During Which We Catch Up

"This is quite the scenario," said Fred, as Astra applied the ointment to his newest sore. "Wouldn't this create a buzz in court?" and he chuckled.

Astra laughed, "oh yes indeed. I can only imagine how the story would transform. Next thing you know, I would be spanking you and it would get worse from there."

Fred laughed, "hahahah that is just what I needed. These are somber times, but it is good that we can still keep our sense of humor."

"Indeed," said Astra, finishing up. "Now, I have one on the small of my back, so your turn."

Meanwhile, in Vjorica

The room was dark. In it sat seven people in dark hooded robes, around an oval table. One of them spoke, "and what of him?"

"His mission is of the utmost importance," said another, with a high thin voice. "He must not fail. Yet we cannot be impatient. There are layers and layers here, and it is necessarily so."

"We will wait," said a third person, clearly male, his voice calm and yet strong, carrying for those who notice such things an undercurrent of power. "Let us meet again in six."

"It is so," said the first voice again, and they all faded away like mist. The room was empty.

Meanwhile, in Walter's home...

"I think you should have told them," said Bartholomew, rubbing his neck. "I think it would have given them hope." Walter shook his head vehemently.

"Impossible, and foolhardy!" he snapped. "Their minds are an open book. We have no choice but to bide our time and follow the plan. We follow the plan, Bartholomew," and he gave him a long stare, not unkindly.

"Then let's go about it, then," said Bartholomew, moving aside a rug on the floor, exposing a trap door with a strange lock.

"Aye, we have little time," agreed Walter, producing an equally strange key from his robe.

Meanwhile, Ol Roy is holding his head, in pain...

How could you fail me? the voice in his head demanded, his mind's eye full with the enraged face of Lord Reaibn. Your job was simple. Delay and distract. Delay and distract. You did none of these things. I find myself confused, my vision clouded, there in Redstone. I merely needed you to delay so I could arrive myself. You failed me, Ol Roy. You failed me.

"So... sorry..." choked out Ol Roy, and then he laid still. He would awake several hours later with the worst hangover of his life, and no memory of the last few days events. The same would happen with the street urchins.

Meanwhile, in Aqualaria...

Queen Heliastra chewed her lip. The Reaibn problem was not going away. Many had advised her to just let Allaria rot, but the High Priestess had informed her that Astra was there and that made it her problem, even if she had decided to do so, which she hadn't yet.

Making a decision, she summoned her High Priestess and High Sorceress. It was time to lay all the cards on the table.

Back to Fred and Astra...

Having finished their meal, and tended to their sores, Fred and Astra got back on their horses and headed south yet again.

1. Fred and Astra eventually stop for the night in a small village, where things are more than a little odd.
2. Fred and Astra decide to push on through the night, trying to make the best time possible.
3. They are being followed by an unlikely ally, who catches up to them when they stop to get some rest.
4. Meanwhile, in Aqualaria, the meeting is held...
5. Meanwhile, Reaibn makes his way to Redstone, frustrated by his magic malfunctioning.
6. Meanwhile, Walter opens the trap door, and he and Bartholomew go down, sealing it behind them.

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