Tess smiles tiredly, "Goodie, Ogre night. Well, like you said, we have about 2 months to figure out how to stop whatever is going to happen from happening. Though Samhain might be the easiest for people to cross the border, its not really the lightest of holidays either. It may be that Samhain will merely be the Darks chance to get a foothold on Earth." Sighing, Tess says, "Of course, all this is speculation, and we still don't know _that_ much more than we did before."
Chely begins coughing uncontrollably, her small body shaking with spasms.
Brighteyes seems very alarmed at this, and looks at Tess with a very panic-stricken face.
Sylvana kneels next to the coughing girl and takes her hand, saying "What's wrong? Do you have an inhaler or something that might help this?" She then looks to Tess "Is there something wrong with the girl's lungs?" She looks very concerned, with small creases of worry tugging the corner of her broad mouth and wide eyes.
"She had a nasty case of Pneumonia a while ago. We thought she had gotten over the worst, but apparently its come back," replies Tess.
Tess looks over to Chely, worry written across her face. "Come on dear, you need to go see the nurse." Tess helps Chely to stand. She leads the young woman though the teachers halls, and on to the nurses station.
Chris watches Tess and Brighteyes leave with Chely. "Hope the kid'll be all right," she murmurs softly.
"Yeah," Keighvyn says quietly, his expression concerned. "Me, too."
Kelia looks at the door Tess disappeared through for a moment then says, "Do y'all know if she's still gonna insist I stay over here tonight?" Chris' expression indicates she's not all that fond of the idea. "If she is, then I've gotta run home and pack an overnight bag. And if not, well, I've still gotta go home and clean up and change and all. Kelia smiled wryly. "It wouldn't do to look ratty in Court."
"I don't know if Lady Tess still wants you to stay here tonight or not, m'lady," Keighvyn returns. "Perhaps you should wait a few minutes, until she gets back... I doubt she'll be long." He smiles at her then. "And if it's any consolation, I find nothing wrong with your attire." He looks appreciatively at the play of the light on her silk robes. Then he shrugs self-deprecatingly, and flips an errant forelock out of his eyes with a graceful hand. "Then again, I'm not much of a fashion plate. Do as you think best."
Chris smiles at the complement. "I'd feel far more presentable cleaned up," she says with a shrug. "Blame my mother for making me neurotic." She grins, then settles back in her chair, waiting for Tess to return. After a couple of minutes, she asks, "Hey, y'all got any coffee around here? Or maybe a Co-Cola?"
"I dunno, but I could have a look around for you. I'm sure Tess won't mind." Jubair heads over to the kitchen and peers in the fridge. "Yeah, there's some here. I won't be staying long myself - once Tess gets back, I'll have to head off to get changed and maybe re-memorize a story or two. Maybe I'll find Rajabal while I'm about."
As Jubair starts searching the cabinets for cups, a figure shuffles in from the back room. The strange, windy voice calls, "Isss thhaaat yoooouu Lissssaa?" The strange figure looks to have come directly from the flower scene in 'Alice in Wonderland', her large purple rose shaped head holds steadily on the thin stalk that leads to the ground. Brilliant yellow eyes peer at the people in the room, blinking in surprise. "Ohhh, exxxcusssse meee. Mayy I hhhhellp yoooou?"
Chris blinks a few times. "Uhm, I was looking for coffee or a Coke or something. But it's not that bigga deal." She manages a smile.
The great flower seems to nod at the confused sidhe. "In tthhee kiiittchhheennn," it says, pointing with one of its many leaf arms toward where Jubair is fiddling. The huge rose moves along slowly toward a closet, and gets a small watering can from the floor. Taking the can, it shuffles back into the back room.
------------------
(At the nurse's office)
Brighteyes and Tess wait while the nurse examines Chely.
"Oh Miss Tess," says the piskie, her voice very shaky and squeaky, "what's wrong with Chely? What do we do?"
"She caught a nasty bug over the winter, and was just getting over it when all this started," Tess says, her voice soft and reassuring. " I think we've put to much strain on her, and its getting worse again. Hopefully the nurse will be able to help."
The nurse opens the door and motions Brighteyes and Tess in.
"I think her pneumonia has returned." the nurse tells Tess, "We'll need to call her parents, and take her to the hospital. I'm pretty certain she'll be okay, but a relapse like this needs to be treated quickly. It's likely she just came back to school too soon."
"Okay, I'll let you get ahold of her parents. I'd like to speak to Dr. Rowan also. If her parents have any concerns, let them know they may call me if they like." Tess says.
Brighteyes stands vigilantly next to Chely's bed and whispers sweet nothings, such as "You'll be all right.. I'm here.. I'll protect you.."
"Can you leave us alone for a few minutes?" Brighteyes asks, her voice unwavering.
"Sure honey," Tess says, "Just don't wear here out anymore, she's gonna need her strength. When your done, you can either come back to my room, or go hang out with the kids. Classes should be over. Meet me back at my room by six though, we need to go to court tonight." Tess leaves the pisky alone with Chely, Tess makes her way from the office, thanking the nurse as she passes.
The piskie gracefully bends over and kisses Chely on the forehead. From her pouch she then produces a very beautiful and sparkly diamond ring, and replaces it with Chely's own. Placing Chely's ring on her own finger, she states, "By this ring, I promise that I will stop all the bad things that are going on, and come back to you." She smiles, turns, and leaves, leaving the nurse to take her friend to the hospital.
Tess informs Dr. Rowan of Chely's pneumonia and the evening's court session. Dr. Rowan takes the news in the same calm manner he receives all news, assuring Tess that he'll deal with Chely and her parents.
---------------
Once the troll has returned to the group, Sylvana asks "Is there anything I can do to help? I've got some experience in this field." She pulls out a medical text and an anatomy text, and flips to the section on lung ailments, looking very distraught as she reads.
Tess puts her large blue hand on Sylvana's shoulder as she flips through her text books. "She'll be fine Sylvana. She's being taken to the hospital, where the doctors can put her on an I.V. and get some medication into her. I'll make sure her parents and her know how concerned you were for her. I'm sure they'd appreciate it."
Chris, who has been watching the strange flower somewhat warily, says when Tess has finished speaking with Sylvana, "I think I'm going to run home and clean up a bit. Since nothing's happened, you know, since in the Baker building, I'm good to go home after the meeting, right?"
Lisa smiles at Chris. "Sure, you seem to be doing better. Just remember to call if anything strange starts happening again."
"Sure," Chris replies, smiling. "Looks like y'all've got enough to worry about without having a houseguest tonight, anyway. "She grabs her briefcase and adds, "I'll be back by, what, 5:30?"
Looking at her watch, Tess nods. "Sure, hour and a half should be long enough for me to get ready." Looking at the others, she asks, "Are you all going? Or do you plan on hanging around?"
Sebastian, breaking from his usual position of leaning against the nearest wall, stands up and says, "I'm tired. I could use a nap, a shower, and a drink. It's been a long day." He stops and flashes a wry, rakish smile. "Anyone want to join me?"
Keighvyn looks in distaste at his rumpled clothes and says, "If it's OK, I'd like to get cleaned up a little, too. And I really ought to check in with Arianrhod; she gets upset when 'Daddy' isn't home."
A short discussion ensues, and then the group breaks so everyone can prepare for the evening. Time: 4:00 pm Wednesday, 26 August 1998
Current Weather: Sunny
Expected Weather: Sunny
*****************
The group arrives slightly early for Court, and the handsome and silent sidhe knight, Gwalchamai, leads them down into a small antechamber, rather nondescript and banal looking, actually. He leaves them alone there, explaining the Countess will send for them when called.
After about fifteen minutes he returns, and leads them by a long, formal route through the chambers of the freehold to the Palm Room.
At first glance, Herbium Castellum looks like the fairy castle it had the evening before. The flowers glow, the leaves shine, and the air virtually tingles with the sense of living, growing things. Tiny pink and blue sprites, so small that only their legs and wings could be easily discerned, dart among the firs of the Himalayas Room and the cacti of the Desert Room. Shubberlings, animated bushes, shuffle about tending to the myriad plants with careful, obsessive attention.
Within the Palm Room the change from conservatory to freehold is still dramatic. The antique metal window panes change from lead to gold, the stone floor becomes marble, and the plants all grow at least an additional foot. About twenty fae fill the room. Goat-legged satyrs, long-nosed nockers, plump boggans, blue-skinned trolls, and even a couple of limp sluagh huddle in the corners, watching the center of the room. They notice both Jubair's Uncle Iain and the sluagh Mr. Tweed.
Seated high on a balcony looking down onto the floor sits Countess Miriam. Short and plump, she looks like nothing so much as Mother Nature holding court for the flora and fauna of her kingdom. Her chief advisors stand behind her: Tobias, a bespeckled old boggan and Hecataeus, a greybearded satyr.
The resemblance to the night before ends at this point. The mood is tense, rather then festive, and aside from a kid standing by Dr. Rowan off to the side, there are no childlings present. The kid has a pugged, animalistic nose and ears on top of his head of short, shiny hair.
The Rose Guard is out in force, a full dozen fae warriors ranged along the walls of the room. Each wears a tabard displaying the County's coat of arms, a buckeye against a striped scarlet and grey field.
In the center of the room, facing the Countess, stands a tall sidhe, impressive looking in silver and black finery. A slim longsword hangs from his side. He radiates a smug self-confidence and a complete disdain for the fae about him, including the Countess. Four sidhe, each in silver and black livery and bearing a silvery spear, stand behind him.
Beside this sidhe stands an ancient looking nocker. He is gnarled and bony looking with wrinkled red skin and a bushy white beard. It is nearly impossible to tell where the beard ended and his wild, unkempt mane of hair begin. His impossibly large eyebrows are completely unable to hide the unsettling gleam that shines in his eyes. He is short, and wears an immaculately clean suit, complete with bowler hat.
All eyes immediately swing towards your group entering the Palm room and descending the curving stairs.
As the walk is finished, the impressive sidhe demands loudly of Kelia, "Are you the sidhe chrysalid my reeve has informed me of?"
Jubair tenses slightly. "This I wasn't expecting," he mutters quietly. "Presentation is supposed to be a happy time, not this solemn."
Kelia walks in with the others, staying toward the rear of the group. Her outfit of flowing, sheer black silk takes full advantage of her sidhe looks. She eyes the rude sidhe and replies almost laconically, "Perhaps." Her gaze slides insultingly off the rude sidhe, coming to rest on the Countess. Kelia smiles politely and makes a slight, respectful nod.
Tess barely manages to hide her smile, though her eyes twinkle in amusement. Stepping slightly ahead of Kelia, blocking Baron Lorewick's immediate response, and view. Pointedly ignoring the Baron, Tess looks to the Countess. "My Lady, esteemed members of the court, I you will allow," Tess says formally, "I have the distinct pleasure of presenting Kelia fer Eiluned to your court." Tess puts a slight stressing on the word "your" as she indicates the Countess.
Kelia takes a half step forward, even with Tess, and nods again.
Bugge, the childling by Dr. Rowan's side, turns and waves a small slightly-webbed hand in an innocent gesture of greeting to Brighteyes.
It takes Brighteyes a few moments before she sees Bugge. When she does, she cracks a smile and waves slightly.
Bugge then smiles, and turns his attention back to the Countess.
Sebastian gives his uncle a quiet nod.
The countess nods to Kelia in return, "We welcome you, Lady Kelia."
The sidhe lord announces grandly, "As it appears that she is a member of House Eiluned, and as her mortal self is an employee of mine, I claim the right of fosterage."
The countess' plump, red-checked face turns into a frown, "Baron Lorewick, I have not granted you permission to speak. Must I call upon Protocol to ensure your courtesy?"
The Baron glowers, but answers "No, You Excellency. I merely assumed, as I am the ranking noble of House Eiluned within the County, that I would be granted this customary right."
The Countess nods towards the Baron in cold acknowledgment of his statement, but asks Tess, "Thane Tethran, how have you come to determine that Lady Kelia is of House Eiluned?"
"Excellency," Tethran says, nodding respectfully. "Lady Kelia has been so named by the advisor and companion of Jubair the Traveler, Rajabal the Wise." Tethran pauses a moment, looking toward Kelia for a split second. "Lady, if I might be so bold. Perhaps the right of Fosterage should be forsaken with Lady Kelia. It is not uncommon for those who come into their heritage at such a late age as the Lady, to by pass this tradition."
"Your Excellency," Keighvyn requests formally, "may I speak?"
The Countess nods.
"Lady Tethran speaks truly, Your Excellency. The Lady Kelia is not a child, after all; it follows that she should not be treated as one, does it not?" He takes a deep breath. "Should you honor the Lady Tethran's request, I would be happy to accept the task of instructing the lady in the ways of our mutual Kith, so there should be no worry that her education is lacking." He pauses for a moment, and then adds, "But -- you might inquire of the Lady Kelia herself, as to her wishes in this matter."
Kelia nods slightly as Tethran speaks. After Keighvyn speaks, Kelia looks to the Countess.
The Countess looks at Kelia, "Yes, please speak on this matter of such import to you, Lady Kelia."
Kelia says in a respectful but firm voice, "Excellency, while much of this is new to me, I am not a child. I need neither a babysitter nor a keeper. I request fosterage be forsaken. I shall avail myself of Sir Keighvyn's kind offer, should the need arise. I would also welcome," she adds, "any advice Baron Lorewick may have. But, I do not believe fosterage is necessary or desireable." She inclines her head respectfully then awaits word from the Countess.
"Your... 'Excellency'" The baron says in a voice just inside the bounds of decorum. "This sidhe has already violated the Escheat with her novel, she needs to be carefully schooled in her role as a member of House Eiluned, and as a sidhe. As the ranking noble of her House, the prerogative of fosterage is mine."
"Unless I rescind it." The Countess says firmly. "But the word of a chimerical owl, even one as wise as Rajabal, does not establish House beyond a reasonable doubt. A Fior-righ would seem to be in order, yet I am loathe to allow one so newly awake to risk such a test."
Tethran's already pale face, turns almost white at the mention of the Fior-righ being applied, making her look rather like a normal person who had held their breath to long, save for the horns.
Kelia turns slightly to Tethran, her expression a mixture of confusion and dread. "What's that?" she whispers, almost inaudibly.
"Fior-righ?" Jubair whispers back. "I haven't been through it, but from what little I know it's sort of like an 'entrance test' for a particular House. They obviously vary depending on the House and the person administering it, but they can be quite grueling affairs."
Jubair pauses for a second. "If Rajabal was right - and you are to be an Eiluned - I dread to think what he's going to do to you," he finishes, nodding his head slightly toward the Baron. He then faces the others with a 'was what I just said right?' look.
Keighvyn nods grimly.
----------------
Outside the street lights cast a yellow pale over Franklin Park, grounds of the Franklin Conservatory. To the casual observer the conservatory was closed, just a large block of a building looming against the purple-tinted dark blue of the night sky marked here and there by a security light.
The building appears deserted, though a few cars (including a limousine) can be seen parked within the employee parking courtyard inside the walls.
Lungwam Nutiket looks around the seemingly deserted building, then turns and watches the car which dropped him off drive off. He looks at the closed building curiously, then notices the cars in the employee parking lot. He tugs his leather jacket to straighten it. He mounts the outside steps... only to be stopped by a large troll who steps from the shadows.
The troll hefts a large hammer, and rumbles "You have business here, warrior?"
Lungwam Nutiket calmly looks at the Troll from his own eye level. "Brave and mighty Troll Warrior, I am Lungwam Nutiket, which means Dream Guardian, a Rock Giant Brave of the Nunnehi Nations. I seek an audience with..." he seems to hesitate, as if trying to remember something, then says "...with Her Grace, Countess Miriam ni Dougal, on matters of grave importance. I will accept whatever limitations and restrictions you impose on me while I am here, as I know you are concerned with her safety, but I must speak with her."
The troll pauses for a few moments, eyeing Nutiket carefully. Finally he rumbles, "I am called Ulf, son of Olaf. I will take you in to see the Countess, Lungwam Nutiket of the Nunnehi Nations, on your word as a warrior that you bring no harm to those beneath my care this eve."
Lungwam Nutiket nods to his fellow warrior. "Ulf, son of Olaf, I swear to you as a warrior, as a Nunnehi and as a man that I shall bring no harm to those you protect, save should they seek to harm me or any who I must protect."
Ulf nods, "Follow me then, warrior."
Ulf leads the Nunnehi into the building and through the flower strewn halls of the freehold.
-----------------
Back in the Palm Room, Baron Lorewick speaks, "A fior-righ is not required. As a titled member of House Eiluned I am quite satisfied. I shall foster her."
"No." The Countess says firmly. "I am not satisfied concerning her House."
The meeting is interrupted as one of the trolls of the Rose Guard leads a huge (8'6") creature of granite with inky black eyes staring out from a stony face into the room. His hair looks like the stalactites of a cave and he wears a breechcloth of bearskin, held up by a belt, also of bearskin but seemingly from a different bear. Secured from the belt at his side is a stone tomahawk. Around his neck, suspended from a leather cord, is a bear skin bag.
The Countess looks a bit startled, and says, "Thane Ulf, you bring a visitor?"
"Your Excellency, I present Lungwam Nutiket, a Rock Giant Brave of the Nunnehi Nations. His news seemed urgent." the troll rumbles.
Baron Lorewick looks extremely annoyed at the interruption. He clears his throat and moves as if to speak. In response, the Countess glances at him sharply and raises her hand, "I have standing orders that any Nunnehi envoys be admitted at once, Baron Lorewick. We cannot achieve peace if we do not speak with them. The matter of the chrysalid can wait a moment. Speak, Brave."
Off to the side Dr. Rowan, tousles Bugge's hair and says softly, "Quite an exciting evening, eh? Dastardly villains, beautiful heroines, and now a wild Indian."
Bugge nods quickly, eyes wide, and transfixed on the rocky behemoth. Without turning away from the Rock Giant, Bugge tugs on Dr. Rowan's Coat, and says "He looks like a Golem, y'know like the one who chased Jack down the Beanstalk, after it grew from the potatoes he got when he was sent to the doctor's to trade the family Studebaker, so his ugly sister could get a makeover, and Jack's mom was real mad, and she didn't give him any desert for three weeks, and so he said he was going to run away and then when the beanstalk grew outside he did." And Bugge continues to stare.
Kelia grinds her jaw. She looks annoyed. She opens her mouth to speak when the meeting is interrupted. During the commotion, Kelia whispers to Keighvyn, "What exactly does this fior-righ entail? Have you ever done it?"
"The Fior-Righ – I think it means, 'Contest of Kings' or something like that; my Gaelic isn't as good as my uncle's -- is supposed to test physical, mental and social prowess," Keighvyn says quietly. "It's also supposed to show what your noble rank is, and what House you belong to." His finely-drawn brows draw together. "I understand the specifics vary according to each House -- for me, it was ritual combat, and a lot of recitation of the history of House Scathach." His frown deepens. "I've no idea what the ritual entails for House Eiluned."
Tess listens to Kevin's response, and nods. In a low voice that doesn't carry, Tess says, "I don't think the Countess would be considering it if she didn't think it important..."
The countess glares down from her seat and stands. She draws herself up to her full five feet and raises a golden sickle above her head. "Once, twice, Thrice, As if it cut the rice;" The Countess swings her sickle in a slashing motion. "Let all present act as needed; Upon my honor, decorum shall be heeded!"
As her cantrip takes effect the Countess says sternly, "There shall be silence, while the Brave speaks."
As if on cue, everyone in the room bows their head briefly in acknowledgment of the command.
"I will hear you now." The Countess says.
The Giant lowers himself to one knee, bowing his head and touching a fist to the ground in front of him. "Your Excellency, I am most appreciative of your hospitality and desire for peace, as well as your readiness to admit me." He then rises and looks her in the eye. "However, I fear that I am not an envoy of peace, nor an ambassador of any kind, and I have no authority to speak bindingly for the Nunnehi of my band. Excellency, however regrettable the complicated chain of events that caused the enmity between our people may be, I am here this evening because of a far graver matter, one which threatens both our peoples, but I fear yours more than mine. Short hours ago, I and the wise Shaman of our band traveled to the Upper World of the Spirits on a quest for a Vision, relating to..." he pauses, looking around the room hesitantly, then turns to the Countess and continues. "Relating to the recent hostilities between our people. There, we did encounter Ursa Major, the Great She-Bear, a powerful Incarna Spirit of Healing and Protection. She charged me to oppose an ancient and powerful evil named the Donogaot, and that to do so I must come before Your Excellency and offer my aid, for even as we speak some of your subjects are on the same quest I have been set." Sparing a short glance at the unhappy looking Sidhe in the center of the room, Lungwam Nutiket continues to the Countess. "Therefore, Countess Miriam ni Dougal, I beg you to tell me who these Kithain are, that I might fulfill my destiny and my vow, and in so doing help both our peoples. I am come among you alone, one warrior amongst many who would consider me an enemy, and if you do not listen to my plea, I understand that you will probably kill me for the actions of my comrades against you." The Brave takes a deep breath. "Do with me as you will, Excellency."
Original summary by Paul Westermeyer; converted to HTML by Midori Hirtzel-Church