Spring came and with it a visit from the Royal Court which was to be held at Sarum this year. All efforts were made to be good hosts to King Uther and his retinue. Rumours hinted that Uther was outfitting the fleet for an invasion of Frankland. Uther announced there would be a great Christmas feast at Sarum this year and that all his nobles should ensure their manors were secure before they attended.
During the summer the Earl summoned his knights, he was fuming after yet another raid by Steward of Levcomagus. He ordered Donnacht to lead a troupe of men into the steward’s lands for a retaliatory raid. Donnacht commanded 20 men and some peasants, Arawain was given the task of scouting and led them deep into the enemies land and though they avoided detection it was several days before they found a worthy target. Finally a nice plump looking manor was found and Donnacht told his men to only subdue not slaughter the village. He then led the attack, the fight was brief and his men suffered no loses, Arawain had to be bought to heel after his vengeful streak got the better of him and several commoners fell to his blade. As the loot was gathered, Donnacht told the peasants that this vengeance had been bought upon them by their lord’s actions. He then proceeded to name himself and his knights and told them they would return should their Lord continue these hostilities. Donnacht was notified that the Manors knight was coming to its defence. Donnacht considered his options and decided to lay in wait for the knight and his men. As the knight of Levcomagus came into sight it was apparent he had gone for reinforcements and the forces were evenly matched, but Donnacht had the element of surprise in his favour. Donnacht was about to order the attack when one of the enemy knights let out a cry of warning. Donnacht and his men quickly charged into the fray, unfortunately the element of surprise was gone and much of the advantage lost. The enemy leader managed to fend of both Ferroth and Donnacht, shattering Ferroths lance with a shield block. Arawain and Odrig had more luck grievously injuring two knights. The fight went back and forth, Odrig held his own, Ferroth met his match exchanging blows with the enemy leader and Donnacht received several nasty blows and was struck from his horse. Arawain had greater success cleaving an arm from one foe and knocking another from his horse. As Donnacht picked himself up he looked round to see how the fight was going and much to his joy it appeared his men had out done themselves. The enemy had been routed and though several of his men were wounded none grievously so, also 4 knights had been captured for ransom. Donnacht quickly led his bruised but victorious men back to Salisbury, loot in hand.
The Earl was much pleased and a generous share of loot was given to the knights and the earl gifted them with the ransoms from the captured knights. Odrig, Arawain and Ferroth put the Earls good humour to use. Odrig requested and was granted permission to marry Lady Gwiona the following spring. Arawain expressed his interest in Lady Adwen and was told that if he maintained his path of glory and loyalty it would lead to the ladies hand. The Earl told Ferroth he would consider supporting Ferroth’s interest in Lady Ashby of Lindsey.
As winter came so did the Great Feast, the feasting lasted a week, with much of it spent giving and receiving gifts, including our band presenting their gifts to Roderick. The Earl gifted his household and the King in turn gifted his retinue, the greatest prizes going to his son Prince Madoc which included Windsor. The Kings nobles then had their chance to present their gifts to the King, each trying to outdo the other. The Prince gave his father many chests of riches; the final prize bought the loudest cheer, the banner of a dead Saxon Chieftain. The King then gave out gifts from the chests to his loyal nobles and even the knights of Salisbury received a handful of silver. As the gift giving was coming to an end a loud murmuring was detected at the halls entrance, when to everyone’s surprise the herald announced the arrival of Merlin. Merlin came forth and presented King Uther with a gleaming sword. A sword for the High King, the Sword of Victory, Excalibur!!
The King was elated and told the hall that now was the time for the rebellious Lords to be bought to heel and Britain to be united.
Merlin thanked the Earl for his knight’s help and advised him to give them rein to help Britain.
The King ordered the feasting commence, the mood was good and feast magnificent, during the feast the knights were summoned to give an account of their adventure. Ferroth spent most of the account supported by his friends, as the mead had got the better of him. During the account all attention was focused on the knights and even the King cheered their success. The knights revelled in their new found status and they received much favour from many a lady and jealousy from some of the knights. Sir Arawain used the current good mood and his new found fame to assist in the seduction of Lady Adwen and Sir Ferroth was told by the Earl that he now had his full support to pursue Lady Ashby. Donnacht also managed to secure a vial from Merlin which would boost his chance of producing a new heir.
The following day the Earl summoned the knights and offered them a choice of either travelling with the King on a diplomacy mission to Lindsey or join Prince Madoc in naval raids against the Saxons.
The knights were most surprised to be given a choice and after the initial shock Donnacht, Arawain and Ferroth chose to go to Lindsey and Odrig chose to go raiding.
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