Redmane's Quest Thursday (26 Sep 2001) "Knight Redmane" embarks on a perilous quest.

Agatha's Room
A converted attic space, this 8-by-10 room is nonetheless bright and warm. Shelves and cabinets have been built-in between the bare wall beams, and a small wood-burning stove is tucked into the corner at the foot of Agatha's bed, which rests under the room's two large windows. A green-and-gold throw rug covers most of the floor, the edges sometimes hidden by a small dresser and desk set. Knick-knacks and books line the wall-shelves, including an old worn out bridle and some obviously hand-carved figures of horses. The window shelf is claimed by several stuffed animals, the largest ones being a saddled horse and a somewhat dopey looking green dragon.

It's late morning. The sky is clear outside, and it's a nice day. Despite that, Agatha is presently in her room....

After pricking her thumb for the fifth time, she finally finishes her banner: a green strip of cloth with a stripe of gold satin sewn down the center. "Now, let's see if it flies without too many embarrassing questions," Agatha says, and hangs the banner out of one of her windows.

As Agatha hangs it out the window, she can see the street ... and she can see a little girl walking along the street, dressed in grass-stained jeans and a bright red T-shirt with a glaring yellow and orange stylized flower design on the front. She looks as if she were walking down the street, away, but then she turns and looks ... and lets out a noise very much like a squeak or a squeal.

Agatha automatically waves to the girl through the window.

The girl looks as if she were about to dash off, but stops and waves back. "Hiiiii!" she calls out. It looks like that Winters girl -- the one Agatha has seen in church (but has never had the opportunity to actually talk to).

Grinning, Agatha straps on her sword and heads downstairs to see if "Bragwaine" will be waiting for her outside.

As Agatha comes out to the front porch, Sabrina is there. One thing that Agatha notices that somehow escaped her earlier is that Sabrina is carrying a handful of wildflowers. Sabrina takes a look at Agatha's gear, then nods her head and says, "Meow!" grinning cattishly.

Agatha raises her eyebrows. This is the first time she's actually seen Sabrina in her cat-mode. "Umm. 'Meow' to you, too!" she says, smiling. "Did Pelles send you?"

Bragwaine blinks, then says, "Yes! Yes, Master Pelles sent me. Though he also sent me on a mission to deliver these special herbs for a very important ritual." She glances around. "I suppose you've got some time to head down there for his quest, if you hurry. It's not noon yet."

"Where do I need to go, exactly?" Agatha asks, and takes out the little map that was in the hollow arrow.

Bragwaine furrows her brow, and looks at the map. She points on a section on the Road of the Dwarves that looks very close to what might represent a bridge on the map. "Here you are. Uhm ... tell you what ... if you wait for me, I can go inform Master Pelles that you'll be going on the quest today ... and I can come back and let you know when it's safe to travel out there. Wild dragons and that sort of thing. I'm sure they're no threat to a knight like you, but if you ran into one, why, you might be busy fighting it all day! And that would really spoil the quest."

Agatha blinks at this, and nods. "Okay. I'll wait here then."

Bragwaine nods. "I'll be quick!" And with that, she continues the way she was going, dashing down the street. If she's headed toward Pelles right now, Pelles must be somewhere in the vicinity of the Old Church, judging from Bragwaine's direction.

Half tempted to follow the girl, Agatha goes as far as heading for the Old Church. After all, if Bragwaine has to come back, she'll just meet her sooner this way.

Sure enough, Bragwaine is headed for the Old Church. Or, rather, she's headed into the cemetery.

Agatha pauses after noticing this, assuming the flowers are for placing on a grave. Not the sort of activity people like to have interrupted, she knows, so she goes back to loiter near her house.

Time passes. A car rolls by. The mailman comes by, greeting Agatha and stuffing the mailbox. No mail for Agatha today, though -- especially no letters from Rebecca. Is it getting on toward noon? Hard to tell. No sign of Bragwaine. And then ... jingle. Here she comes ... coming back down the street, though not from the direction of the church. She must have used a different route to leave. "Meow!" she calls out, waving.

Returning the wave, Agatha asks, "Deliver your herbs alright?"

"Mmm-hmm!" Bragwaine responds. "C'mon, Knight Redmane! Let's be off! Tally ho and all that! Meow!" She giggles and sprints northward, looking over her shoulder as if daring the Lady Knight to pursue her.

Agatha moves to keep up, trying not to break into an actual sprint though; it's a long way to Eve's Ford!

Fortunately for her, it doesn't look like Bragwaine has quite enough energy to keep up a sprint, either. Besides, Agatha has longer legs than she does. Somewhere along the way, the pace becomes a bit more leisurely. "Meow!" Bragwaine says every once in a while, and her pendant about her neck makes a noticeable jingle with each exaggerated step.

"Has Pelles been keeping you busy with errands?" Redmane asks the familiar.

The comfort of the town is behind them now, and the forest looms around them, the shadows seemingly longer and more threatening even despite the attempts of the brilliantly-shining sun. Bragwaine leisurely struts along, as a cat is wont to do, but pauses for a moment, leisurely licking a paw and running it behind one ear, before she coyly looks askance to the knight. "Maybe he has," she meows. "There is much to be done, and so little time."

"Oh?" the knight asks, seeming surprised. "Is something going to happen soon?"

"There is an imbalance in the land," Bragwaine mews, though she doesn't seem to be the least bit concerned by such an ominous observation, "like a cold wind creeping up your spine."

Redmane hmms. "What sort of imbalance, do you know?"

"Oh, highwaymen, the fey folk rising and acting," Bragwaine says, nonchalantly. "The Green Knight terrorizing travelers, dragons on the loose. All small things for a knight such as yourself."

"Dragons aren't particularly small," Redmane notes, then brings out her map. "I take it I'm to see about the Green Knight first though?"

There's a momentary glitch in the fabric of this fantasy reality, as a station wagon rolls by, with Mr. Winters in it, waving and saying, "Hi, kids!" Bragwaine is momentarily replaced by a bright and smiling little girl named Sabrina, who waves back and goes, "Hi, Uncle John!" as the station wagon rolls by and out of sight, heading back toward town. But once the car is out of sight, Bragwaine resumes character once more. "Oh, no. First, there is the Bridge of Sorrows."

"I have to defeat a bridge?" Redmane asks in confusion. "Or just get across it?"

"Get across it, of course," Bragwaine says. "Oh! Look! There's the Point of Peril." A shield is hung beside the road, with the emblem of a leaping stag on it. Bragwaine trots off to one side of the path, slowly disappearing into the trees -- unless, of course, Redmane follows. The forest is especially thick here, and the trees might hide any number of dangers. A knight should be on her guard -- especially at a place with a name like "Point of Peril".

Drawing her sword, Redmane calls out, "Hold on!" and tries to catch up to Bragwaine. "What is this place?"

"The Point of Peril," Bragwaine meows. "This is a place of darkness in the forest, where magic runs wild and untamed. Monsters are spawned here, and if one isn't careful, one might stumble upon stone circles saturated with the powers of ancient and evil rituals."

And then, the cat says, "The Bridge of Sorrows is just ahead. You'll find it." And with that ... the cat bounds off into the bushes, vanishing from Redmane's view!

"That was abrupt," Redmane mutters, and raises her guard before moving forward along the path.

There's a sinister hiss from just beyond the trees. Yes, something is up ahead.

The path becomes especially tangled here, looking to have not been traversed by anything but wild beasts for the most part for some untold amount of time.

"Who goes there?" Redmane calls towards the hissing sounds as she struggles through the brush, also listening for the sound of running water to help guide her. If I'd known there would be dragons, I would have worn my full armor! she thinks.

If Redmane can actually make out the sound of running water, it's still quite distant. In any case, she's in no danger of suddenly breaking through some bushes and landing in the river. Or is she? As she breaks through some bushes, she is immediately struck by the fact that she's standing on a precipice above a great chasm, at the bottom of which are many jagged, broken rocks, and rising smoke. Only a stone bridge of questionable construction spans the chasm.

"Falling into the bottomless chasm would spell certain doom!" the voice of Bragwaine calls out from somewhere unseen.

Skirting the edge of the chasm, Redmane makes her way to the bridge. "The Bridge of Sorrows, I presume?" the knight calls across, once she makes it to the foot of the span.

"Precisely!" comes a loud meow in return. There's then another ominous hiss from somewhere on the other side of the chasm.

Redmane places a foot on the bridge, and slowly puts her weight onto it to make sure the whole thing won't collapse beneath her. "Any advice for crossing, besides not to fall off?" she calls out.

"Not falling off is good!" Bragwaine calls out. It seems solid enough. It looks as if the loose blocks have already fallen. At least, one can hope.

The knight places her feet carefully as she crosses, in case anything comes loose, and tries not to look over the sides at what might be beneath.

Actually, Redmane seems to do well enough. Perhaps this isn't much of a challenge after all. But then, there comes a ferocious roar ... and then, crashing through the bushes ... the slender, serpentine head of a dragon! "Beware the dragon!" Bragwaine cries out, followed by a cattish giggle that suggests she is having far too much fun with this quest business.

"No kidding!" Redmane says, and brings her sword up before hurrying to the end of the bridge - even if it does mean running towards the dragon as well.

A gout of liquid flame shoots through the air, arcing over Knight Redmane's head ... then another comes dangerously close, so close that she can feel the heat on the back of her exposed neck. (Ah, but armor would have done well here!) Then, just as she's about to make it to the opposite end, here comes another, much more well-aimed stream! At the last moment, Redmane manages to leap for the edge of the bridge, the gout of flame missing her so barely that the back of her hair is singed by the incredible heat!

Once on solid ground again, Redmane drops and rolls towards the ruins in an attempt to shelter herself from the dragon's line of fire.

A few more gouts of flame shoot overhead, and then there's a crashing in the undergrowth, the sound of the beast moving.

Recovering from her roll, Redmane brandishes her sword and makes a charge for the beast's side, hoping to strike at its neck before it can blast her!

Dragons are not easily taken by surprise, it seems. The wyrm's head swings around to launch another stream of flame at the knight, but by then Redmane is close enough to dodge underneath before the dragon can correct its aim. Her sword plunges deep into the monster's neck!

The magical beast roars angrily, lashing about in its final death throes, then tumbles to the ground. Several trees nearby catch aflame, but the magical fire soon burns itself out. As for the dragon itself, it falls into its own flame, soon going up in a roaring inferno ... that at last dies away, as the last of the dragon vanishes in a puff of thick, oily smoke.

Panting to catch her breath, Redmane recovers her sword and wipes the soot from her face. "Bragwaine? Are you here?"

The knight is only answered by a crashing in the bushes, and a rustling, and a faint jingle beyond the trees. Redmane can barely make out the crumbling wall of a ruinous keep.

Redmane sheathes her sword and approaches the ruined wall. Guessing at where the familiar crossed, the knight tries to climb over the wall.

With heroic agility -- Perhaps it is just as well she wasn't burdened by armor after all -- Knight Redmane scales the wall in impressive time. No more dragons or other hazards present themselves this time. At the top, Redmane catches a glimpse of light grey fur disappearing into the bushes ... and she sees a much more plainly seen path leading through the ruins on this higher vantage point.

Dropping to the ground, the knight heads for the path she spotted, figuring the familiar will be making for it as well, eventually.

Redmane travels this trail for quite some time. Only every once in a while does she get a teasing glimpse of the familiar.

"Any more surprises, feline?" Redmane inquires of her largely unseen companion.

The path takes a familiar turn this time. Up ahead and to one side is the Gnarly Tree, though it's not wholly in view yet. Knight Redmane still hasn't spotted the Familiar again, however.

"Ah, I do believe we're heading back onto the Way of the Dwarves," Redmane says aloud.

The forest is eerily quiet, save for the momentary chatter of a woodpecker. It sounds as if there might be whispering in the woods ... or perhaps that was only the rustling of leaves.

Making a mark on her map, Redmane decides to mention the ruins to Lord Thomas when she gets the chance - assuming she survives the day.

There is more rustling in the trees, but no howls, no moans, nothing out of the ordinary. If there's anything eerie about this place, it's the silence ... and the presence of a large and horribly twisted tree of ancient growth -- a place of strong magic, to be sure.

Redmane begins to show a bit more nervousness. She hates silence, even in such relatively familiar surroundings. "Bragwaine?" she calls, once reaching the ancient tree.

There's more rustling. Perhaps someone or something is in the tree. Maybe some wild beast. Maybe a monster.

Sword out, Redmane challenges, "Who's there? Show yourself!"

"Hold there, knight!" comes a deeper voice. "You shall go no further until you pass the next trial."

Redmane takes a few steps back, and checks around for anything attempting to sneak up on her. "And what is this next trial?" she asks suspiciously.

The unseen one chuckles deeply. "As a knight, you must excel in all things. So, you must face an opponent who is skilled, although perhaps not in the ways you are." The branches rustle. "You must face the skills of a friend, mimicked through a forest changeling." And then, the very image of Lord Explorer Thomas descends from the tree, swinging down and landing neatly on the forest path. "You must face a mimic of your own friend, Lord Thomas. If you can face him in both knowledge and skill, you may pass. You need not beat him in all things, but simply prove yourself capable in his area of experience. Knights must also understand how to survive in nature, after all."

Almost unseen with this distraction, there is a flash of grey fur, as a small cat vanishes into the undergrowth, scampering and scrabbling away, followed by a tell-tale jingle that dies away.

Redmane sheathes her sword, figuring the test won't be one of combat. "Very well then, let the challenge begin," she says.

"Little faith in your friend's combat skills, I see. But, as you have surmised, this is not a test for fighting prowess," the mimic says, slowly walking around the knight, sizing her up. "Very well, let us begin," it says firmly. "You are alone, in the middle of a forest, in a clearing. You have never been in this realm before. Around you are are a few fallen trees and the grown is fairly damp, mostly mosses and small weeds under your feet. You carry a pocket watch, correctly set. It is one o'clock, so the sun is overhead, just barely off center. Tell me, knight, how would you find a direction here? How would you know if you were heading east, west, north, or south?"

"I'd check the moss growth on the trees," Redmane recites. "The thickest growth will be on the north side."

The mimic hmms. "And that is one way, not terribly effective, however. I shall accept that answer. At least you have some training and would have a starting point. However, there are other, better, ways you should be aware of, Redmane. Moss won't always be available." The mimic circles the knight again, watching her intently, then says, "You can tell direction from the rings of fallen trees. You could do it by knowing whether the sun rises in the east or west and how close you are to the equator. Or, you could use the watch you carry effectively. Simply point the short hand at the sun. Half the distance between the short hand and the twelve is always due south."

"Alright," Redmane says, trying to follow the changeling by twisting her head around. "Must you circle like a vulture?"

"Shall we continue, or do you wish to abandon your quest?" the mimic asks, ignoring the question and continuing to circle.

"Let us continue then," Redmane says, trying not to sound irritable.

"Narrow tree rings are always north, by the way," the mimic adds. "Now, let me see. If you were in the mountains and wishing to get out but were unsure of the way ... Above you flies a flock of birds, going in the direction you think is north. Which direction would you go?"

The knight has to think about this one for a few moments. "I ... would follow the birds," Redmane says, although sounding not quite confident in the answer. "They must be going somewhere to feed, and more vegetation should be found at lower elevations. Although I'd prefer to follow running water."

"Reasonable guess, Redmane," the mimic says slowly, "but incorrect. You should travel in the direction opposite the flight of birds. Birds cannot fly over a peak, after all." The mimic continues its insufferable circling and says, "One more question and you shall pass, or fail. Or, do you wish to quit now?"

Redmane crosses her arms across her chest, and says, "Ask the final question."

"As you wish, Redmane. I admire your determination," the mimic says, nodding solemnly. "Today you are to travel by sea. When you awoke this morning, the sky was tinted red. Should you travel that day?"

The knight closes her eyes, and then recites, "Red in the morning, sailors take warning. No, I shouldn't travel that day." She opens her eyes and grins.

"Indeed, Redmane. You are correct," it replies, grinning. "You have passed the test. You are capable of surviving better than most. Therefore, you may pass and I leave you with these words: Not all in life is a battle to be conquered. It is a journey, an experience. Even in failures, you can find ... knowledge. Observe all around you. Stop and look at a tree or admire a worn rock in a rushing stream. Take delight in life, not death." With that, the mimic halts pacing and bows, sweeping his arm outward. "Your next challenge awaits."

After a moment, the knight returns the bow. "Thank you, changeling."

After a wearying journey through the dark forest, with its crowding brambles, wild beasts, and other hazards, at last Knight Redmane hears the sound of rushing water ... and, up ahead, there is the bridge!

Beside the bridge, however, a pennant is flying -- a green pennant, with the white shape of a dragon's skull imposed upon it. A knight in dark green armor blocks the way. Off to one side, the brooding form of Pelles can be seen, accompanied by his familiar, Bragwaine.

Approaching cautiously, Redmane bows to Pelles and the Green Knight, but keeps her sword sheathed still. "Greetings."

The Green Knight bellows out, "Nobody crosses this bridge! I will strike down any who try to pass!"

Redmane looks to Pelles, and asks, "I take it that this is the rogue terrorizing travelers?"

Pelles, leaning heavily on his staff, his cloak billowing in the wind, nods solemnly. "The Green Knight will allow none past without challenging them. Only a brave and capable knight could best him in combat. As befits the proper rules for such a knightly challenge, victory is determined by first blood."

"And he will abandon this bridge for good should I vanquish him?" Redmane asks, just to make sure.

The Green Knight looks warily to Pelles, then nods. "I pledge thus!"

A shadowy figure slithers from out of a nearby tree shadow over to Redmane and rasps, "Greetingssss Knight Redmane. And fear not, for only you can see me. I am afraid you cannot defeat the Green Knight without the aid of a very sssspecial blade. The Knight is a dangerous foe and has hisss armor blessed to turn away all blades, save one." His wispy hands that almost look transparent holds up a gleaming blade that glows with a faint blue aura. "Take it, and face your ... fate," it finally rasps, facial features contorting into a soft grin. "Why do I help? My home lies on the other side of that bridge."

Redmane accepts the offered blade, and tests its weight. After a few experimental jabs and sweeps, she nods to the shadowy figure and steps up onto the bridge.

"Ready yourself, knight!" the Green Knight taunts. "This may be a battle ending at first blood -- but small comfort, for I can cleave you in half with one mighty blow!" As if to demonstrate his point, he slams his blade into the side of the bridge, making it rumble with the strength of his blow!

As the blow is struck against the bridge, Redmane darts forward and tries to strike before the Green Knight's guard is back up.

The Green Knight does not seem to be entirely surprised by this move, though Redmane nonetheless quickly closes the distance, and starts the battle off by pressing dramatically into the fray. A furious exchange of blows, parries and dodges ensues, though for the moment, neither knight gains any ground.

What follows is an epic clash of blades, as the covered bridge resounds with the sounds of glorious battle, of steel against steel, Knight Redmane's blade flashing brightly!

Redmane presses the Green Knight's guard, and after feinting to get him to raise his blade up for a block, she strikes a blow with the flat of her blade against his gauntlets hard enough to make lose his grip.

The sword goes flipping through the air, landing against the floor of the bridge with a resounding clatter. The Green Knight holds his hands up.

Pelles smirks. "It would seem," he says, "that the challenge is at an end. Well done, Knight Redmane."

After a brief bow to her opponent, the lady knight leaves the bridge and returns the borrowed blade. "Thank you. I'm pleased that first blood wasn't necessary in this case."

As soon as the blade is back in the Green Knight's hand ... he swings at Redmane! "That is where you are wrong, fool!" he bellows.

Spinning around, Redmane is barely in time to block the blow with the cross-guard of her own sword, but is pushed back by the force of the heavier knight's strike!

Pelles calls out, "Green Knight, stay your hand! This is unchivalrous behavior!"

"So what?" the Green Knight bellows, laying into Redmane's defense. "Ha ha!"

Falling to one knee, Redmane resorts to punching up into the Green Knight's unguarded stomach with her left arm.

"Oof!" says the Green Knight. "I'll make you pay for that, wench!" he bellows.

The Green Knight swings at Redmane, but she is too agile for him, and manages to parry his blow -- though that was oh so close!

As the Green Knight raises up his blade for another strike, Redmane rolls to one side to get clear while grabbing onto her opponents lower leg to try and topple him before he can start to swing his blade forward again.

"Nngh!" grunts the Green Knight, as he loses his balance -- for, while he may be strong and tough, agility is not his greatest suit. With a mighty crash, he falls unceremoniously upon his face, his sword skidding across the planks of the bridge.

Redmane regains her feet, and hurries to retrieve the Green Knight's dropped weapon, not wanting him to recover it and attack her again.

Being far more agile and already on her feet, Redmane easily reaches the weapon before the Green Knight's fumbling hand can close anywhere near it.

"Right!" Redmane says, holding the sword and catching her breath. "Stay down this time, Sir Knight, lest you dishonor yourself further."

"Make me!" the Green Knight taunts, leaping to his feet and making a bull's rush at Redmane.

Stepping aside, Redmane sticks her foot out in an attempt to trip the charging warrior.

The Green Knight trips over the extended foot, stumbling out from the covered bridge, then slides on the slope to one side of it. He tumbles end over end ... then lands with a large splash in the shallows!

"That, I believe," Pelles says, dryly, "would conclude this challenge."

Redmane checks that the Green Knight hasn't actually hurt himself in the fall, then says, "They don't make knights like they used to."

Some time later, the Green Knight has left with little honor but plenty of water. Pelles has led Knight Redmane over to the other side, to a wayside chapel, and Lord Explorer Thomas has found his way here as well. Bragwaine grooms herself nearby.

"For bravery in the face of danger, restraint in the face of foolishness, skill in the face of challenges, determination in the face of adversity ... I present you with this modest reward for your accomplishment, Knight Redmane," Pelles intones, as he draws forth a small coffer, and presents it to the victorious warrioress.

The knight raises an eyebrow, but accepts the coffer and opens it.

Inside the coffer glitters a small treasure of gold coins, precious gems, and a pair of chain mail gauntlets. "They are wrought of mithril, the hallmark of the craftsmanship of the fey folk," Pelles intones.

"Fey armor," Redmane whispers as she tries on the gauntlets. "Thank you, Pelles. I'll see that the treasure is put to charitable use."

The gauntlets feel cool to the touch, made of very fine links that allow her to freely move her fingers while wearing them.

"Very well then. Go in peace, brave heroes," Pelles says.

"Meow," says Bragwaine.

Thomas hangs back, observing the ceremony somberly. He knows better than to interrupt such an important event. As Agatha is dismissed, he claps lightly and says, "Well done, Redmane. Well done."

The knight nods and smiles to the Lord Explorer, then narrows her eyes slightly. "You know," she says, "I think the changeling was a bit better looking than the original."

"Appearances don't account for my charm, though," the explorer counters with a good-natured grin.

"Of course," Redmane agrees. "There's no accounting for that."

Thomas nods. "Quite right," he replies. "Well, shall we go celebrate your victory?" He pauses, then grins. "And remind me to give you a lecture on signs in nature and directions sometime. Tsk, 'follow birds', indeed. The changeling told me your answer to that."

Slipping out of character, Agatha says, "Well, I follow you through the woods. I figured one bird-brain is as good as another.."

"Hey!" Bragwaine meows, falling even more out of character. "We have to wait for Uncle John to show up. Until then, you want to have a picnic? I brought lunch!"

Not far away, Sabrina has found a nice little flat spot overlooking the river, and has an old blanket thrown out, with a wicker basket full of goodies -- wrapped sandwiches, a sealed pitcher of lemonade, cookies, et cetera.

Theories of Sabrina being a shape shifter are pretty neatly blown away by seeing both the little girl -- and her cat -- in the same place at the same time. They both happen to share the same taste in jewelry, but it's quite apparent that one is human, the other is a cat. Beyond that, there's not much further similarity -- except when Sabrina says, "Meow" and crosses her eyes when pretending to be a feline.

The bucket-helm of the Green Knight rests nearby, along with the discarded (and quite soaked) green tabard that has been laid out to dry in the sun. The battered foam "swords" likewise are set aside, and Sabrina disappeared for a little while to go fetch her bucket and the oversized "squirt cannon" (which looks more like a giant syringe than anything else).

Maximillan, once fallen out of character from Pelles, is very quiet and reluctant to initiate any sort of conversation. Sabrina is quite the opposite, appointing herself hostess, and thoroughly taking charge of the picnic affairs whereas her brother may be in charge of play-acting quests for knights.

"Meow!" says Bragwaine -- the real one, that is.

"Meow!" says Sabrina back, followed by a giggle. "No people food for you! Okay, okay, just a little bit...."

Agatha enjoys the picnic, and says, "Well, at least one mystery has been settled. We now know that Boris won't melt in water, so there must be some other reason for his apparent aversion to bathing."

Sabrina giggles. "Well, at least he saved us the trouble of washing his Green Knight costume out when he was done with it!"

Tom leans over to Maximillan and whispers, "Is she always that perky? How do you survive?" He grins, then sits back up and answers, "Maybe he thinks he's like Samson, except it's his body-odor, not hair, that gives him his power?"

Maximillan doesn't seem inclined to reveal his secrets to Tom just yet, nibbling on half of a stacked sandwich.

"I've been meaning to ask," Agatha says, turning towards Maximillan, "Have you ever ridden a horse, Max?"

Sabrina, still giggling at Tom's joke, digs around in the basket. "I have cookies for --" She suddenly breaks off and looks at Max.

"Yes," Maximillan says. "I have."

Tom shrugs and picks up a sandwich and munches quietly, listening.

Maximillan doesn't elaborate, and suddenly Sabrina seems uncharacteristically quiet as well.

Tom glances at Agatha, expression one of 'why did you ask that?'.

"Really? Cool," Agatha says, munching on a sandwich of her own. "If you want to ride some while you're here, let me know. I'm watching a horse for a friend, and he's a really smart one."

"No, thank you," Maximillan says.

Sabrina asks, "Uhm ... do you like chocolate chip? I sure hope so! I've got extra chips in this one! I made it myself! Well, Aunt Loren helped me. Or, that is, I helped Aunt Loren. Anyway, they're great. They're the gooshy kind, not crumbly."

Bragwaine, meanwhile, butts up against Sabrina. Now that there's food about, the cat is a very determined presence, and the best friend of anyone and everyone in possession of people-food -- though mostly Sabrina (perhaps having to do with the fact that she is so willing to part with pieces of her sandwich).

"I like chocolate chip," Agatha says with a grin. "Well, if you change your mind, just come down to Harcourt Manor, Max."

"I won't be changing my mind, thank you," Maximillan says, quietly.

Tom hesitates while reaching for a cookie. Finally, he gives in and says, "I'd like one, please." Once he has a cookie, he leans over to Agatha and whispers, "Be careful what you drag them into, Agatha. If they come around Destre, they might get pulled into, well, you know."

Sabrina seems to be quite happy to hand out cookies to Agatha and Tom, and does so. She then bites into one herself, even though she hasn't finished her sandwich. Realizing this, she holds the remainder of her sandwich in one hand, and the cookie in the other, as she nibbles away at the remainder of her proper lunch.

Agatha blinks, then nods slightly to Tom.

"Then don't ride a horse. But, you are of course welcome to come around that place, right, Agatha? Most of us who work around there are pretty nice, overall. Just be wary of Ginny," Tom says, smiling.

Maximillan nods quietly. "Thank you."

"Ginny doesn't come by," Agatha tells Tom. "Not yet anyway."

"Unless Genji is around, then Ginny is nice," Tom adds, "It's kinda funny and weird."

Sabrina looks over to Maximillan, then back to Agatha and Tom. "Well, I hope you had fun! Max makes up all sorts of games! He even made up his own costume!" (She must be referring to the cloak he wears, and the walking stick that he has adorned with some dry leaves and feathers and baubles tied to the top.) "It's really nice to make friends here. We don't know much of anybody, and we really won't be here long. Mom and Dad are off in the mountains, seeing things, going hiking, but ... well ... we ... uhm ..." She loses her pace, then quickly says, "Well, we really wanted to see Aunt Loren and Uncle John!"

"Well, I hope you aren't finding Ainigton boring so far," Agatha says to Sabrina.

Sabrina shakes her head vigorously at Agatha's question. "Oh no! It's real exciting here! There are lots of nice people here, and lots of trees and woods! I don't get out much. We live in the big city, and we don't have many friends. I mean, not real friends friends, you know?"

Tom nods, turning his attention to Max and Sabrina. "It was great fun, you two. I hope you both enjoyed it as well? Is there anything we can do for you? After all, you certainly put a lot of effort into everything!" Tom replies.

Sabrina smiles to Tom. "Max does all the work. Well, all the thinking-work. I run around a lot, but I like to do that. I get to be sneaky!" She bounces slightly, causing her pendant to jangle noisily.

"Ainigton has a very impressive library," Maximillan says.

Tom grins at Sabrina. "And what were you saying about people being sneaky earlier?" He waggles his eyebrows. He then turns to Maximillan and says, "It has a lot of impressive things, seen, and unseen. Isn't that right, Agatha?"

Sabrina mouths an "Oops!" "Well, it's okay for me to be sneaky. Just as long as you don't knock me out of any trees!"

"No one would ever do that," Tom replies.

"I wish we had come sooner," Maximillan says in a near-whisper, while Sabrina just grins impishly back at Tom.

"It does?" Agatha asks, not really having had the chance to compare town libraries. "It's a shame you can't be around longer too, so Sabrina could date Tommy. They're obviously made for each other, don't you think?" she adds. "Most of the impressive stuff is pretty visible I think. Maybe not what you'd get in a city though."

Sabrina looks querulously at Agatha. "Oh! Tommy's cute, but I couldn't date him. He's not rich enough!"

Tom elbows Agatha, slightly hard. "Agatha!" he says, voice low.

"Maybe not," Maximillan says, though it's perhaps not clear what he's responding to.

"I suppose that's as good an excuse as any, Sabrina," Agatha agrees, grinning like a cat.

"I'm not dating anyone" Thomas says defensively.

Sabrina says, "Well, I'm glad you liked the games. I don't know if we'll have any more, because, well, Mom and Dad are supposed to be back soon, I suppose, and Max spent a whole lot of his allowance as it is."

"Well, maybe we could pay some of it back?" Agatha suggests. "How much longer will you be in town?"

"Well," Tom says, glad for the topic change, "Just because there might not be anymore games doesn't mean we still can't do things as a group." He then nods to Agatha, agreeing. "We should make sure however much longer you're here is fun for you two."

"You owe me nothing," Maximillan says. "I spent hardly anything. Sabrina hasn't a mind for money."

Sabrina sticks her tongue out at Maximillan.

"It's not a feeling of obligation, Max. You're a friend and we want to do things for you, too," Tom replies.

"Hey Max, do you know anything about metalworking?" Agatha asks, thinking of all the other things the boy has made.

"I have read something of it," Maximillan says, "but that is all."

Agatha hmms. "In our library?"

"Still trying to do something with that thing you got at the junkyard?" Tom inquires.

"He reads lots of books," Sabrina adds in, nodding. "He's got bunches of books back home, too. He spends lots of time reading. He's probably going to be a big time lawyer just like Dad!"

"What are you going to be when you grow up?" Sabrina asks collectively of Tom and Agatha.

"Well, unfortunately an actual explorer isn't really needed anymore," Tom says. "I'd like to be a park ranger or something."

Agatha shrugs. "Dunno. Maybe ... maybe I could be a sheriff somewhere!"

"If you did, we'd all be doomed!" Tom says, grinning.

Maximillan says, "You would make a fine sheriff."

"Yeah!" Agatha says. "See Tommy, Max agrees and he's way smarter than you are."

"I'm going to be an acrobat!" Sabrina chimes in, sounding for all the world like she was just building up to a chance to expound on her own ambitions. "I'm going to be in the Olympics!"

Tom just shrugs in response.

"Like, parallel bars and ... uh ... trapeze and stuff?" Agatha asks Sabrina.

"Well, you've already started, judging by your cartwheels," Tom says just before taking another bite of a cookie.

Sabrina nods vigorously. "Oh yes! I take classes after school. You have to start when you're little."

Sabrina then makes rounds of refilling cups with lemonade, including her own, and she takes a deep and noisy slurp. She obviously has to work on lady-like skills of etiquette somewhat.

Tom takes a drink from the lemonade. "Hey, Max," Tom asks, "Do you know much about faerie legends and so forth? Or would you know good books on myths and legends on them?"

"I've read somewhat on myths," Maximillan says, "but I am no scholar."

"Oh yes he is!" Sabrina protests. "Go ahead and tell them all that Grail stuff, about how you came up with your play-name!"

Agatha perks up at mention of the Grail. "You mean the Arthurian legends?" she asks.

Maximillan nods. "Pelles is a character from the Arthurian legends, from even before their Christianized form. Pelles of Anwnn, the Fisher King, keeper of the Sangraal."

Tom munches happily on a cookie, unfamiliar with the names Max mentions. "What's the Sangraal?" He asks.

"The Holy Grail, doofus," Agatha says, rolling her eyes at Tom.

Tom elbows Agatha again.

"Caer Bannuac, in case you are wondering," Maximillan adds, "is Castle Carbonek -- also known as the Horned Castle -- the place where the Holy Grail is kept."

Sabrina just sits back and smiles, then finishes off her sandwich and proceeds to nibble on her cookie some more.

"The Siege Perilous?" Agatha asks, and resists the urge to elbow Tom back.

"The Siege Perilous," Maximillan says, "if I recall correctly, was the one chair at the Round Table left unoccupied, until one pure of heart and destined to find the Grail would come to sit in it."

"Ah, I must have gotten them confused," Agatha says quietly.

"Galahad, correct?" Tom asks, trying to dredge up anything he might remember about the tale.

"Small wonder," Maximillan says. "Many of the details change in different legends. Perceval was the Grail Knight in some legends ... and then Galahad. It can be confusing."

Tom nods. "I think I always heard it as Galahad. But then I read more of Robin Hood, not the Grail tales."

"Only the earliest French versions of the tales of the Holy Grail had Perceval as the Pure Knight," Maximillan says. "By the middle ages, he was replaced by Galahad."

"You don't strike me as the 'rob from the rich, give to the poor' type, Tommy," Agatha says, then scoots out of elbow-range and adds, "But then I've never seen you in green tights."

"In the later legends," Maximillan says, "I believe that Perceval was sent after the Spear of Destiny instead." He seems oblivious to any talk of green tights.

"In any case," Maximillan says, "Pelles was both a ruler and a sorcerer. I could hardly choose a more prestigious role."

Sabrina seems to be silently working her mouth around the word "prestigious".

"He was also lame," Maximillan adds, more quietly.

Tom glares at Agatha. "There is a lot more about Robin Hood than that popular version, Agatha," he says defensively. "In some legends I believe Maid Marion may have been portrayed as a druid priestess, part of the old religion. Anyway ..." He returns his attention to Max. "Do people give you much ... crud ... about that in the city, Max?" Tom asks.

"Only in the wrong circles," Maximillan answers.

Tom nods. "That's good to hear, then."

"It was a horse," Maximillan says, not looking up.

Agatha almost chokes on her lemonade. "Oh ... I'm sorry, Max."

"A horse?" Tom asks, then adds, "We'd like to hear what happened. It won't go beyond us, right Agatha?"

"Not your fault at all," Maximillan says. "Not anyone's fault. Uncle John was just trying to be nice. It was years ago. I don't really remember it. Sabrina certainly doesn't."

"I'm afraid of horses," Sabrina confesses quietly.

"You should try to ride again then," Agatha says. "It's better to get back in the saddle than to be afraid."

Tom nods. "I remember you only liked small animals. I must admit I'm not terribly fond of them. They're okay."

"Father would kill me if the horse didn't," Maximillan says, "or he'd give Uncle John trouble. Believe me, he would."

"What're your parents like?" Tom asks, curious.

"Rich. Successful. Busy," Maximillan says. "Just like I hope to be some day, when I can stand up straight."

Sabrina giggles. "Mama looks just like me, only grown up!"

Agatha just thinks quietly for a few moments, before finally saying, "Well, someday you should try, Max. Overcoming something like that will help you, believe me."

Tom nods, then laughs at Sabrina. "Well, I wish you luck with that, Max. Just don't forget money isn't everything, okay?" Tom says.

Maximillan nods. "You are quite right."

"Are they happy?" Agatha asks, looking off towards the mountains - where presumably Max and Sabrina's parents are having their vacation.

"No," Maximillan says. "But happiness isn't everything."

"If you're not happy, then what's the point?" Tom asks.

Sabrina frowns, then pipes up on a total tangent, "Are you and you girl-friend and guy-friend?"

"Uh, we're friends," Agatha says, unsure just what Sabrina was asking.

"I mean, friend friend friends?" Sabrina asks.

Tom looks uncertain. "You mean like dating friends?"

"Sabrina..," Maximillan says, with an irritated tone to his voice.

"You mean like, lending each other clothes and books?" Agatha asks.

Sabrina giggles and nods.

"Oh, of course not," Tom replies, "We're just friends."

"Yeah, I could do a lot better if I wanted a boyfriend," Agatha says in agreement.

"Oh, good! Max has a crush on you," Sabrina says to Agatha.

Tom glares at Agatha momentarily, then just shrugs. "You probably could."

Maximillan makes a pained groan, lifting a hand to cover his face.

Tom pats Max's shoulder. "I get treated like this all the time, Max; welcome to the club," he says, grinning.

"Sabrina says this to every girl. She thinks it's a good way for me to make new friends," Maximillan says through his hand.

"Do not!" Sabrina protests, and shows Max her tongue again (that is, if he were looking).

Tom laughs again. "Be honest, Sabrina. Do you?"

"Heh, my brother used to try that too," Agatha says, grinning. "It's kind of hard not to be shy if you're different."

"He has a lot of crushes," Sabrina claims, shrugging.

Tom laughs softly and falls backwards onto the grass. "You're lucky he's not killed you, Sabrina," he says.

Sabrina pouts. "Max would never hurt me! Oh, sure, he might tattle on me or yell at me, but .... hmph!"

There's the sound of a honk from the direction of Miner's Road.

"Tom is an only child," Agatha says, as if that explains everything.

"Well," Maximillan says, reaching for his walking stick, "Escape is at hand."

Tom sits up. "I think your uncle is here," Tom says. "Sounds like Mr. Winter's car horn, anyway. Drat, this was getting better all the time."

Agatha helps clean up and repack the picnic supplies.

"Want me to grab some of the armor for you, Max? Sabrina?" Tom asks.

"How did you talk Boris into wearing that anyway?" Agatha asks.

"Money," Maximillan says shortly.

"Sure!" Sabrina chimes to Tom.

At that, Sabrina oversees the bulk of bundling up the picnic remains and trappings, and in short order, the kids are able to make their way over to where Mr. Winters has the station wagon pulled over beside the road.

"I didn't realize Boris could count well enough to appreciate money," Agatha says, then starts grinning. "Hope it helps him deal with the nickname 'Bucket Head'."

Tom gathers up as much of the green "armor" as he can. Carefully, he starts to make his way over to the Winters' car. "All-righty," Tom says as he loads it into the back of the wagon. "There you go. Max, Sabrina? Thanks for the fun. It was a hoot to see Boris fall into the creek like that, whoo! Blackmail material. You two certainly keep in touch, okay? We'll try to keep up the summer adventures for you two for the remainder of time you're here."

Sabrina giggles and opens the door, ushering Bragwaine ("Meow!") into the car. "Thank you! Good bye!" she says, waving at the two "adventurers", as she piles in. Maximillan takes a bit longer.

"We'll have to do something special before you have to go, too, okay?" Agatha says to the pair (or trio, if you include the cat).

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This site serves as a chronicle of sessions in an online roleplaying campaign moderated by Conrad "Lynx" Wong and May "Rowan" Wasserman. The contents of this site are (c) 2001, 2002 by Conrad Wong and May Wasserman except where stated otherwise. Despite the "children's fantasy" theme of this campaign, this site is not intended for young readership, due to mild language and violence.