Upon the Slopes of Glastonbury Tor (Leo/François, Tues. 4/3/07)

[Detritus]

You both wake to the sound of Gwynnis opening another portal into the ward. Rebekka, Sarah, and Dee Dee stand outside.

"Will you require anything before your journey?" asks Rebekka.

"As much vitae as you can spare," replies Gwynnis. "We should enter the astral plane as well prepared as we can be."

"We had been saving some for the purposes of creating a cadre of ghouls amongst the National Guard here, but I think we can spare it now. Certain exigencies have presented themselves."

"Oh? Such as?"

"Garou," says Dee Dee. "Samantha looks to have werewolf allies, based on watching her last night and just after sunset." The Sheriff's eyes drift to Gwynnis's sword for a moment.

"I see. You will have to manage them as best as you can."

"If Samantha knows where this place is, then so do they," comes the Sheriff's reply. "I suspect even they would pay attention to the bite of Caledfwlch."

"That is out of the question. The astral mission cannot proceed if I don't have Caledfwlch on my person. Carnwennan will have to be fang enough in any engagements with the Garou."

"As you say, Sire," Dee Dee says a bit stiffly. "I will await you upstairs, my Prince." The Sheriff's strides are somewhat more vigorous than necessary as she leaves the room.

"Crusher has come and gone. We fed him another few swallows of the mingled blood we prepared yesterday. There will be an evening council once I return upstairs."

"Proceed with caution there, too, Rebekka. I find his story about losing track of his Regnant's vitae exceedingly difficult to credit."

"We cannot spare much in the way of babysitters now, elder. Perhaps none, though I have set a watch on him nonetheless, with the threat of the Garou looming."

"No doubt that was part of the intent behind the timing of their appearance."

"You are suggesting the stake, then?" Gwynnis thinks this over for a moment.

"The Piercing Gaze, I should think. You should be the one to do it. See how strongly he resists, now and in the coming days. A second swallow should make him more malleable."

Rebekka's gaze flicks to Meerlinda's, her expression plain in her agreement.

"I suppose that would be best," Rebekka says with a sigh, "but it will have to wait until he returns from the hunt with Anneke and his clan mates. I will have Sarah gather some vitae for you." The Prince follows Dee Dee's steps, her exit calmer than the Sheriff's.

((Feel free to interject any input on any of the subjects in this discussion before answering the Justicar's question, given below.))

"We should fortify ourselves before the journey. Any such efforts will carry over to the astral plane. Do you have any questions before we proceed?"

[Brother Brian]

Francois quietly observes the exchange, playing the obedient leutenant to Gwynis.

When the justicar speaks Francois quitely shakes his head. "Nay Justicar, lead on."

[Detritus]

"I intend to make the journey rapidly, in order to time our arrival with the approaching sunrise in Somerset. We shall have to join hands during the astral transit."

Sarah returns with 8 Franzia wine boxes floating next to her in a 2 x 2 x 2 cube shape.

"Eight boxes, eighty nights' worth of vitae," says Sarah. "I hope this is enough for your needs, Justicar. Councilor."

"It should. Thank you."

"Be sure to drink after each expenditure of vitae. The Thaumaturgical vitae will not last the night once imbibed, but you may use it to fuel Disciplines before your own vitae."

"Thank you, understood." Sarah lingers at the opening in the ward, her eyes moving from Gwynnis to Jocelin to Meerlinda.

"There is something else," says Gwynnis, not unkindly. "Ask your question."

"How are you going to get her back? What little I know of the outer planes suggests it would take weeks, even months, to find someone who has a broken cord."

"There are places where this search can be expedited. We will pass the veil of Glastonbury Tor and open a door at one such place. Jocelin needs simply to walk through the door, or, failing that, we will retrieve her ourselves."

"I understand, I think. Thank you, elder," says Sarah. She casts one last look at Jocelin and says, "Go into the light, Carol Anne," before heading back upstairs.

"Shall we ready ourselves for departure?" Gwynnis says. Meerlinda comes over to hand Gwynnis two boxes of the wine-blood, and then takes two herself.

((You've got 20 Blood Points to play with, but you'll have to burn some blood at the outset for your first power-up before you can avail yourself of your blood supply. Gwynnis will find a use for any you have left over, should it come to that. Gwynnis is going to be cranking up her Celerity, Potence, and Fortitude to use on herself, FYI, so none of that is available to you.))

[Brother Brian]

Walking over to the boxes of vitae, Francois speaks. "Pardon me milord Justicar, but did I mishear? We are to arrive at sunrise?"

[Detritus]

Walking over to the boxes of vitae, Francois speaks. "Pardon me milord Justicar, but did I mishear? We are to arrive at sunrise?"
"Yes. The Sun does not show itself on the astral plane, but local sunrise is the best time to arrive, for reasons that will become apparent once we are there."

[Brother Brian]

"Yes. The Sun does not show itself on the astral plane, but local sunrise is the best time to arrive, for reasons that will become apparent once we are there."

Francois almost, but not quite, hides any trace of dubiousness in his voice. "Very well, milord. How am I best to prepare myself for the journey?"

[Detritus]

Francois almost, but not quite, hides any trace of dubiousness in his voice. "Very well, milord. How am I best to prepare myself for the journey?"
"Garou are able to enter the astral plane, even more easily than Kindred skilled at Auspex. A physical confrontation is a possibility, if they've allied themselves with Miss Drake."

[Brother Brian]

"Garou are able to enter the astral plane, even more easily than Kindred skilled at Auspex. A physical confrontation is a possibility, if they've allied themselves with Miss Drake."

Francois nods.

I noted yesterday that my arms did not travel with me, yet I gathered from your conversations that your sword will. I have but little experiance with Fenrir's get, enough to know that fighting them tooth and claw is...at best...a difficult situation. How may I bring, it possible my sidearms, and if not, my blade?

[Detritus]

Meerlinda moves next to Gwynnis and places a hand on the Justicar's forearm. Gwynnis looks in her direction for a brief time then turns back towards you.

"The Councilor's conjury will function as well in the astral plane as it does in this world. She can fashion a silver blade to your specifications once we have all crossed to the other side."

[Huxley]

"Will either Auspex or Obfuscate work in the deep Umbra?"

If so, Leo will activate Obfuscate 4, Potence 4, and Auspex 1. If not, then only Potence 4.

"You state that you have little experience with Garou. I have none. You recommend biting as a best option to those untrained with swords?"

[Detritus]

"Will either Auspex or Obfuscate work in the deep Umbra?"

If so, Leo will activate Obfuscate 4, Potence 4, and Auspex 1. If not, then only Potence 4.
"They will, in addition to functioning in the Near Umbra, where the first portion of the journey will occur."

"You state that you have little experience with Garou. I have none. You recommend biting as a best option to those untrained with swords?"
"Claw and fang will suffice in a pinch, if you have no other form of combat training."

[Huxley]

Leo nods and gingerly drinks the vitae offered, activating each discipline after drinking in turn.

"I am now ready. Are you, Francois?"

[Brother Brian]

Francois drops his head and a stereotypical Brujah snarl hits his face as he fires blood to activate his potence and celerity, at full just in case there's something on the other side of the veil. He drinks his box wine to top off the tank.

"Indeed. Let us go."

[Detritus]

A reminder -- François is still down 4 aggravated damage. He might want to heal 3 of that for 5 vitae before he leaves. The last agg. damage woud cost the full 5 vitae to heal, so perhaps not such an attractive option at this point, but I'll throw it out there for your consideration.

Also, the "at full" for François's Celerity and Potence, is that at his normal max. level for each, or level 5 for both, or other? Celerity 5 (+10 Move, +2.5 to Basic Speed, +2 attacks) would last 1 hour for François, Potence 5 (+10 ST) would last 10 minutes. Potence 4 (+6 ST) would last 30 minutes, and Potence 3 (+4 ST), which is his normal max. level, would last an hour.

The planned travel time to Glastonbury Tor is a few minutes shy of half an hour. The danger would not necessarily subside upon reaching the destination, however.

Now that I'm writing it out, it occurs to me that Leo also has the option of activating Potence 5 for a duration of 1 hour, if he wishes, although the 2 hour duration with Potence also has its merits, hypothetically speaking...

[Brother Brian]

Thanks for the reminder. With the boxes of vitae available, would I be able to heal all the agg, and still reclaim the vitae?

As for what I meant by max, Celerity +5 and Potence +3 to maximize the duration.

[Huxley]

Leo is a "Just-in-case" sort of individual, so I'll stick to Potence 4.

[Detritus]

Thanks for the reminder. With the boxes of vitae available, would I be able to heal all the agg, and still reclaim the vitae?

As for what I meant by max, Celerity +5 and Potence +3 to maximize the duration.
You can heal three out of the four and replenish yourself with the blood wine, and that is including powering Celerity 5, Potence 3, and Auspex 5 with vitae (the Fatigue battery services are temporarily unavailable due to Gywnnis coming along for this journey). There would actually be two Blood Points left over with these expenditures. Healing agg. damage is an all-or-nothing proposition, so even if you have only 1 or 2 agg., it still costs 5 BP to heal that.

Leo would have five Blood Points from the wine boxes left over if he powered Auspex 1 & 5, Obfuscate 4, and Potence 4 by blood wine.

It was mentioned up-thread, but the blood wine, once ingested, all evaporates at sunrise. It is good for buffing and healing, but doesn't obviate the need to hunt in the slightest. Everyone will be down 5 Blood Points (and possibly more in the cases of the elders going along for the journey) because of the activation of Auspex 5 needed for astral projection.

[Detritus]

As you make your preparations for the journey abroad, Gwynnis seals the ward once again, and Meerlinda comes up next to it and places both her hands upon it. After about a minute or so of concentration, the color of the ward shifts subtly.

Once everyone is in astral form:

Your awareness transfers to the astral plane, and you see the short length of the silver cords extending from your spirit bodies to the material ones you'll be leaving behind in the ward.

"We are now proof against incursion from Garou," Meerlinda says, perhaps catching you off guard as she reclaims use of her as yet unhealed tongue.

"You do have some control over your form here in the astral plane that you lack in the material world," says Gwynnis, and her blue eyes are in their sockets, as bright and clear as they ever were.

"Your blade," says Meerlinda, and she hands François a conjured rapier. "It will last the duration of our sojourn."

"Shall we?" Gwynnis says, and she holds her right arm up for François to take with his left. You notice that the Justicar does not have her blade, but after an inquiring look she says, "I will be able to call it to hand when I need it."

Meerlinda spots Leo instantly and pats her left arm before beckoning Leo and come and take hold of it. The Councilor and Justicar then entwine their free arms before you leave.

"Are we all ready?" Gwynnis asks.

[Brother Brian]

"Indeed milady, let us proceed forthwith to reclaim my fallen clanswoman."

[Detritus]

Once you've all locked arms, you rise slowly out of the ward, and above the house. Unlike last night, you don't see anyone in the immediate vicinity.

"Hold on tight," Gwynnis says with a little smile, and you all suddenly dart in a northeasterly direction. You speed even faster than any of your movements during last night's engagement. The Atlantic Ocean races beneath you, the moonlight playing off the rippling waves, which swell and recede as a moon one night past full rises from its position about midway to its apex in New Orleans and then descends until it is near the western horizon as you approach the British Isles. You see no evidence of impending sunrise despite how far east you've traveled.

As you arrive to Somerset, you see a rolling country speckled with apple orchards throughout. When the Tor comes into sight, Gwynnis points out a couple of features of the city of Glastonbury. It is evidently a tourist attraction, and a small resort encloses some ruins, including those of an abbey and a cathedral complete with a lady chapel. The Tor itself is also enclosed in the resort grounds, and the ruins of a tower lie atop it.

You alight a few steps above the base of the tor. Gwynnis looks back west at the moon, and then up to the sky.

"It is time," she says, and then she closes her eyes and makes a grasping motion with her right hand. Her fingers close around the hilt of her sword. She walks a few more steps up the slope of the hill, and with her back to the rest of you begins speaking in ritualized tones.

"A line, as the unending horizon," she says, and she traces a horizontal line in front of her with the point of her sword as far as she can without moving.

"A curve, as the rolling hillside." She traces a semicircle with diameter about one third the length of the line, which forms the diameter, and centered between the ends of the line.

"A point, as a falling apple." Gwynnis grounds the point of her sword just above the horizontal line, about halfway between its left edge and the intersection of the line and the semicircle.

"A ray, as the rising sun." Starting at the intersection of line and semicircle to her right, Gwynnis draws another line, almost straight upwards but slanting somewhat further to her right. When her sword leaves the ground, the eastern sky is suddenly lit by sunlight, and a sliver of the Sun peeps out from above the horizon. And yet, the light does not burn, nor do you feel fear at the appearance of the Sun.

You turn to Gwynnis, still facing away from you, and her appearance has changed. Her clothes have changed from the black suit and pastel shirt she wore in New Orleans (think of a Don Johnson from Miami Vice sort of look, except with a black suit instead of white) to a flowing white robe, nearly a gown, and her shoulder-length hair now reaches to the small of her back. When she turns to face you again, you see an apple blossom in her hair, just above her right ear.

"Be welcome to Ynys yr Afalon," she says formally, the point of Caledfwlch grounded before her, both her hands on its hilt. When you look around, you see that you are surrounded by water, and that the resort is gone, and the ruins restored, although they are not exactly what they were on the other side.

((OK, this is where Leo resumes his mortal appearance. François would also be garbed as he was in his breathing days. Both of which you are free to describe as you see fit before we proceed, if you wish.))

[Brother Brian]

Francois looks at himself in surprise. Gone is the denim and leather, grim as the world he awoke to.

No he stands every inch the man he was, Francois Petit, Captain of the King's Musketeers! Atop his flowing locks sits a plumed leather hat. His jacket is made of fine blue velvet, the billowing cuffed sleeves lined with silver frogging, with the fleur d' lies emblazoned on his chest. Over this, a cape.

His leggings are barely visable between the coat and the knee high leather boots; shoes of a man who spends his life on horseback.

Hanging from his belt is an ammo pouch and flint lock pistol, on his left side the hilt of an ornately carved rapier is clear.

A smile plays at his lips as he asks in wonder, "By what wizardry has this come to pass?"

[Huxley]

Leo stands upright, tall and thin. His hair is dark and slicked back, long but purposefully cut to appear short. He wears burgundy shoes and a matching belt with beige brown slacks that sit at his "natural" waistline. His shirt white with bold burgundy pinstripes and long sleeved, with white gold cuff-links. The dark brown tie is thin, mildly wider than the pin stripes, and has a rectangular end. He has a blazer on that matches his pants, and a bowler hat in his hand of the same color. In his other hand he carries a cane made of cherry wood.

His face has many flat planes, giving a harsh look to him, except his eyes are somewhat effeminate: oval shaped complimented with long eyelashes.

Leo blinks in surprise, and blinks again at blinking. He looks at his hands, then looks for a mirror, all the while attempting to but failing at keeping his stoic demeanor.

[Detritus]

A smile plays at his lips as he asks in wonder, "By what wizardry has this come to pass?"
"It is none of my doing," Meerlinda says. Perhaps surprisingly, her garb has not changed at all, although you do see an apple blossom above her left ear. A slow grin breaks the calmness of her placid face, and she conjures a body-length mirror with stand for those of you who wish to inspect your transformations in greater detail.

"We stand outside time, in a place not of earth," intones Gwynnis, though she shares the Councilor's smile as she does so. "The passage of time does not touch this place as it does in the material world. The effect on Kindred seems to be that they revert physically to the times of their breathing days, which explains how we appear now. If you ask how, I must confess ignorance on that point.

"Once it was possible, for those who knew how, to step directly from our world to this realm, but now the journey is somewhat more arduous. And fraught with peril, if undertaken without a guide. This is what Jocelin faces."

The Justicar extends the sword forward, holding the flat of its blade on both of her upturned palms.

"She who possesses Caledfwlch and knows the words to cross the veil may do so, and bring those with her across the veil as well. Caledfwlch, which was Latinized to Caliburnus, and which then was Romanticized to Escalibor, and Anglicized to Excalibur. I am its keeper, and have been for nearly a millennium and a half, but even I cannot wield as it must be wielded in order to effect Jocelin's rescue. But we have come to the resting place of one who can wield it thus."

[Huxley]

Leo stares at himself in amazement while half listening to the words of the Justicar. He occasionally glances at the fact that the sun exists, but is mostly focused on himself.


"I.. uh...", he stops briefly as he adjusts to his smooth baritone voice, "...apologize for my surprise", turning to the group to get himself back in the moment of the mission.

"Who is it that we seek?"

[Brother Brian]

Leo stares at himself in amazement while half listening to the words of the Justicar. He occasionally glances at the fact that the sun exists, but is mostly focused on himself.


"I.. uh...", he stops briefly as he adjusts to his smooth baritone voice, "...apologize for my surprise", turning to the group to get himself back in the moment of the mission.

"Who is it that we seek?"

Francois asks gently, "Is it not obvious? In Le Mort d' Arthur it is said that only Arthur Pendragon; the once and future king, is the master of Excalibur. If I understand the Justicar correctly, she is but it's steward. She intends to return it to the king this night, to thus lead us into the heart of Avalon."

Turning to Gwynnis, he asks "Is this correct?"

[Detritus]

Francois asks gently, "Is it not obvious? In Le Mort d' Arthur it is said that only Arthur Pendragon; the once and future king, is the master of Excalibur. If I understand the Justicar correctly, she is but it's steward. She intends to return it to the king this night, to thus lead us into the heart of Avalon."

Turning to Gwynnis, he asks "Is this correct?"
"Your surmise about the identity of the gatekeeper is indeed correct, François. And now the keymistress must go to him. Will you come with me?"

Gwynnis heads towards the cathedral-ish structure, passing by an orchard on the way. She stops and plucks an apple out of the tree, and suddenly a coy smile plays on her lips.

"Would you care for an apple?" she says, thrusting it in the general direction of the men. "They are quite refreshing."

[Huxley]

Leo places his bowler on his head and accepts the offered fruit.

"I'm afraid it was not obvious to me in the least. One would think, after vampirism, that one would necessarily adopt Cartesian doubt -- apparently I still have assumptions to work through"

Leo begins eating the apple. There is a jaunt in his step as he observes the Cathedral and the sun.

"I have to admit, I could get used to this"

[Brother Brian]

Francois smiles coyly at Leo.

An even older book speaks of a man accepting a gift of fruit from a woman. "

[Detritus]

**Placeholder here for François's response, as he will also receive the offer of an apple. The women will have their own apples as well.**

When you bite into the apple, its taste is an ideal blend of sweet and tart. It does seem to have an invigorating effect on you as you eat.

"Yes, it is an agreeable situation," Gwynnis says, "but there will be a price to pay when we return to the mortal coil. There always is." She lets out a sigh, and her smile turns wistful. "Alas, Avalon."

When you reach the cathedral, you see that it's a shrine to the Sky Father, and the Earth Mother. The architecture is somewhat primitive, but soothing. There are murals that depict both sunny and stormy skies within the shrine, as well as the cycle of life and death in nature. Gwynnis studies them and guides you to avoid the death side of the mural, and then touches Excalibur to the sunny-muraled side of the shrine.

A soft glow suffuses the mural, growing brighter until it becomes almost painful in its brilliance, forcing you to your knees. At the peak of its radiance, a silhouette appears, and then a man, fair of skin and hair, lithe but well-muscled, and arrayed in white leather armor and golden mail, steps out. His voice is deep and commanding, but his words are gentle, and you notice his head is unadorned.

"Please rise," he says, and as you do, you notice Gwynnis and Meerlinda rising from deep curtsies. When you do, you see that he would be accounted of average height. For the moment, he only has eyes for Gwynnis.

"Gwenhwyfar, my wife, your presence brings me joy as always." His gaze remains on Gwynnis's face a few moments. "And you've brought guests, two of whom I do not recognize."

"Leolin Friskin, François Petit, may I introduce you to Artur Paendrag, whom you have heard of as Arthur Pendragon."

[Detritus]

Francois smiles coyly at Leo.

An even older book speaks of a man accepting a gift of fruit from a woman. "
Will François accept the offer of an apple?

[Brother Brian]

With a look that plainly says he's not sure it's a good idea, he takes the apple, and takes a bite.

[Brother Brian]

"Leolin Friskin, François Petit, may I introduce you to Artur Paendrag, whom you have heard of as Arthur Pendragon."

Bowing deeply, Francois says "I am Francois Petit, Captain of King Phillipe's Musketeer regiment. Should you need it, my sword is yours."

[Detritus]

Francois smiles coyly at Leo.

An even older book speaks of a man accepting a gift of fruit from a woman. "

With a look that plainly says he's not sure it's a good idea, he takes the apple, and takes a bite.
((OOC: :satanlook: ))

"Old I may be, but I am not that old," Gwynnis says with a droll smile. "Besides, the fruit from that tree has long since been eaten, and there is nothing to be done about it now."

GAME EFFECT -- Once you've eaten one apple, your bodies are filled to full Blood Pool and all wine-blood in your system becomes true Kindred vitae. You're also able to spend Blood Points to fuel disciplines and healing despite being in astral form.

[Detritus]

Bowing deeply, Francois says "I am Francois Petit, Captain of King Phillipe's Musketeer regiment. Should you need it, my sword is yours."
"I thank you for your gallant offer, Captain," Arthur says with a dignified nod in acknowledgment before turning back to Gwynnis. "Will it come to that?"

"I would be amazed if it did not. We come to retrieve one of our associates who was rent asunder from the astral plane. One of our enemies was also cast beyond, and I suspect there are greater forces at work." Her eyes stray to the death side of the Earth Mother's murals, and a fleeting shadow crosses her features for a moment before it passes.

"Exceedingly rare are the occasions when I come here of my own accord, and I do not think that this is one such occasion. When you open the gate to the nether realm, I believe my place will be here." The Justicar turns to François and Leo.

"I will be there at the gate when it is first opened, but if this shrine is threatened, my duty will be to protect it. I do not say this lightly, but it is even more important than Jocelin. If this shrine comes under attack, it will fall to you to retrieve Jocelin, wherever she may be. With any luck, she is nearby, though still trapped in the Deep Umbra."

[Brother Brian]

Francois nods, clearly understanding Gwynnis' duty.

"We shall be sufficient to the task, milady."

[Detritus]

Having watched Gwynnis throughout this exchange, Meerlinda speaks.

"I believe my place will be here as well, ultimately. I have given some thought as to who might be ordering affairs on our enemies' side, many of whom seem uncommonly proficient in Thaumaturgy for those not of my clan. I do not believe that Lucian is the ultimate source of these capabilities.

"Many Tremere would deny outright the existence of the antitribu of my clan, but all Kindred here know better. House Goratrix is real, and its founder is one of the original Council of Seven. Since being cast out of the clan, he has made several tries on Tremere's life, none of which have been successful. It may be the case that he has learned where another Antediluvian lies."

"Few have that knowledge," Gwynnis says with a pointed look for the Councilor, and there is a hint of an edge to her words.

"I did not reveal it to him, but it is difficult to circumscribe what lies beyond the grasp of one consummately skilled in the arts of Auspex and Thaumaturgy. Or, he may have simply found another with the knowledge, however few they may be, and wormed it out of her."

A pregnant pause ensues in which Gwynnis considers these words. Her eyes stray to the darker side of the Earth Mother's murals once more. "I shall have to speak to Anneke when we return."

"I did not name her," replies Meerlinda. "We have no more than suspicions in any case." Gwynnis sighs explosively in response. The Councilor's placid expression hardens.

"Peace, Meerlinda, you are correct. We can but measure ourselves against the challenges placed before us. All things are ordered, in their own fashion." The Justicar's gaze strays to the dark side of the Earth Mother's mural for a third time.

"With your permission, Majesty, we should proceed to the tower," Gwynnis says, offering Excalibur to Arthur with a shallow yet formal bow, who takes the sword with an answering bow and waves it in the direction of the tower. Gwynnis and Meerlinda start in that direction, but a look from Arthur directs you to hang back until the women have opened a little lead on you.

"I must confess," Arthur says to you both in a low voice, "I did not understand all of the interplay between the women just now. Do you understand your roles in this operation? They did not seem to have much in the way of instructions for you."

[Brother Brian]

"Largely your majesty. We understand that which we are meant to accomplish, and in a very general way level the difficulties we are likely to face along the way." Francois pauses, as if gathering his thoughts. "Your queens counselor will open a gate to the deep regions of the netherworld, that which is reffered to in our day as 'the umbra'. That is where we shall locate our lost companion, and bring them back through the same gate."

[Detritus]

"Largely your majesty. We understand that which we are meant to accomplish, and in a very general way level the difficulties we are likely to face along the way." Francois pauses, as if gathering his thoughts. "Your queens counselor will open a gate to the deep regions of the netherworld, that which is reffered to in our day as 'the umbra'. That is where we shall locate our lost companion, and bring them back through the same gate."
"The realm of shadow," replies the King. "It is an apt description, from what little I have heard of it from Gwenhwyfar. Her visits here are infrequent, and I fear there is a great deal she must omit when we speak." Arthur looks at the women for the duration of three strides as they continue their approach to the tower.

"It is my sincere hope that she has not omitted too much information concerning the task she has set for you. That has been a fault of hers, from time to time, and one not improved with the passage of the years, given how she has passed them.

"Ah, but this is not a fit topic for conversation. The generals have made their decisions, and it falls to the soldiers to carry them out as best they may. May the Lady of the Lake guide you, and your gallantry carry the day on the battlefield."

[Brother Brian]

Francois smiles quizzically. "Indeed my lord, though to hear such sentiment from royalty is refreshingly unique."

[Detritus]

Arthur returns François's smile.

"I would not have spoken thus in my days on the other side of the veil, but my residency here has given me a unique perspective among royalty, we might say." Arthur looks towards Gwynnis once more.

"Fickle, I would have termed her, once, yet I have come to realize that she did exhibit constancy of a sort, it simply pertained to things other than I expected, or wished for. Something similar must be in play here. I have never figured out why the shrine is so important to her, yet I fear she speaks all too truly of her duty, that she would abandon you all to see it safe, if it came to that choice. She has already said as much, in fact." The king gives a start when he realizes the maudlin direction he has taken the conversation.

"Ah, but I should not weary guests with dark thoughts nursed in brooding solitude. And it does seem that your continued well-being is an important part of Gwenhwyfar's plans. We will climb the tower, and open the door, and then whatever we see, we see."

[Brother Brian]

"Indeed Milord" responds Francois. "Though if I might say, I find it exceedingly cruel fate that I have not the time to continue discussion with you. You are, I think, the first honest person I have spoken to in centuries."

[Detritus]

"Indeed Milord" responds Francois. "Though if I might say, I find it exceedingly cruel fate that I have not the time to continue discussion with you. You are, I think, the first honest person I have spoken to in centuries."
"Perhaps we will have a respite after the rescue mission to speak at further length," replies Arthur.

When you reach the base of the tower, Gwynnis and Meerlinda are waiting there. Arthur leads everyone up to the top of the tower. The tower is furnished to hold a moderate-sized garrison, although there are no weapons or armor that you see as you ascend.

Arthur moves to the eastern side of the tower and moves Excalibur around a rectangular, door-sized perimeter. He then swings... something open, and you see darkness beyond the opening. You also hear an earsplitting howl that appears to originate beyond the western side of the tower, although you don't see its source at the moment.

[Brother Brian]

Looking at Gwynnis, Francois inquires "Once more into the breech then?"