The Fate of Castle Helmsley

From Lexicanum

Capitulum primum 

Sir Walter L'Spec a former knight of Duke Derfel of Lindsey, awarded the estate after Arthurs victory over the King of Malahaut. He is famous for his generosity and his three beautiful daughters. The Castle was in a bad state of repair when he took it over two years ago and though it is now serviceable it is hardly a luxurious place - despite the best efforts of L'Spec and his wife. The small town of Helmsley (near by) is prosperous being on the route from Scarbourgh to Ebrucum and L'Spec's fortune would appear to be set.

A black & rainy night in Early February 531 is when our noble knight's reached Castle Helmsley. Sir Gofric coming North from Lincoln to check on his countryman's well being at his new estate. Sir Cadoc came west from Ebracum - tasked by his King to ensure that the new Lord was treating his estate justly. Sir Farcus and Sir Cadoc had travelled many miles from their home lands on route to Camelot & having evaded ambush by Bandits in the forests to the North sought sanctuary at the Castle. Both Sir Dara & Ulwin had journeyed to Helmsly on hearing legend of the beautiful L'Spec daughters.

Arriving at the Castle after a brief test of horsemanship, the knights were welcomed by L'Spec and he said that this time of the night was a poor one to deal with important matters, so they would speak formally in the morning. A brief meal and light conversation and the Knights were led to the tower that serves as the visitors quarters in Helmsley Castle. Sir Gofric was a little aghast that the castle did not sport it's own chapel - but as L'Spec said this was one of the many improvements that he has planned to the estate. Indeed he offered to escort Sir Gofric to the church in Helmsley upon the morn. Sir Cadoc (a more earthy sort) asked his squire to see if there might be a willing serving wench in the castle to keep his bed warm - with much regret Bedwyr pleaded ignorance of the castle's female population and said he would scout out the local ladies in the morn. With business attended to - our good nights highed themselves to bed & thence to sleep, or in the case of Sir Gofric a seat, a candle and a book of Latin Psalms.

Later that night the sounds of combat roused the knights as their squires were already in combat downstairs with a group of Saxon Warriors, Nail was sorely wounded before he even had a chance to get out of bed and the others were suitably shocked other than Bedwyr who was protected somewhat by the blond serving wench he was sharing his bed with. While Sirs Ulwin, Fargus, Cadoc and Gofric stormed down the stairs and through the Saxon warriors, Sir Caldoc and Sir Dara donned their armour and headed up along the battlements towards the keep. Pausing momentarily to despatch two more Saxon Warriors in the courtyard Sirs Ulwin, Fargus, Cadoc and Gofric also pushed on towards the keep. They noted that the gates of that castle were still closed and that although the servant's quarters were ablaze the stables remained untouched.

Arriving at the keep Sir Dara engaged with one Saxon warrior whilst another dashed off to warn his team. Sir Cadoc rushed to the aid of a serving wench in an adjoining room who was being assaulted by another warrior - who obviously undervalued his looting and pillaging skills! Moments being them the second group arrived and followed Sir Dara into the main audience chamber to confront the Saxon Chief who was at that time "layingeth" the smack down on Sir L'Spec.  The five Saxon Warriors with him however, caused the knights a moments consternation but in due cause they also attended to the Saxon chief who fell rapidly once the numbers were no longer in his favour! The remaining two Saxons (who had been attempting to gain access to the top story of the keep) were dealt with promptly and the knights were pleased to learn that Sir L'Spec's family had barred themselves in the top rooms of the keep & were unharmed.

Having achieved victory over the Saxon invaders the Knights fell to helping to direct the operations of the servants to ensure that the castle didn't burn to the ground and thoughts turned slowly to how the invaders gained access to that castle! Clearly Sir Gofric has cause to thank his Lord God for directing his passions to the Psalms on this night!

Capitulum Secundum

L'Spec's daughter's & his wife came down from the tower and assisted the wounded. His Wife an elder stateswoman named Lady Jane was quiet and unobtrusive merely supervising and chaperoning her daughters - letting them attend to matters and observing the behaviour of the knights. Diana (AP 20), Fiana (AP 14) and Melody (APP 17) L'Specs daughters were helpful charming and courteous. Fiana however, was notably talented at healing and was able to offer assistance to all but the Saxon prisoner - Le'Spec ordered the town's "wise woman" to be summoned - but she failed to appear that night.
Once all the fires were out & the wounded tended to L'Spec gathered the Knights together in his private chambers. He explained that although his estates were in good order his military force was not. After the night's events he was down to three men-at-arms - several weeks ago his only son had taken a force into the forest to confront the Bandits and had been surprised by their numbers. To his lasting sadness - his son was killed and only two men-at-arms made it back to Helmsley.  He asked that the knights should look into how the Saxon's gained access to the castle and that perhaps they might stay on for a month or so to bolster his defences until extra forces could be sent here from Lincoln to bring his forces back up to number. Led by the gallant Sir Ulwin (who immediately saw the problem and volunteered his services) the knights agreed to assist this unlucky Lord. Thus wiser about affairs they knights attempted to finally get some rest.

In the morning - A Sunday morning - good to his word L'Spec led the Christian knights to the Church of St Andrew's in the town for devotions.
Back at the castle Sir Caldoc (a Pagan Knight) and Sir Farcus (a Heathen Knight) guarded the keep whilst the servants readied breakfast. They were surprised by a commotion at the castle gates as Old Mag (the afore mentioned "Wise Woman" of Helmsley) bustled her way into the building demanding to know if any of the wounded had made it through the night. 

She attended to the prisoner and stated "he'll live - but he won't be walking straight again & he ain't going to be pretty no more".  Sir Caldoc (noticing no doubt the old crone's advanced years) asked her for the history of the Castle and was told the long and involved tale of the Dark Sorcerer of Helmsley and his tower which had been on the site.  She showed them to a secret entrance in the stables which let to an ancient tunnel. Sir Farcus headed down the tunnel sword in hand and found that it led off some 250 yards to just inside the tree line and was clearly the means with which the Saxon's had breached the walls.

Pausing only to equip & grab some rations the knights (other than Sir Caldoc's squire (who was too badly beat up to travel))headed off to track down the source of the Saxon raiding party and perhaps the Bandit raiders too. A path they found, barely one horse wide in places and travelled for many hours into the mysterious wood lands. At one point a cart trail crossed the main pathway but the knights pressed on ignoring the side path. 

Eventually the day was drawing short and they felt the need for rest. Finding a suitable camp site the squires set to the cleaning of armour and the cooking of food. Regular watches were places and the knights tried to get some rest.  In the early hours of the morning on his watch Sir Dara heard something in the bushes someway off from the camp - moving carefully, he went to investigate. There in the pitch black night of the forest he encountered a large stinking presence that blew hot steam from it's mouth.

Clearly it was a Dragon - Sir Dara (brave, but not fool hearty) moved back to the camp & began to awaken the others, preparing them for Dragon attack. Clearly the knights springing to arms startled the mighty beast as when the knights went to investigate, the mighty creature was gone with nothing strange in the glade revealed by their torch light other than some broken wood and a particularly large & fragrant cowpat!

Upon the morn the noble knights sallied forth once more and after half a days more travel came upon a dead man strung up upon a high tree.  His mercy prevailing Sir Cadoc cut the poor unfortunate down & had the squires spend an hour or so putting the unfortunate into the earth. The hour was late by this time so the knights settled down once more and this second night was uneventful (if cold & wet).

Upon the final morn the group set out once more and before 10:00 in the morning came across what appeared to be a village on a hill, in the forest, surrounded by an embankment and ditch defence. The way in was guarded by three Saxon warriors and three bandit archers. The group gathered and discussed many battle strategies. Sir Dara however, quickly grew bored with theory and charged the hill fort single handed. Battle was promptly joined and after a short melee our noble hero's gained access; with bloody sword and charging horse they pressed into the village.