Amber of York: session 10, 9/27/2005

• Dan: Laurens of Rocque
• Brad: Thomas Gray
• Brett: Gwynedd
• Alan: Sir Martin Neville
• Patrick: Gabriel of Brittany
• Makul: Donal Rourke
• Mike: Vivienne Avondale

Village of Byland

* Makul: “That’s no bowler hat. That’s a 1960’s Jim Henson ‘What the hell?’ hat.” *

* Dan: “A hole opened up in the earth. Demons came out and pulled Sir Martin down to hell where he belonged.” *

* Hank: “No.” *

* Makul: “Aw c’mon.” *

When Gabriel is convinced that Laurens isn’t going to charge over and kill Sir Martin, he puts him down in a safe place with a clear view. Barnabas says he can tend to Sir Martin. Gabriel agrees.

The people of the village of Byland are alarmed at the loss of their live stock.

Donal: “We just made a royal botch of this one. This entire village’s live stock is dead. Everything they were going to eat, dead.”

* Patrick: “He says with a mouth that’s full.” *

The people who know that Edmund is dead are even more disturbed than the others. Gabriel approaches Gwynedd and Vivienne while keeping an eye on Laurens.

Gabriel: “Can you discover anything about how this happened?”

Gwynedd: “I’m much better at seeing what’s normally here than strange things from beyond the grave or infernal forces.”

Gabriel: “Well, the best I can do is tell they’re dead.”

Vivienne: “I can see if I can sense anything. I didn’t sense anything before.”

Vivienne examines Edmund and the animals for a while.

Vivienne: “The animals and Edmund were touched by the infernal in some way. I don’t know how.”

Laurens is standing in the middle of the street angry there is no one to fight. He is taking in the absurdity of the situation.

Donal asks one of the villagers, “Where are the other elders?”

The villager points over at another villager.

Thomas is wandering the village, keeping away from Laurens, but he’s trying not to see like he’s keeping away from Laurens. (He’s walking casual). He’s trying to notice anything that is out of place.

Donal: “You.” to the villager the other pointed out. “What is your name?”

Villager: “Roger.”

Donal: “Roger. My name is Donal. I work with the Duke. You need to calm everyone down.”

Roger: “What has befallen us this night?”

Donal: “The important thing is that you and your families are alive. You need to calm everybody down. We’ll deal with this in the morning.”

Roger: “Okay. I must find Edmund.”

Donal: “Okay. YOU and YOUR families are okay. Edmund was not so fortunate.”

Roger: “First, his son and now, him?”

Donal: “This village is now your responsibility.”

Donal eventually gets him to begin to try to calm the people of the village.

Thomas hears the whinny of horses from the stable. Thomas goes to investigate because he believes all the animals in the village are dead. When he gets close, the doors burst open. Barnabas and Sir Martin come riding out. He attempts to grab the reigns of one of the horses.

Thomas: “Raven, get help.”

Thomas fails to grab the reigns and barely manages to get out of the way avoiding getting trampled. The raven heads to Gabriel.

Raven: “Thomas needs help!”

Gabriel: “Where is he?”

Raven: “Over at the stables. Sir Martin and Barnabas!”

Gabriel heads toward the stables while keeping an eye on Laurens who is also heading over to the stables. Vivienne heads over to the stables, as well. Gwynedd takes the elder’s widow through the town and does her best to speak soothing words that will calm the villagers and get them to go back into their homes.

The three arrive at the stable and find a disheveled Thomas. Laurens walks past and into the stable.

Gabriel: “What happened?”

Thomas: “Barnabas and Sir Martin just took off on horses.”

Gabriel: “Was Sir Martin awake?”

Thomas: “He’s riding. Sir Martin was up and riding.”

Laurens: “Coward.”

Gabriel: “Are our horses in the stable?”

Thomas: “Something wasn’t right.”

Gabriel: “What do you mean?”

Thomas: “Well, why would they suddenly burst out and ride off? Especially, since Sir Martin was unconscious until ...”

Gabriel: “You were in the graveyard tonight, were you not?”

Thomas: “Yeah.”

Gabriel: “Did you see anything that might give Barnabas and Sir Martin a reason to leave town suddenly?”

Thomas: “Well, there’s this.” He shows Gabriel a sketch of Sir Martin Angel.

Gabriel: “Truly, it’s a strange occurrence then.”

Thomas: “Yeah, it doesn’t get much stranger than that.”

Vivienne: “Well, we know how Sir Martin felt about ...”

Gabriel: “You mean the riding out on horseback or the turning into an angel.”

Thomas: “Yeah, that part, too. It doesn’t happen everyday.”

Laurens: “So what is it about this town?”

Gabriel: “I don’t know.”

Laurens: “Everyone here is more innocent than a newly born babe. No one knows anything. We’re riding ... out.”

Gabriel: “Maybe we were heading in the right direction.”

Laurens: “Then we were stopped. The babe was put in the road to stop us.”

Gabriel: “The agent tried to convince me that we needed to return to York”

Laurens: “I don’t think we’ve gotten half of the hints from the old woman. She knows strange things are happening in the surrounding area. I don’t know if they’re singling out the elder’s family for any reason or not. We should spend the night and see if the old woman can show us and get out of town”

Gabriel: “Perhaps the elder had the acorns as well.”

Laurens: “We should investigate.”

Gabriel: “Maybe he is the only one in town who has them. Maybe it is just a way of blaming the druids. The man was intent on starting that war.”

Vivienne: “You mean the agent that you ran into?”

Gabriel: “Yes.”

Laurens: “Question the wife in the morning again.”

Vivienne: “Maybe we should see if Edmund had acorns in his pocket.”

Gabriel: “Okay. I’m going to stay and make sure the horses are okay.”

Laurens walks back to Edmund’s to examine the body. He finds acorns on Edmund’s body. Laurens goes and finds Gwynedd. He finds her walking around the village with the elder’s widow comforting people. He whispers to her to check the widow to see if she has acorns and hands her one from Edmund. Then, Laurens seeks out one of the elders.

Gwynedd examines the acorn and finds it is the same as the others. Gwynedd tries to get the widow to tell her about the elder’s family. She says that Edmund’s family has been in Byland for centuries. They both lived in Byland their whole lives. She says he was the main elder. He was the heart of the town. She says the heart of the town has been cut out a couple of times. Gwynedd gestures over to one of the others and suggests that they take the body of Edmund out of the house before she returns with the widow. She continues her efforts to calm everyone. She sees some of the people becoming angry about the situation. They see the “Butcher prowling the town, armed and armored” She tries to soothe their anger as best as she can.

Donal: “We need to calm the people down. You’re not doing it.”

Laurens: “I need to find an elder.”

Donal: “To what ends?”

Laurens: “I want to find out about these acorns. And I want to see if that elder has one, or three.”

Laurens finds one of the elders. Donal is there with Laurens as he finds the elder. Laurens pulls the elder off to the side, trying to find a discreet place to lead the elder.

Donal: “Actually, I think we’re okay out here for this.”

Laurens grabs the elder by the front of the shirt and lifts him up and smashes him against the wall. Laurens holds an acorn up to the elder’s face and says, “Tell me about these.”

Elder: “Uhhh, ahhh, uhhh. I don’t know what you wish to hear, milord.”

Donal: “Laurens, put him down.”

Laurens: “Do you have some?”

Elder: “Ah, No. I could get some if you need more. Ah ... Come morning we could fetch some.”

Donal: “Laurens, put him down.”

Laurens, ignoring Donal, searches the elder while holding him up. He doesn’t find any acorns. Laurens lets him go.

Donal: “Are you homicidal? Are you asking for the entire village to rise up against you? You just had to ask him if he had any acorns.”

Laurens walks away, obviously frustrated. He mutters, “No wonder the French are winning.”

Eventually, the village folk agree to wait until morning to decide what to do. They go into their homes and bar the doors and cover the windows. It’s an uneasy truce.

Thomas says out loud that Sir Martin headed out of town south.

Gabriel: “If they ride hard they’ll be in York by noon.”

Vivienne: “I suspect we might have a warm reception in York when we return.”

Donal: “Oh,no, everything is going great!”

Gwynedd finds a shovel and goes a little way out into the forest and starts digging a hole to bury the dead animals in.

About an hour or so later, Vivienne asks Laurens if he would like to continue what they were doing.

Vivienne: “I suspect we will have very little opposition.”

Donal says to himself, “She’s a psychopath.”

Gabriel says to Donal, “One of us may need to go talk to the Duke. It would be unfortunate for the Duke to hear this story from Barnabas and Sir Martin first.” Donal remains carefully quiet. Since Gabriel received no response from Donal, he’ll go talk to Thomas.

Gabriel: “Do you have a way for us to travel back to York?”

Thomas: “Yes, I do.”

Gabriel: “Can you send just me? Or can you send us all?”

Thomas: “You can go yourself.”

Gabriel: “How will I return?”

Thomas: “Well, that’s a tough question. That is a good question.”

Gabriel: “I can ride a horse back if that’s the fastest way, but it will be late.”

Thomas; “I can get you to York quickly, but I think a horse will be the fastest way back.”

Thomas realizes he could draw a sketch of Gabriel.

Thomas: “I can draw a sketch and bring you back at some prearranged time.”

Gabriel: “Okay. Then we should do that. Let me go talk to Laurens, first.”

Thomas: “You go do that, and I will start preparing.”

Gabriel heads over to where Laurens is. Laurens is walking back to the cemetery with Vivienne.

Vivienne: “... We’re going to try Edmund.”

Laurens: “I think the mother. Her ghost is already walking. So she is already not having a pleasant afterlife, She’s already been called back. Edmund may have crossed over and will be harder to call.”

Vivienne: “Sounds good to me.”

Laurens: “Of course you’re listening to advice on the occult from a madman.”

Vivienne: “It makes sense. We’ve seen the wife’s ghost.”

Laurens: “And if she is trying to protect her family ... She was telling the babe it would be okay. Now would it be okay in the afterlife? She’s already here. She’s psychotic”

Vivienne: “Let’s find out.”

Laurens: “Exactly. I would just like an answer.”

Gabriel arrives near the graveyard with them.

Gabriel: “One attempt a night isn’t enough?”

Laurens; “No.”

Gabriel: “Do you think that the darkness that has just been summoned, do you think it will just come back?”

Laurens: “Possibly.”

Gabriel: “I can’t dissuade you from this course?”

Laurens: “No.”

Gabriel: “I’m going to go back to York. The Duke should not hear of this from Barnabas and Sir Martin.”

Laurens: “Okay.”

Gabriel: “Thomas will bring me back sometime around noon. Good Luck. I hope the village lives through your attempt.”

Vivienne: “I think it will be safe.”

Gabriel: “That’s an interesting assertion from someone who doesn’t know what she’s doing.”

Gabriel turns and goes to find Gwynedd.

Vivienne sets about setting everything back up again. Thomas begins to sketch Gabriel. Gabriel walks out into the forest where Gwynedd is digging a pit.

Gabriel: “I’m heading back to York until noon. Thomas is sending me.”

Gwynedd: “These people will need new livestock.”

Gabriel: “That’s one of the things I can do while I’m there. The Duke shouldn’t hear about this from Father Barnabas.”

Gwynedd: “I’m not so worried about the Duke, so much as the Archbishop.”

Gabriel: “There’s not much we can do about that. Unless we decide to act as Laurens would.”

Gwynedd: “I think it would be possibly very bad for Sir Martin to die.”

Gabriel: “I agree.”

Gwynedd: “There are those that do magically things and there are those that are magical things. I don’t think Sir Martin is entirely in control of what is going on in him, but he may contain it. Until whatever he is is cured, his death could have some very unpleasant consequences. Especially if he died in York.”

Gabriel: “I understand what you are saying. I agree. Just so you know, Laurens and Vivienne are continuing what they started. So you should be prepared. I have saddled all of the horses, so should you choose to leave suddenly or quickly, you should have that opportunity.”

Gwynedd: “The other thing I would warn you about is, I have seen dark and light in Sir Martin. But tonight we only saw the light, and it was this bad.”

Gabriel: “I understand. Good Luck. I’ll see you around noon, tomorrow.”

Gwynedd: “I hope so.”

Gabriel goes to find Donal and tell him about the seance.

Donal: “Should we clear the villagers out?”

Gabriel: “I know nothing of this.”

Donal: “What are you going to tell the Duke?”

Gabriel: “The truth. Or rather I am going to deliver a message that will hopefully get to the Duke.”

Gwynedd puts down her shovel and heads into the village. Vivienne is being extra careful in making the binding circle.

Gabriel: “We need to restock the village if possible. Otherwise, it’s dead.”

Donal: “It’s possible. There’s a cost that will have to be paid.”

Gabriel: “I understand. You would know better than most.”

Gabriel heads back to Thomas who has just finished the sketch. Vivienne is explaining to Laurens what she attends to do.

Thomas; “So when do you want me to bring you back?”

Gabriel: “Noon.”

Thomas: “Where do you want to go? We have some choices.”

Gabriel: “Outside York?”

Thomas: “You can go outside the castle.”

Gabriel: “Some place where I won’t show up in plain sight.”

Thomas: “They’re all in discreet locations.”

Gabriel: “Then inside the castle is fine.”

Thomas: “Oh, I don’t have any inside, but I do have one just outside the castle.”

Gabriel: “That’s fine.”

Thomas shows Gabriel the picture and tells him how to think about it so that he can pass through. Gabriel concentrates, the picture comes alive for him, then he steps through.

Gabriel’s a little disoriented for a second. He makes sure he really is in a discreet place. He sees that he is and also that someone is also in this discreet place in front of him. It is a hooded figure with it’s back to him looking up at the castle. They are 10’ to 15’ away. Gabriel sinks back into the shadow further to observe the other. He hears them muttering something. It is a woman’s voice, and it might be latin.

Gabriel: “Not a good night for saying poetry outside the castle.”

She spins to face Gabriel. He sees it is Florence with a shocked look on her face. She turns to run. Gabriel throws a knife into her shoulder. She staggers, but continues to run. Gabriel hits her in the back of the thigh with another knife. She stumbles and falls. He runs up behind while drawing his long sword and hits her in the head with the hilt to knock her out. Gabriel begins dragging her toward the castle. She is bleeding a good deal, leaving a trail. Spiders are coming up out of the trail of blood. The spiders start skittering off. Gabriel stops and gags Florence and tries to bind the wounds to reduce the loss of blood.

Meanwhile back in “seance central,” Gwynedd is heading for the graveyard. Donal makes sure the streets are clear as he heads for the cemetery. Thomas is doing his best to be as far from the cemetery as possible. Vivienne starts her incantation for the seance. Laurens makes sure that Vivienne knows the full name and family name of Esther. Donal sits on the steps of the church. The wind starts to pick up. It starts to swirl in the graveyard.

Gwynedd: “What in the name of all that’s holy do you think you are doing?”

Laurens: “Don’t interrupt incantations. That could be bad.”

Gwynedd: “I think if you succeed this could be very bad.”

Laurens: “Ahh, but the ghost is already disturbed and walking.”

Gwynedd: “The ghost is not the only thing that wants to come through. There are more than enough shadows. There’s a pall across this whole town. Your only going to bring more darkness here. "

Laurens ignores her.

Gwynedd: “Has Quillius taught you any sense of proper balance and caution?”

Laurens: “We only wish to speak to the ghost ...”

Gwynedd: “I know what you WISH to happen. I know what you would LIKE to happen.”

The wind starts swirling around and starts pulling towards the center. Gwynedd moves toward the edge of town hoping that she can stop a small part of what is going to happen to the town. Donal is prepared to kill Vivienne when she gets possessed. Laurens is standing near her with his axe for the same reason.

There’s a pop in the air. There’s a doorway in the center of the binding circle, an actual wooden doorway with an iron handle to pull on. There is a little light coming from underneath.

Gwynedd: “I’ve heard this story before, and it doesn’t end well.”

Laurens: “Did you call to the mother?”

Vivienne calls her name again. There is a knock on the door. She reaches into the circle to open the door. The door swings open. There is a woman at the doorway in her early middle age. She looks like the ghost of Esther the group saw before. The woman steps through the doorway. Vivienne tells Laurens to ask his questions. Laurens takes a tone that is more courtly than normal.

Laurens: “We seek your help, Esther.”

Esther: “And who are you? You are not of my blood.”

Laurens: “I was part of the group that found your granddaughter on the road. And we saw you trying to help her.”

Esther: “Granddaughter? My granddaughter is here with me.”

Laurens: “Is she safe?”

Esther: “I did not see you. What are you speaking of?”

Laurens: “At some point did you find your granddaughter on the road?”

Esther: “No. She came to me.”

Laurens: “Is your son with you?”

Esther: “Yes.”

Laurens: “Has he told any tales about how he came to be with you?”

Esther: “We don’t talk of such things here.”

Laurens: “I believe you crossed over Esther. I’m happy for you and your family that you are happy together. I’m trying to help everyone ... Since your son is with you maybe we can talk to him and ask him how he might have crossed over, too.”

Esther turns and goes inside. Laurens and Vivienne can see a simple home inside the door. It seems similar to Edmund’s home. Edmund’s son Eric comes walking through the door.

Eric: “Who are you?”

Laurens: “We are searching for information. Do you know where you are?”

Eric: “Yes.”

Laurens; “Do you realize that you are in a different place than I am?”

Eric: “Yes.”

Laurens: “Do you know who sent you there?”

Eric: “The Dark Man.”

Laurens: “What did the Dark Man look like?”

Eric: “I’ve never seen him.”

Laurens: “Do you know why he would single out your family?”

Eric: “He cut the heart from the town.”

Laurens: “What heart is that?”

Eric: “My family.”

Laurens: “How is it your family is the heart of the town?”

Eric: “We have been it’s heart. Without us the town will end.”

Laurens: “Can you explain it in another way that I will understand how your family can be the heart of the town?”

Eric: “My father worked to keep the town together. He kept the people together. He settled their differences. As his father did before him. And I would have eventually.”

Laurens: “How is your family ... What gift does your family have that helped them do this? Many towns have leading families. Why did this person single you out?”

Eric: “Because you were near.”

Laurens: “What would our being near have to do with it?”

Eric: “One of you is his doorway. It is because of you that he came.”

Laurens: “But, he came before we were here.”

Eric: “One of you opened the door for him to come. He struck at us because we were in your path.”

Laurens: “Who is the one that is the doorway?”

Eric: “The one he spoke to on the battlefield. The one he tried to take and failed.”

Laurens: “Which battlefield?”

Eric: “Orleans.”

Laurens: “You possessed tokens that seem to come from Ireland. Did your family originate there?”

Eric: “No.”

Laurens: “Where did you get the tokens, the charms?”

Eric: “I don’t know what you are speaking of.”

Laurens: “When we found all of your family, you were all carrying 3 acorns.”

Eric: “I know of no such charms.”

Laurens: “Where does your family originate from?”

Eric: “I was born in Byland. My father before me. His father before him.”

Laurens: “You are tied then to the old magic?”

Eric: “My family bound themselves to Byland long ago.”

Laurens: “Do you know what the Dark Man is planning?”

Eric: “Only that ... each time the door opens he gets stronger.”

Laurens: “Okay. Is the town still in danger?”

Eric: “If you remain and keep his eye here.”

Laurens: “Is there anything we can do to help you rest?”

Eric: “We are together here. He did not disturb our rest.”

Laurens: “Do you have any words for your step mother that might put her at ease?”

Eric: “Edmund is with us. He is waiting for her. When her time come, he’ll be there.”

Laurens: “Do you know where the Dark Man is?”

Eric: “I don’t think there is an answer to that.”

Laurens: “Were you aware of his presence? Or did he come upon you unawares.”

Eric: “His power took the shape of my mother who I never knew.”

Laurens: “Does he have anyone helping him that we need to take care of before we move on.”

Eric: “There are those who help him. But the one who helps him most doesn’t know he helps.”

Laurens: “I apologize for disturbing your rest. Thank you for helping us. You may have helped the town. Is there anything else you or your father suggest can help the town and help it live on?”

Donal: “They need to find a new heart.”

Laurens: “Where can we find a new heart?”

Eric: “Find one willing to give theirs to the town. And bind them to it.”

Laurens: “How do they bind themselves to the town?”

Eric: “They don’t. The sorceress must do it.”

Laurens: “Do you have any questions Vivienne?”

Vivienne: “I have never attempted anything like that before. Can you tell me anything about how to perform this spell?”

Eric turns, walks through the door and closes it. Laurens calls out his thanks.

Donal: “Might be a good time not to push your luck.”

Vivienne performs the closing ceremony.

Meanwhile in York.

Gabriel arrives at the castle gates.

Gabriel: “I have the person who assaulted Marguerite. You should send for Quillius as well.”

The guards send someone off to get the Marshall. They also send someone to get Quillius. The Marshall arrives with a contingent of 9 troops.

The Marshal: “The Duke’s messenger at this hour. What have you caught us this time?”

Gabriel: “This is the hand maiden of Marguerite, Florence. She escaped the night that ...”

The Marshal: “Marguerite was damaged. We will keep her.”

Gabriel: “She is a sorceress. You need to keep her bound. And her blood is very dangerous. I have observed it turn into spiders.”

The Marshal: “We will bring her to the dungeon and call for Quillius. Thank you for this.”

Gabriel: “You’re welcome.”

The Marshal: “You have the Duke’s thanks as well. I will commend you to him.”

Gabriel: “Thank you.”

Gabriel heads to check on the Duke. The Duke is sleeping. He seems to have had some restless sleep by the state of his covers. Gabriel decides to stand guard over him the rest of the night.

Back at the graveyard in Byland. Laurens stays to make sure nothing unusual happens. Gwynedd goes to talk to Donal to find out what was said during the seance. Donal breaks it down as exactly as he can including Laurens’ unusual tone.

Donal: “If you’re dead, you gain some respect.”

Laurens turns and scowls at Donal, one of the worst Donal has ever seen.

Gwynedd: “So the doorway ...”

Donal: “It’s okay. It was wooden.”

Gwynedd: “No. The doorway for the Dark Man ... so if this doorway is Laurens, that makes sense in a way, but if it’s Sir Martin, that makes sense in a way, but he’s riding toward York.”

When Vivienne finishes closing the ritual, Laurens gives Vivienne a slap on her back that is a little harder than it should be. He finds that she is tougher than she appears.

Gwynedd: “We’re going to need to do something to put the heart back in this town, or the Dark Man will win here. I’ve got slightly more common work to do.”

Vivienne goes back to the inn and goes to bed. Thomas has already gone to the inn to bed. Donal heads to the inn to go to bed as well. Gwynedd finishes her work of burying the animals. She succeeds in finishing just as dawn comes. Gwynedd does what she can to get nature to bring things back as they were.

At dawn, Laurens heads to the stables to ready the horses.

In York, Gabriel politely let’s his presence be known to the Duke.

Gabriel: “I apologize for disturbing you so early, your Grace.”

Duke: “And what brings you here. I thought you just left.”

Gabriel: “First, I captured Florence outside the castle, performing, maybe perhaps performing a ritual.”

Duke: “I had dark dreams last night.”

Gabriel: “She could have been the cause. She’s in the dungeon now awaiting Quillius’ arrival. But, we made it to the village of Byland yesterday and found a family that had been murdered. And seemed to have been of ... It seemed to have been of supernatural nature that the murder happened, so we investigated. And it led to some events in Byland that I thought you should hear from me before you heard them from the Archbishop or ...”

Duke: “What events are these?”

Gabriel: “In investigating the deaths, there was a ghost that stopped us on the road who was trying to console a baby and that’s what actually stopped us just outside of Byland. It turned out to be the granddaughter of the Village Elder of Byland, Edmund of Byland.”

Duke: “I have met Edmund.”

Gabriel: “Our investigation took us back to Byland to find out who the couple was that died. It turned out to be Edmund’s son Eric and his wife and their daughter. When Edmund went out to the farmhouse where his son died, the man from the night before last, the man from outside the tavern in York, showed up behind me.”

Duke: “He followed you to Byland?”

Gabriel: “Perhaps, I don’t know how he got there. He doesn’t leave tracks. He doesn’t make noise. He seems to pass through things. I dispatched him, and he returned behind me almost immediately. I severed his head, and his voice was behind me, and he was there, and then his body was gone. So, It’s hard to say whether he went with us, or he was there or how he got there. I know who it was. And he is the cause of the problem that is the darkness on the land, and he is trying to blame it on the druids. His intention while he was out there was to tell the villagers that it was the druids.

“When I returned to the village I explained this to our group, and some thought a seance was in order to speak with the spirit of the ghost that was on the road. And that turned out to be the dead of wife of Edmund from 20 years ago. The discussion of the seance caused some friction between Laurens and Sir Martin. Sir Martin was steadfastly against it. And Laurens thought it was the appropriate action. So, Laurens and Vivienne went to the graveyard around midnight to perform this ritual. Sir Martin went out after them to stop them. I can’t say what happened in the graveyard, but soon after they were out there, Vivienne came to the rest of us who had remained in the tavern and said they were fighting. And when we went out there, we found a giant angel standing in the graveyard, sword planted in the ground. And Laurens standing in the church. The angel demanded that Laurens make a vow not to proceed with his plan. The angel demanded that of Vivienne as well. When the angel got the vow it requested, it turned back into Sir Martin.

“Soon after that, Edmund of Byland died. It appears to be of the same death that his son died from. Then we found all of the animals of the village dead as well.”

Duke: “These tidings are terrible and dangerous. You mention the Archbishop?”

Gabriel: “Barnabas left with Sir Martin about ... left soon after we discovered all of the dead animals. He was unconscious after he reappeared from the angel. Barnabas was watching over him. They got on their horses and fled the town.”

Duke: “So they’re heading here?”

Gabriel: “Yes. I can only assume. They headed south along the road. I did not follow them. I did not think it was a story you should hear first from them in case it gets spun in a different way.”

Duke: “As always, thank you for your report. You have given me much to think about.”

Gabriel: “Your welcome. It may be the case the village needs some kind of help to continue on. Because all of their animals have been destroyed.”

Duke: “I can see that that is taken care of. "

Gabriel: “I will be return to the village around noon today if there is some message you want me to take to them.”

Duke: “Traveling to Byland by noon. Such a feat.”

Gabriel: “It is in the same way I did on the battlefield in Scotland. It is how I am here now.”

Duke: “Thomas’ work?”

Gabriel: “Yes, your Grace.”

Duke: “Your dismissed. Good luck on the rest of your journey. I will see what I can do to deal with Martin.”

Gabriel: “Thank you, your Grace.”

Gabriel leaves the Duke’s quarters as surreptitiously as possible under the circumstances.

Back in Byland. Donal gets up early to go seek out Roger. He asks one of the early rising farmers for directions to Roger’s home. Roger’s daughter answers Donal’s knock.

Donal: “Good morning. Is your father awake.”

Roger’s daughter is a pretty young lass of thirteen.

* Patrick: “You gonna ask her out?” *

The daughter bows, “I will wake him immediately.” Roger comes out looking very tired.

Roger: “What’s the news, milord? Tell me its was a dream?”

Donal: “No, I don’t suppose it is the news you want to hear.”

Roger: “How may I help you today?”

Donal: “We should walk.”

Roger excuses himself to get dressed. He comes back a few minutes later.

Donal: “In order for Byland to continue. Someone must step up and fill Edmund’s shoes.”

Roger: “I’m not sure such a thing is possible my lord. But, I’m sure we will all try.”

Donal: “Someone has to believe it is possible.”

Roger: “I do believe, in time, some of us will be able to fill that role.”

Donal: “Do you believe that it could be you?”

Roger: “Possibly. I do what I can to help the town, of course.”

Donal: “You recognize the role he and his family played within the village and the responsibility that it carried?”

Roger: “He was first among us elders, if that’s what you refer to, milord.”

Donal: “Someone is going to have to step up immediately in order to help the rest of the villagers.”

Roger: “I’m sure we’ll speak of it today amongst the elders, and we’ll choose someone.”

Donal: “I will need to know today in order to send the word to York. If aid is to be forthcoming, they need to know who to contact.”

Roger: “Certainly, milord. I’ll arrange for the elders to meet to pick someone.”

Donal: “Did Edmund keep the tax rolls?”

Roger: “Yes, milord.”

Donal: “We should get them.”

Vivienne and Thomas are sleeping in today.

Gabriel tries to find out if Quillius is back. No one has seen him. Gabriel goes to his chambers and knocks. There is no answer. Gabriel listens at the door (taking his life into his hands.) He doesn’t hear anything.

Laurens gets ready to leave.

Vivienne: “Should we head back to York? Or should we continue on.”

Laurens: “Everything we heard last night could have been the truth which means we need to ride back to York. Everything we heard last night could have been a complete lie in which case we should continue on our original path. Either way, the stronger lead does seem to involve Sir Martin. Either he is a pawn, or the Dark One would like us to eliminate him would be my guess. So, I say we find Sir Martin. And I would like to talk to the old lady to see if she is still alive.”

Gwynedd: “There’s something bad to the north and something maybe fairly well to the west. Regarding everything I have heard about Sir Martin, somethings make a little more sense. I think that until whatever ... whatever is inside him has been conquered, then letting him simply run lose and perhaps getting himself inconveniently killed someplace could let something bad loose.”

Laurens: “And, he’s heading towards York?”

Gwynedd: “Yes, he’s coming last we saw towards York with someone who looked like Father Barnabas.”

Vivienne: “We should head to York.”

Gwynedd: “Well, there’s also the matter of replacing the heart of this town.”

Vivienne: “How ‘bout the old lady outside of town. Maybe she has an idea.”

Laurens: “I say we bind the entire town.”

Vivienne: “I don’t know how to bind anyone, let alone the town.”

Laurens: “If they all love their town, binding won’t ...”

Gwynedd: “Well, perhaps that’s a matter for studying and returning to attend to.”

Laurens: “The town will be gone by then. The threat to York is greater than one town.”

Gwynedd: “I would hope the town wouldn’t simply fall to pieces in a few days.”

Gwynedd senses an uneasiness over the town.

Laurens: “These deaths could be following us, or at least attracted to us.”

Gwynedd: “Yes, we don’t seem to do anything quietly.”

Vivienne: “If the ghost told us the truth last night and our presence here brought misfortune to the town ...”

Gwynedd: “Well, we’re going to have to go out into the world at some point.”

Laurens: “Well, Sir Martin brought that part with him.”

Laurens decides that the group should talk to the old lady just to find out if she knew about the whole heart of the town. And if she doesn’t know, tell her so that she can use whatever power she has to help keep the town together. Vivienne agrees.

Laurens heads to Thomas’ room and pounds on the door.

Thomas: “Not again. No!!!” Then he wakes up.

Laurens: “Wake up! And come down stairs!”

Thomas: “No, No! Don’t take my pictures! I need them to contact Gabriel.” Thomas decides to get dressed and head downstairs.

Gwynedd goes to speak with Judith. Gwynedd finds her at home sleeping. Gwynedd wakes her gently to break the news to her. Judith comes stumbling to the door.

Judith: “You again? Did the charm not work?”

Gwynedd: “Umm. I’m sure the charm helped Laurens to no end. I’m afraid I bear some bad news, though. In the night, some darkness came upon the town.”

Judith: “If he died, it’s not my fault. The charm I made was just a simple thing.”

Gwynedd: “He survived. No doubt thanks to you. Unfortunately, the livestock was struck down. And Edmund also perished.”

Judith gasps.

Gwynedd: “The town is in shock and mourning. They’re going to need your strength to hold together. We’ve sent word. Aid is coming, but now is the time ...”

Judith stands up a little straighter: “I’ll do my best.”

Gwynedd: “Thank you.”

Vivienne: “Do you know how to bind somebody to the town as Edmund was before?”

Gwynedd: “We’ve gathered that his family held a special place in relation to this town.”

Judith: “I, I know of the words ... if there is one to speak them.”

Vivienne: “Teach me this.”

Judith speaks the words in gaelic to Vivienne who is passing familiar with the language. After learning the words, Vivienne and Gwynedd politely leave and seek out the others to let them know what they have learned.

The elders gather in the village. They decide for now that Roger will act as the head of the elders.

Vivienne: “I believe I know how to bind somebody to the town ... should there be somebody willing.”

Laurens: “If there is a good choice.”

Donal: “The elders have met and have nominated Roger as the acting head.”

Laurens: “And is this the person and family line they want to bind to this town? Or is it someone filling in ...”

Donal: “doing the paperwork?”

Laurens: “Yeah. No one knows. All right.”

Donal: “Do you really think to ask them that question?”

Laurens: “I’m sure you could find the words to couch it so that they would find the person in the town that is most endearing and embodies the spirit of the town. Be that person man, woman or child.”

Gwynedd: “It should be a family line.”

Laurens: “Children that grow up.”

Gwynedd: “I can go speak with the folks and gauge what sort of people they are as best I can.”

Donal: “Okay. Make it an informal query to Roger. It would be best if it was someone they believed in rather than someone we were positioning as being the new town center. They distrust us enough now. I’ve got the information that the Duke will need to rebuild the town.”

The townsfolk still choose Roger. But they haven’t been informed about the mystic side of the issue because no one told them. Gwynedd tries to tell the folks stories of families that stand up against the darkness and by there virtuous example lend strength to their fellow citizens. She includes the gaelic binding words as part of the story. Gwynedd spends sometime talking to Roger’s daughter to see how flexible her thinking is. Gwynedd finds out that she has some interest in new adventures. She has been sheltered. Gwynedd tells her some tales to lay some ground work so that future generations will understand their role in Byland.

Eventually, Thomas drags himself out of bed.

Donal: “You’re heading back to York?”

Laurens: “Yes. Is Thomas awake yet?”

Vivienne decides to go talk to Roger. She makes contact with his mind to determine what is the best way to explain to the situation to him, so that he understands the seriousness. She succeeds at getting him amenable to the current situation. She then proceeds with the binding.

Thomas shows up downstairs.

Laurens: “We need to go back to York.”

Thomas: “Okay.”

Laurens: “I need to take my horse with me.”

Thomas: “Um, Okay.”

Laurens: “Are we ready?”

Thomas: “Yes.”

Laurens is waiting to be sent back to York.

Thomas: “Do you want to wait for Gabriel to get back?”

Laurens: “When is he coming back?”

Thomas; “About noon.”

Laurens: “What time is it now?”

Thomas: “About noon.”

Laurens: “Can you stop him from coming back?”

Thomas: “Um, yeah.”

Laurens: “Okay. Keep him there, and we’ll go to York.”

Thomas: “Well, okay. Why don’t we ride out of town a bit.”

Laurens: “Can’t you do it here?”

Laurens is concerned that the townsfolk aren’t properly cowed. Gwynedd tries to reassure him that they are. They discuss the pros and cons about going to York, the specific kind of treatment Sir Martin needs and whether Gwynedd will get to go to Mount Grace eventually. During the discussion, Thomas takes the opportunity to contact Gabriel.

Gabriel: “Yes?”

Thomas; “Gabriel, Is this a good time?”

Gabriel: “Yes.”

Thomas: “Laurens wants to come back to York to hunt down Sir Martin. You want me to pull you through, and you talk to him or do you want us to join you there?”

Gabriel: “Is there a reason why he changed his mind? Yes, Pull me through.”

Thomas reaches out and pulls him through. Gabriel arrives in Byland.

Laurens: “I told you to keep him in York! Now the Duke is defenseless! You idiot!”