The Perilous Forest

Reacting to the earl's words, Sir Wilfred asks: "And it didn't trouble you that your men were left alone while your subjects were attacked? The trouble makers must have been pretty sure you wouldn't retaliate, if several such attempts were perpetrated over time!"

The Earl looks troubled by the words, and his anger rises slightly. If not for the calming influence of Gregor and Wolstan, he might be provoked by this interrogation.

"It is only good sense that bandits attack the weak. They are cowards, after all. If they attacked armed men, well that would be foolish of them. If they attacked my factor or my taxcollector, then I would scour the forest and hang them all, regardless of the difficulty. Alas, you're right. These attacks have emboldened them. Still, I have not the men to do a thorough job. I believe the peasants to the north have complained more than others, but those trails are full of lawless men who have long resisted my authority. Now, please tell me, what brings you to my castle, and perhaps we might find joint cause."

He's a little embarrassed about mentioning the lawless men, as if this is a failure on his part and feels that it makes him look weak. However, you're also fairly certain, each of you, that this is a ruse. Does he want you to go to the north country? If so, is he hoping you'd rid him of an old problem, or is it a distraction ?

Gregor "My lord, the task at hand is of course to find a way to protect the weak. Our King Arthur, who summoned us together, would have it no other way. My knight companions here shall contribute ideas on how to to proceed, but it seems to me the best place to start is the source of the trouble. What do you know about these bandits? Is there a leader, a base? Are they known to collude with any parties outside of your land? How do they differ from your ongoing plague of the lawless to the north?"

Sir Wilfred decides to take a sip of the wine, after all. He is very interested by the answer to Sir Gregor's question.

Sir Gareth is surprised at the boldness of Sir Wilfred's question just though it is, and he watches with great interest as the earl seems to squirm a little. He then nods appreciatively at Sir Gregor's most excellent question. Seeing the others drink the wine and not collapse in a heap on the ground, he does the same but still, his first taste is a tentative one as he enthusiastically awaits the answers.

The Earl listens, and has more wine. When Gregor finishes his questions, Earl Parwick raises his wine. "To the King!" His eyes sparkle with a kind of sharpness. Mentioning King Arthur got his attention.

Once you've each touched lips to your goblets at least, he replies: "They are bandits, no more, or so I suspected. I wish I knew more. When confronted by honourable men such as yourselves, I suddenly wish I'd taken them all more seriously. But I resolve to do better." He bangs his fist on the table as if to seal the oath.

He sort of answered your questions, or acts like he feels that he did. He is either equivocating, or simply, as he claims, unimpressed by the threat of the bandits.

"The freemen to the north refuse to pay taxes, and hunt in my lands. Yet, they know those hills better than any, and easily eluded my attempts to round them up. Their leader is a stout fellow named Veringvox."

"Well, based on your situation my Lord Parwick, it seems that some investigation may be warranted here."

Gregor turns to his companions, "What if we were to split? Two of us seek out this Veringvox, or at least question the peasants to the north about the troubles facing them there. While the other two of us question the folks who've experienced trouble closer to this castle. Surely those folks who have had contact with the lawlessness can help us paint a better picture of the problems Lord Parwick faces."

Gregor adds, "I think it would be beneficial if Fenwick and Maid Maude attend the investigation of the knights who stay close, since they have had direct contact with the bandits in this area and their insight could prove useful."

Gregor chooses words in attempt to put the Earl at ease in regards to his feelings on the knights supporting him against his 'lawless enemies', but he doesn't for a moment trust the Earl's account and believes there is a more truthful story to be told in the north and also that the peasants here could easily give a more accurate account of the state of this earldom.

"What say ye my companion knights of King Arthur?"

Wolstan isn’t yet convinced, but he puts on airs, offering no sign to the Earl that he believes lies pour from the man’s mouth like offal from a privy being drained by a gong farmer.

"Why do these men in the north reject your claim?" he adds to the dialog, before finishing with, "Your taxman is out and about? With these bandits harrying your roads? What protection does he have?"

And to Gregor, he nods. "We should confabulate."

Sir Wilfred agrees to what his fellow knights said, but reacts. "Confabulate we should. How far are those northern 'freemen'? Maybe we could all go there and interrogate the farmers along the way?" He is afraid of dividing the party into two weaker groups.

"I would be happy to seek out Veringvox." Gareth likes the idea of speaking with the villagers as well. We could ask exactly that, Sir Wolstan. Why indeed do they not pay? It could prove to be a most fruitful journey."

He too wonders about the length of the journey to the north.

Gregor adds, "Yes Sir Wilfred. Excellent idea to ask the villagers along the way as we seek out Veringvox. And as Sir Wolston questioned, there must be some skill to how the Earl's taxman has been able to avoid the bandits' harassment out on the road. We certainly should talk to him too.

I agree, especially if the lands to the north are a far journey from here, that it does make sense for us to stick together. Though, I still feel it would be beneficial for Maid Maude and Master Fenwick to accompany us."

Pretty much convinced the Earl is not going to reveal much more, Gregor again is trying to make the Earl think that the four knights would be dispersing to offer him assistance, but in fact he knows the band will be, instead, dedicated to uncovering the truth.

As the three knights confer quietly, Sir Wolstan has concerns of the Earl overhearing, so he instead bends Parwick’s ear and tries to lead the man to believe they won’t be staying long, and that they in fact have other business.

"We will do what we can to look into this, Earl," he begins quietly, capturing the man’s attention. "But it may be that you need to double your watch on the roads and add swords to those who protect your taxman and other agents. We have a task set by Arthur — one I cannot discuss — that lies well beyond your borders. We were only intending to pass through your lands, hoping for some hospitality as we went. We will look into these matters for a day, but then we will need to carry on, my Lord."

"You may ask my taxman yourself, perhaps he knows more than has been passed onto me." The Earl is thoughtful, his eyes taking on a light suspicion, as if wondering why indeed the taxman is unmolested.

"You wish to avail yourself of the maid, and my retainer Fenwick? How unexpected. As to the Maid Maude, she is the handmaiden to a guest in the castle." He thinks on that a moment, and you recall that Maid Maude told you she served the Earl's mistress. The Earl however, can think of no quick reason why your stations would be below his 'guests' rank and privilege. "Done! I will have them made at your disposal, to return here when you're through."

He stretches his arms, "Ahh, if you could see the north slope with the primroses are in bloom, surely there is no finer estates in all of Britain. There is even a roman bath in the rear of the estate, I've had it refurbished. It is at your leisure, of course. My steward will see you have rooms for the night, you're free to roam the castle, and a meal will be served here." He looks over his shoulder at the door he came in. "I must depart for a while, but I will return for dinner."

He stands. "Gentle knights, it's a pleasure to have you here."

"We appreciate your fine welcome. May your guest forgive us to make her uncomfortable for a few days." answers Sir Wilfred while saluting the Earl while he leaves. All said with a barely noticeable smile.

"Indeed, a hearty welcome and generous as well," Sir Gregor says, feeling none of the enthusiasm he shows. Raising an eyebrow of surprise at Sir Wilfrid's remark he is secretly delighted.

Sir Gregor Gareth neither likes nor trusts the earl whose honeyed words fall flat on the knight. He turns to follow Sir Wilfrid and leaves.

"Earl," Sir Wolstan says politely as the noble takes his leave, before turning to his fellows.

"Our gracious host is suspicious," he says lowly. "Our further investigations -- for they are needed -- will need to be subtle. The Earl will have eyes and ears all over, remember this. Do not speak in a manner that will put the innocent in the path of his wrath. Now then. Before we leave this place and go north, or pretend to, who is it that we need a dialog with? The man named by the maid, certainly. And the tax collector? Merchants or petty lords who feel injured by the Earl's taxes, I would think? What of his mistress?"