The Fall of Calibus Tower: a union of The Lady of Calibus; The Search and the Hunt; To Return Home: Act 4: Journeys

==The Lady of Calibus==
By Samlooploop
===Chapter One===
====Part One====
There was an eerie silence lying over the manor, despite the cheery morning sunlight that shone down on it. Its stone towers seemed strangely sullen and dreary. The faces of maids could be seen in the windows as they cleaned, their faces sober and downcast. There were no voices calling out to one another as there usually is in a large manor- even the birds sitting above the gate could not be bothered to sing. The entire building felt terrible and strict.
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A middle-aged to older-aged woman came sweeping out the front entrance in a fine dress, primly holding the front of it up to keep it from trailing in the dust. She was very lovely despite her advancing years and doubtlessly of noble birth. Her pretty features were faintly overwritten with anxiety as she stared out at the road, apparently expecting an arrival at any moment. A servant briefly stuck his head outside to whisper something to her, but she turned around and gave him such a sharp look that he instantly ducked away.
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The expected visitor arrived only moments later. A carriage was approaching along the road, growling and sputtering as it went; wait, no- it wasn't a carriage, it was a military tank!
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==== Part Two ====
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The tank came rumbling up to the manor as though it were nothing but an average automobile. As soon as it stopped a footman came scrambling out of the upper hatch, smartly hopped off of the vehicle, and opened a much more convenient door installed on the side. At the same time another footman came out of the top hatch, holding a miniature staircase, which he put in front of the side door. Then they stood at attention with an almost robotic zeal.
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The personage of honor finally stepped out of the tank with an ungraceful swagger, hardly noticing his surroundings as he quickly plunked down the stairs. His attention was riveted on the Ibrick in his hand until he stopped in front of the woman who had come to greet him.
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“did u get mah txt” king thedude asked, glancing up from the Ibrick with his cold eyes.
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The woman seemed startled and confused for a moment. Then her aristocratic upbringing reasserted itself and she covered her face with an expressionless mask. “I’m afraid not, Your Grace,” she said humbly, inclining her head with admirable servitude. “I received word that the shipment that was supposed to contain my Ibrick was waylaid by brigands, and never reached my estate. Unfortunately my only means of contact remains to be messenger pigeons.”
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“stoopid briginds” thedude muttered to himself, “wat is teh poynt ov byeing mah minyons ibricks if dey just get stohlin” He glowered and pocketed his own phone. “deh ibricks r suhposed 2 halp meh keep in kontakt wit them. ai wil haf 2 bye u anothr”
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After taking a moment to decipher his words the woman bowed slightly. “You are too generous, Your Grace.”
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"yesh. yesh I am. noaw, let’sh go insyde.”
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The two of them turned and entered the manor, a footman trailing behind. There were no sounds inside the building except for the scuffling of thedude as he dragged his feet along the nicely waxed floorboards. Every once in a while they would pass a servant. All of the servants were meekly soundless, dressed in drab colors and would quickly pitter-patter past with their heads rigidly lowered.
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==== Part Three ====
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The woman led thedude to the dining room. This was not the formal banquet hall- rather it was a smaller version that she held in reserve for when she had only a few guests staying at her estate, and the one she personally used when there were no guests at all. It was a medium sized room with an elaborate oak table in the middle, surrounded by matching chairs. Family portraits and tapestries containing her family's history were hanging up on the walls, the rows of immortalized, poker-faced nobles only broken by the huge double door entrance that they were coming in through now.
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thedude immediately sat at the head of the table without being offered the seat, the gestured for his hostess to sit as well.
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“tel ur survents 2 bring brekfust. Im hungri” he said.
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The woman nodded to a nearby attendant, who bowed and left to alert the kitchen.
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“noaw,” thedude said, “u r probs wundring y I came 2 vizit u, ladie sharlette. I am heer 2 qwestyon ur loyultys.”
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Lady Charlotte lifted her chin in alarm. “Question my loyalties?” she repeated, astonished. “Your Grace, I have shown nothing but abject obedience to your reign!”
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“troo,” king thedude admitted, “but u come frum reebellius stok. I need 2 mak shur u dont git any ideas.”
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“I would never dream of rebelling against you, Your Grace. Trust me,” her eyes darted to the portrait of her father on the wall, “I know very well how you treat those who oppose you.”.
==== Part Four ====
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King thedude noticed her glance at the painting. "I see u reemember wen ur fathur batled aganst meh" he said smugly..Lady Charlotte averted her gaze. "Of course, Your Grace."."let dat bee a reemindur 2 u. i wil smash evry1 woo trys 2 halt meh advanse, just liek i did 2 ur fathur.".Charlotte twisted a handful of her dress. "It is a reminder every day, I assure you. I have no wish to commit such foolishness against you as he did, and will behave accordingly."."guud." As thedude spoke the great double doors opened, and the servants came in with trays of food. The mood was very grim throughout the meal..After the food had been finished thedude announced that he was departing immediately to visit a different estate nearby. Charlotte rose to show him out, acting very subdued. As they were passing through the outer courtyard they found that a line of laborers who where carrying a long timber beam blocked their path.."owt ov deh whay slayves" thedude ordered loudly, "i am deh king! nobudie gets in meh whay, espeshially not symple pawns liek u!".The line of workers hurried out of the way, casting anxious glances backwards when they could spare it.."I apologize," Lady Charlotte said profusely. "I ordered for repairs to be made on the eastern wing; they ought to have known not to be bringing unsightly supplies through the courtyard when your esteemed self is present."."watevr" the kind muttered, then pulled out his Ibrick to text his next unsuspecting host..Without so much as a farewell from thedude, the king's footmen helped their master back into the royal tank. It started with a huge growl and tugged itself away, looking very menacing as it rolled out of the driveway..Charlotte watched until it was out of sight. As soon as it was gone she raised a handkerchief to her forehead and exclaimed, "I thought that would never end!"
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==== Part Five ====
The maid escorted Charlotte into her personal rooms and shut the door. The Lady of Calibus sat down with an exhausted sigh, tossing her handkerchief onto the desk..“How do you think I did? I hope I didn't give anything away,” she said..“Not at all, Ma’am,” the maid assured, “You were splendid! I don't think the thought ever even crossed his mind.”.“I'm glad you think that,” Charlotte breathed. “I was terrified that he was here to confront me about the mines we are building! Please, fetch Austin.” The maid curtsied and rushed off..Ten minutes later she returned with a man who looked to be in his late twenties or so. He pulled his hat off and inclined his head tersely. “My Lady,” he greeted shortly, “So he's left then?” Charlotte nodded soberly..“Curse him!” Austin growled under his breath, looking away darkly.
.
==== Part Six ====
.Lady Charlotte gave the younger man a sad glance. “Watch that tongue of yours, sir. I already know too well how you feel about our king.”.“You should have let me go out there! I could have avenged... avenged....” His knuckles turned white as he cruelly gripped his hat..“Avenged your family? How can you avenge those whose fates are a mystery? They may yet live. Besides,” she shook her head, “thedude is powerful. He would have destroyed you, and then our plot would have been found out.”.Austin clearly did not agree, but merely straightened out his hat with harsh movements then changed the subject. “Did he suspect anything?”.“I don't think so. Looks like it was nothing but a routine scare tactic, going around and threatening all the nobles to stay loyal to him. As if the constant taxes, patrols and inspections weren't enough already! But I am getting ahead of myself- our secret is safe. Soon we can begin quietly recruiting. Then the rest of my plan can slowly be brought into action.” Charlotte stood up and went to the window thoughtfully. “I'm certain we can muster an adequate token of troops within the next few years. My plan will take many, many years; yet it is better to plan carefully and silently than to rush into outright denial, as my dear father did.”
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==== Part Seven ====
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The maid was still standing by the door. She had served in Calibus Tower for countless years and knew its inhabitants as one would know a dear friend. Even so, she had her reservations about Charlotte's scheme, yet had not voiced her doubts out of respect. Now she said, “If I may speak openly, I'm surprised you're still planning to fight against him, after your father's death and the oath of loyalty you made!”
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Lady Charlotte plucked the bejeweled comb out of her carefully pinned hair, suddenly allowing it to unravel in long, silky, graying curls. “Some oaths are made to be broken,” she replied coyly, looking back at them with a small smile on her face.
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“Never thought I’d hear you say that!” the maid said with a fond grin.
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“Perhaps you are more like your sister than people say,” Austin added with some amusement.
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Charlotte's smile faded. She turned to the window quietly.
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“We did have our similarities,” she agreed softly. Placing the comb on the sill, she pushed a lock of hair from her sober face. “We used to play chess, you know. Amelia always got upset and stormed off whenever I won.” She looked out over the courtyard, watching her dutiful vassals scurrying across the cobbles, calling out to each other as they labored to construct the mine. Pawns, thedude had called them.
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“I always won.”.
== THE SEARCH AND THE HUNT ==
By fffffplayer1
=== Part I ===
The woman was standing at the edge of the dock of the bay watching the ships go. All those aboard were buying their tickets to freedom. That’s why the Orllewin Havens were full of people these days. The ships weren’t just the symbol of freedom, but a way of acquiring it. If one could manage to get out of thedude’s territory, pass through the dangerous Ankoria and get themselves inside these ships, they could go to Britay, one of the last few lands that still showed resistance to thedude.
The woman liked to watch the ships, examine the happy people on them and the ones not watching in envy or hope that they will be on those ships the next day. However, she never attempted to get on the ships. Barely anyone noticed that, but for some reason the woman wanted to be there. But that was not understandable, as it was known that it was a matter of time before thedude sent an army to take over the Havens. And then not only would the way out be cut off, but the ones in the city would be punished for all the people that had left. But maybe, just maybe that was actually the reason she was staying.
The last of the ships to travel this day left its dock and it flowed on the waters until it was a dot, with the sun about to set in the background. The woman turned around and started walking towards the inn she was staying her nights in. Soon, she joined the crowd, which disappointed was leaving the bay and heading for the inner parts of Orllewin.
=== Part II ===
The woman wondered what would become of these people. Even if they all managed to reach Britay, then what? Would Britay manage to hold itself forever against thedude’s increasing forces? And if Britay fell, then there would be nowhere else to hide! Elepharia was still fighting, but it was commonly known it would collapse soon. In the end, would thedude be the conqueror of the whole known Militiregnum? She couldn’t bare that thought! Something should be done, but what? No one could do anything by themselves and uniting against the tyrant without his finding out was nearly impossible.
The Knights of the Olde Speech, for example! They had been the greatest symbol of hope, since they were such a powerful group of heroes and had led Morcia to more than one victory against thedude. Yet, one battle was enough to separate them and after that it was impossible for them to regroup and continue their struggle against thedude together. Rumours had most of them to be smashed, but she knew better. They were just in hiding.
Deep in her thoughts, the woman did not see a young man coming towards her fast. The young man himself was looking the other way talking to someone. The result was collision. The minifigures fell on the ground with the man on top of her.
“Excuse me, ma’am!” the hasty hooded black-wearing minifigure said as he got up and helped her up, too.
“Careful, Normm! Don’t draw attention to us!” said another hooded black-wearing woman, whispering the second sentence; the woman still heard her, though.
The woman coming from the docks looked at the woman coming from the city and she recognised her.
“Thou art Lady Ruby!” It was no question.
Ruby and Normm were extremely alarmed by these words, despite the use of Old Speech.
=== Part III ===
“Do not worry; I am no danger to you! I hate thedude as much as the next person! More than that, actually!”
“How can we trust you?” Ruby asked.
“I did use the Old Speech, did I not? And we are in Britay territory! The chances are much less I work for thedude! Yet, still you should be cautious”
“How do you know me?”
“Really?! You were one of the Knights of the Olde Speech! You were like celebrities during the Grammar War! It’s natural for people to remember you!”
“Well, that sounds credible”
“Do you know if there are any ships leaving for Britay today?” Normm asked.
“I am afraid you are out of luck! The last one just left some ten minutes ago. You will have to wait till tomorrow to get a chance to board a ship”
“Well, that isn’t very good for us!” Normm seemed afraid; Ruby shared a grim glance with him.
“Are you being chased?”
Ruby nodded affirmatively.
“Then, you shall have to find a place to sleep through the night in safety! How closely do they follow you?”
“We lost them at the moors, but it won’t be long before they catch up with us, if we are stationary during the night!” Ruby informed her.
“They will be here by dawn”
“I think I can hide you for the night and take you to the first ship after dawn. Maybe I can talk them into taking you!”
=== Part IV ===
“But…” Ruby and Normm looked at each other and seemed to agree about something with their eyes “We have some other friends in the city! We split up, so that we don’t draw attention to ourselves! To be harder to track down. What about them?”
“Can you contact them in any way?”
“There is one way!”
Ruby, then, put her hand inside her cloak and to the woman’s surprise conjured a pigeon out of it and afterwards some parchment with a pen.
“Where shall we meet?”
“There’s this inn called ‘The Dusk Treader’” the woman said and explained how they’d reach it.
Ruby wrote some lines on the piece of parchment, gave it to the carrier pigeon and released the bird. When she looked up, though, she realised the mysterious woman was gone.
~~~***---***~~~
Sir John Nicholas Cataclysm put his booted right foot inside the inn through the archway of the door hesitantly. Sir Hycra and he had agreed that it all seemed suspicious even though Ruby seemed to trust the woman. On the other hand, this could be a trap by their pursuers. But could they copy Ruby’s handwriting?
Once his leg was inside, the rest of his body followed quickly, but still he walked cautiously in the inn’s interior. He looked around him searching for a recognizable figure, but he did not stare.
“There” whispered Hycra, who had entered behind him, pointing to two black-robed minifigures sitting on a table at a dark corner of the ‘Dusk Treader’.
The two Knights quickly approached the black-wearing minifigures and John with no introductions asked “Were you the ones to send the letter?” He spoke fast in an urgent manner, but not loudly.
=== Part V ===
“Yes!” Ruby assured him.
“Thank brick!” Hycra sat on a chair, his relief being apparent “Ever since we got the letter, we worried it could be a trap”
“It still could be a trap!” John said sitting and Ruby noticed, as his cloak waved for a moment, that his one hand was gripping the hilt of his sword.
“I think we can trust her, John!”
“Where is she, then?”
“We split up, but she’ll show up! Why wouldn’t she?”
“Because it might be LordBrocktree instead of her!” Hycra pointed out.
“You didn’t talk to her! There was something about her…” Ruby did not finish what she was saying, because at that moment, the woman appeared.
She scanned the room and located the four minifigures. She recognised the other two as Sir John Nicholas Cataclysm and Sir Hycra, two more of the Knights of the Olde Speech. She walked to their table.
“Greetings! Maybe you would like to see what my room is like to decide whether you will spend the night in this inn. All the rooms are alike!” she said really meaning “It would be safer to talk in private”
They seemed confused for a moment, but then realised what this was about.
“Very well” Ruby said and got up.
The others followed, but John and Hycra gripped their swords harder. The woman led them to her room and they all entered it –and there were no soldiers waiting for them. Once Normm, the last one in, closed the door, the woman said “Good! I think ‘tis safe to talk, now!”
=== Part VI ===
“Why should we trust you?” Hycra spoke first.
“If ye art not persuaded by Lady Ruby’s and Normm’s words, perhaps this wilt help: one might say I am a friend of Wiz Ardon’s! And ye can have some proof!”
She conjured out of a bag of hers a wooden sculpture of a squirrel and gave it to Hycra to see. It did not go unnoticed by her that the four minifigures exchanged some sad glances at hearing the name.
“I remember Sir Sharp saying that Shadow had a lot of Squirrel Sculptures” John admitted.
“And this even hath the initials W.Z. carved on the bottom” Hycra pointed out.
“Is that enough for ye?”
“I suppose!”
“Splendid! In the morrows, at the first light of dawn, I shalt take ye to the harbour and get ye on a ship. But for now, tell me your story!”
== To Return Home: Act 4: Journeys ==
By JamesAT13
=== Chapter I ===
==== Part 1 ====
Stirling and Peragrine sat by the campfire, roasting. What was being roasted, depended on the person. Perry was roasting Marshmallows, while Stir was roasting Sausages. It was dark, and the two had traveled quite a ways from the homestead of the Richardsons. Stirling glanced at his pack, the one with all the pots and pans, and saw the map curled up, sticking out of the top.
It was a very detailed, very well loved map. Exactly the sort of heirloom one would get off of a farmer. Many of the inked-in words describing landmarks were indistinguishable, but not all. And even with that handicap, this one was much more detailed than Stirling's previous one.
According to the map, he and Peragrine had landed farther off to the east of Morcia, in what was labeled as "Farmland", and just south of a drawing of some hills. The Farmer's House was in between the Forest to the west, the Road to the east, and the Hills to the north, being more in the top right corner of that imaginary box.
They had struck off for the forest to the west. Peragrine believing that it was because that's just the way that the porch had faced, so that was the way to go, to walk dramatically into the sunrise, and out of sight, but Stirling went that way for the main reason being that all of his questions had trails to answers that began in the west. Also, the more Stirling heard of how thedude was running Morcia, the more he was sure that he didn't want to be acknowledged and put into the public system just yet. And striking off through the forest was a good way to travel covertly.
But now, the light of day had gone, and while Stirling could have marched on, he did not bring a flashlight, or other means of illumination
And even though Peragrine had brought lights, Peragrine was puck-tired because he had brought it, and a few dozen other electrical things... Which all PROBABLY served a purpose...
So, they were forced to rest.
==== Part 2 ====
Meanwhile, back at the Richardson's, some other visitors knocked heavily on the front door...
"Coming, Coming, please hold a moment," Said Mr. Richardson.
Unfortunately, whomever, or whatever it was did not 'hold a moment,' for very next thing that was heard was the cracking and splintering of the front door.
Mr. Richardson didn't seem phased by this though, as he quickened his pace getting up and walking past the table, he muttered to Bethany and his wife,
"Get to the Stable, take the bow."
Turning the corner, he grabbed his crossbow leaning on the wall, and began yelling, "I say now, quit with the banging, and I'll open the door. Let's be civi-"
He was cut short by the sight of 7 or so Paradox Rogues stepping over the threshold of his doorway.
"What does thedude want?" asked the Farmer, dropping all pretense of propriety, along with his crossbow arm. After all, they had just destroyed the front door that had seen his great-grandfather as a child.
The Rogues stared at him through their blank helmets, fingered their weapons. 4 had the Blaster and Missile Launcher combo, while 2 had the Wormholer. The last was dressed very differently. This one was still not past the threshold, and was squatting down, studying something on the floor of the porch.
Same Paradox colors, black and maroon red, but unlike the beefy, armored up Marauder's, this one seemed more supple. A large billowing rich purple cape with a symbol that Richardson recognized as the Paradox Faction sign was stamped on the back. A Wizard's Hat adorned the Minifigure's head. And in one hand, the person had a large staff that curled at the bottom resembling a dragon's tail, and at the top, into the shape of a dragon's head, with 2 strange menacing glowing purple dots right on the nape of it's neck...
==== Part 3 ====
The figure muttered something, creating a small glow, then looked off to the setting sun. This seemed to give some sort of confirmation, and he sighed exasperatedly.
Finally, the wizard turned revealing-- a Woman? But not only that, she was CLEARLY not a wizard, but a sorcerer! Correction; Sorceress! At least according to the ghoulish trappings adorning her cloth armor. The chains, the strange runes, and the other more unpleasant items which bespoke of darker magics.
Mr. Richardson suddenly felt very out of his league. Guns, Missiles, Tech... All this he was taking apart, learning about, defending against, growing from...
But magic... His spark failed him. He had no defense against that. Never had. Never would. Magic had been here all his life, but like his father, and his father before him, and from as far back as time goes, there had never been a single magic user in his family. All they had ever done was till the soil, and grow things from the dust of the earth. That was all the "magic" they had ever needed. None of this vileness! None of this corruption! None of this NONSENSE, PLEASE!
"Mister. Richardson." Said the woman, taking a step forward towards the doorway. She smiled pleasantly. "Good. You-"
"I will say it again. What do you want?" voiced the Farmer standing with clenched fist, inside the splinter-ridden entryway.
The Sorceress frowned, her black eyebrows dipping down together, and she raised her free hand towards Richardson, to which he raised his crossbow, causing everyone else to point their weapons at him.
"I am Menaya Kull, and you will tell me all you know of your previous guests!" demanded Miss Kull, The Paradox Sorceress.
~ ~ ~ ~ /\ /\ /\ , , , , , ⚡ ⚡ ⚡ ⚡ ⚡ ⚡
=== Chapter II “Thieves” ===
==== Part 1 ====
Stirling awoke peacefully. The birds of the forest sang, somewhere Peregrine snored, A squirrel chattered, a twig snapped.
Stirling stiffened, but instead of bolting up into an unknown situation, he feigned his sleep, and looked through slitted eyelids.
Two, no, three, no- Lots- of sneaky, stealthy green-clad folk were tip-toeing around the campfire. A lot of them were placing a finger over their lips, silently shushing each other.
"Why of course, I'd love another slice o' your pie, Bethany," said Peragrine in his sleep. He turned over and grabbed one of the infiltrator's marsh-green shoes which looked more like a brownish leather sock. Then he yanked it right off the perpetrator's foot, and shoved it into his mouth greedily.
"Mmmm. Delishwus. Mh. New thwunks. I'rm Frull." He mumbled around the shoe. This elicited suppressed giggles from many of the green stealthers.
The poor one-shoed figure knelt down to try and retrieve his soggy, slobbery shoe, grabbing a end and pulling it off of Perry's face, when suddenly Perry sighed and said, "Ai'm gonging for a wide in Cosbik Bow-nie!" This caused even more suppressed merriment.
The figure was also trying not to laugh, Stirling could tell, because he, or she, was shaking with bottled-up laughs.
Stirling took this chance distraction to get a wider scope of the situation, turning his head, and clearing his eyes for just a moment.
Approximately 15 Green-folk, One has gold highlights on his vest. Probably the leader. He looks to be about mid 30s. He's holding the map. They have basically everything, the two packs, his dufflebag, even his Samurai Bow and Katana, which he had out next to his sleeping bag, in case. And- wait. Did they have Peragrine's Flaregun which he always kept under his pillow?
==== Part 2 ====
"Aw, thanks, Marbello. You shouldn't have. Come 'ere and lemme give you a man-hug."
Stirling turned back his head, and slitted his eyes again, peeking at Peragrine, who had apparently just given a "Man-Hug" to the poor figure who had just begun to rise with his other shoe in hand.
"Man-hugs? Marbello???" Thought Stirling. "I'll have to remember to ask him about that. As for right now," Stirling realized that he had to think of the right words to say, fast, because the one-shoed figure had just found more loot in this new position. Namely, Peragrine's Flaregun: The last weapon in Perry's and Stirling's possession.
"Bacon? Fire? Brownies? Venture League? Stop? Go? Interesting?No!"
"SQUIRREL!" Stirling screamed, bolting upright, and pointing at the squirrel of his inspiration in the trees above.
"I GOT'EM!!!" howled Peragrine as he pulled out his trusty flaregun with hairtrigger, and began laying down fire upon everything but the 'SQUIRREL'.
Their cover blown, the gold-gilded stealth leader yelled, "DUCK!" in a loud, boisterous voice, following suit.
"WHERE?! I LOVE DUCKS!!!" hollered a still firing Peragrine, who now was shooting absent-mindedly into the trees above.
In the meantime, Stirling had dove for a knot of 4 forest folk carrying his Samurai Gear. He body-tackled one for his Katana and Bow, tripped his 2 friends to gain his Leggings, Chestpiece, and Shoulderpads, and knuckle-sandwiched the last to pocket his Samuraizer and Helm. Now he turned and, utilizing the Nexus Force Technology within the Bow, he fueled it with his Imagination to create and load 3 lazer-fire-arrows in his bow. Ah, the power of imagination.
"Hold it right there! Nobody move, and we can talk this out! Thieves."
Peragrine stopped shooting, just now becoming aware of the situation, and blinking rapidly at his little realization.
==== Part 3 ====
The forest-folk looked to their leader, on the ground, and to Stirling, standing up, bow strung.
The Leader peeked out from his elbow, saw the situation, and hastily got up, dusting himself off.
"Ahem. What can I do for you, traveller?" he said in a jovial manner.
"You can hand me back my stuff." said Stirling, no-nonsense like.
"Oh. You mean this stuff?" And he pointed to the Backpacks with the map.
"Yeah. For starters. And the map,"
"Oh, well, I don't think I'm able to do that..." started the leader, shifty eyed.
Stirling pulled the bow back to his cheek, aiming.
"But I'll take my chances!" he amended quickly, grabbing the 'Pots and Pans' Pack, and walking over to Stirling.
Stirling relaxed his bow as the man got closer, and reached a hand out to accept the pack, when a single pan fell off of the pack with a clang.
The Leader apologized. "Oh. I'm sorry, I'll get that." He bent down to get it, handing the pack to Stirling, who held it in one hand, and the bow in the other.
The leader grabbed the pan handle, then swung mightily with both hands, upward, directly into Stirling's chin.
Stirling knew no more.
~ ~ ~ ~ /\ /\ /\ , , , , , ⚡ ⚡ ⚡ ⚡ ⚡ ⚡
=== CHAPTER III "The Merry Band of the Wood (Or, TM-Bot-W)" ===
==== Part 1 ====
Pain throbbed through his headpiece.
"Ow."
He was certain that there were fractures.
"Ow."
He opened his eyes. He was in a hut of some kind, lying on a cot, and there was a old lady minifigure in marsh green clothing mixing a crisp smelling poultice on a table on the other side of the hut.
"Is th-Mhnn!" Stirling found talking to be painfully stimulating, as a sensation like a billion needles sinking into his face flowed through his nerves.
"Careful, sonny. It looks like Johnson smacked you a bit too hard on the jaw there. Now don't you be a'worrin', you'll heal, and you'll be able to talk and yammer again soon enough, but first let me bandage that gash. Your chin is a wee bit splintered there, and it needs to be set. You'll be lookin' like a baby in a bonnet, but don't be having anyone laughing at yee-- Just tell 'em you'll give 'em one better, eh? Won't you? Sure you will, I can tell you're a tough type. You've seen a good share o' combat, you have. Know how I can tell? You're recovery time, that's what! Most folks woulda' still be out with a smack the likes o' that! Why, I'll tell you about the time I . . ."
Stirling closed his eyes; drowned out the yammering of the herbalist. He tried to think straight about something other than his immediate pain.
Where was he? Probably some gypsy town, if this lady was anything to judge by.
How did he get here? Well, this was probably the residency of those thieves he had met.
Why did they bring him here? Hmm. Perhaps they were honest thieves. Perhaps this 'Johnson' the lady was talking about hadn't meant to hit so hard.
==== Part 2 ====
"... So I tell's him, 'Another stunt like that, and you'll be a few pieces short of a torso!' and that put him straight. He didn't do no more trapeze walking over the ravine. There! I must say, you did very fine, holding so still. Very fine! Do you want a lolly?" the Herbalist asked, proffering a basket full of lollipops. "These sugary new confections from the Capitol are simply the Bee's Knees with all the kiddos! And me too!" Here she nabbed one for herself, ripped off the wrapper, and stuck it sideways, gung-ho style in her mouth.
Stirling could only stare dumbly at the modern candy in these medieval surroundings. He lifted his eyes to the old woman, in askance.
"Oh! of course! Silly me, you can't talk. Why would you want to suck on this then? Oh, if Shubert could see me now... Oh dear..." She set the basket down, next to a-- A TELESCOPE?!
"WH-uurrrrnnnnnm." Stirling moaned.
"Oh, oh my, I do crack myself up. Well, dearie, you are all set. I'm off to see the next emergency. You can get up whenever you like! Tootle-pip." she said over her shoulder, leaving.
Stirling waited a moment, then got up quickly into a sitting position on the edge of the cot, grunting with the onset of new needle-like pains.
"Mrr-RGH."
He looked around the Hut. It was obviously the resident healer's house. There were all sorts of instruments, both Modern, medieval, industrial, and many in between. There was a normal collection of drying herbs and spices, but right next to that was a Stethoscope! and next to that was a jar of leeches... but next to that was a jar of tongue depressors... But next to that were Needles and syringes! But next to those were latex gloves and face masks...?! But next to that was a mortar and pestle?!? And over there in the corner were plastic containers of pills and syrups!!!! There was even a sort of drill thingy. Stirling shuddered: He knew it was what they called a trephine. A tool used to drill holes in the skulls of supposedly crazy people.
==== Part 3 ====
Quite suddenly, Stirling questioned how, and with what, he had been treated. He moved over to the recently used mortar and pestle. He recognized the sight and smell of the green leaves as Athelas. "Hmm Smart woman." Next to that was a loosened spool of Modern Hospital-grade gauze. Stirling felt his 'bonnet'. Yep. Modern Bandages.
"Not only smart, but wise... It appears she's using mostly what she is already familiar with of the old ways, and utilizing only what she is certain of in the new ways."
This relieved some of the sudden gibbering doubts in Stirling's head, or it could have been the poultice numbing his chin... but still, the diversity of the tools, obsolete next to advanced, quack cures next to cure-alls, olde next to new, boggled his mind. He had known that things like this might happen, since thedude was rapidly updating things...
But was that truly for the best? The poor Herbalist probably had no idea what the stethoscope did! And what if she did? Would she know what she was hearing? And what about all those needles?? And what about overdosing on the medications in the corner, with their unpronounceable names???? And all of these tools were useless without the advanced Modern knowledge of the Minifigure Anatomy!!!!
The power being given. . . could it really be taught about and controlled correctly so fast???
Rather unsettled, Stirling stepped out of the hut.
Only to be met by a passing group of kids 'ooh'ing and 'ahh'ing over one with a handheld video game console. All eyes glued to the screen, they didn't even glance at Stirling once.
Before he could recover from that subtly terrifying sight, a voice called out to him:
"Ah!!! W'ha'nderful! You have recovered!"
Stirling turned, and saw the voices owner, who was in a outrageously fantastic garb.
==== Part 4 ====
This minifigure was sporting a Hawaiian shirt with varying neon colored flowers on a black background, with navy blue waterproof sweatpants, some sort of special vision goggles, two gloves with one glove seeming a bit clunky on the back of it, a walkie talkie slung on his belt, and a fez, with bright pink sneakers to topple the whole thing. His face somehow complimented all this. He had a medium-bushy moustache, with the rest of his face collecting a 5 o'clock shadow, while his eyebrows were so bushy, they seemed to be like small individual mustaches over his shifty rascal eyes.  He pocketed a notepad and pencil into his shirt pocket as he walked up to Stirling.
"What in the fiery blazes are you supposed to be?" exclaimed Stirling
"I am but one man! However, this one man be also... The leader of a tricky and tricked out merry band!"
"The band being...?-"
"The merry band of the WOOD!"
"Seriously? You are still around, Rob? " Stirling began faintly recalling a certain business trip with his father to the Capitol . . . Someone in their party had 'known a shortcut', and they had been delayed by the Merry Band of the Wood, a group of 'free spirits, bound together to spread the wealth of joy and hilarity wherever it was in short supply.' As Robin Hood had so eloquently put it. Apparently, Stirling's Father's business caravan had hit them as 'Needing Merriment.'
Stirling chuckled inwardly as he remembered his father's strained smile and tapping fingers, upon meeting Robin.
The Fashion Statement spoke again.
==== Part 5 ====
"Not quite. The original Robin is no longer with us, due to natural causes. I am Carlos. It is good. Robin was happy when he passed. We of his band, are glad that he does not see these dark days, under the glowering hood of thedude. Our callings hath become more difficult of late.
We of the Wood
are hunted by the Hood.
The hood is being thedude.
He is not a jolly leader,
and we are under the impression
he likes oppression.
This is sad.
It causes some of us frustration,
and our work is multiplied in many ways.
Our numbers swell,
but so do our...
clients.
Many more need a pick-me-up!"
"I see." Stirling remembered Carlos now. He was Little John's waterboy back then.
"And there are now so many more different ways to do it too! All of these new inventions, gadgets, gizmos, and small kitchen appliances! Ah, but our problems are not yours! Where are my manners? You are in no danger! You are a friend! I assure you, Johnson is being . . . sufficiency reprimanded . . . for his h'extreme actions. It is good to see you, Strider!"
"I wish I could say the same, Carlos," replied Stirling, turning to walk next to Carlos. "But your fashion sense frightens me like little else can." stated Stirling with a blank expression.
"Don't be hating on my Fashion sense!!!"
"I am." Strider expressed. "It makes no sense."
"OF COURSE IT DOES!" Carlos raged. "THIS IS ALL 'DAH RAGE!!!"
"And where did you learn to talk all slang?"
"eh.... 'Slang'?"
"As in, 'Don't be hating.' 'All the rage.' 'Hipster.' That's not native to Milteregnum now, is it???" Stirling muttered.
"Oh! The 'gansta-talk!' Yes! This small freckly fellow in green armor and a perky attitude to match showed up earlier today with you, and after making sure you got treatment, and talking at length with Miss Hucklepatt, whom you must have met, he's been at our mess hall ever since, causing a continuous uproar!" exclaimed Carlos.
==== Part 6 ====
"Oh dear! I'm so sorr-" began to apologize Strider.
"NO! You mis-understand, Strider! The boy is the best entertainment this camp has had in months!"
"How does that not reassure me?"
"He is right this way," directed Carlos, pointing to a large collection of open aired tents.
~ ~ ~ ~ /\ /\ /\ , , , , , ⚡ ⚡ ⚡ ⚡ ⚡ ⚡ 
=== CHAPTER IV "Storytime" ===
==== Part 1 ====
As Stirling surveyed the tents down from the small rise from where he and Carlos now stood, he could spot long rows of wood tables and seats all aligned throughout the large canopy. A voice drifted towards them from the center of the mess. . .
"...So then it was just me and Strider, sitting there on his couch, with the Maelstrom TV Monster looming over us! " Screamed Peragrine, pointing at the imaginary, gigantic Maelstrom TV Monster.
"Oh no, not this story..." groaned Strider, facepalming as he and Carlos drew closer.
"Why? What is wrong with the story?" questioned Carlos.
"Nothing wrong with the story. Just the story-teller..." Strider dragged his hand off his face and began smiling despite himself. "I can see why it's entertaining." Stirling admitted to Carlos nervously.
Carlos just laughed, and they listened to the story's continuation.
==== Part 2 ====
"...And I said, 'Stir, please tell me you're completely paranoid and keep a weapon under your couch cushions all the time. And he turned to me and said coolly, 'Peragrine... I AM completely paranoid and keep a weapon under my couch cushions all the time!!!' 'But,' he clarified. 'It's on your side.' So I reached under my cushion, and pulled out the first thing that my hand touched. It was...some candy. 'Ok,' I asked him. 'How is this a weapon?' 'It's not! Keep digging! He replied as, suddenly, a re-run of the Wizard of OZ began to play on the Telly, bringing with it a strong wind through the TV screen!
I reached into my side, and produced . . . A Dirty Sock. 'How'd that get there?' I hooted, as I sling-shot the sock at the Monstrosity, which reeled at the noxious fumes of the projectile. 'Gee. That was pretty effective! How long has that been under there?' I asked my friend, to which he snapped 'None of you're business! No more questions! Just DIG!'
' So I did. I dug and touched something, and what did I pull out next? DO you know? " voiced Peragrine.
Some suggestions were made.
"Mints!"
"More Candy!"
"dustbunies!"
"Cotton-balls!"
"Springs!"
"Bacon!"
"THE ONE RING!"
A small shocked silence followed that final guess.
"Hehe. Unfortunately, no." resumed Perry. "Though it would have been appreciated. No. What I pulled out next was .... A Rubber Duckie. 'This is a weapon???' I asked him. 'No! Keep Digging!' he hollered above the wail of Police Sirens. CHiPs had just come on.
I- We. Were getting desperate. Stirling was reaching into his cushion too.
'I thought you said it was on MY side?' I howled above the sounds of swords clashing. Game of Thrones.
'I COULD BE WRONG!' He cried.
He reached in and recovered . . . a dead lobster.
'NOW THAT'S GOT TO HAVE AN INTERESTING STORY!' I said.
'NOT ONE YOU WANT TO KNOW.' He yelled, as he turned to parry a live swordsman with the bare claws of the PETRIFIED LOBSTER!!!"
==== Part 3 ====
Peragrine shadow-boxed with a fresh lobster he had just picked up, and continued his tall tale.
"The Maelstrom beast loomed close, switching the channel to Sesame Street, where ELMO leered out from the screen, singing about cooking... Knives, Onions and Gas stoves fell into Stirling's Apartment."
A small child whimpered, remembering the legends of Sir Sharpie. . .
"Things looked bleak. I dug! I dug like never before! I dug so deep, my whole arm disappeared into the crevice between those cushions! and then, THEN I pulled out....
The Remote Control!!
My eyes went wide. I felt the POWER in my hands! 'I! HAVE! THE POWAAAAA!' I declared to the Maelstrom TV Monster chewing on the coffee table! And I pressed the off button, and I SAVED THE DAY! It turned off the beast, and ended the menace! Unfortunately, giant mutated remains of it fell atop Stirling's half of the couch, and he had to dig down through the couch cushions to get out on my side; He arrived the next day, and by that time I had cleared all the other TV stuff, and all was well. THE END!"
The story was preposterous. The delivery was worse. But it didn't matter, the food and especially the drink were great, and everyone cheered, even Carlos. Stirling just smiled and sighed at the completely skewed tale.
He and Perry really had fought a Maelstrom TV thing in his Nexus Tower Apartment but nothing had ever 'spawned' from it or the couch, and the battle had been over in under 60 seconds: about as long as it had taken for Stirling to reach over and pull it's plug, realize it was still running, and then Peragrine and him together smashing it with the Coffee Table. Whatever. No one ever wanted to hear the dull truth. He wasn't about to ruin everyone's good mood.
==== Part 4 ====
Stirling was now close enough to see Peragrine's grin. Perry appeared to be scanning the faces about him. Strider could tell he was guaging if his audience was in the mood for another...
"Say... Did I ever mention the time I was made King of the Monkeys?"
Stirling decided now was a good time to make himself known. "Ahem."
"Strider, hey! You're awake! That's great! This calls for a song!" cheered Peragrine, flawlessly switching gears from one-man routines to two, as he took a bystander's Mug of Yo and took a sip to wet his lips for song.
Unfortunetly, Peragrine's second man was slightly unwilling. Still, against his wishes Strider found himself standing on the table next to Peragrine, who was now stomping out a rythm on the table.
Perry told Strider, "You know this ditty!"
Stirling considered the cadence for a moment. "Yeah... I guess I do. Wish I didn't, but I do." Strider smiled and the two began to singwith Peragrine adding tid-bits)
"There is an inn, a merry old inn (though not as merry as here!)
beneath an old grey hill,
And there they brew a drink so brown, (Here, Stir!)
That the Man in the Moon himself came down (take a sip of this!)
one night to drink his fill." (Bottoms up!)
Stirling did indeed put the cup's bottom up, along with many others who did the same. It was excellent, and he drained it just in time to continue the song with Perry...
A few of the older gentlemen also knew the song, and they joined in. And it seemed like in no time at all, the 13 verse song was ended, with many more mugs of various tastes consumed.
==== Part 5 ====
Stirling's head hummed. He wondered why, and came up with a lot of reasons. But it seemed to be that none of that really mattered. He was having too much fun, and he couldn't remember the last time he had relaxed.
"Maybe it's the hubbub of the crowd, asking for encore, or maybe it's this fabulous Cup of Yo ho Ho... or maybe it's Peragrine rubbing off on me... Eh, whatever." " I'm up for another round, if you are, Perry!!" giggled Strider to Peragrine, who vociferously complied.
And like most times when one is having too much fun, the Merry Band of the Wood, and it's guests found they could not stop for anything. The fun lasted far into the evening, and deep into the night. . . More Stories were told, longer Songs were sung, Poetry of all likes were recited, Riddles were solved, Jokes were told... And explained... Wisdom and stupidity were freely and unequally shared. But you, dear reader, were not there, so I will spare you for better and worse, the experience of that night. Suffice to say, Stirling enjoyed himself and the company of native Morcians, for a night, without the dampening, looming, weighted shadow of thedude on his mind.
~ ~ ~ ~ /\ /\ /\ , , , , , ⚡ ⚡ ⚡ ⚡ ⚡ ⚡
=== CHAPTER V "Rock me, Amadaus" ===
==== Part 1 ====
Maneya Kull swept through the leaves of the forest. She did not slow. The signs of travel were evident enough, and the light she followed still glowed sufficiently. Her Rouges followed at a heavier, slower, more unsure gait. Though they did not show it, she could sense their sparks fighting a pathetic urge to rest. She caught snippets of their thoughts:
'... Easier for her, wearing cloth...'
'...So glad a real tracker is tracking...'
'... Wormholer is soooo heavy...'
'...a baloney sandwich would really hit the spot ...'
'...could catch them tonight, at this pace though...'
'...Won't she miss something, going so fast?...'
The Sorceress refocused her attention to her front. She tilted her head, and strained her eyes. Her spell was wearing off; the glow was diminishing between the shrubbery. She raised her Dragon Staff ahead of her. Sending her intentions along the staff, along with the sufficient energy, the deep purple eyes of the dragon dimly lit, then faded back.
Her tracking spell renewed, she continued along it's shining serpentine length. A shine that only she could see.
~ ~ ~ ~ /\ /\ /\ , , , , , ⚡ ⚡ ⚡ ⚡ ⚡ ⚡
Amadaus and Floyd sat in their Tree. It was Guard Duty, and the usual was happening.
Nothing.
That was usual, and Floyd had found a way to deal with it.
solitaire.
Electronic solitaire, to be exact. The young 16 year old boy was absorbed in the digitized game, while his older superior by 31 years, Amadaus, sat hanging his legs off the branch, alternatively oiling his wood bow, and fiddling with the new-fangled Composite bow that the Camp Armsmaster had shoved onto him to master.
==== Part 2 ====
Amadaus finished rubbing the oil into his old wood bow. Setting it aside, he glanced darkly at the composite bow, then at Floyd.
"Eh... What is that item you're using, boy?"
"The name's Floyd, old man."
"Floyd? Oh! Yes. I've met you before, have I not? You have a difficulty with boredom."
"Not anymore."
"How so? What has changed with you?"
"Your name's Amadaus, right?"
"Indeed."
"It's good to see you again, Amadaus. This thingy here is something new. It's an electronic game called solitaire, and it acts sort of like a card game. The point of it is to sort out all of the 'suites'. But there are only certain ways to move the cards around to get to others, and it's really more of a giant logic puzzle. With a bit of luck. I've only won twice so far, and I've played more times I can count."
"Solitaire, you say?"
"er... Yeah. That's what I said at the beginning..."
"May I have a go?"
Floyd looked at his superior. He was worried for a moment that the old man would chuck the 'electronic obsenity' away, as some of the older generations of folk had been prone to doing recently, with all of the new technology from thedude. But in Amadaus he quite surprisingly only saw genuine interest.
"uhhhh... Sure, but don't chuck it. I want it back."
"For a certainty, young man!"
Floyd handed the little gamepad to Amadaus, and leaned over to show him how to manipulate the cards on the screen with the buttons.
Five minutes later, the victory chime went off, and Amadaus and Floyd both made the tree shake with their celebration. High-Fives, Fist bumps, and Combination handshakes were learned on the spot, and excessive back-slapping was given. Thankfully, no one fell off the tree... And the tree itself held.
==== Part 3 ====
Amadaus gratefully gave back the solitaire game back to Floyd, who insisted that he keep it, seeing as it was in much more skillful hands, to which Amadaus replied, "How do you think I became so fine?"
"Luck? Old-aged Wisdom?"
"No... Practice!"
". . .That wasn't your first time?"
"Not by a long shot! The Game of solitaire is, in fact, a card game... I have played it many times, with the physical cards." and he withdrew a battered deck of cards from his pocket. "But your fancy little device contains the entire practice deck and the table to boot! A powerful thing. Enjoy."
Floyd sat agaped. He had been playing an old grandpa's card game all this time?! What other fun stuff were they hiding?!
Amadaus smiled, sat back and languidly looked about. His eyes fell back upon the Composite bow. A sudden cheery thought occurred to him. "Well, Floyd's fancy new game did bring more joy than frustration. Perhaps not all advanced technology is unbearably complex..."
He picked up the new bow; Pulled it back, and sighted down it.
Ah! Amadaus saw something. Down there, on the forest floor.
Paradox Rouges!
"Floyd, my man! Do you have that crackerjack thing?!"
Floyd snapped his head up from the game. "The what? Oh, the Radio? Yes. Here." He handed it to Amadaus. "Why? What is it?"
The old man pointed down at the Red and Black Rouges on the forest Floor, who were now entering the clearing at their feet.
"I will inform Command of this." said Amadaus.
~ ~ ~ ~ /\ /\ /\ , , , , , ⚡ ⚡ ⚡ ⚡ ⚡ ⚡
==== Part 4 ====
Miss Kull saw a large concentration of light from her spell up ahead. It was blindingly obvious that they had rested here. Literally.
Ending her enchantment, the light faded into oblivion, allowing her to see the remains of a campsite.
"They went far in one day." she contemplated. "Perhaps I will not be able to end this mission as quickly as it first seemed."
Maneya recited, in a undertone, a new incantation now; a charm much like her previous one, but tooled slightly different.
Now, the Forest floor alit with many various pastel-coloured square minifigure footprints. Searching the separate footprints, she began imitating each one's movements. She would first follow one set, consider it. Then move on to another set, syncing it in her mind with the other.
To a stranger, it looked like she was dancing in the clearing.
To her fellow Paradox Rouges, she was reconstructing an event from the day before, with the powers of Sorcery. They kept their distance, out of respect, and awareness. She would need some small time to focus, but after that short time, there would be no questions as to what had transpired here, and thusly where to head next. Such was the power of Maneya Kull's magic. They knew, by experience, that her style of detective work was faster and more accurate than anything they could try.
So they waited. They perimetered the area, scanned north, south, east, west. The trees were denser than they'd of liked, as it made for too many hiding spots. It felt like they were being watched.
And Indeed they were. In the trees above watched nearly a dozen of the Merry Band of the Wood. . . They watched, silent, except for those reporting via their new walkie talkies. . .
~ ~ ~ ~ /\ /\ /\ , , , , , ⚡ ⚡ ⚡ ⚡ ⚡ ⚡
==== Part 5 ====
"A Paradox Sorcerer?"
"Yes. And she's following you."
Stirling sat in conference with Peragrine, Carlos, and certain members of Carlos' leadership team. Mercedes, the Perimeter Captain, had just gotten a call from the East Post line, via his Walkie-Talkie and was off to the side, writing down intelligence as it was reported to him.
"She's probably an agent of thedude." mused Stirling.
"That's what we thought as well," agreed Armsmaster Fiddleton, crossing his arms, and furrowing his eyebrows. "Whatever she wants with you can't be good."
"And unfortunately, we do not have the firepower to confront her, and her reported 6 fellow Space Marauder Rouges." said Carlos. He had changed wardrobe for some reason, and was now wearing a loose fitting shiny gold Onesie. "However, there is a place nearby that you could find shelter from this storm."
"Well, actually, I think it might be good to meet her. We could be wrong and she might be frie-"
Suddenly a scream was heard from Mercedes' Radio, followed by terrible sounds of violence.
"WE'VE BEEN FOUND! I REPEAT, THE ROGUES HAVE LOOKED UP! WE'VE BEEN COMPROMISED!"
An explosion was heard, and the Radio went silent.
Mercedes replied instinctively, "Men, get out of there! Scatter! Do not return to base!" He sighed and confided to the surrounding group in the room. "They probably didn't hear me. We can assume the Rogues are on their way."
"We'll have to move camp." Someone said, with equal part frustration and resolution.
"I don't think they're friendly, Stir." Peragrine said to Strider, attempting to lighten the mood.
==== Part 6 ====
A young, blond fellow replied hotheadedly, "Why do we run? We can take 7 silly metal-encased fools!"
Some amongst the room voiced their agreement, while others glowered darkly. An old, wizend man in outdated Kingsman's Guard stepped forward with his cane and said authoritatively, "So which one of you young'uns will stand on the front lines?"
The room went quiet.
"That's what I thought. To be clear, that would be me on the front, if we were indeed to stand our ground. But we cannot. For though we might win this battle, our secret camp's location would then be known to all, friend and foe by the end of the day. Barney-Bots would boom us from above, and there would be NO escape. Such is the curse of your technology, boy. " As he stepped back, the older generation in the room nodded gravely and respectfully, while the younger ones became deathly white and quiet.
"Do we even have another suitable location?" piped up the blond boy again, moderately subdued, but still naturally rebellious.
Carlos replied with enthusiasm. "Yes we do! We have set up for such an eventuality. Our Master Scout, Stabb will show the way." He pointed at a small, short-legged Minifigure in dark green leather on a stool off to the side, who looked up from a book with a little book-lamp attached, and sheepishly grinned at all the faces looking back at him.
"But first, we will have to prepare the camp! Everyone, organize your separate divisions! I will check with you soon, and we will move out immediately after!" Carlos finished.
Everyone went off to take care of their individual factions, shops and people and prepared to leave.
Stirling switched his attention to Carlos, who was now moving about his empty Pavilion, packing things just as he had ordered his friends.
"So. Where was this safe haven you spoke of?"
Carlos didn't immediately answer him, but instead searched some scrolls, and then yanked one out and plonked it on his desk, unrolling it.
"Here," he said. "Calibus Tower."
=== CHAPTER VI "Amadaus The Senseless" ===
==== Part 1 ====
Maneya Kull and her Rouges formed a circle, facing outwards, surveying their smashing handiwork.
"Was that it?!" asked one. He felt severely underwhelmed.
"Let us see," replied Maneya. She thrust her staff above her head, said the necessary words, and immediately after, sprung at a tree. In mid-leap, the glowing purple nodes on the back of the Dragon head flashed, and released two huge, solid, Purple Maelstrom arcs, turning her Staff into a two handed Laser Scythe.
It was a Doomslicer. The Paradox Sorcecerer's Valiant Weapon.
With it, she cut straight through the trunk of that tree in one easy motion.
And down fell Amadaus and Floyd, like two homeless little apples. Floyd scrambled backwards, trying to find a weapon, then he was suddenly dodging bullets from 6 angry Paradox Rogues. With all of his youthful agility and the multiple trees nearby, he just barely made it to a sword and buckler, before ducking behind a large stone. Alas, he knew such things were useless, and his life forfeit... What would the Heroes of olde do? Take down as many as possible, that's what! He began devising a plan to blow them all up, when he heard Amadaus and the Sorceress talking. He peeked out from behind his cover.
Amadaus was weaponless as well, and had the added misfortune of landing right in front of Miss Kull. He stood up and faced the Sorceress.
"I have learned something today." He said.
"Reeeaaally? Do tell!" mocked she. Then she reached out and gripped his forehead.
"Yes, I -AAAAAAUUUUUGH!"
"You will show me where Stirling Silvertine has gone!"
"NEVER! YAAAH!!! Free men will never bow to the likes of you!"
"Truly? I demand to differ."
Amadaus was helpless in the magical grip of Maneya, as she chaotically mined his mind for the information she sought.
==== Part 2 ====
She closed her eyes and became yesterday's Amadaus, receiving his orders to replace Johnson at the East Post line. Walking through the camp. Getting handed the Composite bow from Armsmaster... Couldn't-Remember-His-Name. Taking a peek into Miss Hucklepatt's hut and seeing the shadowed form of Carlos' old friend, and his funny freckled travelling buddy. Walking the hidden deer paths of the Forest to the Merry Band of the Wood's Camp East Perimeter post. Learning Electronic Solitaire, Spotting herself, reporting size, strength, abilities, anything and everything, straight to base!
Maneya boiled over. He had alerted Stirling's friends to her coming! Now they knew! Now they would be spurred on! Now this chase would be more exhausting that it had to be for either of them! He was sooo goody-two shoe, this Amadaus. So ... helpful... Just like that Mr. Richardson. IT. MADE. HER. SICK.
Out of sheer spite, she decided she would try something new on this old man. She would try her turncoat enchantment. She thought each word of the spell very clearly in her head, and sent anger and spite into Amadaus' head via her vice-like hand.
It worked. She could feel his thoughts quickly degrading into base madness.
Stepping back, smiling, she kept a single minifigure claw on him, then released him, and backpedaled into the midst of her Paradox cohorts.
Amadaus howled. He Slavered. He pawed at his face. Then he began to whimper, to looked around. No one was there. There was a blur directly in front of him, but he found he couldn't bear to look at it. Instead, he looked at his hands. None of it seemed to make sense to him. Then his eyes alit on Floyd, peeking out from behind a large stone. A swift reaction flowed through his body, and he felt FURIOUS.
==== Part 3 ====
Floyd knew that what was staring at him now was not his superior anymore. It was a Maelstrom Monster. And as the Monster in the form of Amadaus charged him, roaring like a lion, Floyd snatched the sword, and set it forth.
Thusly was Amadaus the Senseless defeated before his rampage over Morica could begin.
Floyd opened his eyes. The listless pieces of his elderly friend lay at his feet, and just beyond him stood the enemy. Floyd lifted his sword and charged, but never made it.
After all, he brought a knife to a gunfight.
~ ~ ~ ~ /\ /\ /\ , , , , , ⚡ ⚡ ⚡ ⚡ ⚡ ⚡
=== CHAPTER VII "Time for Talk" ===
==== Part 1 ====
Stirling stared straight out towards the distant horizon. He felt rather exposed, out on the plains like this.
They had left the camp and forest as soon as they could. It didn't take long, since most of their stuff had been kept together instead of sorted through, due to his childhood friendship with Carlos. And their provisions had not needed to be much replenished, due to camping just one night.
Even so, in that short amount of time they took to set off, the Merry Band of the Wood had already begun to move out, just as Strider and Perry were waving goodbyes. The organization that the Merry Band had was admirable. Stirling felt better about their chances of outrunning the powerful Paradox Agents. Carlos was a good, if a bit unorthodox and fashionless, leader.
Speaking of Carlos, Strider could see the safe haven that he had suggested to him. This Calibus Tower was somewhat familiar to Stirling. But once again, the answer laid in his adolescence.
Once again, he recalled his younger days, and distant memories of lighter times.
Ah yes. Calibus Tower was familiar to Stirling because that was where King Matthias' late Queen had hailed from. That was how it had become more... Famous. It did not truly have any military value. Though it was a defensible location, it was not near any valuable resources, and was more of an estate for the Calibus family than anything else. If he remembered correctly, a Lord Mirabus had been in charge then. But Carlos had told him that a Lady Charlotte would be the one to talk to...?
==== Part 2 ====
A shrill whistling tune from Peragrine broke Stirling's train of thought. Stirling looked at his travelling partner who was snapping his fingers, looking straight ahead, and singing.
"...Here's a little song I wrote,
You might want to siiiing it note-for-note,
Don't worry. be happeh."
"That's ok, Perry. I'm trying to thin-"
"in every life we have some trouble,"
"yeah, I know tha-"
"But when you worry, you make it double!"
"I know, Perry. Boy do I kno-"
"So don't worry..."
"Ok, I won'-"
"Be happeh."
"OK, Perry! I ge-"
"Don't Worreh, Be happy now!" and he broke into more of his ear-splitting whistling.
"Alright, PERRY! I get the message!" Stirling articulated with exasperation as he gently shook Perry's shoulder in an attempt to communicate.
Peragrine looked at Strider with a question on his face. Then he removed his earbuds.
"I'm sorry. Did you need something? I was listening to my Ibrick."
Stirling stopped a moment. Then he groaned and replied. "Nevermind."
"You sure?"
"Yeah. I thought you were talking to me."
"Oh." Peragrine chuckled. "Nope! Just singing along."
"You can do one thing for me."
"Yeah?"
"Please don't whistle."
"Aww..." complained Perry, but he complied, deciding to hum and dance along instead.
They continued in this strange fashion for awhile. Two men with big hiking packs. One in blue, stoically marching along in the tall grass, making a solid line behind him. The other in green, strutting this way and that,busting more than a few moves, talking to himself, and making a erratic squiggle in the grass behind him.
~ ~ ~ ~ /\ /\ /\ , , , , , ⚡ ⚡ ⚡ ⚡ ⚡ ⚡ 
==== Part 3 ====
A few hours later, when the sun had reached it's zenith for the day, the two broke for lunch under a lone tree. As Strider expected, Peragrine was famished.
"You shouldn't have been breakdancing with that pack. I'm not sure anything's in those pockets anymore," he said, only half joking.
"Well what would you suggest? It was "Funkytown"! Should I have given you my pack to hold a minute? The moment would have passed!" Peragrine explained defensivly around a mouthful of Hardtack Buscuit. He then drained it down with a Notion Potion from his personal Nexus Force Pack.
"Actually, yes. I would have held both."
"Really? Huh. I'll keep that in mind." Peragrine grinned a mischeivious grin.
Soon enough, the two were on thier way again, licking Quicksicles to get them back to speed again. Peragrine pulled out his Ibrick, and then abruptly moaned.
"Aw man!"
"What's up?" Strider addressed Perry.
"I left my Ibrick on loop, and now it's out of charge!"
Stirling laughed. He couldn't help it. Electricity might be working, but it still wasn't easily available. Nature reared its wonderfully inconveinent head again!
"This ain't funny. I don't have my jams." Muttered Peragrine, giving a sad lower lip.
"Hahaha! Don't worry! I'm sure they have a recharge outlet at Calibus! WOO-hahaha!" Stirling was doubling over in hystarical laughter.
Peragrine looked towards the now not-so-distant tower sticking out of another, smaller forest. It was maybe 2 miles out. Hopefully.
"Untill then, you have to- Oh my STARS! You'll have to NOT be linked to a mechanical device! OH THE HUMANITY!" Stirling caroused.
Peragrine looked back at Strider, and grinned. He shrugged good-naturally, and wrapped up his earbuds around the Ibrick, shoving it into his pocket in mock distain.
"I suppose I'll just have to sing my own song!" he sniffed, clearing his throat threantingly.
==== Part 4 ====
"Or! Or..." Stirling mentioned, trying to recover in time to suggest an alternative course of action. "Or, you could make polite conversation...?" he managed to say with a equally polite raised hand and smile.
"Oh? Yeah, I suppose I could." Mused Peragrine, stroking an imaginary goatee. "Whatcha want to talk about?" he asked, glancing sidelong at Stirling. Both of them were grinning uncontrollably.
So for the next mile, they talked about a variety of things. All rather dull and unimportant to you, the reader. Such as how Strider had found Perry under the tents, or the weather, or many other things besides.
During a lull in the conversation, Strider asked Perry, "Hey, Perry. What's a Marbello?"
"A wha? Marbe- OH! Marbeeeelllo! Yeah! That's a blast from the past."
"Your past?"
"Yeah! That's from my street urchin ...days.... Peragrine's eyes quickly glazed over, and he looked off into the southern horizon.
"But you don't want to hear that story!"
Stirling peered over, trying to make eye contact with his friend. "Sure I do! Why not? Is it boring?"
"No. It's.... It's a long story."
"Well, we still have the time!" And he motioned to the Tower still a ways off.
"No. I don't want to tell it. Besides, I'm all storied out from Yesterday night aannd today!" Peragrine complained.
Stirling was confused. "But you always tell a good story... Even if they are usually outrageous."
Peragrine flashed a weak smile at Stir, but it was obvious that he wasn't really here. He was thinking.
"Peragrine! Thinking?!"
==== Part 5 ====
"Well then if you won't tell me about this 'Marbello,'"
Peragrine blinked twice and shook his head.
"Then... Can you tell me what a "Man-Hug" is?" Stirling tried.
Peragrine seemed to slowly come back from wherever he had been. "Uh, A man hug? Oh! A Man Hug! Yeah... Sure, I guess. A Man-Hug is one of these!"
And with that Perry gave Stirling a big hug, squeezing him as tightly as he could. Or maybe he was trying to wring his neck. Either way, Perry wasn't strong enough to worry Stir.
Peragrine backed off after a moment. "Of course, normally in a Man-Hug, the other guy usually hugs back... But that's-
Stirling laughed, "Oh, Come 'ere you silly nutjob!" and he gave him what he knew as a 'Bear hug'.
"Ulp!" peeped Peragrine, as he was nearly crushed. Then he smiled peacefully and hugged back.
The two stood amidst the trees like that for a moment. Then they realised that was reeeeeallly awkward looking, and brushed themselves off brusquely. They continued their walk in calm, thoughtful silence.
Calibus Tower loomed ever closer. As the finer details of the Estate came into view, the two travellers strafed towards the North Gate. The only gate with a road leading to it.
~ ~ ~ ~ /\ /\ /\ , , , , , ⚡ ⚡ ⚡ ⚡ ⚡ ⚡
== The Lady of Calibus ==
=== Chapter Two ===
==== Part One ====
Lady Charlotte and Austin walked side by side together through a carpeted hallway, saying no words as they passed by the rows of cloudy windows. Strangely, Charlotte was wearing an old, thick dark green gown that was obviously meant for domestic work, while Austin was wearing the outfit of a common miner. They continued along the hallway silently until reaching a discreet doorway, which they entered.
They came out into a dusty old ballroom. Its length was impressive despite the lack of light, which was caused by the moth-ridden drapes that concealed the giant windows. The only light was coming from the open, huge glass double doors, which led out to a neglected patio and weed-filled courtyard. Austin grabbed a decorative scone that was on the wall and pulled on it like a lever.
A cacophony of creaks and clanging filled the air as a giant hidden pulley system went to work, prying open a super-sized trapdoor in the middle of the ballroom. A trio of dusty heads peeked out of the trapdoor as it laboriously opened.
“The coast is clear!” Austin called to them as he walked over next to Charlotte.
“Whew!” one of heads from the trapdoor sighed. “That was close.” The owner of the head turned and cuffed the back of another head. “I can’t believe you asked for that beam to be brought over when thedude himself was here!”
==== Part Two ====
The owner of the second head responded by similarly cuffing the first one. “You’re the one who said we needed it right away! Besides, I didn’t know thedude was here!”
“Whatever. At least we’re in the clear now.”
The third head spoke up. “They’re putting that beam in now. You’d better come down to make sure it’s being put in right, Austin- you too, my Lady.”
Austin helped Charlotte into the trapdoor and climbed in after her. All five minifigures walked down the long tunnel, their way lit by periodic lamps hung on rafters above. The first two minifigures who had been hiding under the trap door continued to bicker as they walked along. Trying to ignore them, the third minifigure updated Charlotte and Austin on the latest developments.
“We’re almost finished with the seventh emergency shaft. Like I said, they’re putting in the last beam right now.”
Austin nodded. “Good. I hoped we’d get that done by today. Thanks, Gabe.” He glanced backwards at the two bickering minifigs. “Sir Hycra and Sir Grongringro-eth, would you two knock it off?”
The two knights abruptly stopped slap-fighting. “He started it,” Grongringro said, pointing at his friend.
“Maybe,” Hycra admitted.
Lady Charlotte silenced them with a serene glare then turned back to Gabe. “How is the main tunnel progressing?”
“Slowly. I estimate it’s a mile long by now. I’m having Jerry measure it tonight.”
The group now entered a large cavern. There were a few other tunnel exits aside from the one they had just come out of. Huge timbers supported the earth walls like the ribs of some giant beast, lanterns hanging from the ceiling by chains. A couple rough-hewn tables were clustered on one side of the room, covered with blueprints and more lanterns. Minifigures from the mining crew were walking through with pickaxes and wheelbarrows of dirt.
==== Part Three ====
Lady Charlotte went to look at all of the blueprints with Gabe while Austin, Sir Grongringro and Sir Hycra went down another tunnel to check on the new emergency shaft.
Engrossed in the blueprints and without the help of the sun to mark the hours, Charlotte soon lost track of time. She and Gabe discussed resources, calculated lengths of tunnels, assessed and reassessed the limited manpower at their disposal, and all sorts of other important yet boring minutia. It was well over three hours before Austin and the knights returned to the main cavern only to find the Lady of Calibus and Gabe brainstorming about just what to do with all the dirt they’d been digging up.
“…I think this gardening façade is working out quite well,” Charlotte said, “But there’s only so many terraced mounds we can fit in the southern courtyard. Besides, the gardener is feeling overworked. He’s demanded a raise in pay, or at least a helper to assist him in planting flowers all over the mounds.”
“Eh, just get him one of those MiracleGro things from the hardware store. He’ll get over it,” Gabe said. Charlotte nodded in agreement and wrote it on a to-do list.
Austin came up and clapped Gabe on the back. “Shaft Seven is finished and secure. Sir Hycra and Sir Grongringro went above ground and made sure the entrance was hidden by foliage and the like.”
Hycra nodded affirmative. “There’s a little village not too far from its entrance, but they should be far away enough to not notice.”
Lady Charlotte straightened up and removed the old-fashioned spectacles that had been perched on her nose. “What would I do without you three?” she asked graciously. “You two Knights provide me such peace of mind, knowing you’re always guarding the mines. And you, Austin: we could never do this without your knowledge of mining."
==== Part Four ====
One of the miners came running up to Gabe and nodded in greeting. “You said you wanted me to measure the main tunnel tonight?” he asked.
“Yes. Just a moment,” Gabe affirmed, and shuffled around in the mound of papers. Finding what he was looking for, he pulled out a wooden ruler and handed it to the miner. “Here you go, Jerry.”
Jerry took the ruler dubiously. “Um, it’s only a foot long.”
“Of course. If I got anything longer, everyone would be arguing about whether it was a yard or a meter.”
“True story,” Grongringro said gravely.
Jerry sighed and left to get started.
“Almost seems to be a shame to measure it when we’re only going to end up collapsing it,” Gabe noted, returning to his papers. He pulled one out and started to make notes on it.
Charlotte put her spectacles on the table. “Yes, doesn’t it? But it will be worth it in the end, when we finally finish the tunnels underneath Mt. Thunderclap and collapse it, bringing thedude-“ here she paused to spit which was quite a sight considering she was an aging noblewoman- “to the fiery grave he deserves,” she finished in refined tones. She turned to Austin. “You’re confident that you can safely dig a web of tunnels underneath that volcano, without disturbing any of the magma until it’s time to collapse it?”
“It will be more difficult than anything I’ve ever done,” he admitted, then lifted his head. “But no one in my family ever shied away from a challenge- I won’t be the first.”
Charlotte approved. “Yes, if your ancestors conquered the Athelas Mountains, what can you not do?” She smiled confidently. “We certainly are fortunate to have the best working on this project, Austin Silverstine.
==== Part Five ====
Time continued to churn past, each day on the calendar seeming to grate by slowly. As the main tunnel grew longer so did the work hours. Austin, the two knights and the miners would remain in the mines for days at a time, only emerging when it got too claustrophobic or they needed to restock the underground supplies. In contrast, Lady Charlotte could never be away from the estate longer than a few hours, for fear of visitors noticing her absence. The inhabitants of Calibus Tower crossed the days off tiredly, wishing they could fast-forward to the moment when the tunnel was finally completed. Until then they knew they had to commit all their energy to the enormous project, and even though the eventual victory seemed painfully far away, the hope of a thedude-free future spurred them on.
But even the longest, most well planned schemes can crash into flames when overturned by the unforeseen, and the unforeseen was about to throw itself upon them.
<><><>
=== Chapter Three ===
==== Part One ====
Lady Charlotte, Sir Grongringro-eth and Austin sat in a small room in the main tower, several floors up. They were eating a late lunch, or perhaps an early dinner, while they looked over a map of the tunnels. Holding half of a muffin in one hand, Grongringro pointed to where they planned to build emergency shaft nine, scattering crumbs over the paper in the process.
“Don’t you think that should be a bit to the left?” he asked, tilting his head to consider the layout.
“No, it’s fine where it is. Though I do think we’ll need more supports in this section.” Austin tapped on the paper and accidentally got some pizza sauce on the indicated area.
Charlotte pointedly wiped her hands on her napkin before picking up a charcoal pencil and making a small note next to the blot of sauce. “I’ll send someone to order more beams from the loggers tomorrow morning. Judging from the last few shipments it may take a few weeks for them to arrive, unfortunately.” She tapped the side of her glass of Dr. Pepper. “On a different note, I was thinking we should have Jerry measure the main tunnel again-“
A knocking on the door interrupted her. Charlotte invited the knocker in, and her servant Alfred entered.
“Excuse me, my Lady, but the two minifigures we saw in the distance have arrived. They say they’re travelers looking to rent a room and trade supplies. One of them-“ Alfred paused and glanced at Austin- “one of them claims to be a Stirling Silverstine, my Lady.”
Austin dropped his pizza and bolted out of the door, pushing the servant out of the way as he rushed by, leaving the door swinging in his wake. Grongringro and Charlotte looked at each other with wide eyes. They quickly put down their things and hurried after their comrade.
<><><>
== To Return Home: Act 4: Journeys ==
=== CHAPTER VIII "Calibus Tower" ===
==== Part 1 ====
Knock Knock Knock.
Stirling rapped the doorknocker on the quaint main gate. It swung open limply.
"No guards. What a place." Said Stirling. He grimaced.
"Well then, onward to the Tower! There's got to be someone here. Everything's all well kept. Just look at these pretty gardens!" Peragrine commented, ending on a cheery note as his eyes danced over the elegant foliage along the cobblestone roadway.
It was a nice design. Simple, not overdone, or gaudy. There was a tasteful smattering of colorful flowers and such amidst the steady swath of healthy green. The hedges were just over chest height. You could step on you tippy toes and see the ground on the other side. Just the right height for privacy without giving a maze-like feel. Farther off, Stirling could see a rise, and on the rise was what appeared to be the resident gardener, planting a plethora of petunias. Little dots of pink and purple this far away. He then began to spray some Miracle-Gro on them, in a rather lively manner. . .
"Miracle-Gro... Wonder what's that doing to the pests?" Stirling wondered dark-humored.
They mounted the steps up to the Main Tower's door and knocked. The door opened a moment later, and a butler stood in the doorway.
"Welcome to Calibus Tower," he greeted politely. "Can I help you with something?"
"Yes," they both said, then looked at each other. Stirling turned back to the butler. "We are hoping the Master of this Estate would be willing to lend a room to two travellers, for a time? Perhaps sell and trade for supplies?"
The butler looked them up and down with an unreadable face. "I don't see why not. Come in and I will inform her Ladyship of your request."
==== Part 2 ====
He opened the door wide for them, and they stepped into the cool inner Tower. He lead them down a hall and into the second archway on the right. It was a Parlor. Waving a hand to the various furnishings, the butler said, "Have a seat." They did so. "And what names shall I give to her Ladyship?" he queried.
Peragrine looked over at Stirling in curious askance, as Stirling looked at Peragrine with a facial shrug.
"Stirling Silverstine" He replied.
"Silverstine!" the man repeated with suddenly raised eyebrows. Before either of the travelers could react the butler bustled out of the room, his brisk steps echoing off the stonework before fading away.
"Huh. he never asked for my name..." Peragrine remarked, slouching into the mass of pillow throws he had placed himself in.
Swift doubts abruptly filled Stirling's mind. Was the butler upset? Was there a history with the Calibus Estate and Silverstine Clan that he had forgotten? Perhaps something recent? Stirling gasped; Perhaps they had news of his family's whereabouts!
"Even so. Prepare for the worst, and you will never be disappointed," he reminded himself. He loosened his Samurai Katana in its sheath. Casually, he walked about the room, internally, he warmed himself up for a confrontation.
Peragrine watched him from his cushy position, with his hands behind his head. "Whatcha' doin'?"
"Waiting."
"No. That's what I'm doing. You look like how you do in-between waves in the Avant Gardens Survival Simulator. Antsy."
"Then I am waiting for the next wave."
"Do you expect trouble?" Peragrine was mildly piqued.
"I expect consternation. Whether it be positive, negative, or both, is what remains to be seen."
"So... We've caused a Stir?"
Stirling stopped pacing and looked sideways, grinning at Perry. "Was that pun intended?"
Peragrine's face drew a blank as he reviewed his statement with open mouth. "Yes. Whatever it was... Yes."
==== Part 3 ====
Stirling considered for a moment, the chances of explaining the hidden pun... Then decided the odds were not in his favor. He simply shook his head, and resumed pacing. A few minutes passed, which Stirling spent recalling childhood memories of Calibus Tower mentions. Nothing notable came to mind.
Peragrine eventually got up and fiddled about the room in a vain search for an Outlet.
Thusly, they were both immediately aware of the sound of distant running boots. Peragrine's reached into his pack and quietly withdrew his Adventurer's Crossbow and Whip. He joined Stirling, who stood just inside the archway to the room with his Samuria Katana drawn.
With his eyes watching the hallway, and the large stairwell at the end, Stirling spared a glance at Peragrine's choice of weaponry. "You do know that's a terrible choice for close quart-" he began, but was cut off by a loud yell.
"STIIIRLIIING!" echoed a voice coming from deeper inside the tower. The heavy running footsteps were getting louder. "STIRLING! Stirling Stirling Stirling!" It continued on, obviously excited.
Stirling cocked his head. "What?" He couldn't tell anything about the source of the voice. Male, Female, angry, sad, happy, old, young--nothing. The natural stone walls of the Tower echoed the voice and made it sound warped and haunted.
"Brother! Is it really you?"
"No...No way! Could it possibly be...?" Stirling's mind had hit upon an Incredulous possibility. His face lit up, and Peragrine noticed, looking down the hallway with him.
"It has been SO LONG!" the voice continued.
==== Part 4 ====
The sound of feet running pell-mell drew closed and closer, and then a figure appeared, swiftly speeding down the Stairwell at the end of the hall. The foot of the stairs ended out of sight, and the Figure apparently slowed down considerably, for the sound of feet quieted. A moment later, a figure appeared at the far end. Black hair, navy blue eyes, clean shaven, strong-set jaw. He looked not a day over 20, but Stirling knew better. A small, but firm and wiry frame showed that he took his physical fitness very seriously. This was accentuated by the fact that he wore a loose cloth shirt with the sleeves rolled up past his elbows, some jeans, and heavy-duty, tall, work boots. His whole outfit was dusty, and not exactly clean, as if he had just recently come from some dirty job or another. This figure walked briskly down the hall towards Stirling and Peragrine.
"By the Stars..." the black haired figure breathed. "Little brother, is it really you?"
"It truly is, Austin." Said Stirling. "I have returned from the stars." He remarked triumphantly, as they gripped each other in a strong embrace.
Austin gripped him by the shoulders and looked Stirling in the eye. "Did you find much glory?" asked Austin, his own eyes glinting.
"No. Much Honor!" Stirling amended joyously.
Peragrine inched over to be perpendicular to the two of them, and looked at one and the other.
"Huh! Yeah, I can see the resemblance. Ya' both got blue eyes, but his is a bit darker. Ya' both got dark hair; But I think his is true black. Ya both have that sorta funny chin that makes you look like a disgruntled Gorilla. . . Did you say he's the younger one?" he asked Stirling.
The two brothers stared at Peragrine for a moment, but before they could reply, more footsteps were heard rushing down the stairwell.
==== Part 5 ====
A lady in fine dressage, followed by a man in casual Knight's attire came careening down the stairs.
"Austin, my man! Hold up!" said the knight as he came down the hallway with the lady. "Who's this guy?"
"Sir Grongringro-eth. My Lady. This is my younger brother, Stirling Silvertine."
"Oh. Is he a knight?" Grongringro asked Austin, who shook his head.
"Not of your type."
"Welcome." Said the Lady, stepping forward. "I am Lady Charlotte Calibus, the Master of this estate. Any relation of Austin's is a friend of mine."
"Pleased to meet you," said Stirling, giving a polite bow.
"But who is your friend?" she inquired, motioning to Peragrine, who had his crossbow slung across his back, and his whip at his side. He had been staring quizzically at all the different faces. "Alfred did not mention a second." She stated.
"Well that's 'cause he forgot to ask me! Rather rude, if I do say so myself." Peragrine mentioned, crossing his arms haughtily.
"M'Lady. Sir. Austin. This is Peragrine Wanderthistle. A very good friend of mine."
"'Ello!"
"And a part of the Nexus Force, as a Venture Leaguer. I am also in the Nexus Force, as a Sentinel."
"Ah, so you've been keeping my little brother here out of trouble, eh, Peragrine?"
"Please, call me Perry! And yeah! I've saved this guy's plastic frame more times than I can count! Why, just in this one adventure alone I believe I've saved him..." Perry stroked his chin thoughtfully. "5 times!"
"What? No way!" Said Stirling, turning to face his comrade while Austin began to grin wider and wider by the moments. "I'll admit you've saved me once or twice on this quest, but let's not forget who crash-landed us!" Stirling remarked, ending with a smirk.
"Err... I blame tehdude." Peragrine deflected weakly.
"Don't we all." Whispered Charlotte discreetly. "Austin, a word."
==== Part 6 ====
"Besides! I've still got more saves than you! For this adventure, anyway." Peragrine added.
"Ok. Let me count how many I've got on you..." challenged Stirling as he looked at the ceiling and began quietly counting off on his hands. "Oh... let's see..." Upon reaching 3, Stirling's smug smile slowly began to fade. He couldn't seem to recall any more saves... "Um. Oh! 4.... And 5. There! Even." Stirling said, attempting to hide his relief.
"Oooough." Muttered Peragrine, eyeing Stirling impishly. "I would say your making some of those up, but you're not that kind of a sport. I'll be needing to hear those instances though!" he said, shaking a warning finger under Stirling's nose, a insanely mischievous smile on his face.
"If you two are done posturing," interrupted Lady Charlotte.
Peragrine and Stirling, both leaning in on each other in fake confrontation, turned their heads and saw the other three, standing tightly together and now joined by the butler Alfred, staring at them.
"I am sure there is much information to be told. Would you, Stirling, and you, Peragrine, be willing to join us for Dinner?"
"Certainly, my Lady. Apologies."
"Ooh! Sounds lovely! I wonder if they'll have pie?"
~ ~ ~ ~ /\ /\ /\ , , , , , ⚡ ⚡ ⚡ ⚡ ⚡ ⚡
=== Chapter IX "Dining" ===
==== Part 1 ====
Stirling and Austin sat next to each other at dinner, which was held in a smaller, more intimate room. Stirling liked that, because that meant they were comfortable with him, and that was a good position to be in, he thought. Though this was unbalanced by the fact that there were too few people at the table for such a large estate.
Lady Charlotte sat at the head. At her left, Sir Grongringro-eth. After him, Peragrine. On the Lady's right sat Austin, and then Stirling.
As the meal began to arrive, Stirling felt Austin grip his shoulder. He turned towards Austin.
"Little brother, you cannot believe how much joy it brings me to see you again!" He said.
"And I, you." Replied Stirling, returning the grip. "But where are the others? Tell me what has happened.
Austin's smile rapidly faded. "I know precious little, Brother."
"Well. Tell me what you do know. How did you get here?" prompted Stirling.
"It all began with a dinner party, alot like this one, over at the Keep. Father was having a celebration feast with some businessmen from the Capitol for the signing of agreement between the Royal Swordsmith and our deepest, most remote Iron ore mines."
"Nickelback Mines?"
"No. We've found much better mines than that, since your departure." Chuckled Austin. "Appropriately, the best ore is farther down and farther in. And that's where we've been venturing. Or were." His face resumed it's somber state. "But back to the dinner. There were some aristocrats from the Capitol, and we were all there to celebrate, but then these horrible flying metal beasts broke in, and immediately began shooting everything. Everyone. Laughing, and spouting all sorts of nonsense. Of course, Father and a few others of the men took command of the situation and told us younger fellows to take the women and children to the contingency tunnels. . .
==== Part 2 ====
". . .So that's what I did. I took Emma, Mother, and one or two of the dignitaries from the Capitol down through the tunnels, and I didn't see Peter or Father again. You see, once we entered the tunnels. . ."
Austin went on to explain how the entrance to the contingency tunnels collapsed shortly after he and his party had gone in, leaving everyone in the dark. The Tunnels were long, sprawling, and confusing, even for the Silverstines, who had partly created and wholly mapped them. The Tunnels had many branches, to go to many different exits. But it soon became difficult to remember the way, for the attacking forces had somehow gotten back on their tail, and there was no time to plan which way to go. Amidst the chaos, people were separated, lights and lanterns went out, and hope died for the brave men in the Banquet Hall.
Austin related how he had to defend himself from one of the self-proclaimed 'Barney-Bots', and when the dust had settled, and he was able to salvage and light a torch from his broken lantern and clothes, he was all alone. He continued along the tunnels, eventually recovering his sense of location, and reached an exit, far down from the mountains, closer to the plains.
"I sped back as fast as possible. But I was too late." Mourned Austin. "Silverstine Keep had been entirely ransacked. The beasts responsible long gone."
"But that doesn't explain how you got here," said Stirling, biting into a slice of cake.
"That is the simple part. The longest, but simplest." Austin replied
==== Part 3 ====
He quickly summarized how he had looked for tracks all over, even into the mines, but found that all the footprints either ended at a pile of lifeless pieces, or simply stopped cold. None of the smashed were Father, Mother, Peter, or Emma.
"And that worries me." Austin continued. "Because now I know who the 'Berney Bots' belong to."
"Thedude." Stirling spat.
Austin grimaced and spat as well. "Correct, brother. And-"
"So why do you linger here?" Stirling whispered, sounding more accusingly then he meant. "Are you not burning with desire to find the truth about Father?"
"I am. But I stay here for good reason, which will be explained in a moment." Austin pointed out. "And I could ask you the same thing. Why did you not come at the first sign of trouble? Surely you heard the news when Militeregnum was blockaded by your Nexus Force."
"I... did not."
"What do you mean?"
"I have not been keeping up with Militeregnum news. My mind was at peace, knowing you, Peter, and Father were here. I thought it was as safe as could be. I did hear that there was trouble on Milteregnum, but I was entirely on the frontline offensive against the Maelstrom on Figaro 7 at the time. I didn't... Pay much attention to it. It's like that all over the universe now. I... well, I dismissed it to the fact that nowhere is safe these days, but that you were all here for our home."
"You couldn't be distracted for your home-world? You couldn't have come if you'd wanted to?? Responsibility to the Nexus Force outweighed family bonds??? "
"No. I could have. I would have, but I didn't know the extent of the damage here!" Stirling muttered with frustration. "I thought I was needed on that front. But really, I was needed here, wasn't I?" He looked at his older brother Austin, confused.
==== Part 4 ====
Austin tossed his hands and replied, "What's done is done. You are here, and I am glad. We can find the others quickly. Or rather, you can find the others. I... Too... have responsibilities that stop me." And he looked at Lady Calibus. "That is why I stay here. M'Lady?"
Lady Charlotte had been listening to Peregrine who was regaling them with the story of the Maelstrom TV. At Austin's prompting she turned her gaze to the brothers.
"Stirling, your brother Austin has been a key player in our efforts to bring down thedude's Stronghold on Mount Thunderclap. We intend to undermine the Fortress and collapse it from below, at the same time burying it in the lava from the Mount at the same time. In this way we hope to entirely vanquish the evils that have plagued our land. It is not enough to destroy thedude. One of his lieutenants would simply step up into the void we had conveniently created."
"Like Vladek." Interrupted Grongringro. "I'd bet he'd love to take command."
"Exactly so." Agreed the Lady, keeping her eyes on Austin and Stirling. "We found your brother out on the plains while digging too close to the surface and making audible sound. One of many mistakes that we have not done since, due to his expertise."
"That is why I must stay here, Brother." Austin interjected. "I'm helping Lady Charlotte end thedude's reign- Permanently. Then we will have the time and safety to speedily search for our Family. Not only that, but I'm sure we won't be the only ones looking for reunions."
"That is true," conceded Stirling. "I have already come across a separated household." He remebered meeting Mr. Richardson who has said of thedude, "They took my boys!" And how during their talks he had spoke fondly of his 'Isaiah' and 'Bartholomew.'
Everyone was solemn for a moment, thinking of affected friends, or family, in some cases.
Part 5
"So. How close are you?" Peregrine queried as he scraped up some chocolate from his plate with his fork.
"Uh..." Grongringro glanced at Austin and the Lady, then back at Peragrine. "Not even close." He muttered.
Lady Charlotte spoke up. "It is a long way to Mount Thunderclap. Even longer when we are mining for every step. But is it not worth the wait, even if it is months or a whole year, to have a free Morcia for years to come? For this plan does not simply defeat thedude, but strikes fear into any who would dare to ascend after him."
"Huh. That's a long time. I've never been good at waiting." Peragrine mentioned.
"That's very true. I can attest to that!" laughed Stirling.
The table-talk, which, up to this point, had been quite calm, subdued, and purposeful, smoothly changed course, and everyone began relating tales of adventure, suspense, and whimsy. Eventually, though, everyone trickled out to their separate duties. As guests, however, Stirling and Perry were shown to a room they could use while they were there, and Alfred assisted them in settling in.
"Thank you again, Alfred."
"Certainly, Sir. Is there anything else I can do for you, or Master Pippin?"
Peragrine whirled around to face the Butler, poking a finger at him. "Drop the 'Pippin', keep the 'Master'. I liiike the sound of 'Master.'"
"Many people do." The Butler said impassively. "If you are certain there is nothing else I can do, I will take my leave."
"Yes. Please thank the Lady again for me. We are truly grateful."
"Of course." Assured the Butler, as he left the room.
==== Part 6 ====
Stirling watched Alfred sweep down a short hallway and down the stairwell, towards ground level, two floors away. Then he closed the door.
"Com'on, we should get some rest." He said, tired to the bone.
"Right-o!" agreed his counterpart, in no way tired.
And that's just what they did. For the first time in a good, long while, Stirling rested in a proper civilized bed, and relaxed. He had already found one of his family; His mission was of to a good start. Next, he had to find the others... Alive or-
"No. Everything's going to work out just fine. I'm heading home." He reassured himself.
But his dreams said otherwise.
~ ~ ~ ~ /\ /\ /\ , , , , , ⚡ ⚡ ⚡ ⚡ ⚡ ⚡
=== CHAPTER X "Premonitions and Alliances" ===
==== Part 1 ====
"Father! I have the water." The young boy yelled, as he neared the last few steps of the mountainside pathway.
"Wonderful!" came the reply amidst the party chatter. "Bring it right in. Our guests are thirsty."
The boy hefted the large steel bucket over the last step, and trotted into the courtyard. It was empty.
The boy looked up and down the two long parallel banquet tables that were set up. There was no one there, but the sound of party chatter continued. He looked to his right, towards the Main House of Silverstine Keep, which was actually inside the mountain. And stepping out from the door came a figure. It was Father. He came slowly, as if hurt. The boy hurired over to meet him with the Bucket.
"Father, where is everyone?"
Father collapsed.
"Father???"
"You. You were too late."
And suddenly, the party chatter flamed into screams.
"FATHER!"
"Searching for someone?" came a female voice, not rising above the clamor, but subverting it. "Funny. Me too."
The young boy looked up, and saw a figure in hooded Red and Black robes. "Now give up." It said
The Hooded Figure's dark presence encompassed him entirely. And everything was still. Absolutely Still.
Then Stirling awoke. It was morning.
"I can't stay." He thought.
~~~~/\/\/\,,,,,⚡⚡⚡⚡⚡⚡
Afar off, the source of Stirling's nightly unease continued her hunt.
Menaya Kull dropped the body of another greenclad victim. As the body hit the ground, it smashed, and the pieces scattered in all directions, instantly lost in the 30 or so other pieces laying around.
She turned to her 4 remaining Paradox Rouges.
"We've been duped." She snarled.
"Sir, Behind you!" said one of the Rogues, instantly firing his Wormholer.
Miss Kull ducked the blaze of fire from the Wormholer, and it hit an invisible force in the bushes at the edge of the charred and newly created clearing. A grunt was heard, followed by a stealth generator de-activating, revealing a massive, muscular, and heavily armored behemoth of a Minifigure, standing, despite the consistent flow of Wormholer fire.
"Lord Brocktree." Identified Miss Kull, indicating to the Rouge to stop firing. "What are you doing here?" She asked in drab manner.
Brocktree regarded his armor chestplate, now mildly scratched and dented. Then he announced to the 5 arrayed in front of him in a deep and rough voice, "I am on-mission from tehdude himself. You cannot interfere. Leave, or I will make you."
"Well, I too, am on mission from tehdude. . So we cannot leave. What mission do you have?"
"First, you will tell me yours." Said the Super-Sentinel, as he came forward.
==== Part 2 ====
"Fine." She said, turning her face away in disdain, "it doesn't matter if you know. I was sent to find the survivors of a single Nexus Force Shuttle that was shot down by the Blockade over the planet."
"And? Why have you 'been duped'?" interrogated he.
"First, your mission!" she snapped, looking him in the face. He was much taller, though, and the demand did not have the intended bite. Miss Kull abruptly got the impression of amusement coming off of Lord Brocktree, but it quickly passed, and all she could feel off of him was... Stone. That was why she had not sensed him, but her Rogues had. She had mystic psychic abilities. They had thermal vision. To her, he had just been a part of the landscape. Another stone.
"How does he do that, I wonder?"
"Very well." Brocktree replied. "As it would seem, we both hunt. And we both find a challenge in the task..."
~ ~ ~ ~ /\ /\ /\ , , , , , ⚡ ⚡ ⚡ ⚡ ⚡ ⚡
=== CHAPTER XI "Spurred on" ===
==== Part 1 ====
Stirling walked along the winding paths of the Calibus Gardens with his hands behind his back. It was early morning of his third day at the Tower and Stirling was enjoying the cool breeze. If only it could cool his mind.
For some reason that Stirling could not place, the memory of his little nightmare was not washing away. Little things kept triggering its memory. A Purple flower. An overreaching tree. A smooth black rock. Not to mention all the terraced mounds that impressed upon Stirling's morbid mind the final resting place for all mortals. . .
He turned a corner, and nearly ran into the Gardener, who had a wagon in tow, full of grass seed bags.
"Oh. Pardon me." Excused Stirling, sidestepping.
"No trouble, no trouble at all, sir." panted the Gardener, continuing his momentum with the heavy wagon.
Stirling resumed his walk, looking back once to see the Gardener open a bag and begin sprinkling one of the many dirt mounds.
==== Part 2 ====
Stirling continued walking, his thoughts now on the gardener. He wondered if he had any family, if he had any other gardeners or if he did the whole grounds every day, how long he had been in that position, how old was he...?
"Probably not much older than... Father." He considered, as the image of his wounded Father from his dream replayed unbidden in his head.
'You...You were too late' The image said.
"No," declared Stirling. "I will NOT be late. I WILL find you, Father. I will find everyone. I have already found Austin, and soon we will all be home, laughing together around one table. Home."
With this solid decision in mind, he set off to find his brother and his friend. He eventually found them harassing the Cook.
"'Hard work requires heavy food.' How many times have I told you that?" admonished Austin to a flustered cook.
"Like eggs, and onions, and BACON!" mentioned Peragrine from the stove, where he was burning those same ingredients.
"Exactly, as well as-"
"You mean 'Eggs-actly!'" quipped Peragrine.
"That's... What I said." Said Austin, leaning over to look past the Cook at Peragrine. He pointed at the fire growing in Peragrine's Pan. "Pay attention to your own mess, substitute chef!"
"Crime-a-nelly! Yessir!"
Stirling walked into the kitchen, which was in a total uproar of items, edible and inedible. He went straight to Austin, who did not notice him, as he was busy arguing and drilling the Cook on 'what true, hard-working men need for their sustenance!'
When he did notice Stirling closing in on him, he smiled and said, "Little Brother! What brings you to the Kitchen? Breakfast?"
"No. I'm leaving." Stirling stated straightforwardly. "But first I need to talk with you."
"Leaving?" Austin turned to the Cook. "I'll be back for you." He said, pointing a hand at him.
"Hey, Mr. Cook, take over for me. I gotta go too." Said Perry, practically tossing the cook the pan as he ran off after the other two.
==== Part 3 ====
Stirling, Austin, and Peragrine all stood together in the hallway. Peragrine munched on a biscuit he had acquired on the way out.
"I'm leaving. Today." summarized Stirling.
"Why the change of plans?" Asked Austin. "I thought you were going to stay for a week, to make sure this... Paradox Sorceress... you told me about doesn't find you."
"It's... Well. It's kinda silly."
"I'm king of silly. You're stalling." Said Peragrine, his mouth full of biscuit.
"Ok. Last night, and the night before, I'm gotten very little rest. I keep having these... Premonitions... about the others."
"You mean nightmares, little brother?" Austin asked dubiously.
"Yes. I mean nightmares." Stirling said, rolling his eyes at his older brother.
"You can't sleep, because of nightma-"
"Last night it was about Emily and Peter."
"They're your....Uh. Sister and other brother, right?" asked Perry.
"Yes." Both brothers answered.
"I suppose that would be frightening," conceded Austin. "But your always were one to exaggerate things via your feelings." He added.
"It comes from being the youngest, I think." Stated Stirling, shrugging.
"I wish I could go with you." Yearned Austin. "But as I've said before, this will end our problems more... decidedly."
"And I agree. I apologize for questioning your motives before at dinner." Said Stirling. "Still. I don't see how we will all be able to gather together, if we are all separated in different things like you are. What if you learn of something here, while I am searching all over for them? How will you send word to me?"
Austin agreed. "We need some way to keep in touch, so as to not lose each other just after finding each other again! That would be terrible."
"I wouldn't want to lose you guys again." Expressed Stirling in a quiet tone.
==== Part 4 ====
Austin nodded, understanding. He placed a hand on Stirling's shoulder. They all bent their heads in thought. 
Peragrine stroked his imaginary goatee, and then abruptly began thinking aloud. "It looks like they can use every hand they can get," he observed, glancing sidelong at the irate cook. "Besides," he added cheerfully, "I've never been in a real mine before! I suppose it's not a REAL mine, but it's close enough. I can keep an eye on your brother here, Stir! It'll be tons of fun!"
Stirling and Austin looked at Peragrine. His messed up curly brown hair, and scrawny build went perfectly with his grinning innocent face with bright green, young eyes. He wasn't wearing his armor, but he still had his Nexus Force issue Pack with him. And Stirling knew there was a whole resupply camp's worth of stuff in there.
"Would you be willing?" asked Stirling to Austin cryptically.
"Yes. If you are going home... There are things only the hardened should see." He replied.
"Hardened? Oh..." Peragrine acquired a mischievous glint in his eye." Like steel, Ha! Or Silver, eh? Silverstine secrets, trade secrets... suuuuure! On the down-low, yo..." and he started making all sorts of signs and motions that meant nothing to the brothers, but kept them mesmerized with confusion.
"Quick. Before you change your mind." Said Stirling, entirely joking. "Help me remember the way up to the Keep. Peragrine? Can you help me pack? I brought no tech. Maybe you can lend me some?"
"Absolutely! I've got a prototype Arm Bracer with a mini computer integrated into it, from Mortimer! He told me it's got a -uh, COMPLETELY LEGAL- uplink to the N.F. Database! Paradox level clearance too! He said he tried to get full access once, but then a virus containing tech-Monkeys started cutting all his files and..." he yammered on enthusiastically as they headed upstairs.
==== Part 5 ====
Between the three of them, and some of the servants, Stirling was packed and ready for his journey in just under three hours. Lady Calibus somehow heard about Stirling's departure, and sent her regards via a grey-haired maid, who also wished him safe travels, and that he may return in one piece. Eventually, he rode out the gate on a solid grey horse called Gregory during the 10 o'clock hour of the morning.
He looked back, and saw his closest brother, Austin, and his best friend, Peragrine, waving from the gate. He waved back, and then faced the Athelas Mountains, and never looked back.
Perhaps he should have.
~ ~ ~ ~ /\ /\ /\ , , , , , ⚡ ⚡ ⚡ ⚡ ⚡ ⚡
== The Search and the Hunt ==
=== Part IX ===
“Well, I guess it all started when a little company of friends and I started our journey from the east of Morcia” Normm narrated “Sir Squid and Sir Loin of Beef were with us. Our hideout had just been discovered or it would soon, so we deserted the place. They had captured Major, who was also with us and two of his friends followed his captors! But the rest six of us, two Knights and four Nexus-Forcers, began a journey towards the west in hope of reaching Britay. Elepharia was closer, but not a good option. We were sure to have to move again from there.
When we were going through the plains south of the Lost Plain we met with a band of Paradox Rogues and Vladek’s Knights. We managed to defeat them, but we lost one of our Nexus Force companions. Out of one of the Knights we discovered that another part of the band was hunting some fugitives. We figured they might be friends, so we followed them towards the Lost Plain. We caught up near the Lost Void. We ambushed the pursuers right before they reached the fugitives, who turned out to be Lady Ruby and Sir John. We continued together afterwards” Normm stopped at that point.
“We’d constantly been on the run after the battle of Elepharia, never staying in one place for too long. Eventually, they caught up with us. That’s when the others found us. Later, in a village near the Yellow-brick road we came across Nuncius the Messenger!” Ruby continued “He told us of some news that had not reached us before. Grievous news. He said that the Peculiar Enchanter had fallen in thedude’s castle by the hands of Vladek just before the Battle of Elepharia” Ruby left a moment for the information to sink in.
The woman looked at her with a strange look. She did not seem very surprised, but there was grief in her eyes, or was it pity? The woman seemed to somehow know something she didn’t. That perplexed her even more.
=== Part X ===
The Fall of Wiz Ardon. That’s what they thought of it. The woman also knew the Beginning of Wiz Ardon. And he had been the reason her adventures had began –at least the way they did. She remembered of a time long ago.
The girl woke up startled. Her dream had been a very upsetting one. But no! It wasn’t a dream. She knew it was reality. She could feel it. She could not remember exactly what it was, but she knew it had something to do with Wiz Ardon and his master. And it was no good.
                She looked around her room. It was dark despite the almost full moon peeking through the window. On the contrary, it cast long shadows in it. Yet, it wasn’t that that caused her to think it so grim. It was her own dark mood.
                She shot up hastily, thinking there was no time to waste. Without even bearing a thought on her clothing, she got out of her room into the cold, made of stone hallway, barefoot and in her nightgown. She ran to the drawing room where her two guardians were still talking despite the late hour. They were also her masters in magic. They looked surprised to see her awake at such a late hour.
                “Ellwen! What are you doing up?  You should have some sleep. You had a long night!” the man, Gragorium, spoke.
                “Something terrible has happened” she said.
                “What are you talking about, sweetheart?” said the woman, Azira.
                “I’m not sure. But I know Wiz Ardon and his master are in grave danger. Unless it’s already too late to help them! But we must go!”
                “Oh, oh! What are you saying, Ell? How do you know that?”
                “I felt it! Must have been a vision in my sleep. Come on, don’t waste time. We have to go”
=== Part XI ===
“You had a bad dream? Oh, sweetheart, don’t worry! It’s probably all fine. Why don’t you go back to sleep and tomorrow you’ll see, too, that nothing is wrong. You were probably overwhelmed by the Convention”
                “No, you don’t understand! You’re wasting time! You think I don’t know what’s real and what’s not?” the girl was becoming more and more frustrated and panicked.
                “Ell, calm down, please! There’s nothing we can do at the moment, in the middle of the night! It could be dangerous to venture all the way to Geidrich’s castle now. But don’t worry, first thing in the morning I’ll go check how they are! How does that sound to you?”
                “It will be too late” the girl said quietly.
                Then, unexpectedly she ran to one of the windows of the room and jumped out of it, in her nightgown and barefoot, many metres separating her from the ground.
“Sir Loin of Beef departed together with Nuncius” John said after a while bringing the woman back to reality “If they haven’t been caught or smashed, they must still wander somewhere in Morcia. However, we continued our way. The Yellow-brick road, though, was always a busy place and that also means members of thedude’s army. We tried to be careful when crossing the area, but eventually they discovered our presence there. We managed to escape them the first time, but they knew we were somewhere around there. We needed some safe haven to hide until the storm was over. And then Sir Squid remembered that letter we’d received from Sir Grongringro-eth. He spoke of a tower where people were friendly to our cause and agreed to hide him there. It was Calibus Tower, which was not very far away. Though the Lady of Calibus seemed skeptical of covering for so many people, in the end she let us in”
=== Part XII ===
“Grongringro and I were close to King Matthias when the Battle of Elepharia was lost” Hycra explained his side of the story “When everyone started retreating towards all directions, we helped him get to solid ground. We offered to come with him for protection, but he went his own way, towards where and with what intentions we don’t know. Before he departed, he said that the Lady of Calibus would probably take us in and that the Tower would be a safe place to wait in until the time was right. That’s how we ended up under Lady Charlotte’s protection. At the time, we thought it was temporary. After a while, we sent some letters in hopes of getting someone else to the safety of the Tower, but we never got any responses and no one appeared, for four years at least.
“We tried not to be a burden to her Ladyship. We helped any way we could. She had a plan of her own and we offered our help. We expected thedude’s reign would end soon; that the people would stand up against him and the Knights would show up again. But that never happened, so we continued doing what we were doing and time passed. Then, after some years more people started arriving. First, it was that pair of Nexus-Forcers who seemed to have broken through the blockade. Then, came the other Knights and their companions. Trouble was following though”
“We thought we arrived there safely!” John continued “Yet, we were found. We did not know LordBrocktree had been involved in the chase. He led the hunting party and found us! This is the story of the Fall of Calibus Tower and the Fall of Sir Squid”
=== Part XIII ===
There was silence for a while. Everybody was pained by the memory of the story they were saying.
“It was a spooky tower!” Normm said finally “Or so it seemed to me when we arrived there in the night. Yet, it turned out to be more welcome than it looked. The Lady wasn’t sure if it would be good for us to stay there, too, but she let us in when we assured her we would soon be on our way again”
A spooky tower? The woman remembered one, too.
Ellwen looked at the castle rising before her. It had a darker quality in it than one would have expected it to look knowing who lived there. Maybe, it was just the combination of it being night and knowing that something terrible had happened there. But it could also be something magical; besides, there was lightning striking in the area once in a while, which seemed too dramatic to be coincidental.
                The young woman surveyed the two towers at her left. She sensed that everything was centred on them. For a moment, she thought she saw a minifigure on one of them. She headed for the gates intending to reach the highest balcony of that tower.
                The gates had been left open by someone. When she neared them, she could feel more than ever that the magic of the castle had been weakened. Entering, the hall she saw there was a faint fog still dissipating in the room as well as other signs that a magical duel could have left behind. She started getting even more worried. She jumped over a little lake of some red liquid that was on the floor and ran to the stairway, which she knew led to the top of the aforementioned tower.
=== Part XIV ===
She found more signs of a duel on the stairs. A destroyed armour suit, a lifeless insect-like creature the size of a dog, burnings on the walls and steps, some piles of ash and more. She didn’t wonder what had happened anymore, but new questions arose like who attacked, why and how did it all conclude. The idea that the attacker could still be there had struck her, but Ellwen felt no fear for herself at the moment.
                She finally reached the top of the tower and got out on the balcony. The first thing she saw was a man. He was obviously a wizard, as the pointy hat and robes indicated. The second thing she noticed was an elongated rectangular parallelepiped made of marble. As she made a step towards the man, he turned around to face her. It was Mardolf the Orange.
                There was an expression of extreme sorrow in his face. His eyes were wet and tears were rolling on his beard. While before he still had some blonde hair, in the dim light of the moon and stars, it seemed like in the few hours it had been since the Convention it had all grayed. The wizard was broken.
                “What happened?” Ellwen couldn’t make herself speak louder than a mere whisper.
                “Geidrich is fallen. Some magical practitioner seems to have defeated him and threw him from the tower. Wiz is gone”
                Ellwen now realised what the marble object was; who was in it…
                “That… I… Wh-” Ellwen failed to speak “What do you mean gone?” she finally said.
                The girl for the first time now felt the cold of being in a nightgown on the top of a tower in the middle of a cold night.
                “He left before I arrived, but he’s still in the general area. I can feel his presence. He’s going farther and farther, but I don’t know where”
                “I must find him”
=== Part XV ===
“You’d better hurry then. But… Ellwen! You know, if you choose to follow him it will be a dangerous journey. Are you sure you want to get yourself into this?”
                “There is no other way”
                “Then, take care! Of you and him. And sorry I couldn’t help more”
 
                                                               ~~~***---***~~~
 
                “Lady Charlotte! I have a question I would like to ask you!” Ruby said entering the room.
                Hycra and Squid were playing chess in the corner and John was watching them. Lady Charlotte was studying some manuscripts on her armchair. They were not in the drawing room for the public, of course. They were in a room where there was no danger of being seen. The three other Nexus-Forcers did not happen to be in the room.
                It had been a week since Ruby, John, Squid and the Nexus-Forcers arrived in Calibus Tower. Grongringro had left with a digging party before that and he had not returned since, so they hadn’t seen him. But there had been a warm reunion with Hycra.
                “What is it, Ruby?”
                “There was something bugging me concerning you all this time, but I couldn’t quite put my finger on it. But now it came to me. I remember looking at a family tree of the royal family once and saw that Queen Amelia, Jonna’s mother, had a sister Charlotte. Are you Jonna’s aunt?”
                “Indeed I am”
                “Why did you not tell us?”
                “I saw no reason to it. It wouldn’t change anything for you”
                “Why did Jonna never know about you? I’m sure she’d be more surprised than I am to hear that”
=== Part XVI ===
“I don’t think I am the most qualified person to answer this question. Maybe you should ask Matthias, if you ever see him” the Lady sounded somewhat bitter saying that.
                “Milady, there seems to be a man wishing to see you downstairs” a manservant announced walking in the room.
                “Who is he?”
                “Apparently, he calls himself Lord Brocktree”
                Had rumours of this name reached any one of them before, they would have known they should get out of there as soon as possible. But, unfortunately, they had not and so they would all have to face the sorrows of what Brocktree brought with him wherever he went.
                “I do not remember the existence of such a Lord before or after thedude!” Lady Charlotte was surprised “What does he want with me?”
                “He didn’t say. He’s waiting in the drawing room downstairs”
                “Very well! All of you” she turned to the Knights “Make no noise and don’t go anywhere else. Alfred, find the others and send them here, but do not make any noise”
                The Knights watched the woman get out of the room. Normally, they would not have been able to know what happened downstairs. However, that young lad of the Nexus Force who was also staying there that period, Peregrine, had found a way to get around this problem in case someone they did not trust had come to speak with the Lady of Calibus. He had placed some secret microphones in the drawing room and so they could hear what was going on downstairs.
                Squid turned the speaker on and everyone gathered around him. They heard someone walking, probably to and fro, since the room was not that big for him to walk continually.
                “Please, sit!” the voice of her Ladyship was heard suddenly and the walking stopped.
== The Lady of Calibus ==
=== Chapter 4 ===
==== Part 1 ====
(Credit for the dialogue in this chapter goes to FFFFFplayer)
Charlotte sat down in a chair, waving a hand at another chair for the visitor.
“Thank you, but I prefer to stand,” the visitor said, his deep masculine voice muffled by the helmet he wore. Charlotte quickly evaluated this Lord Brocktree. She could feel his eyes watching her through the black visor that covered his face, and he wore sleek, heavy-duty armor that she couldn’t recognize. He struck a very intimidating figure, bulked-up with dark armor and looming over her.
“As you wish,” Charlotte said, wishing that she had not already sat down. “I was informed you wanted to speak with me. I do not believe we have met, though. So, I couldn’t help but wonder what could have caused your coming here! Not that you aren’t welcome, of course,” she amended as graciously as she could manage.
Brocktree didn’t move as he spoke, ““I am investigating a case of some fugitives and I thought you might be of some help as the fugitives are known to have come to the area. Perhaps, you noticed anything suspicious? Did you see anyone?”
“I am afraid I cannot help you with that. I haven’t noticed anything out of the ordinary,” Lady Charlotte said, striving to sound regretful even as her heart started beating faster. What was this man up to? Was he just probing her, or was he truly looking for help?
“Lady Charlotte, would you say that your loyalties lie with thedude? I am sorry to ask, but it is necessary,” Brocktree said, his voice becoming more deadpan.
“I do not see the point of this question. King thedude visited me himself a few weeks ago to get an answer to very same question and I believe he left satisfied by the one I gave him. Did he not?"
==== Part 2 ====
“If he didn’t, I have not been informed of such a thing. However, if new evidence occurs one must review the facts anew.”
“What new evidence?”
“You have not answered my question?”
Charlotte inclined her head apologetically, as if to show that she had simply forgotten to reply. “My loyalties lie with the King,” she said convincingly.
There was a short silence as Brocktree adjusted his stance, folding his hands behind his back and straightening. “Which King?”
“We only have one King, don’t we?”
“And he is?”
“thedude.”
“So, you wouldn’t say that you still consider yourself aligned with the outlaw, Matthias? You do not still consider him your King?”
“Why would I? He is King of nothing.”
“Yet, are you still friendly to him or any of his accomplices?”
“I help his cause in no way, if that’s what you mean.”
“And you don’t hinder thedude’s cause against him or the rogues known as the Knights of the Olde Speech?”
“No, I do not.”
“So, if one were to search the Tower, they wouldn’t find any renegades hiding in here.”
Lady Charlotte lifted her chin. The jig was up, she knew. Inwardly, she was furious that her plan to smash thedude was surely over. But she had to do what she could to save the others before she was imprisoned, or worse. Perhaps the knights could manage to escape. Keeping her face straight she replied in an even voice.
“Why would they? Do you imply I’m hiding outlaws in my home?”
Brocktree folded his arms. “Lady Charlotte, you understand that if you know something and are concealing that information, you are only worsening your situation. In the end, we will find out anyway.”
==== Part Three ====
“Lord Brocktree” Charlotte replied in an ironic tone, raising her voice to make sure the microphones picked it up, “Even if there were outlaws in my home, they would be long gone now.”
Brocktree nodded emotionlessly. Charlotte was sure he realized she was warning them, and that he had not been surprised by this confirmation. He turned his head towards the door and declared, “They’re here. Arrest this woman!”
A small group of Paradox Rogues entered, their wormholers primed and at the ready. Two of them accompanied Brocktree as he strode towards the stairs, their boots thumping in time as they disappeared upwards.
Lady Charlotte held her head high as the remaining Paradox Rogues put her in hand cuffs. She refused to give the enemy the satisfaction of seeing her angry, keeping her face composed as they marched her out of Calibus Tower, her home.
<><><>
=== Chapter Five ===
==== Part One ====
Even as Lord Brocktree and Lady Charlotte spoke with one another, forces were already at work underground.
Austin held up the lantern in hand, letting its soft light float around them in the dark tunnel. “Go ahead and take that over to shaft nine,” he ordered Jerry, who was pushing an empty wheelbarrow, “They’ve already dug up another pile of dirt that needs to be removed.” He was deep in the mines with Sir Grongringro, Peregrine, and several miners. The group had come down into the mines over a week ago, and had been working almost constantly since then. Austin was acting tour guide for Peregrine, and though the tunnel was anything but a vacation destination, Perry remained enamored by the novelty of it all even after spending so much time underground.
==== Part Two ====
The daredevil poked his dirt-dusted head out of a nearby tunnel exit. “Yeah, they’re digging like lightning over there!” he said cheerfully. “I bet that shaft will be just like this one by the end of the day!” He pointed up at the sign above the exit he stood in, which had a large seven painted on it.
Austin turned from Jerry, who saluted and left with his wheelbarrow. “More like the end of the week. If you worked as fast as your mouth does, I’d have you digging too- then it would be done by today!” he joked. Partially.
“Can’t do that,” Peregrine denied, shaking an admonishing finger. “I’m helping Grongringro on lookout duty now, remember?” He leapt out of the shadowy tunnel and swept an arm out grandly. “Peregrine Eagle Eyes! Guardian of the secret tunnels!”
Austin shook his head. “How did Stirling end up with a joker like you?” he wondered. “Is Grongringro almost down yet?”
Peregrine ducked back into the hole and looked up. “Here he comes,” he confirmed.
Immediately it was apparent Peregrine did not need to have announced this. Not a moment later Sir Grongringro came scrambling down the ladder as fast as he could, shouting in olde speech.
“For sooth, comrades! An enemy band approaches, and they bear weapons of unnecessarily intimidating size!!” He jumped off the ladder a few feet above the ground, landing and drawing his sword, his face sharp with the knowledge of upcoming battle.
Austin and Perry glanced at him quizzically. “ Was that English? What did you say?” they asked.
Sir Grongringro shook his head and spoke plainly. “We’re under attack!”
“Oh!” The two other minifigures nodded their heads genially, understanding now. Then they blinked and jumped, belatedly realizing the gravity of the statement.
==== ====
==== Part Three ====
Austin pulled out his own sword, and shouted down the tunnel towards the miners, hoping his voice would carry far enough to warn them, while Peregrine whipped out his twin flare guns and aimed them at the now dangerously shadowy shaft seven.
But as they vigilantly watched for the enemy to cascade from the gaping hole next to them, they dimly heard a scream from deeper in the main tunnel. Austin whipped around, anger on his face as the cry was violently silenced by sharp gunfire.
“They’re coming from shaft eight!” he exclaimed, gritting his teeth as he thought of the miners they were now cut off from. They had no experience in battle- and there was no way he could get to them.
Sir Grongringro also turned towards the scream. “That sounded like Jerry,” he said with wide eyes, and started to run when Peregrine stuck a leg out and tripped him. Grongringro fell face first onto the hard-packed dirt just as a stream of bullets shredded the air where he was just standing. The knight quickly rolled to regain his footing and dived out of the way, thanking Peregrine with a quick glance.
While the three men had been looking back to where the scream had come from, a group of Paradox Rogues had come down shaft seven and were wasting no time attacking. Perry returned fire even as more poured down into the mine.
==== Part Four ====
A purple light eerily shone from deeper in the tunnel, signifying the rapid approach of the group of Rogues from shaft eight. Sir Grongringro shouted something in olde speech and ran to meet them, sword in hand.
Austin suddenly looked down the tunnel, towards Calibus Tower. “Lady Charlotte!” He threw the lantern he was holding at the Rogues coming out of the shaft and yelled to Peregrine, “This whole thing’s going to pieces! Hold them off while I try and get the Lady to safety!” Without waiting for a reply he took off in a sprint.
The lantern shattered on the shoulder of one of the Rogues, an ember that it had been sheltering falling and catching on some wood chips that lay in the dirt. Even as the flame started to grow, eager to be out of its cage, a slim, softly crafted boot snuffed it out. The boot belonged to a Sorceress wearing dark, fluttering robes. She swept into the tunnel with the Rogues, a glowing Doomslicer pulsing excitedly in her hand. She glanced to her left, a snarl contorting her features when she saw Austin disappearing down the dark passage. She turned and saw Peregrine next, her eyes lighting up diabolically.
“I’ll get the other one later,” she informed no one in particular, and pointed the Doomslicer at the daredevil’s head. “For now, smashing you will suffice.”
<><><>
== THE SEARCH AND THE HUNT ==
Parts XVII, XVIII, XIX of this story are the dialogue that Jonna posted. So, this is Part XX
~~~
=== Part XX ===
Through Borcktree and Lady Charlotte's talk, the minifigures upstairs had been arguing whether to leave, abandoning Charlotte, or not. But when the woman spoke about their already having left, they all realised what that meant. Charlotte wanted them out of here. Fast. After that no one noticed what else was said between Brocktree and Charlotte.
                “Come on! Out the window!” a Nexus-Forcer suggested.
                However, as their heads turned towards the window, their hearts sank. A Paradox Rogue with a Wormholer in hand was looking at them menacingly through the window. It was a trap. The following events seemed to happen in slow motion. The moment their gaze fell upon the man he pulled the trigger of his weapon and a deadly blast was released from it. The window was shattered in a million little shards and everyone raised their arms over their heads protectively. They heard the sound of something heavy slumping on the floor. The same person who had urged them to get out of the window, being closer to it than all others, had been hit by the blast and fallen lifeless to the floor some metres from where he was standing previously. Two people, one being Normm, screamed and that sound was accompanied by the sound of swords being unsheathed. The battle had begun.
                In all this fuss, no one really knew at which point the servant had got out of the door heading downstairs.
                “Normm, Joss, get out of here!” Ruby commanded the Nexus-Forcers, while John charged at the Renegade “You may still be able to get out of here!”
=== Part XXI ===
The Paradox Rogue had gotten to fire once more in the meantime, but he had missed and he didn’t get the chance to fire ever again. John’s charge had caused him to fall from the windowsill. The Knight looked below him, outside the window and saw more Rogues climbing ropes intending to get to them. He quickly got his head back in, for there were immediately many projectiles headed for him.
                “Many of them are climbing up and more have surrounded the Tower on the ground” he said “I don’t think we can fight through them. We’re trapped”
                At that moment, another window was broken and another Rogue, this time a Sorcerer, entered the room. The Sorcerer charged against Ruby, but she blocked his attack. The woman engaged in combat with him, but was interrupted by Squid who smashed the Sorcerer.
                However, the Sorcerer had distracted them long enough for two more Paradox Rogues to appear through the windows. The Knights covered behind the several pieces of furniture the room contained. A chair and a table exploded. Out of the four of them, only Hycra had a bow and arrow, which he used to attack one of the Rogues from behind his cover. An arrow found the man in a spot in the neck where his armour did not protect him and he collapsed to the floor.
                The Space Marauder –for a Space Marauder he was– tried to eliminate Hycra the next moment, but the remnants of the old anti-technology spell caused his Wormholer to jam for a moment. Sir Squid seized that chance to attack him and they both fell to the floor and started wrestling. Ruby got out of her cover and ran to one of the three windows just in time to prevent a Shinobi to get inside. John came to Squid’s aid. Hycra shot a Knight of Vladek’s coming from the third window, which had to that moment not been broken.
=== Part XXII ===
“If they are all to come at this rate, I don’t think we should have much to fear” Hycra commented.
                “But they will soon…phew… come from other places, too, and then they will overwhelm us” Squid said between pants.
                Another enemy down by Hycra.
                “Is there any other place giving us any advantage?”
                Ruby hit an ascending Rogue on the head sending him downwards.
                “I don’t think any place would be any different in a little”
                A Sorcerer and a Shinobi burst the door open –John had closed it just a little while ago–, only to be ambushed by John and Squid waiting by it for the first ones to arrive from there.
                “Do you think the others will be okay?” Ruby asked.
                No one answered.
                Suddenly, something small fell near the entrance. Squid and John jumped away only a moment before it exploded. Three minifigures entered the room through the smokes. Two of them were Paradox Rogues, but what was the third, the one in the middle? A Sentinel Rogue? He walked with such an air of importance and had equipment that seemed so superior that the Knights knew immediately that it must be Lord Brocktree.
                Ruby was preoccupied with a knight coming from the window, John and Squid were still recovering from the explosion. Hycra shot one of the Rogues down and quickly after that he shot Brocktree. Yet, the man didn’t even try to dodge the arrow, which bounced off his armour. Brocktree, in response, drew one of the various pistols his belt carried among various other weapons and fired at Hycra. The move was so quick that Hycra barely managed to move at all to dodge the hit. Even that slight moving though saved him for instead of taking the hit to the heart, he was hit on the shoulder. He collapsed to the floor in pain.
=== Part XXIII ===
John, having been less injured than Squid by the explosion, got up and charged against their assailant. However, Brocktree put the shield he was holding in his left hand in front of him and slammed John with it. The force of the hit sent the Knight across the room and out one of the windows. An unfortunate Marauder was coming in through it at the very moment and he was pushed away from the windowsill. John managed to get hold of the windowsill and did not fall, but he was very near to it.
                Brocktree put his pistol back to his belt and drew his broadsword from his back, while advancing towards Squid, who was still on the ground. He slashed his sword at the Knight, but it was blocked. He looked up and saw Ruby. He kicked the woman on the belly and she was jettisoned to the other side of the room. Meanwhile, the other Paradox Rogue in the room seemed uncertain whether he should engage or not.
                Hycra managing to stand up grabbed the Wormholer of one of their fallen enemies and fired at Brocktree and the other Rogue. Brocktree was blasted and fell to his back, but did not smash like the Rogue. Five more Rogues came through the door and one was coming in from a window. Squid and Ruby got up at that moment and John’s head appeared from the window. Hycra started firing at the incoming attackers. Seeing that, John shouted “Come with me! This way!” and then he let go of the windowsill.
                But Sir John Nicholas Cataclysm did not jump to his own demise. Instead he got a grip on the rope the intruders had placed there to climb up the walls of the Tower and started rolling down on it. Ruby looked down from the window and saw John going down the rope kicking any Renegades in his way.
                “He’s right! Come on!” she said and jumped through the window, too.
=== Part XXIV ===
Brocktree was now getting up and more enemies came through the door, but Hycra continued firing with his Wormholer, throwing Brocktree back down and smashing others. Squid kicked a knight coming from a window and jumped out of it, too. Hycra was now alone and the room was filling with enemies faster than he could eliminate them. He walked backwards to one of the windows as fast as he could while still facing and firing at the intruders. Once he was there, he jumped out of the window last of all.
== The Lady Of Calibus ==
=== Chapter Six ===
==== Part One ====
Panting heavily, Austin ran down the tunnel. It was so dark he could hardly see anything, and as a result kept tripping over shovels and pickaxes. Despite all that he continued running as fast as he could.
It seemed almost an eternity before he reached the giant trapdoor. With his sword still unsheathed in one of his hands, he climbed out of the mine, trying to catch breath as he did so. Refusing to stop to rest, he ran through the door that led into the main tower.
A cluster of Paradox Rogues was in the hallway and turned towards him as he emerged. Austin was angry, though not surprised, to find more of thedude’s minions here. He held his sword up and attacked, and soon defeated them. Spurred on by this victory, he raced to the end of the hallway and paused. Where was Lady Charlotte most likely to be? Austin glanced at the door leading to the dining room, then to the door to the stairs, breathing heavily. He wasn’t even sure if it was a mealtime right now, and Charlotte now rarely ate in the dining room anyway. Deciding that she was more likely to be upstairs studying, he barged through the door and took two steps at a time, only to run into more Paradox Rogues at the top. He smashed two of them before they could draw their blasters, but the third Rogue managed to get a shot off. It grazed Austin’s leg, making him grunt in pain even as he struck down his attacker.
Limping, Austin made his way toward the next stairs until he was in another hallway. By now the enemy had been alerted of his presence; he heard the synchronized approach of a dozen troops as they came around the corner and sighted him. Unsuccessfully trying to ignore the pain in his leg, he thrust his sword at the nearest Rogue.
==== Part Two ====
Even as he defeated the first one, reinforcements came from other doors, and more came from behind him- apparently they had gotten past Grongringro and Peregrine in the mines and followed Austin upstairs. They engaged him on both sides, and while the narrow hallway worked in his favor, there was no way he could defeat so many foes.
A part of him knew it was lost cause. He had been doing hard labor for over a week, had just run almost a mile, and was outnumbered by enemies with superior gear. He was not going to survive.
A frightening light shone in his eyes, and he gripped his sword more tightly. He growled, a sound that grew into a roar of adrenaline.
“So be it!” he cried, and thrust himself at them savagely. He fought as hard as he could; he’d always been the best swordsman out of his brothers. For every blow he received he made sure he delivered two more. But his strength started to quaver, his wounds proving too much as they multiplied. He tried to feel at peace with this end- after all, they had always known their scheme was a long shot. He failed to block one strike, then another, and another.
“Let it… never be said,” he gasped, something warm dripping from his mouth, “that the Silverstines… died as cowards….”
A final shot rang out as he fell to the stained floor.
<><><>
== To Return Home: Act 4: Journeys ==
=== CHAPTER XII "What's yours is Mine." ===
==== Part 1 ====
"HEY! I'm a good runner too!" Peragrine hollered over his shoulder after Austin, who was already gone. Then he dove out of the way of a crushing blow from the creepy lady attacking him.
"Whoa. Even the ladies around here are strong!" he thought to himself.
He barely had enough time to complete his tumble and roll up to his feet, before he had to flip backwards, up and over a side-sweep from what he now Identified as a Doomslicer.
"Hey! Careful! You're going to hurt someone with that!" barked Peragrine.
"That's the IDEA..." shouted the attacker, grinning maliciously, as she swung once more. The 2 purple laser arcs that made her Staff a scythe hummed brightly, only adding to her terrifying persona.
Peragrine kept moving. He was too fast for her. "For the moment, anyway. When's she gonna try something new?" he mused, as he hopped away from another bone-crushing blow.
The Paradox Sorceress abruptly spoke. Her eyes dimly lit purple in the shadowy mine. "Your- You're so BRIGHT! How did I not notice that before? So full of Energy! I MUST have you for myself!" She quickly slung her Doomslicer on her back, and began muttering words under her breath while doing elaborate hand motions in Perry's direction, as if she was doing a kata.
"Oh, now that's not creepy at all!" said Perry, who saw his chance, and lined up and fired his flareguns.
The shots were true...but not enough.
==== Part 2 ====
In the short span of time it took for the projectiles to reach the Sorceress's outstretched hands, a dark- darker than the mine around it- portal opened between her hands, and Peragrine's projectiles were swallowed up. The woman behind it gave a small gasp... she staggered, but held herself upright. Her eyes were very bright now, and the small portal in her hands began giving off miniature bolts of violet lightning.
Peragrine, despite himself, was somewhat impressed. "Gee. That's a cute little maelstrom vortex you've got there."
Menaya Kull smiled. "You have no idea" she thought. She saw her incantation doing its work. The bright pulsating lifeform of this boy was being channeled into the Portal, directly into her inner self, boosting her mystic prowess. A shame that quite a good bit of it would have to be used to heal the internal flaregun wounds... But it would still be a large net gain.
Peragrine aimed his flareguns again, intending to not hit the vortex this time, but as he aimed, he suddenly felt... very... relaxed...
His arms drooped, and his eyes sagged. Then he shook himself and said, "Wait a minute! Is this a Jedi mind trick?"
Menaya Kull winced. "How???" The boy had regained his lost energy in what she saw as a large flash of florescent green light. He was regenerating it at an alarming rate! She smiled. He was a living spring of energy! Now she had to capture him. Ending the portal enchantment, she simply pointed a hand at Peragrine and said, "Yirdmoi"
Immediately, Perry's eyes flickered...
And he dreamt.
== THE SEARCH AND THE HUNT ==
=== Part XXV ===
                John was already at the ground. The number of Rogues outside the Tower was considerably less since the first time John looked outside, since many of the soldiers had entered the building. However, they were still too many. He wielded his sword against the Rogues around him and tried not to get smashed. As he ducked to avoid an incoming rocket he noticed a Rogue’s blaster on the ground. He grabbed as quickly as he could and then started firing at his enemies.
                Ruby suddenly landed on top of a Renegade and jumped into the battle, too. Squid followed and Hycra came down last, descending the rope with one hand and his foot while the other was holding the Wormholer and firing at the gathered crowd of enemies.
                “We need to get out of here!” Hycra said.
                “Really?! I hadn’t thought about that?” Squid said sarcastically.
                The four minifigures started to advance through their enemies, but it was a slow process. More foes started coming from where the gate of the Tower was. It looked like they wouldn’t be able to make it.
                “At least, we should be honoured that so many showed up to fight us!” John joked.
                But it was not over, yet.
                For, to the surprise of everyone, there was suddenly an explosion from the first floor of the Tower. A big part of the wall of the first level blew up and debris was flung all around resulting to the smashing of many of thedude’s soldiers. Dust and ashes were everywhere. This served as a diversion and created an opening for the Knights, who were not hurt, to run away from the fight.
=== Part XXVI ===
               They started running through the debris and dust when someone jumped from the hole on the first floor. They looked to find Normm landing on the body of a fallen Shinobi.
                “Normm!” they exclaimed.
                “What about Joss?”
                “He didn’t make it”
                They stopped for a moment until they were sure he could run, too, and then continued. thedude’s soldiers were still after them. Hycra and John were at the rear firing behind them as often as they could. Normm had a blaster, too, so he helped them.
                Their pursuers’ armour was much heavier than theirs, which allowed them to run faster than they did. Thus, soon they were halfway through the Calibus grounds and the cycle of enemies they had escaped through was left behind. They almost hoped again. But it was not over, yet.
                As they were running, Squid suddenly screamed. He stopped running and it was all he could do not to fall. Everyone looked at him. A thrown knife had found him on the rib. They looked back and saw Lord Brocktree approaching them. They couldn’t see his face, but something in the way he walked made them think he was angry.
                “Brick him, how did he reach us?” Hycra complained, as he grabbed Squid and helped him walk.
                “We cannot outrun him, especially if you carry me and we cannot fight him! Even if we could win, the others will catch up with us” Squid said trying to ignore the pain.
                “What other choice do we have?” Ruby asked.
                “To leave me! Run for it! I’m a goner anyway, so I might as well delay him!”
                “What!? No!”
                “There’s no other choice!” Squid said and then he took the Wormholer from Hycra’s hands and turned back.
=== Part XXVII ===
Everyone looked mortified seeing Sir Squid running towards Brocktree –his decision seemed to have given him some power despite his injuries. However, John had them run again. They could do nothing now to stop Squid and if they stalled any more his sacrifice would be for naught. Yet, they could not help but look back as they made for the fence that was the border of the Calibus Park.
                Squid was blasting Brocktree with the Wormholer, but either the weapon had started failing or Brocktree did not allow himself to be affected by the blasts for he just continued walking as if the projectiles were just a strong wind.
                Brocktree reached Squid. The knight, seeing it was no use, hurled the Wormholer towards Brocktree’s head and slashed his sword at him but the other dodged and drew his own. Broadsword against longsword, the clashes came one after another, each causing more stress upon Squid’s muscles.
                The others were almost at the fence when Brocktree kicked Squid during while their swords were engaged throwing him to the ground. Ruby screamed, but she did not stop. Squid tried to get up, but Brocktree kicked him again. And then as the first Paradox Rogues started to pass them by, Brocktree’s sword fell…
                They all looked away not wanting to see the end of their friend; and they kept running. Reaching the fence, they discovered big parts of it had been brought down for the army to pass through. Five Rogues were stationed there, but they were smashed through the means of the two blasters before they realised they were coming. Hycra had an idea.
=== Part XXVIII ===
Five minutes later, the three Knights and Normm were running in the forest that surrounded the Calibus Park, but now they were dressed as Paradox Rogues. They had stalled somewhat, but the sun had set a long time ago and so in the dark and inside the forest, it would be very difficult to spot them, while their pursuers were too much left behind anyway.
                Hycra’s idea turned out to be quite useful. It had not been ten minutes when they met a squad of a few Rogues wandering around the forest.
                “What happened?” one of them asked “Why are you running?”
                “Some of the Knights escaped into the forest and we’re searching for them” John replied.
                “Good thing the forest’s full of patrols then!” said the other “It won’t be long before someone finds them. Well then, continue your way and we will continue ours”
                The Renegade was true to his words. The forest was full of patrols like that. And many people found them that night. But no one recognised them and that was the key to their escaping. And so one hour before dawn they came out of the forest and they left towards the west.
~~~***---***~~~
== The Lady of Calibus ==
=== Chapter Seven ===
Foul, muddy liquid dripped from the stone ceiling, falling on Lady Charlotte's lap. She was sitting in a dark cell, her hands chained to the wall behind her. She had been given a scratchy, plain dress, and her gray-streaked hair hun around her head in a tangled shroud. There was the steady sound of feet on stone stairs as someone descended into the toxic-smelling darkness. Lord Vladek appeared from the stairwell, a triumphant swagger in his steps. He came and leaned against the bars of the Lady's cell.
"Welcome to the stronghold of the King, Miss Charlotte," he taunted her. She looked up at him, unflinching even as she recognized her sister's destroyer.
"Strong enough words do not exist," she said with a chilling lack of emotion, "that I can say that could express the hatred I have for you. I will not waste my breath on it."
Vladek smiled meanly.
"Must be hard for you. That was a very clever scheme you had going there." He sneered, "Yet your plan failed, Charlotte, and we smashed the fugitives you were hiding."
She watched him evenly. "Not all of them," she objected coolly. "I heard several got away from your supposed Super Sentinel." He eyes narrowed slightly. "See? You can't smash everyone, Vladek."
"I can smash you," he replied chillingly. He stroked his chin and looked at her sitting in the cold chains, as if considering it. "But even now you don't understand me. I don't live to smash everyone, like you think. Though if I did not have more important things to do, I would easily hunt and destroy all the fools who fled Lord Brocktree." He grinned maliciously. "As easily as I destroyed your sister."
Lady Charlotte tightened her jaw and steadily held Vladek's gaze. When she offered no retort, the dark knight laughed and spun on his heels, striding out of the dungeon haughtily. When he was gone Charlotte's eyes softened painfully. She exhaled, and let her head hang back down.
<><><>End of The Lady of Calibus<><><>
== To Return Home: Act 4: Journeys ==
=== Interlude ===
"Misstress.  The target is smashed. It took nearly 2 whole detachments, but he's dead."
A Paradox Rouge saluted Miss Kull as she stepped out of the mines, with a comatose greenclad Peragrine over her shoulder.
"Oh? Is that so? Where did you smash him?"
"What is left of hin is right over here, Misstress. Come, see for yourself."
Miss Kull walked straight to the final resting place of her target. The one called Stirling Silverstine. One of that proud clan which owned the finest Mines in all of Morcia.  She did not need the Rouge to lead her there. She saw the residual mystic glow of his recent footsteps quite clearly enough.  Forcing her vision to clear, to see what everyone called 'normal', she saw the delightfully gruesome scene of her target's demise.  
Kneeling down to look closely at the mutilated pieces, she remarked aloud to her coulleages, "Fine work. Very fine work. The only shame is that I can't make out what was the head, or the foot. Very fine work."
"It was necessary, Sir." said a shinobi defensively. "He kept on fighting, even after he had more than a dozen mortal wounds. He just kept on ... Living. Like he thought he could make it off of will alone or something."
"We could learn from that. We should all fight like that." She said, lifting her eyes to the Shinobi.  "Wouldn't you agree?"
The shinobi shuffled irritatedly, then left.
"What about this one?" asked a regular Soldier of Vladek, kicking the dreaming Peragrine laying on the floor.
"Auh, auh, auh," chided Menaya softly.  "This one is mine. I am taking him to the Fortress, for my own purposes." she said, grinning madly.
She stood up, and raised her hand over Peragrine's sleeping form. Then she said, "Yiwkli yiwhtu yimo."
And Peragrine got up, and sleepwalked alongside her.  
Her mission complete, she set off with a fresh group of Rouges for Mount Thunderclap. She couldn't wait to begin tests on the Venture Leauger.
End Part IV. 
== THE SEARCH AND THE HUNT ==
=== PART XXIX ===
“Of course, it wasn’t all that easy after that! The Rogues and Brocktree were still near and there were plenty of them. Soon, they were after us and the disguise would not work forever” Ruby said “We made a long distance with Brocktree and his men on our tail, but we lost them in Ankoria”
Hycra spoke then “We know they’re coming here, though, and it won’t be long before they arrive in Orllewin”
~~~***---***~~~
It was very early and the very first light of the day appeared over the mountains of Ankoria. The city streets were empty of people; only five minifigures in robes and hoods were walking fast towards the docks. Upon arriving there, they found the sailors up preparing the ships for the journey despite the early hour.
“Derborough is usually the first ship to set sail. You shall board that one” said the leading figure to the others.
“Won’t you come?” asked Ruby.
“I’m not in a hurry to leave. Maybe, I can still do some good over here. Don’t worry about me!”
As they approached the ship that had the name Derborough written on it, they noticed a wooden stall by it. There was a minifigure in it, supporting his head with his hand and snoring.
“You need to get leave to leave Orllewin. Despite thedude’s army already having engaged in combat with the Britayan army and navy, the war is not official, yet, so they still question the ones who wish to leave the mainland for Britay according to a treaty between thedude and King Charles. Let me settle this” the woman explained and then left the others behind to talk with the man.
“Excuse me!”
=== Part XXX ===
“What is it? Ha? I wasn’t sleeping!” the man woke up.
“There are some friends of mine who wish to pass to Britay”
“Do they have papers?” the man asked wishing not to have been wakened.
“No, but…”
“Then, we’ll have to question them!”
“I don’t think that would be necessary”
“And why not?”
“You know who I am, right?”
“Of course I do, but…”
“Well, then I believe my guarantee would be good enough for anyone in the kingdom, why not you?”
“But this is not how we do things, my lady!”
“Listen! These are not the Knights you’re looking for! You can make an exception!” she looked intently upon the man and she said that very decisively.
The man seemed confused and his eyes became a little hazy.
“I suppose we can make an exception! Besides, they are not the Knights we’re looking for. The Lady of Kingston guarantees for them”
He then took some papers wrote something on them, stamped them and handed them to her.
“Have a safe journey!” he called after her while she turned around to leave.
As the woman walked back to the runaways, the man looked about him in a confused way as if he wasn’t pretty sure what he was supposed to do. He started whistling.
“Here! Take these!”  the woman handed them the papers “You will show them these to get on board. I don’t suppose you have much money”
“Not really” Hycra confirmed.
=== Part XXXI ===
“Well then, also give them this” she handed Normm a bag that produced a sound that indicated it contained coins “and also give this to the captain of the ship” she gave Normm an envelope.
“What is this?” John asked.
“A letter I wrote to persuade the captain to leave immediately instead of waiting for the ship to fill with people”
“We can’t possibly thank you enough!” Ruby said.
“But you don’t need to. We all have a common cause. Be safe”
They walked towards the ship, when the woman seemed to remember something.
“While you’re in Britay, wait for the time when the four founders meet again”
“What do you mean by that?” John said what they all thought.
“Only what I said”
On this mystical remark they reached the ship. They showed a man the papers they had been given and they were allowed to board. Ruby was the last to climb the gangplank. As she did so, she turned around to look at the woman.
“I don’t remember. What did you say your name was?”
“It’s because I didn’t!” the mystical woman said smiling.
There was another person whom she had refused to share her name with. Wiz Ardon. The person with whom her troubles had began. It was his trouble, too. She remembered that night.
The young girl, Ellwen, was walking in a forest during the first hours of day. The sun hadn’t really appeared for it was raining and the clouds blocked it. Light was very dim. The girl’s bare feet were full of mud, while her hair and nightgown were wet. Yet, she continued further on decided to find Wiz Ardon, without being troubled about her state. He did not have to be alone.
=== Part XXXII ===
~~~
She did not know where he was. However, there was this sense; she almost felt the way or actually she felt what the next step should be and slowly she was being led by that sense to the boy. She had been following her senses like that for some hours, now. She felt she was close now. Yes, indeed she could feel his presence now. There was no doubt she would see him just now.
                There was a light flickering a little before her. Ellwen stood still for a moment, then she started running towards where she had seen the light. The light appeared again. It seemed to be reddish. She continued running.
                All of a sudden, she was in a clearing. Wiz Ardon, the boy she was looking for. She’d found him. And the boy was screaming. His soul was in agony, his face distorted to express the sorrow he felt. He was soaking wet, but he didn’t seem to mind it any more than Ellwen did. Red lightning was conjured by him going everywhere and causing chaos around him. Fires began on the surrounding trees only to be put out by the rain only to appear again with the next hit of lightning.
                “Wiz!” Ellwen tried to talk to him “Wiz! Can you hear me?!” in the madness of rain, lightning, fire, wind and screaming, it was hard to be heard, but she shouted as hard as she could “Please stop! It doesn’t have to be like this! You will hurt yourself! I can help you!”
                It was in vain, for it seemed that Wiz Ardon was oblivious to anything happening around him. Tears appeared on Ellwen’s cheeks, their warmth causing a contrast to the cold rain. She was about to start walking towards him, to get closer to the boy, so she could calm him down. But then there was a red flash and the whole world blacked out.
=== Part XXXIII ===
People had started gathering now and they were all asking each other why Derborough had left so early. There couldn’t possibly be more than one or two passengers on it. The woman was pleased. The four minifigures were safe. Now, Brocktree would be unable to follow them for some time. She turned around to leave. And then she saw him.
Lord Brocktree, followed by two other minifigures, had just arrived in the docks. She recognised him, not by the Knights’ description, but because she had met him, too, in the past. But it was on a very different occasion.
“Oh, Brocktree! What sort of peculiar fate has befallen you?”
As she was looking at him, their gazes met. And then Brocktree started walking towards her. He knew. He knew that she knew. But she did not try to avoid him. She didn’t even break eye contact –well, eye-helmet contact. Finally, Brocktree reached her.
“Where are they?”
“Out of your reach”
“They’re in the ship sailing to Britay?”
She did not speak.
“Did you help them?”
“Proudly”
=== Part XXXIV ===
“You fool! Don’t you realise the consequences? All that you have achieved is the upcoming fall of this city and subsequently Britay. Lord thedude has already sent an army to seize Orllewin. And when he conquers, his rage for what you have done will be released upon the people of this city and of Britay. As for you, Lord thedude will be very glad to have you through his worst tortures. Unless…you find me a way to get those minifigures back!”
“Look at the famous Brocktree, so desperate that he would use words instead of force. You have lost, Brocktree. We both know that it wouldn’t make any difference to thedude’s plans for planetary domination if I handed you the Knights. I wouldn’t save anyone like this. As for me, Brocktree, you always underestimated me. But this time it costs you more than in the past!” Ellwen, the Witch of Kingston smiled and then all of a sudden she was gone. . .
End of
the Adventures of
the peculiar Enchantress:
THE SEARCH AND THE HUNT
>>Next Suggested Story>> The Insane Blatherings, (Purposefully) Forgotten Tales of the land of Morcia>>Next Story in this Series>> The Adventures of the Peculiar Enchanter: The Ten Heroes of Malidor
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