Through some knowledgeable barginning and some help from Colm, Sir Pedivere's efforts to find a draft horse result in a final price of 150 crowns.  Less than he estimated the horse's worth.  The other magnificent beast was left with the groom.

   The trio reunited with Prince Manfred at the edge of the Wold.  Manfred chose to leave his tent behind, paying a servant of Sir Ector to collapse and store it away until his return.  Sir Ector packed the large green and white silk tent atop his new draft horse Flossy and led her behind his might warhorse Thunder.



   Colm led the way as the four men road the busy road through the Wold past the Flats and Falcon's Rise.  By midday they had reached the Brownway, a stream so named for its sandy bottom that was sandy bottomed and browned up with mud after a storm.  When the West Bank Forest was reached, the bright sunlight gave way to the cool shade of the forest.  The canopy overhead was thick as was the undergrowth of ferns, saplings, bushes and weeds.   The road was dirt, not like a few of the stone roads left over from the days of the Romans.  Calis kept them entertained with jokes, songs, and stories, as was his pleasure to do so.  It passed the time and made the trip go quickly.

    On the way north, the group passed a Benedictine monks protected by a trio of Templars.  Greetings were exchanged and the groups passed along on their ways.  By late afternoon, Colm led them off the road, telling them of a secluded spring and clearing perhaps a half a league off the road.  He lead them down boar and deer trails, eventually forcing them to dismount and lead their horses as the number of low branches of oaks and junnipers.  Summer days were long in Britain, the sun would not be gone for hours, and the smell of a cooking fire tempted the company's noses.
   The scent of the food lead them without fail to the clearing Colm told them about with a diminutive woman crouching by a fire, an iron pot bubbling over top of it...
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:00, Thu 26 Aug 2004.

The woman rises as she beholds these new visitors.  Diminutive form, hair of gray, eyes of blue that keenly pierce the distance between them, despite what would seem to be about half a century of age.  Wise, intelligent eyes.  A kindly visage.

She smiles gently as they approach, nodding in welcome while reassuringly patting her horse.  She speaks softly to it, but those with keen enough ears can overhear her words.

"'Be not forgetfull to intertaine strangers: for thereby some haue receiued Angels into their houses vnwares...'"

The minstrel stopped thinking about the tune that kept running through his head and looked at the woman. After dismounting (ooc: Not sure if he has/had a horse? Will edit that later if i'm wrong and he doesn't have a horse.) he half bows at the elder and greets her, "Elder, I do not know much of these Angels you speak, but I give you my greetings and wish the blessings of the Old Ones upon you."

Sir Pedivere removes the helmet from his head, hooking it over a strap on his steeds saddle.  Moving forward slightly, he bows slightly in acknowledgement of the wizened woman before him.

"Good day madam, I am Pedivere, Knight of the Realm and these" he gestures to the others, "are my companions."

Momentarily, the young knight pauses and he absently moves a lock of hair from his face before continuing.

"We seek a leech by the name of Chrissa who lives in these parts.  Would you by chance know of whom I speak?"

OOC: My apologies everyone for delay in posting.  I am getting married very soon and as the date approaches I'm getting busier and busier.  I am into this game and will make every effort to stay afloat.

IC:  As the Irishman begins to feel frustrated in his dealing with the merchant he wonders how he's ever going to get a draft animal for the Companions.  Much to his releaf he spots Sir Pedivere and the other approaching.  "A good sight that is!  Maybe they can conclude this deal better than I." Colm thinks to himself.  In short time the party has their draft animal and is underway.

     They travel for part of the day without much happening.  After awhile Colm spot a minor trail he'd been looking for.  He knew that the leech they sought had her abode near abouts.  After traveling a few game trails through the woods the Companions stopped.  They all smelt the heavenly sent of open fire cooking.  As the group emerged into the small clearing Colm's stomach began to rumbble and he was sure they had found the person of their search.

     Calis and Pedivere exchange pleasantries with the stranger as Colm circles the clearing and scans out into the surrounding woods using both his eyes and ears.

OOC:  I have subtracted Sir Pedivere's gold off my char. sheet for the horse purchase.

The woman's clear blue eyes twinkle as she beholds the visitors before her.

"'Seeke, and yee shall finde'..."

She inclines her head slightly in acknowledgement.

"I am Chrissa, a humble servant of the One God. 'Peace be vnto you.'  How many I serve you?"

A bright smile came to the face of Pedivere upon discovering the woman infront of him was indeed that whom he sought.  Indeed, the first part of the quest (though indeed a small part) had been completed.

"Colm, Calis, might you ensure that this area is indeed secure whilst I treat with Good Chrissa here." states the young knight, though doubtless that the area was free for speech he would not risk fault on this first task appointed to him by his king.

Seeing that he wasn't going to be much help again and his friend requested some thing from him, Calis moved off into the trees. He was soon lost from view as he moved around the area while keeping watch and listening to any strange sounds.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:31, Sat 28 Aug 2004.

Colm nodded  at Sir Pedivere's direction and followed Calis' lead.  He quietly strode into the undergrowth, the ferns and grasses rustling against his legs before he completely disapeared into the shadows...

"Greetings good voman," the prince began in his accented baritone, bowing slightly at the waist in respect for her gender and age.  "I am Prince Manfred of Bavaria, ve have travelled from Sir Ector's keep to speak vith you.  May ve speak?"  He regarded Chrissa with his green eyes with question.

Once it appeared that the area was secure, Pedivere again began to speak.  "Good Chrissa, we seek one Jeremiah of Castille, a man known as a skilled apothecary.  The King's men have only been able to assure his majesty that this apothecary is somewhere within the boundaries of his kingdom and no more.  Yet word there is that you may know of his whereabouts."

The young knight removes a silk wrapped bundle from his pack with care, gently removing several folds of the cloth to reveal a chalice as would befit one of noble or royal blood.

"This belongs to a good friend and ally of our king.  Yet it was used against him in a manner most foul." Wrapping the blundle back up, he continues.  "Poison.  A most ignoble act and one that causes great angst and pain."

Placing the chalice back in his pack he implores the leech.  "Good Chrissa, if you know the location of this apothecary it is important that you either instruct us as to where he can be found, or that you take us there.  The kings favour would grace thee well if you could help," he adds as an after thought.

Chrissa nods affirmatively to Prince Manfred's query, waiting until Sir Pedivere sees fit to speak...

Upon hearing of the errand and the need, Chrissa murmurs softly, "'Verely I say vnto you, in as much as ye haue done it vnto one of the least of these my brethre, ye haue done it to me.'"

She nods somberly and thoughtfully.

"Of course I will give whatever aid I am able.  But the journey would not be a short one..."

"Where is the victim now?  And what is his condition?  The powers God grants me to heal wane away from the wilderness, yet I may be able to help him myself, unless he be in a metropolis such as London.  Jeremiah's healing abilities are greater than mine, but he is further away.  Can the victim wait for us to journey even to central Wales, where Jeremiah dwells?"

Pedivere smiles weakly at Chrissa's comments.  "Nay, the victim does not lie in this Kingdom, but across the sea.  And such is the power of the poison, that it is told only Jeremiah may be able to identify it and create the salve required.

"As for the time, it is of the essence, and scurrilous villains may dog our trail.  It is not known if the King's ally will survive, but we must believe he will, else our quest already is failed.  If Jeremiah resides in Wales, then indeed we must depart with haste for it is some travel there and back."

Pedivere bows deeply to the elderly leech.  "Many thanks for your guidance and compassion.  How long before you would be able to journey with us?"

"We may depart immediately.  However, we must last the journey through, and you have ridden already to meet me.  Did I not see your faces as the scent of my humble meal greeted your nostrils?"

"I would be honored to provide food for you ere we depart.  A few minutes spent wisely here may save time later, by strengthening us for the journey."

"Whichever way ye think best, I am ready to serve."

"Then indeed we shall share of your hospitality.  Many thanks indeed.  Colm, Calis." the knight calls out to his companions.

Stepping out of the the lands around the meeting, Calis looked at his friend. "Yes? You called?"

It's about 5:15 PM at this time. :)

"We have a new companion, somebody who knows the whereabouts of Jeremiah.  This is the leech Chrissa, and these are my companions and friends, Calis", he nods towards his friend, "and Colm who has not yet returned from the woods edge.

"Chrissa has offered us the hospitality of her cook fire before the long journey," he mentions to Calis.  It would be rude to decline," he says with a grin.

Moving to Thunder he removes the saddle from the steed and tethers it to a nearby sapling before moving over to the fire.

"Well now, I don't want to seem rude, yes? So you have my thanks for the fare and the fire. I hope Colm didn't run into trouble..."

Chrissa begins preparations for their meal together.  She murmurs softly and contentedly to herself.

"'Come ye blessed of my father: take the inheritance of the kingdome prepared for you from the foundation of the world.  For I was an hungred, and ye gaue me meate: I thirsted, and ye gaue me drinke: I was a stranger, and ye tooke me in vnto you...'"

As she works, she keeps an eye open with slight concern for the missing member of their company...

OODM  There is no missing member, Colm is standing right next to Calis in the shadows! :)

Colm gives Calis a sideways smile and motions for Calis to follow along.  Walking around the outside of the pond Colm traverses the distance to the cooking fire where the two knights had gathered.   "Mmmmm....smells delicious," the scout comments, inhaling deeply and smiling at the hermit.
   "Visitors today gentle woman?" he enquired of Chrissa, an ironic smile on his face.  "We found tracks all around," he gestured out towards the surrounding forest.

"It's all the- Well ah um. Ah forget it I guess I am just blind," Calis mumbles while looking sideways as Colm.

With a shrug he joins them at the fire and quietly sits down.

Chrissa begins to spoon forth a stew of vegetables.  As she fills wooden bowl after wooden bowl, the amount of stew in the pot does not seem to diminishing nearly as much as one would think it would.  Instead, it continued to bubble and simmer in the pot, aromatic and mouth watering.   Likewise the hollowed out tree trunk her horse used for a feed trough was filled to overflowing with oats.

   Prince Manfred waits for everyone to be served and then for the blessing as Chrissa says it before dipping a wooden spoon in and beginning to eat.  The food was as good as it smelled.
    The stream and back drop of the pond made for an idyllic setting.  The sat upon a fallen log, convieniently placed west of the fire to keep the smoke downwind.

The group of five get aquainted around Chrissa's cooking fire, the agape 'feast' serving to loosen tongues and make the time spent pleasant.  After supper is finished and cleared away, each takes turns telling stories, with Calis being the most dramatic and entertaining of them all.  Using gestures and different voices, he held his tiny audience rapt.
   Chrissa explains about her strange encounter with some wolfmen earlier in the day and how they had vanished as mysteriously as they had appeared.  That bit of information convinced the visitors to set a watch, despite the hermit's reassurances that she had safely lived in her little grove for many years without any real trouble.
    The night passed without incident the only intruders to the camp being the croaks of frogs, the chirping of crickets and the occassional fluttering bat.  The morning brought refreshment, a feeling of blessing being upon the group after Chrissa finished her devotionals and created a simple but tasty breakfast of porridge and honey.
    The decision is made to set out for Jeremiah's hermitage, or at least where Chrissa last remembers him, as soon as possible and horses are saddled and provisions packed for the journey.  The hollow stump, emptied by the horses the previous empty was again filled with oats and gobbled down by the grateful partakers.
   Chrissa directed them back onto the road from which they came and the journed north and east began...

Calis mounted his horse (OOC: I am still assuming he has one? I am not 100% positive he does. :)) and followed the group from the back. As he rode, he kept his thoughts to himself and worked on a refrain for this new adventure, in case he decided to put it into song.

Chrissa regards the tree lined road with pleasure.  She gives Sean an affectionate pat.

"These days my journeys are not usually so far.  It has been awhile since I have been to Jeremiah's hermitage.  It is a pleasure to travel such paths again, and to see old friends.  And it is a pleasure to travel with new friends..."

Chrissa regards her new companions.

"I know your names, but all too little else.  And we certainly have the time.  Please, tell me more of yourselves..."

Pedivere, once more mounted on his charger nods towards Chrissa as she asks about them.

"There is not much to tell Good Chrissa.  I am Pedivere, newly knighted servant of God above and Arthur at Camelot.  Indeed, this is my first quest since leaving the service of Sir Ector whom I had been squired too for some time.

"Of my companions, only Colm here is under any obligation to fulfil this quest, the others", he indicates Manfred and Calis, "are companions on this quest for friendship.

"So, tell me", he returns his gaze to the leech.  "What do you know of Jeremiah?"

"'Beholde in deede an Israelite, in whom is no guile.'"

Chrissa smiles fondly, yet a bit sadly.

"Jeremiah of Castile...  He is Jewish and traveled to Britain from Castile, in Central Spain.  He has lived in Britain since the time of King Arthur's father Uther.  He has seen much and is an expert in alchemy, toxins, and potion brewing.  He lives as a hermit in the Fawr Forest of central Wales.  That would be... about fifty leagues from Sir Ector's Holding."

"He is an old friend, and a mentor.  Yet he still trusts in the Old Covenant, that the Law will save him, rather than turning to the New Covenant of Grace through our Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ.  For many years he has been in my daily prayers.  Perhaps this journey may provide an opportunity..."

Listening to thier coversation, Calis nods his head at the female that has joined them. "I am Calis, merry met and good journey for us, aye?"

Prince Manfred begins to speak when the party hears hoofbeats coming at a gallop.  The heavy thuds of the earth being beaten beneath horseshoes are quickly joined by the sight of two riders coming hard towards the group.   The pennant atop one of the rider's lance was that of Arthur, though Pedivere and Manfred quickly identified it was not his personal coat of arms.

    The riders come closer and Colm recognizes the knight.  The coat of arms on the shield belongs to Sir Ardan, an auxillary knight of the Round Table.  The knight and his companion slow as they approach, Pedivere and Manfred's coats of arms signifying who they are.  Riding beside the knight is a man of the cloth, his crucifix and robes revealing his calling.

    "My Lords!" the young knight calls, reining his horse.  The horses snort and pant as they come to a stop.  "I bring greetings from His majesty the king and his royal highness, Prince Otto of Bavaria," he nods to the noble and prince.  "Your highness," he begins again to Manfred.  "I have a message from your father," he produces a scroll case and hands it to the Prince.
    Manfred politely accepts the scroll, a look of question on his face.  He reads it and his face becomes more and more serious.  "My friends, I must apologize one thousand times for vhat I am about to tell you, but I must leave for Bavaria immediately.  There are....difficulties," he says looking up from the parchment.  "I will accompany you back as far as the tournament and from there to the coast," he said, making his plan aloud.

    Sir Ardan nods and accepts his proposal with deference.  He then turns to introduce his companion.  "I must introduce you to Father Rys.  He will be accompanying all of you."

     Father Rys, nods, offering up a proclaimation, with the seals of both, Sir Kay and the Archbishop of Cantebury.   "As you can see," the priest points out, "I am to assist you in this endeavour."


OODM  I'll leave it here for all of you to interact and then we can get underway! :)

Pedivere's smile vanishes as his cousin announces his departure.  "You have accompanied me this far cousin, and for that I thank you.  I pray that all is well, or will soon be made so."  The young man clasps his hand upon the shoulder of the germanic knight, kin in vows as well as blood.

"May God's grace guide you Manfred."

Then dropping to his knee in genuflection he regards the priest, introduced by Sir Ardan as Rys.  "Father, I am comforted by your presence on such an undertaking."

The minstrel watched the scene between the nobles while waiting to see if the old one had anything to say to his greeting.

Finally he shook his head and looked at the follower of Christ that joined them. Feeling a little out of place here, he kept to himself but greeted the newcomer with a nod.

"Father, greetings. As I just told this old one, I am Calis, companion and friend to Sir Pedivere."

Signs the cross in front of the Knight.
May The Lord God bless you and guide you Sir Knight. But please, such obeissance is not needed. I am not worthy of such attention.
This message was last edited by the player at 07:12, Wed 08 Sept 2004.

Extends his hand
Greetings Calis.

Taking the priests hand, Calis gives it a fair grip and nods again. "Merry met, Father."

Chrissa nods and looks as if about to answer, when the sound of hoofbeats are heard...

After Manfred takes his leave of Pedivere and prepares to depart, and the others converse with the new arrivals, Chrissa speaks softly to him.

"'The Lord blesse thee, and keepe thee,
The Lord make his face shine vpon thee, and be merciful vnto thee,
The Lord lift vp his coutenance vpon thee, and giue thee peace.'"

Raising from the ground, Pedivere climbs back into the saddle, and lifts his lance, the green and white pennant fluttering in the breeze.  "Tell me Father, as we ride, for what reasons were you inducted into this quest?

"I was given this task by Sir Ector and our Liege, King Arthur, Colm too was given the task, whilst Calis and Chrissa here undertake this perilous quest of their own volition."

Chuckles at Sir Pediver's question

What reason I am here? Why, because His Grace told me that King Arthur would be sending people to find one named Jeremiah, and that His Majesty asked His Grace for someone to join the group. Beyond that, I do not know much about this endeavor.

Looks at the others in the group.

Calis I have just met, but would you, Sir Knight, do me the honor of introducing me our other companions?

Speaks to everyone

I hope my presense is not troubling to any of you.

And how go things with you?

"It goes alright. I am just following my friend here on his quest. At least for now, and I'm here to report to the druids and maybe to put our adventure into song or story."



A bit later, he climbed back up on his horse and sat in the saddle waiting.

Colm introduces himself to the good padre before looking down the road as the Prince and his knight escourt disapear around a turn around in the road.  He turns back to the group and waves them forward on the road north.  At his small urging, the party spurs itself forward.

    The 4 men and one woman road at an even pace through the day, stopping as the sun reached its zenieth at a manor house.  The knight in residence made his simple table available to the travellers before they remounted their animals and continued on their way.  The afternoon was a pleasant ride.  The group passed travellers of various descriptions on their way to the tournament at Sir Ector's from peasants to nobles.  Some were familiar, most were not.  It made the road busy and the journey safe.

     The decision was made to halt for the day at the village of Briarworth.  The village had a monastary and offered its hospitality in exchange for alms for the poor.  Given the wealth of the party, a few coins for the monk's coffers were more than a fair exchange.  The food was nothing more than warm gruel and bread, and the accomadations, rushes on the floor covered with the partie's own cloaks and blankets.  The morning brought porridge much like Chrissa's own fair. The monks were accomodating and friendly and sent the party off in the morning with wishes of a pleasant journey.
    Continuing east, the party's second day of riding began...


OODM:

   I'm not sure how much rping you want to do or if you want to pick anything up along the way, just let me know... :)

As the company continues its journeys, Rys spends much of his time going through the Holy Word, which he keeps in a pouch on his belt.

The morning is lovely and the hills outside of Briarworth are rolling and green.  Sheep and cattle graze behind short, moss covered, stone walls.   Wheat, barley and oats matured in fields, beginning to turn from shades of green to shades of gold in the daily warmth of the summer sun.   The gentle breeze caused Sir Pedivere's pennant atop his lance to flutter softly.

    At mid-morning Colm and Sir Pedivere assisted a merchant with a wheel that had come loose from it's axel by providing the muscle to lift the rig high enough for it to be pounded by into place by several well-placed mallet strikes.   At noon the band found the Roman road of Watling and used its stone path to travel north and east, allowing it to guide them along their way.  The stone road made the going faster and easier.  It was well-travelled and safe.  By supper, they had crossed the Foss Road that ran north and continued east on the Watling road.
    Camp was made on the roadside with a merchant caravan that had also stopped for the night.  The party had its choice of the well cooked fare of the merchants, that which was carried within its baggage, or the blessed meals of Chrissa. The party ate well and Calis made a few coins for his entertaining of the merchants.
     The morning brought a another day of sunshine and a ride east to the Cathedral town of Lichfield.  Chrissa was noticeable ill at ease among the buildings and shops of the town, whereas Father Rys made a specific effort to visit the see at Lichfield and to pray at the wonderous structure and shrine.

    The morning brought the road again, and by supper time, they had reached it's end, and the banks of the River Severn.  It would be wilderness riding from then on, Colm announced with some degree of certainty.  There were no Roman roads stretching into Cameliard.  There were however, mountains-  mountains outlined by the setting sun in the west.
    Setting up camp on the banks of the river there was plenty of water for drinking, cooking, washing, and for the horses.  They were almost there, by both Chrissa and Colm's reckoning....

Looking at the river Calis smiled, chucked off his clothing and belongings, and dived into it with a splash. Coming up for air, he looked around at his surroundings before looking at the others. "Well, I smell like horse and it is refreshing to bathe," he called out before grinning and laughing.

Rys grins at Calis' antics.

Aye, bathing sounds like a good idea.  However, don't you think modesty, looks towards Chrissa, would have been more prudent?. He continues to smile at Calis' antics.

Calis looked at Chrissa and then back to the Father after shaking the water from his wet hair. "Well...." he shruged, "I doubt that she has never seen a naked male before, aye? But pardon me if that is so. I also beg your pardon Father, I, unlike those of your faith, was raised and taught differently."

What, bathing in the nude? No, I have done that before, and you being naked does not bother me. I have met people, both male and female, who such actions do cause offense. It was to that I was alluding

He shook his head and looked at the Father with confusion plain on his face, "I'm not sure-" before he could finish the water behind him erupted.