1221

The rest of the spring passed quietly. Six weeks later, at midnight, the haunted covenant returned to its stone foundations on the northern slopes of the hill. A raven -- presumably the same mysterious magus who emerged from the tower a year ago -- flew back to it's parapets and vanished within. The magi kept watch on the haunted covenant all night, but it vanished with the rising of the summer sun.

Scenes from the Hill

• • At tribunal, Alfeva has recruited a number of book-making specialists, including a professional scribe (Marion, a young Irish maiden with beautiful handwriting, Profession 4+2), a master book-binder (Tomlin, a middle-aged Englishman from London, Profession 6), and an illuminator (Bron, a monk from Kells, Profession 6 with Affinity).

  • On the last day of tribunal, as Cernunnos bids farewell to the beast-mages of Hibernia, several of them extend an open invitation to visit them in Connacht. This is a thinly disguised offer to hide him from Wizard's War, at least for 3-day increments.

  • Blane returns from Tribunal with five rouncies, horses trained to remain calm in battle. Over the rest of the spring, he leads small patrols around the covenant's territory, extending up to 10 miles in any direction. Only Gregory and the Black Cloaks know how to ride, so there are a lot of sore Grogs.

  • Caera the Magical Hound takes up residence in Cernunnos's reception room on the fourth floor of his tower. She is often seen in his company, and befriends the other hounds of his pack.

  • Samson and Myrna are often seen practicing their magic against each other in the castle yard. This is the first time most of the covenfolk have seen wizards using magic on each other, and there is a mix of fear, awe, and curiosity.

  • Books arrive on the topic of animal husbandry, as does a small supply of perfect parchment, created with ritual Creo Animal magic.

  • A very modest scriptorium is set up on the third floor of the Great Hall. It is here where any books will be copied and prepared.

  • Sander takes up temporary residence in the Great Hall, spending his days in the scriptorium. By the end of the season he has produced a 120 page grimoire of spells.

  • The guards and covenfolk whisper that Lady Polumeta has added a metal portcullis to her laboratory, created out of thin air. No one is quite sure why a wizard would need an iron gate on their door, but everyone agrees it is very impressive.

  • Colette is outraged one evening when the custard-filled pastries she has made for the magi ("They were PERFECT I tell you, PERFECT!") go missing. "Aren't you some kind of wizard detective?" she says to Alfeva, who does not understand a word of French. "This is a HIGH CRIME!"

  • A month after Tribunal, Benedict is the first to spot any sign of Igneous Drake. A dragon about the size of a horse is seen first flying towards the covenant and then circling it at great height. The dragon has a body like a lion covered in bronze scales. It has a long neck and a tail like a crocodile. Cernunnos is the least surprised human in the castle, because shortly before the dragon's arrival, Cassandra warns him "something is coming." She tells him it poses no immediate danger to him, but she cautions him not to leave the castle, and she refuses to leave the sanctum, certain she would die if the dragon spotted her. Caera growls a lot and eyes the dragon suspiciously from the window. "We can take him," she says.

  • Near the end of the season, Brogan Breen arrives with another grimoire of spells for the library.

Summer

On the night of the first day of summer, the Eye of Balor is lit for the second time. Even more people come than did the first time; hundreds of people flock to the hill. This time, the covenant is prepared for them, with a feast ready (for the first couple hundred, at least). Colette has spent the last few months planning, and there is a succession of fantastic dishes for the magi and their custos, including a spicy glazed pork which makes your face turn red and your eyes water with the heat, blackened duck, and for desert a small round pastry in the shape of an eyeball... which is dramatically set on fire. Colette also masterminds the larger feast, which goes off without a hitch and earns the magi much goodwill among the local Irish. Among the visitors is Nuala Ex Miscellanea, who plays the harp and sings to the great delight of the crowd.

That night, there are two weddings amongst the Grogs. Jenny the seamstress marries Gregory, herald to Sir Blane; since both are good looking, influential among the covenfolk, and highly pursued, this is considered a good match by everyone involved. Also marrying are Henri and Constance, the two largest of the Grogs. Since both are ugly, enormous, and not especially bright, this is also considered a very good match. There is much celebration and drinking. Jenny, in particular, is the envy of everyone, as she has come to her marriage with a wealthy dowry provided by Polumeta. Gregory moves into Jenny's residence above the weaver shop.

After the Eye of Balor, there are persistent rumors around the covenant that the castle is home to an archmagus of incredible power and fearsome reputation who has been cursed into the body of a fox. Even some of the Irish covenfolk appear convinced of this, telling everyone that this mysterious archmage has just arrived at the castle. They are at a loss to explain any of this the next day, and get much good-natured teasing for being especially drunk during the feast. Vis is collected, as before, from the ash remains of the Eye.

Igneous Drake is spotted near the covenant with his familiar and a squad of half a dozen heavily armored mounted men. Twice, he tries to attack Cernunnos when he is out of the covenant, but Cassandra always warns him and Cernunnos is easily able to retreat inside the castle before Igneous gets within striking distance. Igneous does not attack anyone else, withdrawing to a camp about half a day to the southwest.

Coleman and Sir Blane, both incorrigible gossips, hear stories of a haunted meadow about halfway between Uisneach and Devlin. Apparently, this field is a rendezvous point for lovers, but one night several couples were frightened almost to death by a ghost. Not everyone believes this story.

The new scriptorium staff begin to recopy, illuminate, and bind the books in the library, under Profundus's supervision. They begin with the covenant's book on craft magic, originally secured by Rene in Provencal. By the end of the season the new edition, illustrated with scenes of the covenant's own craftsmen at work, is complete. Sander is also a common sight in the scriptorium, where he writes his second book. More books arrive, including several tractati on Parma Magica and some spells to secure the library books against theft.

Victor informs the council that letters inviting the Baron de la Croix to Cor Draconis in the winter of 1222 have been sent; the magi and custos should be prepared for the Baron, an influential lord of Normandy, to stay the season.

By August, Aine confirms that both Jenny and Constance are with child, and the babies are due in February of 1222. Jenny continues her work as a seamstress more or less undisturbed, but Constance asks that she be allowed to go off duty as a Grog until her baby is born.

At the end of summer, Alfeva, Blane, Cernunnos, Colin, Coleman and Sander go with Brogan to Scotland...

Episode 2.07, "What Good is the Warmth of Summer..."

PROLOGUE

In a darkened cave six magi have gathered; their common tongue is Old Saxon.

GIUSEPPE DEL MATO: You dare too much in this… game of yours, Quaeistor.

COENWULF: Still your tongue, Giuseppe — lest I still it for you!

GIUSEPPE: Oh, please do, Ceonwulf. It has been too long since I skinned myself a Bjonaer, and my mastiff can certainly use new leathers.

*GROWLS*

EALWYNN: Whitburh can speak for herself, Beloved. Best not to involve ourselves.

COENWULF: (cowed) As you say, Beloved.

GIUSEPPE: Oh, look. Pigs can be housebroken.

EALWYNN: It is a moot point anyway. The invitation has been sent; the die has been cast.

SIR EDWIN OF HEXHAM: Indeed, it has been. Regardless of our personal opinions, we must concede that to renege on the summons would arise too much suspicion than it would allay.

[ENTER SIR JEHAN.]

SIR JEHAN: *WHISPERS INTO SIR EDWIN’S EAR*

SIR EDWIN OF HEXHAM: It appears there are other matters that require tending to. Giuseppe, mount the weardmenn; our prey has taken flight.

[ROOM BEGINS TO DISPERSE, LEAVING SIR EDWIN AND WHITBURH ALONE. LAST TO LEAVE IS ALFRED OF LITTLE DOWNING; HE REMAINS SILENT.]

SIR EDWIN: He is right. You dare too much.

WHITBURH: I dare nothing. I have cowed an entire Tribunal, an idealistic little girl should not prove too daunting a challenge, and it will draw us one step closer to breaking this centuries’ long stalemate.

SIR EDWIN: I pray that you are right.

COR DRACONIS

As summer started to wane and autumn’s approach drew ever closer, the Blind Redcap—Brogan Breen—arrived once more at Cor Draconics. In her care were three missives; all hailed from neighboring Scotland: Two were directed toward the covenant’s Turb Captain, Sir Blane Somerled, neither boding pleasant news, and one—an invitation—was intended for their resident quaesitor, Alfeva filia Athena Alpina.

Taking Sir Blane aside in private, Brogan read him his letters. As her lithesome hands traced across the ink against the parchment, she read them aloud. The first letter had been written by the seneschal of Dalmellington, Deniel Yann; therein he relayed news of his grandmother’s passing. The second was written by his godfather, Stelios; therein he relayed that the Summer Court was in dire need of his presence: his father’s prolonged absence—seeking a cure for his mother’s worsening malediction--has necessitated that his younger brother, Neill, be coroneted king in his stead.

As per the invitation, this missive was written by Whitburh Frithowebba of Horsingas. As the sole quaesitor of the Loch Leglean Tribunal, Whitburh invited Alfeva—along with her fellow sodales—to visit the covenant of Horsingas in the hopes of forging an alliance between their respective covenants. In exchange, Alfeva was promised information regarding Igneous Drake and his “certain predilections” as a token of good will; Drake was the Flambeau magus who declared Wizard War against Cernunnos last season during tribunal and has been harrying him ever since. In addition, Whitburn also advised Alfeva that it would be best to leave her Norman magi home for their own protection.

Lastly, if the young maga were interested in taking Whitburh up on her offer, then all she would need to do would be to speak with Brogan regarding transportation.

Taking this news to her sodales, it was decided that Alfeva would lead an ambassadorial entourage to Scotland; accompanying her in this voyage would be Cernunnos, Coleman, Colin, Sander and Sir Blane.

With Cernunnos leaving the covenant’s protection, extra precautions—namely the maternal henpecking of one raven, Cassandra, as well as assuming pretending to serve as Coleman’s apprentice—were taken to conceal his identity, lest Drake decide to attack him on the road. Leaving with Cernunnos, Brogan set their destination of landlocked Delvin, to an establishment of ill repute known simply as The Black Sheep.

Arriving ahead of the entourage, Brogan set to work, making certain that the arrangements agreed upon prior to their arrival were set: That the second of three rooms were well and clear, awaiting the arrival of the others.

Time passed and the remainder of the delegation had arrived. Sander availed himself of the local spirits and engaged in a verbal sparring match with the tavern’s homely matron and Coleman seemed to delight in his apprentice farce. Soon, seeing no reason to dither longer, Brogan assembled the entourage into the second room. Once the Black Cloak, Cassius, had closed the door, it became only a matter of availing themselves of the transportation promised in Withburh’s invitation.

Standing within the crowded room’s center, Brogan Breen produced a simple dagger against her palm, drawing the blade downward, slicing opening her left hand, she said, “Abandon all hope, ye who enter here.” From the wound eight drops of blood fell, careening against the wooden planks—one per each traveler.

Then, opposite them, a new door appeared, beckoning them forward.

THE BLACK SHEEP CROSSING

Beyond the door laid an abyssal regio. The regio was composed of a simple corridor leading in one direction. Brogan then instructed that none should turn around, even for the briefest of moments, lest they be lost in the darkness and that their destination would be the second door available to them, not the first.

Alfeva took point, assuming Brogan’s right hand. Behind her, the others followed suit in quick succession.

What happened next would not be understood by them until much later, but each traveler’s experience through the Crossing was unique. Although most were within sight of each other the entire time, they all underwent drastically different experiences.

Although Brogan remained at her side, Alfeva felt as if she was miles away from everyone, leading the coterie she came upon the first of two doors. The door was a jarred and her attempts to close it were unsuccessful. On the other side, she could hear the sighs of lovemaking. For Sir Blane, his incredible strength was no more. He felt as if he were Sisyphus walking up an unending hill with the tremendous weight of his armor entombing him. Beside him, Cernunnos had drawn his sword, when a crushing sense of ennui had laid claimed to his heart. For Sander, the sole person to imbibe the watered down ale of the Black Sheep, the journey seemed no more perilous than walking from one room unto the next. Coleman encounter an old man purporting to be a storyteller twice, first by fire whereupon he beckoned him to join him and share stories, then at the second door when he revealed a distraught Colin.

Colin had endured the most harrowing experience of all. For he was vexed by voices with each step, encouraging him to turn around and then pleading for his help. This then culminated in him encountering one of the Crossing’s other residents therein—the battered remains of a man who had stolen from him a year ago, the sight of whom nearly proved his undoing. Were it not for the interference of the Demiurge, the old man, he sorely would have shared in Stargrave’s fate.

Leaving the Crossing, each traveler was awarded a single point in warping with Brogan Breen earning an extra point having conducted the ceremony.

MYTHIC SCOTLAND

Once Sir Blane emerged from the room. The crowded Black Sheep exploded in cheers. It was clear that even though their immediate surroundings were identical, he had come home. As he carried a catatonic Colin, the well-wishers came surging forward, each clamoring for his attention, whether it was to purchase him a drink or catch up on old times there was not a soul delighted in his presence.

Meanwhile, Alfeva caught sight of their promised guide, Coenwulf Eofurcumbol of House Bjornaer. He sat dead center in the great hall with a wide berth paid to him on all sides as his unpleasant smell and boar tusks were enough to deter unwanted social advances. She and her companies departed the maelstrom and reconvened outside the Black Sheep.

Once gathered it was decided that Sander, Cernunnos and Brogan would accompany Alfeva, along with her Black Cloak, while Sir Blane and Coleman tended to Colin here in Dalmellington.

DALLMELLINGTON DELEGATION

SIR BLANE: The Summer Knight had much and more to contend with upon his return home at the Summerstone, located on the banks of Loch Doon opposite the Black Sheep. Most pressing, he was expected to attend the funeral of his grandmother, Fiona Reeve. Word had reached the village, and Sir Dougal—the man who knighted him—expected an audience. The cottagers under his protection around the Tower, sheepherders all, were said to be besieged by a monster at night. His seneschal, Alfred of the Autumn Court, was anxious for his patron’s return as he hoped Sir Blane intended to remain, relieving him of his station. In addition, an entourage of knights had taken up residence in the Summer Tower; their leader, Sir Hamish, said he was on a quest to find a knight capable of besting him in joust that he and his men might swear their lances to. Even the great Jhago, the Keeper of Lost Keepsakes and current Keeper of the Keys at Summerstone, wanted an audience with the august personage of the Summer Knight.

Exasperated, Sir Blane attended to what matters he could. He spoke with his uncle at the funeral. For his part, Uncle Dougal—a shade of the great man he had once been having fallen victim to his own over indulgences—did not share his villagers delight in seeing his kin return home. Instead, he saw an opportunity arise: He could pawn off responsibility for his bastard son, Brádach, to his nephew’s care. He delegated the task to investigating the murderous beast to the care of Coleman and report back to him if tell of such were true. Unable to lie to one of his oldest supporters, Sir Blane merely demurred answering the seneschal’s inquiries to his plans. Sir Hamish was dispatched in two passes; even at night, he had not stood much of a chance against the Summer Knight. That night he and his men swore their lances to Sir Blane’s service. And poor Jhago never received his audience.

Lastly, standing alone on a darkening hill, Sir Blane espied his godfather, the exiled Stelios. Stelios’ words painted a grim picture indeed: His mother was more spider now than woman, and his father, the King, had searched all of Scotland seeking a cure—to no avail. If there was one to be had, it would not be found here.

COLEMAN: The sheer vitriol in which the sheepherder, Cameron, had greeted his lord sparked an interest within the bard. Seeing that Sir Blane’s plate was quite full, he took point in investigating the matter personally. To Summerstone, Cameron had brought the tattered remains of what could have been several sheep carcasses; he took perverse glee in presenting the bloodied remains to the storyteller by upending the burlap sack for all to see (much to Colin’s chagrin). Peering at the remains, Coleman was able to deduce that this was some sort of twisted mockery of a Fachan, a faerie creature indigenous to Scotland. He had never heard of twisting remains in their likeness before now.

Having seen enough, Coleman sent Cameron further from Summerstone to gather whatever men he could to watch the fields tonight. Most would be paying their last respects, but the shepherded did return with a few hale men, including an older man adorned in a brilliantly blue cap with whom Coleman had had a prior encounter with during his formative days. Together, the two men watched over the fields all night and when it became obvious that nothing would happen this night began to sing old Irish folk songs from their hometown of Kinsale. All the while, the older seemed oblivious to any such prior meeting.

When the two parted in the morning, the old man’s spirits seemed to be buoyed as if a burden had been lifted.

COLIN: Colin spent the first several hours in Scotland in a cationic state. The harrowing events of the Crossing wore heavy on his soul and he was borne to Summerstone in the arms of Sir Blane and placed in a sitting room. In short order, Jhago was dispatched to fetch the Factor a drought of Faerie wine in order to revive his spirits anew. Moments later, a woman appeared to administer the elixir. She was a captivating grace of both beauty and gold. Once Colin drank deep of the drought, he found that he could shake off his ordeals as one might dispatch an unwelcome dream. He came to his full senses in time to watch the nameless grace depart up a spiral staircase.

Revived, he dressed in the finery of Faerie silks, which were proved him to replace his soiled clothes and he was once more right as rain. That is until Cameron’s unseemly display, which prompted the Factor to lose his lunch all over the sheepherder.

Lunch-less, Colin went with Sir Blane to the funeral. There he met with the seneschal of Dalmellington, Denel Yann, and ironed out an agreement that would increase Cor Draconis’ riches. Yann would be afforded the exclusive contract on lyncanium in Scotland in exchange for an annual allotment of sheepskins and barley—Dalmellington’s two major exports. For his part, the seneschal seemed pleased at the arrangement as his village had fallen on hard times since Sir Dougal has assumed his lordship.

HORSINGAS ambassadorial entourage

Borne on the hunched backs of disgruntled jackasses—including the ever talkative Ol’ Nag—and all of whom were apparently immune to the Gift, the ambassadorial entourage tried to survey the lay of the Hermetic landscape from Coenwulf. The lot soon discovered that Coenwulf was as agreeable as his looks would seem to suggest. Through disgruntled barks, it was learned that Loch Leglean had no more than three permeant covenants operating at any given time and that Horsingas was kin in forming alliance with their neighbors in Hibernia. This sparked Alfeva’s interest as the Code dictated that a Tribunal must have four covenants at the time of Tribunal lest it could be dissolved into, say, Stonehenge. This illicit a spitted cursed from their guide who promptly rode on ahead.

From there, Cernunnos engaged Ol’ Nag in conversation, using his Animal Ken for the remainder of their sojourn to the Covenant of Horsingas. The ancient donkey said that she was subjected to a Longevity Ritual long ago, and that she had been around since before the covenant was founded—whether this was to be believed, considering the covenant was founded in 1073, was somewhat in doubt.

The ambassadorial entourage arrived at Horsingas some six hours after leaving their friends on the banks of Loch Doon. There they were greeted by a place that had more in common with a war camp than it did a Hermetic covenant. This “covenant” was naught more than a scattering of tattered tents, catering to armed men, and a network of underground tunnels located within the Cheviot Hills an hour’s ride from Hadrian’s Wall.

Ceonwulf escorted them past the underground stables and to the Great Hall.

All the while, Cernunnos was subjected to leering suspicion from the covenfolk and not the least of all from Ceonwulf himself. At first he had assumed this was due to his hedge wizard tradition; after all, one is not part of Ex Miscellanea and not learn to endure the intolerance of other houses. It was not until the group arrived at the Great Hall and were greeted with the covenant’s standard—a thunderbolt superimposed on a Norman-style helmet—that the reason of their disgust became known. He was a Norman and had been written off as an enemy.

In short order, as this realization was sinking in, the trio were joined by their host, Whitburh Frithowebba.

Throughout the remainder of the evening, with not only the covenfolk within earshot, but their host as well, Cernunnos—with the well-timed assistance of Alfeva—was able to distance himself from his Norman blood. At least well enough that his life was no longer in danger from the ever stalking Bjonaer. Cernunnos declared himself Hibernian if not in birth then in parentage, thanks to his filius Kentigern, and current vocation as Chief of the Beast Masters. Their host was also quite pleased that his had been the deciding vote as to whether or not Jimena la Osa’s exile ended. This seemed to speak more highly of the makeup of his character than any partly words he was able to spin in the eyes of the Quaesitor.

The meal, meager by even Cor Draconis’ standards, went on without incident. The Quaesitor engaged each in conversation. She gave little though asked for much in their discourses. It was clear that whatever she wished to disclose regarding Igneous Drake she intended to say to Alfeva alone, in private, but she was more than amiable in entertaining the others.

Soon, dinner was at an end. Whitburh asked for Alfeva to join her in her sanctum, and the others were dismissed into the care of Ceonwulf for the evening.

ALFEVA: The quaestors reconvened in the elder’s sanctum, a cluttered mess of artifacts scattered about a cave like dwelling with neither rhyme nor reason. One such item caught Alfeva’s interest, a map of the British Isles. On the map was drawn a pentagram with location names handwritten at the points. Four of the points were identified, two of which was Delvin and Dalmellington, and another two names were locations in Wales and Britain respectfully. The last point, somewhere in Britain’s northern region, had several question marks written as well as some chicken scratches made in clear annoyance that the fifth door has yet to be discovered. Seeing her guest’s interest in the map, Whitburh quickly explains that this is the map of the Black Sheep Crossing, a House Diedne creation. When the discussion turned to one of the ethics of utilizing such a device, Whitburh was quick to dismiss them.

Whitburh apologized for luring Alfeva under false pretenses, revealing that she had ulterior motives that were much more personal in nature than those stated in her missive. She was quite complementary of her, stating that she has harbored an interest in her career from the onset. It was then she revealed that she had been in extensive dealings with her father before her unfortunate absconding by the treacherous redcap, Arnulf, she would have been Whitburh’s apprentice. She merely lacked the coin to close the deal, and when she had enough Alfeva was gone. To verify the truth in her claims, Whitburh offered to lower her parma and allow Alfeva to cast Breath of the Frosty Lie; uncertain how to take this revelation, Alfeva demurred before pressing on the information Whitburh had on Igneous Drake.

Regarding one Igneous Drake, Whitburh said that he was homosexual. What’s more, he is not secure in this knowledge. He tries to hide his… proclivities behind all his bluster, but he cannot deny himself or his longings for too long. Alfeva was uncertain how this knowledge might be useful; after all, the code did not forbid homosexuality. Whitburh agreed that while the Code did not that others did place stock in the matter, including those closest to Drake. At the least, the news might undermine his standing with his cadre of grogs.

Lastly, as their conversation drew to a close, Alfeva asked what Whitburh’s standing on the matter of homosexuality was; she said that she could care less, then in the same breath she asked Alfeva about Myrna. “A pity she could not have been here,” Whitburh said, a slight smile pulling at her lips. “I hear she can be quite… enchanting.”

With those parting words, Alfeva took her leave of Whitburh and retired for the evening.

CERNUNNOS: Cernunnos decided that what he needed was to gather intelligence on his new “friends” and proceeded to question the indigenous wildlife of Horsingas. The animals seemed to share the human’s surly disposition, culminating in one chipmunk hurling his nut straight at Cernunnos’ head when approached. He spent much of his time talking to various rats; some of whom seemed quite amiable, sharing that Horsingas is never not on their current war-footing; others, however, were quite leery of his advances, uncertain whether they needed permission from the Rat King that lived in the deepest, darkest crevice of Horsingas.

Frustrated, Cernunnos returned to the stables and spoke with Ol’ Nag. She relayed the following:

The founders of Horsingas were living scattered throughout northern England when William the Conqueror led his victorious knights north in the late 1060s. William’s harrying of Yorkshire and Northumbria forced them over the border, where they banded together more out of hatred of the Normans than for any other reason. They supported Malcolm Canmore’s foray south in 1070, disguised as scouts and light horsemen. Their spells saved the covenant from the fury of William in 1072 when he invaded Scotland in retaliation for Malcolm’s invasion. The magi formally requested recognition in 1073. The covenant has not softened its hatred over the years, as the magi search for their apprentices in areas that feel the oppression of the more brutal Norman lords. The covenant recruits weardmenn from landless adventurers, peasants forced from their lands, or anyone else who has a grudge against the Normans.

Albeit as told from the perspective of a jackass that claims to have been there since before 1073, a dubious claim if ever there was one for a donkey.

SANDER: Lastly, there was Sander. His interests in the fabled Order of Odin and their rune-casting magic had brought him to Horsingas at Alfeva’s request. He thought he might have some luck with Coenwulf. After all, his claims that he slew such a rune-caster had excited him during the onset of their sojourn, but alas!, his disposition was not one of conversation. Instead, Coenwulf had pointed him the direction of Aelfred of Little Downing, a magus of House Tytalus, who had been doing extensive research on the cult of late.

Seeking Aelfred out, Sander was led by weardmann to a hill overlooking the covenant. There, beneath a dying tree, laid the husk of Aelfred. It was evident that he had been the victim of a Longevity Ritual gone horribly wrong. He motioned for Sander to sit with him, and in a breathless voice told him in no uncertain terms that he and his sodales had to burn this covenant to the ground and salt the earth.

He said that when he came to this covenant as an apprentice, he had such aspirations. He saw an England free of the yoke of Norman influences, strong under a Saxon bloodline with Horsingas leading the charge for change. However, Horsingas is little more than a Hermetic raiding party.

He then called out their host, claiming that Whitburh was the most dangerous maga at the covenant. She has cowed an entire Tribunal, and would risk a second Schism War—this one along Tribunal lines—to see her ends met. Aelfred warned Sander that she was not to be trusted. That against her weapons of choice, secrets and lies, no parma could protect.

Then in one last act of definance, he cursed Horsingas with his last breath and expired. Sander searched his person and came away with five runestones, each with a different marking, an assortment of coins and a locket of hair; an arcane connection, no doubt.

REUNITED & IT FEELS SO GOOD

The next morning the ambassadorial entourage departed Horsingas for Dalmellington to collect their fellows. Greeting them were Sir Blane, Colin, Coleman, Sir Blane’s cousin and his wastrel friend, a cadre of knights and one centaur. It was agreed that the group would not avail themselves of the Black Sheep Crossing, instead choosing to charter a ship and spend the next twelve days going home.

EPILOGUE

At the Black Sheep located on the banks of Loch Doon, a woman with striking red hair steps outside the second of three rooms, sees her contact and joins him at his table.

SIR EDWIN: You have my thanks for coming here on such short notice. I trust that you travels were not too terribly taxing. I know the Crossing can be… unpleasant.

SCORCHA: (*disgusted*) Spare me. I did not come all this way for foreplay, Tytalus. You said you had a proposition worth coming here for. So, what do you say we get straight down to the fucking. What do you want?

SIR EDWIN: (*amused*) If nothing else that is one trait that I must commend the members of your house: Directness. Perhaps to a fault, but direct nonetheless. (*takes a draw of ale*) All right then: The fucking, as you call it… My covenant would like to begin forging alliances with likeminded covenants in your Tribunal. Lombaird, for instance. In exchange for an audience with your sodales, we might be able to arrange that certain debts are repaid in kind.

SCORCHA: Debts?

SIR EDWIN: I know what it is like to live with scars — clearly — to wake up each morning, having the mirror betray you. How would you like the opportunity to grant that same betrayal to the would-be Norman knight responsible?

SCORCHA: I’m listening.

The ambassadors to Scotland return in greater numbers, with a troop of Scottish knights led by one Sir Hamish of Carrick (the others are Eoghan of Galloway, Graham of Dunbar, Aodhan of Strathclyde and Lenox of Lennox), one of Blane's young cousins (Bradach, bastard son of Lord Dougal) and his companion (a strangely-familiar pickpocket named Lindsey), and Stelios, a real, live centaur. The Scots are considered "English" and are welcomed by the Grogs who came from the Alps. The Irish resent them, however, and eye them suspiciously. Stelios both fascinates and frightens the covenfolk; he can speak every language and seems both sincere and cultured, but he is a horse-person and freaks people out.

The covenant of Horsinga gave the magi a gift of three books. These are added to the library and include: a book on the Order of Hermes called "The Spider War"; a tractatus on Penetration; and a good summa on the Art of Animal.

Autumn (Episode 2.08) "Crime Scene Investigation: Lambaird"

The first order of business upon the turning of the season was renewing the covenant's Aegis. Victor had returned and knew the spell, but only Innocentius, Polumeta, and Alfeva were prepared for a Day of Communion. Innocentius, therefore, again stepped up to cast the Aegis in his own manner, invoking the Cthonic entities of the Hibernian underworld, especially Balor. Samson and Cernunnos, however, both retreated to their labs determined that next year would be different. Both men had been approached by Victor over the summer and asked to learn the spell.

Bound for the covenant of Lambaird, Alfeva and Cernunnos departed from Cor Draconis at the head of a small entourage including Sir Blaine, Maedoc, and Coleman. As the travelers left their home, the bard attempted to disarm fears about an attack from Igneous Drake by singing his satire about the Flambeau magus. He once again called Igneous a half-wit, then added lines about the Flambeau's longevity ritual, saying that it did not leave him sterile as usual. Instead, Coleman sang, Igneous was simply impotent of his own accord.

Facing no immediate threat from Igenous, the travelers reached the blind-ending valley housing the covenant of Lambaird. As they passed between the increasingly steep ravine walls, the magi and their companions faced an ambush by rock trolls. Alfeva and Cernunnos protected the group from boulders rolled down the ravine by the trolls. Meanwhile, Maedoc and Sir Blaine encountered another pair of the creatures further down the road to Lambaird. Maedoc killed one with a javelin to the head, while the summer knight decapitated the other foe.

After dispatching the rock trolls, the travelers followed the road to its conclusion at the site of Lambaird. The destination proved quite contrary to the standard Hermetic covenant: Lambaird's main building was a two-wing building of wood - with no clear library - surrounded by a wooden palisade and flanked by expansive kennels and stables. The grounds were constantly filled with the sounds and smells of animals and of Irishmen training for battle. Alfeva met with Cliodna an Flambo inghean hIolair, a maga who was assisting the covenfolk with mundane labor. Then Cernunnos met with Dalton Ballaugh an Flambo, princeps of the covenant. He immediately dealt Alfeva an intentional slight by failing to extend a casting token to the visiting Quaesitor upon her arrival at the covenant.

Inside of the covenant, the visitors found themselves guests at a feast. Coleman the bard met Tadg Ua Broin, the storyteller of clan Ua Broin. The two bards actually recognized each other from their bardic school at Ceall Cluaine. Sir Blaine found himself reunited with the maga Nuala, who was simultaneously at Lambaird as a guest of the maga Sorcha. For her part, Alfeva had an extended and emotional conversation with the maga Cliodna. Cernunnos spoke with Dalton and was invited on a hunt by the Lambaird magus, who clearly wanted to avoid discussing the Tribunal-decreed Quaesitorial investigation.

Following the feast, Sir Blaine crossed the covenant grounds to reach Nuala's guest chambers. Along the way, he found himself witness to a confrontational scene. A heavily armed and armored man was interrogating and intimidating a much smaller and feebly armed Irishman. When Sir Blaine challenged the domineering figure, the facially scarred Saxon-accented soldier informed the summer knight that the matter was Hermetic, then instructed him to move along. He failed to disclose his name or the nature of the confrontation. Hesitant to attack a magus, Sir Blaine stayed his hand and moved on.

Nuala and Sorcha had seen the man before, as earlier in the day Sorcha had visited her sodales Brian Childara an Flambo's sanctum to borrow vis. The scarred man had been in Brian's sanctum with him and promised the Lambaird magus that he would root out some spy in the midst of the covenfolk. Successful in his task, the man executed the Irishman he was questioning, then dumped his body in the pigpens. As the body was discovered in the morning and news spread among the covenfolk, Brian declared the incident unworthy of investigation.

Alfeva and Sir Blaine were not nearly so disinterested in the incident. The Guernicus maga - armed with an account of what Sir Blaine witnessed - questioned Rordan, steward of the covenant and son of the Ua Broin clan chief. She learned that the magi of Lambaird were involved in several incidents that were likely violations of the Code of Hermes or Tribunal rulings. Alfeva then used Hermetic magic to investigate the killing, calling up the spirit of the dead man for questioning. She learned that the murdered man was one of the two spies sent to inform on Lambaird's meddling into mundane affairs, and after asking for any last messages to pass on she saw to it that the corpse was properly buried.

Meanwhile, Cernunnos, Maedoc, and Dalton participated in a great hunt. Cernunnos recovered some vis as well as mundane game, which provided the magi and covenfolk with meat for the evening's feast. Maedoc cornered a magical fox and slew it. Simultaneously, Sorcha and Nuala attempted to corner their own prey - a Fay youth and his magic steed - in an attempt to coerce the Faerie into teaching the magi a cles (a Hibernian feat of physical prowess). As with her scheme to enlist Nuala in acquiring Arcane Connections on the magi of Cor Draconis, Sorcha's scheme met with disappointment. She hobbled back to Lambaird with the assistance of Nuala, bruised and humiliated.

During the feast, Alfeva saw that word had reached Dalton about her interrogation of Rordan. The magus retreated to his sanctum and began drinking himself into a dark mood. When she finally questioned the magus, Alfeva received permission to interrogate and cast Intellego spells upon the covenfolk, plus she received a casting token. Dalton was notably less cooperative concerning the magi of the covenant, standing by his right to refuse to submit to Intellego magic. After being called a "child," the angry maga left the exchange lest she lose her temper with Dalton. Fortunately, Alfeva had the foresight to purchase her desired magical horse from Lambaird prior to the interrogation, ensuring that she would not be denied the opportunity once relations with the magi of the covenant soured.

When interrogating Brian of Flambeau, Alfeva experienced a less standoffish encounter. While bearing prime responsibility for the mundane interference, Brian Childara seemed to regard Alfeva as non-threatening. Likewise, he seemed to think of himself as wholly within the bounds - or at least gray areas - of the Code. As such, he voluntarily submitted to truth-confirming magic without the protection of his Parma.

By this point, Alfeva had a robust account of the proceedings at Lambaird: nearly a decade in the past, English soldiers had killed Brian Childara's salmon familiar. In retaliation, Brian and the other magi slaughtered the offending soldiers. Several years later and with the help of their vassal clan, they launched a deadly attack on other English soldiers, killing all witnesses. News of this raid and Lambaird's suspected - but unconfirmed - role in the attack provoked a warning (but not censure) from the Tribunal. Next, Brian and Dalton assisted in repelling an English incursion into the mountain clans, arguing that they were simply protecting their vis sources - as the mountain clan in question was within the radius walked by Cliodna and the burial mounds of the clan provided Corpus vis for Lambaird. Finally, Brian of Flambeau used an Irish merchant as a middleman to sell charged items (javelins of lightning) to the mountain clans - inside and outside of their legal territory - for use against the English. The Irish clans, who wanted the weapons to kill English soldiers, agreed to scour the countryside for vis with some of Lambaird's hounds. Alfeva learned that Lambaird collected somewhere in the neighborhood of a dozen pawns of vis in this fashion. The impetus for English activity in the vicinity of Lambaird remained mysterious both to Brian and Alfeva, the latter of which harbored lingering suspicions that the English magi of Ashenrise could be provoking hostilities.

Regarding the strange murderous magus at Lambaird, Alfeva received far less cooperation from Brian. Rather than answering his question, Brian asked questions of his own and chastised the Guernicus maga for exceeding her mandate. He did at least confirm the identity of the man as Sir Edwin of Tytalus, a magus of Horsingas. Brian offered only the flimsy and evasive explanation that Sir Edwin had become interested in the security of Lambaird and that the matter was outside of the scope of her investigation.

Armed with enough information to report on the extent of mundane interference by the covenant of Lambaird, the magi of Cor Draconis departed once again for home.

While they were gone, however, there was an important development at the covenant. Polumeta had set aside the season to work with Myrna and Sander on a Wand of the Crystal Dart, a weapon which would give the Faerie maga a direct weapon for foes against whom her illusions were useless. But when Polumeta knocked on the door to Myrna's sanctum, it opened, unbarred and ajar. There was no sign of Myrna, but a letter had been left behind.

Myrna's Note

My dearest friends,

I have gone to follow Iovhar, who I now realize is the only man I have ever loved. I am sorry for all I have done wrong, but perhaps there is still time to set things right. I do not expect to return.

Cassidy

News of Myrna's departure from the covenant met with mixed responses. Caera, upon her return from Lambaird, was torn by her desire to follow Myrna to where Iovhar worked for Queen Mab deep within a powerful Faerie Regio inside Connacht, a place haunted by monsters, giants, and the walking dead. Other covenfolk seemed relieved, or even confused over what the fuss was all about.

At first, Alfeva was stoic about the departure of her lover, with whom she had been involved for more than five years. The two had, after all, grown increasingly apart since the arrival in Hibernia. But by supper at the end of the day, it was clear that she was devastated and not very good at hiding it. After a couple of days she stopped trying.

A council meeting was held and Victor proposed offering Sander the position once held by Myrna. No one opposed the idea, but Samson abstained from the vote. There was debate over what to do about Myrna's departure; if she has indeed followed Iovhar, then she has fled across the Connacht border and is now in a Faerie regio, the domain of Queen Mab. This is said to be a land populated by monsters, demons, and the walking dead. Cernunnos speculated he might be able to find out if she was there, with help from the Beast-Masters. Also at the Council, Alfeva revealed that one of the Scottish knights who accompanied Sir Hamish has been writing letters describing the castle and the magi; she suspects these letters eventually find their way into the hands of Whitburth Feithowebba, Quaesitor of Horsingas, but she has no proof. It was decided to send the knight back home immediately. Victor hinted he might send false information to Horsingas, using his magic and agents. Alfeva was given an opportunity to look through Myrna's remaining personal belongings before they are crated up for storage; her lab equipment is left for Sander.

Sander is escorted to the Council chamber by Gaius, the Black Cloak previously assigned to Myrna, where he is welcomed to the covenant and invited to sign the charter. He expresses his gratitude and, later in the day, goes to his new tower only to find Alfeva there, sorting through personal belongings. When she quietly asks him to return tomorrow, he swiftly withdraws. Later that evening when Alfeva returns to her sanctum Cernunnos awaits her. She invites him to stay and he does. They share wine and stories, and his good company lightens her mood. After a long visit, she falls asleep in her chair, Cernunnos covers her with a blanket, and withdraws. The next day, her mood is lighter and she has begun to heal. She begins learning to ride, and is seen with other members of the covenant out and about on the hillside.

Scenes from the Hill

• Samson and Polumeta enjoy a picnic by starlight in the field of Lover's Violets, with a meal prepared by Colette. They don't come back till morning. (This isn't the first pair of covenfolk to spend the night together under the stars at this famous rendezvous spot, but it may be the most illustrious.)

• Teamsters arrive with a load of high-quality lab equipment including vials made of Venetian glass and other luxuries. They are paid with 10£ of silver and Cernunnos installs the equipment in his laboratory.

• The magi and covenfolk are entertained with plays written by Coleman and starring Blane in a series of action adventure stories. Sometimes Coleman is his trusty squire, sometimes his liege lord. Blane has no skill at acting but he is so likable and handsome that he is a success anyway. This seems to help Blane shake off the melancholy which has settled on him since his trip home.

• Sander is heard complaining about Polumeta's stubbornness in the laboratory and her unwillingness to listen to his ideas. Polumeta is too polite to spread similar rumors, but those close to her can see that the two don't get along well in the lab.

• Now that the stable has horses, Alfeva, Coleman, Maedoc, and Yanick are all seen learning to ride, exploring the hill singly or together. Together with Samson, who is usually escorting Yanick, the group shares many pleasant days within half a day's ride of Uisneach.

• After his unsettling experience in the Black Sheep, Colin begins carrying a dagger and asking around for tips on how to use it.

• Brogan Breen, the Blind Redcap, is seen in hushed conversation with Profundus. They take long walks together and appear to be hiding something. Obviously, they're having an affair. This doesn't cause as much scandal as it might because, despite the fact that Brogan is in her 30s and the Master in his 70s, he looks to be about 40.

• Coleman sings the ballad of a man with sad eyes and wearing a blue hat who treats the hearts of others carelessly. Filled with regret, he dies alone. The song encourages others to remain devoted to a single love even when that love is hopeless.

• By the end of the season, the scriptorium has produced a high quality resonant copy of The World of Ideals, one of the covenant's tractatum on Magic Theory.