[Folwren]

What if Faramund murdered his own father and the people revolted after that? Or, we can even elimintate murder and just say the old man died of natural causes, and Faramund, angry at what had occurred, came down harder on his people and that plus the passing of their old lord, pushes them beyond their limits.

What if, then, the word of their rebellion reaches Alboin's folk, who are not as badly pressed as Faramund's people were, but who may be over-taxed (I may be wrong in this, I can't remember if Alboin mis-treatd his folk much at all), and so they began a revolt, too. I think that it could easily spread from estate to estate, no?

Finally, Tancred hears of everything that is going on, and he may realize that he is in danger of his people wanting to demand more freedoms or rights, and so he seems to give into them before they properly revolt, while at the same time, he goes to Athanar either for help or to offer his services to help overcome revolts, perhaps with the idea in mind that if he is of service and does right by his people and by Athanar, he will gain some reward, especially if Faramund or Alboin are killed. Perhaps he will receive some of the land or something. Faramund has no children, does he? His land could potentially be in need of new lordship, if he is killed.

Everything I just wrote is really, really rough, but I don't think I could put it any better because I really know nothing about politics of that time period, or how rebellions would spread, and what would happen, and all that.

But I agree that Alboin and Tancred are probably no fools, and I almost see Tancred coming along side Athanar and Eodwine to help overcome the problems, but probably with the idea of gaining something in mind.