The Perilous Forest

A pictish man steps forward, and behind him, a Christian monk with tonsured hair. The pict is bare chested, well muscled, with a northern style skirt around his waist, and a thick belt. in one hand, he carries a warclub with a cruel looking knot on the end that looks like it has been well used.

He adjusts his jaw and says in halting and awkward British, "I Veringvox be." He looks sideways at the monk and says, "Tafwick teach British me. I know of King Arthur, warlord good. You welcome to speak. Come." He waits for acknowledgement, but by some handsign or other sign, you can hear the archers in the woods relax their bows.

The monk, Tadwick apparently, steps to nearly the side of the Pict leader but still a little behind and says gently, "I am brother Tadwick from the Brown Cloister. These are good people. Make no aggression upon them and they will not think to harm you." He says only then, "It is their way that you speak only to Veringvox, not to me, but I will translate if it is difficult." He says something of similar length to Veringvox in Pictish, and then steps back behind him.

Gregor acknowledges the offer of Verinvox, "It is good that you found us on this road Master Veringvox. We appreciate your offer to speak. Shall we speak here? "

Gregor is relieved and thankful that the situation has deescalated as opposed to the opposite. He looks at his companions to read their level of ease or concern.

Wolstan waits a moment, evaluating the situation, then introduces the quartet, gesturing at each man as he voices their names.

"We are Sirs Wolstan of Glengrave, Gregor Gildon, Wilfred, and Gareth Heath. As our good fellow says, knights of the King of Britons' court."

But then, having made formal introductions, the man is content to follow along behind Gildon and the pict chieftan. He does watch, however, for some moment when we can catch the Brother and have a quiet word with him...

While his companions speak, Sir Wilfred looks around and behind while trying not to look too inquisitive.

Despite the tension easing, Gregor remains prepared for an attack. Though not yet drawn, the knight's hand remains near the hilt of his sword.

"Hail brother Tadwick," he says in a friendly enough manner.

Sir Gregor is pleased that Sir Wolston remembered to cordially introduce the knights individually. He inwardly kicks himself for being so unrefined as to forget. He’ll learn, eventually.

He sees that Sir Gareth still has his guard up. Though he thinks that’s wise, he doesn’t want these people to take offense and change their posture to an aggressive one.

He dismounts and takes off his helmet. He looks at the pict leader and addresses him directly, "Veringvox can we speak here or is there a place off the road." He would prefers to allow him and his fellow knights see how many men are in the Pict ranks.

"Do you have any dealings with the earl?" asks Sir Wilfred out of the blue, if only to watch everyone's reaction, be it from Veringvox or the monk. He is wary of the later, not sure of the role he is playing in this situation.

"Earl. No dealings. Earl tried to ... " he frowns, struggling with the words, and rattles something off in his own language.

"The Earl attempted to impose a set of land use taxes, including stumpage for every deer and partridge taken in his lands. The freemen refused and shortened his constable after he attempted to arrest the chieftain." Tafwick makes a throat cutting gesture with the word shortened.

Addressing Veringvox Gregor says, "Judging from our initial encounter, the Earl should have approached it much differently and allowed your men to hunt freely and asked for them to keep the roads safe for travelers instead. We haven’t yet heard much good about the Earle’s dealings in these lands. Your perspective is welcome and will help us in our quest for information."

After saying that, Gregor glances at the monk wondering if the statement will need translation.

Gregor is so far still willing to adhere to northerner’s custom of addressing the chief only, but also curious (like Wilfred) what motives the monk has in this.

He asks Veringvox, "Chief, although it is good fortune for our conversation, how is it that you find Tafwick in your company?"

Sir Wolstan dismounts, removes his helm and joins his fellow and their host at the fire.

Questions are asked and answered... nothing too shocking, really, comes from the chieftain. The Earl seems a fool more than anything, to make demands without leverage or a plan. These men should have been shown off the Earl's lands, but from a position of strength. Now -- they are here to stay and surely staunch enemies of the nobleman.

When the time is right, he speaks up, asking Veringvox, "We have questions for the monk as well. May we ask them?"

Given the flow of the conversation, Sir Wilfred decides to dismount as well and removes his helmet.

Sir Gareth dismounts, feeling that any potential threat is now unlikely with the knights' sympathetic ears on display but he still keeps an eye out for trouble. The earl is truly a buffoon and this opinion has been reinforced numerous times. Sir Gareth wonders how such a man remains alive and not already murdered in his sleep as he listens to the exchange, hoping that questions can indeed be asked of the monk as well.

With Tafwick translating, Veringvox ignores your questions and says, "What is your interest in all of this. Tafwick says that you do not bear the Earl's standard, you are not his knights. What does your King Arthur intend to do and why do you care about the welfare of freemen?"

Brother Tafwick adds an aside that, "If you wish to talk with me after this conversation, I'd be happy to talk then. The ways of the chief's people would see it as an insult to discuss a retainer while in formal negotiations."

"We can only be open with you Chief Veringvox, and we pray you will do the same. It is true we do not bear the Earl's standard. We do not answer to him. You are right that we are King Arthur's knights. The King called us to meet at the crossroads south of here. And his chief advisor, Merlin, sent these two, Maid Maude and Master-Of-Arms Fenwick [Gregor gestures toward the two] to meet us and tell us that the Earl has been paying bandits to harass travelers. The King is apparently concerned about the Earl's handling of these lands. Our reason for wanting to speak with you is in the hope that your account would illuminate the truth on what has really been going on in these lands."

Gregor is about to also be open about the party's intent on visiting The Brown Cloister but stops himself from full disclosure. Aware that they yet have to learn what reason this monk from Brown Cloister has for traveling with this group of Picts, he looks at the monk and says, "Thank you for translating Brother Tafwick. I am thankful for your presence here facilitating this conversation. I do hope, as soon as it is possible, you can speak with Sir Wolston about the spread of the faith in the north."

Sir Wolstan’s eyebrows raise at the candor Sir Gregor displays — at the trust he places in their host, a man who commands a small and potentially hostile army that surrounds them.

As the other knight veers towards saying more, specifically about the Earl’s wife, Wolstan makes the creak of his leather and clank of his armor loud enough to get Gildon’s attention; a glance at the older man clearly indicates Wolstan wants Gregor to say nothing further just yet.

Gregor notices Sir Wolston's body language, understands, and heeds its message.

Sir Gareth too was astonished at Sir Gregor's openness and almost grinned at the racket Sir Wolstan was making to grab his attention and encourage him to stop talking.