Nauvi fights the urge to curse. He remembers his master's words - both "You have been given the greatest of gifts, but what use it is if you do nothing?" and "discretion in all things, that is how we survive"
He says quietly to the others "Our duty is to Ungulus. Let us not do anything that arouses suspicion, but let's find out what is happening while we find somewhere to stay for the night."
"It would be a sin to see that woman burn master Nauvi, we must do something to help these poor people or the only magic in England will be the Hermetics like yourself. That can't be right can it? Where will the common folk go for their remedies if not the wise women? Who will deal with the Fay if not the faerie touched? Maybe Ungulus could offer sanctuary to those of magic until this hysteria dies down?" pleads Finn
When the party stops to talk, presumably just out of earshot, the man-at-arms, who may have been half asleep, straightens his back and watches them intently.
"Leofric, you are a priest, therefore it is entirely normal for you to enquire into to why the girl is caged and what they are saying happened. See if you can speak to her, offer to pray for her." Nauvi then turns from the priest and quietly says to Finn "and what is gained if we die with her? Discretion, friend, discretion. We must not get caught, whatever we do."
Nauvi looks over to the cage on the cart - what is the cage made of, and how is it secured?
Leofric looks doubtful, "I have heard of Wulfric, even at my monastery. He has the support of the Archbishop and is well-known for his hunt of witchcraft. As a simple monk, there is little I can do, although I can inquire as to the accusations against this woman."
(OOC Is Wulfric a churchman himself or is he a lay person? Just trying to determine whether he could order Leofric around.)
Entrusting Roxie's reins to one of the grogs and leaving his staff in his cart, he walks towards the man-at-arms, holding his hands together within his sleeves in monkly fashion. "The peace of God be with you, my son," he offers softly with an inclination of his head. "What have we here?"
The cage is iron and wood, every other bar of each, it seems. The door is secured with both a thick rope and an iron padlock.
Church Lore+Int 12+ to know. It is a little mystery. He does not take any ordinary role as either priest, or monk, or knight. The common knowledge is just that he has a calling of his own and is blessed by the archbishop.
«Brother,» answers the man-at-arms. «A little servant of Hell, who has been luring the souls of the good men of Norrham into damnation. Careful! Don't look her in the eyes or she will have your soul too.»
"I fear not the temptation of the devil, my son, for God is with me always." Leofric silently asks forgiveness for this little misdirection, but he does not look at the woman. "What did she do exactly?"
«She seduced them and ... euh ... took them into the forest ... euh ... unspeakable acts ... well ... euh ... let's leave that to sheriff and Wulfric. They know better.» It is quickly clear that he is just a footsoldier and not in the know.
Nauvi walks to try and find somewhere the group can stay for the night.
He glances at the cage again and thinks "Who's been teaching Wulfric about magi? That cage is clearly meant to require knowledge of both herbam and terram to defeat, and no doubt the mix of materials will defeat some hedge magi too.
It is easy enough to find a campsite a couple hundred paces from the church along the path, or South on the edge of the forest. You just have to get out of the fields and out of sight.
Hamish suggests the edge of the forest to Nauvi.
"Might be a little easier to defend or disappear if they get suspicious of us. This situation sets my teeth on edge. Don't like seein' people in cages."
"I understand, my son," says Leofric to the guard. "Let us hope true justice is seen in this matter."
With a nod to the man, the monk goes into the church, half dreading what and who he will find inside but feeling he needs to go inside none the less.
The church is a modest one. The windows let little light in, and it takes some time before Leofric can see anything at all. When he does, he sees the vicar praying at the altar. Deeply focused, he does not react to the new arrival, and there is no one else in the church.
Leofric finds a place to pray, not infringing upon the vicar's own space. He may spend up to an hour in prayer, though if the vicar is done before that he will approach him.
It takes a while, but not nearly an hour, before the priest gets to his feet and stretches his leg. He walks a bit stiffly and limping down the aisle. He is not ancient, but clearly older than Leofric. «Good evening,» he says when Leoftric approaches, «brother! Are you travelling through?»
"That I am, father," Leofric says quietly. "With a group a travellers heading south. We stopped to rest for the night. My name is Leofric."
After normal pleasantries, which presumably include the priest introducing himself, Leofric asks a bit hesitantly, "I could not help but notice the... turmoil outside. And it troubles me greatly. Could we talk about it? Perhaps somewhere less... public?"
He introduces himeself as father Glædwine. On the question, he hesitates, but says, «yes, well, you can come through to my office.» He leads the way to a small room behind the altar, where he has a desk and a few chairs, and he invites Leofric to sit. «What's bothering you?»
Leofric lowers his eyes to the floor, chewing on his lower lip. After a moment, he raises his eyes to meet Father Glaedwine. "Father, I know not how to say this. My companions and I came through a small village earlier in the day. Many of the villagers were absent. Those we talked to said many had fled into the forest, out of fear. Some of their neighbours had been accused of witchcraft and taken. They felt these accusations were... ill-advised. There was an atmosphere of fear."
"Then, when we arrived here, we saw the cage outside. I spoke briefly to the guard. Do you really believe that the girl is a witch? It sounded more like just a regular sinner to me."
«I know. We live in a difficult time, and the fear is to be expected. There is fear of sin, and fear of the warlocks, and many have learnt from bitter experience that even their dearest friends and families can turn traitor. Have you travelled far to get here? Have you not seen the war of the last couple of years?»
«It is not for me to pass judgment over the Wulfric's prisoners. The sheriff will judge on Earth, and the Lord will judge in Heaven, and I can only lend ear to those who confess and repent.»
"My travels have brought me as far north as Carlisle, close to Hadrian's Wall," answers Leofric, "and as you say I have seen the results of this war. But what I've seen most is the effect on the people working the land, who struggle to feed their families and make a living. I saw people dying from starvation in Carlisle, looking up to God for hope and for help." Softly, he adds, "And He did help."
Taking a big breath, Leofric adds, "I also saw some people trying to instill fear and look for scapegoats, trying to blame others for their own failings. Where is the justice in that, father?"