Year 484 - Part II

So our squires awoke the following day in the village of Imber, after many thanks from the peasants and quick breakfast the band started the return journey to Vagon.

As the bands were headed back toward the Salisbury main a horseman was seen riding at a pace from Tilshead. As he neared he was recognised as Ferroth a fellow squire of Salisbury and he explained he was travelling to Vagon to give a message to Sir Elad from his knight Sir Edbert. It was decided it was in everyone’s interest to travel together. As the squires continued the return trip Arawain and Ferroth heard cries of a man in trouble “it’s me livelihood, not me prize pig, I’m begging you” and signalled the group to follow them. They rode down a small hillock to discover a small farm and a several men obviously assaulting the farmer and stealing his goods. The squires instantly decided to tackle these rouges. Odrig called out for the men to surrender and his mere request was enough for two of the men to drop the goods and capitulate (oratory crit). Arawain charged in, one of the men fired an arrow which caused a minor flesh wound, this only cause to further anger him and in one blow the archer was nearly decapitated (crit). Donnacht surged in to defend the farmer from a man who appeared to be the leader, in a single mighty blow Donnacht shattered the bandit’s sword and chopped him down (crit). Ferroth was the last to attack, he charged into the last bandit, who looked rather shocked as he found himself skewered on the young squire’s spear (crit), Ferroth calmly rode back and pulled spear from the dying mans chest.

The squires quickly gathered the facts from the farmer and had the surviving bandits were bound, they then had the peasants bring them some refreshment as they discussed whether to kill the bandits or not. Though Ferroth and Arawain (and the farmer) wanted to use them for lance practice Donnacht was forcefully adamant they should be taken to Vagon for trial. Odrig had the final ruling and decided that the bandits would stand trial. Ferroth used his charm and quickly won over the farmer’s daughter, who in turn took him to see the prize apple tree, which apparently produced very round, ripe and juicy apples (hello Carry on Pendragon).

The knights finally got back to Vagon and told Sir Elad of their ventures, he was most pleased and explained they would go Sarum on the following day were they would be presented to the Earl.

As this was such an important turn of events they decided the best preparation for such a visit to court would be spend the night in the pub drinking and bragging to the other squires. Arawain also composed a particularly good sonnet about the ‘Demon Bear of Imber’. The following morning most of the squires were a little worse for wear and Ordig was nearly late after he woke up in a horse trough.

Upon arriving in the Sarum they went into the main hall and awaited to be presented to the Earl, it was soon clear that these squires were lacking in courtly skills. Donnacht made a major blunder when that bowed to one of the pages and rather rudely ask a knights lady to serve him some mead (courtesy fumble). This indiscretion was noted by Sir Belldon who made a rather impolite comment about Donnacht’s bloodline. After making a rather bad impression they were presented to the Earl were Odrig made a very good account of their ventures (oratory crit), the squires displayed the bear skin and handed over the bandits, the Earl seemed most pleased. Afterwards Arawain and Odrig circulated in court, Donnacht flirted with Lady Tawny the young daughter of Sir Saxe and then escorted her round Sarum and Ferroth managed to persuade Sir Jardan to give him some tuition with the sword on the following day. That evening a feast was held and it was announced that several squires would be raised to rank of knight, this included our merry band. This raised Ferroth’s spirits a little too high and he approached Lady Elaine in a most insolent manner and was berated into a retreat (flirting fumble).

The following day spirits were high, Sir Elad explained what would happen and the band spent most of the day sleeping and eating, preparing themselves physically, emotionally and spiritually for their vigil. Ferroth managed to find time to meet Sir Jardan, were the knight proved his reputation with the sword was just, as the squire found himself outclassed and knocked to ground. During the day they were visited by Eartha, a rather strange but respected wise woman. She eyed each one of them keenly and the hand them a small wreath of holly and ivy, which she said would protect them from these new gods. She told them to meet her at the next full moon at the old hill fort off the Salisbury Main. That evening the squires were dressed in the traditional accoutrements and their sword, shield, armour and spurs placed in the church. After evening mass the squires were left for their overnight vigil (it should be noted that each one held to the wreath tightly and prayed to old ways), each squire maintained his vigil throughout the night. The following day they were led into the hall were in turn each pledged their allegiance to Roderick and King Uther. The entered the hall as squires and as they ran from the hall to leap upon their steeds as knights. Each one successfully leapt upon his steed as the crowd cheered and hollered. The newly knighted squires revelled in being the centre of attention.

The evenings feast was most agreeable to all involved, though Donnacht did use his new found position to exchange unpleasantries with Sir Belldon. To the amusement of his friends Donnacht also spent much of the evening looking doe eyed at Lady Tawny. It should also be noted that Arawain’s sonnet slowly became modified to Sir Arawain and the Demon Bear of Imber!!!

(This was a very long summary)