Once a camp has been established, Leofric (on foot, without bringing his cart) will visit the village to meet those who will speak to him. He inquires if any would like him to join him for mass, if anyone wishes to be wed, have babies to be baptized, etc. He will ask if there is a place where those could take place. He will also ask about the smithy and its owner.
The friar is welcomed. «Are you heading down to Middleham for mass on Sunday, then?» asks the Kendrick the villager. «I am afraid we have to wait a week or two, when the worst of the ploughing is done.»
The smithy is communal. «I use it from time to time,» says Kendrick, «and there are two or three other skilled smiths who use it too, from the other two hamlets.»
"I was thinking about settling here, to serve the needs of your hamlet and those nearby. I'm also a skilled smith and could man the smithy when the others are busy. Do you think that would be well-received?"
«But ... euh ... we already tithe to the vicar at Middleham. Would you not better sort it out with him? When tithes and taxes are paid, we have only just what we need for the Winter. A church is expensive to run, and a full-time smith too.» He blushes, and draws his breath. «I mean no disrespect, father. I am just worried about the future.»
A couple of curious villagers stop to listen to the discussion, at an almost polite distance.
Leofric smiles gently, shaking his head a little, "I am not speaking of raising a new church, or working here as a full-time smith, my son. What I am offering is the possibility of performing services at times when it is more difficult to travel to Middleham. Like during ploughing and harvest seasons, or in the winter. And for those too old, sick or injured to travel."
"I am asking for little in return, just shelter and a bit of food for myself and my donkey. And I will travel from hamlet to hamlet, so I will not be here all the time. I will visit the vicar in a few days to speak to him as well."
"In the same way, are there not times when something would need to be fixed but those with the skill to do so are too busy? That is when I could help at the smithy. Or even in the fields. I am not adverse to hard work, my son."
«You are right that there is always work to do, and a priest at the doorstep would be appreciated if father Uthfael does not mind. I will hear what others say. We let the animals graze further upriver in Summer, except the ones who pull the ploughs,» he adds.
"Thank you," Leofric says, "and bless you. I will visit the good father tomorrow to speak with him."
The next day, Leofric takes the road to Middleham to meet with the priest, or the vicar if the priest is not in residence.
It takes Leofric two or three hours to get down to Middleham, which is a motte-and-bailey, altbeit a modest one, both smaller and lower than those that can be found on the continent. It is conveniently placed in the middle of the croplands. There are few cottages around. It seems that the farmers has moved into the bailey.
Outside the front gate there is a market, bustling with life. It is not like the market of a big port in peacetime, but there is a bit of variety, including livestock, pottery, woodwork, bronzework, cloth and leatherwork. The highstreet is lined with resident craftsmen. Two alesticks are out as well.
The highstreet leads straight to the church, conveniently placed in the very centre of the bailey. It is open, but empty. The brewer across the square thinks he saw the vicar heading down the hightstreet half an hour ago or so.
Leofric inquires as to what the vicar looks like -- his way of dress or any other distinguishing features -- before heading to the highstreet himself. He will look for the vicar there, but also get a feeling of life in Middleham. If he fails to locate the vicar, he will head back to the church after a few hours.
It takes maybe half an hour to find the vicar. He is easy to recognise with his black robes, round and balding head, with red rashes, but the market is crowded. By the sounds of it, half of them must be strangers being here for the market only. The mood seems positive, happy and joyous, even if there is less foodstuff for sale than you would normally expect, and a little more artwork.
Middleham has about 60-80 homes, maybe 300 souls, not counting the motte. Not everyone is at the market though.
The vicar is admiring some bronzework when you see him. He does not notice you, as he inquires the price from the vendor.
Leofric decides not to approach the vicar right away. There is much to be seen in the market on this busy day, and it may also be interesting to take note of what the vicar is looking at. And it may be better not to disturb the man when he is out shopping.
So, although he will not avoid the man, nor hide from him, Leofric will let him be for a while and see if he himself gets noticed by the vicar.
A crowd is gathering just outside the main gate, watching a show with theatre ensable. There are four actors, not counting the donkey. One is dressed as a friar, with the same colour robe as Leofric, but with the hood up, hiding their face. One is tiny lass on stilts with some hillarious padding to look like a giant, carrying a huge padded club. One, the storyteller, wears a hideously coloured hat. No, it does not remind you of Finn. He looks good in his hat. «The warlock was masquerading as a man of God, travelling with his companions ...» says the bard.
The fourth man, wearing a stuffed wolf's head as a hat, sneaks up behind them ... «stop in the name of God. Stop your Evil acts.»
The lass on the stilts starts chasing the wolfhead man around, flailing the club, and stumbling hither and thither until she stumbles over him and lands in the hay in the donkey's cart, and the friar steps up and knocks the wolfhead off the man's head with his staff, and stares at him. Just stares at him, until the man covers and sinks down on his knees.
«The friar's magic is strong, but Wulfric will not die to man's will,» announces the bard. «It is the rest of us who have to fear them, and I have heard, on good authority, that Eadric has announced a reward of pound for the friar's head, and the same amount for his companions.»
As Leofric digests the story, the vicar acknoledges him, «greetings, brother,» he says, before Leofric even noticed he was there.
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Leofric shakes his head and smiles at the rendition. He's a bit startled when by the vicar's greeting, but turns to him and nods, "Greetings, brother. How is the day treating you so far?"
After a round of pleasantries, Leofric says, "I was looking for you at the church earlier, and I was told you would be near here. My name is Leofric, and I am a mendicant monk. I would like a word with you." (If the vicar expresses the desire to hold that discussion at the church instead of the market, the discussion can move there. Or they can talk while walking.)
"I recently arrived at a hamlet near here, Ayesgarth, and offered my services to them, particularly at times when they cannot travel to Middleham for church. It seemed proper that I speak to you about it, since they are located within the parish." He explains a bit about what services he offered to the people of the hamlet. "I only wish to offer them more opportunity to hear the word of God, while supporting their community -- and perhaps others nearby -- with my humble skills as a blacksmith."
«We can walk and talk,» suggests the vicar, «but let's get away from the crowd. Easier to hear,» he adds touching his ear.
«You really want to settle there. This is not a wealthy parish, and the reeve holds the benefice. I do not complain. It is well earned, as he has kept the peace even when the raids were at their worst. He provides well enough for me, but I would not ask him to provide for another priest or monk.»
"I do, at least for a little while. I believe that the community would benefit from my presence, enough so that they will be able to sustain my presence. I require very little from the parish itself, only permission to tend the spiritual needs of the hamlets when they cannot travel here," Leofric offers humbly.
"It is but part of penance that I feel I must perform to expiate past sins, brother." Leofric lowers his head in shame. He did, after all, raise his hand against a fellow man, and this troubles him still.
The vicar shrugs. «Very well. It can be no harm.»
"And hopefully some good, brother," says Leofric with a smile. "Thank you."
Unless the vicar expresses the desire to talk some more, Leofric will take his leave. He'll swing by the market and various shops in Middleham, as knowing about these may be of some use for the covenant, then depart for the trip back to Ayesgarth.
The vicar scratches his cheak and wishes blessings and peace upon Leofric.
The friar and the giant make up the hot gossip in the marketplace for an hour or two, and then most of the travellers start packing up to get home before nightfall.
Leofric does the same, going back to Ayesgarth and the covenant for the night.