Summer 1252
We start with Horton Market, a Jerbiton Maga trying to locate the spirit of Aberin, in the Cumbrian mountains. He had divined that Aberin could help rid him of the supernatural nuisance that had been disrupting his performances. He had inducted himself into Hermetic Theurgy and researched a spell specifically to commune with the Daimon Aberin. He finds the Bard's Daimon and tries to impress it with a demonstration of musical skill. Up to this point Aberin was inclined to help Horton, but a Botch on the roll meant that he was not so impressed with the "new" music that had been essayed.
Aberin curtly suggested that Horton seek out his Matrimony which was guarded by three Northern wyrms, and vanished.
Returning to the Covenant of Insula Canaria (Near the Great Glen in Scotland), he happens on Vincent of Berwick Venditore of our Noble Pumilius. Vincent was discussing with Insula Canaria the possibility of buying the Hermetic leasehold on Vindolanda from Insula Canaria. The covenant of Vindolanda is known (by the Loch-legan tribunal) to be infected by the infernal, so they are hoping to exploit Vincent as a dupe to off-load the useless asset. Vincent was playing the hapless patsy,helped by his reputation as a not very good venditore for Pumilius to let them think that they had the good end of the deal. In fact by defeating the Demon infesting the third layer of the infernal and laying the spirits to rest, the magi of Aiode think that the infernal taint will be gone in about 10 more years).
Insula Canaria are a very closeted covenant, and refused to let Horton back within their Aegis, and Vincent met Horton on the road outside while Horton was trying to gain admittance.
On hearing the story of the three Northern Wyrms, Vincent probes gently and discovers that Horton is Hermetically descended from Tethys (Through her Filia Penelope, then Agatha, then Horton). Horton impresses Vincent with his musical Skill, (or so he claims) and Vincent invites Horton up to Aiode as it is the Covenant where Tethys was last seen.
While they are sailing to Iceland both Orlaith and Pumilius have a vision of great beauty occluded. To pas the time on the boat I-spy was played. Horton had W for wave. Alas noone got the correct answer.
On arrival at the covenant, Vincent introduces his guest, and the magi are slightly guarded. Vincent begs a moment with the magi of the covenant while refreshment is brought. He makes sure that the finest Covenant wines and delicacies are put before Horton.
Vincent explained to the Magi, that Horton's was being very blaze about telling his tale to all and sundry, and he thought that bringing him directly to Aiode would allow the matter to be.... resolved... with the minimum of fuss, and withdrew to let the magi discuss things.
After A raucous feast (at which Horton Performs a composition of exceptional virtuosity such that Pumilius is reduced to tears), Martin suggests that they decamp to the Sauna.There (outside the Aegis) Martin notices (through Hugin pointing it out) that something seems to be interfering with the performance, and it was almost certainly Loki.
Martin immediately feels kinship with Horton, and starts opening up much more; they discuss Tethys, the tree (such as it is understood) and the Magical landscape of Iceland. The three apprentices sneak in to the dinner and are very...swayed... by Horton, especially as he seems to spend most of the time bare chested.
A trip to see the Cats in Reykjavik is proposed for the next day, and they sail across. The apprentices pester Horton about all the things he has done and the sights they have seen. Horton casually asks them about their parents and is surprized that they didn't have any. The conversation is quickly diverted by Vincent and directed to fashion, but the apprentices are not fooled. Something is going on.
The conversation shifts to the curse that Horton was put under. It seems that a groupie/group of groupies (he's a bit hazy on the details) cursed him. It seems so far to have made his performances suffer annoying mishaps, and sometimes people just don't want to sleep with him. The scales fall from the eyes* of the apprentices, as they realize just how much he has slept around.
There was a performance at the cats (The cats noticed that only Pulimius and Ili really appreciated the sublime genius of the work), and poor Pelorus the broken glass dolphin was asked about. The cats were very eager to go over their plans for a university in Reykjavik, which were proceeding very nicely.
After they returned to the Covenant, the girls met in secret. There was clearly something going on that the magi were not telling them about, and they resolved to run away to try and strike out on their own....
*not literally