I see the cursed land

492
Throughout my life, I have seen the death of my father and brother, our great land invaded by savages, the bloodiest siege at Soisson. But throughout all this, I have never questioned the fact that Justice will make everything right. That is until this past spring.
I have never trusted Merlin the Magician, but in seeing the trust my liege, King Uther had put into him, I could not refuse a favor when asked. I gave my word, it seemed a simple request, to delay a group who were following him. So when King Uther's men themselves arrived, I still could not see the evil in merely delaying them. I did not recognize Sir Brasious, and when they refused to simply identify themselves I knew Merlin had some Just plan; these knights were mistaken. Their very belligerence told of their unjust actions. I let their unchivalrous actions tell me of their evil, and stood firm in my resolve to delay them, even when my companion, Sir William backed off.
Backed into a corner, I thought to flee away, leading the pursuers away from Merlin, but once caught I had to defend myself. I beheaded two and direly wounded another, before Sir Basious identified himself and told of Merlin's dire plan to kidnap King Uther's newborn son. The rightful heir to Logres.
My honor gave me the strength to fell these young knights and delay them long enough for Merlin to escape, but it had led me wrong. My word bound my actions to a course of evil. My sense of Justice has left my side...
I have replayed these events over and over again, only to be left feeling hollow.
Without my honor, I could of backed off at Sir Brasious's command and thus allowed him to save the boy heir.
Merlin surely had tricked, and possibly enchanted me; but it was my Honor which struck the foulest blow.
CHIVALRY BE DAMNED!!! I will no longer follow such foolishness! Reason and the world is what our land needs now! My eyes can see clearly now, for our land to be free once again it is going to take men of strength and action, not character. I have grown up out of my boyhood fantasies, in the year 492 I am a man. I can see now the evil that dwells in this cursed land and I will fight to purge it; regardless of what it takes!

Sir Samuel of Dinton
492

490

To my dearest wife Abigail,

I write to let you know that I am safe after a great battle. Riding in the army for the Great king Uther we vanquished the large Saxon army of King Octa. King Octa actually had a giant on his side! One day I will take down a giant it is my fate. The battle was a long struggle but we did prevail.

We charged into battle and the Saxons being on foot felt our mighty charge, I have to give them credit for bravery they stood their ground as 2000 mounted knights bared down upon them. In the heat of battle at first my unit fought some poor weak Saxon slaves armed with primate weapons. I felt sorry for these poor wretched creatures, they fell easily at the hands of our mighty swords. Then we encountered Javelin throwers, the javelin throwers took down many knights in our unit there were only 2 remaining knights myself and my unit commander. The resistance stiffened and we fought some real Saxons with large axes. Our unit was completely surrounded. One of them got lucky and knocked me from my horse. Things looked grave until King Ulfius felled the Giant on the Saxon. This caused the Saxon army to collapse and run. We chased after them as they were running and came across the standard bearer for the entire Saxon army. It was a wolf’s head mounted on a pull. My unit commander and I closed on the 2 experienced Saxons. With a mighty strike they felled my unit commander and it was only me standing against 2 Saxon warriors. The cowards even teamed up on me, but little did they know that with my strength and courage they did not stand a chance. First one went down, the other gave me a blow in the side and with the last strength in my body I struck the other with a mighty blow to the head, I was surprised he could stood after such a blow, but it was such a horrific blow the Saxon could not continue and I took him prisoner and captured the Saxon standard.

King Uther was so pleased with the capture of the Standard he rewarded me very nicely. King Uther is holding court in London where I must join him I will return to you; I will buy you a nice gift and will back with you shortly.

Yours Truly,
William de Clovile III
September 490

A letter to Sir Aradin

Sir Aradin,
Much has happened since last we spoke. I am saddened to hear that you have taken ill this past winter and such were not able to attend court. I am afraid without your guiding hand, I made quite a saxon out of myself, failing at nary every activity offered. You would of turned away to see my pitiful attempts to dance and make revelry. But I pledge next at next court to show to all that you have taught your old squire well!
This spring I rode with Earl Roderick and King Uther Pendragon to face the rebellious Duke Gorlois of Cornwall. You would of been proud to see me take two of three lances in joust the traitorous knight, Sir Marak. I kept my head back and eyes open, just as you taught me. We had been marching together, when his entire retinue stopped and refused to enter the Duchy Cornwall; enraged and this disloyalty to King Uther, I called them cowardous rats, less loyal than the mangiest, mistreated dog. Sir Marak accepted my challenge and we began our abated joust. After taking the first two passes, he struck me true with the luckiest of blows. I now realize losing this final lance was quite fortunate, for it allowed Sir Marak to bow out defeated, but with a saving grace. For I am told he is quite ill tempered, and our contest could of easily led to full battle and I would of never forgiven myself should I have slain him when our mission to to reign in rebellious knight rather than kill them. A dead Cymric serves King Uther nothing in his divine mission to rid our land of saxons.
Victorious as I was, I was disheartened that my strength could do nothing to stop the withdrawal of those traitorous knights, leaving us half in number to face Duke Gorlois. I was riding head bowed, when we came upon the Duke's men...
Preparing for battle, King Uther draw his sword, reveling the Sword of Power!!! I could not believe my eyes, nor could our enemy; for they immediately submitted, and Duke Gorlois bowed before King Uther and the Sword. This proves Earl Roderick is correct in supporting King Uther as high king, for with the Sword in his hands, Uther is surely destined by God's mandate to rid our shores of this vile invasion once and for all!
Rejoicing, we feasted together and made merry. Oddly, upon waking we found the Duke and his men had snuck away in the middle of the night. But King Uther was nether surprised nor upset, instead we immediately turned away and rode north to face a saxon raiding party.
If you have any news or insights upon this odd occurrence, please share them with me next we speak, but knowing the Sword of Power is found and in the true kings hands, I am confident this foreign curse will soon be lifted from our land.
Your faithful student,
Sir Samuel

488: Sir Gerin Slain!

Gobrwy the Bard sings:

Woe and sorrow
it cannot be!
The Story ends
for the Squires Three!

First there wert Gwinas
brave and true,
who defended Lord Merlin,
but was run through.

Second was Llyr,
mighty Owein's son,
who slew the bear,
but at Kent was done.

Third and last
Sir Gerin wert slain
his cloak was torn
on the Soisson plain!

Oh Mannanan son of Llyr
and Raven Bran, who's Head Lies near,
grant these heros glory be
and remember their names for eternity!

Sons of Salisbury
heed the call:
To war! To war!
For Vengeance all!

The Legend of Gerin's Cloak

This cloak has seen countless battles as it has passed from father to son since the time of Ellyd of Salisbury, Sir Gerin the Giantslayer's great grandfather. Ellyd grew up, the son of a freeman; farming a small plot of land east of Sarum. Having a modicum of success as a farmer, Ellyd worked hard and ate well on his family's farm, growing to be both tall and strong.
Tired and bored of such a dreay life, he ran away at fifteen to join the Roman legion where he soon rose to the rank of Optio, in Rome's VI Legion, named victrix. Ellyd served his garrison along Hadrian's wall in York where he saw the begining of the Pictish and Saxon invasion.
Upon leaving the Legion, Ellyd returned to Salisbury to start a family. In the year 410 AD, with the words of his Emporor Honorius, "look to your own defenses," ringing hollow, he took off his Cloak of the Legion and swaddled his newborn son in it. Ellyd renounced his Roman citizenship, earned through his service in the Legion, and would never dawn the cloak again, but instead retired to his land where he taught his son the art of war while farming his small plot of land. This land would become known as Wylye Manor under his son's rule.
This Cloak of the Legion is made of heavy wool and has been dyed primary red. It has been patched numerous times, but has been meticulously maintained throughout the years. Gerin's family's greatest Heirloom, it serves as a reminder of Ellyd's taking up of arms in the Roman Legion and the rise of the family into nobility through their strength. A rare sight in modern Logres, this cloak's fiery red can be seen leagues away.
The cloak is fastened by its original Fibula, made in the classic crossbow design of its time. The bronze brooch has been equally maintained as the cloak itself, polished regularly, it's artisan quality engraving of a Bull is the envy of many a court. The bull, being the VI Legion's symbol, further reminds Gerin of the strength it will take to rid Britain of it's barbarian invasion.