The War of the Welsh Marches: At the end of Winter, Hygwald receives a missive from the Covenant of Seven Sisters. They asked him to meet them on the road south of Hereford with all due haste - in return, they would cancel the debt he owed them for the purchase of the horses. Intrigued, Hygwald headed south with Luc-Paul and Aeddi. Upon passing through Hereford, they couldn't help but notice the King's army camped there, waiting to take on Richard Marshal, Earl of Pembroke, and his group of rebels against the crown. The Earl Marshal objected to the way that the king was ruled by his Poitevin advisors (especially Bishop Peter des Roches and his son, Peter de Rivaux), and that he had flouted the instructions of the Great Charter. There was a fair in Hereford because of the army, and Luc-Paul found himself volunteered to try to beat a road-side boxer. Hygwald recognised the boxer as Hugh Hostis, a magus of Blackthorn, and Prelum, Hygwald's Hermetic sister (who hated him) was also present. After unpleasantries were exchanged, and Luc-Paul was beaten to a bloody pulp, Vidua Vasta continued on their journey.
They met up with Addonwy and Osric of Seven Sisters, disguised as peasants. Addonwy explained that he suspected that Blackthorn was intending to interfere with the ongoing dispute between the King and the Earl Marshal, in an attempt to rid their home of the earl, who was basically camped on their doorstep. Addonwy was also intending to enter the camp of the earl at Usk, but needed a magus such as Hygwald - who was more neutral towards Blackthorn - to try to prevent that covenant's members from doing anything contrary to the Code. Hygwald entered the camp as a 'military advisor', and was appraised by the camp's commander, Lord Gilbert Basset, Baron of Wycombe, who happened to have in his entourage the Griffin, who had been missing from Vidua Vasta for several months. Needless to say, they were surprised to see each other. In his usual fashion, the Griffin refused to vouch for Hygwald when it became obvious they knew each other, and the baron was left a little perplexed. The Griffin told Hygwald later about a mysterious woman called 'Catherine of Porridge', who had also joined the baron's entourage, and who had frustrated him, as he failed to find out anything about her. Two soldiers are assigned by Wycombe to see to the needs of Hygwald (and to keep an eye on him)
The next day, Hygwald makes contact with Osric, who is serving as a cook in the camp, although he makes too much of this, and the Griffin witnesses the contact between the two. The Griffin tries to find out as much about Hygwald's business in the camp as he can, and manages to reveal very little about his own presence. Around midday, a large group of churchmen show up at the camp - four influential bishops and the archbishop-elect of Canterbury, Edmund of Abingdon. Richard Marshal emerges from the castle at Usk to greet this august assemblage, who are here, it appears, to try to negotiate a truce. Hygwald manages to track down the mysterious Catherine in the crowd, having realised that 'Catherine of Porridge' is 'Catherine Ex Miscellanea' in Latin. She has mismatched eyes, and is not very forthcoming - and seems to have the knack of disappearing into a crowd. That night, a commotion stirs Hygwald from his bed - a naked 'spy' has been found near the camp. The man, who speaks only Norman French and Latin, claims to be a scholar who was beset by bandits, but also manages to indicate to Hygwald that he is actually Guichard Corvus, a member of Voluntas covenant. It is agreed that Guichard, who is claimig benefit of the clergy, will face the bishop's tribunal in the morning, but will remain with Hygwald that night. Once alone with Hygwald and the Griffin, Guichard outlines a problem - his sodales Kirist awaits him in a nearby copse, and unless he is told not to, he will effect an escape plan for Guichard at dawn. In front of the Griffin's unbelieving eyes, Guichard becomes a raven (he is a Bjornaer), and flies off to speak with Kirist. He returns in a few short hours, as promised.
At the bishop's tribunal, Guichard presents his case for innocence, and despite the urging of a Dominican friar who has the ear of the archbishop, there is no evidence against Guichard, and he is acquiited, but asked to remain in the camp. Guichard later identifies the Dominican as Archmagus Berenguer Tytali of Whitehollow. Hygwald gets the impression that there are *far* too many magi around! Now aware that Catherine is a member of Hygwald's 'Circle', the Griffin follows her - which she doesn't take to very kindly, threatening to pluck out his eyes if he continues to watch her movements. Frustrated at this failure, and desparate for clues as to the nature of the conspiracy that he suspects, the Griffin has Osric the cook arrested, to try and get some answers from him - which turns out as another failure. Hygwald and the Griffin have a major confrontation that night, culminating in the Griffin trying to strangle the magus, after Hygwald attempts a spell on him. The two return to their own beds to calm down.
That night, servants from the castle wake up the camp - someone has tried to murder the Earl marshal. The guards at the gate seem to have been ensorcelled, and Guichard and Hygwald manage to slip inside the castle before anyone thinks to secure the place. The Griffin follows them up to the earl's chamber. He has been stabbed, but he awoke just before the assassin struck, and the knife hit his shoulder rather than his heart. He is very weak, but is conscious, although his testament offers nothng of use. A physician is called from the bishop's camp outside the castle. Guichard uses magic to interrogate the fire in the room as to what occurred, and the flames describe a tall, thin, pale-faced man. When the physician arrives, it is Archmagus berenguer, and he makes everyone leave. Despite distrusting him, it appears that he had the earl's interests at heart, for he cured the wound with a spell. Seeking out the rest of the castle's soldiers, the Griffin discovers most of them ensorcelled, although their sergeant has had his throat slit. The castle's butler heard someone praying in Latin, but saw nothing.
The next day, Hugh Hostis turns up and spoils Hygwald's breakfast. He had apparently enlisted yesterday afternoon, and after a bit of checking, it turns out he arrived with a red-heaired 'camp-follower' who could only be Prelum. The characters find their arrival highly suspicious - Blackthorn has a lot to gain from killing of the earl, as they support the king's cause most strongly (and can't harvest many of their vis sources with an army camped on their doorstep).
Archmagus Berenguer visits Hygwald, indicating that the wound was caused by a Hermetic spell, and asks him to arrange for the various magi present to be collected in one place, outside the camp, to determine who has broken the Code. Once all the magi are assembled, there are enough (with the sigils they carry) to constitute a legal tribunal (12 magi from 4 covenants). Berenguer acts as praeco; Hygwald claims he is qualified to be quaesitor, but prelum disputes this, and they fight certamen, which Hygwald loses. Prelum proceeds to obtain alibis from all of the magi present, most of which can only be supported by their own friends. As a result, it is agreed that they will all submit to a casting of Posing the Silent Question by Prelum, and she will ask the same question - "Were you involved in the attempted murder of Richard Marshal, earl of Pembroke". All answered no, and all were determined to be telling the truth by Prelum. As a result, nothing could be decided, and Berenguer ruled that henceforth all members of the Order will vacate the region, and anyone found meddling further in this matter would be committing a High Crime. The whole issue was to be turned over to the quaesitores at Blackthorn.
The Tremere Contest: It turns out that the soldiers assigned to guard Hygwald were actually grogs of Blackthorn. They let slip - on purpose - to Luc-Paul that there is to be a Tremere contest at Blackthorn in the next few days that Prelum has not invited Hygwald to. Luc-Paul passes this information on to his magus, and so Hygwald is able to attend. The purpose is to determine in-house rankings of the 15 Tremere of the three Britannian Tribunals for the next 12 years. Hygwald has been ranked 14th out of 15th, and has to begin by facing Trudis filius Fornax is a Perdo Imaginem certamen. Trudis is tall, pale-faced and wears black (sounds familiar?), and very timid - and loses to Hygwald. Hygwald then faces Lagoenus of Hibernia for his second contest, which he loses, then Logan Numerosus. This last Tremere was from Temple and Arch covenant, and as the battle was for 10th or 11th place in the House, Hygwald decided to put 5 pawns of Vim vis into the certamen (which was Rego Vim). Logan did the same, but was more unfortunate with his technique, and the resulting botch has left his magic tainted - he has lost control of his spell-casting, and now has difficulty relieably affecting the intended target with his magic.
While Hygwald was away, Aethelbald visits Baron Robert de Muschamps to negotiate the dower of his daughter Cecily. Knowing that the lands around Fast Castle belong to the Lady herself (through marriage), Aethelbald does not allow these to become part of her dowry. Instead, he asks for castellanship of Fast Castle itself, and also the pre-eminence of his sons - so that they may call themselves baron, and be amongst the baron's heirs. De Muschamps counters this by saying that Cecily's line can produce but one heir (to be fair to her sisters), so if Isabel Ford marries before Aethelbald has a son, her husband becomes the baron, removing any future sons from entitlement. Aethelbald tactifully reminds the baron that he saved the life of his grand-daughter, and the baron concedes the point that Cecily shall be the route to the primary heir, and that Aethelbald should become Isabel's legal guardian. As Cecily later points out, if Aethelbald hadn't secured this, then her father could have married off Isabel immediately, preventing any of Aethelbald's children from inheriting Wooler.
There is news about the result of the civil war. Archbishop Edmund managed to negotiate a truce between the Earl Marshal and King Henry, and as soon as this was complete, the earl headed for Ireland to reclaim the land that had been taken by his rebellious vassals. However, it seems that Peter des Roches had managed to obtain a writ of treason against the earl, sealed by the king himself, and those Irish vassals took it upon themselves to enat the king's justice. The earl stood with fourteen loyal knights against 140 enemies. Even this overwhelming force could not defeat him faily, such a good warrior was he. Instead, they had to attack his horse, then stab him in the back as he attempted to rise. Taken prisoner in one of his own astles, he began to recover his wounds, but a chirurgeon brought in by his enemies cauterised them so deeply that he died, and was buried in an unmarked grave. The English noblity were enraged, but King Henry denied all complacance, claiming that Des Roches obtained the writ by deceit. The Bishop of Winchester and his son, and all their Poitevin allies, were dismissed from the king's council, and the major players declared traitor. Hugh de Burgh was reinstated as justicar, and brought about reforms that ensured that no-one would ever be able to gain a much power over the realm in future as did Peter des Roches and Peter de Rivaux.
Bledri the redcap brings news that Caitlin has had a momentous battle with one of the Spider's allies - an immense dragon, which took the form of a ram-headed serpent. This has become known as the Battle of the Dragon's Scale, because the praeco managed to remove one of the dragon's scales, which she has now fashioned into a shield. The battle ended with a stalemate, with Caitlin withdrawing as she did not want to risk any more of her grogs' lives against the beast.
Also with Bledri came Radislav from Crun Clach, who wished to put in an offer of vis for the Token of the Star. He began by offering 5 pawns, but Bledri produced a written counter-offer from Fire's Wrath. Radislav upped his offer, and Bledri produced yet another letter. This continued until Fire's Wrath offered 17 pawns of vis, at which point Radislav pulled out. However, Vidua Vasta seemed unwilling to part with an item that these two covenants obviously valued so highly. Although it was made clear to them that Fire's Wrath's offer was valid only for a short time, they announced that their answer will be revealed at the next tribunal, once they have had a chance to investigate the item further.
Julia returned towards the end of the season, and the council was happy to see her, as they were suspecting foul play. She explained the reasons for her extended absence - she spent some time studying at Durenmar's Great library, and brought the fruits of her labour - several grimoires of spells, and a substantial Muto Summa (although she has promised a magus she will return a book of similar quality in exchange for the latter).
Aethelbald's Wedding: On the last Saturday of July, the marriage between Sir Aethelbald of Faverloch and Lady Cecily de Muschamps took place. Aethelbald's baron had offered to host the event, and the knight requested that the feast took place in the village of Redesmouth - unbeknownst to all, this was Aethelbald's own home, some 180 years ago. Sir Robert, one of d'Umfraville's vassals now occupied the vill of Redesmouth, and arrangements were made to accord to the groom's wishes. Aethelbald arrived at Sir Robert's manor on the Friday night, where he had his stag-night with Hygwald, Lucas, Sir Simon (the coroner from Chollerford), Sir Godfroi of Denholm (Sir Robert's daughter's fiance), and Eustache (Sir Robert's illegitimate son). Meanwhile, in the kitchens, Aaron started a fight with an arrogant and unpleasant sergeant-at-arms called Edgar (and a retainer of Sir Godfroi), and knocked him unconscious with a single blow.
Lady Odinelle d'Umfraville was left to make the arrangements with Cecily; as a result the wedding ceremony took place at Hexham by the bishop, and then the wedding party processed back to the vill of Redesmouth, where Sir Robert had provided the feast. It is a grand affair, with the attendance of two barons and most of their vassals. As well as the magi of Vidua Vasta, Aethelbald invited Sir Edwin of Hexham, Sir Jehan of Surrey (both magi of Horsingas), and Dhugal MacKar. At the feast, two uninvited guests made quite a stir - Sir Golain and Sir Igraine, the faerie knights from Aethelbald's faerie realm (see the Summer of 1230 for more details). They ride in on bizarrely-coloured horses, and hail the groom as the "Prince of Daylight". Aethelbald has some quick explaining to do, but this does not explain their scandalous behaviour which outrages the assembled nobility. These faeries assign gender by action rather than biology, so when the formal dances take place, Sir Golain (apparently male) asks one of the knights to accompany him, referring to him as 'My Lady'. Sir Alain of Netherton is by no means a warrior, but clearly a man, and is mortally insulted. Julia swiftly escorts the faerie in a dance, while the other faerie, Sir Igraine (apparently female) asks Hygwald for a dance. He agrees, but protests when he discovers he is to play the female role, and when she calls him lady Hygwald before the assembled crowd - to great hilarity. After the dances, Golain drinks more and more, and despite the magi's attempts to defuse the situation, manages to provoke Alain into challenging him to a duel. Both of them are drunk on mead and keen to fight, but Alain had clearly never held a sword before. Aethelbald separates the two, and makes sure Golain has a draft of wine, which sends him straight to sleep. However, clearer heads did not prevail in the morning, and the two are still keen to fight. Worse, Igraine revealed that she saw this matter as an omen - a wedding that begins in bloodshed will be dominated by violence; one which begins in deceit would be full of lies, one which began in reconciliation would be one of peace. Although clearly outmatched, Alain refused to back down, as his reputation as a man and a knight was at stake. Futhermore, he demanded reparation for the insult, in the form of Golain's miraculous horse. Golain made a counter-demand that if Alain lost, he must deport himself in a manner more fitting of a a lady, and wear a dress for a day. With prompting from a vision from Francis, Aethelbald offered to be Alain's champion - an unfair fight (between Alain and Golain) would not be honorable. Golain was willing to accept this, as it only confirmed his opinion of Alain - a lady who needed a man to fight on her behalf. Before the assembled court, Aethelbald made the following impassioned speech:
My Liege, Lords and Ladies, Gentlefolk and friends. I stand before you as the Champion of Sir Alain who feels he has been slighted by the misplaced words of Sir Golain . We are set to fight over this matter as each believes, rightly so, that it is a matter of Honour. However, I have heard from one whom I consider wise and true that ill will befall if this fight takes place. For it is said that what befalls on the eve and morn of Wedlock is a portent of the Marriage thereafter. Thus a Quarrel and a Fight between these two Good Knights must bode poorly for myself and my Wife. If it were that ill-fortune were to befall upon mineself only as a result of this duel I would not hesitate to allow it to run its course, I don't hide from danger. However, it was but Yesterday that I swore before God and you all to Protect and Provide for my Wife. I will not allow that Oath to be broken nor would I wish for my Wife to be exposed forever more to a fractious Marriage. Indeed that is the last thing I would want it to be. Thus I would rather die this day than subject my Wife to a marriage born of anger and conflict. I will not strike a blow in my role as Sir Alain's Champion but rather present my person peaceably for Sir Golain to strike. I shall do so with no ill-will towards Sir Golain but rather Understand his reason and Forgive him his Action. The same I extend to Sir Alain. I do so to ensure that my marriage (should I live to enjoy it) will prosper in understanding, forgiveness and Love.
The speech was so beautiful that most of the women ho were watching (and some of the men) found tears in their eyes. The faerie knight swung hard, aiming for the neck, but inflicted only the slightest of scratches, bearly breaking the skin. "E'en though I have inflicted the wound, " stated Golain, "I know who the true victor here today was." Aethelbald had lost the duel, and Alain was forced to acquiese to Golain's demands, and wear the silken dress that the faerie 'just happened' to have with him. With his honour in tatters, Alain became a social pariah, the laughing stock of the region.
Among the wedding presents that Aethelbald and Cecily receive are more land to rent from Baron of Prudhoe, a pair of fine hawks from Sir Robert, a fine silver armband from Igraine (which she hints is more than just decorative) and a gold ring for a much more personal part of the anatomy from Golain (he claimed that wearing it would guarantee the conception of sons rather than daughters. Aethelbald availed himself of its use on the wedding night).
The Fate of Actaeon: That night, Sir Robert - a keen huntsman - prosed a stag hunt on the following day. Aethelbald was keen to take part, although the magi sat this one out. The huntsmen found a magnificent 12-tine stag, and while they located its tracks, Aethelbald and Simon discussed politics. Apparently, Sir Robert's manor was in for trouble - Robert was getting old, and he engaged in a high-risk past-time. His acknowledged heir was his bastard son Eustache, but his daughter was elder, and legitimate. Her fiance Sir Godfroi was from a prominent family, who Simon felt sure would contest the inheritance upon Robert's death. At that point the stag was sighted, and the hunt was on. The beast was tricky, and managed to throw most people off the scent, but Aethelbald kept a close eye on Sir Robert, and maganed to locate the beast and the knight. Out of Aethelbald's sight, Sir Robert was unhorsed, then the dazed stag stumbled into view, and Aethelbald dispatched it with two blows of his sword. The beast was butchered and carried back to Redesmouth in victory. Aethelbald was given a special gift of the head and liver of the beast - the former was taken to his chamber, the second was eaten raw. It was the scream of Cecily that first alerted him that something was amiss - she had discovered the head of Sir Robert in their chamber. At the same time, the castle cooks found a body in their larder. The grim truth struck Aethelbald like a bolt of thunder - the stag that he had killed was actually Sir Robert, disguised by some evil witchcraft. This realisation made him violently ill. Meanwhile, Hygwald and Lucas inspected the body, and confirmed Aethelbald's suspicions with necromantic spells; but realised that this could not possibly be an explanation that Sir Simon, the coroner, would accept. Beorhtric discovered that Sir Robert had been seen leaving the castle a few hours ago, which was clearly impossible. Eustache had undertaken a search of the castle, and a servant had found a bloody knife under the window of Sir Godfroi.
Eustache announced that Godfroi was an honorable man and clearly above suspicion, but his servant Edgar, who he himself had witnessed acting furtively, was clearly the culprit. Everyone present knew that Godfroi would (eventually) benefit from Robert's death, and motive was clear. Edgar is thrown into the dungeons. Of course, Aethelbald is convinced of Edgar's innocence - he knows that it was he himself who killed Robert, albeit by accident - and concieves a scheme with Lucas to free Edgar from prison, as Sir Simon clearly desires to hang him quickly, proving that the King's justice is swift. Edgar's escape is mysteriously aided by Eustache, his accuser. The new lord is also convinced of Edgar's innocence and doesn't want the man to hang, but doesn't reveal the nature of this knowledge. The upshot is that Eustache is secure in becoming the new tenant of Redesmouth - Godfroi's case would never now be supported by the king. Once again, Hygwald's involvement in a murder case has seen the wrong man accused, and the real motive covered up. The only mystery that remains to the magi is who was the man, identical in appearance to Sir Roger, that accompanied the hunt back home again, and then left the castle an hour later?
In an event now referred to as "the Night of the Dead", Jehan of Horsingas, and Fearghus and Mairi Sean of Mac Gruagach (all necromancers) faced and defeated Ogrevan, one of The Spider's warlocks, and commanders of his undead armies. The Necromancer-King was not slain, but his spirit was bound into his body. The three magi are able to keep him trapped indefinitely, as long as one of them is available to cast the binding spells each month.
The council of Vidua Vasta make a decision regarding the Basilisk Tree seed pod that they obtained from Wooler. It has now been planted on the promentary which leads up from Faverloch towards Manor Head.
<<Wedding present for Aethelbald>>
After receiving a disturbing dream, Francis remembers the promise he made to the ghost of August Voigt, and heads for Berwick. There he speaks to the merchant's nephew, Niklaas Voigt, and discovers that the covenant is one of his major customers, shipping unusual materials from the continent. However, Berwick town council place a huge tax on foreign merchants, and Francis speaks to them on Voigt's behalf, but to no joy.
The Emptying of Horsingas: Just before the solstice, the Council receives a visit from Cadwalla, Sergeant of Horsingas's turb. He is concerned that all of the magi have been called away from his covenant on various bits of business, and there is no-one around to cast the ritual of protection that the magi do every year. Lucas offers to go (taking Aaron and Scrob) and perform this service. Arriving at Horsingas, he first has to retrieve the vis and the spell from Edwin's sanctum - not an easy job when it is guarded by a magical sword. He then goes to the council chamber (catching a fleeting glimpse of Aelfred Tytali, who is still here - but everyone had forgot about him), and prepares to cast the aegis. However, something goes horribly wrong during the ritual, and Lucas is in peril, with that much vis, and casting from text. The covenant's aura fills up with the ghosts of many dead people, the sacrifices to the pagan temple that gave Horsingas its aura. Lucas orders an evacuation of the covenant, and with everyone camped outside, he tries to find out what has happened to all the magi. Whitburh was the first to leave, on a quaesitorial matter at Arbroath. Next, Ealwynn and Coenwulf decided to visist an old friend in England, but after they had been gone several weeks, one of the grogs they took with them returned - injured - and asked for help. Jehan and Guiseppe immediately followed the grog's instructions to find their sodales, leaving only Edwin (and Aelfred) at the covenant. Edwin was then summoned to an emergency at his estates, but reckoned he would only be gone a few days (but never returned). Lucas asks to see Aescwald, the grog who originally went with the two Bjornaer. He is very sick, apparently from his wounds, but when Lucas touches him to cast Physician's Eye, the grog's body collapses into a pile of rotting vegetation and sticks, as the glamour dissolves. Just as Lucas is about to set off to the location that this glamour sent Jehan and Guiseppe, they arrive back. It was an ambush, by all accounts, but they managed to free themselves. Jehan remains at the covenant to sort out the ghosts, while Guiseppe heads for Bellingham, and Lucas for Ungulus - which is where Ealwynn and Coenwulf were originally heading.
Arriving at Ungulus, Lucas is stumped for two whole days trying to get into the covenant, until a grog returning home lets them in. The covenant is clearly very rich in minor magical items - a legacy of having a line of Verditii - and not too shabby in the mundane wealth department either. Lucas is greeted by Flavius Ex Miscellanea, the covenant's proctor. He is clearly trying to impress - he is bedecked with clearly magical items, and wears several rooks of vis in plain view. Flavius is only too willing to assist - yes, Horsingas's two Bjornaer did indeed arrive a couple of weeks ago, and have been trying to locate Ungulus's Bjornaer, who was a friend of their master. Just last night she was spotted by The Carles, and Flavius offers the assistance of one of their covenfolk to show Lucas the way there, after he is rested, of course.
The Carles are a large group of standing stones set into a circle high on the moors. Lucas explores the stone, and falls through the regio into a cavern beneath. This layer of the regio is populated by huge (pig-sized) spiders, who have clearly already caught Ealwynn, Coenwulf and Aquila, and are now aiming for a fourth magus. The webs of the spiders seem to bind a magus's magic as well as his limbs. Back up in the stone circle, the two grogs eventually (one by one) go looking for their master, and drop into the fight (literally). The three spiders are controlled by a hideous naked woman who Lucas recognises from among the warlocks who attacked at the last tribunal; she flings fire at Aaron, and also attempts to capture them in her webs. Aaron is more than a match for her physically, and she eventually shapeshifts into a (normal-sized) spider and flees. Lucas is able to rescue the three Bjornaer, and they head back to Northumberland.
However, all is not well at Horsingas. a score or more of the spiders have attacked the covenant, which, with no aegis, has proved very vulnerable. Jehan is no warrior-mage, and has been evicted from the covenant. With Lucas's aid, Coenwulf and the grogs manage to force their way into the covenant, and begin the laborious task of clearing out the spiders. Edwin and Guiseppe turn up later to help finish off - Edwin was being held captive by Lord de Soulis. Clearly, there was a definite plot to try to empty Horsingas and deal with its members separately. Lucas is given some of the corpses of the spiders in return for his help - they contain Animal and Rego vis.
At the end of the season, the covenant discovers what the Token of the Star's second power is. It allows a magus to perform an astrological inception: by making a complex astrological calculation, a ritual spell can be cast in advance, without vis. At the appointed time, the results of the ritual will take effect, using the radiant vis from the stars to power it. Thus an aegis could be cast a whole year in advance (assuming the calculations are correct), and consume no vis. However, the consequences of getting the calculation wrong are dire - a lot of magical energy is being harnessed by this item.