'Fall back!' Sir Dalan orders his knights, trying to get the attention of Sir Deniel who carried the banner of the panther rampant. 'Fall back, regroup and charge again!'

Sir Dalan knows his own small force cannot hope to defeat the enemy single handed but if the knights can successfully withdraw and mount a fresh charge their momentum could buy enough time.

Overjoyed at first to be left alone by the annoying spectre, Sir Gracian soon realize that the haunting (and the resulting lack of servants and rotting food supplies) is a thing that wont just quietly go away.

So one late evening in the main hall he calls out to the ghost and (attempt) to make Sir John an offer.

"Sir John ... whether or not you have been wrong by peasants in the past, starved and killed, then you should not walk these halls famished. At the same time these halls and lands are also home to the living and the living requires food. My knights requires servants. These halls requires life. And if the enemy is one day at our gates then we will require food that isnt rotten.

Will you stop ruining our food supplies and cause mischief if you have my word as a knight and as a man that at every feast and holiday held here in these halls you will receive your share of fine wine and delicious food? A "Sir John's Meal" shall it be called and cooks and servants will prepare it and serve it for you at every feast and holiday - Easter, Christmas, Tournaments, weddings and whatnot. What say you Sir John?"

Sir Gracian holds his breath and hope the best.

-- Battle --

Sir Dalan successfully maneuvers his men out of the fight, they retreat back toward the far woods, turn, form up, and charge once more.  Sir Dalan slaughters an Irish foot soldier with his lance but the charge as a whole is only partially successful as the Irish appear to be more prepared this time and threaten to overwhelm the knights.

Sir Dalan, rolled 5 using 1d20.  Battle.
Sir Dalan, rolled 18 using 1d20.  Lance.
Sir Dalan, rolled 67 using 16d6.  Damage.
NPC Irish, rolled 4 using 1d20.  Round results.
NPC English, rolled 16 using 1d20.  Round results.

Sir Dalan gets a point in Lance and a check in Battle.

Sir Dalan searches around for a leader but is unable to locate one, attacking a foot soldier instead.  Sir Dalan shatters the man's spear and knocks him down as his troops rally and manage to avoid being encircled by the Irish.

Sir Dalan, rolled 11 using 1d20.  Awareness.
Sir Dalan, rolled 14 using 1d20.  Sword.
Sir Dalan, rolled 22 using 5d6+2.  Damage.
NPC Foot soldier, rolled 14 using 1d20.  Spear.
NPC Irish, rolled 3 using 1d20.  Round results.
NPC English, rolled 9 using 1d20.  Round results.

Finally spotting an Irish leader, Sir Dalan spurs his horse in that direction and engages the huge opponent.  Although both hit, it is the Irishman's blow that strikes true.  Fortunately, Sir Dalan's armor and shield take most of the blow and he remains on his horse.  The knights continue to rally and keep the Irish at a standstill.

Sir Dalan, rolled 2 using 1d20.  Awareness.
Sir Dalan, rolled 5 using 1d20.  Sword.
NPC Leader, rolled 12 using 1d20.  Great Spear.
NPC Leader, rolled 26 using 7d6.  Damage.
Sir Dalan, rolled 4 using 1d20.  Horsemanship.
NPC Irish, rolled 17 using 1d20.  Round results.
NPC English, rolled 4 using 1d20.  Round results.

Sir Dalan takes 26 - 12 - 3 - 6 = 5 damage and remains on his horse.

Sir Dalan gets a check in Awareness and a check in Horsemanship.

Sir Dalan trades blows with the Irish leader, who misses.  However, Sir Dalan's blow seems to do little to the huge man.  Although the Irish surge forward once more, the English are able to maintain their lines and retreat slowly an in good order.

Sir Dalan, rolled 14 using 1d20.  Sword.
NPC Leader, rolled 18 using 1d20.  Great Spear.
Sir Dalan, rolled 16 using 5d6+2.  Damage.
NPC Irish, rolled 5 using 1d20.  Round results.
NPC English, rolled 6 using 1d20.  Round results.

Sir Dalan and the Irish leader trade blows once more and Sir Dalan is knocked off of his horse as his knights are pushed back once more, nearing the edge of the forest.  However, as he struggles to his feet, the sound of horns approch from the right and the vanguard of Arthur's army arrives, cutting off the Irish from the safety of the forest.

Sir Dalan, rolled 7 using 1d20.  Sword.
NPC Leader, rolled 14 using 1d20.  Great Spear.
NPC Leader, rolled 28 using 7d6.  Damage.
Sir Dalan, rolled 17 using 1d20.  Horsemanship.
Sir Dalan, rolled 4 using 1d6.  Damage.
NPC Irish, rolled 16 using 1d20.  Round results.
NPC English, rolled 16 using 1d20.  Round results.
Sir Dalan takes 28 - 12 - 3 - 6 = 7 +4 = 11 damage and is knocked off of his horse.

-- Battle --

What ensues is a whirl of horses and men, slaughtering each other.  Although, for the most part it is the Irish that pay the far heavier price.  Arthur's knights sweep in like an unstoppable wave of metal, churning over the foot soldiers like so many grains of sand.

Sir Dalan's knights surround him in a wedge, lances up, to prevent him from being accidentally trampled.  Once he is in his saddle, they assists with mopping up operations as groups of knights pursue fleeing bands of soldiers, corralling them and accepting their surrender when the realities of their situation becomes clear.

It is getting on toward nightfall by the time all of the fighting concludes and Sir Dalan and his men camp in the field, exhausted from the events of the day.  Sir Dalan is pleasantly surprised when Arthur himself appears, "Sir Dalan, you and your knights performed exceptionally.  Thanks to your efforts, we have been able to eliminate a large chunk of the Irish army.  Thank you."

Sir Dalan receives 200 glory.

The following morning, Sir Dalan and his knights head back, stopping to recover Sir Garym, who appears to be out of immediate danger but still weak.  Fortunately, he appears well enough to ride.  It is at this time that news of Sir Perin's death reaches Sir Dalan.  The Irish cavalry managed to draw off Sir Perin and the Hereford knights in order to enable the Irish retreat.  After a long chase, Sir Perin broke away from the other knights and charged a lone rider (Sir Cormacc's shield is described).  Unfortunately for Sir Perin, Sir Cormacc was not alone and Sir Perin was felled by a dozen archers hiding in the woods.  The Hereford knights recovered his body but did not pursue the knights or archers, instead returning to where they were supposed to be patrolling, only to find that the battle was over.

Sir Garym and Sir Dalan head back toward Tullmore.

-- Tullmore --

Sir Gracian gets no reply from the ghost of Sir John, who appears to be sulking somewhere when he is not ruining the food.  However, he almost jumps out of his skin as a female voice he recognizes comes from right behind him . . .

"That is what I like about you Sir Gracian," the lovely Countess murmurs, "you think, rather than just rushing off or treating every problem as an excuse to kill something."  Sir Gracian has no idea how Countess Fiona got into the room, as he is staring at the only door and she did not use it, nor was she here when he arrived.

You are suddenly reminded of how incredibly beautiful Fiona is and how amazing she smells as she walks around to face you.  She is wearing a dark green silk dress that expertly shows off her form, cinched at the waist with a gold belt encrusted with emeralds.  Your heart appears to be racing, perhaps as a result of her sudden appearance or maybe because you seem to be alone with one of the most beautiful and eligible women you have ever met.  Hard to say, especially as your throat appears to have gone dry.

There is a musical laugh that seems to brighten the dark hall and reminds you of gold coins clinking together.  "I am afraid that Sir John requires more than simple entreaties," she shrugs before her face darkens a little and becomes more serious.  "I am afraid I am the bearer of sad tidings," she says, "Sir Perin was killed pursuing Sir Cormacc, who led him into a trap."

The redhead takes a step closer, putting a hand on Sir Gracian's wrist.  Although the castle is drafty and always seems cold, Sir Gracian finds himself sweating as the temperature seems to have risen rather dramatically.  In a soft voice, Fiona says, "I was rather hoping that you could do me a favor.  I am not in a position to go after Sir Cormacc myself right now.  So," she stares into Sir Gracian's eyes and he feels as if she is staring into his very soul, "I was hoping that you could find him for me and kill him."

Fiona's eyes promise all sorts of wonderful things but there is also a hardness to them that suggests, rather forcefully, that she is not the sort of person it is wise to trifle with.

In reply to Teller of Tales (msg # 52):

Sir Dalan can only bow before his monarch, and try to hide his weariness and embarassment at having been unhorsed.

'It was a honour sire, and shall pass on your kind words to the knights I fought with. Splendid fellows all of them.'

After this meeting with the High King - more frightening by far than the battle! - Sir Dalan visists those of his knights wounded in the battle or who distingushed themselves, personally thanking them for their efforts and joining in the sorrow over those who fell in the contest.

Sir Dalan's sadness is increased once he learns the fate of Sir Perin, though perhaps he had expect as much. As he watches the Hereford knights escort the man's body a tear stains he cheek. 'Godspeed and rest well by bold friend.'

The weary and saddened yet triumphant knights ride home.

For a moment Sir Dalan felt light-headed as he listened to the Countess' seductive voice. He was mesmerized by her beautiful eyes and almost gave in to her subtle demand. But the news of Sir Perin's demise broke the spell and he found the strength to stand up to the woman.

"Sir Cormacc was not the only one that led Sir Perin into a trap, my Countess. Sir Perin was my friend and braver than most yet he was also hot-headed and some people found it either amusing or useful to play him for a fool or make him run towards his death. Sir Cormacc may be a brute of ill repute and I assure you that one day he will be defeated. I am a knight, Countess Fiona. I may not be the wealthiest of knights and I am certainly not the strongest or bravest of them all, but I am not some hired killer you can send to the far ends of the Earth for your amusement. Shall I cross paths with Sir Cormacc then I will avenge Sir Perin but I will do so because he was my friend and not because you ask me a favor."

His voice was trembling with anger. He had seen what his friend had gone through to earn the favor of this woman. Of this ... sorceress! He had seen how much his friend had suffered and endured because of this woman. She had played Sir Perin like she had played so many in the past and he felt nothing but contempt for the woman standing in front of him.

"Beauty can hide the most dangerous things."
This message was last edited by the player at 21:04, Mon 01 Apr 2019.

"Amusement?!?" Fiona roars, her head wreathed in flames as Sir Gracian feels his feet leave the ground and he is held suspended, facing her wrath.  "MY AMUSEMENT?!?!?  I. LOVED. PERIN.  Just as you loved Ariette.  And now he is gone and I am left to the King's whims.  I could not save Perin, try as I might.  Time and again I counseled him to put aside his petty and pointless jealousy of Duke Jonathal and his useless ire at Sir Loftrees but he wouldn't let it rest.  I bet you he never admitted how he lost his hand?" she screams.  Staring into Gracian's eyes with her own blazing orbs she snorts, "I thought not."

She huffs a few short breathes, calming herself, before continuing in a slightly less irate voice.  "We made a deal and he went in willingly, knowing what was in store for him and it was an equal deal.  I would test him and he me.  My tests introduced him to people that would help him, like Arthur's next champion and members of the nobility who would be forced to treat a barely landed knight like an equal.  I allowed him to lead my forces in battle even after he twice misused them for his foolish whims.  And when he called, I came.  I came with all of my forces, every, single, knight, on a moment's notice halfway across the country, leaving my County undefended.  How many others headed Robert's call?  And that was the least of what I gave.  Passage for me and my knights cost me a year of servitude to the Faerie King.  Something I hid from Perin and would never have revealed so he would not know what his simple request cost.  And I would have done it again in a heartbeat.  Instead, he went and got himself killed and now Arthur is going to force me to marry Randle," she concludes with a hint of sadness.

Sir Gracian suddenly finds he is falling as Fiona turns on her heal and starts toward the door.  She stops halfway there as Sir Gracian hits the floor with a crash but no lasting injuries.  "I want Sir Cormacc dead because of what he did to my father and my Love but I came to you because until he is captured or killed, you and Sir Dalan are stuck here and he is going to want very much to leave this place very soon.  He'll be back in two days," she says before turning once more.

The ghost of Sir John takes this inopportune moment to appear and begin to complain.  The Countess does not even break stride as she yells something and there is a blinding flash that leaves Sir Gracian seeing a large blue spot in most of his field of vision.  By the time it clears, Fiona and the ghost are gone, leaving some singed carpeting where she stood and the faint outline of Sir John's ghost on the wall where he last appeared.

Had Gracian been mistaken about the Countess? Had he been too hard on her? Had he misjudged her? He didn't know and as he lay there on the cold floor staring at the ceiling he really wish he had gone campaigning. Perhaps having been killed in battle, in an ambush or even just die to some silly infection would have been more ... fun ... than staying in Tullamore.

He really hated sorcery.

He closed his eyes and thought about Ariette. He could still remember how her hair smelled and how it felt again his face at night. But she was gone now and even if he had begun to be able to live with the grief, it struck him that the Countess had lost as much as Gracian had. Perin had been a fool and the Countess had driven Perin to attempt even more outrageous feats than he normally would had. But now Perin was dead and the Countess was left behind with the same emptiness inside that Gracian knew all too well. He felt sorry for her now and wish he had spoken differently to her. He did not like the woman but Perin and the Countess had obviously loved each other more than Gracian had known. Love. A strange emotion. As fragile as a dream and yet so real that it felt like you could almost reach out and touch it.

He slowly got up on his knees, feeling dizzy and noxious. It took a while before he managed to get to his feet. He looked at the faint outline of Sir John on the wall and shook his head before leaving the room. Yep. He really hated sorcery ...

Sir Gracian went cold when he remembered the Countess and her dire warning of Sir Dalan wishing to leave Tullamore very soon. Sir Cormacc seemed to be the key to getting off this accursed island and if that was so then Sir Cormacc was to be found.

Praying that his luck might finally turn Gracian asked brother Cadfael to spread the word that a reward was to be given to any man, woman or child that could offer solid information about where Sir Cormacc was camped or in hiding. He then send a courier off too meet Sir Dalan and urge the man to return to Tullamore as soon as possible.

And once that was done he returned to his chamber. He sat down at the table and found parchment and writing equipment. His handwriting had never been pretty and Ariette had always teased him about it, yet he felt an urge to write a letter that could be send back across the Irish Sea with a traveling merchant. With a little luck the letter might even reach the woman it was intended for.

"To Lady Fiona, Countess of Hereford

You were right.

Who am I to judge the love that you and Perin felt? Who am I to say if the way you loved each other was right or wrong? I spoke harsh words. Some I meant and some were spoken without thought.

I am sorry for that but mostly I am sorry for the most important thing that I failed to say and that is that I am sorry for your loss. I truly am. I will not blame you if you can not forgive the words I said but just know that I wish things had been differently for both you and Perin.

My humble apologies,

Sir Gracian of Dinton."

He placed his seal on the letter and called for a servant to make sure the letter got to the merchant. Then he closed the door to his chamber, blew out the candle and went to bed.

-- Tullmore --

Sir Gracian wakes in the morning to find the sun shining and the birds chirping as if nothing had ever happened the night before.  Other than the scorch marks in the great hall, there is little evidence that anything did happen.  However, Sir Gracian is surprised to find that the food is not spoiled for the first time in a week and a weight seems to have been lifted from the castle.

In fact, he finds some of the townsfolk cleaning the entry hall when he ventures out.  There is no news of Sir Cormacc as yet but it is still early.

-- The Army --

As Sir Dalan and the knights accompany Sir Garym a rider approaches at a run.  He draws rein by Sir Dalan and presents him a note from Sir Gracian, urging him to return to Tullmore in all haste.  Sir Garym waves off concerns for his own health and says that he will follow with the Bod Dynol knights.

Sir Dalan and the other knights ride toward home as fast as they can, arriving exactly two days after Fiona left.

-- Tullmore --

Several individuals approach Sir Graian with information about Sir Cormacc but none of the leads pan out.  The most promising leads seem to indicate he is still operating a ways to the North with a couple of dozen Irish knights.

Meanwhile, no ghosts appear and the commoners appear to feel safe entering the castle once more.

On the night of the second day, Sir Dalan and the others return.

"Well met, Brother Knight!" Sir Gracian says as he enters the courtyard to warmly greet the returning knights. He embrace Sir Dalan and urge him to enter the Great Hall where a fire is burning and servants run around quickly serving food.

"I have many questions and much to tell, but are you not exhausted and in need of sleep and rest?" he says to Sir Dalan while waiting for the servants to leave them alone. "We can talk in the morning if you wish but I fear for the safety of your dear wife."

Sir Dalan did indeed look tired and still bore wounds from the battle but his eyes widened at his brother knight's final line. Sir Dalan's darkly handsome face immediately drained of colour: 'Ellowyn? What have you heard?'

A thousand dreadful thoughts ran rampant across his mind.

"Two days ago, Lady Fiona, The Countess of Hereford, mysteriously appeared before me and sought my help. She told me that Sir Perin had been slain in battle and she wanted me to kill Sir Cormacc. Words were exchanged and some of the things that were said were harsh. I admit that. But you know what she did to Perin and you know I have never trusted her!

Yet I came to realize that she had actually loved him and here I thought that she had merely played him for a fool. I think I spoke too harshly and I regret that."

Gracian paused for a moment and stared into the flames in the fireplace.

"Though when she left me she predicted you would be back in two days. And then she said that slaying Sir Cormacc was the key for you and I to leave this place and return home. She said that you would very much like to leave this place very soon. The Countess never mentioned your wife, I don't think any of it was meant as a threat either. I could be wrong of course but I just got a feeling that she knew that something was going to happen to someone close to you ... and that can only be Ellowyn."

Gracian turned to face his friend. "Rumors has it that Sir Cormacc is in the North with a few dozen knights. I say we slay that beast as soon as possible so we can return home with all haste."

Sir Dalan looks anxious and puzzled, obviously still trying to come terms with Sir Gracian's description of the Countess of Hereford. While he'd often thought her influence over Sir Perin baleful he had never actually witnessed her perform magic.

Still, he could see the state Sir Gracian was in. And if his beloved wife was in danger... he could hardly even bring himself to finish the thought.

'Of course my brother. I'll round up the best of my knights and we can begin the hunt at cockcrow.' Sir Dalan replied, a rueful smile on his lips as he tried to ignore aching muscles that that seemed to throb even more at the prospect of a fresh battle so soon after the last.

"So be it. Now .. eat and rest and tomorrow we ride." Gracian replies before making the preparations for the journey.

The morning dawns warm and partly cloudy, there is a light breeze out of the west.  It is a good day for traveling.  The 50 Cardiff knights and 6 Stonewall knights are ready to go.  Sir Garym and the Bod Dynol knights will arrive on the morrow and can take care of anything that arises.

You know that Sir Cormacc was at the battle a couple of days north of you and that he is frequently seen in that area and farther north.  He clearly knows the terrain well and it is a good bet that the locals will support him.  He is also quite crafty.  You have about twice as many knights as he does.

So how would you like to proceed?

"We outnumber them so they will seek to avoid direct battle. Instead they will use the terrain against us, let the locals spy on us and report every moment and if they want to they can make us run in circles until we run out of food.

Is there any way we can persuade the locals to support us?" Gracian ask his friend in the early morning hours.

In reply to Sir Gracian (msg # 65):

Sir Dalan shakes his head. 'I very much doubt it my brother. Remember to them we are coming as invaders, little better than brigands. No, we'll have to rely on ourselves.'p

"A strange thing to be seen as invaders. They must see us as we see the Saxons." he pushed the thoughts away and focused on the task.

"So how do we lure Sir Cormacc out in the open? If we split our forces it will be more tempting for him to attack but we will be divided and may not be able to come to the rescue of each other."

'It is not a method I relish but we could requisition the food from the locals. Even with fewer knights Sir Cormacc and his men will still have to eat. Stop him being able to do that he might be desperate enough to try a battle with us.'

Sir Dalan's tone and expression are weary, even impatient. It is abundantly clear he'd rather be with Ellowyn than hunting down a rogue knight.

"Requisition the food from the locals usually end with blodshed and burning villages. I rather avoid that but it may be only way to get to him and get to him fast."

Gracian sighed. "War is not all glory and honor on a field of battle. Very well .. we take the food and starve him into action."

Sir Gracian send out messengers to spread the word that a reward of £5 will be given to the man, woman or child that bring information that leads to the capture of Sir Cormacc. Gracian has been paying attention these last few months to Brother Cadfael's lectures on Irish rulers and clan politics. Gracian hopes to use that knowledge to approach the familes, villages and clans that hate Sir Cormacc the most and enlist them in the pursuit of Sir Cormacc.

Sir Gracian, Sir Dalan, and their knights head North after sending out messengers offering a reward for information concerning Sir Cormacc.  On the first day out, they intercept a messenger heading toward Tullmore with a letter for Sir Dalan.  The letter is from Sir Dalan's father-in-law, Earl Mylon.  In relevant part it explains that Ellowyn is missing.  She was out riding with four guards and they did not return.  A party was sent out and found the horses and bodies of the four guards but no trace of Ellowyn or her horse.  This seems to have occurred a couple of days before Countess Fiona showed up at Tullmore.

Fortunately, there is also good news, although from a different front.  A young boy approaches Sir Gracian and Sir Dalan.  It seems that Sir Cormacc has made an enemy who is in a position to provide you some information.  There is a village about half a day's ride North of you, to the South and West of Arthur's army.  The blacksmith in town ( the youth's father) made a bunch of horseshoes for Sir Cormacc and his men but Sir Cormacc did not pay him.  The blacksmith found out that Sir Cormacc will be back in town tomorrow morning to pickup food and supplies.  The youth can lead you to the village and enter by night, hiding at the blacksmith's shop and the stables.

Sir Gracian gets a point in Intrigue.  Everytime I am stuck trying to figure out how you guys are going to accomplish something, the dice come to the rescue, like Gracian criticaling his Intrigue roll.

Are we still playing this one or were you merely wrapping up?

---

Sir Gracian heart almost broke when he heard the news about Sir Dalan's wife. He knew how close Dalan and Ellowyn were and he could not bear if his friend should suffer the way he himself had.

Lady Fiona had been right all along ...

But when news came of Sir Comacc and the possiblity of ending this futile campaign in this cursed island, Gracian grabbed his friend by the shoulders. "This is our chance. One last effort and Sir Comacc will be ours! That dog is of no importance to us yet he means everything. Capture him and we can return home and find Lady Ellowyn and by God I promise you that I will not rest until she has returned to you and those that took her has been punished!"

And with all haste Gracian made the arrangements to ambush Sir Comacc in the village.

In reply to Sir Gracian (msg # 72):

Sir Dalan was nearly trembling with rage and fear - and guilt.

'In God's good name why did ever agree to come to this desperate country my brother? If harm should come to sweet Ellowyn I promise you not every sorcery on Earth or Hell shall save Fiona from my wrath!'

It is only with great difficulty Sir Dalan can be calmed enough to follow Sir Gracian's plan.