Called Away on Business (30 Aug 2001) Agatha pays a visit to Mr. Kuning Note: Mirari players other than Agatha should not read this log.

Harcourt Manor
This grand old Victorian house off of Webber Way used to be the favorite "haunted house" of the children, but a few months ago an older gentleman moved in, Richard, who has begun to renovate the place, to their disappointment. Two gables look out from the roof of the two story manor, and vines crawl up the walls, from which plaster has fallen in places to expose brickwork. One end of the house rises to an eight-windowed cupola, though one of the windows was broken and has been covered with a wide plank of plywood.

Lumber and fittings and paint and tools lie about the yard, testimony to the restoration work which Toby Cunningham, Agatha's brother, has been putting in, along with several other high school kids, and a day rarely goes by that there is not the sound of sawing and hammering from within the house, except for Sunday.

Today, it appears that Mr. Kuning is down the hill behind the garden, tending to his black horse. As Kuon barks excitedly, Richard looks up and smiles faintly. "Ah! Miss Cunningham," he says. "What brings you by Harcourt Manor today?"

Agatha smiles and waves to the gentleman, then says, "Oh, there was something I needed to talk to you about sir, if you have the time?"

Richard continues brushing Destre with a currycomb. "Yes?"

The tall girl tries not to fidget, as she asks, "Does the name 'Marc of Umbrecht' mean anything to you?"

The currycomb pauses in mid-stroke, and Richard turns to look at Agatha. "Should it?" he asks. His tone of voice is sharp, as if suggesting that she had better be careful how she answers the question.

"It's the name of the king of Mirari, you see," Agatha says, shrinking back a bit. "I promised Tristan of House April that I'd talk to the king. I've been through the Siege of Wind and ... and ... uhh ... do I sound crazy yet?"

Richard smiles a bit, though it might be just a good act. "Ahh, Alice has told me about your make-believe. It sounds like a very interesting story.... Are you here to enlist me as a player?"

Agatha frowns slightly. "Uhh ... not really. I thought you were the king; you fit the description, even to having two servants with you," she says, gesturing to Kuon and Destre. "It's not make-believe anymore. Tristan sent his horse back with me. I wouldn't bring him here, though. Did Alice tell you about the prophecy stuff?"

The greyhound snuffles at the wind, then cants its head toward Agatha. Destre snorts.

"Yes, she did," Richard says. He resumes brushing Destre's coat, quiet for a moment.

"We're supposed to stop the Year's End from taking the throne of Mirari, I think," Agatha says, looking thoughtful, "because we're the ones that can do it, somehow. Otherwise the king wouldn't have left, right? Only now I think that House October is going to try and make sure that doesn't happen, and House April might try to bring the king back by force if they knew where ... and who ... he was."

The old man brushes down Destre's flank, then takes a moment to worry out a burr. "Perhaps you should start from the beginning, Miss Cunningham," he says, giving her a raised eyebrow. Meanwhile, Kuon, snuffling at the wind, trots down to the edge of the woods and seems to be walking slowly along the border.

Agatha watches Kuon nervously, and looks around for any cats or crows. "Well ... I was walking along the creek where I first met you, and this cold wind came up. Then these whirlwinds sort of pressed down the grass in three intersecting circles, and an elf appeared in the center of it all and called me Redmane and asked me to come with him! I mean, he looked like an elf, but not with pointed ears, and he was riding a huge war-horse. So I went with him, even though my mother told me never to go anywhere with an elf when I was a little girl ... but anyway I went with him and he said he was going to take me to see the queen, but the way was blocked by these monsters made of ... dead leaves or something. And it was winter there too. Am I going too fast?"

Richard shakes his head. "Please, go on, Miss Cunningham."

"Okay. So ... we fought the monsters, and Tristan -- that's the elf knight -- he took me to this place called Elysia, which I think is a village or suburb that belongs to House April. That's where he told me about how the king had disappeared, and they thought it was one of the winter Houses that did it but then found out it was the king's own idea, because he wanted the weird cycle of seasons to end in Mirari. But Tristan said that it meant winter would just go on forever. I asked him about the jruuh, and he said they were a folk-tale to scare children, and he didn't know who Ryland of Avarre was, but since Avarre is under October's rule and he was a crow, and they use crows as minions, it seemed clear to me that he was working for October, probably trying to find you ... err ... the missing king," Agatha says, looking agitated at her slip near the end.

Destre rolls an eye toward Agatha, giving an almost comical flip of his head and snort as if to suggest disbelief.

Agatha glares at the horse for a moment, then continues. "Anyway ... he said that I'd met the king, and that I should try to persuade him to return, or else tell Tristan where he can be found. I think that's why he sent his horse, Souhait, with me, so that he could bring back the message. He also told me that an ... opti-... something ... would show the true forms of creatures from Mirari. It sounded like a camera to me."

Richard laughs at the expression on his horse's face, and resumes brushing. "I take it that the houses are named after the months of the year, then. Quite creative. I do worry, however, that the seriousness with which you all seem to be taking your make-believe is taxing upon young Alice. She seems very worried about how the story might end."

"I'm worried too!" Agatha blurts out, and starts flapping her arms. "I mean ... all these Houses are going to be looking, and sending over ... shape-shifters or who knows what. There could be real danger here, and I'm just a kid with a wooden sword and elf-steed that I can't trust and now I have to worry about cats following me around. If they could find me, then what if they come for Alice next? Or Simon, or Tom, or Elinor! I'm supposed to protect them!"

A grave look on Richard's face. "Have you curry-combed a horse before, Agatha?"

Agatha blinks and calms down, taken off guard by the question. "Yes sir, at the stables."

Mr. Kuning offers the currycomb to Agatha. "Then if you would aid me in tending to Destre's coat, I would be obliged."

In a daze, Agatha takes the brush and starts combing Destre. Maybe she's just lightheaded from talking so much, but grooming is a soothing exercise. "Am I crazy, Mr. Kuning? I was looking at cameras the other day...."

"Ahh, marvelous devices, cameras," the old man agrees. He shades his eyes with one hand, looking down toward Kuon, then whistles for the dog, who comes barking back up.

"Do you have any photos of Destre or Kuon?" Agatha asks while she combs the black horse. He certainly smells and feels like a real horse.

Richard shakes his head. "I have never felt the need to collect photographs. I have the real things to hand, do I not?" He scratches behind Kuon's ears, eliciting a wag.

"You haven't said if you think I'm going crazy or not," Agatha points out.

"Your imagination is a wonderful thing, Miss Cunningham," Mr. Kuning says in a tone much like a schoolteacher's. "But please be careful not to let it run away with you. It is like a horse in that respect. You must show it who is in charge, lest it make you unhappy."

Destre whickers noncommittally, giving a sidelong glance toward Richard and Agatha.

Kuon barks unexpectedly, then gallops toward the house, and Mr. Kuning looks surprised after him. "Perhaps the mailman has arrived," he says. "Allow me a moment to investigate."

Agatha nods and continues to brush Destre. "What do you think, Destre? Would you like to meet Souhait, or have your picture taken?" she whispers to the horse.

Destre whinnies.

"I'll take that as a maybe then," Agatha says. "Unless you want to stamp your hoof twice for yes and once for no?" she jokes.

This elicits a look in the eyes from the black horse, then aheavy nose-bump in the shoulder.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Agatha asks Destre, and starts combing a little further along his back, away from his head. She knows that horses can bite if they want to.

Destre snorts and presses into the combing. Answer does not seem to be forthcoming. Still, by the time Agatha is done, Mr. Kuning steps out of the house and walks down the path through the overgrown garden, waving to her.

Agatha waves back with her free hand. "Do you think I should tell him that Lord Mel is looking for the king as well?" she whispers to Destre. She's never seen such a responsive horse before.

Destre cocks an ear back, but as a reply goes, that too is difficult to interpret as an affirmative or negative.

"There's business out of town to which I must attend, Miss Cunningham," Richard says as he comes within range of easy speech. "I would appreciate it if Toby Cunningham would continue his work on the house ... and if you would be so kind as to take care of Destre and Kuon for me in the meantime, Miss Cunningham. It is not easy to transport nor take care of animals on the road, and I believe you to be an honest and responsible woman." He looks at Agatha intently.

The girl gapes for a moment, then nods her head. "Of course ... sir. I'll take care of them. How long will you be gone, and will there be a number I can call you at if there's an emergency?"

Kuon barks a few times, trotting about both Agatha and Mr. Kuning.

"I do not know how long, but I will try to conclude it as quickly as possible. As for a number..." Richard thinks a moment, then takes a calling card from a pocket, an antique ivory pasteboard, and begins writing on it with a pencil.

"Destre and Kuon don't turn into pumpkins at midnight or have any other special needs, do they?" Agatha asks, wondering how safe it will be to just let them run around like they usually do.

Mr. Kuning chuckles, as he finishes writing and hands the card to Agatha. One side has his name and the phone number of the Harcourt Manor; the other has a phone number written on it with a few more digits than they usually possess. It might be an international exchange. "No, not at all. Feed for Destre is in the stable, and I will show you where I keep Kuon's food. I will be leaving tomorrow morning, once I have made the necessary arrangements today."

The greyhound looks up at him with such a sad look that it almost seems that he might be aware Richard is about to leave him behind. "There, there," the old man says to the dog, smiling and patting him on the head. "I trust you will be good friends with Miss Cunningham here, and take good care of her."

"I've never seen a number like this," Agatha notes after reading the card. "Is it in Canada or Europe or someplace?"

Richard conducts Agatha toward the house, and hands her a key ring. "It is merely useful for reaching me in cases of emergency," he says. "Please do not misuse it, Miss Cunningham -- or share the information with others. Now, this key is for the back door..."

"Is there anyone besides my brother that is doing work on the house?" Agatha asks as the keys are explained. "Or any deliveries I should know about? Does Kuon stay indoors at night to guard the house?"

"Your brother has employed several of his high school friends, whom I am given to understand are named Genji and Jennifer, and who come recommended as persons of excellent character," Richard says. "As to Kuon, that may be the best thing to do." He warns her about loose floorboards in several places, and suggests that the kitchen may be the safest place to entertain visitors, should she feel the need to do so.

Agatha nods, and then asks, "You don't need anyone to actually stay in the house at night though right? Just Kuon?"

"It should not be necessary, though certainly if you wish to do so, you are welcome to," Richard says, stroking his beard thoughtfully. "I should hate to inconvenience you, Miss Cunningham."

"It's okay, I've babysat before," Agatha says. "Just not a whole house. I'll make sure the boys don't throw a party and that Thomas doesn't get into the attic. Destre doesn't try to get into the house does he? He looks like the type that might try to sleep in a bed."

This draws laughter. "He stays in the stable, but it would be good of you to exercise him daily, or perhaps to ride him if you wish."

Mr. Kuning shows Agatha through the root cellar, lighting a candle at the entrance from the kitchen to illuminate the shadowy recesses. "I expect that you are not a wine drinker at your age, but the cream is kept here, where it is naturally cold, as are fruits and vegetables. An old custom. There is a pantry for the dry and less perishable food as well."

Agatha takes a quick stock of what's there, just in case. "As long as there is enough food for Kuon, this should be fine. I'll make sure to get rid of anything that spoils before you return though."

"My thanks, Miss Cunningham," Richard says gravely. "Now, I should speak with Toby and advise him of my trip as well."

"Alright, sir. I'll check the kitchen table for any other notes or instructions you come up with tomorrow morning as well," Agatha promises.

Richard smiles, and scratches behind Kuon's ears, the dog having accompanied them attentively. "Excellent, Miss Cunningham. Are there any other questions before I go?"

Agatha looks at the old man's face, and asks, "If you really were the King of Mirari, you'd tell me, wouldn't you, if I promised not to tell any of your subjects?"

A more serious look on Richard's face. "Agatha." He lays his hand over hers, and she can feel the wrinkles, the age in his skin and bones.

"Yes?" Agatha asks, suddenly nervous.

"Pretend for a moment that I am this king of whom you speak," Richard says, his eyes catching the light for a moment. "I am given to understand that kings love their lands and their people. What betrayal could have been so great that it would have driven me forth? What concerns might have forced me to abandon my throne, and lurk here, an ordinary man in a mundane world? How could I trust you enough to believe your word? Would I not fear that you might betray me, even unknowingly, to your elfin friend and your fey steed?" He clasps Agatha's hand in his own, and his tone lightens as he continues. "Now, it is your story. You may decide the answers -- may you not?"

"Uhh ... I guess so," Agatha says, quite taken aback. "I'll try not to worry about it, or mention it to the others for now. I trust you more than I do any elf anyway."

Mr. Kuning laughs. "I am grateful for that, Agatha. Here's the front door then, and this is the key for it. Here you are, then. I shall leave a note for you tomorrow with any last details I should happen to think of." He opens the door and stands aside to let Agatha out.

"I'll come by early, sir," Agatha says, glad to be back out in the daylight once more. "Oh, and I'll make sure to find out what my brother is planning to work on, too!"

"Fare well, then," Richard says, waving to Agatha, the sunlight catching his smile, nestled in his beard as it might be. Kuon barks a goodbye as well, as Mr. Kuning closes the door quietly.

On her way back home, Agatha wonders, "Tristan didn't say anything about a betrayal," and keeps her eyes open for strange cats.

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