Chapter 2.2 - Summer Campaign (515 AD)
The morning after the Pentecost Feast, the knights from Salisbury are up early, their gear packed, and soon they are on their way. They have several days on the road ahead of them, a great time to think on recent events and make plans for the future. It appears that Cadlew takes after his brother as he looks like he was dragged behind a wagon.
Everyone is a bit tired of the constant riding. The dust. The growing heat. When not busy with their own thoughts, the knights spread rumors and swap stories. There is a lot of gossip going around about Earl Robert and Princess Gwendollyn. Others discuss his new title as Master of the Queen's Guard and its possible implications. Talk also revolves around the Court of Love and how that will change things. Many are already missing the Ladies from the feast.
After most of a week on the road, the group finally arrives at Sarum. Earl Robert thanks his knights for their service during the campaign against the Saxons and their assistance to Sir Gawaine and King Arthur. He finishes up by ordering everyone to return at the end of June to start a new campaign in the West.
The knights drift off toward their own manors, rest, manage their affairs, and when it is time, return to Sarum. Everyone is back at full health.
Twenty-five of the knights remain in Sarum to protect against raids, invasion, and banditry, while the other 50 head north and west for several days, eventually arriving near the western bank of the mouth of the Severn River, north of Bristol.
Once in place, they are divided into five groups of seven and a group of 15, the latter of which includes Earl Robert. The smaller groups will fan out in search of Irish raiders who have been plaguing the countryside, while Earl Robert's larger force acts as a rapid-deployment force to provide reserves and coordination.
It is the first night in small groups, yours consists of Sir Dalan, Sir Gracian, Sir Garym, Sir Perin, Sir Sejanus, Sir Tyreth, and Sir Cadlew. You also have 20 men-at-arms with you. This is a good opportunity for Sir Dalan or Sir Gracian to fill in the others on their mission . . . as they understand it.
A couple of notes:
- Anyone who needs a scribe, it is 2d to write a letter and 5d per day of travel to deliver one.
- In case anyone is wondering where we are (geographically) in relation to other things and people, on the Main Game Map we are in the bottom-right corner of grid K18. Gwendollyn is in Escavalon, just to the west across the Severn, Fiona is almost straight north in Hereford, Rhodria is waaaaay east on the far side of London in Essex, Rosalynd is south and a little west in Devon, Galeria is south of Salisbury in Dorset, Ariette is just north in Gloucester, and Ellowyn is also across the Severn and a bit farther south and west in Cardiff.
- With luck, no one will die and you'll pick up some pocket change at least.