The intro page

Neil:
I screwed up some of the who's who. When I finally caught it, I wondered, "Why didn't Dave catch this?"

The Cast:

Ariana Devonshire Chesterton - Sir Richard's wife. No problems. She's "Radio Free York" of the psi set. Grew up in a house where magic and psi are really frowned upon.

Gloriana Chesterton - Sir Richard's sister. I got her mixed with

Tabytha Devonshire. Had her wedded to Reg. I think I have Reg's family tree mixed up too. He's now Duke Devonshire (this much I got right). Is he a Stanley? I think I'm mixing him up with Sir Richard's brother who is now the heir of Chesterton (what is his name?) If I have this right, she's the up and coming seer of the realm behind Diane.

Tabytha Devonshire Stanley [or whatever Reg's family name is] - I called her Gloriana by accident in the earlier version of this scene. She's now Duchess of Devonshire.

Elizabeth Chesterton - Sir Richard's youngest sister (I think she's the youngest). Sir George's sweetheart.

Diane Devonshire - Sister to the late Grand DUke. Sees all.

Dave: I hope this makes better sense. Thanks for the file, yes I'd like the rest (even at 104K). I'd also like your deltas as time permits. This takes place a year after the revolution in McMannon, and not too far after Sir George's demise.

Dave:
Well, actually, I did notice. That's why you hadn't gotten deltas to the first release yet -- I didn't have time for a rather complete revision yesterday. :-) Regginal's family name is Wellington; his daddy is the Marquis of Archbury, Pendleton. Being at work, I don't have a decent family tree in front of me, but I don't think Elisabeth is the youngest. I think she is two or so years younger than Gloriana. Glori is now something like 19 or 20, so Elisabeth must be 17 or so. Almost an old maid! Glori really ought to be married by now, we just haven't gotten it straight yet. The reference to Taby was not impossible, however, just a tad odd; Taby has had dreams but it would be a mite unusual for her to leave Devonshire and run off to the woods. Ummm.. what else... Richard's younger bro is Andrew, Baron of Alsace (Andrew Albert Stanley, to be precise).

Ummm... I believe I had mentioned that Ariana was (or should be) pregnant. We should hereby officially announce the arrival of R&A's first child, a dark-haired, dark-eyed little girl named Allison Gloriana Stanley (after Ariana's late younger sister and Richard's favorite little sister). Also, we should mention that Richard's uncle Albert has been failing of late, and between that and Alistair's death, Duke Henry isn't taking things very well right now. Within the next few game years, both Henry and Albert will die.

Narrator:
It is busy in Stanley Hall, as it always is when both the Baron and Baroness are home. Richard is in a meeting with the town's Guildmasters and Ariana is going about her usual afternoon activities, which these days consists mostly of doting upon baby Allison.

But something is amiss.

Over the past 18 months, the household staff has become accustomed to the way Richard would pull the apparently cheerful Ariana to the side and force her to confess some problem she was brooding about. Today, the sight of Richard's determined face isn't necessary to know what Ariana is thinking, almost anyone can hear her thoughts. This evening worry and concern is written upon her for all to see. Richard decides in the midst of what he's doing that rather than working hard to get the time needed to talk, he's just going to *make* the time. Over a year ago he had said that if the realm had to end - let it. It felt great. It needed doing again. His strides take him rapidly towards his chambers.

Ariana: [looking up at his entry]
I didn't expect you before sundown. Is there something wrong?

Sir Richard: [reaching out to hold her]
I ended the meeting early. I was hoping you would tell me what is wrong.

Ariana:
It's Gloriana. And Elizabeth.

Gloriana....She's...Aunt Diane and I are so worried...

She's had a vision and has acted on it. She's gone west to talk to the elves. She says that she is sure that much of her future will be made clearer for her to see. That she will be better able to live with the family gifts for it.

Your sister Elizabeth has decided that she will go along and pay final homage to the late Sir George. Of late she has been getting more and more depressed about it. She thinks that she has to do something tangible and permanent to show that she was worthy of being courted oh-so-formally by him. She says that she's never seen his grave, and wonders if he has a proper one at that. Buried in the wilds somewhere near the Lethbridge - McMannon border. I think she didn't realize how much she had slowly grown fond of him until after the news of his death came.

I think that she is also trying to publicly state that *that* is the way she wants to be courted. I think that she looks on herself too much as "the younger Chesterton daughter." That she has the least status in her peer group, and the worst prospects for a husband. She greatly fears a badly arranged marriage.

Narrator:
At this point she stops talking. Both are thinking about Regginal and Tabytha.

Ariana: [still talking to the floor]
They asked me not to tell you, but we all knew that I would.

Sir Richard:
How were they travelling and when did they leave?

Ariana:
This morning, by boat. Gloriana talked or bullied their way onto one of the messenger ships.

Sir Richard: [torn between a sigh and a curse, settles for a shrug]
Well, love, I should really go out there with some folks anyway and have a look at the land Sir George arranged for the order. I'm less worried about Glori than I am about Elisabeth. McMannon is in a lot better shape than it was under the Council, but there are still a lot of bandits, vagabonds, and displaced Council supporters around.

Michael!! Robert!

Narrator:
We'll leave the Knight Commander of the Order of the Helm doing one of the things he does best; organizing other people. Before dinner, messengers have been sent to the Chapterhouse a few hours away to fetch an architect, a stonemason, a priest and a few novices. The priest, one Father Herbert by name, is a middle-aged man who came to the Helm from a Scheranite retreat, and will be the Abbot of the new Chapterhouse.

Dawn breaks with a crash and finds a small army of people headed towards the docks. The family carriage announces the presence of the Baron, even if the casual observer had missed the giant white presence of Sir Richard's venerable war-horse, trotting untethered alongside the carriage. As the procession arrives at the docks, it resolves itself into a dozen or so passengers, their animals, and a large escort. As the horses and mules are loaded, Richard and Ariana stand close to one another. The escort observes silently as the Baron stands with his infant daughter in one arm and the other about his bride, breathing the sea air. Ariana watches the emotions chase each other across Richard's face: concern, sadness, love, longing, and a suppressed eagerness.

Ariana: [unspoken]
He didn't want to go, but now that he is here, he's eager to be started. Such a difficult mix of family, duty, and wanderlust. I wonder if we'll ever tame him, Ally? Or if we should even try...

Sir Richard: [unspoken]
It's a good thing that Ariana understands. To leave your bride and newborn daughter for weeks, mayhap months...!? Why did Glori and Elisabeth have to pick this moment! Why didn't Glori leave me a note about her vision? She must have known I'd follow her -- of all people, she has to have known. Oh, Allison, I shall miss you, little angel. Be well while I am away. Ariana... no, I have no time for self-pity. And it will be good to smell the sea air and to ride Buekephalos again.

Narrator:
They turn towards each other and open their mouths to speak at the same time. They smile and embrace a little too firmly, and the baby complains. Richard holds his daughter up to the morning sun and kisses her goodbye.

Sir Richard:
If either of you is ill, remember to go see Agnes and no one else, alright? Promise me.

Narrator:
Ariana takes the baby and kisses her husband with a smile.

Ariana:
Very well, My Lord Baron, I swear. Or is there a specific oath you had in mind?

Sir Richard: [Getting very serious]
Yea, My Lady; the oath that binds me to thee and thee to me. Keep thou well my heart until I may return for it and thee.

Ariana: [blinking back tears]

Damn! What a corny line! Why does it always get to me when he talks like that? You damn pompous man, I'll miss you every moment and you know it. And I swore I wouldn't cry today!

Don't worry, Richard. We'll probably visit your parents for a while. Alicia is good company and your father loves visits from his granddaughter. We'll be fine. You be careful in McMannon, O Paladin!

Sir Richard:
I won't be alone, love. And I'm even taking a few men-at-arms this time.

Ariana:
Don't give me that! You know you'll just leave them on the ship until you find Elisabeth, then tell them all not to leave her alone for an instant. While you go off on your own doing whatever. I know you, Richard. Just be careful. And give your sisters my love when you find them.

Captain:
Beggin' yer pardon, Lordship, but the tide's goin' out now and we'd best be castin' arf.

Narrator:
The couple suddenly remembers the people around them and take their leave. The carriage and escort stays and watches as the ship warps off the dock and hauls anchor. The tide and morning land breeze carry the swift, agile ship quickly outside the harbor, other craft making way for the Baron's vessel flying the flags of Arundel, the Stanleys, and the Helm: The Pride of Arundel, well-made and gleaming in the dawn sun.

Ariana: [unspoken]
Sail well and true, and bring him back safely and swiftly. If you come back without him, I'll have you burned to the waterline.

Next Richard file.