512 AD: The Royal Progress

Earl Robert intended to spend the year in attendance on King Arthur, and invited several of his knights, including Sir Balthazar, Sir Edwin, Sir Fflergant, and Sir Mabon, as well as Lady Svenhilde, to join him at court. The High King had re-established the custom of the Royal Progress - a mobile court that would visit many of the counties and duchies of his domain. During their months at court, they would be able to meet many of the most powerful and important people of Britain, and have an opportunity to make a name for themselves.

The High King was currently at Saint Albans, on a pilgrimage to where his father died. Shortly after the knights arrived, Arthur held a great feast. It was disrupted when Duke Ulfius accused Igraine, the widow of King Uther, of being a traitor. The whole event was staged by Merlin, however, to reveal the truth of Arthur's parentage to the world - that he was the long-lost child of King Uther and Queen Igraine.

After the feast, a great hunt was organised. Sir Fflergant attempted to prove himself the best hunter, and brought home a good selection of game, but was unable to compete with the Brown Knight of the Wilds. This knight had appeared at Arthur's court over the winter, clad in antique and rusted armour. He wished to see if the Pendragon and his followers were truly chivalrous men. No one knew who he was, for he never removed his armour, but his prowess was not in question as he slew a manticore and won the hunt.

As court continued on its way, Sir Edwin attempted to make the acquaintance of Saint Dewi the Waterman, the famously conservative religious leader. The Saint rebuffed Sir Edwin and called upon him to save his soul by denouncing his companion, Lady Svenhilde, as a witch. Sir Edwin refused and departed. Meanwhile, Svenhilde and Sir Mabon heard rumours that goat-people had been seen in the woods. They investigated, and took part in a satyr orgy, awakening the next day bruised, hung-over and half naked. As the year continued, Svenhilde found herself to be pregnant as a result of the bacchanalia,

As the court reached Silchester, Sir Fflergant made friends with Bishop Baudwin, a boisterous and strangely martial clergyman, and they talked about how King Arthur ought to get married. Meanwhile, Svenhilde sang beautifully for the court, and Sir Edwin confronted Sir Telifan, a dishonourable former knight of Saint Gwiona. Sir Telifan acted penitent for his role in killed Sir Julius, but denied any wrongdoing. Sir Edwin resolved to keep an eye on him.

At Wanborough, a squire led an exhausted horse with a dead knight, Sir Miles, upon it. A knight was encamped at a nearby crossroads, challenging all those who would pass to a duel. He had fought and slain Sir Miles. Before any could react, a squire called Griflet begged the King for a boon: to be knighted, so that he could avenge Arthur's honour. Despite misgivings, Arthur agreed. Lady Svenhilde similarly had misgivings, and offered to accompany the young knight as his squire. Sir Griflet proved to be a pleasant young man - but no match for the other knight (who was none other than King Pellinore, he who pursued the Questing Beast). King Pellinore struck Sir Griflet off his horse so hard that, had it not been for Svenhilde's ministrations, he would surely have perished. She took the boy back to Wanborough for further care. The next day, it was discovered that King Arthur himself was missing, having gone personally to undertake the quest! Sir Edwin and the others chased after him, in time to find the young King and Merlin returning from the quest. That night, King Arthur told of how he had fought King Pellinore, how his sword had been broken, and how he had restored to him by the Lady of the Lake herself. All present were impressed by having a king who acted as well as spoke of chivalry (even if some thought his actions a little headstrong!) Sir Edwin became wary of Merlin as well. Another event had been orchestrated by the magician to prove a point. Shortly thereafter, King Pellinore himself joined the court and told how he had been made to play the role, and told of his mighty battle with King Arthur.

As the court reached Carlion, Lady Svenhilde defeated the canny Sir Lucan the Butler at a game of chess. Sir Edwin spoke to King Arthur about chivalry, and how it was not always easy to perceive or do the right thing. Sir Mabon grew melancholic and sought to lose his sorrow in carousing with Sir Fflergant. Sir Balthazar and Svenhilde had a heart to heart, in which Sir Balthazar revealed that he felt intimidated by Sir Edwin. Also in Carlion, a group of Roman ambassadors came to Arthur demanding tribute for their so-called Emperor, but the King refused them and they swiftly departed. Shortly thereafter, at Easter, many pagans left the court temporarily to celebrate the pagan festival of Beltane with the King's blessings. Some of those who remained behind were upset at this religious toleration, Saint Dewi and Sir Telifan among them.

At Leicester, the knights were able to relax in the old Roman baths. A noble lady came to court with a sword that could only be drawn forth by the best knight in the world. Many attempted to draw the sword, and eventually Sir Balin, a poor knight recently released from prison, drew it. Then Lady Nineve of the Lake came to court and demanded Sir Balin's head - but she was slain by Sir Balin in front of the King and the assembled court! King Arthur was outraged at this breach of hospitality and cast out Sir Balin. His brother, Sir Balan, departed with him. Prince Lanceor of Ireland, a proud knight, chased down Sir Balin to avenge the Pendragon's honour, but Sir Balin slew him, and Prince Lanceor's betrothed Lady Colombe slew herself atop her lover's body for sorrow. Prince Mark of Cornwall was nearby and witnessed this, and arranged for a monument to the lovers to be built. He departed abruptly when Sir Edwin reminded him of how the Prince had fled at the Battle of Netley Marsh and demanded satisfaction.

The court went hawking a few days later. Sir Lucan and Sir Edwin discussed how Sir Lucan had discovered evidence that King Uther had been magically drugged in the years leading up to his death, though he had no idea who was responsible. Sir Fflergant befriended King Pellinore, and joined him when the King rediscovered the trail of the Questing Beast. After the hawking, Sir Edwin talked about Faerie with Sir Bedivere the cup-bearer, and Svenhilde sang a beautiful song about her husband, Sir Helbur.

When the Royal Progress reached Lincoln, Duke Derfel told the court that the kingdom of Malahaut was mustering for war against Logres, despite having sworn fealty to Arthur as High King of Britain. King Arthur called for a muster against Malahaut, and declared a great tournament as his knights gathered. Sir Edwin won the tournament, defeating Sir Bedivere himself, while Bishop Baudwin accidentally injured Sir Balthazar very badly. Meanwhile, Sir Mabon, Sir Telifan and others undertook a scouting mission, and ambushed an advance force from Malahaut. Sir Mabon found himself beginning to like Sir Telifan, even if Sir Edwin hated him!

With a speedy muster completed, King Arthur seized the initiative and marched into Malahaut. His forces fought the Centurion King at Bassus River. As the battle started, King Pellinore and Sir Fflergant emerged from woods behind the enemy lines and laid into the enemy - and King Pellinore slew the Centurion King himself! This was quickly followed up by Sir Edwin slaying King Nentres of Garloth, an ally of Malahaut. Prince Galagantis of Garloth took control of the enemy army, but was defeated by the Brown Knight. Before long, the forces of Malahaut were defeated. Prince Barant, now King Barant, was recognised as the new King of Malahaut, but much of his land was taken off him by King Arthur in punishment, and Garloth was likewise claimed.

As the year ended, and the royal progress returned to London, fell news came from the north. The babies born north of the wall in the month of May had been abducted and were believed dead. Queen Morgause blamed Merlin, and King Lot believed it on the orders of King Arthur. There would be more war in the coming year...