The Thrice-Ninth Kingdom III

Morning of the 3^rd day, an abandoned Observatory

Referee

You are gently woken up by Zoltan and the smell of roasted bread and honey and a fire is burning between the chairs. Zoltan looks at the Gilded Knight almost apologetically: ”I was just outside to gather wood and … we won't be able to leave this place just yet my lord - lest we want to risk getting lost.” He explains that he was almost blinded by the sun glaring down upon the snow covered plains and had to return quickly. With a glance at Anastaz he adds, “Maybe the extra hours will help us gather our strength ....”

Sir Anastaz, The Salt Knight

The Salt Knight, whom everyone assumed to be asleep, chimes in. "I am strong enough to travel. But let us wait till conditions are more favorable."

Ser Perilake, The Gilded Knight

"The Thrice Ninth Kingdom proves inhospitable thus far, but it seems ever changing." Perilake muses as he looks over the domed interior. "We will wait. Perhaps soon we will have the opportunity to move forwards." He traces one hand over the black mountains outlined to the West, and begins to follow the curved walls. "For now, let us take the opportunity to look around us."

Referee

The illustrations seem to depict the surrounding regions of the tower and there are surprising details to the map like hawks flying over what looks like a chapel in the mountains to the north west. As you follow the frescoes all around the tower you see foxes drinking from a fountain in the forests to the north east.

Sir Heldris the Dove Knight

As Perilake studies the charts, Milos prepares the meat, and Anastaz rests, Heldris is tending the fire. Pieces of broken furniture lie scattered all around him, as large planks of wood burn high and send red embers up toward the ceiling, to dance under the dome with brass and silver stars. “It was a winter much like this one,” he begins, almost talking to the fire, “when I was spending the short days pacing the halls of Karpat Fortress. I remember hearing a gentle tune breaking the stillness of those empty hallways. It was a voice singing an old lay about the grafting of the hazel and the honeysuckle, how they grow so entwined that both will die if separated, just as the poet and her lover. I knew that lay by heart, and started singing to its tune. The voice suddenly stopped, and I felt stupid and rushed toward the chamber it seemed to come from. Lady Hedwig was sitting at her desk, scribbling some notes over a piece of parchment. I guess we both looked surprised, and complicit. I begged her to resume her singing, but she said to me that if I were to interrupt her again, she would throw me out of the castle and let me on the snow to freeze. So I sat there in silence and listened to her singing, as a warm smile finally drew upon her face and she burst into laughter, and so did I."

Sir Milos, the Fox Knight

The cavernous space fills with the smell of venison stew as Heldris tells his tale. Milos mutters prayers of thanks over the meal and then begins to serve it to his comrades. As he hands a bowl to Zoltan he says "You have a unique gift for finding the way to places. As you eat this, perhaps you could meditate on which way the Court of the Winter King might lie?"

Referee

Zoltan takes the bowl and holds it for a while with both hands to warm them. “I don't know.” he says slowly " I usually need to be outside to ...”. He lowers the bowls into his lap and closes is eyes. “North … “ he whispers and then without much conviction. “ ... I think I can lead you.”

Sir Milos, the Fox Knight

Milos squeezes his shoulder and says "Eat now. We will see if the others want to pursue this path." He makes his way over to the sleeping figure of the Salt Knight and places a warm bowl of stew on the ground next to him. The sight of the large wound on his side turns the Fox's eyes sad and soft. Guilt tugs at his heart. In a quiet voice he says "Rest my friend for you have fought valiantly."

Referee

In the course of the morning you see the dazzling light through the upper windows gradually dim but you can't bring it over you to wake Anastaz up just yet. You let the last of the wood burn down and watch the clouds cover the sky again. At noon heavy snowflakes start to fall as you leave your shelter. Between the trees where you fought you see wild colours: Where the blood of the wolves was spilled foxglove have grown, violet and blue and yellow and their grotesque mouths agape. Where the carcass of the stag had rested there is a small hill now with a young rowan tree growing.

Sir Milos, between its roots you find an ivory ring with symbols of cloud and sun and lightning etched in silver on the outside and an inscription on the inside: Thus all things give that receive - even death.

Thus all things give that receive - even death.

Sir Anastaz, The Salt Knight

Anastaz insists on accompanying the other knights outside. From a distance, he watches Milos retrieve the ring as he hangs on to the branch of a large oak tree for support. As Milos approaches with the ring, he lets go to inspect, and stumbles, almost crashing into the Fox Knight. Unusually red-faced, he allows Milos to guide him back to the tower. After resting for a minute, and sharing a pot of nettle tea, the Salt Knight examines the ring. "I was never one for riddles."

Referee

Anastaz, after you regained your strength you look up at the globes to discern what kind of wisdom they hold. The sculpture seems to indicate that the ancients believed the stars to revolve around the Realms which themselves seem to be spherical or on the inside of a sphere with the light of the heavens shining through. Some details hint at a wind that blows in the heavens and you imagine a sky-ship being able to take you on a journey to the stars above. But you also see small dents and notches as if somebody had taken a hammer to the globes unable to bring about real damage. You slowly walk around in the tower looking at the map carved into the walls and you realize it had to be more recent than the mechanism and that the stars depicted on the walls were different from those above. You also find details that Perilake must have overlooked: some of the tress and hills and mountains have eyes and mouths that blend into their natural features and there are tall and gaunt figures hiding in the forests, with scythes and spears, and you hear the trees whisper and you see the hills shift and the wild elves are long- haired and bloodthirsty and when you find one they step behind a rock and when you blink they are gone and hide somewhere else.

Sir Anastaz, The Salt Knight

The Salt Knight, who had been brushing his hand along the wall, suddenly jerks back, as if burned. He returns to the makeshift camp and the safety of Milos's company.

Sir Milos, the Fox Knight

As he approaches, Milos is crushing some herbs on one of the flagstones."I found a small patch of yarrow among all the unlikely flowers that sprang up in the stag's glade. The dressing on your wound needs to be changed and this poultice will help staunch the bleeding. Sit down here for a moment. It's almost ready." Then he looks again at Anastaz and notices that something is amiss. "What's happened? What have you seen?"

Sir Anastaz, The Salt Knight

Anastaz follows the Fox Knight's instructions. He frowns and strokes his chin for a moment before speaking. "I thought I saw something in the drawings on the wall. Whether my addled brain or a vision sent to vex me, I know not."

Sir Milos, the Fox Knight

Milos glances up at the murals and wonders at them. "This realm follows it own laws, and speaks in its own grammar. We may need to become a bit addled to finally understand it." He gestures for Anastaz to remove his shirt and when he complies, the Fox begins to gently remove the dressing from his comrade's wound. He soberly regards the many scars that cover the Salt Knight's torso but makes no comment."There is no sign of fester which is no small blessing." His fingers deftly apply the poultice to the length of the wound, while one eye watches for any wince of pain. Without looking up from his task, he says "I saw what you did. During our clash with the wolves. You taunted all of them into attacking you instead of me." He pauses and looks up into Anastaz's eyes. "You could have died. And it would have been my fault for spurring you into that battle."

Referee

Snow is falling steadily on Heldris and Perilake who crouch over the tuft of fur hanging from brambles - the second of similar finds that indicate the horned wolves might have fled north towards the forests. The Gilded Knight, with ice crystals in his beard and the Harvest Bow slung over his shoulder, looks up when somewhere in the scrub a blackbird sings. To Heldris it sounds like a song of longing and desire but Perilake hears its true meaning.

The Elf taught me well

To dance and to sing

A message I bring

With glamour and spell

The blackbird flutters up onto a branch. It cocks his head and chirps a question and then it takes flight and disappears west into the snow filled sky.

Sir Anastaz, The Salt Knight

Anastaz calmly meets Milos's gaze. "And I would have died had you not fought so skilfully. Thus is the life of a Knight. I'm not afraid to die, my friend, and certainly not in battle."

Sir Milos, the Fox Knight

"That you do not fear death, there is no room for doubt. It's just..." And the Fox Knight's pale cheeks blush slightly "I would miss you if you were gone." Then he turns back to the task of applying the new dressing before Anastaz can say anything more. 

Sir Heldris the Dove Knight

The wolves must be hungry, since in result of their efforts their prey had been taken away from them. On the trail that they have found, Heldris and Perilake carefully place large cuts of venison. In proximity of those, they lay their traps. They don’t have much, but they make do. They fashion several spikes from some sturdy wood from a fir-like tree. A few of those they use for pit traps, large enough holes around the cut of meat, covered with bracken and snow. Others, they secure on a tree with a taut piece of rope connected to the snare, so that they’ll be flung forward when the meat is taken. During their work out in the cold, they don’t talk much, their minds clouded by the dire situation. From time to time they hear a lonesome blackbird singing. Perilake seems to react strangely to its call. “What bothers you my friend in this loner call?” asks Heldris, as he secures a spike on the ground.

Ser Perilake, The Gilded Knight

"We have seen many strange things together Heldris. Here is the strangest of all, a land where even the birdsong holds a hidden message for those intended." Perilake smiles sadly at Heldris, one of his oldest friends. "It is a sad song, and one aimed at my heart. And it strikes true, but it tells me he lives - and so then must I." Perilake tests the sharpness of a stake, and nods. "Let us return and trust to these traps for now. If the beasts scent us, then our plans will be for nought." Zoltan nods from the tree-line, where he keeps watch, and the three return to their companions for another night in the thrice ninth kingdom.

Sir Milos, the Fox Knight

During his watch that night, Milos contemplates the ring he found in the stag's glade. He turns it in his fingers and lets his mind wander in meditation on the silver symbols and the cryptic inscription.

A wintery Forest

A Dream

Anastaz is wandering through a forest in midwinter, cold and alone, when he finds himself before a colossal tree. At its base is a hot spring, but instead of water it's a red sap. Still, the Salt Knight disrobes and steps into the steaming pool. It's warm, and, although sticky, not unpleasant. He rests at the pool for a while before he starts to sink. Still, he is unafraid. As he sinks below the surface, he finds he can still breathe as he descends for what feels like hours. His feet finally hit the base of the pool, and he sees the soil has been replaced by a stone wall. A buzzing of insects emanates from behind the wall, and Anastaz sees there is a brick loose. He pries back the brick...

Anastaz awakes, and it is morning.