrowhaise, so many great battles... Pain and loss and betrayals and triumphs. This is the man who brout back the Obelisk of Minerva and the statue of David back from Rome! Yes, that statue of David! This is the man who fought five elite banner guardsman and a battalion commander and slew them all...While majorly wounded! There are too many stories to recount. My father had his flaws, but he was always true to his lord and land. Even when Medbourne burned to the ground, and the peasants were on the brink of banditry, Bledri spent ten Librum to keep them fed! Perhaps King Edar had some influence there. I know he was sorely struck by the loss of Sir Amadis, as they were friends. The Candlebees meant a great deal to my father. I should like to be a Candlebee. Perhaps even more than a Round Table Knight. Well maybe. I think my father would be disapointed if I didn't become a Candlebee.Now, as they bring my fathers body to be buried and his name inscribed on the Pillar of Resistance, I see the evil his swordarm attacked and his shield guarded and the responsibility his tireless shoulders bore, and I wonder if I will not buckle under the pressure. Will I ever be equal to this great man? No. I must be better? He would expect it of me.
March 29, 2009 12:25 PM
Sir Cynfyn speaks...
Write that thing, about fightin’ Jesus and who I am and all.
After my companions and I left Camelot and journeyed to Leicester, Prince Aedan recieved some type of message from an errant knight. He did not say what the message held, but immediately said he regretted that he would not be able to accompany me upon the quest for my son. As Aedon was leaving we noticed nearby, a knight that then eagerly came up to us and said that as a man of Leicester he would be happy to accompany us. His name, he said was Sir Quillam. Ahh I remembered the young man now. He has but lately been knighted, but if is heart was so stout then.... We welcomed his aid and we were off with our guide Sir Emelyn. He led us all the way to Carduel in Cambenet. And then to the forest of Inglewood. Cynfyn sent father Odio back to Carduel with one of his squires for company after he heard how treacherous the forest and mountains were. After a grueling time spent wandering aimlessly( Sir Emelyn left us at the forests edge!, even though Sir Bledri gave him a good tongue lashing. ) We finally came upon........ Peasants!!!!! We thought them bandits so Cynfyn immediately skewered one with his crossbow(seriously though, why were they skulking in the underbrush and hedges?). We gathered the two men up and we went to their village. We had to send a peasant search party out for Sir Gherrin, as he had lost himself in pursit of a peasant earlier.
The whole time we were at this dilapitated peasant village full of 3 walled hovels, we were miserable. These people had so little food that many of my companions felt it prudent to share some of their own rations with these dirty commoners lest they immediately faint from malnutrition. Cynfyn was especially gracious. The peasants Then said that the reason for their desolation was a beast. They could not describe it for it came in the night always, but it had eaten chickens by the score and whole oxen at a time, as well as knocked holes in buildings to get at small sheep which it devoured by the dozen!!!!!!! WOW! So now we were excited! Leicestermen HO!!!!!!!!!!!! Hazzah!
So we corraled our horses and set out the hunting dogs as bait/ a warning. Then a watch was set. Sometime after midnight I heard the dogs begin to whimper and pull away, and I knew the beast was coming. I awoke the others and then before they could even wipe the sleep from their eyes I saw it. Four hovels down and behind one. It seemed as big as a horse. So in the typical leicester way I charged. My companions bid me to wait for them but glory waits for no man!!!!!! So i set upon the beast and to my very great surprise it was quite a bit larger than a horse. I had heard Sir Priamus of Alexandria once tell the story of an Olyphant, and from the way he described it this beast was roughly the same size. It's legs were a little taller than the turf roof of the hovel! Not knowing what it was yet, and seeing only a snapping maw I struck and felt my battle axe bite deeply. It .... Yelped!..... Hmmm... But soon my companions had taken my example and thrown caution to the wind. They began hewing at the dastardly thing and soon, the beast was slain. I am not even certain weather one of us was touched by it. But we grabbed torches and we the went to see what we had slain. It was a .... HUGE FOX? So it was. An Hovel-sized fox. This forest wasnt cursed... it was tragically silly! We had a quick laugh, and Gherrin insisted on making a necklace out of one of the beasts 10-inch long canine teeth. CynFyn in his usual style declared that the tail would be fine for him as he would make it into a helmet plume. Or perhaps a Lance cozy. The tail is after all, about 10 feet long or so. But it will certainly distinguish our good friend on the field of battle. After the melee we noticed that Sir Bledri was no where to be seen and as we spoke of it, we all agreed that indeed , no one could say that he had battled the creature with us.......And then we all shook our heads ruefully and cursed our selfishness. Bledri had stayed behind with the mounts and performed the meager duties of a squire( as ours had no doubt run away at the sight of the beast) and he gad given all of us the honor and Glory to share. What a prince among men!!!!!! So we had the huntsman skin the creature and preserve the hide, then later we presented our generous companion with it in thanks for his modesty.
Next day we had some peasants lead us through the cursed mountains and there we saw the tracks of Giants! But we had no fear because we had our own Round table knight Sir Bledri among us. And we were hardy as well. We were unlucky this day however for we ran across no giant. Mores the pity.....
Finally after a grueling travel filled with quite a bit of trouble controlling our mounts, we made our way over a rise and there before us was an old and decrepit tower. Nasty place for a son of mine to be raised. I wouldn't have it. As we approached, a knight rode out of the keep and Introduced himself as the knight of Ash. Appropriate because on this desolate hilltop ash covered everything. I told him that I had brought my brothers in arms and come to this strange tower to claim my son who is being held captive here against his will. I know this because CynFyn professes a great knowledge of all things fairy, and said to me that this was an Unseelie group, which translates to Villanous. Very handy is sir CynFyn. The knight of ash politely refused me and so I politely rebuffed him and his four knights most impolitely road out as if to accost us. So we fought them. They were armed like no mortal man ever could be. Only Gofannon's smith's could have made such beautiful armour and such biting weapons. Actually beautiful even as they struck us. Their mounts were as wild beasts, huge and powerful, and evil. Our own mounts wanted very little to have ado with them but like all men of Leicester we were master horsemen, so our problems were not overmuch to deal with. We fought as demons and smote like boars such huge buffets that it was terrible to behold, and Had there been ladies present they would have wept for sheer pity to see such noble knights do so much in manly deeds at arms.
I fought the knight of ash and as i did so my blood boiled and my heart swelled and i thought of a child of mine and Fiona's locked in yon tower helpless and scared and mistreated and then I could contain my anger no longer, but as he grew faint I grew mighty And i told him that no one may mistreat a grandson of the great line of My father Brandegoris Scourge of the saxon wastes and so I slew him at the last.
As i looked up CynFyn was having ado with his in a most civil manner. Jousting! Ahh.. Dear CynFyn, what style. I then saw that Sir Gherrin was unhorsed and contending desperately with his own knight and that sir Quillam Was in the same plight. As I moved to aid them I spied sir Bledri and was reassured. He had slain his foe easily. He looked like the battle lord of old. Glorious to behold. I helped both Gherrin dispatch his foe and then saw that Bledri was coming to my other companion's aid. So I went to watch Sir CynFyn gain honor by destroying his knight foe. As i watched Cynfyn took a bad fall unfortunately, and so I came to his aid and dispatched the fool. KEEP MY SON FROM ME!!!!!!!!????? I yelled at the corpse as I turned to watch My other companions deal with the last fiend. I swear that I have never seen a more villanous sight then what I am about to tell you. Sir Bledri had clearly vanquished his foe and so asked him to surrender. The man said That he would not and so Bledri did as was his knightly duty and right and made to strike. Then Bledri in a moment of tender mercy hesitated, and it was that benevolent mercy that betrayed him, for in that moment of hesitation the villain struck my good Lord down..... We all pounced on the man and we were arguing over his fate. We wanted to hang him as a common thief, but in the end we had mercy and as Bledri showed us through his own mercy, and we forgave the foe, on the condition that he disarm and lead us to his master. The captive introduced himself as the knight of the raven and said he would take us to his lord master. He did so and we met the old master knight with the long gray hair and beard.
While speaking to the Lord of the spiteful Tower, we saw ushered before us tree children and two large green furred dogs.As I told him that I came for my son he said that one of the three children before me was my son, and that I would have to choose one child, then the other two would be devoured by his canines!!!! What a monsterous proposal. I nearly attacked the old Lord there, but refrained. Taking the advice of the pious sir Quillam, a most useful and knowledgeable lad, I allowed him to use his Cross and to examine the children. When the first two recoiled and the last was only mildly uncomfortable, I knew it was my child. Plus he was well made. I was confused though because instead of being 7 years old as he should have been , he was nearer 14 years old. I chalk it up to fey magic. True to his evil word the Lord let his dogs devour the other boys.
At the end I took my son, Gandid ,by name and vowed to never return to this place if he would allow us safe passage out of this realm. It was agreed and his huntsman led us by a different route to the castle of Penrith.There we sent for father Odio and had Sir Bledri's body blessed and packed in salt, then wrapped the coffin in the fox fur. It was a magnificent site. We then sent word all along the King's road and to all neighboring counties,of Our champion's death, and made a slow and glorious procession to Leicester to bury Sir Bledri and inscribe his name on the Pillar of resistance. The weeping of all the common folk and Lord's and Ladies alike was almost too much to behold. So sir Bledri gave his life ,that I may find my illigitemate child. What a faithful friend. My father no doubt greets him in heaven even now. I must go and concsole my 1/2 brother Extavias. Though he was not Bledri's true son he was raised at Tilton with His mother and Bledri since infancy. He is distraught. I will tell Gandid, my son, of this year whenever we celebrate a feastday so that he always remembers the lesson of faithfulness and friendship. Goodbye old friend and may God take you to paradise. When I return I will beg Lord Edar to make me a Candlebee So that I night Honor Bledri , my father and all the others who came before!
Perseus, Son Of Sir Bledri speaks: My father was a great man. Difficult times forged the steel of his blood thusly. Bardon, Bedigraine, Carrowhaise, so many great battles... Pain and loss and betrayals and triumphs. This is the man who brout back the Obelisk of Minerva and the statue of David back from Rome! Yes, that statue of David! This is the man who fought five elite banner guardsman and a battalion commander and slew them all...While majorly wounded! There are too many stories to recount. My father had his flaws, but he was always true to his lord and land. Even when Medbourne burned to the ground, and the peasants were on the brink of banditry, Bledri spent ten Librum to keep them fed! Perhaps King Edar had some influence there. I know he was sorely struck by the loss of Sir Amadis, as they were friends. The Candlebees meant a great deal to my father. I should like to be a Candlebee. Perhaps even more than a Round Table Knight. Well maybe. I think my father would be disapointed if I didn't become a Candlebee.Now, as they bring my fathers body to be buried and his name inscribed on the Pillar of Resistance, I see the evil his swordarm attacked and his shield guarded and the responsibility his tireless shoulders bore, and I wonder if I will not buckle under the pressure. Will I ever be equal to this great man? No. I must be better? He would expect it of me.
March 29, 2009 12:25 PM
Sir Cynfyn speaks...
Write that thing, about fightin’ Jesus and who I am and all.
Truthfully recorded by Brother Odio, servant.
Sir Bledri is dead. I can speak at all only because someone needs to faithfully record his last adventure.
Since he waits this long I will write. My lord sighs and stares at his fireplace. Not Lady Lizabet, young Cyngarn nor the newborn stir his melancholy. Christmas was miserab…
We are knights of Leicester first, bound together by duty. We are candlebees, together by virtue. We are friends, together by choice. When one of us is in need, we are all in need. And it was Sir Ardur who needed us, son of the great knight, Sir Brandegoris Hambone.
King Today’s court was here—pah. Weird looking foreigners, funny accents. Every meal was just decadence and gluttony. We were told to stay sober and not mingle with the foreigners. Most of us did just that. But the young are susceptible to the exotic, I hear, and the wine they say was exquisite, that piping music was a distraction. Many among us seemed agitated by them, others almost somnambulant. So it was the magic that made young Sir Ardur lead us, stumbling, among the foreigner’s side of the hall to where an old man sat with his daughters.
“You’re a wonderful old man,” said Ardur, and began addressing a girl who quickly flew into a rage and began striking him with the magical bag she was carrying, and all the other women at the table threw pieces of apple at him and young Sir Ardur flinching and enduring it as she screamed and the old man droned on but who could hear him anyway and finally we just grabbed Sir Ardur and dragged him away before the High King should see this disturbance.
“My son is a prisoner,” he said, “I am going to go get him.”
Beware of Listeneisse! Avoid that wasted land that took a man as great a Sir Bledri! Goblin knights, they were, monsters in human form scoffing at our sacred order with their perverse mockery of our ways. I killed them. They killed Bledri, my friend.
He weeps into his hands. L Lizabet touches him. He is like the stone effigy ordered for Sir Bledri’s grave. He rode like that the whole way back. It was at the Tower of Spite. He shakes off his wife.
We brought him back in a great procession, covered with the fur of the giant fox we slew, and whose tail will grace my helm ever after, in Sir Bledri’s memory. Crowds lined the streets and wept as we passed. He is to be buried in Leicester, but the priests are arguing about which cemetery he goes to. I told Odio to put him in Fighting Jesus’ cemetery, but he told me not to talk about that in the city, and that Count Edar would settle this, as Sir Bledri wanted.
Well, look, here is Lizabet weeping too. Why you hardly knew the man, wife! Come, up now and tell the girls to get supper on the table. Out of the way, Odio.
Later, by Odio. My lord is so struck with grief he does not even report that he has been granted three new manors and their knights as his gift for life, and also the title of Banneret. Despite the loss, Sir Ardur did collect his boy now. No wife, except that crazy apple woman if she comes back, FX say no. And apparently he’s still got plenty to learn that they didn’t teach him in the courts of Camelot.
Monday, March 23, 2009
532:PART1: A year of Wonder
Sir Arrdur here...
What a sttrange year. We were called to Camelot with nearly every other knight of Logres to welcome a foreign King of such splendor that we would never behold his like again( so we were told). We went to Camelot which was dreadfully crowded. King Edar had to set up camp out side on the grass near the northern gates. We had to run of a minor lord of Kent to make room for my Lords retinue. Shortly afterword The Count of Lindsey sent knights to demand that we move and Sir Bledri had to joust down his man so that we could keep our spot. The man fell nearly dead at the first pass. Lindsey left without one word.
As I was raised from pagehood in Camelot I took Prince Aedon, and Sir Gherrin around and introduced them to some of the nobility. Prince Aedon is most interested in an Marrying a fine upstanding rich British wife with blue blood! "I know just what you mean, " I said, and we were off. We ended up leaving Gherrin very soon. He had no patience for it all. He is but 22 years old and Is not interested in marrying. i told him not to wait. Get the dowry now! But he wont listen.
So we dropped him off at the posh and upscale temple of Venus, wheSir Bledri confides:I still do not know the whole story of the disappearance of Sir Amadis. I have not said much, but it has troubled me greatly. Amadis was always a straight arrow, but it must have been an evil event that forced him from beloved King Edar's lands and the commraderie of his fellow Candlebeess. I feel his loss every day and wonder if I will ever be up to my elbows in blood, with him at my side, shield to shield. All of this courtly, intigue stuff gives me a headache. What is wrong with me that I long for clear enemies and battle? I recall being scared out of my wits at Bardon, and numerous other battles. Perhaps in my old age, i no longer fear death. I will die with the hot blood of war pouring out of me, of this I am certain.
March 27, 2009 3:02 PMre he must have had fun, for he did not reach camp again for some 7 hours! What a Tomcat he is.
Aedon did meet some nice prospects and waited until the feast to speak with them. He did not hit the mark exactly, but by night's end he did hit A mark! She wasn't rich, but then again ... Maybe she was! anyway, he lost her before morning.
The king was referred to as King Today of Overthere. In retrospect it sounds strange, but at the time perfectly reasonable. Most guests acted as if everything was normal, except VERY VERY elegant and posh to the extreme. All admitted that King Today's court was the finest in exsistence. I know it was ... it was Fey!!! I had experience with it. I once went OVERTHERE! And helped the fey King Tessia on a quest. And I met his lovely daughter. We had relations, because of her enchantements im sure. Bledri says she slept with us all, but I dont recall that and I know my Fiona. She wouldnt have done that. I couldnt take my eyes off of her unless it was to look at guenivere. I tried several times to approach Fiona the Fey, but her brothers would not let me. In a drunken moment I approached her and was escorted away by one of Arthur's pages. I gave up all hope and Got stinking filthy drunk that night.... which was unfortunate since the next day I had to joust against King Today's knights. I went down in my first pass and spent an hour getting out of the armour that i had just gotten into. Poor Extavias and Cadamar. They had to do all the work.
The last feast saw king Today give a speech about how Arthur was a great King but his knights were trespassing on Overthere too much. I was named personally as a trespasser because of King Tessia's quest. King Today went on to berate me becuse I apparently got My lady Fiona pregnant! Then last year when we were captive in the sorceress Cammiles dungeons my lady Fiona contacted me there and was trying to tell me of my son and help me escape but she says that I did not recognize her! I dont know what she is playing at , but it is not humorous. Anyway... Her father King Tessia complained and now King Today is punishing me for the slight. He says that I can not see my son ( who is now 5). He says that he is being raised by someone appropriate from the Overthere kingdom.. He said that to start the relationship of adventure between Arthurs Kingdom and his own off right, he would issue this first quest... I was told that I could have my son if I could take him from a tower in Listenesse where he is being held as ward. I went to pack right away, and my good companions Sir CynFyn, Sir Gherrin, And Prince Aedon all wished to aid me. Even sir Bledri said that for the friendship he bore my father he would aid me. So we are all prepared to go. I hope when all is said and done we will prosper for this...... My Lord Edar said to us at the last " Do not forget gentlemen, that King Todays realm has been freed from the old truce and just as we can now freely come to his lands so can he and his come to ours. Be ever watchful."
Sir Lucius speaking.....
What a strange year. Camelot was magnificent. Me and My wife completely fell in love with the King of Overthere and his retinue. They more than brought back the elegance that Britian once shared when under good Roman rule. It was fabulous, and At the end of it all I was happy to talk to many of King Today's retinue. They are the most sophisticated men in any realm, i'll wager!!
Everything was nearly perfect, except when that spoiled little ninny Arddur displeased King Today. Imagine acting like such a fool. And begetting a bastard child on His daughter!!!!! He is lucky the King found it in his heart to impose a simple quest and not demand Arddurs head from our High King on the spot! That is what I would have done. It would serve the brat right. Arddur is no Brandegoris( his father would be very dissapointed in his pampered son), that is for sure. Sir Bledri asked me if I would help Sir Arddur in his quest and I flatly refused. The man is an imbicile I told him. I will not aid him. If he was a roman christian this illigitamate child thing would not have happned. British Christians are getting to be as bad as pagans!
As I told Sir Bledri, If Sir Amadis had not quit the court of Sir Edar he would probably have helped. He loved to go on fool quests. I can not believe he left Edar's court. Especially at it's height. Edar is a King in his own right and I am sure his generosity and Largesse will soon show itself with appointments and gifts. And Amadis was supposed to be a Candlebee. But he left his brothers. A pity. He was brave beyond belief. A little queer at times. He was a good man though and i liked him. he will be missed sorely. I hope to run across him again and I will tell him this... I do not like or trust this Sir CynFyn. He is new blood in my eyes and he is ever trying to weasel his way up the ladder of success. he is oily as a snake and I am proud enough to say that it was not I that helped pull Sir Amadis away from CynFyn. And now that Amadis the Annis slayer is gone and CynFyn the too good is in, I am glad I never counted myself a Candlebee. he seems to be exerting too much influence over my young friend Sir Ellidyr as well. Ellidyr will not see anyone nor talk. He has said but 2 words to me since his return and they had to do with guard duty. When I try o find him to continue his fencing lessons he is always gone, Out riding or sulking in his room. He rides a lot these days. I went out to find him after he had been gone for 4 days in the rain. I found him Stinking drunk attempting to drown himself in a small spring. He was a mess and could not talk. I took him to my manor, and made him comfortable, but when I woke early he had already gone some time in the night. I finally cornered him one day just outside of Bunny on his way back from CynFyn's manor. the only reason he said that he was unhappy was because he had a secret Irish love that would not return the favor. I should have known. But that was hardly an excuse for Drunken depression for monthes on end not able to perform your knightly duties. He then said that he felt guilty about the raiding in Ireland and about some of the things he had had to do there. Now that made a little more sense. I assured him that he would get over that and that he had followed orders and been a good kinight. CynFyn was correct in one thing. The irish are damned wicked bastards. They were resisting and bringing it on themselves. Maybe it wasnt entirely true, but whatever needs be said to get the man to snap out of it was true enough . I asked if he had at last known a woman while abroad and he said no, He was saving himself for his love, the one he would marry. Gods Blood! What a dandy. If he just bedded a few fine women he would be good i think. Put his head back on straight ya know? I let the matter drop... until now. I was one of the first back to Leicester after the Camelot feast, except of course for Arduur and his Quest companions. To my surprise I spied Ellidyr coming out of the castle chapel with blind old father Merle ( now 89 years old). Merle i thought was senile but it appears not, for when I later cornered the cheeky old bastard I forced him to tell me the truth. He at first said it was the Irish lass that stayed on at CynFyn' manor of bunny as a slave, then it was because of wartime tragedies, but I could read the blind bastard like a book( I even know that he can see a little out of his left eye). he finally said it was because he betrayed his lord Edar when in Ireland. Together with Sir CynFyn they Took money off the top of Edar's cut to enrich themselves, and he felt guilty. I guess he would, the nieve little pup. he is so good-hearted that he doesnt know that that is expected in this day and age. Edar knew when CynFyn wanted the post that he wanted to enrich himself. Its accepted. Accepted as a reward for your good service. That is why I am trying to get Edar to appoint me as his lawyer and to make me a baron. I am useful at court and can help Edar on legal matters such as the De Ganis Clan stealing his rights to Lambor when old Lambor was evicted. Instead Roman law was flung around like shit by the DeGanis clan and made Sir Blamore the new Baron of Lambor. i hope to find through law, a way to get those lands back to my Count. then maybe he could name me as Baron owing fealty to him. If he did you can bet i would pocket a little more than MY share, and Edar would look away while I did so! It is the way of the world. I wish I could talk to Ellidyr about it but for now it is just safer to sit on the situation. Ahhh how difficult life can be sometimes... I hope he will soon snap out of it before something dreadful happens.
Sir Bledri, Candlebee and Knight of the Round Table speaks:Oh, what strange visitors we have in our lands these days! King Today of Overthere, and his otherwordly retinue arrived, seemingly only to tell King Arthur that he has loosed his fey knights on Britain. They are strange folk. I almost wish for the days when it was saxons who ran amok in our lands. At least you knew where you stood with them. We kill them, or they kill us, rape our women, and take our land. very simple. This whole idea of 'adventuring' knights seems silly. What is the point? Perhaps King Edar will send me to Ireland to be Marshall of his kingdom there. I think I could do the most good there. I think Medbourne would do better in Edar's hands.On a lighter note, Lindsay's Champion tried to move in on our pavillion territory at the big hubbub at Camelot. Foolish. One pass. Thats it. I may be old, but I am still dangerous. Also Arrdur knocked up King Tessia's daughter. We are going up north to claim the bastard. Sounds like a lot of fun. These Fey knights will find that the men of Leicester are frightening foes.
March 27, 2009 10:09 AM
Sir Bledri confides:I still do not know the whole story of the disappearance of Sir Amadis. I have not said much, but it has troubled me greatly. Amadis was always a straight arrow, but it must have been an evil event that forced him from beloved King Edar's lands and the commraderie of his fellow Candlebeess. I feel his loss every day and wonder if I will ever be up to my elbows in blood, with him at my side, shield to shield. All of this courtly, intigue stuff gives me a headache. What is wrong with me that I long for clear enemies and battle? I recall being scared out of my wits at Bardon, and numerous other battles. Perhaps in my old age, i no longer fear death. I will die with the hot blood of war pouring out of me, of this I am certain.
March 27, 2009 3:02 PM
Sir Amadis here...
Another miserable voyage across the Channel, but I don’t remember much. I was in such internal agony over leaving my lord, my companions…but so it goes. I made my choice, and so did they.
As we made our way south I directed my energies to accepting jousts from the swarms of knights on the roads, many of whom stationed themselves at a notable landmark—a bridge, a ford, a crossroads—and offering to fight all comers. Very well then! I let myself loose upon the French. I left Sir Sigibert unconscious on the road next to his mount…Sir Ingomer kept his saddle, but was sore wounded by my trusty Leicester spear, ceded the contest to me. So, too, did a knight of great repute among the Franks, Sir Rigunth, whom I left bleeding and reeling from my buffets. Sirs Clovis, Childeric, and Charibert were good enough men, but I them I killed, which in the case of the distinguished Sir Childeric, I regret. Their horses and arms I took, as is the custom in this land, but I let the wounded men keep their arms and mounts since they had such a visceral souvenir of our encounter.
The old kingdom of Ganis we found swarming with Franks, conquering the lands from the de Ganis clan, who all seem to have fled to Arthur’s court. We had some troubles on the road, but by then the Franks recognized my coat of arms and were on better behavior.
After many months of travel through warn-torn regions, we finally came to Gilet, a village up the river from Sagunto, the old Roman town. The new king, Theudis of the Visigoths, has a summer palace near here, in a place called Valencia. The heat is very staggering on the plains and in the mountains; it is only on the coast, with its cooling breezes, that our little party got any relief.
In Gilet we finally met my lady’s people, a large if not particularly wealthy family of cavalrymen. Their hospitality was as good as we would have received in Logres, and they made much fuss over my lady, the women of the household gathering in “their little lost child.” After the hardships of France and Ganis, Desdemona was comforted to be accepted so readily by a family she had never met.
The menfolk are not yet sure what to make of me, a knight of Logres newly arrived from the fabled land of King Arthur, and a knight of the legendary Idar of Allington. As I told them of our travels through France I could see them warming up to me as I recounted the good French knights I left injured by the side of the road, or lying dead on the ground. They bitterly hate the French, especially their former Queen, Chrotilda, for that people’s role in the death of their previous king, just this last year.
What a sttrange year. We were called to Camelot with nearly every other knight of Logres to welcome a foreign King of such splendor that we would never behold his like again( so we were told). We went to Camelot which was dreadfully crowded. King Edar had to set up camp out side on the grass near the northern gates. We had to run of a minor lord of Kent to make room for my Lords retinue. Shortly afterword The Count of Lindsey sent knights to demand that we move and Sir Bledri had to joust down his man so that we could keep our spot. The man fell nearly dead at the first pass. Lindsey left without one word.
As I was raised from pagehood in Camelot I took Prince Aedon, and Sir Gherrin around and introduced them to some of the nobility. Prince Aedon is most interested in an Marrying a fine upstanding rich British wife with blue blood! "I know just what you mean, " I said, and we were off. We ended up leaving Gherrin very soon. He had no patience for it all. He is but 22 years old and Is not interested in marrying. i told him not to wait. Get the dowry now! But he wont listen.
So we dropped him off at the posh and upscale temple of Venus, wheSir Bledri confides:I still do not know the whole story of the disappearance of Sir Amadis. I have not said much, but it has troubled me greatly. Amadis was always a straight arrow, but it must have been an evil event that forced him from beloved King Edar's lands and the commraderie of his fellow Candlebeess. I feel his loss every day and wonder if I will ever be up to my elbows in blood, with him at my side, shield to shield. All of this courtly, intigue stuff gives me a headache. What is wrong with me that I long for clear enemies and battle? I recall being scared out of my wits at Bardon, and numerous other battles. Perhaps in my old age, i no longer fear death. I will die with the hot blood of war pouring out of me, of this I am certain.
March 27, 2009 3:02 PMre he must have had fun, for he did not reach camp again for some 7 hours! What a Tomcat he is.
Aedon did meet some nice prospects and waited until the feast to speak with them. He did not hit the mark exactly, but by night's end he did hit A mark! She wasn't rich, but then again ... Maybe she was! anyway, he lost her before morning.
The king was referred to as King Today of Overthere. In retrospect it sounds strange, but at the time perfectly reasonable. Most guests acted as if everything was normal, except VERY VERY elegant and posh to the extreme. All admitted that King Today's court was the finest in exsistence. I know it was ... it was Fey!!! I had experience with it. I once went OVERTHERE! And helped the fey King Tessia on a quest. And I met his lovely daughter. We had relations, because of her enchantements im sure. Bledri says she slept with us all, but I dont recall that and I know my Fiona. She wouldnt have done that. I couldnt take my eyes off of her unless it was to look at guenivere. I tried several times to approach Fiona the Fey, but her brothers would not let me. In a drunken moment I approached her and was escorted away by one of Arthur's pages. I gave up all hope and Got stinking filthy drunk that night.... which was unfortunate since the next day I had to joust against King Today's knights. I went down in my first pass and spent an hour getting out of the armour that i had just gotten into. Poor Extavias and Cadamar. They had to do all the work.
The last feast saw king Today give a speech about how Arthur was a great King but his knights were trespassing on Overthere too much. I was named personally as a trespasser because of King Tessia's quest. King Today went on to berate me becuse I apparently got My lady Fiona pregnant! Then last year when we were captive in the sorceress Cammiles dungeons my lady Fiona contacted me there and was trying to tell me of my son and help me escape but she says that I did not recognize her! I dont know what she is playing at , but it is not humorous. Anyway... Her father King Tessia complained and now King Today is punishing me for the slight. He says that I can not see my son ( who is now 5). He says that he is being raised by someone appropriate from the Overthere kingdom.. He said that to start the relationship of adventure between Arthurs Kingdom and his own off right, he would issue this first quest... I was told that I could have my son if I could take him from a tower in Listenesse where he is being held as ward. I went to pack right away, and my good companions Sir CynFyn, Sir Gherrin, And Prince Aedon all wished to aid me. Even sir Bledri said that for the friendship he bore my father he would aid me. So we are all prepared to go. I hope when all is said and done we will prosper for this...... My Lord Edar said to us at the last " Do not forget gentlemen, that King Todays realm has been freed from the old truce and just as we can now freely come to his lands so can he and his come to ours. Be ever watchful."
Sir Lucius speaking.....
What a strange year. Camelot was magnificent. Me and My wife completely fell in love with the King of Overthere and his retinue. They more than brought back the elegance that Britian once shared when under good Roman rule. It was fabulous, and At the end of it all I was happy to talk to many of King Today's retinue. They are the most sophisticated men in any realm, i'll wager!!
Everything was nearly perfect, except when that spoiled little ninny Arddur displeased King Today. Imagine acting like such a fool. And begetting a bastard child on His daughter!!!!! He is lucky the King found it in his heart to impose a simple quest and not demand Arddurs head from our High King on the spot! That is what I would have done. It would serve the brat right. Arddur is no Brandegoris( his father would be very dissapointed in his pampered son), that is for sure. Sir Bledri asked me if I would help Sir Arddur in his quest and I flatly refused. The man is an imbicile I told him. I will not aid him. If he was a roman christian this illigitamate child thing would not have happned. British Christians are getting to be as bad as pagans!
As I told Sir Bledri, If Sir Amadis had not quit the court of Sir Edar he would probably have helped. He loved to go on fool quests. I can not believe he left Edar's court. Especially at it's height. Edar is a King in his own right and I am sure his generosity and Largesse will soon show itself with appointments and gifts. And Amadis was supposed to be a Candlebee. But he left his brothers. A pity. He was brave beyond belief. A little queer at times. He was a good man though and i liked him. he will be missed sorely. I hope to run across him again and I will tell him this... I do not like or trust this Sir CynFyn. He is new blood in my eyes and he is ever trying to weasel his way up the ladder of success. he is oily as a snake and I am proud enough to say that it was not I that helped pull Sir Amadis away from CynFyn. And now that Amadis the Annis slayer is gone and CynFyn the too good is in, I am glad I never counted myself a Candlebee. he seems to be exerting too much influence over my young friend Sir Ellidyr as well. Ellidyr will not see anyone nor talk. He has said but 2 words to me since his return and they had to do with guard duty. When I try o find him to continue his fencing lessons he is always gone, Out riding or sulking in his room. He rides a lot these days. I went out to find him after he had been gone for 4 days in the rain. I found him Stinking drunk attempting to drown himself in a small spring. He was a mess and could not talk. I took him to my manor, and made him comfortable, but when I woke early he had already gone some time in the night. I finally cornered him one day just outside of Bunny on his way back from CynFyn's manor. the only reason he said that he was unhappy was because he had a secret Irish love that would not return the favor. I should have known. But that was hardly an excuse for Drunken depression for monthes on end not able to perform your knightly duties. He then said that he felt guilty about the raiding in Ireland and about some of the things he had had to do there. Now that made a little more sense. I assured him that he would get over that and that he had followed orders and been a good kinight. CynFyn was correct in one thing. The irish are damned wicked bastards. They were resisting and bringing it on themselves. Maybe it wasnt entirely true, but whatever needs be said to get the man to snap out of it was true enough . I asked if he had at last known a woman while abroad and he said no, He was saving himself for his love, the one he would marry. Gods Blood! What a dandy. If he just bedded a few fine women he would be good i think. Put his head back on straight ya know? I let the matter drop... until now. I was one of the first back to Leicester after the Camelot feast, except of course for Arduur and his Quest companions. To my surprise I spied Ellidyr coming out of the castle chapel with blind old father Merle ( now 89 years old). Merle i thought was senile but it appears not, for when I later cornered the cheeky old bastard I forced him to tell me the truth. He at first said it was the Irish lass that stayed on at CynFyn' manor of bunny as a slave, then it was because of wartime tragedies, but I could read the blind bastard like a book( I even know that he can see a little out of his left eye). he finally said it was because he betrayed his lord Edar when in Ireland. Together with Sir CynFyn they Took money off the top of Edar's cut to enrich themselves, and he felt guilty. I guess he would, the nieve little pup. he is so good-hearted that he doesnt know that that is expected in this day and age. Edar knew when CynFyn wanted the post that he wanted to enrich himself. Its accepted. Accepted as a reward for your good service. That is why I am trying to get Edar to appoint me as his lawyer and to make me a baron. I am useful at court and can help Edar on legal matters such as the De Ganis Clan stealing his rights to Lambor when old Lambor was evicted. Instead Roman law was flung around like shit by the DeGanis clan and made Sir Blamore the new Baron of Lambor. i hope to find through law, a way to get those lands back to my Count. then maybe he could name me as Baron owing fealty to him. If he did you can bet i would pocket a little more than MY share, and Edar would look away while I did so! It is the way of the world. I wish I could talk to Ellidyr about it but for now it is just safer to sit on the situation. Ahhh how difficult life can be sometimes... I hope he will soon snap out of it before something dreadful happens.
Sir Bledri, Candlebee and Knight of the Round Table speaks:Oh, what strange visitors we have in our lands these days! King Today of Overthere, and his otherwordly retinue arrived, seemingly only to tell King Arthur that he has loosed his fey knights on Britain. They are strange folk. I almost wish for the days when it was saxons who ran amok in our lands. At least you knew where you stood with them. We kill them, or they kill us, rape our women, and take our land. very simple. This whole idea of 'adventuring' knights seems silly. What is the point? Perhaps King Edar will send me to Ireland to be Marshall of his kingdom there. I think I could do the most good there. I think Medbourne would do better in Edar's hands.On a lighter note, Lindsay's Champion tried to move in on our pavillion territory at the big hubbub at Camelot. Foolish. One pass. Thats it. I may be old, but I am still dangerous. Also Arrdur knocked up King Tessia's daughter. We are going up north to claim the bastard. Sounds like a lot of fun. These Fey knights will find that the men of Leicester are frightening foes.
March 27, 2009 10:09 AM
Sir Bledri confides:I still do not know the whole story of the disappearance of Sir Amadis. I have not said much, but it has troubled me greatly. Amadis was always a straight arrow, but it must have been an evil event that forced him from beloved King Edar's lands and the commraderie of his fellow Candlebeess. I feel his loss every day and wonder if I will ever be up to my elbows in blood, with him at my side, shield to shield. All of this courtly, intigue stuff gives me a headache. What is wrong with me that I long for clear enemies and battle? I recall being scared out of my wits at Bardon, and numerous other battles. Perhaps in my old age, i no longer fear death. I will die with the hot blood of war pouring out of me, of this I am certain.
March 27, 2009 3:02 PM
Sir Amadis here...
Another miserable voyage across the Channel, but I don’t remember much. I was in such internal agony over leaving my lord, my companions…but so it goes. I made my choice, and so did they.
As we made our way south I directed my energies to accepting jousts from the swarms of knights on the roads, many of whom stationed themselves at a notable landmark—a bridge, a ford, a crossroads—and offering to fight all comers. Very well then! I let myself loose upon the French. I left Sir Sigibert unconscious on the road next to his mount…Sir Ingomer kept his saddle, but was sore wounded by my trusty Leicester spear, ceded the contest to me. So, too, did a knight of great repute among the Franks, Sir Rigunth, whom I left bleeding and reeling from my buffets. Sirs Clovis, Childeric, and Charibert were good enough men, but I them I killed, which in the case of the distinguished Sir Childeric, I regret. Their horses and arms I took, as is the custom in this land, but I let the wounded men keep their arms and mounts since they had such a visceral souvenir of our encounter.
The old kingdom of Ganis we found swarming with Franks, conquering the lands from the de Ganis clan, who all seem to have fled to Arthur’s court. We had some troubles on the road, but by then the Franks recognized my coat of arms and were on better behavior.
After many months of travel through warn-torn regions, we finally came to Gilet, a village up the river from Sagunto, the old Roman town. The new king, Theudis of the Visigoths, has a summer palace near here, in a place called Valencia. The heat is very staggering on the plains and in the mountains; it is only on the coast, with its cooling breezes, that our little party got any relief.
In Gilet we finally met my lady’s people, a large if not particularly wealthy family of cavalrymen. Their hospitality was as good as we would have received in Logres, and they made much fuss over my lady, the women of the household gathering in “their little lost child.” After the hardships of France and Ganis, Desdemona was comforted to be accepted so readily by a family she had never met.
The menfolk are not yet sure what to make of me, a knight of Logres newly arrived from the fabled land of King Arthur, and a knight of the legendary Idar of Allington. As I told them of our travels through France I could see them warming up to me as I recounted the good French knights I left injured by the side of the road, or lying dead on the ground. They bitterly hate the French, especially their former Queen, Chrotilda, for that people’s role in the death of their previous king, just this last year.
Sunday, March 15, 2009
531 part two: Battle of the sun
Sir Arddur here...
After a month of hopelessly languishing in the Lady Camille's dungeon, I was permitted to speak with her. She seemed most agitated, and not at all as composed as she had at first seemed. I soon discovered why. She was soon to be under attack and was most distressed. She would not tell whom was the attacker, but asked if I would , by my honor, fight for her on the condition that I would be released after the battle. Having no choice I consented.
I soon found that most of my fellow knights had faced the same bargain and had likewise consented. All but our friend Gherin. He had refused her. Most noble of him. I'm sure that all of the rest of us, Myself, Sir Amadis, Sir Aedon, and the saracen S'aid, all felt a bit of shame. But for now we were free. We soon noticed other knights that had been freed. A great many of them, and as I talked to a few of them and they said thay had been imprisioned there for years. They all took their oath to do battle for their freedom. As we were preparing our unit for battle and just seconds away from our first charge against our unusual opponent, We had a huge surprise! Joining our ranks for the charge was good old Sir Bledri! He had also been imrisioned Since Amadis had already begun the battle as our commander, Bledri let him retain that honour.
As we charged we noticed that besides the knights we had on our side there were other warriors. To our shock and horror we began to see clearly that our comrades-in -arms were Goblins from darkest dreams, and twisted monsters from folklore. Myself , I had been to the otherworld of the fey and so was perhaps a little less surprised, but still i was uneasy. Who's side am I on? I became convinced that I was now on the wrong side.
Soon I was proven right. The other side came as the sun reached it Zenith and blinded us. I saw knights in armor of Gold and silver, with designs never even before imagined. There were dwarves, and animals, and all manner of creatures I can not name, but all seemed to glow brightly with righteous fury. I knew from the beginning that we were doomed. But an oath is an oath sio we all fought hard for the vile traitorous. We started out well enough but after fighting the strange dwarves, we then fought knights of silver and gold and fared horribly, and then fell prey to a hoarde of pictish knifemen. Our companion S'aid went down in the fray, never to be seen again. I will remember him fondly, evn though I only knew him for a short time. I enjoyed his tall-tales enormously. We then fell in with a foreigner call Wexford or Wexond I think. He was a Jute or Dane or something, and we all know king Edar's fondness for northerners, so we immediately befriended him.
In short we were routed and had to retreat back to the castle. When we got there we found it in total dissaray already. It seemed the castle was under attack from the REAL world as well as the fey one. We took the confusion as an opportunuty to liberate our friend Gherin who was still in the dungeon. We met some resistance and there a few knights were slain and one wounded, before realizing they were friendly. They were knights of Camelot and soon we met good sir GRIFLET the Marshal! It sems that King Arthur and several other Round Table knights were imprisioned just as us knights had been and Sir Lancelot had escaped with the help of a friendly maiden. He had just returned with the army to liberate the others including the King. Now shame was upon me. It seems no other of our knights had agreed to fight for this evil Lady Camille. They rather stayed in prision. Even our Good High King. Never shall I be in the wrong again.
We all got out of the castle and it soon crumbled away into the marsh. Soon it was over and Camille disappeared. The rebellion seems subdued a little for now. As my Count's Stewards are loking After Tilton and I am free to travel, I brought Meg and my son Osric with me to winter in Camelot. I also stopped into Surrey to see my sister Matilda. She had been married to a wonderful Saxon knight of Surrey named Edmond. She now has eight children and several fine manors. Good for her. As she was raised in Camelot with me she says she has really missed the life there. The excitement. She says edmond isnt one to tarry at court unless necessary. Poor girl. I am lucky. My family and I stayed with my Lord Sir Colgrevance of the round table at his residence in Camelot over the winter. He has always been a gracious Lord ever since knighting me.
As I sat talking with my lord Colgrevance I was priveledged to also speak to my Lords Sir Bors, Sir Lionel, and Sir Ector De Maris. They were visiting My Lord's manor as was I and the conversation was quite stimulating. Benoit and Ganis must be wonderful Lands indeed to have produced such a noble strain of knights. The conversation turned to my beautiful, but base-born, saxon lover Meg. The mother of my only child Osric. They all admire her great beauty and demure bearing. But all agreed after some discussion that I need to think of putting her aside and marrying to procure a legitimate heir. I am 28 , and not getting any younger. I suppose that next year I will do so. But I will NOT put Meg in a nunnery. It would slowly kill her. I will find some Lord at another court to allow her to stay there with my son and grow old. I will pay her upkep and my son's. Perhaps Lambor now that the old Lord is dead and Sir Blamore de GAnis is the new Lord. he is Kin to these good ganis knights and as they suggested it, I will most certainly agree. But where to find a suitable wife? They said they would keep an eye out.
I have been keeping an eye on my 1/2 brother Extavias over the years and visiting him regularly. Though we have different mothers, we are as close as natural brothers. I am going to equip him and make him my squire next year as he will finally be old enough. Cadamar , my current squire, will teach him all he knows, and Cadamar is an excellent squire. When Extavias is knighted may allow him To have Tilton-on-the-hill, or else have Cadamar steward it for him or myself. I will see. After this year I am hoping next year is calm.
Sir Ellidyr here......
I am headed home from Oriel, King Edar's new Irish land. I went there with CynFyn, Edar's Luitenent,and he was to administrate the Land while I was to help clean out rebels.I had never performed such a task and I must admit... I was ill suited to it. Years ago When I was first a knight , i came to ireland and King Edar's own men worked with others who took slaves. I freed those slaves woyh my own librum. Now... I am the one enslaving people and burning their houses and stealing their valuables. I know this is the way of war, but it feels so wrong. These People are fighting for their land and I must break their spirit. But... As CynFyn Points out regularly... they are a wicked people with wicked ways and magics. They profess Catholic Christianity but Pagans abound in the hills and countryside practicing their foul arts. CynFyn says so, and I believe him. After all, look at how they gave Count Edar hospitality then murdered his retinue while they slept. They killed them with foul magic. And in their Beds. Shameful. So... I will do my job. I find that I feel better about it after some strong drink. Then I am able to block out all the screaming and cries.
There is a girl too who I think I love. She is Irish, and as beautiful as the dawn. But She see's me as her master and we hardly speak. She is young but not too young. 22-23 perhaps. When I asked she said that my men amd myself had been responsible for making her a widow. She speaks to me and I can see her anger deep deep inside, but on the surface is simply fear, and complacency. Almost no emotion. This is worse then her anger, for how will I ever tell her how I feel? She hates me as I hate myself. And i drink some more. And I raid some more. I can't wait to leave this cursed Isle.
After a month of hopelessly languishing in the Lady Camille's dungeon, I was permitted to speak with her. She seemed most agitated, and not at all as composed as she had at first seemed. I soon discovered why. She was soon to be under attack and was most distressed. She would not tell whom was the attacker, but asked if I would , by my honor, fight for her on the condition that I would be released after the battle. Having no choice I consented.
I soon found that most of my fellow knights had faced the same bargain and had likewise consented. All but our friend Gherin. He had refused her. Most noble of him. I'm sure that all of the rest of us, Myself, Sir Amadis, Sir Aedon, and the saracen S'aid, all felt a bit of shame. But for now we were free. We soon noticed other knights that had been freed. A great many of them, and as I talked to a few of them and they said thay had been imprisioned there for years. They all took their oath to do battle for their freedom. As we were preparing our unit for battle and just seconds away from our first charge against our unusual opponent, We had a huge surprise! Joining our ranks for the charge was good old Sir Bledri! He had also been imrisioned Since Amadis had already begun the battle as our commander, Bledri let him retain that honour.
As we charged we noticed that besides the knights we had on our side there were other warriors. To our shock and horror we began to see clearly that our comrades-in -arms were Goblins from darkest dreams, and twisted monsters from folklore. Myself , I had been to the otherworld of the fey and so was perhaps a little less surprised, but still i was uneasy. Who's side am I on? I became convinced that I was now on the wrong side.
Soon I was proven right. The other side came as the sun reached it Zenith and blinded us. I saw knights in armor of Gold and silver, with designs never even before imagined. There were dwarves, and animals, and all manner of creatures I can not name, but all seemed to glow brightly with righteous fury. I knew from the beginning that we were doomed. But an oath is an oath sio we all fought hard for the vile traitorous. We started out well enough but after fighting the strange dwarves, we then fought knights of silver and gold and fared horribly, and then fell prey to a hoarde of pictish knifemen. Our companion S'aid went down in the fray, never to be seen again. I will remember him fondly, evn though I only knew him for a short time. I enjoyed his tall-tales enormously. We then fell in with a foreigner call Wexford or Wexond I think. He was a Jute or Dane or something, and we all know king Edar's fondness for northerners, so we immediately befriended him.
In short we were routed and had to retreat back to the castle. When we got there we found it in total dissaray already. It seemed the castle was under attack from the REAL world as well as the fey one. We took the confusion as an opportunuty to liberate our friend Gherin who was still in the dungeon. We met some resistance and there a few knights were slain and one wounded, before realizing they were friendly. They were knights of Camelot and soon we met good sir GRIFLET the Marshal! It sems that King Arthur and several other Round Table knights were imprisioned just as us knights had been and Sir Lancelot had escaped with the help of a friendly maiden. He had just returned with the army to liberate the others including the King. Now shame was upon me. It seems no other of our knights had agreed to fight for this evil Lady Camille. They rather stayed in prision. Even our Good High King. Never shall I be in the wrong again.
We all got out of the castle and it soon crumbled away into the marsh. Soon it was over and Camille disappeared. The rebellion seems subdued a little for now. As my Count's Stewards are loking After Tilton and I am free to travel, I brought Meg and my son Osric with me to winter in Camelot. I also stopped into Surrey to see my sister Matilda. She had been married to a wonderful Saxon knight of Surrey named Edmond. She now has eight children and several fine manors. Good for her. As she was raised in Camelot with me she says she has really missed the life there. The excitement. She says edmond isnt one to tarry at court unless necessary. Poor girl. I am lucky. My family and I stayed with my Lord Sir Colgrevance of the round table at his residence in Camelot over the winter. He has always been a gracious Lord ever since knighting me.
As I sat talking with my lord Colgrevance I was priveledged to also speak to my Lords Sir Bors, Sir Lionel, and Sir Ector De Maris. They were visiting My Lord's manor as was I and the conversation was quite stimulating. Benoit and Ganis must be wonderful Lands indeed to have produced such a noble strain of knights. The conversation turned to my beautiful, but base-born, saxon lover Meg. The mother of my only child Osric. They all admire her great beauty and demure bearing. But all agreed after some discussion that I need to think of putting her aside and marrying to procure a legitimate heir. I am 28 , and not getting any younger. I suppose that next year I will do so. But I will NOT put Meg in a nunnery. It would slowly kill her. I will find some Lord at another court to allow her to stay there with my son and grow old. I will pay her upkep and my son's. Perhaps Lambor now that the old Lord is dead and Sir Blamore de GAnis is the new Lord. he is Kin to these good ganis knights and as they suggested it, I will most certainly agree. But where to find a suitable wife? They said they would keep an eye out.
I have been keeping an eye on my 1/2 brother Extavias over the years and visiting him regularly. Though we have different mothers, we are as close as natural brothers. I am going to equip him and make him my squire next year as he will finally be old enough. Cadamar , my current squire, will teach him all he knows, and Cadamar is an excellent squire. When Extavias is knighted may allow him To have Tilton-on-the-hill, or else have Cadamar steward it for him or myself. I will see. After this year I am hoping next year is calm.
Sir Ellidyr here......
I am headed home from Oriel, King Edar's new Irish land. I went there with CynFyn, Edar's Luitenent,and he was to administrate the Land while I was to help clean out rebels.I had never performed such a task and I must admit... I was ill suited to it. Years ago When I was first a knight , i came to ireland and King Edar's own men worked with others who took slaves. I freed those slaves woyh my own librum. Now... I am the one enslaving people and burning their houses and stealing their valuables. I know this is the way of war, but it feels so wrong. These People are fighting for their land and I must break their spirit. But... As CynFyn Points out regularly... they are a wicked people with wicked ways and magics. They profess Catholic Christianity but Pagans abound in the hills and countryside practicing their foul arts. CynFyn says so, and I believe him. After all, look at how they gave Count Edar hospitality then murdered his retinue while they slept. They killed them with foul magic. And in their Beds. Shameful. So... I will do my job. I find that I feel better about it after some strong drink. Then I am able to block out all the screaming and cries.
There is a girl too who I think I love. She is Irish, and as beautiful as the dawn. But She see's me as her master and we hardly speak. She is young but not too young. 22-23 perhaps. When I asked she said that my men amd myself had been responsible for making her a widow. She speaks to me and I can see her anger deep deep inside, but on the surface is simply fear, and complacency. Almost no emotion. This is worse then her anger, for how will I ever tell her how I feel? She hates me as I hate myself. And i drink some more. And I raid some more. I can't wait to leave this cursed Isle.
Sunday, March 8, 2009
531 Part One: Saxon Rebellion!
Sir Arddur ap Brandegoris reporting ;
Last year I was charged with helping Sir Lucius and a few other knights guard Edar's realm. Sorry... KING Edar's realm. It was fairly peaceful, but after Sir Amadis recovered from his broken leg, he led us out to beat up some cheap Lambor raiders.It was fun.
What was not fun was me taking care of my manor, Tilton-on-the Hill. Ever since I got it back from Sir Bledri who was keeping it safe for me until I came of age, I have had ill luck. The manor saps far more income than It can generate. I find that I really do not wish to deal with this problem now. I am twenty-seven, and have no wife, only my saxon lover Meg.She is obviously more of my slave , as Saxons can't just run free, but I do treat her as kindly as possible. I wish to go erranting for a year or two and find adventure and hopefully a wife. I have no son of my own, although i have a suspicion that Meg may be with child. there is a difference in her lately that I can not account for. I believe that I will ask my Lord Edar to release me from my holding for a few years and see if he could take over the manor for me. Perhaps he will know how to straighten it out. everyone see's how all of my king's lands prosper, especially Allington. I will have no income these years, but then again I dont have any now either.
This year A new warrior came to court. A stranger from the north African land of Zazamanc. His name was said. He apparently had heard of the fame of my High King Arthur and King Edar. He had come to see the fabled lands of Britian. He seemed unimpressed for the most part. So we took him to Allington to impress him. While there a knight named SIR Henri , who serves Duke Hervis de Revel of Anglia found us on his travels. He was on a mission to recruit willing knights to aid his Lord Hervis in Anglia. It seems that the saxons were once again in rebellion! There was one immediate problem however. The knight Sir Henri had recognized my coat of arms. He the proceeded to make a very rude statement about my father, the great Sir Brandegoris bringing his bravery into question. Proposterous! My father still has songs sung of his greatness. How he killed a Saxon with naught but a hambone. That is one of the greatest, but most importantly he with the son of Count Edar, Sir Seriol, were the heroes of the battle of Bardon, breaking the power of the witches at the cost of their own lives! Coward indeed! So you can see why I was upset. I did know that Duke Hervis and my father had some type of conflict early in their lives, but I couldnt tolerate such insults in my presence. Henri assured me that that was his Lord's point of view and not his own. I decided to go and sign up to kill saxons,. After all, they killed my father and a lot of other good britons. They were spared and so should have learned their lesson.
We traveled to Anglia and on the way near the huge city of Norwich we found a couple of horse traders from a place called Alexandria. They looked quite a bit like our new friend S'aid. He assured me that though they did bear a resemblance they were very far away from his own homeland. They were tough traders but very hospitable. They gave us a drink unlike any other. It was rich and black, and a bit bitter. An aquired taste to be sure, but the effects on the mind and body couldnt be denied. It was called Coffee, and when we were done trading they even let us take a little as a gift. It's most peculiar quality was to give a man much more energy and too focus ones thoughts. A great marvel indeed. During the trade negotiations good Amadis was minded to turn loose of his magnificent Fey charger Lew! I was stunned. But ever since Amadis had seen S'aid's horse, A magnificent arabian courser, he had to have one. They were not as strong in a fight but were beautiful and sleek and by far the fastest horses any of us had ever seen. These traders likewise loved the fey charger. They wished to gift their King with it so they gave up much to Amadis. Two Arabian courser stallions, and 5 breeding mares, as wel as 2 smaller horses. Amadis will soon be able to start breeding stallions.
After the trading we met with Duke Hervis who was mildly Rude. He simply sidestepped his comments about my father when confronted with them. He did say that we could prove him wrong by serving the him and doing well, then it might just change Hervis' feelings about my family line. We were not afraid to fight and so we accepted whatever charge was given to us. We wound up patroling a ten mile area and guarding it from saxons. We patroled for 2 weeks making easy coin, but we kept glimpsing strange things.We kept seeing a huge column of men ( over 100) and they looked like saxons. They were all afoot though they dad have wagons full of loot and many groups of cattle ,sheep, and boar with them. We tried several times tro track them but an unnatural fog and some evil magic was certainly at work. We might never had found it if it were not for the Irish Prince Aedon. King Anguishes of Ireland's son. He pulled off all armor and tracked the column and found that they WERE using magical fog to conceal their castle. He told us of this and we all decided to make ready to follow them when the time was right. In two days time the columns came again and retreated to their castle through this living fog. We dashed in after them on horseback. ( actually, i did first. I just couldnt take another week of boring patrol). Once through we realized that these saxons were mostly ill equipped commoners, and second rate warriors. We scatttered them but could not make the gate at the causeway before it closed. Sir Gherrin captured a peasant and being a peasant himself until recently was able to really communicate with him well. The peasant said that the castle was the castle of a saxon Witch named Cammille. Damn. We all hated sorcery. We decided to stay in place until the gates were opened. If the gates were not opened so much the better. That would mean this small handful of us were sieging the castle well. We slaughtered some livestock to eat, set watches, and waited. We slept on the perfectly manacured launds, and there was a huge topiary flower garden all over the grounds. At first the Garden was comforting but soon made us uneasy. amadis. aedon, and myself talked about it and we all thought in one way or another thge garden must be the key to the witches power. so we attempted to destroy the whole thing. After that was accomplished we felt safer. Unfortunately that very night the living essence of that garden turned very evil and attacked us attempting to smother us and at last we all fell, and now we sit in a small and dank dungeon of this witch. The bright side? As i see it the bright side is ... at least we are somwhere in the castle now......
Last year I was charged with helping Sir Lucius and a few other knights guard Edar's realm. Sorry... KING Edar's realm. It was fairly peaceful, but after Sir Amadis recovered from his broken leg, he led us out to beat up some cheap Lambor raiders.It was fun.
What was not fun was me taking care of my manor, Tilton-on-the Hill. Ever since I got it back from Sir Bledri who was keeping it safe for me until I came of age, I have had ill luck. The manor saps far more income than It can generate. I find that I really do not wish to deal with this problem now. I am twenty-seven, and have no wife, only my saxon lover Meg.She is obviously more of my slave , as Saxons can't just run free, but I do treat her as kindly as possible. I wish to go erranting for a year or two and find adventure and hopefully a wife. I have no son of my own, although i have a suspicion that Meg may be with child. there is a difference in her lately that I can not account for. I believe that I will ask my Lord Edar to release me from my holding for a few years and see if he could take over the manor for me. Perhaps he will know how to straighten it out. everyone see's how all of my king's lands prosper, especially Allington. I will have no income these years, but then again I dont have any now either.
This year A new warrior came to court. A stranger from the north African land of Zazamanc. His name was said. He apparently had heard of the fame of my High King Arthur and King Edar. He had come to see the fabled lands of Britian. He seemed unimpressed for the most part. So we took him to Allington to impress him. While there a knight named SIR Henri , who serves Duke Hervis de Revel of Anglia found us on his travels. He was on a mission to recruit willing knights to aid his Lord Hervis in Anglia. It seems that the saxons were once again in rebellion! There was one immediate problem however. The knight Sir Henri had recognized my coat of arms. He the proceeded to make a very rude statement about my father, the great Sir Brandegoris bringing his bravery into question. Proposterous! My father still has songs sung of his greatness. How he killed a Saxon with naught but a hambone. That is one of the greatest, but most importantly he with the son of Count Edar, Sir Seriol, were the heroes of the battle of Bardon, breaking the power of the witches at the cost of their own lives! Coward indeed! So you can see why I was upset. I did know that Duke Hervis and my father had some type of conflict early in their lives, but I couldnt tolerate such insults in my presence. Henri assured me that that was his Lord's point of view and not his own. I decided to go and sign up to kill saxons,. After all, they killed my father and a lot of other good britons. They were spared and so should have learned their lesson.
We traveled to Anglia and on the way near the huge city of Norwich we found a couple of horse traders from a place called Alexandria. They looked quite a bit like our new friend S'aid. He assured me that though they did bear a resemblance they were very far away from his own homeland. They were tough traders but very hospitable. They gave us a drink unlike any other. It was rich and black, and a bit bitter. An aquired taste to be sure, but the effects on the mind and body couldnt be denied. It was called Coffee, and when we were done trading they even let us take a little as a gift. It's most peculiar quality was to give a man much more energy and too focus ones thoughts. A great marvel indeed. During the trade negotiations good Amadis was minded to turn loose of his magnificent Fey charger Lew! I was stunned. But ever since Amadis had seen S'aid's horse, A magnificent arabian courser, he had to have one. They were not as strong in a fight but were beautiful and sleek and by far the fastest horses any of us had ever seen. These traders likewise loved the fey charger. They wished to gift their King with it so they gave up much to Amadis. Two Arabian courser stallions, and 5 breeding mares, as wel as 2 smaller horses. Amadis will soon be able to start breeding stallions.
After the trading we met with Duke Hervis who was mildly Rude. He simply sidestepped his comments about my father when confronted with them. He did say that we could prove him wrong by serving the him and doing well, then it might just change Hervis' feelings about my family line. We were not afraid to fight and so we accepted whatever charge was given to us. We wound up patroling a ten mile area and guarding it from saxons. We patroled for 2 weeks making easy coin, but we kept glimpsing strange things.We kept seeing a huge column of men ( over 100) and they looked like saxons. They were all afoot though they dad have wagons full of loot and many groups of cattle ,sheep, and boar with them. We tried several times tro track them but an unnatural fog and some evil magic was certainly at work. We might never had found it if it were not for the Irish Prince Aedon. King Anguishes of Ireland's son. He pulled off all armor and tracked the column and found that they WERE using magical fog to conceal their castle. He told us of this and we all decided to make ready to follow them when the time was right. In two days time the columns came again and retreated to their castle through this living fog. We dashed in after them on horseback. ( actually, i did first. I just couldnt take another week of boring patrol). Once through we realized that these saxons were mostly ill equipped commoners, and second rate warriors. We scatttered them but could not make the gate at the causeway before it closed. Sir Gherrin captured a peasant and being a peasant himself until recently was able to really communicate with him well. The peasant said that the castle was the castle of a saxon Witch named Cammille. Damn. We all hated sorcery. We decided to stay in place until the gates were opened. If the gates were not opened so much the better. That would mean this small handful of us were sieging the castle well. We slaughtered some livestock to eat, set watches, and waited. We slept on the perfectly manacured launds, and there was a huge topiary flower garden all over the grounds. At first the Garden was comforting but soon made us uneasy. amadis. aedon, and myself talked about it and we all thought in one way or another thge garden must be the key to the witches power. so we attempted to destroy the whole thing. After that was accomplished we felt safer. Unfortunately that very night the living essence of that garden turned very evil and attacked us attempting to smother us and at last we all fell, and now we sit in a small and dank dungeon of this witch. The bright side? As i see it the bright side is ... at least we are somwhere in the castle now......
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