The Heirs of Britain - Game Four Point Five

The Heirs of Britain

Session 4.5: 480, Lord of the Manor (Vandagild Solo)

Sir Vandagild, recovered from the worst of his grief and grievous wound, surveys the hall of Winterborne Gunner; now his hall. He sees the marks of his father’s work and life throughout, each scuff and mark bringing memories of the dead man; slain fighting for the High King Aurelius, the man with whom he sailed from fertile Aquitaine; the man with whom he fought to reclaim Aurelius' righteous Kingship.

And now both are dead, lain to rest beneath Stonehenge, beneath the Sacred Stones of the Giant’s Dance; stones that his father helped the now King Uther take from Ireland. His father always swelled with pride at our superiority over those meagre folk from the western island. But both those men are dead, and Uther's Kingdom uncertain and broken, with menacing Saxons settled mere days from these lands. Though their defeat at Salisbury was crushing, the Saxons will no doubt recover, and with Britain ununified before them…

Vandagild's thoughts are interrupted by a servant; the feast is on schedule and the guests due to arrive. He nods gratefully and looks for his Lady Catrin: His heart is weakened with love upon finding her; she wears his gifts, and her fiery hair rests gracefully on a viridian dress, swollen at the belly. They share a smile.

______ The Guests Arrive _____

Notable Guests include the Earl, Sir Roderick of Sarum Rock; Sir Elad, Marshall of Vagon; Sir Golistan the Hunstman (Lady Catrin’s father); and Sir Amig Castellan of DuPlain and leader of Vandagild’s eschille in Salisbury. Each is glad to see Vandagild alive, but offers condolences for his father. Amig gruffly praises Vandagild’s toughness; he saw the wound he took as it happened, and thought him dead at once. Alas, Sirs Iwan and Elvorix cannot attend, with pressing matters in their own lands.

Sir Golistan, aside, tells Vandagild that his son Uvan is of age to Squire; he offers Vandagild the privilege; he accepts graciously and keenly! He has known young Uvan for many years, and though once he playfully scruffled his hair, Vandagild now grips his arm firmly; he smiles with pride and anticipation of adventure.

The guests are all brought to their seats; it is noted that Vandagild is dressed and presents exceptionally well! He has invested more money than is usual to ensure the feast impresses; it is his first as Vassal and landowner, and in the presence of great men. Vandagild, as host, sits at the high table among the most famous and noble guests, as does his young uncle Sir Vanduith, who saved his life in battle.

Vandagild orates once wine is poured, thanking all present for their presence, noting their importance in his life, and emphasising how each makes him a better man and a better knight. He speaks modestly, turning the glory to his guests and their fine character. A joyous roar responds, and a toast is raised in his name!

In timely fashion the food is served: The first course is delicious roasted meat with mustard; it steams, and the aroma as it enters brings many to search for the source. As we talk, Earl Roderick has a request: He enjoyed the speech and approves of Vandagild’s modesty. The journey, however, was difficult; the weather turns cold and snowy; his entourage need good rest. Without hesitation, Vandagild offers the best rooms in the manor for the Earl and his Knights. Lady Catrin is somewhat put aside, but Vandagild reassures her that the inconvenience is temporary; he promises to commission her a fine embroidered cushion as apology.

_____ A Witch and a Falcon _____

As the second course is cleared, a moment allows for guests and servants to pledge to their Lord. Many unnotable folk proffer properly, but one draws mention here: A witch! An older lady, swathed in cloaks, enters slowly, under careful eye of many. She bows deeply, and from her cloaks she brings a small, round stone, with a clearly carved icon. She introduces herself as Llyria of the Wodewood; this stone was from her grandmother, who received it from a druid. It is a charm for the health of newborns. She tells that folk speak well of the young Lord Vandagild, and she offers it to him now, wishing prosperity and good health upon his family! An auspicious and generous gift, Vandagild accepts it graciously. Briefly conversing with Catrin they agree and declare: Their first daughter will be named for this gift; Llyria! Catrin caresses her swollen belly idly. The woman offers that we may need to write it for safekeeping, if we’re able; Vandagild will have first five sons; she knows this. Vandagild is curious, but the mysterious woman departs, leaving a strange and pleasing energy behind her.

Feasting continues, but soon Sir Golistan clasps Vandagild joyfully by the shoulder; on his other arm, a Falcon! Hooded and calm, the creature impresses, though Vandagild knows little of these beasts. Golistan is proud of his new bird, he received it as a gift from the Duke of Lindsey! Look, Vandagild, Look at her sheen! A magnificent creature! Earl Roderick happens nearby, and brings himself to the conversation; oh the joy of this creature, talons like porcelain daggers, wings like an angel of the wood! The two men glow with excitement, and declare that we MUST fly the animal! Vandagild, of course, assents; he brings Lady Catrin, for she is fond of falconry and quite the talent.

Vandagild, however, is not the talent; though his love for hunting is famous, he spends little time with birds. Nonetheless, fortune favours him; when he flies the beast after a coney, it returns alive and well! Golistan is the better, of course, timing his release perfectly and snagging a healthy hare for the kitchen! Roderick is joyous! He laments the lack of good falconry in Salisbury, and suggests maybe Vandagild ought to develop his talent; he clearly has a knack! Vandagild promises to do so, for his Lord's pleasure.

_____ A Royal Surprise _____

Later, while discussing the Battle of Salisbury with the older knights and thanking Vanduinth for saving his life, Vandagild is interrupted: Prince Madoc, Heir to the Kingdom, Fellow Defeater of the Quintaine at Vagon, and friend of Vandagild’s, has arrived! Most unexpectedly! And most inebriatedly! He brings Sir Jarren with him, the son of Baron Duach and the finest swordsman in the land. The two have brought their own wine, but are in want of more. Vandagild is joyous!

Alas, there is complication: Madoc’s rank demands a seat at the High Table, of which nil are spare. Vandagild decides quickly, though not without pain, that Sir Vanduinth is the only man he might fairly ask to leave; and propriety demands that ask he must. The latter is famously proud, but Vandagild speaks well; he promises Vanduinth a favour, publicly and joyously, for stepping down to allow the Prince appropriate seating. Vanduinth accepts this, though he is clearly begrudged.

Talk resumes. Sir Madoc, Prince of Logres, is apparently the Baron of Woodhouse now, a castle under construction in Salisbury; he will be spending much more time here. He slurs a little, clearly enjoying his indulgence. While lamenting the displeasure of having to be so far from court, he almost spills his wine on another guest; Vandagild quickly, subtly, motions to a servant from across the table, who tilts the stricken vessel upward a touch to rescue the situation. Madoc, perturbed at the intervention of a peasant, berates the man a little; Vandagild offers a grateful but apologetic look to soothe. Later he thanks the servant personally.

While clearly loosened by drink and less polite than many, Vandagild takes the Prince’s intrusion as a blessing and a source of joy. He joins with and Sir Jarren, and they discuss their recent battles. Sir Jarren, a proud man, speaks little of being saved by Vandagild’s unit, but they talk of their wounds and recovery. Jarren is clearly uncomfortable, perhaps troubled by the appearance of defeat, but Vandagild handles it with dignity. Jarren briefly inquires as to how this land came into his possession; Vandagild begins to explains his father’s journey and death, but Jarren tires quickly of the story. Nonetheless, he is happy Vandagild is around; it’s good to have valiant knights by one’s side.

_____ A Man Who Wants To Stab The Prince _____

Later, Sir Vandar, Vandagild’s giant beauty of a cousin, claims some time: The insult to Sir Vanduinth, Vandar passionately explains, is too great! The man is family, and he saved your life; to let this Prince walk in and depose him from the high table is offensive, and demands recompense! Vandagild tries earnestly to calm his cousin, but the towering man will not be dissuaded; he wants to Duel Prince Madoc! Vandagild, while maintaining as much modest and decorum as possible, denies the event; he will not have royal blood spilled in his hall, on the first feast of his vassalage, before his Earl and Lord. Besides; the Prince’s presence here is a blessing for the family, not a curse! Though Vandagild is sympathetic, the two do not agree; Vandar is famous for loving his family, and for Honor, Honesty, and Valor; the combination brings him to boil at the circumstance. He is upset, but yet does not stab the Prince. Vandagild breathes a heavy sigh of relief, but watches his good cousin through the evening.

While the night draws close to an end: Sir Nidan, a neighbouring Knight from the Manor of Winterbourne Dauntsey, wishes to discuss banditry with the new Lord; Nidan knew Sir Vandevig, but was unable to come to satisfactory terms dealing with a local bandit problem. He pushes Vandagild for the same, but the problem is complex, and the man himself confusing. Time is planned to address the matter more properly, but this leaves the man grumbling as he walks away.

_____ A Princely Promise _____

Sir Madoc, quite drunk, sits heavily beside Vandagild; his clothes a little loose, his hair tousled. He saw what happened with Vandar. He reminds Vandagild of their friendship, and tells him not to fuck with him; he is a Prince and he has little room for such things. Vandagild reassures the man that he plays no games. The Prince sighs, and nods. He is grateful for how it was handled; he has no fear of fighting Sir Vandar, but he is grateful nonetheless. The Prince demands broader attention, and raises a toast the Vandagild! More quietly, he tells Vandagild that he will be Sarum often; he asks for a promise for support in Court, should he need it. Vandagild understands the Prince’s firm need for loyalty and the complexity of his position, and gives the promise.

The night ends; Guests retire to their chambers/hallways/floor, servants sneak among them, tidying and assisting. Vandagild and Catrin, having no room of their own, find a quiet place in the halls to enjoy one another’s embrace.

Prince Madoc stumbles out with Sir Jarren in tow, likely retiring to a ditch somewhere.

Image 1: Banquet hosted by the Bishop of Normandy, from the Bayeux Tapestry © The Art Archive / Alamy Stock Photo

Image 2: Sleep in the barn. Antonio Mele, 2012.  Painting, Oil on Canvas

King Arthur Pendragon 5.2