The Fall of the Lion (A heretic name Blackstone...)

[Desperado †]

^{OCC: The theme of this thread is mysterious and spooky. It will hopefully be exciting and fast passed. --If a character does not answer to a question whithin ten minutes and is slowing down others ho wish to carry on, and excuse will be made and he may answer when he is back online}

Caradog ap Dafydd did wait upon horse at the unusually quiet Western gatehouse of London. The gates were in fact far from the city, as the city had not yet grown to its size to become. The usual trade had passed, and Caradog felt quite lonely upon the road as he awaited the arrival of William Clinton. The expadition to Birmingham should prove an intressting one. A Heretic...

His bags were packed upon a pack horse. Caradog was all prepared. He had left Gerard in charge of St Mary's and his other duties for the time.

Caradog even felt slightly nervous. There was an uneasy feeling to the whole thing.

[KoS]

Clinton soon appeared on a pitch black steed, carrying with him nothing but a small bag of personal belongings; the rest, he would explain, remained at his home in Staffordshire.

Well, Father, are you ready to undertake our journey?

OOC: Sorry about the pic; I was in a pinch to find one of a knight on a black horse, and that was the best I could get.

[Desperado †]

Aye, mostly. I did wonder if more adventurers would acompany us on this journey.

There seems to be some fear in Caradogs voice.

But we shall be safe, if God wills it.



Caradog Draws out a wooden cross whilst he says these words.

Which reminds me. Upon this journey, and hereby afterwards, I do recomend you were this.
Caradog draws out a silver cross upon a chain from his long dark robes, and offers it to William.

It is good if God may tell his own sheep in this fog of heresy that surronds us these days.

OCC: I know about the pic. It's solid getting Knight pictures with all the Dark Knight images floating around the net. Shall we wait for more to join our party or leave? I guess if someone desperately wants to come along they could follow us after, and perhaps catch us we we need them most.

[Evolution]

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Clinton looks behind him and sees a knight racing towards him... its Andrew

Father and Chancellor, May I join you in this quest? I seek to redeem the my name and dismiss all rumors of me.

A picture of Sir Andrew in his armor

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Sir Clinton and the Father noticed that Andrew was wearing a black rose and not a red rose, they wondered why.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

[Desperado †]

Caradog ap Dafydd notices Andrews arrival. He curses under his breath. Fortunately nobody hears him.

He fumbles in his robes for a second Cross, should William agree to this generous, yet unpridictable adventurer. Caradog also noted that should this man join, all help from the King would be lost. They would be on their own.

OCC: I think that will make it more intressting.

[KoS]

Of course you may join us, Andrew, we were just about to depart.

William takes the cross and wordlessly places it around his neck.

If God wills it, the One True Faith shall prevail on this day... speaking of this day, what time does it happen to be?

He picked up a stick and thrust it into the mud. The shadow said it was nearly seven o'clock in the morning.

Oh dear... Caradog, if my mental calculations are correct, if we leave within the next five minutes, and ride through the night on the route I specify, then we should be arrive in Birmingham by this time tomorrow, and hear Blackstone's weeksly sermon at noon tomorrow... now, as for the other thing you mentioned... more adventurers, you say?



Barely were these words out of his mouth when a dozen men, in full armor and with their possessions, rode through the gate towards the two men. Their leader, on a shining white steed, dismounted and politely bowed in the presence of the priest and the Lord Chancellor. He said in a thick Welsh accent:

Greetings, sires. I am James Garfield... I was born in Wales, but I've spent many a year here in London. These men are my brothers, cousins, and several close friends, and we wish to accompany you to Staffordshire - to protect and serve such important men as yourselves. Would you kindly accept?

William extended a hand to Garfield.

Welcome aboard, friends... we plan on leaving in just a moment. Caradog, Andrew, any more thoughts before we depart?

[Evolution]

You must remember father even if their is no king to help us you will have the Rose. as I can see you also have been corrupted by the many rumors you hear of us. The papacy and the order along with their knights and army will support thee if ever needed. God will protect us.

ooc: I will try to make it interesting if you wish me to?

[Desperado †]

Sir Andrew, it is as if you may read my very mind. But it could be Saxon rebels we are dealing with here (Caradog seems to quiver) and there are few of the order up were we be going...

Upon these words Caradog notices the reinforcements.

Fellow Welshman? Caradog seems to calm. We shall be safe. Andrew, Garfield, take these; Caradog passes more crosses around, simillar to those that he gave William. I also propose that I fly this flag.



Caradog draws out a Papal flag and attatches it to the staff in his hand.
Shalt we depart m'lords? Garfield, Andrew and William nod.
Very well.
The party depart from the Gates of London, on an adventure that would be more frightening than any could imagine...

Conversation begins between the men.

OCC: I thought it would take like half a week to get to Birmingham? Also - when fights happen, short posts, unless their discriptions, we don't want one person hogging the battle.

[Evolution]

I have over 30,000 men and I can always call for more with the help of the papacy.

Andrew remains silent for the rest of the day. Hoping one day people will read the book about the History and aims of the Order.

[Desperado †]

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

The party carries on at a trott down the path. The extra baggage mules taken on by the Welshmen under Garfield seem to be slowing the party. Caradog draws his white horse allongside the three four self appointed captains of the pary.

Sir Andrew, may I ask why you wear a black rose this day?

OCC: I prefer having fewer men. I propose we start to have visions upon the road.

[KoS]

William pulled a quill pen and stack of paper from his bag and began writing as the others spoke. He knew this would be an important event and felt compelled to record their travels properly.

04th March AD 1082: Being of sound mind and body, I, William Clinton of Stafford, do hereby initiate this chronicle of the quest to rid these lands of a Saxon heretic. As I wrote this we had just begun our journey from the west gate of London to the village of Birmingham, where that foul wretch Blackstone at this moment attempts to turn good English people against their church and their state. We expect the journey to take less than a week, and we do not know what lies ahead, but we are sure that God, the Church, and the Order of the Rose will support us if any trouble should arise.

Putting the writing items back in his bag, William said to Caradog and Andrew:

Yes, Andrew, why are you wearing a rose of a darker color?

[Desperado †]

Andrew seems to be thinking deeply, and has not noticed Caradog and Williams question. Caradog turns to William who catches him packing a quil back into a pouch;

I did not know you could read and write my Lord? I mean, many a Knight does consider it as bad as being homosexual as being able to read and write. But you are obviously higher than their foolish bickering and fear of knowladge and Clergy. How came you to learn?

OCC: Thats true for early medieval period

[KoS]

Clinton seemed slightly astounded by Caradog's inquiry.

Perhaps it is so in Wales, but not where I am from... I, too, am essentially a foreigner. Though I was born in London - my father fought at Hastings, and his brother and father died there - I spent most of my youth in Rouen, the capital of Normandy. Being of nobility, it was standard in French custom that the sons of nobles recieve a full education... in fact, I was the only one of my brothers who attended the scholar's academy in Caen, where I stayed for ten years before coming to England upon my father's death. That academy, though recently destroyed by fire, had an extensive library, and during many a long lonely hour I educated myself in history, politics and philosophy. Thus, I am likely more well-educated than many men who inhabit these English lands.

Clinton spat on a peasant who had cursed his obvious nobility.

So I take it that you are illiterate, Caradog?
____________________________________________________________________________

Several yards behind them, Garfield was becoming frustrated at their slow progress being made even slower by the mules carrying his men's baggage. He became particularly annoyed with one of them, who was slightly portly and, though of fully Scottish blood, spoke with a strong Irish brogue.

Will you part with some of that baggage, MacIanla? You are delaying the progress of us all.

William MacIanla (also spelled, more phonetically, McKinley) stopped his horse and gave Garfield a cold stare.

Perhaps had you not brought all four of your brothers along, we would not be in such a predicament...

Garfield rolled his eyes.

If we didn't have a deadline to get to Birmingham, Bill, you know I would give you hell here and now...

McKinley smiled. He and Garfield both knew that this bickering was likely to continue for the rest of the long, boring journey.

[Confederate Jeb]

OOC: William McKinley and Garfield? What is this, president's day?

[KoS]

OOC: William McKinley and Garfield? What is this, president's day?

Little in-references here and there don't hurt... if you hadn't noticed William Clinton all along. I've resisted every possible urge to call him Bill..

[Desperado †]

I am litterate, my Lord, being Clergy.Though my mother, Norman, was well knowladged in latin and such and taught me when I was young before sending me to London to study law. I have not seen my mother in many years....
Caradog seems to stare into the distance.
Being such a litterate man, have you heard of my proposal in the commans to create and Order of the Scrolls? I see that you yourself are very learned in allready announcing the begining of a Chronicle and a Doomsday Book. Things like that, when the order is created, will gain you much respect, and perhaps a title which you may wear proudly.
Hearing the bickering behind them Caradog turns.
What are they arguing about?

[KoS]

William turned back towards Garfield and McKinley.

What is going on back there?

I was telling my 'friend' here to hurry up with his baggage on the back of that mule so that we may all progress faster...

Milord, this ass can only trot so fast...

Clinton gave the two men a hard stare.

Regardless of circumstance, a faster pace and less quarreling would be appreciated by all.

William turned back to Caradog.

My apologies, Father... now, I recall asking you in the tavern once about your father, but you never replied... what did your father do for a living, and what were the circumstances surrounding his death, mysterious as they were?

[Confederate Jeb]

William Clinton

OOC: Ug! The horrer of it all. Your....a...Clinton. Having....heart....attack.

[KoS]

OOC: Ug! The horrer of it all. Your....a...Clinton. Having....heart....attack.

Relax, my boy, it's not Hillary... and at least this guy will never be called Slick Willie.

[Desperado †]

I know little....of my Father. He was a sheep herder. I have a few fond memories of sitting upon his shoulders whilst he did herd the sheep in for sheering. But one day did he leave for London, and I never did know why. I was only six or seven. Then, when I was ten, my mother told me he was dead. She would not say more. It was a traumatic time, to say the least. I am lucky that I have found God now to comfort me. There is much God has not yet revealed to me, such as the scars upon my back. I hope that one day I may discover the death of my father. May God have mercy on the culprits sole...