Episode 1: A Journey Begins

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Something hard, small and round landed squarely on Rikkard's forehead, followed by an excited chittering and another object bounced off his head.

Rikkard yawned and opened his eyes to see a squirrel on the tree above him watching him intently. Pausing in mid-throw, it seemed satisfied that Rikkard was awake and scurried back up the tree.

Something felt strange to Rikkard, and he realized immediately what it was: the tree had not been that large when he fell asleep...

Looking around, he found himself somewhere altogether different than where he had been: the trees here were massive, and he could hear the sound of water flowing nearby, and he could make out buildings nearby.

That nymph! he thought. She has cast some glamour on me while I slept!

Rather than try to ponder the mystery of the mind of a creature as strange as that, he shouldered his pack and walked toward the house, hoping that someone here has heard of this Serafina to whom he was to pledge his life.

Crossing over a small bridge over a brook, he stopped as a man in armour rode up to him. The rider drew his sword and levelled it at Rikkard.

"Name yourself, stranger!" the horseman bellowed.

"I am Rikkard Von Vellomoson, and I am on a quest to find, uh, Serafina," he answered. The horsmen seemed surprised at his statement.

"What business do you have with Lord Underwood's daughter?" he challenged.

"What did you say?"

"I say, what business have you with the Lord Underwood's daughter?"

Rikkard laughed. "Lord `under-wood'!" he exclaimed. Why that crafty, little... "I have a gift for her, a present from a, er, friend"

Unconvinced, the horseman nonetheless led Rikkard back to the house.

Inside, James began to tell the assembled group what had befallen David so far. He did not mention the Heartstone, only alluding that he had "ways" to know that David was indeed alive. Serena beckoned to James and whispered into his ear, and somewhat surprised, he turned to Edgar. "Edgar, would you please fetch our latest `guest' and escort him in, please?"

Edgar returned with Rikkard, who scanned the room, his eyes lingering on Serena, before he announced himself in rough Shetlandic. "I am Rikkard Von Vellomoson, and I have come here in search of one who is called Serafina."

The room turned to Abigail, and she stood. "I am Serafina Abigail, why do you seek me?"

Rikkard walked briskly over to her, nodded briefly before dropping down to one knee, his head bowed. Before him, he thrust the knife, hilt toward Abigail. "I pledge myself to you and to your quest," he said, not himself aware of the source of the words, "whatever tha may be."

"Uh..." Abigail was surprised by the gesture, but took the straight, foreign-handled knife and beckoned for the strange man to take a seat.

"A good sign," said Serena. Her voice was soft and oddly rhythmed, and yet each would swear that they heard it clearly.

The rest of the meal went quickly and without anyone speaking. Everyone looked nervously around the table, expectation defeating appetite. Most eyes alighted on the Green Lady, who seemed unaware -- or utterly undisturbed -- by the attention. Perhaps only Uther seemed undisturbed, satisfiedly washing down the large slab of roast pig with the enormous flagon of beer. As if to signal the end of the feast, he slammed his empty mug down on the table, belched contentedly, and turned to their host.

"Well, Lord Underwood, the feast was good, but we had better get to business. Where has your son gone?" A slight smile crossed briefly over Serena's lips, and Edgar, standing at attention in the corner of the room, seemed aghast.

"My grandfather said you liked to get to the point, Uther," said James, nodding to Uther. "I expect that the other stories he told of you are similarly accurate."

James stood up, straightened his dark green vest, and told them of his son's disappearance.

"Has there been a ransom?" asked Rikkard.

James shook his head. "No, and I don't expect one. I have reason to believe that David has been taken abroad -- overseas, to AEgypt."

"AEgypt?" exclaimed Isobel. "But why?"

James sighed heavily. Again, Abigail noticed the little signs of age that had crept up in her father: the slight greying of the hair about the temples, the loosening of the skin around the face, the sag in his shoulders. With a shock she realized that he seemed to have aged a dozen years since David had disappeared. And would he age this way if I went missing? If I went out one night and never came back? Abigail realized that Serena's gaze had settled upon her, and suddenly felt ashamed. I love my brother! she shot back defensively, in her mind.

"The House of Green is the oldest member of the Ulsterian council -- a founding member -- and there are those that despise our role. And --" James paused and looked at Serena with a question on his face. She imperceptively nodded, and he continued. "And it is possible that the circumstances surrounding his birth may also have something to do with it."

Rikkard leaned forward, eyes narrowing. Are all great families destined for corruption, as ours was? "What circumstances are these?" he asked.

"Magickal," answered James.

Rikkard sensed an opening. "And what sort of magick was involved? What creature was made from the workings of this magick? What power can be drawn from the boy?"

Around the table, uncomfortable looks appeared on their faces. This stranger talked so brashly, and as much as accused David of being somehow heretical in the very house he came from. James shot a look of disbelief and anger toward the Northerner, but it was the calm, clear voice of the Green Lady that answered.

"David's birth was difficult, and both he and his mother would have died if they were not assisted," she answered simply. "After all," she added, looking at Rikkard directly in her mesmerizing eyes, "it is not necessarily the case that one born -- or re-born -- by magickal means need be tainted by the process. Do you not agree, stranger?"

Rikkard felt a shiver in his spine. She knows! he thought. But how? And does she imply that I am somehow tainted by my experience? Aloud, he said nothing, merely settling back down in his chair.

"What else do you know?" asked Uther, returning them to the matter at hand.

James' glare lingered a moment longer on Rikkard before he answered. "Not much, I am berieved to say. There was a package sent by him about a week ago before I returned, so he has been missing no more than two weeks."

"Two weeks?" said Ioan. "He could be many places in two weeks, Lord Underwood. What makes you think he is in AEgypt?"

"I know," answered James firmly. "I cannot tell you more. David is somewhere in AEgypt, and he must be rescued. David is the heir to the House of Green -- in him, all my hopes and dreams are bound! It is foretold that he is destined to become a great leader of Mannan one day, and I believe that someone is trying to steal that destiny!" James emphasized his point by banging on the table sharply, and a glass crashed down on the floor. He looked down at the broken cup and turned sharply away from them.

James took a deep breath and resumed. "Please, forgive me. I miss my son greatly." He took a drink from his wine glass. "Uther here has answered my call for aid. I cannot ask his friend to join --"

Isobel cleared her throat. "You need not ask, Lord Underwood. I will go."

Uther grinned. "An' there's no sense in tryin' to talk her out of it, neither..."

"I am indebted to you, Sister Isobel, thank you," James looked down the table at the merman. "Ioan, I would ask for your help and your guidance to this cause. Will you join them?"

"Of course, Lord Underwood! I do not wish to lose my only pupil!"

"He's your only pupil," Abigail pointed out.

Ioan grinned. "All the more reason!"

"I wish that it were possible that I would lead you myself in this effort, but I cannot leave the Council at the present time -- there are pressing matters that call my attention. In my stead, my daughter Abigail shall take my place as leader."

Leader? thought Abigail. She suddenly felt somewhat small under the stares of those around the table. Me?

Rikkard lept to his feet. "And whereever she goes, I will go, and I will lend my skill to her quest!" he exclaimed loudly. "I am duty-bound to this, and will serve her loyally." Rikkard bowed low to Abigail, to demonstrate his support.

Serve... Me? she thought.

"Your, um," began James uncertainly, "fealty is well appreciated, good sir. Chamberlain Urqhart is arranging for a wagon and some supplies to be readied for you. I expect that you will leave at first light in the morning." James looked suddenly weary, as if his son's disappearance drained his strength. "If you will excuse me, I am not feeling ill, and I have to travel to Ulster tomorrow for Council. Adieu."

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