Rescuers and the Rescued (9 Jan 2003) The Black Boat continues toward the Palace of All Seasons.

The Black Boat
A mid-sized boat of dense black wood, about the size of a yacht but with a long, flat deck. A door in the deckhouse leads into quarters large enough for four, or six if they squeeze in and share the bunks, when the nights on deck turn so cold that icicles hang from the rails.

After Princess Angel's outburst, those aboard the flying vessel quickly gather to learn the details of the bad news. The Queen's letter, soon disseminated, proves to read:

Dear Lady Jill, and Sir Tristan:

I pray that this missive finds both of you well, and successful in your task. If you have succeeded, I ask that you return to the Palace with caution, but as quickly as possible. If you have not been successful, you must not return! Go to Autumn's lands, or Winter's, but do not attempt to reach us at the Palace!

The Palace of All Seasons is under assault from East and West. An army of Trolls, Ogres, and other Monsters too numerous to name has swept in from the West, through Spring's lands; I can only pray that you have not fallen afoul of them. But even the Trolls do not look quite so horrific, in comparison with the foul, loathsome Undead creatures that beset the Eastern wall. These Zombies and Liches corrupt the land they pass over, and all fear to face them. It is a minor blessing that they seem neither so well-organized, nor so prepared for siege, as the Trolls.

Neither army has yet assaulted the walls in force, but their numbers swell with each passing hour, and the Trolls are preparing engines of war with which to launch an attack. We fear they await only their remaining reinforcements. A few parties have sallied out to engage them, and these sallies have inflicted some damage, but we are cut off from some of our most-looked-for reinforcements.

If you have succeeded, and are able to return, you may look to join forces with May's troops, who are anticipated but have not yet arrived. Mayhaps together you can break the back of the attack from the West.

We suspect, of course, that the Year's End is behind both armies. Our spies also report that the young page, Simon, has been sighted within the city. Certain reports suggest that he may have been attempting to incite a rebellion, and he still appears to maintain that the Destroyer truly is my brother, despite all the evidence. Alas, when the Royal guards attempted to apprehend him, he fled into the catacombs beneath the Palace, and has not been found since.

May the good Lord keep you safe, my Lady Jill, and you as well, my nephew, and preserve you until we are reunited.

With all my hopes,

Queen Seraph of Mirari

"This is terrible!" exclaims Princess Angel in the third such outcry since she received the letter. She hugs her arms tightly around herself in an effort to comfort herself. The motion seems to calm her and she continues with a more steady explanation, saying, "I sent Ryland of Avarre to Sir Theodore with my signet ring. Mr. Ryland is faster than any of us, and faster than landing too. So Sir Theodore should know very soon."

Lord April's expression turned dark while Rachel read the letter aloud to the assembly. "That is well, niece," he answers Angel. "I cannot say this matches my worst fears, but it is bad enough," he continues. "My sister must have been in a great hurry when she composed this missive, else she'd have given the numbers arrayed against her." He shakes his head.

"Does it strike anyone as interesting how direct an assault that attack is? This isn't the Destroyer's style," Thomas says grimly and glances toward the horizon. "I fear it likely masks his true plans and intentions. There are old siege tunnels under the city, and if they open up one back to the outside, a smaller group could slip in while the main Mirari force is occupied outside."

"Isn't Simon in the catacombs?" inquires the princess hesitantly. "You don't think he's ..?"

Thomas simply looks at the princess and nods.

Lord Melchizedek nods, his red mane rippling. "The Destroyer is either desperate, or plotting. Possibly both, but no less dangerous for that."

April doesn't look any happier. "Whether the assault is a diversion or in earnest, we dare not ignore it. We should proceed with all speed. From the vantage of this ship, we'll be in good position to assess the strength and threat of these dread armies."

"And be shot down if we're not careful," Thomas points out. "Do not let fear drive us to a stupid action. We need to approach carefully and unseen if possible. I, for one, want to get into the city and determine what Simon is really up to."

Hannah starts as a sudden thought occurs to her, then breaks in with, "I do not wish to add to everyone's alarm, but has anyone else stopped to think that if the Destroyer's army has besieged the Palace, then it is likely that the Lady Redmane has run right into it? She did ride on ahead of us, to warn the Court of our coming!"

"Lady Redmane can take care of herself, do not fear," Thomas replies quietly. "Unlike me, she doesn't generally take extreme risks. She would see the signs before getting there, I'm sure."

Rachel, having returned the letter to Angel's keeping, glances over the side of the boat. Twilight is descending on the land, and in the gloom it grows harder to see the forest rushing past beneath them. She nods at Hannah's remarks. "I was just fearing the same, Lady Hannah," she says, quietly. "We must trust to her, and the Lord of Horses, to do what is wisest."

Sir Lefallon leans in to read the letter. His eyes widen at Hannah's suggestion. "I hope you're right, milord," he says. "Between Lady Redmane and Ahearn, I too would think that they're more likely to see the army than be seen."

"I can ask Mr. Ryland to look at the armies when he returns, too," the princess suggests. "Maybe he can help Sir Theodore. And I think we should decide whether to wait for May to arrive or not. When I was in the Palace I couldn't tell who May sided with, but I think they would be nice now. Well, unless Simon talked to them." She frets visibly, bouncing on her toes and tapping her fingers along her arms. She looks up to Hannah. "Lady Redmane is very brave. If anyone would okay, it's our Agatha."

Hannah nods at Thomas's words, but replies, "Oh, I agree that Redmane can handle herself, but I just wished to draw attention to this possibility. It would do us well to keep on the lookout for her as we approach the Palace - just in case she were to need a reinforcement."

Angel tucks the letter away and fishes through her bag of herbs. She asks the tall blonde man, "Uncle, do we have more healer's herbs on board?"

"We should keep high and continue on. That will hopefully keep us out of range of the attackers. We could then land ourselves inside the city and get a better feel for the situation. We are far too few to be able to effectively lure any appreciable amount of the siege away and towards Theodore," Thomas says. "Or, if people wish, I can disembark and attempt to gather information of them, and who leads the ground attack, while the rest of you regroup with the main forces."

April shakes his head. "Not here, niece. I believe some of Theodore's men have healing skill, and the herbs to practice it with. But the stocks in the Palace would be more than ample. If we can get to them."

"Ryland may know more, when he returns." Rachel shakes her head. "I wish I'd thought to ask him before he left."

"Still, I think this is all a distraction. It's not organized enough to be a real assault," Thomas comments, then grows quiet to think.

"Thank you, uncle." The princess sorts through her bag some more and the blinks. "Oh, hmm." She withdraws one leaf, then something that looks like a twig. She examines them carefully and then wrinkles her nose. "Hmm."

"In any event, what do we have on board? We should prepare for combat. Hopefully, we have a good amount of rope. Nets would be useful as well -- or even old sails or blankets. Has anyone inventoried the ship at all? If not, I suggest we do so," Thomas says.

"I don't think I brought any garlic," offers Angel as she closes her bag of herbs. "That's what they use for vampires, which are undead. But I don't know what an undead leech is. Is it like a skeletony-leech? Do leeches have skeletons? Wouldn't they be bendy?"

"Of rope, we have that in abundance," al-Zephyr interjects. "And a few nets in the hold. And the blankets you've been sleeping on -- six, as I recall? There are no sails, however. This boat was not meant to sail."

Sir Lefallon says forebodingly, "Liches are truly dreadful creatures. They were men and women of great power, who loved their power more than life itself, so that they made bargains with the Destroyer, to let them keep their power beyond the grave."

"Rope and nets will work for dealing with aerial assaults," Thomas says with a not to the Djinn. "How high can you keep this ship?"

The djinn looks briefly uncertain. "Half a mile," she answers, after a moments thought. "No higher. It will take time to rise to that height, if such is what you desire, and it will slow our progress while we climb."

Lord Melchizedek snorts, tossing his head. He glances to the others.

Angel silently ponders an army of bendy skeleton leeches - her face contorting in various disgusted expressions as she does so - and her expression gets no more pleasant at Sir Lefallon's explanation. "Oh," she replies, blinking. "I don't think garlic will work then. Um. I think maybe I could try and put some of the army to sleep and that way no one has to fight them but I don't have the herbs on this boat and would have to get them in the Palace. And, oh, well it all has to be inhaled. Sniffed. Miss al-Zephyr can you move the wind around?"

Thomas hmms. "No, I'd rather keep the time. I just want to know how much we can go in case we need to get out of range of say, catapults and the like," he says, then turns to the Lord Protector. "Something on your mind?"

"Everything is a trade-off," the unicorn answers. "The Queen is wise to suggest that Sir Theodore's force unite with others. If they besiege the city, they'll not expect a coordinated attack on their flank. Yet, we'll make better time if we do not await those who travel the ground. We should go on ahead, but instruct Sir Theodore to rendezvous with May."

"The logic is sound," Thomas agrees with a nod. "So, unless anyone here wants to offer an alternative, I suggest we do as suggested and notify Theodore, then prepare to defend the ship and simply continue on as quickly as we can."

Hannah says briskly, "No arguments here." She then looks around the circle of faces, to see if anyone has something else to add.

"Because you know it would be very hard to ask trolls to fall asleep politely. And I don't think they would like us bringing the potion to them, Miss al-Zephyr," continues the princess as she turns away from the group. The little blonde girl wanders over to the railing and stands on her tiptoes to peer off at the ground far back behind the ship. "I hope Ryland returns soon."

Nashita al-Zephyr frowns, looking torn. "My rescuers, please don't think me unsympathetic to your cause, but I said that I would grant you only three wishes. If I intervene in a great manner, I might draw the attention of the Destroyer, and having only so recently been freed from his fortress, I am loathe to risk his gaze falling upon me once more."

While the discussion continues, Ryland returns, landing on the rail of the deck. Rachel asks him, twice, about the size of the armies, and he caws. "Their forces number in the thousands, lady," he answers, dourly. "More o' the Trolls and monsters than the undead. Three thousand-odd of Trolls, goblins, ogres, and the like on the West side, and two thousand-odd of the unliving. That's when I left. They were still gathering reinforcements, then."

"Nashita, this isn't your fight and you've suffered enough at his hands. You've done more than enough for us, so do not worry. We can find other ways to deal with the army, such as sending out people to poison food stores and the like," Thomas replies as he looks back to the horizon.

Princess Angel turns to Nashita and watches her for a moment. Then the little girl curtsies to the djinn. "You have been very nice in helping us come so far, Miss al-Zephyr. It's okay if you're scared. Thank you for all you've done."

Nashita bows low, biting her lips. "You are gracious, Princess," she murmurs in a bell-like voice. "I shall tell many tales of the bravery of Mirari's finest when I return."

Angel smiles at that and leaves the djinn to her thoughts. She moves then watch the others, asking, "Do we need to tell Ryland anything else besides that we're going to try and land inside the walls and that Sir Theodore should wait for May to arrive?"

"Five thousand?" Rachel looks aghast at the crow's news. "How many garrison the Palace?"

"I wouldn't say to wait for them; I'd say to seek out May's soldiers. It may help accelerate their ability to mount a combined attack," Thomas says with a glance to Angel.

The princess gives Thomas a little nod. "Okay. 'Try and find May's soldiers.'" She glances over the railing again as if trying to spot the distant armies gathered on the battlefield. "Could any of the armies be like shadows? Um, illusions? Lord Eoin likes illusions."

The crow flutters from side to side, and Rachel repeats her question. "The Queen's Guard numbers six score, and each of the Houses have a half score in personal guard. Since the Queen asked for levies to attend the Palace, troops of October, September, and June have come, bringing five score each."

Rachel frowns fiercely, trying to add the figures in her head. She shakes it. "That's ... less than six hundred?" She blanches. "That can't be right."

"The Winter Houses are very busy with ice goblins. They might not be able to come," offers the princess by way of explanation.

"One man defending his home is easily worth ten hired soldiers. So, have heart they can hold for a time," Thomas tells Rachel. "Having something to fight for is an unbelievable drive."

The dark haired girl looks even paler than usual, but she manages a nod. "And they've the city walls to protect them," she murmurs, half-heartedly.

"What you believe matters, Rachel. Having faith can see you through the darkest nights. The walls will hold," Thomas says a bit more forcefully this time.

Angel brightens at hearing Thomas's words. "And Her Majesty is very brave. And we have Sir Theodore, and Lord April. We'll be okay! I just know we will," she adds enthusiastically.

"If only I could be down there with Sir Theodore's men," Sir Lefallon says quietly. "Or with the defenders on the wall. Or with Lady Redmane." The young knight shakes his head, dizzied by the sheer scale of the problems before them this day.

Rachel gathers herself, pressing a hand to her forehead. She nods, once. "Of course, my lord. The Palace shall hold." She offers Tom a quick smile. "And we shall be there, to help them. What is a mere army, against legends such as these?" She gestures to the group.

"Okay! Now, Ryland," the blonde girl turns to the crow, "we need you to tell Sir Theodore to find May's armies and to join with them. Tell him all about the trolls, goblins, liches and undead and how many just like you did for us unless you already told him which I bet you did! Tell him also that we're going to go in to the Palace. If Sir Knight needs to tell us anything could you take the message to us in there? Will you be safe?"

Ryland caws, "Safe?"

Rachel smiles. "Best we write it down, your highness. Ryland is a fine messenger, but some have difficulty speaking with the crows of October." She retrieves a stub of pencil and a scrap of paper, and starts copying down Angel's instructions.

"Don't get hurt!" answers the princess worriedly. She eyes the crow for a moment and then carefully tries to give him a hug. "I'll bake cookies for you when this is all done. So don't get hurt. You're my favorite crow."

"When we reach the palace, you can join the men on the walls if you wish, Sir Lefallon," Thomas says, then forms a wry smile. "Not much, not against all of us -- which includes you, Rachel. This will be our finest hour," he replies, then walks to the front of the ship and places a foot upon the rail and gestures off into the distance. "Onward!"

Night has fallen in earnest, by the time the ship draws near to the Palace. The first signs are ominous: the lights of fires dot the fields to the West of the city walls. As they draw nearer, the watchers on the boat can make out the shapes of scurrying figures in the besieging encampment: trolls and other monsters, at work on siege equipment. There's a frenzied, chaotic air to the army's workings.

Abruptly, a hail of rocks are tossed into the air from one of the siege engines!

Rachel, by the rail, stifles a gasp. The barrage of stones comes nowhere near the ship, however. It lands hopelessly short of the city walls, too. In fact, it barely misses the concentration of fires and tents at the center of the camp. "What can they possibly be thinking?" Rachel whispers. "The siege engines aren't nearly close enough to the city to attack!"

"They've fired," echoes Sir Lefallon, pointing out the obvious. He leans over the railing to study the scene. "But it looks like only the one engine fired, milord. None of the others. Are they testing it?"

"My guess would be an attempt at demoralization or distraction. A demonstration of what is in store for the Palace, should they not surrender. Plus, even inept actions will keep the attention of the guard in the Palace, correct? Remember what I said about a distraction. I think they're waiting on something and just trying to keep the attention of those on the walls," Thomas replies grimly.

Angel fidgets in the center of the deck. She busies herself by gazing out in the direction of the Palace. The anticipation of landing and seeing her mother again adds no small amount to her fretting.

As the ship sails over the first row of camp fires, past one of siege towers, Tom spots a mounted figure -- or maybe a Vyglari -- running from one set of fires towards the next. Then it veers towards the trees, and seems to shimmer strangely, becoming harder to see.

"I think Redmane is causing a few disturbances down there," Thomas says and chuckles. "I think I see a bit of glamour at work on some sort of mounted figure. I told you she could take care of herself."

Sir Lefallon looks appraisingly at the army. "It's not the kind of sport that I would have figured Lady Redmane to indulge in, milord," he says doubtfully. "One misstep and..."

The princess turns from her vigil to her friends at the rail. "Do you think Lady Redmane was able to tell the Palace of our arrival?" she asks them quietly.

Hannah chuckles from her position near the princess, where she has been keeping an eye on her. "What were you just saying about the Lady Redmane not taking 'extreme risks,' milord?"

Rachel grins. At that moment, as they fly just past the middle of the camp, only a few hundred yards from the city walls, a sudden cry echoes up from below them. A moment later, the squawks and strange noises filter towards them, and Tom spots one of the little goblins far below pointing up at them. Several goblins scramble to man one of the siege towers.

"Well, I don't think so. The figure was heading back towards the trees. So, we'd better keep low in case the guards fire at us," Thomas says calmly, then eyes the figures heading towards one of the siege towers. "Rachel, do you think you could tie an oiled rag to a bolt and shoot that siege tower? Let's make things a little warm for them, shall we?" He points towards the tower in question.

Sir Lefallon steps back from the railing. "Methinks that we are about to see how difficult they can make things for us in turn," he says worriedly.

"Aim for anything cloth, preferably," Thomas then adds. "Or, if we still have any oil onboard, we could try to hit the tower with it, then light it."

"And oh, Hannah," Thomas says, "I wouldn't call dancing around a few Troll campfires as that extreme, really. It was probably fun."

Hannah's primary answer is a disbelieving snort. "I go into an encampment of Trolls myself, and he calls it 'not that extreme?'"

"There are worse places to be," Thomas replies with a smirk.

"I can try, m'lord," Rachel answers, with a smile. Shebrings her crossbow -- cranked back when they saw the first lights from the fire -- up. She fastens a bandage around one quarrel, and takes aim.

Upon hearing that the Black Boat might very well be under attack the blonde girl walks across the deck to the cabin and knocks on the door. "Uncle? Sir Lefallon thinks goblins might throw rocks at us soon," she calls inside.

Lord April emerges from the cabin, alerted to the goings-on by the princess. He hands a glass oil lamp to Tom. "Are you a good shot with a thrown missile?" he inquires. "I was not getting much done by its light, in any case."

"Well, I'm decent enough with a sling, anyway. So I can give it a shot and see what happens," Thomas says and accepts the flask. "Nashita, keep the ship steady and take us on a semi-close pass to that tower, please?" He then starts trying to judge the weight of the flask and eyes the tower. "Let's see...." He focuses.

Angel follows her uncle after stepping out of his way so he can bring the lamp to Thomas. "Do you think goblins can throw this high uncle?" she asks.

"Light the bandage, if you please, Sir Lefallon," Rachel asks, her hands as steady as her voice, her eye on the sight. She waits a moment longer, while Tom lofts the flask. The glass lamp splatters against the tower. Rachel squeezes the trigger, and the flaming quarrel launches after it. An instant later, and the top platform of the siege tower bursts into fire.

Sir Lefallon cheers! "Well struck!" he crows, before reaching to prepare another quarrel for Rachel.

There were several goblins who had been on the tower, wrestling withsome piece of improperly attached equipment, but now they scream.They leap from the tower, thirty feet above the ground, and Rachel winces. The air is full of shrieks and gibberish that might be anything to the ears of most of those on the boat.

"Now, that is what I call a bonfire," Thomas says with a grin. "Of course, they're probably mad now. But they're mad, and likely with once less tower, eh?"

"Nicely done, Lord Explorer. Would that I had another lantern to sacrifice to the cause," Lord April says, grinning.

Hannah edges closer to Rachel and Thomas and looks over the railing to see the success of their shots.

Rachel shakes her head, looking puzzled. She fires the next quarrel Sir Lefallon prepares, and then another, before the boat reaches the city wall, and is out of range.

"Well, hopefully the fear of another lamp will make them question trying to attack us again, at any rate. Thanks, Lord April," Thomas says. "Everyone, keep on your toes. They definitely know we are here now. And hey, at least hopefully the Palace will now realize we're on their side and we won't have as much worry about them firing at us."

"I hope so too," agrees the princess. And she shifts to stand on her toes -- just in case.

One of Rachel's two shots goes wild, but the other severs the sling on a readied trebuchet, causing it to misfire its load into the camp. A few stray bolts -- from arbalests, maybe -- head for the boat, but none come near the vessel.

Rachel shakes her head, as the enemy camp passes from view when they sail over the city wall. "How strange. It sounded like those goblins were shouting something about ... fire-breathing griffins?"

Hannah shakes her head. "But griffins don't...?" She gives Rachel a quizzical look.

Rachel gives a helpless shrug. "I've only seen one griffin in all my life. I'm pretty sure he didn't breathe fire."

"I blame Lady Redmane," Sir Lefallon says with a wry look back the way they came.

"Driffins!" exclaims the princess. She walks over to the railing and leans to peer out in the darkness. "I've never seen a driffin before. Or a griffin. Or, oh-" Her enthusiasm is cut off as Lord April pulls her back with a hand as she leans a bit too far out to look.

"Looks like they've invited more 'friends,'" Thomas says to the others. "It doesn't matter. There aren't enough Trolls and goblins in this, and any other, world to take the Palace. Quite the impressive numbers, though, I must admit. I still think the real danger is already within the Palace, though."

Rachel directs a pointed look at Tom, after his remark, then busies herself unstringing her crossbow.

As the vessel passes further beyond the battlements the blonde girl turns her attentions wholly away from the battlefield and watches for city streets. "I wonder where her Majesty will be? Oh! And no one call me Angel okay? I'm supposed to be Lady Jill for a while more I think," she notes distractedly.

"I could always call you 'squirt', if you like," Thomas says absently and grins.

Sir Lefallon heaves a deep breath as he starts putting away the bolts. "Milord," he points out. "You just called running around trollish campfires merely 'excitement.' What are we supposed to think when you call something real danger?"

"Run," Rachel suggests.

"And pray," Thomas chimes in with a grin.

Thomas's remark invites a raspberries from the princessfollowed by a sheepish apology of, "Sorry, Uncle."

"As you say, Lady Jill," the Lord Protector remarks, with a dignity that suggests he is above running, praying, and raspberrying. Well. Perhaps not praying.

Courtyard of All Seasons
With the hour nearing midnight, the Courtyard is quiet, covered in a layer of light snow, which dusts down in fluffy flakes. It lends an air of peace to an space that shows signs of recent preparations for war. Many feet have passed through this courtyard recently, receiving arms, and the barest of instruction in their use.

The Black Boat touches down lightly in the Courtyard. Its passengers have already declared their identity and intentions to the guards they've passed. The Queen herself stands, flanked on either side by a score of her guards, as the vessel settles to the earth. She wears a cloak of velvety black, snowflakes dusting the golden hair that flows carelessly down her shoulders and back. She stands, stiff-backed and stern. Not far from her, the Lord of October also waits, with a small contingent of his own people.

"Hi!" calls "Lady Jill" down from the deck of the Black Boat. She hurries past the others on board and rushes as fast as her travel clothes allow her down the gangplank. "We brought Lord April and Sir Theodore! Lord Thomas, Lady Redmane, all the knights of the Green Sward, and others too! We-" As she reaches the ground she stops suddenly. The fey girl glances at the assembled lords and ladies. She bites her lip and seems to manage to resist dashing across the courtyard to the queen's side in favor of curtseying to her Majesty, offering a sheepish, "Your Majesty. We have returned!"

Queen Seraph offers a tender smile to her daughter, bending to offer an embrace to the child, even after she pauses in her headlong rush. But her eyes quickly return to the landing ramp of the craft. "I see you have brought back far more than you sought, my Lady Jill," she murmurs. Lord Melchizedek stands on the deck, his fiery mane and tail frosting with snow, lofting in the light breeze. Louder, the Queen says, "You have done well, my Lady, and we are most pleased by your extraordinary success. The Realm will be more than grateful to have its Lord Protector again .... and ..."

Her voice trails off as the Lord of April descends the ramp. Despite his tattered clothing and gaunt appearance, the nobleman looks startlingly lordly. The resemblance between him and the Queen is almost uncanny. He walks with slow dignity towards his sister. "And me, sister?" he says, with a faintly melancholy smile.

"... and its rightful Heir," the Queen continues, lifting her chin. Her eyes glitter. "Rafael ... " Her voice drops. "Is it truly you?" She stands, one hand half-forgotten against Angel's back. The other reaches, with trembling fingers, towards the cheek of the blond lord. A bright flash of light captures the scene, with a pop of sound, that quickly fades.

"It is truly me," Lord April answers, his voice just as low. He takes Seraph's hand and cupping it to his cheek. His eyes close, pained look flashing briefly over his features, and then gone.

Sir Lefallon startles from his position at Thomas's side at the flash of light, his eyes questing after its origin. "What was that?" he whispers to the Lord Explorer.

The blonde hurried to her mother's side to give her a hug as quickly as the was offered. She hugs her still, but the pop startles the princess out of her warm moment. The sound strikes her as oddly familiar and she tries to peek around the assembled large grownups.

"I do not know," Thomas says quietly. "Perhaps a test of his identity. After all that has happened, it would not surprise me. Look to Nymuae and see if she holds anything."

"My apologies, Lord April," the antlered Lord of October says. Off to one side, a tall, fair-skinned woman with long black hair lowers an Optikon from her eye. Her expression is guarded, but not hostile. October's words, by contrast, hold has much chill as the winter air. "Much as we would like to take you at your word, you must understand the difficulties presented by ... recent events."

"Well, I'd better head down. You wanted to know what scares me ... well, here it is: returning to this place," Thomas says quietly to those around him.

Hannah takes note of the tone in Thomas's voice and positions herself at his other side. "Well, perhaps it would ease your fears somewhat if we were to descend together?" she asks softly, giving him a small smile.

Soft clicks of footsteps follows a few moments later as another disembarks from the ship. A ragged young man, Thomas, pauses on the gangplank. He runs a gloved hand through his raven hair to brush from his eyes and then takes a breath. He looks over the crowd, feeling out of place in his torn and battered clothing; a shirt torn is several places, scuffed and battered boots, dirty pants, and a threadbare thigh length jacket, over which the remains of his travel cloak rest. The only item he wears that glints brightly is the small jade brooch he wears to hold the cloak closed around his neck. He then continues on, his tattered cloak dancing lightly in the air as he walks downward, his expression held neutral.

"Of course, Lord October." April speaks without rancor, but with a hint of resignation. He lets his hand fall from where it covers Seraph's. The Queen is still staring at him, as if not quite certain if she dares believe her eyes. "Of course." April looks suddenly much more tired. He stands to one side. "I have these brave people to thank for my rescue, sister. Without them, I would languish yet at the tender mercies of the Destroyer. I present to you Lord Explorer Thomas."

All eyes turn from Lord April to Tom, at that introduction. The Queen smiles warmly at the ragged young man.

Melchizedek breaks his motionless pose to nudge Rachel and Simon, prodding them with his nose. "That would be your cue. Get down there," he tells them in an uncharacteristically informal whisper.

Sir Lefallon whispers to Hannah, "I don't know if I want to--" He squeaks at the nudging, and then starts walking down the gangplank after Thomas, looking about with visible awkwardness.

Thomas does his best to not look uncomfortable. "I apologize that I always seem to come in the worst of times, your Majesty. But, as I've always said, there is hope if you but look for it. I am glad to return your brother to you -- and perhaps hope as well," he says politely and offers a small bow.

Angel twists around to watch her friends disembark. She remains with her arms wrapped around the now standing Queen, however, though her hug now only comes to the tall woman's thigh.

Rachel makes a little squeak too, and glances at Simon. Grimacing, she steels herself, and walks down after the young knight. Lord April introduces them: "Sir Lefallon, and Golden Hawk Rachel. It was by their hands, and by another's -- the Lady Knight Redmane's -- that I was freed."

Hannah merely gives the Lord Protector a small grin as he pushes Sir Lefallon towards the gangplank, not put out by the interruption in the slightest.

The unicorn glances at Hannah, and for one moment she could swear that he winks at her. Then he descends as well, announcing, "As was I. The Realm owes these heroes a great debt."

"And indeed, were it not for those who Lord April now presents, we may not have been here now. Both stood against the darkness and walked in places near all fear to tread. I owe them much," Thomas adds to Lord April's statement.

The djinn, Nashita al-Zephyr, casts a wary eye to Hannah. "So many strangers," she murmurs in a soft, melodious voice. "Shall we descend together?"

The Queen curtsies to the three young-seeming people. "Indeed, we do. Never let it be said, in my presence, that you come in ill times, Lord Explorer. You have brought my brother back to me, and though all the armies of the Destroyer range against me -- and I suppose they do -- " she smiles impishly for a moment, " -- I believe that together, we can win through. Thank you, Lord Thomas, Lady Rachel, Sir Lefallon."

Rachel blushes fiercely, and doesn't even try to speak. She manages to curtsey deeply in return.

Sir Lefallon kneels. "It was my honor to stand by Lord Explorer Thomas's side, Your Majesty," he says.

Hannah gives the djinn another of her smiles. "I would be honored, Nashita, since you have borne us so far so skillfully." She then gestures to the gangplank and begins to disembark with al-Zephyr at her side.

As Hannah steps down the plank, "Lady Jill" untwines herself from hugging her mother and steps forward to introduce this latest departure from the boat. "And this, Lords, Ladies, is Lady Hannah -- my guardian on our journey to awaken Sir Theodore and the one who saved me when Lord Eoin's minions tried to kidnap me in the Palace. Bravely she distracted an army of Lord Eoin's that I could walk the Siege. I don't think I could have succeeded without her, and 'nay, I would never have been as safe." And then the princess offers Hannah a deep curtsey much like the one her mother had given Thomas.

Hannah's face turns a shade of red to match her auburn hair at the princess's glowing introduction, but she manages to cover most of it with a deep bow to the Queen. "You are too kind, milady," she says to the blonde girl, but she sounds pleased.

Lord April adds, "At her side is the djinn Nashita al-Zephyr, who had also, like myself and the Lord Protector, been a victim of the Year's End. Unlike myself, however, Miss al-Zephyr has proved most useful once the Lady Redmane freed her. Without Miss al-Zephyr's assistance, our escape would have been much more difficult, if even possible, and our return far more dangerous, not to mention time-consuming." He offers a courtly bow to the djinn.

The Queen offers another radiant smile to the assembly. Her bearing has eased, as if a considerable burden had been suddenly lightened. "Welcome, welcome, all of you, rescued and rescuing, to my Palace. You have all rendered a great service to Mirari in this hour of her need, and it will not be forgotten. But much more remains to be done, and I would not keep my heroes waiting in an icy courtyard at midnight. Chambers are prepared for you, for I am sure you are all greatly wearied by your travels. Come inside, and rest for this night. In the morning, we shall see what must be done."

"I thank you for your hospitality. I could use the room to plan. But, before I sleep, I at least want to examine the last places Simon was seen and possibly borrow one of your best hunting dogs, if any are still here. Also, I would like access to any maps you may have of the lower levels of the Palace, as I need to look for locations that could conceal rooms and older passageways. And lastly, please send word to the guards to keep a look out for a shimmering mounted rider. Redmane may try to reach us and slip inside," Thomas says, letting the moment pass, his mind returning to the problems at hand. He then shakes his head and offers a sad smile, "The Destroyer won't be resting, so I cannot afford to either. I want him to have no further advantages. I want him to sweat for a change. He can't hide from me forever -- from us forever."

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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.