The Perilous Forest

"Whatever spell these tablets held," Wolstan says, using a makeshift cudgel to sift through the smoldering ruins, "it’s been broken, ruined. The witchery here is no more. All that remains is for us to decide: do we lie in ambush here in case the she-fiend returns, or do we make for the Earl’s, pressing on with haste?"

"I say we make for the Earl’s. It would be hard for our large company to lie in ambush. And since we wouldn’t know for how long, we can’t put the Countess and her maid through that uncertain rigor." Gregor responds with his vote.

"Let's move. We are not at our advantage in these parts, with a large company and ladies to protect. Plus we don't know the field." votes Sir Wilfred.

You gather your body of men and women, Brits and Picts, nobles and commoners, and ride for the castle.

It's all coming to ahead now, you sense it. The witches hold on the Earl, well none of you know what will happen next. Will he awake as if from a dream, or was he complicit in the foul goings on all along?

Hours later...

The pictish scouts signal a warning. Tightening your greaves and vambraces, checking your swords are free in their scabbards, you advance.

The four of you, Fenwick trailing behind to watch over the Countess and Maid Maude, push past the pictish scouts.

There you see the Earl, and several of his knights, and men at arms. Both sides are surprised to see each other, suggest well balanced in numbers.

"My lords. Leading these barbarians onto my lands is a declaration of ill intent. Did you expect to do so without my knowledge?"

"Earl Parwick," Sir Wolstan says, riding to the front of the procession, his visor up, but his hand on the hilt of his sword. "We have learned that dark sorceries have infected your lands… your holdings, mayhap even your senses, my lord. By God’s will, we have come to root out those evil magics and put things right. God moves in strange ways, and has placed these barbarians with us to help protect against the witchcraft of the woman who has wormed her way into your home, lo, into your bed."

At the retainers with Parwick, Wolstan points a mailed finger. "All of you, lords and squires and men-at-arms, you know I speak truth. No blood need be shed today. But make no mistake! The witch will be dragged forth, and she will pay for her crimes!"

Gregor looks back to see if he can spot Fenwick's location and if he has the women safely secured. When (or if) Gregor recognizes the women's relative safety in their ranks, he trots out to bolster Sir Wolston's call to the Earl and his men by making himself visible---also with his hand on the hilt of his sword.

He thinks that the Earl is not aware of Countess' presence in their party and wonders how him knowing would affect this encounter. But for now, until at least Sir Wolston can reason with the Earl's retainers, he feels it's best she hangs back and stays safe.

Sir Wilfred sides with Sir Wolston and says nothing, showing that the senior knight spoke for all of them.

Sir Gareth is shocked at the candid nature of Wolstan's words but there it is laid out before the earl. He is very curious about what the earl's response might be and his apprehension is evident in the way his hands twitch on the reins as he sits ready to unsheath his sword and fight if need be.

He searches you're group and then freeze on someone in the back, "Kill them! All of them." His words cut sharp, his own blade remains in his scabbard, but he is armored and ready.

You have a moment to prepare as his few knights and men at arms, numbering similar to your own force, scramble for their weapons.

Gregor rides far enough back to get Fenwick’s attention to say, "Fenwick, keep the women safe!"

He then rides along side Wolston sword still drawn.

Sir Wolstan is unwilling to accept that the Earl's men will blindly follow his lead when so much of what the man has done is suspect. He turns on his horse and thunders down the line that separates the two sides, his visor up and his voice booming as his horse's hooves churn the turf.

"Lords of Castle Parwick and her surrounds! Think, men! Think of the things the Earl has done, and what God sees in this! The deals struck, his rightful wife sent away! A bloody witch skulking in your halls! In the name of Arthur, King of the Britons, put up your swords! Join your countrymen and help us to drive out the blackness here that clouds the Earl's mind! Do not bring shame on your houses, do not have these be the deeds for which you are ever remembered!"

Gregor takes off his helmet and slides his sword back into his scabbard. He urges his horse close to the front line of 'Earl's' forces and calls emphatically,

"You know Sir Wolston's words are true. No swords need be raised toward you today! This party led by knights of King Arthur is not your enemy. The true threat to you, your lands, and to the prosperity our King Arthur steadfastly works to uphold is Earl Parwick's allegiance to the unholy. Heed Sir Wolston's plea and let this day be remembered as the day you restored that prosperity to your lands."