The King's Huntsman (10 Jan 2002) Alice and Agatha discuss what to do next. NOTE: Tom should not read this log.

Autumn Suite
The rooms of House October are a good deal more normal than Nymuae's curious Spire. This suite has a dressing room -- a closet so big Agatha's attic would fit inside it -- a front room that must be a sort of parlor, with couches and chairs, and a bedroom. Everything is spacious and well-maintained, with fires blazing merrily in every hearth. The colors are reds and browns, with golden accents, and the overall effect is warm and comforting, especially after the harsh winter outside.

Pacing back and forth with a serious expression on her face, Agatha pauses every now and then to glance at a small book left open on the room's reading table. A servant had left just a few moments before with an invitation for Alice to come and join her, and the redheaded girl hopes she'll arrive soon.

Seconds later after the red-headed girl thinks on the matter a soft knock can be heard at the door, followed by the muffled voice of Alice. It sounded like she called for Agatha, though minus her normal shouting.

Agatha goes over to the door and asks, "Is that you, Alice?" even as she opens it.

The sound of rustling fabric can be heard from the other side of the door as someone scoots up to whisper, "I'm here, Lady Agatha!" Though quiet, the voice and its energy is unmistakable -- Alice must be trying to sound "princessy," which doesn't seem to involve yelling through doorways.

"Well, come in then," Agatha says, holding the door open. "You're not catching a cold are you?"

The door opens and the brightly dressed young princess walks inside. At her heels trots Kuon, who sometime between the time the two girls last met and now has acquired a ribbon tied in a bow around his neck. Once inside, the princess curtsies, then closes the door behind herself before turning back around. She smiles. "Is it so? Did you need me? The servant said it was so," she says, then blinks at Agatha's question. "Oh." She shakes her head vehemently. "Nay! I am well, Lady Agatha."

The greyhound emits a questioning "wurf?" noise and sits once inside, reaching up with a hindleg to scratch at the bow.

Agatha raises an eyebrow at Alice and Kuon's new fashion accessory, then gestures for the girl to have a seat. "You've read through the stuff that Lady Yseult prepared for you by now, right? I think it's time to plan our next move."

Kuon gives Agatha a woe-is-me look, then stands and starts to circle about the room, giving the furniture a good sniffing, ears perked.

The younger girl bows her head slightly before she heads over to the couch to be seated -- the simple volume of her gown makes her seem a bit bigger than she normally does. And she certainly takes up more seating space. Once she has fussed and settled she places her bag beside her feet and then folds her hands in her lap, looking to the older girl attentively. "Lady Yseult is very wise! Lord Newlyn too, 'tis a very large book he gave me to study her- ... herbary."

Sitting down opposite Alice, Agatha gestures for Kuon to come over to her. "Anything more on the royal line or regarding the Year's End?" she asks.

"T'was said many things, and I do not know what be the Lord of Year's End with certainty," answers Alice. She taps a finger to her other hand and tilts her head, as if thinking, and quite likely imitating another of the house's ladies. "Had you read of the stories?"

"Which stories?" the redhead asks, and gestures to the book on the table. "Yseult gave me a book about Redmane to read, and it seems she vanished looking into a possible buildup of dark creatures. I need to follow up on it, but there are things we have to take care of first."

There is a quiet susurrus of air and then a nondescript man appears where Kuon was, a long-legged but small man with brown hair graying at the temples dressed in woodsman's clothes of green, a faint apologetic smile on his lips. "If you will pardon me, your highness. I apologize that I have not previously spoken before, but I have not until now been able to determine we were truly not listened to." He sweeps a bow. "I am His Majesty's chief huntsman."

The ribbon hangs incongruously about his neck. As he notices it anew, he shoots Agatha another woebegone look and reaches up to finger at it.

Agatha jumps in her seat. "Kuon?! Take off that silly ribbon, or else come over here and let me get it."

Alice, still absorbed in her own train of thought, looks at the book for a moment, nods, then gestures at it with a hand as she looks back to Agatha. "Lady Yseult spoke of three stories of Lord Year's End. The first spoke of how the lord was always here and that he was woke up when we came to live here. 'Tis a bit like the Lady Sorceress, truly. The second said that maybe the lord chased us here, from the land beyond Mirari. And the thir- ... " The little girl finally notices that something has happened, and she stares at Kuon ... and then suddenly covers her mouth as she giggles.

A few seconds and then Kuon, if that is his name, undoes it and kneels before Alice to present it back to her. "Of course, milady," he says. His face is small and his nose long and he has a perspicacious look to his face, but manages to preserve many of the traits of his greyhound shape.

"Really, Alice," Agatha says, still unsettled by the suddenness of Kuon's transformation, "bows are for cats. Kerchiefs are for dogs."

Kuon tilts his head sideways. "Collars, I should say, milady, are for dogs. Also, please forgive me for correcting you, your Highness, but you should title the Healer as 'Master' Newlyn, not Lord Newlyn." He bows again before taking up a tailor's sitting position on the floor. "A woman healer, however, would be 'Mistress'."

The princess goes from giggling to blushing, and she frowns deeply, looking guilty. "Oh Kuon! How terrible of me," she tells him. The princess curtsies deeply to the man, then sheepishly takes the ribbon back and clasps her hands around it and to her chest. "M'lord, I have done you a disservice."

"Ah-- and myself, you should not title as a lord either, forI have no such pretensions," Kuon says, embarrassed, looking down. "I am merely Kuon, or Huntsman if called by position."

Agatha rolls her eyes at the etiquette lesson. "Anyway... since you can speak a little easier now, Kuon, was there anything in Lady Yseult's stories that struck you as inaccurate or misleading?"

"Nay, nay," says Alice, and she reaches down to hold out a hand to help Kuon rise. "Kuon is fine enough, title enough, for you who were always my friend." She still looks faintly guilty, frowning as she is.

"You'll have to repeat the stories for me," the former greyhound says apologetically. "I was out checking, ah, on a few old friends."

Agatha summarizes what Lady Yseult told them, and what was prepared in writing for Kuon. "Do you want to read it?" she asks in conclusion.

Kuon tugs lightly on Alice's hand to suggest that since Lady Agatha has begun everything on such an informal note, they may all as well sit. "Hm! An interesting pick of old stories, milady," he says. "I've learned little of such things, but His Majesty was more one to delve into such old stories, of late when he began to fear darker influences than mischance." He frowns, trying to recall what might have been said.

The princess glances around for a moment and smiles a little to the dog-man, and eases herself to sit on the floor beside him. She watches Kuon with some measure of concern, and a creased-brow worried look that hints at apprehension.

While Kuon thinks, Agatha retrieves some paper and a quill pen to take notes with. "We'll need to get all of this information to Nym, so she can make copies. Hopefully she's found out something new herself by now."

"He spoke of the several stories of the origin of the Year's End as well," the small man says slowly. "But he was much vexed that there was no clear reason to favor one over the other. One story I have not heard here is that Year's End was created at the moment King Riordan was crowned, because no great change happens without resistance from those who would have it otherwise. If he came to any decision on which story was true, I have not heard it." Kuon grins slightly. "Perhaps you can be the one to find out the truth of these tales, miladies?"

Agatha writes down the new story, and grins to Kuon. "Well, I'm more concerned with getting rid of him than finding out his origins. After Nymuae makes copies of all this, we'll need to deliver a set to Lord December so it can be passed on to Thomas. I need to investigate something in the Green Hills then, which might help explain what really happened to our... originals here."

"Indeed, I think we would like, too!" offers the princess, sounding a bit more cheery. "'Tis the nature of the Lord of Year's End to hide the truth. Mayhap the lord himself wanted it this way, mayhap he is worried o'er the truth."

"Any suggestions on what else we should do, Alice?" Agatha asks.

Kuon nods. "That too is a thing of which I've heard the King complain muchly, that to winnow truth from rumors should require one who can speak with stones, for the stones should be the only surviving witnesses to these old events." This last is said with a slight grin and chuckle.

"There is also Lord Mel though," Agatha points out. "And maybe Ahearn, if he really still lives."

Alice purses her lips, and again she tilts her head in a thinking pose. "Hmm. T'would seem to me that this matter is a matter for all of Mirari. I would think, ... " She nods a little. "Yes, I would think to take the matter to court."

Kuon nods with surprise to Agatha's observation ... and then looks even more surprise at Alice's suggestion. "How now, your Highness? Will you send men to take the Lord of Year's End into custody, that he be made to testify before High Justice?"

"Begging your pardon, but I don't understand what it is you want to do?" the huntsman says, amending his too-quick words.

"Oh ... well, nay, I did not think to do that. I simply thought that a warning should be made. And indeed that help in our search should be sought. But I don't think I know quite what to do," answers the princess.

Agatha purses her lips at the thought of Alice going to see the Queen. "Kuon, how safe is Alice? I mean, as the princess? Wouldn't her presence cause even more upset over the royal succession?"

"Aye, that is why I wished to find none listening before I spoke, milady," the huntsman says soberly. "Rumor flies quickly, and as quiet as Lord October might want to keep it for now, it's a tale that simply begs to be told, wouldn't you say? And if a man who thinks he may be made king finds that a stumbling block has been put in his way, he may wish to have it removed."

Nodding, Agatha says, "But Alice has a valid point too; we need to mobilize the Houses. If the tales I've read of Lady Redmane are true, then the Year's End was trying to acquire Knightsteeds. That suggests to me that he was training knights -- perhaps to lead an army of trolls or other monsters and take Mirari by force. He's had over a dozen Years to build up his forces now."

Folding her hands back in her lap again and beginning to fidget, Alice looks to the once-greyhound questioningly. "But ... 'tis it not so, as princess, t'would I not be Lord April's niece? Lord April, he ... he wouldn't ... w-would he, Kuon?" she inquires with uncertainty.

"Whether April would act against you or not, Alice, disrupting things further would only play into the hands of the enemy," Agatha points out. "If you are to see the Queen -- and only the Queen -- it would need to be in secret."

Kuon starts to reply to Agatha, and then catches Alice's look, reaching up to pat her hand consolingly, looking a bit awkward about it. "Ahh, your highness, there're people who've done cruel things for power. And then, he might say you're too young to rule, and vie to have himself made your regent. Or Lord October might try it. I wish as there wouldn't be any such quarrels, but the Lords and Ladies are a troublesome lot." He says this with the chuckle of someone who need never fear he'll be set among their number.

Alice nods to Agatha, just a little. She looks about to speak when Kuon pats her hand and she gives him a thankful smile first before she says, "T'would not be so difficult if I did dress plainly and rode o'er with but few. Mayhap Master Newlyn could take me, that would not look so very odd would it Lady Agatha? Kuon? And you could come too, Kuon."

The former greyhound ponders this latest suggestion. "It could be done, aye. There're men and women I think I can trust in the Court, milady. But we'd have to be careful not to be seen or remarked by those keeping an eye out for this lord or that."

"Do you know any of the secret routes into the palace, Kuon?" Agatha asks, leaning forward in her chair. "Even an open audience with the Queen could be dangerous, after all."

"Oh aye, there's one way in from the stables," Kuon says, looking into the distance as he ponders it. "It can be done, but sound a false note in the wrong place..."

"The Lady Sorceress Nymuae may also think to lend help with her magicks, if we did pass from this place to her Spire and then to the Palace. But I think too the Spire may be very ob- ... obvious," suggests Alice.

Agatha considers this. "Would the Queen come to the Spire if Nymuae invited her?" she asks the huntsman.

"She might, but then she'd be attended by a passel of servants and guards, and there'd be nobles who'd want to invite themselves along and make a Grand Occasion of it," the huntsman says with a grimace. The capital letters are said with a fine parody of a noble's drawl.

Tapping her nails along the arm of her chair, Agatha says, "Then if you think Alice can be smuggled in to see the Queen in secret, Kuon, I'll trust your handling of it."

The princess makes a face. "Oh," she says, shaking her head, "t'would not do. So many people, and I do fear also that the Lady Sorceress cannot abide by so many guests."

"Well, and you, your Highness? Is it what you're wanting to do?" asks Kuon.

Her Highness bows her head, yes. "Truly! I would so much like to stay here. Lady Yseult is very nice teacher and it's so much warmer, but ... nay. I should go. It is important, I think."

"Will you need to go on ahead to the Palace and arrange things, Kuon?" Agatha asks. "Alice should be safe enough her in the meantime."

"Aye well, then you'll need to be prepared to play the part of a servant, your highness," Kuon warns. "An' there are those among the nobility, should they see you, who'll think 'tis a fine sport to make hard work of what should be without troubles. Aye, milady, I'll need to find a time when Her Majesty'll be retired to her chambers, and when it wouldn't go with remark that a new servant was cleaning up there, if you see the drift of my plans...?"

Agatha nods. "Servants have access to many places and their presence isn't likely to draw notice. And Alice has done plenty of housework, I imagine."

"It can be ... like a game! Yes, a not very merry game, but a game still. It shall be like before!" The little princess smiles more genuinely now, something she just doesn't do as much what without the trying news of the day. "Truly, I did play Lady Sorceress Nymuae's secretary and did fetch coffee. 'Miss Westfield, coffee, black, no sugar!'"

Kuon looks surprised at this. "Aye? I hadn't thought she'd the hands of a kitchen drab..." He takes one of Alice's hands and turns it upward for inspection, palm facing the ceiling. "Aye, as I thought, you're without calluses, Your Highness. You'd best make sure not to show your hands to others."

Agatha grins. "I'm sure you'll find a suitable role for her," she comments to Kuon. "And she may overhear or see something that can help us determine which Houses, if any, are in league with the Destroyer."

Alice looks down and wiggles her fingers as she inspects her hand, commenting, "Oh, it wasn't very hard. I cleaned my room before I left so I could go."

Kuon chuckles. "Well, shall I go to and see about the arrangements, milady?" he says.

"She's very good at dusting and polishing, and making up beds," Agatha notes. "I need to speak with Captain Morrigan about borrowing a mount that won't balk at facing a vyglari, then return to Nymuae with this new information."

"Be well, Kuon," the little blonde tells the dog-man. She leans over to kiss him lightly on the cheek, for luck. "And please forgive me for being so silly."

Kuon chuckles. "Aww, there's nothing to forgive, Princess, it's the nature of little girls to make much ado about their dogs, and I am yours, aren't I? Just keep my secret. There'll be those who're wondering that you've named your dog after the King's old huntsman, and I'd as soon pass unnoticed, if you don't mind...." He bows low again, and there is that whoosh of air again as his form blurs into a greyhound bowing with chin on forepaws, before he stands on four legs to trot off.

Agatha blinks her eyes at the transformation. How will I ever be able to give him one of those little sausage-treats again after this? she wonders.

After letting the greyhound out and closing the door, Agatha asks Alice, "Are you sure you'll be okay waiting here alone if I leave to see Nymuae and Lord December?"

Giving the canine a little wave as he trots off, Alice glances to the older girl and asks, "Do you think the Queen will let me keep him?"

Agatha blinks at the question. "He's not a real dog, Alice. It'll be up to him to decide that."

Alice rises to stand and brushes her skirts with a hand as she answers, saying, "I think so. If you think it best, I will try stay with Lady Yseult and Master Newlyn while you are away. T'would it be safer? And when I go, less people would notice if I am not about the mansion so often." She blinks, then looks faintly embarrassed again. "I do hope he'll stay, with father if not with me. I would miss him."

Agatha grins at the girl, and says, "Staying with those two would be good, I think. They can teach you more about herbs and healing while you wait for Kuon. I'll make sure they know what's going on too."

The little girl inclines her head, then reaches over to her bag to draw out a leather-bound book with a leafy pattern about its cover. "Master Newlyn allowed me this that I might read it and learn all about herbs. Verily, 'tis a little hard, I only read the first few pages." She gives her friend a smile back. "But, I will read it again while you are away, and try to learn it all. I hope you do not stay away long."

"I don't know how long I'll be away, actually," Agatha says, pursing her lips again. "You'll probably be at the Palace by the time I reach House December, and from there I may go on to investigate the Green Hills, depending on whether or not I can contact Thomas. If Kuon needs to take you out of the Palace again, try to return here or to Lady Nymuae."

"I will remember," says Alice reassuringly. "I hope that you will fare well, and find what you are looking for!"

"I hope so too! It could answer a lot of questions," Agatha agrees, and goes over to put a hand on Alice's shoulder. "And you be careful at the Palace. Even if the Queen wants to announce to everyone that her daughter is alive, try to dissuade her, okay? And do whatever Kuon tells you."

Alice nods her head again, and then she steps forward to give her friend a hug. "Don't tell anyone, and listen to Kuon. I shall remember, I promise," she agrees.

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