520 continued: Well...we found Norway!

Lucius here...

Since I am not sure if I will see my tutor/scribe again I will leave this record myself.
My companions and myself trekked all over a region of mountainous vales. They said this was once a home of Giants and to see the size of these mountains I have no doubt that Giants once resided here. Nothing in Britian can compare to even the smallest of these northern peaks.

After a few weeks of travel we met a " King" Wigulf and we visited his great hall. We all got the creeps from him even though he showed reasonable hospitality. Count Edar asked him about Queen Elaine but he said that he knew nothing of her except a rumor that farther north the Trond tribe was said to have a woman matching that description. Edar thanked the creepy little shit and we went north the next day. One basic problem that you have when traveling with an earl like Edar is that he must always exude power and strength, so he ALWAYS has a huge retinue. Well, these 40 people and mounts were a real nuisance and we had to send them all back with our squires before reaching Trondheim. The 8 Danes who led us would go on however, as would Finn the dwarf, prisioner of Hrothgar and leader of this expedition to Trondheim. We sort of discovered earlier on the sea voyage to Norway that Finn was said to know a great treasures location. Im sure it was no coincidence that this cave of treasure was near Trondheim, or that it had a powerful guardian that the Danes , i'm sure, hoped could be placated with a few British sacrifices as fodder. Finn is a surly rascal and had been quite rude to both myself and Sir Bledri. I let the matter go of course in a civilized manner because I could never use force on a small person. Bledri I soon discovered had no compunctions about it and threw the little piece of seal shit overboard, prompting Olaf to rescue him. Thats when we learned of the dwarfs value.

At Trondheim we were treated well and The King told us that it was Wigulf who was not to be trusted and was disliked by all other Danish Lords. Edar trusted the mans word I do believe, so we prepared to soon leave. That night a bard of sorts entertained us all, and we soon discovered that these northmen had a favotite pastime: Riddles. I am not one for riddles and Im afraid most of my companions also were stumped. The mans accent was the cause Im Sure... " Velcome to my Vooden Willage".........Absured! And humourous as well. Somehow even with the silly accent Sir Amadis was able to get the correct answer first. FIRE!! He blurted out and then everything fell silent and still. We waited and a feeling of unease crept over everyone. Even Sir Gwalchnai the Firelover was a little uneasy. Then the door blew in and a torrent of flame covered the inside of the building. All was white hot flame. We all made it outside and soon saw the cause of the disaster. A huge Dragon! Not wyrm or drake, for those words are small... too puny to describe with any real accuracy the thing that flew above us blotting out the very sun. Dragon! He burned down most of the village and then left. We soon discovered that the dragon in its fury Killed the King, who's son would be taking over the position. Im sure this " King" had a name but I dont remember it. ( For those of you who have never met a Nothman , their names are notoriously similar and are all ugly affairs and brutish. Ok, ork, Thork hork , etc.. ) you get the point. Anyway we soon discovered the reason for the attack. Finn the dwarf had run away in the night and entered the dragons lair and stolen a single gold cup from its monstrously huge horde. The dragon noticed the one piece missing and punished all of Trondheim for it.

I felt a little bad for these Danes but as I tried to point out to Edar, his wife wasnt here so there was no reason to stay. These danes fancy themselves great warriors so let them deal with it I said. But Edar in true Candlebee fashion( I now understand the root of the problem with Candlebees: Decision making!) wanted to slay this dragon and win the adoration of these pelt wearing oafs, so I concurred as well. ( In truth and to my embarrasement, I actually supported the plan with a good will). We tracked the dragon to its cave and it met us outside along the way and flew around us burning many to cinders. Our plan was ..well..... half assed. The dragon was an awful site and to my shame, when I saw Bledri give into his fear so did I and we ran towards the only shelter available... Its cave! Amadis , gwalchmai, Edar and the danes all fought it however. Even theDanish women friend of Amadis'...Scathi or whatever her name is fought. (I Dont understand why hes so infatuated with her. Her parents must have been an Ugly bear and an even uglier badger. Really though, the women has actual muscles. And her breasts could be used as whetstones they are so hard. Its filthy actually... filthy..).

In the fight I tried to find a way out of the cave but could not. Bledri could not resist the treasure. He was a a man possesed, and began stuffing pockets with plunder. In the fight outside Edar was wounded badly, and found his way to the safety of the cave. All the danes were slain save that bull-faced trollip Scathi and she helped Gwalchmai and Amadis fight. As the creature swooped down Gwalchmai cut its guts right out of it with one mighty swing. I have never before seen such a mighty blow, nor do I ever expect to see one again in my lifetime. I am hard pressed to believe that even the mighty Brandegoris of the hambone could have delivered such a blow. ( though his stench I am told might have kept the creature at bay). The Dragon flew to a nearby peak to rest and to our horror we saw it begin healing! the devils power to be sure! In a moment of utter lunacy I watched as Amadis , Gwalchmai, and scathi took off all armor and climb the mountain after the thing. It was sheer desperste madness, and I knew they would die so I renewed my efforts to find another escape.

Minutes later I heard Count Edar shout in triumph as the ground shook beneath my feet. we went otside to discover that thye Dragon was dead, thanks to Gwalchmai's powerful sword arm, and Amadis and she-dogs bravery. After I get over my shame of abandoning the fight I will say more of it.

With our packs full of treasure we went back th the new king of Trondheim and he went to the cave himself. He was , in my opinion, not overly generous or grateful, but Edar seemed content with him. We hired merchants vessels to go back To king Wigulfs People. When we arrived we went up to his city and it seemed abandoned except for a lone porter. Where were Edars people? I tried to bribe the porter to let us in and tell us what was going on, and gave him four large gems from my trasure share( i didnt deserve any treasure anyway. I was a coward.).He wouldnt let us in but did explain that a beast called a troll( which after hearing its description, reminded me a little of Scathis grandparents... Seriously, I dont know how to stop Amadis before he marries her!!I thought it a bit funny at first but now its just disturbing!) was terrorizing these lands and Wigulf had went to sacred ground to offer sacrifices to the troll. Foreign captives as it turned out. After getting directions we hurried on and I was a little behind because I was dragging my treasure pack. The others left theirs on the merchants vessels, but I was NOT that silly, ya know? Besides I had a plan.

We got to the sacrificial mound and saw many peasants and about two-dozen of Wigulfs warriors. Somehow the Candlebees among us thought these odds were acceptable and Edar walked through the crowd and demanded the realease of his people. After much amusement on Wigulf's part he said no and his men attacked us. But it was okay because now was the time for my plan!!!!!!!!!!!! I know the greedy hearts of men are their undoing so I scattered all my treasure upon the field to test their loyalties , knowing that they could not resist 3o lbs. of loot............. they did. Oops!

So we fought as valiantly as we could, and in the end were all captured. I was so close to death that I saw a white tunnel and was going through it towards 20 Beautiful, virginal, roman senators daughters , when the rough hands of Sir Bledri brought me back to the dismal shores of Norway. Count Edar arranged for his wifes ransom, and his retinues and us knights. It took oaths and over 6oo libra to do ( half is still owed, Thanks to the arrogant and dimwitted Queen Elaine who refused a 1 librum ransom in favor of 300L. Shes worth it she said. Silly Nobles).
All were let go except Count Edar. He was kept to ensure the delivery of 300L At a later date. We were all sent away to Hrothgar's hall where we will certainly book passage and go to logres in Utter shame at having failed our count. We DID get the High Kings sister, but lost a count. Arthur will NOT be pleased I am afraid. I Never want to see those accursed lands again as long as I live. Poor Edar. I hope Daneland or whatever its called is destroyed by God in a most horrible manner.

Sir Amadis here...

I never thought I'd say this, but Dane-mark isn't so bad. My beautiful warrior-woman resides here, and...it's not Norway. Now THAT is a horrible place!

I have been painfully aware that if I want to do well in life I must succeed as a knight, now that this previously impossible station in life was made available to me through the tragedy of Bardon...and to be successful as a knight means Glory. Through Glory and devoted service I shall acquire the means and station to support my family, not only now but after I die fighting for my count.

But I keep coming up short. Sir Bledri throwing that bothersome dwarf overboard—pure Candlebee move. Everybody in Leicester admires the Candlebees: men who went from vassal knights to penniless refugees to freedom fighters to the lords of this land and advisors to our High King Arthur...Count Edar even married to the king's sister! A bard couldn't make up a better story than that.

Now, sure, some have tales of a different nature regarding the Candlebees, especially some of the older folks around Medbourne. But even they realize that if it weren't for Candlebee bravado there would be no Leicester. Maybe not even a Britain.

So I want to do my part as a young knight and Leicesterman.

Plus, I have a woman to impress.

So when fire filled the king's hall (wooden hall, Christ!) I put myself beside Sir Bledri, between the fire and Count Edar. Ouch. Watching my charred clothing fall from my body brought to mind William Miller's young son back in Netherby, the one who fell in the cooking fire and died.

But the Candlebees didn't complain, and Scathi was here, too, so I didn't say anything. Then when they decided to go after the dragon and avenge the dead of Trond, I just borrowed some clothing and sucked it up.

Then the dragon actually came back! I was hoping it wouldn't and that we could "do a Padern" as Sir Edward used to say and load ourselves up with its treasure. Instead we were hard-pressed to fight back as our party scattered or dropped dead. So with Edar to defend and Gwalchmai hewing chunks off that serpent's body, I didn't stop to think what might be prudent but what would get me Glory and the notice (admiration?) of the Candlebees, and lay about with my trusty spear, then take off after Gwalchmai as he followed the dragon up the mountain. (Surely there is another word for these monstrous mountains!) Perhaps Scathi felt the same way because she also followed Gwalchmai.

Between being breathed on by the serpent (ouch again!) and sliding down the scree of the mountainside, Gwalchmai managed to reach it where it lay wounded on the mountaintop...and you may say I was delirious from the pain but I tell you it was so: that crazy knight actually climbed onto the dragon and started hacking away from the top down. The dragon leapt up, then crashed back down, very nearly cut in half....then the two halves and Sir Gwalchmai tumbled down the mountainside in a cloud of dust and smoke. I thought that was surely the end of our beloved fire-starter, so I turned my attentions to retrieving the badly-injured Scathi from the scree slopes. Between Bledri and I we bandaged ourselves up (except for those crisped beyond help) and limped back to the hall.

And damned if Sir Gwalchmai did not survive that fall after all! That man must be half wizard...well, Candlebee blood was up now, and we took a ship back to King Wigulf's lands for a reckoning (said Bledri) and to retrieve our companions (said Edar). We got there just in time for the cook-out. You know, the one where the savage pagans roast the unsuspecting guests on a spooky hill to some blood-thirsty god of theirs...as soon as we realized what was about, Edar said arm up and form up, and we charged. I don't know about Lucius and Bledri, but I know that Scathi and I, and Edar and Gwalchmai, were already sorely hurt. It didn't take long for all of us to be knocked down and out by Wigulf's men.

Now we sit in Hrothgar's hall in Dane-mark waiting for ships to ferry us back to Britain, where we will raise the rest of the ransom...maybe this is what the original Candlebees felt like after the Saxons first swept through Lindsey: no arms, no horses, borrowed clothes, and wondering where they would get the money to keep fighting another year.

Maybe being a Candlebee isn't such a good thing.


Sir Bledri the Runner-awayer-from-dragons:

Edar left in the hands of the traitorous Wiglof! That is the sorry state of our quest. We might have ransomed everyone but for Elaine's pride. She gained nothing by her arrogance, and cost her country a great and respected leader. Somehow I doubt Hrothgar will help us, and somehow I doubt Arthur will be able to field an army to invade and destroy Norway. Damn these heathen Norwayites! Surely God wishes us to destroy them.

Though I left my father's homeland of Lambor because I found it void of honor, I did take something useful with me: wisdom in battle. Say what you will about my father the Marshall of Lambor; he could lead men in war. And I have remembered all the things I learned from him. I have no small skill in the directing of armed men in battle. I hope I will be able to lead our forces to victory until Edar returns. Glorious boots to fill, but someone must. Arthur better ransom Edar back.

Where the HELL is Norway?

Calodius here......

My lord Sir Lucius of Caerwent has asked me to accompany him to the foreign land of Norway this year of 520AD. I of course am pleased to go! Count Edar the most widely traveled man among us believes that this Norway will be a pleasant land with mild weather and beautiful scenery, just Like Beyeaux which he once visited on the Northern coasts of France. He believes that the two places must be close to one another. The great and cunning Arch Druid , Merlin the enchanter said the journey would take a month or more! My Lord Lucius believes that he is having fun with us at our expense. He says the world is probably hardly that big. And also, it is well known that Count Edar is none to fond of the old pagan , so we have taken what Merlin said with a grain of salt. I for one cant wait to leave on the morrow. I will continue writing later when I have something Interesting to say.

Woe is me!!! God seems to have abandoned our cause and we havent even found Norway yet!

We have made what I percieve to be poor time in this endless sea, which boils like a black cauldron full of vile poisonous liquid! Truly , the sea has not stopped heaving for a full day since we departed. I have been terribly ill for all three weeks. Percy, my lord's body servant, and the lady Portia, my lords mistress have also been quite ill. I can't tell if my lord's four men at arms are ill or not because they are always indulgimg in too much drink and vomiting anyway. Filthy Brutes! I feel that I have made a mistake by coming on this voyage. I am a latin tutor of no small skill, and I could have stayed behind in Nottingham and kept a fine lifestyle, but Sir Lucius seemed so confident that no real danger would occur and I would see the world's Glories! I should never have accepted his offer to tutor him, then I would be eating roasted pheasent and drinking spiced wine in a warm comfy hall right now. Intead I am on one of the only two ships left of the ten that had made up Count Edars' entourage. The other eight were lost in the huge storm that whipped us about yesterday. The captain has been hugging the frisian coast all day and is trying to limp into a port. After some rest we understand that the Count wishes to stay along the coast and look for any signs of the other ships that may have washed up. Oh.. tragedy and misery!! We are a poor and sorry lot indeed. The only person who is still optomistic is ,strangely, my lord sir Licius, who seems unconcerned with the loss of the other ships. I think he has been drinking with his men at arms, or maybe, he is just a cold hearted bastard. I don't know. I'll write again later if I manage to stay alive. May God protect us. Amen.

God is great Indeed!!! Somehow we have managed to find four more of our ships, and we have made it to Denmark, which I understood to be the capitol city of Norway until last night when it was explained to me that sadly we had not reached Norway. Norway apparently is yet FARTHER north still! Jesus' frozen balls!!!! These lands are accursed. I hate them. Not even any wine here or anything that resembles civilized ways. After some misadventure which ended in the burning of a small coastal village, we were lucky enough to find two of those strange " longships" that the saxons use. These ships were full of men who called themselves Danes. When we asked if that was the name of their SAXON tribe they bristled and quickly explained that they are NOT saxon. They are indeed very different and Hate the saxons. I really can;t tell the difference. They are all big, unwashed, smelly blond men with poor manners and grooming standards who drink too much and talk too loudly. The only difference of note , if there really is one, is that perhapd the Danes use swords as their most common weapon instead of so many axes like the saxons. These Danes escorted us to their king Hrothgar, which was fortunate since he was the very person Merlin had said we should seek, for he is said to be a noble and strong King, and if we can win his respect he just might help us locate Quen Elaine. The King's hall Hereot, is very large and impressive, even though made of wood. Though this land is very rustic
it is a welcome rest from the sea. We were feasted and entertained for 3 days after Count Edar presented his hefty gifts to King Hrothgar(25libra worth). The only trouble that we have come accross is unfortunately Sir Lucius' fault. While trying to make small talk with some danes he mentioned that he knew some Danes back in Britian named Holgar and Colgrim ingvison. He praised these two Danes as great and honourable warriors worthy of much respect. Little did he know that these Danes had fled to Britian long ago to escape King Hrothgar's wrath!!!! Hrothgar, who was very angry at hearing of the Danish brothers exsistence, Said they slew his own father and that we must tell him where he could find the Ingvison brothers and their Son/ nephew ingvi. Long story short, the crafty old King offered to aid Count Edar by taking him to where Queen Elaine was being held in Norway, if we would later take some of Hrothgars men to Britian and show them where the Ingvisons were located. What could the count do?? He is charged with retrieving the high kings sister, his own wife. He did what he felt that he had to do, and accepted the deal. Now on the morrow all the knights that came with the count will go and try to rescue the Queen. The rest of us( the retinue's) will be left here as " Guests" of King Hrothgar. Hostages more like. Sir Lucius told me no worry, and that all would work out, but I just cant seem to shake this feeling of impending doom. Hopefully I will live to write again.

From the keen mind of Sir Bledri:

I just can't believe Norway turns out to be a real place. Stranger yet, there supposedly are no Saxons there. There are a different people, called Danes. While they look like saxons, they are violently quick to point out they are not, and that they hate the saxons. This makes me feel good. I had a horrible nightmare once that the whole continent was full of saxons, breeding and building boats to come across to Britain. These Danes seem like decent lads, if a bit rough around the edges. Their King Hrothgar seemed impressive, but lacked the aura of majesty one sees around our King Arthur.

We go now to rescue our Queen, Edar's wife, from the clutches of (no doubt) evil Norwaymen, or Norwayans, or whatever the hell we are supposed to call them. Whatever their name, they will rue the day they stole our Queen and brought down the wrath of Edar and the Leicestermen. I don't care if there are only a handful of us, I get the sneaking suspicion that this whole debacle will end with blood. Norwayite blood!

Sir Amadis here...

...and mighty glad to be on solid ground again. I would die happy were I to never again cross the seas...alas! that one more voyage faces me if I want to see the soothing green hills of Leicester again.

The further on we sailed the stranger the lands became. I commented on this to Blaen, my new squire, who until our adventures in Garloth had never been farther north than the Maris. And that only once. The lands of Frisia reminded me of Sorestan, and the people reminiscent of its inhabitants—conniving and untrustworthy, though dependable enough when fighting for their lord—but then we left that land and travelled to Dane-mark.

As my lord Count Edar negotiated with the Danish king we Leicestermen tried to keep ourselves busy: gaming (not my thing), hunting (I helped Sir Lucius trample a rabbit), lounging about in the hall with Hrothgar's men (nah)...Sirs Bledri, Lucius and I fairly shot out the door on market day, a fun-enough diversion. Several stalls had heaps of "amber" which to our eyes was pleasing but which the merchants heaped like coal. Sir Lucius took it into his head to purchase some for use in a game board for our lord, and accepted the merchant's price at face value! I could not help myself and stepped in to bargain for it properly. (Fortunately the most-Roman Sir Lucius did not seem to notice my actions.)

Then we got the bad news: the land called Norway we seek lies over another sea! As preparations dragged on I found a new distraction, one much much better than any peasant market. It appears a custom among the Danes to permit those of their women with the build and temperament to take up arms for their kings and lords. These women are accorded all the rights of any nobleman's warriors! King Hrothgar indeed had several of these women-warriors in his hall, as gap-toothed and hairy as the men. However, one of them...my oh my. I have never seen a woman like her before. She is almost as tall as I, and just as strong, but fair of face and possessing hair the color of mead sparkling through a precious glass goblet. At first I thought of catching her eye as one might with any maid or willing lady in the hall, with fine words and courteous gestures, but Sir Gwalchmai said no. The way to woo this one is by treating her as a brother. So, then! We have arm-wrestled, boxed, and traded lance blows...she has bruised my ribs, blackened my eyes, and broken my nose.

But I have stolen a kiss and consider myself ahead of the game with her.

519: Pict ' nicking

"Eight points?! Is that how they do it in Ganis?"

Sir Lucius here....

Well. my first bit of knightly adventure took place not in Logres, but in the wild Nothlands of Strangorre. I followed the prudent, er, I mean VALIANT, Count Idar of Leicester to his Kingdom of Garloth to rescue his Queen Elaine who is also the High King's sister. We didnt find anything until we reached the capitol of Windesan, which was inhabited by Saxons who claimed not to be saxons. My first glimpse of these giant men was an experieence. They are truly huge. I wasnt scared of them though, I was up for a brawl. Count Idar sent Bledri to insult them mildly, but ultimately ask them nicely , to vacate the land, and what do you know... they said they would not leave. So we left. We found out from them that their KING or whatever they call him, absconded with Queen Elaine, and took her to some far off place called Norway. We all assumed they were lying and made up such a silly name, but later we were to find out it was true.
We knew there was little to be done there so we joined the High King in Strangorre and helped him lift the siege of Alclud. The picts were easily the smallest people I have ever seen. There were several that did noy clear 5 feet tall. Saxons are 7 feet tall, picts 5 feet . Strange. These picts were no easy meat however. what they lack in stature is made up for in Passion! WE BESTED THEM AT lOCHLAND ! haahh!!!! I came away with only one small scratch, and it was from falling off my horse. I have never been a good rider.
Alclud Was easy as well for me. A few nicks that were treated with first aid. I dont know why these northerners whine so much about their inhospitable wild lands full of barbarians. These picts were even easier to kill then the irish. I must say that the wild welsh hillmen are the toughest barbarians that Ive encountered thus far. I have not fought saxons yet however.
After the battle King Arthur gave the picts VERY VERY liberal terms. All I can say is that he is Very progressive. He leaves a lot of enemies behind him!
I was not so fond of the picts so after we let them go from their island strongholds in the loch, I took the liberty of relieving them of their possessions. Arthur was too easy on them in my opinion. They must be taught consequence or they will do such things again. I am a little richer now. I might get rid of my hardened leather, and get some of that fancy reinforced chain. I also would like a squire now that I can afford the upkeep. There was a good boy named Marcus in Caerwent where I hail from. Maybe I will send for him. He is quite clever and resourceful.
We went back to the loch Lomond and on the 40 islands that the picts were hiding on there were thousands of eagles. Eagles of prophecy everyone was saying. The picts told all of us that if one of there wise men was rewarded he would ask the eagles a question for any knight who wanted it. The eagles are omnipotent he said and if the answer to to your query was yes then all the eagles would screech in unison. I had no profound questions so I passed.Sir Bledri is much more clever then I imagined. I thought him as dimwitted as that Brandegoris chap but he proved me wrong. He asked the wise man if Queen Elaine was truly in Norway and the eagles screeched. I dont like superstition but even I was impressed by that. Normally I waould say the eagles were all trained to do that, but either way, Arthur and Edar believe it so it seems that Norway may indeed be a real place and that we will be going there soon to save the Queen!
What an exciting time we live in. Lady Brianna doesnt seem very passionate in love with sir bledri, but they seem to have a good working relationship. If he continues to be this clever then my Lords worries ever his daughter are unfounded.
Well... I am going to go pack for my trip to Norway. It seems I may get to face these Saxons after all.

Greetings from Sir Bledri

519 finds Count Edar, 10 knights and 300 footmen traveling north. I'm glad we are on the move. After such a harrowing time at Bardon, some might be wanting a rest, but the fight for the freedom of our homeland seems to never end. The Irish and the Picts are trying to take advantage of the recent strain battle has had on our King's land. The saxons as well. But they will find out the Britons, especially Leicestermen, fight to the bitter end.

The short story is that we found out she is in Norway. I hope there are saxons there: we seem to be running out of them here! Ha! I was sad to leave living saxons behind us at Wandsand or whatever the hell it was named; I can't keep all of these northern names straight.

Besides Edar, I seem to be the Old Man now. Strange, it seems like yesterday that I was the new kid. I remember demanding that if I lived through our battle with the Black Annis that I should be made a Candlebee. It appears that I might very well be the last name carved into the Pillar of Resistance. Still, if I am the last, then that means the saxon menace will be over. I vow that while I live the name of Candlebee will continue to strike fear into the hearts of those foreign beasts.

Sir Amadis here

Spring this year was welcome for me, as I had grown tired of the inactivity forced on me by my convalescence. Mother was not happy about my participation in the town's Easter rites, but I was eager to plunge into the scrum and win one for Medbourne. (Alas! Those Hallaton bastards carried the day.) I could only stay for a drink or two before riding pell-mell for the Count's court.

Now I find myself in strange lands indeed, my lord's lands in Garloth, soon to embark for a place called Norway in search of his queen...I am hoping this Norway is a rich land, for in the battles we fought reaching this seaside castle I lost my charger and all his gear. I also lost Twdfwch, my squire, amid the blood and mud of Alclud. My lord was generous enough to rehorse me, and I have drawn another young squire from the pool, but I must resolve to do better in the future for the sake of my family. It is all well and good for me that I am well fed and housed and that my lord can afford a charger as if it cost no more than a copper penny. But I must keep my family's needs in my thoughts, and be a better knight each and every day.

Leicestershire

We're not gaming this Saturday, but I thought you might enjoy some photos Greg took while in Leicestershire:
I imagine that's what old Sir Padern would've seen standing outside Leicester looking toward the manor of his friend and companion Sir Brandegoris. The dark line of trees in the background is on a ridge—the ridge upon which sits Tilton-on-the-hill. It's funny; when we all sat around looking at Greg's map of Count Idar's lands in Leicestershire, we thought Tilton was actually on a hill.

Every time we get a character who can read, they die. So maybe the sign or one like it is there in our campaign...I'm sure our knights would look on it as simply a hitching post.

Oh, and Skeltington? Those guys are bastards. Everybody in Tilton knows it.

Ah, the Pillar of Resistance. Almost all of the Candlebee's names are on it now, and their corpses buried around the old duchy. Out of that group of Lindsey resistance fighters, who survived St. Alban's and the Saxon onslaught, only Idar and Bledri are left, with Idar the only surviving original member. Even the duchy of Lindsey didn't survive, as Arthur partioned it into counties between Idar in Leicester and Dyrfel in Lincoln, plus a little for the lord of Lambor...and the Black Annis. That's right; we haven't forgotten her.

518: Battle of Bardon Hill, Day Three

Count Edar here...

My grief threatens to overwhelm me. So many have died. I begin to wonder if perhaps Merlin has somehow cursed me to live while those I love die.

At the end of the second day of the battle, we regrouped to rejoice and celebrate our victory. We grieved for the lost and took comfort with the living. The lady of the lake herself went among the wounded and tended to mighty Brandegoris, and my son Seriol. While we sat and spoke of the battle, the horns sounded. The saxons had regrouped and were coming again! All of us who were able to arm and sit a horse did so. I insisted that Seriol would stay with the wounded. He had been sorely wounded and I would not have him push himself too hard. Fortunately, Sir Bledri returned to us from Lambor, and Edward's squire Amadis was charged with joining our ranks. He is young yet, but I have faith in his abilities.

We rode out into the strongest force our enemy had mounted yet! the saxon kings and their body guards rode in the vanguard of our foes. We fought them, but battle carried us away before we could strike them down. Their treacherous archers shot the horses out from many of our men and we found ourselves confronting saxon witches! I had never imagined a foe so in league with evil, and many of our men fell fighting them. Those few of us still on horse were separated from the rest by the fortunes of battle. I tried to rally men to me, and discovered that not only had many knights flocked to my side, but Seriol had insisted on leaving the safety of the camp to ride out. I was worried, but would not turn down his aid.

As we prepared to charge our foe again, we saw a glow behind the enemy line, and a white dragon rose over thier forces. The beast flew low over our men, killing many with each pass. We rode through a host of saxon berserkers and cut them to the ground, but still the dragon tore into our numbers. Sir Brandegoris appeared on our flank and shook me from distraction. We charged through a group of giants and into move of the evil witches. These fel women fought with powers that could only have come from the evil one. We fought them, and I felt a strange burning, then I was pulled aside as my knights barrelled into a force of them. I watched as they seemed to boil away, and then the burning returned and I remember no more...

Weeks have passed since the battle. In that time I have learned that mighty Brandegoris and my beloved son Seriol bore me to safety, then charged back into battle, only to face the mightiest of the witches. Shouting the warcry of the candlebees, these men rode down their foes and with their passing, the white dragon was destroyed. Some speak of a strange red dragon that fought for us, but I did not see it. I only know that my son and my friend did not survive.

My recovery has been plagued with nightmare visions, but the waking is even worse. Brandegoris is dead. Edward is dead. Franklin is dead. My son, my heir, my sweet Seriol, has been taken from me. Of the 40 knights we left Leicester with at the start of the year, fewer than 20 remain, and many of those have been greivously injured.

The land grieves with me. The people of Allington and Woolsthorpe have been very comforting to me. I have entrusted the tower of Medbourne to Sir Bledri, and have arranged to have him wed the Lady Brianna. As Bledri was a friend and fellow candlebee to Brandegoris, I have faith that he will look after his widow and son. Brandegoris asked once that a marriage be arranged between his heir and the lady who will inherit the manor he maintains for Count Derfel. As he is my friend, I will see if I can act on his behalf. I have arranged to grant a manor to the Lady Ealhred to hold for Edward's son as well. I probably should have granted him the manor before, but he insisted he didn't want it, and I took comfort in having him around. I believe the Lady will hold it well for her son.

I have two tasks before me, and I hope that they will distract me from my grief. I must find out what happened to my Lady Elaine of Garloth. If she is alive, I must send her aid. I also must find out what happend to my son Alain. He has not been seen in years - not since the death of King Nanteleod. If he lives, I must speak with him. Some day, if god wills it, Leicester county, Allington, and all of my lands will be his.

Tom of Weathersfield here....

I must be honest when I say that I never saw the day when my former master and one of the greatest knights in christendom would be slain. It is a surprise but it is just as I always said to my family....I knew that it would take sorcery to destroy the great Sir Brandegoris of the Hambone. I am not sure that any one man in all the realm could have defeated him in single combat save that great knight, hight King Pellinore. My master was a kind and generous soul and will be missed, but perhaps this is the way God intended for him to depart. He was able to at least get back into the Lord's good graces before he passed, see his daughter Matilda happily married and see that his son Arthur was properly cared for.

What more couldve been done before a mans passing. He also died a heroe's death at Bardon while trying to punish those evil Saxon witches, and he and Sir Seriol led the charge that won the day. Any knight sould wish to meet his death for so worthy a cause on so worthy an adventure. The Ballad of Bardon already sings his and Sir Seriol's praises for 14 of the 123 verses!A glorious end indeed.

Rarely did a knight do so much to frighten and worry the Saxon Hordes as did Brandegoris. He will be missed and remembered every Easter Sunday. I have even commissioned a painting from a skilled Italian artist out of Florence, of all the members of the Candlebees. The sources of these likenesses were not hard to find as all the Candlebees have Effigy's over there graves. Those Candlebees really looked after one another..even in death.

There are those of us in Hertford who so revere the Candlebees that we have formed our own Coterie, if you will. We call it the Watchman, as we watch the borders of our realm from foreign incursion. It includes myself, Sir Simon( Brandegoris' old squire), Sir Randolph, the Count of Hertfords son, and a frew others who have had the good fortune to rub shoulders with the Candlebees. They were a powerful force in troubled times, and I do not mind confessing( for I have heard it whispered rather loudly by many people in many dark corridors) that if it were not for the Candlebees, Nay, ... All Leicester men in those first years after the death of King Uther, Then Britian would now be a saxon land.

I salute the Candlebees and men of leicester, but mostly Gentle Brandegoris, the sad, who I believe never fully recovered from the death of his one true love Lady Priscilla. May they both be together now and smile down on all of us from paradise. Amen.

Sir Lucuis of Caerwent here....

So, this is Logres huh? Not perhaps the best time for me to make my first extended visit. Bardon hill... what a damned massacre, on both sides. My lady Brianna's father sent me from Escavalon with a band of forty hardened mercenary spearmen to assist Lord Edar of Leicester in the battles for Britian. I now have 6 of those men left alive and two of those will never be the same again. Witches, dragons, giants, and horridly terrible knights and barbarians, not to mention some type of daemon bowmen called Magyars or Huns or whatever, that all decimated our ranks. Me and my men were not cowards, but hardened warriors, and still, several of them voided their bowels at Bardon.

I must now present myself before the Lord Edar Allington of Leicester, and pledge my loyalty to him as I was bid to do by My own Lord. I was supposed to look after Lady Brianna and assist her husband Sir Brandegoris in whatever manner was necessary, but since the death of that large oaf at Bardon and her betrothel to the knight Sir Bledri, I find I have little to do. Hopefully this great Count Edar will have some great adventure that I might assay so that I gain renown in the eyes of the roman church and my peers.

Brianna to all outward appearences seems satisfied with Sir Bledri (Brandegoris' Friend and brother in arms....A strange breed these Candlebees are) as her new husband. Other people seem to miss Sir Brandegoris greatly and speak of him in awed whispers as if he was Achilles reborn or something. Well I'll tell you that I met him at Caerwent at his courtship of My lady and he was , in my sight a vulgar and crude simpleton, built with far more brawn than two average men and the brain of half a man. I think he must have meant well for he was not an unkind man, just clumsy amd crude with no real redeemable qualities except slaying enemies for his lord. I always shuddered when I thought of our beautiful, refined, cultered Lady Brianna having to pretend she adored such a ruffian.

Well this Sir Bledri sems the same type as Brandegoris, save one thing... He is actually less glorious. What a shame that my Lady has been reduced to chattel or a bargaining piece among these unrefined britons. Oh well...I will give her what Succor I can.

Squire Amadis here...pardon! I mean Sir Amadis here...

It was a terrible battle; I don't have to tell you that. I didn't do much more than trail my knight's companions-in-arms, the illustrious Candlebees, defending myself from the unending hordes of Leicester's enemies...but even cowering defensively throughout the day I was struck down by injured but skillful Saxon veterans shambling along on their crutches. I spent almost five months in the sickbeds filling the churches of Leicester. While I lay there, the count himself came by and knighted me—I couldn't even stand up! My leg hurt that bad.

When I was finally well enough to travel I went home to Nethersby...of course you haven't heard of it. It's a little hamlet attached to Medbourne, the castle-town east of the city. Father and Mother were glad to see me, as were Morians and young Cadlew, though we all fear he'll never be right in the head again, and indeed, the wound he received at Bardon looked awful. My other brothers never came home. Father was very pleased that I had caught the attention of the count, and had been given noble rank...although it seemed to me that first-born Morians was less so. But I gave Father the money I had, and it was good, I deem, to eat my mother's food again, here in my little Nethersby where I know everyone and everything.

I shall stay long enough for our annual bottle-kicking match with Hallaton, then ride back to Leicester to do the count's bidding.

518: Battle of Bardon, Day Two

Squire Amadis here...

Where are they all coming from?!

King Arthur and his illustrious knights smashed a huge Saxon army outside Silchester...a couple of weeks later he fights another huge Saxon army on Bardon Hill, here in our own backyards. And the very next day, another huge Saxon army takes the field against us!

Where are they all coming from?

My knight and I gathered under Count Idar's banner. We were ready to fight, and some of us were making sheep noises at the men under Count Derfel's banner until our count made us shush. Then we charged out onto the field, right into a pack of howling, hating veteran Saxon warriors. We triumphed against a mass of archers. Those damable traitor British knights gave us a tough fight, and we fell back into a group of grunt Saxon spearmen before emerging, triumphant, into a line of badder berzerkers. One of them I swear was the spitting image of my knight's lady, and he paused—and the bastard cut him down, him and the bishop-knight riding nearby. I leapt off my horse and dragged my knight from the field. When I got him to a clear space, I tried and tried to render first aid, and even though I have considerable talent with a bandage and leech, I was unable to revive him. I don't think I got all his parts off the field, which didn't help.

I spent the rest of the day watching the steady stream of dead and wounded being hauled into camp.

Brandegoris the old here....

So many dead. Sir Edward the pious, Sir Franklin de Auburn, son of Padern, Sir Aramis, Sir Wimund the priest who was to be my new war chaplain, Sir Kolgrim the Dane, bodyguard to Count Derfel, and Sir Florent the young and ambitious knight. (After we removed his body we discovered it to be Esmerelda, Padern's daughter and last living family memeber), and Sir Bruenor knight of the Medlar, a young and promising knight who nearly killed a King in his first battle (we hear he actually has a twin brother who is even braver than he was).

The Saxons are defeated , once and for all it appears, but I am still hesitant to believe it. It's like finding a cure for smallpox. Never happen. The knights of Lincoln died almost to a man, and it will take a decade to fully restore that county. I took a vicious wound from a Saxon Hero's Bodyguard that left me missing two of my frontmost teeth and gave me a cleft lip. If Brianna thought me unattractive before she will probably now find me ugly. I feel so terribly old. All of the Candlebees are dead and gone except for Count Edar and myself, and we are downright elderly. He's over 50! I wish I could retire and live in peace but a lot of our youngest knights died, and so I will have to stay on long enough to help the young ones get up to par. My son is nearly old enough to be squired so when he is knighted I will give him Tilton, and I will try to wed him to my Ward the daughter of Richiard, who owns Folkingham and Lenton. That should give my son a fine start on life. With the Saxons destroyed he might grow up in a peaceful time and get fat and happy with 12 kids. I hope so. I think that as soon as I am able I will go and visit Matilda, my daughter in Surrey, and see that she is doing well. I must also appoint a priest to take over the duties of Edward's church to St Christopher. There is a lot to do but I am not sure if these old bones can handle it. I promised Edward that if we lived through the last battle we would track down Black Annis and slay her next year. Edward died but I will hold to my vow and destroy her next year. I owe it to my good and generous Lord Edar. Maybe I will get lucky and she will kill me, and I can go to paradise and see all my old friends.

518: Battle of Bradon, Day One

Brandegoris here...

After taking the wounded soldiers from Silchester and joining forces with King Arthur at Braden Hill near Leicester, I sized up our enemies. Zounds! There were literally 8 million of them, I swear! Every Saxon in the world must have been there to make a push for British soil and once and for all take our homeland. As if that was not enough, continental mercenaries were aiding them as well. Ridiculous French knights, traitorous british knights and even Hun light cavalry from the east (Huns are real tough bastards by the way).

In the first charge I wanted to join my Leicestermen and fellow Candlebees, but King Arthur decided that I should wait in reserve near him and lead a party of 40 Round Table knights. It was pure anguish to sit on the hill and watch my friends battle and I could do nothing! Thank God that the Leicestermen won the day! Under Count Edar they pushed through the enemy and they crushed them getting all the way through the enemy camp and chasing them away. The young Bruenor, knight of the Medlar, even met King Cwichelm of Anglia in battle and wounded him, but alas that King got away.

Count Derfel did not do as well as expected and even though his men fought bravely he had to retreat with only a three brave men left (his two Danish bodyguards Holgar and Colgrim, and Holgar's son Ingvi). My nephew Aramis fought with Derfel as well that day and I saw him fall. I am not sure what has become of him for we neither found him nor his horse.

As Count Dervel was attempting to withdraw he and his few were ambushed by frothing maddened warriors and an army of dirty peasant shepherds who treacherously tried to kill the knights horses! My Lord Derfel was thrown from his mount so I asked Arthur if I could lead the Round Table knights to rescue him. He gave permission so I went to my count's aid. In the very first charge my Andalusian charger Baelzebub, a wedding gift from the High King himself, was mortaly wounded by an arrow and I had to be remounted. I hate archers. We did succeed in rescuing the count and getting him off the field. I asked Arthur If I could join the Leicestermen for tomorrow's battle but he insists that I go with Derfel to guard him. After we destroyed the Saxons, enough captured and wounded Lincolnmen were saved that Derfel still was able to command 20 of them. Tomorrow I will battle! My only regret is that it won't be at the side of the Canndlebees! Hazzah!

Lady Briana here...

I didn't realize the gravity of the situation when my lord moved his household from Tilton-on-the-hill to Leicester, that it was perhaps the custom of the country lords to do such. But as the city filled with the households of the Count's men, and I listened to what the other ladies said and did not say, I saw my mistake.

It is high summer now and we had only two messages about what transpires with the men: almost three weeks after my lord rode away under the banner of the count, a wagon team made its way to the great hall, and there young squire Lorin told the count's steward about a terrible battle outside the walls of Silchester. In the wagon was the body of the young and comely Sir Franklin. Poor Lady Heledd!

A fortnight later we woke to see the second message: a black mass on the horizon, and as the day progressed we saw that it was an army of rough-looking men such as I nor anyone in the city walls has ever seen, although old Sir Amicus said it reminded him of Bedegraine....the steward ordered the city shut and the walls manned, and the army passed us by, seeming in a hurry to meet its doom. We could then stand on the walls and spot manors by the rising plumes of smoke.

The countryside is devastated. If that army returns we will not last long if besieged. We sit in the garden, where we can see the Pillar of Resistence, and spin, and sew, and silently wonder whose husband will come home in a wagon, or wrapped in the banner of victory.

Count Edar here...

When our King placed Brandegoris in charge of leading the wounded knights to join him after resting, many thought that I was being slighted. I admit that for a while I wondered if Merlin had spoken against me, or perhaps I had angered the king by leaving his sister my Lady Elain in Garloth. I later realized that had the King left me in charge, I would have ridden off as soon as I was able, with all who would follow. Such is our love for our king that I believe that every knight who could sit a horse or be tied in the saddle would have ridden out. In trusting Brandegoris, the king made certain to have many more knights than he would have.

We joined Arthur in Leicester and prepared to battle the Saxons at Bradon Hill. Sir Gwalchmai arrived, looking tired and harried, and after greeting him, he shared grim news. Garloth had fallen, and he had been the last of those to stand before the saxon hordes. He believes that my wife Elaine escaped, but could not be sure. I hardened my heart at this news and swore that if she lived, I would find her, and if she fell, then the saxons woul d know my vengeance.

We massed, and though I was still injured, I drew strength from the number of men standing with us, and from knowing that if we fell, it would be fighting in our home. Brandegoris was given the honor of leading a contingent of Round Table knights, and though I knew we would miss his mighty hambone in the field, I would not have him surrender that honor.

The men of Leicester led the charge and drove our way through a mob of veterans. Though many of these saxons were greviously wounded, such was their fury that they fought on long after a sane man would fall. I spied a mass of british knights riding under the banner of the saxons, and could not let the insult stand. We men of Leicester rode into their midst and drove them back as we advanced. The saxons were scarcely prepared for us to drive off their knights, and they threw mercenaries from the continent and women at us in the hompes of driving us off. These french knights may fight well for money, but we fought for our king and they fell before us again and again.

As the french fell back I looked and saw a gap in the lines. We rode through it into the reserves of the enemy, but they tried to capture us in a pincer. The traitorous bastard knights had regrouped and fell upon our right flank, while the women wailed and charged our left. We overcame them, but lost over a third of our men. As we fought them a group of saxons came forth to challenge us. These were fierce, weathered men who had been fighting in battles longer than many of our knights, but they could not overcome the heart of a Leicesterman, and they fell before us, utterly defeated.

We found ourselves in a strange lull in the battle, and as we regrouped, we spied King Cwichelm of Anglia with only a few protectors. Though it put us at risk, we rode into his forces and hit them as one. A full half of the kings guards did not survive the encounter, and we advanced. Young Bruenor found himself in battle with the king and fought well, wounding him badly, we fought on, but the king's men saw his state and rode on us. Strangely, I found myself looking at one of the young knights in my force and thought for just a moment that he looked just like old Sir Padern. I know Franklin has died, so it must have been the light, and then a Saxon smote him to the ground.

As the saxons rallied to their king, I saw that they had left another hole in the lines. I ordered and then we were among their camp. Panic spread quickly as the saxons realized what had happened and they broke. The day was ours. The men of Leicester claimed their plunder from the saxon camps and returned to the cheers of our comrades. Unfortunately, Count Dyrfel had fared poorly, and most of the Lincoln host had not survived the encounter. For some reason, many of the knights were bleating at the count and his danes. Alas, Brandegoris told me that sir Rhun's son had fallen fighting for the count. I did not know the boy, but we will honor his memory.

Lady Ealhred Here

In the time I have lived with my husband Edward in the hall of Count Edar I have seen many things. I have watched dear Edward and his friends share stories and boast. I have watched them sing that dreadful hambone song. We have feasted with the High King, and I have seen Sir Seriol wandering lost after the death of his wife. I have never before seen the people of this town look to the north in fear.

As I grew up there were times when all of the knights were gone to war and we were concerned that we would be raided. We were hardly defensless, but we knew that a band of raiders could do horrible damage to our lands. These Leicester folk seem to believe that so long as Count Edar is alive, that god will watch over them. They seem to think that if there is any threat that Edar and the candlebees will ride out of the woods and rescue them, or spirit them off to a refuge at Allington. Allington! I have been there, and it is a pleasant enough manor, but I don't see how anyone could find it safer than the city. Still, there are members of the count's household that speak of Allington as if it were a haven from all the woes of the world. As we hear more from people seeking refuge in the city, I hope that something will happen. If they speak the truth, there are Saxons by the thousand massing around Lincoln, and after it falls, they will march on us.

Never before have I seen so many people crowding into the city. It seems that the count had all of his vassals seek protection in the city. While Leicester once seemed spacious, now it is packed. Unfortunately, many of those seeking shelter in Leicester see me only as a Saxon, and do not realize that my people are loyal to the high king and good christians too. My dear Edward thinks the best of everyone and does not realize that there are some here who do not look kindly upon me. They know he is a Candlebee, so they say nothing, but I have seen the looks. We have spoken about this briefly, and I know that the Count has offered Edward his own lands, but Edward declines, swearing that there is no finer life than as a household knight to the Count. When he notices that this doesn't sway me, he will go out and buy a lavish gift for me. I can't seem to make him understand that what I want is a happy home where we can raise our children, and if we live in a poor manor, so be it. We have each other and our faith to take comfort in. I think that when he returns this winter, I will insist. We must do our best to provide a good home for our son, and when Edward thinks back on his early experiences with the Candlebees, I don't see how he can choose to expose the child to them.