A Bell
In our Pendragon campaign, we are heading towards Exeter, in search of King Mark. We get there without further issues with strange beasts, and start enquiring as to the whereabouts of the King.
The Seneschal at the castle offers us hospitality, and we accept. We are put up for the night, and told that the King has gone to Barnstaple. This would involve going through Morris Forest, or maybe taking the longer way around, and go via the road. Following the river up, and then going by road, is probably the best bet. We are unlikely to get lost in the woods that way.
Apparently the King is raising a fleet, since he is considering war with Ireland. The Irish have been raiding, and the King does not approve of this.
We are told that though there isn’t a road going up along the river Exe, there are trails which we can follow.
We head north along the river. It is foggy, cold and damp. That evening, we camp down for the night in the wilderness. There are howls coming off the moors, but we settle down to eat and then sleep. We setup guards, just in case.
During the night, there is the noise of a vast host riding at speed. We get the impression of riders with banners, but don’t make out any details. By morning, there are clear signs of a large host having ridden by. The tracks lead into the forest. However, there’s no easy way for a host to have crossed the river at this point.
Sir Madog doesn’t see any tracks though, and is convinced that we are just mistaking normal marks on the ground for the prints of horses. It would be utterly foolish for us to to follow the tracks into the forest, so we do. After all Merlin did tell us that it was up to knights to do stupid deeds. Or heroic deeds, we don’t recall which.
We leave most of our squires behind at the road, and they come up with a clever idea of starting a fire so that we can find them via the smoke if we come out of the forest at a different place.
We head into the forest, and after a short while we come across a small stream that runs down into the river. The tracks seem to follow that, though Sir Madog still thinks that we are deluded. However, he is willing to come with us because it is the knightly thing to do.
We come across a group camped by the side of the stream. They ask if are lost and in need of help. However, they look suspicious, and we assume that they are bandits. Sir Madog is able to get across the stream to try and flank the bandits.
We ask about the Host, and they say it was probably the Old King, riding towards Tintagel. They talk about the Old King having lusted after Egraine, the wife of the Duke of Cornwall. I try to get across the stream, but my horse refuses to cross, appearing not to like the cold water.
Sir Madog, who has made his way across the stream, asks them who is their strongest. None of them are willing to take up the challenge. So he starts riding towards them, and they shout out how much they hate knights, and shoot at him. Sir Lupinus charges across the stream.
Eventually, I manage to persuade my horse to cross the stream, and make it to the other side in order to support my comrades. I charge at the bandit that is fighting Sir Madog. Sir Madog strikes him with his sword, wounding the Bandit, but he remains standing. So I charge in to try and finish him.
Whilst Sir Lupinus fights a second bandit, the other three flee.
Sir Lupinus hits his, and I ride in and slay the bandit fighting Sir Madog. I turn towards the one on Sir Lupinus, just as Sir Lupinus finishes him off.
With the rest of them having fled, we investigate their camp, in case they have anything which needs to be ‘taxed’. Sir Lupinus finds a fancy box, within which is a bronze bell. The box has a gold cross on it, so it may have been taken from a church. It’s probably worth about £20, but we should take it to a church.
We find our way back to the river, and with our squires head up to the ford at the road. There is an inn there,. Asking about bandits, we are told that some bandits stole a bell from a nearby abbey. So the next day we head to the abbey and return the bell to them.
They are very happy, and write us a letter of praise, that says that we have done good work and commends us to the King. Or at least, that’s what they tell us, since none of us can read.
After staying at the abbey, we head onwards to Barnstaple.
We declare ourselves, offer our congratulations to the King along with the gift of the Falcon, and mention that we are looking to see if the King wants to join in an expedition against the Saxons.
The King is out hunting at the moment though, so we are provided lodgings where we can wait. Barnstaple is not a stone castle, but it is well decorated. It also has mosaics and underfloor heating. Sir Madog seems to greatly approve of this luxury, and to be honest, I’m in favour as well.
