Rescue of Lady Moon, AGAIN!

[Zelda]

Ok, this should bring together the Aftermath and Jo's Journey. So Write away guys. At the moment we are all standing around arguing or something......

[Fencing Angel]

hey not all of us.. i am off seeing the country side with serena and naekos... such great timeing i have huh??

[arcon]

The rescue will come. Be patient.

probaly in the next 24 hours.....

arcon of arconia

[Iwant2bafencer]

Yea, well while you're off 'seeing the country side.' We're over here planing to go after an evil kidnapping, dungeon colapsing, Meekal take overing, Moon stealing, brother of a good king. (dont ask cuz I dont know.)
How one came out good, and one came out extremely bad. We'll never know.

Right I think we should get a move on before Moon either takes all the credit and kills Zarcon herself. Or goes insane from his most likely slopy kisses. Anyone agree with me?

Well mu queen I'm glad I put a smile on your face. I chould have just saved someones life.

I Want a D.I.D. t-shirt! haha what a picture!

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Carpe Diem

[Moonitic]

man, now I have to design one...

[Willow]

As the rescuers began to gather into the kitchen to plot the rescue attempt, the King began to count noses. Was everyone here? Wait. Someone was missing. "Where is Willow? I sent for her."

Just then, Willow entered the kitchen. She looked as if she meant serious business. Dressed in pants and a tunic that couldn't disguise the fact that she was pregnant, with boots on her feet, her hair pulled back and tied with a ribbon, she was the picture of seriousness. In her arms she carried a book. She had found Moon's room empty, and had been told by a mouse in the corner exactly what had happened. Zarcon had Moon. This was getting a bit tiresome.

"King Arcon, I know you know what the situation is. I swear, when I promised Moon's mother that I would protect her daughter, I never DREAMED that this girl would be kidnapped so much. I should get paid overtime for this. I was told once that Moon was born under a bad sign. I guess the sign is 'Will be kidnapped for food.'"

Arcon permitted a brief smile at the exchange. "I couldn't agree more, Willow." The Queen turned and asked Willow what book she had with her. Willow replied, "I have here a spell which will allow us to track Zarcon by using a hair from his closest relative here. That would be you, Arcon. May I have some of your hair?" Arcon, looking a bit shocked, was about to reach for his hair when Zelda jerked a few pieces out. "OUCH! You could have warned me, dear."

Zelda handed the hair to Willow. Willow took a bowl down from the cupboard and placed the hair in it. "Zelda, you may want to brace yourself. This spell is incredibly simple, yet incredibly powerful." Nodding, Zelda sat down in the nearest chair. Picking up a nearby candle, Willow allowed 3 drops of wax to fall on the hair in the bowl. Muttering words that no one could understand, she closed her eyes.

Suddenly, her eyes opened. The pupils were enourmous, dark black, stark against the white of her eyes. Everyone gasped in shock.

[Iwant2bafencer]

Rosaline had watched Willow perform her spell with interest. When Willow opened her eyes she inhaled quickly. 'I really hope that's supposed to happen.' She thought to herself. That also made her think of Oddledoole, (Havent seen him around for a while.) which in turn made her think of Meekal.
She leaned closer to Arcon, to whisper in his ear, afraid if she talked loudly she might somehow skrew up Willows spell. "Was I hearing things, or did you say Meekal and Kliff got out?"
Arcon nodded. "You weren't hearing things."
Rosaline shook her head. "He didn't go up with a guard did he?"
Arcon shook his head, the Rosaline did the same. She leaned back in her chair, then remember the other question she had. Leaning over she again whispered in his ear.
"Who is that man in black? I thought you said us and 6 other guards. I've never seent hat man before, and yet. . .I recognize him. . .somehow."
She waited for Arcons answer watching Willow, and sneeking glances over at the man in black.

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Carpe Diem

[Lord Tellurine]

[ed. note] I've got a week full of out-of-town shows, so I won't be around until Saturday. Play nice!

Meekal the Daft and Kliff Fauldergraft took the long way to the stables to tell Lady Rosaline which direction Zarcon had went. She wasn’t there. All of the horses had been lined up, and were ready to go, but nobody Kliff and Meekal wanted to talk to was there.

The only people in the stable were Master Gavrill, stable boy Anton, and his good friend Harold Wesley. Master Gavrill looked nervous and a little jumpy. The activities of the day had shaken him. Anton and Harold were swapping stories. Harold was telling Anton how he had gone up to the tower and accidentally let the prisoners escape and Anton was telling Harold about the King and his preparations for the search for his evil brother, Zarcon.

Suddenly one of the horses sneezed and it spooked Master Gavrill. He snapped angrily, “Stupid horse.” He gave it an extra look as if he didn’t recognize the mare, but then took in account his frayed nerves and forgot about it.

Suddenly, Meekal and Kliff came around the corner. “Hello,” Kliff said to Gavrill. “Do you know where Lady Rosaline is?”

Harold pointed at them and shouted, “That’s them! The escaped prisoners!”

Anton said, “Get ‘em!”

“Let’s get out of here!” cried Meekal and he hopped up on one of the horses.

“Wait for me!” said Kliff, climbing on behind him.

“Stop!” ordered Gavrill. “That’s Captain Zorn’s horse!”

“Giddy up!” said Meekal and the horse galloped out of the stable and down the road towards the gate.

“Should I go after them?” asked Anton.

“No,” said Gavrill. “We can’t spare the horse. We only have one left, and we’ll need to prepare that one for Zorn. He’s not going to be happy.”

“Neither will King Arcon,” added Harold.

[Willow]

Willow's eyes gleamed darkly. She quickly told the group not to worry. It just meant that her emotions and sensitivities were heightened. "Yes, Arcon, you are right. Not all of us are going to make it back from this. We must be prepared. But, I have to warn everyone here. When it comes time for the actual battle...there is only ONE of us who is going to be able to fight Zarcon."

Everyone looked at each other and murmuring began. Who wasn't going to survive? One or more of them? Zarcon? And, why would only Arcon be able to fight Zarcon? Questions began tumbling from the mouths of Loch, Zelda, Rosaline, et. al.. Willow silenced them by holding up her hands.

"I know, I know, you all want to have the chance to kill Zarcon. But, it can't happen that way." "WHY NOT?" "For this simple reason. It is Arcon's destiny to fight his brother. His brother wasn't meant to be born, but he was. He was meant to be killed at birth. But he wasn't. He hates Arcon for simply being the favored one. It comes down to the fight between the brothers. Which one will win...well, I can't see the future any further than to know that one will win and one will die. Which is which...only time will tell."

Arcon had stood silently by, saying nothing. Everything Willow was saying had the ring of truth to it. He knew that Zelda and Loch, especially, were going to have a hard time accepting what was going to happen. Arcon knew in his heart that this was going to be the final showdown between him and his brother. This was the ultimate battle of good and evil.

Willow raised her hands, again, silencing the group, who was again asking questions, trying to make sense out of what she was telling them. "Just because Arcon must fight him alone doesn't mean that we can't help him. It's up to us to make sure that he has the best of everything. The best horse, the best weapons, the best plans. And, Arcon, I will be using my magic to make you charms that will help increase your strength and endurance and heighten your awareness. It's going to be hard for Zarcon to surprise you. But, that won't stop him from trying. He's going to throw everything at you that he can. I warn you that this battle will NOT be easy."

Arcon smiled as he looked at everyone in the kitchen. "I know it won't be easy. But, this fight was bound to happen. Let Zarcon try what he will. I'll be prepared."

[Moonitic]

"The time is coming. I can feel it," Zarcon announced. He paced anxiously. Excited. Lady Moon watched from the ground, where he had pushed her down. He looked at her, expecting a reply. When she did not, he cocked his head to the side and placed a finger to his chin. "Now, what to do about you. I cannot have you interfering. Not that you would have any right to, based on our little promise." He thought for a moment, considering the possibilities.

"I know!" Zarcon pulled out a pouch. "A friend gave this to me, in case you decided to give me trouble." He produced a bladder and opened it with his teeth, then poured the contents of the pouch into the water. He held the container out to Lady Moon. "Drink this. I asked that the flavor be pleasing, so you will enjoy it."

She crossed her arms. "What is it?"

"Oh, just a little something. Do not worry. After this mess with Arcon is over, I'll give you the antidote and you'll be as good as new." His voice darkened as he shoved the bladder in her face. "Now drink it, or I will administer it myself."

Seeing no other choice, Lady Moon did as told. Though the taste was pleasing, she soon felt a horrible cramp in her stomach and doubled over. Zarcon laughed. "It worked!"

Not too much later, the figure of a woman dressed in breeches and blouse lay motionless in the center of the trail.

[arcon]

"This you need to know".....as Arcon looked around the room all eyes were on his.
"Zarcon has powerful warriors." Two brothers,Refus and Nefus,Nefus is one of his best. The man is a master with the bow. He's been with my brother for twenty years. If theres an ambush you can bet 'Nefus' will lead it. " Zoran is his wiseman, his wizard, this man has no morals.
His weapon of choice is the dart gun. You'll be lucky to see him, before a poison dart comes your way. The A.S.S. agents spying on my brother have done their job. Youve served the crown well. I ask you now for a few monments

of silence...............look around in this


room make a committment to protect and defend

your fellow warrior.........seek the best
outcome for the the crown and Arconia.........Long live Arconia."

The meeting was over. Arcon rose from his chair as he spoke...."Its nearly time to ride. If you need any last minute supplies see my stable boy. He will meet your needs. The journey to the valley is a hard three days ride.
We leave at daybreak."

They stood, bowed and remained standing as Arcon left the room. He extended his arm to Zelda as he passed her going towards the door. Their eyes met and each held their gaze, the eyes did not lie, and the message was clear......these could very well be the last three days they'd spend together and they both new it. Arcon was distracted for a moment as he passed the figure in black at the end of the table but he soon refocused and reached out for the hand of his queen. She broke her sober look with a smile, but it seemed a sad smile just the same.

[ 10-15-2001: Message edited by: arcon ]

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[ 10-15-2001: Message edited by: arcon ]

[arcon]

Suddenly Arcon remembered. "Rosaline", he snapped. "What", the queen snapped as if iritated.

"She asked me about the 'man in black', i failed to answer her." Arcon turned on his heel looked back into the room.
The man was gone...but was it a man?...he knew something was strange here.

[ 10-15-2001: Message edited by: arcon ]

[arcon]

Aside from the fact that Lochinvar was furious about the disappearence of his horse the party had gotten off without a hitch.
It was a beautiful Arconian sunrise as the troop made their way down the trail leading out of the city. A slowmoving fog hung close to the ground and seemed to dance around the horses as they steadily made their way toward the valley of Arcons birth.

"Captain Zorn"! arcon called out.

Zorn quickly turn his horse and rode back to the center of the group. "Yes, your majesty". he said trying to control his jumpy steed.

"I thought we had a party of 13, Captain.
Where is your warrior dressed in black?"
asked arcon.

"My warrior sir, what do you mean? I thought the man was your addition my king."
arcon shook his head and turned his gaze toward Zelda. "Do you know anything of this my good Queen?"

[lochinvar]

Loch made his way slowly downstairs to the ballroom that morning. During the course of the discussions in the kitchen the night before, Arcon and Zelda had charged him with the defence of the castle in their absence. Seeing that he couldn’t run around the palace checking on things for himself, the ballroom was as good a place as any to set up his command post.

The search party had been gone for hours, and he was deep in consultation at the moment with Lieutenant Cupran. “There must be another way out of the dungeons under the wall along that side. Zarcon must have gotten out somehow, and that’s the only explanation. Detail a work party to search the grounds there, find the hole, and close it. We don’t want anyone surprising us again.”

Just then, young Harold Wesley and Anton the stableboy came through the doors. Anton stopped in surprise when he saw Lochinvar. “You’re still here? I mean, Sir Lochinvar? I…I thought you’d gone with the others. I mean…well, your horse…” he trailed off confusedly.

Loch’s eyes narrowed and his head cocked slightly to one side. “Yes? What about my horse?”

“Well, sir…it’s gone. I didn’t see anyone lead him out, but his stall is empty, and your saddle and all is gone, too. So, I thought you’d gone with the king. Sir. Or, maybe they needed another mount…?” He shifted his feet nervously, uncertain of what Loch’s unwavering stare presaged. Harold looked apprehensively back and forth between the two for a moment, then suddenly piped up. “It was the lady,” he squeaked.

They both swiveled to stare at him. “What lady?” Loch asked in a deceptively even tone.

“The Lady Josephine, sir. I saw her last night, sir, through one of the windows, when I was taking food to Prince Meekal. She was dressed for riding, and she was leading your horse out by the front gate. I thought it was strange, sir, with it being your horse, and all, but then I forgot it in the rest of the excitement, when Meekal and the other fellow escaped.”

A long pause followed. “You’re certain it was the Lady Josephine?” Loch finally asked. His voice remained level and quiet, but behind the civil tone both boys could sense a storm brewing. “Oh, yes, sir,” Harold answered. “I’m certain.” “He isn’t likely to have mistaken her, sir,” interjected Anton, with a slightly condescending air. “He’s been sweet on her for a while now, he has. Watches her all the time, when he thinks she’s not looking.” Harold skewered Anton with a murderous glare, even as his face flushed a flaming red.”Do not,” he muttered, and, “You’ll pay for that!”

Another long pause stretched among the three of them. Finally, Loch shook himself, as if waking. “Anton; what else have you got in the stable? What other mounts?”

“There’s none left, sir. The king’s party took them all, except for yours and Captain Zorn’s. That’s the one Meekal and the other fellow escaped on. We had to give the captain Lady Marsten’s palfrey. He wasn’t too happy about it.”

Loch smiled slightly at the thought of the blustery captain on the back of the dainty-footed mare. Then he asked, “Does William Ostler still run the stable in town?” “Oh, yes sir, he’s still there,” the boy replied.

“Good. Take this,” Loch said, pressing the broach from his cloak, the one with the leaping fish, into the boy’s hand, “and show it to Master William. Tell him I need a horse, a strong one, good-winded, and easy-gaited. Good for traveling. You know the type, and so will he. Tell him I’ll make it right with him later, but I need the horse now. He knows me of old, and he’ll help out. Get a saddle and tack, too. Then fetch it back here, as quick as you can.” The boy ran off.

“As for you, young Harold,” he said, turning to the younger boy, “I have a job for you, too. Go up to my room, and bring back my sword. On the way, stop by the armory and get a bow and a quiver full of arrows. Tell the armorer I want something with a good, strong pull, and see that the arrows are bodkin points. Can you remember all that?”

“Yes, sir! Sword, bow, bodkin points!” and he dashed off in the direction of the stairs, relieved to have a task to perform.

“Well, Lieutenant,” Loch said, turning to the guard officer, “seems you’re going to get a rare opportunity. I’m leaving you in command of the castle garrison.” “Me, sir?” the young man asked in surprise. “Why, sir, where are you going?”

“I’m going to get my horse back, Lieutenant…he’s family, you see…or at least, as much of one as I have left.”

[Iwant2bafencer]

It had been a beautiful day so far. At parts where the fog had lifted the sun was shining through the trees. Making everything look. .well like a fairy tale. Lady Rosaline's head was full of questions, and strateges, in case they were ambushed. One of the main thoughts was of the man in black. She had seen him at the meeting just the day before. Although, when they left there was no sighn of him. She knew she had seen him before, but she couldn't pin it to anything. One question had been nagging at her ever since she noticed him. Was he the same man that she had spoken with at the ball about James' knights? It was just then that she over heard king Arcon, and Captain Zorn's conversation about the mysterious stranger. She hessitated a moment to see what the queen had to say. Then slowed her horse to be even with them. The three of them looked questioningly at the queen.

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Carpe Diem

[Zelda]

[Ed Note. WHY DO I HAVE TO ANSWER THIS??? ]

The queen, sighed, trying to put her thoughts in some sort of order. The last few days had been a whirl of business and exquisite pleasure. But at the back of her mind was 2 nagging worries, 1. Who was the man in black? Was he a spy? and 2. Jo had not been found before they had left the castle, so where was she?

The Queen thought about it, ignoring the looks of Zorn, Arcon and Rosaline. Suddenly a smile crept over her sober face and she burst out laughing.

"SHE'S DONE A LIONESS!" the queen smiled through her laughter.

Arcon who knew exactly what she meant went bright red with anger. Zorn and Rosaline just looked confused.

"Please your majesty what do you mean?" Zorn asked timidly as Arcon drove his stead to the front of the column, muttering to himself.

The Queen smiled. "Zorn have you ever heard of Allana of Trenbond?"

"No ma'am"

"Well she was my mother. She disguised herself as a boy for 7 years to train as a knight."

"So Jo has gone to train as a knight?" Rosaline interjected.

"No, she has dressed up as a man to rescue Lady Moon by herself me thinks." the Queen replied, "and on Loch's horse too! OH dear!!!" at the thought of Lochinvars face the Queen got a bad case of the giggles and had to ride up the column to try to calm Arcon down.

Zorn and Rosaline just looked at each other and shrugged. Sometimes the Queen made NO sense!

[DamedEscrime]

The black covering was getting bothersome, so Josephine removed it, rolled it up and stashed it behind the saddle. Shortly before the meeting ended she had slipped out of the kitchen and begun her quest. She knew she would need a head start if she were to maintain her cover. She could not afford for anyone to find out it was she.

Morgan, switch his tail as she approached and sniffed the air looking foe more sugar.
"Not now, my dear," Jo whispered in his ear. "We have a job to do."
The horse stomped its foot and blew as Jo placed her foot in the stirrup. Her first attempt to mount failed as she underestimated the height of the animal. She tried again and as she grasped the saddle and pulled herself up the thing began to slide toward her. "Damn! I didn't cinch it tight enough." She hurriedly unfastened the belly strap and tried again. This time she kneed Morgan as hard as she could to get him to suck in his gut. Finaly she was able to mount.

She glanced around quickly, looking for signs of anyone else. Seeing none, she began her journey to the valley of perhaps no return.

[lochinvar]

Loch rode out in the early afternoon, trying to settle his leg into a more comfortable position. The bulky pad he’d rigged on the left side of the saddle for it made his seat a little awkward, and he’d had to mount from the wrong side. The horse hadn’t liked that, but he’d stood for it. Loch couldn’t post a trot, but an experimental run indicated that he could stand a canter well enough, and a walk was no problem. It would do.

The horse, though not Morgan, was still a good one – a four year old gray, strong and deep-chested, with three white stockings and a wide blaze spilling across his broad roman nose. He looked like he would travel well, and so far his gaits were tolerable. He was a little more spirited than Morgan, but he would settle as the ride progressed.

Loch shifted his shoulder where the hauberk bunched up. His own mail shirt was too small to accommodate the bandages on his left arm, and he’d had to borrow this ring and leather one from one of the larger guards. His arm fit well enough, but now the rest of it was too loose and sloppy. A little bunching and tucking at the back, folded under his belt, would help that. He would just have to put up with it until he stopped. At least it didn’t chafe.

The trail was hours cold, but not that difficult to follow. A dozen horses traveling together left a clearly discernable sign. He was starting late, but a man alone could travel faster, and he would ride into the night, making up time when they stopped to camp. He guessed he would catch up to the king’s party sometime late tomorrow, maybe tomorrow night. And he was certain that, where he found the king, he would find Jo and Morgan.

Thinking of the girl that had stolen his horse stirred his anger again, sullenly. For hours now, through the preparations and the waiting, cold rage had warred for possession with black despair. He had been angry. He had been outraged. He had been betrayed. He had been…had been…

Heartbroken.

He had opened to her. Trusted her. What a stupid simpleton he had been. He’d been tired, low, weak – a pretty face, a few kind words, and he’d been caught handily, as easy as a rabbit in a snare. In the last few days, he’d almost begun to believe that a man could start over, could take the old, broken pieces of a life and perhaps make a new one – not the same, never the same, but a life, nonetheless. A glimmering of something that approached hope.

That was all gone, now, blown away like a house of cards in a stiff, cold wind.

As he had been lashing the padding for his leg to the saddle, Master Gavrill had tried one last time to dissuade him. “You shouldn’t be traveling with that leg, you know,” he said concernedly. “You’ll re-open the wound, and then—“ “—and then I’ll bleed,” Loch had cut him off, with a look to discourage further discussion. “I’ve bled before.”

“But, sir…he’s just a horse,” the stablemaster had tried one last time, courageously. “He ain’t worth your life.” Loch had ignored the man, and continued with his preparations. Gavrill had given over, defeated, and had said no more.

No, Morgan wasn’t worth his life – Morgan WAS his life. All that he had left of one. Morgan was the sole living link left to his wife, to his stillborn child, to whatever former happiness he had ever known. Loch wouldn’t surrender him gracefully to some thoughtless, stupid girl he had just met just because she wanted to have some ‘adventures’, or whatever the hell it was she thought she was doing.

No, he would not.

The sullen anger gave way to a cold emptiness. Trust. That was the sally port that had let the enemy in. Trust had been his mistake.

It was a mistake he wouldn’t make a second time.

[Willow]

Prince Nicholas and his men had been left behind to help defend Arconia, if enemies tried to attack, and also to protect the castle from rioters, upset over the rumors being spread around the kingdom. While he obeyed the king and his orders, inside, he was full of turmoil. His beloved was risking her life, and that of their unborn child, while off on a rescue attempt. If anything should happen to either of them, he didn't know what he would do. Life had no meaning without Willow in it. Their baby to come was the ultimate blessing that anyone could ask for.

Nicholas recalled his conversation with Willow before she left with the King and Queen and others on their way to find and defeat Zarcon. It had been full of anger, love, tears, and acceptance on both parts. Nicholas knew that Willow had to go. She was the only one strong enough to go up against Zarcon and any magician he might have in his service. She also had to go after Lady Moon. She had promised the Queen of Schoolcraftia that she would keep Moon safe. Nicholas knew how much that vow meant to Willow. He would have done the same thing in her situation. He had wanted to join them, but both Willow and Arcon had fought against this. Nicholas and his men were desperately needed in Arconia. Nicholas also knew that Willow did not want him to come for the simple reason that she didn't want anything to happen to him. In the end, they had embraced and kissed, both of them crying. It was so hard to do what was right, sometimes.

Sighing, Nicholas turned to his men. It was time to set up guard schedules and decide who should be where. He had a duty to perform, whether he wanted to or not.

[latenight]

Latenight was not a happy man. No not at all. This most certainly was a trap. And this mysterious person in black, what was all that nonsense! There were always people running around this Kingdom, dressed in black, causing trouble at all hours of the night. This was cutting big time into His Majesty's Legal Council's "fun" time. And Latenight really liked to have fun.

He fixed his gaze on the Queen. At least there was pleasant company.....