Winter Court

After the dreadful news of the calamitous campaign around Colchester to the south, and the still more awful news of the defeat of Content Not Found: duke-lucius_ of Caercolun in the north, things look dire for the Cymric people this year. _Content Not Found: sir-brastias-2 paints as good a picture as he can, talking of the many defeats he inflicted on the Saxons to the north, but it is almost impossible to hide the truth from even his loyal heart. As winter draws in and Christmas approaches, anticipation rises for the Christmas court, this year to be held in Sarum.

The knights each make their own seperate ways toward the city along routes made treacherous by the season. While the parties of Content Not Found: sir-saravinus-arilius_ and Content Not Found: sir-brychan-eurion_ make good headway, the household of Newton Tony (Content Not Found: sir-harredoch_ and Content Not Found: sir-uaine_ are delayed a few days by bad weather. Despite his proven strength and prowess on the field, Content Not Found: hectorprimus is delayed even further, as is Content Not Found: sir-tomas. The worst journey of all however, was had by Content Not Found: sir-brennan-emrys-kellen who in travel with his wife and servants was set upon by bandits. Fortunately, the knight and his brave squire soon dealt with the motley peasants and were at last able to reach the city.

The city was rapidly filling with folk come to attend court, and the group were to be encamped in a food barn, well cleaned and comfortable enough for the duration. The upper floors of the barn were given over to the servants of lady Sewain, betrothed to the lord of Ryddishan, and her two bodyguards Sirs Cly and Beggan were to share the lower floor.

While waiting for their various comrades to arrive, Content Not Found: sir-brychan-eurion_ and Content Not Found: sir-saravinus-arilius_ spent some time discovering what was occuring through the city. Rumours of a Gaulish knight were spreading, who it was claimed had been in talks with both the absent Content Not Found: duke-gorlois-1 and the King of Malahaut whose lands like many others were under fierce saxon attack.

As the others gradually trickled into the city, other news was discovered and warnings given. It was expected that the representatives Silchester would soon arrive, and that all were to be wary of their knights, untrusted as they were.