Episode 1: A Journey Begins

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Edgar cleared his throat, just after Isobel had sat down, and announced, "The Lady Serena."

Into the room swept a beautiful, majestic, graceful woman entirely of green: her skin was a milky green, her hair a dark green, her glittering eyes dark onyx. She wore only a simple shift of white, but it seemed to all there that it was a dress of fine magnificence. Her pointed ears stood out, suggesting a Sidhe, but she was unlike any that Uther remembered. She seated herself in one of the positions to the left of the head of the table.

Uther found himself standing before he realized he had moved. Cursing himself internally, he wondered what spell was wrought to make her appear so. His mind flowed back to old stories of a hidden Sidhe city somewhere near hear, a story often told but just as often dismissed as a legend created by the Sidhe to enhance their reputation.

Once more, he found himself interrupted as Edgar again cleared his throat and announced the Lord Underwood's entrance. At this, he rose of his own accord, to afford this man the dignity his grandfather's service to Uther requested. He saw the young man he had passed the life-debt to at Allen's funeral now a well-aged man, some of the dignity inherited if not the lilting tongue or the jovial attitude. Must be the times, thought Uther, as he extended his hand to the Lord Underwood.

"I came, as you requested," he said, simply. "An' my friend, Sister Isobel tagged along." Isobel nodded politely.

James regarded Isobel with some hope. "Sister? A Guardian?"

Bashfully, Isobel answered. "Yes, Lord Underwood, I am a follower of the Guardian."

A mild smile crossed his lips briefly, and then James sat down. "A good omen, this is!"

Meanwhile, upstairs Edgar knocked vigourously on Abigail's door. "Miss! Your father requests your presence at dinner! Miss!"

From within, Abigail's muffled voice answered. "Go away! I'm busy packing, and I'm not hungry anyway!"

"Miss Abigail, your father wishes you to meet your guests!"

"Guests?" The bedroom door opened a crack.

"Yes, ma'am. I believe these are the people that the Lord summoned to assist in the rescue of young David, ma'am."

Abigail sighed. "Oh, very well... I'll be down in a moment."

"Yes, ma'am," replied Edgar, who did not move from the door.

Shortly, Abigail emerged and was announced to the dining hall. She took her seat, on the left side of the table, beside Serena.

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