Castle Clare, Residence of the de Clare family

[Lord William]

Arundel returns to Clare Castle with his grieving De Clare wife in tow, having received William's letter a while back, and seeks out Lord Richard. Conveniently, his dress code had always included dapper black, and so his usual outfit could already pass as mourning clothes.

de Vere was welcomed into the castle and as he was led into the study Richard was reading William's letter, de Vere quickly saw Richard's sadness turn into uncontrollable rage.
Murder!!!! My son was murdered!!!! I will have Roger's head on a pike and his body fed to the dogs!!!

[Barry Goldwater]

"Come now, good-father. I'm sure we can hire a Saracen or two who can think of more creative ways to end old Mowbray." De Vere answered coolly, his face twisted by a smirk that showed his teeth. Aubrey was not the sort of man to make friends with anyone, but Gilbert was his family by marriage and had never done anything to offend him, so he supposed honor demanded he help avenge the poor soul.

"Still, Mowbray's far away and out of our reach for the moment, unfortunately. It will be up to the King to decide whether he lives or dies, right now." Arundel straightened his back and knit his hands at his waist. "I've some ideas as to what we can do in the meantime, if you'll hear me out..."

[Lord William]

Richard was still enraged, he couldn’t understand the senseless murder of his son. He would see to it that justice be dealt by his sword, whatever the kings the decision

tell me, what do you have in mind

[Barry Goldwater]

"Well, the most obvious course of action would be to raid his lands. Sack his manors, burn his fields, kill or chase away his tenants, the usual." Arundel began with a shrug. "But...well, I've neither the funds nor the numbers to pull this off right now, with two-thirds of my tenants-at-arms being away with King Edgar. You, though...have you considered occupying those lands of Mowbray's beyond his castles? Not just raiding, but installing yourself in what's left of his manors and forcing his tenants to pay their rents and tithes to you. Indefinitely, even." Deny Mowbray funds and well, not even the leanest of armies can survive on no pay and air for subsistence for long. Too many lords and kings thought wars were won through brute force on the battlefields or aimed at their castles, that they missed the logistical side of warfare which De Vere was all about.

"Speaking of his castles. I understand your fury, good-father, but I must strongly recommend you do not attempt to besiege or worse, storm them - at most, just devastate the countryside around them. Mowbray invited me to Warwick Castle once, and I can safely say he's put a lot of work into making it impossible to take save through starvation." Arundel further cautioned. "Now alas I've put most of my funds this year to use in paying my soldiers, or in infrastructure investments across my estates. And I can't ste...I mean, appropriate enough royal funds to make up the difference, not without raising dire suspicion. But if you can hold out on your own for the year, or if you'd be willing to hold off on revenge for another twelve months - a tall order given the circumstances, yes I know, and I absolutely would not fault you for seeking vengeance now - I will be in shape to materially assist you. What do you say, good-father?"

[Lord William]

This animal must be put down before he has an opportunity to fight back, I shall muster my army and strike him down!
Richard said with anger
Though you are correct my son, we shall deprive his armies of supplies and wealth so when he comes to fight back he will be in a weakened state. I will try to secure whatever lands I can and once you are able to join my forces we will take his castles. the bastard will have no where to hide besides his prison cell!!!

[Barry Goldwater]

"As you say..." De Vere said, nodding along. "How's the state of your finances, by the by? If you must, surely you could invest in sellswords to swell your ranks, and provide you with expendable troops with which to raid and occupy the Mowbray estates elsewhere."

[Lord William]

Within my vaults I have about 8,000 crowns though I shall use that to pay my levies as they pillage through mowbray's lands in Norfolk and Suffolk, I hope William will gather his and Gilbert's troops to take his lands Warwick.

[Barry Goldwater]

"I'd suggest investing what you can spare into sellswords. And to not count on your sons' soldiers being released homeward, unless our King succeeds to such an extent that he feels he has no need for them." De Vere urged. "His crimes aside, Mowbray's no lord to sneeze at, if his formidable castle at Warwick's any indication. As well, he's a veteran of the Saxon rebellion just as you are. When - if - he comes back from Wales, well I don't think he'll be in any mood to smile and shake hands. Exercise a little caution out there, good-father." Arundel clapped his father-in-law's shoulder, nodding firmly once.

[Gandalfus]

The Countess of Shrewsbury arrives at Clare, escorted by a dozen or so household knights. They were like a blotch of ink upon the landscape, all dressed in dark furs and riding leathers to shelter themselves from the dying winter.

[Lord William]

"I'd suggest investing what you can spare into sellswords. And to not count on your sons' soldiers being released homeward, unless our King succeeds to such an extent that he feels he has no need for them." De Vere urged. "His crimes aside, Mowbray's no lord to sneeze at, if his formidable castle at Warwick's any indication. As well, he's a veteran of the Saxon rebellion just as you are. When - if - he comes back from Wales, well I don't think he'll be in any mood to smile and shake hands. Exercise a little caution out there, good-father." Arundel clapped his father-in-law's shoulder, nodding firmly once.

Richard tried to think for a moment but his blood was boiled, he couldn't think straight
I can't think right now, all I want is to bathe in the blood of house Mowbray. Aubrey I shall leave my finances in your capable hands you can hire the mercenaries as you see fit, I trust you won't bankrupt me.

The Countess of Shrewsbury arrives at Clare, escorted by a dozen or so household knights. They were like a blotch of ink upon the landscape, all dressed in dark furs and riding leathers to shelter themselves from the dying winter.

Richard was preparing for war when the countess of shrewsbury arrived, she would see him outside ordering men around.

[Gandalfus]

Cristina rode towards her husband’s father and dismounted before him, one of the men-at-arms helping her down from up in high. A dark ermine cloak had been wrapped about her shoulders to keep in the warmth, and a similarly coloured shawl concealed her flaxen hair from view, framing her pointed face.

“Lord Father.”

Greeted the King’s sister, now a countess in her own right. Her French sounded different, not the same as either the English or Normans spoke it. If she was puzzled by the gathering of soldiers, she didn’t show it.

“You go to war, then? Who with?”

[Barry Goldwater]

Richard tried to think for a moment but his blood was boiled, he couldn't think straight
I can't think right now, all I want is to bathe in the blood of house Mowbray. Aubrey I shall leave my finances in your capable hands you can hire the mercenaries as you see fit, I trust you won't bankrupt me.

"As you say." Aubrey simply nodded. "I shall arrange the hiring of sellswords before I return home. I wish you good fortune on the battlefield, good-father, and shall join you in full in a year's time."

[Lord William]

Cristina rode towards her husband’s father and dismounted before him, one of the men-at-arms helping her down from up in high. A dark ermine cloak had been wrapped about her shoulders to keep in the warmth, and a similarly coloured shawl concealed her flaxen hair from view, framing her pointed face.

“Lord Father.”

Greeted the King’s sister, now a countess in her own right. Her French sounded different, not the same as either the English or Normans spoke it. If she was puzzled by the gathering of soldiers, she didn’t show it.

“You go to war, then? Who with?”

Dearest daughter I shall wage war on the family that murdered my son, your husband, and young Gilbert’s father. I shall strike them down with a heavenly fury. My wrath with not be contented until every single last Mowbray is swinging from a gibet.

"As you say." Aubrey simply nodded. "I shall arrange the hiring of sellswords before I return home. I wish you good fortune on the battlefield, good-father, and shall join you in full in a year's time."

very well I look forward to your arrival

[Gandalfus]

Dearest daughter I shall wage war on the family that murdered my son, your husband, and young Gilbert’s father. I shall strike them down with a heavenly fury. My wrath with not be contented until every single last Mowbray is swinging from a gibet.

"Should our lord the King not deal with this? God will not look favourably on such wanton destruction."

Cristina had gotten along with her husband well enough, but such an act of violence did not sit well with her. Far better to allow her brother to deal with it.

"I would counsel patience in all things. Mowbray will be punished by his rightful masters: my brother and God."

[Lord William]

"Should our lord the King not deal with this? God will not look favourably on such wanton destruction."

Cristina had gotten along with her husband well enough, but such an act of violence did not sit well with her. Far better to allow her brother to deal with it.

"I would counsel patience in all things. Mowbray will be punished by his rightful masters: my brother and God."

Richard holds his daughters hand gently
Sometimes we must dirty our own hands so that the ones we love can keep their hands clean. what I have planned Edgar as King should not be apart of but I swear daughter I will avenge Gilbert's death
Richard looks into Christina's eyes
Promise me, you will tell no one of my plans.

[Gandalfus]

“You want me to lie to the King?”

The Countess was incredulous. Her own brother was to be kept in the dark? This did not sit well with her. Gilbert had been unjustly slain and grieving was natural, but Richard’s actions were nothing more than blind anger and revenge. She pulled her hand away.

”Lord father, please, I beg that you reconsider.”

The tone was almost pleading, which said much; Cristina was normally too prideful to reduce herself in such a manner

[Gandalfus]

A letter arrives from the King himself, delivered by courier. Baldwin de Clare is to lead a force of the King's men north to assist the Earl of Northumbria in fighting the Danes, with mercenaries to be raised in the coming days.

[General Brewster]

Sir Roger de Mowbray arrived ahead of his retinue under the peace terms dictated by the King's treaty. He wishes to speak to Lord de Clare.

[Lord William]

Lord Richard was alerted at the arrival of Sir Mowbray outside the gates, he was wearing his chainmail and had his sword sheathed across his waist. He steps out onto the wall piering down at the worm which now appeared before him. He couldn’t help but look in disgust, had he not have the kings protection he would have cut him down where he stood. so for now he wouldn’t be touched but that didn’t mean he had to like him or let him into his home.

what is it you want Mowbray

[General Brewster]

Mowbray was appalled that this man would not even let him in. So far for the king's enforced justice.

"I have come to bring you the 2500 pounds you were promised upon the King's peace." Mowbray paused as he looked upon the man that was known as the Butcher of the midlands. "... and I have come to collect the 7000 pounds I am owed as well." he added, awaiting the hefty fee de Clare was told to pay de Mowbray.