Word from the West Wall (23 Jan 2003) Hannah briefs the nobles on Mirari's secret; word arrives from the West Wall.

The Queen's Private Sitting Room
Less showy and dramatic than her audience chamber, this room has an ocean theme, with a carpet of deep blue. Fabric-covered chaise lounges have sculptured blue bases that blend with the carpet, topped by fluffy white cushioning like the foam on the crest of a wave. White throw pillows in the shape of hippocampae are scattered about, their manes detailed in gold thread. Dolphin statues support glass-topped tables; mermaids hold oysters, whose pearls glow softly to light the room. On the walls, tapestries depict fanciful scenes of sea and seashore, featuring "catfish" and "sea lions" that, unlike their real-world analogues, look far more feline than fish.

"... That is how we were connected to the world of the mortals - and why that tie was made," Hannah finishes her explanation for Queen Seraph and Lord October. Her gaze flickers over to Lord Melchizedek for a moment, but soon finds its way back to the Queen as she stares up at Hannah from her seat on a chaise lounge. "As I've explained, this brought a certain stability to our land, but at a price. When your brother spoke of something we must fix, he was referring to this bond between our realms. If the people of Mirari are to be in control of their own destinies, then we must break it and forge it anew."

Lord October stands straight, his eyes betraying incredulity, as Hannah offers her explanation. The solemn sincerity of the others prevents him from expressing disbelief, but it's not clear that he's truly accepted this strange new reality. Queen Seraph looks even more worried than usual, and she clutches at her brother's hand for reassurance.

Nymuae has withdrawn into herself, listening. The conversation of the others has meandered around the subject of the Rules and precedents without offering much in the way of new information. Now, as Hannah finishes, an urgent knocking comes to the door.

Lord Melchizedek answers it, admitting a young page boy. "Your Majesty!" the boy, red-faced and excited, exclaims. He offers a quick bow, before continuing, "Urgent news from the West Wall! The forces of May have arrived, along with an entire contingent of Knights -- they say Sir Theodore's force." He speaks the last with a little confusion, as if the name means nothing to him. "They've drawn off the troll army, your Majesty! Sir Lefallon thinks we ought to sally at the rearguard of the trolls, and Commander Craine wants to know what your Majesty's orders are!"

"If you send out the remaining guard, you leave the Palace defenseless. I recommend against it," Thomas replies calmly a moment later. "There are still those within the walls that seek to cause harm and must be dealt with first."

"I think so too," agrees a sleepy Angel. "Lord Eoin is very tricky, and what he really wants is right here. I think if he can sneaky-sneak while everyone's away, he would. And Simon is still hiding somewhere."

"We cannot leave the walls defenseless, no," the Lord Protector says, unperturbed, "but if we have enough forces to spare for a sally, then now is likely the best time to do it." He glances to Lord October and the Queen. "My liege? How stand the forces of the walls?"

"The siege was simply a distraction," Thomas says as a follow-up to Angel. "It was too disorganized to be the real attack. As for Simon, I'll deal with him; no worries there."

The Queen rises, looking shaken, but she steadies herself against Lord April's shoulder. "The garrison is thin only compared to the size of the forces we face," she answers, her voice firm. "All have assured me that a sally will be appropriate, if not required, if this siege lasted. If Sir Theodore and Lord May have provided us with an opportunity," she hesitates for a moment, then continues, her resolve strengthening, "it may be well that we take it. Lord Protector, I know your experiences have been harrowing, but I will ask: do you stand ready to resume your duties?"

Alice responds to Thomas's reassurance with a tired smile. "Well if Lord Eoin is being distract-y, and he says he wants to change the Rules, then how can he do that in the Palace? If his Lordship and Simon could try to then I don't think he would make Simon come here so Simon could make people think we're wrong. He wouldn't need to come to the Palace for that. So, um ..." She blinks a little and then looks carefully around the room. "Does anyone think they know what his Lordship wants in the Palace? He can't become King without my-, um, King being here. Can he? I know that would break a Rule, but I don't know if it would work to change one. Or make him King at all."

"I am ready, your Majesty," Lord Melchizedek answers, bowing.

"Remember those tied to the Mortal world have the ability to shape this one and its rules. That does include Simon," Thomas explains as he folds up and tucks away a map. "I'd better locate Simon before Lord Eoin finds a way to exercise that power. May I visit the armory and obtain some lightweight armor? I may have need of it where I'm going."

The Lady Sorceress interjects, "Distraction or no, the Destroyer's forces outnumber us ten to one. I would not dismiss the threat over-lightly. But it may be that the western army is falling back, in the hopes of luring forces from the East Wall."

"But Simon had a lot of time to leave the Palace," explains the princess. She points towards the window and nods. "We've been gone almost two days. Maybe Lord Eoin just didn't know Simon was there, but maybe he did, and maybe there's something else in the Palace he needs too. But maybe not! He's confusing. So I mean his Lordship maybe already had a chance and he's being distract-y for something special. But I don't know what that is."

"You may, Lord Explorer," the Queen answers him, then continues. "I wish to review the situation at the West Wall. Those who would accompany me may feel free to do so. Lord Protector, if you will?" The black unicorn bows again, then leads the way out of the sitting room without another word.

"Oh? Oh! Can I go? Please? Healing is the best thing I do! And I've been busy-busy in here when I should be doing that," requests the princess excitedly of her mother. She looks up, pleading. Despite it being far past her bedtime, she looks suddenly more energetic.

"I will leave you to strategy, then. Be careful, and good luck," Thomas replies with a nod. "If I find anything of note, I will try and send word. If you don't hear from me for a few days, assume I have fallen and take extra care in your movements while in the Palace. It could mean there are more servants of Eoin here than first thought."

Lord April follows hastily in his sister's wake, while October takes a moment to gather himself before following. The Queen nods acknowledgement of Alice's request, while she waits for the antlered lord to catch up. "Lord October, if you would brief the Lord Protector and my brother on the state of our men while we walk?"

With a sour look on her face, the Lady Sorceress follows them out of the room, but only as far as the door. "I mislike this. Your Majesty, I will check on matters at the East Gate, and on the status of my spells. By your leave." She gives a perfunctory nod before turning the other way down the corridor.

Thomas heads off without another word, going in the direction of the armory.

Queen Seraph nods to both the sorceress and the explorer. "My thanks and best wishes to you," she says, by way of dismissal.

Hannah also hurries in the direction in which the Queen and Lord April are vanishing. "May I accompany you, as well? If my father and his men are at the West Wall, I would like to offer him my aid."

Angel follows along beside her mother having stood, or rather hopped, up shortly before the Queen rose. When she nears Thomas at the door she holds out her hands and offers him a hug, saying, "Don't fall in the mud! It's harder to bandage people when they're dirty. But if you need a bandage you just say so and I'll come help. Okay? Tell Simon, 'Hi,' and that I miss him!"

Thomas glances back and says, "Save a hug for when I get back, all right? I hope this won't take long."

With another nod, the Queen accepts Hannah's request to accompany them. Meanwhile, October begins relating troop numbers and types to the unicorn and the blond lord.

The little blonde girl lets her arms fall and nods a bit. "Okay," she agrees. "If you find something interesting and need to tell someone try and find Ryland or Kuon. I don't know where Kuon is, but try and find him before you go down okay? He could smell Simon. And he knows what Simon smells like."

Hannah bows in response to the Queen's assent, then turns to give the Lord Explorer a sober salute as he vanishes from the room.

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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.