1085

YEAR 1085

Scribed by Jean

Spring 1085AD

The year began with more pressureon our resources. We were forced to send five grogs and pay twenty penniesas our contribution to the King's Levy. Most of the rest of the season passedpeacefully, with the Magi continuing their studies, save Idris who chose towork in the garden. Baldwin, the Reeve of Dean, sent us a letter, and I resolvedto meet him in the summer. We shall see what it is that he requires of me,as I have heard from Sylvester that there is some muttering about me amongthe townsfolk of Gloucester.

Idris and Ruaridh set off to tryto harvest the Mentem vis again. This time the opposition from the BarrowShade was stronger, and Ruaridh was severely injured. Cadog apparently savedhis life, and Ruaridh now wishes to hold a feast in his honour.

Summer

The season began with Council,as always, but Ruaridh was unable to attend because of his injuries. Idris,who has decided to spend the season investigating local legends, journeyedto the Infernal Regio once more. My visit with the Reeve proved useful asI discovered from him that Sylvester and the Reeve's own Saxon assistant areengaged in some sort of plot against us. I also found out that Idris had deliberatelymisled us about his background when he joined the covenant, and I thereforechallenged him to Certamen. I won with little concern.

Later in the season, we heardthe ringing of bells, and discovered that Sir Bernard had built a church inLydney. We took this matter very seriously as the sound of the bells mightthreaten the magical aura, and sent Ruaridh off to deal with it. He failedin this task, and, on his return, engaged in a fierce argument with Petrus.The Council asked Ruaridh to make a second attempt to destroy the bell, buthe refused to do so. He was therefore censured and punished with an extraseason's service. In the turmoil of the following days he transformed himselfinto a tree, but did not remain in that form for long. It seems that our formerunity is disintegrating.

Autumn

The season began with a furtherargument between Council and Ruaridh, who then set off to travel to Scarfellto discuss possible future trades of magical resources. He returned only aswinter drew near. With his absence - and that of his spells to detect truthfrom falsehood - the meeting with Sylvester to establish whether the Reeve'saccusations were true did not go as well as planned. However, he was sufficientlyintimidated that I feel he will desist in his attempts to cross us.

A child that had disappeared fromLydney several days earlier was found in the forest, crucified upside downwith its heart torn out. We burned the body and decided not to inform thevillagers. Finally, the grogs returned from the southern coast, the expectedinvasion having not occurred this year.

Scribed byRuaridh

Winter

Posterity will have to excuseme if this record seems rushed or incomplete, for my memory is far from perfectand other tasks demand my attention. Indeed, as I look over the records ofprevious seasons scribed by my sodales, I cannot help but smile at their interpretationsof events in which I or others played a part. History is indeed an art, andthe author has much room to shape the way in which those that follow regardhis actions. While this task is mine, I will endeavour to report as neutrallyand faithfully as my eminent predecessors, and I hope that this text willbe seen as an accurate account of the continuing development of the covenantthat is so dear to my heart.

The winter council was a stormyaffair as the Magi debated the best way to tackle the problem of the churchbell in Lydney. I must admit I was rather surprised when Jean called for thecouncil to revoke the extra season's service demanded of me when I refusedto take on the task of destroying the bell. He declared that it was unfairfor one Magus to be singled out in this manner, especially since the taskwas potentially hazardous and I had already performed my season's servicefor the year. Council duly removed the penalty, an act which undoubtedly savedmuch future ill feeling and, perhaps more importantly, the interference ofoutsiders.

Jean spent Midwinter in Lydneyin an effort to avoid the attentions of the dark fae who have taken such avehement dislike to him. Sadly, his experiences in the village were scarcelybetter than those he could have expected if he had remained in the covenant.Foul shades, evidently the restless ghosts of those slain by Radulfus severalyears ago, harassed him, and he was forced to seek shelter in the church.They seemed to blame him for being of the same kind, that is to say a Magusof the Order, as their murderer. This event further increases my resolve todestroy the demon as soon as I have the arts to do so.