It was a long wait. If a storm should blow up while the ships were on the water, it could scatter the fleet and divide the army. In Portsmouth, the knights of Salisbury had plenty to do to pass the time. Once they found their lodgings, Sir Athelwulf and Aelfwynn went exploring up and down the coast, often taking the young Sir Hugh with them. Sir Goscelin remained in town - there, he was asked by a terrified publican to help move a drunken knight who had ruined the bar. It was Sir Gawain, who was ferociously drunk: he had just been left by his current lady love. Sir Goscelin managed to lure him out of the bar and, with the help of Sir Gawain's squire, get him back to his tent.
Finally, in May, the embarkation began. Ships sailed back and forth across the Channel, bringing troops to Barfleur, where Sir Lamorak had established a foothold during the winter. In Barfleur, Sir Kay was frantically trying to arrange supplies for the army. Once the armies were all assembled, King Arthur, Sir Bedivere and Sir Kay left the city one night, and rode off on a quest to rescue the Duchess of Brittany from the giant of Mont-St-Michel. Only once the giant had been slain and the High King had returned could the army set off. The British troops made their way slowly down the Seine river valley towards the city of Paris, where King Claudas was rumoured to be. Elements of the army broke off to raid or forage for supplies, although they were under strict orders to follow King Arthur's rules of chivalrous warfare - therefore, the usual rape and pillage did not occur.
Sir Athelwulf found himself in command of a part of Salisbury's forces. He led the other knights in raiding the countryside, although strictly according to the King's rules. He also found himself having to plan an assault of Chateau Gaillard. This castle overlooked the river on a steep and rocky hill that made it nearly impossible to assault, with a command over the area. It could not be left in enemy hands as a potential staging ground behind the British advance, but no frontal assault would be successful. Sir Athelwulf sent some troops climbing up the castle's long drop at night, and these brave (if somewhat smelly) troops opened the main gates, forcing the defenders to surrender. Earl Robert was very appreciative of Sir Athelwulf's ingenuity, and was equally impressed by the stonework of the castle - perhaps something similar could be done at home?
Sir Athelwulf, Aelfwynn, Sir Goscelin and Sir Hugh remained at the Chateau Gaillard for the next month, while Earl Robert and the rest of the army moved on to attack Paris. By the middle of July, a messenger arrived, summoning the knights to rejoin the main host. King Claudas had slipped away in the night, and the city elders had surrendered to King Arthur, but scouts were now reporting that Emperor Lucius' army had been spotted crossing the Alps, and would arrive shortly. King Arthur's army reunited in Paris, before setting off into the lands of the Burgundians.
Sir Gawain was sent to negotiate with the Romans on King Arthur's behalf. No fool, he decided to bring a small force and have them wait a small distance away, in case anything happened. Sir Bedivere was in charge of this reserve. Sir Gawain asked Sir Athelwulf to come with him into the Roman camp, and Aelfwynn, Sir Hugh and Sir Goscelin were also among those who would accompany them. The Roman camp was full of troops from all over the world, who jeered the British knights. They kept their cool despite provocation and waited for Emperor Lucius to be ready to receive them. But the meeting was simply more of an excuse to belittle the ambassadors. Emperor Lucius demanded that the British surrender immediately, and the knights accompanying him began to mock King Arthur. Sir Goscelin tried to speak, but only wound up making the situation worse. Finally, Sir Gawain lost patience and slew one of the Roman knights. The British made a hasty retreat, with a large force at their heels. Fortunately, Sir Bedivere's troops were waiting. Battle was joined, and the knights of Salisbury distinguished themselves. The Romans were defeated, and many were taken prisoner.
Sir Constantine of Cornwall escorted the prisoners north to Paris, while the main British and Roman armies began to manoeuvre for position. After nearly a month of marching, King Arthur was able to catch the larger Roman force in a valley and force them to give battle. Sir Athelwulf led the charge against a contingent of Italian crossbowmen and captured their leader, forcing them to surrender. Then the heavily armoured Byzantine kataphracts charged them, and in the fierce fighting, Sir Goscelin was struck down and Sir Athelwulf grievously wounded. Fortunately, reinforcements came and helped drive back the Byzantine cavalry. The fighting continued for hours, and Aelfwynn and Sir Hugh were sorely tired, when the cry went out: Emperor Lucius is dead! King Arthur has slain the Emperor! The Romans' spirit was broken, and their army routed from the battlefield.
After the battle, King Arthur withdrew to Paris, for the Alps were now impassible for the year. He richly rewarded everyone who had fought for him with money, and with fine Andalusian chargers from Iberia for each of the knights. Sir Athelwulf, Aelfwynn, Sir Hugh and Sir Goscelin enjoyed a fine winter in Paris - Sir Goscelin pining for the Damsel of the Veil, who had tended his wounded in the healing tents after the battle and saved his life. Next year they would march on Rome itself, but for now, they could rest.
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