Agnes Smith RETURN TO BRITAIN, pt. II 857 A.D. Winchester, Wessex .......... [Agnes] She curtsies deeply when she is introduced. "Your Majesty." Hearing the King's question and ignoring Drefan, she replies, "Your Majesty, I was attempting to bring you a gift of cloth," she nods to the cloth in her arms, "and to see my friend, Antonella." "A surly man at the gate, refused me entry, implying that I was unworthy of being allowed in. Since he was intent on treating me like a common peasant, I gave him the response he ought to have expected from any self respecting peasant who had been treated in such on off-hand manner." "I am truly sorry that it was one of your men, Your Majesty. His manner hadn't let me to believe that he was. Had I known, I would not of course have punched him in the nose." <><><><><> <> King Ęthelbald throws his head back and laughs. Drefan glowers. "What an interesting friend you have, Antonella. I'm glad none of her bad habits rubbed off on you." Antonella bobs slightly, blushing. He holds out his hand, beckoning for you to bring the cloth forward. "So tell me how you come here, and how a northerner knows my fair Roman lady?" <><><><><> [Agnes] She steps forward, as beckoned, giving the King the cloth, and replying to his question. "My late husband was a merchant, and he had occasion to travel to Rome. It was on my first visit there that Antonella an I chanced to meet. And that meeting would later lead me to gaining employment with her family business whilst I awaited my husband's return to Rome." <><><><><> <> The king grunts and nods, fingering the silk. He doesn't look like he has any idea how to gauge its quality or worth, and wraps it up in a rough ball before handing it to a young man, who carries it away. "So, you've been to Rome? Hmph. This Northumbrian woman's been to Rome, and I've never left Britain." He addresses this to his men, who chuckle or just smile wryly. "Were you there when my father and brothers visited?" he asks, his tone casual. <><><><><> [Agnes] "Yes, Your Majesty, but you have the affairs of state to occupy you, whereas I was but a merchant's young wife." "I was in Rome when they visited, Your Majesty. Your mother was there too. Please accept my condolences. I had not known she had passed away. It was she who had asked me to visit Winchester when I returned to Britain." She gains a far away look for a moment, thinking of her. "I'm sorry I wasn't able to return in time to see her again." <><><><><> <> "She was a good woman," King Ęthelbald says. "My father came back from the Continent with some.....*child* to be his new Queen." He shakes his head in disgust. "So, I take it you are now widowed? Have you come to Winchester only to visit Antonella, or to settle?" He looks at the younger woman. <><><><><> [Agnes] "My husband died of his wounds after a fight two years back. I have been carrying out my own business since." "I was planning only to visit. I intend to be able to travel to London to visit my uncle's cousin, to learn what has happened to my family. Maybe afterwards I might travel to Northumbria, or I might return here. I am pleased to see Antonella again, but I wouldn't want to impose myself upon her." <><><><><> <> "Hmm. Well, stay as long as you like, or as long as Antonella likes." He smiles fondly at Antonella, then looks back at you, his expression turning a little more serious. "But no more punching my men, understood? In fact, don't punch anybody. It's unseemly for a woman. Maybe if you find a new husband, you'll have someone to keep you out of trouble." "Drefan, you're in need of a wife, aren't you?" one of the King's men says. Drefan starts, and glares at the speaker, but the other men just start laughing. The King puts his hand over his mouth to try to stifle a chuckle. <><><><><> [Agnes] She tries to look abashed. "I won't go around punching people Your Majesty." She goes slightly pale at the jibe at Drefan: someone might take it seriously. "And thank you for your hospitality. As I said, I did intend to do some travelling to begin with, and perhaps return here afterwards." <><><><><> <> He nods, and then dismisses you with a wave. Antonella comes forward, and he kisses her hand, then pulls her closer to him and speaks to her in hushed tones for a few minutes. She returns and takes you aside, while the king speaks with others who have come to see him. "He expects to see me tonight in his quarters," she says, blushing a little, surprisingly enough. Perhaps she's just embarrassed at her status now that you're here. "I thought maybe it would be better to bring up our idea of visiting Kent there rather than here in his throneroom...." <><><><><> [Agnes] She takes her cue, and curtsies before retiring. "However you want to play it, Antonella," she says when they are away from the others. She smiles. "You are not a little girl any more, and I have no intention of treating you as one. This is your territory, and although I may have more experience in the world, you are much more knowledgeable than me about the goings on in court." She chuckles, "Any court, come to think about it, but this one in particular." "Is there anything we should see or do now, or do you have to get ready for this evening?" "I can always find things to occupy me until tomorrow if you want. Though I must try to avoid punching men in the nose." <><><><><> <> "Yes, you're my guest now, that would embarrass me," Antonella says with mock seriousness. "And Ęthelbald is usually a reasonable man, but he doesn't like being crossed. He wouldn't think it was funny a second time." She walks alongside you, silent for a bit. "I have learned a great deal about your....quaint, British customs," she says, elbowing you slightly to make it clear she's teasing. "But, I really haven't learned much about the world. Except for what I learned with you, and Kemal." She turns to you, older and yet still there's a trace of the little girl in her. "Philip....he really didn't teach me very much." Her voice is quiet now. "Certainly not about how to live in the world as an immortal woman. I've clung to Ęthelwulf and then Ęthelbald's courts, and I suppose you could say I've done pretty well at making a place for myself here.....trading on my charm and my beauty..." she plays with a lock of hair, self-consciously. "I don't think I know very much at all. Maybe the only thing I've learned since you saw me last is that I know how ignorant I am." "I would enjoy your company until this evening. I don't have to prepare very much to see His Majesty. Perhaps we should get the things we'll need for our trip?" <><><><><> [Agnes] "Certainly, Antonella. Let's see what we can buy." She smiles. "With the benefit of experience, I think we should see if there are any other travellers heading towards London that we might travel with. I think I can safely say that I have learned the hard way that immortality does not mean that you can fight off a dozen brigands and win. I met some in the Pyrenees that relieved me of all of my money, and could have got me killed. " "But enough of that," she says, as her mind carries on to think of the next series of events that followed on from then. "You will need weapons and armour." "Have you any? Better yet, show me them." "They will be the most expensive items. We'll see what you need there before we decide what we can afford in the way of horses, mules and other equipment." <><><><><> <> "I have a sword," Antonella says, abashed as if afraid this will be inadequate. "It's, um, the only thing Philip gave me." She leads you back to her room, and has to kneel and drag things out from under her bed. She glances at you and looks more abashed as she has to wipe dust off the scabbard before presenting it to you. The scabbard is a simple but sturdy wood and leather affair. The sword, when you draw and inspect it, is a little shorter than the one you're used to wielding, but it is of very fine quality. Philip didn't give her a cheap cast-off, at least. "I have been exercising," Antonella murmurs, as if anticipating comments about her obvious lack of preparedness to meet another immortal. "Not swordsmanship....I mean, I haven't done that since I lived with you. It would look pretty strange, to Ęthelbald and his men. But I exercise the way Philip had me do, so I think I'm still in pretty good shape." <><><><><> [Agnes] "I'm sure Philip has taught you well with regards keeping fit. And the sword is fine," she adds, "if recently unused." "We are going to have to think about armour for you though, Antonella. I don't think either of us are ever going to be good enough to expect never to be hit, and armour really makes a difference to whether you stay in a fight or not. And of course, most of our trouble will likely come from brigands anyway." She shrugs. "Maybe we can get something in London. I doubt if getting something made for you here would go don very well. Let's just content ourselves for just now with things for the journey, transport, food, and some arrows and shot." "And I suppose we ought to look at camp equipment too ... it depends on what sort of fellow travellers we are likely to be with. Shall we find that out first? See who else is likely to be going to London and when?" <><><><><> <> "All right." Antonella readily agrees to your suggestions, though she wrinkles her nose a little at the idea of wearing armor. The two of you go out into the town and begin inquiring of merchants and at the church. Unfortunately, while you learn that merchants do form groups to travel overland to London periodically, the next one may not be for several weeks. There are always small groups leaving, willing to risk the hazards of the road, but a pair of women traveling with these groups could be in just as much danger from their travelling companions as from brigands. Antonella's status may protect her (and you), and your best bet may be some of Ęthelbald's men traveling on the road. Assuming you can trust the king's men with the king's mistress. <><><><><> [Agnes] She does the rounds of the stalls and shops, establishing prices, and taking her time. She is, after all, in no particular hurry, and is keen to provision them for the best price. She chats to Antonella softly so that they won't be overheard. "Rather than buy anything today, Antonella," she says part way through, "I think I shall just establish what is available and at what price. The king is likely to find out if I have been buying enough for two of us, and I think it would be better if he heard it from you that you were going to travel with me to London." She smiles. "Maybe he will offer to provide an escort." "You will need to think about when or if you are going to return here though, Antonella. Deciding you are not coming back, may prove difficult if there are several burly soldiers charged with your safe return. And if you do want to return here, we will need to be careful about who you are seen with in London, and of course, it will be difficult for you to come with me to Canterbury, or Bamburgh." "I would welcome your company, of course, but I would see you on my return, and don't want to pressure you in prematurely leaving this idyl that you have found." <><><><><> <> "It's hardly an idyl," Antonella mumbles. "I suppose you think I'm spoiled, being the king's mistress and not happy. I probably couldn't have found a better situation for myself. But..." She shakes her head and looks away. "I want to go with you. But I'd like not to make Ęthelbald angry if possible." "Where do you to plan to go after visiting Northumbria? Are you planning to settle down somewhere in Britain for a while, or return to Kemal?" <><><><><> [Agnes] She hugs her friend. "I'm sorry Antonella. I didn't mean to hurt you. I didn't realise you weren't happy here." She sighs. "I thought you were, and was just poking fun at you." "I am in no rush to go anywhere. We can wait until you think the time is right before we leave." She hugs her friend tighter when she realises that tears are running down her cheeks. She sniffs a few times, and manages to get out... "I don't know if I want to go back to Kemal if he is still the way he was when I left him." Letting her friend go, Agnes wipes her eyes. "I'm sorry, Antonella. I am as bad as you." My plans only go as far as putting flowers on my parent's graves, and saying a prayer for Peter at Lindesfarne." <><><><><> <> Antonella embraces you back. "Oh, I know you didn't mean any harm," she says. "And it hasn't been terrible. I mean, I suppose I've been as happy as could be expected, but...." she starts sniffling herself. "I've been so lonely! Ęthelbald is kind, but even Dino actually loved me more, I think....to Ęthelbald, I'm just a beautiful, exotic golden bird. And I've had no friends....I never received a single kind word from Philip and he did not permit me ANY friends, and here in Britain I'm still a foreigner, everyone is either elaborately polite because I'm the king's mistress, or contemptuous because I'm a....a...a foreign whore!" Antonella breaks down and begins sobbing. "I was once so stuck up and high and mighty, Agnes, and after all the things I had to do just to GET here to Britain, and then stay in the King's court...I may wear fine clothes and jewelry, but I'm no better than a cheap courtesan! I'm a disgrace to my family, and I'd shame Kemal if he ever found out!" She clings to you until you actually pull away, and then lets go reluctantly. "I so much wanted to see you again, Agnes, because you really were kind to me, even when I was a spoiled brat who didn't deserve it. And now that I'm an immortal, you're the only one I can turn to to learn how to survive, unless I'm willing to go back to Philip, and I'd rather die first. Oh Agnes, I missed you so much, I just didn't realize how lonely I'd been until you arrived! I don't want you to leave me behind again!" She wipes her eyes, trying to stop her tears, but her whole body is shaking. <><><><><> [Agnes] She hugs her friend again, and strokes her hair comfortingly. "It's all right Antonella. I think it must be like this for all of us. Your only real friends will be the others like us that are not after heads - or driven men like Philip." She lets go of Antonella. "Techo would think of you as a friend too, I'm sure." She smiles. "Anyway, what does it matter if you slept your way to Britain? That's something I haven't done, and I'm not sure that I'd be any good at it. At least you are able to survive and travel. And what about keeping a place in a Royal court? There is skill in that too. I'd just punch the first person that really upset me, as you saw. No, you have more tact and diplomacy than me. I'm sure there are things we can learn from each other." "Right. We'll travel together, and we will travel light. We'll go to London, so that I can introduce you to whoever is there - just in case something happens. Then we'll make our way north to Northumbria." "I will need to sell the rest of my cloth and turn it into coin, buy some arrows and some snairs. We will need to get you a bow. We will have to get you some suitable outdoor clothes. And then, my dear Antonella, we will be ready to go whenever you are ready." She chuckles. "And you will get to see how unfit we have let ourselves become." <><><><><> <> Antonella wipes her eyes, and begins to regain her composure. "Thank you," she sniffles. She accompanies you as you go shopping. Winchester has fairly good markets, though not as good as London, and certainly not as good as Rome or any of the main ports in the Emirate. When you stop by a fletcher's, the fletcher of course finds it strange for two women to be shopping for bows and arrows. Antonella tries out some of the bows, and after putting aside the light bows the bemused craftsman offers her, surprises both him and you with the weight she is able to pull. She winds up taking a bow heavier than you could readily draw. As you head back to the castle, she says "I do not know if I want to come back here, but....I think I shouldn't close off that possibility. After all, if we decide we don't want to settle elsewhere, or go traveling the world, I think living here would be much more tolerable with a friend." She clasps your hand. "And perhaps I could begin teaching *you* how to make a place for yourself in court." <><><><><> [Agnes] "I agree," she replies squeezing her friend's hand, "We might want to return here. But you have to remember our lack of aging. Eventually that won't be an option." "You are the diplomat. I'll leave you to broach the subject of your departure with the king then. As I said, I'm in no hurry." She wishes Antonella well, and leaves her to her evening. For herself, Agnes as her meal in the inn, and then does her exercises in her room, aware that she is likely to be off doing energetic things in the next few weeks. <><><><><> <> Antonella comes to see you the next morning, not looking very happy. "Ęthelbald was not keen on my taking a trip," she says, sitting down. "Actually, he told me it was a foolish idea and that perhaps you were a little *too*.....unconventional. Well, that's not the word he used." She sighs. "At any rate, even suggesting I try effecting a reconciliation between him and his father didn't work. I asked if I could travel to London to do some shopping, protected by a company of his men, and he said he would think about it, but I think that was just to humor me." <><><><><> [Agnes] She smiles back at Antonella. "Did you expect anything different? He's not easily going to let you go with me, is he? He'll fear that in my company you won't come back. He sees you as a decorative plaything, unable to look after yourself without his benevolence. I suspect that he thinks that you wouldn't dare leave the relative luxury he provides you with." She shrugs. "We can sit him out, but I can't see him changing his mind. Or we can leave." "But if we leave, I doubt if you will be welcomed back, because you will have gone against his will. There is also the problem that he is likely to send people after us to bring us back. If we are found, what will we do? Fight? We'll likely lose, and then there are the healed wounds to worry about. Come back submissively? Then you are likely to be held a virtual prisoner. Then you will have no opportunity to avoid your agelessness showing - albeit in a few years time yet." "I think we should leave, today or tonight maybe - he might expect it, so maybe not, but soon." "What do you want to do?" <><><><><> <> Antonella sighs. "I trust your judgment. I would not mind staying here if you were with me, but I don't think you want to wait around in Winchester until our perpetual youth forces us to flee, do you?" "If we're going to go, I suppose now, or tonight, is as good a time as any. I really don't think he'll believe I'd actually pick up and run away with you." <><><><><> [Agnes] "Well, now is as good a time as any." "Is there any particular reason for you to go back to the castle, or can we just leave now?" she enquires. "I suppose that we don't really want to abandon the sword and bow," she continues after a moment. "I tell, you what. We'll go back and get them, but wrap them up in something. And you stay in your finery. You can change here afterwards. There is no point in raising suspicions." She smiles again and gives Antonella a hug. "Let's go then." <><><><><> <> Antonella nods, smiling, though not quite as confidently as you. The two of you proceed back the king's household....and upon entering the wing where Antonella's quarters are located, you run into Drefan. He is walking down the hallway for no purpose you can see, and looks almost pleased to see the two of you. He stops with a smirk. "Why good evening, noble *ladies*," he says, emphasizing the honorific with more than a hint of sarcasm and an exaggerated bow. "Will the Lady Agnes be honoring us with her presence in court again this evening?" <><><><><> [Agnes] "Why, Drefan, I had expected nothing else," she replies, as they approach him. "I presume though, that you will find some excuse to be absent. I noticed how discomforted you were at the ribbing you got from your peers." As she passes, she whispers loudly to Antonella so that Drefan can hear. "Did you hear them in the town, referring to 'That man that let himself be punched in the nose by a woman." I heard it several times." She glances back at Drefan and then away again. <><><><><> <> Antonella sighs as you walk away. "That wasn't wise, Agnes," she says. "He's Vissian's right-hand man....Vissian is in charge of the king's household men-at- arms." She pats you on the shoulder. "We are certainly *not* going to court tonight. If we're lucky, Drefan *will* be there, and not lurking about watching us." The two of you go to her room, and Antonella wraps up her sword and bow, and then looks around wistfully at all the dresses and baubles and other tokens of King Ęthelbald's affection that she'll be leaving behind. <><><><><> [Agnes] "I'm sorry, Antonella. I'd taken a dislike to him. You are right, though, I shouldn't have goaded him. I am sorry." She sees Antonella look wistfully at her belongings, and put a hand on her shoulder. "It is always hard. I don't know if it gets any easier, but it has been hard for me the few times that I have done it." "It helps if you have planned for it though. Maybe next time you'll be leaving at the time of your own choosing." "Go on, take the things that are easy to carry and conceal. The dresses though ... well, you'll outlast them all anyway." She waits until Antonella has selected what she wants. "I'm sorry I'm being so cruel, Antonella. But this is all a part of what you need to learn - and I am not the best of teachers. I can be as sentimental as you." "Come, let's go." <><><><><> <> "You're not cruel," Antonella says. "I've known cruel." She busies herself gathering things, initially far more than she can carry, and finally she pares it down to a few of the most expensive jewelry items. She has an eye for value, at least. Everything is bundled up, and she wraps a heavy cloak around herself, and has some trouble trying to figure out how to keep the bow from sticking out. "All right," she says, taking a deep breath. "Let's go." She opens the door cautiously, looking up and down the hallway so furtively that if anyone does happen by, it will be painfully obvious she is up to something. <><><><><> [Agnes] "Let me carry some things. Then if we are stopped we can say that we are just off to the edge of town for some archery after I have collected my bow." She nods at her. "As it stands, you are carrying too much for that excuse to carry much credence. With it split between us, it might, especially if we can hide more under our skirts." They sort themselves out, and then .... "Right, stop skulking. Look like you are just off to the edge of the wood for an hour or two, and then coming back - not like a thief in the night trying to slip away." They set off, taking the most direct route that will lead back to Agnes' inn. <><><><><> <> Antonella nods, flushing a little. She hands you the bow and holds her head up as you proceed out of the king's house. As you emerge you see a trio of men loitering around near the gate to the palisade. The king usually has someone standing watch there, of course, as well as men-at-arms walking around acting as sentries. You and Antonella have passed someone every time you've come and gone, but never been hindered in your passage. This time, as you approach, you see that Drefan is among them. <><><><><> [Agnes] They continue towards the gate, fully intending to leave by it. She meets Drefan's eyes and smiles. "Hello again, Drefan." <><><><><> <> "Hello, *Lady* Agnes," he says, using the title sarcastically. Antonella frowns at him. "Going out for a stroll?" He eyes the bow Agnes is carrying. "Or maybe you're going to bring back a deer for dinner?" The other man laugh. <><><><><> [Agnes] "Perhaps a rabbit. I find I can hit rabbits between the eyes," she replies with a smile, and continues on. <><><><><> <> "Oh, very clever," Drefan says, applauding, but he falls in behind you, and gestures for another man to follow him. "But you know, there are bears and wolves also in the woods. Much too dangerous for the King's beloved mistress and her esteemed visitor to be left unguarded. I would be happy to accompany you." Antonella mutters in Latin "He can't mean to threaten us, he'd be insane. Do you think he suspects, or is he just trying to exact vengeance by ruining our outing?" <><><><><> [Agnes] She shrugs, and replies in Arabic, "We'll see." "We have to go via my inn, Drefan. I hope you don't mind." Without really waiting for an answer, she heads off in that direction, knowing that she and Antonella will at least be able to have a quiet word in the room, before setting off. <><><><><> <> "Not at all," Drefan says, with a pleasant sneer. He and his lackey fall into step behind you. Antonella's face is slightly flushed -- if not for the fact that you're planning to leave for good, she'd probably turn on the officious man-at-arms, but causing a scene now can only impede your chances of getting away. The four of you walk to your inn, and Drefan and his man wait in the common area while you and Antonella go to your room. <><><><><> [Agnes] In the room, Agnes asks, "Well? do you want to try it this time or wait until a more opportune moment? We can hardly kill Drefan or we will be hunted down as outlaws, and if we merely maim him, he will personally hunt us down." She shrugs. "Do you want to try anyway?" She takes off her jacket and puts on her padding and chain, pulling her big coat on top. She gets er own bow and arrows, and sling and shot, and tucks away her money. "Well?" she asks Antonella, who is still looking pensive. <><><><><> <> Antonella sighs. "Drefan's a boor, but I don't like the idea of maiming or killing him for it. And King Ęthelbald would never forgive me, and it would be a horrible way to repay him for his hospitality." "Is there any way we could lose them in the woods? Or maybe just....I don't know, punch them out without hurting them badly?" She blushes, realizing she's suggesting the same tactics she admonished you for earlier. <><><><><> [Agnes] "Let's try then. We can always pretend that we had no intention of really leaving if we get caught, that we were just trying to show up Drefan." <><><><><> <> Antonella nods. You gather your things and walk back out. "You're dressed very warmly," Drefan notes, as you have increased your clothing by several layers, with the padding and chain underneat. He mumbles something to his companion that provokes a laugh. Antonella's jaw tightens, but she glances at you, more worried about your reaction. "I'll punch himself when the time comes," she whispers in Latin. "I've really been wanting to, you know." "Oh, but what will we do about horses?" <><><><><> [Agnes] She smiles at Antonella and says under her breath in Arabic, "We'll walk." "So," she continues aloud in Anglo Saxon, "let's see if we can frighten a few rabbits, or indeed anything else." She sets off in the direction of the gate that will lead out to the downs. She intends to go a fair way out before starting, and then to drift further away as time goes on. <><><><><> <> Drefan and his companion tromp along behind you and Antonella, making enough noise to frighten any rabbits that you might have found. They talk loudly, and Drefan makes boorish comments about girls with bows. You wander further and further from town, deeper into the woods, where you really could run into bears or wolves or basilisks, or less probably, bandits. Drefan asks "Don't you think we've gone far enough?" <><><><><> [Agnes] She rounds on him. "Well! If the two of you didn't stomp around like a pair of recruits on their first outing without their instructors we might actually find some game! As it is you have probably frightened away everything for a mile about us." "So, in answer to your question, we have obviously not gone far enough, as we haven't seen any game yet." She spins on her heel and strides off through the trees, worrying to herself if there really are basilisks hereabouts, and that surely dragons would never live this close to a major city, even if the wood is thick and dark. <><><><><> <> Drefan and his companion laugh at you, though they do walk a little more quietly as you continue on. You see a deer bounding off through the trees, much too far away to shoot at. Antonella's eyes search the brambles for any actual game that might appear. Of course, trying to shoot something with the two men watching is only likely to provoke more hilarity. But you're definitely far enough away from town that any noise a scuffle might make won't be heard, even by any woodsmen that might live beyond the fortified walls. <><><><><> [Agnes] She turns and looks sternly at the two men. "I think it would be easier for all concerned if you stayed at least 50 yards behind us. Then at least we might have a chance of seeing some game before it hears you." <><><><><> <> Drefan snorts at you. "Oh, but what will you do if a bear shows up? Punch it in the nose?" Nonetheless, the two men begin hanging back and letting you and Antonella walk ahead a bit further. Drefan's friend starts making loud moans: "Wooooo! WooooOOOOO!" as if to simulate an owl or some other spooky creature lurking in the woods. Antonella lets out a breath through her teeth. "Oafs! Do you think maybe we could get far enough ahead and simply run for it?" <><><><><> [Agnes] "Yes, I think it is worth a try, Antonella. We'll start running at the next point where we would naturally move out of their sight so that we get that little bit more of a head start." <><><><><> <> "All right. I wish I wore something more appropriate for running than this dress," she sighs. A little more hiking, and the two of you pick your way through a particularly dense stand of trees, ahead of the two men. Antonella glances at you, waiting for your signal. They're just under 40 yards behind you....not quite as far as you wanted, but Drefan is determined not to give you the full distance you requested. Whether or not you'll be able to elude them will depend a great deal on how quickly they realize you've actually ditched them (as opposed to thinking you're just trying to avoid them for a while out of obstinence), and how determined their pursuit is, and whether or not you can keep them from following your trail directly. <><><><><> [Agnes] She whispers, "Right, let's try it. Follow me." She tries to put an unexpected bit of distance between the two pairs, and at the same time, tries to get maneuver to keep the thicket between the woman and where she expects the men to be. She wants to remain hidden from them, preferably and keep moving, but stopping to hide if somewhere suitable presents itself. <><><><><> <> You about double your distance between yourselves and the two men before Drefan calls out, "Hey! Where'd you go?" You and Antonella increase your pace, with you looking over your shoulder to try to keep trees and hedges between you. You hear the two men cursing, then Drefan shouts "That's very clever, now stop this nonsense!" You can move fairly quietly, but Antonella isn't too good at it. There are lots of thickets hereabouts to hide in, though it's hard to say how well they'd conceal you if the men mount a determined search. <><><><><> [Agnes] She quietly encourages Antonella, and they try to take advantage of the others' confusion to put more distance between them. If it looks like they will get to a point where they will run out of cover, they might resort to hiding, but they'd much rather make the circle of ground that Drefan has to search as wide as possible before they get to that point. <><><><><> <> Drefan and his friend set off in the right direction -- you can hear them following you, and yelling. Unfortunately, you couldn't cover your tracks too well. "WHAT DO YOU TWO TWITS THINK YOU'RE DOING?" he yells. Antonella and you keep hurrying through the woods, but unfortunately, it looks like you will have to pick a hiding place sooner rather than later. "I'M LOSING MY PATIENCE WITH YOUR SILLINESS! QUIT THIS NONSENSE OR I'LL SEE TO IT YOU NEVER LEAVE THE PALACE AGAIN WITHOUT AN ESCORT, ANTONELLA! AND *YOU* WILL NEVER GET BACK INSIDE, YOU TROUBLESOME PEASANT WENCH!" <><><><><> [Agnes] She tries to shake them again with another change in direction or two. She knows that if that doesn't work0 they may have to just try to outrun them. She's not at all sure that that will work either, given that she is wearing her mail and Antonella her skirts. But it seems worth a try. "This way, Antonella, we'll try to shake them again. failing that we'll just run for it." <><><><><> <> Drefan and his companion follow you until you get to a stream. You make a quick crossing (with Antonella protesting a little at immersing her feet and the bottom of her skirt in the cold water) and head into the treeline again, and from behind a tree, watch as the two men keep going along the stream on the opposite side. Drefan sounds truly angry now: "I'LL DRAG YOU BACK TO TOWN TRUSSED UP LIKE A DEER!" he shouts. They get almost out of sight before realizing they've lost your trail, and stop there, looking around. "ALL RIGHT, YOU'VE PROVEN YOU'RE GOOD AT HIDING! NOW STOP THIS SILLY GAME AND WE'LL JUST PRETEND YOU NEVER STARTED THIS NONSENSE!" <><><><><> [Agnes] "sshhss!" she whispers at Antonella. Let's see what they do now." She waits to see what they do, glancing around to plan her next moves to cover. <><><><><> <> The two men turn and pace back along the opposite shore. Drefan pauses, almost where you and Antonella crossed the stream....and then continues on, shouting all the time. He and his companion eventually start checking the woods on the other side of the stream, but closer to where he saw you last. He continues shouting threats, alternating with cajoling, for almost an hour before they finally pass out of sight and hearing. <><><><><> [Agnes] "Well, Antonella," she whispers, "That's a bridge burned, I fear. I cannot see Drefan welcoming you back to the king's household in a hurry." She gets up slowly looking carefully in the direction she last saw and heard the men. "Lets get going. We will have to make good going to put some distance between them and us. I suggest that we jog to the next river, and then spend some time going up it." She smiles when Antonella winces. "You did say that you wanted some training." "Then we will carry on until we come to the first road, and follow it for a while. and lose out scent and spoor amongst many others." <><><><><> <> "Lose our scent?" Antonella asks. "Why would we need to do that?" She jogs along with you to the next river. She has no trouble keeping up with you -- in fact, while she has to hold the edge of her skirts up off the ground, she runs more easily than you, burdened by chainmail. Then the two of you walk through the cold water of a small river a few miles away, and eventually hike your way to a road -- little more than a cleared trail -- through the forest. You know that there will be several villages along the road within a day's walk of Winchester, but it's possible the king might send men on horses looking for you. <><><><><> [Agnes] "We'll skirt round villages until after we are a couple of days or so away from Winchester, Antonella. There is no point in making things easy for any pursuit. We'll head North too, since you mentioned going to London. We'll approach it from the direction of St Alban's." She settles into a steady rhythm, knowing that she is doing to Antonella, much as Peter did unto her. <><><><><> <> "I sure wish we had horses," Antonella sighs, fruitlessly trying to keep her skirts from being hopelessly soiled and torn. Despite her complaints, however, she keeps up better than you did with Peter, when he first marched you from Northumbria to Mercia, 64 years ago. Despite claiming to have been little more than a castle ornament for the last six years, she's in good shape....and she has longer legs than you. And while she hasn't completely lost her penchant for complaining about conditions she doesn't like, she doesn't whine nearly as much as she used to...and more tellingly, she shuts up instantly at the slightest sign of displeasure from you. Two days on (and slightly off) the road pass uneventfully. Once, you see warriors riding past, coming from the direction of Winchester, but they could have been on any number of errands besides looking for you. Antonella tells you that Ęthelbald has tried to keep the roads safe, but conditions have deteriorated somewhat since he usurped his father's throne, partly because he has to keep more of his men ready to repel Norsemen, and thus they can't be spared to patrol the roads. <><><><><> [Agnes] "Yes, Antonella," she replies, "horses would be nice. But horses cost money, and they are an expensive loss if you have to cut and run. It is also more difficult to live rough with horses. They are more easily trailed and eat a lot. Maybe when we get to London we'll buy some horses, though." "We'll just keep going as we planned to St Albans - that's maybe 80 miles as the crow flies, and then turn back south to London, maybe 20 miles more." She smiles. "I'm not sure if I am in condition to do it all afoot. Maybe if we are really tired we might take a cart from St Albans," she teases. <><><><><> <> Antonella keeps up well enough, as you set a pace that brings you to St. Alban's in another two days. The two of you practice your bowhunting a little, not very successfully, but you know enough about forestry to supplement your rations with some nuts and edible roots along the way. St. Alban's is a growing village, almost a town in its own right, with a few craftsmen in a row at the center of the community. Across the river is a hill, at the top of which is a monastary. The two of you are a strange pair, and entering St. Alban's without attracting notice will be difficult. Even though they are used to travelers on the way to or from London, women simply don't travel alone, especially not armed women. And Antonella is striking enough to be memorable -- you're far from the area under King Ęthelbald's direct control, but Mercia is still nominally part of his domain, and if he troubled himself to send men out looking for you, and if they actually anticipated that you might reach St. Alban's, then there can't be that many tall, beautiful blondes with an Italian accent that come through here in a year.... <><><><><> [Agnes] She wonders about being remembered, and shrugs. She doesn't really care, this far from Winchester. She looks for an inn for a room for the two of them for the night, planning to see if there are any parties going to London in the next few days. "We'll get something to eat, and then perhaps visit the monastary to offer a prayer for our continued safe journey". <><><><><> <> The innkeeper presents you and Antonella with a strange look. "Where are your husbands?" he demands bluntly. Antonella raises her head. "Agnes, why is this peasant questioning us?" she demands in a haughty tone. The innkeeper blinks, and starts looking between the two of you uncertainly. <><><><><> [Agnes] She glares at the man. "My husband has long departed this world." She looks at Antonella. "You are right. This man obviously does not want our custom. Let us go elsewhere. I am sure that the monks will not turn away an offering in return for a room for the night." She turns on her heels and heads for the door. <><><><><> <> The innkeeper says "No, wait Lady! I only....I just wondered, I mean, most women find it...unsafe, to travel alone." Antonella pauses, looking at you. <><><><><> [Agnes] She smiles to herself, but doesn't let it show, stops and turns to look at the inn- keeper. "Thank you for your concern." Walking back to him, she says, "We would like 1 room between us, please. No other guests. An evening meal, and breakfast. How much?" Whilst waiting for his reply she says to Antonella, "Of course, if it is too much, we can still go to the monastery." <><><><><> <> "The monks will serve you only rye bread and water, and they offer hard boards to sleep on, not straw mats," says the man. He looks at you and Antonella, then says "1 silver penny for each of you, and that will include meals." It is on the high side, but not ridiculously so, and trying to barter him down would mean offering something else in trade, since silver pennies are the only coins most people will deal with. <><><><><> [Agnes] "hmmm. It is reasonable, I suppose. But let us see the room first, before we agree." She is out of practice, and enjoying herself getting back into the swing of haggling at the expense of the poor inn-keeper. The room is satisfactory, and they agree on the silver penny. "Of course," she says to Antonella with a smile once he has gone, "this is a barbarian country, so there will be no chance of a bath for as long as we are here." <><><><><> <> [Two silver pennies was the price -- one for each of you. ] Antonella sighs. "I know. I miss that about Rome, and Tunisia." "So will we wait here until we can join a group going to London?" She sits down on the straw mat, smacking it a few times to drive some of the vermin out. "What about when we leave London to go to Northumbria? There aren't many travelers who go that way, are there?" <><><><><> [Agnes] "I think that there is going to be a lot of traffic to and from London, enough to make a life of robbery worthwhile," she replies to Antonella. "Once we get a reasonable distance away, I guess that we will just have to take our chances." She smiles. "And once we get away from London, we will be able to stick to the byways, and live rough." "We can hardly expect to stay in inns all the time if we aren't earning any money, can we?" "Anyway, lets visit the monastery now, have a restful evening, and see if there is anyone due to go on the road." <><><><><> <> Antonella walks with you to the river, where there is a rather frail bridge for people to walk across, next to a ford shallow enough for horses to cross. Climbing the hill, you come to St. Alban's Monastary. From your time in London, you remember hearing that this holy place is quite old, but King Offa of Mercia had it renovated, at about the same time as the Viking raid on Lindesfarne. Supposedly he moved the clergy who were occupying it out also, and turned what had been a church into monastary. No doubt it had to do with the politics of the time. Now it is a fairly large monastary, and one of the most famous in Britain, a frequent place for travelers going to and from London to stop. You can see a mix of old construction, possibly dating back to Roman times, and new add-ons. One of the new additions is the thick oak door, which looks like it would delay any uninvited visitors who wanted to go through it, at least for a while. St. Alban's is not too far from the coast to be a possible target of Viking raids. When you knock on it, a monk answers fairly promptly, and smiles pleasantly at you. "May I help you, sister?" <><><><><> [Agnes] "Yes, brother. We would like to pray in your chapel for the soul of a monk I once knew, and to leave a donation." <><><><><> <> "Certainly, sister." He steps aside and allows you and Antonella to enter. He gestures with a hand to indicate the direction to the chapel, as the feeling of Holy Ground envelopes you. Walking alongside you, he asks "Are you traveling to London? You sound as if you come from the north, sister. Pardon me if I sound nosy, but I am interested in knowing how the monastaries fare there." <><><><><> [Agnes] "Yes," she replies to the monk as they walk. "We are heading for London, but I am afraid it is a long time since I have been much further north than here. After we have visited London, though, I plan on trying to visit Lindesfarne, if I can. Are there other places that you would like me to call in at on the way, that I might be able to take messages to?" <><><><><> <> "Well, I have never been further north than Cambridge," the monk sighs. "Occasionally we receive letters, but fewer these days....the Vikings have devastated much of the north, as I'm sure you know. But if you are going north, I'm sure the abbot has messages he wouldn't mind delivered." He looks at you curiously. "Lindesfarne is a very long way, and a dangerous journey! How will you get there? Surely you two women are not traveling alone?" <><><><><> [Agnes] "We will probably travel with others that are going the same way as us," she replies, knowing that in all likelihood, they won't. "I'm sure it won't be that difficult to find people going as far as York. After that, maybe I will find some of my family visiting." "We will call in on our way back from London, then. That will give you time to speak to the Abbot." She smiles, "And for him to write the letters." "How does it fare round here? Surely the vikings have not been this far inland?" <><><><><> <> He walks with you into the chapel. "That is most appreciated sister. I will tell the abbot. And what are your names, pray tell? I fear we never introduced ourselves, I am Brother Halfan." He looks concerned for a moment. "No, the Vikings have never come as far as St. Alban's, but ever since they sacked London a generation ago, they have struck along the coasts of East Anglia, Essex and Kent over and over again, sometimes several times a year. Usually they go no farther than a day's march inland, but I've heard in the north they are going farther, and staying over the winter. And we know the heathens particularly target monastaries. We cannot consider ourselves beyond their reach." He smiles and bows his head slightly. "I will leave you to pray, sisters, and I will pray for your safe journey and look forward to seeing you again." <><><><><> [Agnes] "I am Agnes, Brother Halfan, and this is my friend Antonella." The kneel in prayer for a few minutes. Agnes lets the serenity remind her of her time in Lindesfarne, both with Peter and afterwards. She prays for Peter's soul, and for those of the monks she knew. She prays for the souls of her parents, and finally, she prays for Kemal. She wonders how he is, and how Techo is faring with him. Despite running away, she knows that she still loves him. She thinks of the times the three of them had together, and is both happy and sad. At last, she opens her eyes, to find that her cheeks are wet, and Antonella is staring at her from where she is kneeling. "I'm all right, Antonella," Agnes says in whispered tones, as she stands. "Let's get off to London."