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AGELESS Campaign Episode 2 - Temple of the Cat-Goddess
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<blockquote data-quote="Silver Moon" data-source="post: 7036371" data-attributes="member: 8530"><p><strong>Chapter 124, "Seahorses", September 13, 1882, 12:00 PM.</strong></p><p></p><p>Callum and Abby head away from the barn and castle towards a forested hill around a mile away. Most of the land around has been cultivated for growing grains, but this small elevated area would have been too difficult to level for farming. The trees appear to be old-growth forest, probably the oldest trees in a fifty-mile radius. The area is fairly overgrown but there is a stone path that Callum knows which he leads her up.</p><p></p><p>They go around 400 feet to the top of the hill and look down the other side into a small crystal blue pond surrounded by old growth trees. The pond is approximately ninety feet in diameter. The area is quiet and peaceful, the sun is now directly overhead and shining straight down. With the ring of high trees she estimates that the pond probably gets only a hour-or-so of direct sunlight each day. A carved stone bench sits alongside the pond and Callum gestures silently to her to sit there beside him. </p><p></p><p>She accepted the invitation just as quietly, sitting down and leaning her head against his shoulder. There was peace here, and that was something she needed. They sit in silence for ten minutes, the only sounds being birds in the trees. She looks towards the water's edge eight feet in front of the bench . She then notices a disturbance in the water towards the center of the pond. The disturbance then starts to move closer, when dorsal fins then break the surface of the water. From thirty feet out she sees two pair of ice blue fins, each with the second around six feet behind the first on each. </p><p></p><p>At ten feet out the forward fins begin to rise out of the water, revealing ice blue heads of horses, the front fins where the mane would be. They continue to swim towards the shore. The front legs of the horses rise out of the water and land on the shore, with large webbed flippers instead of hooves that flop onto the ground, landing just a few feet before the pair on the bench. Their bodies are both ice blue in color, almost matching the dress that Abby wore the night before. Looking close, she sees that their hides are comprised of thin scales rather than leather. She can also see the rear half of the animals in the water near the shore resemble that of large fishes. </p><p></p><p>"What are they?" she whispered. "They're gorgeous. I wouldn't have thought this pond was deep enough for any creatures like this." Callum replies, "They are called hippocampi. This isn't where they are from, it is just a temporary home for them." Looking towards the animals he says, "Bey, Nalu, this is Abby." Both nod their heads in her direction. </p><p></p><p>Callum continues, "Captain Nemo rescued them. They were living on a Pacific island in a lake beside a volcano. The volcano was due to erupt and they would have been killed. Under normal circumstances he would have saved them by just putting them in the ocean, but these two had evolved in freshwater rather than seawater, so he had to find a safe freshwater location for them. I initially had them in a Loch in Scotland, but we had to relocate them after they encountered a plesiosaur living there who did not want company. They both prefer it here, as it is warmer than Scotland, especially when the pond is in the sun." </p><p></p><p>Abby nodded back at the creatures, and if she was unable to stop staring she at least tried not to do it rudely. "Are you looking for another place for them? It must be cold here in the winter. How long have they been here?" He replies, "They have been here almost a year now. It is cold in the winter, but we have placed a magical heating device in the deepest part of the pond. They stay down there except for the noontime hour, when they prefer the rays of the natural sunlight. We will eventually find another place for them, but not until after their current clutch of eggs have hatched." "Oh, how lovely! Congratulations," Abby said sincerely, with another nod at the beautiful creatures. "I like the sun, too. And this beautiful spot. I should have brought some books with me, I could spend a few hours here." </p><p></p><p>He replies, "So bring a book tomorrow. I can also provide you with one of Dr. Jekyll's elixirs, which will allow you to communicate with them telepathically. I will warn you though, Nalu never shuts up once you get her going, so it will be mostly a one-way communication. Bey's comments are rather profound if his mate ever decides to let him get a word in edgewise." </p><p></p><p>He reaches into his coat pocket and takes out what looks to be a long flat rectangular envelope. He unfolds the paper to reveal a bar of dried oats-and-honey, 10-inches by 4-inches and a half-inch thick. He snaps it in half and hands the pieces to Abby saying "They are waiting patiently for their treats." Abby smiled and took the offered treat. She moved forward steadily, but not too fast. Obviously these creatures were highly intelligent, but it's never a good idea to startle anything you've just met. "Ladies first," she said, holding it out to Nalu, before then offering the other half to Bay. </p><p></p><p>The female hippocampus impatiently pulls the food from Abby's hand and then lifts its head back, having the food drop into her mouth where she chomps it. The male smells it first, then bites off a small nibble which it eats, Abby still holding most of the food in her hand. While he is eating it his mate climbs back into the water and swims to the middle of the pond. He leans his head back towards Abby but instead of biting the remaining food he nuzzles his head against her hand and arm. He then takes the food and eats it, while nodding his head up and down." "I think he likes you," Callum comments. </p><p></p><p>"And I like him, handsome gent," she said. Once the food seemed to be well and truly down, she reached out and gently touched his muzzle. " You'd best get back to your lady before she gets upset with you." He nuzzles her one more time, then heads into the water. When he reaches the center he rolls over and swims lazily on his back while she dives up and out the water with a series of water acrobatic moves. Callum says, "They are just like people, very distinctive personalities. They are actually smarter than a lot of people I know, and far more intelligent than horses and other horse-like creatures such as the Pegasi of Gibraltar or the Unicorns of the Alps."</p><p></p><p>"Unicorns? Well, if the legends about them are true, they won't like me very much," she laughed. He says, "Well, I for one have no plans to climb the Alps to find one. There's actually a family in Italy that takes wealthy people up on sighting tours, but my sources indicate that the reclusive unicorns seen from a distance on those tours are only horses with fake horns attached." She says, "I can't believe that would fool anyone. Not because they wouldn't be convincing from a distance, but that anyone would think you can just go on a site-seeing tour and reliably find a creature so rare and reclusive?"</p><p></p><p>She added, only half in jest, "Is it a rich people thing? The idea that anything can be gotten with enough resources?" He says, "I know better." As they are talking the sun moves further west, now placing the pond in the shade from their side to the center. The hippocampi move towards the far side of the lake that is still in he sun, where both of them now frolic together doing what looks like a child's game of hopscotch. She says, "I know you do, but you seem to be a man of uncommon sense and exquisite taste."</p><p></p><p>She watched the hippocampi for a moment. "I can't imagine what it would be like, to be so intelligent, yet have your whole world be limited to a pond, or a lake. To have so little information from outside your own experience. How deep must your thoughts go their breadth has to be so narrow. Of course, I'm assuming they don't communicate with other creatures, and I should know better than that."</p><p></p><p>He replies, "Well, that might explain why Nalu likes to communicate so much when given a chance. Captain Nemo says that the ocean hippocampi are able to communicate regularly with dolphins and whales. This pair were the last survivors of two freshwater families, so most of their lives they have only had each other. That could be why they like us so well. Or it could be that they are just creatures with uncommon sense and exquisite taste." "I would imagine it's a bit of both," she said with a smile. "We should probably be headed back. Your meeting must be coming up soon." He says, "It is, and these two will be heading back to the bottom momentarily." </p><p></p><p>They stand and head back down the stone path between the trees. When they are around half-way back to the buildings they see the carriage stopping in front of the barn, dropping off Pepe and Maracita. The carriage then heads off away to the north. As they near the barn the carriage returns, this time dropping off Charles at the barn. "Well dear, this is where I say goodbye for now. Our timing is good, you are probably tired of walking and can get a ride back the rest of the way to the castle." Charles holds the carriage door for Abby. "I'm no delicate flower, a long walk won't wear me out. Not that I'll turn down the ride, either," she said with a smile.</p><p></p><p>"Gentlemen, I wish you a productive meeting. I'm sure I'll see you both later." Once she was inside Charles closed the door and a moment later the carriage was on its way back to the castle. The carriage heads around the long way rather than going through the rear wall entrance, stopping at the front staircase. The driver holds the door for Abby and she heads up the stairs. </p><p></p><p>She is barely inside the large front room when she sees Meagan heading down the staircase from the second floor. She is attired in the tradition Scottish attire for women, the arisaid, with the tartan being the same ancient Royal Stuart that Callum chose to wear today. "Hello Abigail," she states, "I am sorry that I can't stay and chat with you but I am needed elsewhere." "Oh please, don't worry over that. I have seen the library, and I'm sure I will be lost there in moments. But I do hope I will see you later," she said with an honest and friendly smile. Meagan hurries out the front door and to the waiting carriage which then departs. </p><p></p><p>An older woman exits from the doorway to the kitchen/pantry area and introduces herself (in a heavy French accent) as Francine. She says that she is the senior maid, and that Abigail would have met her daughter last evening. She inquires "And what would Miss Marsters want for a midday meal?" Abby switched to French. "Would it offend anyone on the staff if I said whatever is being made for all of you is just fine for me?" she asked conspiratorially. Francine looked surprised for a moment, then gave her a bit of a smile. "I do not think so, Mademoiselle. Please, come sit and we will take care of you."</p><p></p><p>A few minutes later Abby was seated at the long dining table again, this time alone but she didn't mind the quiet. A copy of the latest newspaper from Paris sat beside her, and she read it with lazy curiosity and she ate the simple but delicious lunch the staff would be enjoying. A hearty chicken stew, warm, soft bread and perfectly crisp green beans. Not long afterward she could be found in the library, poking into books on French history around Queen Mary's time. It wasn't long before she had a stack of paper, several books, and pen and ink and was making notes. </p><p></p><p>Time seemed to slip away from Abigail, with the only indication of its passage being the faint sounds through the wall of the grandfather clock in the music room chiming on the hour. Abby is a little surprised when she counts six chimes, as she had apparently missed hearing five and could have sworn that four occurred just a short while earlier. Not long thereafter she hears the sounds of voices in the outside foyer followed shortly by the door to the library opening. </p><p></p><p>Callum stands there, a smile on his face, as he enters the room while shutting the door behind him. "I trust that you had a productive afternoon!" he asks, more as a statement of fact than a question. "Seems I don't know how not to study," she laughed. "I could be here for weeks and still not follow all these threads I've started down. I don't have ink on my nose, do I? I always seem to get ink on my nose." He replies with a smile, "The nose is clean but I do see a small line of ink on your chin." </p><p></p><p>He sits down in a leather chair opposite Abby and says, "Well, that could have been better but also could have been a lot worse." He has an envelope in his belt which he takes out and opens, removing four sheets of paper. "Pepe brought this back from the Paris telegraph office. It's a four-page response from the telegram that we sent to my Uncle Alan Plantaganet Stuart, Lord Galloway. It took a lot of the wind out of Meagan's sails." She replies, "Anything being run by a committee is going to be like that, no one ever gets everything their way." She got out a handkerchief and wiped her chin. "He didn't send a four-page telegram, did he? More importantly, what does it say?" Callum smiles and says "I'm being knighted." </p><p></p><p>"What?" Abby cried, then laughed and shook her head. "You who were so sure you were going to be released from the service and quite possibly disinherited. How? We didn't tell them anything in that telegram." He says, "Well, you're half correct, I will definitely be released from the clandestine services. Remember that Scotsman who we rescued, Robert Lewis Stevenson. He is apparently a writer and wrote a long story about the rescue of him, the archaeologists and that Oxford professor, omitting the use of wizard magics but telling the rest of the tale. It was published in yesterday's Daily Telegraph, London's best selling newspaper. We are now national heroes, and the Queen will be recognizing us next month in a ceremony. And yes, the telegram was four pages long. My uncle is very excited about my bringing honor to the Stuarts in such a heroic and now public manner."</p><p></p><p>"I remember Mr. Stevenson a little. It seems so long ago now. Well, I'm sure the ceremony is something Mr. Stevenson will greatly enjoy," she laughed. "He did seem one for adventure, but I'm sure he'll be happy to add "Sir" to his name." Callum laughs and says, "Oh no, when I said 'us' I didn't mean myself and Stephenson. I will be knighted and official proclamations will be read honoring my two assistants in the rescue, specifically young Henry Jones and Miss. Abigail Marsters." "Me? Well, I didn't really..." she let out an explosive breath and sat dumbfounded for a moment. "I'm not even a British citizen," she finished lamely. </p><p></p><p>He laughs, "You're not being knighted or inducted into the Ladies of the Garter, it's only a written proclamation recognizing you for distinguished service to the crown. Those can be granted to anyone regardless of nationality. If a six-year-old Scottish boy can be recognized as such, so can a former archaeology student who studied in the British Isles." "I'm afraid this may be just a little more attention than I'm comfortable with. I should telegram Mrs. Parker. Although I suppose it can wait until we get back to Egypt." She was obviously still a bit rattled. He says, "Oh, that's in my uncle's lengthy note as well. Queen Neferka acknowledges that we have been delayed and she tells us to be safe. I am thinking about us leaving tomorrow evening, as we need to wait until nightfall to inflate and then fly the dirigible unseen."</p><p></p><p>She comments, "I'm glad young Mr. Jones is alright. I hadn't seen him since I lost track of you there." He says, "Oh yes, the whole team is safe. The last I heard they were still guarding the grounded French ship with the dowry." She says, "So are you relieved to be out of the clandestine service? I got the feeling you enjoyed some of it, at least." He replies, "I did enjoy it, but I am now a public figure, so spy work now is in my past. Anyway, back to the meeting. With my new honors, and praise from the senior member of the Stuart Clan, there was no way that Meagan could have me deposed. </p><p></p><p>And her criticism of my sharing information with you was also negated by your heroics and general recognition that we are currently working as a team. Plus you apparently greatly impressed Maracita with your background." Abby says, "I can't imagine she was greatly pleased to hear all about your accolades just now. Although honestly, I don't get any impression that she doesn't like you personally. I imagine she was quite conflicted. But what part of my background impressed, Maracita? That is quite nice to hear." </p><p></p><p>He says, "She agrees with me about an archaeologist being needed to find more information about what the ancients knew. Unfortunately she won't be around to help us, she's leaving momentarily for Peru." Abby says, "Oh no. I hope there is nothing seriously wrong. Just last night she said their home was here now; that they had no reason to return to Peru." Callum says, "After Meagan couldn't attack me or you she shifted to Pepe. He had enough, so announced that he was taking a six-month vacation and she could have his job while he was away. Maracita was less than pleased. The meeting became rather loud, wood elves can be very passionate. She's angrier at him than Meagan. She said she was going home to Peru, and didn't leave any six-month return date like her husband." </p><p></p><p>"Oh Cal," she moved over and sat in the chair next to him. "I'm sorry. But I wouldn't consider it all settled. Passions have to cool eventually. Although I imagine they'll both be gone for some time." Cal says, "Pepe has made it clear that he will be back in six-months. He's asked to ride back to Egypt with us. Since his Great-Uncle Manuel is currently there he hopes to get a ride back to Mexico with him. Charles wouldn't allow Meghan to have the title of Chief Wizard since she isn't a wizard. We must have spent a half-hour arguing about that one. Her interim title is Chief Mage. Pepe sees this as an opportunity for her to fail, as she now has to prove what she's always said she can do. I think he has underestimated her, she'll rise to the occasion."</p><p></p><p>"It's hard for me to say. I don't know Meghan very well, and I don't know exactly what is happening here on a daily basis." She sighed lightly. "I guess we'll all just have to see how it comes out." Callum says, "I haven't given Pepe an answer yet. Would you might if he joins us for the ride back?" Abby says, "No, I wouldn't mind. It's not as if we could just have a picnic while the dirigible flies itself to Egypt. And maybe a little time to cool off will convince him to stay. Which might get Maracita back as well. I can't really imagine she'd stay away from her husband that long. You have to love someone a whole lot if they can make you that angry." He replies, "Six months isn't that long for a race that lives for centuries." She replies, "No, I suppose it's not. It's part of my job to think beyond our limits, to try to think like others, but I admit I just can't imagine that kind of life-span."</p><p></p><p>"Well Abby, it's a little after 6:00 P.M., so we've got approximately twenty-seven hours of so until our airship goes aloft again. What would you like to do here in France during that time?" She was quiet for a moment, thinking about the next day. "I'm not really sure. If I were staying in Paris, I would just take a day and walk the streets, stop in the little cafes and galleries and the museums. And yes, I admit that I would shop, too," she smiled. "And when would you like to return to Paris?" he asks. "The carriage will be leaving for the city with Maracita shortly if we want to ride with her." </p><p></p><p>Abby says, "We don't have to go back to the city if you'd rather stay here," she said lightly. "Although I imagine you might want to be out of someone's company for a while. We'll probably get quite an earful from Maracita, but I don't mind if you don't." He says, "I wouldn't mind getting back into the city if this is my last night here for a while. Although I may take the coward's way out and sit upside with the driver if you don't mind sharing the ride with her." "Coward's way out? I always thought it the height of wisdom to stay out of the way of an angry woman," she said. "I'm glad I don't have to teach you that myself."</p><p></p><p>She asks, "Did you have anything in particular you wanted to do in the city?" He says, "Yes actually, I wanted to visit the site of the Exposition Universelle de 1878, which was the World's Fair four years ago. One of the large buildings constructed on the Champ-de-Mars has remained as a concert and conference hall since that time. Tonight is a concert of the works of Jacques Offenbach, who was known as "the Mozart of the Champs-Elysees". His work was quite good, and more importantly, he is a famous French artist who was not a wizard and had nothing to do with the other French artists who we encountered during this past week." </p><p></p><p>"And you want to be seen patronizing Paris' artists after what happened in Egypt. This place is more home to you and any other, and you want them to know that what was done was not done with any malice toward France." She smiled. "And I would quite enjoy a concert. How formal are the concerts there? Will I need to find something else to wear?" He says, "Some are quite formal, but this one is not. What we are presently wearing will suffice. Normally I would not wear formal Scottish attire due to the added attention it attracts, but your other observation is quite correct about my needing to be seen and recognized." </p><p></p><p>She says, "I have to admit, I was rather surprised to see you and Charles, and Meghan, too, dressed so formally this morning. Seems you all know one another, no need to be formal together. I did rather like it, though." He smiles and says, "The meeting may have only consisted of the five of us, but it was still a formal meeting of the Stuarts. Anything less for our attire would not have been appropriate. Most of our exchanges are informal, but we hold a formal meeting annually, or whenever either myself, Charles or Meagan feel there is something of significance that has occurred. Since Meagan's arrival we have averaged one of these approximately every quarter-year."</p><p></p><p>"I suppose I should order a gown for the knighting while I'm in Paris. Unless you think I ought to get it in London? I can't believe this is something I even need to worry about," she chuckled. He says, "The ceremony is not for another five weeks so there is sufficient time, but yes, I would say that at least three different formal clothing changes will be necessary. One for the evening before the ceremony, when you will meet the Stuarts. Another for the ceremony itself. And a third for the ball later that evening." "Three! Oh, this just keeps getting worse and worse," she said, with a definite hint of seriousness. "Meet the Stuarts? I suppose that's necessary, but we have to make a whole evening of it?" </p><p></p><p>He says, "Abby, I am being knighted! Do you honestly think that either my uncle or my father would do anything less?" She replies, "Of course not. I've only known about this for about five minutes, Cal. I haven't had the chance to think it all through yet. My brain is bouncing from one possibility to the next. I have no idea where I'll be over the next few weeks. Egypt, back in Florida, and now I'll need to be in England. And of course I'll need to tell my mother and all my English relations.</p><p></p><p>I have no idea how this will affect my employers. Probably not at all. Mrs. Parker and Mr. Eastman are already well-known so a little notoriety is likely alright. But I don't know what their plans are for the future or how this may change them. And the idea of spending an evening with people who do not like me doesn't rank high on my list of ways to have a good time." He says, "Not 'do' not like you, try 'did' not like you. The Queen is personally honoring you, that is something that aristocrats will not ignore. It will certainly raise your esteem in the eyes of my uncle. And having your English relatives present will not be bad thing to help dispel my father of his notion that you are just a troublesome colonist."</p><p></p><p>She stopped and took a deep breath. "I know, you're being knighted. I'm not. It's a much more important distinction for you, but in light of everything it's just about the best outcome you could have hoped for. Recognition for myself is unexpected... and disconcerting." He says, "Like yesterday, we will be in the city too late for the best shops. But if we make it an earlier night than we did before you could come back into the city tomorrow morning and purchase what you will need. Meagan could tailor them magically so you would not have to wait for alterations and a later fitting." </p><p></p><p>She says, "It's a shame their sudden turnaround won't help me like them any better. Whether they liked me or not, it actually has nothing to do with me. There's only one Stuart whose opinion I can trust to be honest. Yours." She moved closer and kissed him lightly. "It's the only one that matters anyway." He smiles and says, "Two actually, cousin Charles likes you also. And around here that definitely counts for something." She says, "Well Charles never cared whether I was an aristocrat or not, or if I was an American either. So I will accept his opinion as honestly about who I am as well. Come, if we want to go with Maracita we'd better hurry." She got up and began closing up books and cleaning up her mess.</p><p></p><p></p><p><strong><em>DM's note: It was important to have Nalu and Bay be fresh-water rather than salt-water hippocampi; Otherwise my planned 4th AGELESS module, involving the salvage of treasure from a sunken Spanish fleet off the Florida coast, could have become incredibly short in duration. </em></strong></p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Silver Moon, post: 7036371, member: 8530"] [B]Chapter 124, "Seahorses", September 13, 1882, 12:00 PM.[/B] Callum and Abby head away from the barn and castle towards a forested hill around a mile away. Most of the land around has been cultivated for growing grains, but this small elevated area would have been too difficult to level for farming. The trees appear to be old-growth forest, probably the oldest trees in a fifty-mile radius. The area is fairly overgrown but there is a stone path that Callum knows which he leads her up. They go around 400 feet to the top of the hill and look down the other side into a small crystal blue pond surrounded by old growth trees. The pond is approximately ninety feet in diameter. The area is quiet and peaceful, the sun is now directly overhead and shining straight down. With the ring of high trees she estimates that the pond probably gets only a hour-or-so of direct sunlight each day. A carved stone bench sits alongside the pond and Callum gestures silently to her to sit there beside him. She accepted the invitation just as quietly, sitting down and leaning her head against his shoulder. There was peace here, and that was something she needed. They sit in silence for ten minutes, the only sounds being birds in the trees. She looks towards the water's edge eight feet in front of the bench . She then notices a disturbance in the water towards the center of the pond. The disturbance then starts to move closer, when dorsal fins then break the surface of the water. From thirty feet out she sees two pair of ice blue fins, each with the second around six feet behind the first on each. At ten feet out the forward fins begin to rise out of the water, revealing ice blue heads of horses, the front fins where the mane would be. They continue to swim towards the shore. The front legs of the horses rise out of the water and land on the shore, with large webbed flippers instead of hooves that flop onto the ground, landing just a few feet before the pair on the bench. Their bodies are both ice blue in color, almost matching the dress that Abby wore the night before. Looking close, she sees that their hides are comprised of thin scales rather than leather. She can also see the rear half of the animals in the water near the shore resemble that of large fishes. "What are they?" she whispered. "They're gorgeous. I wouldn't have thought this pond was deep enough for any creatures like this." Callum replies, "They are called hippocampi. This isn't where they are from, it is just a temporary home for them." Looking towards the animals he says, "Bey, Nalu, this is Abby." Both nod their heads in her direction. Callum continues, "Captain Nemo rescued them. They were living on a Pacific island in a lake beside a volcano. The volcano was due to erupt and they would have been killed. Under normal circumstances he would have saved them by just putting them in the ocean, but these two had evolved in freshwater rather than seawater, so he had to find a safe freshwater location for them. I initially had them in a Loch in Scotland, but we had to relocate them after they encountered a plesiosaur living there who did not want company. They both prefer it here, as it is warmer than Scotland, especially when the pond is in the sun." Abby nodded back at the creatures, and if she was unable to stop staring she at least tried not to do it rudely. "Are you looking for another place for them? It must be cold here in the winter. How long have they been here?" He replies, "They have been here almost a year now. It is cold in the winter, but we have placed a magical heating device in the deepest part of the pond. They stay down there except for the noontime hour, when they prefer the rays of the natural sunlight. We will eventually find another place for them, but not until after their current clutch of eggs have hatched." "Oh, how lovely! Congratulations," Abby said sincerely, with another nod at the beautiful creatures. "I like the sun, too. And this beautiful spot. I should have brought some books with me, I could spend a few hours here." He replies, "So bring a book tomorrow. I can also provide you with one of Dr. Jekyll's elixirs, which will allow you to communicate with them telepathically. I will warn you though, Nalu never shuts up once you get her going, so it will be mostly a one-way communication. Bey's comments are rather profound if his mate ever decides to let him get a word in edgewise." He reaches into his coat pocket and takes out what looks to be a long flat rectangular envelope. He unfolds the paper to reveal a bar of dried oats-and-honey, 10-inches by 4-inches and a half-inch thick. He snaps it in half and hands the pieces to Abby saying "They are waiting patiently for their treats." Abby smiled and took the offered treat. She moved forward steadily, but not too fast. Obviously these creatures were highly intelligent, but it's never a good idea to startle anything you've just met. "Ladies first," she said, holding it out to Nalu, before then offering the other half to Bay. The female hippocampus impatiently pulls the food from Abby's hand and then lifts its head back, having the food drop into her mouth where she chomps it. The male smells it first, then bites off a small nibble which it eats, Abby still holding most of the food in her hand. While he is eating it his mate climbs back into the water and swims to the middle of the pond. He leans his head back towards Abby but instead of biting the remaining food he nuzzles his head against her hand and arm. He then takes the food and eats it, while nodding his head up and down." "I think he likes you," Callum comments. "And I like him, handsome gent," she said. Once the food seemed to be well and truly down, she reached out and gently touched his muzzle. " You'd best get back to your lady before she gets upset with you." He nuzzles her one more time, then heads into the water. When he reaches the center he rolls over and swims lazily on his back while she dives up and out the water with a series of water acrobatic moves. Callum says, "They are just like people, very distinctive personalities. They are actually smarter than a lot of people I know, and far more intelligent than horses and other horse-like creatures such as the Pegasi of Gibraltar or the Unicorns of the Alps." "Unicorns? Well, if the legends about them are true, they won't like me very much," she laughed. He says, "Well, I for one have no plans to climb the Alps to find one. There's actually a family in Italy that takes wealthy people up on sighting tours, but my sources indicate that the reclusive unicorns seen from a distance on those tours are only horses with fake horns attached." She says, "I can't believe that would fool anyone. Not because they wouldn't be convincing from a distance, but that anyone would think you can just go on a site-seeing tour and reliably find a creature so rare and reclusive?" She added, only half in jest, "Is it a rich people thing? The idea that anything can be gotten with enough resources?" He says, "I know better." As they are talking the sun moves further west, now placing the pond in the shade from their side to the center. The hippocampi move towards the far side of the lake that is still in he sun, where both of them now frolic together doing what looks like a child's game of hopscotch. She says, "I know you do, but you seem to be a man of uncommon sense and exquisite taste." She watched the hippocampi for a moment. "I can't imagine what it would be like, to be so intelligent, yet have your whole world be limited to a pond, or a lake. To have so little information from outside your own experience. How deep must your thoughts go their breadth has to be so narrow. Of course, I'm assuming they don't communicate with other creatures, and I should know better than that." He replies, "Well, that might explain why Nalu likes to communicate so much when given a chance. Captain Nemo says that the ocean hippocampi are able to communicate regularly with dolphins and whales. This pair were the last survivors of two freshwater families, so most of their lives they have only had each other. That could be why they like us so well. Or it could be that they are just creatures with uncommon sense and exquisite taste." "I would imagine it's a bit of both," she said with a smile. "We should probably be headed back. Your meeting must be coming up soon." He says, "It is, and these two will be heading back to the bottom momentarily." They stand and head back down the stone path between the trees. When they are around half-way back to the buildings they see the carriage stopping in front of the barn, dropping off Pepe and Maracita. The carriage then heads off away to the north. As they near the barn the carriage returns, this time dropping off Charles at the barn. "Well dear, this is where I say goodbye for now. Our timing is good, you are probably tired of walking and can get a ride back the rest of the way to the castle." Charles holds the carriage door for Abby. "I'm no delicate flower, a long walk won't wear me out. Not that I'll turn down the ride, either," she said with a smile. "Gentlemen, I wish you a productive meeting. I'm sure I'll see you both later." Once she was inside Charles closed the door and a moment later the carriage was on its way back to the castle. The carriage heads around the long way rather than going through the rear wall entrance, stopping at the front staircase. The driver holds the door for Abby and she heads up the stairs. She is barely inside the large front room when she sees Meagan heading down the staircase from the second floor. She is attired in the tradition Scottish attire for women, the arisaid, with the tartan being the same ancient Royal Stuart that Callum chose to wear today. "Hello Abigail," she states, "I am sorry that I can't stay and chat with you but I am needed elsewhere." "Oh please, don't worry over that. I have seen the library, and I'm sure I will be lost there in moments. But I do hope I will see you later," she said with an honest and friendly smile. Meagan hurries out the front door and to the waiting carriage which then departs. An older woman exits from the doorway to the kitchen/pantry area and introduces herself (in a heavy French accent) as Francine. She says that she is the senior maid, and that Abigail would have met her daughter last evening. She inquires "And what would Miss Marsters want for a midday meal?" Abby switched to French. "Would it offend anyone on the staff if I said whatever is being made for all of you is just fine for me?" she asked conspiratorially. Francine looked surprised for a moment, then gave her a bit of a smile. "I do not think so, Mademoiselle. Please, come sit and we will take care of you." A few minutes later Abby was seated at the long dining table again, this time alone but she didn't mind the quiet. A copy of the latest newspaper from Paris sat beside her, and she read it with lazy curiosity and she ate the simple but delicious lunch the staff would be enjoying. A hearty chicken stew, warm, soft bread and perfectly crisp green beans. Not long afterward she could be found in the library, poking into books on French history around Queen Mary's time. It wasn't long before she had a stack of paper, several books, and pen and ink and was making notes. Time seemed to slip away from Abigail, with the only indication of its passage being the faint sounds through the wall of the grandfather clock in the music room chiming on the hour. Abby is a little surprised when she counts six chimes, as she had apparently missed hearing five and could have sworn that four occurred just a short while earlier. Not long thereafter she hears the sounds of voices in the outside foyer followed shortly by the door to the library opening. Callum stands there, a smile on his face, as he enters the room while shutting the door behind him. "I trust that you had a productive afternoon!" he asks, more as a statement of fact than a question. "Seems I don't know how not to study," she laughed. "I could be here for weeks and still not follow all these threads I've started down. I don't have ink on my nose, do I? I always seem to get ink on my nose." He replies with a smile, "The nose is clean but I do see a small line of ink on your chin." He sits down in a leather chair opposite Abby and says, "Well, that could have been better but also could have been a lot worse." He has an envelope in his belt which he takes out and opens, removing four sheets of paper. "Pepe brought this back from the Paris telegraph office. It's a four-page response from the telegram that we sent to my Uncle Alan Plantaganet Stuart, Lord Galloway. It took a lot of the wind out of Meagan's sails." She replies, "Anything being run by a committee is going to be like that, no one ever gets everything their way." She got out a handkerchief and wiped her chin. "He didn't send a four-page telegram, did he? More importantly, what does it say?" Callum smiles and says "I'm being knighted." "What?" Abby cried, then laughed and shook her head. "You who were so sure you were going to be released from the service and quite possibly disinherited. How? We didn't tell them anything in that telegram." He says, "Well, you're half correct, I will definitely be released from the clandestine services. Remember that Scotsman who we rescued, Robert Lewis Stevenson. He is apparently a writer and wrote a long story about the rescue of him, the archaeologists and that Oxford professor, omitting the use of wizard magics but telling the rest of the tale. It was published in yesterday's Daily Telegraph, London's best selling newspaper. We are now national heroes, and the Queen will be recognizing us next month in a ceremony. And yes, the telegram was four pages long. My uncle is very excited about my bringing honor to the Stuarts in such a heroic and now public manner." "I remember Mr. Stevenson a little. It seems so long ago now. Well, I'm sure the ceremony is something Mr. Stevenson will greatly enjoy," she laughed. "He did seem one for adventure, but I'm sure he'll be happy to add "Sir" to his name." Callum laughs and says, "Oh no, when I said 'us' I didn't mean myself and Stephenson. I will be knighted and official proclamations will be read honoring my two assistants in the rescue, specifically young Henry Jones and Miss. Abigail Marsters." "Me? Well, I didn't really..." she let out an explosive breath and sat dumbfounded for a moment. "I'm not even a British citizen," she finished lamely. He laughs, "You're not being knighted or inducted into the Ladies of the Garter, it's only a written proclamation recognizing you for distinguished service to the crown. Those can be granted to anyone regardless of nationality. If a six-year-old Scottish boy can be recognized as such, so can a former archaeology student who studied in the British Isles." "I'm afraid this may be just a little more attention than I'm comfortable with. I should telegram Mrs. Parker. Although I suppose it can wait until we get back to Egypt." She was obviously still a bit rattled. He says, "Oh, that's in my uncle's lengthy note as well. Queen Neferka acknowledges that we have been delayed and she tells us to be safe. I am thinking about us leaving tomorrow evening, as we need to wait until nightfall to inflate and then fly the dirigible unseen." She comments, "I'm glad young Mr. Jones is alright. I hadn't seen him since I lost track of you there." He says, "Oh yes, the whole team is safe. The last I heard they were still guarding the grounded French ship with the dowry." She says, "So are you relieved to be out of the clandestine service? I got the feeling you enjoyed some of it, at least." He replies, "I did enjoy it, but I am now a public figure, so spy work now is in my past. Anyway, back to the meeting. With my new honors, and praise from the senior member of the Stuart Clan, there was no way that Meagan could have me deposed. And her criticism of my sharing information with you was also negated by your heroics and general recognition that we are currently working as a team. Plus you apparently greatly impressed Maracita with your background." Abby says, "I can't imagine she was greatly pleased to hear all about your accolades just now. Although honestly, I don't get any impression that she doesn't like you personally. I imagine she was quite conflicted. But what part of my background impressed, Maracita? That is quite nice to hear." He says, "She agrees with me about an archaeologist being needed to find more information about what the ancients knew. Unfortunately she won't be around to help us, she's leaving momentarily for Peru." Abby says, "Oh no. I hope there is nothing seriously wrong. Just last night she said their home was here now; that they had no reason to return to Peru." Callum says, "After Meagan couldn't attack me or you she shifted to Pepe. He had enough, so announced that he was taking a six-month vacation and she could have his job while he was away. Maracita was less than pleased. The meeting became rather loud, wood elves can be very passionate. She's angrier at him than Meagan. She said she was going home to Peru, and didn't leave any six-month return date like her husband." "Oh Cal," she moved over and sat in the chair next to him. "I'm sorry. But I wouldn't consider it all settled. Passions have to cool eventually. Although I imagine they'll both be gone for some time." Cal says, "Pepe has made it clear that he will be back in six-months. He's asked to ride back to Egypt with us. Since his Great-Uncle Manuel is currently there he hopes to get a ride back to Mexico with him. Charles wouldn't allow Meghan to have the title of Chief Wizard since she isn't a wizard. We must have spent a half-hour arguing about that one. Her interim title is Chief Mage. Pepe sees this as an opportunity for her to fail, as she now has to prove what she's always said she can do. I think he has underestimated her, she'll rise to the occasion." "It's hard for me to say. I don't know Meghan very well, and I don't know exactly what is happening here on a daily basis." She sighed lightly. "I guess we'll all just have to see how it comes out." Callum says, "I haven't given Pepe an answer yet. Would you might if he joins us for the ride back?" Abby says, "No, I wouldn't mind. It's not as if we could just have a picnic while the dirigible flies itself to Egypt. And maybe a little time to cool off will convince him to stay. Which might get Maracita back as well. I can't really imagine she'd stay away from her husband that long. You have to love someone a whole lot if they can make you that angry." He replies, "Six months isn't that long for a race that lives for centuries." She replies, "No, I suppose it's not. It's part of my job to think beyond our limits, to try to think like others, but I admit I just can't imagine that kind of life-span." "Well Abby, it's a little after 6:00 P.M., so we've got approximately twenty-seven hours of so until our airship goes aloft again. What would you like to do here in France during that time?" She was quiet for a moment, thinking about the next day. "I'm not really sure. If I were staying in Paris, I would just take a day and walk the streets, stop in the little cafes and galleries and the museums. And yes, I admit that I would shop, too," she smiled. "And when would you like to return to Paris?" he asks. "The carriage will be leaving for the city with Maracita shortly if we want to ride with her." Abby says, "We don't have to go back to the city if you'd rather stay here," she said lightly. "Although I imagine you might want to be out of someone's company for a while. We'll probably get quite an earful from Maracita, but I don't mind if you don't." He says, "I wouldn't mind getting back into the city if this is my last night here for a while. Although I may take the coward's way out and sit upside with the driver if you don't mind sharing the ride with her." "Coward's way out? I always thought it the height of wisdom to stay out of the way of an angry woman," she said. "I'm glad I don't have to teach you that myself." She asks, "Did you have anything in particular you wanted to do in the city?" He says, "Yes actually, I wanted to visit the site of the Exposition Universelle de 1878, which was the World's Fair four years ago. One of the large buildings constructed on the Champ-de-Mars has remained as a concert and conference hall since that time. Tonight is a concert of the works of Jacques Offenbach, who was known as "the Mozart of the Champs-Elysees". His work was quite good, and more importantly, he is a famous French artist who was not a wizard and had nothing to do with the other French artists who we encountered during this past week." "And you want to be seen patronizing Paris' artists after what happened in Egypt. This place is more home to you and any other, and you want them to know that what was done was not done with any malice toward France." She smiled. "And I would quite enjoy a concert. How formal are the concerts there? Will I need to find something else to wear?" He says, "Some are quite formal, but this one is not. What we are presently wearing will suffice. Normally I would not wear formal Scottish attire due to the added attention it attracts, but your other observation is quite correct about my needing to be seen and recognized." She says, "I have to admit, I was rather surprised to see you and Charles, and Meghan, too, dressed so formally this morning. Seems you all know one another, no need to be formal together. I did rather like it, though." He smiles and says, "The meeting may have only consisted of the five of us, but it was still a formal meeting of the Stuarts. Anything less for our attire would not have been appropriate. Most of our exchanges are informal, but we hold a formal meeting annually, or whenever either myself, Charles or Meagan feel there is something of significance that has occurred. Since Meagan's arrival we have averaged one of these approximately every quarter-year." "I suppose I should order a gown for the knighting while I'm in Paris. Unless you think I ought to get it in London? I can't believe this is something I even need to worry about," she chuckled. He says, "The ceremony is not for another five weeks so there is sufficient time, but yes, I would say that at least three different formal clothing changes will be necessary. One for the evening before the ceremony, when you will meet the Stuarts. Another for the ceremony itself. And a third for the ball later that evening." "Three! Oh, this just keeps getting worse and worse," she said, with a definite hint of seriousness. "Meet the Stuarts? I suppose that's necessary, but we have to make a whole evening of it?" He says, "Abby, I am being knighted! Do you honestly think that either my uncle or my father would do anything less?" She replies, "Of course not. I've only known about this for about five minutes, Cal. I haven't had the chance to think it all through yet. My brain is bouncing from one possibility to the next. I have no idea where I'll be over the next few weeks. Egypt, back in Florida, and now I'll need to be in England. And of course I'll need to tell my mother and all my English relations. I have no idea how this will affect my employers. Probably not at all. Mrs. Parker and Mr. Eastman are already well-known so a little notoriety is likely alright. But I don't know what their plans are for the future or how this may change them. And the idea of spending an evening with people who do not like me doesn't rank high on my list of ways to have a good time." He says, "Not 'do' not like you, try 'did' not like you. The Queen is personally honoring you, that is something that aristocrats will not ignore. It will certainly raise your esteem in the eyes of my uncle. And having your English relatives present will not be bad thing to help dispel my father of his notion that you are just a troublesome colonist." She stopped and took a deep breath. "I know, you're being knighted. I'm not. It's a much more important distinction for you, but in light of everything it's just about the best outcome you could have hoped for. Recognition for myself is unexpected... and disconcerting." He says, "Like yesterday, we will be in the city too late for the best shops. But if we make it an earlier night than we did before you could come back into the city tomorrow morning and purchase what you will need. Meagan could tailor them magically so you would not have to wait for alterations and a later fitting." She says, "It's a shame their sudden turnaround won't help me like them any better. Whether they liked me or not, it actually has nothing to do with me. There's only one Stuart whose opinion I can trust to be honest. Yours." She moved closer and kissed him lightly. "It's the only one that matters anyway." He smiles and says, "Two actually, cousin Charles likes you also. And around here that definitely counts for something." She says, "Well Charles never cared whether I was an aristocrat or not, or if I was an American either. So I will accept his opinion as honestly about who I am as well. Come, if we want to go with Maracita we'd better hurry." She got up and began closing up books and cleaning up her mess. [B][I]DM's note: It was important to have Nalu and Bay be fresh-water rather than salt-water hippocampi; Otherwise my planned 4th AGELESS module, involving the salvage of treasure from a sunken Spanish fleet off the Florida coast, could have become incredibly short in duration. [/I][/B][I][/I] [/QUOTE]
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AGELESS Campaign Episode 2 - Temple of the Cat-Goddess
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