The Perilous Forest

Sir Wilfred stays speechless for a few seconds, thinking about the implications of what the handmaiden just said. Then he turns to his companions and says: "So, what will it be? I am keen to try the cunning plan of Sir Wolstan, but I will of course bend to the will Maid Maude." He says the last words looking at the girl, in a friendly and open manner.

"I say my good knights, let us visit this earl and inform him of our encounter with brigands in his lands. I am curious to hear his reply. From the information Maid Maude has sheared with us---on the instruction of our King's trusted counsel Merlin---it sounds like his response may not be forthcoming and will warrant our further investigation in to matters, particularly into the dealings of Mr. Alistair. Let's engage Sir Wolston's plan."

"To the Earl's estates!" Wolstan says with zeal, but before the four men take off at a gallop, there is of course the matter of the maid and her hopeful suitor. To that man, the burly knight speaks as he dismounts.

"Fenwick, you've sworn Maid Maude's protection, and a fine job you've done, holding those curs at bay. What say you now if I offer my horse to the good woman? So that she may ride, rather than walk, back to the castle?"

Fenwick wonders if she is so fine a lady as to deserve that special treatment, but she is fine to his eyes. "It is a kindness, Sir, and it is not my place to object."

He looks at the maid, and asks her quietly, "Back to the castle Maude, or onwards farther. I'm at your service."

"Thank you, Fenwick, you've saved me from an awful fright. Let us return with these good men. This nightmare may be over at last!"

You press on and by near to sunset are passing through croppers fields. Evening traffic of people about their chores, gathering sheep for watering, or getting the last of the weeding done in the waning light. Most turn and watch you a moment, important folk afoot -- they likely wonder if you're a knight they've heard stories of.

You pass beyond a copse and see your first glimpse of the castle. Perched upon a hill, it commands a view of the lowlands around it like a shepherd tending a flock. Or, if the stories you're hearing are true, a wolf.

Sir Gareth raises his eyebrows at the generosity of Sir Wolstan. He has to admit to himself that he probably would never have made such a generous offer and thus he admires the knight for that. Sir Gareth's horse was far too precious to offer to an unknown maid no matter how pretty.

As the castle came into view, Gareth admired the pastoral scene and the splendid castle nestled on the hill. But his enjoyment of that was tainted by the idea of the man they sought inside. A man not to be trusted and that cared not at all for the people in his charge.

Sir Wilfred, like his companions, saw many castles in the past. He is not much impressed by this one, but curious about the ways to enter or defend it. He tries to assess what kind of welcome the party is likely to receive when approaching.

Before they are fully in sight of the castle, and of the serfs who live and work in the fields surrounding the place, Sir Wolstan lifts the maid from his horse and remounts -- to make a proper impression.

"Is there anything else we need to know?" the knight asks both Maude and Fenwick, "before we begin to unravel this dark twine? Anything else the man with the white beard said to you?"

Sir Gregor will follow the party to the castle after Maude or Fenwick reply to Sir Wolston.

Maude says, "The Earl has two guests of note. The Abbott of Brown Cloister, a church to the north, and John Alistair, of whom I know little. He's not local, that's for sure." You walk along, Maude riding on Sir Wolstan's horse, and then she adds, "The Earl has become a skinflint. He used to spend more, on furnishings and hosting, but in the past four years, he's slowly become more miserly with his coin."

You continue onwards to the castle, and the gates which stand open vomit a sextet of armed knights. Knight is perhaps too much credit, although the lead may be of the peerage. The other five are likely men-at-arms only, although armed too well for mercenaries or simple soldiers. A dozen pikemen follow, and a steward as well, hastily arranging for the pennons on the two lead pikes to hang properly.

It is a welcoming, befitting your station, or perhaps, just above your station. There is yet, however, no sign of the Earl.

Sir Gareth nods as Maude talks about the earl's guests.

"A skinflint you say? I wonder if he has fallen on hard times and is planning something with the Abbot and this John Alister you mention. Hiring ruffians to steal from others would support this notion as well."

The Abbott of Brown Cloister is a man of standing in the local community, but not famed at all. John Alistair is a stranger to all.

You would surmise that this display may serve one of two purposes: either the Earl wants to make a strong and positive impression, or that they know who sent you. For four knights to receive such a welcome for no reason is highly unusual, but not unheard of.

"This is certainly interesting," says Sir Gregor referring to the grandeur of the welcome. "Perhaps we were expected. Well my friends, shall we pass through the gate and make our introductions to the Earl?"

"Yes, Sir Gregor, we shall do just that," Wolstan says, kicking his horse to motion, making it canter for a time before directing it to slow to a trot.

"Good knights and men!" he calls to them, raising his visor when he is but twenty paces away. "We are four knights from the south in need of supping, resting our horses and our heads. We seek audience with the Earl! Are our standards welcome here?"

Sir Wilfred stays near Sir Wolstan as he speaks, and keeps his eyes open as he looks around at the place and the people around the party. He checks for anything that might look unusual.

Sir Gareth remains ready to unsheath his sword if need be for this welcoming does indeed seem a bit overzealous. His mount senses his rider's readiness to spring and dances in place, tossing his head as the events unfold before them.

A steward steps out from behind the men and bows lightly, "Come knightly sirs, be you welcome in Castle Parwick. Come, come, your horses will be attended too and stabled. The Earl is attending to a difficult matter, but should be ready to see you in a quarter of an hour, if you'll do your humble servant the honour of forgiving him. Come, you are most welcome." He has all of the manner of a sniveller, but doesn't seem mean spirited about it.

Inside the castle yard, young stable boys will take your mounts and unsaddle them if you wish, if only to groom and feed them. The boys seem eager to please, perhaps hoping that they could become squires! Although, they're too young to be taken seriously.

The steward rubs his hands nervously at the inner doors, waiting for your pleasure.

After what he heard earlier today, Sir Wilfred is a bit suspicious of the steward. However he decides to comply for now. "I am Sir Wilfred, at your service. I didn't immediately catch your name, though?" he asks, while dismounting.

Wolstan dismounts as well, then gestures to the pair afoot behind them. "We have with us the Maid Maude, and Fenwick, brave man-at-arms. Both were beset by ruffians on the Earl's lands, and are only in good health and spirits now because we knights drove the cravens off. See that their needs are met, good man, and that they are looked after."

Handing the reigns of his horse over to a stableboy, and his weapons (other than his sword) and shield to the armorer, he removes his helmet and adds, "Is this news? That these types plague the wood that is so close to the castle?"