Of another young girl at risk, this time due to the content of her blood. A new faerie lord makes his presence felt. Also, dead Romans, mocked turtles, and the merman underground. When is a fool not a fool? Finally, how a new tradition begins at Prospectus Locus.

Dramatis Personae

Gamemaster: Chris Van Horn

Guest Author: Bill Filios (A Letter to Dux Aquil)

Albus' Dialogues
November 13, 1213
Early Evening

Risus apparently has a new love interest. A very flowery letter arrived for him today. It was from Zilia, that poor girl we visited last week in Mantiun. It seems she was more won over by his talk of the enigma than I ever could have suspected.

Aubrin's Memoirs
November 17, 1213

Once more my duty as Lord Alberto is complete, for I have sworn fealty to the new King of Aragon-Catalonia. Jaime is very young, much more so than I had suspected, and I do not see how he can survive. Half of his own court is turned against him, and he faces civil war. It is a pity, for I thought I saw a glint of true potential within that one, but I fear it will be snuffed out like a candle in the wind.

Aubrin's Memoirs
November 20, 1213

There was a somewhat odd occurrence today, having to do with a magus who visited our island for a very short time. Torp described him as a young Quaesitor, and I must presume that he was the youngest Quaesitor of Duresca, Takibon. I can not say with surety for he came to call for only a few moments, meeting with Catorse and then leaving, not once even setting foot within the physical confines of our covenant. I hope nothing dire is afoot. Duresca makes me wary, but I shall honor Catorse's privacy as is appropriate.

The Council Records
as recorded by Lucindia the Seneschal
December 1, 1213

In attendence: Albus, Aubrin, Catorse, Docilli, Drake, Fabricarious, Forticulus, Incendium, Lorum, Risus, and Viator; also myself, Lucindia the Seneschal.

Newly inducted: Xanti Ex. Misc.

Quorum was achieved and Aubrin called the meeting to order as elder.

Points of Information:

* Aubrin summoned the council at the request of FORTICULUS, who presented the main point of information. He has spent the last season and a half traveling through the northwest of Spain. His main stops were to be at the covenants of Victrix, Jeferiya, and Pello. A number of independent magi were visited as well.

At Victrix Forticulus pleaded our case at the next Tribunal with some limited success. Forticulus traveled to Jaferiya solely to insure that the covenant remained deserted. It is still empty of life; the diabolists have not returned. At Pello, though, Forticulus met with a shock.

Pello was destroyed just days before Forticulus' visit. The majority of the magi were dead. Their bodies were drained of vis and as a result Forticulus suspects the Shadow Flambeau are to blame. Why they would attack a Reconquista covenant is unknown. This marks the second covenant the Shadow Flambeau have destroyed, the first being the young Roman covenant of Andalusia, which was destroyed in 1209.

As he surveyed the burnt-out ashes of Pello, Forticulus encountered a young magus named Xanti. Xanti had been away, working in a nearby village. Forticulus offered to bring Xanti back to our covenant, for possible acceptance as a new member.

The problem of the Shadow Flambeau was discussed at length. There was no resolution, other than the statement that they remain dangerous, and that further steps should be taken against them at the 1214 Tribunal.

In another week's time Forticulus will be leaving again, this time to visit the covenants of Barcelona and Interritus, in the northeast.

* XANTI was accepted as a member of Prospectus Locus. This was not a Point of Debate because of Aubrin's standing offer to prospective members. Xanti's understanding of Latin is poor and thus he will be allocated a Latin teacher for a season of work.

* AUBRIN states that his offer to prospective members of Prospectus Locus will expire on December 21. After that date new members must be voted in by majority and will be expected to offer a season of work to the covenant before they become full members with right to vote at council.

* DOCILLI proposed that we could increase the covenant's prestige by choosing an issue of general interest to champion at the Tribunal. His suggestion was that the name of the Order of Hermes be changed to the Order of Trianoma. There was heated dissent. The issue was finally tabled. Aubrin recommends that all magi consider possible issues to champion, and bring them up at future council meetings, and that a final vote be taken at a council immediately preceding the Tribunal.

With all points of information and debate completed the council was concluded.

Albus' Dialogues
December 13, 1213
Early Evening

A most disturbing letter arrived today. It was from Furfures of Tytalus. He claims to have committed all manner of tricks while visiting us. We have uncovered none so far, so I fear what he may mean. In any case I have warned my sodales here at Prospectus Locus, so that we are not caught unaware. As for Furfures, he seems a prime example of why Tytalus is predominately a young House. I wish him luck. He will need it.

The Council Records
as recorded by Lucindia the Seneschal
December 21, 1213

In attendence: Albus, Aubrin, Catorse, Docilli, Drake, Fabricarious, Incendium, Lorum, Risus, Viator, and Xanti; also myself, Lucindia the Seneschal.

Absent: Forticulus, currently visiting the covenants of northeastern Iberia.

Quorum was achieved and Aubrin called the one regularly scheduled meeting of Prospectus Locus to order. As is traditional the main topic of discussion was vis.

Points of Information:

* AUBRIN opened the meeting by describing the vis that had been collected over the year: 2 Aquam, 1 Auram, 3 Creo, 2 Herbam, 3 Ignem, 2 Imagonem, 2 Intellego, 1 Perdo, 2 Rego, 2 Terram, and 2 Vim. He also brought up our debt--200 pawns of vis other than Vim, at least 10 of which must be paid each year to avoid penalties--and offered one additional use for vis: an Aegis of the Hearth, which would require 6 pawns.

Points of Debate:

* AUBRIN queried whether to put the Aegis back up. It has not been raised since the winter of 1212. It was determined that the minor safety of the aegis was not worth the cost of 6 pawns of vis, and thus it will not be raised this year.

* AUBRIN asked whether we should search for a better Aegis book. It was determined that we should allocate silver and/or vis in order to purchase a superior one to our current sixth rank.

* LORUM requested that he be allowed to trade two pawns of his own Herbam vis for two pawns of Imagonem vis. This was granted.

* AUBRIN suggested that 15 pawns of vis be paid toward our debt. This measure passed.

At year's end our vis stores now include: 3 Creo, 1 Perdo, 1 Rego, and 2 Vim. In addition our debt has been reduced to 185 pawns. This debt is currently owed to Barcelona, Estancia-es-Karida, Hamus Acerbus, Sader, Bellaquin, Doissetep, Mistridge, and Windgraven, as is fully noted in the second addendum to the Spring, 1212 Council Records.

The council meeting was interupted by GROGS who were looking for Miracle, the daughter of Cugat, a covenant fisherman. However, with all points of information and debate completed the council was concluded.

Albus' Dialogues
December 21, 1213
Late Evening

It was an hour after the council meeting that Lorum came by the library asking for help. I was working scribing spells as I had promised Docilli I would. A boring task. I was happy to be interrupted. Lorum said that Cugat had not yet found his daughter, and was now seeking help from the magi.

I sprinkled some sand across the page I was working on to help it dry. Then I stood up to go help Lorum. Aubrin has said many times that he offers his covenfolk loyalty. It reflects a saying of Tytalus, "Treat your tools well, so they will treat you well." Besides, it is the first day of winter. I felt invigorated.

Grogs had already searched the covenant, the island, and nearby Bercula. My thoughts were dark. So I suggested Lorum and I go down to the side of the river and talk to Anna. I feared Miracle had drowned.

I had never spoken to the covenant's local water faerie before, but Aubrin had shown us all the ritual to summon her. Lorum and I scattered rose petals across the river's surface as we called Anna's name. In just a few moments she appeared.

Anna did know of Miracle's fate, but it was not as dire as I had feared. She said Miracle had been taken by Dux Aquil, self-proclaimed Lord of Beaches and Shores. Cugat spoke up to say he had heard of the this Aquil. He is a faerie lord who lives four leagues out at sea. For a few days around the winter solstice he holds court at a grotto just a score miles down the coast.

I was confused at first, wondering why this Aquil would be interested in young Miracle. Then Cugat explained that Miracle was half-faerie. Her mother was a nymph. All became clear.

Lorum and I returned to the covenant to seek volunteers. Most of our fellows were too busy or were away. Only Catorse and Docilli agreed to accompany us. I was surprised by the latter. I had not known that Docilli ventured forth from his lab. It is good that he does. A specialist becomes absorbed by his craft and loses himself. "Excel at everything," Tytalus said.

Docilli of course brought Juan Moralez with him. I learned last month that Juan is a good warrior, so I was pleased to have him accompany us. Cugat insisted on coming along as well. Catorse selected a few grogs.

The covenant's ship is The Celestine. I have seen it resting at our stone docks, but never before had set foot on it. It seems a stout ship and its commander, Amador, knows his craft. He will sail through the night, east down the Ebro, then South. We magi and warriors will try and sleep as best we can on this boat. We plan to disembark a few miles north of where we believe Aquil's grotto to be. It was Docilli who very prudently suggested that we not sail our ship straight into the realm of a water faerie.

Albus' Dialogues
December 22, 1213
Late Evening

Now I know why Pater always told me not to play with faeries. They can be quite annoying. Witness today's events.

We landed shortly after dawn, tired and groggy. Our reward was to march two miles further south. At least the weather was cool. We did not know precisely where Aquil's grotto was, but thanks to Cugat's sharp eyes we were able to discover it. He alerted us when he saw a man in armor, standing down at the bottom of the cliff we walked along. 150 feet down, I should note. Lorum conjured up some vines to use as rope and we lowered Juan Moralez down.

After Juan was lowered about half-way he began talking with the guard at the bottom. A thoroughly dead, rotted, and desicated Roman as it turned out. Then he started shouting at us to raise him back up. As the grogs strained to lift his bulk back up the cliff we saw another dozen or so shapes emerging from a cave and from under the waves. It was clear that Juan's conversation had been unsuccessful.

I asked to be lowered next. I found that Juan's retreat had been the result of miscommunication. I explained to the dead Romans that we wanted to talk to Dux Aquil. They affirmed they were his men and invited us all down. Pedro lowered every one of his down, then climbed down himself. Stout man.

The dead Romans' leader was a man named Tristan. A centurion. He offered to lead us in. We followed and soon came to an immense natural grotto. There was marble on the floor, a large pool in the middle of the cave, and a crushed statue of Posidon against the back wall. All matter of beings were in the cavern. Merman and nymphs frolicked in the central pool, as did a large turtle. Much to our surprise over a half-dozen of our own villagers clustered to one side. Beyond the pool, in a large throne, sat a being who could have passed as human if not for his seaweed-filled hair and his ram-like horns. He was clearly Dux Aquil. The faerie duke.

We discovered the sea turtle was the duke's chamberlain. He was slow-thinking and slow-moving. It took him two trips across the pool to the duke to get us an audience. An hour wasted.

I took the time to talk with all the inhabitants of the grotto. As Tytalus says, "Information is a deadly weapon."

The mermen were odd. One named Jal seemed to be the head of some merman criminal underground. He offered to get Miracle back for the right price. I noted his interest.

Our villagers were more disturbing. They claimed to be the Duke's subjects and said they showed up every year when the Duke held court. Peasants with divided loyalties can be a serious problem. I noted the problem for later investigation by the Quaesitor.

Finally the turtle brought word that the Duke would see us after a band began to play. We waited more. A merman band started playing. We were told we could see the Duke.

Seeing the duke involved walking around the pool then climbing into the water and petitioning from the steps beneath his throne. We decided not to subject the grogs to this, and Catorse and Docilli declined. Thus Lorum, Cugat, and I were the ones who presented ourself to Dux Aquil.

I have not forgotten my earlier point about faeries being annoying. I am just getting to that. Dux Aquil ranted. He ranted about the Lord of Bercula not keeping up his ancient pact. He ranted about having rights to many people in our land. We listened patiently to him for a time before finally getting explanation of the issues.

The pact involved a deal that Aquil had made with the Romans long ago. A fellow named Scipio. We later learned that Scipio had agreed to sacrifice two white horses a year, and in exchange the faeries would keep the Ebro clear, so that great merchant ships could travel up it.

The rights had to do with faerie-blood. Aquil believes that all of faerie-blood in his realm must swear loyalty to him. This was apparently why our peasants were here. They are from a group of fishermen who have faerie-blood in their lineage. More importantly this was why Miracle had been taken. Since she had not been properly presented she had been kidnapped so she could be raised right.

I tried to present Lorum at this time. He has faerie-blood too, and I thought it would be a way to head off future difficulties. A mistake. Aquil started demanding gifts from Lorum and matters just got worse. I finally threw up my hands in frustration and tried to concentrate on getting Miracle back.

I browbeat Aquil extensively, but he won the battle of words. He offered us two ways to get Miracle back. We could kill his enemy, Lord Thom, another nearby faerie lord. Or we could bring him a skilled craftsman.

Surprisingly the Cult of Mercury worked its way into our conversation. Aquil mentioned that he spied upon the Lord Thom by a magic mirror that had been given to him by the Mercurians. He mumbled about the Mercurians not keeping their pacts either. I told him all the Mercurians were dead and he declared that was not the case. He said the mirror will crack if all the Mercurians ever died. An intriguing thought that there might be Mercurians alive. I made sure to mention it to Docilli.

One other side note. I tricked Aquil into admitting that he had asked our peasants to steal Miracle away. Proving their disloyalty to us.

Eventually there was nothing more to say, so the three of us returned to our fellows.

We had a long talk about killing the duke. Miracle was being held out in his castle but that did not seem to be a problem. Drake could swim out and rescue her if necessary. The main issue was the strength of the duke and his forces. We counted forty or more Romans and at least a score mermen. Then there was the duke himself.

I sounded out the Romans a little bit, to learn how loyal they were to Aquil. I was surprised to learn their loyalty was limited. They wouldn't fight against him but in exchange for some very good wine they would refuse to fight for him. However, they also gave us warnings that convinced us not to attack the duke.

The duke has three seats of power, and his might is greatly increased by them. He was sitting in one and that was what made us give up on our plans. Of note is that his other seats of power are in his underwater castle and in Bercula! We shall have to follow up on the last. It is in what was once a Temple of Mitra. The Romans gave me a good description of its location and I believe it is now underwater in the Ebro.

Finally we left Aquil's cave with the turtle. He is to act as ambassador and to explain the pact to Aubrin. Already we have forced him to tell us of it. We should return to Prospectus Locus midday tomorrow.

I am not sure how the other matters will be resolved. My personal suggestion is that Aubrin, Drake, and Forticulus return to this grotto and blow Aquil to Arcadia. Him demanding loyalty of our part-faerie subjects is unacceptable.

If that is not done done we face four problems: the white horse pact; Lorum swearing loyalty to Aquil; Aubrin, Torp, and any other part-faeries swearing loyalty to Aquil; and getting Miracle back. Then there's the matter of dealing with our disloyal peasants.

Lorum keeps mumbling about turtle soup.

Aubrin's Memoirs
December 23, 1213

It was just before midday when my new fellows returned from their mission, only somewhat successful I am sorry to say. This Duke Aquil that we face seems a powerful person, a fact that I can readily attest to, for I was afflicted by warts yesterday at the very hour he raged over his petty pact being broken.

Catorse and Albus offered me full reports, and the latter logically laid out all the problems that we are now presented with. It seems best to resolve them one at a time, and I will start with Lorum's dilemma. He has been directly revealed to Aquil as a fay, and this puts him in some danger, but I believe I see a solution for him. Lorum has already sworn allegiance to the May Queen and for that reason I do not believe Duke Aquil can claim lordship over him. I will leave tomorrow to speak with the May Queen and affirm this fact.

fay ambassadors
raise your hand against one and
all fay shall slay you

Before leaving I have had to warn Lorum and Docilli that by no means should the turtle be slain, for it is a fay ambassador, and thus protected by their laws. I believe they have listened, for it is now being housed comfortably in our bath house.

I must note also that my young fellows thought we should slay Aquil and his court. Even discounting my worries about his strength I have declined this offer, for it would violate the ethics of my house, no matter how convenient it might make matters. Instead we shall deal with each problem in turn until all our resolved. Tomorrow I shall deal with the first.

Albus' Dialogues
December 24, 1213
Mid Afternoon

A mixed day. Aubrin headed off to begin dealing with the problem we could not. I felt helpless and my mind turned back to Castello and She who now attends him. How can I better myself when I turn away from challenges? Was Avitus wrong when he ingrained into me caution and logic? I do not know. In death there are no challenges. But a life without challenges is a living death.

I should have returned to scribing spells. But, my concentration was already broken and it seemed pointless. I could do nothing about Aquil but the thought of Castello burning bright in my mind.

I have read through all the covenant's books on the church and its theology. I have equalled Castello in debate, though I know that was partially because luck was with me that day. Finally I came up with a way I could honorably turn away from Castello without giving up the challenge.

I spent the day scribing letters to magi, lords, and church leaders all across Iberia. I asked for word of relics and other holy artefacts that had been lost. I am sure I will get many responses; I hope I can find the kernels of truth amidst the chafe. If I can locate a true relic I shall give it to Castello. In this way I shall show that I respect his strength and that I am ready to face him if he but raises his hand against me.

Aubrin's Memoirs
December 26, 1213

Although not everything has truly been resolved, I believe that the matter of Aquil can be closed, at least for the present.

The May Queen was as pleasant as ever, and we talked long about faerie laws and precendents. In the end we came to the conclusion that Lorum owed no fealty to Aquil, due to the fealty he had already sworn to her. When I informed Lorum of this he wrote a letter to Duke Aquil demanding apology for certain insults offered.

Albus talked with our fishermen peasants to try and learn how deeply loyal they were to Aquil, and he was surprised to learn they remembered almost nothing about their visit. The same effect seems to have overcome our grogs who visited Aquil's grotto and also Catorse; I am sure it is magical. Nonetheless we all agree that these fishermen can not be trusted, so Lucindia will sell them to a nearby lord, and we will use the proceeds to purchase new fishermen of our own.

We plan to get Miracle back by offering up a trained craftsman, and by Albus' suggestion that craftsman will be a criminal sentenced to death. Slim is leaving tomorrow to search for one, and I am sure he will be successful, though the search may take weeks or months.

Marking off our problems, I find those three dealt with satisfactory, but I do not have good answers for the last two, namely what to do about the white horse pact, and what to do about other fay folk at this covenant.

The white horse pact would seem a minor enough matter, but the turtle claims that Aquil demands a hundred years worth of repayment. I do not think the covenant could support the cost of 200 white horses, and so I plan to ignore the matter and see if it goes away, as my warts already have. After all Aquil had forgotten about the matter for 100 years, and so I see no reason he will not forget again.

My solution must be the same for what to do about Torp, myself, and any other half-fay who wander into the covenant, that is we shall ignore Aquil's demand upon us. Once more he has not tried to claim this right for nearly a hundred years, and I am unsure as to why he began now. Miracle will be protected in the future, for we shall offer proper exchange for her by giving up a craftsman, and I am much less worried about myself, and I am sure Torp can take care of himself.

So, we can put all this behind us, but I must admit that a small seed of worry has begun to grow in my heart. When we stumbled upon the May Queen twenty years ago it was a surprise, and now we have fallen across two other faerie lords living near us, Aquil and Thom. I must first berate myself for so failing my house, for I should have known of all these people long ago, but I have always been too caught up in the politics and the war. It is probably too late for me now, but I hope Lorum may learn better.

they gather from far
meeting, greeting, in this place
why do you come, fay

I do wonder though, why are so many fay congregated so closely, and how many more are there hiding, just beyond our vision?

A Letter to Dux Aquil from Lorum of House Merinita
(oddly enough carved into the back of a turtle shell)
Dispatched December 26, 1213

Great Dux Aquil,

For dinner today I enjoyed a fine turtle soup. It was unfortunate you were not here to join us; I'm sure you'd have like it. I have decided to make it a yearly ritual to celebrate the day I met you. I shall need to find a turtle grand enough to do you honor each feast.

I understand you have heard from the May Queen. I would have liked to tell you about her when we met, but it became clear my voice displeased you, so as a grateful guest I became silent. Your tone toward me was surprising. I hope you meant no insult. As is the way, hospitality requires hospitality, insult requires insult.

I have given this much thought. I truly hope your insulting tone was not meant to be directed at me.

Sincerely,
Lorum of House Merinita
The May Queen's Fool
Bearer of the Faerie Seat

P.S. I'm looking forward to seeing your Chancellor again.

Albus' Dialogues
December 27, 1213
Early Evening

Drake finally showed up again today. I really don't know where he disappears to. I suggested he take a swim through the Ebro to look for the Roman's Mitra temple. He did. Always happy to help when he's actually around. He did not find the temple though. It must be long buried beneath the mud. Trying to excavate it scarcely seems worth the effort. We can simply be content that if Aquil visits us his third seat of power will not available to him.

Aubrin's Memoirs
December 29, 1213

An epilogue to our encounter with Aquil, one that is either reassuring or disturbing, I am not sure which. Miracle was returned today, none the worse for her adventure, despite the fact that we have not yet paid Aquil's price. Sometimes time is funny for fay, and it is possible that Aquil returned Miracle because he has already received his craftsman in the future. Or maybe he just felt that her education was complete, for fay are frequently flighty. But I worry there are other possibilites, for sometimes fay are dark and devious as well. The girl must be watched carefully, lest she fall back into Aquil's hands. When Slim returns with that craftsman, that craftsman shall definitely be given over to Aquil, so that any hold he might have over Miracle will be broken.

Also of note is the fact that Miracle carried with her a note, and it was an apology to Lorum just as he demanded. I hope his recent experiences have not soured him on fay, for we must understand quite simply that they are different, and their ways are not our own. I want Lorum to be a better Merinita than I have been, but I fear he will let the fay's differences alienate him.

There is to be a great feast tonight, for Lorum has convinced Lucindia to declare a tradition where every December 29th we will eat turtle, to solemnly celebrate the little girl's return. It will be our own winter solstice miracle.

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