The Welsh Marches PBeM Game

After the morning's jousting the noble members of the party settle down to discuss jousting 'form' with Sir Walter and his squire. He is passing through Cymmer Abbey and heading south to Pembroke for a tourney to be held by the Earl presumptive, Aymer de Valence, on the feast of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary (8th September). He's holding it to celebrate the accession of Prince Edward to the throne so his knightly tenants can participate and hear news from the North.

Sir Walter was at Harlech when a messenger passed through announcing that the King would be holding a Parliament in Northampton starting on the 2nd October. The man also mentioned that the King's favourite, Piers Gaveston, had been issued letters patent as Earl of Cornwall on the 6th August. This was previously a Royal Earldom so there is a lot of talk amongst the nobility about the influence that Gaveston has over the King. A mere knight's son being raised to high estate is unheard of and the opinion of the old King about Gaveston's influence is much reported.

Edward has reinstated Anthony Bek as Bishop of Durham, from which post his father had deprived him. Old Walter Langton, Bishop of Lichfield, the old King's Treasurer has been dismissed and talk is of Walter Reynolds as the new Treasurer.

Besides the news Sir Walter has much advise to offer his recent opponents concerning the correct use of the shield and the proper seat to take in the joust. Herluin departs, 'to practise' he says, after the joust and only returns later in the afternoon. He is disconcerted on his return to find that Wilfred has composed a song "in your honour" he tells Herluin. The song is unfortunately factually correct and does not show Herluin in a great light. Despite his protestations of bad luck and a stone in his mount's hoof it would seem that Wilfred likes the tune too much. Although he no longer recites the words to discomfort Herluin, every now and again either a few notes float forth from his harp or he whistles a bar or two with a smile on his face.

Herluin thanks Wilfred for the song.

"I am blessed to have a gleeman of your prodigious talent turn his attentions to me, that others might know of my deeds. Pray carry on. I look forward to championing your vast talents and advancing your cause with the same grace and gentility that you now advance mine; so, that someday, others will know of your remarkable character and show you the same tender regard that I now feel towards you. I am only a young man, alone in the world, and to have your special attention for my first joust touches me deeply. How could any Christian ask for more from a comrade-in-arms?

Caradoc has been checking to see if the other party has found out where they sailed off to but there is no sign of the ominous prescence. He has noted the mountains of Gwynedd rising to the north and the hills to the east.

Arnaud, Bauduin adjorn to the monastery after the joust to seek some refreshment. They've seen all the 'knightly' combat that they want and consider the task ahead and what boon success might bring to them.

Cymmer being a smaller abbey and less well endowed in the literary area Daffyd and Owain can report at supper that the monks have a book that tells a tale of Peredur, one of Arthur's brave knights, who was looking for the Castle of Wonders. He was told by a fair maiden that from her land he should pass over a mountain where there was a lake and in the lake was a castle and that was called the Castle of Wonders. And he entered into that place and saw a chess set playing itself. Whichever side he supported would lose the game so he grew angry and threw the set into the lake. At that a maiden entered and told him that the board belonged to the 'Empress' who would be most angry at the loss. Peredur's reply was to ask if it could be recovered and the maiden said that Peredur should go to the Castle of Ysdbidinogl and defeat the man he found there. After several setbacks and other quests the chess set was returned to the Castle of Wonders.

The problem now is to determine where the mountain and lake are that hold the location of the Castle of Wonders.

Talking with Brother Simon, but not mentioning the Castle or their task, elicits the information that a large lake, indeed the largest in Wales, lies but a day's ride north of the Abbey along the old straight road that leads to Conwy. However the monk warns that the local people talk of the faerie fort that controls the road by the lake and recalls a tale of a young man who sought a faerie bride from a floating island in the lake that appears and disappears. The young man found his bride and disappeared with the island and it was 20 years before he returned, looking just the same while all his friends and neighbours had aged the full 20 years. Simon regards the story as superstitions and folk tales but you see a glimpse in his eyes of hope and wonder as he recalls the old story.

Daffyd and Owain have indicated that more information to help with the quest is to be found to the north based on the discussion with Brother Simon. Raymond and Herluin are much taken with discussing the art of the joust with Sir Walter and the tourney at Pembroke beckons. However the threat mentioned back at Montgomery still hangs over them should the party not find the chess set for Lord Roger to give to the King by Christmas.

Wilfred is very pleased with his latest piece and continually hums the tune whenever he has a free moment, which seems too often for Herluin's liking.

Caradoc has scouted the start of the road north mentioned by Brother Simon to Daffyd and Owain and sees it as good for traffic although perhaps a lot less travelled than the coast road which passes through Harlech.

Owain uses a forceful tone that has been absent until now. In Welsh then Norman French he explains that legends seem to relate that a castle by a lake is our next point of searching, though the legends also state that there may be dangers similar to the water-fay back at the bridge.

"We handled her without much problem"

Caradoc looks a little uncomfortable as he says that

"So 'tis to the North then?"

Rising early the party attends the service of the Passion of St. John the Baptist at Prime and commences to prepare their horses and equipment for the day's journey. Daffyd arrives slightly out-of-breath as the last chores are completed, telling the others that he has been obtaining some small amounts of Holy Water from the abbey just in case it becomes needed. He shows 3 small pottery vials with waxed stoppers to the party before tucking them carefully into his pouch.

Leaving the Abbey freshly stocked with victuals from the storerooms the group sets a steady pace north along the old paved road. Sir Walter has already left on the road south, crossing the river by the ford, and heading for the tourney at Pembroke with his retinue. Both Raymond and Herluin cast a eye southwards as the road climbs gently out of the river valley. Soon sight of the river is lost as the road passes straight as an arrow into a typical Welsh forest of oak and ash.

It's obvious that this road is far less frequently travelled than the coast track as Brother Simon said. The grass grows thickly up between the stones of the road and the few welsh cattle headers that you saw on the hills close to the monastery are soon lost to view. The trees close in around the party, but the bird song makes the gloomy forest depths less forbidding as you pass from one patch of dappled sunlight to another. Caradoc feels very much at home here in the Welsh woods just ahead of the party, seeking out the shadows, moving steathily from rough-trunked oak to smooth barked ash and leaving barely a trace of his passing.

The forest thins every now and again letting you see the towering peaks on either side of the valley. Generally the once wide trackway has been reduced to a strip of small squared stones set into the ground shadowed by the encroaching forest. Till late morning a small river or stream parallels the road, but then goes west to it's source somewhere in the mountains. Late in the afternoon you reckon you've covered about 8 miles or so and the lake should be just ahead.

Breaking out of the forest into the late afternoon sunshine the party sees a large lake spread out in front of them. It fills the valley from side to side and several streams run tumbling down the mountainsides to add to it's deep, dark waters. The sunshine doesn't touch the surface of the water this late in the day and, despite the warmth of the air, the very stillness of the waters seems to give a tangible chill to the scene.

Almost at the end of the valley on the eastern side where the old road skirts the lake there are signs of earthen walls and ramparts although it's too far to see them as more than shapes breaking the regularity of the hillside..

You could camp here at the top of the lake close by the edge of the forest or try pressing on to the far end of the lake although it would be well dark by the time you reach there.

Caradoc looks at the setting sun and then towards the ruins.

"I can not see us making the ruins before dark. As there is the possibility of fey in this area I would suggest camping here. WHat say you?"

"Call me caitiff but I mislike this place. I say we camp here with a strong fire and godly words and proceed on the morrow under the strong light of the Sun"

"With a warning and the services of the good friar here we should be safe. If fire means so much to you then we can fashion brands to light our way.

"And if godly word is needed then the Friar has a strong voice. Friar Daffyd, do you feel sanguine about this?"

Peering carefully through the dark, as the moon is almost at the end of its waning cycle, the pair can make out a faint glow in amongst the trees probably a quarter of a mile away.

Carefully waking the rest of the group the pair tell each man to ready themselves for whatever may be the source of the glow.

> "A scoundrel trying to sneak past us in the dark ?", suggest Raymond.

Wilfred scoffs and says, "If its a scoundrel then its a cloth-headed one who would dangle bells and so of little threat. Nay its more likely some fairie light to lure us to an early grave. What ever it is we would do well to meet it with steel close at hand."

"I think you are correct. If it were man making that noise I think we would hear more of the crashing of hoves and feet that mortal man make as opposed to the silence of the fair folk."

"It is not beyond the bounds of reason for man to muffle hooves and tread warily. Yet it would not be ill to take precautions. Good Friar Daffyd. Perhaps you might compose yourself and select a prayer to calm our hearts and fend off the unholy should this prove to be a faery trick."
Caradoc interjects saying,
" I to believe that this may be more of the fey, and would prefer that we ready our selves here. However I make the offer to try and venture closer to see what can be seen, if this is what the rest of you wish."

Daffyd gets to his knees places his hands together and prays, blessing each of the party in turn in the name of the Lord God Almighty, beginning with Caradoc.

After receiving his benediction Caradoc slips from the campsite and heads through the darkness towards the glow and the sound of the bells. He is soon lost from sight amongst the trees.

The tinkling grows slightly louder, but it's never more that faint, and the glow proceeds through the trees, paralleling the road, and heading north.

After a few minutes the glow emerges from the trees about 120 yards from your campsite and the party can now make out a group of tall figures in rich looking clothes walking behind a hooded figure mounted on a horse. The whole party is illuminated by a number of globes of softly glowing light that drift alongside the group.

Raymond sheaths his sword, takes a big swallow and moves forward to introduce himself.

Wilfred mentally starts to compose Raymonds epitaph, but from relative safety.

Bauduin looks ready to speak but Owain rounds on him.

"Hush now, let us think. Do not mention a Holy Name unless we are beset, I think these Fair Folk may be of a different order to the Water Fey and will be quick to anger if they feel their honour is besmirched.

"They have been here a long time and may be able to help us to find the Chess Set."

Meanwhile back in the forest Caradoc creeps forward seeking the source of the light and the bells. As he peers through the trees his concentration slips a little and he strays too far into the glow from the faerie lanterns. As he does so one of the walkers turns and begins to chant a song of such beauty that he stand there entranced.

Caradoc bows as best he can, and speaks as clearly as possible

"Forgive my intrusion, fellow travelers. I mean no harm"

He halts his singing and replies to you (in Welsh), "Our lady is angry that you have discourteously approached our realm armed as if for war. She will cause you to regret your impetuous action. I believe that she is intending to have you taken to our howe and imprison you until the Feast of Samhain as punishment."

Now Samhain could be the pagan festival that falls at the end of October or it could be something else and anyway childhood tales spring to your mind concerning the different passage of time in the land of the Tylwyth Teg, it might even be a hundred human years from now.

You can see nearby the rest of the group with Raymond and Owain standing clear and talking with the fae who leads the party. You cannot make out what is being said.

The group of fae folk are dressed in fine garments of unearthly cut and colour. The males carry fine bows and are armed with swords having magnificently jewelled hilts.

Back with the rest of the party Raymond and Owain step forward and Raymond announces himself as Squire Raymond of Northleach.

The fae mounted on the horse leading the group, turns her cowled head, for 'tis a female with an unearthly beauty, and calls softly to Raymond in a tone of voice that speaks of dewy meadows and moonlit hedgerows, a voice from beyond the fields we know. She says (in Norman French),

"I am sure that you have a good reason for spying on the Fair Folk as we travel upon our business, however I am not sure that I wish to hear your excuses. I do believe that the men of the house of seclusion tell travellers that we do not like those who choose to travel this road. In fact I see one dressed in a like manner amongst you."

Raymond replies in a disappointed tone, "I was lead to believe that the Fair Folk had good manners. It would seem I was miss-informed. I will bid you a good night my Lady." With that he will do a short bow and turn back toward the camp.

Owain bows deeply. "My lady. It was not our intention to give or seek offence. We are travellers and took you also as such and we came forward to give you our greetings, and not, as you thought to spy upon you.

"And rather than cause you further offence, I shall follow the example of my brusque companion and withdraw, so that I might trouble you no more. But I hope to meet yourself and your companions under happier and more temperate circumstances." Owain makes to withdraw, but he hopes this undisguised flattery will pique the Fae Lady's interest

Arnaud says nothing, and a bead of sweat trickles down his brow.

Herluin stares at the horse, almost rapt, for several moments, then shakes his head and laughs.

Lady, you mistake us if you think we are spies. We make less noise than a thunderclap, and move faster than the seasons change, but spying...." He shakes his head. "We were taking our rest when you came by with lights and bells and woke us." Shrug. "I do not know what "the house of seclusion" is, but they have shared no knowledge of your preferences with me. Do tell us all what they are so we can avoid...(smile) spying in the future."

While this exchange is taking place Caradoc looks himself up and down for a moment and then replys to the fae warrior:

"But you are mistaken I am dressed for the hunt not for war. And as for crossing into your land, all I can do is beg your forgiveness for my lack of knowledge of these parts. Would your Lady accept some form of payment in atonement for my transgression?"

The fae warrior says to you,

"Wait, come with me, our lady is talking with your companions and may wish to question concerning the presence of you mortals in the forest here close by our fortress."

It seems that the fair words of Wilfred and Owain temper the brusqueness of Raymond's response to the statement of the fae lady.

Her brow furrows slightly and she replies,

"Your rude companion would do well to hold his tongue there are many who frequent the forests and hills who would remove it for speaking thus to one of my status."

She continues, asking, "What seek you here close by my fortress? Speak truely now for I shall study your words with care and any falsehoods shall be your undoing."

"My lady, I thank you for your forebearance. Unlikely as it may seem we are on a quest. There is something we have been charged with finding that may bring peace to this land and restore the connection between the land and its king."

"If you fancy your voice and ability to charm then now might be the time to sing to impress"

The fae lady seems interested in Owain's response and demands, "What is this quest and what 'thing' have you been charged with finding that may lie in my domain?"

"Speak truely for I have the means to determine any lies that may pass your lips. Think not your magecraft will aid you, aye, I smell the taint of magic on you. You have the look of Myrddin's people about you, although some of these here are of Saxon or foreign blood."

The balls of light you now see close up and they are not pure light as they first seemed but each is a globular swarm of fireflies .

If the dark the trees of the forest seem to grow larger and closer together and they also seem closer to the campsite than they were when you first heard the bells.