The Perilous Forest

Sir Wolstan is first pleased at the reunion, at the glee on the faces of the two women, but storm clouds gather in the man's expression when there's talk of treachery, of murder, and of witchery. Finally, the truth begins to reveal itself, but it is not what the man expects... and it is not welcome.

"My Lady, sorry to remind you of that you have fought hard to put behind you. You are beginning to reveal the root of the Earl's wrongdoings. Such unspeakable evil toward you, Countess. I'm sure it is hard, but we appreciate your strait-forward honesty. None we have spoken to have been as true as you...except Maide Maude here. She has risked much to journey first to find and seek aid from us and then to meet you here. Her bravery has uncovered other dealings of the Earl as well."

Gregor turns to Maid Maude, "perhaps you would be willing to relate to the Countess what you saw in secrecy from the cover of the closet."

Sir Wilfred is also astonished by what he hears. When the maid has told her tale, he asks in the most courteous way possible: "Did your lord husband make a direct threat to you? And did he make any move to stop you from coming here?"

Maude repeats her tale, of overhearing the Earl speaking with the man about paying the bandits.

Cynewise is confused by the story, not understanding why such a transaction would occur, or to what purpose. She expresses such.

When Sir Wilfred asks about threats, she responds, "It was his idea to ensconce me here, and it was the best option for me as well. He saves face for a wife who bears him not sons, and I no longer need suffer his presence. Oh, it is a good life here, with a peace I've never before enjoyed. Father Dyddion is a distant man of dark humours, but he leaves me be." She pulls her shawl tighter. "It is not with the comforts I've known for all my life, but God's light shines brightest when there are fewer distractions."

Wolstan is quiet, lost in thought for a moment as he half-listens to the other knights ask their questions, and Cynewise's responses.

"This witch," he finally says, to Maude as much as the Countess, "is this the woman... who is with the Earl now? Has she cast some spell on him? On others in his court?"

Regardless of the answer, he wonders aloud further. "And how did this sorceress come to know you and your husband, Cynewise? Forgive these indelicate queries, but there is much at risk here, including your continued safety. In the name of the King, we will be righting these wrongs."

She holds a hand to her breast, as if overcome and needing a moment to compose herself. She then looks out the window. "I married young, as young as can still be proper. She lived in the woods farther in the wilds, just on the edge of the Earl's claimed territory, near the Swamp of Peril. She came to the wedding. She argued with the Earl during the feast afterwards, while I was dancing with a courtier. When I asked him after about it, he said, 'The harridan is jealous I didn't choose her. As if I would take a peasant to wife.' He said it just right, and I put it from mind. Afterwards, after the troubles with my pregnancy, I saw her once in the back halls. No one else had seen her, but life got worse. He turned from me, we fought often. I sensed she was near, but never laid eyes on her again. Eventually I came here, to escape my lord husband's displeasure and wroth."

Maid Maude, a peasant girl herself, feels terribly for the young countess' travails. She says quietly, with intense compassion, "Yes, m'lady. Shezbaz is now in the Earl's bower."

"There is obviously more to this woman than we thought..." says Sir Wilfred pensively, referring to the so called witch. "Is there anyone who could tell us about her, and where she comes from? Is it far from here?"

Wolstan nods sympathetically as Cynewise relates her tragic story. "My lady. This has all been so tragic. I'm sorry for your suffering and treatment. The Pendragon would be aghast. We will make this witch, Shezbaz, answer for her crimes."

"I'm sorry, good knight. I know nothing of the witch or her abode."

Maid Maude says, "I think I know where she lives, if rumours are true at least. It is several hours ride south and west of the Earl's castle." She doesn't add 'peasant' as a descriptor to the rumours, despite the accuracy of such, as it would seem that she would be forgetting her own low birth.

Outside Brown Cloister
Gareth softens a bit as they stand there in silence. It wouldn't do to have word get around that he was disrespectful to a man of the church. After all the knights did pledge loyalty to it. He was a maverick in some ways, yes, but he knew he needed to take care if he wanted to continue with his sometimes less-than-knightly behavior.

"What keeps you occupied out here all day other than the church necessaries and the care of your charge? Is the Countess Cynewise, happy?"

Nodding at Maid Maude, Sir Wolstan says, "I remember hearing that. We will seek out her hovel, and we will burn it -- it and all the heretical witch things she keeps there. We will end your exile, my lady, and clear the fog from your husband's mind. God wills it."

The man wants to ask about Cynewise's pregnancy, but thinks better of it. Instead, if they can get Maude alone, she might know the tale of what happened...

"Indeed Sir Wolston. We should burn the witch's hovel. But what can make us sure that the witch will be there as we approach and burn it? Without the witch destroyed can we be sure the Earl's mind will be clear of her cursed fog."

He turns to Maude and compares her frame to that of the Countess.

"Maid Maude, you have been brave to find us and accompany us on this quest to put things right. Your determination has been valiant and I appreciate the peril you with your man-at-arms Fenwick have willingly engaged in to join us on this journey. I understand if you've had enough and wish to have no direct dealings with this witch Shebaz. But...if you are bold enough to see this through to the end, and you and my fellow knights would entertain it, I have an idea."

"What if you masquerade as the Countess and we make it known as we return that the 'countess' has personally charged us to escort her to face Shebaz directly. The witch would surely be lured into a meeting with the Countess. Then we could destroy her and her hovel. We couldn't ask Countess Cynewise to actually face her oppressor, but if she thinks you are the countess, we would have a chance."

Gregor secretly hopes that the Countess would volunteer to face her enemy and not have Maude stand in for her.

"Otherwise, my suggestion is for us to first seek the advice of Merlin before attempting to burn the witch's hovel."

Outside Brown Cloister
"It's difficult work out here in the wilds. In a abbey closer to a town, we could do less ourselves, but I didn't come here to avoid work. I came to save the heathens from their idolatrous ways. The Countess is a good woman, and the Earl gave me some funds so that I could keep her comfortable. I hired a few people, and purchased luxuries to make a more comfortable lodging for her. A feather mattress even. But I spend most of the days thatching the roof, or tending the garden. I'm more farmer than I am an abbott, truth be told, but it's God's work, and I'm thankful for that." He seems fond of the countess, and more so of his little cloister out in the wilderness.


Inside Brown Cloister
Maid Maude immediately agrees to the request, but Cynewise touches her arm. She suddenly seems to grow older, in stature and countenance rather than any physical change. "Maude, I cannot ask you to risk this on my behalf. No, this is my fear to face, and I would be honored if you would be my handmaid once more. Will you ride with your lady to face the Shezbaz?"

"Of course, countess. I am yours."

They clutch each other in friendship. "I do not have a horse, Sir Gregor."

Fenwick offers his. As is right.

"Then that is settled. We leave at once. Only, allow me some time to collect my things and dress to make the arrival as impactful as we can."

It was hard to keep from chafing. The Abbott was a pompous self-righteous ass but at least it was obvious that he cared for the countess and for that he was thankful. She seemed much better suited to be away from the dreadful earl and his harlot.

"I am glad that the countess is able to make a good life here then."

Red-faced, Wolstan has to choke back words when Sir Gregor suggests that Maude masquerade as the Countess... but the young noblewoman puts an end to the unchivalrous plan immediately, soothing the knight's rather traditional sensibilities.

"We thank you, my lady, for your willingness to do this. Too long has this witchery and subterfuge gone unaddressed. Together, we shall right this long catalogue of wrongs."

Sir Wilfred has difficulties hiding his surprise at the plan being discussed right before his eyes. But he decides to keep silent, after exchanging looks with Sir Wolstan and seeing that he is ready to go along with it.

Maid Maude retreats with the Countess to her room to change into travelling clothes and pack things for the journey and the ploy.

Father Dyddion reenters the church after they leave, and says, "You're welcome to stay and you can sleep on the floor in here, for only a modest tithe."

Sir Wolstan looks to his fellows. "What say you, good knights? Warm food, a roof and solid walls after so many days and nights afield?" If there is agreement, he nods at the man of the cloth, agreeing to the price.