1225

• But when he arrives, all is not well. The corpses of a half-dozen armed men are scattered among the bodies of many dead wolves. In the cave, Fogartach is barely alive, Aine (who tended Irene and Arthur, her baby) has been torn in half by animals, and Irene is gravely injured and covered in blood. Arthur is gone. Moon, and Fogartach's other wolves, are all dead. Cernunnos binds Fogartach's wounds and awakens him by magic, and the beast-master drinks deep from the magic well in his cave, healing his wounds. Cernunnos brings water to Irene, who is also healed, and the two of them tell the story.The cave was attacked by giant wolves, one of whom was white. They were accompanied by many ordinary wolves and a number of armed men; local Irish, by the look of them. They were after the infant child, and took him. But Fogartach sent for help before he collapsed, and now River and Sky return to the waterfall bringing allies:Donngal, Kennel-master to the King of Briefne

• Gwalchmai, the Hawk of May

• Pig-Rory, a child raised by the animals of the forest

• King Rat, a wretch whose only friends are his swarms of rats

• Macha, Horse-tamer, a cattle-lord served by magical horses

Each of the beast-masters arrive with their animal allies, and a council is held. There is much tension between Cernunnos, nominal chief of the beast-masters, and King Rat, who questions him at every turn. Aine is placed in a magic circle to keep pests away, the rats devour many of the other corpses, and the trail of the attackers is swiftly found. The beast-masters ride out in immediate pursuit.

They ride all night on mounts provided by Macha. Before dawn, they cross into Ulster, and as the sun comes up they are facing Boa Island, named for a warrior goddess known for changing shape into a wolf and a raven. This is Clan Mac Tire territory, but the beast-masters know little about the Mac Tire except that they are semi-nomadic, traveling all through Ulster. There is much debate about the mysterious attackers; Cernunnos, remembering that House Tremere breeds magical white wolves, suspects Tremere involvement in the raid, but he sees no motive.

Gwalchmai and King Rat scout the island from afar. They identify a rath along the southern coast, a mile from the western end of the long, narrow island. South of it is a cemetery, where the wolves gather. Fleaback, King Rat's demonic rat familiar, finds the infant inside the central rath, nursed by a local woman. Although the Beast-masters are weary from riding all night, they decide on immediate action and take an hour to cross to the island, relying on Cernunnos's magic to find the safest path through the shallow water.

With hundreds of Gwalchmai's falcons in the air, a half dozen boar led by Pig-Rory, Fogartach and a dozen wolves, Macha Horse-Tamer, and a thousand wolfhounds answering to Donngal, Cernunnos approaches the rath openly from the north. The army is spotted by Mac Tire scouts and a general alarm is raised; by the time the rath comes within sight, the Mac Tire are on alert and the giant wolves stand at the wall of the rath. One is white. Of the seven, five wear strange masks over their wolf-faces, leading Cernunnos to wonder if they are skin-changers, but he decides they are probably shape-changers instead. Gwalchmai's falcons report wolves appearing out of thin air in the graveyard. There is a brief parley, with each side exchanging threats.

Neither side is aware that the opposing side includes Hermetic magi; Clan Mac Tire is the mundane arm of an unofficial Bjornaer covenant and the "giant wolves" are all Bjornaer magi. The masks are their talismans, and the wolves who "appear from nowhere" are the magi, who dwell in a regio accessed from the cemetery. The Bjornaer, in turn, think the Beast-masters to be merely hedge wizards; they do not know Cernunnos and no one is speaking Latin. All conversation at the parley is in Gaelic, with Macha translating for Cernunnos, and Fogartach baiting the Mac Tire. Because neither side is aware of the Hermetic magic wielded by the other side, both parties think the opposition to be of little threat.

But the assault begins when Cernunnos casts Crest of the Earth's Wave to make a hole in the side of the rath, through which the rats and hounds can assault. Mac Tire forces have already charged out of the rath, and pay little attention to Cernunnos's spellcasting, but Cu Chonnacht, the old head of Clan Mac Tire, recognizes Hermetic magic and tries in vain to persuade his fellow Bjornaer to stand down. Ban, the more vocal magus, squashes the debate and charges into battle, bringing the other Bjornaer with him, save for Cu Chonnacht, who watches in despair from the rampart.

Cernunnos begins by creating a Ward Against Beasts of Legend As a safe place for retreat. A band of Mac Tire raiders, led by an experienced sergeant, attack the ward in an attempt to disrupt it, but Caera and the other hounds drive them off with serious wounds and the Ward is completed. Cernunnos is unaware that the Mac Tire have no animals with Magic Might and are themselves Bjornaer, so the Ward does not affect them.

King Rat sends his minions into the central rath to seize the infant; while the other beast-masters think he means to eat the baby, in fact King Rat seeks to use the baby as a bargaining chip. He intends to trade the baby to Cernunnos in exchange for being made Chief of the Beast-Masters. But the villagers inside the rath disrupt his swarm with kettles of boiling water from the hearth, and although Fleaback continues to observe the child, the King's attack is foiled.

Macha tries next. Leaping over the rampart on Firemare, she manages to enter the central rath where a group of Mac Tire raiders are now guarding the baby. But Macha's arrows strike true, and although she sustains several minor injuries, she leaves all the Mac Tire too wounded to resist her. Taking the infant in her arms, she begins to carry it from the rath.

Meanwhile, Pig-Rory leads his boars against the Mac Tire wolves. It is a massacre; Pig's hide is too tough for the wolves to penetrate, and his enchantment makes all the boars who follow him equally invulnerable. His goring tusks and thunderous trample kill many wolves.

With a recklessness born of youth, Gwalchmai sends her hawks against the leader of the wolf-wizards. But the Bjornaer have many protective magics on themselves, one of which is a curse that inflicts a Heavy Wound on any animal which bites them. In the fighting, other Hermetic spells are recognized, especially Wizard's Sidestep, and it becomes clear to Cernunnos at least that these are Hermetic magi. Ban and his pack savage Gwalchmai, who survives only thanks to the confusion spread by her hawks. Nevertheless, she sustains multiple wounds and crawls from the circular Ward.

Cernunnos has further bolstered the ward with a similar spell blocking mundane animals, and a fight breaks out between he and Ban. Fogartach seizes this moment to hurl a spear from afar, but his cast goes awry and hits Cernunnos in the back; the wizard is saved only by his newly enchanted magical armor. Ban leaps onto Fogartach and nearly kills him, leaving him incapacitated.

Although old, Donngal remains the most canny commander in the battle, and he now uses his hounds to protect Macha as she retreats from the rath. At the same time, King Rat decides the time has come to take over. He sends his army against Macha, hoping to steal the baby, and more swarms of rats surge towards the wounded Fogartach and Gwalchmai, whom King Rat intends to kill. But Firemare wears magic horseshoes of Macha's making, and rises into the air on a fiery trail. The rats are thwarted, and the beast-masters escape with the baby. Donngal stays behind with his hounds to block King Rat while the Beast-masters retreat. Pig-Rory rescues Fogartach, Cernunnos pulls Gwalchmai to safety, but Cernunnos sees Donngal killed by King Rat's minions.

The surviving Mac Tire have fled; two of the Bjornaer, who were not yet powerful enough to know the animal-curse spell, lie dead from Donngal's hounds. The warriors of the clan and the wolves are dead. But the Bjornaer themselves are largely unhurt, for the hounds, falcons, boars and wolves do not dare attack them. Cu Chonnacht is spotted abandoning the field and departing alone.

The Beast-masters tend to their wounds and go their own way. Cernunnos returns to Fogartach's cave, where Irene chooses to remain with Fogartach, announcing her intent to have another child with the beast-master, whom she has come to love. Cernunnos takes Aine's remains back to Cor Draconis, where the midwife and surgeon is buried in the church cemetery by Brother Cormac. The baby Arthur, is given over, as planned, to Samson and Polumeta, who intend to rename him.

The next day, Alfeva takes the baby into her laboratory for an hour. Using the covenant's copy of Disputations as a focus, she uses ceremonial magic to cast an Intellego Vim effect on the infant. The spell is successful, and confirms: the young de la Croix is Gifted.

Episode 2.16: La Belle Dame Sans Merci (Summer 1225)

18 Months Ago

Coleman is composing a fine love poem and nursing his flagellation scars when he is interrupted by Karolina, Alfeva's servant, who bids the bard come to Alfeva's chambers. Karolina is anxious and says little besides assuring Coleman that his harp and letters won't be necessary. After leading him to Alfeva's tower, she leaves him to enter alone.

Alfeva is waiting for him, her dress unlaced. In response to his confusion and uncertainty, she forces herself upon him, eventually commanding him to obey her -- a command he feels dutibound to obey. While it isn't explicitly unpacked in the scene, Alfeva has decided that her unnatural desire for women is a failing she must redress. She must "love as other women do," no matter how wrong it might feel. Perhaps by loving a man, she will be able to be "normal." She takes advantage of Coleman's status as a servant and his psychology of devotion to her, forcing him into sex.

For Coleman's part, he does not understand what he has done wrong or why Alfeva is punishing him like this. His vision of Alfeva is a pure maid, and Coleman is celibate, scourging himself to remove impure thoughts. After sex, he is crying and in misery. She is silent and filled with self-loathing, wondering why every effort to be normal turns out awful. Coleman eventually leaves the tower, returns to his chambers, burns his poetry, and departs the next day for the New World.

Eighteen months later, Brogan is given a mission by her superiors in the House: the magi of Terragon Vale, a covenant in the Greater Alps, wishes to thank the Alpine Apprentices for their critical role in the recovery of their covenant. They have some gifts to bestow, and ask to meet a representative of Cor Draconis at the Black Sheep Crossing in Kenilworth, Stonehenge Tribunal. Brogan, who has avoided Cor Draconis and Alfeva for two years, drags her feet but finally sets out on the mission, intending to use the Infernal regio network between the inns to make up for lost time.

At Cor Draconis, Brogan tells her mission and she is accompanied by Lucien Caduceus, Coleman, Maedoc, and Colin, who has arranged to meet a London merchant at Kenilworth. Brogan's reunion with Alfeva is cordial and brief. The companions set out with a few grogs, travel to Devlin, and watch as Brogan performs the ritual that leads them all through an Infernal regio to Kenilworth. They emerge into a second floor room of the Black Sheep.

The group wants to spend as little time in the crowded, dingy, infernal-infested inn as possible, but their contact from Terragon Vale is not easy to find. A mysterious woman sitting in the corner, surrounded by German soldiers, is pointed out to Coleman when he inquires of the bartender, but before the group can approach, a hooded man enters the inn. Lucien instantly recognizes him as Innocentius, because he bears the staff of Igneous Drake. Colin, who has been answering to Innocentius in his role as treasurer, also recognizes the magus. Innocentius moves to the woman's table and they quickly engage in conversation like old friends reunited.

Brogan tries to force her way past the German soldiers to get the trade over with, but even as she is trying to reach the mysterious woman, Roderick of Tytalus identifies himself to her. He has come from Terragon Vale, and Brogan leads them all to the room on the second floor where the Crossing opens, there to conduct their business.

Meanwhile, Colin has settled into contract negotiations with Henry Scales, master merchant; Maedoc is eager to get out of this confined space as soon as possible, Lucien is keeping an eye on Innocentius and his mysterious friend, and Coleman finds his attention drawn by the dark lady herself, who catches his eye as he lingers on the stairs.

Roderick reveals that the magi of Terragon Vale have found an egg which they believe to be from Nemesis the Dragon, whom the Alpine Apprentices slew in 1219. Since the egg might be dangerous, Marcus, head of the covenant, has decided to gift it to Cor Draconis along with a collection of books, as a token of appreciation for all they did for the covenant. The companions and Lucien all get to know Roderick, who seems sincere if a bit flippant, and Brogan suggests if he wants to thank Innocentius personally, the magus is right down stairs.

With their parcel now secure, the group is eager to depart, but there is still unfinished business. Colin has negotiated a very lucrative deal with Henry Scales and, giving in to avarice when he tries to squeeze the merchant for more profit, he succumbs to a demon's Obsession power and gains the personality trait of Avarice. The negotiations grow heated and eventually violent, with Colin's three Irish grogs eventually beating Henry to the floor. Grogs hold his broken arm and hand as they direct his signature upon the contract, an outcome which Colin is satisfied with.

Coleman is asked to sing by the Dark Lady, and he does, reviving the old love song he wrote a year and a half before. His command performance is applauded by the Dark Lady and, after she gives permission, the rest of the Black Sheep crowd. After forcing her bard to kneel before her, she gives him a gold coin for his pains and engages him in conversation. She tells him her name is Caterina, and she seems to know about Coleman already. She admits to knowing Innocentius, and Coleman latches onto the shady Necromancer as the best explanation for why a woman of such class and distinction should be in such a low class establishment. Caterina gives him a ruby ring from her finger, as a token for him to remember her, and suggests that she will soon call upon him to meet her in Hibernia.

Outside, Maedoc is getting some air when another demon makes itself known to him. This one is a half-man, half-bear monster, and it attacks him even as he enters his warp-spasm. The battle is fierce but one-sided; the demon is no match for Maedoc's Fir Bolg ferocity. But as the demon falls, incapacitated, Maedoc gives in to brutality and kills the defenseless warrior, succumbing to the demon's Obsession power and gaining the personality trait Brutality. When the other companions emerge from the inn, they find Maedoc the Monstrous biting out the demon's neck with both his bloody jaws.

Brogan identifies the demon's order and type, and Lucien cuts out the demon's heart for its vis. This is a gory process, and Brogan calms Maedoc down till he returns to mortal form and washes himself clean of demon blood. Everyone is ready to depart so, rather than stay the night at the infernal inn, they are led away by Coleman until Brogan's wilderness sense finds them a pleasant campsite.

They return to Cor Draconis and the egg and other gifts are given to the council. But even as this is being done, the egg begins to hatch. Lucien creates a quick Ward Against Magical Creatures upon the table, but the small dragon which emerges from the egg flies out of the ward without slowing, exiting out the window.

That evening, Brogan visits Alfeva's tower. While Alfeva's behavior towards Coleman remains a secret, she is convinced that everything she does turns awful, that even when she tries to be as normal people are, it ends only in misery. Brogan's efforts to convince Alfeva that she should just be herself, and not ashamed, are met with weary frustration. Eventually, the two women make peace and dine together, sharing stories of their adventures.

At the end of summer, an ancient witch arrives at the covenant bearing written testimonials. She is Ziroonderel, a specialist in the trade of raising Gifted children. Her references list dozens of magi whom she has helped raise from infancy, including several Gifted Mercere, a child of the Founder Jerbiton, and many other famous magi. There are now two Gifted children at the covenant, and neither set of parents is prepared for the obligation. Ziroonderel's fee is 1 pawn of vis per child per season. The decision is sent to the Council.

Episode 2.17, "The Calling Bell" (Autumn 1225)

THE CALLING BELL

…or…

GONE QUESTING!

SCOTLAND

Onboard the Mad Duchess, Sir Blane returned home to Scotland. Thanks to Victor’s ominous forebodings at Cor Draconis, the Summer Knight had been expecting the worst; however, what greeted him back home disarmed him greatly. For all the good people of Scotland seemed in good spirits.

Having secured a horse at the dockside stables of Ayr, Sir Blane and Nuala rode off to Dalmellington. The sojourn through the autumn Scottish countryside took two hours. Upon arriving at Dalmellington, Sir Blane decided to ride pass the Manor House—the words of his uncle, Sir Dougal, warning him never to return home again were still raw to his ears—instead, he chose to show the house his mother grew up in to Nuala.

The Reeve household still stood on the village green. There the couple was greeted by the domicile’s current resident, the otherworldly Gallagher. Gallagher was a congenial enough fellow. Gallagher seemed to know much and more of what was going on around town than a mere “village helper” ought to, but theirs was a pleasant enough exchange.

Farewells were spoken. Sir Blane took in the way of the land as Nuala took in the awe-inspiring splendor of Sir Blane’s rump. Everywhere he looked the Summer Knight was greeted with a smile, and as the maga Ex Miscellanea continued to admire her mate’s gluteus maximus she was greeted with a string of harp notes behind her. Her attention diverted, Nuala turned back just in time to see the door close with a blinding flash of purest, white light.

Concerned for Gallagher’s welfare, Nuala returned to investigate. Inside, the Reeve household was deserted with nary a trace of the old man. Sir Blane joined her and could detect no faerie magics involved in the man’s disappearance. Nuala did cast some spontaneous magic spells to learn his fate. For her efforts she was bathed in all consuming love.

Sir Blane decided that he should return to his own keep, the Summerstone Tower, across Loch Doon. Making the trek, he discovered that life around the tower was much more pleasant than last he was here. The last time he was greeted with an angry mob of smallfolk, upset that their liege lord did naught to protect them in their time of need; now, Sir Blane rode in as if he were a conquering hero as the smallfolk delighted in his presence. Even the taciturn Cameron seemed elated.

In spite this good will, Sir Blane was denied entrance to his keep. For the Summerstone Tower was now solid stone throughout. There was no door and no windows to speak of. All that was present was a handwritten note that read:

Gone Questing!

To Return Soon (Hopefully)!

- Jhago, Master of Keyes, Keeper of Lost Keepsakes

Sir Blane knew that the state of the tower was sealed by powerful faerie magics, and that egress would not be happening this day. He decided that it was high time to see his uncle, the lord of Dalmellington. However, before the Summer Knight could seek out the lord, the lord had come to seek him out instead.

“What the fuck did I tell you last time we met, boy?” Sir Dougal bellowed as he dismounted from his stead. Both Sir Blane and Nuala could see the mirth on the man’s visage as he marched over, pantomimed striking his junior and instead embracing him in a bear hug before whisking the two lovers away to the manor house for an impromptu feast.

Sir Blane was pleased to see that Gallagher had spoken true; his uncle had seemed to recover from whatever was plaguing him when last the two met. He had lost a copious amount of weight and, like all the rest of Scotland, even seemed happy. His new bride, Abigail Merriweather, was a no-nonsense Scottish highlander, and just the loving taskmaster he needed to quit the drink but good.

That night the two retired to their quarters. There, as Nuala slept naked beneath the moonlight, Sir Blane was awoken by the calling of a bell. Entranced, Sir Blane walked with nothing more than his short clothes on to cover his modesty. Leaving the Manor House, Sir Blane traveled the newly paved stone road through the village green, leaving Dalmellington behind and passed the Black Sheep Inn to arrive at the coastline of Loch Doon.

When he was ankle deep in water, Sir Blame came to once more—only to discover a woman in white standing upon the loch’s surface, waiting for him. Once courtly etiquette was seen to introductions were made: The woman was the White Lady of Loch Doon, and she wished to broker a deal with the Summer Knight.

To earn his trust, the White Lady promised to answer three questions truthfully. Sir Blane hemmed and hawed, and after much internal debate came to his three questions.

• • Where is my father?

    • Lost. Wandering the faerie realms far passed Arcadia seeking a cure.

  • What is the true name of the demon vexing the Summer Court?

    • Niall.

  • How do I cure my mother?

    • You must turn back the hands of time and fate. If you do this, your mother, your father, your youngest brother and all the Summer Court will return to rights.

Of this last answer, the White Lady says that it can be as simple as ringing a bell at the right place, at the right time. However, which bell is the question. She assures the Summer Knight that she and her eight sisters stand prepared to aide him in his quest—for a war is coming, and wars must be fought with allies. But, first, he must do her a service.

“I want the head of Alasdair Reeve. Bring to me your uncle, alive, and I… and my sisters…” At this, to emphasize her point, eight other ladies in white appear alongside her. “Stand ready to fight alongside you and yours in this endeavor.”

Sir Blane balked at this. He tried to dither, to stall for more time to decide before entering a faerie pact, asserting that he knew not where his uncle was. To which the White Lady said, “He has become one of those Hermetic magi that you consort with, good knight. In Iberria. You will find him there. Sadly, neither I nor my sisters have any agency there; lest the deed would have been carried out long ago.”

Lastly, Sir Blane wanted to know how his uncle had wronged her son. To which the White Lady told the tale of Sir Blane’s birth. How Alasdair had courted her affections and all that she asked in return was “you, Good Knight. I would have raised you as if you were my own, a true noble scion of the Summer Court as my very own son. Instead, Alasdair sought to trick me, to mislead with his cunning. He struck a partnership and created a false child, a pale imitation of himself. It was this child that he gave me. I abandoned this child when I discovered the truth. You now know him as Lindsey.”

Sir Blane took this in and, though he was conflicted over the matter, ultimately agreed to seek out Alasdair Reeve and return him to Loch Doon. In exchange, the White Lady would aide Sir Blane in the upcoming war to free Summerland. A war whose first battle was commencing at the two spoke in the least likely of places.

THE ISLE OF MAN

A week had gone by since the Mad Duchess departed for Loch Leglean, leaving Alfeva and Polumeta of Cor Draconis, the free roaming Lucien and Scorcha of Lambaird as guests of King Reginald I at Castle Peele. Though the king was on hand to greet him upon their arrival, affairs of state had precluded him from interacting with his Hermetic guests more intimately than he would have liked.

Still, the entire delegation—which included the magi themselves, along with Samson’s Vis-Team, two Black Cloaks, Sir Hamish and his knights, along with a handful of laborers—was given a tower at the sunset castle. It was plain to see that this tower was a barracks not too long ago that had been hastily cleared out for their arrival.

In spite having precious little intelligence to go on save for a map, early reconnaissance proved promising indeed. The Isle of Man was an embarrassment of riches as far as vis was concerned. Even with their rather haphazard approach toward collecting vis around the Castle Peele had turned up a carte’s worth of goods in various forms.

Sgt. Dobbins recommended that the group head off for the River Cam, the northernmost border of Hibernia’s claim to the Isle of Man and work their way downward in an orderly and methodic approach, one that Samson would approve of. Lucien agreed and took this matter to Alfeva and Polumeta. (For her part, Scorcha had taken her men east to explore Glen Helen the morning before last.)

Once all parties were brought up to speed and in agreement with one another, the banners were struck. Horses were laden with goods, and the delegation of Hibernia was about to leave Castle Peele when there was quite a commotion at the castle gates.

Standing opposite Sir Hamish was an elderly Scotsman, a lord. This lord wanted Sir Hamish and his knights detained for crimes against the crown of Scotland. These men were border raiders and had, time and again, threatened the uneasy truce between Scotland and Britain with their lawlessness. Matters escalated with Lindsey interjecting himself into the fray on Sir Hamish’s behalf, and even King Reginald the First was reluctantly drawn into matters.

Several rounds of heated argument gave way to a compromise: Sir Hamish would be permitted to leave Castle Peele, provided three Manx footmen accompanied the entourage as a good faith measure.

With that intrigue behind him, the entourage set off to the north.

While en route, Alfeva questioned Sir Hamish on the veracity of the lord’s charges against him. At first, Sir Hamish was reluctant to talk, answering her questions with a simple “yes,” or “no.” This prompted the Quaesitor to cast Liar’s Chime on the knight. With the spell in place a conversation could be had.

Sir Hamish said that the man was David Goulis, an advisor to King Alexander II in the Scotland and lord of Monksend just southwest of the Tweed. Hamish and his knights had been a band of raiders along the border when knights of Monksend captured them. Instead of hanging the men for their crimes, a deal was struck. Lord Goulis hired the men to cross over Hadrian’s Wall and bring him back a crate; in exchange, he would see their records expunged of any wrongdoing and the lot would be once more in good standing with the Scottish Crown. Hamish agreed, and their last raid into Britain began.

Over the dead bodies of several good-for-nothing Englishmen, the mission was a seeming success. The group had returned to the right side of the wall with the package, a shipping crate, in their care. That night, each man went into a deep sleep. Upon waking up the package was gone. With both the knights of Monksend and English aggressors hot on their heels, Hamish and his lot began castle hopping, seeking a knight “worthy enough” (ring, ring), “stupid enough” to take them in. Enter: Sir Blane.

Traveling north, Maedoc detected a set of overgrown footprints in the earth. The prints were leaving the beach in the west and cross their path in an easterly direction. Relaying this news to his companions, the herder saw that the path crisscrossed their path several times, each time the tracks became more and more erratic and he detected a smattering of blood in the footprints themselves, as if the creature hand stepped on something sharp.

Despite this new development, the group was determined to reach the River Cam before nightfall. Once that had been accomplished and a camp set up, Maedoc and Alfeva set off to investigate further. Meanwhile, Lucien discovered that a raven was perched on a tree on the other side of the river, watching them intently.

“Ow! Ow! Ow!” a large voice groaned in pain.

Searching by magically lit torchlight, the group came across a giant. He was 8 ft’ tall, and quite shy. Upon realizing that the group could see him, the giant turned invisible. The group waited until a voice in the dark, surely the giant’s, asked, “Can you see me now?” The group confirmed that, no, they could no longer see the giant, but that they wanted to help him anyway.

This took the giant aback. He had never had anyone ask him for help. He revealed himself, and introduced himself as Phynnodderee, but that the group could go ahead and call him Phyn for short. He asserted that he was the last giant of Man, and that his stunted height was due to the fact that he had angered King Mannannan greatly. So much so that the faerie king of the Isle of Man had cursed him. Phyn was coming back from having petitioned the king to restore his height, when stepped upon the shard of glass for his trouble. (The shard of glass winds up being a rook of faerie vis as Polumeta later discovers.)

Alfeva worked some healing magic and the group was able to return to camp with Phyn. Phyn enjoyed himself on their food and ale. He told those assembled that he is renowned for helping the smallfolk work their fields, and has been doing so since the Isle was founded; however, he is careful not to arise their suspicion as he does so under the cloak of invisibility, lest the smallfolk feel threatened and decide to turn on him.

Having drank and feasted the pain away, Phyn turned in for the night, along with the rest of the camp, leaving Alfeva to meet the woman in black waiting for her across the river: Whitburh Frithowebba of Horsingas.

Casting Whispering Winds allows Alfeva and Whitburh to speak across the river without the need for shouting. Both pleasantries and intelligence concerning the faerie situation developing in Scotland is exchanged between the two Quaesitors.

Whitburh tells that something is systematically closing up all the known crossroads into Arcadia in Loch Leglean; Alfeva suspects that it is the doing of the Summer Court, which has been corrupted by a demon preaching a bastardized version of the Christian faith. Alfeva admits that she and her fellow magi have been intending to invade the Summerlands for a few years now and that the invasion was to take place this autumn, until their plans were waylaid by Hermetic politics.

Whitburh takes this all in stride and proposes an arrangement be struck: If Alfeva allows, Whitburh will return in the morning with 15 of her weardmenn at the ready. Together, the two groups can march to the coast to the Cave of the Carpenters. This cave is said to be an entrance to Arcadia, specifically to King Mannannan’s sea kingdom. Together the two groups can secure this crossroads and set up a beachhead here on the Isle of Man from which future invasions may be launched.

Alfeva agrees and returns to the camp.

That morning discussions are had. Polumeta questions whether this is a violation of the Hermetic Code. Alfeva tries to reassure her that as the lone quaesitor of Loch Leglean Tribunal Whitburh would not jeopardize her standing with the Order on a mere land seizure.

Once Whitburh has arrived with her men, the group sets off with Phyn in tow.

Soon the group comes across a holy procession of eight monks led by a knight. The knight carries an unknown banner. The banner shows four hands clasped together in the center. On the wrists of each hand is a symbol, one for each of the four seasons. Those from Cor Draconis can reconcile the Sun of Summer, Sir Blane’s standard, on the hand holding the others up on the bottom. This chanting procession is heading straight toward the cave.

Polumeta comes up with the idea to send Phyn in first. Her intention is to scare off the human monks that have obviously been conscripted into faerie service by the knight. Phyn is eager to prove himself big, turns invisible and races ahead the procession.

As our heroes race toward the cave entrance, Phyn makes his stand, revealing himself in a bellow and demanding that the smallfolk leave his lands now. At this the procession stopped. The monks stripped off their robes to reveal themselves to be Fimus, warrior demons made of stone.

With that the battle was joined in earnest as the magi and their covenfolk rallying to the defense of the last giant of the Isle of Man. All the while, the once pleasant weather became dark and turbulent as the seas roared in protest.

Alfeva cast Pit of the Gaping Earth, delaying half the contingent of demons in a pit 9’ deep. Maedoc downed a demon in his opening attack, surviving the resultant explosion with aplomb thanks to his round shield. In the background, Lucien was casting Demon’s Eternal Oblivion, destroying demons left and right. That is when, like a bat out of hell, a dragon—the same dragon that had been hatched in Cor Draconis the previous season, Zut—came screaming out of the cave to join the fray against the demons.

In response, the faerie knight downed Maedoc into unconsciousness in a single blow, and killed the giant in his next attack. For this, Polumeta launched her attack, shooting a quartet of Crystal shards at the faerie knight. All landed true, the last one exploding his head into so much pulp.

With a handful of demons to still contend with a voice interjected, bringing the battle to a halt.

“WHO DARES FIGHT ON MY DOORSTEP?” the voice demanded before materializing into a giant made of water. The group was tongue tied. To which the giant demanded: “SPEAK!” Polumeta unknotted her tongue and was quick to blame the demons. For this, the remaining demons were washed out to sea, as were the bodies of both the faerie knight and the giant.

The giant introduced himself as none other than King Mannannan, rightful king of the Isle of Man, and a discussion was had in short order. Alfeva championed Phynnodderee’s gallant defense of the king’s doorstep. To which, King Mannannan restored his life, provided that he swear fealty to these fine folk and prowl their fields for as long as they may live. For his part, Phyn agreed and was given the blessing that he would grow one inch each season until he is a true giant. Mannannan then demanded to know what the dragon was doing living on his stoop. Mannannan had little liking of dragons personally and banished this dragonling from his Isle, but that he would keep the dragonling’s horde as tribute. Lastly, Mannannan swore that he would he dispatch his men to protect the Cave of the Carpenters and that any who aided in this defense would be given free rein to travel through his lands unmolested.

Finally, Mannannan asked, “SO, DINNER PLANS?”

With that our heroes had a grand ol’ time celebrating under the sea as thanks for their valiant efforts.

EPILOGUE

Atop the peaks of Montserrat is Jhago. Winded and red faced with exertion, the Keeper of Lost Keepsakes peers down, into the heart of the Spanish countryside. Clearing a thick sheen of sweat from his brow, the gnome mutters, “The things I do for you, friend. The things I do…”