One Brief Shining Moment

[Prince_Asuryan]

John lowered his head in a small bow to Adelle once she had left the church.

'My thanks to you, my lady, for riding out here at such short notice to help our friend. We are indebted to you, and should you require anything, please allow me to try and assist. I'm sure that my friend Tinian is grateful as well.'

Turning to see Alain nearby, John patted him on the shoulder. 'Well done friend, you've probably saved his life.'

[Krusader]

Gaius said thanks to the very attractive page and prayed thanks for Tinian's recovery. He was glad the squire would live. Still his mood wasn't as bright as it should have been, mostly because seeing the priest Garr with a mistress had shocked Gaius. Priests were the link between the Lord Saviour and the sinful and had to be pure. Seeing one living with a woman and not even married had disturbed Gaius. But he had not said a word of it to the others and to the priest as Garr had been helpful and it would not be in good manners to chastise a man of the cloth after he had provided help.

Pushing the thoughts to the back of his mind, Gaius gathered the other squires and asked them:
"What is our next course of action then? I'd say we travel back to Vagon when Tinian can be safely moved and report back to Sir Elad. We'll take the bear trophies with us, along with those two prisoners. Or does anyone else have other ideas or something I forgot?"

[cidracin]

Bowing slightly to Adelle, "Thank you for saving Tinian's life I fear he would not be alive without you. I know only how to fix minor wounds and prevent major wounds from killing until a doctor like you can be reached." Aldrydd said. He added in low voice so that the others could not here,"Lady Adelle does Sir Elad know you are here, since you are in disguise disguise I'm guessing no. I'm also assuming that Alain knows who you truly are as well."

[Calarion Sapherior]

Adelle responded politely to all those who thanked her. To Aldrydd, she said, "Sir, he does not. Father's regard for me has never been more than he would have for a broodmare to be sold to the highest bidder. If you wish to thank me, sir, then I would have your word of honour that you will not let Father know; nor will you take me back to him."

[cidracin]

"Adelle I am sure that you are more than just an object to be sold to your father. You are too beatiful and smart for any man to see you as such. I'm sure that deep down you know your father loves you and that you love him. If you were to not return to Vagon I'm sure it would hurt him tremendously and not just because he would have one less daughter to marry off. Surely you would not do that to Sir Elad, it would be quite selfish. Also do it for Tinian whose life you just saved, Alain , me and the rest of us for if we do not return with you I assure you your father wold have no problem killing us out of grief. Although if you do not care for Vagon perhaps one day after I have been knighted you could visit me at my manor in Winterbourne Stokes, I can assure you would not be treated like a broodmare there." He added hopefully.

[Calarion Sapherior]

Adelle wept a little at Aldrydd's words. "I... I don't know. I want to be alone now." Later that evening, she spoke to Aldrydd again, dry-eyed this time. "You are right of course. I have been terribly selfish. I must return to Vagon Castle."

[cidracin]

"Then we should set out as soon as possible then." Aldrydd said energetically. Trying to hide his dissapointment at her lack of response to his earlier invitation, although he knew he was not much of a romantic.

[Bob of Beleriand]

OOC: going to try reply to some of these posts in turn.

John
"That is little consolation, John, it was perhaps my failure as a leader that put his life in risk in the first place. Saving him even still was not without a price to be paid."

Gaius
Alain found himself far too tired and indisposed to even notice the presence of the Priest and mistress living in sin. "We should perhaps, move Tinian to Vagon. Within the wagon he should manage, even if the journey may be slow." Alain caught himself trying to lead once more silently admonishing himself he added. "That is the course of action I'd suggest at least."

---

Alain waited in the dark outside the church for Adelle, hoping that she would return to check on Tinian. Spying her crossing from her unknown origin, he called out softly, calling her over to him.
"Its occurred to me, Adelle, that I haven't thanked you for your gracious hospitality at Vagon, or your selfless aid bringing Tinian back from the brink." Alain offered a sly smile to punctuate what he was saying. "For that alone, I owe you a debt. But yet you know I need to ask, humbly for you to return with me to Vagon." Alain's smile faded, a serious tone replacing it. "I know I shouldn't ask you to do that, but when your father discovers your absence at my behest, he and his Knights shall fall upon me akin to the manner they are doing so right now to the raiders. For no crime other than showing you an adventure, for taking you from your prison." Pausing for a moment, gathering his thoughts, Alain then continued. "There are many new adventures to seek, new horizons to chase. Adelle the Page travels the gates lacking the attention and gazes from the guards that Lady Adelle attracts. Should I escape the wrath of your father, perhaps Sir Alain and Adelle the page can seek new adventures again."

OOC: Attempted Romance - roll 6.

[Calarion Sapherior]

"Oh, Father wouldn't kill you," Adelle said. She paused and thought. "Or maybe he would, actually. But I know I must return: Aldrydd has already convinced me."

She smiled faintly when Alain mentioned more adventures. "I might like that," she said.

[Krusader]

Before the squires went to sleep Gaius gathered them together to discuss what to do next

"We are all glad Tinian is out of danger, but the same can not be said of us." Gaius began saying.
"Now we need to bring Lady Adelle back to Vagon and with an explanation to Sir Elad who surely will have returned to the castle by now. Telling the truth will only see Alain flogged or maybe worse. There are also other plans."
"We could say bandits took her prisoner for ransom, when she was outside the castle walls, that is outside without the castle guards knowing and we rescued her. We do have two bandits alive as "proof", and whatever they say, Sir Elad would maybe not heed their words as they are not nobility, as it is their words against ours...and Adelle's. Which would mean she would have to agree to the plan. Another option, which Alain mentioned to me earlier, is to say Silchester Knights took her, but which again require the young lady's cooperation...plus if the Silchester knights did find out about our lie, it would just get worse. Both plans require us to lie to our lord-Knight" Gaius said, while shooting a worried glance towards Aldrydd. Aldrydd was a fine squire and would be a good Knight, but he was also too honest for his own good self sometimes. Like the time Aldrydd and John had been questioned if they knew who had stolen some food from the larder and Aldrydd had confessed right there and then.

"Do any of you have other plans that might be better? I've even thought about blackmailing that sinful priest to say he summoned her, but then Sir Elad would be suspicious at once, as our dear Lady would have taken guards with her."

[Prince_Asuryan]

John looked thoughtful. 'How would a group of bandits have kidnapped Adelle? She would have to be beyond the castle walls for that to occur. Would it not be possible to bring her back, and simply say we met her on the road, or outside the castle. Surely Sir Elad would not punish her or us for this?'

John sighed. They had swapped one danger for another.

[Prince_Asuryan]

After several minutes of silence, John looked up again.

'Alain, you say you didn't recognise Adelle when she was tending to you, until she told you?' Alain nodded. 'Well then, why not say she didn't tell you? Simply tell Sir Elad that you believed her to be an ordinary healer, and that she agreed to help us without informing you of her true identity.'

'But what of when she arrived? I recognised her straight away.' Asked Aldrydd.

'By then the mistake was made, and we may as well see it through to the end,' said John. 'You feared for Tinians life, so allowed her to work. As soon as he was safe, we brought her back to Vagon. We apologise for the mistake, and Sir Elad excuses us. Hopefully.' He added.

'We will need her to agree to help, but other than that, I see no problems should Sir Elad believe you Alain.'

[Krusader]

"That idea sounds good. But what if Sir Elad questions each of us?" Gaius replied. He was worried Aldrydd would tell that Alain knew, but the plan seemed the best so far.

"Unless anyone has a better plan, I can't think of anything better than what John suggested"

[cidracin]

"John's plan makes sense to me." Aldrydd said nodding his head.

[Anarion]

Tinian came to briefly, uncomprehending of where he was and too confused to remember what had happened. "Where am I?" Vaguely he saw people about him and the beautiful face of a girl hovered near him briefly, a concerned look on her face. The scent of her was a memory too him, of feverish pain, soothing voices and the cleansing and binding of his wounds. Some of the other voices sounded familiar. He opened his mouth to speak to her, but the effort was too much and Tinian slipped back easily into semi-consciousness, slowly fading.

OOC: my post for the 'week'.

[Krusader]

Gaius was to suggest that Alain would tell Adelle, then he noticed that the day's hardships that taken their toll on the squire and Alain was deep in sleep. Gaius sighed and decided to be the one telling Adelle of their plan.

Gaius looked for the young lady and managed to find her before she went to sleep. After introducing himself he told to Adelle their plan and tried to as subtly as he could to underscore the fact that the squires wanted to return her to Vagon without themselves being punished.
He then awaited her reply.

[Calarion Sapherior]

"What brave knights you will be!" Adelle retorted. "You wish to avoid danger, so your idea is to make me take all the responsibility?"

[Krusader]

Gaius cursed inwardly at forgetting that Adelle would face punishment if they had followed that plan.
"Our apologies Lady Adelle, we have not had much rest these past days to think clearly. Yes, that is one aspect we have not thought about and of course we wish that you should neither face punishment."
Gaius said after a moment's thought: "Lady, you would not have any ideas on how to bring you safely back to the castle and in such a manner so that none of us will face punishment? If we tell the truth of Alain's involvement, he may not become a knight and neither of us would wish that to happen to one whose only concern was to save a friend's life?". The way Gaius said it, it was clear to Adelle that 'us' meant 'the squires and Adelle'. He also hoped mentioning Alain's plight would make Adelle help them.

[Calarion Sapherior]

"You should have asked me to your planning meeting," Adelle groused. Nevertheless, she frowned as she began to think about it. "Why don't we just lie? I went to pick flowers, was abducted by raiders, and you lot rescued me. Or faeries. If Father isn't back by the time I get back, I could always just say I never left the castle."

[Krusader]

Gaius shrugged and shaked his head
"I don't think your father would believe the faerie story. And we could say raiders abducted you, but then your father's men-at-arms and servants even would be punished or chastised for not going with you, after all a maiden is not supposed to venture alone outside the castle walls.
And your father should be back now in Vagon. I can't think it took longer than a few hours to kill some raiders. But what you forget dear lady is that if raiders captured you and there was no ransom demand made, people would think they took your virginity and your father might think the same and order the local clergy to...hmm...how to phrase it..."check if it is so". I don't know much in the manners of womanhood, but if half the rumours I've heard are true, it would be unpleasant for you.
There is also the problem that one among our group is a too honest man, who find it hard to not tell the truth."

Gaius sighed
"I think our only course of action is to wait till dawn, then travel to Vagon. If your father has not returned, we'll see if we can smuggle you in. If not, we tell the truth and Alain's aspirations at becoming a Knight are diminished. I am truly sorry Lady Adelle, but unless we have a better plan until we reach Vagon, I see no other course of action."

OOC: If there is one thing I've learned from reading history is that religions are very occupied and concerned with the subjects of sex and procreation. The Church had ways to find out if a woman was virgin or not, from what I recall, so I assume the Roman Church in Britain has it likewise.

[Calarion Sapherior]

"It is sad that Alain will have to suffer for my foolishness... but if he has agreed, that is very gallant of him."

[Bob of Beleriand]

Alain's chin was buried in his chest as he thought, Alain entered the room. "Gaius, we have but one course of action available to us. The only course worth considering. I shall confess my sins, throwing myself upon the mercy of Sir Elad. My course of action shall drag down me alone, the way it should be." Alain's calmness belied the peril he knew awaited him.

[Calarion Sapherior]

On Monday morning, Tinian was placed in the wagon again and the group began to travel south. The weather was cold and gray, matching the moods of the group: squires, noblewoman and bandits. The pace was much slower this time as well, as the group took care to make sure that Tinian was not disturbed; they did not want his wounds to re-open.

Not far from Vagon, the group met Sir Mabon, one of the household knights of Sir Elad. The Marshall returned to Salisbury on Saturday night, and had spent the last two days sending out knights to find his missing daughter. Sir Mabon proved to be close-lipped about the Marshall's reaction, and it was only a short time until the squires reached the fortress. Tinian was quickly bundled away to the care of the physician Eurig, the bandits taken to the dungeon, while the squires and Adelle were brought before Sir Elad. The Marshall's expression was neutral, but it was obvious that he was restraining his emotions.

"Explain yourselves," he said softly.

[Bob of Beleriand]

"My fellows were not implicit in my crimes, Sir Elad. Spare them your punishment I beg of you. I and I alone acted wrongly, chose poorly. I came to Vagon seeking a healer, I found one, your daughter. Against her better judgement she aided me at my behest, she rode out of compassion to save a life in peril But my actions were done out of love and compassion, my brother Tinian; cruelly struck down. In my grief recklessness took hold, desperate I took action that I shouldn't have. I accept responsibility, and punishment for my wrongdoing." Alain dropped to both his knees, lowering his head and offering his neck. "The love you bear for your daughter is not unlike the familial affection that drove me to action. I have spoken enough to my defence, Sir Elad, I am at your mercy."

[Calarion Sapherior]

"Adelle, you put him up to this, didn't you?"

Adelle began to stammer out a statement, but Sir Elad held up a hand. "Enough!" he roared. "I cannot believe the colossal stupidity of the two of you! How could my own loins have produced such an idiotic child? How could my best student have turned out to be such a brainless cretin! What were you thinking? You weren't even thinking! This county is riddled with bandits, Saxons, and raiders, any of whom would love to take the daughter of the Marshall of Salisbury captive to rape, ransom or murder! And what of your reputation? Travelling unchaperoned in the wilderness like some common tramp - how could you embarass yourself so? If word of this gets out, the gossip this year at court will be all about how my slattern daughter whored her way through the countryside! Adelle, go to your quarters immediately, I will see to you later. As for you, you miserable excrescence, get out of my sight - now!"

[Krusader]

Gaius sent a worried glance to Alain when his friend left the castle hall.

He then stood to attention, waiting to be dismissed or spoken to.

[Bob of Beleriand]

Stealing a secret glance to Adelle, Alain hurried from the room.

[cidracin]

Aldrydd frowned as Alain was sent from the hall. On the bright side Alain was still a free man as was the rest of the group, he hoped that this was the way things would remain. Like Gauis he knew best not to speak unless spoken to by one of the most powerful men in Salisbury.

[Calarion Sapherior]

After a moment, Sir Elad raised his head to look at the other squires. He was still obviously angry, but his voice had returned to its previous, controlled tone.

"Now. Tell me of your hunt. What happened to Tinian, and where is Meuric?"

[Prince_Asuryan]

John stepped forwards, licking his suddenly dry lips.

'My lord, the hunt was successful, and the bear slain by Gauis. Tinian was inured by several bandits we found assaulting a farmer on the return. Two of them are in your dungeons.' The young squire gulped visibly now, 'Meuric... Meuric was slain by the bear. By all accounts, he fought bravely and with honour.'