As she rides towards Ashby with Simon and Antonio, Claire is diverted by a "Pulling," a sense that someone is in need of a Healer's skills. She tells Antonio she must leave them for a time, then asks Simon if he'll stay with Antonio or part from him in Ashby. Simon assures her that he'll remain with Antonio, then kisses her. As she rides off towards the Forest, Claire promises to find him again.

Claire's Healing skills have been alerted by the Flame's injuries where she lies in Nicholas' cave, while Rio and Warren debate how to free Nico from Julianne's clutches. Meanwhile, Julianne compels Nico to her bed, eager to be impregnated, (something that her counterpart Jules is feeling as she throws herself at Nikolai, begging to make love while the rest of Duran Duran wait for "Nick"). Nico struggles, calling out to Rio and Warren, while the sorceress threatens to kill him.

Back at the cave, Gemile has started stew for lunch, and Nicholas has brought water to the Flame at Warren's request. The boy remains by the woman's side, afraid for her since she's still very weak.

While the debate continues in the cave, outside, Rowena and John plan how to use the Midsummer Ball to their advantage by infiltrating the Castle via the secret passages in the monastery's catacombs. Rowena doesn't want John to be involved, but the monk refuses to be left behind, saying he must confront his fears to reclaim his spirit. Rowena relents, though she fears him being hurt again. She's contacted by Faran, who tells her he's on his way and that he's bringing one of her people with him. She relays this to John, then tells him they'll go to the Hidden Village with the horse and muster a group for the tunnels. When she mentions Antonio again, John says they should return to Ashby that afternoon, so he can retrieve the scroll from Maeve and meet Antonio for himself, assuring Rowena that he'll disguise himself well. They go back into the cave and find Rio, Warren, and the Flame engaged in magic.

Rowena and John discuss what's going on with Gem, who admits to not knowing what the 3 are doing except that it's magic. John expresses concern for Nicholas; hearing them, Bantam speaks up, saying he'll stop the others if John and Rowena think Nicholas is at risk. Worried about what might happen if Bantam interferes with the magic, Rowena tries to coax Nicholas away from the trio. The boy assures her nothing will happen to him.

The Flame reaches for her Power but finds something wrong; she tells Warren, saying that she can guide them but nothing more. They join hands, Rio using the Flame's steadying influence to guide her wild Power. The young healer contacts Nico, who tells her he can't escape. She begs him to come back; Julianne replies this time, announcing that she's pregnant with a daughter, then blasts Nico back to them with magic.

Landing just outside the cave, Nico tells them that Julianne knows where to find them, then passes out. While Warren and John carry the injured man inside, the Flame asks Rowena if she can work magic to hide the cave. Rowena does so with Faran's help. She then offers Bantam and Nicholas sanctuary at the Hidden Village; Bantam declines for both of them.

Meanwhile, on the outskirts of Ashby, Julianne contacts her mother, Eden, in the spirit-realm. Eden is pleased, but there's no time to waste; she enchants Julianne into unconsciousness, and when the sorceress awakes, she finds a naked girl of about 15 years beside her, calling her "Mother."

Back in the cave, both the Flame and Rio sense the event; Rio wonders what they should do. The Flame declares that they must kill the child, since Julianne will use her offspring to destroy them all. Rio, Nico, John, and Rowena, who's helping Nicholas heal Nico, all protest; even Warren wants nothing to do with her plan. The Flame tries to explain, but then senses yet another disturbance in the web of Power.

This time, it's the Goblin King. Sensing what's happened, he drops in on Julianne and her daughter, offering protection and assistance. Julianne accepts and begins thinking of a name for the girl.

Meanwhile, Ashby is bustling as the Faire moves into full swing. As they walk through the fairgrounds on their way to the Castle, Maeve and Legolas chat. They pass a bard, who, upon seeing Legolas, begins a song about Elves and proceeds to follow them. To lose their admirer and his groupies, Legolas leads Maeve and "Clover" behind some tents, emerging when the bard leaves. As they start for the Castle again, Maeve notices clouds to the west; Legolas assures her they'll reach the Castle before it rains. He leads her past the jousting-lists, explaining their purpose when Maeve asks. Embarrassed by her own naivetee, Maeve asks if he knows much of such pagentry. Legolas tells her Elves don't go in for all that macho stuff like Men, then assures her that she need not worry about not seeing much of the wider world. She asks him to tell her about the world; he promises to do so once they've reunited "Clover" with Charley.

As Legolas and Maeve approach the Castle, the Lady Madeline is sitting with Vanya, sorting out accessories appropriate to the girl's proposed "sorceress" costume. Despairing of Nikolai's taste, which leans heavily towards black stones and heavy chains, Maddie pokes around the girl's jewellry-box until she finds the glass heart pendant the Flame gave Vanya at the Faire. She suggests it as a crown; Vanya agrees with some misgivings, partly because she doesn't want to recall the Flame's betrayal of her in the torture-chamber and partly because she fears not being alluring enough to win back Nikolai's attentions from Audra. Maddie assures her she'll be beautiful and proceeds to construct a diadem out of the pendant and some ribbon, asking after Vanya's health as she does so. They discuss the girl's courses, then Maddie has Vanya try on the diadem. Seeing herself thus "crowned," Vanya feels powerful enough to rule by Nikolai's side.

Oblivious to Vanya's newfound sense of empowerment, Maddie invites the girl to accompany her to the jousting tourney when Gwynfor returns; Vanya accepts and they part, Maddie in something of a snit because Vanya's acting peculiar and she can't lay hands on her bodyguard yet. Vanya takes a bath, then waits for Nikolai to send for her.

Nikolai, meanwhile, is engaging in a little post-coital pillow talk with Audra; he suggests torturing John and Rowena together, which delights Audra. After indulging their fantasies a bit longer, Audra dons the shirt Nikolai offers to cover her naked breasts and sends a servant for fresh clothing for both of them, at Rhodan's suggestion. While they wait, she ponders everything that must be done before the Ball. Nikolai offers to finish restoring the magical wards, but Audra prefers to do it herself.

Audra then relates the Flame's accusations to Nikolai, asking if Nicholas could be of his begetting. Nikolai explains that a magical binding on the Rhodan line prevents him from having sons outside of wedlock, but he wishes to investigate further. When the maid arrives with their clothing, they dress, then head upstairs to Nikolai's chambers, where the warlock orders a servant to fetch Vanya.

When Vanya arrives, Nikolai orders her to sit, then begins the interrogation. The girl spins a tale of wandering from Faire to town to forest and falling asleep there. At his prompting, she adds that she dreamt of a woman, a cottage, and the man Audra tortured the night before, who told her that she was between realms with the Queen of the Fae. As she talks, Nikolai realizes he can smell the Fae magic on her; he looks to Audra for confirmation of his suspicions.

Meanwhile, Maddie's been moping in her chambers. She takes a bath; reminded of her time with Simon, she becomes aroused. Shaking off those thoughts, she orders her maid to fetch her blue gown, despite the imminent rain. Her maid helps with the gown, then dresses her mistress' hair before leaving to find someone to fetch Vanya. Maddie puts on her jewellry, then walks to the window, wondering where Gwynfor is.

Madeline's bodyguard is at the Seventh Stranger, listening to Arin as she talks of her journeys. He asks how she came to a piratical way of life; she relates how she and Conner met the navigator of the Nightboat while looking for warmer climes.

Tarik returns from the privy just as Xanax rushes through the taproom to announce to Barbarella that Mallory's awake. Scaring a patron out of his seat, the mercenary speculates rudely on what rendered the fellow unconscious in the first place. Arin quietly takes him to task, showing him a brutal scar on her arm, the result of torture by a memeber of a rival pirate crew. Tarik's impressed, but says he prefers being on the hilt end of the sword.

Mallory now staggers into the taproom, Barbarella and Xanax in his wake. He ignores Barbarella's pleas to return to his sickbed, eyes locked on Tarik, who greets him with mock heartiness. Mallory demands a weapon; Arin provides him with a dagger. Tarik continues to taunt him; Mallory makes a dive for him. Tarik disarms Mallory, then allows him to fall to the floor. Gwynfor intervenes, grabbing Tarik and apologizing to the women.

Meanwhile, Simone has been "talking" to David Cassidy in the kitchen, first by writing in flour on the table, then on paper he provides. She tells him he's been brought to an alternate dimension and that he shoud try to make like a native for now. David is full of questions, especially when he learns Simone's from the future of his world. Simone dodges the questions about her time, telling him if he knows too much, he'll be thought mad when he gets back to his world. She's distracted by the disturbance in the taproom. Seeing Mallory and Tarik fighting, she wants to join the fray to defend the injured man, but the Silver Mage speaks to her, then casts a spell to draw her and David outside, where he tells Simone he can reveal more about her role as God-speaker.

In the meantime, Gwynfor has dragged Tarik out of the Inn. As soon as he's loose, Tarik hits Gwynfor, then stalks off down the street, ignoring the Welshman's taunts. After checking that he's not seriously hurt, Gwynfor heads for the Castle.

Still at the Inn, the Silver Mage asks David to try singing a change in the weather. As David begins singing "You Are My Sunshine," the Silver Mage senses the arrival of the Goblin King at Julianne's cottage and throws up a shield to protect the 3 of them. David's song works; the clouds move off, away from the town. The Silver Mage then suggests they find somewhere to talk. Simone scribbles him a note about needing a mage; he offers his services, and Simone portal-walks them all to Arcadia.

In Arcadia, Meggan has also sensed the Goblin King, though she can't pinpoint the source of the magical disturbance; speaking to Segrand, she expresses the hope that Simone arrives with help soon. No sooner does she speak than Simone appears with her companions. Through Meggan's voice, she introduces David as a bard, but falters when she realizes she doesn't know the old man's name. The Silver Mage drops his disguise and introduces himself; he tells Titus the hound that he has much to say to the rest of the dogs, then asks Segrand how he can help, while mentally telling Meggan he'll help strengthen her will so her telepathic talents can't be used against her.

Segrand tells him they need to protect the Stronghold against Rhodan's magic and calls upon Leo to point out the castle's weaknesses. The Elite guard does so, emphasizing the Main Hall and the chambers which Segrand, Meggan, and Simone take for their own. The Silver Mage puts a light detection spell in place, then has Segrand take him to the parapets so he can see the barracks and the lie of the land. Once there, the Mage works a second spell, which encases the entire castle, telling Segrand and Titus that if they accept the magic, they'll be able to sense infiltrators; soldier and dog agree. The Silver Mage then suggests that Segrand order the Dog Squadron to the castle, which he does.

Meanwhile, in his raven form, Lorcan pauses to rest. From his vantage point atop a towering oak, he sees Arcadia's Stronghold and dust-clouds moving towards Ashby from the Tribal Lands, just before he takes flight once more.

The dust-clouds are churned up by horses. Antonio senses the disturbance caused by the Goblin King; so does Simon, but he won't admit it. Antonio suggests they slow to a walk, then has Simon lead, since he's unfamiliar with the town and the place is crowded with fairgoers.

Apart from her companions, Claire has experienced another Pull, stronger than the first, which draws her to the Seventh Stranger just after Tarik and Gwynfor have left. Announcing herself as a Healer, she kneels beside Mallory. Inspecting the ruin of the man's arm, she reckons Simon's sister is a powerful Healer. Mallory, meanwhile, is muttering about someone named Evie and what Tarik's done to her. Claire gently urges him to his feet and takes him back to his bed. Sensing his nausea, she asks Barbarella to fetch mint and warm water; since the innkeeper is reluctant to leave Mallory's side, Arin offers to do so. When Arin brings the soothing drink to Barbarella's room, Claire offers it to Mallory, but he rejects the taste; feeling sick and peculiar, he curls up in the bed. Barbarella explains what's happened as best she can. Arin's appalled at the mention of Mallory's missing companion wolf, recalling Tarik's wolf-pelt.

Claire asks Mallory what's happened to Evie; he says Tarik "took her." The Healer says a prayer over him, then turns to Arin, wondering if they can find this woman Evie and help her. Barbarella explains that Evie is the wolf, at the same time warning them about taking action against Tarik.

As the women discuss him, Tarik heads off to buy some soap, as he intends to take a bath in order to present himself better to Maeve. He encounters a strange, pale man outside one of the shops. Vladimir is a vampire, the navigator of Arin's ship, the Nightboat. He's been searching the town for "6 strangers," having found Arin's poorly worded message to Conner on the tree. He asks Tarik where he can find these strangers; Tarik says it depends on what he wants from them. Exasperated, Vladimir tells him he's looking for a particular woman and that there's gold in it for him if he can help. Never one to turn down money, Tarik says he's seen the woman, describing her down to her scar, then leads the vampire to the inn.

At the Seventh Stranger, Arin is nowhere to be seen; Tarik catches Prozac to ask where the woman has gone. Alarmed at his presence, Prozac stammers that she can fetch the woman. Vladimir pays off Tarik and gives Prozac a message for Arin.

Having got his money, Tarik buys his soap and heads for the river for a necessary and long-delayed bath.

In Barbarella's room, Claire offers payment for food and drink for herself and Arin, as well as Antonio and Simon when they arrive. Prozac delivers a somewhat garbled message to Arin; realizing that her Vlada has arrived, Arin rushes out with Claire close behind. She greets the vampire effusively; though at first shocked by her bared shoulders, Vladimir responds in kind, fondly starting to nibble on her neck when he remembers himself and withdraws the fangs. Claire sees, however, and knows immediately what he is. Drawing on all her strength and training to protect herself, she joins them at a table, where she and Arin continue to discuss exacting retribution on Tarik. Vladimir tells him the man they seek led him to the inn. Claire asks him to help them find Tarik, then goes to check on Mallory, letting Vladimir and Arin talk.

Meanwhile, Alexa heads downstairs, meeting her mother on the steps. Xanax hands her an armload of linens and tells her to put them away, which she does, then returns to the kitchen, where Xanax is starting on the lunchtime rush.

Upstairs, the smells of cooking wake Tamerlaine. Unable to get out of Cat and Andy's room, he contents his grumbling belly with last night's dinner rolls, which he digs out of Andy's pack, then he goes back to sleep.

Downstairs, Vladimir sips from Arin's wrist, telling her he's had a hard time tracking her. Alarmed, Arin asks him what's happened; he responds by asking where Conner is. She tells him she hasn't seen the halfcat all day and she doesn't need his protection anyway. Vladimir hears Tamerlaine moving around upstairs and worries that the dog might blow his cover. He leaves Arin and goes to find Claire.

Conner is out in the forest with Isabel and Pyramis, having got past the West Gate guards with little trouble. As they head along the woodland path by which Andy and Cat rode into town that morning, they discuss Isabel's village. When asked, Isabel tells Conner that her daughter Abbey stays with a cousin while she's away. They take shelter from the weather under a tree and build a small cook-fire for the sausages and the woodchuck. While they do so, Isabel reveals that she's had no mate since Abbey's father was killed 6 years earlier, then asks about Conner's travelling companion; Conner tells her Arin is like family.

Waiting for their meal, Conner asks if her wolf leads Isabel to hunt, the way his leopard nature does him. Isabel tells him she merely shifts forms to hunt; this alarms Conner into a tree, from where he tells Isabel to run before he ruins her life. While Isabel's distracted, the sausages begin to burn; Pyramis pulls them from the fire, burning his mouth in the process. Isabel soothes his hurt with cool water, then coaxes Conner out of his tree, asking him to tell her his story; after kissing her, he does, relating how he was enchanted into his current form when he was a cub. Isabel responds with her own story, how she and the others are the result of Audra's torturous experiments. When Conner reacts with anger towards Audra, Isabel assures him that she and her people are happy as they are. She insists that he come to her village, for there help may be found for him. They share a kiss.

Finishing their meal, Isabel tells them that there's a quick, magical route to her village, then leads them to a mossy boulder said to have been once used by the Fae. With Conner and Pyramis close, she begins to walk around it widdershins, praying for safe passage. When the magic starts to burn him, Conner steps away, causing Isabel to panic and break the incantation. Conner explains why he's stepped out of the circle. Isabel tries to work out another way, but Conner becomes petulant and unreasonable, telling her that her people won't accept him, certainly not as her mate. Isabel protests, but Conner won't hear it, deciding he wants to return to the town and perhaps seek out Audra's magic. The argument escalates, ending only when Isabel admits how much she wants Conner.

While Isabel and Conner quarrel, the debate in the cave settles down as it's decided to leave Julianne alone for now, since both the Flame and Rio have sensed the Goblin King's presence at the cottage. John grumpily stalks over to Gem and the stewpot to fill bowls for himself and Nicholas. Rowena joins him, and they discuss who should return to the Hidden Village now that Faran's on his way. She tells him she's offered the boys sanctuary, but isn't sure they'll take it. When asked, Gem declares she'll go where she's needed.

John takes stew to Nicholas and settles down to eat; Nicholas offers Bantam his stew, because there's meat in it. Bantam refuses, despite the fact that he's famished. Nicholas takes the bowl to Rowena and trades it for her bread, cheese, and apple. John talks to Bantam, asking if he has a safe place for Nicholas; Bantam claims to know of a couple of places, which surprises John. Rowena leaves to meet Faran outside.

After a silent tête-a-tête, Warren leaves the Flame to fetch some stew for her, while nearby, Nico declares his love for Rio. Their mutual desire partly triggers the Flame's lust for Warren.

In the meantime, Julianne's daughter makes her way to a mirror, wondering about her father. A star-shaped mark appears on her brow. She turns on Julianne, announcing that her name is Gabrielle and that the sorceress can't make her evil. Julianne responds by rendering her unconscious.

Back in the cave, Rio and Nico plot to sneak away and rescue his child when a bright light only they can see appears; a voice tells them about Gabrielle and how her birth has been foretold.

Having greeted Daniel and talked briefly with Faran, Rowena re-enters the cave to tell Gem about Daniel's arrival. Gemile goes out to meet Daniel; he gives her a bear-hug, then they talk about what's been going on while Rowena stays inside and tends the stew.

Warren and the Flame eat, then sit talking quietly until Rio approaches to tell her half-brother that she and Nico are leaving to rescue Gabrielle. She asks for any help Warren can offer; he and the Flame pledge whatever magical assistance they can.

Unsure if his coaxing has worked on Bantam, John goes for a second helping of stew, leaving the boy to think on his offer, while the Flame begins her tale of woe to Warren, telling him how Clan Cucurrullo was destroyed after his departure from the Clan Lands.

Out in the forest, the Son awakens and heads to Ashby, followed by the snowy owl. Prentis is also tramping about, looking for Rowena but thwarted by her magic. Rio and Nico hear him as they make their way to Julianne's cottage; they prepare to defend themselves.

Back in Ashby, Maeve and Legolas reach the Castle and request entrance. The guards on duty keep them waiting, then insist that Legolas disarm. The Elf grudgingly does so; he and Maeve are escorted into Stewart the Steward's presence, where they explain that they have something belonging to Charley. Stewart offers them a place to rest and wait while he sends someone to fetch the minstrel from the Faire. Legolas agrees, and they're escorted to a reception hall which awes Maeve with its grandeur.

Stewart, meanwhile, hurries upstairs to alert Audra to her Elvish guest. The Countess and Nikolai are still interrogating Vanya, who at last admits that a faerie led her to Audra's chambers to she could free Nicholas; she begs her master's forgiveness. Nikolai tells her to ask it rather of Audra; his consort's manner doesn't suit him, and he slaps her viciously while ordering her to her knees. He then allows Audra to decide Vanya's fate. Audra orders 10 lashes in the courtyard with the entire Castle present. She sends a maid to alert everyone; the maid nearly collides with Stewart, who announces the newcomers to the Countess. Audra decides to deal with Vanya first, Legolas second.

Meanwhile, Gwynfor has arrived and is reporting what little he has learned about Tarik to Madeline when they hear the disturbance in the corridor. Maddie opens the door and asks the maid about the fuss; she's appalled when the maid tells her about the whipping. Maddie hurries to confront Audra, Gwynfor in tow. She protests the punishment, but Audra says she can't change it now. Maddie defies the general order to attend the whipping and returns to her room, where she berates Gwynfor for not stopping Audra. Gwynfor reminds her that it isn't his place to do anything but guard her, then coaxes her into attending the Faire.

As guards take custody of Vanya and drag her to the courtyard, Maeve and Legolas investigate the disturbance. Learning that someone is to be whipped, Maeve determines to intervene. Led by yet another guard, they reach the courtyard in time to see Nikolai take the executioner's place. With Vanya tied to the whipping-frame, he waits for Audra to announce why this punishment is necessary, then he administers the first blow.

At the Seventh Stranger, having rejected Vladimir's offer to "help" Mallory, Claire's in the kitchen, getting food for herself and Arin and leaving a message for Antonio with one of the maids when she feels another Pull as the whip cuts Vanya's flesh. Alexa and Xanax are too deep in conversation over how to keep Alexa safe to pay Claire much mind as she collects the food and goes to join Arin and Vladimir.

Back at the Castle, Maeve hands Legolas her herb-knife when he asks for a weapon. Vanya's screaming Nikolai's name and begging him to stop when the Elf leaps in and cuts her loose, followed by Thisbe, who tries to hold Nikolai at bay. Nikolai whips the dog across the nose, then throws a binding-spell at Legolas, half-strangling the Elf. Outside, a stricken Maddie grabs Gwynfor and begs him to make them stop hurting Vanya when they hear the girl's screams.

Guards and Audra crowd around as Nikolai demands Legolas release Vanya. Maeve desperately tries to reach the Elf, but can't. Enraged with pain, Thisbe bites Nikolai, who hurls deadly magic at her. Meanwhile, the God of the Castle opens a portal to its counterpart in Arcadia, allowing Simone, possessed by the God, and the Silver Mage to see what's happening. The Silver Mage doesn't want to interfere for fear of tipping his hand too soon; he holds conference with the Gods. As the portal closes, Simone, speaking for the Gods, says a deal has been struck, then is silent.

<< Back to the Introduction <<Chapter One <<Chapter Two <<Chapter Three <<Chapter Four
<<Chapter Five <<Chapter Six <<Chapter Seven <<Chapter Eight <<Chapter Nine <<Chapter Ten <<Chapter Eleven
<<Chapter Twelve <<Chapter Thirteen <<Chapter Fourteen Chapter Fifteen >>Chapter Sixteen >>Chapter Seventeen
>>Chapter Eighteen >>Chapter Nineteen >>Chapter Twenty

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