Scottish Encampment of Sir Malcolm Scott

[The Mad Skylord]

Near the Frankish quartets of De Baalun, the Scottish Encampment can be found. It is quite orderly, the tents arranged in lines with a small area left open in the middle. Tables and chairs, along with food, water and whiskey are found in this area, along with small groups of Scotsmen.

The tent in the middle of the North side is Sir Malcolm's. In it there is a small bunk and chest in the corner, along with a small table and chair with large quantities of maps on the table. It is quite Spartan, but the one luxury is a heavy bear pelt rug in the middle of the floor.

[Mors Vigilia]

It was close to the middle of the night when Thomas finally found his way to those who flew the black saltire and the lion rampant. He hoped to find a fire and perhaps some welcoming cheer before he could talk with the lord in the morning.

[The Mad Skylord]

((I changed the banner! I remembered the lion wasnt this old, so the actual royal banner is a silver boar on a green background, I don't know what it was called, so I'm calling it the Royal Scots Boar. Just thought you should know!))

Angus notices the laddie arrive and grins. Malcolm had said he would come. Thomas is invited into the company of the Scots, and he is offered food, fire and harsh Scotch whiskey. Most of the men only speak Gaelic but some of the knights, Angus included, know some German and they strike up smattering conversation.

"How he end in Crusade up, laddie?"

Angus asks with a terrible accent and awful grammar.

"Malcolm back be soon, speaking Duke of Lorraine to. Stay our company in until return he you is welcome!"

Hard to listen to, but almost possible to understand.

[Mors Vigilia]

Thomas took it all in with a bemused grin, listening hard to pick out key words through the harsh accent. He had no idea that Malcolm was the Duke of Lorraine! Conversation would be difficult here but he had to keep his language simple too.

"Yes, I am for the crusade."

The food was most welcome, as Thomas had not eaten since breakfast.

[The Mad Skylord]

Malcolm arrived back after an hour or so. He smiled slightly when he saw the young man he had offered employment. He began to walk across the square towards his men.

[Mors Vigilia]

Thomas was enjoying his time with the Scots, asking them about their homeland and watching them act out various stories, complete with the impressions of various animals. Now full of food and drink, he was laughing with them in a way that he had not done in months, if not years.

[The Mad Skylord]

Angus was laughing and jesting and joking. One of the Scots was acting out an old story about his brother. It was surprising how quickly the fight started. One minute there was laughter, the next, they were sharing the love of fighting. As teeth, food, drink and men went flying Malcolm shot forwards and dragged Thomas to his tent. No need for the lad to get hurt. Those Scots were savage in a fight.

"Thomas, glad to see you could make it. Take a seat and have a drink."

Malcolm calmly stated in German. He poured a drink and set it on the table for him.

"I take it you have thought about my offer of employment, then?"

[Mors Vigilia]

Thomas smiled, unfazed by the fight going on outside. The former owner of a tavern had seen his fair share of such things.

"I have experience working under quartermasters, delivering messages, washing, cooking... a few other things..."

Malcolm certainly seemed the better options, all others seemed to want to wash him then leave him be, or simply to torment him in some way.

[The Mad Skylord]

Malcolm nodded calmly. Thoughtfully. After several minutes he spoke.

"Working for me will be hard. You will be expected to do what is asked of you, when it is asked of you. You will be expected to learn everything you might require in my service. You will learn to ride like a Scots Mosstrooper, wield a blade to the standards I expect in this force, learn to read and write, and learn Latin, French and Gaelic. You shall be taught how to look after my horse and my equipment, and then you shall be expected to do it. You will have to carry my messages through the thick of battle, and you will be expected to act as my messenger to other divisions. It will be a hard road, but I reward diligence, loyalty, ingenuity and bravery well, you will be well paid and you will have a chance to make something great out of your life. I am offering you a once in a lifetime opportunity, because I have a feeling you deserve the chance to advance yourself and better yourself.

If you want this chance, then accept. If you wish to go to the Holy Lands, to fight and die as nothing more than a common foot soldier, then do so. It is your choice."

[Mors Vigilia]

Thomas' jaw dropped lower and lower as Malcolm spoke. How could any one person ever do all that in a lifetime, let alone Thomas now?

"I do not know if I could... I do not fear death, nor hard work, but I cannot do the impossible..."

But if this saw him with constant food and shelter on the way to Jerusalem...

"Your destination is Jerusalem, yes?"

[The Mad Skylord]

Malcolm watched in quiet amusement.

"It is not so hard as you may think, good sir. Remember, I am but a man and I learned these things as naught but a bairn. Monks and priests learn many of these things as grown men. It is certainly hard work to achieve, but it is far from impossible."

Malcolm cocked his head and looked at him for a moment.

"It is. The Scots will march to Jerusalem. Land and wealth are secondary concerns, we will see the crusade through before that."

[Mors Vigilia]

Nothing was worth doing, unless it was a hard thing to do...

"I cannot be tied... Others have become used to me doing odd jobs for them here and there."

[The Mad Skylord]

Malcolm ducked his head in acknowledgement.

"As you wish. The offer will, however, remain until we cross into the Levant and besiege Nicea. If you wish to think about it, you will have the same offer open to you until then."

[Mors Vigilia]

"I thank you, my lord Duke."

Thomas stared off into a shadow for a while, unblinking, more due to the effects of the earlier alcohol than any deep contemplation.

"I think that I am able and willing to do this, but a man can find himself in a rut - doing the same thing day in and day out with little variation... Would not a day off here and there to help out another with different tasks be acceptable. Surely that way I would be more effective at throwing myself into your tasks even as the years go on, my lord..."

[The Mad Skylord]

Malcolm waited quietly, reading through a report while Thomas made his choice. When he started to speak, Malcolm put the report down and listened carefully. The first thought that sprang to mind was "Duke"?

"That could be arranged. You shall work for me from Monday to Thursday, and you shall be given Friday, Saturday and the Sabbath off. If that is acceptable, then go and find Angus, he will equip you with your tent and your arms. Report to the priest of the host, Father McLochlan first thing on Monday to begin your schooling. You will study till noon, then you will go to Angus, who will show you all you need to know about riding, fighting, equipment cleaning and horse caring."

Malcolm puts a small bag of coin on the table.

"Your pay. I will pay you on the first Thursday of every month. This should be enough money to keep you until then."

[Mors Vigilia]

Thomas quickly stood and took a step back when the coin was produced. He had done nothing yet to earn it.

"I accept, my lord. Thank you. Though I do not know if I will need the generosity of thee days a week, but I shall know before you... we... march."

[The Mad Skylord]

Malcolm looked at him, slightly amused.

"You have only two, my friend. We are on a Christian Crusade, we cant work on the Sabbath."

[Mors Vigilia]

Thomas shrugged. He could not remember observing the Sabbath since the death of his wife. He liked to keep busy and did not think that God would look too poorly upon him for his diligence.

“Has anyone told that to the Saracens, m’lord? I’d hate for them to rush into our camps without knowing that we have to take it easy. I’m sure that they’d be extremely embarrassed to learn that they’d done that…”

He scratched at a bite on his leg.

“Nevertheless, I assume that horses still need to eat - regardless of the day - and messages still need to be delivered, and all those other small tasks that people will notice when they’re not carried out.”

[The Mad Skylord]

Malcolm was slightly startled, he was right! He hadn't been thinking straight!

"By God you're right! I'm not in Scotland now! Will Friday and Saturday suffice?"

Malcolm sits back down at the table, and pushes some maps out of the way, he leans forwards and braces his arms.

"You were in the People's Crusade? Can you tell me about the Turks and Saracens?"

[Mors Vigilia]

Thomas shook his head.

"I was not far behind their wake in my journeys here, but I did not leave the city with them. I chose to wait for the more experienced heads to arrive."

He rubbed at his eyes, the previous drinking was wearing off.

"But I've seen and spoken to some of the poor fellows who've returned. It seems that they had the upper hand with the Turks once they closed with them, but that was only if and when they closed... Wicked bows, they say."