An excellent question ... who do you ask it of?

In reply to Finger of Fate (msg # 26):

Any locals, likely the Squire.

Kenyan says simply, "I wish I knew. There's been growing friction for a while but for no reason that's come to my attention. The kidnapping is the latest and most signficant thing. Hopefully that's where you experts will be able to assist."

The squires Steward asks So are you going to try and get a meeting?

"Exactly so," Kenyan nods. "Good man! So, please would you inform our guests as to the best way we've found to do that."

Jeeves replies Quite So, sir (as in msg 13)

"So, as the good Steward says, we have a place where wehere our people go and wait. The wildings would join after a day or so." Kenyan answers somewhat obviously. "If you're both ready, we shall send out word and shall leave shortly for the place."

Sounds reasonable, perhaps a smoky fire will also draw some attention. We are taking a good sized guard with us?

"Unless you require otherwise, I wasn't projecting anything other than normal," answers Kenyan. "There's little point in being the cause of escalation."

My concern was if the attackers were to  attack our party when it attempts to parly

"The wildings haven't killed anyone as yet," replies Kenyan. "Why shoud they now? But if, as represntatives of the Duke, a 'good-sized gaurd' is what you stipulate then so shall it be." He looks at Mustafa, the holder of the Duke's Seal, then adding, "But going with more militia may make it more difficult to acertain what is beneath the unrest. What is your call on this, Sir Mustafa?"

In reply to Squire Kenyan Worley (msg # 36):

"I would prefer a smaller gaurd as well, but my wife is right in that this does increase the risk. Can we have 2 forces, with a backup cavalry force say a mile away, and we take a signal horn?"

"Then so shall it be," answers Kenyan who then excuses himself to put matters into motion. A short while later he returns and asks, "Things are in hand. We may depart when you're ready."

I will assume a 6 hour or so ride to the location (about 10 leagues or so).

Even as you set up, your guards report men departing, one waved his arms at them before moving out.
It's a touchy night as several arrows come in from the SW, although those leaving headed more North to NW.
No one is hurt fortunately, but everyone is on edge.

It is Midday the following day before a Few Men show themselves at a distance and wave a white flag; you see aa coupe of arrows shot their way as well and quite a few sent back  in retrun. Your camp takes several more too, and one horse is slightly injured but all of them are close to stampede. fortunately they are well secured to the lead lines. Your foreters point outthat the archers can' see up onto te meeting location which is on a low hill with a flat top.

In reply to Finger of Fate (msg # 39):

At the first arrows, mounted men will be sent to deal with the culprits.

"It would seem that they are divided. We need to support those who are peaceful, and strong with those who are not."

This will be how the meeting is run. Mounted patrols with be moving around the meeting point, taking bows from any who attack them by whatever means necessary.

How many mounted targets do you dispatch after these archers in the woods?

In reply to Finger of Fate (msg # 41):

How thick are the woods?

It varies, the immediate area around the hill top has been mostly cleared, but the surrounding woods have big (a foot thick) trees about every ten or twelve feet and with low hanging branches in places. The Archers pick their firing positions carefully and can disappear into the woods... cavalry is badly handicapped in such a woods. The archers can play hide and shoot all day long.

Kenyan suhggests, "Perhaps we should just talk to them? I'm content to go myself. If I'm killed, cremation is good. And then you could arrange take the heads of every one of them."

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OOC: sounded like a clue.

The wildings to the North are still moving in and out waving their small white flag, despite the desultory arrow fire.

Should we wave 'em in Squire?

"Yes, that would be good," says Kenyan and gets out a folded white handkerchief and shakes it into a semblence of a white flag.. "Do you wish to wait here, Sir Mutafa? Lady Lileth?"

Yes, Of course, and while I am a Lady I am not a "LADY" as in nobility... I am indeed a commoner. I am from another group of what you would call wildings down in Zenther.

Kenyan delivers a ploite bow to Lileth bat says nothing, then looking to Mustafa for his intent.

As you talk, the wildings with the white flag run from tree to tree and hurry up onto the safety of the Hilll (Mesa).

Kenyan plans to follow similarly..