After returning to their manors, the trio take care of any estate issues, deposit their goods and coinage, and prepare for another foray into Salisbury.  Sir Rhydwyn joins the group, although the other knights from the raid beg off, having had quite a profitable summer and wishing to spend their new found wealth as soon as possible.

The first hurdle is figuring out where Loorette might be.  The information you have is somewhere up the road leaving Sarum to the northeast toward Levcomagus.  The most likely manors being:  Porton, Boscone, Allington, Bulford, Idmiston, Newton Tony, Choulderton, Kimpton, Grately, Over Wallop, Monxton, Clatford, or one of the manors along the road leaving Levcomagus to the northwest.  That is a lot of manors.

Having already freed two young ladies, it is possible that word will get out that it is likely an attempt at rescuing the third will be undertaken, although the fact that you have been gone a few days may make that appear less likely.

There is also the very real possibility that wherever she was got torched by the Saxons.  Which would be a bit of a downer.  As the Salisbury army headed east from Levcomagus, that is likely the first place to which they will return and is a great distance from Cornwall and most friendly faces.  So spending too much time in the area is probably dangerous.

Note: I forgot to mention that you each received £5 in plunder from Bristol and Wells.

Sir Daron feels it his responsibility to rescue Loorette, as his brothers had saved their fair maidens.

"As I see it Loorette is most likely kept to be a wife to a single knight. If we can discover which manors have no unmarried knights we can rule them out of contention," he explains to the others. "Therefore we should find someone who knows Salisbury well - a bard or herald, or priest or even a noble lady who has married into Cornish blood."

"I agree, Sir Daron, but then again, who knows what it could be - could have been some knight in an affair with Loorette. I'd say be prepared for anything, in all honesty."

Sir Aeddan is surprised and deeply impressed at Sir Daron's idea.  Which reminds him of an earlier time that Sir Daron had an inspired thought:  "Sir Abloc, I know you may be hesitant to pursue this course, but...Sir Daron once suggested that we might consult the wise young Lady Morgana for information about Loorette's whereabouts.

"Let me defend my notion.  First, we know little of Salisbury and even less about the manors and their inhabitants, aside from what we learned firsthand a few days ago.  Second, it's unlikely we would find someone in Cornwall with current information about the marital status of knights there.  Third..." he clears his throat, "the Lady Morgana has keen understanding and a surprising ability to know of remote events, no doubt because information flies to her on the swift wings of others.  Indeed, she has nearly the sight and range of a bird herself.

"I mean to say that, if our goal is to find the location of the maiden Loorette as quickly as possible, so as to effect her rescue before Salisbury's soldiers return or the people of Salisbury take umbrage with us, we might consider starting our intelligence-gathering with a visit to the convent at Amesbury.  The young lady may be willing to aid us if she knows our intention is to protect the maiden's honor and return her to her family, rather than to seek our own glory or riches."

"To consult with witches is dangerous ground to tread my brother. I do not share Sir Rhydwyn's idea of Lady Loorette merely having an affair - we saw what happened to the other fair Maidens of Cornwall and I am sure Lady Loorette is in dire need of our aid. But surely ... do we risk asking Lady Morgana for her aid? I fear she will make us pay a terribly price for her assistance - and I am not talking about gold or silver here my brothers. Mark my words - never trust a witch!"
This message was last updated by the player at 21:27, Thu 10 June 2021.

Sir Daron hesitates. "I am not familiar with the ways of Morgan le Fae and I am not happy to consort with a soulless witch... but she is said to be clever. Perhaps she is maiden enough to sympathise with a kidnapped girl of Cornwall. Yes, let us visit her - but we better keep our minds sharp."

The tide seemingly heading toward Amesbury and the nunnery therein, the next question is how to get safely to a location in the heart of Salisbury?  (A question which requires an answer regardless of the destination.)  Generally speaking, only other knights would be likely to guess that you are not from Salisbury.  Although you probably don't want to get too close to the manors you raided.

The quickest, and most direct, route is along the good road to Vagon, head north across the river and through the toll bridge controlled by Codford Manor, keep heading north-east to Shrewton, then head south-east to Amesbury.  There are plenty of other ways to get there, just figure out which way you want to go and where you want to stop for the night,  Figure you can cover ~20 miles a day easily as you are not stopping to raid.  That will keep your horses from getting overtired in case you need to fight or flee.

"Noone will believe we are pilgrims if they spot the armor under our robes or our horses for that matter. Better if we just travel as knights, avoid the main roads and then head for the convent. Question though is how we make it past Codford Manor without they raise the alarm about Cornish knights entering Salisbury?"

He lowers his voice and continue "But it wont matter anyway. Sorcery ... she will turn us all into frogs or worse ..."
This message was last edited by the player at 07:30, Fri 11 June 2021.

Sir Daron looks uneasy - evidently the thought had occurred to him to.

"Perhaps if we we're escorting a maiden to the nunnery to take her vows at the convent? I think even Salisbury men would hesitate to attack knights guarding a young woman devoting herself to god, and it would give us generous reason to go to Amesbury."

Sir Aeddan smiles at Sir Daron's suggestion.  "Well, unless you're planning to shave your beard and dress as our maiden, I suspect we'll move fastest and attract the least attention if we simply move as four knights."

Sir Aeddan suggests that the group head east on the good road, turn left at Sutton Veny and take the road that intersects at Warminster with the bad road as it goes east.  By leaving the road briefly, they can skip any potentially awkward encounters at Cordford or its bridge, going northeast on the old trail and then turning right at Shrewton.  From there the poor road to Amesbury will surely seem heaven-sent in comparison to the old track.

As far as camping goes, the party will likely be ready to rest--and will be unlikely to be seen--off the old trail, in some quiet area.

Sir Aeddan decides to keep his helmet on when they encounter other people, as the combination of his height and red hair might trip a memory in someone who witnessed their visit last week.  Surely this group of knights, being only four rather than twelve, wouldn't immediately call to mind that group of marauders from before.  Sir Aeddan suggests that, if anyone should ask, they claim to be from Estragales and looking to join up with the rest of the army, and could the kind person direct them toward Levcomagus?

OOC: I hope you were not waiting for my reply??

---

Sir Abloc goes along with the plan in silence still worried about approaching a sorceress in a convent. It feels so very wrong - and he does not want to be turned into a frog ...

The sally into Salisbury is not without incident.  Making it to the borders is no real issue but once inside Salisbury, it feels a bit like the walls are closing in.  Eight knights with few enemies around felt pretty safe.  Four knights with an entire army returning at an indeterminate time, is a little more dangerous.  Adding that people from any of the manors the group raided may recognize them by their horses or squires, makes it a more perilous journey.

The group successfully makes it to the bridge at Warminster, and Sir Abloc is preparing to ride across, blissfully ignorant of the small garrison watching the far side.  Fortunately, Sir Aeddan and Sir Rhydwyn notice the group and the four backtrack until they are out of sight and then watch the guards from some cover.  The small group of soldiers head back into town at nightfall, leaving the unlit bridge unguarded, and the knights are able to cross in secret.  Spending a night in the woods, the quartet are up early and on their way along familiar ground come sunup.

Sir Rhydwyn, rolled 1 using 1d20.  Awareness.
Sir Daron, rolled 16 using 1d20.  Awareness.
Sir Aeddan, rolled 4 using 1d20.  Awareness.
Sir Abloc, rolled 20 using 1d20.  Awareness.

Sir Abloc takes a point in Awareness for fumbling.
Sir Aeddan and Sir Rhydwyn take a check in Awareness.

They make their way to the bridge west of Codford before bypassing the manor and heading up the dirt track toward Shrewton.  Camping off the path, they have another uneventful night, although they know they are getting closer to the area pillaged by the Saxons and where the Salibury and perhaps Escavalon knights will soon return.

The following day they make their way to Amesbury and easily locate the nunnery.

Sir Daron approaches the door of the nunnery and knocked on the door. "Good sisters we are a party knights come to seek the advice of the Lady Morgana."

It seemed best to be honest - but not too honest! No need to mention Cornwell yet...

A pair of nuns in habits answer the door.  A tall thin woman who introduces herself as Sister Margarette and an older, shorter woman who is introduced as Sister Yvette.  The pair give a suspicious look at the armored men, and Yvette scowls at mention of Lady Morgana.  Sister Margarette replies, "we do not allow strange men in, especially those looking for Queen Ygraine and her daughter.  The last such group kidnapped the pair and only by the Grace of God were they saved from a nasty fate."  Sister Yvette snorts at this and crosses herself.

"Anyway, sister Morgana is not really in the habit of speaking to strange men, much less giving advice, so perhaps you would do well to seek counsel elsewhere," she suggests.
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:44, Wed 16 June 2021.

Sir Aeddan gives a little cough and steps forward, hoping that for once he can say what he means.  "Good sister, please forgive our intrusion.  The ladies you speak of are not strangers to us, but are indeed the objects of our deep respect and admiration.  Please be so kind as to inform the Lady Morgana of our names -- Sirs Daron, Abloc, Rhydwyn, and Aeddan, all of Cornwall -- and ask her if she would do us the honor of hearing our reason for imposing our presence on your order."

In truth, it did sound a bit better in his head but the basic thought got out and although not exactly charmed, the pair nod and close the door, expecting this to be the last they will see of these knights.

Sir Aeddan, rolled 11 using 1d20.  Courtesy.

Some five minutes later, the door opens and Sister Margarette hands Sir Aeddan a piece of parchment.  The nun seems quite shocked that Morgana deigned to reply much less to write a poem to them. After handing Sir Aeddan the parchment, she shuts to door once more.

Sir Aeddan, who studied Latin under his mother's watchful eye, reads a short poem to his companions, none of whom read Latin.  They are all more than a little surprised that a woman would not only read and write Latin but also compose a poem so quickly.

In a flowing script, the poem reads:

Ere the cock calls,
Medial of partial walls,
The start of what follows,
Drowning one's sorrows.

Reciting lost tomes,
Undulating gold domes,
Ill-gotten wealth,
Delighting in stealth.

'neath bridge of stone,
Scattered and alone,
Course fabrics you seek,
In sewers that reek.

Restless corpses laid bare,
Crypts collapsed in despair,
Like a centurion's plume,
Else the maiden will swoon.

Although Aeddan can read the words, they don't seem to make any sense.  It starts off alright, a little cryptic but maybe making some sense.  However, it quickly devolves into little more than random lines.  It seems that there must be something more to the message.

Sir Aeddan, rolled 2 using 1d20.  Read (Latin).

Sir Aeddan takes a check in Read (Latin),

Sir Abloc had remained quiet until now only occasionally mumbling something about frogs. He seemed to relax (somewhat) now but looked puzzled when Sir Aeddan had read the poem to them.

"Restless corpses and crypts. I fear ther lost maiden may be in more peril than we first imagined." He sighs and looks up at the sky. "I hate riddles but it must point us in the direction of our goal. And it looks like it is going to rain soon as well."

Sir Daron strokes at his beard trying to make head of the poem. "Could the 'bridge of stone' mean Stonehedge? 'Tis near this place."

"Yes!" Aeddan exclaims.  "The pattern that 'follows' is the words "druid's circle"!  Stonehenge, the partial walls of which she speaks first, and the 'medial' must be the center.  At the center of Stonehenge, before the cock crows."

Sir Aeddan hopes, with little basis to do so, that the text burying the clue "Druid's circle" wasn't intended to convey anything but that.  The words are ominous, and he suspects that being turned to frogs would be the least terrible fate that could befall them.

"We must ride with all hate then brothers. I fear something terribly will befall Loorette if we do not get here in time." Sir Abloc is already half-way up his horse. "Come now. Let us ride" he pauses, snap his reins and adds with a big grin on his face "Nimble horsemen approaching, remember?!"

You ride out to Stonehenge, barely taking an hour, and make a camp among the stones.  Keeping a careful watch in this holy place and within enemy territory, there is no sign of anyone and with the full moon, you can see easily for a long ways in any direction.

As the moon heads toward its resting place in the west, the four knights gather in the center of the circles of stones.  They do not have long to wait as a shadowy figure in a long, black, hooded cloak emerges from behind one of the large sarsens.

It is clearly a woman even before Morgana removes the cloak, to reveal a slim woman with black, piercing eyes.  Although you all saw her and her mother and sisters at the funeral, that was in the day and dressed demurely for a funeral.  That appearance gave only a hint at the beauty (APP: 23) now on display in the light of the full moon.  She is absolutely gorgeous.  She has long, black hair that seems to glimmer as if lighted by fireflies or far-off stars.  She moves with the grace of a dancer but her hips sway like a woman.  Other than her mother, Ygraine (APP:29), you have never seen anyone so beautiful.

She walks up to you without any trace of apprehension, looking all four of you over for a long oment before a slight smile crosses her lips.  Sir Rhydwyn notices that Morgana's eyes seem to linger on Sir Daron quite a bit longer than the others, although Sir Daron himself only notices that she smells wonderful, like oleander.

Sir Rhydwyn, rolled 6 using 1d20.  Awareness.
Sir Daron, rolled 20 using 1d20.  Awareness.
Sir Aeddan, rolled 18 using 1d20.  Awareness.
Sir Abloc, rolled 17 using 1d20.  Awareness.

Sir Daron takes a point in Awareness for fumbling.
Sir Ryhdwyn takes a check in Awareness,

"Good morning, noble knights," she says.  "Your fathers were special to my family, the only ones who remained faithful, even after that meddling charlatan tricked them," Morgana spits out these words like some pastry turned rancid.  "Their passing was a great loss, for which we are both truly sorry.  We will always help you in your need, so on what can I now advise you?"

Sor Daron feels a flicker of uncertainty, the mention of their fathers sparking a few memories him less complimentary to Morgana's mother. Still, he had resquested this so he tried to push down his fears.

He bowed before the beautiful woman, then spoke:

"I thank you for this meeting my lady. We seek a maiden of Cornwall stolen by the honourless dogs of Salisbury. all we know is that she was born away to the north and east but we know you are wise in many ways. Can you aid us with your knowledge to rescue the maiden Loorette?"

Believing that Sir Daron has spoken wisely, and knowing that it'd likely be unwise to open his own mouth, Sir Aeddan merely nods solemnly at Sir Daron's words.

Morgana moves closer to Sir Daron, her scent intoxicating, her dark eyes fathomless.  The young knight can imagine getting lost in the blackness of her glinting orbs forever, floating on the sweet scent of her body.

"Seeking the trifecta?" she muses.  "The young lady was taken by Sir Lifris of Cholderton Manor, on the other side of the River Bourne, a ways north of the road to Levcomagus," she replies barely even pausing to consider the question.  "The Saxons raided the place though, and I fear she is no longer there.  After the battle of Levcomagus, the Saxons retreated East, followed by King Nanteleod.  The two armies fought again in Hertford at Royston but neither came out the victor.  The Saxons retreated back toward their lands and King Nanteleod is planning to attack the Angles.  Lost Loorette is likely still with the Saxons, heading south.  Once in Sussex, I fear she will be beyond your reach."

She allows her words to sink in before adding, "attempting to extract the young lady from the Saxon camp may be possible but likely will require some sort of distraction or means of cloaking yourselves."

Sir Abloc has been silent until now not daring to accidently insult the sorceress and be turned into a frog. He listens closely to what she tells them about Saxons and lost Loorette. "We can not stand idle by and watch a maiden of Cornwall be dragged away by Saxon dogs. We will do what needs to be done to bring her back."

He just havnt got a clue to how four knights can defeat the Saxon army.

Sir Daron had to shake his head to clear it a little. With Morgana's perfume exploding in his brain and getting lost in her eyes it was hard to think.

"I suppose if there was a way to disguise ourselves as Saxons we could seek to enter the Saxon camp," he says thoughtfully.

"I am not very good with an axe and too pretty to be a Saxon. But ... I suppose it is the only way". Sir Abloc already sounds tired.

"My lady," Sir Aeddan says, "we thank you for such valuable information.  Finding it ourselves would surely have lost more time than the maiden Loorette has to spare.  Do you have any suggestions for how we might successfully enter the Saxon camp?"

Morgana, still standing before Sir Daron, appraises him for a moment before shaking her head, "no, I do not think you could easily pass for a Saxons."  She plucks at his armor, "wrong armor," taps the pommel of his sword, "wrong weapon," runs a long, delicate finger along his jaw, "need more facial hair," and puts her nose up close to him and sniffs, while several locks of her thick, black hair brush against his cheek and Sir Daron can feel the warmth of her, before she stands back, shaking her head but smiling with some measure of approval, "definitely the wrong smell.  You need to roll around in something quite foul to emulate a Saxon."

She turns on her heel and walks over to Sir Daron's horse, and she looks quite as attractive going as coming, "and Saxons do not normally ride horses," she notes turning back to the group as she pats the saddle.

"I think you have four problems to solve.  First, you need to find the Saxons.  This should not be overly difficult as there are a couple of thousand of them and they are not exactly subtle.  Second, you need to infiltrate their camp.  Perhaps if you ambushed a patrol you could pass as Saxons at night, but without at least speaking the language, you would be hard put to get passed their sentries.  Third, you need to locate Loorette in a large camp, probably at night.  And finally, you need to get back out with her, something that even were you to be able to pass as Saxons might be a feat in-and-of-itself," Morgana explains.

"If you had more time, I am sure you could pull it off, especially if you could find someone to educate you on Saxons, their language, and their ways," she remarks.  "However, time is short.  You could perhaps capture some Saxon women and attempt to make an exchange but that would require you to trust them not to double-cross you and kill you all or ransom you back to your King."

"I am not much for stealing women, but it sounds like a more plausible plan than learning how to speak Saxon. The question is where do we find their women?" Sir Abloc tries to avoid staring at Morgana. She is so beautiful and so deadly .. a dangerous combination that can bring the end to any man.

Sir Daron looks shocked as Morgana touches him. It is not that it is unpleasant - very much to  the contrary in fact - but it was not the sort of behaviour he might have expected from the daughter of a queen. His eyes continue to follow her as she moves away.

"Need it be a Saxon woman my lady? If we could capture a Saxon noble we could ransom him instead. You mentioned battles at Levcomagus and Hertford. Did any knight of Salisbury take a Saxon thane or prince captive? Perhaps we could... ahem... relieve such a man of the complications of seeking a ransom?"

Morgana smiles at this, "perhaps.  Although the Saxons do not have quite the history of paying ransom that British knights have.  However, my knowledge of events like battles is somewhat superficial.  I know that a battle took place, where and when.  And I can tell you the outcome.  If something significant happened, like the death of one of the leaders, I would likely hear of it.  But that tends to be the depth of my knowledge in such regard.  There is too much going on in a large battle to know all of the specifics."

"However, it is likely that any captured chief would have continued on with Nanteleod's army to the north, while the Saxons headed in the opposite direction.  While you may have an easier time infiltrating the combined army of Escavalon and Logres, you would face many of the same challenges," she adds.

"My Lady .. if I dare ask. What do you recommend? I will gladly enter the camp of the Saxons or infiltrate the armies of Escavalon and Logres if it means even the faintest chance of rescuing the maiden Loorette from a fate worse than death. But I fail to see how it is even remotely possible to rescue her. Saxons dont pay ransom for their chiefs so why should they pay for their women? Pretending to be Saxons is doomed to fail. And since we have no word of any captured Saxons it seem even more futile to infiltrate the armies of Escavalon and Logres." He sighs and shaje his head. "I am no coward, my Lady, and nor are my brothers but if my Lady can offer any advise then I will gladly accept it."

Morgana sighs, casting a dubious glance toward the knights before rather hesitantly offering, "if you would like, I could assist you.  Once near the camp, I could find out where Looretta is and I could cause those who behold you to think that you are Saxons."

She is quiet for a moment, "it would obviously require that I travel with you, something I feel you are not all comfortable with.  Which I well understand.  So I will not be offended if you are loathe to accept my assistance."

Sir Daron turns pale at that suggestion. The thought of Morgana casting some sort of magic over them chilled the young knight to the bone... No matter how helpful and alluring she was.

"I thank you my lady, you have already helped enough."

"Of course," Morgana says with a knowing nod, "good luck with your rescue . . ." she almost adds some version of 'call if you need anything,' but seems to decide against it.  Absent anyone else interjecting, she turns with a sad smile, pulls her hooded cloak back over her head and walks between the stones and is gone from view.

Watching Morgana disappear between the stones Sir Abloc cant help but feel ... torn. He knows their best chance of rescuing Loorette is gone yet the thought of having to rely on sorcery sends a shiver down his spine.

"What have we done?" he whispers. Mostly rhetorically. Mostly.

Sir Aeddan is clearly shocked at Sir Daron's response. "My lady!"  He calls after Morgana.  "Kindly wait, and give us a moment to confer.  Please be assured that we hold you in deepest respect."

He turns to Sir Daron and hisses quietly, "What are you doing?  You can see we have no reasonable option to rescue the maiden except with the help of this woman.  She is the daughter of Ygraine, do not forget, and she as is much of Cornwall as we.  If you like, I will stay at her side the entire time she is one of our party, to provide her with anything she needs.  That way you may keep your distance honorably."  Sir Aeddan then raises his eyes questioningly to Sirs Abloc and Rhydwyn, to gauge their response.

Morgana turns, bows her head, and says quietly, “I will give you some privacy.”

She then walks off in a line that you can see and sits, facing away from you, some 50 yards away.

Sir Daron looks at Sir Aeddan in disbelief.

"Are you mad my brother? She is proposing to aid us through sorcery! Not only that but she would be weaving spells around us - upon us," Sir Daron hisses back, visibly shivering at the thought. "No, a thousand times no!"

"I fear her sorcery as much as you do Sir Daron and she may be of Cornwall but she is also a dangerous woman. Yet I wonder if you and I can live knowing we condemned the maiden Loorette to be ravished by foul Saxons simply because you and I were too afraid to do what was needed. What was right" He place a hand on Sir Daron's shoulder and speak quietly. "I know you Sir Daron. You are my brother. You are a fine knight and a fine man ... please ... consider my words because if we do not find poor Loorette before it is too late then it will haunt us for the rest of our lifes. Think about her. Alone. Lost. Afraid. Torn away from her family, her home and all that she loves not once but twice and now held captive waiting to be married to a Saxon or forced to become a slave. I will do what is right even if I fear what it will do to my Christian soul. And so will you brother because it is the right thing to do."

Sir Daron shook his head. "Are we not knights my brother? Cannot we not rely on our skill with arms and our own faith in God and each other? You would beggar us to sorcery and the wiles of a woman? How can that be right? No we must do this our way and if needs be I'll do it alone. This is my quest and none of you are bound to follow with me."

"You will do this alone, Sir Daron?" Sir Aeddan looks at him dubiously. "What good will come for Loorette if you die nobly in a fight against a thousand Saxons?"

Sir Aeddan stops and begins to look somber.  "No, my brothers, we must all do this together.  But four young knights with little experience are unlikely to manage a rescue against such a large number.  I think our only chance for expedient success lies with the help of Morgana."

"I shall not go with Morgana," Sir Daron insists, directing an anxious glance at the distant figure. "I am sorry Sir Aeddan but I shall not."

"No one will do this alone Sir Daron but I have to agree with Sir Aeddan - you are being a fool. Please reconsider but do so with all haste or Morgana will leave. And as much as I hate to admit it she is our only chance. No. Let me correct that. She is Loorette's only chance. If we die then no matter how noble our deaths will be it will be Loorette that will suffer the much for it and you do not want her to suffer. I know you. So put aside your fears and let us safe her together."

Sir Daron folds his arms and silently shakes his head.

"Show me a plan that make sense then because if you do not have a plan then you dont have the luxury of turning Morgana away."

"I cannot until I have better knowledge of the situation, which means getting closer to the Saxons," Sir Daron says. "But I can say I shall not ride with Morgana. Now gentlemen I shall ride on the morrow, with or without you but certainly without her."

In reply to Sir Abloc (msg # 45):

"I have to agree. I don't necessarily trust Morgana, but I feel like if she's the only option we have then we need to use what we have to get the job done."

Sir Abloc sighs. "I made myself a promise to never abandon my friends. I will ride with you. You are my brother and I will not let you die alone."

Sir Aeddan nods sorrowfully.  "Our only option, it appears, is that Sirs Abloc and Daron ride out at dawn to assess the situation.  Sir Rhydwyn, I think you're amenable to staying with me and with the lady Morgana.  We will work with her to plan a rescue of the maiden Loorette, and if God is with us, one or the other party will succeed.  Please hasten back as soon as you can, my good brothers, for I will not rest easy until we are reunited."

A decision of sorts being made, Morgana returns.  "I never wanted to cause a rift.  This is precisely why I did not want to offer to help.  Anyway, I must return to Amesbury," she says a bit sadly.  The dark-haired maiden turns to go but stops, pauses, and then turns back, adding, "I am not the enemy.  Your fathers and their line will always be held in high regard by my mother, my sisters, and me.  Whatever your thoughts about us.  And if needs be, I will avenge you as I avenged your fathers."  she turns once more and starts back toward Amesbury.

---

If anyone plans to stay in the area, you can probably find lodging in Amesbury @ 1d per night + 3d per horse.  Riding around in Salisbury, being enemy territory, is generally dangerous.

For people heading to London to pickup the trail of the Saxons, determine how you want to travel.  Careful:  Roll 'leader's' Hunting.  Travel 15 miles per day (takes ~5 days to reach London).  If you fail, you are being pursued.  If you fumble, you run into 4-8 knights and get to fight them.  Reckless:  Roll 'leader's' horsemanship.  On success, travel 35 miles but may run into a patrol or other challenge.  On failure, ride 30 miles and run into a patrol or other challenge.  On fumble, ride 20+2d6 miles and run into ambush.  Reckless takes 2-3 days if successful.

Alternately, you can try to cut the Saxons off somewhere between London and either Sussex or Dorset.  Still need to determine speed of travel.

"Wait!" Sir Daron calls out, taking a step forward. His expression is troubled, as he looks Morgana up and down. "I should like to speak with the Lady Morgana alone a moment if I may."

Morgana turns once more, a quizzical look on her face before shrugging and moving around one of the outer stones and out of sight of the others.

Sir Daron walks after Morgana, his expression grave.

Morgana listens to Sir Daron but says nothing, simply listening and then watching him walk away.

- - - - -

So what is the plan?

"My lady," Sir Aeddan addresses her respectfully, "please allow me to escort you safely back to Amesbury."

He then turns to his fellow knights.  "I am not certain that I understand all your positions, but I am relying on the generous assistance of the lady Morgana to rescue the maiden Loorette.  Amesbury is nearby, and there I hope to work with her to conceive of a plan of action.  Please tell me whether you will accompany us."

Sir Abloc glance at Sir Daron before answering Sir Aeddan's question. "I will go where Sir Daron goes. Someone has to keep him out of trouble."

"Then let us make haste towards London," Sir Daron says.

---

OOC: Time really is of the essence so I guess it has to be 'Reckless'.

As I understand it, Sir Daron and Sir Abloc are riding (recklessly) toward London with the intention of picking up the trail of the Saxons and formulating a plan to rescue Loorette from their clutches before the Saxons reach Sussex or Dorset.  Sir Daron needs to roll a Horsemanship roll for Day 1.

Meanwhile, Sir Aeddan is escorting Morgana back to Amesbury and hopes to come up with an alternate plan for rescuing Loorette.

I am not sure which group Sir Rhydwyn is joining.

OOC: 13:50, Today: Sir Daron rolled 6 using 1d20.  Horsemanship @16.

Sir Daron and Sir Abloc

Sir Daron and Sir Abloc ride off to the south-east at a quick pace.  Passing around Amesbury, they cross the Avon river by way of the bridge just outside of town.  As soon as they are across the river, everything changes.  The lush fields of Salisbury through which they have been riding for most of the last week are replaced with scorched earth and razed manors.  The smell of the place quickly clogs their windpipes.

Mile after mile it is the same. Those few people they see scurry away, presumably to inform their lords of interlopers.  In late morning they come upon the remains of the battle outside of Levcomagus.  Bypassing the area, they only get brief glimpses of the field on which the battle took place.

A little after noon, they spot a group of about a dozen knights heading toward Salisbury but manage to get off the road and out-of-sight before being spotted.  They soon come upon Silcester and the Royal Road to London, giving the city a wide berth.

The road is much busier here, with some merchants and farmers as well as large groups of knights heading west.  The groups of knights vary in size from a dozen or so up to a couple of hundred.  It is seemingly only luck that prevents the pair from being spotted.

However, as afternoon is wearing on, the pair run into a Border Challenge.  These are fairly common and Sir Daron and Sir Abloc are familiar with them.  They have run across a guard post on the border of some Lord's lands.  Dogs suddenly begin barking; other knights can be heard mounting up, and troops are being deployed.  A military outpost of footmen, led by some knights, is nearby.

You can stand, fight, or flee.  If you stand, you will be surrounded by Silchester troops and questioned about you names, lords, and business.  They will then fight you, bring you to their lord, or let you go on your way.  Being that Logres and Cornwall are essentially at war, the latter seems unlikely.

If brought before the Lord, he will interview you and decide whether to invite you to stay for dinner and the night; offer some advise and an escort; dismiss you and escort you off of his lands; wait until you are asleep and then murder you; or kill you in his hall---which would violate the rules of Hospitality and Honor.

If you choose to flee, do you attempt to evade the party (using Hunting) or just flee (using Horsemanship)?  Either will be an opposed roll against their skill.   If you flee, it is more likely that the alarm will be put out, although with luck you will be long gone before it matters.

You can assume that there are about 5-6 knights and 20 men-at-arms at the guard post.  If you feel like fighting.

You have traveled ~30 miles so far.

Sid Daron takes a check in Reckless and a check in Suspicious.

---

Sir Aeddan (and Sir Rhydwyn?)

Sir Aeddan rides along with Morgana, who walks.  If offered a horse, she demurs, preferring to travel by foot.  She does not speak along the way unless asked a question.  However, she stops whenever you come across anyone: farmer, woodsman, peasant, knight, etc.  Everyone seems to know her and she chats amiably with them all, although she tends to listen far more than actually speaking.  In fact, she barely speaks at all other than to introduce her companions as 'friends,' which appears good enough for everyone you meet.  The people she meets seem overjoyed to tell her about whatever is going on.

Feel free to attempt to engage her in conversation if you like.

Because Morgana has chosen to walk, rather than ride, Sir Aeddan feels it's only polite to dismount and walk with her, leading his horse by slack reins.  He's fascinated to see how she interacts with people, and he'd swear she listens intently even when nobody at all is speaking.

"My lady," he begins, "you seem more eager to listen than to talk.  I confess that makes you different from anyone I have met.  Please tell me, is there something in particular you are listening for?"

"To learn.  Everyone has a story to tell, everyone knows things, can do things, that others cannot.  And they like to tell their stories, share things they have seen or heard, especially to the former Queen's daughter or a pretty face," she responds with a shrug.  "A bit of my time, of which I have plenty while trapped here, is well worth the effort.  In the times to come, we will all need friends."

Looking around at a small bird that alighted on a branch nearby, she adds, "Even the animals have stories.  Your horse senses trouble long before you do.  The woods go silent when there are predators about.  You can learn a lot by just listening."

Sir Aeddan smiles and tries to take in that bit of wisdom.  "We did not seek your assistance because you are the queen's daughter, or for your face, which I readily admit is quite pretty.  Your skills are unique in my experience, and I hope I can learn from you to listen more carefully.  While at the same time," he smiles ruefully, "trying to learn to stay on my horse."

Morgana smiles at the compliment, "that is thoughtful of you to say.  But it is because I am the Queen's daughter that I can be a little more open about my skills.  And still I get blamed for everything that goes wrong, am cast as a witch, a harlot, or worse.  For women without my position the costs are often too high.  I bet there are women on your manor that have the same sorts of skills I do but remain hidden for fear of the consequences should word get out."

Sir Aeddan opens his mouth to respond, but then stops and looks thoughtful.  He half-shrugs, then smiles and continues to walk alongside the young woman in silence.

Morgana's comment has left Sir Aeddan thinking of his sister Aderyn, who spends a lot of time outdoors, regardless of the weather.  He has seen her talking to birds and has always dismissed it as childish play.  His thoughts then stir a more recent memory, of a bird with a look in its eyes that Sir Aeddan cannot forget, but that he sometimes sees in his dreams.

"We can't fight as many knights as they can muster," Sir Daron says to Sir Abloc. "Let's ride like every wing there ever was was nipping at our hooves."

Sir Abloc merely nods in agreement and make haste.

Sir Daron and Sir Abloc

Sir Daron and Sir Abloc put spurs to flanks and speed off down the road.  There are shouts and the sound of hooves but the Silchester knights are too far back to catch the fleeing pair and soon pull up and return to their post.

Sir Daron, rolled 10 using 1d20.  Horsemanship.
NPC Knights, rolled 9 using 1d20.  Horsemanship.

Sir Daron gets a check in Horsemanship and a check in Prudent.

The night is spent in the forest off the side of the road.  It is difficult to sleep and with only two people to take watches, the pair are a bit tired in the morning.  However, if their luck holds, they could make it to London by nightfall.

Sir Daron, make another Horsemanship roll, assuming you are continuing on in all haste.

---

Sir Aeddan and Sir Rhydwyn

It does not take too long to make it to Amesbury and deposit Morgana near to the Nunnery, into which she sneaks.  She tells Sir Aeddan to meet her in the corner of the cemetery after dark if he wishes to make any plans.  She is not supposed to be out, certainly not with a man.

Sir Aeddan (and Sir Rhydwyn, I assume) agree to meet Morgana at the appointed time and place.  They'd like her to try and find out where the Saxon army is and, if at all possible, of whom the maiden Loorette is currently a captive.  Depending on what kind of information the lady Morgana can provide, Sir Aeddan is assuming they'll try to either (1) find a way to slip into the camp unnoticed and extricate Loorette before anyone realizes anything's amiss, or (2) exercise some kind of subterfuge and persuade Loorette's current captor to turn her over to their custody.

If Morgana would like to accompany them on this mission, then Sir Aeddan will offer the loan of some squire's clothing so that she can pass as one of their teenaged-boy squires.  He is also willing to promise that neither he nor Sir Rhydwyn will behave inappropriately toward Morgana while she travels with them, and that they will do their best to ensure nobody else does, either.

Morgana arrives just after dark and as she did that morning, she seems more radiant at night.

"The Saxons are heading south from London through the Perdue Forest, in the general direction of Magouns or Devensey, which are along the coast in Sussex," Morgana replies.  "There are some women with the army but with Saxons there always are."

"If you ask for my assistance, Sir Aeddan, I will help in any way that I can.  Although I have no particular desire to come along, I feel that it will be necessary in order to get you through this safely," she says.  "It will be easier to gather information when we are closer."

Touching him lightly on the arm, she replies with a smile, "that will not be necessary.  I am more comfortable going as I am.  As to my safety, I know that none of you are the type to try to take advantage of me."  Left unsaid is whether she thinks it even a possibility.

"When would you like to leave?" she inquires.

"My lady," Sir Aeddan says with a bow, "it would be a great honor and help to me if you would accompany us.  We can leave as soon as you are ready.  I suggest we head southeast through Hampshire, then go east to Sussex, trying to get ahead of wherever the Saxons are going.  Will that be agreeable to you?"

"I will accompany you," she says with a nod.  "I think it best we leave immediately.  We should be able to make Camelot by day break and we can rest there.   With luck, we will get into the Perdue Forest by the following day and can work on setting things up so that you can find and retrieve Loorette," she replies.

Because you will want to be moving quickly for a long period, Morgana accepts the use of a horse, although it quickly becomes apparent that she is not much of a horse rider.  In fact, she looks quite uncomfortable in the saddle and you suspect she will be quite sore come morning.

As before, she is not much of a talker, remaining silent unless spoken to.  On a few occasions she suggests getting off the road to avoid animals or people.  As the night wears on, Sir Aeddan grows tired and nods off a couple of times before Morgana manages to get her horse a bit closer to his and starts to sing in a high, clear voice.  It is enough to keep the young knight awake, at least until they arrive at Camelot a little before dawn.

Sir Aeddan, rolled 14 using 1d20.  Energetic.
Morgana, rolled 3 using 1d20.  Sing.

They enter the gates to the castle when they open and Morgana requests rooms and boarding for your horses, which are at once granted.  Whatever people might think of her here, she seems to command a fair amount of respect.  The group breaks their fast before getting some sleep.

Anything you want to talk to Morgana about, or do in Camelot?

Sir Daron is beginning to feel tiredness creep up on him even as he steers his horse ever onwards.

---

OOC: 19:06, Today: Sir Daron rolled 17 using 1d20.  Horsemanship @16.

Sir Abloc & Sir Daron

The pair have done a lot of riding and the last couple of days especially have involved the added pressure of avoiding enemy patrols, border challenges, and knights returning from the Battle of Royston.  Sir Abloc and Sir Daron are only about 5 miles from London, the sun heading toward the horizon behind them, when they are set upon by eight knights patrolling the road.  The knights are on fresh horses and too close to outrun and too many to have any real hope of fighting.

"Ho there," the leader calls out, "who are you and what is your business here?" he inquires in a stern voice, as the knights ride up.

Sir Daron rolled 17 using 1d20.  Horsemanship @16.

Sir Daron reins in his steed. "We are knights of Cornwall tracking the Saxon dogs who kidnapped a maiden of our lands. I know there is no great love between our realms knight of Salisbury but I know too the Saxon is your foe. Will you ride with us against them?"

Knowing that he can't avoid the need for sleep, Sir Aeddan gratefully takes his rest during the day at Camelot and, when the time comes to ride again, makes a suggestion to Morgana.

"Lady, I think I could better stay alert during night travel if we converse.  Perhaps we can help each other: your seat on a horse seems uncomfortable, and I am lost in wondering what an encounter with the Saxons will be like.  If you ask me, I will be happy to tell you what I know of mastering horses, and in return I would like to ask you what you know of the Saxons -- their people, their customs, and anything else you might know."

Sir Daron & Sir Abloc

The knights are moved by Sir Daron's impassioned speech, which was delivered with such eloquence.  Perhaps something of Sir Abloc's talent for words has rubbed off?  Whatever the case, the knights decide to allow the pair to continue on their journey rather than detaining them.  "Go with God," the leader says.  "But know that their forces number in the thousands.  This Lady must be quite something."

Sir Daron, rolled 5 using 1d20.  Orate.

Sir Daron takes a point in Orate for criticalling.

The duo can push on to London and stay there the night (1d for a bed, 3d for fodder for horses) and try to learn the whereabouts of the Saxons.  Roll Courtesy to talk to knights/nobles or Intrigue to talk to tradesmen, farmers, merchants, etc.

Morgana appreciates what tips Sir Aeddan can provide on riding horses but she looks pretty sore from the prior day's exertions.  It is a long way to ride for someone who is not used to time in the saddle.

Morgana knows quite a bit about the Saxons.  It also quickly becomes apparent that she does not like them . . . at all.  One particularly useful piece of information she imparts is the Saxons' views on honor.  Their views are quite different than Christian knights.  Taunting and insulting an adversary is considered good form and can cause an enemy to foolishly commit to an attack.  Giving up an advantage, like dismounting to fight a footman, would not even occur to them.

The night journey passes without incident and they manage to make it to the forest where the river emerges, just above Magouns, where they setup a camp.  Sir Aeddan manages to make it the whole way without nodding off.

Sir Aeddan, rolled 3 using 1d20.  Energetic.

Sir Aeddan takes a check in Energetic.

Sir Abloc rolled 11 using 1d20.  Courtesy @ 11 (Critical Success)

Sorry for the lack of prose. On my way home from Jutland
This message was last edited by the player at 22:40, Sun 27 June 2021.

Sir Abloc finds a pair of knights in a tavern, who disclose that they just came back from the Perdue Forest, where they had been shadowing the Saxons to ensure that they did not return to attack London again once King Nanteleod and the army headed north.  They say that the Saxons are about two days south of London in the forest heading in the general direction of Macouns.

Based on their speed, Sir Abloc and Sir Daron can probably catch up with them in about a day.  So leaving at dawn, you could most likely locate their main body by around nightfall.  There are patrols of Saxons around the main body, and you will need to roll opposed Hunting rolls.  Feel free to ask questions or propose a plan.

Sir Ablock takes a point in Courtesy.

As the sun is setting, the southern group breaks camp.  Morgana says that the Saxons are about a day away and moving in your direction.  There is a large body with a number of patrols around it.  Numbers are a bit fuzzy.

Morgana is willing to discuss possible plans.

With his limited experience in planning or executing rescues, Sir Aeddan is hopeful that the Lady Morgana will help him come up with a plan.  His ideal resolution would be to find out where Loorette is, slip into camp undetected, find the young lady and let her know why he's there, and then slip back out with her, all without any Saxons being the wiser.

The more Saxons he encounters, the more likely it is that a general alarm would be raised, thus losing him the advantage of stealth...and increasing the chance that he'll be butchered on the spot.

"Well," Morgana responds, "there are a couple of ways of doing it.  One is to, as you say, infiltrate the camp once we know where she is, and extricate her.  The other, is to attempt to convince the Saxons holding her to bring her to us.  Once we are reasonably close to the Saxons, I think figuring out where she is will be relatively easy," she explains.

"The advantage to getting them to bring her to us is that if something goes wrong, there are fewer Saxons to deal with than if you are in the middle of their camp," she adds.

"We must make haste, Sir Daron. If we leave at dawn we should find the Saxons by nightfall and then we will find your fair Loorette. Are you with me Brother?"

Sir Aeddan looks puzzled.  "Make them bring her to us?  I don't understand...how could we do that?"

Morgana shrugs, "I would sort of . . . suggest it to them.  Much as I could suggest to them that you are a Saxon.  I don't need to actually make you a Saxon or even dress you up as one.  I merely need to convince them that you are one.  Similarly, I could try to suggest that her captor bring her away from their camp.  Either by making them think they are still in the camp, or luring them out much as a will-o-the-wisp does, or some other means."

"I cannot fathom how you will accomplish such things," Sir Aeddan responds, "but I am glad to proceed with a plan that will extricate the young lady with as little risk to her as possible.  Perhaps I could tell her captors that I am collecting her on behalf of King Cerdic, such that we can avoid fighting altogether.  But if I must battle Loorette's captors in order to rescue her, then please do your best to ensure her safety, and..." he pauses.  "And try to get her back to Cornwall if I cannot."

He lapses into an obviously thoughtful silence, then tries to explain his motives.  "There is...a knight's daughter of Loorette's acquaintance.  Should I not survive this quest, I would very much like for her to think well of my actions here.  I would be satisfied to think that the knight and his daughter knew I died in the rescue of her friend."

In Sir Aeddan's head, he's trying to express himself nobly and delicately.  Naturally, he realizes that the words themselves will likely fall short of the mark.  He's hopeful that the lady Morgana understands anyway.

"That I am Sir Abloc," Sir Daron replies, his face set with determination. "Dawn then."

Morgana smiles, "it is probably best that I do the convincing on my own and send them to your trap," she suggests.  Spreading her arms, in order to demonstrate that she has no weapons (at least that you can see, although she certainly has all the right curves in the right places), she lies casually, "I would be of little use in a fight, while trying to get both of us into the camp would be difficult."

"As to how," she continues, "I plan to use basic human nature against them.  If I wanted to burglarize someone's house, it would be easier to pick their pocket and return their full purse telling them they dropped it.  This establishes that I am trustworthy.  Keep doing small acts of altruism and soon enough they'll invite me in, right passed the guards." Morgana explains.  "Obviously a different approach will be necessary here but the same basic principles apply."

Touching you reassuringly on the arm, Morgana assures Aeddan, "do not worry, I will make sure that you make it back to Cornwall."  She is standing quite close and smells delightful.  Like apricots or something similar.

Sir Abloc & Sir Daron

The pair head off the following morning at daybreak.  They make good time as there are no people about and like in eastern Salisbury, the land has been scorched.  It is not until they get to the edge of the woods around midday that they need to be on their guard.

The path of the army is not difficult to follow.  Toward late afternoon, you are close enough that there are patrols about.

---

If you wish to press forward, you need to try to avoid the patrols.  This takes an opposed Hunting roll by either Abloc or Daron (Abloc has a better Hunting skill).  Your opponents have a Hunting score of 10.  How you do relative to your score and to your opponents will determine your degree of success or failure.

Sir Daron had mentioned earlier that he needed to be close by in order to formulate a plan. So let me know what information you are trying to obtain and I will tell you what you observe or what you need to roll.

"I hope I can get us past the patrols Sir Daron. But the question is if we should try and ambush one of the patrols and question them about where they keep the prisoners? Surely a maiden of Cornwall must be a prized captive who's stunning beauty is the talk of the entire camp."

Sir Abloc is polite enough not to mention that if Lady Loorette had been ugly as a boar's ass the Saxons would have killed her at once and the knights of Salisbury would not had taken her captive to begin with.

Sir Daron nodded, then smiled ruefully at his friend. "Wise words Sir Abloc though I confess I am a poor huntsman. I may have to rely on you to choose the best spot for ambush!"

"I shall do my best" Sir Abloc replies. Sadly his best turns out not to be good enough.

---

Sir Abloc rolled 10 using 1d20 (Failure)
This message was last edited by the player at 21:46, Sat 03 July 2021.

Sir Abloc & Sir Daron

The pair enter the forest with no small amount of trepidation.  They are on the border between Saxon-controlled territory to the south and Logres-controlled territory to the north.  Of the two, the Saxons are definitely the less liked.  Worse, they are coming up on a very large force of Saxons.

The sun is just going down, converting the forest, already fairly dark and mysterious feeling, to a very dark and gloomy place.  What exactly alerted the patrol is not clear.  Perhaps the sound of mail, perhaps the horses, perhaps simply a better familiarity with the woods.   Whatever it was, the two knights find themselves confronted by nine Saxons, including a rather large individual, who seems to be the leader of this group.

The trees make maneuvering horses difficult and charging impossible.  The odd are . . . not good.

Sir Abloc rolled 10 using 1d20.  Hunting @ 9.
Saxons, rolled 5 using 1d20.  Hunting.
Saxons, rolled 9 using 1d6+4.  Number.

"I am sorry I failed" he whispers to Sir Daron. "Two options. One is that I challenge the leader and in case of victory I demand safe passage. If they are honorable they may agree but our element of surprise is gone. The other is that I charge the Saxons while you make off and locate Loorette on your own. Your chances will be slim but fair Loorette is all that should matter to us. What say you?"

Sir Abloc raise on hand as a greeting to the leader of the Saxon patrol and calls out to him. "Do you or any of your men speak the language of this land?"

---

Question: Can we see if they have horses? I doubt it but still .. nice to know.
This message was last edited by the player at 08:09, Sun 04 July 2021.

"We got no choice but to negotiate" Sir Abloc whispers to Sir Daron. He can see no other way out of it.

"We come to discuss the release of a prisoner. We wish to speak to your chief."

"I agree," Sir Daron whispers back, then turns to face the Saxons, grimly awaiting their response.

Sir Abloc & Sir Daron

"Aye, do ye now?" the largest of the group retorts.  "Sneaking around un'er cover of darkness.  Me thinks ye be spies.  But we'll be granting yer wish come mornin'.  I'm sure the chief 'll be 'appy to talk to you about yer ransom."

Sir Abloc, rolled 10 using 1d20.  Orate.
Saxons, rolled 4 using 1d20.  Suspicious.

Sir Abloc takes a check in Orate.

The Saxons surround the knights and absent something extraordinary occurring, the Saxons take them into custody and bind them, before escorting them back to their camp and sending a runner to inform the chief at the main encampment some distance away.

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.