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Such was the shadow cast by the fallen colossus that the Anarawd line remained obscured, perhaps to fade forever. No-one then knew whether Gamonds eldest son Cyn lived or had met an unfortunate end, his second son an infant fighting for survival in a beleaguered land. These were lean years. Sioned fought domestic wars daily. In the short time that Gamonds widow had been the [[lady]] of [[Ludwell]] she had found kinship with the Anarawd. As her blood had mingled with that of Neillyn and Anna in Galen, so had her spirit. And she was a tough, determined woman. The smallfolk grumbled and suffered, tithes a growing burden on their welfare. They whispered in corners and in their cots at night, the Harridan of [[Ludwell]] was Gamonds in truth, for the great loyalty, generosity and all the sacrifices to protect them that their lord had given were easily forgotten in long nights of hunger. Remembered were the hard hand of vengeance and necessity, the flash of rage in moments of weakness. That the manor itself, and those in it, were little better off mattered little to them. Compared to their meagre lot even the squalor in which their peers judged those living in [[Ludwell]] to suffer seemed garish luxury. It did not seem luxurious to [[Mabsant]]. It seemed unfair, an unjustified hardship. For a growing boy hard at work he was not hungry, nor was he ever truly sated. Time at home seemed more punishment than respite and serving [[Padern]] was something to look forward to. He saw his mothers battles, the brave face she put on, and the toll her determination took. She took it upon herself to match every sacrifice the commoners made, and despite murderous demands from the dowager countess to pay tribute she not only made ends meet in the manor but looked to the future. The old wooden hall was replaced by stone, half sunk into the earth, angled windows. Impossible to burn, hard to attack. Plans and resources were put towards the future. Despite all this she was not given her due. Bodwin was the official steward, and he often balked at her orders. It galled [[Mabsant]] to no end. He stewed in resentment, and tried to think of some way, any way, in which she might be given both the influence and respect she deserved. Over time, a plan formed. He had to prove himself to the family, and make a bid for stewardship. Then his mother could advise him, and if he could be seen as part of the family perhaps he could secure both their futures if ever the heir to [[Ludwell]] returned. But how to do so? Despite the overall tragedy of the [[Isle of Wight]] something there had sparked an idea. The late Lord Gwenwynwyn had spoken of his brother Gwyn, and his interest in the lost blade of the Anarawd. Surely an undertaking to search for such an heirloom would earn the recognition he sought? To that end he travelled to the border post by [[Hantonne]], now Essex, and spent two evenings with the guards there. The company of a well spoken young squire bearing good food and decent wine was not taken amiss, nor was the standing offer of half a Libra bounty to any who would steer this Gwyn to [[Ludwell]] should he happen to pass by. With such riches to win, the offer was held close by those who guarded the border. The missing wine and food earned him a hiding such as he had not received in many years and a month of hard work beside. He bore it in silence. It was a small price to pay for what he had to do. Around [[Ludwell]] the [[forest]] gloom grew wild and dark. And like the Anarawd themselves, the grove that was in many ways the heart of their legacy was shrouded in shadow, and lost to the world of men.
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