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King Uther was publically presented with Excalibur by the magician Merlin, a faerie sword of puissant power blessed to ensure that its wielder would never be defeated in battle so long as he remained virtuous. As a result, many of the recalcitrant nobles of Logres began to fall into line. Uther also decided to lend his support to Praetor Syagrius' attempt to reclaim his French homeland. As the first step in the campaign, Prince Madoc cleared the Channel of Saxon ships, to ensure a safe crossing to Soissons. Sir Hilfbert led the band of young knights through the battles, and many suffered dire injuries. Though many knights were felled by injuries or drowned in their armor, the way was made clear for invasion.

A tragedy also took place later this year. Sir Hilfbert had been pursuing the fair Lady Adwen for a while and when the fair lady’s cousin Sir Gregory stumbled into court injured, proclaiming his cousin had been kidnapped by a villainous knight the young knight rushed to her rescue. It was however a ruse, as Sir Gregory proved to be the true villain murdering his cousin for the family fortune. Guided by righteous wrath Sir Hilfbert laid low the fiend and returned the body of Lady Adwen to Sarum. That winter she was buried in her family’s estate, the manor was returned to Earl Roderick.