Return to Hawksmoor (11 Dec 2001) Tom, Simon, Hannah and Rachel (a.k.a. Elinor) finally reach Hawksmoor.

After morning and a breakfast of crumbly cheese and hard-crusted travel bread, Tom and his friends set off again. It took them most of the day to follow the trail that Hannah had left behind, for the illusions had shifted and grown thicker in the meantime, so by the time that Hawksmoor's walls began to be visible through the icicle-barred canopy of the Golden Woods, the sun had begun to go down over the tree tops, turning their snow blankets golden.

Hawksmoor Keep
This fortress, built high in the giant trees for added protection, is located on the borders of the dark woods where the Jruuh and other wild, malevolent beasts roam. In the snow-frosted foliage, its dark wooden sides stand out boldly, and icicles hang down from the long buttresses that help support it between the several branches it occupies. There are steps cut into the bark of the giant tree, though slippery as they are with frost and as high as one must climb to get to the side-gate of Hawksmoor, they could be a very chancy proposition.

At around that time as well, they heard voices calling out. "Hannah! Hannaaaah!"

The search party consists of two of the Golden Hawks that lived at Hawksmoor, it would seem, and they are on foot. Nearer is a small woman with dark eyes and long blonde hair, with a tiny nose dotted with black on the tip as if she had leaned too close to a bag of coal, and ears tipped with dainty points, a silvery rapier glinting on her belt. Behind her is a larger man, bearish in proportions with brown hair and a wild beard and an axe slung over his back; both are wrapped up in fur-lined cloaks against the cold.

Guiding her horse forward, Hannah grins down at the pair. "Looking for me, were you? I must say, this is quite a surprise. I always thought you'd be glad to see the back of me, as much trouble as I've caused over the Year!"

"Of all the--" Brionna rushes up and as much as demands that Hannah come down off of her horse for a hug. "We were all worried, and even Sergius was starting to look perturbed, and you know what it takes to get him to do that!"

Nathaniel lumbers behind. "Aye, steal his whetstone and leave behind soap and he'll do no more than borrow someone else's, but what is he to do without our little Hannah to coddle and make sure that she's wearing her boots and gloves when she goes out in the cold?" He laughs and then looks curious at Hannah's newfound friends.

"Well, perhaps the fact that I haven't returned empty-handed will persuade you to forgive me this time?" Hannah turns in her saddle, indicating the group behind her. "This is Rachel Antoine, another member of the Golden Hawks. Thomas here is... late of the Golden Hawks, as well." Her eyes flicker over Thomas' face, but she gives no further introduction for him. "Simon over there is their friend and this fellow here is Abercrombie, of House November. I met them on the way towards Pendleton. They have come to see the Keep - and to find me." She holds out her right hand, so that the golden signet ring with the seal of House November on it can be plainly seen. Quietly she adds, "It seems my father never lost that hope."

Brionna looks amazed. "They made it through-- from outside?" She looks behind them, at the hoof prints left behind.

Nathaniel beams and says, "Well then, we are good as saved! All we have to do is to follow your trail, eh, Thomas? So named after the old Lord Explorer, I suppose!"

"My name? Something like that, yes," Thomas replies, nodding to Nathaniel. He shifts uneasily, thankful for being mostly concealed in his cloak. "Well, we're not exactly here to lead you out. I promised Hannah I would help find the Dark Witch and end this darkness that consumes the Golden Woods. I'd hope to see Hawksmoor remain fully in use, even if I'm not really part of the Golden Hawks anymore. They were my family."

Nathaniel looks surprised. "But-- what hope can you have against her illusions? They get thicker the closer one gets to her lair, and she has the bandits to guard her within their cover as well! Don't throw your life away, boy," he says, clapping Tom on his shoulder. "But aye, we're all family, even if Hannah here thinks we smother her with love too much. But home is where we plant our flag, be it by a campfire or dank cave or a little house in town." This is added with a laugh.

Hannah's cheeks turn a little red when Nathaniel mentions the fact that anyone actually tries to coddle her, but she dismounts from her horse and goes to hug Brionna, mostly to cover her embarrassment. "Sorry that I caused you so much worry - again. I did it for a good cause, though ..." Her voice drops to a mutter. "... even if Sergius might not see it that way."

Thomas shrugs and grins rakishly. "Well, illusions, for one, are visual. Don't rely on your eyes. Trust your instinct. Don't they teach that anymore?" he replies and glances towards the woods. "Besides, Hawksmoor will most likely be needed in the near future. Events are brewing further West that will have to be faced. This is the best starting point."

Brionna embraces Hannah. "Oh, you silly dear! You should have gone right back out with your young friends here, and gone to the Mews to let them know you'd found a path through. It's not as if we can't take care of ourselves here." She smiles as she says this, though. "It's good to know you are well, Hannah."

The black-haired girl with the other strangers shifts on her mount, having offered a smile to the Golden Hawks on seeing them. "I've heard much about you, Nathaniel, Brionna," she says, quietly. "It is good to finally see the Golden Hawks of Hawksmoor Keep."

"I know that, Brionna. But I'm not about to leave anyone out here," Hannah tells the blonde woman. "If I make it out, then I want to be sure that the rest of you do, too."

Nathaniel eyes Thomas oddly. "Where did you say you found this one, Hannah? Hah! Teach your grandmother to suck eggs, friend." He says this with a grin, however, and goes on to explain. "Them illusions, they get stronger the closer you get to their mother, 'til they're real enough you might get burnt off of a dragon's breath. 'Tis great luck that Hannah made it through, but deeper..." He shakes his head.

"And what's this about events out West?" Nathaniel scratches behind his ear. "You have this on authority from some kinda seer?"

Brionna wrinkles her nose at Hannah. "You've been reading those stories again, haven't you?" She beams. "Well, I can't say as I wouldn't have done the same in your place! Come on in, let's get us all cuddled up to a nice warm fire and hot cocoa in everyone's hands, all right?"

Thomas crosses his arms and eyes Nathaniel back, smirking slightly. "I have clues from beyond these woods, and experiences that tell me such trouble is brewing in the West," Thomas replies. "And illusions are still illusions, much like the unknown. No reason to fear it until the truth is uncovered."

Simon gives Thomas a sidelong look and grins at the sight of his old friend dealing with a doubting Nathaniel.

Thomas catches Simon's look and winks back at him, grinning.

Nathaniel shakes his head. "Maybe we should be calling you Tom the Firebrand," he says with another laugh. "Nay, it does none of us any good seeing the walls of the fort day in and day out, and we're all sick of them, but unless you've a plan that's more than 'Burn the witch', I doubt that there's many as will be keen to risk themselves." He glances toward the others. "Have you or your friends got an army concealed in their pockets then, Fiery Tom?"

As kind as Brionna's words are, Hannah can't help but look a bit exasperated. "This isn't about stories, this is about helping all of you get back to the outside world! Even if it means facing a little danger." She drops her voice a bit. "You've been my family for the past Year. I can't forget that. I want to help you."

"An army would be useless in this situation, Nathaniel. Too obvious that it's coming. You need a small, focused group to move in under cover," Thomas replies coolly. He glances toward Hannah and says, "Hannah told me that the illusions don't hold up to holy artifacts. So, why don't a select group equip themselves with such items and venture forth? Of course, I'm not asking anyone here to risk their lives. I'll go alone if need be. Wouldn't be the first time."

Brionna smiles affectionately. "Of course, Hannah. Like I said, if I were in your place, once I found a trail out, I'd be wanting to go back and get everyone out too." She points her smudged nose toward Tom. "Your friend doesn't seem to think that's what we ought to do, though."

"You won't go alone, Thomas, not unless you sneak out in the dead of night," Rachel says, her voice wry. "And even then you'd better do it very quietly. I'll set Simon to keep watch on you."

Thomas grins back toward Rachel and teases, "That a challenge? You know I can't resist those."

"If you like, my l--friend," Rachel says. "Though I should pick a harder challenge for you, such as, 'Spend all day without getting yourself into any trouble.' See if you're equal to that!" She grins back.

Hannah grins at Rachel's statement, then glances at Tom. "I'm afraid you can't blame Thomas for putting out the idea of going after the Witch, Nathaniel - since I was the one who put it into his head. As risky as it might be, I also think it's the only way to free Hawksmoor -- and all the lands that lie within the Woods." She then glances down at the snow, waiting for the uproar her words will probably cause.

Thomas laughs and shakes his head. "I might as well pay you up front on any such wager. You know I can't stay out of trouble. That's exceedingly dull," he replies. "Seriously though, a small force should be able to penetrate the woods quite effectively. They key is to remain together and remain focused. Don't think of it as danger; think of it as adventure! How often do you get to pit your wits against those of darkness, hm?" He then glances at Simon and considers something. "Hey, Simon, remember the item that was stored..." He then points a thumb toward Hawksmoor. "Think it would be here?"

"Can you deny Firebrand's a good nickname for him though, Hannah? Though his hair's not right for it," Nathaniel says with a guffaw. "But for holy artifacts, aye, we've crosses and that's how we've kept the Witch from snuffing about our walls, when we've heard her skulking about and shrieking her hatred, but there's only so far a cross will take ye. Maybe it'd be different an' we had a priest of God's word in the keep..." He glances toward Simon at Tom's last comment, raising a big brushy eyebrow.

Simon blinks at Tom. "Ah..." He seems to be sorting through hazy memories.

"Cup," Thomas prompts.

"Plate," comes the response from Simon.

Hannah looks from Simon to Tom at this, her eyebrows raising. "Cup? Plate? What is this about?"

"Chalice," Tom replies, looking irritated and grinning at the same time. "Sir Lefallon."

Simon looks into the distance, eyes unfocused. "Didn't ... Sir Lefallon place the Grail within Hawksmoor for safekeeping, Tom?"

Brionna looks as if all the bantering is about to drive her crazy. She hops a bit and tugs on Hannah's sleeve. "Dear, what are they on about?"

Thomas taps his nose. "Bingo," he replies. "And what is more holy than that, hm? May not be here, but worth a check, nonetheless."

"If it is..." Simon's eyes widen.

Hannah looks back at Brionna, expression blank. "Your guess is as good as mine. I have no idea." She then turns to Tom. "Care to explain this to the rest of us?"

Nathaniel scratches behind his ear again audibly, looking puzzled in a good-natured sort of way.

Rachel doesn't look confused, the way the others do, but neither does she volunteer further information, leaving the matter to Tom to explain.

Thomas winks to Simon. He turns and grins toward Hannah, saying, "My plan, dear girl. Well, should it prove to actually be here, I think we have a weapon to use against the witch. Or rather, you have one. Shall we go in?"

Hannah sighs, then smiles. "As you wish - since we're not about to get any answers out of you while we stand out here, apparently!"

"Aye, methink that would be right good," the big bear-like man agrees. "Sergius for one would undoubtedly have all of our ears for breakfast, an' we failed to let him see Hannah here before you all went traipsing off in the woods again." He walks back toward the fortress and calls in an impressively loud voice for Sergius to send down the elevator for the lot of them.

The trip up the elevator proves a bit more exciting than Thomas remembers it being before, what with the way that the cold causes the gears to freeze up now and then. Abercrombie and Nathaniel stay behind for the first run to mind the horses, which will be brought up with the next pass, by a crowd of royal soldiers led by an apparently impassive guardsman who must be Sergius-- he has a receding hairline of brownish hair kept short and reminds Tom of the fire chief back home, not in any matter of appearance but in dutifulness.

The two Golden Hawks recognize Rachel immediately. "Rachel! What are you doing out here? The last we heard, you'd been sent off on a mission to the Wild Lands!" a raccoon-faced fellow says, who was introduced by Hannah to Tom as Antony. They drift off to catch up on things. Sergius meanwhile, collars Hannah and begins to give her a long list of failings in her packing, which he has apparently managed to work out through a list of what was missing from the stores.

Meanwhile, Abercrombie and Nathaniel eventually make it up with the second run, but by that time, a particularly large wooden building in the back has caught Tom's eye, and so he's collared Simon and meandered that way, though Simon has made sure to get a mug of hot cocoa first...

The storeroom is unlocked, but seems to go back a considerable distance, and with no windows to provide illumination, the entirety is shrouded in darkness. The light from the door shows that what's nearby are food stores, significantly depleted from that only a few bags of grain sit in one corner where there must have been many bags stored before. Beyond that ... eyes adjusting to the darkness begin to make out crate after crate of "dry stores".

There is a "mew!" and then a black-furred cat of normal size and proportions appears out of the darkness, stepping into the sunbeam to rub up against Tom's feet.

Simon sips his cocoa and grins at Tom's new friend.

Thomas reaches down and pets the cat gently. "Well, hello there. And who might you be? I happen to have a cat just like you named Shadow," Tom says to the feline. He then glances up to Simon and asks, "Okay. Where do you remember Sir Lefallon putting the box? I don't feel like digging through all of this, after all."

The cat purrs and looks up at Tom expectantly. It seems to be running on the thin side.

Thomas gives in and picks up the cat. He cradles and pets it carefully as he looks through the "dry goods" storehouse, pondering.

Simon looks at the crates blankly. "I ... Sir Lefallon would know," he says, tiniest of emphasis on the name.

Thomas glances back at Simon. "Can you ask him, then?" Thomas asks. "If not, I could practice what I preach and see if instinct will guide me like it did with the bandits."

Simon blinks, and then looks down at his hands. "I... Pardon me, milord. I was lost in thoughts for a moment." His stance shifts a bit, as he takes on a more serious expression. His voice sounds the same, but he speaks more formally now. "It has been some time, but I expect that the castellan will not have touched the oldest crates in the back. Have you a torch to light our way, L--" He recalls Thomas's wish to remain incognito. "Thomas?"

Thomas raises an eyebrow. "Curious," he mutters, then adds, "Not on me, but I can probably fetch one from the hallway to light our way. Pardon me for a moment." With that, Thomas sets the cat back down and heads into the lit hallway.

The cat purrs briefly and then follows Thomas as he goes about his errand. There are torches with oil-soaked cloth wrappings on most of the buildings, but it takes a little longer to find something to light a torch.

Thomas makes his way back to the storeroom carrying a lit torch. On his way, he glances back toward the food stores and realizes they won't last much longer. Sooner or later, the keep will fall. "Sir Lefallon," he says as he goes back into the storeroom. "Found us a torch. Lead on to where you remember."

Sir Lefallon nods to Thomas. "Excellent, milord." He takes the torch and leads the way into the stacks of crates. Food stores give way to dry stores, rows of spears and arrows and replacement feathers and heads for both, clothes, blankets, all manners of things that the fortress will need in all seasons. The young knight broods as he walks however, his face deep in thought. "This all smells so old now..." He lays his hand on Thomas's arm, pausing a moment. "Milord-- I would know something."

"Feel free to ask me anything, Sir Lefallon. You've known me for some time," Tom replies, glancing toward Sir Lefallon.

"Do you..." The knight hesitates, then says it. Torchlight flickers over his young face. "Do you believe in me?"

Thomas stops walking and looks at Simon curiously in the torchlight. "An odd thing to ask me. You should know the answer to that. Of course I do. I wouldn't have brought you with me if I didn't," Thomas replies carefully.

Sir Lefallon smiles wanly. "Thank you, milord. Ever since..." He hardly needs to mention Lord December's dismissal; instead, after a second, he continues on, his back straighter than it was before. Wind rustles the dust in the storehouse; a cat meows a few rows away.

Thomas follows alongside his friend. "Sir Lefallon," he says softly, "I know there are things about you that you haven't told me. I don't know what, but, I'm certain when you feel comfortable, you'll tell me. Even if I don't learn what, your actions have proven you're a friend. I trust and believe in you completely."

"We are about to unearth the Holy Grail," Sir Lefallon says seriously. He bends near one of the crates, totally unexceptionable and marked as containing dishes. "I would not be forsworn before its holy light. It is a great charge given into my -- our keeping, I should say, for I know that I alone would be lost in the great conundrum within which we are enclosed."

"You should have more faith in yourself," Thomas says, glancing toward his friend. He peers around in the dim light at the stacks of surrounding crates. "It was you who found the Grail, not I. I did nothing. You're capable in your own right. A hint from something I've learned on this journey: it doesn't matter if people believe in you, so long as you believe in yourself. It's how I deal with the suspicions of Lord November, and the cautiousness of Nathaniel. I believe in what I am and what I'm doing," Thomas says as they search.

Sir Lefallon motions to Thomas to take one side of the crate, as he stoops to take the other. "Aye, and yet I was charged with this mission so young, I had barely even begun to serve as a squire when I--" He realizes that he has run ahead of himself, and starts over.

Thomas moves to the other side of the crate wordlessly. He squats down and grips the sides of the crate. His green eyes remain focused on Sir Lefallon, waiting to hear what he has to say.

"You must know that I have come to hold your friendship in high regard," the young knight says. He indicates on a count of three to move the crate out, and then the two of them take the crate out of its niche. It is not so heavy as Thomas might have thought, but the size of the crate would make it an awkward burden for any one person to move alone. Sir Lefallon sets his end back down and then stands "When you discovered that Elinor was not who she seemed to be, you were so terribly hurt. I could not bear to add to that hurt any more ... but now I believe that I was cowardly myself, that I feared you would reject me in the same way. When you accepted me, believed in me, despite Lord December's warning to you..."

Thomas moves wordlessly and helps lift the crate out of its spot and set it down. Once done, he too stands. "It was my own cowardice that struck me when I learned about Elinor," Thomas says, gaze fixed on the smaller boy. "I didn't want to believe what was going on. I didn't want to see the reality that was. Maybe it struck too close to home, with who I used to be. I was wrong to react that way then. She never really gave me reason to distrust her. And you certainly haven't. Sure, I've believed there was more to you than you said. The information you gave about your parents, the fact that I'd never heard your uncle say he was such. Then, December's warning ... but, you've never given me a reason to distrust you. I've long suspected you were fey. You are, aren't you?"

"Aye, you have it right, old friend. The truth, then," Sir Lefallon says, wanting to get it over with. "I was a young squire in the House of April when the Lord came to me. He said that he had need of me on a great and secret mission, for strange things were afoot in the mortal realm. He needed an eye on these mortals who seemed so drawn to our magical land, who might have strange powers that might aid us in this time of peril, when our King had gone missing. He even hinted--" The knight draws breath. "-- that strangers from the mortal realm might have taken the King away, for unnatural purposes. There was one boy in particular, whom I much resembled."

"A reasonable suspicion. He didn't know us or what we were. Heck, we didn't know what we were," Thomas replies. "Now, what happened to this boy you resembled?"

Sir Lefallon says, "He showed me this boy in his magical scrying glass, and my heart went out to him. This young boy was berated by his uncle, his classmates bullied him at every opportunity when they could, and even in play with his friends, he was allotted the place of the fool, a joke among courtiers and warriors. It seemed only right that he should be given the chance to come to Mirari, where he might find a new life and people who would consider him truly worthy of regard. In turn, I would take his place, having studied his manners, his life, and take the beatings that he would have received, but I would also report all that his friends did to Lord April, and encourage them toward the finding of the King. After all..." He takes a deep breath. "Did not we all stand to gain from having the King returned to his rightful place?" The look in his eyes suggest that he is well enough aware and understanding of Tom's suspicions on this subject.

Thomas nods, expression fixed and unreadable. "On the outset, and from what you would know, yes it would seem to benefit all to have the King return. Rarely are such things that simple, though. I take it you've informed Lord April of whom we suspect the King is? In fact, what have you told Lord April?"

"The King? You suspect someone of being the King?" Sir Lefallon looks puzzled by this. It occurs to Thomas that he has never met Richard Kuning; nor for that matter, has Rachel. "At first, I recorded the minutiae of our play, for the mortal world held much novel to me; gradually, as I learned to sort the meaningful from the trivial, I summarized. In turn, for I was much concerned over Simon's own faring in our land, I asked for and received the news that Lord April treated Simon as his very son, and that he might even, should Simon prove apt and able enough, raise him to Lord of April in turn, when he himself took on the weighty duties of kingship, shedding the concerns of one House for the worries of all." Another deep breath. "But when you proved truer to me than I to you, in the Castle of December, I resolved that it was your cause that was the worthier, and so I began to describe our activities as only the most mundane and normal. From that moment on, he knows nothing of what we have found, milord."

"So, he does not know that the people you found in the mortal realm weren't actually mortals? Well, that is if you believe all of the stuff that's gone on about myself and the others," Thomas poses. He then shrugs, saying, "And as for the real Simon, I do hope he fares well in this world. I know I wouldn't wish his uncle on anyone."

Sir Lefallon laughs. "Aye, I sometimes wonder if I chose aright in volunteering. But I must say that I am glad that I came, for your friendship is more precious to me than gold, milord." He sobers. "And before the Grail, no lie will stand. Though it is an instrument of healing, and redemption, and it is here that I hope I may wash myself clean of deceit before you."

"Well, what is a friend if not someone whom you can forgive for their failings?" Thomas says with a smile. "No one is perfect."

The young knight grins. "It's more than a simple failing, but I am glad that you have forgiven my sins." He bows his head to Thomas, and then kneels before the crate. "Shall we, milord?"

Thomas drops to one knee beside the crate. He grins toward his friend and says, "And hopefully lightning won't strike me down for being so close to such an object, eh? Open it."

Sir Lefallon opens the crate up, revealing a large amount of hay which was evidently used to pack ceramic plates and cups, much like the mug of cocoa that he has set down on another crate ... but he pulls these out, setting them aside carefully, a simple pale wooden box comes to light within, intricately carved with ancient religious scenes. It seems as if there ought to be an angelic choir accompanying its discovery, but in fact, there is only silence, and a lingering feeling of awe.

Thomas watches in silence, his eyes shifting from the box to his friend, then back. He's simply at a loss for words.

Sir Lefallon takes the box out. "Do you wish to look upon the Grail?" he asks of his friend, quirking a faint smile. "I'm sure it won't strike us blind. Well, pretty sure."

"You know me, always curious. I couldn't stand to not see it," Thomas says with a grin.

Sir Lefallon grins, and then with a brief murmured prayer, takes the lid and tilts it off slightly. A glow as bright as daylight pours from inside, and when the lid is fully off, the storehouse is lit so that the crates nearby cast shadows against the far walls. The chalice within is not gold, nor set with rich jewels, but instead a simple ivory ceramic cup ... but it casts an ineffable feeling of holiness about it.

Thomas' green eyes scan over the cup for some time, squinting to cut out some of the light. Somehow, it looks like just what he'd expect: simple. He sits there for some time, simply looking. Finally, he speaks, "Well, I think we do have a way to deal with the witch and help restore some light to this forgotten place and its people. It's what this place needs, this world needs: hope. Since you found it, you are in charge of it. Looks like you have to come with me out into danger yet again." He looks up from the cup toward his friend and smiles.

The Grail rests swaddled in white linen within the velvet lining of the box. Holiness evidently does not exclude practicality, for the linen would shelter it from sudden jarring while it was being transported. Sir Lefallon's face takes on a look of reverence as he looks upon it. In its light, his face seems to have a more fey cast, but he might otherwise be identical to the Simon that Thomas remembers.

Sir Lefallon shuts the box again silently and darkness rushes back in again. "Aye, my friend," he says, his smile near-invisible in the much dimmer (by comparison) torchlight. "So I shall."

Thomas stands slowly and inhales. "I hope I know what I'm doing," he says. "It may be just us going out there, you know. I'm not sure any of the Hawks will wish to go. Well, Rachel I suspect will. Shall we get back to the others?" He pauses and considers after all Simon has just confessed to him, then says, "And should I tell them who I am? I'm still afraid of the responsibility of who I am, but I can't keep lying to myself or others. As you said, no lie can stand before this artifact."

A moment, and then Sir Lefallon nods. "They may well be more willing to let you go out again if they know who you are, rather than thinking you, ah..." He grins wryly and shifts the box to a more easily held position and holds the torch out to Thomas. "... perhaps a bit touched by the overlong winter."

Thomas accepts the torch, grinning. "Well, who said I wasn't touched by the long winter?" he replies. "Come on, our world is waiting and we have much to do." With that, Thomas turns and walks back toward the door. As he walks, he asks, "And one more thing. What is your real name, then?"

"Lefallon, of April," comes the reply from the young boy walking behind Thomas. "Sir Lefallon, really. Lord April made me a knight of his House before I went. I -- ah, it really surprised me when Agatha wanted me to play a knight. But I guess that worked out in the end!"

"It wasn't just Agatha's idea," Tom comments and grins back at his friend.

Back in the main courtyard of Hawksmoor Keep, Sergius seems to have let Hannah loose finally, and the others are gathered in easy conversation, talking about the things that people have seen in the woods, and what Abercrombie knew of events in Mirari proper. Sir Lefallon comes in with his box behind Thomas, and looks a bit embarrassed as he realizes Rachel and Hannah and Abercrombie still know him as Simon. He casts a look toward Thomas helplessly.

Thomas whispers back to Sir Lefallon, "We'll tell them after the danger is past, okay? Don't worry." He then strides further into the courtyard. "Ahem," he begins. "We have uncovered the item I suspected was still here. An item of immense holy power. I shall be heading back into the forest immediately to hunt her down. Who here stands with me?"

Hannah turns towards Thomas. "As I have said before, I certainly stand with you." She shoots Sergius a look, almost challenging him to defy her. "I wish to see this business with the Dark Witch ended once and for all."

"As do I, my -- friend," Rachel says, striding to stand at Thomas's side.

Brionna looks up curiously. "Open it up! I want to see! Let me see it!"

Nearby, Nathaniel rolls his eyes with easy good nature and reaches over to muss up Hannah's hair. "Now, girl, we all do, but how do we know that's not just a box of, oh, pots and pans? And what kind of plan do we have for this sort of outing? It'll take a little more to convince me than bold words, though I hate to sound like the party-pooper."

Sir Lefallon nods to Thomas and stands nearby, a little behind him.

Abercrombie shoots a worried look at Hannah. "My dear--" The tree-man looks frustrated, seeing in her face the Year that separates her from the comparatively more biddable little girl that he remembers.

Sergius says nothing, just looks over from where he was speaking with the soldiers that are manning the walls of Hawksmoor Keep.

Hannah gives her old tutor a flat, level stare. "Whatever you might believe, I have grown during the time I was away from House November. And towards the better, I believe." Her gaze swivels to include Nathaniel in this, as well.

The stare washes off of Nathaniel's look as water would a duck's back. He seems used to it, in fact. Abercrombie manages to look even more mournful.

Thomas runs his hand through his raven hair and walks over to stand before Nathaniel. "Because, I can find the Witch, Nathaniel," Thomas replies. "Considering I've always wanted the Golden Hawks to think, I'll put it to you this way. When you asked outside if I was named after the Lord Explorer ... my answer was correct, from a certain point of view. I'm not named after him. And secondly, if I still was a Golden Hawk, I'd outrank you anyway." He then grins rakishly and says, "And you know, you remind me of someone I once knew. Hm, it would have been close to nineteen Years ago that we first met. His name was Randall. He often was overly cautious and wanted to rely on strength of arms." Thomas then crosses his arms and looks at Nathaniel intently.

That startles Nathaniel. "You are the Lord Explorer, returned after some fifteen Years in the wilderness? Well, that takes the cake!" He grins and scratches behind his ear as he tries to think of a way to verify this, then looks at Hannah. "You believe this fellow?"

Hannah replies to Nathaniel's question, but her eyes lock onto Tom's. "All that I have learned of him leads me to believe that he is the true Lord Explorer, yes." Then she smiles gently. "And for that, Heaven help him."

Brionna looks at Thomas all curiously now. She reaches out to poke him. "If you're really Lord Explorer Thomas, you must be twenty Years old now, or more! You don't look all shriveled up to me."

Thomas laughs. He allows himself to be poked, then shrugs. "True, I would be that. Considering I was roughly six Years old when I left and wasn't yet wrinkled, does that really surprise you? Something happened between Jack and I. Something really bad in the realm of the Year's End. It left me trapped in the mortal realm for some time."

"Psst," Rachel stage-whispers to Simon. "When do we get to see what's in the box, anyway?"

Brionna looks fascinated. "It must have been quite a time! I've never been to the mortal realm. Is it big?"

The big bear of a man chuckles at Brionna's nattering. "All right, Hannah. If you're going to claim the title of Lord Explorer, Firebrand, you've some big boots to fill. I'm in with you, and if you can do what you say, I'll gladly call you Lord Explorer." He looks over toward the other two Hawks, who nod their agreement to his sentiments.

Brionna blinks and then adds, "Sure, sounds like fun!"

Hannah shakes her head at Brionna's off-handed assessment of their mission, then looks to Tom, Rachel and Simon, as if to say, "Didn't know what you were getting into, did you?"

Abercrombie says, "Where Hannah goes, I should go with her," though he doesn't look terribly thrilled over it. "It would repudiate the trust Lord November has vested in me as her caretaker to allow her to go into danger unaccompanied. I do suggest however, that we might consider waiting for reinforcements, that we might attack from a position of strength and greater numbers."

Sergius continues to say nothing, however, only waits to hear what Thomas says next.

"It's huge, but not nearly as interesting," Thomas replies to Brionna. He then looks back at the others and says, "Okay. Well, we want to keep the group small. Hannah wishes to go, and far be it for me to tell her otherwise. She's capable and she did make her way out of the woods. Simon is going, because he deserves to, being the one who found the object he now carries. And since Rachel was the one who found me, I need her to keep me out of trouble." He pauses and taps his chin. "As for the rest of you, you'll make up a second squad: Abercrombie, Brionna, and Nathaniel. Should we not return within a day, we'll need a second force to make a reconnaissance sweep and rescue us should be fall victim to a trap -- a two wave assault. If anything, the brigands will be caught off guard. I doubt they'd expect two groups, one after the other."

Sergius says just one thing, and that is to Thomas: "Where is Abercrombie's message hawk and what message did you send with him?"

Nathaniel and Brionna contrive to look disgruntled in their own respective ways: Brionna's little nose wrinkles up, and Nathaniel grunts. "Backup," he says. "I hate being the one who has to stay behind. Ah well, you're probably right that you'd have too many to manage in some pretty tight situations, Firebrand."

"The hawk has returned to Lord November," Thomas replies, "informing him that his daughter is alive, and the conditions we encountered on the journey. In addition, I send maps back detailing out the locations of brigand encampments along the trail here, with a request to remove them. And considering he knows Hannah is alive, I suspect he'll send the army onward, toward this place, after they deal with the ones along the way. So, if we can shatter the illusions in time, the brigands will most certainly not stand a chance. As long as the illusions hold, the army will be useless. We have probably a couple days at best."

"That's what I needed to know," Sergius says. "I'll inform the soldiers to start burning signal fires tomorrow morning then. They may help guide November here, or they may not." The captain of the guards nods, as if acknowledging that Tom isn't, after all, completely reckless and that there's another string to his bow.

Brionna utters a tiny "hmf" noise as well, and then looks over to Simon. "Open the box! We want to see what's inside! May we?" She casts her wishful eyes toward Thomas.

"Now, I didn't tell him directly to bring his army here," Thomas says with a grin, "but considering he now knows Hannah's alive and has sent a letter along proving it, he'll most likely come. Also, if the Hawk got caught, I don't want them to know the complete plan."

Hannah curiously eyes the box Simon holds. "I'd like to have a look at what's in there, too. Is this the relic you hoped to find? If it is, it's rather odd that we never noticed having it before!"

Rachel looks rather eager to see the contents herself, though she restrains herself from further comment on the subject.

Thomas turns toward Nathaniel and Brionna. "Sorry to take you out of the first wave. But, I need you here. Once we go in, there's also a chance that our fight with the witch may spook the bandits. Hawksmoor Keep will need all the defenders it has. Plus, if Lord November's troops arrive, they'll need expert trackers to guide groups of soldiers into the woods to finish off the remaining bandits. So, you're just as important as the infiltration squad. More so, even, as you have to make sure it all ends here."

Thomas then strides over to Simon and nods to him, then says loudly, "Now, you've all expressed interest in what's in this box, so we'll show you. Everyone, please stand back a bit. You're about to see light this forest has not seen for nearly a Year." With that, Thomas reaches out to the lid of the box Simon holds. He nods once more to his friend, then opens the lid.

Nestled inside the box is a simple ivory cup, glowing with the light of Truth.

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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.