|
Post by Sir Galahad on Jun 26, 2012 23:32:55 GMT
"I must admit I surprised myself there." Dinadan admitted sheepishly. "I do not usually fight as well as I did that day."
|
|
|
Post by Morgan le Fay on Jun 27, 2012 0:46:10 GMT
"You should be proud," Arthur insisted. "Sir Ector taught me that a man is only as good as his last fight, and that was yours, wasn't it?"
|
|
|
Post by Sir Galahad on Jun 27, 2012 0:51:48 GMT
Dinadan thought for a moment.
"Yes, I believe it was." he nodded.
|
|
|
Post by Morgan le Fay on Jun 27, 2012 0:58:01 GMT
"WEll, there you go! But I hope you will do as well again," Arthur replied.
|
|
|
Post by Sir Galahad on Jun 27, 2012 1:02:07 GMT
Dinadan grinned. "So do I, your grace. Fighting well does tend to improve one's chances of survival."
|
|
|
Post by Morgan le Fay on Jun 27, 2012 1:18:11 GMT
"Indeed it does. . But listen, we should try to arrange the peace talks with Vortimer's men now, don't you think?"
|
|
|
Post by Sir Galahad on Jun 27, 2012 1:40:50 GMT
"Yes, I would go, but someone needs to tell the Druids to begin the illusion." Dinadan told the king.
|
|
|
Post by Morgan le Fay on Jun 27, 2012 12:47:15 GMT
"Then let's arrange the meeting. Then I will send someone with the message to the druids before it begins," Arthur said.
|
|
|
Post by Sir Galahad on Jun 27, 2012 14:09:47 GMT
"Very well. If you are confident that someone can deliver the message, then I will accompany you." Dinadan replied.
|
|
|
Post by Morgan le Fay on Jun 27, 2012 15:06:15 GMT
"Tom Malory can take the message," Arthur said, indicating his squire, riding a little distance away with his servant.
////////////
Some time later, the druids were busy casting the spell. Arthur and Dinadan rode forward under a peace banner to meet with the representatives of the men of Cantium and the Saxon kingdoms. The two enemy representatives were mounted and accompanied with a herald who announced him.
"King Pybba of Mercia and Lord Blamor of Cantium, cousin of King Vortimer."
Arthur nudged Dinadan and whispered "Announce us."
|
|
|
Post by Sir Galahad on Jun 28, 2012 0:44:31 GMT
"King Arthur Pendragon, High King of Britain." Dinadan announced. "And Sir Dinadan of Cornwall, representative of King Mark of Cornwall."
|
|
|
Post by Morgan le Fay on Jun 28, 2012 19:09:30 GMT
The two enemy lords looked them over for a long moment. The King of Mercia was a middle-aged man, balding, with a fair beard and moustache. Lord Blamour was in his mid-twenties, an ugly fellow with prominent ears, yet he seemed nervous, unlike his companion. King Pybba took the lead.
"I assume you mean to demand our withdrawal from the field?"
"We do," Arthur said. "We bring an army to aid King Leodegrance and I expect yet more men will ride in to join us, if this is not resolved soon. I have sent word to the king of Cornwall and Gore, Listeneise and Lothian. All of them are loyal friends."
"You have many fine friends, Arthur Pendragon, but all the kings of Lloegyr who will come to our aid if we ask it," said King Pybba.
"One moment," Arthur murmured, then leant close to Dinadan and whispered "Surely he lies? They must fight amongst themselves. You've good eyes, Dinadan, how many banners can you count?"
|
|
|
Post by Sir Galahad on Jun 28, 2012 20:52:01 GMT
Dinadan scanned the enemy banners, trying to determine the validity of King Pybba's statement.
(Expert-Observation)
|
|
|
Post by Morgan le Fay on Jun 28, 2012 21:36:11 GMT
Dinadan sees many banners among the besieging army but though there are one or two individual ones, most hold one of several designs. Dinadan recognises Vortimer's white dragon and Pybba's wolf's head, both of which are in the majority. The other banners mostly display either a raven or a bear. He can guess from this that perhaps two other Anglo-Saxon kings have offered their support, but probably not more.
|
|
|
Post by Sir Galahad on Jun 28, 2012 21:52:06 GMT
"From the banners present only one or two kings are assisting them, which means he is likely not speaking the truth." Dinadan replied. "I would assume their army is mainly comprised of Vortimer and Pybba's men, with a few troops from two other kings."
|
|