Time Stamp - 01 May 492
Tintagel Castle, Cornwall

Sir Kenyr, Sir Arcol, Sir Daeddon, and Sir Gryffry learn that they have been accused of Treason by Sir Brastias, High King Uther's bodyguard.  Treason is a capital crime, meaning they can be executed if found guilty, or if lucky, degraded and exiled.  The mere accusation causes these fine knights to lose a point of Honor immediately.

The knights are summoned to Tintagel Castle, where the High King will be holding court.  They travel with their families and arrive together.  They are studiously ignored by everyone.  When approaching the castle, the four knights are met and escorted by the porter and several guards into the castle.

The Trial

Court opens for the first four of some two dozen knights so accused, all rise as the High King, flanked by Duke Ulfius, Bishop Dubricus, and Queen Ygraine, enter the room and are seated.  The Queen is dressed all in black and stares daggers at the four men accused of Treason.

Sir Brastias recites the charge, "on or about the 23rd of April in the year of Our Lord 492, the knights, Sir Kenyr, Sir Arcol, Sir Daeddon, and Sir Gryffry, did knowingly participate in, endeavor, and conspire to steal the newborn son of High King Uther Pendragon and Queen Ygraine from Terrabil Castle and did willfully impede, prevent, and obstruct the pursuit to recover the child."

King Uther replies, "what is the basis for this charge?"

"I was leading the pursuit of the kidnapper and we were waylayed by these knights," Sir Brastias replies, indicating the defendants, "thus preventing us from capturing the guilty and safely returning the child."

King Uther turns his attention toward the knights, "is this true?" he inquires.

Bishop Llawr, who provided advice and counsel to the accused stands and replies, "it is, Your Majesty."

"Let them speak for themselves," the King replies.

The knights reply, "Your Majesty, we do not deny the actions Sir Brastias describes."

Queen Ygraine hisses to her husband, "they stole my baby.  Kill them."

"Soon enough, my queen.  We must follow procedures," Uther replies.  To the knights he says, "what do you say in your defense?"

Bishop Llawr replies with flowery rhetoric and legal jargon, stating that the knights are innocent because they were enchanted by Merlin, who moves in mysterious ways.

Saint Illtyd, speaking as the King's religious advisor, retorts, "surely Merlin the Enchanter has always been a friend to the King and would never do such a thing to harm the King."

"Sir Knights," says the King formally, "since Merlin is innocent of this, you can aid yourselves by telling who was really behind this abduction."

Earl Guinier starts to speak, but the King interrupts him, "again, I say, let the knights speak for themselves."

The defendants look one to another and finally Sir Kenyr stands and addresses the Court in a low, clear voice.  "We had previously assisted the Magician Merlin with a task and on the day in question he came to us and requested our assistance once more.  As we thought him a loyal advisor to Your Highness, we agreed and followed him into the woods.  After a ways he told us to stop and wait for him and he continued on.  Some time later, we heard a commotion and Merlin rushed back through the clearing and told us only to 'delay them.'  At no time did he give any other instructions or explanation.  A couple of us noticed that Merlin was carrying something swaddled under his cloak.  Not long after, we heard the sound of riders wearing armor and we prepared to do as ordered.  A number of knights soon rode into the clearing, which some of us recognized as Your Majesty's men.  We did not immediately recognize Sir Brastias so we blocked the path while we did our best to determine why Your Highness's knights were pursuing Your Highness's advisor, Merlin.  Once we realized who was in command of the pursuit, we assisted in directing them toward Merlin's trail."  Kenyr's, known for his Oratory, speaks convincingly, and many in the audience murmur or nod their heads.

Earl Guinier then speaks of the good reputation and deeds done by the knights, closing with the statement, "in these dangerous times, my lord, veteran knights are needed.  I give my word on the honor and trustworthiness of these knights."

(This is a very dangerous thing to do, to stand up for knights accused of treason when Uther is clearly against them.)

Father Dewi, the Waterman, then asks to speak.  (Father Dewi is widely known to be smart, forceful, and fanatical.  At several monasteries he has established, there is no alcohol at all allowed, leading to him being called the Waterman.) As a famous Holy Man, he is allowed to speak.

"I have been investigating the knights and have found them all to have been ensorcelled by the magic of Merlin.  Your Highness, in my humble opinion, is wrong to rely upon the advice of the son of the Devil at all, and if you do not purge your Court of this magic, it will surely bring only ruin to you, your family, and all of Britain.  Cast out the son of the Devil from your court," Dewi says, "Cast him out of Britain!"

Everyone looks ominously at Uther, it is absolutely silent.

"Kill him," say Ygraine, just loud enough to be heard in the silence.

Finally, Uther speaks, "I know these men.  They have helped me and Britain greatly, and are an honor to their liege, the lord Earl Lesnowth (Guinier).  And I know this wise Bishop, Dewi, who has traveled all over the wide world.  Bishop Dubricus?  What say you?"

"No Christian, not British or Roman or Arian, honors the son of the Devil," replies Dubricus.

Uther stands, "then let Justice reign.  Here is the word of the King of Logres.  These men are innocent of treason.  They and all with like charges, are dismissed and ordered to see Bishop Dubricus for blessing and purification from pagan taint."

"Furthermore," Uther continues, "this court determines that Merlin the Enchanter was behind this, and he is hereby condemned to death by this court as an exile and traitor to the crown, who has knowingly and willingly harmed the throne.  Let this news be sent forth to all the lords and guilds for reading in public places."

The Marshal stands, "God bless us all.  This court is adjourned."

The King and his retinue depart.

Your characters are six years old.  Feel free to react or express how the trial affected young you.
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:20, Wed 14 Apr 2021.

In reply to Teller of Tales (msg # 1):

Aeddan's memory of this trial is vivid and causes his stomach to clench.  Sir Daeddon, his father, was all bluster and outward confidence ("it'll be fine, son, don't worry, it'll all be cleared up") in the weeks leading up to the trial, but things in their home got awfully quiet as the trial date arrived.  Aeddan remembers standing next to his mother as the trial was conducted, with her hand clamped on his shoulder as a reminder that he must be absolutely still and silent.  But it also conveyed her abject terror.

After the trial, Aeddan's family returned home.  His father, who had disguised his fear so well in the time leading up to the trial, became resentful afterwards.  Sir Daeddon told all the same stories of his past glory to Aeddan, but no opportunity to badmouth Merlin was ever missed.  Only much later did Aeddan perceive that Daeddon seemed most angry at himself, for having been duped by a man he'd trusted.

Sir Abloc's memories of the trial are somewhat vague. He remember the fear of losing his father. The silence at home when noone dared to speak in the weeks leading up to the trial and the sound of his parents whispering to each other when they thought he was asleep.

He remember the trial well - no so much what was said but more the colors of the banners. How he could smell the fear in the great hall. The sound of the birds outside and the clouds drifting lazily on the blue sky.

And he remember how his father was a broken man afterwards. Yes, his father walked away as a free man and with his head still attached to his shoulders. But his name would be forever tainted and his father never recovered from the shame, the doubt, and the deep feeling of betrayal. His father had trusted Merlin and could never come to terms with what had happened.

Sir Daron's memories of the trial are hazy on details but strong on emotion. He recalls his terror of the fate that might befall his father and the anger he felt towards Merlin's treachery and Queen Ygraine bloodlust. Ever since he's never truly trusted magicians or women.

Most of all he recalls his father's pale face at the trial, how Sir Arcol never said anything definite at home but how the servants gossiped when they thought no one was listening that Sir Arcol would face "certain" execution. All for the crime of aiding the king's most trusted advisor! It was a sharp lesson in how quickly even the loyal servants can face destruction when played. The young Daron was determined not to be played himself.