Prince Mark, seemingly impressed with your abilities and perhaps your familiarity with Salisbury, has selected you four to accompany him to Salisbury for their Spring Feast.

As the group rides along to Salisbury, Prince Mark explains the situation.

"With the fall of Uther, many of the Logres leaders also died, including Earl Roderick of Salisbury.  His wife, Countess Ellen, has been ruling in his stead as Regent until their son Robert comes of age, about two years hence.  All of Logres has been beset by Saxon tribes, who require tribute or raid Logres lands.  King Nanteleod has worked with Logres off-and-on since conquering Gales, like helping drive the Saxons back two years ago.  And as you know, he attempted to take Somerset from us last summer," Prince Mark says.

"So I expect the King's heir, Prince Alain de Carlion to be at court, attempting to woo Countess Ellen, just as I will be doing on behalf of my father.  If neither is able to form an alliance, we both want access to Salisbury's roads to attack the other, preferably with Salisbury troops and knights.  An alliance with Salisbury could forestall Robert taking over as Earl, and Salisbury's geographical position is quite strategic as it opens the way to the rest of Logres as well as Escavalon," he continues.

"So I need you four to try to collect as much information about Salisbury's plans on the alliance front, things we can do to push them toward an alliance with us or at the least thwart one with Escavalon, and about their likely participation this summer for or against us.  Use whatever resources you have access to," he says.

You will be arriving in Sarum the day prior to the feast.  All Salisbury knights and ladies will be present, as well as Prince Alain and his escort, several knights from other parts of Logres, some members of the clergy and various monks, as well as Queen Ygraine and her daughter Morgana.  As members of Prince Mark's retinue, you are staying in the common room of the castle in Sarum, as are Prince Alain's retinue and some of the higher-ranked nobles.  The two princes and the queen and her daughter have private quarters in the castle.  Other knights are scattered in other manors or estates, while the clergy are staying at the cathedral and monks at the local monastery.

Sir Aeddan suggests to his brother knights that, as other knights arrive in the common room to deposit their belongings, they try to engage in friendly conversation with anybody they see.  For his part, Sir Aeddan will linger in the common room for an unusually long time, and will have great difficulty getting his gear unpacked because of things being stuck, or things falling over.  He hopes that, as knights come and go, this will lead to opportunities to get a quick assist (and light conversation) from some stranger.

In effect, Sir Aeddan will be listening for any gossip as to what's going on -- who has arrived, what people's plans and expectations are.  He wants to be as informed as possible.

His ultimate plan is to visit the Lady Morgana in person, to convey his thanks for her share of the wedding gift to his wife, to ask after her health and her life at Amesbury (with his sister), and to ask for the perspectives she surely has on the upcoming feast and its participants.

Sir Daron seems ill at ease, obviously concerned for his sister and appalled to discover that both Ygraine and Morgana would be present.

"Whatever we decide just keep me away from them," he said with feeling to his brother knights.

"So long as you are careful to keep your antipathy to yourself, brother," Sir Aeddan says to Sir Daron, "I have no problem speaking to the Lady Morgana without you.

"But," Sir Aeddan continues with an eye to Sirs Abloc and Rhydwyn as well, "we would probably do well to pay our respects to Queen Ygraine, should the chance come upon us.  She has been our ally ever since she and King Uther realized their mistake in accusing our fathers of betrayal.  You cannot have missed the extremely generous wedding gifts she sent this winter.  That message was not subtle, and it was not intended merely for Sir Abloc and me, but for the entirety of our brotherhood."

Rhydwyn nods at the Prince's command. He turns to Aeddan, and says, "Aye, you're right - we should pay our respects to the Queen." He takes a sip of wine.

The quartet of knights stow their gear in a corner, claiming a bit of space in the common room as their own, and greet the other knights and some lower nobles who arrive.  The knights come from Somerset, Escavalon, Estregales, Norgales, Lindsey, and Silchester.  They tend to be pretty well known and mostly know one another.  They seem a little surprised to find themselves in the company of unknown knights from Cornwall and act rather standoffish.

As the day wears on, the knights go to their packs to ready themselves for dinner when there is a bit of a commotion.  Countess Ellen appears with her teenage son Robert and approaches a pair of very familiar women who have just entered the hall.  It is Ygraine and her daughter Morgana.  Even in her later years, Ygraine is still breathtakingly beautiful.  Morgana, meanwhile, is silent as ever but her eyes watch everything.

The countess greets her guests and presents her son.  Ygraine smiles politely but the knights notice that she is rather neutral on Ellen and Robert, although she is quite tactful about it.  Sir Aeddan and Sir Daron can tell that Ellen was trying to get Ygraine's blessing for her son, perhaps something to do with him coming of age soon and taking his father's mantel as Earl of Salisbury.

Sir Rhydwyn, rolled 8 using 1d20.  Courtesy.
Sir Daron, rolled 5 using 1d20.  Courtesy.
Sir Aeddan, rolled 8 using 1d20.  Courtesy.
Sir Abloc, rolled 10 using 1d20.  Courtesy.

Sir Abloc and Sir Rhydwyn take a check in Courtesy, Sir Aeddan and Sir Daron take a point in Courtesy (Critical).

Instead, the Queen turns and heads toward the four knights in the corner.  The other knights in the room make a path and bow low.  With a more genuine smile, she says in a voice just for them, "sons of my most loyal knights, I am pleased to see you here.  We are living in dangerous times and the people of Cornwall will need to stick together if we are to survive and even thrive."

(OOC:  Normal etiquette is bowing and referring to her as Queen, Your Highness, or Your Majesty.)

"And it is our honor to serve, Your Majesty. It is indeed dangerous time and yet we may hope of one day living in a blessed realm of peace and prosperity, where neighbours dont wage war on neighbours and where people help those in need."

Sir Aeddan bows deeply.  "I am your humble servant, Your Majesty, and Cornwall is ever in our hearts."

Sir Daron bows to the Queen. "An honour Your Majesty," he says politely and formally.

The knight then falls silent, allowing his brothers to do the talking - and desperately wanting to be as far from Ygraine and Morgana as humanly possible.

The Queen shakes her head a bit sadly, "I fear peace is not in our immediate future."

The Queen and Morgana depart to their rooms.  The knights and nobles in the common room sit down to dinner.  The four Cornwall knights seem to garner quite a bit more respect than previously.

As best as you can tell, the other knights and nobles looked down on the four of you as unknowns, something that has now changed.  Queen Ygraine, being the widow of High King Uther, is held in very high regard and association with her elevates one's position.  Something the Saxons were looking for when they attempted to kidnap her and something Countess Ellen just attempted with her son.

However, you also have the disadvantage of being from Cornwall, who took over Jagent and Somerset and is threatening Logres.  So knights and nobles from Logres and Somerset are at best wary and knights from Escavalon and Estregales are generally hostile as they are rivals for Salisbury's alliance and generally have been assisting Logres against their foes.

While you may find out interesting information at dinner or elsewhere, most of those around you are going to be pretty careful about the information you are actually tasked with obtaining.  Just a note, historically you would not find anything useful to sway the Countess but maybe you not being part of history will find a way?  So there is no loss of honor for failing this it is just a potential way to shift history a bit.

So you have an opportunity to try something at dinner or come up with a plan for some other time, or practice other skills.  Mostly this is an opportunity to do things if there are things you want to do, or try to improve skills you want to improve.  You are under no obligation to do anything.  Arthur is showing up in a couple of years and I want you to be a bit more seasoned than first-year knights.  Figure that Ordinary knights (Young|Ordinary|Old|Notable|Famous|Extraordinary) have a 20 in Sword and 15 in Horsemanship and Lance.

Realizing that people are too suspicious to share any information or rumours Sir Abloc instead decides to simply appear as friendly as possible. People may not trust him but trust takes time to build and he can accept that.

So he spend the evening in light conversation, telling jokes - including about himself and the mistakes he has made - and occasionally playing the harp for entertainment.

Feeling a little lost in such company Sir Daron turns to a skill he knows already, offering to play a game of chess and perhaps strike up a conversation or two over the game.

Sir Rhydwyn would listen in to any rumors, but would also try to appear as friendly as possible.

The meal proceeds relatively well for (most of) the Cornish knights.  Sir Abloc plays a lively tune on the harp, Sir Daron wins a game of dice, and Sir Rhydwyn finds out that Countess Ellen is going to have a meeting with her knights tomorrow morning at 10 to discuss the situation with Cornwall and Escavalon.  Sir Aeddan, however, while trying to be amusing, makes an off-color joke about Countess Ellen.  Awkward.

Sir Abloc, rolled 1 using 1d20.  Play.
Sir Daron, rolled 7 using 1d20.  Game.
Sir Rhydwyn, rolled 3 using 1d20.  Intrigue.
Sir Aeddan, rolled 20 using 1d20.  Courtesy.

Sir Abloc takes a check in Play (Harp), Sir Daron takes a check in Gaming, Sir Rhydwyn takes a check in Intrigue, and Sir Aeddan takes a point in Courtesy (Fumble).

You retire for the evening (unless anyone has any nocturnal plans), and gather at breakfast a little away from the other knights, in case you want to discuss anything.

Sir Aeddan sends a message to the Lady Morgana, asking to speak with her briefly.  He'll tell her that he noticed her mother's coolness in greeting Robert, Countess Ellen's son, and Ellen's apparent disappointment in that.  That made Sir Aeddan feel a bit sorry for the boy, and for Ellen, too.

Sir Aeddan thinks that he and his brothers befriending Robert, or perhaps doing him some little kindness, might improve the boy's feelings toward Cornwall generally.  In the grander sense, more positive feelings toward Cornwall might improve Prince Mark's chances in winning Ellen's hand.  Even failing having any effect on the marriage negotiations, it seems to Sir Aeddan that friendly relations are simply a good idea.

But realizing that he has little understanding of greater issues, Sir Aeddan will ask the Lady Morgana's advice before trying to be introduced to Robert.

Having broken some of the ice at the dice table Sir Daron tries to steer the gossip towards more useful ends, trying to wheedle out news of Salisbury. For his part he carefully avoids talking much of Cornwall but does share the disappearance of his twin sister Aelwen in the hope that one of the foreign knights may have seen or heard something.

"She stands about so high with dark curled hair, a fair complexion and green eyes," Sir Daron describes, a note of worry entering his voice. "I hope she has run off with some dalliance that entered her empty head - the alternative is too awful to think of..."

After Rhydwyn overhears about the meeting Ellen will have with her knights, he would meet with the group.

"Brothers, I heard that Countess Ellen would be meeting with her knights tomorrow morning with regards to the situation in Cornwall and Escavalon. Shall we try to make ourselves available for that meeting to explain our perspectives, or shall we wait?"

ooc: sorry for delays, still getting back into things, especially with rhydwyn

Diplomacy has never been Sir Abloc's thing. Not that he doesnt value it. He has just never had the chance to practice it much. And now he is in foreign lands and forced to practice that which he knows nothing about and all he really wants is not to be noticed. Because if he isnt noticed he cant cause a major incident by accident and trigger a war.

So when Sir Rhydwyn suggests they try and attend Countess Ellen's meetings he sighs knowing in his his heart that now is the time for that incident. He nods like a doomed man and says "An excellent idea Sir Rhydwyn. Let us - what can possibly go wrong?"

Sir Aeddan nods in agreement.  "Because Prince Mark is Countess Ellen's suitor from Cornwall, I suggest we ask his approval.  If he is in favor, then he could tell us how we might go about participating in tomorrow's meeting.  I doubt we would be welcomed if we just barged in."

"Indeed. I have no intention of accidently bursting into their meeting. Yet it seems wrong to ask the Prince for permission to attend. Should we not instead wait for him to invite us to the meeting?"

In reply to Sir Abloc (msg # 21):

"Aye, I agree that waiting for the Prince's invitation would be best. However, I wanted to let you all know so that if you wanted to, we could gather some information."

Realization lights up Sir Aeddan's face.  "Prince Mark asked us to keep our eyes and ears open on his behalf," he remembers aloud.  "It's likely that Sir Rhydwyn has uncovered just the kind of information that would be helpful.  Sir Rhydwyn, do you want to report this to Prince Mark yourself, or do you want the rest of us to come with you?  You certainly deserve the credit."

Sir Rhydwyn locates Prince Mark and informs him of the meeting of Countess Ellen's knights on the following day.

The Prince is extremely interested in this revelation, "the Countess is well liked by her knights but as a woman, her regency is always a bit tenuous.  I had gathered that she seeks counsel from her knights on many of the important decisions for the County.  Obviously, being able to get someone there to raise our arguments would be the best but even hearing what the different sides have to say would be extremely useful.  We could use such information to try to sway her.  Alas I can't imagine how to get someone in there.  You can't just magic someone into an intimate gathering of knights.  If you figure anything out, bribes or blackmail, maybe? it would be quite a coup."

Sir Aeddan receives a short note to meet in the Garden at midnight.

He finds Lady Morgana sitting on a bench, admiring a rose bush.  As always, she looks extremely attractive at night with a hint of moonlight filtering through the trees.

Although none of the knights had seen Sir Daron's sister, they all promise to keep an eye out and let him know if they hear or see anything.  Unfortunately, in these chaotic times, such stories are not as uncommon as one would hope.

Sir Aeddan smiles and bows deeply.  "My lady," he says, "the moonlight shows you to advantage.  Thank you so much for meeting with me."  He sets forth the idea he's had about making a friendly gesture toward Robert, Countess Ellen's daughter, and also mentions that Prince Mark would dearly love to have an ally, or at least a willing ear, present at Ellen's meeting in the morning.

"The problem, my lady," he continues, "is that while my brethren and I think our motives are just and in the right, our understanding of the world and of regional politics leaves a lot to be desired.  I hope we will become wiser as time goes in, but in the meantime I would appreciate the advice of someone I have found to be so wise already, despite still being young.  Could you advise me?"

Sir Daron is disappointed but not surprised.

With little else to do he turns into bed early for a fresh start in the morning.

Morgana smiles, "that is kind of you to say, Sir Aeddan.  Come, sit," she pats the bench next to her.  She smells of oleander and Sir Aeddan can almost feel the warmth of her body.

"We all think our causes are just, as for my wisdom, I am happy to share what knowledge and advice I have or help in any other way I can.  What, in particular, are you interested in?"  Sir Aeddan is not used to sitting so close to a woman, even his wife.  Her scent is intoxicating and he wonders idly if she is coming on to him?

Wondering at Lady Morgana's intentions, and assuming that he is dead wrong in reading them, Sir Aeddan turns bright red, all the way to the tips of his ears.  He hopes that the moonlight doesn't betray this.

"To me, the priority is making a friend -- or at least an ally -- of Robert.  If you know of any way the four of us could ingratiate ourselves to him, then I would be very grateful.  I noticed that your honored mother did not favor Robert with her blessing the other day, which made me wonder whether we could try to intercede.

"On the other hand, Prince Mark seems to feel strongly that having some way to be privy to the meeting between Countess Ellen and her knights tomorrow would be best for Cornwall, by way of being best for his suit of the Countess.  And of course," he admits, "our fealty must be to his father, the Duke of Cornwall, as our liege.  But is it best to try to gain favor -- or advantage -- with Countess Ellen, or with her son and heir?"

Rhydwyn nods. "Aye, we should get some sleep. I'll see you in the morning." He'll keep his ears open for anything on Daron's sister, though he doubts he'll hear anything.

"Well, I am sure that mother would be willing to show the earl-to-be some favor if it would help your cause.  You would probably want to suggest to them first, in a subtle way, that you could cause such a thing to happen as a gesture of good will.  Just let me know and I will set it up for the feast tomorrow," Morgana replies.

"As to the other thing, I can get one of you into the meeting if you are willing.  Just as I could have done with the Saxon camp," she says.  Perhaps to reassure Aeddan, she adds, "I would not do anything to any of you of course, I would just sort of convince the Salisbury knights that you belong or at the least to take no notice of you.  Probably best to send in whomever is the best at gathering information (Intrigue)."

There is something about the way she says this last bit that strikes Sir Aeddan.  Almost as if she knows which of the four of them that would be.

Sir Aeddan, rolled 14 using 1d20.  Awareness.

Sir Aeddan takes a check in Awareness.

"So, do you dance, Sir Aeddan?  Did you want to practice a little before doing so in front of all of those knights tomorrow?" she offers, standing and putting out a hand.

Sir Aeddan blushes again.  "My lady wife teases me for my poor dancing, but in a way that makes me desperate to dance with her more.  It would be an honor to misstep with such a lovely partner, on such a beautiful moonlit night."  In an attempt to appear gallant and graceful, Sir Aeddan sweeps up his hand, which then gets tangled in a low-hanging tree branch.

The wind picks up a little and some crickets chirp, bells ring and before Sir Aeddan knows it, it is like they are being accompanied by light music.  Holding the Princess and dancing turns out to be rather more enticing than simply sitting next to her.  The intoxicating smell, the softness of her skin.

Sir Aeddan is not, by a long shot, an accomplished dancer but he manages to move with something approaching grace, despite the occasional misstep.  Morgana, meanwhile, moves effortlessly and seems to almost float.  At least up until the point where Sir Aeddan turns in the wrong direction and Morgana over corrects and the pair end up tumbling to the ground, with Morgana lying on top of Sir Aeddan.

Despite the rather intimate position they find themselves in, Morgana does not appear in the least bit flustered, merely noting, "well that needs a bit of work."  She does not immediately get up and Sir Aeddan is left to wonder if this too was planned.  But of course, she is a Princess and powerful, beautiful woman.  What possible interest could she have in him . . . right?

Sir Aeddan, rolled 5 using 1d20.  Dancing.
Morgana rolled 20 using 1d20.  Dancing.

Mortified, Sir Aeddan stammers, "my lady, I am so sorry, I hope my clumsiness has not injured you."  Why, he wonders, can I not get anything right?  He helps her to her feet, bows deeply, and continues to bluster through an apology while bidding her good night and promising to reply via a note once he has conferred with his brother knights and communicated with Prince Mark.

Sir Abloc is about to retire for the evening unsure of how to deal with the task at hand. He is quite clueless really but decides to seek out a member of the clergy. Priests, monks and bishops often know more than anyone else - their information network is better and they can move in circles others can not. He asks the man to pray with him and in doing so make inquiries about Countess Ellen and her knights. Perhaps ... just perhaps ... will he find information that can be of use to his companions and himself.

---

Intrigue I suppose?

Morgana does not appear to be harmed.  She watches Sir Aeddan depart with an amused smile.

Sir Abloc makes his prayers and speaks a bit with the priest but does not gather any useful information.  He gets the sense that the priest is quite close to the countess and seems disinclined to let anything slip to a foreign knight.

Sir Abloc, rolled 11 using 1d20.  Pious.
Sir Abloc, rolled 11 using 1d20.  Intigue.

The next morning Sir Abloc seek out the priest to join him in his morning prayers. Afterwards Sir Abloc tells the priest that he wish for nothing but peace across the land so Albion can stand united against the wild marauding Saxons.

Later he hope his companions has found a way for one of them to join the Countess' meeting but if not he plans to talk more to the priest knowing well that if the priest is so close to the Countess then whatever Sir Abloc says will surely reach the Countess' ears.

Having discussed the issue with his brother knights early the next morning, Sir Aeddan realizes that he is probably the best remaining option for infiltrating Countess Ellen's meeting.  He decides that he will do nothing to draw attention to himself, but will try to blend in and hear as much as he can, to relay directly to Prince Mark.  His next task, then, is to visit Prince Mark with this urgent question: would the Prince be willing to incur a debt of gratitude to someone whose identity he doesn't know, in order to gain this intelligence?  The person responsible for the favor is someone Sir Aeddan trusts, but some of his brother knights do not; he makes that point clear.

In the meantime, Sir Aeddan proposes to his brother knights that the Queen may be willing to bend on her attitude toward Countess Ellen's son Robert, if the brother knights agree that it would be best to foster a relationship with the future liege of Salisbury.  The Queen could bestow her blessing -- or at least some warmth -- on Robert at the feast.  The matter is rather urgent, as Sir Aeddan would need to get the wheels in motion this morning.

Sir Abloc meets up with the priest in the morning and things seem to be going well until he mentions that it would be great if the priest mentions their conversation to Countess Ellen next time he sees her.  It takes a moment for him to realize what he just said out loud.

Sir Abloc, rolled 20 using 1d20.  Courtesy.

Sir Abloc takes a point in Courtesy (fumble).  Maybe I should stop rolling, that is 3 fumbles in 7 rolls.  :(

Prince Mark is definitely willing to move forward with the infiltration plan.  He is convinced that the information they could obtain would be worth the price and he authorizes Sir Aedden to make it happen.  If Sir Daron is unwilling to take on this task, Sir Rhydwyn is the next best at Intrigue.

Does anyone have any thoughts on Sir Aedden asking Queen Ygraine to acknowledge Earl-to-be Robert?

Note:  You are doing these things on behalf of Prince Mark.  If there are favors or debts to be collected, they will be from him not from you.

"I cannot agree to this plan," Sir Daron informs Sir Aedden once he reveals his (or rather Morgana's) infiltration. "Nor do I think we truly serve the Prince well by embroiling him in the plots and favours of Morgana."

The knight looks very grim and unhappy - he is clearly not enjoying his time in Salisbury.

"I am afraid of the Sorceress as well Sir Daron but I dont think we have any other choice and Sir Aeddan is right. Not that I am pleased to admit though but he has had more success than any of us in accomplishing what we were send here to do. And ... to be honest ... I have no better idea."

Sir Abloc turns to Sir Aeddan. "I trust in your plan, Sir Aeddan. What can possibly go wrong?" he adds with a wry grin.

In reply to Sir Abloc (msg # 44):

Rhydwyn nods at Sir Abloc and Sir Aeddan. "I agree. While I don't necessarily like the plan, Aeddan has had more success than the rest of us here, and we have no real other options."

Rhydwyn turned to Aeddan, taking a sip of his wine. "I would attend the queen's meeting with the knights and report back to hear what Mark has to say on the information, if anyone else would want to as well. It certainly doesn't hurt to know what the others think."

"Excellent! Brave man!" Sir Abloc pats Sir Rhydwyn's shoulder. Grateful that he at least doesnt have to attend the meeting.

Sir Aeddan smiles. "So glad to hear it, Sir Rhydwyn.  I think you will represent Prince Mark's interests far better than I could.  I will let the Lady Morgana know that you intend to be there, and she will pave the way for that.  If you can manage to simply blend in, I have every confidence that you will hear valuable information."

"At the same time," Sir Aeddan continues, "I will ask the Lady to talk to her mother the Queen about giving young Robert her blessing.  I think we could make a friend of the young man by doing so, and perhaps it could even improve Prince Mark's chances in his suit of Robert's mother."

Sir Rhydwyn and Sir Aeddan return to the courtyard with the garden at the appropriate time and find it empty.  So they sit on a bench and watch the birds and bees buzzing and chirping among the flowers and bushes and trees.  Not long after, Morgana appears from around one of the trees, although the pair are pretty sure that there was no one there a moment ago.

Both notice that Morgana seems to frown very slightly when she notices Sir Rhydwyn, although the gesture does not appear directed at him.  While still about the most beautiful person either has ever seen, she lacks a little of the luster that the moonlight brings.

Sir Aeddan, rolled 9 using 1d20.  Awareness.
Sir Rhydwyn, rolled 1 using 1d20.  Awareness.

Sir Aeddan and Sir Rhydwyn take checks in Awareness.

When informed of their desires, Morgana nods and starts chanting in a harsh, guttural voice that contrasts sharply with her beauty.  There is a feeling of gathering power that then disperses with a gesture and she grows silent. "It is done.  You have an hour or so, Sir Rhydwyn.  Probably best not to draw too much attention to yourself," she informs the young knight.  Turning her attention to Sir Aeddan, she adds, "I will talk to mother about the Earl.  I had best be getting back before I am missed."

With that, she heads back into the garden and is soon gone.

Sir Rhydwyn feels the same and looks no different than usual.  Sir Aeddan does not see how anyone would think that Sir Rhydwyn was anyone other than himself.

The bells rings 10 o'clock, it is time to get to the meeting.

Sir Rhydwyn walks toward the main hall, following several Salisbury knights.  There are a couple of guards at the doors to the hall and someone Sir Rhydwyn takes to be the Marshal.  The Knight greets each arriving knight by name and Sir Rhydwyn is apprehensive that there is no way that he will be allowed to pass.  However, as Sir Rhydwyn is getting to him, the marshal seems to notice someone coming behind him and Sir Rhydwyn passes without seemingly being seen.

The hall is filled with knights, Sir Rhydwyn guesses that there are close to 100 knights here, although some seem older and likely are more administrative than actual current fighters.  After a few stragglers arrive, the Countess calls the meeting to order.  "As you will see, Prince Mark of Cornwall and Prince Alain of Escavalon have joined us this year and both are interested in my hand in order to secure an alliance against the other.  We could decide the matter of this war if we allied with either Nanteleod or Cornwall.  We control the roads and could allow either army to outflank the other."

There is some general murmuring before the Countess settles things down once more.  "We have heard news that the King of Wessex and Chief Port have made an alliance. They cut a bull in half and stood between the parts to make a vow of friendship.  Meanwhile, King Nanteleod’s army is gathering in Cirencester, hoping to renew his attack in Somerset against Cornwall.  Duke Corneus, with a hefty number of Anglish mercenaries, is marching on London."

"I have decided not to entertain King Idres's (Cornwall) offer as a result of his crude behavior but I need to decide whether or not to allow King Nanteleod to pass through Salisbury and whether or not to send our own knights and footmen to assist them.  What think you?" she inquires of the assembled knights.

There is a great deal of discussion and one speaker after another.  Ultimately, it is decided that although King Nanteleod will be allowed to use Salisbury's roads, Salisbury will not send any knights or troops.  There is concern about the Saxons in the South as well as the possibility of London falling to the Angles.  It is hoped that King Nanteleod's surprise arrival from the East will doom the Cornish forces and Salisbury will not need to get 'their hands dirty.'

As the meeting breaks up, Sir Rhydwyn departs, making it back to the common room just before the clock strikes 11.

Sir Rhydwyn, rolled 1 using 1d20.  Intigue.

Sir Rhydyn takes a check in Intrigue.

Rhydwyn quickly returned to the group, speaking softly with them about the dire news. "I have found out some unfortunate news. Lady Ellen says due to Idres' 'crude behavior' that she will not ally herself or Salisbury with us, and that she is instead allying with Nanteleod, refusing to send troops but letting his troops use the roads to Salisbury. They seemed to hope that Nanteleod's appearance from the east would get Prince Mark to surrender quickly,and so that Salisbury wouldn't have to send men to fight, the damned cowards."

His voice grew angrier towards the end, but not at any of the men, but at the entire situation and at Salisbury's hubris.

"What on Earth did our King do to offend her so?" Sir Abloc says quietly.

"Well. Good work my Brother. It may not be the news we were hoping for. But we must pass the news on with all haste and prepare to meet the enemy."

"I wish I knew," Rhydwyn replies with a sigh. "I agree it is terrible news, but we must prepare for war." He takes a swig of wine.

Prince Mark receives the news with a frown.  "I will need to let my father know so that he can prepare.  I do not trust sending a messenger as he might be intercepted and reveal that we know what is to happen.  Knowing the plan, even if it will badly disadvantage us, should give us a huge advantage.  We will leave after the feast tonight," he decides.

"If the Countess is not going to seriously entertain our offer, is there any reason to put ourselves in Queen Ygraine's debt?" he asks.