Guillaume is Missing

1205, Spring

The little troupe rode past the outlying farms and approached Alain and the grogs. Juana looked at Alain. "You're the one that came with the magus from Arabia. Alain de Fortier. Good afternoon. Are you now attached to the covenant?"

"I am he. Yes, I have sworn my service to those of the covenant. How may I be of service?"

"We have travelled long and are weary. First, we ask the hospitality of the covenant. Secondly, I must address the magi at the earliest time possible. This request is made with full Quaesitorial authority," she regarded him shrewdly. "If you do not know that that means, they shall."

Alain smiled grimly to cover his ignorance. "I shall get word to them at once."

Used to taking orders, Alain set out himself to inform the first magi of the covenant of the recent arrivals.

Alain made his way to the Hermes Portal, the magical gate which led to the interior of the Covenant, and one of the wonders which he had seen in his year in this place. Speaking the words he had been taught, he walked toward and through the wall, vanishing to reappear inside the cavern complex. A torch was burning in a wall-sconce there and he took it as he went to seek out one of the magi.

Although, Terrus was senior, he was fanatically reclusive - Alain had not seen him since their return to the Covenant after the Tribunal the previous summer. Lilia was the mage he had worked with most closely since then, travelling with her around the area as she gathered information for the book she had written over the winter, furthering his own knowledge of the area as he did so. Lilia was also the one most inclined to sit huddled around a fire during the bitter winter and talk and tell stories, as Alain remembered doing in his youth. The background of the two was similar, and that made a sort of friendship possible. He and Lilia had spoken more and become closer even than he and Lemain, with whom he had travelled from the Holy Land.

So it was that Alain sought out Lilia, finding her in the library.

Lilia sighed. "I doubt this is a good thing, but I will go with you to welcome our guests. First, let me find Leporidaes and ask him to carry a message to Osprey -- as his apprentice, I always feel he has a better connection."

On her way out, Lilia asked one of the servants to air the new guest cottage and make it ready for distinguished guests.

This would naturally involving shifting Anotine temporarily somewhere else, but the Priest was popular with the villagers and would have no difficulty finding lodgings for the short term.

"Whether it is good news or bad, we will show them our best hospitality," she said.

She stopped by Osprey's lab, which Leporideas had been borrowing for the winter for a project and told him of their guest.

"Oh dear," Leporideas let out upon hearing of the guests. He absentmindedly stroked his right ear and pushed aside a tome that he had had his nose buried in. Leaping up, he replied "Go see to them, I'll inform Master Osprey." The youngster shifted to his rabbit form before Lilia's very eyes and hopped out past her further into the mountain.

Soon the lodging arrangements had been made, and a council called for the next day.

Juana began by thanking the magi for their prompt attention. "I come here with sad news and a request. Last year at the Tribunal, the redcap in this area, Guillaume was instructed to mend his ways. Did he visit your Covenant this winter? I thought not. However, evidence has surfaced which implies that this winter at least, some ill may have befallen him.

"His horse returned, riderless, to Rochehaut in the middle of the winter. Much of Guillaume's equipage was on the beast, including a log-book of sorts. There is much of interest in the journal, but the most interesting entry is the last. It reads simply, 'I will take the route I took with Lilia.'"

Leporideas, in his human form, looked to Lilia with a twitching nose.

"Ah. Now I understand your journey to Lakehome more clearly. It has been many seasons since I came here with Guillaume, but I believe I can retrace the route if it would help. Especially if it will help Guillaume."

Juana smiled. It looked odd on her face, "I am glad that you have offered to do this. It was my intention to ask you to do so and report on your findings. His horse I will leave with you, and if you require it, several of my grogs."

"I thank you for that generosity. If you would partake of our hospitality for a day more, I will consult with my fellows and see what arrangement works best for all."

Lilia set about preparing for the journey. She and Leporideas would go, accompanied by their personal grogs/servants, Tanya and Conrad. Etienne and Alain would accompany them as well. Etienne asked her about the route, and she replied, "From Stonehollow, we travelled south out of Surmont and down toward l'Ouveze river, which we followed back to the Rhone. Then we went up the Rhone and took a ferry across to Valence, stopping there the first night, staying at the cathedral disguised as pilgrims.

"We left early the next morning and followed the Isere toward Grenoble. We travelled a full day before turning away from the river to make camp."

"Before dawn, we struck camp. About a half day's journey down the river, we took a shortcut and left the river, heading northeast to the Veneon at the mouth of the Veneon valley. We could have followed the Drac to the Romanche, then picked up the Veneon -- we chose a more difficult, but shorter route."

Lilia sighed and gave a quick, nostalgic grin. "Gillaume assured me we wouldn't have to fight wild boar for our campsite"

"Our route took us up into mountains, where we camped for the night. We stopped early to avoid the bitter cold of the ridge of the hill. We crested a ridge another half day's journey up the next morning, then descended into the Veneon valley.

"We camped early that day, as well, to rest the horses. The next morning we arrived at the Romanche very nearly where it met with the Veneon, then turned southeast for a couple of miles before heading due south, up the valley toward Lauvitel. We arrived at Lakehome's lower village mid-afternoon.

"It is a simple route, but for the shortcut. I fear something happened to Guillaume in the mountains above the Veneon valley, but we shall have to see what we see."

"So we start our journey north down the valley," she concluded with a small shrug.

Etienne nodded, and then went to look at Guillaume's horse. Perhaps there was a clue or something which might give them an idea of where the horse had been, to aid their search. A burr, briar scratch, or even a portion of matted fur could tell them of what the horse had been through.

Leporideas approached the horse quietly and stroked its flank moving closer to it's reins. With soothing sounds he calmed the beast and then began to call upon the art and technique of Intellego Animal to probe within the mind of the horse to gain insight into what might have happened.

Leporideas was unable to get much from the beast except a general sense of well-being at being warm and fed at the moment.

Meanwhile, Alain asked Lilia how many days the trip took and how long they could expect to be gone. He wanted to make sure they packed plenty of food, he still remembered running out of food halfway to the Holy Land.

"Good thinking, Alain. It took us about five days. We travelled swiftly and with purpose, not stopping to peruse our surroundings. We also had no real problems with weather -- a little rain, which did not slow us much -- or other vagaries of the journey. We might even plan for 10 days' worth of supplies to allow for investigating the route more thoroughly."

Alain speculated about taking the cart on the trip, but Lilia's memory of the crossing the ridge was that it would be impassable to the cart without magical aid - and that she did not think she or Leporideas would be up that specific task. ""Guillaume and I travelled by foot on our way here. It wasn't difficult -- I think we would be fine travelling by foot, using Guillaume's horse as a pack animal."

With that as a plan, several days were spent arranging for the necessary goods. Etienne proved invaluable as his experience in surviving in these mountains was unmatched, although Alain noticed that he was very reticent about how he had learned those skills.

Antoine volunteered to keep an eye on Etienne's hut until he returned, "Or until the Bishops' men do."

The night before they left, Etienne awoke in a cold sweat. The cries that haunted his sleep had returned. Once awake, though, the quiet voice that sometimes came to him calmed him, telling him that this was a mission of mercy he had undertaken and would count in his favor in his final judgement.

His cries had woken Antoine, and the two spent some time in prayer before Etienne left to join the others.

They left in the midst of a light spring rain. The drizzle was not enough to seriously hinder their travel, but it did make the going miserable. Once down out of the Lauvitel valley, they turned left and walked along the southern side of the river, rather than turning north toward Venosc.

They called an early halt when they found a place which was fairly sheltered from the rain and made a fire. They pitched a canvas to protect them from the rain and spent the night.

The next day, they reached the place that Lilia remembered coming down into the Veneon valley and turned south west and began to climb into the mountains. The weather was better, but it became colder as they climbed. They stopped early again, since they wished to cross the high point of the ridge by daylight.

They made the crossing with no difficulty, and it was shortly after that they found the camp. The fire was long dead, and doubtless some of the other signs had been swept away by the winter winds, but there was no mistaking the cooking gear and cloak which had been left behind. The cooking gear was lashed to a tree and the cloak had been nailed to the tree with a dagger and a long crystal dart. Lilia recognized the gear and the cloak as belonging to Guillaume.

Etienne drew out his twin shortswords and disappeared into the surrounding brush. His exit was abrupt, but necessary to secure the site and look for further clues, not to mention any traps which might be set. The former bandit understood fully the tricks of the trade when it came to leaving a 'message' and hoped that whoever had done this was careless. When the area was searched and secured to his satisfaction he would return and explain.

Alain watched Etienne's exit, reacting only by removing the leather braid that kept his broadsword secured in its scabbard. He took a position toward the center of the small campsite in order to respond to anything from any direction. He was halfway through crossing himself when his hand stopped. His eyes narrowed and he turned from the company about him. He swore at himself under his breath.

Leporideas fidgetted, looking to and fro both trying to listen and poised to take off at the first sign of trouble. He spoke out of nervousness, "I-i-is there blood? Guillaume isn't, " he paused leaving the question hanging.

Lilia gathered herself. All her travelling companions were on edge and prepared for the worst. She made eye contact with Alain and put a comforting hand on Leporideas' shoulder.

"We are sure of nothing at this point, my friend. When Etienne comes back, perhaps he will have some news. All we can do is be ready for the worst and pray for the best." While she spoke, she scanned the ground for trinkets or clues. She didn't know what she sought, but felt need to do what she could.

Feeling a bit calmer upon seeing the former Crusader brandish his weapon Leporideas exhaled and followed behind Lilia to survey the campsite. He stood back and peered at the unusual crystal dart for he had never seen such a weapon before.

The structure was such that Leporideas was fairly sure that it had been created by magic. In fact, he seemed to remember a fairly common spell in the Order which created such a missile. He was reassured as well by the fact the cloak had no blood upon it. It was firmly nailed to the tree, the dagger uppermost with the dart directly below. The dagger had been hammered deep into the tree, not merely jabbed haphazardly.

Lilia found no other trinkets lying on the ground, but she did find a flat area with old horse-droppings. It was just where she would have tied her horse if she was camping on the spot.

Etienne returned. He had found no sign of danger in the immediate area, but also no further sign of Guillaume. He had, however, found a latrine trench and a rough lean-to a little distance away against a rock out of the wind. It seemed that the camp was not a mere overnight lodging.

The recent fisherman recounted his findings to the party, "Guillaume was here for some time. Is there any reason you know of to explain the delay?" he asked Lilia. "Could he have been waiting for someone?"

"Perhaps," she said slowly. "He seemed troubled and secretive at the Tribunal. I never believed he was derelict in his duties -- at least not by choice. When I asked him what worried him, he said only that he would make no excuse and quickly moved to another subject." She shrugged helplessly.

"I have no information of value, but I do think Guillaume was in trouble long before this incident."

Alain relaxed his guard. "It is still a bit early in the day, but I propose we set camp here. This is obviously a place he frequented. While some of us are setting camp, the rest can do a thorough search of the surrounding area. We can cover a lot of ground in the remaining daylight."

Conrad stepped protectively close to Lilia, "Who shall do which task?" the big grog asked clenching his staff firmly, if a bit nervously, in his hands.

Alain's expression did not change. "We'll leave a strong guard with the camp, if that is what you are worried about. I thought Eteinne and myself could do the search. I bow to Lilia's wisdom, however."

"Wisdom tells me I should leave the search to those more woods-worthy and experienced than myself. I am happy to set up camp -- with Conrad, if he does not mind being my muscle," she said, smiling at Conrad.

Leporideas suddenly felt out of place, and volunteered to assist with the search. Not sure where to begin, the agile youngster climbed a tree to see if there was anything out of the ordinary that such a vantage point could deliver.

Etienne nodded to Alain and discussed their searching technique and calls should there be an emergency, before breaking off and conducting their investigation.

Alain squatted down to draw in the dust. He placed a point to represent the camp. From there, he drew a half-spiral from one side. He had perhaps four turns drawn. Countering his original spiral, he drew a complimentary and opposite spiral to return to the point. In several places, the spirals intersected. Finally, he drew a relatively straight line from the camp to the end of his spirals, trying to cut through the intersections.

"This dot is the camp and the line is the path down. We'll weave our way down, switching back at several places. We will move with two searching the surrounds and one watching for ambush. This way we can cover the most ground as a team in the least time. Does this sit well with you two?"

They nodded in agreement.

Etienne, Alain, Leporideas and Tanya moved out in their pre-planned pattern while Lilia and Conrad set about making camp. Or rather, Conrad set about making camp and did his best to make Lilia rest while he tended to her needs. As he worked, he wished aloud for a bow or crossbow to protect his mistress should something attack.

The searchers spread out, concentrating more heavily on the heights to the north and south, and the lower lands to the west rather than the easterly path they had just traversed. It was sharp-eared Leporideas who first heard the sounds coming from the peak or escarpment which jutted skyward north of their path. It sounded like ... snoring?

Alain motioned for Etienne to circle left while he went right.

The pair closed in on the sounds with a pincer-like movement, and then both stopped cold when they saw what was making the noise. Flat on his back on a rock, asleep and snoring to wake the dead, was a creature that could only be mistaken for human at first glance and in a dim light. Had he (for it was immediately obvious that it was a he) been standing, he would have been perhaps four and half feet tall, and perhaps half that in cross-section through the thickest part of his copious belly. The lower half of his body was lightly furred, like that of a deer, although his feet were along the human rather than the cervine model. His long and tangled hair was tinged with woodland green and his ears were pointed. He was naked. In one outstretched hand he held a wine skin, which was nearly empty although a little clear liquid dripped from it onto the rock. A pair of similar skins were slung across his chest, and rose and fall with the deep breaths the creature took.

Etienne rubbed his eyes with the back of his hand and looked across at Alain. Did he know what this creature was? The former bandit took a cautious step forward as silently as he could.

The creature took no notice. It was, to all appearances, drunk to stupefaction and dead to the world.

Draped, as he was, in steel scale armor, Alain knew he could not really sneak. Instead, he drew his sword and held it low but ready. When Etienne again looked to Alain, the crusader motioned that he would stay and watch. He was ready to move at a moment's notice.

With twin swords drawn Etienne crept up on the drunken creature. Using his sword, Etienne gently lifted the depleted wineskin away from the 'man' hoping to stir him and still maintain his distance.

The wineskin shifted in his grasp, with a snort the 'man' awoke. "What? Who?" He rolled clumsily into a seated position and clutched his skin tightly. "Who are you?" He peered blearily at Etienne.

Etienne did not lower his swords and returned the question, "Who, or rather, what are you?"

"I," said the creature, rather grandly, "am Juniper!" The effect was somewhat spoiled as he raised his wineskin aloft grandly and attempted to pour its contents into his mouth only to find it empty. He was rather comically put out by this discovery.

The former bandit circled about, for he had never heard of a Juniper before, aside from the tree. "Are there more Junipers about?" he asked.

"Where?" Juniper swirled about looking for more of something. He caught sight of Alain. "Sneaking up on me, were you?" He looked back and forth at the two. "As well you should! Am I not fearsome?" He stood tall and belched loudly, before slumping back down, trying to take another drink from his empty skin, discarding it in disgust, unslinging one of the others and squirting a jet of clear liquid into his mouth. "Drink?" he asked, offering the skin in Etienne's general direction.

Etienne looked to Alain in amusement and fought back the urge to erupt in laughter. With a shrug, he sheathed his swords and reached for the wineskin.

Taking a slug, he almost choked. It was the strongest beverage he'd ever tasted, in terms of alcoholic content, and was flavored with juniper. "Good isn't it?" asked Juniper. "How about you?" he turned to Alain.

Etienne coughed spasmodically for an instant and regained his composure, if not his voice. "S-s-smoooooth, it is." He took a deep breath, "So Juniper, where are you from?"

"Here, mostly," he said waving a hand at the peak which jutted up behind him, its rocky slopes covered with pines and scrub bushes, including it must be noted, numerous juniper bushes. "And you friend ... I've forgotten your name?" He paused expectantly.

I am called Etienne," he proclaimed by way of introduction.

"Where are you from?" asked Juniper.

"There, mostly," Etienne replied equally vague with a point away from the peak.

"I've never been there," said Juniper nodding sagely (or would that be juniperly?) and taking another drink.

Alain sheathed his sword, but kept his distance.

"But you have seen others like us, a man who stayed over there," Etienne indicated the whereabouts of Guillaume's camp.

"Guillaume, yes," Juniper whirled around looking at Alain and Etienne in turn, then back and forth again until he apparently got dizzy and sat back down, taking another drink. "He was expecting someone to come, are you them?"

"Guillaume, yes. Alas we are not they. We are friends who expected him, and he has not arrived." Etienne shifted his stance to a less threatening posture, "we fear he has fallen into trouble."

Juniper nodded, "Aye. That he has. Well, we shall wait til his friends come then."

With a confused glance Etienne looked to Alain for confirmation at what he just heard.

Speaking for the first time, Alain asked, "What if these friends were the reason he fell into trouble? Wouldn't they be long gone?"

"No,no," Juniper shook his head. "He was falling into trouble when told me his friends would come looking for him in the spring. That's why I asked if you were them. But clearly you aren't."

"What sort of trouble has he fallen into?" Alain asked.

Etienne rubbed his eyes trying to summon some patience. "We," indicating Alain and himself, "are not the friends he was waiting for. But, we can take you to them. They are at Guillaume's camp, please come with us and we will introduce you to Guillaume's friends."

"Lead on," said Juniper to Etienne. He staggered closer to Alain to answer his question, "Bad trouble. That's the kind."

Alain muttered something about 'good trouble' as they left the area. Passing by the others, he motioned for them to follow. He watched Leporideas, curious as to young man's reaction.

Leporideas had heard the trio long before they broke through the tree cover and had warned Tanya of their approach. He started to speak, but a warning glance from Etienne stopped his tongue; he hadn't realized what a stern gaze the enigmatic fisherman possessed.

The foursome made their way quickly back to the camp, where they found Conrad working diligently while Lilia sang softly to the horse.

With a sweeping hand Etienne made the introduction. "This a Juniper, a friend of Guillaume who is waiting for other friends of Guillaume."

"Juniper, these are Guillaume's friends I told you about."

"You," said Juniper staring at Lilia, "who are you?"

"Pleased to meet you, Juniper," said Lilia, bobbing a small curtsy. "I am Lilia, and I hope you have news of my friend, Guillaume. I am worried about him."

She sat on a log and patted a nearby rock. "Will you sit with me and tell me what you know of Guillaume?"

"Lilia," Juniper nodded. "You are his friends. I knew it." He offered the skin to Lilia, "Drink?"

Etienne coughed as a warning to Lilia about the skin's contents, and punctuated it with a short shake of his head when she looked at him.

Juniper shrugged when Lilia declined and took a hit. "Guillaume thought you'd come. He's very clever, you know. He seems to have found a way to leave a message or something to get you here. That'll make *them* pretty angry. Not that they aren't angry already, you understand. But now they'll be really angry." He snickered. I'd like to see it. No, no I don't want to be any where near them, but ... boy, will they be mad if you show up."

"Who are they? and where are they?" asked Leporideas anxiously giving a look around them.

"The Red Court and the Black Court, and the Red Queen and the Black King. They're all back there, of course," he pointed to the small peak where they had found them. "Only deeper in."

Leporideas looked nervous and sunk closer into the group. "Red Court and Black Court? what kingdom is this?" asked Etienne looking to Lilia who knew of such things.

Lilia wracked her mind for information on the Red Court, Black Court, Red Queen, Black King... She looked questioningly at the others. Did anyone know who these people were? Or if they were, indeed, people, she thought, remembering stories of sprites and fairies she had heard over the years.

Although her knowledge of the Fair Folk was very limited, this idea seemed the most plausible to her.

"I imagine you know these woods better than anyone," Lilia said to Juniper, turning on the charm. "We know so little -- could you tell us about the Red Court and the Black Court and the Red Queen and Black King? It would help us help Guillaume, and we would be grateful for that help."

"Of course, fair lady," he said. "First a little lubrication." He took a long drink from his skin. "There are two courts inhabiting the realm there, the Black and the Red. They are at odds, constantly warring according to the accords. Hmm. Are those words related, I wonder?" Juniper considered this a moment, had another drink, then continued, "The rules are very complicated, and being neither Red nor Black, I understand them but poorly. But being neither Red nor Black, I am not under the protection of either camp and vulnerable to both. On the other hand, being neither Red nor Black, I don't think I count in their score-keeping, so they mostly let me be. Besides," he whispered confidentially, "they like my gin." He slapped the wineskin. "I think that deep in the center of the realm lies that over which they claim to fight. I think that it is something or somplace which my kin and I cannot go or touch. Depending on whether or not it is a thing or a place. You see? Good." He took another sip. "That is where Guillaume comes in. He, being mortal, can go where we can not, and touch things that we cannot. So the Red Queen used him to go to this place or thing and do ... something. He could never tell me what. I believe," he tapped his nose significantly, "she placed on him a geas to prevent him from doing so. Be that as it may, the lines of battle have changed. The Black Court now surrounds this thing or place, and Guillaume is trapped within. The Black Court will happily kill him rather than let him continue to do ... whatever it is he does. The Red Court will kill him rather than let him serve the Black Court. It's difficult." Juniper took a long drink and fell down on his rear.

"Oh, dear," said Lilia, "It does seem Guillaume is in a pickle. My friends, he needs our help. If any of you has knowledge of these courts, Red and Black, please add your wisdom to our store. We can not leave Guillaume at their mercy, but we are little prepared to rescue him."

"I suppose we should work up a plan, then," said Lilia. "Juniper, we will need your help if you will give it. Can you tell us -- or show us -- exactly where the Black Court is holding Guillaume? And do you know what powers or weapons the Courts have? As you said, it is difficult, but I believe we can come to some plan."

Etienne sidled up to Alain and whispered to him, "This does not sound like a mission of diplomacy. Your sword may be needed."

Alain smirked. "I'm more concerned that my helmet might be needed."

"Guillaume is deep in the Fair Land, farther in than I have ever been," said Juniper. "Only the Black Court is that deep now. Closer to this realm, lies the Red Court. You will need to pass through the Red Court and then the Black Court to reach Guillaume," said Juniper. "The King and Queen possess great power, as befits those of their rank. They have armies of knights as well as lords, ladies and musicians in their entourage."

The hopelessness of the endeavor discouraged Leporideas, "How will we get to him if we cannot bargain with the Red Court?" He hopped about absentmindedly on one foot, "we are not an army."

"Do you have a vow against bargaining?" asked Juniper leaning forward interestedly.

"Not at all," offered Leporideas, "in fact, I prefer it."

"So why can't you bargain?" asked Juniper.

"If one court wishes him to stop and the other merely wishes to keep him from their enemies, it seems we have the proper position to bargain from," Alain said. "We can possibly make both sides happy."

Juniper nodded, then stopped. "Maybe." He belched thoughtfully.

"I tend to agree with Alain," said Lilia. "If nothing else, I think we should try to bargain. We can always go in with weapons drawn if that doesn't work."

"I have a handful of spells that might aid us in that end," she continued. "An Aura of Ennobled Presence may help impress a member of the court when we speak to them, and if our talks become heated, and Enchantment of Detachment may prove useful. For now, I would like to cast the Gift of Reason on Juniper, as our only ally with personal knowledge of the courts and see if we can get a clearer vision of our -- and Guillaume's -- situation."

She sighed. "And before we embark on our journey, I should use the Edge of Razor on the swords of our little army -- I may not be much help in a battle, but I can make your task easier."

Lilia drew herself up and cast the Gift of Reason on the drunken Juniper, tiring herself only slightly. The effect, if any, was not immediately apparrent - but then there wouldn't be any obvious physical change.

"Now, Juniper, we want to help Guillaume -- to rescue him from the Black and Red Courts. What do you know that would help us with this task? Any information on the woods, the Courts and their etiquette, or any information on Guillaume's predicament would be useful."

"Well," said Juniper, sounding a little more coherent. "the mountain is a place where the realms of my folk and your kind overlap. There is no passage to Arcadia itself, at least not that I know of, but one can pass deeply into our realms. In fact, you will have to pass through three dishtin, ah, distinct depths to reach the heart of the mountain. The first is very nearly your own, but is not. The second is now where the Red Court holds sway, the third is under the power of the Black Court. Deepest in, is where Guillaume lies and neither court dwells there."

Juniper belched and took a swig of gin, "Guillaume had been serving the Red Court. Now, though, he is isolated from them by the Black Court. Either court would see him dead before he serves the other. He must be safe where he is now, or else the Black King would have trumpeted news of his demise to the Red Court."

"That is good news," offered Leporideas. "These paths, can you lead us to them?"

Juniper nodded blearily at Leporideas, "I have that power."

"And is there any approach we should use, entering these realms? Like, does the Red Queen love asters so we could take her a gift and start out well?" Lilia was anxious to make the best go of it they could -- her lifelong training had taught her one should try honey to catch flies before resorting to swatting them with horsetails.

"She loves gifts, as do most of my kind, but I know of no particular weakness in that way," Juniper nodded cheerfully then took another swig before offering the skin to all those around him in a general sort of way.

"Is there anything she particulary dislikes so we do not stumble unwittingly onto her ire?"

"I would avoid the color black," said Juniper.

Alain laughed at the comment. He couldn't help himself. Those who had been training with him recently were shocked at the sound. His smile disappeared, "Fickle and fae. Or so the old women of my town used to say."

"Indeed," said Lilia. "If any of you has anything red -- anything at all -- I think we should look to it as a possible gift, or something to display as we enter the realm of the Red Queen."

Leporideas patted himself down looking for anything black to discard. Anything he could conjure would only be temporary, although some red flowers that faded within a day could be beneficial.

Etienne huffed a bit, removing his black cloak and tossing it aside in their camp.

Lilia and Tanya self-consciously brushed their browns, greens and blues and wished for reds.

"Juniper, how long will it take us to reach the Red Court?"

"Not long, I would think. A few hours," said Juniper.

"Does anyone have a particular plan?"

Alain shrugged. "I suspect plans would be wasted when dealing with such chaotic spirits as the Fair Folk."

"We should be going so we can enjoy Juniper's wisdom as long as it lasts."

"As you wish," Alain said. "Are we leaving the camp as is?"

"I wish I knew what would be safer here, away from the Red Court and what would be safer with us. Here is where I need the expertise of our more military minds -- is anyone staying behind to guard the camp? Might it not make sense to move our camp closer to the Courts. It may only take a couple of hours to reach the outer court, but it may be days before we get through to the Black Court and back."

"As we do not know how long we will be gone or under what circumstances we might find ourselves, it would be wisest to take all that we need with us," Alain said. "Considering the last few days' journey, it would be best if we rested the night and sought the courts in the morning. Of course, I understand there is a need for expediency."

"So long as we get all the information we need from Juniper before sundown, making camp and staying the night is a good option. If there is any information we need from Juniper, be confident we have it before the sun sets. Ask now, or... well, you need not hold your peace, but it may not do you any good to ask."

"It might do us no good to ask specific questions, but I believe listening to stories might yield the clues we seek," Alain said. "Juniper. Who was the last person to charm the Red Court? What sorts of things did he do?"

"The only one I know was Guillaume, and he didn't so much charm them as fall under their sway. He stumbled into the middle of the fight and was made to serve or face the consequences. We don't get many visitors," he concluded apologetically.

As he spoke, Lilia and Leporideas made the connections in their minds as to of what Juniper must be speaking when he talked of "deeper" and so on. It was what the Order generally referred to as "regiones," an area that neither of them had studied in depth.

"It may be that our magic is no good in the Courts. As I recall, it might be difficult to find our way into them, though Juniper may be able to help lead us." Lilia got up and brushed herself off.

"I think I shall go in search of red flowers or rocks or something that might please the Red Queen."

"I'll gather wood while I'm about," said Lilia. "Doing something useful seems a good change right now."

The company made their camp and prepared to pass the night as they had done so often before on their journey. They took some extra time to prepare their weapons and equipment for the morrow.

In the morning, Juniper led the way and kept up a running commentary on the terrain, the weather and so on. He led them up to a large rock and walked them around it twice, saying, "It's not all that hard to find the way in, actually. Sometimes you just happen across it. Ah."

The company stopped next to him and realized that things around them had shifted somehow. The sun sat a little higher in the sky that it had a moment before, and although the trees and brush seemed much the same, the colors seemed deeper and brighter.

"Welcome, lords and ladies, to my home," said Juniper bowing low and almost falling over.

"Mortals!" snorted a voice from off to their left, "The King will not be pleased with you, Juniper." The voice was rough, with unpleasant snorting sounds punctuating the words. They turned to see the speaker and saw a figure clad all in black armour, plates of dark metal molded to his form. His helmet had an extended front, projecting forward like a snout, and covered his face completely. The style of armour was unfamiliar even to Alain. He bore a plain black shield and carried a lance in one hand. He was mounted on a black horse which shied nervously.

"Mercy, lord," cried Juniper, obviously terrified.

"There shall be none," intoned the Black Knight, and setting his lance he began his charge.

As the Black Knight bore down on them, Etienne drew his swords and prepared to meet the charge. Conrad stepped in front of Lilia holding his staff determinedly. Out of the corner of his eye, Alain saw Leporideas moving his arms boldy and speaking softly, which surprised him a little. Lemain and Lilia, when casting spells tended to speak loudly but make more restrained gestures - in Lemain's case partly becuase he had but a single arm.

It was effective though, as the knight's horse suddenly whinnied and reared. The knight managed to keep his seat, but at the cost of dropping his lance. He got the animal under control and headed back toward the party, drawing his sword as he did so.

Lilia hummed to herself, perhaps a little nervously, and tried to stay out of the way.

"Lord knows," she thought, "when it comes to combat, I could only make matters worse by trying to help."

The horse began to move towards the party, as the warriors took positions in front of the magi and the cowering Juniper. Leporideas concentrated and the horse twitched again, this time sending the rider crashing to the ground. Freed of its burden, the horse raced off to one side as the snarling knight regained his feet, undamaged by the fall to all appearances.

Sword and shield in hand he charged and just as he closed in, tripped over a rock. Shrieking madly, Conrad charged, displaying the lack of discipline that Alain found such a trial in all the grogs at Lakehome. He landed a blow on the Black Knight's helm which rang like a bell. The Black Knight simply ignored him and began to stand. Tanya, older and with a little more discipline held her ground and tried to stick the enemy with her spear. Her jab found a gap in the armour and a gout of dark blood erupted. The Knight snarled his pain.

"Conrad, hold your ground!" Alain shouted. "Stand by Tanya, like you were taught." While shouting orders, he subtly motioned for Etienne to circle left. He began to circle right, striking for the knight's left side.

He landed a blow on the Knight's shield, sliding up into his helm, and drew his attention.

Etienne moved closer to the man with his swords drawn and spoke, "Desist and live. A child and woman fell you, continue and die by the swords of men." He readied himself and made eye contact with Alain to coordinate their attack. "We come in peace, we do not wish to shed any more blood." Etienne could not believe the words coming from his lips, not that he said them for he had many times; this time he meant them. If only Antoine were there to share in this milestone.

The knight snarled and lashed out at Etienne, who deflected the attack with one sword and countered with the other, finding the junction of helm and neck and nearly severing the knight's head.

The knight fell to the ground, flopped once and was still.

Alain crossed himself out of habit as their foe fell. He stepped back and eyed the body. From his stance, it was clear Alain was not convinced of the creature's mortality. "I fear this will not sit well if we attempt to bargain with the Black Court. Let us hope the Red Court hold our answers. Who was this, Juniper?"

"One of the knights of the Black Court, I do not know his name. There are many like him, all foul tempered," said Juniper. "I for one shall not miss him."

"Do members of the Black Court often travel to this first circle of your realm? I had figured to reach and exceed the Red Court before I even saw a hint of the Black Court. And is anyone injured?"

"I had thought the Black Court to be much farther in," said Juniper. "Perhaps this one was here to prevent just such attempts as this."

"Then, let us hope this is the last one we see," Alain said, putting away his sword.

Leporideas shuffled up to the fallen Black Knight and knelt beside his unmoving body. Softly he began to chant, combining the magics of Intellego and Vim to discern if the creature possessed any vis.

His impression was that there was Vis present and located somewhere beneath the knights helmet. Opening the the visor he beheld a face that looked like a cross between a human and boar, and the Vis was definately concentrated in the two tusks jutting forward from the knight's jaw.

He winced at the sight of the beast and drew his knife to remove the tusks. A moment later the tusks were safely removed and stowed in his bag.

Alain had seen men take trophies of war before. Looking at this young man, Alain would have never imagined him capable of such a thing. He turned so that Leporideas was not in his direct line of sight. He forced himself to keep an even countenance even as he mentally cringed from the idea.

"Shall we press on?" he asked the company.

Leporideas hopped to his feet and brushed himself off. Etienne strode to the front beside Alain, "If the Blacks are so close to the perimeter then there might be trouble for the Reds and ourselves. I would not think a knight such as this would be alone."

"A knight usually at least implies a squire," Alain responded. "At least, in our realm that is the case. However, if we take our own world as an example, a black knight is usually a loner. The choice of blackening the armor is to reduce the dependence on a squire. You are right that we should proceed with caution, though. Tanya and Conrad should stay close to the magi. Our company is small enough though that I don't think we necessarily need to worry about a front and rear guard."

Juniper had recovered himself to some extent, "Squires are unknown here. If we have not yet been attacked, then we should be safe. At least until we reach the Red Court. This way."

Juniper led them up the slope a little ways and they struck a track which looped around the mountain. After a short walk, Juniper halted the party by a large tree. "One moment," he said. He walked toward the tree and vanished. After a moment's surprise, the party could see there was a cleft in tree into which he had stepped. After a few moments he returned with a new cargo of laden wineskins, or gin-skins, rather.

"Now, I am ready to venture further." He led the party a little ways along the track, then pointed down toward a narrow V made by a rock and a spruce. "Through the there." They walked down, through the V and looped around the rock.

"Halt there," rang out a command. On the path above them, where there had been no one a moment before, was a group of three scarlet-clad figures. Two were knights, similar in equipage to the Black Knight they had faced before, but larger, unmounted and armed with heavy two-handed swords. The third was a small creature, foxy looking down to a slightly extended nose and face and pronounced whiskers. He was clad as a forester or huntsman, and equipped with a short bow slung across his back, a horn, and the boar-spear against which he leaned. It was he who had spoken and who now spoke again, "Halt, I say. Juniper! Is it you? And who are these you bring with you and to what end?"

"Master Reynard," began Juniper. "I bring, ah, these are some, well. They want to meet, that is ..." he floundered.

Leporideas shufffled to the back, trying to find shelter. He looked to Lilia, a much more skilled speaker than he.

Alain also turned toward Lilia, their de facto spokeswoman so far.

Lilia moved to the front of the group. With a bow of her head, she proferred the bouquet of red flowers.

"Hail and well met," she said. "We are seeking audience with the Red Queen. This meager offering is but a token of our good will and esteem. Might you take us to her, or arrange for us to meet her here?"

"Well enough spoken," said the foxy little man. "And who are you, good lady, that seeks an audience with the Queen?"

"I am Lilia Abdelnour of Lakehome," she replied. "I believe a friend of mine -- ours -- is lost in this realm and we hope to find him. It seems the Queen may have some knowledge that would aid us in our quest."

"Well, I shall conduct you to her. This way," said Reynard, and he set off.

The company followed him along the path until they reached a meadow. At one end a fine, pale woman sat, clad all in red. Next to her two willowy women with an ageless look sat, playing gently on pipes - the sound was of wind whispering softly through the boughs. Several more of the large knights stood nearby.

Renyard pranced forward and bowed low. "My queen, visitors. Lilia Abdelnour of Lakehome and her companions. They seek a missing friend," he added significantly.

The Queen regarded the party with interest.

Lilia sank into a deep curtsey, motioning the others to bow as well.

"Your Majesty, we are grateful you saw fit to grace us with your time and audience. We bring you an offering, a mere token of our regard for you and your court." Lilia held the flowers at arm's length to allow queen or court member to take them. She kept her head bowed and eyes on the ground, waiting acknowledgement from the Red Queen.

The Queen gestured and one of her women came forward to take the flowers. She returned them to the Queen who gazed at them then nodded. "We thank you, Lilia, for this gift. She placed them on the ground near her feet where they promptly took root. "Reynard says you wish an audience, well, you have one."

"A friend of Lakehome's by the name of Guillaume of Mercere has gone missing. He may be prisoner in the Black Court, though for what, we do not know. Have you heard of Guillaume, Majesty, or do you know of his plight? And do you have any wisdom or assistance for those who wish to bring him home safe?"

"This Guillaume is known to me. For many years has he been in my service. He is now imprisoned, or trapped rather, by the Black King and the Black Court," she said. "I would have his service again, but I fear the Black King will see him dead before free to serve me." She gestured gracefully to the party. "The Black King will wish you dead as well, I think, lest you serve me as Guillaume has done."

Lilia nodded. "That seems likely. I fear it will be dangerous to free Guillaume, but I think we must try. Careful planning may help. Are there any of the Red Court who might aid us, Majesty, either with good information or with sword and shield?"

The Queen leaned back into her chair, "Of information, perhaps you may be supplied, but for the nonce The Black Courts are forbidden us as these Red Courts are denied the King and all of his court. But," she continued, "what does it moot me and mine to free him now? Sometime we shall regain that realm where now the Black King reigns and we shall then free our Guillaume and find his service useful one again."

Etienne whispered to Alain, "Royalty here is not much different here than at home, eh?"

Peeking out from the group Leporideas nudged his way forward. "But what if it is too late for Guillaume and great harm has befallen him by the time that happens?," he said, immediately regretting his outburst.

"So stir he not from where he is, no harm will come to him however long he wait," she said. "But if he fall, then I must needs find one to take his place. Or more than one," she said leaning forward.

"But your Majesty," said Lilia, shock -- feigned mixed with real -- shown on her face, "we were attacked by a knight of the Black Court just before meeting up with Master Reynard on our way to find the Red Court. Is that not outside the Black Court's bailiwick?"

"Did you now? The champion must have been abroad when this tempestuous uproar swept our places back and forth, and found himself denied from home," said the Queen.

"You think that is all, then? In our panic at being attacked, we did not consider all the possibilities -- particularly when we found the Black Knight protected by magic -- and raw vis. I had always thought the Fair Folk had their own magic and therfore surmised the vis must be evidence of alliance with an outside force. Well... If your Majesty feels comfortable with the Black Knight's wanderings, I shall not question them further.

"You said you might have knowledge that will help us free Guillaume? I know he is but an expendable servant to you, Majesty, but he is a worthy friend and longtime companion to us. We very much wish to see him safe again."

"I ask again," she said, "why should I exert myself when time may well restore him to me?"

Lilia turned to her companions, hoping for help. "I am but asking a favour of your Majesty. Is there anything we could do in trade that would persuade you to assist us?"

"Perhaps, what have you to offer me?" she said languidly.

"Safety, at no risk to you," spoke up Etienne. "As friends of the Court, and friends of Guillaume, we recognize that each moment he remains a prisoner it brings great danger to your realm. We volunteer to free him, restore your relationship, and should we fail there is no connection to the Red Court. All we ask is assistance in finding where he may be held."

"Interesting. And what if Guillaume is lost in your attempt? What then? Will one of you take his place?" she looked around the circle.

"Perhaps," answered Lilia. "But we do not know what Guillaume's responsibilities to this court are. I could not volunteer my services, nor those of my fellows, without knowing the full scope of the deal."

"Wise woman," said the Queen, "Each winter, Guillaume comes to me. His task is simple. He goes to the center and top of this mountain, takes what he finds there and returns it to me."

Leporideas considered briefly and answered, "I could do that."

"Will you swear to do so?" she asked.

Side to side Leporideas looked, for his impulsiveness had seemed to get him into a sticky place. Etienne merely nodded as if to say 'it is your decision' and Leporideas took a deep breath. "I do."

The words hung in the air for a long moment, and time seemed to extend itself. Leporideas felt the words harden and crystallize inside him and knew himself to be bound.

"I accept your service," said the Queen. "And shall reward you for it as is meet. Music, dance!" she cried, and her servitors leapt to do her bidding. She gestured to Leporideas and Lilia, beckoning them to her.

"The closer realm," she said, "is denied to me and mine. But you are mortals and thus exempt. Reynard will set you on the way, but will not go with you.

"Long did we dwell in that place, and we know it's paths well. It may be that you may be able to avoid the Black King's men by following a trail they have not yet found. When you enter the Black Courts, hard by your left you will see a pine, the hugest in the place, ringed round with bracken. Below, there is a gap. Through that gap lies a rivulet which trickles down from the peak. It may be that by that road you can reach the peak unmolested. At the peak stands the Crystal Circle, inside is Guillaume. Inside, too, is what you or he must bring me."

With a sigh of great weight, Leporideas looked to the others. "Come. Let us rescue Guillaume."

"Wait a moment, Leporideas," said Lilia, turning to the queen. "Must we break the circle to get to what lies within? I feel sure it must have some power. What will we need to do to enter the circle... And to get out safe again with your treasure?"

"No, you are mortal, the circle will not hinder your entrance," she said. "Each winter, you will come again and peform the same service. No, the difficulty is not in the circle, but in the Black Court."

"Very well. We thank you for your gracious hospitality. We will see you on our return journey."

"May we take Juniper with us to act as guide?"

"Juniper ... does not know the way. Although he is not forbidden the Black Court, as we are. If he wishes to go, he may," she replied.

"Juniper, you know this realm better than we, even if you do not know the route to Guillaume's holding place. If you would be able to help us, I would appreciate it. If you find it dangerous or simply not to your taste, I understand and am still grateful for all the help you have given us. It would have been far more difficult without you."

After some hemming and hawing, Juniper agreed to go with them to the passage deeper. "Guillaume was my friend as well."

"Fellow companions, I would like to know what choices we have as we embark on this task. Shall we take a moment to discuss our resources -- who has what weapons and magic, as well as supplies? I think it would also be wise to see if our magic works properly here, deeper in the fairy realm."

The faint scent of Easter Lilies filled the air as Lilia suited action to word and again gifted Juniper with clarity of reason. Lilia was delighted. "That certainly makes the road ahead easier, knowing our magic works. Juniper, anything you can tell us about what to expect or what we should know or how we should proceed would be greatly appreciated. For now, let's take inventory of what we have to help us.

"I have many spells that might aid those fighting, but am little use in actual battle. As you have seen, I can bestow the Gift of Reason. I also have the spells Hornet Fire, Bind Wounds, Free the Accursed Body, Restoration of the Defiled Body, Disguise of the New Visage, Conjure the Sturdy Vine, Aura of Ennobled Presence, Enchantment of Detachment, Gift of Reason and Edge of the Razor. I can heal you a little, sharpen your blades or possibly intimidate a foe." She smiled a moment and said, "I can also charm a pigeon's leg band so he is invisible in flight, but I doubt that would be of much help here."

After some discussion all the Lakehomers decided to make the attempt. The Queen nodded and Reynard came forth to lead them. He took them around to where a set of rocks were placed to cross the stream, hopped and skipped across them in an odd pattern then led them around a stone and stopped. He pointed to a fallen tree that lay against the stone. "Under there I may not pass, but that is your road." He laughed gaily. "Perhaps I will see you soon."

The company ducked their heads and passed under the tree trunk. The change into this deeper realm was more dramatic than any of their previous crossovers. Before when they entered, there were only slight changes, little things; one could even pretend one was in the same place, or even not notice the chance.

Here, though, there could be no mistake. Aside from a deepening and broadening of color and smell, the huge pine hard by their left had not been there when they had started 'round the rock, and the stream they had hopped across was gone. Where it should be was thickly overgrown mound of impenetrable vegetation.

They looked quickly for the gap of which the Queen had spoke. They found a hole which looked like it might allow the somewhat scrawny Leporideas to pass, could concievable give way to most of the others, but there was no way that the burly Conrad could fit through the gap.

Above them, they heard a porcine voice grunt an inarticulate query of someone and another such voice reply. The voices were distant, at least for the moment.

Leporideas turned to the others and whispered softly, "I will look ahead." The youth removed his belt and handed it to Lilia, "Here. I will not be long." Before their very eyes, Leporideas transformed into a hare and hopped out of his clothing disappearing into the thicket.

Leporideas returned momentarily. The hole in the thicket led down to a rivulet which trickled down the mountaing. The undergrowth was heavy and formed a roof completely over the rivulet. It looked like most of the company could make it through the tunnel thus formed if they crawled through the mud and risked the occasional thorn. Conrad would have a tough time of it, and Alain might have to remove some of his bulkier bits of armour.

The hare returned to human form, comfortable in his nakedness he picked up his clothes and revealed what he saw on the other side. Craning his head to the side he whispered, "we haven't much time, they come." Leporideas turned to Tanya, "Please help me." Quietly the young mage begin to chant the words of magic weaving Rego and Herbam to command the thorny thicket to bend to his will. The brambles fairly leapt in response and almost instantly the hole was wide enough to allow even Conrad to pass through. The company hurried through, including Tanya. Leporideas let his spell lapse, and the hole collasped to its previous size. He shoved his clothes through, took on his rabbit shape and hopped after.

The group found themselves strung out along the course of a rivulet which trickled down from the top of the hill. Above their heads the brambles and bracken formed a roof which blocked all vision and most of the light. A tunnel of sorts was thus formed, leading in one direction down to the large rock where the rivulet split and the path was blocked, and leading, in the other, up towards their destination. The tunnel was small enough that they would have to crawl through the mud most of the way, and Conrad could see enough already to realize that he would have to wait here for them to return.

From his rabbity lookout inside the gap, Leporideas saw three of the pig-like Black Knights come down the path from above and stand looking around. "I thought I heard something," said one.

"The Red Court cannont come through," said another, "and who else would?"

"Perhaps," said the third. "Or perhaps the Queen found another agent." They peered around for another long moment, then seemed to visibly shrug before turning back up the path.

Leporideas rejoined the group and mimed what he had seen. Three pats on the ground and an exaggerated upturned nose-twitch accompanied by a haughty hop around and away hopefully conveyed what he had seen. The hare flopped over to his pile of clothing and nudged them toward Tanya. Then he bounded to the forefront and started off into the mud.

"I think there were three of them, but they have gone on their way," whispered Lilia, hoping she'd read the hare's gestures correctly. "In any event, he seems confident to go on. Conrad, I worry about you staying and waiting for us. If you think you can make it back to camp safely, please feel free to do so. If you wish to wait here, please be very careful. This is a strange place and an unfriendly one -- I would not want anything ill to come to you."

Conrad looked at the hole, "Without help I do not think that I can get free of this place. Certainly not quietly. I can hold Tanya's spear, too, while you go on."

Tonya handed her spear to Conrad a little reluctantly -- she felt better when better armed, but he was right. It would hinder her progress. She quickly entered the passageway, hoping to catch up to Leporideas.

Lilia took Conrad's hands in hers briefly. "Do be careful. Your smiling face is the first thing I want to see when we return." With a worried smile, she, too, entered the bracken.

Alain smiled. "I'm not worried for you. I'm worried for anyone foolish enough to fight you. We'll be back shortly."

Etienne clapped Conrad on the back and nodded, then he began to crawl after the runaway rodent.

The going was miserable - for everyone who wasn't a rabbit, at least. The rivulet made everything muddy and the thorns grabbed at clothes and skin.

By the time Leporideas stopped hopping up the hill and the crawling caravan sloshed to a stop, everyone was panting and out of breath except the long-winded Tanya.

Leporideas had halted because the tunnel of bracken opened up a little way ahead of him. A quick reconnaissance by the Bjornaer showed that rivulet came from a pool just ahead, which was not so thickly overgrown with bracken. Perhaps twenty feet from the pool, Leporideas saw what looked like some menhir or some other kind of standing stones, only made of shimmering crystal. From here he couldn't be sure, but it looked like they made several rings of concentric circles, offset by a little so that if you passed with the second circle, you would be unseen by observers outside the circle.

The magi returned to his human form and quietly whispered to his friends what he had seen. He looked around for a place they could rest and regroup.

Leporideas invited the others to rest at the lake. "We can rest and determine our next course of action," he suggested.

"We should probably be quick about our task once we are clear of this cover. Besides, it would be unfair to Conrad if we got to lounge by a cool pool while he was trapped in mud and brambles," Alain peered past Leporideas to the pool. "However, I must admit I would not mind taking a cool drink from that water and resting a bit."

"Aye, a rest would benefit us," concurred Etienne.

Leporideas finished donning his clothing and walked over to Lilia, "When I widened the passage through the briars, there was something different. The aura here, it is strong not so much as back home, but different. Almost wild, be careful should you call upon the arts."

The party crept out from the brackeny tunnel at the cost of another few scratches and waded through the pool to the nearest accesible bit of bank - fortunately it was not deep. Those who sipped found it cool and refreshing.

Etienne sidled up to Alain, "What do you make of all this? Borders which bind some but not others. Is this a game of sorts?"

"As a child, I was told stories of these strange folk. If this is a game, it is not being played against us. Games have rules for the players, not the pieces." Alain looked out once again. "In most games, the pieces are inconsequential and I fear we should view their intentions toward us as such."

"Indeed," said Lilia, in reply to both Alain and Leporideas. She splashed a little water on her face and smoothed her hair from her temples. "This is a strange place, and hostile to outsiders. We must be cautious and alert and sensitive to our surroundings like good Leporideas here. Besides what we know already, it seems to me this trip was all too easy. I expect there will be some challenge we have yet to pass before we can reach Guillaume in the Circle."

Etienne kicked at the ground and then quickly clutched at his chest, staring off across the horizon momentarily. "Quickly, we must leave immediately," he said turning to the group. He started toward Lilia and took her arm, "go now." Removing his cloak, he began to sweep the ground to blur their tracks, "Alain, lead them to safety. I will follow soon."

Alain showed no hesitation. He drew his sword and broke into a trot. "This way. Toward the Circle."

As Alain broke free from the minimal cover provided by the pool, he saw half a dozen Black Knights a few hundred feet away. They appeared to be doing some kind of patrol, and it was clear they would have come by the pool and seen the party lounging in a few moments. As it was they spotted him almost immediately, as the rest of the party came out of the pool. He took up a position a few steps closer to the Knights and tried to herd the others toward the circle as the Black Knights broke into a ragged charge.

Leporideas had reacted to Etienne's command on instinct and even as Alain was taking his position, the young mage flashed past him in a full run. He passed the first stone, turned left and dissappeared from view.

Lilia moved with a little more dignity and grace, but only a little less alacrity. Combat was completely beyond her and she knew it. As she moved, she was passed by Tanya who was pursuing her fleeing charge, Leporideas, at top speed.

Etienne heard the sound of hooves and ran to join Alain. The two stood for a moment together, facing the charge, until the others passed into the circle, then they moved to join them.

Inside the second circle of milky crystal stones, there was a grassy verge of great beauty and peace. In the center stood a crystal slab, which seemed to glow dimly from within, shining with a gentle radiance. On the slab rested a simple stone bowl.

Walking toward the companions from the far side of the slab was a familiar figure, Guillaume of Mercere. He saw the companions and recognition blossomed on his face. He broke into a jog. "Lilia!" he cried. "You understood my message!"

"Of course, my friend. It was delivered by none other than Malleus Hermeticus -- Juana -- who hoped for our help in finding you. It has been a strange journey, but well worth it to find you whole. The Red Queen seemed to think that was a pipe dream on our part.

Lilia's smiling face turned grave. "But now our fellows are fighting the Black Guard and we still know little of your predicament here. What do we need to do to make all right with the Red Court and bring you back safe?"

"The problem is with the Black Court," said Guillaume. "For the last few years, I have been bound to come here each winter to do a service for the Red Queen. Further, I was unable to explain what I was doing or where I was going to anyone. Her Faerie magic prevented me from doing so, which is why I could make no defense at the Tribunal. The best I could do was sneak up on it sideways, and make an oblique reference in my journal. Then I stuck a crystal dart in the tree pointing toward my destination."

He took a breath, "Each winter, I came here and slipped past the Black Court to the Red Court who held the deepest regio here. Then I would enter this circle, which is forbidden them for some reason, take what I found on the stone slab and give it to the Queen. Then I'd slip past the Black Court again and be done. This always took all winter, for time runs differently here."

"This time, however, as I entered the circle, something happened," he continued. "The Black Court took over this regio and ejected the Red Court, to I don't know where. They blocked my exit as well, and I feared for my life. So I have remained here, awaiting aid from you or the Red Court."

"This is a prying question, but one I must ask: How did you come to be in the servitude of the Red Court?"

"Curiosity and foolishness," said Guillaume. "I learned of this place during my travels and explored it, becoming lost within. The Queen bargained with me, I would do this service for her and return each winter to do it, and she would show me the way out. I had little choice."

"It is good to see you are well Guillaume, but we are soon to be surrounded by knights of the Black Court. Have you any word as to how we can defeat them?" Etienne asked.

"If I knew that, I would have fled long since," said Guillaume.

Etienne looked to Alain, "We fight?"

Leporideas inched up to Guillaume, "is that what the Queen seeks?" pointing at the stone bowl.

"Aye," said Guillaume, "this time. Each time, there is something new on the slab."

The young mage reached for it. "We can go now, right?"

"Aye, if we can pass through the Black Court," said Guillaume.

"We are safe from the guard here. I will only be in the way if I try to enter the battle, and I see little reason to leave the protection of the circle since I cannot help our brave companions. As cowardly and helpless as I feel, I think knowing more about Guillaume's task would be more useful than anything I could do out there." Lilia gestured vaguely in the direction from which they had come.

"Guillaume, what other items has the Red Queen collected? It seems very much like she is gathering the elements of a magical item or spell."

"They seem to be quite random to me, the first was a willow branch, the second a crystal cat, the third a huge pinecone, the fourth a mandrake root, the fifth a braided leather cord, and now this," said Guillaume.

"If no one can enter the circle, then who places the items here?" asked Leporideas examining the bowl.

"I've wondered that myself," said Guillaume. "Either they can enter and are lying to us, or someone or something else puts it here, or it just ... appears." Guillaume shook his head. "The object has always been here when I've arrived and I've never seen anyone else within these stones. Until this year, though, I spent little time here, merely entering retrieving the object and then departing."

Leporideas found the bowl unremarkable. It was roughly hewn of of some kind of whitish rock flecked with red (to Leporideas, rock was rock) and he knew nothing about stonecarving and so could not comment on how it was made, he did notice that it felt lighter than he expected.

"If only Master Terrus were here," he commented to no one in particular.

Etienne grew impatient at what he perceived was unnecessary chatter. He paced over to the border and peered out beyond the circle to see what the Knights were doing.

By peeking around the corner, he could see that two knights were apparently looking around the pool, and the rest had moved outside of his range of vision. In order to get a better look, he would have to expose himself to their view.

Alain, who had been listening quietly, asked, "What happens if one of the Black Court is forced into the circle?"

Guillaume was startled, "I have no idea. I've never done it and have no idea how I would go about it."

Leporideas walked over to Alain, handing the bowl to Tanya and picking out a thorn lodged in her cloak. "We needn't worry about that." He paced about the circle and lined up the path which they entered the area. "Prepare to run," he said calmly as he began to softly chant and fingered the thorn.

As he did so the Knights outside saw him and began to converge. The knights to one side, suddenly reined their horses in as the ground in front of them positively boiled, sprouting ropy tangles of branch and thorn. In a few instants, a hedge twice the height of man stretched from just inside the ring of stones past the pool and down the slope, merging with the brambles that covered the rivulet they had followed.

Without pausing, Leporideas turned to his right and began to chant again. Another wall of thorns sprang out of the earth there creating a tunnel or path between them, just wide than the pool. From both sides of this alley, they heard angry shouts from the Black Knights.

Panting with the exertion, Leporideas let his arms fall to his sides. With a wearied eye he looked to the party. "Now, we run.

Etienne need no further urging and led the charge toward the pool and the brambley tunnel through which they had arrived. Behind him came Leporideas supported by Tanya, with Lilia and Guillaume hot on their heels. In the rear, covering the retreat was Alain.

The wall of thorns to their left shuddered and a horse mounted knight broke through the wall, though both were cut and bleeding from forcing the passage. Alain swung his sword on the run and knocked the rider from his mount. The knight struck the ground heavily and lay still.

Etienne stood hard by the entrance as the others piled, a sword blade cut through the thorns nearby, leaving a small hole. Etienne leapt forward and plunged a sword through the hole and was rewarded with an oath and a cessation of the assault of the wall.

Then everyone was in but Etienne and Alain. It was clear that the wall would be breached soon, so Etienne dove through Alain right behind.

The trip down was no more pleasant than the trip up, but it was easier since they could slide like ungainly otters down through the mud. In fact, Guillaume nearly impaled himself on Tanya's spear when he slipped the last few yards down the tunnel to where it rested near Conrad.

Lilia laughed a little, breathlessly, as she got to her feet and wiped muddy hand across muddy face.

"Conrad! We should make haste away -- it is likely we will be followed."

Tanya tightened shifted her hold on Leporideas, ready to move forward.

"How will we get Conrad through the brambles?" Alain asked.

Leporideas suggested that he do a quick check to see if the coast was clear before widening the exit hole. He shifted to rabbit form and hopped out to look around. A few moments later he hopped back in, became human and reported the coast clear.

He then focussed his energies in an attempt to enlarge the gap in the brambles and let his companions pass. Instantly it was clear that something was going wrong. "Wild magic," he choked out to Lilia before the brambles began to thrash about madly. The whole tangle became alive with whipping branches and thorns as if alive, lashing the companions and raising welts. If they did not move quickly, it could prove more than just irritating and painful. The wild movement did mean that the gap was quite large, at least intermittantly.

"Conrad! You go first!" Alain shouted as he took up his discarded shield. The briars snagged and tore at the cloth covering as he tried to cover Lilia and Tanya. With his longsword, he cut at the branches that lashed at him. It was not much, he knew, but it was better than just standing still. "Ladies next."

Conrad leapt into the gap the next time it yawned wide and braced it open with his body, his eyes widened in pain as the brambles lashed his back. "Mistress Lilia, come through."

Lilia moved quickly out of harm's way. She immediately turned around to try to spontaneously quiet the thrashing brambles. Lilia began to conjure, attempting to counter or reduce the wild magic that had taken over Leporideas' spell.

As she cast, there seemed to be a momentary hesitation in the thrashing and the others used that time to race out, Tanya half-carrying and half-dragging Leporideas who seemed almost paralyzed for some reason. Conrad was last out, his back bleeding from numerous cuts where the branches had lashed him.

Then Lilia's spell failed and the thrashing began anew, but they were out of its reach.

"Come, come!" hissed a voice, and they saw Juniper standing near the path they had taken to enter this strange place. "I will lead you out, but come quickly."

The Lakehomers and Guillaume needed no urging. They joined Juniper who led them around and over and with each step they took, Leporideas seemed to recover himself more and more. When they crossed the creek and Juniper said, "We are safe in the Courts of the Red Queen," Leporideas was himself again, if somewhat tired.

Juniper led them back toward the Queen, and they were met on the way by Reynard. The forester presented them to the Queen, who nodded graciously, and bid them sit, "For I can see you are sore tired," and awaited their report.

Lilia caught her breath and gave a brief summary to the Queen:

"Your Majesty, we have brought you the item from the Circle." She ran her hands over the bowl, giving it a quick once-over before turning it over to the Queen -- she wanted to remember anything about the bowl that might help them understand its significance.

"Guillaume is also with us. He was trapped in the Circle by the Black Guard. I fear this may be bad news for you, as I understand they have never been able to get so close before. It seems some shift in the forces is at work there."

She smoothed her skirt and pulled a thorny twig out of her hair, which was in considerable disarray.

"We would be happy to answer your questions or regale you with a more detailed account of our adventure, but we are, as you graciously noted, sore tired. And sore. May we have water to wash and some time to rest and allow some healing magic?"

"Indeed," the Queen accepted the bowl, "I would not have it otherwise." She clapped her hands and a number of waiting women swept forward. "These will guide you to a place where you may rest and refresh yourself."

The waiting women led them to a grassy clearing in which tables and chairs had been placed. Nearby were mounds of what looked like moss and heather piled into inviting bedlike arrangements. Several of the women bore pitchers and bowls and poured out water into the bowls. Others had clean clothes, and a few carried small stone jars. They began to minister to the wounded, stripping away ruined clothing from around wounds, washing and salving the wounds with ointment from the jars and then bandaging them.

As those worked, a few more brought clear water in wooden cups and a bowl of fruits and berries around to the company.

Lilia cleaned herself up, then checked on her fellows. They seemed in good hands.

"Before we present our story to the Red Queen, I think we should be sure none of us has questions or misgivings. I, for one, would like to know the significance of the Black Guard travelling where they had been unable to before, and what the Red Queen is doing with the items from the Circle. Anyone else?"

Leporideas stood, "The oath to service, Guillaume has been freed. I need to know if I am still bound."

Etienne paced over to Guillaume. "You said you left us a sign, but how if you were trapped within?"

"I tried to point the way with a dagger and a crystal dart," he said. "Didn't you follow them?"

"Yes, we saw them. Did you suspect trouble before you entered? or had you left such signs each time you came to serve the Queen?"

"No, I suspected nothing untoward. Rather, I needed someone to see that I was not forsaking my duty to the Order by choice, but that I could not speak of what I was doing," said Guillaume. "The power of the Queen forbid from speaking about my obligation."

"Aye," conceded Etienne. He turned a curious eye toward Guillaume, "we are not so bound having been here. Will we be allowed to leave without incident?"

"I think so," said Guillaume, "but nothing is sure when dealing with the Fair Folk."

"And what of me," spoke Leporideas. "I took an oath to serve the Queen, and I did feel it bind me inside, will you continue your service to the court?"

"I feel bound as well," said Guillaume. "I do not know what geas may be on you."

The young magi sighed and turned to Lilia, "we should speak to the Queen."

"Yes. We have stalled long enough."

Refreshed and clean the party returned to wait upon the pleasure of the Queen. They waited while two of the waiting women played a long song and sang, and then were gestured forward by the Queen, who waited in polite inquiry.

"Thank you, Your Majesty. That was refreshing after a hectic journey. If it pleases, would you care to clarify for us the disposition of our fellows -- is either Guillaume or Leporideas still under oath to you?"

"Yes," she replied.

"They have sworn to accomplish this task for me. The task will and must be accomplished. The task falls due on the winter solstice, this Guillaume knows. It is my will that it be accomplished before the vernal equinox," she said.

"I understand that, Majesty," said Lilia, choosing her words carefully. "But the scope of the oath has changed, now that the danger is so much higher. Is there not something Guillaume could do to relieve himself of this ... duty?"

"Certainly. He could allow Leporideas to perform it. Or had you some other bargain in mind," she leaned forward with interest.

"I certainly would like to avoid putting any of my companions in harm's way. I feel I should approach this with utmost delicacy; perhaps if we knew to what end you were gathering the artifacts of the Circle, we could assist you in accomplishing it quicker and with less danger to our community."

The Queen shrugged delicately, "I gather them for two reasons: first that the Black King may not have them, second that it amuses me."

"If there is no other purpose, might there be something esle that would amuse you? Something we could provide without the burden of time and danger this annual quest entails? We have contact with various artisans and magicians -- surely there is something that would free Guillaume and Leporideas from this service."

"An interesting proposition," the Queen considered. "How confident are you in your craftsmen and sorcerors? Confident enough to gamble? Bring me your tribute by the sixth day after the Solstice, if it is amusing enough and suits my needs, I shall accept it and leave you free to go, with gifts to honour your gifts. If not, then you shall seek after the bounty of the Crystal Circle and forfeit your gifts as well. What say you to this?"

"Might I consult with my travelling companions?"

The Queen nodded assent and the companions withdrew slightly.

"I do not like the sound of this. It is like a deal with the Devil, so we must speak carefully and be as clear as we can what we are getting ourselves -- and our friends -- into. What are your thoughts, my friends?"

Alain shook his head. "There is no way to win this game as long as it is played by their rules. Since we can't change the rules, we must try to minimize our loss."

"Do we have to play by their rules? Is there a way to arrange it so it as least fair to us? If not, we certainly do not have to play at all, should that be our best choice."

Leporideas fidgetted, "how can trust the Queen? even if we were to bring her the most fantastic item from Master Terrus himself she might say it is not good enough and still demand our, I mean my service."

Etienne watched the party's back in order to keep prying ears away and spoke up over his shoulder. "I agree with Alain. However, I admit my failings when it comes to the magic arts. Is there some way to trick the queen into releasing them, how does she divine the objects to be taken. Perhaps that force which provides could be addressed."

"Hmm. I believe she does not divine anything now -- the objects simply show up at the same time every year. But now that you say that, I wonder how she learned of them in the first place...?" Lilia shook her head, as if to clear cobwebs. "I am not sure that is important to our situation. Best to keep that in the backs of our heads but not get sidetracked. The important thing is to figure out is how to rescue our friends from this increasingly dangerous servitude. And I think you are right, Etienne: if we can draw a bead on where -- or who -- the objects are coming from, we might be on the path to figuring this puzzle. It seems like someone -- or something -- is manipulating the Queen. That is, if she truly has no plan for the objects."

Lilia sighed. "I am quite confused."

"I think that you will be as long as you try to apply reason to the Fair Folk. Like many in my village, I grew up hearing the stories. They all have their individual set of rules they abide by, but those rules change from person to person, story to story, even season to season." Alain rubbed his chin. "Almost all the stories have one thing in common. Trickery is your best weapon; a weapon I am not armed with."

"And I do not know enough to know what kind of trickery to use. Is there anyone back at Lakehome well-versed in this sort of dilemma?" She directed this at Leporideas. "Perhaps we could stall for time by asking leave to return home and discuss it with the Covenant."

Leporideas spoke up, "There are none at Lakehome who know of such things beyond the surface. Were we to return in the interest of gaining more time, I am afraid we'd still be bound. And the consequences of breaking the oath, I do not want to speak of." He shivered at the prospect.

Etienne looked to Guillaume, "are you still willing to continue your service to the Queen?"

Guillaume hung his head, "I have no choice, it seems."

Leporideas comforted Guillaume with an arm on the shoulder. "You do have a choice, we can tell the queen that I will continue your service. She can release you."

"But then you are obligated in my place, which is no better," he said.

"Aye, but it is better than both of us being bound. Besides, you have done this for many seasons. I am younger and better equipped," he offered trying to convince himself.

"I could not ask it of you," said Guillaume.

"You haven't, the Queen asked it of me and I accepted." Leporideas looked to the others, "We must demand justice. You should go, Guillaume and I have business with the Queen. Business which could bring danger upon all who stand before her."

"I admire your nobility, Leporideas, but leaving you here goes against everything we have worked for here in this strange land. I suggest we go to the Queen -- all of us -- and request she give us more... solid guidelines for freeing you from your geas. We will then return to Lakehome and meet them.

"Think of it: the worst that could happen is that we are still looking for your freedom. It is no farther behind than we are right now."

Etienne corrected Lilia, "The worse is that we could all be trapped here."

"If that happens, it will happen at the Queen's whim -- not because of anything we have done here. I only mean that if we try to make this magical and amusing trinket and she doesn't accept it, Guillaume and Leporideas will still be under their aegis to retrieve the items from the circle, which is no worse than where they are now. I see no reason not to try, but many reasons to try -- such as more, better and varied talents back home. We may not be able to do this on our own, but if we return to Lakehome, we will have help.

"And because Guillaume is a valued Redcap, we may even be able to draw help from other covenants that would wish to see him free."

Lilia sighed. "This is so complicated. Another something we must determine is when the Solstice is here versus when it is in Lakehome. We may have two years to devise a suitable gift for the Queen or we may have two weeks. Guillaume -- you have spent time both in and out of this regio. How does the time compare with our own?"

Guillaume said, "I have found that although my time in here seems short, winter seems to have come and gone by the time I return."

"It is not so bad, then. Are there any other cautionary tales or concerns, or are we ready to approach the Red Queen again?"

"I could probably tell you more stories of Djinn and Efreet than the Fair Folk," Alain said. "I'm afraid I was not much for listening to the stories when I was a child, although I'm fascinated by them as an adult."

"Your Majesty, we would be honoured -- delighted -- to have a chance to make something for you. Before we return home to begin, is there anything your heart desires we may provide through this wager?"

A faint smile crossed her face, like a wind ripple on a pond, "Doubtless there is. All hearts have some desire." She refused to be drawn further.

"Then we shall return to Lakehome, but we will be back six days after the Winter Solstice. If we bring you a gift that delights and amuses you, Guillaume and Leporideas will be freed from your service and all who accompany them will be granted safe leave from your lands. Will you be so bound?"

"If your gift delights or amuses me, Guillaume and Leporideas will be freed from their duty for the year. If it both delights and amuses me, you shall depart with honour and gifts," she said. "Until the following year, of course."

"Ah, Your Majesty... We seek not for temporary reprieve from their duties, but for release from all servitude. Priceless gifts deserve priceless rewards, and while we would surely delight in any gifts we may receive in light of our gifts to you, the only gift we truly wish is to see our companions free to pursue their lives and duties in their own realm."

"Surely you do not need us both," said Leporideas out-of-turn adding, "your Majesty," as an afterthought.

The Queen looked from one to the other. "I require only the service," she said to Leporideas. "Which of you performs it matters not to me." Turning to Lilia she continued, "The gift would have to be splendid indeed for it to be worth the years of service I can expect from these two." She waved a languid arm at Leporideas and Guillaume.

"If you require only the service, can we not find someone else to take their place? And if we do, will you release them both?"

"Find some other, by all means," she said. "Then if one should fail, the other will take up the burden."

"Are you suggesting we find a third as a backup should one of the two fall?" Alain asked. "Or are you planning on releasing one and asking we have a secondary messenger ready to take his place?"

"Why should I release any?" she asked languidly. "Now, if one Guillaume should fall, Leporideas will take up the task, or the reverse. If a third comes to take service, so much the better."

"And why should we commit anyone else to your task when it benefits us nothing?" Alain asked calmly. "I'm unsure how you gained Guillaume's assistance, but I did see your method for tricking Leporideas into service. You played upon his sense of honor toward friends to trap him into a life of servitude with no offer of reward. Surely, Majesty, you can see we have no reason to want to add more servants to your growing stable. The mission itself even seems, to our eyes, frivolous and unnecessarily perilous. I do not speak for the assembled in this, but it seems to me these talks of gifts are so much smoke and mist."

Alain took a step forward and knelt before her. His tone was still calm and even. "So, could you please tell us why it is so important? Give us a reason that we can see beyond a quest for your pleasure. Do we stop the Black King from some dire evil? What is the purpose or what is the reward?"

"What purpose? Or what purpose that you can see. I tire of this. Go. Next winter return, with gifts or without, that choice is yours." That last was directed at Leporideas and Guillaume.

"Next winter you shall receive your trinket, after the Black Court is finished with it," blurted Leporideas. "That is in accordance with our agreement, as long as you receive it."

Alain rose from his kneeling position and stepped back to stand by Leporideas. His expression became cold, impassive.

"If you give it the Black Court, you shall never leave here, for the Black King will never return it to you," she rose slowly. "And, even if he did, I would be ... wroth."

"And yet our oath will still stand, for there is nothing about when you should receive it. Only when we shall retrieve it," continued Leporideas rashly.

"Leporideas," said Lilia quietly, "We are yet in the regio of the Red Queen. She has great advantage over us here and it is best we not anger her unduly. You did make an oath and the finer points of that may be reviewed over the next many months with someone who knows more about this than we.

She turned from Leporideas and addressed the Lakehome constituency: "My friends, staying to argue where there is no logic is like chasing any whim, but imminently more dangerous. I believe we our wearing out Her Majesty's welcome and our time would best be served making haste home to work out this problem with fresher and more educated minds than ours.

Lilia then turned to the Queen and curtsied. "Your Majesty, I thank you for the hospitality you have shown us. If we cannot create the astonishing gifts you spoke of, Guillaume and Leporideas will yet be bound to retrieve your treasure from the Circle for you. An oath is an oath. Would you spare Juniper long enough to escort us back to our camp? Until we meet again," she said, dropping into a deep curtsy, never meeting the Queen's eyes before walking calmly away. She also avoided the gaze of her companions, hoping they would follow, but leaving them to their own consciences.

Leporideas began to speak, only to grabbed by the cloak by Etienne and hustled off after Lilia.

Alain motioned for the others to follow. Before turning, he made a bow but his expression remained emotionless. He brought up the rear, occasionally casting a glance backward. He was utterly amazed at how people of such beauty could be so heartless.

Juniper ran after the Lakehomers as they departed. As soon as they had left the court, he sighed, "I was so frightened, I nearly felt sober!" He took a full skin and drank off half of it in one long swig. "Would anyone else care for a drink?"

Etienne reached for the skin only to have Leporideas grab it from him and drink deeply. The stress of the situation weighing heavily upon him. In an effort to save his life, the former bandit wrenched it from him. "Not too much, I do not want to carry you home."

Juniper led them back down the way they had come until they stood at the foot of the hill. "Your camp lies there," he said, sitting on a rock. "I am going not one step further. Rather I shall drink here until all my drink is gone and then I shall sleep till I wake."

"Poor Juniper. It has been quite an adventure for you. I hope all will settle back to its usual calm once we have gone. Thank you for all your aid -- we could not have accomplished what we did without you."

Lilia wondered to herself what, exactly, they had accomplished. It seemed they had run for miles, only to find themselves a league behind their original starting place.

The company from Lakehome, stronger now with the addition of Guillaume, began their return trip. Although they had succeeded in their ostensible purpose of finding and freeing Guillaume, the path ahead was fraught with potential dangers, but also with possibilities. Say what you would of the fae, they were strong in magic and who knows what secrets or treasures they might be able to win for Lakehome.

They learned quickly that both Guillaume and Leporideas were bound by some sort of Faerie magic and could not speak of where they had been or their obligation. The others were under no such restriction, so the threat of Juana was ameliorated.

They realized as well that some weeks had passed while they were in Faerie, although they had thought only a day at most.

The journey home was unremarkable but quiet as each one considered their options in their own way.

Some days later, Lilia made a report to Juana about what they had learned.