A funny thing happened on the way to Silchester

Emrys was uncharacteristically late leaving, Albanus noted. Normally they were up and well on the way by the time hearths were being unbanked and fired up. Lately, however, Emrys seemed to be more concerned with Wyndda than most anything else.

Albanus couldn't argue. He hoped his bride to be, whomever she was, loved him as much as Wyndda loved Emrys. He swore to follow his knight's lead in loving her. Whomever she might be.

Eventually they were on the road from Lavington to Sarum. Emrys was due to pick up a few more last minute thoughts from Roderick before leaving. Albanus didn't even know the road they were going to take or whom would be accompanying them. Unsurprising, Emrys was as closed mouthed as ever. Except when he talked about Wyndda.

Late spring continues to be as wet as early spring leaving the roads a muddy mush until summer finally arrives to dry it out. At that point things take a hard turn to the pitted and dusty and giving the peasants the added burden of repairing the roads that cross their villages. It is no different in Silchester.

What is different is that instead of being met with violence at the border they are stopped by a small patrol. The leader is Cymric, unusual in Silchester, and his arms are Vert, in bend sinister three acorns Or. Sir Marron, Emrys remembers from previous violent encounters.

"Halt Sir Emrys," he calls out, "State your purpose in Silchester."

"Sir Marron, good day to you!" Emrys replied, smiling. "I've been requested to speak with Ulfius Dux about a legal matter he is most interested in. Have you seen much trouble on the road?" Emrys quickly chased off the 'this time' thought that crossed his mind. He kept a perfectly courteous demeanor.

"I know tensions between us have been difficult and understand if you feel I need to be escorted. To be honest, I would be glad of the company if you or one of your men could be spared."

"Show me your summons," Marron responds brusquely. His squire comes forward to take it from Albanus and then the patrol leader looks it over and picks at the corner of the seal. He seems to read a little of it which is surprising for a Cymric knight and then sends it back.

"That is the Ducal Seal," he announces, "We will escort you along the road." A squire then races off to the north, to Levcomagus surely, and another rides ahead of them toward White Church. It is not lost on anyone that the patrol is taking them east away from Sir Blains's holdings toward White Church where they can turn north to Silchester City.

This is what they do though they encounter another patrol (and the squire who went ahead) near Cliddesden and pass Emrys along to them. Sir Marron and his men were all sworn to Sir Blains and had no interest in speaking with Emrys. They weren't rude specifically but they were neither talkative nor friendly. By comparison the knights from Basingstoke are more pleasant and are all Romans in the Duke's service. The push on to Silchester City and arrive just before dark.

They are admitted to the walled city and taken to the Praetor's hall where the Duke holds court when he is present. He is not at the moment and will arrive in the morning. Emrys is given hospitality and eats with the Steward, Sir Aelius, though he uses the Roman title Quaestor. Many of the men there remind him of Lupinus as most Equites have similar habits that differ from country Romans like Emrys and they mark him as such easily. Emrys is surprised to learn that Sir Aelius is Lady Pertacia's uncle, her mother's eldest brother.

"Quaestor Aelius, thank you for such a warm welcome!" Emrys replied as the man offered hospitality. "My respects to those men who escorted me to your door, as well. They were courteous and reflect well on Ulfius Dux."

Emrys was happy to use proper Roman titles and pay proper respect to Aelius. Of course, when he learned of the relationship, his admiration is even higher. "Her uncle! Good heavens! Have you heard the stories about their tragedy and how the Almighty has responded?" Emrys gave a detailed report on all the things Pillounes and the cleric have shared. "Truly your niece, though she suffered a great loss, is high in Our Lord's esteem!"

Albanus noted well that Emrys does not eschew the cup placed before him, yet did not ever seem to need a refill. The squire, being wise, understood the truth. Emrys was in battle even as he smiled and spoke well of others. His questions were polite and engaging; "how is your family?" and "your men did well against the Saxons, will I get to congratulate them?" Yet probing. Emrys sought to discern the connections between those in power in Silchester City. And, specifically yet gently, how many people outside of Ulfius support Blains' raids into Salisbury?

"Indeed, they passed through here on their way to an audience with the Bishop in London. I did not have the opportunity to speak with them though. Perhaps next year I can go and see the wonder for myself. It is too rare a thing in this world of dust and shadows."

"Ah, if they spoke to you enroute then you may have not heard about the hermit? The bishop assigned a priest to do a full investigation and from what I gather the man was exemplary! He even interviewed my squire and I on Pillounes and Pertacia's character, even though he could talk to them himself."

"I'll be honest, sir." Emrys leaned forward a bit. "I'm well versed in scripture and work hard to please the Christ." He shook his head slightly. "Though I fall far short of your niece and Pillounes. Too far short in comparison! The Almighty seems to bless those who hold his cause dearest."

"Let me see if I can get someone to make notes of what the hermit found and send them to you. The rigor of investigation will warm your Roman soul and the miracles will uplift the Christ in you!"

He responds amicably to Emrys's conversation and is himself skilled at guiding conversation and telling without saying. The Equites are solidly behind Ulfius and supported his elevation and his direction entirely. Blains is not one of the Equites and Aelius at least feels like putting him on the edge of the territory was wise. He was originally considered as Praetor but the Equites did not support the appointment and so Ulfius instead gave him Levcomagus and all the lands around it. The raids don't bother him or the other lords in and of themselves as that is the nature of knighthood. The escalation worries the Questor at least though from his manner that is not a widespread feeling. Ulfius is known for his cautious and deliberate mind though so Aelius is likely closer to his Duke than the other vassals in that regard.

For his part he seems most interested in hearing news of the new lords in Salisbury and how they feel about the events of Bayeux. Emrys can tell that the destruction of the city does not sit well with any of the Equites and that there seems to be tension directed at Madoc.

"Bayeaux was an interesting time for us. A sad one as well. I'm sure your men suffered losses as did we." Emrys paused, and smiled sadly. "Whatever differences we may have on our borders, Praetor, it is clear that in the field against Saxon and Frank alike that Silchester does not waver when called. I hope you feel the same of Salisbury."

"As you follow the commands of Ulfius Dux so we follow Sir Roderick. Both follow King Uther and as directed, Prince Madoc. Many were concerned about the loss of honor when not taking the field, some for the loss of the city." Emrys shrugged. "Madoc is a prince, I am a vassal in warm clothes. It is not my place to judge his actions; the king and the Almighty will do so. It is my place to follow my liege and I do so." He nods. "It would have been interesting, though, to have maintained a foothold. It could have made more incursions into Frankish territory easier and given us a Roman built salient."

"Well spoken," Aelius concedes content to drop the matter. Something else about Bayeux bothers him though he will not say what.

After dinner Aelius has his porter show Emrys to the guest room. The old townhouses have many rooms built off of central corridors. Convenient for guests though poorer for defense. Granted defense of a town house is not much of an issue when you have 20 foot stone walls surrounding your city with towers armed with ballistae and onagers. Not that they have working versions of the latter any more but still.

In the morning Emrys goes to breakfast with the Questor and the Equites.

"Quaestor Aelius, may I have a moment?" Emrys spoke quietly and deferentially. "Last night there seemed to be an issue with Bayeaux that bothered you. I deeply apologize if I have said anything to cause offense. My respect for you and Ulfius Dux would not allow such."

Emrys is free to roam the city until Ulfius calls court into session at noon. When he returns to the manse Emrys finds it to be a more formal affair now that the Duke is in residence. Sir Manhogan the Reeve leads the Duke's entourage of 20 knights and 50 footmen. Of the foot 15 are archers and 20 are spearmen but the final 15 are remarkable. Each man is dressed like the miles of Old Rome with a long, rectangular shield, maille armor, a pair of javelins and a short sword made for fighting in close ranks.

Emrys's armor and weapons are mainly with his horses but he is permitted a sword as befits a knight.

He is announced by the herald when he enters the hall,

"Sir Emyrs ap Gwilim, Lord Lavington, Azure, a bend argent differenced."

Ulfius remains seated in his throne while Emrys crosses the chamber to present himself.

Bowing gracefully and properly deferentially, Emrys speaks when it is his place. "Ulfius Dux. Honorem sum vocas respondere. Intelliges lex et quaestum. Ego quam tu servio?"

"Emrius Equite, ego ad me curia recipio," he responds formally. As a supplicant Emrys is not invited to sit with the Duke and instead remains standing for their conversation.

"I have read your dissertation and I am intrigued by several of your points of law. Please recite your argument on behalf of Sir Conchobar for the benefit of my courtiers."

"Uflius Dux, your passion for truth and skill in the law is well known. If your court loves the law half as much as you, then I stand in the company of giants and will not waste your lord's time."

"Some years ago Lord Woodland died. As is written in the law, his widow is entitled to a dower of one third of his estate for as long as she lives."

"Accusations were made against the widow that sought to deprive her of what the law provided. The validity of those accusations is not a question for this court. For any such accusations to have any legal ramifications on what the law provides a widow, the legal union must be dissolved by papal authority before any standing for dower rights is removed."

"Absent direct and considered papal authority, following proper ecclesial processes, the marriage stands and the dower is required by law and God."

Emrys paused, and looked at the assembled lords before returning to Ulfius.

"I pray you, Ulfius Dux, to grant the Lady Elaine her proper rights, as accorded by the law, for as long as she shall live."