Tribune Today Jan 2nd 2039

With each passing day, my stay in Loxley opens up a completely different view of the world in which I live. I live in a very remote rural area, and even though I am connected to the postal service and have daily updates of all that is happening, I have begun to realise how cut off I am from what is really happening. I am starting to understand why my request to visit and interview certain people at Loxley was greeted with an acceptance, was because there is still a great part of the wild world that is not being informed as to the current situation, and I feel very motivated now to get more and more information out into the remote parts of this country.

Day Four. December 20^th 2038.

My time with John Styles was not as long as I would have wanted, but even though he has both his legs in splints, he still attends to certain tasks on the farm, and heavy snow has created a few problems. It is not long before two clean up crews arrive for more instruction, and as I pull on my cloak and prepare to leave, I watch John as he lifts a board across his legs and rolls out a large map. As I walk to the door, I hear the sound of his voice instructing the crews as to which are the best paths and road to clear first.
John has shared much with me, some of which I cannot print for the sake of the safety of those currently out in the field. I am now convinced that Lord Loxley is not in the stockade, and it does appear that a large proportion of the Specialists are also absent.

Walking along the road with my guide, farm trucks pass us filled with men as they clear one area and move onto the next. It is hard to believe that even now under four inches of snow, food production is still being conducted in the large greenhouses behind the farm, and the forge is working harder than in the summer, as more and more weapons have to be produced for the final conflict. Two carts filled with twisted, rusty pieces of mangled metal pass us heading to the forge, they are the result of search parties that have combed the surrounding area for anything that can be melted and reused in weapon production, it was yet another reminder of my conversation with John, and how real the threat of a looming attack was.

The conversation with my guide Steven drifts back into my interview with John, he had sat quietly listening behind me as I interviewed the Specialist. For him it all appears to be quite matter of fact and ordinary, but I am still a little shaken by the bluntness of John, and his approach to things that would terrify me. It is hard for me to accept any kind of warfare as normal, Steven finds this amusing, and chuckles as he talks to me.
“You are a paper man, for you there is no worry about having to face something as brutal and vicious as a Cutter. You have to understand that for many of the men here, especially those in the ranks of the Bowmen and Armsmen, they will make up the first wave of combat, followed by the Woodsmen. Life here about survival, and not just for us, here we are pulling together as many men as possible to fight. Each and everyone of them who enter here are set a series of tasks, and from that they are sorted into what would be the best unit to join.”
I suppose it makes sense to find out what qualities each man has, and as I think back to my first day here, I remember the rows of men on the range, all trying to prove they have what it takes to join the ranks of the bowmen. I turn as the snow blows up off the floor to shield my face, and I notice the attention that Steven is paying to myself. So tell me, which force has the most trained men in it? He gives a smile.
“Armsmen. They fight with swords and a wide range of weapons, so it covers the most skills. The second is woodsmen, mainly because it is judged on a man's ability to adapt in the wild without being discovered, and then after that we have Bowmen, which requires the greatest skill, and is obviously the hardest test to pass.”
I find that a very interesting point, especially considering Loxley is supposed to be known for its talent with a bow. So the Bowmen are the smallest of all the units, but they are one of the first up front? Steve again smiles.
“Something like that, although you are forgetting their talent, it is they who have the greatest range. A good bowman will take out a large number of men long before they even get close to the Armsmen. Have you heard the story of the saving of Lord Brandon?”
I give him a nod, it’s a story that ran wild in the office back in April. Yes, I believe Lord Loxley stood at the top of a rise with just bows, and took out all the soldiers in pursuit of Lord Brandon, which gave him the chance to get up the hill and be taken to Caerleon for protection.
“Yeah but did you know that one of the riders, a sergeant turned back to take on the whole force of the soldiers and give Brandon a little more time?”
No I have not heard that part of the story, Steve gives me a wink.
“Thought not, it’s the one part of the story that was not spoken about much. The sergeant had no chance of survival, the minute he turned he was a dead man and he knew it, but he felt it was his duty to save his lord. He rode at high speed back towards the soldiers of which they numbered at least 50, and as he met with the first few, Lord Loxley lifted his bow seeing the sergeant lift his right arm with a sword in it, and he took out the guy to the left of the sergeant. Now in itself that is not that fantastic a feat, but when you factor in the wind, and the fact it was well over a thousand yards away it becomes a very different tale, and one you could say of a man of Loxley.”
I took just a moment to realise how incredible a shot it was, and Steve could obviously see by my reaction how stunned I was to hear it. “It’s a tale told to many of the bowmen these days, and its something all of us train to match. You see that is why they are the lowest in number, but it is also why the Bowmen have such praise, and are treated with the greatest respect. Here at Loxley we do train the best, and Loxley still has more Bowmen than any other area, we know how important they are, because it is their skill that can protect the largest amount of men possible. The Armsmen here having a saying, Never forget that after the Bowman has done his job, by the time the soldiers reach you and you meet your first man, the bowman behind you is probably well into double figures, so you have a lot of catching up to do. Bowmen are vital, and we want everyone who has that kind of skill with a bow, I will add that it is also the reason why here Lord Loxley carries so much respect. He is a young man there is no mistake, but when he picks up a bow, there are very few who can match him, the closest are probably Lady Alice and Lady Runestone, which is also why they are the only two Able Bowmen in Loxley.”
It is the answer to something I was intending to ask, but since I arrived at Loxley I have seen just as many women in uniform as men. My curiosity gets the better of me and I have to ask. So who are the next best Bowmen, and do the Armsmen have people who have such great reputations?
“They are all in the Specialists, which is probably why they are there, Lord Loxley has hand picked the very best to fight alongside him, but again that is another reason why they get all the hard jobs and scout out well in advance of any of us.”
Again I hear about Lord Loxley and the respect he is shown, and knowing he is not within the high wooden walls of the Stockade is frustrating. It seems to me that he is the centre of everything, and as I remember from my days within the ranks of my local Fellowship of the Bowman lodge, the return of the Hooded Man was the focus of everything. It is difficult, knowing the story of how he was proclaimed Lord of Loxley and Hooded Man returned, to fully understand and comprehend the whole picture of events without being able to sit and talk to him.
I return back to my lodgings and I am surprised to find that there is a visitor who has been waiting for me, it is a women aged somewhere in her thirties, although it is not easy to give her true age. She wears the clothes of a fighter, and has a sword and two knives on her belt, her face is tanned even for this late time of year, and I feel a strong sense of presence within her. She is very polite and courteous, as she introduces herself as Stephanie of Caerleon, and much to my surprise she requests a few moments alone.
Steve and Jane appear to know her, and they very quickly excuse themselves, moving to the back room of the house, which makes me feel a little nervous. My guest moves into the front living room and takes a seat by the fire, she is without doubt an elegant and refined woman, her clothes alone, even though they are woodsman of a fashion, are well tailored to her shape. Stephanie watches me with deep green eyes as her very long blonde hair slips slowly off her shoulder and I take a seat opposite. She smiles warmly at me. “I believe you want to know about the work of my father, and have asked of him during your visit? I am aware of who you are, all of us are, so if you have any questions about him, it is probably best if you ask me directly.”
I am a little unsure at first, the sound of Caerleon is confusing, as I was only aware of the presence of Lady Jett Amber, I ask the only question that comes to mind. If you don’t mind me asking, just who exactly is your father?
“Leenard Rimmer.” Is her reply, which completely throws my mind? I struggle for a moment until the stories I have been told return to my thoughts, and one in particular about a woman who was with Robert of Loxley in the cathedral at Canterbury. I pause as the story comes back, there was a woman who claimed she had documents proving Mason’s claim to the throne was false, could this be the woman who aided the Hooded man that day? She sees my look of surprise and laughs.
“Yes I am his daughter, and it was I who travelled with Robbie and my daughter to Canterbury to confront him with my father’s documents. I was speaking with Robert who mentioned you had asked about my father, and so I thought I would stop by to talk. I also have an invite from my daughter who would like you to visit her at home and share the Yule celebrations with her, as she understands you are a long way from home and a stranger here in Loxley.”
Her daughter, I work out very quickly is Runestone Sapphire the wife of Lord Loxley, and I am so surprised that for a few moments I find it hard to answer, Stephanie leans forward in the seat.
“I take it you will accept?”
My response is pitiful, Er…. Yes I would to…. Is that all right?” She gives a laugh.
“I shall let Rune know we have more guests.”
Thank you that will be most delightful. She gives a nod.
“Good, so what is it that you want to know about my father that is so important to your paper?”
I lift my bag, which contains all the notes and questions I have made to date, I feel a littlevfoolish as I rummage through them trying to locate the ones I have on this old and famous historian. Stephanie watches attentively as I try to compost myself and gather my thoughts. I take several minutes flicking through my papers before I gather my wits and ask my fist question. Please Miss Rimmer…
“Its Mrs… Mrs Lane.”
Oh you are married, please you must forgive me.
“Its fine, please continue.”
Tell Mrs Lane….
“Call me Steph, everyone else does, unless of course you want to use Mother?”
The penny drops…. Stephanie is a member of the Specialists, Mother is her nickname as given by the group, and I can only assume that it is because she took good care of them when they were away from home? I am quite amazed to find she is also the daughter of Leenard Rimmer and the mother in law of the Lord of Loxley, I move straight to the most pressing question that has been the centre of every debate I have encountered since April. Steph what evidence have you that Mason Knox has no claim at all to the throne of England, because as you have seen, the man obviously is very serious about it, so much so he has raised an army to fight to prove it?
“If my dad says he is wrong then believe me he is, no one has ever been as thorough with detail than he has, and I should know I grew up as his assistant. My dad has the family trees and the genetic evidence that proves beyond the shadow of a doubt that Mason Knox has no Celtic genetics, which I am sure a well educated man such as yourself will realise, means that there is no way he came from the line of a Celtic King such as Uther Pendragon, or his wife Igraine. His genes show he descends from Saxon origin, which although proves he could be of the line of Cornwall, Uther’s enemy, it removes him from any tie to the royal houses of the Celts, namely Arthur’s court and the true unbroken line of kings in this land.”
Steph speaks with authority and confidence, and she is very believable, but my job is to search out the facts and report them. Tell me have you seen these papers, and are they available for anyone to witness.
“Some of them are, the largest share at this moment in time are hidden. They have not been offered to the masses for scrutiny, but that is due to their great importance, but when those in the right positions request to see them, they will be available to prove my father’s claim.”
It is said you had something in your hand at Canterbury, and showed them to the clergy, is that true?
“Yes…I had in my possession the chromosome test results proving Mason was of Saxon descent, although it did get rather out of hand there and so they returned to Loxley with myself.”
They are here… Can I see them?”
“They currently reside in safe keeping with Robbie… Lord Loxley, if he consents I am sure it will be possible for you verify them and inform your readership.”
I cannot deny that the thought of seeing the documents, especially knowing so few have is indeed very exciting, and I feel the pace of my heart quicken. I am only here for one more day; I will have to leave very early on the morning of the 22^nd.
“Yes we are aware of that.”
I question what exactly she means; as she has used the term “we” a few times since our conversation began.
“I mean Rune and myself… She has been watching you with great interest.”
I am not very sure as to what she means, and question it, Stephanie continues.
“Rune… My daughter has some very unique abilities, she understands you converted from Earth Faith to Christianity, and where as she holds no judgement because of that, she is aware that you may not quite accept or understand those abilities.”
It is no secret that many rumours coming out of the cities of Mason Knox, speak of the fear about the Violet Witch, and again it is no secret that many have sworn that it is Runestone of Loxley. I know those of the Earth Faith refer to her as the Lady of the Woods, a position that in their faith holds great admiration and respect, but within the ranks of the church, this is seen as superstition, and I might add has been a subject I have wanted to raise, but I have just not had to many opportunities. Mason’s men call her the Violet Witch, are those the abilities you refer to? Steph smiles.
“Witch is not a word anyone should use, especially around Rune.”
So she is not a witch?
“She most certainly is not.”
But she has abilities?
“She prefers to call them gifts.”
Gifts?
“Yes.”
So we are talking powers, like super powers and magic?
“Magic is not a superpower, it is a free flowing element of nature and surrounds all of us, you should know that from your teachings with the Fellowship.”
So your daughter, the wife of Lord Loxley, can somehow tap into these free flowing elements that I call magic and use them, that is her gift?”
“Something like that.”
So she is a witch? I can see that Stephanie is becoming impatient, and I have no wish to annoy her, but I want a straight answer and feel she is avoiding it. For several months there have been rumours all over the country of strange mystical powers being used, and yet there is no evidence to back up these stories. My beliefs teach me that the use of magic is witchcraft, and so I want clarification.
“Witches draw down their powers through rituals and the blending of mixtures and potions, my daughter does neither, I fear you are mistaking her with the Mother of the Snake.”
So your daughter has the gift, or ability of channelling this power without any form of ritual or mixing of potions, she uses the old ways? Stephanie leans forward in her chair, and her green eyes appear to look very deeply into me.
“Runestone is the Lady of the Woods, you have read from the Book of the Fellowship, and whether or not you follow the path of Green Life in these times, you know better than to question her on this. In regard to the old ways, all the major faiths are beyond two thousand years old, so I would suggest all of them could been seen as the old ways.”
Once again I feel I have overstepped the mark and apologise, and I explain that there have been so many rumours and stories within the last six months, that as someone trying to report the truth, I have a natural urge to clarify and ask questions. Steph stands up and accepts my statement.
“I accept that, but if you really want to discuss this matter, it should be done with Rune not her mother, she is my child and I cannot help but try to protect her as any parent does any of their children. Runestone has arranged for a cart to collect you tomorrow, where you will have all day to speak with her during the Yule preparations.”
I am relived that I have not ruined my chances to visit the house of the Lord and his Lady, yet I feel a tense nervousness about doing so. Tomorrow will be my last day and last chance to dig deeper to uncover the truth to all the gossip about Loxley, and so as Steph leaves and we part on good terms, I feel the excitement bubble.
In my article tomorrow I will share my experience of Robbie’s Mere and the centre of the Woodland Realm, until such time I bid you a safe and pleasant New Year and hopefully my next feature will find you safe.