Revelation Part 1: Session Logs

[Idris]

Session 45 - 4/1/19

IdGM: The tall dark man in the long coat, the representative of the Wolf, stepped forward into the light of the torches. His lean face looked keen and his eyes gleamed as he stared accross the plateau. He held up his hands and in a melifluous voice announced, "No need for fighting, no need for battle. Come forward Eurytion, come all of you. Join us. We are not enemies."

His words seemed to sink into their minds and souls, making them pause. Eurytion was frowning horribly as if he was struggling to think straight. Ev stood motionless, her face blank. The crowd of Chlorosoi seemed to all be considering their actions. A heavy silence enveloped the plateau.

IdGM whispers to Maddie: The dark man's smooth words tied themselves around Maddie's thoughts. She had to struggle to shake them off, and when she had, she realised some moments had gone by and the guards were preparing to shoot.

IdGM whispers to Steve: The dark man's smooth words tied themselves around Stephen's thoughts. He had to struggle to shake them off, and when he had, he realised some moments had gone by and the guards were preparing to shoot.

IdGM whispers to Hannah: The dark man's smooth words almost made sense but Hannah could feel them glance off her mind, like water from a swan's wing. He was playing with their thoughts, manipulating them, but he was a liar.

IdGM whispers to Emily: The dark man's smooth words tied themselves around Emily's thoughts. It would be better not to fight after all. There was always some good in everyone.

Emily: Emily paused for a moment, hesitating to fight against quite a reasonable request.

IdGM: Suddenly a voice growled out. "Yer a liar, Wolf man! Don't give us yer crap about peace and harmony when the old chief is lying there poisoned by that bitch and his tribespeople are in chains." It was Growmiang.

Steve: Stephen briefly hesitated, as if caught in some sort of inner struggle, but quickly managed to shrug off these feelings.

Hannah: "Those who are interested in reasonable discussion don't use whatever sorcery you're using to entrap our minds," called out Hannah, her face betraying no hesitation. "You can all feel it!"

IdGM: The Seer stepped forward and pointed at the dark man. "You are playing games with the minds of these people. Stop now!" They all felt the wave of power thrown back at the dark man, who staggered slightly, his face filled with rage and what might be fear.  The combined strength of Hannah and the Seer's words acted like a dousing with cold water on the crowd. Shouts and jeers came from them as they faced Medon and his thugs.

"Kill them!" screamed Medon, incandescent with fury.  Medon's followers had already pulled their bowstrings and now they let loose arrows towards the newcomers. Eurytion flung Arberyonwth down with him and Growmiang leaped at Ev who was still looking dazed. Steve barely ducked in time as arrows shot overhead and clattered among the rocks behind them.

Maddie: Maddie had been temporarily dazed by the emissary's sorcery, but recovered just in time to fling herself down and roll smoothly under the shot

IdGM: Now the Chlorosoi surged forward, the adults grabbing up stones while hustling the children and elders towards the rocks and the cave. One centaur rushed up to Eurytion. "We have weapons hidden in the rocks!"  As chaos broke out on the plateau, the dark man attempted to slide back into the shadows but a sudden flare of light illuminated him and they all saw him trying to sneak away.

Eurytion stepped forward and released his bowstring. The arrow flew straight and true, striking Medon heavily in the shoulder. Medon stared at his half-brother, as if unable to believe what was happening. Beside him Ev targetted one of the larger guards. "This is for you Bromos!" she jeered as her arrow struck him in the thigh and blood flowed freely. Two warriors emerged from the crowd of Chlorosoi, carrying children to the safety of the cave.

Maddie: Now that the prisoners were safe and the temporarily pacifying effect of the emissary was gone from her mind, Maddie had nothing left to distract her from her burning desire to smash Medon into a bloody pulp. She completed her roll forwards, then pushed herself up on her hands, vaulting forward acrobatically and straight towards the Kentauroi. Landing on her feet, she pointed at him and shouted the snippet of Ancient Greek that Steve had taught her. She started running towards Medon, heedless of how many guards he had around him.

IdGM: Medon, his blood continuing to flow, drew a long sword from its scabbard, his eyes on Eurytion. "Get her Bienor!" he shouted to a massively muscled Centaur who had thrown down his bow and grabbed up a large club.

Arberyonwth reached out her hand again, and light flared up in front of the guards, making them blink. Their vision blurred, the guards threw down their bows. Some took up clubs, and two raised swords.

Steve: Quickly standing again, Stephen rushed behind Maddie with his sword drawn, obviously not wishing to let her fight alone

IdGM: As they rushed forward, both Maddie and Stephen could see something hidden from the rest. The light played on the figure of the old chief, gasping on his bier. Behind him the cold cruel face of Medon's wife Kalika looked down as she reached for a curved knife, its blade slick and oily.

Maddie: "Eurytion, your dad!" Maddie pointed at Kalika, though she continued arrowing towards Medon

Steve: "Poison!" shouted Steve, adding to Maddie's warning

Emily: Emily warned by Maddie's warning decided to change her target from the mage from the Wolf Court to the heartless wife and managed to strike her with an arrow. She smiled grimly at her success

Kalika was given a nasty shock although hardly enough to bring down such a beast

IdGM: Kalika's lips drew back from her teeth in a feral snarl, and if looks could kill Emily would be dead on the spot. Blood trickled from the wound in the Centaur's arm, but she still clutched the wicked dagger.

Hannah: Hannah likewise tried to strike Kalika before she could end the chief's life, but her crossbow bolt went wide.

IdGM: The muscle-bound Bienor thudded forward and brought his club down hard, aiming to crush Maddie's head. She just managed to leap away from him but her foot slid on the rough shale.

Another of Medon's thugs headed towards Stephen, his club swinging overhead.

Having seen their children and elders safely out of the line of fire, the adult Chlorosoi were now advancing on the dais. Mima and the other prisoners had shaken off their shackles and got to their feet.

Steve: Stephen turned aside the brutish centaur's attack with his sword despite the great strength behind it, showing unexpected skill and agility

IdGM: "It's over Medon!" Arberyonwth shouted. "End this, before anyone dies."  The dark man glared in her direction. He gestured around himself and a mist seemed to come into being, hiding his form.

Eurytion and Ev were standing with bows ready, targetting Medon. "Tell your mate to put down that dagger, or you will all die," Eurytion said, his voice cold and carrying accross the plateau.

Amyka and Mima had scrambled to their feet and were now advancing towards the dais. Dryatos followed cautiously, he had plainly been wounded when they were taken prisoner., Behind them Lykabas the minstrel was humming some kind of tune, his face battered but his eyes bright as he watched the action unfold.

More adult Chlorosoi came to stand with Eurytion and Ev, their faces implacable as they stared at Medon.

Maddie: Maddie burned to just continue for Medon, but she'd needed to put everything into dodging Bienor's club so she reluctantly turned to face him. "Stop wasting my time you idiot!" she shouted. She leapt forward as if to strike at the centaur's eyes, but as he shifted to defend himself she instead brought her foot down hard on one of his kneecaps. Bienor was hobbled and temporarily stumbled, but Maddie was dismayed by how skilled the centaur was turning out to be

IdGM: As Maddie was dealing with the club-wielding thug, Growmiang sprang out of the shadows and launched himself at the big centaur's head. Already off balance, the centaur was unable to avoid the vicious claws which raked accross his face. Blood poured into his eyes, blinding him, and Growmiang sprang away with a satisfied growl.

The Seer had been staring at the dark man, and now she started walking steadily accross the plateau, her eyes fixed on the point where he had disappeared. Medon brandished his sword, though his face was pale and pained.

Steve: Stephen tried to exploit their current advantage and lunged aggressively at one of the centaurs, but the creature was able to narrowly avoid the attack, though he slightly unbalanced itself in the process

IdGM: Kalika leaned forward, grabbed Kairon's hair and dragged his head up from the bier. Sliding the poisoned dagger beneath his throat, she glared out with ferocious eyes. "Stop there, if you don't want your chief to die!" Her voice was as harsh and cold as her face.

Emily: Emily sighed for a moment, narrowed her eyes, knowing her grasp of the language in this strange new world is not too strong merely kept her bowstring taut, thinking over it

Steve: Stephen said nothing, obviously thinking there was no need to translate Kalika's threats

Hannah: "We won't be dropping weapons, but we might consider mercy if you step back," called Hannah in the Trade Tongue. Really she was trying to distract Kalika's attention, in case Eurytion and Amyka wished to shoot, or at least let Eurytion decide whether to put his father at risk.

IdGM: Everyone had stopped moving, and an eerie silence fell over the plateau. Even Medon's guards were standing, and conflict showed on their faces. Plainly to threaten the life of the chief was unthinkable for most Kentauroi.

Kalika laughed, a harsh explosive sound. "Mercy? Who are you to offer mercy to me? You feeble humans, you alien whores!"

Now everyone was looking to Eurytion, awaiting his decision, but before he could do anything, they heard a weak voice, as Kairon finally spoke. "I have lived long, and my time is done. Eurytion is your chief now..."  

"This is Eurytion's decision," the Seer said in English, then added in Trade Tongue. "Enough blood has been shed, and will be shed."

Maddie: With this distraction over, Maddie turned to Medon. "Hey, prick! Your attempt to hide from a worthless female behind another worthless female has failed. Now come and fight me, you stupid ugly cunt! Or are you afraid of a feeble human alien whore?"  Maddie moved as she spoke, backing towards the nearest edge of the plateau.

IdGM: Medon had been watching the scene playing out beside him, and he seemed to shake himself as if coming out of a dream. Perhaps he wondered how things had ended like this.

Now Eurytion began to walk forward, giving a meaningful look at Ev as he passed her. "Kalika, are you really prepared to commit murder, of one to whom you swore your allegiance? The father of your mate, and grandsire of your children? Has he really deserved such an end?"

Mima and Amyka moved to stand behind Maddie. Lykabas now began to sing, his voice sweet but somehow chilling as if mourning a loss.

Maddie: Maddie gave Mima and Amyka an annoyed look and shooed them away, continuing to move towards the edge. "Good fucking God, if you're this slow in a battle how were you ever expecting to lead anything? The only thing you're a danger to is me staying awake!" she shouted at Medon

Emily: Emily frowned at how aggressive Maddie has been toward to her enemies, especially the ones that she got an axe to grind against

IdGM: Medon was still looking at his mate, but her face wore nothing but scorn as she glanced at him. "Go fight the little human girl, that's all you're good for! As for you, Eurytion, you are too soft. Krenaios was the only one among the Chlorosoi who still had the balls to act, and these traitorous bitches killed him!" Spittle flew from her lips as she glared savagely at Mima and Amyka. She pulled the old centaur's head up further and moved the dagger closer, "Let us go, we will find a place with the Wolf and you can rule this old valley, until they come for you. The world is breaking and the Chlorosoi will no longer have any part in it."

Nobody moved as Eurytion walked towards the dais. "Put down the weapons and I give my word you will be allowed to leave unmolested."

Maddie: "Oh, you preferred Krenaios did you?" Maddie said to Kalika. Showing Medon up to be a total coward in front of his entire tribe seemed vengeance just as good as killing him and he didn't seem to respond whatever she said to him. "He wasn't so ballsy after I kicked his fucking throat in, was he?"

IdGM: Kalika ground her teeth but she remained in place, her burning eyes fixed on Eurytion. As he neared the dais, she suddenly dropped the old centaur's head and leaped up, drawing her arm back to fling the poisoned dagger.

Steve: Steve had said nothing since the fighting had abated, watching the unfolding events with obvious interest while keeping his sword safely in his grip.

IdGM: The shot from Ev's bow caught Kalika in the breast just as she flung the dagger at Eurytion. It dropped harmlessly to the ground and a few moments later so did she.

Maddie: Maddie turned her attention back to Medon. Her bloodlust was now on the wane and she simply gave him a contemptuous smirk that dared him to try something.

IdGM: Medon groaned aloud as his mate fell bleeding. Then he roared with fury and leaped from the dais, aiming for Maddie with his sword held high.

Maddie: Maddie gave a wild laugh of delight. "I knew you had it in you!"

IdGM: Medon slashed at Maddie with the long sword. It whistled just above her head.

Maddie: Maddie had hoped Medon's momentum would send him clear over the ledge, but his partner's death appeared to have awoken whatever fighting skill the centaur had and instead Maddie had to jump clear sooner than she'd wanted. Nevertheless, she'd managed to get him behind her as she came up to her feet. "After the revolution, this is how we'll deal with rapists. Goodbye!" Maddie threw herself forward. Medon had turned to face her, but Maddie caught him before he was ready and the weight of her leg sent him flailing backwards, over the edge and into open air.

[Idris]

Session 46 - 12/1/19

IdGM: An eerie silence had fallen over the plateau as the events of the last moments played themselves out. The Chlorosoi were deeply shocked by the threat to their chief from one of their own. But as Medon fell twisting and screaming into the void, they woke from their trance. Suddenly the air was filled with shouting and the clatter of hooves on rock as they surged forward, brandishing knives, clubs and bows retrieved from the hidden stash. In their way stood only the remaining guards, trying not to betray their fear. They had enjoyed and misused power under Medon, and now they were about to pay for it.

Maddie: Maddie glanced over the edge and spat down after Medon as he fell. Making a mental note to go and find his body later, she stepped away from the cliff.

Stephen: For a moment Stephen looked like he might advocate for mercy - but he did not.

Maddie: She'd been wrapped up enough in satisfaction over her victory against Medon that it took her a few moments to recognise the situation in front of her. Frowning, she folded her arms under her breasts and gave the guardsmen a hard glare. Maddie didn't incline much towards mercy, but now that she'd settled her score, she didn't think it was her place to tell the Chlorosoi how to deal with the now defeated guardsmen.

Emily: Emily sighed with relief that that this particular battle is over. She lowered her bow, wondering on what they should do with the survivors. "Maybe we should give them mercy but it is not our place to be honest." She told herself.

Hannah: Hannah looked to Eurytion. "I don't know your ways," she said in Trade-Tongue, "but in these dangerous times might these men serve a punishment that is more valuable to your people - helping defend against agents of the Court of the Wolf, perhaps?"

IdGM: With a curt nod to Hannah, and a meaningful look at Arberyonwth, Eurytion moved swiftly forward and leaped onto a large rock. "HALT!" he called, in a voice which combined the natural accoustics of the meeting place with his own powerful voice, and - they suspected - a touch of magical enhancement from the Seer. At this command, the Chlorosoi came to a halt and faces were turned towards Eurytion, some in confusion, but there were several younger Kentauroi who nodded as they looked to him.

Eurytion looked around, catching the eye of every individual, before speaking. "I know that you have suffered under the rule of Medon, and these Kentauroi have treated you shamefully." He indicated the ex-guards now awaiting their fate. "But a riot is not the answer. Tearing them apart - that is the old way, Medon’s way. The way that we had left behind many years ago. The Chlorosoi now live by the law and no member of the tribe should be outside that law. Because Medon and his thugs denied the law does not mean that we should do so in dealing with them. They will be tried under our law and all those who have suffered may speak against them.” He then spoke directly to the guards. “Give it up. Your leader and his mate are dead.”

Maddie: Maddie felt her eyelid twitch - she'd known many a situation where a riot was exactly the right answer - but this wasn't the time or the place to pursue that particular line of thought.

IdGM: Mima joined her son, with the others who had so nearly been executed. "This fight is done, but there is much to do to rebuild our tribe." Their words took the heat out of the Chlorosoi. The fury left their eyes. The guards, seeing that they were completely outnumbered, threw down their arms. Arberyonwth breathed a sigh of relief. "No need for more injuries. Emily, would you organise anyone with medical knowledge to treat those who need it. Better check whether Kalika still lives, and Kairon also - stabilise him if you can. I need two people to help me track the Dark Man."

Maddie: Maddie stepped forward immediately.

Stephen: "I'm not much of a tracker, but if there is any way I can help..." Stephen volountereed, trying to make himself useful.

Emily: Emily replied with a nod and a sense of relief with a better thing to do than harming the people. She made a start on sorting the issue out.

Hannah: Hannah volunteered to help with the tracking, knowing she was pretty good at picking up on useful details.

IdGM: Arberyonwth thanked them and together with Growmiang they all set off towards the last spot the Dark Man was seen, in the corner of the dais. "He must have an Elemental Bond with Air," the Seer explained. "He can weave mist and shadows to hide and confuse."

Maddie: "So how do we find him?" Maddie asked.

Emily: Emily offered her help with the aged sick Kairon, using her first aid knowledge with a mixture of equestrian. Her language skill in trade language was not as good as Hannah unfortunately. With some efforts, Emily managed to stabilise Kairon's condition, "Stable at least." She told herself in English before switching over to trade language in short terse statements.

IdGM: "He will leave the slightest trace behind - a smell, the stirring of air at his passing - which if we use all our senses, rather than sight, can break through his illusions," Arberyonwth said as they scrambled up onto the dais and started to examine the corner where the Dark Man had begun to weave his shadows. Behind them they could hear Eurytion organising groups to take the prisoners in hand, others to search for Medon's body and so on.

Stephen: Thinking Hannah would be more useful to the investigation, Steve decided to stay behind and help translate and deal with the aftermath of the confrontation

Maddie: Maddie went along with Arberyonwth. She'd had to root through dark, abandoned buildings before as a squatter, so relying on senses other than her sight wasn't entirely beyond her experience.

Emily: With Kairon safe at least for a short moment, she looked out for Dryatos who is clearly beaten up. Hopefully she will see esthesia return to this place remembering the discussion they had. As Emily looked over him, she asked him, "Are you okay?" checking him out for wounds and doing her best with them.

IdGM: They moved carefully around the area, stretching their senses to detect something. The Seer had not cast a light and they felt around with their hands. Hannah realised that at some point, she could feel a damp coolness down near the ground, like a breeze made of mist. Maddie's sharp ears caught the tiny rattle of a pebble not far from them beside the rock wall.

Hannah: Hannah pointed out the coolness near the ground. "He passed by here, I think..."

Maddie: "By the rock wall," Maddie said, very quietly.

IdGM: They followed the clues and set off around the dais, trying to ignore the activity going on. The trail led into a small cave.

Maddie: "Should I sneak in?"

IdGM: Arberyonwth nodded. "Be cautious and keep all your senses alert. He may try to subvert you."

Maddie: "No one around here will be subverting anything other than me." Maddie crept forward.

Stephen: As Stephen was not easily bothered by the sight of blood and injuries, he also tried to help Emily take care of the wounded centaurs

Emily: Emily managed to fix up Dryatos, making a pretty good job, she smiled with a hint of satisfaction. "There." She worked with Stephen to fix up the wounded and made some directions on few of them

IdGM: Dryatos smiled at Emily. "It is good to see you again." he said shyly.

IdGM whispers to Maddie: The cave entrance was low but the roof was taller inside. As Maddie stood in the pitch darkness she felt her other senses expand. There was a strange smell, like sandalwood, reminiscent of the old fashioned soap her grandmother used. And the sound seemed wrong, as if something was absorbing it.

Emily: Emily beamed at Dryatos, "I am glad that we got back in time, just in time." Emily replied softly before moving on to check Bienor out and faced the next set of challenge, Bienor whose kneecap need some cleaning up and bound along with the eyes washed and some covering to help the eyes.

Maddie whispers: Maddie stayed still against the cave wall for a time, trying to determine the source of the smell

IdGM whispers to Maddie: It was definitely coming from the far end of the cave, which she guessed was about twelve feet away.

Maddie whispers: Maddie considered investigating further on her own, then decided to head back to the others - she didn't see any other way in or out, so it didn't seem likely that the Dark Man could escape if he was in here

Maddie: Maddie came creeping back out of the cave after a short time. "There's some sort of strange smell in there - like my grandmother's soap. Sandalwood, that's the word I'm looking for. And the sound is all wrong."

IdGM: The Seer smiled, "I think we have found his hiding place. You must be of strong will when we enter the cave to capture him." They entered the cave one by one, Arberyonwth in the lead this time.

Maddie: "Hold on, hold on. Could we just block our ears to stop him from trying to take us over, or does it not work like that?"

IdGM: Arberyonwth stopped and considered. "To hear is important when you are unable to see. How will you know where he is without either sense?"

Maddie: "Hmm...true. Ok, let's go then."

IdGM: Arberyonwth slipped inside the entrance with Growmiang at her heels, and the other two followed her. It was pitch dark in the cave. Maddie could smell the sandalwood even more strongly now, and the slight feel of the damp mist around her ankles. The Seer stepped forward confidently. "Come out Wolf Man, you are discovered. There is no point in you continuing to hide." They felt movement in the air, and a deep voice spoke. "You're very clever you know. Why are you wasting your time with the Courts of Light, they will never give you what you want. Let me help you to find your true selves." The voice came closer.

They all felt the power in the man's voice, something that called to their inner thoughts. But this time his words slid straight off. Growmian hissed. "You aren't very clever, are you Arnulf?" Arberyonwth sounded cold and angry. "That's who you are isn't it? The Wolf's pet trouble stirrer, sent to disrupt communities and drive them into the arms of Chaos."

Emily: Emily with Stephen's help focused on Bromos, managed to successfully removed the arrow from the leg and treated the wound. Once they manage to treat whomever is wounded the worst. She noticed that the hunters went into the little cave entrance and followed them in.

Maddie: "Your Jedi mind tricks won't work on us," Maddie said contemptuously.

IdGM: "Shut your eyes!" Arberyonwth commanded them in English.

Maddie: Maddie clamped them shut immediately - it's not as if she needed them to find the Wolf Man anyway

Hannah: Hannah responded quickly as well, closing her eyes and covering them with her hands.

IdGM: Almost immediately a searing light appeared in the cave, so strong that Hannah could almost see the bones in her fingers as she held them over her eyes. There was a dreadful scream, and they heard the man stumbling about somewhere in front of them. The Seer cast a low light.  "We need to bind and gag him, if we can get him down," Arberyonwth said.

At that moment Emily put her head into the cave.

Emily: "I see you managed to find him!" Emily called out to the group and went over to help them out with binding and gagging him

Stephen: Briefly after he had he noticed that Emily had left the centaurs, as there were none who needed immediate treatment anymore, Stephen followed her to the cave

Maddie: As her eyes cleared, Maddie arrowed towards the spot where the scream had come from, kicking out wildly.

IdGM: Maddie's boot connected with the man's leg and he collapsed to the floor groaning.  Arberyonwth produced a length of twine from one capacious pocket and handed it to Emily. "I hope one of you is good at knots." She produced a kerchief from the other and gave it to Hannah. "This should serve as a gag."

Stephen: "Looks like you found him...and you didn't have to travel very far either." said Stephen as he helped the others bind their captive.

Emily: Emily smiled slightly as she made an effort of making a secure knot.

Stephen: With Stephen's help, they were able to tie the man in a way that looked fairly safe, at least for the moment. "What exactly happened here?" he asked Maddie and Hannah.

Hannah: "He tried to influence our minds, but we were prepared. And Arberyonwth blinded him with her own magic," said Hannah as she gagged the man.

Emily: Emily looked at the man in trouble, "Hopefully, we can figure out what we will can do with him as well. Magic sound rather useful!"

IdGM: Arberyonwth smiled. "Magic can be useful, or the opposite, as the case may be. A man like Arnulf here uses it to manipulate and destroy."

Maddie: "Arnulf? Is he another one who's come across from the Mundane?"

IdGM: "I believe so," the Seer replied. They carried Arnulf out of the cave and brought him to where Eurytion was directing operations. He looked at the man for a long time, then sighed. "You had better take him with you when you leave us. I'd be tempted to kill him for what he has done here, but I know that is not your way. I hope the Wolf now knows the Chlorosoi are not an easy mark to be taken over."

"We will take him to the Owl," Arberyonwth said.

Maddie: Maddie glanced over at Hannah. "By the time we get home we'll be extremely qualified to set up some kind of imprisoned sorcerer transport firm."

IdGM: The group searching the forest below had returned with Medon's broken body. Eurytion had it, and Kalika's, treated with respect, bound in cloths and left in a distant cave overnight. "Tomorrow we will take them to the high rocks, where we leave our dead for the eagles."

Hannah: "I hear privatizing Azkaban was very profitable for some," replied Hannah wryly to Maddie. She watched the treatment of the bodies quietly.

Stephen: "Well, I suppose we don't have to worry about them escaping to plot and cause trouble in the future..."said Stephen with a hint of sadness

Emily: "Make sense." She nodded as a matter of fact, "We tend to bury our dead although we do burn them as well back in the Mundane."

Maddie: "G4S would make a fucking killing off it." Maddie was distracted from their banter long enough to glance over at Medon. She winced involuntarily at the sight of her dead enemy. "I...I hope I don't get too used to doing that."

Hannah: Hannah sighed. "It seems hard to avoid here. But it's good to hold on to your aversion."

Emily: Emily sighed, "Sometime it have to be done. It is not all Sunshine unfortunately."

IdGM: "Your saying that shows you won't," Arberyonwth said quietly to Maddie. "Sometimes one has to do violence, but keep it to a minimum."

Maddie: "So...um...are we going to the Owl then?"

Emily: "I wonder what the Court of Owl looks like?" Emily asked curiously.

IdGM: The sun was just showing above the high cliff when Eurytion sent them all to their rest. Mima invited them to her house, where she fed them on bread and dried fruit and fresh clean water. Despite the daylight they were able to sleep, lying on thick mats on the wood floor of the house. That night they would all return to the meeting place, where the entire tribe would take part in choosing the new chief, for although his health was now improving, Kairon insisted he was stepping down. Equally firmly Eurytion insisted he would not just take over as chief, but the tribe must choose. Following this, there would be a feast. Arberyonwth had said they would leave for the Court of the Owl the next morning.

[Idris]

Session 47 - 19/1/19

IdGM: As usual Emily awoke first, as the afternoon sun was slipping down the sky. When she looked outside the valley was already a scene of activity, full of the scent of cook fires, the sound of chopping wood and young centaurs at play. Only the elders were still abed. The centaurs bathed themselves in the chill waters of the stream, but the humans were brought pails of hot water and Mima had rigged up a curtain to provide a private space for their ablutions. “We Kentauroi find no shame in exposing our bodies,” Mima said. Her own still shapely and muscular torso was adorned with nothing but a gold collar about her neck.

Maddie: "Or in wearing BDSM equipment either, seemingly," Maddie glanced at the collar with a twisted smile. She washed quickly.

Stephen: "I wish we had a chance to learn more about the culture of your people in more peaceful times."said Stephen

IdGM: "I hope we will meet again, in the not too distant future," Mima said warmly.

Emily: Emily yawned, enjoying the bask of the sun. She quickly washed herself, taking advantage of rare hot waters for she grew too used to having to make use of cold water, "We will look forward to it." She smiled back at Mima.

Hannah: "Maybe I can learn how to function on something other than a mixture of coffee and shame," said Hannah. "But in any case, it was wonderful meeting you and, well, most of your people. For a while I'd thought we wouldn't see a friendly face again."

IdGM: "You will meet others," Mima said with certainty in her voice.

In the late afternoon the centaurs began to move towards the meeting place, in groups and pairs and families, until the whole tribe was standing facing the dais. They too wore gold jewellery - heavy neck collars and arm rings glittered in the rays of the lowering sun. The elders were weighed down with multiple adornments, and two - a male and a female - wore coloured cloths across their shoulders. The humans climbed up with Mima. Eurytion greeted them gladly and indicated they should take seats at the back of the dais where large cushions had been provided. Kairon lay beside them on his beir, looking more healthy already. He nodded to Emily, recognising her from her medical work.

Maddie: "Why does a tribe with about fifty people in it need a fucking chief anyway?" Maddie wondered aloud, annoyed at no one in particular.

Emily: Emily is clearly glad that Kairon is going a little more better, still gave him a quick look over. "Because in an emergency or disasters , a leader can be more effective." She answered Maddie's question.

Maddie: Maddie laughed. "The only reason this tribe even had an emergency is because it had a leader who got sick and some other nastier leader took over. I've been in squats with more people than this, Christ, you can just decide things with a vote."

Hannah: "I wonder if the tribe was always this small," said Hannah.

Stephen: "I was wondering about the same thing - obviously I'd be very interested in knowing their, well...history."said Stephen "But right now I suspect they are more concerned with their future than their past. Although, perhaps, I could get a few questions in..."

IdGM: "I believe there are far fewer of the Chlorosoi now than there were," Arberyonwth said quietly. She too was sitting, using several large cushions, with Growmiang alert beside her.

Hannah: "It seems like this world has changed a lot," said Hannah. "The influence of the Courts?"

IdGM: Arberyonwth frowned. "It may well be, but this world itself has changed. There are those who believe it is being influenced by changes in the Mundane, but you would need to speak to those who study such things."

Maddie: "Who does that?"

Emily: Emily looked really interested at the thought, curious as to the interaction between their two worlds.

Stephen: "That is an interesting hypothesis."said Stephen, after some thought "I think we should certainly look into it. It might even help us return to our homes, perhaps"

IdGM: "We can ask in the Court of the Owl," the Seer answered. "But we should be quiet now. The trial is about to begin."

Seeing the tribe were all assembled, Eurytion leaped up onto the dais and the two robed elders were assisted to join him. Then the ten prisoners were led out and stood in a line before the tribe. There were some jeers and angry voices from the crowd but Eurytion raised an arm and silence fell again.  “We will hear the evidence of those who have suffered at the hands of these Kentauroi.” He named them all. Some of them hung their heads in shame and fear, but two - Bromos and Brienor - kept a steady gaze in front of them. “Diaphon and Kliatos, as recorders of the tribe, will then consider and recommend a just recompense, and the decision will belong to us all.” Eurytion continued.

Maddie: Maddie pulled out her phone, sighed, and looked down at the trial

Hannah: Hannah took out her journal for notetaking, watching the proceedings with interest.

IdGM: One by one, the Chlorosoi came forward to testify - for themselves or as witnesses for others who had been harmed. As the testimony was gathered, the familiar but still shocking picture emerged of a warlord who relied on force to rule, a litany of beatings, rapes and threats. Surprisingly, only two centaurs had been killed - both young adult males who had challenged the guards. In addition one of the elders who had raised objections had died in mysterious circumstances.

Maddie: "Well at least a tribe this small probably doesn't have prisons, you can do restorative justice more easily with this few people I'd bet," Maddie said. "Five centaurs, not two, I killed two of them myself."

IdGM: "But these were killed for trying to stop Medon's violence to themselves and their tribe members," Arberyonwth said.

Emily: While watching the trail, she quickly asked Mima & Lykabas softly, "I was just wondering why the tribe was unwilling to oppose such a leader with such characters? I mean your trbe can clearly fight when needed."

IdGM: “Kentauroi have always been a strange mixture of the scholar and the brute," Lykabas replied when Stephen had translated. "The Chlorosoi of old tended to the latter, in fact they were noted for their violent passions and savagery. Under Kairon’s leadership that changed - he instituted laws and encouraged the pursuit of scholarship. Mima was instrumental in the changes - she was not of the Chlorosoi originally, and she brought with her the learning of the northern tribes. We younger Kentauroi now see beyond the confines of the valley, the Green Mountains or indeed the Kentaur race. Medon stood against all this - he wanted a return to the old ways. It was hard for the older Chlorosoi to fight against what they believed was our natural state... Eurytion was gone and the old chief failing, it seemed Fate had chosen Medon and his way.”

Maddie: Maddie didn't look surprised. "If you try to change a culture through the actions of a leader, you're probably going to fail. Change has to come from the bottom up, you have to do it yourself."

Stephen: "The myths of our own world mention a centaur known as Kairon - he was considered extremely wise and quite different in character from the others. He was also a teacher to many human heroes. I wonder if this is merely a coincidence or if your Kairon somehow inspired the stories of our world..."said Stephen, sounding very interested in the possibility

IdGM: "Kairon is of a great age, and I believe he has visited the Mundane," Mima replied to this. "But it may be one of his ancestors who taught heroes in your world. As you know, time is different between the two worlds. And many live far longer here."

Their conversation was brought to an end, for the two elders had finished their deliberations and stepped forward to speak with Eurytion. He turned to the tribe, who had been waiting in silence. "All these accused have been proven guilty of acts of violence. Not all killed, however, and there is some evidence that some of them did not take part in the most savage actions - rape and murder. The recommendation of the recorders is that all the accused should suffer the punishment they meted out to others. The four who committed murder and rape should face death. This is for the tribe to confirm or not. Place your stones in the baskets."  It took time for the poll to be cast, each member of the tribe coming forward to place a stone in either the black basket or the white.

Emily: Emily wouldn't be surprised if they opt for death. At least they are asking the tribe for their choice.

Maddie: Maddie frowned. "Your tribe's already lost what, seven or eight people out of fifty and you want to kill more? Your choice, I guess."

IdGM: "This is the recommendation of the recorders," Mima said, "But the tribe may disagree."

Hannah: "I doubt they could stay and the community remain peaceful. Though I'm surprised they didn't consider exile," said Hannah, though she didn't seem perturbed.

Stephen: "Perhaps mercy will win out and they will be exiled or punished in some other way instead of executed. Exile would be my first thought "said Stephen "Of course, despite our role in this, it's not really our place to interfere..."

IdGM: "Exiles could end up with the Wolf or worse," Arberyonwth said.

Maddie: Maddie's instinct was to always offer resistance to an authority putting anyone to death, but she wasn't about to stand up for rapists. She watched the vote.

IdGM: When the last centaur had cast their vote, the baskets were put in front of Eurytion. He turned them upside down. A pile of stones fell from the black basket, and not one single stone from the white. "It is decided," Eurytion said, his voice ringing. "Bromos, Brienor, Avaros and Dankos will be taken to the high place. The others will be beaten. The trial is over."

Mima sighed. "It is hard to sentence four to death when our tribe is small enough already, but they are dangerous and their deeds sickening."

Maddie: "I'm not watching this. Shall we go?"

Stephen: "Will they be thrown to their deaths? We had such executions in our world, too..."commented Stephen, grimly.

IdGM: "There has not been such an execution for many years, but they will be taken to the cliff now, and Eurytion will go with them. They are expected to leap, not to be thrown." Mima said.

Stephen: "An interesting distinction." commented Stephen, unironically

IdGM: Eurytion spoke to the tribe before the small party set off for the cliff. "We will return to the meeting place when the sun drops."

Maddie: "Medon was worse than them, and I still at least gave him the chance to fight back, and didn't expect hm to chuck himself off the cliff," Maddie said. "You want to kill someone, you should do it yourself."

IdGM: "We see it differently," Mima said. "They are given the choice to leap, and in the past most have taken it."  Arberyonwth nodded. "In the Mundane this is not unknown. To leap is more dignified than to be flung off I suppose."

The tribe dispersed until the time for gathering again. As the sun disappeared behind the high rocks they all met on the plateau. The adult Chlorosoi had been busy - a fire was blazing, and food and wine laid out on long benches. The brink of the plateau had been edged with large rocks which made it feel a great deal less precarious. Lykabas had brought his lyre and was tuning it.  Eurytion leaped up onto the dais. His face had been sombre but now he clapped his hands. "Kentauroi, the time for sorrow is passed and we have guests who will be leaving us tomorrow. Come forward my friends," he gestured to Aberyonwth, Growmiang, Maddie, Emily, Hannah and Stephen.

Maddie: Maddie stepped forward, a foul taste lingering in her mouth from the preceding trial

Hannah: Hannah had been thoughtful as she chronicled the trial and its aftermath. Now she put on a warm smile and approached when Eurytion asked.

Emily: Emily stepped forward respectfully.

Stephen: Stephen walked with the others, silently - he had obviously been pondering about the significance of the latest events and perhaps their relationship to the Mundane world they came from

IdGM: They all climbed onto the dais, and Eurytion smiled warmly at them. "These are the people who saved me from a languishing death in the Wolf's dungeon. These four humans, who had just come to our world from the Mundane, had no reason to trust the Kentauroi after their treatment at Medon's hands, yet they fought WolfMen and Imps and a fell sorcerer, and when we were freed, came with me to free my people. They are true heroes and most worthy of our highest praise and respect!" The assembled gathering cheered loud and long, as the four humans stood facing them.

Maddie: Maddie felt very uncomfortable being put forward for public acclamation, and was uncharacteristically silent, looking down at her feet

Emily: Emily nodded back with confidence and muttered, "Happy to help."

Hannah: "It's like law school graduation, except the parents there probably owned more horses than there are centaurs here," said Hannah, keeping up her smile as she looked out at the crowd.

Stephen: Stephen did his best to look appreciative of the centaurs' praise

IdGM: Mima came forward and hugged them all. "I knew you would do it. You will always be welcome guests of the Chlorosoi."

Emily: Returning the hug, she made a promise to come back, "I am sure we will see each other again! There is so much to learn about this world." Emily responded.

Hannah: "I hope next time we see you your people will be thriving," said Hannah as she returned the hug.

IdGM: And now they were able to mix with the others, and to eat and drink. Arberyonwth and Dryatos fell immediately into deep coversation about astronomy, Laikabas played his lyre and in a deep and tuneful voice sang a rather plaintive song of the beautiful Aetherial then followed with more jaunty music. Some of the adult Kentauroi began to dance, in a surprisingly stately way. Dryatos came up and asked Emily if she would like to join in.

Hannah: Hannah leaned back against a tree with food and drink. She nibbled at the cheese and savored the aroma of the red wine before taking a sip, closing her eyes as she enjoyed it. "I probably would have called it a little harsh back home, but at the moment I can really appreciate its qualities."

Maddie: Maddie carefully examined the food, which was some kind of vegetable mix, to make sure it was vegan friendly. Ignoring the cheese, she picked up some flatbreads and a jug of wine and sat next to

Hannah. "This is good, in a lot of the squats I've been in we'd just raid the dumpsters, or I'd put on a big jacket and go to a shop. Food you've stolen from a corporation is scientifically proven to taste at least 20 percent better."

Stephen: Stephen ate and drank with gusto, perhaps enjoying the chance to consume victuals not unlike those of their distant ancestors in the Mundane. Obviously it was not the first time they did this since they had arrived here, but now there was no sense of urgency and he could better enjoy this kind of thing.

"I wonder if we'll ever get back home." said Stephen hearing Hannah's words, though he sounded somewhat apologetic as if afraid to ruin their enjoyement of the moment

Emily: Emily managed to eat some foods and drinks out of the crude instruments. When Dryatos approached her for a dance, she smiled back, nodding, "Why not?" She replied in trade tongue. Emily stood up and did her best to dance.

Hannah: "There are moments like these where I'm not sure I want to," replied Hannah to Stephen as the music drifted over them. "There are things I don't miss at all. But I also think about the people I left behind. And, you know, beds and Netflix and toilet paper." She watched Emily and Dryatos dance together, smiling slightly. "I think I read a fanfiction that was something like this, except the centaur was Benedict Cumberbatch."

IdGM: Arberyonwth smiled at Emily as she passed. "I hope you are all ready to travel," she said to the others.

Maddie: "Naturally," Maddie said. After finishing the wine, she reached for her bag and pulled out her juggling balls.

IdGM: Some of the centaurs gathered to watch as Maddie juggled perfectly. The young ones were particularly fascinated.

Stephen: "Obviously I am very fascinated by this world, and I want to know as much about it as possible, but I do feel we'll have to go back eventually. For one, learning about here might help solve some historical mysteries back home. If only one could travel freely..hearing of people from here who travelled to the Mundane and back gives me hope. Of course, no one back is going to believe us, are they? So it's not like what I learn here will do much good in the Mundane..." Stephen said just before before drinking another cup of wine.

Maddie: "Why think about that now? We're not at all close to being able to go back," Maddie said. "I'd just not bother but I think Dionysia and my mom would be pretty annoyed at me."

Hannah: "You'll have some good ideas for 'theories' I imagine," said Hannah to Stephen. "But I suppose you're right Maddie. I'm not excited to be on the road again, but we'll just have to put one foot in front of the other and see when we'll have an opportunity."

Maddie: Maddie stopped juggling for a while and went looking for another drink. She found some of the warm liquor they'd had before leaping down the waterfall, which she drank quickly before going back to juggling. She'd been at parties where the main entertainment was seeing how drunk she could get while still being able to keep the balls in the air, but given that they were travelling tomorrow that wasn't likely this time

IdGM: As the evening went on, the fire burned down to a warm glow, and things became more slow and quiet. The singing and dancing had ended, and Laikabas was just plucking out a simple tune on his lyre. Families and elders sat talking or gazing at the fire, the children leaning on their parents, and some young centaurs had paired off and were nuzzling each other. Eurytion was going around speaking softly to everyone.

GMId whispers to Maddie: Maddie heard a soft fluttering sound in the distance. Looking up she could see white shapes of winged beings.

Maddie: Maddie sat up suddenly. "What are those," she wondered, nudging Hannah and pointing. She'd spotted some kind of white, winged shapes in the distance.

IdGM: The shapes came nearer and then they could hear the sweet, high singing of Aetherials. As the winged beings flew down into the valley, everyone stood up and excitedly pointed at the sky. Arberyonwth surged forward but Growmiang dashed past her to embrace one of the beings. "Ariath!" they exclaimed in unison.

Maddie: "Oh, good, they're not going to attack us," Maddie said, stretching.

Stephen: "They're back! Hopefully everything went smoothly."

Hannah: Hannah had begun to doze off when Maddie alerted her, and her heart rate had shot up on seeing the approaching flyers. Seeing that it was the Aetherials, she steadied herself and moved toward them to listen to what Ariath had to say.

Emily: Emily heard the name and went over to see what they have to say

IdGM: As Growmiang danced about them, Ariath smiled. "You are all safe! Eurytion, we bring you greetings from the Court of the Owl. But that is not all. The Owl herself is on her way!"

At this moment, a light began to grow on the dais. As it increased in splendour, a figure became visible at the centre of the light. Taller it grew, and more solid, until a woman stood there before them. She was at least six feet tall, with a strong, wise and not unfriendly face, though they imagined she could look severe. A silver robe swirled about her, and her hair, unbound and a shining silver grey, hung almost to her feet.

[Idris]

Session 48 - 26/1/19

IdGM: The woman stood and looked at them. It was impossible to put an age to her image, but the suggestion of crows’ feet and laughter lines in the otherwise severe face, and the silver-gray of the waterfall of hair which hung almost to her feet, gave an impression of mature years. She was dressed in gray robes, with no other adornment than a slim silver circlet about her head. Her eyes, too, were gray - dark and steady.

Maddie: Maddie turned to look at the woman. "So you're the Owl then?"

Hannah: "We've heard a lot about you and your Court," said Hannah.

Stephen: "We're honoured to meet you," said Stephen

IdGM: The Kentauroi gave a collective gasp and many bent the knee in obeisance, but the Owl gestured them up, almost impatiently. Arberyonwth and Growmiang bowed, and the Owl returned the gesture and smiled at them warmly - clearly they were friends of old.

“I am glad to see not all of you are given to bowing and scraping,” she said, with a cool appraising look at Maddie. Her voice was deep and strong, hinting at commanding power held in check.

Maddie: "Rarely," Maddie replied, looking at the Kentauroi with disgust. "That kind of thing only belongs in the bedroom." Maddie paused, then added in her native language, "Not that I want to cut the centaurs out, but do you speak English? Easier for us I'd expect."

IdGM: The Owl held up her hand. "We will speak later Maddie." she said in unaccented English. Or perhaps Maddie had only heard it in her head. Some of the centaurs looked shocked, but a loud laugh from behind made them turn around. Kairon, weak but on his feet again, came forward supported by Mima.

“My old friend, it is good to see you,” the Owl smiled at the aged Centaur. “You are hard to kill.” Kairon laughed again, but sank gratefully upon his bier as an ancient carved wooden chair was brought for the Owl to sit in, and wine poured for them. For a moment or two they reminisced - plainly they had spent time together in the Mundane long ago, and it seemed Kairon had lived at the Court of the Owl before he became chief of the Chlorosoi.

“You would not believe what a wild young Kentaur I was back in those days,” he grinned at the humans and centaurs gathered around them, then nodded at Stephen. “But perhaps you would, being a scholar of the past.” he added in Trade Tongue.

Stephen: Stephen smiled slightly "There are indeed stories, in the Mundane, about a wise centaur known as Keiron. Perhaps someday you might help me separate the truth from the fiction."

IdGM: "I would be glad to," Kairon said good-humouredly.

Now the Owl turned to Eurytion, speaking to him about the Chlorosoi and the needs of his tribe, and how they might keep safe from the influence of the Wolf.

“I have something for you,” she said and without her appearing to do anything, there was a small bell in her hands - chased silver with a design of feathers on it, and a silver hammer to sound it.

“In times of great danger, when you are too far pressed, call for me and I will aid you.”
Eurytion took it with care and held it carefully.

IdGM whispers to Stephen: Looking closely at the bell in Eurytion's hands, Stephen suddenly noticed that the pattern was actually of owl's eyes surrounded by feathers. As he stared at it, one of the eyes winked at him!

Stephen: Stephen watched the bell with interest. "I think it winked at me..." he muttered. "Hopefully you won't need it anytime soon"  he said to Eurytion

IdGM: The Owl then rose and addressed the centaurs. “I have seen that the Chlorosoi have shrunk in numbers of recent summers, and that you have lost members of your tribe. These may help you to restore and strengthen the Chlorosoi.”  She held up a hand towards the back of the dais, and again a glow of light formed and rushed forward, though it was not so blinding as before. Figures appeared in the centre of the light, and when they finally stepped out onto the dais, there were exclamations of wonder ands surprise from the tribe, for here were six young centaurs, three female and three male, and at the head an older but still strapping male.

“Medair!” Mima cried, and she ran forward. They threw their arms about each other, then Mima turned to the others, her face alight with joy and wonder.  “This is my twin brother,” Mima announced. “The greatest warrior of the Stargazers of the Leucoros.”

Hannah: Hannah blinked at the burst of light, and watched as the twins were reunited. "If you are anything like your sister, I am very pleased to meet you, Medair," said Hannah in Trade Tongue. "This seems like a happy reuniting."

Maddie: "It's probably a good thing I don't have the power to summon people amidst a flash of light, or I'd be constantly misusing it, probably on people who didn't want to be summoned," Maddie said in English. "'Behold! It is Henry Kissinger, to face trial for war crimes!' and so on."

Stephen: "Leucoros, the White Mountain" Stephen said for the others. "Another centaur tribe?" he asked Mima

IdGM: "Our tribe is the Stargazers, the White Mountain is our home, in the north," Mima replied.

Medair came over to them. He certainly looked every inch a warrior. Unlike the proudly naked Chlorosoi, he wore an open leather jerkin, his torso crossed with two straps. From one hung a long sword in a scabbard across his back, and from the other a large quiver of black flighted arrows. A curved horn bow rested over his shoulder, and a long knife poked from a sheath at his side. Yet his face, bearded and strong, was calm. There was nothing wild about Medair - for him, clearly, violence was a necessary part of life but not something he would revel in.
"The Owl has told me something of you," Medair said, as he came over. His gaze took in the humans, Arberyonwth and Growmiang. "Thank you for what you did here."

Maddie: "Your sister saved our lives, it would have been pretty shit not to return the favour," Maddie said with a shrug.

IdGM: "Even so..." Medair smiled at Maddie. "You risked your lives and chose to come here with Eurytion. I hope we will meet again."

Hannah: "It's been good to meet some decent people, after everything we've experienced coming here," said Hannah.

IdGM: "You came through the Cursed City?" asked Medair. "That is not an experience many of us would willingly undergo."

Stephen: "We did. It was a harrowing experience and we're lucky to be here alive. Although we lost all contact with some of our companions who were with us..." Stephen said, sadly

IdGM: "I believe there may be some people from the Mundane living at the Court of the Owl," Medair said thoughtfully. "But I haven't met them. They may not have come that way."

Maddie: "How many people live there?"

IdGM: Medair shook his head. "I have no idea. I don't even know how big it is. There are many things in the Court."

Hannah: "It would be good to meet people from our world even if it isn't our friends," said Hannah thoughtfully. "We might learn more about traveling between the worlds, or other useful things."

IdGM: "I hope you won't leave us forever," Mima said. "If you do find out how to get back to the Mundane, make sure you know how to return."

Stephen: "I certainly hope so! I already know that if I do make it back to the Mundane, I will miss this place, sometimes. It is dangerous, but so full of wonder...and I'm sure there will be more to see." said Stephen, with a hint of wistfulness

IdGM: The Owl had been talking quietly to Eurytion. "You have only seen one tiny corner of the world," she said. "We must make sure you see more before you think of leaving us."

Maddie: "I don't believe in staying in one place," Maddie said airily, "there's no way I leave and don't come back.  I'd want to bring Dionisia anyway, she'd love this place. Though she might have a hard time unless you have some kind of magic spironolactone here. Which you might for all I know, considering you have magic veggie bacon."

Hannah: "Zadie would be enthralled by this place too." On saying this Hannah looked at the assembled beings and the landscape a bit wistfully, as if seeing them with fresh eyes.

IdGM: The Owl was attending closely to their conversation. "If something exists, we can create it. If it cannot be created, it does not exist. Travel between the worlds is not so easy. But you did not arrive in this world through random chance, I am certain. Now it is time to leave."

Maddie: "You should probably hurry up then and create a post-scarcity society with no classes and no state," Maddie replied. "Otherwise some of my comrades are going to be terribly depressed. Where are we going?"

IdGM: "To the Court of the Owl of course!" Arberyonwth had come up to them, with Growmiang following behind.

Maddie: "Alright, I thought that probably wasn't necessary anymore since she'd come to us instead," Maddie said. She stretched.

Stephen: "I apologize if this is an inappropriate question..." said Stephen to the Owl, looking like he had wanted to ask this question since he had first seen her.  "But did you by chance inspire the myths about the goddess known as Athena? I am always interested in finding connections between our world and yours."

IdGM: The Owl raised her eyebrows but then she laughed. "I like your directness. I did spend time in that part of the world. The people living in the city actually liked to believe I was their own personal goddess. Humans were always so desperate for divine intervention."

Maddie: "One of my girlfriends lives there now, it's a good city if you don't count the Nazis, which you shouldn't. Or the KKE, which you also shouldn't."

Stephen: "We humans are quite limited, it is only natural we would look for answers and help from higher beings. I thank you for your answer - it was a bold question, but despite how much I have learned from books I have come to believe that sometimes knowledge requires taking risks."

IdGM: "Oh yes," the Owl agreed. "Knowledge is of primary importance. But you will find that not all of the Tuatha agree. Some have a very flexible attitude to truth."  She spoke now to all of them. "You should make your farewells. It is time to leave."

Maddie: Maddied nodded and went to find Mima, giving her a hug. "Until next time."

Hannah: Hannah went about saying farewell to all those she'd grown acquainted with, and congratulating the clan on the expulsion of their old leadership. She shook Eurytion's hand and wished him luck living up to the high expectations on him, before hugging Mima and thanking her for what she'd done.

Stephen: Stephen bid farewell to all the centaurs he knew, and wished Eurytion the best for his new responsabilities - although, he added, he was sure he would be able to live up to them.

IdGM: Amyka and Ev came up to Maddie rather shyly. "We are glad you came to us," Amyka said. "You showed us how we can be strong and female without hating the males. And Stephen proved that not all men are bad," she actually smiled at him. "And we are going to make those patterns on our bodies," Ev added to Maddie.

Maddie: Maddie shrugged. "Well most men are trash really, but some are...alright." She smiled at the thought of the centaurs getting tattooed. "I'll have to see your ink when I get back."

IdGM: In the end the whole tribe seemed to have said goodbye, and they had been hugged by so many centaurs their ribs were aching.

"Now to prepare for travel. We will take the Wolf's man with us," the Owl said. The wretched man, gagged and bound, his head lolling in some kind of stupor, was brought out from the cave by two centaurs.

They gathered at one end of the dais and the Owl spoke to them. "The Aetherials will be flying but we will be Travelling Direct. This will mean trusting me completely. If you fight against it, it can cause some very unpleasant effects."

Maddie: "Umm..." Maddie looked uncomfortable. "Why would we trust you completely?"

IdGM: Unexpectedly the Owl laughed. "Which would you prefer, to let me transport you to my Court, or to travel through the forest on your own? If you want, you can choose to walk there, it will take you about fourteen nights, if you are lucky."

Ariath and the other Aetherials had been doing something mysterious in the valley, now they flew up and onto the dais. "We leave now, and will see you on the other side." Ariath said, smiling at them all. The Aetherials rose into the sky, singing their wondrous sweet song.

Maddie: "Well I'd rather teleport, but you know, I can't actually choose whether or not I trust someone and I did just meet you..." Maddie shrugged.

IdGM: "That makes a kind of sense," the Owl said. "Just try not to struggle then. If you are ready now, we will prepare. Hold onto each other and close your eyes. I will take the Wolf's man. Whatever you feel, concentrate on the light."

Hannah: Hannah had quickly resigned herself to this mode of travel, seeing no reasonable alternative, so she reached out her hands to her companions.

Maddie: Maddie looked nervous for a moment, but steeled herself

Stephen: Stephen seemed excited - and curious - rather than worried

IdGM: They all grasped each other - Stephen, Hannah, Emily, Maddie, Arberyonwth, Growmiang and Kairon, who was apparently coming with them. The Owl took a firm grip on Maddie with one hand, and Arnulf with the other. At first nothing seemed to be happening, and it was hard to keep their eyes closed, Then the sounds of the centaurs seemed to fade, and they became aware of a light becoming brighter and brighter, so strong it could be seen clearly through their eyelids.

They started to feel dizzy and the light seemed to be moving about. Hannah began to feel queasy. Maddie felt a terrible desire to rip her arm out of the Owl's grip but it was like steel. Somewhere she could hear Growmiang howling, and Kairon was chanting something under his breath. All of them felt the breath being crushed out of their bodies, until just when it seemed they would stop breathing altogether, the light went out and they were discharged onto a soft grassy slope and the sweetness of fresh air.

IdGM whispers to Maddie: As she staggered forward onto the grass, Maddie felt a violent cramping in her stomach as though she had been punched.

Maddie: Maddie took one breath of the sweet air, then promptly discharged the contents of her guts out onto the grass

IdGM: Growmiang hunched over and vomitted noisily and violently. He yowled with misery,

Hannah: Hannah staggered a bit, and gagged when she saw Maddie and Growmiang's expulsions, but managed to compose herself.

IdGM: Kairon was also vomiting, though he seemed less in pain.

Stephen: Stephen seemed to be physically fine, although worried for the others.

IdGM: Arberyonwth came forward and stroked Growmiang's back. "I had the same reaction the first time I Travelled. It will pass soon." She took two small vials from her capacious pockets and gave one to the suffering Cat and the other to Maddie. "This will help." she said. The stuff tasted like liquorice and brandy, with something slightly bitter, but it certainly worked. The cramps eased and the sickness subsided.

"I am sorry that was a rough ride," the Owl said. "It would have been far easier without the Wolf's wretched man."

Maddie: Maddie took the vial and flung it down with alacrity. With startling speed she was back to normal, though the whole experience left her with a foul taste in her mouth which made her decide to take out her vaping machine and use the last of her e-liquid to clear her mouth.

Hannah: Hannah stood on the grassy slope and looked around at the landscape.

IdGM: Once they had recovered enough, they were able to look about them. Somehow, the rest of the night seemed to have passed by while they Travelled and the scene before them was touched by the first light of dawn. They stood on a lawn of perfect, deep green grass, surrounded by large trees. The Owl beckoned them forward and they walked slowly down the slope towards a lake. As the sun rose, golden light flooded the scene and illuminated a large building on its other side. They all recognised the shape - it looked just like the Parthenon in Athens.

Maddie: Maddie blew out some sweet smelling smoke. "Yep, Dionisia would like it here."

Stephen: Stephen was awed by the sight - the building was in perfect condition, unlike the one they could see in the Mundane.

[Idris]

Session 49 - 16/2/19

IdGM: They stood staring at the building, so familiar yet never seen in this perfect state. Then a voice behind made them start. “I will meet with you later,” the Owl called as she swooped past - a giant white owl on silent wings. “Abduram will look after you.”

Maddie: While glancing around lazily to locate Abduram, Maddie took another puff on her vape machine to clear the taste of vomit from her mouth

Hannah: "I never saw the Parthenon in person," said Hannah in a low voice. "But I always thought it looked beautiful in photos." She walked slowly down toward the building bathed in golden light.

Emily: Emily was almost in a daze, couldn't believe her eyes that they travelled, but then she shouldn't be surprised. After all, they did manage to travel to another world, unwilling as they were. "I am curious as to what else we will meet..." She told herself with wonder but a hint of wariness

Stephen: "It's even more impressive, isn't it?" said Stephen

IdGM: Arberyonwth led the way down the grassy slope towards the pillared building. A group of centaurs appeared from behind the trees and galloped towards them, greeting Kairon with shouts of joy. He explained that these were of Mima’s tribe, and then with a gracious farewell, he went off with them. Growmiang had already run off, becoming almost kittenish when a white Cat had beckoned to him from the shade of the trees. The sun was hot as the remaining group climbed up the long steps and entered the cool space under the portico, where a massive copper covered door stood open. A tall thin figure glided through and came towards them. Pale and spindly with large almost transparent eyes, this must be Abduram, although what species of being he might be remained a mystery. “Welcome to the Court of the Owl,” he announced, drawing them through the door..

"Follow me," Abduram said in his quiet voice, speaking Trade Tongue to them. They entered an enormous marble hallway which stretched into the distance. It was quiet - nobody seemed to be around but then it was still very early. Arberyonwth immediately excused herself - she had something to attend to. The four humans followed Abduram through pillared halls, across tiled floors and past colourful mosaics, and into shaded courtyards where fruit trees hung heavy over pools of glittering fish. It was reminiscent of the Cursed City, especially when Abduram led them into a long room where fragrant steam rose from a long pool of water, indicating that they should refresh themselves. Someone would then come to collect them.

Stephen: "Such beauty. It reminds me of the city we went through...though, of course, it's far less threatening."said Stephen, looking all around

Hannah: "Yeah, it's nice to experience something like this without all the gloom and despair."

Maddie: Maddie put her vaping machine away with a sigh. "I wonder what's next for us then," she said. "I hope they can help us find Ben and Kirsty and the others."

Emily: Emily looked at the others, "We should enjoy it while it is peaceful. I have the feeling that such moments of peace will be short." She sighed wistfully

IdGM: The pool was open to the sky, shafts of light trickling down through the steam and dappling the water below. Beyond was another pool, this one filled by a splashing sparkling stream of water from a flat slab of stone high above and surrounded by giant fern-like plants. There was a small area to the side where they could leave their clothes on a bench.

Maddie: "I wonder if they have toothbrushes on this planet. Is this place even a planet?" She still had a bit of a foul taste in her mouth

Hannah: After all they'd been through together, Hannah had somewhat less modesty around her companions than before. She took her clothes off and set them aside, and sunk into the steamy water with a sigh. "The stars are different, aren't they? So perhaps it is a planet of its own. I'd otherwise think it was a different dimension or something."

Emily: Emily frowned at that thought. "Frankly, I would hope that it is a different dimension. I mean, there is magic in this world, What if you can do the same thing back home?" She suggested cautiously. She also stripped down and left the clothes on the table and went into the pool, relaxing with a sigh

Maddie: Maddie shrugged, stripped off, and got in the pool as well.

Stephen: Stephen hesitated slightly before stripping, but then did so and left the clothes on the table - after all it was not the first time he would be naked with the others.

IdGM: Once they were in the water, a troupe of chattering giggling female beings appeared. They were slight of build with narrow faces and large shining eyes, their bodies clothed in irridescent diaphanous garments. They bore robes with them which they lay on the bench, picking up the group's discarded clothing, though leaving their packs. Emily was suddenly reminded of dragonflies darting over sunlit water.

Hannah: "Uh, are we gonna... get those back?" said Hannah weakly as the beings took their clothes, her awe at their appearance tempering her concern. "That top was like a hundred-twenty dollars..." she muttered.

Maddie: "We'd better fucking get those back, I can't get those badges again," Maddie said.

IdGM: The beings reacted with surprise. "They are for the cleaning, no harm will come," one of the beings said in halting Trade Tongue. She had a soft liquid voice, like water running over small stones.

Stephen: "It's the Court of the Owl, not of the Magpie." said Stephen. "I think we can relax and feel safe as long as we are."

Maddie: "Cool, thanks!" Maddie called back in Trade Tongue.

Hannah: Hannah smiled, her relaxation having already overtaken her concern for the clothing before the being responded. She sunk back into the water up to her chin. "It does smell nice in here, and we were getting a little ripe."

IdGM: To their surprise, instead of leaving by the door, the beings tripped over to the waterfall and dived in, vanishing beneath the water.

Emily: Enily watched them, admiring at how ease these servants are in this court

Stephen: "So..."said Stephen earnestly, more focused on their situation than on the servants themselves. "We're in the court of a goddess - or at least, the closest being to one that we personally know."

IdGM: The events of the past days had taken a toll on their bodies, and all of them had aches and minor wounds, in addition to a lack of sleep. However the effect of the pool seemed far greater than mere cleansing. All the aches and pains had disappeared, and they felt lively and refreshed in every way.

Emily: "Well, I finally feel ready to face the world," Emily confirmed

Hannah: After a while, Hannah said "Well, I don't want to fall asleep..." She clambered out and stepped over to the pool with the waterfall, and hopped in, letting out a muted yelp as her body hit the cold water. "That's like a cup of coffee!"

IdGM: The water was very cold.

Maddie: Maddie decided not to repeat Hannah's test of the water over by the pool. She dried herself off, then stared at the robes that had been left behind in disgust. "Am I supposed to wear one of these? Fuck's sake."

IdGM: The robes were long and wide-sleeved, made of a very fine white linen, light and comfortable for the heat, with delicate colourful embroidery at the neck and hems.

Hannah: "Not quite judge's robes, but equally dramatic," said Hannah, donning a robe.

Stephen: Stephen seemed eager to wear the robe. "Quite comfortable." he said, pleased

Maddie: "Comfortable? They're fucking white," Maddie sputtered. "Jesus fucking Christ, fine."

Emily: Emily looked closely at the beautiful sewings and put the robes on

IdGM: Abduram re-appeared as soon as they were dressed. When they went to lift their bags he held out a hand. “No need!” and the bags lifted from the floor and hovered in mid-air, following their owners as they were led away.

Maddie: Maddie pointedly reached out and grabbed her bag out of the air.

Stephen: Stephen let his bag float behind him instead

IdGM: Their guide merely continued ahead of them, leading them through more halls and passages. Some time later, they entered a large pillared hall down the centre of which low circular tables had been heaped with food. Great pots of rice were surrounded by dishes of fish and shelfish and all manner of vegetables - some they recognised and some they did not - in a great variety of sauces. An even greater variety of beings sat, crouched or lay upon large embroidered cushions around the tables, eating with silver implements, or with their hands, or in some cases straight from their plates, passing round gilded flasks of wine and drinking from crystal goblets.

Maddie: Maddie felt her eyelid twitch. "I need wine."

IdGM: As they stood looking around, Growmiang appeared from behind a pillar, a fishtail sticking out from his mouth. He quickly swallowed, and grinned widely at them. “This is a baro habben ain’t it! Come on, sit yerselves and get stuck in!” He indicated that they should join him at a table where a beautiful white cat sat gazing at them, and a pair of cheerful beings with goat legs and horns were animatedly arguing with a leaf-green being seemingly made out of sticks with green leaves waving from its head. This person was quietly drinking a brown liquid from a large bowl through a long and narrow glass tube, whereas the other two were swigging wine like water. They stopped and stared at the newcomers with great interest.

Maddie: Maddie grabbed a flask of wine, took a very long drink, then grabbed another flask. She nearly drank it down too, then realised that having been sick earlier, she ought to eat something first. She went off to find whatever the nearest equivalent this place had to a bean chilli.

IdGM: There were a number of vegetable dishes which would approximate to chilli.

Hannah: "Hello there," said Hannah in Trade Tongue to the folk sitting at Growmiang's table. She introduced herself and her companions (gesturing toward Maddie as she mentioned her name) and sat down, pouring herself some wine and putting together a plate of food.

Stephen: Stephen looked all around, obviously taking in as much as of his surroundings as he could, before deciding to accept Growmiang's invitation and sit with him,
what he assumed were two satyrs and the curious plant-like being.

Emily: Emily looked around to see if there is any meats available before partaking in the foods available..

Maddie: Maddie went and sat with the others, carrying a plate of rice and spicy vegetables

IdGM: Growmiang introduced them to the white Cat. "This is Mirevrow," he said with a flourish, and a sidelong glance at her. The two satyrs, for that was what they were, grinned rather drunkenly at them. The plant being bowed a little stiffly. "You are from the Mundane?" it asked, in a voice like the sound of branches creaking in the wind.

Emily: "Yes, we are. It has been quite an experience coming here" Emily confirmed.

Maddie: "What, you're not?" Maddie took a mouthful of food

Stephen: "Is it so obvious?" smiled Stephen "Indeed, we are."

IdGM: The plant person nodded slowly. "It is obvious, but you are finding your way here it seems. You are fortunate indeed to have come to the Court of the Owl."

Maddie: "I'll feel more fortunate when I get my clothes back. We're looking for friends of ours from the Mundane, hopefully they get to this world a bit more safely than we did."

IdGM: Mirevrow murmured something in Growmiang's ear and then looked at Maddie with luminous green eyes. "There have been others from the Mundane before you. One was broken and has been sent to the mountains to mend, but the other is here. He has a dog with him." Her lip curled at the word.

Hannah: "Magorian?!" exclaimed Hannah. "Thank God if it is him." She stood up, looking around. "Where is he?"

IdGM: The food had been unusual but delicious and they felt totally restored. As Hannah looked about, they all heard a familiar sound from across the hall - a loud booming laugh!

Maddie: Maddie looked around to see

IdGM: On the other side of the hall, Magorian, a silver tankard in his hand, sat among a group of varied beings - fauns and satyrs, nymphs and Talking Beasts, and others they did not recognise.

Maddie: Maddie picked up her flask and went over to see Magorian

IdGM: At the Professor's feet lay a massive dog who raised his head and then bounded towards Maddie as she approached. Some tiny being which had been examining the dog’s ear tumbled to the floor in its wake. Magorian too, leaped to his feet, shouted “My friend! You are alive!” and threw out his arms. He strode forward and enveloped Maddie in a bear-like hug, and a not unpleasant smell like clean animal hair mixed with tobacco.

Stephen: Stephen did not seem as surprised as the others to see Magorian again here - the atmosphere of the place did seem to fit him, after all. He greeted him warmly

Maddie: "Hey Magorian!" Maddie got out, then got crushed in a hug. "Careful! I threw up earlier!" she gasped. "Good to see you and Sadik are alright."

Hannah: Hannah smiled warmly as she approached Magorian and gave Sadik some playful scratches. "It's so good to see a familiar face! How did you make your way here?"

IdGM: By now Sadik was thoroughly over-excited and he bounced around them, licking their hands.

Emily: "Sadik" She called out joyfully. "So glad to see both of you alive, Magorian"

IdGM: Magorian grinned widely, and gestured to them to sit down and pour more wine. Sadik slumped on the floor and let his head drop heavily on Emily's foot. "It was the most extraordinary thing. We were trapped in that place where you left us, and something came out of the darkness and attacked. We never saw it clearly - but it certainly had teeth and claws. It caught me with a claw, but poor James was badly mauled. Ben was out of it by then. We were in a corner, backs against the wall, and it looked like our time had run out. I kept thinking of the dream - the White Lady - and I think I called out loud to her. And suddenly, there she was. Right in front of us, glowing in the darkness. So beautiful...." his face grew wistful, but he shook himself and carried on. "She held out her hands to us, and there was a brilliant light and then... we were somewhere else. Safe." He was silent for a moment, thinking back. "But then, I realised there was just me and James, Ben had gone."

Maddie: "Fuck." Maddie sat down heavily. "Is James the one recovering on the mountain?"

Stephen: "Do you think he'll make it? And did you find out what attacked you?" asked Stephen, wanting to know as much as possible

IdGM: Magorian looked surprised. "Yes! He needed special help, because he was bitten, whereas I was just clawed. The healers are hopeful. I never did find out what it was, maybe some kind of big cat.? Saving your presence, sir," he added with a nod to Growmiang, who had come over with them.

Hannah: Hannah put a hand on Maddie's shoulder. "We'll find Ben," she said quietly.

Maddie: Maddie nodded silently to Hannah.

Stephen: Stephen grimaced, as if remembering something "I wonder if it might have been more like a wolf, instead.... I hope he'll be fine, eventually."

IdGM: "A wolf doesn't use claws to fight," Growmiang said with a snort. "The Cursed City holds its own terrors."

"So how did you get here?" Magorian asked. "How long have you been at the Court of the Owl?"

Hannah: "Our story's a bit longer," replied Hannah. "It involved a lot of swimming, meeting other strange monsters and eventually some... godlike beings, before finally escaping the Cursed City. We met some centaurs and then the Seer Aberyonwth, as well as Growmiang here. Finally we met the Owl herself, and were just brought here."

IdGM: "Ah, centaurs!" Magorian grinned. "All these people," he swept an arm around indicating the circle of fascinated beings surrounding them. "We have only ever heard of in myths and legends. And here we are the strange ones."

"Godlike beings?" a creaky voice asked. It was the plant person.

Stephen: "Our people in the Mundane worshipped many gods through their history, and we met some of them...at least, we think we did. It may have been seen some sort of shared dream." Stephen said, perhaps wondering if a plant person would understand the idea of sleeping and dreamings "It would not be so weird, many of the myths and legends of our world seem inspired by beings from here."

Maddie: "The centaurs seemed to regard the Owl as a god," Maddie said pointedly.

IdGM: "There are no gods in this world," the voice of Arberyonwth came from behind them. "Come with me now, time to see the Owl."

Maddie: "There's no gods in any world." Maddie drained her flask and went over to the Seer

IdGM: Magorian was sorry to see them go - he would have spent much more time hearing their stories, and made them promise to meet up later. Then Abduram appeared beside them and whisked them away to a circular, almost intimate room. Here the Owl sat on a carved chair with Arberyonwth standing beside her. They were invited to get comfortable and the Owl began.

The Owl held up the gem that Eurytion had been sent to recover - shaped like a large teardrop, blood red with what seemed to be lights flickering deep within its depths. “I must thank all of you for your part in recovering this. It is a very particular artefact, which has been lost for a lost time. Arberyonwth, would you continue?”

The Seer took the gem reverantly in her large hands and came forward. “We call this gem the Eye. It enhances the power to sense a person’s Elemental Bond. As you know this world is not like yours, it is founded from what you call Magic. Every being relates to the underlying Magics of the world in their own way. These may be what the thinkers of your world once referred to as elements - earth, air, fire, water - or other aspects such as the wild, underground, weather and so on. Now the humans who find their way here are of two kinds. Some are solely of the Mundane, and sooner or later thay will be returned there. Others, and there are quite a few” - here she smiled at them - “enter this world and find there is something familiar in it, something that speaks to their inner being.”

Maddie: "What, like the vegetarian bacon?"

Hannah: Hannah mostly succeeded in stifling her chuckle when Maddie undercut the moment.

IdGM: The Seer shook her head, unfazed. "Like meeting an old friend, or recognising a family likeness in a distant relative. As you may have realised by now, there has always been traffic from your world to ours, but even more from ours to yours, and the Tuatha are well known in the Mundane. I expect you have all heard stories of gods fathering children or Fey folk living for a time as mortal wives.”

“Some of the more prolific of us have done both, many times,” the Owl put in with the suggestion of a smile.

Maddie: "I hope you paid child support." Maddie suddenly wanted more wine

Hannah: Hannah's expression had returned to seriousness. "Are you saying that gem... can detect whether we have ancestry from this realm? And that such ancestry would mean a connection to... magic?"

IdGM: “It is well to remember that the Tuatha wear their bodies as lightly as we do our clothes. Although it is true that they have their favourite apparel,” Arberyonwth nodded to the Owl and then continued. “Yes Hannah, some humans have the Fey running in their veins, a gift from their Tuath ancestor. This is not passed down in the way of other inherited characteristics, it rarely shows itself in more than one individual in a generation, and as a rule even those individuals do not express their inheritance. They may have senses that cannot be explained, or curious phenomena occur around them. In rare cases it is expressed more strongly, and the individual can calm storms or walk on water, or fly, or heal. Some have power over other minds, or can foresee what is to come, or can call the recently dead back from the Twilight Land. This often resulted in fear and oppression, and it is true that the expression of an uncontrolled Elemental Bond can lead to dark and destructive results. However the majority of the Gifted never realise their own potential in the Mundane.

Here it is different. This is the home of Magic, created from it by the beings who are its source. Here, a seemingly ordinary person can come into the full realisation of their Gift. You have met two of those already, one using his powers to destroy by fire, and the other to manipulate the minds of others. So, when a human enters our world, you can see that it is very important that we assess their potential, and if possible to train them how to control those powers, and more importantly, why they should control them. This testing can be long and arduous. The possession of the Eye will not only enable us to See the Elemental Bond more clearly, but also to assist the individual in realising it, and accessing their Magical power."

Maddie: "Ok, so the Eye can tell us if we're Slytherin or Gryffindor. Got it."

Stephen: Stephen cast a sideway glance at Maddie, perhaps believing that such joking was inappropriate given the context, before speaking for the first time since they had been shown the gem "Are there any risks or things we should know beforehand, if we are to be tested?"

IdGM: The Owl answered. "Normally you would remain in the Court under observation and work towards realisation. This can take time - in the case of your ertwhile companions, the testing of the professor is under way, though the other requires further healing before we can start. But now thanks to you we have the Eye...” She held up the gem and the light flared inside. "It will make it far quicker and surer." She gave Maddie a sharp look. "We are testing for a connection, not making a judgement. The Elemental Bond is what you are born with. Good and evil, Light or Chaos, these are what you make of it, and are outside the remit of our tests."

Maddie: "Well I'm glad about not having to stay here under observation since I don't do well with that kind of thing. What do you need to do to test us then?" Maddie restrained herself from making any off-colour remarks for once.

IdGM: "For today, nothing," the Owl said, "Rest, eat, explore, spend time with your friend and his dog, talk to the others living here. Enjoy the Court. Tomorrow will be time enough to start the testing."

Maddie: "Is there anything you can do to help us find our other friends? There were quite a few more of us on the dig, I think others must have come through too."

Emily: Emily nodded solemnly, "I agreed, hopefully, we may be able to find them."

IdGM: Now the Owl looked serious. "Apart from the professor there is just one other, the injured man. It seems there was another with them, but he did not arrive here. It may be he was sent to another Court... And of course if there were others not with them, they may be elsewhere."

[Idris]

Session 50 - 3/3/19

IdGM: They spent the rest of the day doing whatever they choose and wandering the Court. It was an extraordinary place by any measure. It seemed to go on forever, pillared halls leading to wide beautifully tiled spaces under massive light filled domes, cloistered courtyards full of scented flowers, their fountains spraying cool water over pools of glittering fish. Everywhere white marble rose in elegant pillars, arched overhead, or was carved into delicate filligree screens. Some parts were filled by the folk of the Court, and the sound of their talking, arguing, laughing and singing. Yet there were quiet and private places where nothing could be heard but the leaves rustling and water falling.

Maddie: "There'd better be no hungry people in this world," Maddie said, looking at the opulent surroundings. She considered seeking out Magorian, but decided there would be time for that later. Suddenly remembering something, she turned. "Emily, I've not exactly had much opportunity to teach you to juggle lately, shall we continue now?"

Emily: Emily really enjoyed wandering around this mysterious court. She answered Maddie's question with a smile. "Sure!" She always look forward to learning new skills although she will never match Maddie's skills

Hannah: After enjoying the feast and meeting people, Hannah found herself to the quieter parts of the Court. She sat on a tiled bench watching the spray of a fountain, contemplating where they'd come from.

IdGM: Maddie and Emily looked round to see several nymphs and a satyr watching them. Humans were clearly a constant source of interest, and as they wandered many of the Court’s denizens bade them all welcome. The two Cats accompanied them, Mirevrow acting as guide, for she had spent many years at the Court. In the evening, the entire Court gathered in the great Hall where food of all kinds, this time including meat, was laid out. This was a more formal gathering, with a group of varied beings playing the lyre and pipes, and others singing while they ate. The Owl sat in her great carved chair, listening to those who came up to speak to her, and then she beckoned the humans forward and introduced them by name.

“These are friends of the Light, who have done us a great service,” the Owl said in a ringing voice. “New to this world, but they have already saved lives and restored peace to the Chlorosoi.” There were cheers and other signs of approval from the assembled beings, and then everyone set to.

Stephen: Stephen had spent most of his time asking questions - he was obviously immensely fascinated by the whole situation.

Emily: Emily made a start on drinking and eating, not knowing when they will ever have another feast like this

Maddie: Maddie went off to find out whether there was any of the not-bacon that the Seer had given them before

IdGM: There was no fake meat of any kind, but all kinds of vegetable dishes. Maddie recognised that many bore a likeness to Greek food in her own world.

Hannah: Hannah tried bits of many dishes until eventually finding a simmered, spicy mix of meat and vegetables that she enjoyed enough to pile up on a plate. "It's almost like my mama's spicy bulgogi!" she said, sounding near ecstasy.

Maddie: Maddie shrugged and went in search of other food, snagging a spinach and rice mixture, as well several chickpea patties and a dish of mixed vegetables  "Dio would definitely like it here, she makes a fine spanakorizo," Maddie said to Hannah, indicating the rice. "She probably would want to avoid the whole 'getting applauded by a large crowd' thing though, anxiety and all."

Stephen: Stephen went for the more unusual dishes - the kind one couldn't really find in the Mundane, at least not anymore. "I for one do appreciate the hospitality" he commented overhearing Maddie and

Hannah speaking to each other. "Certainly an improvement compared to what we got when we first came to this world."

Hannah: Hannah smiled. "Yeah. Zadie would be sneaking away from the event with a bag stuffed full of all the different things to try. I'd rather avoid the attention at the moment too, to be honest. But it is nice to be around friendly people."

IdGM: The hall was still loud with talk and song when Abduram came to collect them, and guided them to a large room where they found their clothes, now clean and sweet smelling, as well as their packs waiting for them. Smaller rooms led off, some with sleeping couches which proved extremely comfortable. An archway led to a small pool, its fragrant water steaming. Another led out to an enclosed garden full of the scents of night flowers and the trickling of water, and somewhere above the liquid trilling of a nightingale. Lighted globes gave off a warm glow, but were outshone by an enormous silver moon which hung in the open sky above the garden. It was not the moon they recognised.

Maddie: Maddie eagerly flung off the utterly unsuitable white robe she'd been saddled with and garbed herself again in her badge-covered black jacket and red Docs

Hannah: "I kind of liked the robe," said Hannah. "It felt like staying in a nice hotel and just keeping the bathrobe on." Still, she laid out the "designer practical" outfit she'd brought for their dig originally, to change into the next morning. She sat by the pool, running her fingers in the water and listening to the nightingale for a while before finding a couch to sleep on.

Maddie: Maddie checked over her clothes and belongings to make sure everything was still there. "Right, we're going to bed, aren't we..." Maddie muttered, feeling stupid for getting dressed again in her haste to look more like herself. Sheepishly, she undressed and laid them out. "I'm not really used to staying in hotels. Well, I've squatted in a few, but that doesn't really count I imagine."

Hannah: "Hotels were a treat when I first started getting comped them for travel, then a chore when I was on the road for too long and homesick. But I never squatted, and I hadn't lived like we've been living here, so now I feel bad for any time I complained about a room with a comfortable bed."  

After a short silence, Hannah spoke again. "If you could go back to your old life, forgetting everything we'd seen and done here, would you?"

Emily: Emily frowned for a moment on hearing Hannah's words. "I don't know." She replied softly, "I probably would, providing not much time has passed. If we can ever return, that ls."

Maddie: "No, ignorance isn't bliss," Maddie said firmly. "Anyway, this is just like going to a new country, except this one has centaurs."

Hannah: Hannah sighed as she stretched out on the couch. "Yeah. Just... being here... Well, I'm not sure if I feel more selfish for the side of me that wants to stay and forget everything back home, or the side that wants to run back and leave this behind."

IdGM: They were awakened before dawn by Arberyonwth who led them to a large octagonal room. Logs burned in an iron brazier, giving off a pungent though not unpleasant smoke. In the centre of the room were four couches, arranged in a cross shape, heads towards the centre where flames rose from a silver bowl. The Owl, seated in her carved chair, nodded in greeting. “Make yourselves comfortable,” she said. “This will take time and must not be rushed.”

Maddie: the smoke from the brazier set an itch in Maddie's lungs. "Dammit. Do you people have anything to smoke here? My vape liquid ran out yesterday."

Hannah: There was no sign of Hannah's uncertainty from the night before, as she walked up to sit on one of the couches, looking about the room as she assessed how this test would take place.

Stephen: Stephen looked positively eager - obviously he expected this to be a very important learning experience. He sat down slowly.

IdGM: "When you return we will see what we can do." Arberyonwth was holding a small pot over the brazier. She brought it to the Owl, who held out a beaker made of amber, ancient and worn, so thin that it was translucent. “Drink this and then we will begin.”

Hannah: Hannah took a sip from the beaker before passing it along.

IdGM: Arberyonwth gave each of them a sip of the cloudy liquid fom the ancient cup, and then bade them lie down and hold tight to each other's hands. Meanwhile the Owl spoke to them about the test.

Maddie: Maddie took a sip. "What is this anyway?"

Stephen: Stephen drank slowly, though not more than a fair share.

Emily: Emily took a sip slowly, wondering what it is in the liquid.

IdGM: "Trust me, it will help," the Owl said. "And Arberyonwth will remain here throughout the test. However you should be aware that this testing has its own dangers. You can be open to other influences, but it would far more dangerous int he long run if you were to remain ignorant of your latent powers. Remain strong and determined, keep your mind on the Eye."

Maddie: Maddie gave the Owl a disgusted glare at the evasive answer, but she wasn't going to press the point given that she'd already drunk the stuff

IdGM: When they were lying in place with their hands joined, the Owl came forward and held out the gem until it was actually inside the flame, where it remained suspended even when she took her hand away. The light expanded and pulsed, bathing everything in a red glow. Suddenly the light flared, filling the chamber. And then they were gone!

*  *  *  *  *

IdGM: The ground was hard and cold. They fell as though from a height, thumping down. It was dark, and they were outside. The room, the gem, the Owl and Arberyonwth had disappeared.

Emily: Emily stood up, her eyes flickering around trying to make sense of their surrounding. "I wonder where we are?" She asked the others

Maddie: "How are we supposed to keep our mind on the Eye when it fucking vanishes?" Maddie complained, rubbing her arm where she'd landed

IdGM whispers to Stephen: What had happened felt rather like Travelling. Perhaps they had been affected by those outside influences the Owl had warned them about.

IdGM whispers to Hannah: What had happened felt rather like Travelling. Perhaps they had been affected by those outside influences the Owl had warned them about.

Hannah: Hannah looked around, concerned. "That felt like when we Traveled from the Chlorosoi before..." She looked over at Stephen, sensing he might have the same thought.

Stephen: Stephen nodded at Hannah's words "And just like that time, I feel there might be forces trying to influence us." he added

IdGM: Wherever they were, it smelled of wet undergrowth and they could sense trees around them but it was very dark.

Maddie: "So what are we supposed to do, are we meant to wait here and meditate or what? I'm no good at that kind of shit."

Hannah: "The Owl warned us about outside influences - I'm not sure we're even meant to be here," said Hannah. "We should look around and make sure we're safe."

Stephen: "Stay strong and determined...and keep our mind on the Eye...."said Stephen "If only we could still feel it somehow"

Maddie: "Looking around isn't going to be easy, it's darker than a comic book franchise reboot out here."

IdGM whispers to Maddie: Maddie thought about how they needed light, but there was nothing to use, no lighters or matches... She felt that somehow if she thought about it enough she could do something about it. If she just held out her hand...

Hannah: "Well, feel around then, and try to listen for any signs of danger," said Hanna, waving her arms out to grasp at the trees.

Maddie: "What if I..." Maddie felt slightly ridiculous, but she was hardly the most dignified person and if this didn't work it was too dark for her to look like an idiot. "Fuck it." She held her hand out.

Stephen: "The Owl did tell us to keep our minds on the Eye, not our eyes on...well, you know."said Stephen "I expect the trials we will face here will require more than physical perception. "

IdGM: For a moment nothing happened, and then a wavering flame appeared on her palm. It brightened and steadied as she stared at it.

Hannah: Hannah turned toward the light. "Oh, you brought a..." She was about to say lighter, but then she saw that the flame was in Maddie's hand, and she just stared.

Emily: Emily looked at Maddie with surprise, lit by the flame in Maddie's hand. "Wow."

Stephen: "Can you control it?"Stephen asked, fascinated

Maddie: "Umm...well that's kind of cool..." Maddie said, looking at the flame. It felt extremely strange to have a flame on her hand without it causing damage. It was warm, but hardly unbearable . "I'd...well I'd light a joint to celebrate if I had one."

Maddie looked at Stephen, then a grin crept over her face. "Well, I can think of a way of testing that I suppose." She experimentally tried to toss the fire up in the air.

IdGM: The flame wavered then rose very slowly about three feet above her hand before it started to fade.

Stephen: "Just...don't get too carried away." Stephen adde "We might be in some sort of forest, after all."

Hannah: Hannah slowly walked up, the flickering light showing her wide-eyed smile. "Maddie, you... you just did magic. FUCKING magic!"

Maddie: Maddie glanced up at Hannah's smile just in time for the fire to go out. "Ah, fuck. So much for juggling fireballs I guess. I don't feel very magical, but...I hope that wasn't a fluke..." Maddie held her hand out again

IdGM: The flame returned, straighter and steadier now. By its light they could see that they were in a clearing in a forest. The trees reached out to them, darkness between them. There did not seem to be a path or gap in any direction. As they stood quietly, there was a rustling in the undergrowth.

Stephen: "I'm not surprised by your affinity for fire."said Stephen, almost apologetically "But I wonder what ours might be...if we have any." he wondered

IdGM whispers to Emily: Emily could sense an animal in the undergrowth - some kind of mustelid, a polecat or stoat, its sharp little mind intent on the hunt but concerned by the presence of humans nearby. She felt she could contact the animal.

Maddie: Maddie held her hand out in the direction of the noise

Emily: Emily looked at something in the distance and focused on it.

Emily whispers: Emily reached out and try to get in touch with the animal.

IdGM whispers to Emily: The polecat's mind was suddenly aware of Emily's contact. It slid through the undergrowth towards her.

IdGM: The animal was moving invisibly through the undergrowth towards Emily.

Emily: Emily smiled as she stood still, allowing the animal to approach her. She whispered, "It seems I can get in touch with animals."

IdGM: A polecat, a long slinky shape with a sharp fierce little face, looked out from the plants next to her.

IdGM whispers to Emily: Emily somehow knew that the animal would be able to show them a way to move through the forest if she asked it for help, not in words but in feeling.

Hannah: "That's on brand," said Hannah quietly, still smiling, though she kept a wary eye on the polecat.

Emily whispers: Emily reached out and asked for help in feeling for the way through the forest.

Emily: Emily whispered as not to scare the polecat away, "It may lead us through the forest."

IdGM: The polecat gazed meaningfully at Emily, gave the rest of them a sharp look, then turned away and started its undulating run towards the trees. As they followed, they could see a gap where an animal path led out of the clearing through the forest.

Stephen: "I hope we can trust it." said Stephen, perhaps worried the animal might be controlled by not fully benevolent forces

Emily: "Worth a try!" Emily answered Stephen, "Beside, we haven't got any better plan at the moment"

Hannah: "I trust your instincts with it Emily," huffed Hannah as they hurried after.

IdGM: Small it might be but the polecat kept up a good pace and they hurried through the trees. Gradually they became more widely spaced and a grey light could be seen filtering through between the

branches. The polecat gave a kind of nod to Emily and disappeared back into the heart of the forest.

Ahead of them the trees ended and a grim kind of moorland sloped away into the distance.

Maddie: Maddie went ahead, holding up her hand to be a torch

Stephen: "A change of scenery, at least."said Stephen "Be careful with that flame - we might not want to draw too much attention."

Emily: Emily waved goodbye to the leaving polecat, beside herself with happiness. "Feel like more than home." She eyed the moorland.

IdGM: As they walked over the moor, the sky changed to a slightly lighter grey. A cold breeze blew over the withered sedge and into their faces and they grew tired and chilled.

IdGM whispers to Maddie: Maddie thought that she might be able to adapt her flame to make a fire that would warm them up.

Maddie: Maddie looked at her hand and shivered. "This one's not big enough..." she concentrated, trying to form some image of warmth in her mind. The only thing she could immediately think of was the kind of burn barrel she'd used for warmth in many a squat, but it would have to do

IdGM: A fire sprang up in a little hollow, seeming to be fuelled by nothing. It was warm though, and they were able to huddle round it in the shelter of the bushes..

Maddie: "I wonder if I..." Maddie held her hand out to the fire experimentally

IdGM: The flames licked around Maddie's hand. It tickled slightly and felt pleasantly warm.

Maddie: "Alright, that's pretty cool, if I can do this with all fires that would be really awesome."

Stephen: "It is good for you to enjoy your gift." said Stephen "I hope me and Hannah will find our soon, if we have any. And that it will help us leave this grim place." he said staring off in the distance

[Idris]

Session 51 - 10/3/19

IdGM: The moor was grim but they were able to get some rest by the fire. The day was growing slightly lighter but no warmer. Whether it was the grim surroundings or exhaustion, their minds seemed foggy. Why were they here in this horrible place?

IdGM whispers to Emily: Emily had a fleeting feeling that they should be somewhere else but it vanished away.

Emily: Emily frowned for a moment, "Maybe we should move on?" She told the others. She shook her head as if to clear her mind.

IdGM whispers to Hannah: It seemed to Hannah that she could sense something under the ground. A flow of water, a stream which would come out further down the slope.

Hannah: Hannah stood, eyebrows furrowed in concentration. "Follow me," she said in a low voice. She began to walk with purpose.

IdGM whispers to Hannah: As she walked Hannah could sense the water flowing fast and cold beneath their feet.

Stephen: Stephen seemed distressed, as if he was starting to lose hope.

Maddie: Maddie stood up slowly. Her mind felt chilled and numb.

Emily: Emily looked at Hannah, wondering what kind of test Hannah is in, stood up and follows her. Her eyes seems wary of the possible dangers facing them.

IdGM: Hannah led them on what seemed a narrow animal trail. Thorny branches reached out and caught at their legs, and the ground became muddy.  As they came down the slope they heard the sound of water bubbling. A small stream came out of the ground and trickled over stones down the hillside.

Maddie: Maddie tried to concentrate enough to make a flame to light their way, but she could only muster a tiny tongue of flame licking up from a finger

IdGM: The flame hardly made the daylight any brighter, but it made them feel a little more cheered.

IdGM whispers to Hannah: Hannah thought it would be a good plan to follow the stream.

Hannah: "We should follow the water," said Hannah. "I think it's our best chance to find our way somewhere safe."

Emily: Emily focused on maintaining her balance while on muddy ground. She is used to walking in such desolate land. "Make sense." She shivered, "At least we got a source of water if needed."

Stephen: "It's not as if we have any alternatives..." said Stephen, sounding more and more hopeless as he stared in the stream's waters.

IdGM: The stream continued for about a mile going steadily downhill before it disappeared over a rocky ledge. There seemed no way to climb down the waterfall.

IdGM whispers to Stephen: Somehow Stephen knew there was a cave nearby.

Stephen: Stephen briefly looked as if he wanted to walk over the ledge and peer down, but then stopped. "Don't ask me why but I feel there might be a cave nearby. Can't explain why." he said, though he didn't sound very confident.

Maddie: Maddie wandered over to the edge, looking down with her little fire to help. "Do you know where?"

Emily: Emily looked around trying to find tell mark of a cave.

IdGM: Following his feeling, Stephen led them into an area where there were exposed rocks, and they could see a narrow dark opening.

Emily: "Hopefully, there is no bats this time!" Emily muttered to herself.

Stephen: "Let's go in."said Stephen, sounding somewhat more confident by his intuition having been confirmed

IdGM: It was very dark but at least it was dry.

Emily: Emily decided to squeeze in the narrow opening, trusting in the light granted by Maddie.

Stephen: Although Maddie tried to light the way with her flame, Stephen still tried to feel his way by touching the rock's surface with his hands.

Maddie: "I'll take point," Maddie said, trying to focus enough to make her flame larger

IdGM: As they entered the narrow dark space, Maddie's flame suddenly shot up, making them shut their eyes and causing bright spots in front of their vision.

IdGM whispers to Stephen: Light or not, Stephen could feel the way by just running his hand along the rock walls.

IdGM: Stephen seemed to know exactly where he was going.

You whisper to Stephen: When they came to a dead end, Stephen knew he should lay his hand upon the wall and create a doorway, just as he had seen done before, although he could not remember when.

Emily: Emily blinked sharply, her vision covered with pink and green spots

Stephen: "Let me lead the way." said Stephen, now sounding more confident as he walked to a dead end in the cave wall and placed his hands on it

IdGM: A light seemed to flow under Stephen's hands, and as they watched a doorway opened in the rock, leading to a large passage beyond.

Emily: "Wow. I wonder if you can do that to walls as well." Emily thought of the possible use.

Stephen: "We will find out someday, perhaps."said Stephen as he walked through the passage

Emily: Emily nodded, following Stephen in, her eyes looking around warily if she expect danger around the corner

Maddie: Maddie strode out in front with her fiery finger held up to light their way

IdGM whispers to Stephen: When his hand touched the wall, Stephen became aware of seams of minerals running through the rock. It was a strange sensation.

Stephen: "I can feel the the veins of the earth." said Stephen, obviously quite intrigued by his new geological powers

Maddie: Maddie kept alert as they went, as if expecting a confrontation

IdGM whispers to Hannah: Hannah could sense water ahead. A large body of water.

Hannah: "And I can feel the water... there's a large body of it ahead," said Hannah, quickening her pace.

Emily: Emily looked at Hannah, impressed by her skill, "We never go without water then!" She told herself as she speed up

IdGM: The passage suddenly sloped sharply and Emily found herself slipping down it.

Maddie: "Well I can feel the fire and...ok, I can't, but that's probably a good thing. Feeling the fire sounds more like what you'd do on a date anyway." Maddie might have said more, but suddenly Emily slipped

IdGM: Emily managed to save herself sliding into the water, but slipped sideways and fell, twisting her ankle.

Stephen: Stephen tried to help Emily to her feet while not slipping himself

IdGM: Ahead of them stretched a large lake of black water, its sides out of sight in the darkness. A small boat sat in the water as if it expected them.

Emily: Emily swore sharply in Gaelic as she came to a stop and then she managed to get up with Stephen's help, taking a close look at her ankle

Maddie: Maddie went to inspect the boat, seeing that Emily was alright

Emily: Emily winced as she looked at her ankle, "I need somone to have a look at my ankle, I can tell you what to do with it at least."

Stephen: "I'm sure you'll make it." said Stephen "Be strong," he added as he tried to set her ankle, following her instructions

IdGM: The ankle was still painful but at least it was bound up and Emily could stand on it carefully.

Emily: "Thank you Stephen." She said gratefully

IdGM whispers to Hannah: Hannah knew that she could make the boat move somehow. She had a memory of doing it before but couldn't recall when or in what circumstances.

Hannah: Hannah helped Emily onto the boat, and once they were all settled, looked down into the water. She ran her fingers lightly on the surface, staring at her dark reflection and concentrating.

Emily: Emily tried to spread her feeling by sensing any animals in the water.

IdGM: The boat began to move almost at once, rapidly speeding up so that soon they were skimming accross the water. Maddie's light seemed to expand too, and they could see that the lake narrowed ahead of them. The boat shot into a low passage.

Hannah: Hannah placed her hand once more in the water, this time flat with her palm forward, and willed the water around them to slow the boat's movement.

IdGM: The boat nearly stood on end as it slowed, the bow wave slapping off the rocky walls ahead of them. They were all thrown forward. Hannah lost her balance and fell into the water.

You whisper to Hannah: Instead of the icy shock Hannah expected, she felt perfectly at home in the water. Even the gasp of surprise as she went under did not affect her. She could spend hours like this.

Hannah: For a moment they couldn't see Hannah as she slipped under the water. There was faint movement beneath the surface, circling the boat. And then Hannah burst out of the water on the other side from where she'd fallen, suspending herself half-out of the water. She laughed, with a glimmer in her eye, and placed an arm on the boat's edge. "Shall we move on? I think I like it in here."

Maddie: Maddie had been preparing herself to rescue her friend from the water again as she had on the way to the Seer's Tower, but smiled when Hannah effortlessly rescued herself.

Stephen: "Impressive."stated Stephen matter-of-factly

Hannah: Hannah saw Maddie relax, and smiled back. "You've rescued me enough times, I thought I'd give you a break."

Emily: Emily grinned back at Hannah;s outstanding effort. Still, she wonders where if there is any animals or fishes in the lake. She concenrated and reach out with her mind

IdGM whispers to Emily: Emily felt fish minds at the limit of her awareness - they were glittery little things - but they seemed afraid and were avoiding entering the passage where the boat was now gliding along.

IdGM whispers to Emily: There was a dark and creeping presence moving their way. Some kind of large snake, Emily thought, but she was unable to communicate with it.

Emily: Emily looked at the passage warily, "I can sense the fish minds and they seems afraid of this passage." She looked ahead with alert, "There seems to be a large creepy snake heading our way."

Maddie: "A creepy snake?"

Emily: "A large water snake which doesn't feel normal" Emily confirmed

Hannah: "A... creepy snake... in the water." Hannah pulled herself back into the boat. "I guess I'll save the swimming for when we find a YMCA."

Maddie: Maddie peered out into the water

Stephen: "If you don't think you can somehow charm it, we should try to get out of here as fast as possible."said Stephen

IdGM: Maddie's light illuminated a strange v-shaped wave coming towards them.

IdGM whispers to Stephen: It would be possible to make some rocks fall from the roof of the passage and strike the snake.

Hannah: Hannah reached forward and concentrated, seeing if she could shift the water to push the snake in another direction.

IdGM: The water moved, forming a wall between the snake and the boat, but the creature somehow curled sideways and slithered accross it. They could see a large mouth with long fangs.

Stephen: Stephen nervously looked at the roof of the cave and focused, as if trying to do something.

IdGM: A large rock dropped free from the roof of the passage and fell onto the snake, striking it hard. It dipped below the water, but then recovered and came on again. A low angry hiss came from its fanged jaw.

Maddie: "Guys, this is kind of bad," Maddie adopted a fighting stance, not that punching a giant snake was likely to help much. An idea came to her, and she started to concentrate on her hand from which the fire came

IdGM: Maddie felt her hand grow hot as if it was on fire, but it did not burn. The huge snake reared up in front of the boat, fangs dripping with venom and eyes ablaze with hate.

IdGM whispers to Maddie: The heat burned until it was ready to burst out. She knew she could throw it like a ball of fire.

Maddie: Flames crept up Maddie's fingers until her whole fist burned orange-red. She drew her arm back and flung a ball of fire in an arc towards the snake's mouth, and it landed with a whoosh

IdGM: The snake reared up out of the water with an ear-splitting scream of a hiss and then if fell accross the boat, steaming gently.

IdGM whispers to Emily: The fish minds were rejoicing, as they moved into the passage.

IdGM: The boat was sinking as the huge weight of the dead snake pulled it down.

Emily: Emily made an effort to lift the dead snake off the boat quickly as possible, "Come on! Let get this snake off!"

Hannah: Hannah concentrated and gestured with her hands, willing the water in which part of the snake still rested to lift it up and move it to the side.

Maddie: Maddie grabbed at the snake to try to push it off

Stephen: Steve pushed with all his might

IdGM: Their concerted effort moved the snake slowly, but with the additional swell it lifted from the boat and dropped under the water.

Emily: "At least the fishes will be happy." Emily smiled at the sudden bounty for them

IdGM: Freed from the weight of the snake, the boat shot forward down the passage and suddenly emerged into bright sunlight.

Maddie: "Right. Well I just Hadokened a giant snake to death, I uhh...guess that's cool?" Maddie laughed, then let the flames on her hand die out as they came out into the bright light

Hannah: Hannah didn't know what "hadokened" meant, but got the gist. "I'm feeling a lot safer now, with what we can all do!"

Stephen: "I really didn't expect fire would work where water and earth failed, considering the environment." commented Stephen "It's a good thing you were with us."

IdGM: The stream broadened and now the boat was going with the current and Hannah no longer needed to move it. This was far pleasanter - the river twinkled in the warm sunshine and they passed green fields and woods.

You whisper to Maddie: In the distance Maddie could see a square shape. As they drew closer she realised it was a small house.

Maddie: "There's a house ahead," Maddie said, pointing to a small square shape off in the distance

Hannah: "I feel like it's been a while since I've seen one of those," said Hannah, peering forward at the house.

[Idris]

Session 52  -  17/3/19

IdGM: As they moved closer the house proved to be a cottage, built close to the river bank. It was run down but neatly kept. There were outhouses where they could hear bleating, and behind the cottage some apple trees and what looked like crops growing in small fields nearby. A fish trap hung from the river bank.

While they had been walking, big black clouds had built up and now these hid the sun. A cold wind sprang up, and rain began to pelt down.

IdGM whispers to Maddie: Looking at the surface of the water, Maddie notice that the level was rising extraordinarily quickly. If it continued to do so at this rate, the river would overflow its banks and inundate the house.

Maddie: "The river is rising fast," Maddie said. "If we go in there, it's gonna flood the house. We should get somewhere higher up!"

IdGM: They heard a dog barking, and then a ragged brown mongrel appeared around the side of the cottage. It ran up and down from the river to the front door and back, becoming more and more hysterical as the water began seeping over the bank. Suddenly they spotted movement in one of the upstairs windows - there were two children there

Stephen: "There's a dog over there - can you speak with it, Emily?" suggested Stephen, staring in the distance

Maddie: Maddie spotted the children and immediately headed towards the house

Hannah: "I'll try to hold back the water," Hannah said immediately. "Get those kids out of there!" She moved toward the house, raising her hands and trying to channel the rising water away.

IdGM whispers to Hannah: Hannah could feel the power of the water as she tapped the flow. She could divert the stream temporarily, although it might drown some of the animals in the field.

Emily: Emily reached out with her mind to get in touch with the dog as she run towards to the cottage.

IdGM whispers to Emily: Emily felt the dog's gratitude and relief that someone had taken notice and would help. It conveyed that there was a way to climb up a tree at the back of the cottage.

Emily whispers: Emily reassured the dog that they are coming to help and told the others

Hannah: "I could divert the stream for a while," said Hannah, gesturing toward the field, "but it would put the animals at risk."

Emily: Emily alerted the others, "The dog noticed that there is a tree we can climb up at the back of the cottage."

Stephen: Stephen decided to stay behind with Hannah, feeling Emily and Maddie would be able to rescue the children by themselves "I could try helping you by raising the river banks, but I don't know if I have that kind of power..." he said

IdGM whispers to Emily: Emily thought she could send a message to the animals in the field to run to cover,

IdGM: Maddie made straight for the tree.

Hannah: "Try it! Perhaps you could loosen the earth, make it soak up more water?" she suggested.

IdGM whispers to Stephen: Stephen realised he could move quite large rocks to assemble a barrier.

Emily whispers: Emily realised that there was another animals in the field and warn them in the field to flee from the river.

Stephen: Stephen saw some large rocks and began to focus on them, likely trying to push them towards the river bank.

Emily: Emily followed Maddie to the tree to help the kids out

IdGM: As Emily and Maddie climbed the tree they could see goats and a cow racing accross the meadow to avoid the diverted water. Other small animals - rabbits perhaps - were racing alongside them.

Maddie opened the wooden shutter and swung herself over the window sill. "I'll pass them out to you, stay there!" she said to Emily as two small shapes came running towards her. One of them was holding a large black cat.

Hannah: Hannah waited as long as she could to give the animals time before diverting the water away from the house, working in concert with Stephen to minimize its impact.

Emily: Emily nodded as she focused on the kids, ready to help out.

Stephen: Some rocks, both large and small, started to move, obviously diverted by Stephen's power. Shifting and rolling around the ground, they formed a small barrier around the river banks, delaying the water for a while.

IdGM: Maddie lifted a small raggedly dressed boy over the sill and held him out to Emily. "There's a cat too!" she said. "Can you tell it we're here to help!"

As the last of the animals raced for safety. the water rose over the top of Stephen's barrier and spouted through gaps.

IdGM whispers to Hannah: Hannah felt the power surge through her. She could turn the entire river with it.

Emily: Emily reached out to grab the little boy and mentally got in touch with the cat to calm it down. "Don't worry, you will be fine."

Hannah: Hannah closed here eyes in concentration, still feeling the power of the rushing water. She swept her hands to one side, and the water burst forth onto the meadow with a rumble, avoiding the cottage.

IdGM: A small girl, slightly larger than the boy, pulled at Maddie's arm. "I'm not going without Blackie."

The stream was flowing accross the meadow, but the area around the cottage was very wet.

Maddie: "You won't have to. Hold onto Blackie," Maddie reached out to pick up the girl and her feline companion

IdGM: The boy grabbed onto Emily. "Don't let me fall!" he said in a quavering voice.

The storm was dissipating. Hannah could feel the strength of the water lessening.

Emily: Emily answered him calmly. "Don't worry. We will go down together." Trusting in Maddie's ability to get back onto the tree and climb doen with the girl and cat. She took care to climb down with him

Stephen: With the barrier he had raised overflown, Stephen decided to try and reach Maddie, Emily and the kids, even if it meant having to wade

Maddie: Maddie began to clamber down with the girl and cat on her back

Hannah: Hannah did what she could to move water away from them and make their wading easier.

IdGM: "I climb down the tree to play outside," the little girl confided to Maddie. The cat was surprisingly passive as they reached the ground.

The water was knee high in the yard and had seeped through the front door. Hannah could move the remaining water back into the river, which was visibly falling. However the ground floor of the cottage would be wet and muddy and she could do nothing about that.

Hannah: Hannah pushed the water back into the river as best she could, leaving a muddy mess in its wake.

IdGM: It was brighter but still cold and they were all soaked from the torrential rain. They needed shelter but the front door of the cottage was locked. "Mam has the key," the girl said.

Maddie: Maddie put the girl down. "Where is she? I think we need to get in now."

IdGM: "She went to town to find our Da. He was looking for Allie but then he didn't come home." The girl stroked Blackie's head.

Maddie: "I'm going to have to...umm...let us in."  Maddie pulled out one of the thin pieces of metal she'd picked up at the Seer's tower and picked the lock

IdGM: The lock was old and stiff but Maddie felt it click and the door swung open, revealing a low dark room which took up nearly the entire ground floor. It was plain and poor, but must usually be comfortable in a homely way. The rag rugs on the heavy slabs of stone that formed the floor lay soaking in muddy water, the fire in the massive hearth was cold. A small side room held smoked bacon and bunches of herbs, fortunately all hanging from hooks in the ceiling. A set of steep wooden steps led up to the next floor.

The boy in Emily's arms was shivering.

Maddie: Maddie immediately pushed her way inside to get out of the rain and concentrated on the hearth to rekindle the flame

Emily: Emily noticed that Maddie is rekindling the fire, "Once we get the fire going, we will get dry in short order." Emily confirmed as she took a check on the boy, girl and the cat.

"My name is Emily" She told them and allowing other to introduce themsleves and quickly introduced the others. "So what are your names?" Emily asked them.

IdGM: The fire shot up the chimney and began to warm the room immediately. The boy stared open mouthed at Maddie. "Are you a witch?" he asked, but his sister elbowed him. "I'm Ariana and he's Tomas."

Maddie: "I uhh...I guess? I'm Maddie." She went to warm herself by the fire.

Stephen: Stephen had managed to get in shortly before Hannah and was by the fire with the others.

Emily: "Nice to meet you." Emily told them warmly, "Where is the nearest town and how far it is?" She asked curiously as she looked for the dog and the foods they might be able to have.

IdGM: The dog came running in with them. Ariana went over to fetch a besom from the corner and began to brush the mud from the floor, and her little brother fetched a jug of water from the larder and filled a large pot over the fire. They were obviously expected to be very self-sufficient. .

Maddie: "Where did your Mam go, Ariana?"

IdGM: "To the town, to get our Da," Ariana replied. Meanwhile Emily was inspecting the food supplies in the side room. There was a good stock of apples and dried fruit, turnips, carrots and greens, a basket of fresh eggs and a jug of milk, a jar of honey and a large wheel of cheese.

Maddie: "What's the town? We're not from around here." Maddie looked at the extremely un-vegan options in annoyance, then picked up a carrot and some dried fruit

Emily: Emily looked at the small bounty of foods with relief and make the use of them and went for the smoked bacons, savouring the taste

Stephen: Stephen took some carrots and turnips - perhaps wanting food that had grown inside the earth

Hannah: Hannah looked a little uncomfortable taking the family's food, but supposed it was necessary, and that they'd probably earned it with their recent efforts.

IdGM: "I thought you weren't," Ariana said. "It's just the town. Da calls it Westring. We used to go with Mam and Da, but not now. Allie wasn't supposed to go either, but she sneaked out and went with Tam from the next farm, and then she didn't come home and Da shouted and then he went to fetch her back but then he didn't come back., and now Mam has gone to find him."

IdGM: Despite his tender years, Tomas showed them how to prepare vegetables and herbs to make pottage, a kind of vegetable stew.

Hannah: "Don't worry, we'll go check on them," said Hannah. "I'm sure they'll want to know you're okay."

Maddie: Maddie had made more veggie or vegan stews with Food Not Bombs than she cared to remember, but Tomas obviously enjoyed teaching them so she let him anyway

IdGM: They sat on stools at the worn wooden table, finding the pottage suprisingly satisfying eaten with the dense dark bread.

IdGM whispers to Stephen: Something the girl had said niggled at Stephen's brain. Once he was warm, dry and fed he concentrated on recalling what it was. Ariana had mentioned that they used to go to town with their parents but not now, and her sister was also forbidden to go. Why?"

Stephen bisbiglia: "I think we should ask what happened with the town. I'd ask myself, but it's likely a delicate matter and you have a better way with people..."

Stephen: Stephen whispered something in Hannah's ear

Hannah: "Just since we're new around here, can you tell us anything else about the town?" asked Hannah. "Did your Mom and - Mam and Da tell you why you shouldn't go there?"

IdGM: "It's the missing kids of course," Ariana sounded as though they should have heard of this.

Hannah: "Oh! That's a good reason your parents wouldn't want you to visit. They didn't say anything else about what was causing the danger?"

IdGM: "It's the Child Fisher!" Tomas piped up. "He creeps around at night with his great big net looking for any children out after dark!" Ariana snorted. "That's just a story, Mam says. Mam says there are bad men doing it."

Hannah: Hannah nodded slowly, keeping her voice optimistic. "Well either way we'll be careful checking it out. And you saw that we have some abilities that should scare off anybody like that! You'll just have to point us in the right direction."

IdGM: "You'll find our Allie too won't you?" For the first time Ariana sounded less than sure of herself.

Hannah: "I bet your Mam and Da have found her already, and just haven't come back yet. But we'll make sure they're all okay."

IdGM: Once they had sorted out the room and cleaned up, it was dark. After finding some blankets, the children went up the steps to a long low attic where they slept. Everyone else made themselves as comfortable as they could on the floors, in company with Blackie and the dog, who they discovered was called Scratch.

Maddie: "One of them should be down here," Maddie said. "If the parents come back and find the door unlocked and a bunch of strangers sleeping in their front room there could be some misunderstandings."

IdGM: But the parents did not return that night. The next day dawned bright and fresh and dry. The river had dropped and returned to its normal bed. The animals had returned to their meadow. There was

work to do before they left - milking the goats, collecting eggs and putting hay out for the cow.

[Idris]

Session 53 - 22/3/19

IdGM: After all the chores were done, it was time to leave, if they wanted to reach the town before dark.

Maddie: Maddie's vegan ethic had refused to allow her to milk animals or collect their eggs, so she'd been impatiently leaving hay out for cows and itching to be off.

Hannah: Hannah said a few more soothing words to the children before joining the others to leave.

Emily: Emily helped out with milking the goats as she had done it many time before.

Stephen: Stephen helped collecting the eggs before they left.

IdGM: The children said goodbye. Ariana thanked them and then surprised Maddie by giving her a hug. They retreated inside the house, taking Blackie and Scratch with them.

The track to the town led away from the river. They noticed the boat had disappeared, presumably washed away in the storm. The sun was shining and the breeze blew softly in their faces as they walked through the fields.

IdGM whispers to Maddie: They neared some trees and Maddie spotted a figure moving towards them.

Maddie: "There's someone or something in the trees moving towards us," Maddie said quietly and casually, not breaking stride.

IdGM: As they got nearer they could see it was a woman, walking slowly and wearily along the road with her head down.

Maddie: Seeing that they outnumbered her four to one, Maddie started walking towards the woman, waving at her.

Emily: Emily followed although with more wariness in her steps.

IdGM: The woman must have sensed something because she looked up suddenly and stopped walking, a fearful expression on her face.

Maddie: Maddie held her hands up in as peaceable a gesture as she could manage.

IdGM: The woman stood still, staring at them. Now she looked more puzzled than afraid.

Maddie: "Hello!" Maddie called to her in Trade Tongue. "Are you coming from the town?"

IdGM: Close to, the woman was not old, although she looked worn and tired. "Who are you?" she asked.

Maddie: "Just travellers," Maddie said. "I'm Maddie." She cocked her head. "Are you Ariana and Tomas' mother?"

IdGM: The woman gasped in shock. "How do you know their names? If you've hurt them...." she glared at Maddie.

Stephen: "We did not," interjected Stephen "But we met them earlier."

Emily: Emily confirmed, "We managed to rescue them from the cottage that almost got flooded. They are safe." She reassured the mother, she assumed.

IdGM: "Gods above!" the woman cried. "Flood?"

Hannah: "The river started rising, and the floor of the cottage has gotten wet, but we made sure the children and the animals were safe," said Hannah. "The water has receded. We were headed to town to see if we could find their family."

Maddie: "They told us you went with their Da to find Allie. Trust us, we didn't hurt your kids and wouldn't ever think of it."

IdGM: At their words all the fight went out of the woman. She sank down at the side of the road, and putting her head in her hands began to sob uncontrollably, rocking back and forth.

Maddie: "The fuck..." Maddie said in English. She looked plaintively at Hannah

Hannah: Hanna bit her lip and moved to crouch down by the woman, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder. She waited for a bit, letting her cry, before speaking quietly. "Did something happen?"

IdGM: The woman's sobs gradually quietened. She visibly pulled herself together, although her voice was a little shaky. "Everything," she said bleakly.

Hannah: "I'm sorry to hear it," said Hannah. "But we're here to help, if we can. Can you tell us more?"

IdGM: "Where to start?" She was silent for a moment, marshalling her thoughts. "It really began last year. Youngsters going missing. People went to see the mayor but he said they had just run off, run away to the city. But it's got worse. We all tried to keep our chidren safe, keep them at home, But of course when they're growing up... Then the stories started - the Child Fisher, some creature of darkness going round collecting children in his net. Nat - my man - was so angry. He said that was a story for children, but it was men who were doing it, and we should be questioning the mayor. Now Allie's gone missing and when Nat went into town to find out what happened, they locked him up!" Tears trickled down her face.

Maddie: "We'll get him out," Maddie said firmly. "Where is Nat being kept? And what's the city?"

IdGM: "The mayor has turned the cellars of the town hall into a prison. Nat isn't the only one, there are others. Anyone who stands up Barstock - that's the mayor - is accused of something and locked up, even one of the old councillors. The mayor has guards around him all the time, rough men from outside. We've tried to keep out of it, but with Allie missing..." She looked at them doubtfully. "Can you really help?"

Stephen: "So you think he is behind the kidnappings? Or assisting someone else?" asked Stephen, tentatively. "We'll do what we can, but the more we know the better."

Emily: Emily nodded, "We will do our best." She said softly.

Maddie: "Rough men don't worry me," Maddie said.

IdGM: "I don't know if Barstock is behind the disappearances, don't even know if they are kidnappings, but he must know something," the woman said with certainty.  "I must get back to the children," she added, tensely.

Maddie: "Is there anyone in town who'd be able to help? Who isn't in prison."

IdGM: The woman frowned. "Everyone is scared. For their children, for themselves. They won't help you, and they might even give you away."

Maddie: "No one's going to lock us up, we'll get Nat out and then look for Allie. Go back to your kids and tell them you're safe."

IdGM: The woman gave Maddie a tired smile. "Thank you for doing this, and for what you have done already. Be safe and the Gods go with you."

Maddie: Maddie hoped the woman couldn't read English, or else she'd probably not find the slogan on the back of her jacket very comforting. "Let's get a move on," she said to the others.

IdGM: The woman - whose name they had never asked - set off again, her head up and her step a little lighter. The road to Westring wound through woods and over hills, until they came to a bridge accross a river, with the roofs of a town barely visible on the other side. Their time talking to the children's mother had slowed them, and night was falling fast.

Maddie: Maddie made a small fire pop up in her hand and peered towards the town, trying to work out if it had a wall around it.

Emily: Emily looked at the sky, "Shall we stay out here and sleep overnght or see if we can find an inn to stay at?" She asked others for their thoughts.

IdGM: The river acted as boundary here but if there was a wall it was invisible around the other side of the town.

Maddie: "If the mayor is locking up everyone who speaks out of turn, then we might want to just sneak in, and if we're going to do that it should be now," Maddie said. "Situations of terror and repression don't usually make people welcoming of strangers."  Maddie stopped and thought. "If I were a power-hungry shit trying to keep a strangehold on that town, I'd stick some guards at that bridge there to control traffic," she said. "Should I scout ahead and see if there are any there?"

Hannah: "Good idea Maddie," said Hannah. "If necessary, I might be able to get us across the river at a different point."

Maddie: Maddie nodded and crept out ahead. "I'll try to find a good path for you to follow," she said.

IdGM whispers to Maddie: As Maddie ghosted forward, she spotted slight movement on the bridge. A large shape was standing there, probably a guard. It did not seem to have noticed her.

Maddie whispers: Maddie knelt low for a while and gazed towards the guard, trying to work out if it was human-sized or anything else that might be useful to know.

IdGM whispers to Maddie: Studying the figure, Maddie reckoned it was a large man, probably wearing some kind of breastplate. Further inspection suggested a large old-fashioned helmet on his head - it must have been heavy and tiring to wear.

Maddie whispers: Maddie took note of this and crept back to the others.

Maddie: Maddie suddenly appeared out of the gloom in front of the others, the slight flicker of a flame she concealed in her hand being the only warning she gave that she'd returned. "There's one guard on the bridge," she said. "Big guy, wearing a breastplate and some old-fashioned looking helmet. Looked pretty heavy, I figure if we can distract him and get him to look one way his peripheral vision will be blocked and we just ghost on by."

Stephen: "It shouldn't be hard to create a distraction." said Stephen "Although it would be even better if we could avoid him entirely."

Maddie: "Well we could try downriver but..." Maddie shrugged. "There's a river there. Surely if Emily makes some fish start jumping around like wild or something like that he'll go and look at it."

Hannah: "And I could make the water there splash a bit on its own as well," suggested Hannah.

Stephen: "I suppose I could do something with the bridge, since it's made of stone..." said Stephen staring at the structure "Or maybe not, sounds a bit excessive."

Maddie: "Yes, people tend to investigate broken bridges," Maddie said. "Follow me."

Emily: Emily considered Maddie's ideas and reached to to see any fishes in the river.

IdGM whispers to Emily: Emily could feel quiet fish minds, a small shoal of them hanging in the still water around some tree roots, in the comatose state that is like sleep to fish.

Emily: Emily nodded, "There are some fishes that is sleeping that we might be able to use," she told the others. She reached out to fish minds to cause the distractions.

IdGM whispers to Emily: She felt the fish wake and react. They acted as one, rising to the surface.

IdGM: Suddenly the surface of the river below the bridge was alive with leaping bodies as a mass of fish jumped into the air. The guard moved to the side and stared over into the water. He rubbed his eyes as if unable to believe what he was seeing.

Maddie: Maddie immediately went to dart silently across the bridge, motioning for the others to follow.

Hannah: Hannah followed, and though she wasn't particularly light-footed, Maddie's aid and the distraction got her across without being detected.

Emily: Glad of the distractions offered by helpful fishes, she squirrel across across the bridge.

Stephen: Stephen followed behind, doing his best to make as little noise as possible

IdGM: On the other side of the bridge, they found themselves in a narrow street which led up through the town. Most of the buildings were timber framed, infilled and plastered, with upper windows jetting out over the street. It was very dark with no street lighting, and only the faint glow of fires or candles showing between closed shutters. Apart from the barking of a distant dog, the town was unnaturally silent.

[Idris]

Session 54 - 29/3/19

IdGM: On the other side of the bridge, they found themselves in a narrow street which led up through the town. Most of the buildings were timber framed, infilled and plastered, with upper windows jetting out over the street. It was very dark with no street lighting, and only the faint glow of fires or candles showing between closed shutters. Apart from the barking of a distant dog, the town was unnaturally silent.

Maddie: Maddie was used to the modern cities of the Mundane, but she stlll looked more comfortable now that they were in an urban area, for all that it had the ambience of a haunted graveyard. She started looking around at the buildings to see if she could spot any that appeared to be abandoned

Emily: Emily looked around the eiree town, wishing that they had some form of light.

Hannah: Hannah, seeing no other option, stepped forward quietly along the empty streets.

Stephen: "So, where should we start?" said Stephen

Maddie: "We should find an empty building to squat and then get a lay of the land," Maddie suggested.

Hannah: "You'll be the best at finding one," said Hannah, looking about at the nearby buildings. "You can get closer to make sure one is truly empty."

IdGM: The houses in the immediate area looked occupied, with the light behind their shutters.

Maddie: "Nothing looks promising here," Maddie said. She glanced at Emily. "Can you sense any buildings where there are animals people don't normally keep as pets? Those might be the sort of places that are abandoned."

Emily: Emily glanced at Maddie and nodded at this great idea. "That is a great idea. Let me see." Her eyes became slightly unfocused as she reach out to see if there are any animals in the town.

GMId whispers to Emily: There were numerous animals of all kinds - dogs in houses and sheds and yards, cats hunting their nightly meal, pens of sleepy chickens and rabbits, even pigs, goats and a couple of cows, and not a few horses. Emily could also sense rats and mice in roofs and walls. One house in particular seemed to be more ratty than the others however, and touching the rat minds in there gave her the impression it was heaven for the rats.

Emily: Emily glanced around and told the others, "There is a house with a lot of rats. I hope you don't mind rats," She grinned.

Stephen: "Can't say I'm a fan."said Stephen "But we should definetely check it"

Hannah: Hannah grimaced, but went along with the plan.

Maddie: "It'll make a good place to start," Maddie said. "Lead us to the rats, Emily."

IdGM: They followed Emily along the main street then turned off, working their way into an area of smaller houses, fenced yards and overhanging trees. It was much darker here. They could hear water flowing somewhere near at hand.

Emily: Emily focused around, "At least it is darker here. That should help us to hide if we need to" She muttered to herself as she looked around for a specfic house with rats.

IdGM: Emily's sense drew her nearer the water, although it was too dark to see where it was.

Maddie: small flames darted up from Maddie's fingers to allow them to see

IdGM: It was fortunate that Maddie created light at that moment because they were right on the edge of a small stream. A dark shape loomed ahead of them, a small house more like a shed.

Maddie: Maddie crept towards the little house

IdGM: There were rotten looking boards accross the doorway and windows. It did not look as though anyone cared if it was broken into or not.

IdGM whispers to Emily: Emily was unable to hear Maddie creeping forward, but one of the rats did, and suddenly they all scattered.

Emily: Emily smiled, "Well, at least Maddie scared the rats away. They do have good hearing after all."

Maddie: Maddie went up to the door to pry the boards away

IdGM: It was easily done, the wood almost falling off the rusting nails. Within it was pitch dark and smelled strongly of damp.

Maddie: Maddie peered in, increasing the intensity of her flames slightly so she could see all around the abandoned house

GMId whispers to Maddie: The door opened straight into the one room which occupied the ground floor of the house. There were a few sticks of broken furniture on the beaten earth floor, and a ladder to the upstairs to one side of the hearth.

Maddie: Maddie turned back to the others, nodded slightly, then stepped inside.

IdGM: Hannah followed Maddie through the broken door.

Emily: Emily moved quickly, eager to get out of this dark street into a flimsly haven

Stephen: Stephen followed carefully

IdGM: The single room on the ground floor of the house held little apart from broken furniture. It was very dark and damp smelling.

Maddie: Maddie headed for a ladder off to the side of the hearth and clambered upstairs

IdGM: The ladder led to a low room under a shingled roof. An open doorway led into another beyond it. Heaps of decayed straw must have been the beds of the occupants. There was a lot of rustling and scuttling as rats kept out of the way.

Maddie: Maddie took a quick look around, then headed back downstairs. "Looks like a useable space. Normally when you're squatting you start by getting things cleaned up and in suitable order, then maybe agree some kind of safe space rules, but in this case we probably want to just use it when we're sleeping and hiding out. What's our plan then?"

Emily: Emily considered this as she replied "We should rotate on having someone awake during the night while we are asleep. My idea is that once it get lighter, we could have a look around although we are going to stand out with our modern clothes." She took at her clothes

Maddie: "If we're going to stand out anyway, surely it's better to look around at night rather than the day," Maddie objected. "First thing to do might be to find out where this prison is. If we could break Nat and whoever this councillor is out, then we'd have some people who could steer us in the right direction."

Stephen: "But how? We can't exactly go around and ask for directions." said Stephen

IdGM: "We know where the prisoners are kept," Hannah said. "The mayor turned the cellars of the Town Hall into cells."

Emily: Emily nodded, "It is likely going to be one of the biggest building in the town."

Maddie: "Well yes, but we don't know where that is," Maddie said. "Although Town Halls aren't usually difficult buildings to find." Maddie had occupied more than a few town halls in her time. "Should I steal us some clothes? I hate to abandon my Docs but we don't want people paying attention to us."

IdGM: "That woman had a long dress and boots," Hannah remarked.

Maddie: "Well I can see if I can nick something similar for Steve if you want," Maddie said with a smile. Maddie hadn't worn a dress since she'd been about five.

Stephen: "I think I'd stand out more than I'd like to."smiled Stephen before going back to seriousness "Say we find the town hall, and then the prison...such things tend to have guards. We might want to prepare for violence."

IdGM: "We shouldn't take anything from the poorest houses," Hannah said thoughtfully.

Maddie: Maddie looked affronted. "Of course not, do you take me for a capitalist? It was warm and dry out and it's spring, I can find some well to do sort of houses, creep into their yards, and steal some clothes from their lines. I'll empty my bag out here so I've got the space to put them." Maddie pulled out her personal effects and left them in a corner. She grabbed her phone last, flipped it open, and sighed. "I'll be back in a while," Maddie said, sneaking out

It took Maddie a while - the first few places she checked had declined to leave any clothes out for her to steal - but once she got a feel for the area she was able to find places she could easily creep into and steal a few things. she realised that it wasn't going to be easy for her to steal any footwear, and her own Docs would stand out too much unless she had something to cover them, so with great reluctance she stole three dresses, as well as some trousers and a tunic for Steve, and then headed back to their hideout

IdGM: The clothes were thick, and rather scratchy being made of woven wool. Two of the dresses and the trousers were quite dull brown, the other dress green, and the tunic a dark maroon colour.

Maddie: it seemed appropriate to give the green dress to Emily, so Maddie took one of the brown ones for herself, looking down at it with disgust

Stephen: As they put on the newly-acquired clothes, Stephen asked "So, to the town hall now? Or should we wait for the day at this point, since now that we have these we wouldn't be as suspicious during the day?"

Emily: Emily accepted the green dress and managed to put it on while keeping her clothes underneath on. "We could scout around the town to see if we can find the town hall?" Sge suggested the idea brightly

Maddie: "Now that we have these, we might want to spend a day asking around town and trying to find out what's going on," Maddie suggested. "We could try to break them out tomorrow night when we have more intel."

Emily: "Let wait for the day then." Emily changed her mind, "I could do with some sleep anyway."

Maddie: "I'll take first watch," Maddie said. "Probably best to sleep upstairs and watch downstairs."

IdGM: It was cold in the house now. The only thing to sit on was the old wooden seat of a chair - the legs and back had gone, probably burned for fire wood. The night was at least clear, with fitful moonlight shining through gaps in the planks.

Maddie: Maddie preferred to sit cross-legged on the floor, though the hours of her watch went slowly with little to do

IdGM: Maddie's watch produced nothing of note, although the rats were active - not just in the walls but once or twice brave individuals crossed the floor, reassured by her stillness, although their noses

twitched in alarm when they realised there was a human nearby. She could guess that rats were not treated with great kindness in this town.

By the time Emily took her turn, it had become even colder and unlike Maddie she could not warm herself with a flame. However she could communicate with the rats which were moving about. Other sounds came from outside - once an owl hooted.

Emily: Emily spent her turn trying to use her magic to communicate with the rats. especially the more braver ones. She enjoys hearing the sounds of the animals, especially the hoot of an owl which remind her of home.

IdGM: The rats found her fascinating and came up to Emily, sniffing at her hands with their whiskery noses.

IdGM whispers to Emily: Towards the end of her watch Emily heard a sound in the distance, a dog barking and coming closer. She could sense its mind, intent on a hunt. And it was hunting... a person!

Emily: Emily frowned with a hint of concern and made a decision. She carefiully went upstair and shook them awake. Once they are awakened, she told them, "Hey, I heard a dog and I can sense that it was hunting someone, a person. The dog is getting closer. Maybe someone need our help?" She mentioned it helpfully.

Maddie: Maddie yawned and pulled on the brown dress with considerable reluctance. She had no idea how she was going to run in the damn thing. "Should I go out and look?"

Stephen: Stephen slowly got up, not sounding very convinced either, but willing to consider Emily's plan

IdGM whispers to Emily: The dog was definitely getting closer, and now closing in on its quarry. Emily could sense it was not large, like a mastiff, but good at tracking by scent. It was held on a leash by a man who was having a hard job following and kept tugging the dog back. Emily thought she might be able to influence the dog to stop following the scent.

Emily: Emily nodded, "It could be someone who might be able to give us information." She said hopefully. "Someone is using the dog to hunt someone. I think I can convice the dog to not to following the scent anymore." Emily added afterward.

Maddie: "I'll go out first, you guys follow when I indicate," Maddie said.

Stephen: Stephen nodded, deciding to follow along with the plan

IdGM whispers to Emily: With a great effort of will, Emily reached out to the dog, convincing it to change tack and run off after the faint trail of a fox that had been sculking around the outskirts of the town. The man swore as he slipped on the muddy bank of the river. Emily felt the dog moving further away.

Emily: Emily grinned victoriously, "Got the dog chasing after a fox." She giggled for a moment, "The owner doesn't really appreciate slipping on the muds."

Maddie: Maddie took this as a sign to head out, trying to be as stealthy as she could in the unfamiliar clothing

IdGM: As Maddie moved around the corner of the house, she heard the sound of someone gasping for breath.

Maddie: Maddie immediately headed towards the sound

Stephen: "Be careful."whispered Stephen

Maddie: Maddie made a small flame in her fingers, though she cradled them carefully to shield the light as much as possible - she only needed to be able to make out shapes and not bump into things

IdGM: By the dim light, Maddie saw a figure crouched by the wall of the house. A young man, white faced and terrified as he looked up at her.

Maddie: Maddie walked up to the young man carefully. "Come with me, quickly. My friend has made the dog go away."

IdGM: Somehow Maddie's words got through to the young man. He climbed shakily to his feet and followed her into the house.

Emily: Emily glanced over the young man and smiled in welcome. "My name is Emily." She introduced herself beforehand.

Stephen: "Good thing we found you before...whoever was looking for you."

IdGM: Now they could see that the young man was hardly more than a boy, with the promise of a handsome man to come, but bruises marked his face, and his hand was cut. He took a breath and gave Emily a small smile, then looked in puzzlement at them all. "Who are you?"

Maddie: "Travellers," Maddie said vaguely. "I'm Maddie. What's your name?"

IdGM: "My name is Tamerlin, but everyone calls me Tam," the boy said.

Emily: Emily looked up at the name "Tam?" She said with surprise, "Allie's friend?" Emily inquired

IdGM: The boy gave a start at this. "You know Allie?"

Stephen: "I'm Stephen. "he introduced himself "We know about Allie."

Maddie: "We met Tomas and Ariana on our way into town," Maddie said.

IdGM: To their surprise tears sprang into Tam's eyes. "Allie's in danger! I got away but they caught her."

[Idris]

Session 55 - 7/4/2019

IdGM: The boy looked terribly distressed as he spoke of his friend Allie who had been captured.

Maddie: "Who caught her Tam?"

IdGM: Tam gulped, sniffed and wiped his eyes on his sleeve. "We were leaving to go home, just got over the bridge, and these men jumped on us. They had long knives, and they said they'd cut our throats if we made a sound. They pushed us into some old building down by the water."

Hannah: "I can see why you're scared," said Hannah. "We're here to help, though. Can you tell us anything else unusual you noticed going on in town? And could you direct us to that building?"

Maddie: "How did you get away if they caught both of you?"

IdGM: "There've been kids going missing in the town," Tam said. "But everyone says it's the Fisher. Nobody has every seen anyone taking them. We thought we'd be alright..." His eyes filled with tears again. "We... we managed to get away from them when we got to the place, there was a small window in the cellar they locked us in. We ran to the river, and I jumped in and swam over, but one of them threw a rope, with a kind of loop in it, that went over Allie's head and he pulled her down. I was going to turn back, but she shouted that I must keep going and get help. One of them hit her for that...." He took a shakey breath. "One of them had a bow and he started firing at me, I had to swim under water. I'm glad my da made me learn..."

Maddie: "Were there other kids there?"

IdGM: Tam considered this for a moment. "I think so... We could hear the men shouting at someone to shut up when we were in the cellar."

Hannah: "That makes it more likely they won't have changed locations," said Hannah. "Do you have somewhere to go, Tam?"

IdGM: He shook his head. "I'm not going anywhere while Alie's still locked up there. And you need me to show you the way."

Maddie: "How many men were there Tam?"

Hannah: "And did they seem like locals? Were they dressed unusually in any way?"

IdGM: "There were three of them grabbed us. But there were two more at the building - the one with the rope and the other one with the bow, they weren't on the road. They definitely weren't from hereabouts. There was one funny thing about them , they all wore these kind of kerchiefs round their necks, blue ones."   Tam suddenly remembered something. "That dog.. it wasn't at the place, and I think the man with it was from the town. There was something familiar about him."

Maddie: "How did he get involved? Was that after you swam away?"

IdGM: Tan shook his head. "They must have told him I suppose. I came out just down there," he pointed further up the river in the opposite direction from the bridge. "I was just looking round for where to go to get help and the dog started howling after me."

Maddie: "Was there anywhere you could think of where you could go to get help?"

IdGM: Tam frowned. "Allie's Da's uncle has a shop on the High Street. I thought I'd try him, though he and her Da don't get on..."

Maddie: Maddie looked at the others. "Should we try him, or should we just head straight there? They'll be on alert now that Tam's escaped and they might get reinforcements."

IdGM: Tam looked them over more closely. "Don't you have any weapons?"

Hannah: "We have some ability to defend ourselves without them," said Hannah. "Though weapons would be useful. Does Allie's Da's uncle have access to them?"

Stephen: Stephen thought for a while before answering "Time is of the essence, who knows what they might be doing to these kids? But rushing there carelessly seems unlikely to help them. Weapons would certainly help..."

IdGM: "He's a butcher," Tam answered. "There'll be knives and stuff but he might not lend them to you."

Maddie: "I vote we go right there," Maddie said, "but it's up to you."

Hannah: "I worry that any delay, or meeting anyone else could risk our getting detected. Tam, did Allie ever talk about her great-uncle? Even if he didn't get along with her Da, did she think of him as trustworthy? Or did she not know him well enough?"

IdGM: Tam frowned. "Her Da thought his Uncle was an idiot. He used to say, 'Ron will believe anything as long as it's daft.' They argued a lot about it, Allie said. But I never heard them say anything bad about him."

Hannah: "Honestly, that might be reassuring - he'd be more likely to believe in something as crazy as the conspiracy we're looking into. Though there's the risk he's been convinced of something else by the conspirators. My proposal would be to scout out the house first, and only go to him if necessary."

IdGM: Tam looked a bit uncertain, but he nodded. "You want me to take you now?"

Maddie: "Yes." Maddie said decisively. "I can't believe I'm wearing this stupid thing but I guess it'll have to do, I hope it doesn't fuck up my moves."

Emily: Emily listened at the discussion with confidence in her eyes and smoothed her rough green dress down. "Maybe we should get used to them." She muttered to herself, "We will do our best" She assured Tam.

Hannah: "It'll be a training exercise, like running while wearing a heavy backpack so it's easier when you don't have it," said Hannah half-jokingly. She set about examining broken chair legs and other debris for potential as makeshift weapons.

Maddie: Maddie started stretching and moving, ready for the coming fight, and getting used to the unfamiliar way the dress hung on her and how that might affect her movements

Stephen: Stephen helped Hannah look for makeshift weapons, though unlike her he seemed to look specifically for items of stone or metal

IdGM: There were various bits and pieces in the house which could be pressed into use as weapons, including some metal rods which might have been employed in whatever trade the inhabitants had engaged in, and an old axe left behind in an outhouse. Once they had prepared and armed themselves, they set off into the darkness, Tam leading.

Emily: Emily helped herself to the axe as she had a lifetime of experience using it

Maddie: Maddie let a little flicker of flame spring forth from a finger so they could avoid blundering into anything in the dark

IdGM whispers to Hannah: Hannah thought that she could enable them to travel accross the river, using her magic to freeze the water under their feet.

Hannah: "I can help us cross the river when needed," said Hannah quietly.

Stephen: Stephen carried one of the rods on his shoulder as they followed behind Tam

Emily: Emily paid attention to animals ahead, pondering on the possibility of using them as a distraction

IdGM: The trail led them to the river bank behind the broken house, and then Tam led them beside the water for a while before pointing accross the water. "Over there. Behind the trees."

Hannah: Hannah found a spot where she thought they could cross without being visible from the other side, then moved up to the bank and traced her fingertips over the water, concentrating on turning it to ice.

IdGM: As her hand trailed through the water, it began to slow, and then to whiten. The surface of the water slowly changed, until it was a solid pathway of ice stretching ike a strange opalescent bridge from their side to the other. Tam gasped in surprise.

Emily: Emily admired Hannah's efforts, "That is pretty neat, I really want to do some ice staking right now," she whispered. She looked at her covered boots with a hint of forlorn

Hannah: "Funnily enough I was never very good at that," said Hannah, before crossing the bridge.

Maddie: "I could use a puck and a stick right about now," Maddie laughed.

IdGM whispers to Emily: For a moment a vision came into Emily's mind, skating on... a tarn?...on a cold morning. She could smell bracken and heather. Then the connection vanished.

IdGM whispers to Maddie: The image of ranks of people shouting and cheering passed fleetingly through Maddie's mind and then was gone.

IdGM whispers to Hannah: For a second Hannah felt she could almost touch something - a fleeting image of herself falling on ice and someone - another woman - laughing. Then it was gone.

Hannah: Suddenly Hannah stopped and staggered back slightly, causing her to nearly lose her balance. But she shook off whatever it was and kept moving forward.

Stephen: "What happened?" inquired Stephen, frowning

Hannah: "Oh... nothing. I just thought I saw something. Like a flashback or a sudden daydream. But it's gone."

Maddie: Maddie frowned. "I thought I had something like that. People cheering and shouting, lots of them."

Emily: "I remember skating on a tarn on a beautiful bitter cold morning" Emily recalled

IdGM: As they were speaking Stephen's feet suddenly shot away from him and he teetered towards the edge and the water.

Maddie: with incredible speed Maddie leaned over and shot a hand out to grab Stephen. The sudden movement in her unfamiliar clothes should have sent her rolling over as well, but she still had her Docs to get a good grip and this was far from her first time on ice. She hauled Stephen back and was able to pull him back up into a standing position.

Stephen: "Thank you." said Stephen after a few seconds, dazed both by his earlier mistake and by Maddie's marvelously quick reaction

Emily: Emily looked impressed at this outstanding performance by Maddie

IdGM: They reached the opposite bank without further incident. After a short walk Tam pointed to where something pale showed through the trees - the wall of a house.

Maddie: "Where's the window you escaped from?" Maddie asked Tam

IdGM: "It's down near the ground, round the back." Tam said.

Hannah: "I wouldn't be surprised if they've locked that up tight now," said Hannah.

Maddie: "These people are stupid enough to lock people up in a room with a goddamn ground floor window, there's no way they can lock it up in a way that I can't pick."

Stephen: Stephen looked at the walls, as if trying to find cracks or specific spots in them

Emily: Emily reached out to sense if there is any animals inside the home

Maddie: "I'll sneak ahead, stay here for the moment." Maddie said abruptly.

IdGM whispers to Maddie: Maddie was able to move silently up to the wall of the house. Peeping round the corner she could see a man with a bow over his shoulder standing outside the front door. The upstairs windows were all shuttered, but there were several small windows at ground level - dark and covered by what looked like sacking on the inside. A small door led from the rear of the house into what might once have been a garden.

IdGM whispers to Stephen: Stephen could feel the walls as if he was touching them. They were stone below, and wattle and daub above.

Maddie whispers: Maddie glanced at the walls and roofs to see what materials they were made of, then gazed at the rear door, wondering if the kidnappers had a watch there

IdGM whispers to Emily: There were rats in the walls of the house, and in the roof.

Stephen: "I can feel the walls." said Stephen to the others "Wattle and daub over stone."

Hannah: "If necessary, maybe you can find a weak point," said Hannah.

IdGM whispers to Maddie: Maddie had already seen that the walls were made of stone below and wattle and daub above, and the roof of wooden tiles, some missing.  She could see nobody at the back door, although there might be someone inside the kitchen which was probably the room at the back of the house.

Emily: Emily highlighted her point, "There are rats in the wall so it is not that solid."

Maddie: Maddie crept back to the others. "Bowman's at the front door," she said.  "Walls are wattle and daub above, stone below, roof is wood with some tiles missing. There's a back door as well leading into what I think is the kitchen - there doesn't seem to be anyone guarding the door though there's probably someone in the kitchen. We can probably just sneak around back and go in through the door without requiring anything particularly exotic."

Hannah: "If you think you can get in there stealthily, I trust you," said Hannah.

Maddie: "Let's go then, follow me about ten paces behind." Maddie headed towards the house along the same path she'd taken, intending to find a sheltered spot for the others to wait at while she tested the back door

IdGM: Meanwhile Emily reached out to the rats, realising with a surge of excitement that she could see the house and those in it through the animals' eyes. Moving from room to room she quickly noted the layout of the house and the humans within it.

IdGM: "Maddie," Emily hissed. "There are two men in the kitchen at the back, playing some kind of card game and drinking. Another couple in the front room asleep on blankets. Upstairs is falling apart and there's nobody up there. There are two cellar rooms. The rats are aware of three girls in one, and four boys in the other."

Maddie: Maddie looked to the others. "Move in, snap one's neck? By the time the two in the front room are awake we can rush the other two, just need to be careful with the bowman."

Hannah: "I'd rather incapacitate them," said Hannah, frowning. "They're obviously not good people, but we don't really know what's going on here. Of course, I don't want to risk any of our lives for them, either."

Stephen: "I would prefer incapacitating to outright killing, if it's the same to you. "said Stephen, adding "More people to interrogate later on. But I understand the risks..."

Maddie: "Well I'll try but you know, if you want safety you shouldn't abduct kids at knife-point. When you hear the shouting come on in, or alternately I guess the rats will let you know." Maddie crept towards the back door.

IdGM: The door was old and battered, but solid enough. As Maddie approached, it suddenly opened and a man came out. He was swarthy and muscular, dressed in dark clothes and with a dark blue kerchief around his neck. He did not look round, just stood for a moment scratching himself and yawning, before moving over to a tree, clearly intendid to pee.

Maddie: Maddie froze up against the wall and hoped the man didn't see the others

IdGM: "Get a move on!" a man's voice called from the kitchen. "I've got another silver to win from you." 

Maddie: Once the man started to get into his business, Maddie padded up silently behind him and, once she was in position, lashed up with a hard punch at his jaw. She tried to time it so that she could grab him as he fell, hoping she could quickly hide him and then ambush the other man when he came out to find him.

IdGM: Maddie caught the man completely unawares, and the power of her punch sent him crashing to the ground with a groan. She was just able to grab his clothes and lower him without too much noise.

Maddie: Maddie dragged the man around to the other side of the tree he'd been pissing on, laying him down on the ground and using the trunk to shield him from view. Then she crept back over beside the door and waited.  Before she went, Maddie laced the man's shoes together - if he came to, at least he wouldn't be much use though he'd probably give her away. She meant to only wait for a minute or so at most anyhow - given that the man's card partner seemed pretty impatient, she hoped he'd come out to investigate sooner rather than later.

IdGM: Maddie soon heard the scrape of a chair as someone got up, and heavy feet moving towards the door with a grunt of impatience. "What the fuck are you doing Rak?" Another man appeared at the door, taller and broader than the first. He took a couple of steps forward, peering into the trees.

Maddie: Maddie leapt out and sent one of her Docs crashing into the side of the bigger man's head.

IdGM: The man went flying, but this one was tougher. With a shout he rolled over and started to get to his feet, pulling a knife from his belt.

Stephen: Hearing the commotion, Stephen bolted towards the door and rushed at the man on the ground just as he got up, swinging his metal rod from wildly

IdGM: The weapon smashed into the side of the man's head just as he was rising. Bloody spattered out, his eyes rolled up into his head and he dropped to the ground.

[Idris]

Session 56 - 19/4/2019

IdGM: The man lay on the ground at their feet, bleeding heavily.

Hannah: "We should press our advantage!" said Hannah, looking toward the door. Two men would have been sleeping inside the building, presumably now awakening.

Maddie: The big man had given a shout before Steve had silenced him, so Maddie guessed the other three men would be coming soon. From what the rats had told Emily, the one with the bow was far more dangerous than the two men asleep in the front room, so Maddie sprinted through the open door and towards the front of the house.

Stephen: Stephen looked at the man on the ground for a while, perhaps wondering if he would live or not if left unattended

IdGM: It was hard to tell, but the man's skull seemed intact, and the bleeding was superficial.

Hannah: Hannah moved in quickly after Maddie, gesturing for Stephen and Emily to come with her.

Stephen: Stephen followed, ready to strike again if there was need to

IdGM: The open back door led into a kitchen with heavy flagstones on the floor. It was dirty but intact, and a fire roared in the hearth with some kind of skinned animal carcass suspended on a spit above it. Two chairs were drawn up to a battered table on which lay cards, coins and several bottles. A door on the other side of the kitchen was closed.  The others found it hard to hear anything through the solid wood of the old door, but Maddie thought she could detect a slight shuffling sound as though someone was brushing against the wall.

Maddie: Maddie gestured to indicate she thought someone was on the other side and the others should move to the side so if it was the bowman, he couldn't take a shot at them. For herself - well he was welcome to try.

Emily: Emily nodded seeing Maddie's gesture and moved to a side to avoid any arrows that may flew through the doorway.

Maddie: Once the others were out of the way, Maddie flung the door open.

IdGM: As she did so, a man stumbled into the room blocking her view of whatever was beyond the doorway. He had his hand on the door latch and had apparently been about to open it.  They could all see that the man had a large knife in his hand. The kitchen was lit by an oil lamp and the fire - from out of the darkness beyond the door, the tip of a whip slashed out, and was quickly withdrawn.

Maddie: Maddie directed a kick at the stumbling man's face. She just failed to connect, but was able to force him back a few steps

IdGM: The man slashed around at Maddie with his knife.

Maddie: Maddie spun away, then lashed out with a quick punch at the man's throat, leaving him winded and gasping.

Hannah: Hannah attempted to take advantage of Maddie's sudden strike to shove a chair into the door way, separating the man from his allies, but in his flailing he struck the chair and knocked her back.

Emily: Emily rushed forward with an axe in her hand with determination in her eyes. She aimed her axe at the neck and managed to slash it with blood bleeding from it.

IdGM: Dazed and winded, the man was unable to protect himself and cried out as the axe landed. "Jake, Jake! They're killing me!"

Stephen: Stephen tried to take advantage of his weapon's length to avoid getting in the others' way and push or trip the man to the ground

IdGM: Although the man sidestepped, he staggered and nearly fell. A figure moved in the gloom of the other room, and again the whip lashed out through the doorway, this time at Emily.  Unable to move quick enough to avoid it, Emily felt the end of the lash wrap itself around her throat, choking her while pulling her towards the doorway.

Emily: Emily grimanced as she choked, trying to get the air in.

Maddie: Maddie's hand suddenly filled with flames. She snatched out angrily at the whip, grabbing it about a foot away from Emily's face and letting the fire scorch at the leather whip.

IdGM whispers to Maddie: For a moment Maddie seemed unable to connect to the elemental flow, but suddenly something seemed to reach out and fill her with fiery power.

IdGM: A moment's hiatus and then a huge flame leaped from Maddie's hand, incinerating the whip where she held it and nearly setting fire to Emily's hair.  Unexpectedly released from the whip's hold, Emily fell sideways on hand and knees.  The knife man spun round and made a vicious slash at Maddie.

Maddie: Maddie's hands were still full of fire and her face was awash with the knife man's blood from where it had spurted after Emily had hit him. She ducked quickly beneath the blow, then came up glaring in the man's face. "Give up!" she barked at him.

IdGM: The man's face was full of fear. He threw the knife to the flagstones then dropped to the ground with his hands over his head. "No more, no more." he moaned.

Hannah jumped forward and grabbed the severed end of the whip, trying to pull whoever was at the end of it - Jake presumably - off balance, but he hung on.

Stephen: Stephen lowered his weapon, seeing that the knife-man was no longer a threat, and focused on the flagstones, trying to sense and perhaps influence the whip-wielder....

IdGM whispers to Stephen: As he touched the elemental flow, Stephen felt its power fill him, and then leap forward.

IdGM: Heaving and groaning, the flags burst up from the ground in a path that led straight to the man with the whip. Stone flew into the air and rained down around and on top of him, and he fell beneath their weight.

Maddie: "Watch out for the archer," Maddie said to the others before they relaxed their guard

Stephen: Stephen seemed surprised, almost shocked by his own power - he obviously had not expected he would be able to do so much.

IdGM: A sudden rush of air sounded by Maddie's ear and a crossbow bolt thudded into the wall beside her.

Maddie: Maddie had a premonition as the bolt came towards her and flung herself into a roll towards the back door. She came up less gracefully than she'd have liked and darted towards the archer

IdGM: "Ripper! Get 'em!" a harsh voice shouted from outside. Next moment a large mastiff sped into the kitchen, jaws agape as it flung itself at Maddie.

Maddie: Maddie had faced police dogs before and wasn't fazed by Ripper's sudden arrival. She spun away and lashed out with her foot as she came back around, striking the mastiff in the eye and leaving it dazed.

IdGM: As the dog rushed in, there was a stiffled scream and a slight figure shot through the opposite door and into the darkness of the room beyond. Tam had been keeping out of the way of the fight, but the sight of the dog was too much for him.

Maddie: Hannah snatched up a cloak she'd spotted and flung it at Ripper's face. It landed full in the dog's face and wrapped round his neck, completely blocking his vision.   "Steve, go after Tam," Maddie said, confident they could deal with Ripper and the archer

Emily: Emily focused on calming the dog down, wishing it to go to sleep as it is nighttime.

IdGM whispers to Emily: As Emily reached for the elemental flow, she felt it leap to her will, pouring from her into the dog.

IdGM: With a yawn, the dog lay down on its side and appeared to go into a deep sleep.

Stephen: Stephen decided to follow Maddie's advice and ran in the direction Tam had gone to

IdGM: The room beyond was very dark, with shutters closed.

Outside the back door there was a roar of fury. A short, broad and craggy oldish man hurtled through the door swinging a club.

Stephen: Stephen called out to Tam, trying to calm him "The dog's dealt with, don't worry."

IdGM: On hearing this the old man roared. "What yer done to Ripper?"  The dog twitched at the sound of his name but he did not wake.

Emily: Emily smiled at the old man, "Don't worry. I merely put him to sleep. He might not ever wake up..."

Maddie: With Ripper falling asleep, Maddie sprang towards the old man with a snarl. "Get out of my way you idiot!" she shouted, leaping at him with her foot out, intending more to drive him out of the way than actually harm him. She was more successful than she'd actually intended - the force of her kick sent him flying back through the door. She saw his leg twist awkwardly underneath him.

IdGM: The old man landed badly, and he began to moan and clutch his leg. "Yer've broken me leg, ye black-hearted sorcerers!"  The knife man who was still crouching on the ground, covered his head with his arms and whimpered in fear.

Maddie: Hannah grabbed the man's knife quickly, making sure he didn't try anything stupid.

IdGM: Emily could hear the sound of someone running outside.

Emily: Emily alerted the others that she can hear the sound of someone running. "Someone is running? That archer maybe?"

IdGM: Stephen stopped to listen, and could hear the sound of Tam's boots on the other side of the room. They sounded as though he was going down stairs.

Stephen: Stephen's curiosity got the best of him decided to follow Tam down the stairs instead of trying to convince him to go back - though he tried to be quiet as he did so

IdGM: Stephen's caution enabled him to avoid falling over a stool before he reached the stairs. Feeling around, his hand encountered the unmistakeable shape of a candle.

Stephen: "Wait!" Stephen called out to Tam "I'll light a candle and then we can go together." He did not wait for him to reply, but immediately went to the kitchen's fire

Emily: Emily run out quickly as possible with the axe in her hand to take down the archer

IdGM: She could just make out a dark shape haring away between the trees.

Maddie: Maddie went running out after Emily and the archer

IdGM: Hannah remained to keep an eye on the knife man.

Stephen lit the candle and returned to the other room. It must once have been a parlour of quite a pleasant house, but was emptied of furniture apart from the small table, and smelled of dust and must. He was able to cross it quickly now, and found Tam, white-faced, waiting for him at the top of the stairs. "It's pitch down there," he said.

Stephen: "Let's go then - but we have to be careful." he said as they began to descend

IdGM: Maddie managed to gain a little but then the archer leaped over a low wall and vanished from view.

Emily: Emily used the combination of her tracking skill and connecting to her flow with animals, she reached out to animals with good night eyes such as owls, badgers and foxes

IdGM: An owl was watching from a tree ahead of them, and some badgers were at play in a clearing not far distant. The old boar badger reacted with anger at the thought of dogs and men with bows, and he started moving to intercept the archer.

Stephen: Stephen began to climb down the stairs, slowly but steadily

IdGM: It was dark under the trees and the man was making little noise but they could track him with the help of the owl.

Maddie: Maddie continued to run after him, allowing some fire to gather in her hand to serve as a light

Emily: Emily followed after Maddie while paying attention to the surrounding animals

IdGM: Emily knew the moment the badger spotted the intruder, and through the animal's eyes saw the man react to the massive form blocking his way. He swung the crossbow up and began to load it.

Meanwhile Stephen and Tam had reached the bottom of the stairs. A narrow passage ran ahead of them with doors either side, bolted top and bottom.

Emily: Emily warned Maddie, "I got a badger blocking him but he is loading the crossbow" as she speed up.

Maddie: "No badger culling allowed, got it," Maddie pushed herself to close the last distance between herself and the archer

Stephen: Stephen set to the task of opening the bolts

IdGM: As Maddie and Emily entered the clearing they saw the man before them clearly in the moonlight. A huge male badger blocked his path but the man was raising his crossbow and there was not enough time to reach him.

Maddie: "Wrong way, prick!" Maddie shouted as the man raised his crossbow, hoping to pull his attention to her

Emily: "Hey! Pick someone more of your size!" Emily called out

IdGM: The archer snorted and let the bolt go. The badger fell heavily to its side and the man jumped over the prostrate body and ran again.

Maddie: Maddie gave an angry cry and ran after him, her rage seeming to give her speed

Emily: Emily swore and went after the badger, "Get him Maddie!" She tries to help the badger with its wounds

IdGM: The bolt had hit the badger in a fleshy part of its thigh and she was able to remove it and staunch the bleeding.

Emily: "There," Emily comforted the badger, using her connection to thank him for his effort and that the archer will pay.

IdGM: Stephen pulled back the bolts on one of the doors, and with Tam peering out from behind him, raised the candle to see inside the cold, damp cellar room beyond. Four frightened faces blinked at the light. They had found the boys.

IdGM: Maybe aware that only one person was now chasing him, the archer swung round and fired wildly at Maddie.

Stephen: "Don't be afraid - we're here to rescue you." said Stephen, trying to sound as comforting as he could

IdGM: The bolt whizzed over Maddie's head as she jinked sideways.

IdGM: Tam pulled at Stephen's arm. "Over here. Ally must be in there," he said, pointing at the other bolted door.

Maddie: Maddie closed the final ground between her and the archer and drove a sweeping kick at the man's legs, sending him crashing down to the ground with a vengeful vegan standing over him

Stephen: "We'll free Ally too, don't worry." Stephen said trying to open the remaining door

IdGM: The bolts slid back and the door swung open to reveal three girls, clinging together in the cold damp room. "Tam!" one of them shouted, leaping to her feet and throwing herself at the boy.

Emily: Once she is happy with badger's health, she went after the archer and found Maddie standing over the fallen archer. "Good!"

Maddie: Maddie wasn't standing over the fallen archer long, instead jumping down on him and punching him in the head

IdGM: The man had dropped his bow and was feebly trying to ward off her blows.

Maddie: Maddie landed another hard punch, hearing the archer's nose crack beneath her fist. This seemed to satisfy her and she stood up. She frowned down at her fist, which was covered in both the archer's blood and her own, where the skin had split. "Right, never punch with a closed fist." She'd forgotten in her anger.

Emily: Emily winced at the punishment dishing out by Maddie. "Let head back now. Thanks!"

IdGM whispers to Maddie: The Seer's words came back to Maddie. You don't need to go down that road. Perhaps she was enjoying this too much...

IdGM: The man was unable to walk and they would have to hold him up between them to return to the house.

Maddie: Maddie slung the crossbow over her back and then helped Emily drag the man back

Stephen: "I found them!" called out Stephen, though he wasn't sure Maddie, Hannah and Emily could hear him. Gathering the children, he led them upstairs.

IdGM: When Maddie and Emily dragged the man through the door, they found Stephen surrounded by seven young people, warming themselves by the fire.

[Idris]

Session 57 - 28/4/19

IdGM: The young people looked with surprise and some concern as Maddie and Emily staggered through the door lugging the unconscious form of the bowman.

Stephen: "You should be safe now." Stephen said to the children.

IdGM: The knife-man who had surrendered crouched by the fire, looking fearful.

Maddie: "Oh, you found them," Maddie said with relief. She nodded at Stephen's words. "We'll make sure you're safe," she said. She thought the children didn't look reassured, and then remembered she was still covered in blood - the knife-man's all over her face, and both the archer's and some of her own on her hands. She put down the bowman and went out to the pump she'd seen around back.

Hannah: Handing off the knife to Emily, Hannah knelt near the children. "It's alright now! We're here to keep you safe and get you back home." She looked to the others. "We should get the men away, so we can talk to each group separately."

Emily: Emily accepted the knife, "We will get to the bottom of this." she said as she looked at the men.

IdGM: Hannah's words and manner seemed to have a reassuring effect. "What are you going to do with them?" Tam asked, looking at the unconscious man on the floor. They could hear moaning from the old man outside.

Maddie: Maddie came back after a few moments, having washed the blood off and taken off the dress, which was also covered in blood. She had worn her normal clothes underneath - it's not as if they needed to worry about looking out of place at the moment. She stood over the moaning old man. "I can look at that for you, but if you do anything stupid I'll break the other one too," she told him.

Stephen: "I'm sure they'll give us some explanations, in due time." Stephen said, obviously referring to the men they had defeated

IdGM: The old man nodded in agreement, and Maddie was able to drag him inside. The dog was still lying on the floor, twitching slightly, and when he saw him his owned gave a sigh. "I thought that witch had killed him..."

Maddie: "We leave murdering animals and abducting children to your side," Maddie said sharply, waving Emily over to help her set the man's leg.
"Oh, there's two more of them out there, best to bring them in before they come round," Maddie said to Stephen, indicating outside. "And Hannah, I brought you a present." She picked up the crossbow she'd taken from the bowman and held it up to her.

Stephen: Stephen went to drag the unconscious men inside, where they could be kept under their watchful eyes

Hannah: Hannah looked to Tam. "We'll do what is necessary to keep you all safe, but beyond that, we'll have to see what everyone has to say." When Maddie entered, she moved away from the children and accepted the crossbow. "Thanks. I'll feel useful again if we run into more trouble."

IdGM: "What are you going to do with me?" the knife-man asked, staring at the unconscious forms of his fellow gang members. He spoke the same language but with a heavy accent.

Emily: Emily went over to help Maddie with setting the man's leg thinking over what the knife-man was asking.

Maddie: Maddie turned and looked at the frightened man speculatively. "We'll have to see about that. Jake out there, is he your boyfriend?" she gestured vaguely in the direction of the man Stephen had buried under a pile of rubble

IdGM: The man frowned, clearly confused. "Boy-friend? He is not a boy, he is a man. But not my friend. Ariccis took him on for the last run."

Maddie: "Ok." Maddie didn't know whether she should pretend to know who Ariccis was or not. "How long ago was that, and how many runs have you done?"

IdGM: "You mean here in this town the god's have forsaken?" the man's lip curled in disgust. "This is the third. I said to Ariccis no good would come of it, but he is the boss. For years we had made a good living on the roads of our homeland. We had respect. Now look at us. Ariccis feasting with that fat swine of a mayor who sells his own people for slaves, and Garga and Fiacca with him, while Barbon and I face who knows what..." He sounded angry and aggrieved as well as afraid.

Maddie: "So the mayor sold you these kids?" Maddie had assumed as much. "Where is your homeland anyway? We're not from these parts ourselves."

IdGM: "You are fortunate, this is a poor excuse for a town. I am from the great city of Omer - even you must have heard of it!" The man's voice swelled with pride.

Maddie: "No, but we come from..." Maddie frowned, "a very long way away. Anyhow. The mayor sold you the kids then?"

IdGM: "The mayor - a man of such enormous greed he would sell his own mother - he made a deal with Ariccis for these... kids? They are highly prized in Omer, especially the pretty ones, and if the boys have the beautiful voice... These are too old for that though."

Stephen: Stephen, having returned earlier with the unconscious men, frowned. "So it was all about the money? No ulterior motive?"

IdGM: The man frowned as if not sure what Stephen meant. "Wealth is enough for some men, it buys everything else."

Hannah: Hannah looked at the man coldly. "There are always people like you, wherever you go. And people like the mayor. If you can tell us anything useful about his administration, things will go more comfortably for you."

[Idris]

Session 58  -  3/5/19

IdGM: The man frowned as he tried to work out what Hannah meant. "The mayor has a big house - I have seen it one time but Ariccis goes often. He has people always around him, some of the councillors who are his dogs, many servants, guards... "

Maddie: "Well I enjoy upsetting politicians who live in big houses," Maddie said. "What's your name?"

IdGM: The gang member looked surprised to be asked. "Ari," he answered.

Maddie: "Roughly how many guards does the mayor have Ari?"

IdGM: "I am not sure, maybe ten or so?" Ari replied. "Ariccis says they are trained, men from somewhere else - the mayor has brought them in. Not like the militia - those are just ordinary men from the town. The mayor's guards I saw had small swords and crossbows. "

Maddie: "Are they all men, or do any women know how to fight here?"

IdGM: Ari barked a laugh. "Women fighting? Only the barbarians do such things. In this town, women keep to their homes."

Maddie: "Two women just left you whimpering on the floor, tough guy," Maddie indicated herself and Emily. "But good, they'll underestimate us then."

IdGM: A worried expression came into Ari's face and he deflated immediately. "But you said you are not from here," he said.

Maddie: "No, we must be barbarians." Maddie glanced at the others. "Should we discuss what to do next without having a bunch of slavers listening in?"

Stephen: Stephen interjected "Is there anything else we should know? No use keeping anything hidden from us. You've seen that we have some...unusual talents, so you shouldn't rely on the mayor and his goons defeating us."

IdGM: Ari shivered. "You are witches and sorcerers. But you will find Ariccis not so easy to defeat. He is a fine swordsman and Garga and Fiacca are big men and skilled with their blades."

Maddie: "Well I'm a raging bitch who likes to puncture the big egos of big men, so I think we have the advantage," Maddie said off-handedly. "Time's wasting."

Hannah: Hannah made sure the men were properly tied up, then moved aside at Maddie's suggestion to discuss their plan

Maddie: "We probably need to check on the one Steve buried," Maddie said. "If they're not about to die then chuck them in the cells."

Emily: Emily looked business like as she went over to look at the ones who are wounded.

IdGM whispers to Stephen: Stephen thought he could raise the stone flags from Jake's body using the power of the Elemental Flow

Stephen: "I hope I didn't crush the one with the whip too badly..."said Stephen, as he began to concentrate to move the stones away from his body

IdGM: The two men Maddie had put out of action were now semi-conscious, and would probably survive once Emily had attended to their wounds. But when the stones had floated away from the whip-wielder's body, she could see that it was too late to save him, his chest had been crushed.

Stephen: Stephen sighed, obviously disappointed by the man's death, but understood that such things happened.

Emily: Emily looked at the man's crushed chest, "Pity..." She muttered to herself as she went over to attend the other enemy men's wounds. "We will need to do something about the body."

Hannah: Hannah looked grim. "Hiding him in the bushes for now should be enough, assuming we're off to finish this immediately."

Stephen: "I might be able to bury him properly, perhaps."

Maddie: "Can't we just stick the body in another cell and then deal with it later? Assuming anyone can be bothered."

IdGM: Emily having finished dealing with the injured, they had five gang members to imprison - two with head injuries, the bowman with his broken nose, the old man with the broken leg, Ari the knife man, and in addition a sleeping mastiff.

IdGM whispers to Stephen: It struck Stephen that something could be done to fix the bolts in place, just in case other gang members came back and released the prisoners. He could manipulate the metal but it would need heat to make malleable, and in this Maddie could work with him.

Hannah: "As long as we can avoid the children seeing him," said Hannah.

Stephen: "I can bend the metal to fix the bolts and prevent them being freed by the others" said Stephen "But I'd need you to heat them first." he added to Maddie

Maddie: "Later," Maddie said quietly. "I'm thinking we might want to bring one of them with us."  Appreciating Hannah's point, Maddie helped moved the corpse into one of the cells.

Emily: Emily stood closer to a sleeping mastiff and focused her attention on it to make it sleep much later.

IdGM: The dog twitched a little as though having a dream, then it sank into a deeper sleep.

Maddie: "Ari and the old man in one cell, the others across from them?" Maddie suggested.

Emily: Emily nodded, "I can bound them up so they would find it more difficult to escape." as she stood ready to help out.

IdGM whispers to Emily: Thinking about it, binding them as well as locking them in cells would be unnecessary, and might endanger them due to their wounds.

Emily: Emily considered it over and shook her head, "Acutally. locking them in the cells should be enough. We will soon know if they manage to escape." She ended it with a whisper.

Maddie: Once they had the prisoners locked away, Maddie went back to the kitchen, suggesting Tam, Ally and the other kids join them.

IdGM: The young people crowded round. Although they had now warmed themselves and Tam had brought in water from the pump for them, they complained about being very hungry.

Hannah: Hannah went to the fire to examine what the slavers had been cooking.

IdGM: The body roasting over the fire was likely a deer or a sheep, It was a bit burned in places but Hannah reckoned it was edible. There was stale bread on a shelf, together with some onions.

Emily: Emily looked at the bread and helped out with getting the foods and toasting them over the fire to make it more tasteable

IdGM: With the bread wamed and some onions for savour, the food was now quite acceptable and the young people ate ravenously. There weren't enough chairs so some sat on the floor by the fire.

Maddie: Maddie took a seat, rubbed her head, then started to talk.   "Alright, here's my idea. The Mayor's a politician, so like any politician he's going to be a liar who's going to be a bit concerned with his public image," Maddie said. "Normally he'd probably be able to make sure people didn't trust a group of random outsiders who turned up, but we've got some advantages here."

"What I want to do is to sneak into town with a few of you kids whose parents live nearby, rather than out on the outskirts. We wake them up, quietly tell them we've got the kids back, and get them to go knock on doors to wake up their friends. Say there's going to be an announcement in some large public place - I assume you have a market or something - around sunrise."

"Once a large enough crowd starts gathering I suspect the Mayor will find out, but that's fine - he won't know exactly what's going on and liars need time if they're going to prepare plausible lies. We wait until there's a large crowd and the Mayor, then we reveal what he's been up to. Normally he'd probably be able to deal with this, but if we appear in public with the lost kids and they're all backing us up - well that'll give us some credibility."

"The important thing is that we kind of ambush him with this - he's presumably not exactly being open about the fact that he's selling the townsfolk into slavery. If we force him to make a snap decision out in public with lots of people watching, then he'll probably do something stupid that results in him being badly outnumbered and easily forced out of power."

Stephen: "Sounds like a solid plan. "commented Stephen, appreciately "Once the townsfolk find out he's been selling their children into slavery there's not much he can do unless he has an ace in his sleeve or some sort of secret weapon of his own."

Emily: "And with numbers on our side as well, it may be more feasible to defeat these horrible men." Emily agreed before thinking the cons on it, "Thinking about it, we would need the children to support us right away. The mayor could easily shift the blame on us potentially since we are the strangers here. Nevertheless, you are right that if we caught him off guard fast enough, it should be attainable."

Hannah: "You'd make a good trial lawyer, Maddie," said Hannah. "We may want one of the men we've got locked up to testify that we're telling the truth as well."

Emily: "Maybe some form of mercy for one of them to testify?" Although as she looked at the children, she doesn't like the idea of slavers having too much mercy.

Maddie: Maddie tried to work out if Hannah was insulting or complimenting her. "I figured we could bring Ari with us, he seems resentful of being here and afraid of us so he'll do what he's told. Frankly, I don't think it's our place to offer them mercy, it's the people who they've hurt who should decide what happens to them."

Emily: "Very true." Emily nodded with agreement

Hannah: "Agreed. We can suggest it'll go better for him if he shows remorse, but we won't decide the outcome," said Hannah.

IdGM: One of the girls put up her hand, like a child in school.

Maddie: "Oh, we should probably introduce ourselves. I'm Maddie." She nodded to the girl with her hand up.

Emily: Emily looked at the girl who was brave enough to put her hand up, "My name is Emily." Once other finished introduced themsleves, "What it is?"

Stephen: "I'm Stephen. What's your question?"

Hannah: "And I'm Hannah."

IdGM: The girl reddened as they all looked at her, but she spoke up. "I am Tillie..." She took a deep breath. "I know you are strong but the Mayor has power over the town. He is clever with words, he can twist anything you say."

One of the boys added. "And his guards are real warriors, he will bring them with him."

Maddie: "Can his real warriors do things like this?" Maddie let fire gather in the palm of her hand until it formed a sphere, which she casually tossed up and down like a baseball

Hannah: Hannah smiled. "Thank you for the warning. We'll have to be ready for him to try to trick people, or for a fight."

Stephen: "We're not afraid of having to fight again, if it is necessary. But we thank you for telling us this."

IdGM: Tillie smiled at Maddie's trick but she still looked concerned. "Barstock has another sort of power, he can get into your mind and tell you black is white."

Stephen: "Like magic?" said Stephen, now sounding more worried.

IdGM: The others shrugged and Tillie shook her head. "I don't know but his power is very strong."

Hannah: "We'll have to be extra careful then. We may want to make our accusations without him present, so he doesn't have a chance to sway people."

Maddie: "I'm sure Barstock is very persuasive, but I think your parents will probably believe the people who bring you back to them."

IdGM: "We will speak the truth," Tam said. "I don't believe that Barstock can affect us any more, now we know."

Maddie: "Good. We don't have that long, we need to start now. Which of you actually live in the town itself, and what would be a good place for us to try to get people to gather?"

IdGM: Apart from Tam and Allie, all the young people lived within the town. "Get them to come to the town square," suggested one of the girls, whose name was Gill. "It's where they have the market, in front of the town hall."

Emily: "Make sense." Emily agreed, "Keep eating, We will sort out these men. Don't worry about that dog, it would be sleeping for a little longer." She confirmed, glancing at the dog in case anyone is still worried about it." She stood up, helping out with any care of the kids and the men in question before heading out to see the parents to reunite them with the kids if needed.

Maddie: "If we head back to where we were squatting, then most of us can hang out there while I sneak around bringing back a few of the kids. Hannah, you should probably come with me, you'll be better at persuading people to follow the plan than I will."

Stephen: "Remember what I told you about the bolts? Best to do that, we really don't want the captives we're not bringing with us causing any trouble."

Maddie: "Oh, right, let's go do that now and fetch Ari at the same time. Probably best to get something we can gag him with, we don't want him causing a ruckus while we're trying to sneak around."

IdGM: Once Ari was upstairs, Maddie and Stephen moved to the cells. It was a strange sensation as they reached out in tandem to the elemental flow. The moment they touched it, the power rushed through them and out into the metal of the shutter latches. The heat was so powerful the iron almost melted, and it twisted and writhed under Maddie's fire. The old man screamed in fear when he saw it. Then they moved outside and worked on the bolts, the power more controlled this time - the metal softened and twisted, making the doors impossible to open by any normal means.

Maddie: "Oh quit your whining, we'll be back once we've overthrown the Mayor!" Maddie shouted to the old man.

Stephen: "That was impressive." said Stephen, commenting on what they had done with the bolts. "As for the mayor, I worry that that he might have magic of his own, a not simply be very persuasive - but I guess we will find out soon enough."

Maddie: "We've dealt with that sort before, when we were..." Maddie frowned. She was sure they'd dealt with some sorcerer with power over people's minds before, but the details eluded her.

IdGM: They gathered any weapons they could find, the crossbow and knives, and set off into the night.

Maddie: "Let's sneak back to the abandoned house." Maddie suggested.

Hannah: Upon reaching the river, Hannah decided they needed a safer way across for the kids than simply making a bridge of ice. So instead she created smaller ice floes for them to step onto, which she could then move across the river. "Don't worry, I have a lot of practice!" she told the children, demonstrating how she could create and move the ice before asking any of them to step on.

Emily: Emily encouraged them as well by showing them as well but ready to step in if any of the children have trouble, "It should be fine."

IdGM: Wary, but trusting Hannah and Emily, the young people came forward and one by one they stepped onto the small floes and crouched down. The river was sluggish and the floes maintained a steady movement accross to the other side where they could scramble up the bank.

[Idris]

Session 59 - 10/05/19

IdGM: They crept ashore, trying to move silently. Maddie ghosted ahead, silent as a shadow. Being country bred, Tam and Allie were used to this, though the young people from the town found it rather more difficult. It seemed they would make it to the house unheard and unseen. Then Hannah stepped on a shifting lump of stone and grabbed at the old fence to prevent herself falling. The sound of creaking wood rang out in the silence, and a dog started to bark.

Maddie: Maddie flung herself down low. "Emily, shut it up!" she hissed.

Emily: Emily nodded as she reached out to the dog to calm it down and there is nothing wrong.

IdGM: The dog seemed puzzled for a moment and then it curled up again and slept.

Hannah: Hannah breathed a sigh of relief and gave a thumbs up to Emily.

Emily: Emily smiled slightly as she returned the thumbs up as they kept going

IdGM: Although it was now well over half way through the night, the early spring dawn would be several hours in arriving, and their path was uneven and very dark. However
they made it to the deserted house without further mishap.

Stephen: "We should be safe for a while, unless somehow the Mayor's people can track us here." said Stephen when they were inside

Maddie: "Whose parents live nearby?" Maddie asked the kids. "I can bring three or four of you back and then we can start telling people to gather."

IdGM: The young people looked at each other, and then Gill pushed one of the boys forward. He was smaller and younger than the rest, and looked very scared. "Billy here can drawn a map," Gill said. "He's really good at it."

Stephen: Steve handed Billy his pencil and some paper he used for writing down notes

IdGM: Billy took the paper, and examined the pencil with interest. Then he sat down cross-legged on the floor and leaned the paper on one of the broken chair seats. With the end of his tongue sticking out in concentration he drew a extraordinarily good map, considering the circumstances. The older children helped him by writing names. "He's not so good with words," Gill said quietly to Hannah. Then they marked where everyone's house was.

Maddie: Maddie looked at the map to try to work out what three or four houses were nearest - it wouldn't be easy to sneak any more home, and anyway it was probably a good idea to keep a few of the kids with them in case the Mayor somehow got to the parents whose children were returned first

Emily: Emily looked impressed by how well the map was drawn, "That is very good map." She said with approval as she considered the map.

IdGM: Billy grinned at this. "I'm going to go all over the world when I grow up, and make maps of everything!"

Stephen: "That'd be nice."smiled Stephen "I hope you will!"

Maddie: Maddie smiled. "You will. I started travelling around a lot when I turned sixteen, I moved in with my dad in..." she frowned and shook her head.

IdGM: There were five boys and three girls altogether. Tam and Allie lived outside the town of course. Tillie lived the nearest, and one of the boys called Dick lived further on in the same direction with Billy's house not far away. Gill and Jay were cousins, and came from the same house, on the other side of the main street. Rob, the eldest at fifteen, lived right over beyond the town hall, near the cattle market.

Allie stepped forward. "What are you going to do about the prisoners in the town hall? My da's in there and I'm not going to sit here twiddling my fingers."

Maddie: "We're going to run the Mayor out of town and when that happens the prisoners will get released," Maddie said.

IdGM: "How do you know that?" Tam joined Allie. "How do you know he won't just go straight there and kill them, once he gets wind of what we're doing."

Maddie: "He won't have wind of what we're doing until he turns up in the square," Maddie said, "and then it'll be too late." She had a thought. "Emily, would you be able to find a bird near the town hall? That way you can keep an eye on what's going on there and if the Mayor heads in, you'll know."

IdGM: Rob was frowning. "The town is full of the mayor's spies, I wouldn't bet on him not hearing word sooner or later."

Stephen: Stephen was silent as the others spoke, obviously concentrating on something and staring at the house's rough floor.

Emily: Emly nodded, "It should be possible." She agreed to Maddie's idea

Maddie: "He's not going to know that you're all free and that we're going to reveal what he did to everyone," Maddie said. "And if he doesn't know that then he's not
going to start threatening the prisoners, I think."

IdGM: Stephen could sense spaces below the ground - many of the houses had cellars, and it seemed that there were at least two passages which travelled from close to the river and joined large cellars of two buildings. From the position of the buildings and the size of the cellars, Stephen reckoned that they were taverns, and the passages were likely used for smuggled goods.

Stephen: "There are ways below..."said Stephen, slowly, obviously having sensed something "and many cellars. I sense two especially large ones, I think they might be under two taverns, perhaps used for smuggling. Perhaps we could use this to our advantage - we'd draw less attention travelling under the ground than on the surface."

IdGM: Allie still looked doubtful. She looked Maddie and then Hannah up and down. "You don't look much like heros who rescue children. I meant, she.." nodding at Maddie..."is alright, at least she looks like she could fight. That dress is awful.." She eyed Hannah's stolen garment, which she was wearing over her own clothes..

Maddie: "That sounds like a good idea Steve," Maddie said. She pointed at the map. "Where are they?"

Hannah: Hannah chuckled. "I agree. I'm not currently in my 'hero' uniform. But you've seen some of what I can do."

IdGM: "But you want all the grown ups to believe you and come to the town square," Allie said. "They might think you're just mad people who stole their children and made up the story!"

Hannah: "Well, if you think they'll respond better to different clothes, you know them better than we do," Hannah responded, and stepped aside to remove the dress, leaving her in the practical-yet-designer outfit she was wearing before.

IdGM: "They might think that's their dress that was on the washing line," Tam added with a grin.

Maddie: Maddie smiled. "I don't think I stole them from any of their houses, but a fair point."

"Allie, at least some of the parents will vouch for us because we'll have already returned their kids to them," Maddie said. "And if they're gathering their friends first of all then we can make it work."

IdGM: Allie gave a grudging nod.

Emily: Following the example of Maddie and Hannah, she also took off her fancy dress.

Stephen: After pointing to the location of the taverns on the map, Steve commented that if they were going underground then practical clothes would indeed be a good idea

As they were getting ready, Ari tried to attract attention, unable to speak because of the gag.

Maddie: having already discarded the bloody dress for her more useful badge-strewn jacket and jeans, Maddie was ready for practical clothes. Seeing Ari struggling, she headed over to him and pulled the gag down. "Yes?"

IdGM: They had to give Ari water so that he could speak. "There is something you should know. At the town hall, there is a guard. There are many prisoners, influential men in some cases, even a councillor. Also there is a special prisoner there - a man from my homeland, a spy. Ariccis has been trying to get information from him, the name of who sent him."

Maddie: "Hmm. The problem is that trying to break people out of prison as well as everything else is pretty hard and if we wait too long then Ariccis is going to go
back to base and find the kids are gone."

IdGM whispers to Hannah: Two things struck Hannah. One was that if there was only one guard at the town hall, it would not be impossible to overcome him and break in, possibly from below using Stephen's gift. The other was that they could also use Magic to hide themselves if need be. She felt that there was a way water could be employed as fog or mist if need be.

Hannah: Hannah looked thoughtful. "If there's just one guard, we'd have a good shot at overcoming him if we decided to break in. The prisoners there might be able to help us. And our abilities might make it easier as well - Stephen might be able to find us a way in underground, and I think I could obscure us with fog if need be."

IdGM: Allie brightened up at this suggestion. "We can help. Tam and I are both good at stalking."

Emily: Emily nodded, "And I can keep an eye on the Mayor's house if needed while we at it via animals. If we can get prisoners out, we will have the numbers on our side as well."

IdGM: At this the young people looked very interested. "Please tell us how you do that later!" Allie begged.

Maddie: "Right, Hannah, we need to get going. Should we aim to meet near the town square about an hour before sunrise?"

Hannah: "Sounds like a plan," said Hannah. "Everyone be safe."

Maddie: Maddie glanced over at Allie and Tam. "Can I have a word with you two before we head out? It'll only take a moment."

IdGM: The young people hugged each other and wished each other luck. "You get the old ones on our side!" Allie said to Millie. Tam and Allie came over to Maddie.

Maddie whispers: Maddie chewed her knuckle for a moment. "I'm not good at this kind of thing," she said quietly. "Look, I know what it's like to have friends in prison. You want to get them out right away now and you feel fucking powerless just sitting around while they're stuck in there. But even though it's good to get them out, what's even better is to take down the fuckers who put them there in the first place. I guess I'm just trying to say, don't do anything that might give the game away - it'll do no good to get them out of prison if tomorrow the Mayor puts them, and us, back in there. If we do this right, we'll get them all out - permanently."

Stephen: Stephen told Hannah and Maddie more details about the underground passages, and where they could find enter and leave them. "I wouldn't expect them to be guarded but...you never know. Please be careful". he added

IdGM whispers to Maddie: Allie looked rather striken by this, but Tam put his arm around her shoulders. "You can trust us Miss Maddie. We'll get it right. "

Maddie: Maddie said something quietly to Allie and Tam, and at one point Tam put his arm around Allie's shoulders and said something in return. "Right. Good luck you two." She went over to Hannah, wondering if she should have just kept quiet.

Stephen: Stephen seemed worried by all the whisphering going on, but he said nothing

Emily: Emily made sure that her axes and knife are fine. She did spare a wind-up watch so they can make sure that they can move at the same time. She did checked over the kids to make sure they are doing okay.

IdGM: They had taken knives from all the slaver gang, and Tam took one of these and gave one to Alie. Rob picked up a chair leg and swung it experimentally but then put it down again. "If we're seen it's a bit too obvious." he said, taking one of the daggers himself.

Stephen: Stephen took his knife, but left the metal rod behind, obviously thinking it too noticeable. "Good thinking."he said to Rob.

IdGM: They were all ready and just had to set off. With Maddie in the lead and Hannah keeping an eye on the three children, their group set off for the tunnels. It was not as hard to stealth along the river bank, there was a little light on the river, and no houses close. They found the first tunnel entrance easily, hidden by brambles.

IdGM: Stephen, Emily and their group set off into the dark streets towards the town hall. Without Maddie's sneaking ability they had a harder job, but Tam and Allie were able to use their skills to help.

Maddie: Maddie led them along in the dark, letting a little flame puff out from her finger to act as a light for the others to follow

IdGM: The tunnel ran flat and straight for a time, before they noticed a change. Something was blocking the end.

Maddie: Maddie swore, backed off, and let more flames appear in her hand to illuminate whatever was in the way

IdGM: There was a leather curtain of sorts covering the end of the tunnel.

IdGM: From what Stephen had told them Maddie and Hannah reckoned they were at the tavern.

Maddie: Maddie checked if she could simply draw back the curtain with her hand - making sure not to use the one with flames shooting from it

IdGM: Behind the leather curtain there were large objects - barrels and boxes stacked to cover this entrance to the tunnel.

Maddie: Maddie took a look in the light to try to work out which boxes she could move safely without causing some kind of noisy collapse. When she went to move the boxes, Maddie had to let the fire die down - her hands might not be affected by flames, but the boxes would be. She nearly dropped one in the dark, but after righting herself she quickly worked out which ones she'd need to shift to make sure they could squeeze through.

IdGM: Once there was a large enough gap they all crept through and up the cellar steps. They ended up behind an old wooden bar. There was a strong smell of stale beer and pipe smoke.

Maddie: Maddie's lungs itched at the smell of the smoke. "Alright, follow me."

IdGM: The room was not large, though the hearth seemed made for one much larger - a massive affair with benches each side within the ingle. A dampened fire still smouldered, giving out warmth. Suddenly a black shape jumped from one of the benches and came towards them. The tavern cat!

Hannah: Hoping to keep the cat from making noise, Hannah knelt down and reached out slowly to let it sniff her fingers.

IdGM: The cat chirruped and rubbed its head on Hannah's hand. At that moment Maddie spotted the tavern door on the far side of the room.

Maddie: Maddie made for the door, trusting Hannah to sort the cat out effectively, and wishing Emily were here to be sure of it

IdGM: When Hannah disengaged herself and stood up, the cat seemed to understand. It sat for a moment then started washing itself. The door was bolted top and bottom, though not locked.

Maddie: Maddie briefly wondered if she should stay behind so she could bolt the doors again, then decided the cat would probably give her away if she did. "Think we need to risk it," she said quietly.

When she went to the door she examined the mechanism. maybe she could make it fall back down? it risked a noise, but that was hardly any riskier than leaving it open

IdGM: The windows were shuttered, with metal latches.

Maddie: Maddie went to look at the windows, thinking she could manage it with the latches

IdGM: The windows were not high and they were all able to climb through without problems. Once they were out in the street, Maddie skillfully flipped the catch closed as she pushed the shutters to. There was nobody about, and Millie's home was only a few houses away.

Hannah: Hannah followed Maddie's lead, glancing about for any sign of people.

IdGM: Millie led them up to the house - it was well built though not wealthy, the home of an artisan or trader. Millie turned, her eyes full of tears as the emotion of the moment took her.

Hannah: "You take the lead Millie - I think it's best they see you first. I'll stand just behind, and hopefully we can get ushered in quickly."

Maddie: "Make sure they don't shout - we don't want a ruckus yet."

IdGM: Millie gave her a small smile, dashed the tears from her eyes and knocked on the door. After a few repeated knocks, there was a creak from above and a head poked out. "What's going on? What do you... MIllie! Is that you?" The woman disappeared from the window and they heard running feet coming down stairs and to the door. Bolts were shot and the door thrown open. A woman stood before them in a floor length nightgown, her hair disarranged. She threw herself at Millie with a cry.

Hannah: As the woman rushed forward, Hannah raised up her hands and quietly spoke "Please, we need to be quiet. We're trying to get the children all to safety, but we don't want to be seen."

IdGM: The woman gawped uncomprehendingly at Hannah, but Millie grabbed her arm and hustled her inside. "It's really important Ma. We have to do this secretly. Now don't scream Ma, but these people rescued me from being sold as a slave." Her mother indeed opened her mouth as though to shriek in horror, but all that came out was a kind of strangled whimper. "We thought the Fisher had you, we thought you were dead!" she gasped.

Maddie: Maddie went in, beckoning for Billy and Dick to follow them

IdGM: Millie's mother's eyes nearly popped out as she saw them. "You rescued these too? Ah, Billy's mother has been nearly demented since he disappeared. She's a widow and he is all she has. We were all so afraid..."

IdGM: They heard more feet on the stairs - heavier this time - and a large man in a large striped nightgown came down the stairs, yawning. "What's this? Mother's meeting in the middle of the night?" Then he saw Millie and he dashed forward. "My little girl!" he exclaimed almost suffocating her. A tear rolled down his cheek.

Hannah: Hannah closed the door behind them when everyone was inside, and once the parents had settled down a little bit she spoke. "As Millie said, there was no Fisher taking the children. It was foul slavers. We've dealt with those men, so the kids are safe for now. But unfortunately they were working with people in town, who didn't care for the safety of its children." She sighed. "The Mayor himself, in

fact. That's why we've needed to sneak about."

IdGM: Both the parents looked astonished. "He's always been keen on gold," the husband said. "But dealing with slavers, taking our children away? Are you sure?"

Hannah: "We interrogated the slavers themselves, and they indicated him. It makes sense - having him on their side would make such crimes much easier to pull off. Perhaps we were misled, but I think not. In any case, he needs to be confronted with these accusations, and we know that can't happen on his terms, or he'll hide any evidence. For that reason, we're hoping we can all meet later at the square to say what's happened publicly, without word reaching him beforehand."

IdGM: "You have proof?" the husband asked.

Hannah: "Along with the words of the children we have one of the slavers who is willing to explain what happened, and our allies are working now to free some adults who apparently have been held prisoner by the Mayor. We'll see what they have to say."

IdGM: He nodded. "Then it seems we must believe. What kind of man sells his own people into slavery though...." he looked grim. "When do you want us at the square? How will you bring people together without Barstock finding out?"

Maddie: "We need you to do that." Maddie said quietly. "Go out to your friends and talk to them. Tell them that there's going to be an announcement about the missing children at the town square, at sunrise. Don't tell them Millie and the others are free, don't tell them who's making the announcement. If they think it's the Mayor himself announcing it then that's almost to the better. By the time Barstock finds out we'll hopefully have quite a few people there and things will already be out of his control."

IdGM: Millie's father nodded in agreement. "We'll make sure they are all there. If that man shows his face he'll get a fine reception," her mother said grimly. "Our menfolk serve in the militia - Barstock disbanded it, and brought in his guards, but Bart has his weapon, don't you?" Her husband agreed. "A lot of us still have our pikes and helmets."

Hannah: "Good!" said Hannah. "Just be wary. We've heard his words hold power."