A Covenant Denied

Date: Summer 1191

Characters

• Godwyn
• Thomas the Poacher
• Torkel
• Argus
• John the Redcap

Synopsis

In the Summer of 1191, Godwyn received a visit from John the Redcap, bearing an invitation to visit the covenant of Stranggore. It was more of a request than an invitation, really.

Thomas asked Godwyn what a covenant could possibly want with him. Godwyn replied, "Don't worry. They probably just want us to pay taxes or something." That turned out to be prophetic.

When they arrived at the covenant, Torkel greeted them with the most lavish hospitality he could muster. Since the two visitors had just come from a cabin in the woods, they were indeed impressed, though even they noticed the faded tapestries and the crumbling walls. Torkel made every attempt to be gracious, even taking Godwyn and Thomas hunting with some enchanted stone-bows the covenant had on hand. (A stone-bow is a light crossbow that shoots stones instead of bolts; it's used for hunting birds and small game.)

After two or three days, the magus Argus held an audience with Godwyn and Thomas in the great hall. Thomas couldn't understand the dialogue because it was in Latin, but the tone was clear enough. The two wizards immediately got off on the wrong foot.

Argus pointed out that the enchanted pears Godwyn had recovered from The Weld earlier that season rightfully belonged to Stranggore. He told Godwyn he could make amends by doing some service for the covenant -- something that sounded dangerous, involving tribute and a dragon. Godwyn was incensed at what he saw as veiled threats and extortion.

Argus tried to be conciliatory, saying he had been keeping tabs on Godwyn and considered him a promising young wizard: that his horoscope foretold greatness. Godwyn took this as an open admission that Argus was scrying on him and a veiled threat that Argus already had his horoscope, a sympathetic connection the improves the Penetration of spells. Godwyn realized that although Argus had openly broken the Code, his chances of the Tribunal taking his side against a senior magus from an ancient and honored covenant were nil. The only way he could be free from Argus's bullying and scrying would be Wizard's War. He also realized that he was a long way away from standing a chance against Argus in mortal combat so all he did was glare at Argus with his Piercing Gaze and snap, "I don't owe you anything, Argus!" He then stormed off to his room, gathered his things, and departed immediately.

Torkel tried to stop Godwyn from leaving, mentioning that Stranggore needed more wizards and they had a spare laboratory all set up and ready to use. Godwyn dismissed this as a crude attempt at bribery. His last remarks to Torkel were something to the effect that "it's better to live one day in freedom than a hundred years in chains."

The morning after Godwyn returned to his cabin, a raven appeared. Godwyn first thought it was Argus's familiar, Cedric, but in fact it was Torkel, trying to make amends. Godwyn was insulted that Torkel showed up unannounced and insisted on remaining in raven form. Godwyn accused Torkel of breaking the Code: trespassing and using magic to pry into his affairs. Torkel replied that he wasn't a magus, to which Godwyn said, "Well then if I see a raven around here again, I'm going to have to shoot it." Torkel wisely flew off at that point.

Doubts nagged at Godwyn about the possibility that Stranggore's claim to the vis might be legitimate. He returned to The Weld and the enchanted pear tree. Sure enough, an ancient, carved stone near the tree bore the moss-covered symbol of Stranggore. He returned to the covenant and shouted to the walls for a messenger to come out and meet him on neutral ground. He turned over the vis-bearing pear to the grog with few words and went back to his sanctum to nurse his hatred of Argus and the entire covenant.

Back at the covenant, Merewen spoke with Torkel and encouraged him to try again to smooth things over with Godwyn. Of course, Godwyn needed some time to cool off first. She told Torkel that if he really wanted a position of authority at the covenant, then making peace with Godwyn would be the first test of his abilities.

Argus sent Godwyn a letter by Redcap saying he considers the matter of the enchanted pear tree closed, and expressing the hope to meet again under better circumstances. Godwyn was somewhat mollified by this and ceased plotting Argus's immediate demise, but still resolved to seek out Stranggore's enemies and court their friendship. Surely a magus like Argus must have several foes, and Godwyn would need allies in case of further bullying.