Kanna's breath was shallow in her chest as she jumped to switch horses at Caer Ulfwych. Someone was following her, she was certain of it. She sprinted with haste to the stable boy, pressing her payment into his hands and mounting before her could hand her the bridle. She nudged the horse fast and crouched low in the saddle, leaning forward to press it faster.


"ah, horse, c'mon now, git me there, git me there." She didn't dare look over her shoulder, she knew what she would see there anyway. Through Avalon Marsh, another hasty dismount and payment, and she was in Cornwall Station. She peered around at the activity. A few seasoned warriors worked hard at the forge. A large group was gathering for the hunt.


Breathlessly, Kanna pushed open the door to the inn, glad of the guards who stood watch there. Even more glad was she when she clomped inside to see Azaeli and Crispian speaking to the inkeep about a private room.

Arcalan sat at her desk with a high pile of parchments and a third stick of sealing wax. She had been very very busy of late, and ran the League's domestic affairs with a zeal rarely seen outside Pontiff and his family.

Mirashta, her husband and Allonan had all taken to the frontier, for the relics had been too long in the hands of an enemy. Allonan the Mercenary had stood in Camelot and proclaimed his intention to lay seige to Midgard, alligance to Arguyle's cause, and the banner of the Red Lions. The massive mercenary stood almost a full head above the stutest of the realm, and was known to be able to out-drink anyone alive. His payments were in rum and his nature was like the highlands he came from, sweet and gentle beyond compare, but able to explode forth in fury unthought of. Few guessed his blood was not all human, or of his troll father and his bastard secret.


The three Seneschals of the League had immersed themselves in preparations for attack and defence, and much had gone unseen to in the absence of both Crispian and Toorc. Indeed Toorc had begun to be a name held only in memory of the seneschals, so long had he been absent, feared lost to the mortal world. Arcalan had busily absorbed all their tasks these past two days and worked with blinding speed to catch up on paperwork and missives. The most usual method of a dispatch ws not, however, to be delivered by a hooded man sliping in the window.


Arcalan regarded the stranger without fear. His soul was baren before her, and she could tell that though he was a killer, he intended no harm for her. Seeing his Greek features and having heard of Hecathia's escape she jumped ahead of him.

"Deliver your message" she said bluntly.

The man looked taken aback. Could this woman read minds? And did a trained assassin really inspire no hint of fear in her? His mistress' awe began to seem to have merit in it to him.

"I am to tell you that the girl, Apolexia, is in my keeping, I have her safe though." he recalled she would be displeased if the girl was harmed "she's safely hidden. Ah.. this kidnap was my idea my lady" he looked to see what reaction this would elicit.


Arcalan was secretly pleased. Azi was with Crispian she was sure, and her movement would no doubt flush Crispian into the open again. Lexi really had a talent for ruining her sister's life. Arcalan was poised to capitalise on that fact. Whoever Lexi's family were, the Grandfather was enough of a miscreant to warrent Lexi's lying to the League. Perhaps it'd even be enough to have her expelled, thus tormenting Azaeli doubly. Azaeli would suffer so much soon, a little more would be welcome payment for sowing doubt about Arcalan's return to a state of goodness. But this man needed an answer now.


"No doubt" she said, rising and walking towards him "you fear that my displeasure" she moved so close as to be whispering into his ear "Will result in some horrible curse wracking your body? You wonder if I'll be upset enough to kill, or just torture you? You wonder how much pain a cabalist, specialising in slow painful spells and curses, can cause a man? yes?" he was sweating now, as she stepped lithely round him, and she knew the fight or flee response would break out in him soon. "Well don't." she stepped away again "I strike only with intent to kill, if I left you alive you'd want revenge.. in time"

She scribbled a note onto a piece of parchment she had lying on the desk.

"My mistress awaits your instruction" he said, hating himself for appearing to toady to another. He longed for Greece where his house held true power and he could be the one intimidating others.

Arcalan handed him the note. Hecathia had a way of generating unexpected but useful events. Perhaps she could let her have Greece when the Master returned. "Take this and see Apolexia doesn't give her position away. She's a meddling fool with a temper and no thought for consequences, but so long as she lives Azi is bound to her. That doesn't concern you though. Move Apolexia regularly, keep her hidden always and have no doubt many eyes will turn to search for you. Speak of this to no one, this room is a safe haven, where we can talk openly, but outside these wards you never address me. Hecathia will be killed if you fail her in these things, and your life will not outlast hers by a breath. When I turn around I don't want to see you in this chamber"


Arcalan spun round as she finished speaking and caught only a glimpse of a cloak vanish through the window. She had much work to do here to secure her desired place as Seneschal of the League, but Rhizzia and Tashtego would soon support her she was sure. She had sent word of her displeasure to Hecathia, and tasked her instead to prepare a little surprise in Ludlow. The arcane ritual would be meaningless to hecathia, but the menial task of preparation would be both useful and a punitive insult of her skills. Once finished she was instructed to check with every tavern for Azi or Crispian's presence. They would need to move quickly to secure their success.

Meanwhile:


Toorc stumbled through the passage way, unaware of what was going on exactly. he feared it was a dream, or more exactly a delerium. Elven voices spoke quietly as they navigated the twisting dungeon, and a few times the party stopped to engage undead attackers. A massive Firblog carried a shining spear, and when Toorc fell or was unable to go further the Firblog carried him. An Elf pressed a canteen to Toorc's lips and precious water burned in his throat.

Where were the going? Why had they stolen into the Summoner's Hall and rescued him? He cared not, nor could he fathom what was going on. He was grateful for the touch of the earth again, for his communion with it, instead of his imprisonment in a high cage.

He was aware that these too were enemies, but the further they carried him from Govannon, the less he cared about that thought.

The Firblog sat him gently again as a Druid cast his magics on his companions, and they stopped to refresh themselves. One elf seemed to try to speak the tongue of Avalon to Toorc, but the words were garbled as Toorc slipped into darkness.

The dreams, or rather nightmares, haunted Tashtego’s mind e’ery time he slept since that day he had brought Hecathia take to the Guild Hall in a broken pile. At first, they consisted of a dark figure, a dark maiden, chantin incantations o’er a bubblin cauldron. They were very unsettling, and caused Tashtego to be consumed in deep thought about their meanin.

The eve that Lady Arcalan offered her room to him when she had found out he was sleepin in his tent because Hecathia had taken his, the nightmares took on a new twist. He did not sleep in her room, he could not bring himself to sleep in another womans room, but he appreciated the thought just the same. A wrench was thrown into the machinations o this dark maiden…the Circle began appearin in his dreams feedin energy inta him. The first few nights were only o this witch, but the next, Tashtego was in it grappling with this dark witch. The Circle was aidin him, channelin energy inta him…soon, the Circle dominated this contest within Tashtego’s mind. In his wakin hours, he was consumed in thought about what this could all mean, and he talked ta his close friends about it, lookin fer any insight inta its meanin.

Then the final night came. The dark maiden came full force inta his nightmares, inta his mind, tryin ta take him…a geat fight was takin place within his mind…The Circle and the Witch fought usin Tashtego as a vassal…but it was above her…she could not comprehend its powers…or its place above her…it was a weakness…she did not expect it…

<as Tashtego slept in his comfy chair by the fire in the Hall, the nightmares began anew and grew in intensity>

<the mutterin o dark incantations could be heard unner his breath, then grindin teeth>

<this nightmare was comin to a head as something dueled within his mind fer control>

<his body becoming a vassal fer this duel, his body was absorbin tremendous amounts o energy, like something had plugged directly inta him …his skin became searin hot, so hot it gave off a steam>

<Lady Emlae tried ta shake him awake, only to come away with burns on her hands>

Lady Emlae and Lady Rhizzia, who were present, watched in horror wonderin what had possessed their friend with nightmares so, not knowin what they could do fer him.

<The fight becoming so intense, Tashtego’s muscles and limbs shakin from it, the Circle threw the dark maiden from his mind>

<Sprinin to his feet, Tashtego drew his mace quicker than the blink o an eye, ready ta pounce on the dark figure and yellin “NO, I will not LET YOU!” and “get OUT O me!”>

<His skin steamin, he looked through the Hall, past his friends, mace in hand, glowerin and ready fer her again…and then fell>

<the powers lent ta him began dissipatin, and he curled inta a ball shiverin>

Lady Rhizzia lend what aid she could as did Lady Emlae. O’er the course o time, he came around, and fixed his eyes on Lady Emlae who leaned closest ta him…”Lady Emlae… ugh… I have beaten her…from…uhhh… me mind…the Circle…” Lady Emlae very confused could only listen. “Tell everyone…everyone…there is an enemy amongst us….two of them…tell everyone…tell them I have beaten her from me…go hurry…I need to rest now...ugh..” Lady Emlae looked ta him not knowin wht ta say, but helped him ta his chair so he could rest. “…the Circle…it is above her…please…tell everyone..I need ta rest” and there he fell asleep inta a rest he hadn’t had since this began…the dark maiden no longer had power o’er him.

And Emlae rushed off to give the news, tho she did not unnerstan its import.

/bump


up to the top with ya

Anilis looked to the inn. He could not let this scout reach the others. To fail would mean death, and even if he died, he could not allow this scout to give her message. He looked to the guards outside, if only he could get by them then he could get to the scout, and he could kill the scout before she alerted anyone of the news. She looked over to some people by the forge... that was it...


Anilis threw a dirk towards the forge from the top of the stable, it landing with a loud CLANG as it struck the anvil. The smiths jumped up as the guards rushed over to hear what happened. Quickly, Anilis jumped down as the guards turned to her. Opening the door he found the collapsed scout with two others that she had apparently wished to find on the other side of her coming to her aid. The scout had just arrived, he had one chance, and grabbing his scimitar from his back he jumped to plant it into the back of Kanna, the guards not close enough to stop him...

Hecathia recieved the message from Dannindas. "Untie her from the tree, keep her gagged, then bind her again. We are moving out from here as per orders from our Mistress."


"Where do we head Mistress?" Dannindas asked.


Ilara looked around. "I do not know, nor will I say aloud, for we do not know who is listening." Dannindas, send Lorimar to the guild hall. Tell him to keep out of sight from everyone, but lay in wait for orders from my Mistress..." trying to make sure she did not say Arcalan's name aloud.


"es my Mistress."

As they started to move out, she turned to Dannindas and led him aside whispering to him away from the rest. "Keep her moving, send word to me everytime you do. Keep a company of three, send the others out to scout the taverns and be on the lookout for word of Azaeli Hammerfel and Crispian Pontiff."


"Where are you going Mistress?"


"I go to make sigils... my punishment for my failure from my Mistress. Then I shall catch up to you. Do not fail me Dannindas."


"es Mistress." bowing turning back to the others giving out commands. Ilara headed to Ludlow to make the items Arcalan asked of her, though a menial task... at least she had not felt the wrath of Arcalan.

A full night passed as Arcalan struggled to put some of the paperwork of the league to rest.

She worked non-stop to regulate mountains of coins and transactions it seemed, paying for rams used, materials and upkeep of the Hall. She paid out to debts and sent for collections of loans, she took inventory of the armory and drew up schedules of repair for the weapons. Crispian had not been seen for a few days, surely he hid from her. Oaklief and Mirashta were out on the front with Allonan and Toorc was likely dead. The Seneschals of the League were absent from their duty, and Arcalan would take >full< advantage.

As discontent had grown over the last few days, Arcalan had been at pains to suddenly step in and put to right any troubles. When materials at the forge seemed to dry up, Arcalan found Oak had not paid a merchant or had not sent out word of what was needed. She instantly fixed the situation. When ale ran temporarily short (mysteriously) Arcalan had her golem fetch many kegs from the nearby inns to restock, and waived the price aside, paying from her own purse.

When trouble brewed she smoothed things over, and had just finished telling tashtego that she'd put the local garisson to rights over Apolexia. Tash was the latest to inherit care of Lexi as a burden, and the King's men were said to have shown quite some interest in the murder she'd commited, even if the old lady, Bethsaida, hadn't pressed charges. The Law was not to be ignored she warned Tashtego.


Tashtego rturned to telling Illos the old minstrel of how he had thrown off troubling nightmares that had plagued him for a few days now. When he reinacted his battle for control as a mock-play to amuse her, Arcalan looked up from her paperwork.

"Before you vanquish the maiden, doesn't she say 'I will return to my homeland?'" she smirked.

"An how wo'ld ye be knowin of such things Lady Arcalan?" inquired Tashtego genuinely taken aback. Kanna the scout had confided some doubts about Arcalan that Azi had with Tashtego.

"I.. "Arcalan faltered "I saw it in a street show" she lied badly

"oh really?" Tashtego pressed her.

Arcalan sighed "Nay tash, I cannot lie to you, but I didn't want to worry you. i have seen the Dark Maiden in my dreams also"

"Is't so?" he cried "Then surely you are concern'd fer this dark port'nt?"

"Tis a mere phatasm friend, I worry over these more" she said holding a sheaf of papers in her hand.


Suddenly a hollow voice rang out "I shall return, and hell shall follow in my footsteps"


All in the hall looked for the originator of these words, but none saw anything. This disembodied voice was the same as the Dark Maiden both tashtego and Arcalan had dremt of.

"I don' fear ye!" bellowed Tashtego "The Circle threw ye from me, and I will fight ye again!"

No answer greeted him, and the search subsided. Arcalan tried to dismiss this as a trick of the mind, but all were unsettled that eve.


As night came on again the hall had a fair few guests, and the last member of the Knights of the Crest, the good friar Osgoth, joined the banner of St. Crispin's with much rejoicing from his newfound family. Though the demise of his noble guild was sad, yet his move to the League was cause of much joy.

Arcalan cursed mildly as she found it hard to locate a proper seal to record his arrival. Lady Rhizzia the cleric complained loudly of the lack of Seneschals, and Illos has ventured to go and look for one in Camelot, lest they be carousing at this late hour.

After some initial problems all was set to rights, but the problem of a lack of senior staff remained. Arcalan knew the time was ripe.

"Rhizzia, you've been with the League sometime now, and never has it has such a lot of members and thus extra work. I know the frontier is busy, but with Toorc .. gone, maybe dead, we need a temporary Seneshchal here for domestic matters" Arcalan whispered to her.

"Aye that's true" said Rhizzia "But me? I'm just a knight, I don't know if I could be made Seneschal"

"Well Rhizzia, you could help me, a small faviour to allow me t complete the rest of these matters" Arcalan indicated a table burdened with much paper and strange documents.

"I sorted your letters from friends of yours in the realm Rhizzia, I must say you're a very popular person" Rhizzia smiles "and you could either do all this work yourself" Rhizzia's expression told her no... "Or create me as a Seneschal so I can do it. Toorc's position has expired according to the League charter, and I'd relinquish the post when I was finished..."

"Well it makes sense" agreed Rhizzia "and lacking any Seneschals here I AM the most senior member" Arcalan nodded at Rhizzia's words.


The documents were all prepared, and the paperwork filed in a remarkably short time. Arcalan had set everything in readiness. Rhizzia made the announcement that Arcalan was new Seneschal of the League, and handed to her the seal and a cloak of office. Alas the ceremony usual to this type of event would have to take place later, since Arcalan's skills were needed to be put to work immeadiately...

Ceomyr burst out "May I raise a concern here?" but was silenced by Arcalan.

"Friends, I am honoured and I thank you all! I will continue to work for the League and wish to express my dee thanks at this recognition!"

Some applauded others rose to their feet in anger. Tashtego shot a startling glance at Rhizzia. Ceomyr tried to yell above the noise "Arcalan you work well with the easily influenced!"

She looked at him and replied "Give my regards to your brother Ceomy Kelson!"

"What is this?" cried out Tashtego "This is not right! Why have you been created Seneschal of the League?"

The hall hushed down again, and Arcalan began to trade words with tashtego.

"Because lady Rhizzia agreed the League needs a Seneschal for domestic affaris. Lacking any here this eve and with Toorc's rank passing into lapse, Rhizzia filed the necessary process to transfer his rank to me"

"Domestic affairs? This is an outrage!"

"Tashtego, why are you so upset...? I thought you of all people would be pleased for me, and I do this for the good of the League"

"The manner you have come to power disturbes me greatly. It smells foul and I wonder about your motives Arcalan!"

"Tashtego! You once called me friend, and now this? Why do you abuse my friendship so? I have worked many days on setting League affairs in order, and this honour is greatly appreciated. Are you not happy for your friend? I took up this post in an emergancy.. the Seneschals temporarily neglect their duty and I was called upon to help"

"What emergancy?! They are out in battle! I am not happy, because at a time when enemies are within the League I don't trust this sudden elevation in your status!"

"Enemies in the League?" As Arcalan asked the question a murmer ran through the hall. She could not resist letting poor honest Tashtego fall headlong into the trap. Tjhough she bore him no malice, yet he would act against her if she didn't take this oppertunity to discredit him.

"Speak Tashtego! Brother you do neglect your duties by us if you do not name the traitors right now!"

"Aye speak Tashtego" urged Rhizzia

"What is all the fuss?" asked the aged Bethsaida pottering about cleaning at the far end of the hall.


"So you want to know my suspicions lady Arcalan... you truely want to know?" asked Tashtgeo, a tension in his voice that made it sound like a threat.

"Do not delay in telling us a moment longer friend!" she replied, eager for him to spring the trap.

"Very well" he turned and stood upon the table to address the whole hall "I suspect the enemy is none other than your NEW Seneschal!"

Sacandle broek out and many had come down from their chambers to hear what was going on in the hall. A messenger instantly slipped out the back door, and many voices jostled to make themselves heard.

"Proof!" yelled Rhizzia, silencing them "What proof do you have to accuse Sister Arcalan who has been so hard working of late?"


They waited expectantly for him to produce evidence, but he found himself at a loss. Emotion had carried him further than he intended. "She is linked to that voice.. the Dark Maiden, an' the dreams I was havin'" he blurted out, unsure but now desperate.

"Tashetgo" Arcalan began in a voice full of the weariness of a thousand years and utter dissappointment "I expected so much more of you friend, than this jealousy. You now accuse me of being a traitor, who, until I was made seneschal, you had called your friend?" she shook her head sadly.

Rhizzia cried in the corner as Tashtego tried to salvage his speech "Lady Rhizzia please hear me out. Arcalan I won' be made out ta be jealous, yer up tae sumthin'"

Again she shook her head sadly "Begone from my sight Tashtego, you were the first person to call me friend, but you'd throw that away in a fit of jealousy? The League has place on for open hearts, not those shut up by hate."

Althea muttered "Open hearts are fine as long as you close them before you bleed to death"

Tashtego looked distraught then angry "I'll not play this game 'lady' Arcalan, time will out. I'm no jealous, and I didn'y accuse you of anythin' I only suspect. There's a worl' o' difference there"

"I'll take these remaining papers to my room and work there, you've sadend me deeply Tashtego, I hope that you will look hard and find the man I thought I knew, the man who had room in his heart to pity me at first. I pity you now, for though I am free of D'Vena, you yet are cursed by the power of envy." She turned away from him weeping quietly.

"Oh no you don'! Yer no makin me out tae be a jealous man" he called "I suppose ye want ma Knighthood tae?"

"Keep that which Crispian gave to you for your deeds Tashtego. May those tokens of Knighthood remind you of what a pure heart free of hate and envy can do. I ask only that you don't spread poison of your foundless suspicions to your brothers and sisters, for the sake of the League." she knew quite well most were gathered here already and witnessed this. And was well aware how Tashtego must appear.


She withdrew from the conflict and smiled an evil smile. She went to bed that night and rested well, free of the dreams of any Dark Maiden or of Crsipian Pontiff. She briefly thought upon Jashen agin, and thought it had been too long since she saw him. Then she drifted off to dreamless sleep.

/bump in case you want to read a non-flame thread for a change