1240, Autumn

It is Autumn, 1240, and we are going on an adventure. Our grogs arrange for a boat to be taken up the coast to Knockvologan ready for us. We’ll be heading out to sea without them, since there are bound to be dangerous things happening out over the water, and they will have no way of protecting themselves.

Myself, Maedbh and Allistor fly up a few days later, and spend the night on the beach. Maedbh and Allistor do some scouting around nightfall, locating a shrouded magical region about fifteen miles out to sea. By morning though, there are storm clouds on the horizon, and it doesn’t look like we’ll be able to sail out there before the storm hits.

So we decide to forgo subtlety and just fly. Maedbh turns herself into a bird, Allistor flies on his staff, and I simply fly. I also cast a spell upon myself to allow me to breath water. My flying spell I boost so that it will last until sunset. The downside is that I won’t be able to cancel it easily, which means I’ll be bouncing around on the ground if I try to walk.

We head out to a patch in the sea. There is nothing here, just water, that I can see. Allistor however spots the way into the regio, and Maedbh and myself follow him. Suddenly, there is an island here, in the middle of nowhere. It has a lot of trees on it, as well as a nice beach with some boats pulled up on it.

There is a hut on the beach, and a plume of smoke coming up from somewhere further into the island. In the distance, are some hazy hills. There are nine large patches of farmland across the island, each surrounded by woodland. The entire island seems to be part of a magical aura.

The hut on the beach is a small round house, with wooden tiles on the roof and wattle and daub walls. It seems to be a place for storing ship repair tools. There is a standing stone at the edge of the beach, near to where a path heads inland towards one of the patches of farmland and where the smoke rises from.

Following the path for a while, we encounter two people walking down the path towards us. They startle as they see us. After a puzzled look at us, they turn around and start walking back the other way.

Maedbh calls out “Good morning” in Gaelic. They respond, but start moving faster, and then break into a run. “Come to the village!” they shout back.

The path leads to the village, where there are maybe a hundred people and a single cow. There seems to be a lot of activity there now, probably caused by news of our arrival. There is a big menhir in the middle of the village. As we approach, the crowd begins to thin out, as a lot of people hide. There is a small group of burly fellows with pitchforks and a rake, standing in the middle of the path into the village.

The oldest steps slightly forward, and greets us in stilted Gaelic. He introduces himself as Fergus, the elder of the village. He asks us our names, and says that he cannot welcome us into the village because he does not know who we are. I ask whether there is someone who could welcome us, and he says the Lady – the Maid – can. As in Mother / Maiden / Crone. Apparently she is all three.

Though they can not invite us into their village, they are not impolite. They set out a table and food for us outside the village boundary. He gestures for us to sit and eat. So we sit and eat and talk.

It is the Lady’s Island.  The Lady is everywhere but can be in specific places. Fergus was born here. He will soon be 40, and at that point he will go up to the hill for their reward of a life of luxury until they pass away. 

After about an hour, a group of people are coming into the village. About half a dozen armoured people carrying spears. They are escorting a couple of people wearing longish robes. The two in robes appear to be women, though one isn’t walking quite right.

Our new friends stands, bows to the women, and backs away, leaving us with the newcomers.

They are wearing blue robes. The six guards are healthy and strong, but don’t appear to be particularly well trained – they haven’t had a Jack drilling them.

The walking funny one, walks forward and says “I am Mazota” in a male voice. “This is my sister Fyncana”. He asks us why we have come here. I say that we saw the island and thought it looked interesting.

He says that the island is hidden, and doubts that we could have seen it. Do not lie he says. Since I’m not lying, I just shrug. Maedbh comments that not all things hidden are hidden to all eyes.

He asks whether we are magi, and Maedbh says yes. He tells us to follow him to the temple, so we do.

Up towards the hill, we see that there is a tall wall which is a rampart of earth and timber. There are buildings within it. I recognise it as being similar to those described by Julius Caesar when he wrote about the forts of Gaul.

There is a large building that looks like it is built of black stone. Around the outside, are some large standing stones. We are led into the hill fort, and towards the black building which seems to be made of granite. 

At the entrance to the building, there is another person in blue robes. A lot of the towns people look quite old – probably over forty. A road runs to the west down to the sea, where there is a ship docked in a harbour.

There is a conversation, and a mention that the council has been assembled to meet us.

The third blue robed lady is Fyndoca. We go into the black building.

Inside the building is a golden circle, around which is a set of standing stones. There are also a couple of sets of stairs going down at the far sides of the room. Within the room is a group of people dressed in blue robes. They indicate that they want us to stand in the middle of the circle.

I walk into the circle (well, bob, since I am sort of flying), and pull back my hood. The other two follow me in. The robes figures pull back their hoods, to show that they are all wearing female masks. They are all carrying small beads, which seem to be vis.

The main one says that we put them in a difficult situation. They each introduce themselves. Some of their names may come from old myths. They may be titles rather than real names.

They ask us what our intentions are coming here. I say “curiosity”. Maedbh says that she saw something in a mirror, and that she is seeking allies.

They admit that they are considering whether to let us go or not.

Maedbh tells them, in her own way, about those that are pulling the world apart. They are aware of a group that has been polluting the blessings of the lady. Have we been involved in that? Maedbh says no, and swears on her sword.

They ask whether we know about what happened to Horsingas, and Allistor say that he spent weeks digging out the survivors. They recognise him at this point.

The speaker says that the borders are breaking down, and if the fools are not stopped, then they could do serious damage to the world. Whilst standing here in the circle, I can feel a weight of magic pushing on us, but there is a lot of power emanating from below.

Maedbh tells them much about what we know, including the names of the magi who are involved with the rituals, including that of Dierdre ex Tytalus.

They ask us to swear not to reveal who they are to others, and in return they will provide us with assistance. They are working against those who wish to destabilise things, as are we. And we can work together.  They swear not to harm us. I agree as long as they are not working to harm the Order. My sodalis agree also.

After that, they say we can go, though they offer to let Allistor stay a while and have a chat.