Year 486 - Part II

Donnacht spent several weeks healing his wounds and his bruised ego, whilst his fellow knights continued their garrison duty. He was made to feel slightly better when Ferroth gave him several bottles of the finest wine as a wedding gift. During this period Odrig organised a hunt with his fellow knights in an effort to secure some worthy pelts, which he could turn into a belated wedding present for Donnacht. The hunt started on a beautiful summer’s day with all the knights hacking off in search of prey. Over the course of the day the knights became completely separated, with Ferroth and Donnacht becoming lost and Odrig and Arawain following different prey. Odrigs hunt ended with him dispatching a large wolf and Arawain spent the entire day hunting an exceptionally elusive fallow deer, finally managing to land the killing blow just as the sun set. Ferroth whilst trying to find his way out of the woods came across some very large and unusual tracks which he followed. Unknown to him these tracks led him to into Modron’s Forest a known haven for fey and unusual beasts. As fates would have it Donnacht stumbled across Ferroth and the two continued their hunt. The tracks ended at a small knoll which had a tunnel bore into it. Scattered around the entrance were the carcasses of several large animals and rather disconcertingly the rotted, burnt and managed corpses of several knights. Donnacht identified this was probably the lair of a wyrm and after a very heated discussion and much to the disgust of Ferroth, Donnacht decided he would rather see his wife again than try and tackle this thing alone. That evening Ferroth and Donnacht told the Earl and their fellow knights of their discovery. The Earl said that the beast as yet had been no trouble to Salisbury and with the Saxons threat he wasn’t willing to risk additional knights. Though if they wished to hunt the evil thing down, he would give them his blessings.

The summer was waning and the knights were on the last of their patrols with Sir Elad, their patrol led them down the Bourne passing Arawain’s manner of Winterbourne Gunnet. Arawain suggested they stop for food and refreshment and a pleasant time was had by all, especially Ferroth who seduced one of Arawain’s staff. The patrol was about to return to the garrison when Odrig spotted a rider heading at pace in their direction. The rider slid to halt and informed them that knights were attacking a nearby manor. Sir Elad needed to hear no more and ordered the knights on to the manor; they arrived to find a dozen knights in the process of looting the village. Sir Elad ordered the attack and players charged into the fray. The enemy knights gained the initial advantage because of their numbers but this did not deter the hearty knights of Salisbury. Arawain knocked a knight from his horse, finishing him on the second charged, he then leapt from his horse to continue the fight on foot. Ferroth struck a knight so soundly with his lance that it shattered and then exchanged blows with another who finally yielded to him. Donnacht charged into the skirmish on foot, he exchanged blows with one knight, finally killing the man with a blow from his great axe. Odrig fought with sword from the saddle, de-horsing one knights and battering another into submission. As the dust settled the remaining knights fled. Sir Elad cursed at man who was sat watching upon a black charger, who he later identified as the Steward of Levcomagus. The Earl was informed and was most displeased, swearing vengeance in the following year.

Winter came and with it ill news from the East, Duke Lucius had been ambushed and killed near Ipswich thus forcing Uther to send Sir Brastias to settle the area. After several battles the Saxon advance was halted, but the damage had been done.
The Earl came to check upon his knights ensure that their equipment and mounts were up to spec.

Book Keeping:-

(This is an out of play record of the winter phase as we are now trialling the Book of the Manor)

Odrig had a normal harvest and maintained a normal std of living, he also arranged for an apiary to be built.

Ferroth had a poor harvest, which resulted in a poor std of living for the following year.

Arawain had a normal harvest and maintained a normal std of living. He also hires a professional steward to watch over his manor.

Donnacht had a good harvest and maintained a normal std of living, he gifted his wife with a hairdresser.