"Forgive me, brothers," Sir Aeddan begins, "if I seemed distracted yesterday.  A good night's sleep has cleared my head.

"What shall we do today?  My proposal is that we head south, then cross the river and visit Stapleford and Stoford this morning to see if they might have anything to add to our purse.  Then we could cross the river again and strike out overland to Barford, to see whether the maiden Blodeuyn is present and wishes to return to Cornwall with Gwendolyn.

"Then we can head west along the good road, to deposit the ladies and our treasure in Cornwall, and to retrieve information and Sir Rhydwyn for what is sure to be a grand quest to rescue the maiden Loorette.  What say you?"

"An excellent idea brother. I fear that if we stay much longer our luck is going to run out."

Whenever possible Sir Abloc see to Lady Gwendolyn to make sure she is ok. Fact is he probarbly seems like the love-struck fool that he is.

"It sounds a good plan," Sir Daron agrees. "Luck has been with us thus far, but we must also know when to move on."

He turns to Sir Abloc, eyebrow raised. "How fairs the maiden Gwendolyn my brother? You may have found more than plunder on this raid, unless I am much mistaken!"

The group sets out in the morning and crosses the river and raids the manor at Stapleford.  As usual, Sir Abloc does the talking and is quite convincing, while Sir Aeddan collects the coinage, and Sir Daron scopes out the manor.  Unfortunately, Sir Aeddan gets distracted by a pewter bowl of little actual value and does not notice the man pocketing half of the coins.  Sir Daron does manage to obtain several bags of salt worth £1.

Sir Abloc, rolled 13 using 1d20.  Orate.
Sir Abloc, rolled 2 using 1d3+1.  Loot.
Sir Daron, rolled 8 using 1d20.  Stewardship.
Sir Aeddan, rolled 20 using 1d20.  Awareness.

Sir Abloc gets a check in Orate, Sir Daron gets a check in Stewardship, and Sir Aeddan gets a point in Awareness for fumbling.

All told, they gather £2 from the manor, bringing their total to £29.

Continuing on to Stoford, they find the manor near a toll bridge across the Wylye river.  They collect £3 in coins, another £1 worth of silverware, and Sir Daron finds another £1 in a cash box at the toll.  Total from this manor is £5 and for the raid so far, £34.

Sir Abloc, rolled 3 using 1d20.  Orate.
Sir Abloc, rolled 3 using 1d3+1.  Loot.
Sir Daron, rolled 5 using 1d20.  Stewardship.
Sir Aeddan, rolled 4 using 1d20.  Awareness.

Sir Abloc takes a check in Orate, Sir Aeddan takes a check in Awareness, and Sir Daron takes a check in Stewardship.

Crossing the river, the road is well maintained and reasonably straight heading west.  As they begin down the road, they see a rider heading east toward them from the direction of Vagon.  Seeing them, the rider turns his horse to the right and heads cross country in the direction of Wilton, a walled City to the south.  The rider is on a fast horse and appears to be a messenger.  The group doubts they could catch him given his speed and familiarity with the terrain.

Best guess, it is about 3 miles to Barford (half of which is along a wagon track) and about 2 miles to Wilton cross-country.

"W-w-what d-do you mean my brother? I a-assure you I only has the most noble of intentions regarding fair Lady Gwendolyn" he stutters in reply to Sir Daron's comment. His face take on a crimson hue and he starts to sweat before he suddenly remembers he may have forgotten something terribly important somewhere else and quickly leave Sir Aeddan and Sir Daron to discuss the future plans.

After the have crossed the Wylye River and spots the messenger he sighs. "Seems like the element of surprise is no longer ours. Perhaps we shouldnt push our luck and instead send the loot and Lady Gwendolyn back to safety while we press on and rescue the lost maidens?"

Sir Daron had chuckled to himself at the blushes his teasing of Sir Abloc had provoked. "I know thy nobility and meant no offence. I was thinking you might wed her my brother."

After their encounter with the rider Sir Daron stroked his beard and frowned. "Barford is close enough - let us be swift there and then move on. we shall find of your maidens there."

"Well said my brother. Let us hit Barford first and then move on with great speed." He cast a glance at Lady Gwendolyn. Why should she ever want a simple knight like him?

Sir Aeddan is in agreement that time is now of the essence.  With Barford so close, he agrees that the party should stick together, get to Barford quickly, and then focus on moving the maidens and treasure out of Salisbury with all possible speed.  It appears that they'll need to leave the good road in order to completely avoid Vagon as they head west, but if Vagon is on alert, that's the surest way to keep the party and its disguised maiden(s) out of danger.
This message was last edited by the player at 14:58, Tue 08 June 2021.

Making haste, the group rides to the manor at Barford.  Sir Abloc explains that the knights are after loot and not to burn or pillage and the inhabitants seem quite eager to have them on their way.  There is no sign of any hostage Cornish women.  Gwendolyn, disguised as a squire, does not see Blodeuyn.

Sir Aeddan goes in to the manor and collects the £5 of coins but he notices something strange.  When the man walked in, he did not walk straight toward the chest with the coins, but instead walked around a carpet on the floor.  His suspicions up, Sir Aeddan lifts the carpet to reveal a trap door.  Lifting the door reveals a small space in which are crouched two figures.  One, clearly female, is gagged and has her hands tied together.  The other, a teenage boy, is holding the girl's bindings in one hand and a knife in the other.

Seeing that Sir Aeddan is not a member of the household and has a long, pointy sword, the boy's eyes bug out, he drops the knife, and pleads for mercy.  It is quite possible that he wet himself.  The girl looks terrified as well, but Sir Aeddan notices, in fact could barely fail to notice, that she is extremely beautiful (APP: 21).

Meanwhile, outside Sir Daron does not locate any additional loot.

Sir Abloc, rolled 16 using 1d20.  Orate.
Sir Abloc, rolled 5 using 2d3+2.  Loot.
Sir Daron, rolled 17 using 1d20.  Stewardship.
Sir Aeddan, rolled 14 using 1d20.  Awareness.

Sir Abloc takes a point in Orate for criticalling.   Sir Aeddan takes a point in Awareness for criticalling.

Blodeuyn, rolled 21 using 3d6+6.  Appearance.

Including the carpet, which is worth £1, they collect £6 from this manor, bringing their total to £40 (£5 each).

The map has been updated.  What does Sir Aeddan do?
This message was last edited by the GM at 14:58, Wed 09 June 2021.

Hoping he's within earshot of others in his group, Sir Aeddan calls out, "Brothers! In here!"

He then addresses the maiden. "My lady, we have come to see you to safety.  The maiden Gwendolyn asked my fellow knights and I to find you.  Are you Blodeuyn?"

Assuming there's some affirmative nod from the lady, Sir Aeddan will order the frightened lad to remove her restraints and help the young lady up the trap door and into the room.  He will then move to shield her as he checks the door for anyone else approaching.

Sir Daron arrives, his green eyes widening as he observes the scene and what, even he must admit, is a surpassingly beautiful maiden.

"We'll take you to safety, though we must move swiftly. can you ride a horse my lady?" He turns to Sir Aeddan. "If this is the girl let us make speed for home. We've done well here and I don't want to give the enemy time to pursue."

Sir Aeddan nods in agreement with Sir Daron's assessment.  "She is indeed the maiden Blodeuyn.  I'll take her to Gwendolyn, who can help her get into squire's clothes and onto a horse."

As they walk toward Gwendolyn and the squires, Sir Aeddan asks (in the gentlest voice and tone he can manage under the circumstances), "My lady, are you well enough to ride?  I apologize for our haste, but we have reason to believe that we may encounter resistance on our way back to Cornwall.  I can only hope that you will excuse our boorish treatment of you thus far."

Blodeuyn looks up at the young knight with disturbingly green eyes and nods, although still quite scared.  Once her bonds are cut, she reaches up a slender hand and Sir Aeddan pulls her out.

When Sir Daron enters, he and Sir Aeddan grab the rug, and the pair escort the young lady toward the door to the manor.  Her eyes dart about nervously, seemingly unsure if she is really safe now.  She is shaking slightly.  The inhabitants blanche at the sight of the young woman and all appear ready to face the knights' wrath.  When instead the Cornish knights head to their horses, everyone seems much relieved.

Sir Aeddan had hoped to lay the young woman's fears to rest and it all sounded quite nice in his head.  However, somewhere in between his brain and his lips, the sight of Blodeuyn's chestnut tresses confundled his mouth and instead he blurted out: "My lady, are you well enough to ride me?  I . . . I mean ride together, I would be riding your behind, no behind you . . ."  What followed was a rather long, awkward silence as the young woman tensed and looked at Sir Aeddan, stunned.  But after a moment, she blinked several times before relaxing and laughing.  Like a dam bursting, her fear seemed to flow away and with a kindly look she replied, "yes, I can ride."

Once back near the good road, the party stops and Blodeuyn and Gwendolyn hug and both are soon in tears.

(The knights have a minute to decide on their next course of action.  It is about 10 miles to Vagon and they could move cautiously and time their arrival so that they bypassed the castle after dark.  Or they could move quickly and get well into the woods beyond before nightfall.)

Once composed, Blodeuyn approached Sir Aeddan and knelt before him, taking his hand, "Sir Aeddan, thank you for rescuing me from those horrible people.  I owe you a debt of gratitude I fear I can never repay.  My father, Sir Manhogan will, I am sure, reward you handsomely for my safe return."

Sir Aeddan, rolled 20 using 1d20.  Courtesy.

Sir Aeddan takes a point in Courtesy as a result of fumbling.

Sir Daron looks awkward at this moment between Sir Aeddan and Blodeuyn but feels he must speak up. "My brothers time is fleeting; we've done our work and at this point speed is a better ally than a caution that gives our enemy a chance to muster. Let's ride for home."

With all the dignity left in his addled 21-year-old brain, Sir Aeddan attempts to reassure the young woman that he does not seek, and would not accept, a reward from Sir Manhogan for simply fulfilling his duty as a knight.  It is possible that he will never, ever stop blushing.

His head still spinning from the events of the past few minutes, Sir Aeddan agrees with Sir Daron that their best ally is speed.  As they draw closer to Vagon, however, he will again urge the utmost caution -- should danger appear at all forthcoming, he'll suggest they leave the road and make their way just south of it, until they're past Vagon.

"Aye, I agree ... speed is of the essence more than anything else."

The merry band of knights, laden down with Salisbury loot and accompanied by liberated Cornish women, head west with all due dispatch.  They give Vagon a wide berth and make it around the castle there without incident.  The group camps off the road in the woods, disdaining a fire given the proximity to the castle at Vagon and not wanting to risk attracting any undue attention.

The young ladies share a tent but are not used to camping outdoors, although they certainly do not complain given the recent situation in which they found themselves and for which they are quite grateful to be free.  The pair do not really say much, although they frequently whisper to one another, but Gwendolyn and Blodeuyn are almost always watching Sir Abloc and Sir Aeddan respectively.

The following day, the troop progress as quickly as possible down the road, making excellent time and near nightfall, making it to Gwendolyn's father's manor at Landow.  The place was torched but repairs are underway and the main manor has been mostly restored and some temporary shelters have been put up.  As the group rides up, Sir Enodoc comes out of the manor house, leaning heavily on a crutch, looking for all the world like a broken man.

Seeing her father, Gwendolyn dismounts and runs over to him, throwing her arms around him.  He appears baffled at first until he realizes that it is his daughter.  He seems to come to life, hugging his daughter and whispering into her ear.  At length, the pair approach the knights and Gwendolyn makes introductions, "father, this is Sir Abloc, the knight who so valiantly rescued me from my captors.  Sir Abloc, this is my father, Sir Enodoc."  She then proceeds to introduce the others.

"Sir Abloc," the older knight responds, "thank you for rescuing my daughter and bringing her safely back to me.  Her loss was a dire blow to me.  Please, stay here tonight and join me for a feast in your honor.  I would also like to give you £5 as a reward for your bravery and for restoring my daughter to me."

It is getting late and you won't be able to make it back to your own manors before dark.  Sir Enodoc will send a messenger to Blodeuyn's father (only a couple of miles away) to let him know about his own daughter.  He will undoubtedly join you all for the feast.

You are all provided quarters in the manor, even though you believe that this may require Sir Enodoc and his daughter to be housed in the temporary shelters.  There will be time to wash up and change into nicer clothes before the feast.

"Please, Sir Enodoc. I mean you no disrespect but I can not accept such a generous gift" Sir Abloc replies and looks baffled. "I merely did what what should be expected from any Cornish knight and I just praise the Lord for having been able to help your fair daughter in her hour of need and reunite her with her family."

He looks past the old knight at the manor that is being rebuild "I can see you were hit hard, Sir Enodoc. If there is anything I can do then please let me know. When one is hit by the misfortunes of war and random pillaging we should stand united."

He struggles to keep his focus on Sir Enedoc and not glance at Lady Gwendolyn. He probarbly fails. The thought of soon parting ways with her pains him to no end.

Later Sir Abloc's squire has never seen his Master be so diligent in washing and cleaning himself before the feast. Wigan do not understand the ways of his Master but he is smart enough not to make (too many) smart comments.
This message was last edited by the player at 08:23, Wed 09 June 2021.

Sir Daron has to momentarily turn his head and seem to study the walls to conceal the sheer look of horror at Sir Abloc refusing a reward.

The young knight dutifully prepares for the feast, but is already thinking ahead to what would surely fall to him as a quest - the discovery and rescue of the third maiden. Even as troublesome as he finds women it would be unthinkable not to do so!

Like his brother knights, Sir Aeddan is a little overwhelmed at the welcome and hospitality they've received at Landow.  His squire Alwin -- who's also his younger brother -- and Aeddan do their utmost to make Sir Aeddan as clean and presentable as possible for the evening's celebration.

Knowing that he's likely to see both Blodeuyn and -- far scarier -- her father at the feast this evening, Sir Aeddan does his best to calm himself and to think of some things he might say to them, when the time comes.  The sentences always sound so much better in his head than when he tries to utter them!

Sir Enodoc nods and thanks Sir Abloc once more, a look of respect in his eyes.

Sir Abloc takes a point in Generous.

Once washed and dressed, Alwin notifies Sir Aeddan that Blodeuyn and her father, Sir Manhogan, would like to meet him.  Once ushered in, Blodeuyn introduces her father, "father, this is my savior, Sir Aeddan.  Sir Aeddan, my father Sir Manhogan."  She beams at Sir Aeddan.  It is more than a little distracting that the good Lady has cleaned up and gotten dressed in her finest outfit which somehow does not make her look less gorgeous.

"Well met, Sir Aeddan, I knew your father.  Sir Daeddon was a great man and a great warrior.  I see that such qualities have been passed down to you.  Thank you for rescuing my daughter from vile Salisbury.  Were I at home, such an insult would not have been visited upon us.  Please accept this token of my appreciation," he offers Sir Aeddan a purse containing £5.

(Roll Courtesy and respond accordingly.)
- - - - -

The feast is not at the level of the one thrown by Earl Guinier, but is pretty impressive given it is on short notice in a manor recently gutted by fire.  There is a quartet of musicians and a bard, who tells tales and listens to the trio's story of their raid, something those in attendance are eager to hear.

Please briefly summarize what you say about your adventures and roll Intrigue.  Then feel free to use any skill that seems appropriate (Sing, Compose, Orate, Courtesy, Flirt, etc.) for something you do during the feast.

Sir Abloc, roll 3d6 Amor (Gwendolyn) (Reroll if 10 or less).
Sir Aeddan, roll 3d6 Amor (Blodeuyn) (Reroll if 10 or less).
I will add modifiers afterward.

Sir Daron has no fair maiden hanging on his every word and no fair maiden's father offering him a reward. Still he enjoys the feast, finding the food and music and company much of a relief after the hard riding and rough sleeping of the raid.

He tells his tale of the raid beginning at the beginning of how he heard it first, then the cleverness and speed involved and on Sir Abloc and Sir Aeddan's gallant rescue of their maidens, before ending his talk with a toast to their host and his daughter: "To your good health Sir Enodoc, and to the health of your fair daughter. My brothers and I thank you for your gratitude and hope that we have done our small part to show the dogs of Salisbury that Cornish hearts and Cornish steel are true." 

Later he offers a friendly game of draughts for either of the older knights should they care for it. "Perhaps I can show you my cunning strategy on the game board," he jokes.

---

OOC:
16:32, Today: Sir Daron rolled 8 using 1d20.  Intrigue @11.

I guess Sir Daron will be using his Gaming if anyone is interested - he isn't playing for money, just a friendly game.

In response to Sir Manhogan offering him the purse of money, Sir Aeddan does his best to graciously decline it.  He, of course, fails.  He tries to convey that he doesn't accept the reward and considered rescuing her his duty as a knight of Cornwall, yadda yadda yadda.  He's hopeful that his somewhat rambling response communicated his message without offending anyone too much.

OOC: Sir Aeddan rolled 17 using 1d20.  Courtesy (7).

Sir Aeddan hadn't realized that Blodeuyn's father was Sir Manhogan.  He can immediately recall details of stories about the man, told to Aeddan by his father.  When the bard asks Sir Aeddan about his exploits in Salisbury, he plays down the success of their raiding but attempts to convey the story of finding Blodeuyn hidden beneath a rug-covered trapdoor in the floor.  He found the situation exciting and amazing, so he tries to convey that in relating the story.

OOC: Sir Aeddan rolled 11 using 1d20.  Orate (10).

Sir Aeddan follows his own story by relating his awe at meeting Sir Manhogan, the central character in some of his father's most entertaining tales.  He attempts to tell one story that he remembers well.  He stumbles, fumbles, and overall impresses nobody.  Afterward, he's just glad that he managed to get through it without directly insulting the man for whom he has so much admiration.

OOC: Sir Aeddan rolled 19 using 1d20.  Orate (10).
Sir Aeddan rolled 1 using 1d20.  Intrigue (03).
This message was last edited by the player at 21:36, Wed 09 June 2021.

Sir Abloc rolled 15 using 3d6.  Amour (Gwendolyn).

Sir Abloc tells about their raid into Salisbury. How they went from manor to manor and persuaded them to hand over the treasures thereby showing that Cornish knights are a different kind of men than Saxon dogs and cowardly Salisbury-men. He try and downplay his own exploits and instead give great praise to Sir Aeddan and Sir Daron and then describe the rescue of fair Lady Gwendolyn.

Sir Abloc rolled 8 using 1d20.  Orate @ 16

And while he is quite the wordsmith he know nothing about the intrigues. He hear no rumours and are not told anything by the guests. Perhaps they know better than to trust a love-struck fool.

Sir Abloc rolled 19 using 1d20.  Intrigue @ 3

But things turn from good to bad when he approach Sir Enodoc and attempts to gain his permission to correspond with Lady Gwendolyn if she wants it so. But the young man is too nervous to speak clearly, has to start over again and again and quickly beg for God to strike him dead and end his embarrassment.

Sir Abloc rolled 17 using 1d20.  Courtesy @ 11
This message was last edited by the player at 21:33, Wed 09 June 2021.

Sir Daron

Sir Ceinlys takes up Sir Daron's challenge and although a competent player, loses gracefully at draughts.

Sir Ceinlys, rolled 18 using 1d20.  Gaming.
Sir Daron, rolled 8 using 1d20.  Gaming.

Sir Daron takes a check in Gaming.

Listening in for news, especially about Salisbury, he learns that Saxon King Cerdic marched north against Salisbury.  With him was King Port, but Ælle was notably missing. The Countess Ellen of Salisbury ordered her people to the safety of the castles and city, and ordered her army inside. (She kept all the footmen and siege equipment, and sent most of the knights northward to wait at Wandborough in Silchester on the road from London to Cirenshester.) The Saxons burned and pillaged south of the Naddar River as well as east of the Avon River, but found little to eat.  They laid siege to Sarum.

King Nanteleod’s army moved south from Escavalon. It entered Wandborough, where the king welcomed the Salisbury knights to his army.  They moved south towards Sarum.  King Cerdic raised the siege and marched north.  (This would have all occurred around the time of your taking Wells and Bristol.)

Sir Daron takes a check in Intrigue.

Sir Aeddan

Sir Aeddan definitely seems to have a problem communicating clearly when in the presence of Lady Blodeuyn.  The thoughts form properly in his brain but at some point after that they go off on a tangent and what comes out of his mouth does not necessarily resemble the planned speech.  Blodeuyn, however, finds his gawkishness endearing and laughs a pretty little laugh, smiling fondly at the young knight.

Sir Manhogan is favorably impressed with Sir Aeddan's gesture, however inartfully explained, giving the young man a hearty handshake and appraising look before thanking him once more.

Blodeuyn, rolled 20 using 3d6+6.  Amor (Aeddan).

Sir Aeddan takes a point in Generous.

Listening to the talk of those around, Sir Aeddan picks up that the Salisbury knights raided Cornwall soon after the Cornish army left for Somerset.  He also learns that there was a battle at Levcomagus between King Cerdic's forces and King Nanteleod.  The battle was largely indecisive.  Rumors have it that King Nanteleod was planning to then pursue the Saxons to the east of Salisbury.  This would have occurred not long prior to your raid.  If true, it would give the Cornish knights a bit of time while Salisbury is still largely unguarded.  However, depending on where Loorette was, marauding Saxons could have taken her.

Sir Aeddan gets a check in Intrigue.

Sir Abloc

Sir Abloc has a rather frustrating evening, seemingly thwarted at every turn.  He is having a hard time concentrating on what he is supposed to be doing as his mind keeps wandering to thoughts of Gwendolyn and the delightful smell of honeysuckle that now marks her presence.

The one highlight being Lady Gwendolyn herself who seems actually enamored of the young knights, despite his foibles.  While not openly questioning her sanity, it is an odd notion.

Sir Enodoc gives Sir Abloc permission to write to his daughter.

Gwendolyn, rolled 18 using 3d6+6.  Amor (Abloc). 

Epilogue

Sir Abloc, Sir Aeddan, and Sir Daron each get 150 glory for their successful raid on Salisbury and the rescuing of Gwendolyn and Blodeuyn.  They get an additional 50 Glory because the story was told to and passed on by a bard.

Sir Abloc gets a point in Orate for multiple successful uses.
Sir Aeddan gets a point in Awareness for multiple successful uses.
Sir Daron gets a point in Stewardship for multiple successful uses.

The three each receive £5 as their share of the loot pillaged from Salisbury.
This message was last edited by the GM at 14:32, Thu 10 June 2021.