You do not have permission to edit this page, for the following reason:
The action you have requested is limited to users in the group: Write.
The gloom lies heavy over Modron’s [[forest]], but maybe, just maybe the shadows are a little longer and the woods a little quieter than it usually is. In among the trees when walking west along the river Nader you eventually end up on the ancient lands belonging to the [[Cellydon]] family. The peasants on those lands are a mistrustful bunch, vary of strangers and highly set in their ways. Thanks to the efforts of Lord [[Cadwallon]] and his son Sir [[Cadry]], the strange men and women living in these lands no longer kill the foreigners entering these woods like they did back when the [[romans]] ruled the lands outside the [[forest]], but participation in the doings of [[Salisbury]] comes slowly. The lord of these lands used to be known as very hospitable man but people claim that as he has aged, he has become wiser and thus keeps the rest of the world at an arm’s length. The few who are invited to his lands might perhaps expect to find an old hovel half buried in the ground like it was done in the past, but a surprise awaits the guests. [[Tisbury]], as the manor is called, host a large, modern wooden hall built from the straightest and sturdiest pines that can be found in Modron’s [[forest]]. One can almost still smell how fresh the timber is, relatively speaking, and it gives the large hall a feeling of vigor. Apparently the lord cares much for his home as the entryway into the hall are heavily carved with images of ancient gods and fantastical beast, whose likenesses have not been seen in many a year. The same care has been given to the inside of the hall that also carries many carvings and decorations. From the roof, many different sorts of herbs and spices hangs from the rafters and gives cause to a strange but not unpleasant smell. In the middle of the hall, a large hearth has been laid out and it gives of waves of heat, ensuring that one seldom is cold in this hall. When we proceed to the fire to warm ourselves after [[The Cold|the cold]] rains outside, we pass by three chairs that are occupied at the moment. Two of the chairs are ornately carved and they contain the lord and [[lady]] of the house. The lord looks concerned and the [[lady]] bothered by the fact that she is heavily pregnant. In a simpler chair facing them sits an unassuming man that regards the world through a pair of innocent eyes that strongly belies the devious mind that dwells behind them. A discussion has obviously been going on for a while. The lord drinks from his goblet and gives an inquiring look to his wife who just shakes her head no in response. The rest of the hall is empty at the moment. The children are absent and the rest of the servants have been put to work in other places of the manor so that a private conversation can be had. The lord asks advice from his [[lady]] wife and from his advisor in regards to the vacant marshal position in [[Salisbury]]. They all agree that this cannot stand and that something must be done. The advisor, in his quiet way, suggest that the lord, being a man of great renown should assume the title himself and that few would dare say him nay. The lord quietly considers the words but some inner self-reflection seems to take place and the lord states that he is not ready yet for that responsibility as of yet. He states that he must learn. The [[lady]], knowing her husband’s mind, contends then that he must learn from the best and only one man can fill that post as things stand, and that man is Lord [[Amig]], the lord’s brother in law. Consensus is soon reach among the three and means and measure’s that must be taken to put Lord [[Amig]] into position are discussed. They all have a role to fill in this political scheme not just the lord of the manor. The [[lady]] is a confidant of the countess herself and the advisors know many other unassuming men that have the ears of other important men in the county. After another lull in the conversation, the lord’s mood turns foul as he brings up a sore subject that carries a more personal relevance. The head cook that serves the countess have long made himself a nuisance not least thanks to the longing gazes he has thrown [[Lady]] Brangwen’s way but also in slighting the lord of the manor by offering up sub-par fare at [[The Feast|the feast]] in Sarum. The matters need to be dealt with and in his usual direct manner, the lord states that he ought to kill the man for his impudence. The [[lady]] and the advisor looks at each other uncomfortably and first to speak is the advisor. He carefully chooses his words when he suggests that perhaps it would be… “political” to not slay the cook outright or for that matter bring up the matter before the countess’s court. The lord glares angrily at his advisor but has come to trust and rely upon him. The [[lady]] picks up where the advisor left of and mentions that the countess appears weak in the eyes of her subjects and that bring up such a slight against one of her most renowned knight will only undermine her position even further. The lord sharply inquires if they both expect him to just remain silent and let the stain upon his honour continue. Both the [[lady]] and the advisor is quick to assure him that they expect no such thing. The advisor instead suggests that there are other ways to handle this matter. Silence reigns in the hall for a short while, whilst the lord attempts to compose himself and then he states that he cannot condone any solution that would stain his good name. The advisor replies that he is well aware of his lord’s honour and will make sure that the matter is seen to quietly without any unfortunate problems for anyone involved. Well, anyone but the cook that is. The lord exhales heavily through his nose, moustaches moving due to the air and then the lord simply nods his acceptance. Exit the advisor. The [[lady]] takes her husband’s hand and then brings up a familial matter. Mathwy son of Cadfael, a young man of the more remote parts of the family has seen the example set by Sir Nerthach and Sir Dylan and also wishes to join the noble knighthood and serve the county. He has no noble sponsor within his own close family and they think the boy foolish for wanting to leave the deep parts of the [[forest]] from which he hails. The [[lady]] tells her husband that the boy has come to her in secret and begged her to help him reach his goal. The lord asks why the boy has not come and asked the lord himself. The [[lady]] explains that the boy is intimidated by her lord husband’s reputation and also that the boy does not wish to be humiliated in case he would have been turned down in front of the household. The lord smiles, remembering his own fragile ego as a young man, and tells his wife that she should send the boy to him and he will personally measure the boy’s worthiness to become a squire. Should the lad prove capable, the lord will see to finding a suitable knight to serve as the boy’s lord. The [[lady]] gives her husband a warm smile before grimacing and putting a hand on her stomach. She takes her husband’s hand in hers and places on the spot where their new child is kicking. A quiet warmth and happiness lies over the hall as we discreetly leave the hall once again after having dried out near the fire burning in the hearth.
Unfinished Comments active
Save page Show preview Show changes Cancel