The morning after the Pentecost Feast, the knights from Salisbury are up early, their gear packed, and soon they are on their way.  They have several days on the road ahead of them, a great time to think on recent events and make plans for the future.  It appears that Cadlew takes after his brother as he looks like he was dragged behind a wagon.

Everyone is a bit tired of the constant riding.  The dust.  The growing heat.  When not busy with their own thoughts, the knights spread rumors and swap stories.  There is a lot of gossip going around about Earl Robert and Princess Gwendollyn.  Others discuss his new title as Master of the Queen's Guard and its possible implications.  Talk also revolves around the Court of Love and how that will change things.  Many are already missing the Ladies from the feast.

After most of a week on the road, the group finally arrives at Sarum.  Earl Robert thanks his knights for their service during the campaign against the Saxons and their assistance to Sir Gawaine and King Arthur.  He finishes up by ordering everyone to return at the end of June to start a new campaign in the West.

The knights drift off toward their own manors, rest, manage their affairs, and when it is time, return to Sarum.  Everyone is back at full health.

Twenty-five of the knights remain in Sarum to protect against raids, invasion, and banditry, while the other 50 head north and west for several days, eventually arriving near the western bank of the mouth of the Severn River, north of Bristol.

Once in place, they are divided into five groups of seven and a group of 15, the latter of which includes Earl Robert.  The smaller groups will fan out in search of Irish raiders who have been plaguing the countryside, while Earl Robert's larger force acts as a rapid-deployment force to provide reserves and coordination.

It is the first night in small groups, yours consists of Sir Dalan, Sir Gracian, Sir Garym, Sir Perin, Sir Sejanus, Sir Tyreth, and Sir Cadlew.  You also have 20 men-at-arms with you.  This is a good opportunity for Sir Dalan or Sir Gracian to fill in the others on their mission . . . as they understand it.

A couple of notes:

- Anyone who needs a scribe, it is 2d to write a letter and 5d per day of travel to deliver one.
- In case anyone is wondering where we are (geographically) in relation to other things and people, on the Main Game Map we are in the bottom-right corner of grid K18.  Gwendollyn is in Escavalon, just to the west across the Severn, Fiona is almost straight north in Hereford, Rhodria is waaaaay east on the far side of London in Essex, Rosalynd is south and a little west in Devon, Galeria is south of Salisbury in Dorset, Ariette is just north in Gloucester, and Ellowyn is also across the Severn and a bit farther south and west in Cardiff.
- With luck, no one will die and you'll pick up some pocket change at least.

Sir Perin spends quite a bit of time catching up with old friends of his, Sir Dalan and Gracian.  Beyond simply being the chatter of old friends catching up, the young knight is seeking their aid in wooing The Countess Fiona.  So it isn't long before talk turns to the Fae.  "My friends, Diarmuid mentioned that I should ask you about who set you on the path to the Kingdom Inapercu.  He thinks that it would be no small aid in my quest, and so if there's anything you can tell me, I would be most appreciative."

Sir Dalan is pleased to talk to Sir Perin and tells the younger knight of their past encounter with Irish sea raiders.

Asked about Inapercu on the other hand and he grows quiet. "I promised another not to reveal who told us of the path to the Faerie kingdom. It may be that same person only meant not to reveal it to the Elven king but still..." He glances uncertainly at Sir Gracian.

Sir Perin raises his hand slightly, in a mollifying gesture.  Oaths are something Sir Perin held sacred, and he would never expect, much less ask for his friends to break theirs. "Please know that I would never ask you to break your oath my friends.  However whatever you can tell me is most appreciated."

Sir Gracian has spend his precious little time in Dinton announcing the coming marriage to Lady Ariette and then engage in desperate frantic attempts to repair the ruin he call home. He has inspected the rebuild Roman bridge spanning the river and then talked to Cauras about the possibility of repairing the mosaic tiles in the manor house, rebuilding the ruined chapel and fixing the overgrown garden. Sir Gracian has always known his ancestral home was a ruin but with the wedding coming up he is suddenly very aware of the condition of his manor.

But now he is on campaign again and sitting around the campfire at night Sir Gracian listen to Sir Dalan tell the other knights about their encounter with the Irish raiders. When Sir Dalan is finished with his tale of high adventure on the Irish Sea Sir Gracian looks around at the other knights. "Like all sea-raiders the Irish will most likely strike camp somewhere along the coast and from here strike at the villages further inland. I suggest that we scout along the coast - if we are lucky we may find their camp relatively undefended while they raid inland. That will give us the chance to burn their ships and trap them on the shore where we can defeat them in battle. The Irish are good raiders but in a proper battle they are nothing against our lances." Away from the court and Lady Ariette he is starting to sound like a warrior again.

When Sir Perin ask about Inapercu Sir Gracian looks as uncomfortable as Sir Dalan. "... yes we did indeed swear an oath not to reveal the location of Faerie Court. But ..." he looks at Sir Dalan "... perhaps we can reveal who to speak to and then let him decide if our good Sir Perin should be granted access to Inapercu or not? I can tell you this much Sir Perin. To visit the Faerie Court is like nothing you can ever imagine. It is not of this world and it is in fact so beautiful that it burns and leaves you a changed man forever."

With memories of his encounters in the Faerie Court Sir Gracian make sure to write Lady Ariette that night. Perhaps it is the thought of Flydorill that makes him write her or perhaps he tries to forget that one night in Flydorill's arms but he hope that Lady Ariette will like his letter. He has never been much of a writer but his Latin is quite good but if he is good at explaining his feelings to Lady Ariette is another matter. In his letter he also inquire about Lady Fiona's past and explain to Lady Ariette how his friend Sir Perin is struck by Cupid's arrow.

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Can one use Romance by mail? :)
This message was last edited by the player at 20:54, Sun 10 Sept 2017.

Following Sir Gracian's plan, the knights scour the river bank, looking for the raider's camp.  The first week passes uneventfully with no sign of the intruders.  Life in camp is pleasant enough, the weather is beautiful, game is plentiful.  Camping outside is comfortable as the chill nights are gone but the steaming days have not yet arrived.

Those who sent letters to nearby women (Sir Gracian and I assume Sir Dalan) receive flowery replies . . . literally containing flower petals.  Of course, mail is always welcome, if extremely rare in these days pre-widespread literacy.

As the second week begins, Sir Dalan notices some tracks but is unable to determine where they lead (check in Awareness).  The following day, however, Sir Garym also finds tracks and is able to follow them to a trail covered in horse and boot marks.  Sir Garym gets checks in Awareness, Hunting, and Horsemanship.

There appear to be approximately a dozen to fifteen horses and perhaps twice that many men, although it is difficult to tell.  They are pretty fresh, certainly earlier in the day.  It is now mid afternoon.  What to do?

OOC:  Each group of 7 knights has a knight designated to them from Sir Robert's group who can be found in a specific place.  It is a couple of miles to that knight, who would have to then ride to the main camp and return with reinforcements.  This would probably take a couple of hours.  That would give you another hour or two of daylight but likely not enough time to track down the raiders before nightfall.  Sir Cadlew can go to the designated knight and lead anyone back to where you are.  Let me know if this does not make sense.

"Well done Sir Garym! You impress me with your keen senses! I think we have found our enemy - Sir Cadlew. We all you are a master horseman. Ride now and ride hard so Earl Roberts know of this and he can bring reinforcements. But ride fast my friend - I do not want you to miss out on the fun to come!" Sir Gracian seems elated by the thought of combat and glory to come.

Sir Dalan strokes at his chin. "I admit part of would have us chase the raiders here and now brother than risk them slip away. It is true they would outnumber us but we are likely better armed and armoured."