""I'm not sure what supplies we'll need Bugge, perhaps someone who has taken longer voyages into the Dreaming than I could answer that," says Tess. She turns to the Countess and her advisors as her eyes brighten in excitement. "Excellency, do you think that perhaps the ship might be able to get us to these towns?"
"Food would be good," Keighvyn says, nodding at Bugge. "We might also want to take along a tent, and some sleeping bags or something like that -- just in case we're there longer than we expect."
"If we can take tents and camping stuff," Kelia says hesitantly, "can we take, well, a camper, or something like that? I'm not entirely sure how all this works," she confesses. "There's a lot of stuff running around in my head, and I haven't really gotten it all sorted out yet."
The Rock Giant blinks uncertainly. "A camper? Isn't that a little... well, Banal? I don't know about the Dreaming, but it would be very difficult to get one of those into the Upper World. Well," he said thoughtfully, "unless you count the realms of the Tapestry Maker. But even there, how would you carry it across the..." he blinks a second, then looks down into his wineglass. "Sorry, I'm just babbling."
"No, you're fine Lungwam. You'll please excuse Lady Kelia. She has just undergone her Chrysalis, and though she's being a good sport, she hasn't come to grips with it all yet." Tess flashes a grin at Kelia, then continues speaking, "But we'll get her learned real quick yes sir we will." Her horrid accent brings a lopsided grin to at least her face.
"What," Kelia replies, "a tent isn't banal? I don't know 'bout you guys, but 'roughing it' doesn't appeal. We can be comfortable wherever we're going." The sidhe brushes back a stray lock of hair. As she moves it, the lock shimmers from yellow-gold to pale straw in color, blending with the rest of her shimmering hair for maximum effect.
"It won't be like camping in this world." the Countess says. "Travel in the Dreaming is more walking through a storybook."
Nutiket's jaw drops incredulously. "You think a tent is roughing it? Sounds to me like luxury. I was counting on sleeping under the stars." He takes a bite of hamburger, then adds absently "If there are stars in the Dreaming, that is to say."
"Well, assuming that the Dreaming is at least superficially similar to the Upper World, I would have to assume that food and fresh water would be very necessary, as well as Dross and weapons. Maps would help, if the Dreaming has been mapped, in addition to clothing and first aid gear. Basically, what you'd need for an extended camping trip." Taking another sip of that wonderful wine, Lungwam Nutiket turns up to face the Countess and her Advisors as Tethran is doing. "I beg your pardon, but what ship?"
Tess smiles at Lungwam. "The SANTA MARIA, or SAINT MARY, downtown. It's a replica of the Santa Maria that brought Christopher Columbus to the Americas. It has some special properties."
The Countess says, "It may be that you will need to acquire passage on the SAINT MARY, but I think you need to discover the location of these Holiday Realms first. It will not be easy. In the Dreaming you do not simply travel as in this world. You are traveling through a story, and you will need to pass through the stages of that story as surely as crossing a street to get home. Maps are little good there, usually. Guides are better, but I know of no one who has visited these Realms."
"I still fail to see your point." says the confused looking Nutiket. "In many of the stories I read, there's lots of camping. I'm not quite sure I understand you."
"I believe what she means, is that though we may be camping at night, the travel itself may be quite different than what we expect. Have you ever had a dream where you enter a building through a door, and when you get to the other side of the door, there is something completely different? That sort of thing happens in the Dreaming. Also, most things in the Dreaming are symbolic, and often, to get somewhere, we may have to go through specific steps, that we may not understand," answers Tess.
"Remember that the Dreaming is literally made of dreams, so things aren't bound to make sense," Jubair adds. "The further we travel from the waking world, the less that things like cause and effect apply. Her Excellency's analogy is . . . well . . . excellent." Jubair smiles before continuing. "As for what to bring, I'm not at all fussed by tents and stuff - give me a blanket and I can sleep anywhere. I'm relatively easy to please travel-wise."
Jubair then takes Rajabal off his shoulder and places him on the back of his hand. "Rajabal, you seem to have a good knowledge of the Dreaming. Would you be able to assist us as a guide for our travels?" he asks the barn owl politely.
The owl turn his head from side to side, "No. I can accompany you, and offer occasional advice, but I can only provide guidance in certain situations. If I were to cheat, your quest would be doomed to fail."
"You must understand the nature of the Dreaming." Hecataeus rumbles, "The Dreaming and the Waking World are connected, even more deeply then the Spirit World of the Nunnehi. What occurs here, is echoed there. And what occurs there, is echoed here. If the Dark were to somehow destroy these Holiday Towns it would not mean their simple destruction within the Dreaming, it would mean a profound change in the way those Holidays are observed here in the Waking World as well."
Nutiket leans in to address Hecataeus. "The same is true of the Upper world, as it must be so. Surely, the two are not that different. Perhaps, Seer, I could learn more about the Dreaming from you, and you could learn more about the Upper World from me, if we have a chance before we leave. It could prove interesting."
Hecataeus smiles at the young man, "Yes, the Upper World is connected but not in the same way, Nutiket. Like you I have walked those paths. It bleeds into the Waking World, and vice versa, but it does not exist within the same symbiotic relationship. If our waking were to cease, the Spirit world would continue. But the Dreaming and the Waking World are intimately connected and if either is destroyed the other will end as well. Your own dreams live in the Dreaming, even as you, their Dreamer, live here."
"I believe that I understand now." The Brave nods in respect. "Thank you for enlightening me, Seer."
Tess says, "Perhaps a tent would be nice, for us girls at least."
"Ah yes, forgive me." Nutiket replies quite seriously. "After living with the Braves for so long, I forgot what wimps girls could be! Tents for you, indeed. For us, not necessary, right guys?" He looks up the table for support, primarily from the two younger boys.
"Hear hear!" Mianderr lifts a goblet of Coke in a toast. "To sleeping on the hard ground and feeling bugs crawl all over you!"
Tess snorts in amusement, "Wimps? Hardly that Lungwam Nutiket." Tess's voice takes on a harder edge, taking on the tone of a parent or teacher scolding someone, though it still holds undertones of amusement. "None of us is married, and we do need our privacy. Would you allow your unmarried women to sleep with your men, without some barrier or separation?"
Another small smile emerges from Lungwam Nutiket. He allows himself to grin and gestures to the two boys. "Perhaps, but I still think that they must be wimps, right guys? You don't have a problem sleeping without no stinking tent, right?"
Bugge smiles, and says, "I like sleeping in the woods, I do it all the time. I have a fort in every forest in this county! One question though, can I bring a flashlight to make shadow puppets on the girls' tent?"
Nutiket nods gravely. "Oh, yes, Shadow Puppets on the girls tent are a must. We have to scare them out of their wits, no?"
"Why sleep on the ground when there are perfectly good trees?" Jubair adds. As he continues to speak, his voice starts to betray his excitement slightly. "Besides, if we are taking a ship, there should be ample sleeping spaces with some degree of comfort, and it means we will be able to carry more stuff."
Brighteyes scowls. "I'm not a wimp! I don't need a tent. I like sleeping under the stars, like Huckleberry Finn." She stops for a moment and her eyes gain a dazed look, as if thinking.
Nutiket smiles, "Ah, good!! One shows some hope, after all."
"I'm a wimp," Kelia interjects cheerfully. "I vote for taking every convenience we can carry. Which raises the question," she adds, "what sorta transportation can we take with us, aside from that boat? I mean, we walking, riding, what? That is," she amends with a worried look, "assuming I pass this fior-thing." She shudders and finishes off her glass of wine. After another shudder, she pours a third.
"Pardon me," says the Rock Giant, putting down the bottle he used to refill his glass from that toast, "but what exactly is the fior-thing? I didn't really understand it after I arrived." He quickly holds up a hand and says, "If it is a personal thing, no need to tell me, I'm just curious if I could maybe help out."
Kelia grimaces and says, "Well, I'm not all that sure myself." She turns to Keighvyn and cocks an eyebrow at him.
Keighvyn says, "I don't think you could help, my friend. It's a very personal thing, I'm afraid -- it's something we all go through alone, and it varies from individual to individual. As to /what/ it is, it's a test -- sort of like a trial by ordeal."
Kelia turns back to the rock giant and shrugs. "I'm still not all that sure," she says with a wry smile.
Tess interjects, "Not _all_ of us go through it Keighvyn. Mostly just you sidhe."
"I thought that anyone who wished to join a House had to go through the Fior-Righ, regardless of Kith," Jubair enquires.
"Probably some sorta initiation," Tess says. "To see if your worthy." The last is said with a slight trace of sneer in her voice. Flashing a grin at Keighvyn, Tess says in a teasing voice, "Funny the similarities between the great Houses and a common street gang huh?"
Returning her attention to Jubair, Tess smiles as she says, "The true Fior-Righ determines what house you already belong to, and is used for the sidhe, as far as I know. They may make commoners go through some sort of ceremony like the Fior-Righ, if they wish to join the House. But there are not really that many commoners that choose to. I don't think I know more than a couple commoners that actually belong to a House."
"Ah, I see." Nutiket says to Keighvyn. He then turns to Kelia with a nod. "I won't pry any further, but if you want to maybe I'll tell you some time about the Ordeal I had to go through." That said, he polishes off his cheeseburger and reaches for another.
"It's not prying," Kelia replies, "it's simply a lack of information on my part. A lack," she adds, glancing over at Keighvyn, "I hope to address soon. Which," she continues, physically turning to face Keighvyn, "brings me to the question, might it not be wise of me to pay a visit to my presumptive House, to learn more?"
Keighvyn nods. "I have to admit I'm new to this fosterage thing, but you're right -- it would be best to know about all the avenues available. It might give you some help in the Fior. That, and Baron Lorewick seemed... most eager to speak with you, and it wouldn't do to keep a gentleman of his rank waiting." He takes another careful sip of his drink.
Kelia turns to the Countess. "Uhm, Excellency, do you have any suggestions?"
"The Baron has a great deal of disdain for me, which may color my advice, but I would recommend you meet him somewhere public, and that you not be alone." The Countess answers.
"I, for one, would gladly accompany you on that trip." says Nutiket, a measure of anger entering his voice as his eyes flare.
The Countess interrupts the young brave, "You shall go no where near him, at least while you are on this quest. You would only do harm."
Sylvana, who managed to lose herself in sketching plans under the table during the conversation, looks up when she catches this end of the conversation. She hurriedly puts her notebook away, and interjects "You know me, Miss Tess. I'm a squire of the house of Dougal. I passed the Fior about two years ago. It set me on the path to becoming a true knight of the court. Until then, I'm just a squire." She looks over at Keighvyn, flashing a grin, "But a squire is always useful to have around. I can fix anything we break, including people." The nocker takes a look at her food, now cold and untouched, shrugs and begins nibbling. She notices that others have been consuming wine, turns to the Countess, asking "Your Grace, would you happen to have any beer on tap?"
Mianderr listens to all the talk about Houses and nobles while he constructs a little log cabin out of french fries. "You know, I wouldn't mind trying out for knighthood someday, myself," he says. "Of course, I probably wouldn't be one of those knights famed for slaying a dragon or something. But I would go around helping people anyway I could. I have useful skills, right, Miss Tess?" He munches on the end of a french fry and looks up. "You think I could make it as a knight? Sir Mianderr the Silver-Tongued, perhaps..." A mixture of childish wonder and a deeper, older recollection lingers in his eyes at the concept.
With a puzzled look on his face, Bugge asks "If we take the boat, what _can_ we bring? How long will we be gone? Will I miss school? I'd really hate that. Yesterday we were in theoretical physics class, and Stephen Hawking came in as a guest lecturer, and he asked if anyone knew what the weight of the sun was, and I did, and he said I was the smartest kid in the class, and I already knew that, but I thanked him anyway, and he said no problem." Then Bugge changes tracks. "Which land will we visit first? Hallowe'en 'cause it's so close? Or Pranksgiving, to see the Pooka King?"
Lungwam Nutiket's eyes widen and his jaw drops. "Stephen Hawking... THE Stephen Hawking... gave a lecture at your school?!?"
Jubair bursts into laughter after this exchange. After he calms down, he says "No offense to you Lungwam, but the odds of Stephen Hawking paying a visit to his class and telling him that he's the smartest is pretty small. Besides, how many kids his age do theoretical physics? You have to filter the language of Pooka very carefully."
Nutiket looks confused for a moment, looking back and forth between Jubair and Bugge, then finally nods in recognition. "Ah, yes, I seem to remember learning something like that from Maskwa. I guess I really didn't believe that there could exist a people that had to lie about everything." He puts his head in his hands and closes his eyes for a moment, then lets them pop open and asks, very seriously "If every statement you make is a lie, then how are you able to function in the world? Is your name even Bugge?"
"They don't lie, they merely tell stories that occasionally stretch the truth, right guys" Tess says, looking to Bugge and Mianderr.
"Let us return to the task at hand." The Countess says, not unkindly.
"Before we consider what we can bring, we need to decide how to find a guide." Looking to the court magician, Tess says, "Honored Magician. As you have traveled into the Dream Realms, perhaps you might be able to provide some insight?"
"That is wise council." the old satyr grumbles. "You cannot leave until after the fior-righ, and you travel in search of places which do not exist. I can provide no map, but I can perhaps provide a way for you to have guidance. I would suggest that some of you spend the three days searching for clues to your riddles amongst tomes of lore and those fae of the County who have some knowledge of the Dreaming, while others may assist me in my quest for your guide. Of course, some must help the Lady Kelia prepare for her fior-righ. Three days is not much time."
"And others," the Countess says, "should approach the masters of the SAINT MARY and bargain for passage. As important as your quest is, I will not compel their help. The Dreaming is far to dangerous for that."
"Well, don't look at me." said the native. "My people gave away Manhattan for some beads, remember?" After his small joke, the stone-faced (no pun intended) Nutiket turns to the Satyr. "With your permission, noble Seer, I should like to aid you in finding our guide. I doubt that I could be much help otherwise, unless the Fior-righ involves some sort of combat that I can help Kelia train for." He looks around at the nobles hopefully as he mentions combat.
Kelia turns to Keighvyn. "Uh, combat?"
Keighvyn wets his throat with a sip of cider before answering. "My Fior included combat, but then again, House Scathach /is/ sometimes called 'The House of Battle.' I've no idea whether or not an Eiluned Fior would include trial by the sword...I've never been allowed to attend one."
"The strengths of House Eiluned lie not in battle, but rather in guile, knowledge, and sorcery." The Countess' boggan advisor, Tobias of the bookstore, speaks for the first time. "If you are Eiluned, when faced with the challenges of the fior-righ you will gravitate to solutions of that sort."
The young satyr, who has finished gorging himself on the more exotic of the cuisine has settled back to picking at his dessert plate, sits up again and addresses the group. "I'd prefer to be researching for the next three days. I'm in good standing with Tobias at the library, and there are a number of things I've been mulling over for a while. Besides, it's always beneficial to have more knowledge of the Dreaming. Anyone want to join me for this?"
"I'm always up for research," Jubair adds. "I'll give you a hand with that Sebby. I'd help with the other stuff, but it's probably best to leave the transport and Fior-righ prep to people that know what they're doing."
"Won't the supplies we take depend on what type of area we go to first?" Bugge asks. "I mean, if we are going to a Hallowe'en-land first, we should take stuff for that kind of climate, and terrain, we won't just sail through the city, will we?" After a second of thought he says "Well, there was that one time, a while ago, when me an' some other kids put a lot of wax on the bottom of a sledge, and then rowed it on the lawn, and we went really fast, maybe we could do that to the Santa Claus Maria?" "Oh wait!" Bugge interrupts before anyone can begin, "We need a first aid kit. I can do that! We'll need lots of Sticks, and stones, cause they mend broken bones."
Hecataeus smiles and strokes his goatee, "The young otter has a point, believe it or not. You shall need something related to each holiday, something connected not simply in kind, but in spirit. A piece of dross with each holiday's glamour upon it. But Sebastian, I am afraid research is not for you. I shall require your aid, and that of our fair squire here." He smiles at Sylvana, "Or rather, I shall assist you two, and any other of your companions with great skill in glamour. I shall aid you in constructing a compass which shall show you the route to each Holiday town."
The Countess nods, "So, how shall you divide your company? Who shall take what tasks?"
"I'm afraid I'll be too busy with the Baron and the fior-righ to be of much use in anything else," Kelia says. "I have some things I need to put in order before I leave, assuming I pass this test. Oh, uh, whoever's on equipment detail, remember, 'roughing it' is a hotel without room service, 'kay?" She grins, then murmurs in Tess' direction, "I'm serious. No sleeping with bugs."
Sylvana perks up, her grin nearly splitting her face from ear to ear "I get ta build shi -- stuff!" The teenager looks slightly embarrassed for nearly swearing in front of the countess, but continues. "So what exactly do we need to get this thing working? Are we basing this on the astrolabe style, or a more traditional magnetic, or both? Or neither?" Her fingers now fly on the page of her notebook, sketching out plans and taking down notes.
"I'm not certain." Hecataeus answers, "Indeed, such choices are yours, I believe. Quests have a certain rhythm to them. The more your band does themselves, the more likely the quest is to succeed."
"Well, I don't see anywhere where I can be useful. I don't know anything of the Fae in this County, so I can't very well get much information from them. I have no money, so I can't possibly get the equipment. We've established that the Lady Kelia doesn't need any of my skills to pass her Fior-right, and my skill with Glamour is mediocre at best." Nutiket sighs. "I do know a lot about compasses, if that is any help to your creation of the treasure, Seer. But otherwise, I don't know how I can help."
The Countess smiles, "Perhaps you can spend the time learning more of our ways, and teaching your companions more of yours?"
Jubair shrugs. "Well, since Sebby will be needed for the compass construction, I guess that leaves me to researching stuff about the Dreaming. I'll lend a hand with finding the specific dross if need be too. Mind you, if anyone here needs help with anything else, I'm quite willing to lend a hand. Also, if someone could possibly take a little time to teach me a bit about combat, that would be great," Jubair finishes with a smile.
Nutiket nods, "That, I can do. When do we start?"
"Well, it's getting a little late to get a good start on some research and some rest would be appreciated by most of us I think," Jubair says, looking at Kelia when he says the last bit. "How does tomorrow morning sound?"
"Ummmm..." Nutiket rubs the back of his neck and looks down at the table, then back up and around to all the people seated. "This is rather embarrassing, but... do any of you have a place for me to stay? After I got the prophesy, Maskwa dropped me off here. I didn't have a chance to get any clothes or anything, and I haven't any place to stay in the city." He quickly holds up his hands and says "If it is an inconvenience for anyone, I'll just stay in a city park somewheres, but if one of you has a couch or bit of floor for me..."
Sebastian looks to the giant, saying "I've got a place. The couch is kinda lumpy in some spots, but mostly holds together. I've spent a few nights there myself. Anyone else need somewhere to stay?"
Nutiket nods. "Thank you, that will be perfect."
"Uh," Kelia interjects, "neat-o gadgets aside, what are the chances of us uncovering some, you know, maps?"
"Well, seeing as I'm researching, I'll see what I can do about a map. However, I can't guarantee anything - it's very hard to map an area that changes at random times. You'd have to do it by trod, and even then it can get difficult," Jubair replies. He takes out his notepad again and starts writing things down that need looking up.
"Well," Nutiket says matter-of-factly, "The Sage did rather say that there were no such maps, did you not sir?"
Jubair thinks for a moment. "That's right, there aren't," he says. "Brainfade," he adds with a smile.
"Actually, I said I cannot provide a map. I doubt you shall find one, but as I have never looked for a map to the Holiday Towns I cannot say none exist." Hecataeus says.
Sebastian scoots his chair back and looks around at the others in the room. "Well, I think that's a sign that we're all getting tired. I've had enough food and conversation for one evening." He pushes his chair back and stands, making a point to bow to the Countess. "If I may have your leave, your Excellency, I'd like to head home and do some thinking before we get to work on the compass tomorrow." He turns to look at Nutiket, saying "I guess that means you're coming with me."
Nutiket nods to Sebastian, then pushes his chair out and raises as well. "Your Excellency, I would like to thank you again for your hospitality and cooperation. I would also like to formally apologize to you... and only you... for my actions with the Baron Lorewick, if you found them offensive. I ask your leave to go." He bows clumsily as he finishes.
"Discourtesy, especially to an enemy, does far more harm to oneself then to others. I accept your apology, but I entreat you not to repeat such a performance." the Countess answers.
Hecataeus says, "Understand how important this is. A tremendous amount of glamor is funneled from the Waking World to the Holiday Towns, the holiday dreams of millions of children. Protecting the dreams of those children is what you are really doing."
The Countess stands, "Good luck, all of you. I have great faith in you all."
With that the party breaks up and everyone leaves the warm, beautiful halls of Castellum Herbium out into cool evening...
Time: 8:15 pm Wednesday, 26 August 1998
Current Weather: Sunny Expected Weather: Sunny
Original summary by Paul Westermeyer; converted to HTML by Midori Hirtzel-Church