Episode 1: A Journey Begins

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Following the disappearance of his son, James was intent to set out immediately after him, but Chamberlain Urqhart, ever the prudent administrator, cautioned him.

"If you leave now, James, then the Dougals have won. Your son is alive -- you know this, and I know how you know -- and if you were to leave now, it might be seen as a sign of weakness."

"But my son --", James began.

"-- is alive!" finished Urqhart calmly. There were few men that James would tolerate interruptions from, but his ancient Chamberlain had more than earned the right. For a moment, he wondered if Urqhart ever interrupted his father in the same way...

"There is a lot at stake here, James. You must not risk everything. The House of Green must also survive, as well as David." Urqhart's voice was calm and gentle but firm, the voice of an insistent grandfather.

James growled, "I would give it all to have him back!" His voice wavered with emotion.

Urqhart touched James' shoulder with a strength that belied his age. "That is exactly what someone has gambled on, no doubt! Weaken you, and your house will follow. You must not go, James."

Urqhart walked over to James' big oak desk and retrieved a piece of paper and a quill. "You will not go James, but you are not alone." He handed the paper to James. "You will send for help, and it will come."

"Who?"

"Uther, for one," answered Urqhart.

"Uther? Who the hell is Uther?"

* * *

The dwarf shook his head, reading over the letter. He did not hear the sister walk up behind him, and jerked imperceptibly when she spoke.

"Bad news?" she asked.

Uther grunted. "Rather embarrassing... Looks like they've gone and lost something, and they need help finding it."

"What have they lost?" asked the woman, sitting down on the rock beside her friend.

Uther looked at Sister Isobel carefully, wondering how much he should say. His stomach rumbled threateningly. Time for a beer, he mused. "Doesn't matter, I'm going. Gave my word, years ago."

"I'm going with you," she said, firmly. Her angelic face glowed slightly in the dimming light.

Oh, boy, Uther thought. "The Matron won't like it," he said. 'Course, she don't like anything....

"You'll convince her, I'm sure," Isobel countered, an impish smile dancing briefly across her soft face. She had that look on her face, one that Uther was all too familiar with. Stubborn as a stone, he thought as he sighed. He had seen that look that first day he ran across her in the woods; even as a baby, she had displayed her two natures, both the soft, delicate outside and the backbone of granite. More stubborn than a stone -- more like a dwarf. Must be why I care for her so much...

Uther grimaced, and Isobel knew she had won. "I'll go pack!" she said, and turned to head back to the cloister.

"Hey!" Uther called after her. "If I'm gonna change her mind, I'm going to need a good brew afterwards!" He waved his hands vaguely in the direction of the brewer's. "Get me a barrel of beer to take with us, will ya? It's gonna be a long walk."

* * *

"... And MacGregor has never failed you, James," Urqhart continued with his list.

"MacGregor? He's only a boy!" retorted James.

"He is the head of the House Guard, James, and quite a skilled swordsman and woodsman," he explained patiently. "David's teacher, too, should go."

"Ioan?"

"He has travelled extensively, speaks many languages, and is rather clever. And he is also quite fond of the boy, and would likely want to help anyway. His people also have a much closer tie to the area than any of us."

"I suppose..."

"And then there is Abigail," Urqhart added, matter-of-factly.

James looked up, surprised. "My daughter? Absolutely not! She --"

"-- has grown up quite a bit, James! And you are going to need someone who best represents your interests. I would go of course, but my age..." Urqhart spread his hands, smirking slightly.

"Oh, very well! She'll go! But she'll go as my daughter, in the lead and with a straight back! She needs to get out of this house, anyway. She's been moping around for days..."

* * *