1) The Centaurs have gathered in the field just west of the town, on the bank of the Lys River.  Spirits seem high- they have at last been addressed by the king, and they have a good sense of what they will be doing.  Even if they are very new at this.

Some of them have experience in battles.. but this is different.  War.  Maneuvering.  Keeping themselves coordinated with the rest of Theoderic’s army.  It means everything they do- where they go, have fast they travel, where and when they break for meals and rest- everything, must be thought of  as a greater whole.

Thayer seems to have become leader by default.  Probably, its because he’s known Eadoin the longest, and has been the one most involved with him.

”We are more used to being in small numbers, so I will divide us into small numbers,” Thayer says.  “by sub-chief, and each will take a dozen warriors.  Mayez, you are one.  You are well trusted.  Chanos- you’re a strong swimmer, pick a dozen who are strong swimmers too.  If we must cross rivers, you dozen will lead the way.  Chirya, Phiraz, a dozen each for you, don’t argue with each other.”

So it goes, and the Centaurs begin forming up into their little groups.

”We’ll rotate who is front,” Thayer says.

”What of the Humans with us?”  Chirya asks.

”I don’t command them.  But they should be where we need them.  Which will be close to the front of things.  Whatever we run into, I think it will be in the front. “

Having finished his business, Eadoin goes to join the rest of his folk.  He passes the bows he received from Scolo the Thayer, to be distributed to the best archers, according to their ability.  Orcish bows are small for his folk, but they'll have to serve until something more can be done to equip everyone.  Titus' three dozen arrows he distributes along with instructions for their use, five each to the five best archers Thayer can identify, five to Riordeg, and five to himself.

Picking blackberries, he finds himself recalling.  The critical juncture leading to this moment had been a contest of how quickly he could fill a basket with berries!  How the gods must find mirth in watching mortal struggle!

To Thayer and the other leaders of the baker's dozens, he says easily, "We've decided on Thayer as our war chief, but this will take the most from everyone, working alone and together.  I'll travel with the king's cousin, Lord Riordeg and with Mater Rita, near the whatever group leads.  I can share some of the White Mare's blessings should they be needed to help bind our enemies, heal, or to send fast messages.  Remember that those around you are your family, your tribe."

He suggests, should they encounter Huns, worgs, leaders, and their allied monsters are to be slain, but to capture at least one captive, where possible.  The information they have may prove most useful to the King about where the rest of the Hun army may be found.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:58, Mon 03 Sept 2012.

Riordeg is a little bemused - and amused - to be called 'lord' by Eadoin. He lets it slide, not wanting to contradict his friend in front of the troops. He does make a suggestion though.

"The king is sending banner-men with us for signaling purposes. Can I suggest that they ride with Thayer and the front group, so that the groups can remain in contact and also relay signals from the king? We really need to keep coordinated with the king's main force for this advance to work properly."

As Theoderic’s main force begins to move,  the Centaurs spread out,  covering ground,  not like the denser formations of the Humans.   The Centaurs travel in their “dozens”.  They have no main body in the center of their force like the Humans do- they move as a roving swarm of swarm, although the two signalers Theoderic assigned stay roughly in the center of the Centaurs.  One of the dozens, on the front left shoulder of the Centaur force, heads out further than the others.    They’ve spotted a rise in the land.  It’s not enough to call a true hill, but in this flat land even a gentle lift in the land can provide a good view.

A dozen Centaurs make a quick dash to take this high ground, and get the lay of the land around them.

The land here is mostly farmland, grazing land, marsh and bog, depending on how wet it is.  The grass fields are thick- the sheep here eat rich grass and live in a cool, humid environment, which is the best place to raise sheep if you want good wool.

It is the most densely populated region the Centaurs have ever seen.  The town of Cortoriacum is easily visible from the high ground, and the Centaurs will be there by the end of the day- they could be there in less, if they wanted to.  But dotting the landscape are farms and sheep sheds.  It is as many people as there would be during a great gathering of Centaurs for a festival- but this is permanent.  The Centaurs are amazed, and a few look sad, having never realized before how the numbers of Centaurs in the world must be, compare to Humans, so very, very few.

OOC: Is Cirrus traveling with us or staying with Theoderic's group?

Before leaving Viroviacum, Rita asks if any spare crossbows are available, along with bolts. It there are, she would like to have one to use as a missile weapon.

The centaurs may be sad about their numbers being small, but Rita has never seen so many of them. To her, their number is large, not to mention that each individual centaur towers above her. They make an impressive and formidable sight.

At least Riordeg will be with the group. And they will be reunited with Eadoin.

Rita approaches Eadoin just before they move out.

"I am sorry that I hardly had any time to talk to you in Viroviacum. There was so much work to do, between burying the dead and caring for the living. I didn't have the chance to tell you how glad I am to see you again--and to see that you succeeded in finding more of your people.

Have you been back to Raviniacum? If so, how are Apple Blossom and the two young ones?" she asks, genuinely concerned. "My group spent all of a day and a half there, and I spent the entire time running around, making sure to see all the orphans and make sure they are doing well. Aelasuria thinks your people should consider settling near Raviniacum. I think that would work well for the four of you," she says, referring to Eadoin and the other three centaurs already there.

She does her best to hide the smile when Eadoin refers to Riordeg as "lord."

In Viroviacum, she had been in her element, doing the things clerics do--burying the dead, comforting the survivors, consecrating the Font. Now it is the warriors who will take charge, and not being a fighter or a strategist, she is uncertain as to what her role will be. At the same time, this means she can take a much needed rest from being in the forefront of matters to let others more capable in this area make the important decisions.

"This is your area of expertise now, Lord Riordeg," she says to him later, when Eadoin is dealing with the centaurs. She winks at Riordeg, smiling to let him know she is not making fun of him but trying to share a moment of lightheartedness with him.

"It is appropriate to refer to you as 'lord,' since you are commanding us, at least the humans among us. I kind of like that title," she says, her tone tinged with a bit of mischievousness. "This is a warrior's mission, which means you will have to direct me as to how I can best serve. Not being a warrior or a strategist, I am at a bit of a disadvantage now."

For his part, Eadoin ranges from this group to that, occasionally close to the center, other times trotting out with some element rotating out to the far edge.  What is it, he wonders, that has the Huns hurrying so?  He spends quite a bit of time trying to figure out how long it's been since they passed through, how many there may be, whether they've scouts ranging out from the main body, and whether there might bother other *things* with them, such as worgs, ogres, trolls, giants, or perhaps deep prints that might belong to these Golems he keeps hearing so much about.

"Good land for farming, this," he remarks to Riordeg at some point.  Easily, he smiles, his first in far too long, "Maybe we can trade here, someday, for their wool and mutton.  My folk'd like mutton."

He can see his folk are surprised by what they see.  It's been his world for most of his life; the open forests and lands empty of human people were at first quite jarring to him.  "I'm told," he shares about, "that there is a land southwest, along the coast, where there are many of us, our own land between two rivers and the Mare Atlanticum to the west.  I've never been there, though.  Perhaps once we've settled this matter some us might go to meet them there, so that they know of us in the Ardennes, as well.

---

Given they've months of catch up, Eadoin smiles warmly in greeting to Rita.  "It's good to see you again, as well.  Everybody's been really busy."  He shares briefly the highlights and low points of the trip to the Nethershires: spreading word through the Ardennes, the old Salian gods, the spiders and finding the shields, travelling on the river, Mos Trajectum, Scoronlo, hunting for the Lances, the basilisk, the statue of Lilith, finding the staff he carries, the Roman soldiers, carrying word back to the Nethershires, and crossing the huge inland sea for find his own folk.    In deeper detail, he tells of the tribes living there, the woodhenge, of meeting other druids not his mentor (!), of the Hybsils.  He speaks of the coming together of six tribes into one, then the journey back to Raviniacum.

Very gently, he continues, "They're...pastoral folk, Rita.  They've just never seen so many people, since they range in the forests east of the lake.  But, well, the Hybsils came with us.  There's about a hundred of us or so, as many or more Hybsils."

"Do you remember a place near Raviniacum, a few miles northeast of the town?  Anyhow, there's a wide curve in the river there, a large field, slate and other good stone.  There's also what's left of an abandoned village, under all the bracken.  There were farms there once, too, with orchards and nut trees.  It's near as good a land as this.  Once, a little after we got to Raviniacum in the spring, the prince...king...said Apple Blossom and I could have a farm there, since it's neither properly his nor Elvish land, but space between.  That's where we've settled.  The Hybsils and fifteen or twenty of my folk stayed behind, to build shelters against the cold to come, to learn the land around, and to help in Raviniacum.  That's where we're gonna settle.  The rest of the tribe, all of us, old, young, and those who care for them, will come along in the spring when it's easy to forage on the way."

In spite of all his news, when asked about his family, the young Centaur is plainly homesick.  "They were well when last I saw them.  We spent part of a day and an evening together, but after so much time away, it seems like so little."  With a faint hint of amusement, he adds, "I send a note every few days, but they can't really write back easily.  Maybe Apple Blossom will invent the post office or something.  She's pretty practical about figuring out how to do stuff when she sets her mind to getting something done."

Riordeg reacts to Rita's bantering with a mock growl. "If it wasn't beneath my dignity as a lord, I'd put you over my knee, young lady."

Grinning, he continues, "Actually, that sounds like fun, maybe I'll try it sometime!"

When Rita mentions her concerns about how best to serve, he seeks to reassure her. "I know you can fight, but I think your gifts as a healer might make you worth your weight in gold as we advance. If we have any wounded we won't be able to wait for them to recover naturally, and they wuld have to be sent to the rear to be cared for, so our force could gradually get whittled away. Having your healing powers will mean we'll be able to keep far more of our force together, which will in turn help secure the king's flank. No, Theoderic knew what he was doing when he put you here. No matter what he said about the two of us, I'm sure that if he had a more important job for you to do he wouldn't hesitate to split us. I for one am glad that he saw this is a good place for you to serve."

When Eadoin talks about the land, Riordeg smiles. "Good for farming, yes - but it's a bit to damp for me to enjoy living here all the time. Trading seems a good compromise - you can enjoy the fruits of the land without having to cope with the weather. What sort of goods would your people normally use to trade with these farmers?"

Riordeg doesn't really know much about centaur society. Are they hunters and gatherers, or craftsmen of fine items? He has no real idea. Other than Eadoin, he's had very little contact with centaurs. He wonders briefly if centaurs are as fond of apples as horses are, but decides it might be a bit tactless to ask.

This is going to skip ahead some time here, to avoid some repetitious travel.

They travel east, following the north bank the Lys River towards the town of Cortoriacum.  On the north bank, the farms and sheep sheds look intact, mostly.  Curious residents turn out to watch.  Here and there, dogs bark.. and that's a sign that the Huns have not taken control of the farmland.

At this time of year evening comes early.  The sun is setting as the army reaches Cortoriacum.  Theoderic does not push immediately into the town- if it is held by Huns, he does not want a confrontation at the end of the day’s march, with his troops tired.  He sends the signal to halt, and make camp.

The Centaurs spend the night in a scattering of little campsites, on the fringes of the more organized camp of the soldiers.

Cortoriacum is a  non-event.  And anticlimax, after the buildup in Viroviacum.  There were Huns here, but they were not many.  Just a detachment left behind to make sure the people of Cortoriacum knew who the new bosses were, and to collect the supplies demanded.  According to the locals, this Hun force fled the moment they learned what was headed their way, pulling out in haste and heading south.


Without a fight, Cortoriacum's vital Lys River Bridge is in Theoderic's hands.


There may be damage here, and people who have suffered from the Huns, but they will have to wait, because in the morning Theoderic moves the troops early.  He's heard that from here, the Hun army moved east, to Ganda, and attacked it, killing many.  The people here report that the Huns still hold Ganda... and they don't know what became of Kajira, Duchess of Ganda.

But Theoderic turns south.  South of here is Turnacum, and that is a name that rings a bell for Eadoin.  When he encountered those Gallic troops guarding caravans for the Huns, they mentioned that this was where they are going.  Theoderic has surmised that if Turnacum was the meeting place for Hun caravans, it must be an supply camp for them.  He selects Turnacum rather than Ganda as the next target.

They leave early, but Theoderic calls an early halt the next day.  Towns are typically spaced a day apart, but Theoderic wants to reach Turnacum with plenty of daylight left, and his troops ready to fight, so the day after Cortoriacum they make a short day of it, traveling only half way to Turnacum before halting to rest.

They are on their way with first light the following morning.

Several hours into the march, Cirrus guides her horse up to Eadoin, Riordeg, and Rita, riding as fast as anyone has ever seen a horse move.

"Theoderic doesn't want them retreating," she says in an exhilarated, excited voice.  "He wants to trap them.  He wants the Centaurs to swing away from the main force, and go east of the town, several miles, and then cut back in and move slowly west along the road.   He says anyone fleeting Turnacum will run right into you, and you will block there escape."

Asked about trade, Eadoin isn't immediately sure.  "I reckon we've got good wild nuts they don't, and maybe in time we'll have some cider or wine."  He shrugs, "Anyhow, this first spring's gonna be more about getting all the families together in one spot, then getting enough planted that we can get everybody who's coming fed, since it'll be the little ones."

For the most part, they're hunters and gatherers, yes, semi-nomadic.  Since each tribe would wander within a range, one following them would find trees, vines, and other growing things appropriate to the season growing ready ahead of the Centaur's arrival.  Their crafts tend to be highly personal, there being less formal division of labor between them and more settled folk.  Eadoin's culture, though, is that of the settled folk of Lutetia Parisiorum.

Were Riordeg to ask, he'd find Eadoin very fond of apples and many other sorts of fruits.  He'd likely have noticed the young Centaur has a considerable sweet tooth and a definite fondness for other foods of high nutritional density.  There's little chance he could have missed Eadoin's appetite, as the Centaur is quite often eating something, even just a handful of seeds pulled from the autumn grasses.

---

Eadoin waves to Cirrus as she approaches.  Knowing that she carries messages from Theoderic, he signals to Thayer and such other leaders of his folks as may be nearby to come and hear whatever message she has to deliver.  After she's done, he nods.  "We shall, miss.  Please convey this to the king."

He looks to the east where he expects to find an old Roman road, running straight away to another town somewhere.  "We'll have the Huns to the east and the west of us, I think.  We'll have to be spread out enough that we're not surprised, but still can still come together when they come out from the town."

The young Centaur scratches his chin where whiskers are struggling to take root.  "If we can catch them in scrub, where the road enter a forest, or best where the road crosses a stream in light woods, I might bind them in place.  Even a field or hedge would be good."

Perhaps for the first time since Rita's known him, Eadoin speaks plainly about his magic in front of her.  "My spells," he says, using the word distastefully before pausing.  "I've a little healing, but I've asked Cerrunos' blessings to bind the Huns in place, to grab their feet and arms, also, to harm them should they try to move through the the forest; it will grow spikes and thorns to cut them."  To Thayer he says easily, "Get all the archers together when we find the Huns, I will give them another volley, at the beginning before the Huns scatter."

The leaders among the Centaurs look a little puzzled at the orders at first.  Gather the archers?  Wouldn't some of the dozens not have archers, then?  It doesn't seem fair.. is this the Human way of doing things?

Thayer makes it happen, though.  Will and faith make up for a lack of formal command experience, and he snaps the Centaurs into responding as they should.

Thirty two archers gather together in a clump.

Then Thayer chooses several of the remnant dozens, those reduced to just a few by the removal of many archers, and gathers them together.

"Shield and guard the archers," he says.

Presumably the land east of the town is gentle and low and wet, like so much of the land here.  There would be high hedges and copses of trees between the fields, and here and there a patch of woods. Plenty for someone with Eadoin's powers to work with.

Assuming, of course, he can get the enemy off the road.  If they stay on the road, there wouldn't be many plants at all, just some grass and weeds poking between paving stones.

"I should go back," Cirrus says, "to tell them you have the message.  Is there anything other word I should take back?"

Rita shares her own adventures of the last few months with Eadoin. She tells him of the beauty of the elven kingdom of Geneva, of the hippogrif riders, of Lucimburic and the werebear Duke. She tells of fighting stirges in an abandoned temple of Flora and finding magical flowers that can destroy demons. She tells of killing a demon and capturing a map with the Hun war strategies and then sending it back to Lucimburic via a wererat loyal to Duke Barstow. She tells of Quintiniacum, the way the blackguards had influenced the leadership and killed a priest, to the battle in which she had spared Melissa. And she shares the story of how she has been called to serve Lady Proserpina, as possibly her only cleric in the world.

Of course she remembers the abandoned village near Raviniacum. "You and Apple Blossom were going to take me to see that place," she reminds him. "When we get back home, I'm holding you to that," she says, smiling just at the memory of the idyllic summer in her adopted home.

She has never heard of hybsils, so Eadoin's mention of them is intriguing. "Are the hybsils and centaurs going to live as one community near Raviniacum, or will you each have your own settlement? This is the first I've ever heard of hybsils."

When Riordeg teases her with a mock growl about putting her over his knee, she cannot help but burst out laughing.

"And all because I called you 'lord!' One can only imagine how you would react if I called you something really insulting, like 'orc!'"

She only laughs harder when he says it sounds like fun, and maybe he will try it sometime.

"I'm glad too about King Theoderic keeping us together on this mission," she says once the laughter subsides. "The only time I really can fight is either when I call upon the River Goddess's gift of strength, or when I have a powerful magic item like those flowers. You on the other hand--well, you'll be getting at least some help from my strength spell, the one I usually cast on Vagrenk.

If there are any days when we are not moving but just sticking to one area, I could start brewing potions. I can make one potion per day, but each one gives us more healing as a group."

When Cirrus arrives, she is amazed to see how fast the girl rides.

"Greetings, Cirrus," she says warmly, not wanting the girl to think Rita disapproves of her new role as courier.

"My, you ride quickly! And it's obvious you're enjoying this new role. I am very happy for you. Just please, try to stay out of any battles. If you know a battle is coming, at least have Aelasuria or Seti cast some protective spells on you."

She doesn't personally have any message to take back though Eadoin does, and Riordeg might as well.

When Eadoin speaks to her of his magical abilities, she listens carefully, thinking of how useful--and unexpected--the spikes and thorns and binding plants will be to the Huns. His discomfort with the word 'spells' is obvious though she is still not sure why.

"You've grown much in power," she says admiringly. "Though I'm not sure why you are bothered by referring to your magic as 'spells.' Does the term 'spells' sound too much like what wizards do? I noticed that Seti is uncomfortable around wizards and wizardry though perhaps that is because the wizard who travels with him is so strange. But you know there are plenty of wizards who use their magic only for good, wizards like Aelasuria.

Besides, your magic is divine, not arcane. It is a gift from the gods no matter what you choose to call it."

That brings her to another concern. "Speaking of gods, I don't want us to lose sight of the fact that at any point, we may face not just Huns, but abyssal creatures. That is something for which we should always be prepared, and it is another reason I am glad to be here with all of you.

Remember, I can also shape stone, if you think that might help in setting a trap along the paved road," she reminds Eadoin.

OOC: Does Rita have time to brew any potions?
This message was last edited by the player at 04:31, Tue 11 Sept 2012.

There has been no time for potion brewing- the group has been moving steadily.

Cirrus smiles at Rita.  “I was born for this,” she says.  “The feel of wind.  There is nothing like it.”  She turns around and heads back, riding with a speed no one here has seen before.

Some of the Centaurs actually seem surprised.  The strange, willowy girl moves... and the horse moves... with grace Centaurs cannot match.  They've seen Humans on horses- not like this.

The Centaurs continue on their course, heading for the Turnacum Road.  They circle wide, away from the town, so they won't be seen, crossing meadows and pastures gone brown for the coming of winter.

Centaurs are not the same as humans on horseback, but there are similarities. If Riordeg sees opportunities to teach the centaurs something of human battle tactics he will do so. He will also watch carefully to see if he can learn anything from the centaurs.

As they cross the meadows he will take the opportunity to circulate between the groups, trying to get to know the various group leaders and make an estimate of how solid they will be in a fight.

Gradually the tension will flow from him - it's good to be on horseback again. Although still aware of the tactical situation, a smile comes to his face as the wind ruffles his hair. This is the life!

Eadoin nods, occasionally prompting, enjoying the chance to share and catch up with Rita.  He smiles, just a little, at the mention of Apple Blossom.  He's been away for months and weeks, his communications one-sided missives carried by swift birds.  "The Hybsils'd surprise you, I think.  They're like...antelopes, sort of, but quite industrious.  They're Fey, I think, but the way they live is real close to how my own folk do that we'll do well together, there at that old village.  I think the king was really surprised at the word of it all.  By the time we get back, I think it'll be more surprising yet.  They seem a really industrious folk.  That, and they've been left to the tender mercies of Apple Blossom with a list of things to get done."  Here, the young Centaur chuckles.  "She does love her lists."

Only half-jokingly, Eadoin joins in.  "But you are a lord, you know.  You're a king's cousin, not far removed from the line of kings yourself.  Others'll look to you in some ways with that in mind."  Here, unable to contain his mirth, the young Centaur gives Rita a quick glance and says, "Someday, you'll have a manor, retainers, councilors, a land to rule, a wife, and a whole hall full of kids!"

As for messages to Cirrus, Eadoin asks her to let them know they've gotten the king's message and will comply.  "Also, please remind them there are human troops here, likely whose families are held hostage against their good behavior.  Not everyone they see is a willing enemy.  I think...ummm...quarter ought to be given, where we can."

---

Asked directly about his magical craft, Eadoin shrugs.  "A spell is something vulgar, like, how some people think of animals as things, to be bound and broken.  They don't always do the same thing and they're not something to be used for ones own purposes.  They're gifts given so we can do our duties.  To use magic to do a thing makes a statement that one is acting in a certain way."

Eadoin's not sure Rita's magic and his own come from the same sources, the will of gods.  Eadoin knows tales of druid folk who follow no deities at all, but yet somehow were still able to pursue their craft.  Sometimes, Eadoin's prayers aren't to a specific deity, even; he's just very deeply faithful to his gods.  Still, whether priests or druids would have ascendancy is an old debate in the Latin speaking world, one settled by the first Caesar throughout most of Gaul.  "Anyhow, I'm really glad you're here.  Both of you, really."

"I know," Rita says warmly when Cirrus says she was born for this. "Aelasuria and I always suspected you have some fey ancestry. I'm very glad you're happy, and I hope you plan on continuing your singing as well," she says, smiling at the girl.

She remembers how Cirrus used to get moody during the long trip back to Raviniacum, and it seems the girl is now much more comfortable with herself, more in touch with her fey nature.

Cirrus isn't the only happy to be on horseback. Riordeg is clearly in his element as well, and Rita always likes to see him happy. She watches him circulate among the centaur leaders with obvious pride at the way he so naturally takes to leadership.

"It will be interesting to get to know the hybsils," she says to Eadoin, always eager for new experiences, especially meeting yet another type of fey community.

"Apple Blossom is not the only one who likes using lists," she says brightly. "You should see how many lists I have in this backpack--of people and towns who need rescue, of supplies needed for the orphanage, of names of the dead to have prayers said for their souls. I even have a list of all the children in the orphanage, what they like, what they might need, and what they are doing now.

I know Apple Blossom means well, but you might want to advise her to go easy on the hybsils. She is very dedicated, but she does sometimes get carried away with her work ethic," Rita advises, keeping her tone friendly and light.

But she cannot help laughing all over again when Eadoin starts talking about Riordeg one day becoming a lord with a manor, retainers, councilors, and children.

She looks at Riordeg, her eyes twinkling, then back at Eadoin.

"Aren't you getting a bit ahead of yourself?" she asks merrily. "Riordeg is very quickly establishing himself as a warrior leader right here, which will certainly lead people to look up to him."

A manor and servants? Clerics in Arras may be perceived as wealthy; some are and like to show it off, but Rita's father has never been like that. The Duronus family lives in a modest house adjacent to the Temple of Pluto, on grounds the temple owns. Servants of Pluto understand that material things are fleeting. They take special care not to "spoil" their children by raising them in the lap of luxury even if they have the means to do so.

She also worries that Eadoin may be embarrassing Riordeg with all this talk of marriage and children. All these thoughts make her stop laughing and start thinking seriously once again.

"I don't need manors and servants and luxuries. The only thing I insist on is that any home of mine is always open to those in need, especially children, especially orphans," she says soberly. "And we do have a war to win, first.

That's very compassionate of you," she tells Eadoin in response to his comment about human soldiers whose families are held hostage to assure the soldiers' good behavior. "I'm very glad you understand this, and I know King Theoderic will appreciate it too."

The notion of spells being "vulgar" is strange to her.

"I don't think of animals as things to be bound and broken, and I've certainly never thought of spells that way, especially divine spells. They are a gift. In the case of wizards, they're more like a skill. Just like warriors can use their skills for good or evil, wizards can do the same with their magic. It is possible you've seen so much magic used for evil in Lutetia Parisiorum that you feel uncomfortable with the concept. For clerics like me, it is not only a gift but a responsibility. If I misuse my gifts, my Lord and Lady can very well take them away from me.

I'm glad you and Riordeg and I are together again too," she says to Eadoin.

Riordeg laughs at the thought of having a manor and servants, and when children are mentioned he gives Rita a cheeky grin. "Rita already has plenty of children!" he jokes. When she mentions her list of the orphans he smiles again, but decides saying anything will get him into trouble, so he keeps quiet.

"My plan is to be the eccentric member of the family." he explains. "Theoderic and Aelasuria will have children, keeping the crown well away from my side of the family, but they'll need someone to tell the children tall stories, teach them bad habits, and generally how to drive their parents crazy. That'll be my job." he concludes with a grin.

A little more seriously, he adds, "And unless we do something about these huns, I don't think any of us will be building manor houses any time soon."

He doesn't get involved in the discussion about magic. As far as he's concerned it's what you do with it, not where it comes from, that is important. Although obviously anything with the appearance of blood magic needs to be stamped out right away.