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Post by Morgan le Fay on Dec 24, 2011 0:17:31 GMT
A small island off the coast of Cornwall. Home to a famous seeress.
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Post by King Mark of Cornwall on Dec 24, 2011 8:10:32 GMT
Mark of Cornwall, his squire Dinas, Teilo and three armed soldiers approach the island in a boat.
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Post by Morgan le Fay on Dec 24, 2011 10:21:07 GMT
The island was so small it was plain that few lived here. As they got closer they could see that it was home to fisherfolk. A stone building dominated the island, round, squat and round.
"The dun," Telio said as their boat grew closer. "You won't find your seer there, king. The dun belongs to the chief of the village. The village is so small they are all bloodkin. The seer...she has a hut beyond the dun, but to pass you must speak to the chief. You will get no kneeling from the men here. They are an old people and proud."
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Post by King Mark of Cornwall on Dec 24, 2011 11:00:16 GMT
Mark gave a bark of laughter. "If we wanted them to kneel, we would compel them do so, with more strength than we have here. But we shall indulge their pride for the moment."
As soon as the boat grounded, Mark leapt ashore, Dinas following him. The three soldiers formed up behind Mark.
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Post by Morgan le Fay on Dec 24, 2011 11:14:11 GMT
Telio led the way ashore. No-one troubled them as they made their way up to the dun. Two men in undyed wool guarded the entrance. Both carried spears tipped with iron. Mark and his soldiers they eyed with undisguised suspicion but one of them grinned at Telio.
"Greetings, cousin. Why come you here?"
Telio's face was solemn.
"Mark of Tintagel, who styles himself King of Cornwall, claims audience with the Seeress. We come to pay our respects to the chief of the isle. As all men know, the proper forms must be remembered."
The guards whispered among themselves. The one who grinned at Telio seemed in favour of letting them pass, the other against. In the end, Telio's friend won.
"Pass," he said.
They were let into the dun. The ground floor was a large room filled with straw paliasses and a wooden table. A chair sat at the far side of the hall with a man enthroned upon it. Men and women sat around the table and all of them stared at Mark and his companions. Telio gestured at the man in the chair. He was not a youth but nor was he old. He was perhaps thirty with a solemn face.
"That's the man you want, King. The Seeress is his grandmother. He protects her well."
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Post by King Mark of Cornwall on Dec 24, 2011 11:32:12 GMT
Mark nodded.
"Greetings Chief. I am Mark, son of Merchion, son of Custennin, King of Cornwall, appointed as such by Uther Pendragon and confirmed by Arthur High King of all Britain, in succession to my uncle Gorlois of Cornwall.
I come here to consult with the seeress, who I am told is your grandmother."
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Post by Morgan le Fay on Dec 24, 2011 11:58:43 GMT
"That is so," the Chief replied. "And why should I let you pass? My grandmother is old and frail, half-blind . The Sight remains to her, as do her wits, but her body is failing. What benefit to me and mine to let you disturb an old lady who is no longer strong?"
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Post by King Mark of Cornwall on Dec 24, 2011 20:58:55 GMT
"The benefit of the friendship and gratitude of the King of Cornwall." replied Mark.
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Post by Morgan le Fay on Dec 24, 2011 21:37:12 GMT
"Gratitude will not feed my people or protect us from Irish raiders, or heal our sick. I do not deal in things that I cannot touch, lord king. Indeed, to my own people, I am the closest they know of kings and lords. I protect them, make sure all do their share to see that we are fed and clothed, and my grandmother the Seer watches for danger from afar."
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Post by King Mark of Cornwall on Dec 26, 2011 6:21:17 GMT
"Gratitude will bring my soldiers and ships to protect you and my crops to feed you." retorted Mark. "Indeed it is the well-being of Cornwall's people that I come to speak to your grandmother about."
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Post by Morgan le Fay on Dec 26, 2011 13:29:23 GMT
"Indeed. Then I want your word sworn to the gods that you will do as you say, and I will want to accompany you when you visit my grandmother. For my own peace of mind."
But it was obvious from his tone that he did not trust Mark with the old lady.
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Post by King Mark of Cornwall on Dec 26, 2011 23:38:54 GMT
What did the man expect him to be doing with old seeress, other than asking her questions? he wondered.
However Mark finally nodded. "Very well. It shall be as you say."
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Post by Morgan le Fay on Dec 27, 2011 0:04:44 GMT
"Then come. We shall leave at once," said the chief. "Best get it done."
Telio said quietly "An ale would not go amiss, cousin."
"Afterwards," the chief replied stiffly,, but he was clearly still suspicious. "Ready to go, King of Cornwall?"
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Post by King Mark of Cornwall on Dec 27, 2011 3:08:32 GMT
Mark inclined his head to indicate that he was. He beckoned to Dinas to follow.
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Post by Morgan le Fay on Dec 27, 2011 19:50:13 GMT
The chief of the tribe led them out of the castle and a short walk to a stone hut . Smoke rose from the chimney. The chief knocked on the door.
"Enter."
The voice was quavery and female. The chief beckoned to Mark to wait while he went inside. A few minutes later he reappeared and nodded to Mark. This time his expression was less suspicious.
"My grandmother says you may enter. She says she saw your coming and will be pleased to welcome you."
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