08/11/2023 - Prince Edmund Is Missing (1)

What Happened to Gordon?

Later that day, while the wedding guests are starting to go home, Cormac asks Sam and his friends what happened to Gordon and they tell him most of the truth, but they found signs of Gordon but did not catch him. They decide to put some emphasis about Liddell Baird-MacGregor holding them up, but they decide not to mention the cursed knife or Brother Gregory, just imply that Gordon was behaving strangely.

Cormac is disappointed as he wanted to hang Gordon himself. He asks Logan when Nairne’s funeral will be. Logan points out the ceremony will be in the tradition of the clan, which he is fine with. He wants to be there.

Sam also finds himself collared by his mother, Olivia, and tells her the same story without the dagger, but mentioned that Gordon stole books from Brother Gregory and read them in secret. She says at some point she would like to have him back, but not at the moment.

She also mentions to Sam that Cormac is having a bad time and he will need to help her to advise him in the right direction. She points out the Clan is vulnerable and needs protecting right now.

Logan discusses with Dougal his older brother about what happened to Gordon, including the monster that they encountered. Dougal says that although Fraser has been released, he has been taken back to clan lands under house arrest.

They discuss the funeral. Dougal points out she was legally married and Cormac could arrange the funeral if he wanted to, but he is happy to arrange it in the ways of Erik and the Clan. He thinks this will help sooth feelings, although Logan points out Cormac and some Allardice people will come to the wedding.

Malcolm updates his brother Connaugh with events. He is relieved that the clan has not been involved and that their secret in the mountains remains safe.

While Banquo has no clan members to talk to, he does have a personal meeting with Sir Simon Montrose, who is impressed with his actions and says this will help his progress towards Knighthood.

Goodbye to Edmund

Prince Edmund meets with the Companions again before he leaves. He thanks them for the adventure and he remains shocked by the terrible, shrieking creature that they encountered. He is shamed by his running away, but pledges to show more courage in the future.

He tells them he is heading for the Shrine of Nevron in the Five Peaks, as part of a pilgrimage that it is traditional for the first born son of the Baron of Cariele to take. He wants to follow the tradition, as he feels too many traditions have been trodden on in his country already.

He invites them to come to Caerlinien, the capital of Cariele sometime, when he is back from his pilgrimage. They escort him and his men to Leathen, the last town in Mhoried before the Five Peaks.

As they do, they notice that Edmund’s guards are not that great at their job. They are slow, lazy and do not seem to have much respect for the Prince. Logan suggests in private he should take a firmer stance with his men.

Nairne’s Funeral

The events of the wedding are finally over. Guests go home and the Companions return to their clans. Logan is busy with Dougal arranging Nairne’s funeral.

Back in Whinnyfold, Cormac does not seem to want to perform his duties as clan leader. Olivia his mother effectively takes over, as Sam decides he does not want to step into his brother’s shoes at this stage.

A week later, the funeral goes ahead with little incident. All the important clan leaders are there, including the Baird-MacGregors. Fraser MacRuaidhri swears on his honour to behave and is allowed to attend. Apart from a few unfriendly glances at the Allardices, he keeps his word.

The Companions meet after the funeral and catch up. They discuss about the creature in the Keep and Logan in particular is keen to return there at some point and find out what is going on.

Intrigue in Cariele

Before the Companions are able to arrange a return to the Keep, news comes from the north that the Baron Halfred of Cariele has died suddenly, in what was apparently a hunting accident. A couple of days after that, each of the Companions is summoned to Medenie, county town of Torien’s Watch, by Count Torien urgently on a diplomatic matter.

They all ride off and meet up, to find that Chancellor Hollend of Cariere has come to visit the Count and asked for the Companions, as Prince now Baron Edmund had written to him, talking of friends he had made in Torien’s Watch.

Chancellor Hollend tells them that he suspects the death of Edmund’s father was not an accident but murderer, although he has no proof. He thinks Edmund’s uncle Edrin, in league with Guild Leader Maeve Thistlewaite, arranged his death and he fears they are also after Edmund.

Edmund should become Baron, but he cannot be found, as he was in the middle of his pilgrimage. Lord Edrin is demanding to be made regent until the boy can be found, but Hollend has so far been able to resist this. However, all his resources are taken up keeping Edrin in check and he has no spare men to find Edmund.

He reads out some of the nice things that Edmund said about the Companions in his letter and begs them to help him find the young Baron before his enemies do.

Banquo questions his availability because of his duties as a Guardian Squire and Count Torien says he is sure that Simon Montrose would be happy to release him for this important, diplomatic mission.

Chancellor Hollend says he cannot offer them much of a reward, as the Baron’s Council is in conflict with Lord Edrin and all funds are frozen. He also points out Baron Edmund would likely be very grateful for them rescuing him. Logan reassures him money is not as issue.

Hollend says he can trust almost no one, he needs them to bring the Baron straight to him and have him travel incognito. They should bring Edmund to him only. If he can’t make it, he will send a message using the word “lavender” to prove the message comes from him.

The Guilds have so much influence in Cariele and they have bought the loyalty of a lot of men that could otherwise be used to find the missing Baron. The Chancellor has opposed the Guilds for a while now and they have been trying to remove him.

The Companions agree to help and Hollend is very relieved. He tells them time is off the essence and warns they will not be the only group out looking for Edmund. He thanks them again and leaves.

Count Torien adds that it would be very good if the Companions can find the missing Prince. Logan also suggests that Cariele Guilds will move south if they have a compliant leader in place. Minister Greenwood tells them they have already started to do so and it will likely get worse.

The Companions discuss what to do next and where the Shrine is. Banquo wonders if Brother Gregory would know where the Shrine is, as it is his religion. They decide to head for Whinnyfold and ask him.

They find Brother Gregory, who has resumed his duties as advisor to Olivia Allardice. He tells them he has been there a number of years back. He tries to show them on the map, but Banquo says he should come with them.

The monk says he cannot, he is serving Lady Allardice. Sam steps in that this stage and goes to talk to his mother, persuading her the influence they will gain from rescuing the Baron of Cariele outweighs any disadvantage to losing her advisor. Olivia agrees and Brother Gregory, much to his surprise, becomes their guide.

They speak to Simon Montrose and he mentions Greenest, the village in the Five Peaks that is guarded by men from Mhoried, currently Allardice men. They decide to make for their first and see if they can pick up Edmund’s trail.

They draw up equipment and supplies then head for Leathen, the capital of MacRuaidhri’s lands, as their last stop over before they cross into the Five Peaks.

End of Episode One