In reply to Sir Garym (msg # 31):

There are approximately 80-100 Irish footmen, with a combination of swords, pikes, and bows.  All are wearing light armor.  They appear to have cut a few trees, which could be used as battering rams or ladders, it is hard to tell from where you are as they are parallel to the ground and being carried by men.

The door opens and soldiers start pouring out, one points as he passes Sir Garym, "there's at least a hundred more," he shouts in a panic.

Sure enough, there is another group of roughly the same size coming from the North, having just crossed the bridge above Sherrington.

A dozen men-at-arms and five knights retreat out of the castle.

In reply to Sir Dalan (msg # 35):

It is afternoon and the Irish seem in no rush.  They bring up siege engines and their troops array themselves out of bowshot range.  The troops to the west that recently ravaged Tisbury, Dinton, and Baverstock (:D) split up with about half of them heading North while the remainder dig in outside of the walls.

OOC:  Although there was mention of informing Earl Robert of what is going on, no one has actually done so yet.  This is your friendly reminder.  Also, there are normally ~10,000 people in Wilton and your ability to control them is very milited with your few resources, especially if you are also trying to put on a show of force for the Irish.  People continue to stream out of the gates toward Sarum, despite the efforts of the soldiers, many of whom seem to think that is a pretty good idea.

Sir Dalan, on the walls, points to the bridge across the Naddar. "We need to destroy that now.  We can't have them crossing the river."

Perin, busy overseeing the retreat flags down his brothers the minute he watches the Irish split off "Brothers, did you see the Irish forces head north?  I'm worried that they'll head for the crossing at Stoford and cut off any chance at escape we might possess.  Unless you have another plan, I'm going to ride for Sarum to inform Robert about what's happening here."  Dropping his voice to a whisper, he adds "My friends, there's no hope of holding the city; don't throw away your lives in a valiant, but hopeless defense.  Help escort the people of Wilton to safety, and we can muster with the rest of Salisbury where we can prepare to strike back."

 Sejanus rode up to the small group of Knights and Men at Arms, next to the bridge. He took one look at the advancing enemy force, saw the archers with them, which had any idea of a charge to delay them, evaporate. “Sir Knights and Men at Arms, we cannot hope to delay that force, which approaches. It would be as a rut in the road to a wagon wheel. An annoyance, but the wheel continues to roll forward. Nay, we must withdraw towards Sarum, where I am sure, forces muster to wipe out this Irish blight upon our fair land. We must retire to the south.”

In reply to Sir Perin (msg # 39):

Sir Dalan looks anguished. "We must do something to hurt them or how will Sarum be much different?"

"Because Sarum is a well fortified castle, with the entire might of Salisbury assembled to repel the enemy my friend.  We were caught off guard, and are now being forced into a battle of their choosing.  There's no shame in retreat."  Inclining his head towards the Irish band making their way north, he adds "Instead of holding this city and getting everyone killed my friend, why don't we shadow that group.  If we're lucky, we might be able to catch them if they're doing what I think they're doing and aiming to take the crossing at Stoford to cut us off."

How did the Irish get so far so fast? Garym needed to make his way back to Sarum. He could do little here. Vagon was lost, and all they could do now was flee.

"Make to Sarum best you can. Robert will be mustering his forces in retaliation. I will ride hard to inform Robert."

Garym spurred his horse onward towards Sarum. He hated that he had no better news, but this attack had to be in retaliation for their interference last year.

In reply to Sir Perin (msg # 42):

SIr Dalan hesitates for a long moment, then reluctantly nodded his head. "Fine. We'll need to evacuate the civilians though - and for Heaven's sake send a rider to the Earl before it's too late."

Perin smiles and claps his friend on the shoulder "We've been doing that for some time my friend, don't worry.  And I've already dispatched a man" he says gesturing to one of their fellow knights and his squire who are galloping hard in the direction of Sarum.

"I still think we should defend the city. The walls wont stand forever but at least the citizens stand a better chance behind the walls than on the open road fleeing towards Sarum. The elderly, the women, the children ... they will all perish if we make a single mistake and if there are any Irish between here and Sarum." said Sir Gracian.

"But if you call for a retreat then I will have no men to defend the walls and the citizens will not know who to answer to - you or me. We will stand divided and that will sow fear in the hearts of the citizens and we cant have that. I will go with you, my brothers, but I do not believe it is the right decision. We have sworn an oath to defend this land and those that live upon it. Abandoning the city seems wrong to me."

-- Sir Sejanus --

The knights and men-at-arms seem to sag.  Sir Sejanus is of course right, it is just hard to admit.  Their force is far too small to even slow the attackers.  And so they head toward Sarum, picking up knights and men-at-arms as they go along.  Wild rumors of additional armies to the South and East circulate but who can really tell?

They cross the Avon at Amesbury, just north of Sir Sejanus's manor.  The men-at-arms stay behind to destroy the bridge.  Even though it is wooden and they brought carts loaded with wood for the purpose, it will take a while.  They can only hope that the Irish are not rushing this way.

At length, they arrive in Sarum to find the place in turmoil.  Sir Sejanus reports on what he has seen and learns that there are several Irish armies attacking all across the South of Salisbury.  He sees Sir Garym nearby, soothing the lady he calls Lethe.

-- Sir Garym --

Sir Garym spurs his horse and heads East as fast as he can.  He is disturbed to see a lot of smoke to the South, suggesting that his encounter was not unique.  Riding along, he eventually comes to the Wylye River crossing at Stoford.  He informs the knights there about what he has seen to the West.  They inform him that there is a larger army coming up from the South and another from the East.

Sir Garym continues riding to Sarum, where he finds that Earl Robert and most of his available knights (about 35 in total) are attempting to hold the bridge at Ford.  On the other side are a couple of hundred Irish foot soldiers.

Sir Garym informs the Earl about what he has seen and the Earl nods, "that confirms what another rider just told me and bodes ill.  There are scattered reports of another force attacking Ebble Castle."

He leaves twenty knights to hold the bridge, forming a wall of shields across it, and takes Sir Garym and the other 15 knights back to Sarum to try to figure out where they stand.

Sir Garym finds Arianwen, who seems relieved to see him.

-- Sir Dalan, Sir Gracian, and Sir Perin --

The townspeople continue to flee the city, although the flow has dropped to a trickle.  A rider comes back with news from Sarum.  If possible, the town should be held until nightfall but should be abandoned sooner if its fall is imminent.  There are at least two additional armies to the North and West and it is unclear exactly where they are but it is likely that they are between the Wylye and Avon rivers.  The bridge at Stoford is being held currently against a force of Irish soldiers.

For their part, the Irish seem content to wait, setting up their siege equipment, digging in, and staying out of bow range.

Not long before dark, a rider brings word that the bridge at Stoford has fallen to the enemy.  A large force came down from the North on the Eastern side of the Wylye and the knights there were forced to retreat.  The garrison at Wilton is ordered to retreat as soon as it gets dark so that they are not cutoff.

Rounding up some of those who are staying in the city, the knights provide them a large quantity of torches and ask that they patrol the walls during the night to simulate guards.

It is despondently that the knights ride to Sarum in the dark.  Fortunately, they are on good roads that they know well, so navigation is not an issue.  Arriving in Sarum, they are ushered to the Earl, where Sir Garym, Sir Sejanus, and Sir Cadlew are already pouring over a large map of Salisbury with the Earl.

(cont.)

(cont.)

"I asked you all here because of your leadership so far in this crises as well as previously," the Earl starts.  Pointing to the map he says, "what we know is that about 200 infantry attacked from the west, with Sir Garym here seeing them at Vagon.  I believe that they then headed North and split up, with half coming across the Wylye at Stapleford before attacking Stoford and taking the bridge there.  The other half continued north, where Sir Sejanus saw them.  The soldiers with Sir Sejanus destroyed the bridge at Amesbury just before the Irish arrived, and they departed to the North."

"Sir Cadlew spotted another 200 or so men approaching his manor at Falt from the South this morning and dispatched a rider to Du Plain before informing me," he smiles over at the young brother of Tyngyr.  "We were able to prevent them from crossing the Bourne over the bridge at Ford but I believe that some of their force might have headed North."

Indicating the others, he continues, "another 100 or so attacked Tisbury and continued up to Wilton, while 200 more along with 40 knights and siege engines came up the road and attacked Ebble castle while another 100 attacked along the north bank of the Ebble river.  After taking Ebble castle, both groups headed up to Wilton."  He sighs heavily.

Spreading his arms, he summarizes, "that is at least 800 soldiers and 40 knights, plus siege engines that we know of.  I have 130 soldiers and 80 knights.  And Sarum, while defensible, is going to run short on water with this many extra people here.  My guess is a week or less."

He lets the grim numbers sink in.  "So the question is, what are they up to and what do we do?" he asks with a shrug.  "Obviously, they would like to capture the Princess, and probably me.  They coordinated all of the attacks to hit at once and repeatedly used flanking maneuvers and superior numbers to isolate and take fortifications.  So this was well planned."

Looking around he finishes, "I have sent out riders to neighboring Lords but doubt there will be much of a response as most of their knights are with Arthur.  If there is anyone.  Who else can we ask for help who could conceivably get enough force here in a week to help?  Do we try to get the Princess out and if so, to where?"

Please assume that the Earl has properly thanked you all for your efforts.

Looking at the map, it is pretty clear that the Irish have cutoff all of the roads except possibly the good road heading North-East and crossing the Bourne at Allington.  They have not, as far as anyone knows, crossed the Bourne of Avon as yet.

Garym had one idea. One that no one would except, but there was some one with enough forces to help in this crisis. "My Lord, if I may, there is one force available that is not in the north. We would need to negotiate, and it may cost dearly. We were going to campaign against the Saxons, but what if we could make an alliance instead. They would not want the the Irish here anymore than we do."

The words burst forth from Perin's mouth without a second's hesitation, as he blurts out "The Countess Fiona will help my lord, trust me on this."  Glancing about at his fellows and their slightly confused looks (after all, he's speaking for the Countess as if there were zero doubt as to what she would do), he seemingly ignores them, instead focusing his gaze on Robert "She may be far, but she and her men represent the largest, and best equipped allied forces that have the ability to potentially make it here in time.  With your leave I'll depart immediately and return as quickly as I can."
This message was last edited by the player at 00:40, Tue 07 Nov 2017.

"My lord we seem to have overall superiority in horse. Let us have as many knights as you think we can spare and leave now, taking the North East road. Such knights can raid the enemy lines and destroy their baggage trains - that many men must eat. This group will also be able to kill off the enemy scouts, depriving them of eyes and ears - especially if aid is coming from either the Countess or the Saxons."

He points at Chute Forest. "Give me a force of knights my lord and I'll base myself here. Hidden by the trees the foe won't know our numbers, especially if I only use half my men to strike at them at any one time."

Sejanus stood there, and just stared at the map. Then spoke. "While they have the numbers, we know the land, and are operating on interior lines of communications. We have victuals stored here at Sarum, with limited duration, granted. But they must bring supplies with them, for it is too early to forage to any level of success. Such numbers could not remain in the field with what supplies they brought with them for long, without resupply. This is their major weakness, they must have supplies brought to them, and we can interfere with that. I counsel a force of Knights take the field to bedevil the Irish and strike at their resupply efforts, and any Irish force small enough to be handled. This well might slow things down long enough for allies to be gained."

"While I agree with Sir Garym that the Saxons could be useful allies then I fear we will end up having to pay a heavy price for their aid in this conflict. And considering the Irish are not likely to stay once they have achieved their goal who is to say the Saxons will even help us? If I were a Saxon I would let the Irish make us bleed and then swoop in after they are gone and finish us for good.

I think the Countess Fiona is a better choice and with her forces by our side we stand a chance to defeat the Irish. And I agree with all of you that it would be useful if we harassed the Irish forces and their supply lines but the question is how many knights can be set to that task. Every knight attacking their supply lines is a knight away from the walls of Sarum.

If you, Earl Roberts, permits it then I suggest Sir Perim is send to ask of help from the Countess Fiona. That Sir Sejanus, Sir Dalan and perhaps also Sir Garym lead a small force of men to harass the enemy's supply lines. And that I stay here in Sarum defending the walls. I promise you my Lord that I will man the walls day and night and know no rest until the siege is lifted."

 After Sir Gracian spoke about the Saxons, Sejanus had to speak his mind. " Gentlemen, the Saxons are Barbarians,and as such, they cannot be expected to adhere to any agreement. They are a blight upon this Island, and a God cursed, constant threat to us all. Nay, I counsel not to approach the Saxons with anything but a a Sword in hand."

"There are many ways for men to be barbarian savages, Sir Sejanus." said Sir Gracian bitterly "Roman, Cymric, Saxon, Irish, Picts ... snakes can have many names. If I thought they wouldnt exploit our weakness later I would approach the Saxons in a heartbeat if it could save Salisbury and the people we are meant to protect."

He looks over at Sir Perin. "Besides there are those with Saxon blood in their veins that I am proud to call friends and brothers. I advise you not to judge people so quickly, Sir Sejanus."

"How many of her knights are following Arthur in his campaign, and what if we do achieve a alliance. What a gain for the kingdom. An enemy turned to a friend. Is that not what Arthur has done with those who warred against him. If, they were willing to live in peace. King Arthur welcomed them as a lost brother. Besides Sejanus, if we could make an alliance with them than you would have a whole new group of people to preach to. I was told by the Druid Diarmuid that if one approach a Saxon village in without war in his heart than they would return the respect. I will go to them, and negotiate if given leave. I would need only what words Earl Robert would have me speak." Garym thought it was strange that in one day he would go from planning to fight the Saxons to proposing a possible Alliance.

There is the unmistakable creak of a mailed gauntlet being clenched as Sejanus makes his proclamation about Saxons.  Thankfully Gracian speaks up before Perin can, because if the situation weren't quite as dire, the large man would be liable to challenge Sejanus to a duel here and now (it wouldn't be the first time he'd done something similar, a fact Dalan and Gracian were all too aware of).  Still, there's no mistaking the venom in his gaze, as he fixes Sejanus with a cutting glare.  Thankfully, Robert speaks up before the situation has a chance to get out of hand, and so Perin's attention is forced towards his liege, and away from his brother knight.
This message was last edited by the player at 17:22, Tue 07 Nov 2017.

Gracian nods as he listens to Sir Garym. "True. The Druid named Diarmuid is a wise man and if he say you can enter a Saxon village and be met with peace then I believe him. I still think though that the Countess Fiona is our best chance of finding an ally."

 Sejanus fixed his gaze on the Earl. "That is my counsel, my Lord. Making any type of alliance with the Saxons tribes would be seen as weakness on our part. Sooner then latter, we would regret any agreement with the Barbarians. But of course, your will be done, My Lord Earl."