Midnight

Julia entered the cavern, taking off her ceremonial scarf as she did.  She noticed the communications crystal on the scriptorum and ran her hand down its smooth facets to draw energy.

Because of her status as religious leader of the Family, Ceridwen and the others had kept the details of the coming war from her.  Not because of any delicacy on her part; Julia was an expert bowman and had taken a liking for single-stick practice.

It was more because of her relationship to their Patron.  It was Julia more than the others with whom he had any contact, and it was Julia who was most sympathetic to his whims and desires.  Ceridwen, LibrisLeo, Seona and Livia had decided amongst themselves that it would be better not to tell her about their struggle to keep Forumland free of one single clan above the others beause he would probably want them to step into the breech while the other clans were fighting, and to take the reins of Forumland for themselves.

"Who have you been communicating with?"  Julia asked as she removed her fingers reluctantly from the crystal.

It was time.  There was no longer any reason to hide things, Julia would know soon enough when the non-combatant Stargazers arrived.  "Skybax,"  Ceridwen replied.

"Skybax,"  Julia mused,  "Skybax...  Oh, yes.  Stargazers.  Mana Knight.  Why have you been in contact with him?"

"He is sending the sick, elderly and young of their Clan to us, for protection,"  Ceridwen replied.

Julia cocked her head.  "Protection?  Does this have anything to do with our developing an army? What is going on, anyway?"

Ceridwen told her about the developments from the time she had gone northward for her meditation. She told her about her visit to Stargazer Keep, and what she had learned from Skybax.  She brought her up to date on the developments: the clans who had joined the Alliance in conjunction with Lord Bane; the threat of the Dianas and their desire to rule Forumland; what Marcus had said about the ruler of Forumland; that the armies of the dreaded Lord were marching through the land on their way to fight the Stargazers at that moment and that, if the dark forces won, all of Forumland would be in for some real trouble.

Julia took it all in silently.  "We must keep the struggle in our devotions,"  she said when Ceridwen was finished.  "These dark forces have been interfering with my power-workings already.  I have felt the disturbance they have brought.  I'm glad you told me of them."

"Our main concern is that he not find out and try to force us to usurp the autonomy of this  land."

Julia nodded, but her eyes were veiled.  Ceridwen wondered if she had done the right thing in telling her before the refugees had arrived.

"He would be right in insisting that we take the reins for the duration of the fight,"  Julia said.  "But afterwards, I'm afraid that our Patron would try to keep the power in the Family.  No, I will not tell him knowingly.  Rest assured.  And if he should find out, I will fight him on this point.  We do not wish Forumland to suffer the devastation which has plagued the remnants of the Empire since Honorius ordered the downsizing of the troops.  Now.  Where will we hide the Stargazers?"

"During the Faire, it will be simple.  There will be many people from outlying areas here, all to shop or hawk their wares.  During that time, we must find safe houses for them."

"Is there anyone else involved?"

Ceridwen took a breath.  "I have called for Web Witch of the Galen Clan,"  she replied.

"I thought I felt a familiar presence."

Web Witch was another transplanted Briton.  She had lived east of the Longinii lands back then, and was known to the older members as both a friend and a powerful sorceress.  Normally, her presence would be cause for celebration.  But in these uncertain times, the festivities would have to wait.

Julia's eyes were trained on the rough-hewn ceiling of the cavern, but seeing past the walls into the town.  "She is near the square, I see the inn.  Let's go and welcome her to our lands."
 

The Faire had been going on for two days already.  The harvest had been affected through contests pitting the strength of the farmers from one location against the farmers of other towns.  Now the streets were lined with booths selling flour and millet and various grains and vegetables.  Apple stands were plentiful.  Colorful baskets and pottery were displayed from other booths and pavilions which housed the more noble families showed that the wares were well-received.

"Apple cider!  Fresh, hot apple cider!"  one merchant cried.

"Every bride wants her pots!  Come get your pots!"  another chimed in.

Ceridwen and Julia made their way through the crowds to the inn and entered the dimness of its perpetual evening.  Long tables were laid out, and a stew simmered over the fire.  Two late-rising men were drinking tankards near the blaze.  The innkeeper rushed up to greet the patron family of the area.

"We have heard that an old aquaintance of ours is staying here,"  Ceridwen said.  "Her name is Web Witch."

"Ah, yes, the Briton.  I don't believe she has left yet...  Medb!"  he called to his wife, who appeared in the doorway to their private rooms.  "Has that British woman left the inn yet?"

"Not that I know of,"  Medb answered.

"She's up in the room at the head of the stairs.  It's been a good Faire so far, Lady."

Ceridwen smiled and wished him prosperity, then followed Julia up the stairs.

"Webbie?"  Julia called, knocking on the thick oaken door.

The door flew open and a smiling Web Witch drew her old aquaintances into the room with little ceremony.  "I was wondering when you'd get here!"  she exclaimed in her comforting west accent.

Julia grinned back at the woman.  "I have missed hearing the speech of our own country for too long!"  she exclaimed.  "But that darned Cheshire grin you people have...!"

Web Witch laughed and seemed to disappear into her smile.  "My dear, you seem to have adopted it yourself!  Wonderful Faire you have here.  I saw acrobats performing last night when I arrived, and was lulled to sleep by minstrels."

Ceridwen looked at the bed, which was still unmade from Web Witch's night, and cocked an eyebrow.  "Which side did they sleep on?  Or, did you take the middle?"

Web Witch laughed and winked, but did not answer.  Then her face grew grim.  "Tell me what this is all about, now."

Ceridwen explained as best she could, leaving the actual seeing to the sorceress.

Web Witch frowned, growing more pronounced in the process.  It was something about those Cheshire people that when they smiled, they all but disappeared; but when they frowned, they seemed to take on a surreal presence.  "I have felt the darkness descending,"  she sighed at last.  "I had hoped that it was nothing to do with us, but I suppose we must fight the thing.  What do you wish me to do?"

"We've begun to form an army here, for our own protection, and to assist the Stargazers in their fight.  We also would like to bring our magic to bear against the invaders.  But we alone cannot affect much damage.  Is there something you can do to swing the tide?"

Web Witch drew a pot from her nightstand and lit the herbal mixture inside of it.  She waved it delicately under her nose and breathed in the fresh aroma of springtime.  "Well, physically, I can blot the field from Lord Bane's view with the fog our Clan is so famous for.  We would have to warn the Stargazers first, so they would not become trapped in the soup.  I can also fog the minds of the human participants on Bane's side, and possibly the elven members of his forces.  What about you?"

"We have recently discovered a natural extension of our ability to see into the future,"  Ceridwen said.  "We are able to discern the path of a projectile headed in our direction and stop it before it does damage.  We have tested it on each member of the Family, and it seems to be a common trait."

Julia took a wad of material in her hand.  "Watch this,"  she said, and the material began to smoulder.  In an instant, it burst into flames and writhed in the bowl Julia had dropped it into.

Web Witch watched, suitably impressed.  "I expect you'll replace that lovely scarf,"  she said, then, "If we could get you near enough to Lord Bane, you could cause some real damage, if only to his person."

"The problem is, he's protected by his God,"  Ceridwen said.  "The magic which veils their thoughts must come from a Divine source.  No human is that powerful."

Web Witch's eyes narrowed and her accent grew thicker.  "Then we must fight them on that level. Have you any idea of the Gods of this place?"

Julia nodded.  "I have discovered them and have paid them homage in my devotions,"  she answered.  "They are a just and righteous group, and I am sure that They do not wish the likes of Bane and his band to rule Forumland."

"I as well have made my peace with the Gods of our lands and shall petition them for protection and strength.  I shall also ask that my powers be enhanced in order to fight off this menace to our country.  I suggest that we all take the time to go deep into our devotions and draw nearer to our Gods before this scourge descends on us, and on our allies."

It was agreed between them that every night of that week, they all should meet at the villa and meditate together to draw power for the fight to come.  Then Julia and Ceridwen left their friend to take in the sights of the Harvest Market Faire.
 

"Look.  There's kkeebb,"  Julia whispered as they regained the square.

Ceridwen looked.  A minstrel, lute in hand, was playing to a group of people.  Her soft, hypnotic voice drifted over the crowd, lulling them with the old tales of warriors and beautiful maidens.

"It's too bad she decided to take the Mystic Minstrels into the Dark Alliance,"  Julia said.

Ceridwen shook her head.  "They're a small group and must make their peace with all parties or they will be crushed.  Do not condemn her until you have faced her demons."

They moved to the outskirts of town, where the archery targets stood.  Several members of their newly-formed army were testing their prowess against visitors who had come for the Faire.  Marcus and Gwyn were on the sidelines with the other spectators, watching intently as each archer made his or her mark on the target.

"Always recruiting,"  Julia sighed.

Ceridwen caught Marcus' eye.  Try not to give the game away, she thought.

Marcus looked surprised, then nodded as if he'd heard her thoughts, and the two women moved on.