Preparations within the castle

[Lady Edfeil]

Sgt Lan had brought news last eve. News for his majesty. Of a troup of Franks nearing, and of Lord Hawkmoon staying behind to ... delay them. Report had been brought out. To Lady Edfeil who would pass it on through her father, and then to Master Sergeant Gerben who saw to the defenses in the Captains absence. What was feared, whispered about and suspected now became a closer reality. The parley going on was wanting, but with troops nearing in secret... the chances of peaceful resolution grew thin.

Outside of the Castle in fields, woods and harbour, the defenders of Windstorm were preparing for the threat however they could. Inside... men and women also started to bring all to the ready.



((OOC: One thread to group them all: for the activities and preparations within the castle, except for the threads already in existence, i.e. the infirmary.))

[Sinold Bragasson]

Sinold had taken his small herd of Iceland horses and placed them within the stables, out of the open pasture. The mares were suffering the most, particularly the one whom Erling was paying so much attention to. Bitings and kickings were now common, and more than once Sinold cursed the Franks to all the pains of Hel. If he could lay a hand onto one of these …seagulls, as Thanatos used to call them… dead seagulls would litter his way!

[Ranger Gerrad]

*They worked under cover of darkness...the scattered homes giving some cover from the harbour and perhaps the eyes of those unwelcome visitors. Their words were spoken quietly..in a manner so as not to worry those already filled with anguish and fear.....with care, he helped another elderly woman to settle into the cart, wrapping a blanket around her as she trembled and asked once again for reassurance.

He told them all....as did his comrades, this was a precaution, they would be safer within the walls of the castle...and their aid would be welcomed by the King. He disguised his lies well, for he knew it was imminent that a battle of sorts would rage within this sleepy village...somewhere...and soon.

Robin had met them all again, issuing his orders more as ideas for them to work together upon....that was his way. He had gone then to patrol the east, to make certain no other invaders would come from the moors. Gerrad had clasped his lower arm... hard and with a meaningful look he bid his leader farewell and safe travels.

A crying child brought the Ranger back to the task in hand...he stooped low and lifted her up...speaking softly he asked of her to be brave and strong...just like the others...could she help him....could she hold the reins of the horse whilst he aided her Mother. Her eyes had widened then.. the tears wiped away by a grubby hand. One quick nod after another and quickly she was settled beside the old woman who bundled her up closer...the reins of his steed held firmly within her grip. He knew the horse would not stray far, and he turned then to help the others.

The men stood firm and the women did as asked..there were tears...many tears... but the villagers had done this before...they knew the routine and did not once go against Gerrad and the others. He spoke to a group of village men...assuring them of weapons that would be given.....even pikes and staves could be used against the enemy.

As he mounted his horse...the reins were loose again... one glance to the old woman and the child.....she was sleeping now....and he was glad...glad she would not see the pain within the eyes of her parents as they were forced to part. He lifted his hand and the 4 carts made off towards the Castle, leaving a group of bewildered and distraught men and older boys to their own devices. He wished he could have given them more hope... but not this night.... and not for a while to come.*

[espada]

*having heard Sgt Lan's word Toe the Lady Edfiel I make my way to my rooms having sent word to my Sgt to have my men meet me there....having one of the servants bring light food and drink to my room for the men I take my damascan steel blade from it's scabbard and absent mindedly begin sharpening the blade in habit when I need to think..hears the knock at the door and opens it letting the men in..looking to each of these men that I have fought with for many yrs each a seasoned veteran despite our young ages...chuckling lightly as I look at the Sgt noting his light gray hair remembering how he had trained us all in fathers manner before we first left Spain to make our own way in the world....my thoughts go across the hall a moment as I again pledge that none shall harm a hair on her head nor any one else in this castle should I have a say in it.. Takes a drink from my glass and looks to the men..speaking in Spanish((not gonna bother with putting it all in Spanish then in English would make the post far to long))*..Things have come to a head my friends..the damn French army is moving from the south..and I would also wager that whatever they have north of here is mobile as well...*decides to lighten the mood some as I see the looks on the men's faces* So now we will show the king that he was not mistaken in taking such a vile looking bunch of roughians into his castle and yes Sgt we will all bathe and wash behind our ears before we go out to fight just see that you do as well we don't want to be mistaken for frenchmen....*chuckling lightly with the men as the Sgt just shakes his head*...Now then Gentmen..on to serious matters...I know I need not say these things but I will anyway...from now on no more drinking in excess till after this endeavor be finished...always on alert full armor and weapons within reach...the call sounds I want all to meet at the stables from there we will see what needs to be done...if we need to we support the gate from the walls with our shortbows..or we prepare to charge from the gates to deal with whatever is there..*grins*..I don't think the french will be prepared for 16 charging Frisian destrier*smiles as I think back to the many battles fought and the looks of terror on the foot soldiers faces seeing 1500 of pounds of armored horse bearing down on them*.. If there were time I would send word to my brother to bring the rest of the cadre but there is not so I guess we will just have to send word to him after about the fun they will be missing...now then gentlemen*stands and takes up my glass seeing all take up there's* As always my friends the motto of our family....Aut viam inveniam aut faciam(I will either find a way or make one)*brings the glass to my lips as my cousins repeat the phrase and drink...thinks about the Lady across the hall and has to smile as the motto will ring true there as well*...now then go make yourselves ready gentlemen see what aid can be given to the castle wherever you can..*nods to each as they leave and I am finally left alone to think on upcoming events*

[Lady Edfeil]

((Great post! I'll try have Sgt. Gerben add here tomorow. If the office will coöperate!))

[Master Sergeant Gerben]

Lord Robin of Loxeley had brought the villagers to the Hall and the outbuildings, keeping them safe behind the wall. 't was the way it worked, year after year they gave to the castle with their work and taxes. And when danger came their way, the castle gave back by sheltering and protecting them.

Turmoil had started in the harbour, the King had been informed, and his Captain was delaying the Franks, then would find his way back to the castle. His own task for now was to keep the castle safe. Gerben glanced out over the battlements. All looked so peaceful, yet he knew exactly what slithered under the tranquil surface. He had read the reports... and he had readied all the men within the walls. The women were a great help, seeing to other preparations, but the men... the defense... in absence of his captain that was his task.

And he had been given the unforseen but welcome aide of a small extra force. An experienced force. Master Sergeant Gerben was a skilled and experienced man, and one who recognised skill in others. And thus he send a lad to get the Lord Relampago, so they could finnish plans. If those Franky bast*rds reached the walls, they wouldn't be too happy they had!

[Master Sergeant Gerben]

*He had cursed last night. Cursed to high heavens when he had learned the security of the castle had been breached. Certainly 't had been breached only by Captain Hawkmoon, a man who knew the Castles in and outs like few others, save His Majesty, nevertheless he HAD made it into the hall afore he was seen.

Once there, the guards of course had taken note, and should any threathening move have been made... Gerben sighed and realised: if it had been the Captain's intention to harm 't would nae have stayed at a threathening move. 't would have been a bloody battle before they had been able to take him down.

He comforted himself with the knowledge that indeed there was but one... mayhap two or three men who could do this, who could get this far, and all three of them belonged to the Castle. His Majesty... who knew the Castle like none other. Lord Robin, who knew the grounds like other men knew their gloves, and Lord Hawkmoon... who knew ways no other knew.

It had taken him but moments to overcome the surge of anger at the guards who had failed to notice a shadow slip through... somewhere. He himself could have not prevented that, and aside, the Captains news nae left any time for tarrying or grumpling. With a force over land aproaching mayhap, the guards were called to even higher vigilance. Save for sleep and eating rest would be scarce now. For this time... the cut would fall close to home if it fell!