Sir Aeddan & Sir Rhydwyn

Sir Aeddan and Sir Rhydwyn secret their horses and gear out-of-sight and position themselves at the edge of a small clearing.  They both notice a bat seem to circle Morgana for a short time before flying off and they get the sense that she is concerned about something as she bids them farewell and walks off into the woods by herself.

Neither is exactly sure what Morgana intends to do but it seems that the outcome is supposed to be a Saxon or two delivering Loorette to them in the clearing.  However implausible that seems.

Sir Rhydwyn, rolled 11 using 1d20.  Awareness.
Sir Aeddan, rolled 11 using 1d20.  Awareness.

Sir Aeddan and Sir Rhydwyn each take a check in Awareness.

Time passes slowly and the pair begin to think that something has gone horribly wrong when a burly Saxon walks into the clearing, leading a frightened young woman who is bound with a length of rope.  She is quite attractive (APP: 16), although Sir Aeddan feels she is not nearly as attractive as Blodeuyn, although it is theoretically possible that he is slightly biased.

The Saxon appears to be in a daze.  Almost as if he were sleep-walking.  The young lady appears quite a bit the worse for wear and it is clear that the Saxons have not treated her well.  Or worse.

Subduing the Saxon requires minimal effort as he seems lethargic.  Once subdued, he can be sent off, killed, tied up, or brought along with you.  He does not have anything of any real value on him and the Saxons do not normally ransom one another.

---

Sir Alboc & Sir Daron

The captured knights are bound to nearby trees and a guard is posted.  The guard is a rather unsavory type who seems to enjoy taunting the prisoners and occasionally spiting on them.  The pair fall into an uneasy sleep, wondering where their companions are, what will happen to Loorette, and how their lord will feel about shelling out £36 to ransom them from the Saxons.  Sir Abloc's dreams are a bit on the violent side.  Reliving twisted versions of the Summer's battles being captured and tortured, his lord not paying their ransom, and instead him serving some Irish Lord as a servant.   It is all a bit jumbled.

Sir Daron, on the other hand, finds himself chasing a black hind through the woods, always nipping at her heels but never quite able to catch her.  Except that sometime it is a deer and other times it is a dark and beautiful woman.

Sir Abloc jerks awake.  Something is wrong.  The woods are quiet.  In fact, there is no sound at all.  Attempting to move, he realizes that his bonds have been cut.  He twists and looks over at his companion and sees a dark, cloaked, shadowy figure kneeling next to Sir Daron, staring at the young knight, a single finger tracing a line along his jaw.  And then the figure moves and blurs and Sir Abloc thinks he sees a bird fly off.  Shaking his head, he sees nothing but his friend and a camp full of dead Saxons.  He is not sure if he really saw anything or if he just imagined it all.

Sir Daron also jerks awake, seemingly sensing the quiet stillness that awoke Sir Abloc moments before.  Other than a camp full of dead Saxons, he sees nothing out-of-the-ordinary.  Although he does smell Oleander and images of Queen Ygraine's youngest daughter invade his thoughts, as they have from time-to-time over the last couple of days when Sir Daron has allowed his mind to wander.

Sir Daron, rolled 8 using 1d20.  Awareness.
Sir Abloc, rolled 8 using 1d20.  Awareness.

Sir Daron takes a check in Awareness.
Sir Abloc takes a point in Awareness for criticalling.

Investigating the small camp, the pair find all of their stuff un-disturbed.  How the Saxon's died is unclear, although they mostly look fairly serene.  Mostly.  The guard who taunted them has a look of unmistakable horror etched on his face as if his death were violent and terrifying.

Sir Abloc and Sir Daron are not sure exactly what time it is, although they do not feel that they were asleep very long.  They are pretty sure that being here come morning would be a bad idea.  Gathering their stuff, the pair mount up.  They then see a light off in the woods to their right.  It looks almost like a candle or lantern, not the sort of thing Saxons use and definitely not a campfire.

Sir Aeddan is surprised to subdue the Saxon so easily, but knows that his is a grim task.  Even a confused Saxon will, upon return to his camp, be able to provide his captain with a general description of the Cornish knights, as well as the direction in which they seemed to be going.  Regretfully, Sir Aeddan steels his resolve and kills the Saxon as quickly as possible with his sword.

Sir Aeddan then turns to the maiden Loorette.  "My lady," he begins as gently as he can, "we are knights of Cornwall, and we are here to get you home safely.  The maidens Blodeuyn and Gwendolyn, who were captured when you were, are back with their families and asked us to find you.  Are you able to ride, or to walk?  Please let us provide some squire's clothing to you, so that you can appear to be another young man in our company as we hurry back to Cornwall."

Sir Aeddan looks to Sir Rhydwyn, hoping to find agreement.  He silently resolves that he'll never eat another bird.  He's seen too much that he cannot explain.

In reply to Sir Aeddan (msg # 102):

Rhydwyn nods at Aeddan's description.

Sir Abloc find his courage drain away. Sorcery, the silent camp filled with dead Saxons, the birds, the silence. It is all too much. He is visibly shaken and seems lost for words. He walks around among the corpses as if in a daze until he see the light in the woods. Part of him want to run away in the opposite direction yet part of him feels as if the light shines like a beacon in a a dark sea of horror.

"The light. It calls to me" is all he can say.

Sir Daron shakes his head, trying to clear away the spectres that dogged his thoughts (especially the slender dark haired ones that smelled of oleander.)

"I see nothing good," Sir Daron says, then looks at his brother knight and adds sadly: "but if you feel we must I'll ride with you."

Sir Aeddan & Sir Rhydwyn

Loorette just sort of stares off into space, dazed, hugging herself.  Her right hand compulsively massaging her left forearm.  Although the young knights do not have a lot of combat experience, they have both seen that look before on the faces of a few people after a particularly savage battle.  The young maiden moves mechanically and will mount a horse if presented with one.  However, any attempt to touch her results in her shrinking away and if pressed, by a violent outburst.  Once in the saddle, she pulls the hood of her cloak up over her head.  She does not speak.

With the Saxon dispatched, there is nothing keeping the small group here.  If Morgana intends to rejoin them, she will undoubtedly find them somewhere on the way back toward Cornwall.

Sir Abloc & Sir Daron

The pair ride cautiously toward the light, which seems to be moving among the trees.  Following it requires them to thread their way through the forest, occasionally turning this way or that.  They sometimes hear groups of Saxons in the woods around them or occasionally see the light of fires but the small light they are following skirts these dangers.  After what seems like an hour they come upon a familiar pair of knights and a cloaked figure riding one of their horses.  The cloaked figure seems to be a woman, although they cannot tell much in the dark.

Sir Abloc slowly approach the group. He looks like a man in shock and like he doesnt really believe what he is seeing. "Sir Aeddan? Sir Rhydwyn? Is it really you or is sorcery afoot again? I see you, my brothers, in front of me yet I do not know if you are real or a figment of my imagination!"

Sir Aeddan is flooded with relief to hear a familiar voice.  "Sir Abloc!  Sir Daron!  You see no sorcery before you, just two exhausted knights and a maiden in need of protection and a speedy return home.  The lady Loorette feared me when I tried to help her onto a horse, so you may want to keep your distance."

Sir Aeddan stops short.  "How...?  I cannot understand.  I am so gladdened to see you, but how did you find us?"

The four knights have little time to reminisce or tell their tales.  Sir Abloc, Sir Aeddan, and Sir Rhydwyn notice the sound of approaching Saxons, while Sir Daron's mind seems to be elsewhere.

Sir Rhydwyn, rolled 11 using 1d20.  Awareness.
Sir Daron, rolled 16 using 1d20.  Awareness.
Sir Aeddan, rolled 1 using 1d20.  Awareness.
Sir Abloc, rolled 7 using 1d20.  Awareness.

Sir Abloc, Sir Aeddan, and Sir Rhydwyn take a check in Awareness.

Spurring their horses, the group follows Sir Rhydwyn (the best hunter among them) back toward the edge of the forest.  Although they hear the occasional sound of pursuit, after half an hour they appear to be clear of their pursuers.

Saxons, rolled 2 using 1d20.  Hunting.
Sir Rhydwyn, rolled 7 using 1d20.  Hunting.

Sir Rhydwyn takes a check in Hunting.

As the sky in the east begins to lighten, the group arrives at the edge of the forest.  Loorette appears to be in need of sleep, as are the knights.  The choices before you:

1. Travel during day or night?
2. Head to the coast and seek passage on a ship or ride back to Cornwall?
3. Travel cautiously or recklessly? (As before for Sir Abloc and Sir Daron.)

For the most part, it is enemy territory between your current position and Cornwall.

You could make it to the coast this morning.  Booking passage on a ship for 60d each and wait d6 days to leave (stay at an Inn for 1d pp and 3d per horse per night).  Rent a ship with a crew of 20, no questions asked, for £3 and leave immediately.  Either ship would take 2 days to arrive in Cornwall.

"I say we let the poor woman rest and then head for the coast at night. We find a ship with no questions ask and let it sail us back to Cornwall. I will pay - I was fortunate during the campaign so let me worry about paying the master of the ship." He looks around at his companions. "We are all tired and spend. I dont see traveling by land as an option."

Sir Aeddan nods gravely in reply.  "I admit," he says, "I would have been loath to pay for such expensive transportation, but if you find the expense bearable, then I will gratefully accept.  And it is likely the best thing for the young lady, as well."  He suggests that they find a secluded place in the forest to camp until nightfall, at which point they can proceed carefully to the coast.

Sir Abloc agrees with Sir Aeddan. Once they have found a suitable campsite he sits down seemingly lost in his own thoughts.

Rhydwyn nods, his eyes growing heavy. "I agree, Sir Abloc. Travellinng by land isn't an option, with us as exhausted as we are. Thank you for covering the expenses - I will reimburse you when we get back to Cornwall." Once they find a campsite, he will also sit next to Abloc, lost in his thoughts.

"By boat then," Sir Daron agrees wearily as they search for a camp sight. He glances curiously at the young woman they had been through such hardship to rescue. He lowers his voice. "What of Morgan le Fae?"

Also keeping his voice low, unsure if the other two knights can hear, Sir Aeddan responds to Sir Daron's query.  "She accompanied us here and somehow led us to a place where we intersected with the path of a guard, who was abducting Loorette from the Saxon camp.  He seemed confused, and Sir Rhydwyn and I overcame him easily.  The Lady Morgana had already left us at that point, with no indication that she would return.  I cannot explain how I know this," he says more hesitantly, "but I am quite certain that Morgana is already safely back at Amesbury.  She is...remarkable, and could be a valuable ally.  You should not treat her so harshly."

Sir Aeddan then smiles at Sir Daron. "Would you like to tell me how you came across us?  Sir Abloc seemed convinced that we were some kind of sorcerer's trick, although surely no sorcerer would conjure such a bedraggled group as we."

Rhydwyn nods at Sir Aeddan, taking a swig of his drink. "I have to agree, Sir Aeddan. I simply hope you are right - it is almost more of a gut feeling than anything." He turns to Daron after Aeddan  asks him about how Daron had found them.

When not brooding, the group manages to get some sleep during the day, keeping an eye out for Saxons or anyone or thing else that could do them harm.  However, it is quiet.  The camp is west of the Saxon's path, far enough to be out of the range of their scouts.

As the sun sets, Loorette emerges from the tent provided for her.  She still looks a bit bedraggled but less glassy-eyed than when they found her.  She thanks the knights for searching for her, something she finds a little hard to comprehend.  She seems to think herself not worthy of such an effort.  Otherwise, she is quiet for the most part, keeping to herself.

The journey to the nearest port is uneventful.  The Saxon army, it seems, has not made it out of the forest yet.  The lands here are full of Cymri but ruled by the Saxons, who invaded a few years back.  While Cymric knights are not frequently seen here, it is not completely out-of-place and finding some locals to help seems easy enough.

The group locates an inn near the docks where they can get food, stable their horses, and spend the night.  After a bit of asking around, Sir Daron locates a captain who is willing to rent out his ship in order to get the group to Cornwall, leaving on the morning tide.  Sir Rhydwyn learns that Duke Corneus of Lindsay, King Nanteleod of Escavalon, and his Logres Allies defeated King Aethelswith and his Angles at the Battle of Hereford and that King Aethelswith is dead!  Another victory for King Nanteleod.

Sir Rhydwyn, rolled 8 using 1d20.  Intrigue.
Sir Daron, rolled 1 using 1d20.  Intrigue.
Sir Aeddan, rolled 5 using 1d20.  Intrigue.
Sir Abloc, rolled 4 using 1d20.  Intrigue.

Sir Daron takes a check in Intrigue.  Sir Rhydwyn takes a point in Intrigue for criticalling.

Sir Aeddan seems distracted from matters of politics at the inn.  Instead, he is busy inquiring of the innkeeper and/or staff whether he can find a woman to accompany them to Cornwall, as a companion for Loorette.  He's seeking either a matron or a very young woman looking to enter into service.  If Loorette has no need of her after their arrival in Cornwall, then Aeddan will provide employment for her on his estate.

In reply to Sir Aeddan (msg # 118):

Rhydwyn tries to avoid any matter of politics as well. With all that had happened with Loorette, he still feels uneasy about everything. He would enjoy his drink as best he could, though he would feel much better once everyone got back to Cornwall.

The innkeeper tells Sir Aeddan that there is a young woman who is rather keen to escape the Saxons, who have taken an interest in her.  She would gladly come along if there was some assurance that she could remain in Cornwall.  Loorette is thankful for the company and seems much more relaxed.

In the morning, the group boards a small vessel and sets sail for Cornwall and home, relieved that the year's adventures are finally coming to a close.  As they pull away from the harbor, they can see the vanguard of the Saxon army approaching in the distance.

Sailing is not something with which the knights have much, or really any, experience.  The swaying of the ship and close quarters are novel and not altogether pleasant but the journey back to Cornwall is relatively smooth and without incident.

Loorette's father's manor is south and west of those on which Gwendolyn and Blodeuyn reside.  Loorette's father is overjoyed at the return of his daughter, thanking the knights fervently.  He had only a sliver of hope at news of Gwendolyn and Blodeuyn's rescue but really never expected knights to go to such lengths for his daughter.  He offers the group £5 as a reward.

The knights return to their own manors to supervise the harvest and prepare for winter.  They receive invitations to King Idres's Winter Feast, something of a rare honor for new knights.

You each receive 50 Glory for rescuing Loorette.

"I am looking forward to seeing you all at King Idres's Winter Feast, my brothers. I am grateful for having friends like you." Sir Abloc says before departing for hos manor to supervise the harvest and prepare for winter.

In reply to Sir Abloc (msg # 121):

"I am looking forward to seeing you all there as well. I'm glad to have you all as friends." Rhydwyn smiles at the group before returning to his manor to prepare for the winter.

For his part, Sir Aeddan will decline the offered reward and simply express his delighted surprise that the group's effort was successful.  And yes, if the young companion to Loorette wishes to stay in Cornwall, then he'll deliver her to his estate as a companion to his younger sister, Aderyn.

Sir Daron gratefully accepts the reward, trying to hide his astonishment that Sir Aeddan felt so wealthy he could turn it down.

"I look forward to the feast too, my noble brothers," he says smiling at his friends before beginning the long trip back to his own manor.

Sir Abloc, Sir Daron, and Sir Rhydwyn each get 400d in reward money.  Sir Aeddan gets a check in Generous.