The Artemis Incident

It is on the sixth day of the Return that Morgenstern, Julian's steed, returns to the camp in Heather Vale. The great horse strides through the little settlement as if he owns it; the army and navy men give him a wide berth, and the Rangers all respect their lord's emissary.

Brita is brought word of Morgenstern's return while she is closeted with Vista. Vista, Brita has found, is a plain-spoken man not the slightest in awe of her godly status as Julian's niece nor of her paternal divinity. He has had no hesitation about expressing his opinion about the new recruits' quality, or lack thereof.

Brita likes him. He doesn't treat her like a freak but an equal. That is good.

Vista's comment about Sticks is "hopeless" based on less than a minute's acquaintance. Whether this marks him as opinionated or perspicacious is a difficult call. He does allow, however, that the circumstances of the Regency would make it difficult to recruit properly. Especially the crown badge.

"Sticks needs work as a Ranger," Brita agrees, "but with the return of the navy, he might find other interests if he so chooses."

"Let's hope," Vista says.

"If he wants to stay with the Rangers, we will need to work with Prince Julian on finding something useful for him to do."

Vista looks doubtful, but doesn't argue.

This morning, Brita and Vista are discussing the affairs of the camp and the reintegration of older and newer Rangers. There is some talk of pairing older and newer Rangers to sort out who stays and who goes, with some awareness that Julian will need to decide the size of the Rangers under King Random's reign.

They are also discussing the firelillies. The two of you have instituted a patrol to watch their spread to the south, but they've gone beyond the range that Vista's willing to send patrols in these uncertain times, especially with the Rangers needed here. (Brita can override him on that last, but he'll complain.) He thinks Julian isn't going to like those flowers one bit.

As it happens, talking to Brita about the firelillies and expressing an untrusting sentiment about them and a desire to keep them monitored, was going to be the very first thing on Brennan's agenda for the next day.

(Brennan's had a rough life. He has trust issues with the universe.)

(They also go in the report to Random, once there's been enough time to observe them.)

Brennan keeps Brita aware of whatever he turns up, and hopefully she reciprocates.

Brita does not override [Vista], but wonders at the path the flowers have taken. She wonders if her Cousin has perhaps created a way for the more...unfavorable elements of the deep reaches of Arden to reach Amber. She suggests putting a more permanent patrol at a reasonable distance...perhaps even a small camp to monitor the situation.

Vista thinks this is a good idea, but he is concerned about losing people down unmarked paths.

While they are deep in discussion, a young runner sticks her head into the tent. "Lady Brita! Ranger Vista! It's Morgenstern! He's back! And someone's riding him, but it's not Prince Julian! They say the rider's wounded! And they're coming this way!"

When he hears that he's back, Brennan suggests tying him down before treating him. With stout rope.

Brita turns to Vista as she rises "We can continue the details later" [in summary?] She walks out of the tent. As the magestic horse approaches the command tent, Brita nods her head in a slight bow to the horse. "Who do you bring us, Lord Morgenstern?" Her title for the horse is natural and she has no problems actually addressing the horse.

Morgenstern turns sideways towards her, as if offering her the burden he bears.

It is Daeon. He looks a little feverish, and doesn't seem to have much to say. Perhaps he does not recognize Brita.

Brita expected this on the news that it was not Prince Julian on Morgenstern. As she greeted the horse, she would have been thumbing out Conner's card.

Being one of the tallest near Morgenstern, Brita reaches for her Cousin, lifting him easily off of the horse. She turns to hand him into the arms of whichever Ranger is close by.

[Vista]

"Let's get him to the hospital tent. I will send for my brother. I'm sure he will want to hear about how Cousin Daeon has reopened his wounds...." She turns back to enter the tent and begins concentrating on the card.

"Conner?...

"Cousin Daeon has returned. He seems to have a knack for finding trouble. He does not seem coherent and is somewhat feverish."

"He was never conherent." Conner grumbles. "Pull me through and I'll see what I can do."

Brita nods. She offers her hand.

Conner takes it and steps through.

As Brita is speaking with Conner, Vista takes Daeon's semi-limp form from Brita. Daeon begins to struggle a little as Vista takes him, saying something like, "No, no."

Vista says, "Calm down, young Daeon. Your father will be home to see to you soon enough."

"Father?" says Daeon.

"Yes, your father will be here soon," Vista says in a surprisingly soothing voice.

There are some shouts from other Rangers in the camp, but Brita and Conner are distracted by the termination of the Trump connection in Conner's arrival to make out what the cause is. When they turn back to Vista, they find that Daeon is on the ground, and the aged Ranger has drawn his blade and is standing protectively over the lad.

There are a number of other Rangers, old and new, about. All of them have either drawn weapons or are in a position to do so immediately.

The object of Rangerly ire is a tall, striking woman with blonde hair. She is nude and armed with a crude spear. To Brita, there is something about her scent that is reminiscent of her paternal relatives.

Conner finds her beautiful and primally attractive; based on the demeanor of some of the male Rangers, he suspects he's not the only one experiencing that low-level reaction. Even Vista, whose devotion to Julian is steadfast, has a funny expression on his face.

There are familiar flowers growing in the cleared area now.

"What have you done to Adonis?" the woman asks with a mixture of surprise and anger.

Conner's first reaction is a suck air between his teeth in a reverse whistle. He let's it out in a sharp breath and steadies himself in the face of this latest divinity.

"We have done nothing to our Cousin, Lady Valkyrie." [The title is one Brita assigns to the woman from her experiences with blond women warriors.] Brita continues, "I am Brita, of Amber and Asgard. My brother," and she indicates Conner," was preparing to see to our Cousin's wounds."

"My sister speaks the truth spirit of the forest." Conner replies. "Who are you that cares for Adonnis so?"

"Mater?" says Daeon.

"I am Artemis," says the goddess. "I have come to take my son home. Where is Julian?"

"Looking to his other children." Conner replies. "He sent Adonnis to safety here on Morgenstern."

"You are welcome to stay here as well, Lady, until Prince Julian returns. Since he sent...Adonis here to Arden for safety, Adonis will need to stay here until he returns." Brita has moved between Artemis and Adonis.

"He is not safe here. He is only safe in Arcadia," Artemis says. She sniffs at the air like a wild thing. "I mislike all the people in this place, and its magics. Adonis must come with me."

"Mater!" says Daeon.

[Brita]
[Is this plaintive or stronger?]

[GMs]
[A little of both.]

Conner edges back and to the side away from where Brita and Artemis square off. "Asgard vs. Olympus." Conner murmurs wishing he'd come armed.

Brita allows a brief smile for her brother's quip then says to Lady Artemis. "Our Cousin is safer in Arden until Uncle Julian returns or can be reached." A quick glance at Conner to be read: _Trump?_.

[GMs]
[reminder: Brita has Julian's deck.]

Conner shakes his head no.

[Brita]
"His wounds must be attended first and his strength restored so he can battle the demons of the forest properly." Her tone changes slightly, becoming softer and yet still firm. "Lady, you must know of the strength of Arden and Amber. Part of that strength lies here." Brita sweeps an arm to encompass the camp. "That strength will protect our Cousin until he is strong enough to walk on his own again."

"These are not gods! It is the doings of gods you meddle with now, and only the strength of a goddess can save him." She sniffs again. "Someone has laid a foul magic on my son. Will Arden's strength save him? If his father cannot protect him, I must."

"Mater!" says Daeon, and starts to get up to go to Artemis. Vista is trying to restrain him, but as tough of a Ranger as Vista is, he's only mortal, and Daeon's a god. The other Rangers aren't quite sure what to do.

Brita goes to Vista and picks up Daeon. "If a goddess can save him, would it not be better to have two?" She then proceeds towards her tent with Daeon.

Daeon struggles against Brita with the fierceness of a madman. His motions drive Brita into a patch of firelillies that she could swear weren't there a few minutes ago, and, surprised at the sudden searing heat, she loses her grip on him. He pulls free and runs to his "Mater!"

[Finally Daeon gets a good draw: Trickery!]

[Bah! As if Brita would let a little fire dampen her spirits....]

[By the way, does landing on/smashing half the little flowers _do_ anything to them or Daeon/Adonis?]

[No, it sure doesn't.]

Vista had sheathed his blade to pick Daeon up, perhaps presuming he would resist, and hasn't quite cleared his sheath when Artemis' backhand sends him sprawling. He flies partway across the clearing and lands in a heap. He does not immediately move to get up either.

Some of the Rangers appear to be struggling to move against something, or acting as if drugged. There's an odd scent on the wind that Brita can't quite place. Whatever it is, she and Conner are not affected by it, and Vista seems not to have been, either.

Morgenstern is trying to interpose between Artemis and Daeon.

Conner runs to Vista and picks up his sword then turns to survey the area.

He retrieves the sword with ease. Vista is stunned, but doesn't immediately appear to be seriously injured (e.g., his neck's not bent at a wrong angle and he's breathing).

[Conner]
Good.

"Prince Julian wants our Cousin to remain here in Arden." Brita states loudly as she walked forward towards Daeon. "I will not go against his wishes unless presented with _valid_ reasoning why this should not be so."

Brita moves to Daeon and will make an attempt to fell him as she did before - grabbing one arm to swing him around and into her fist - full force.

There's an unhealthy crunch of bone as Brita's fist hits Daeon's jaw and blood spurts from his mouth. The blow was harder than Brita intended; she is having trouble not seeing red, and what she now kens is the bear-scent of the goddess is driving her towards berserkergang.

Daeon goes face down, hard, in a bunch of firelillies, and doesn't move again.

[Smith reversed - the "stab your cousin" card.]

[Brita]
[mental note - apologize later]

[Conner]
[[snicker I half expect to pick up your fortune deck and find 8 copies of that card.]]

Morgenstern rears and screams a complaint that is heard throughout the camp. Whether that's at the further injury to his charge or at the fact of the extremely large and ferocious bear he's now facing isn't clear.

Conner sees the change. Her forms melts and flows and she is suddenly a giant bear. [Steve: Mater has waaaay more points than you do.]

The Rangers are collectively overawed at the divine presence of the Great Bear. It's up to Brita and Conner, and maybe Morgenstern.

[If Brennan and/or Marius are in the camp, they may hear Morgenstern's scream, but it's in the Ranger area and they will not immediately arrive. I've cut the rest of Monica's response because she may want to do something other than argue with the bear.]

Gritting her teeth against the Berserker, Brita growls at the bear "You face two, soon to be more, Gods of Amber, Artemis. We WILL keep your son HERE for the High Lord of Arden. His injuries will be attended to HERE. We WILL contact Lord Julian and TOGETHER decide what will happen AFTER _his son_ is healed."

The bear should be well aware that Brita is slowly going mad with blood lust given that her own scent will not be one of fear....

[Has Brita ever mentioned her berserker nature to Conner?]

[Conner]
[[No, she hasn't. Conner is in for a lot of shocks today. ;)]]

[Brita has been quite open with Conner about her past, but is always hesitant about revealing her Berserker as she is ashamed of her. They talked extensively early on about how she grew up. I am certain that she would have explained to Conner about the meditation exercises she practices to control her _temper_, but the implication would have been of a normal temper.]

Conner swiftly rethinks his position and takes from Vista's belt the trusting hunting knife these types always seem to have. Conner will then throw it at the bear.

It strikes the bear, and bounces off her fur without doing any apparent damage. It falls in the grass, which Conner is noticing is now growing and twining around various things. Including his feet. Conner can break through it, but he's moving slowly. And there's something nagging at him, like a smell or a taste, that he hasn't been able to figure out until now.

This place is shifting in shadow. You're not quite in Arden any more, Conner.

"Moving things to your advantage eh?" Conner murmurs. "Two can play at that game. I hope." Conner moves as fast the sprouting land will let him towards Brita. He brings a vision of Arden to mind, majestic and static, and imposes that vision on the land about them as he walks trying to halt the changes Artemis inflicts.

As Conner attempts to work the stuff of Shadow (or rather, to prevent it from being worked), he realizes that his initial impression wasn't quite right. It's not that Arden is changing. It's that something is being brought into/over/on top of Arden. Conner can sense that it is happening, but he doesn't sense a working that indicates how it's happening--as if it's a natural phenomenon of some sort.

The Rangers are caught in the grass as well. Spar, one of Brita's Ranger trainees, yells and drops his spear. It is sprouting flowers and has taken root so that it remains generally upright when he releases it.

Morgenstern is also caught in the grass, but by virtue of his great bulk is able to break free and move slowly. Artemis dodges past him with surprising grace and speed, and is moving towards Daeon on his bed of firelillies.

Brita is standing over Daeon (or sitting on him, player's choice, but the latter will mean sitting among the firelillies). She cannot sense the change in the nature of the forest. She is all that stands between Artemis and Daeon.

Brita's boots are stout. As long as he is out, she is standing but hunched like a mother bear :) over her cub and braced against a charge from Artemis.

The charge comes. It is fast, wild, and relentless, the large bear piles into Brita, knocking her off her boots and yards from Adonis. [If Brita chooses to, she may attack the bear, which may injure it but will not stop it.]

Morgenstern is quickly beside Brita and if the bear had thoughts of finishing her off, it does not do so. The bear is full 13' tall when standing and roars defiance at the Mount of the Lord of Arden. Daeon, dazed, rolls over onto his back and looks at the scene.

Brita rises quickly and with the bear standing will charge it in an attempt to fling it over her back and return to Daeon.

The command tent where Brita and Vista were speaking before Morgenstern's arrival is completely enveloped in greenery.

Brita charges the Bear, but the ground twists beneath her feet, betraying her at every step, trying to trip her, slow her, stop her. The grass is long and writhing like snakes and has already seemed to drown the firelillies. It is rising up and beginning to cover Daeon.

The Bear steps into Brita's charge, sure of itself and the outcome of any challenge. It's massive forepaws reach down and encircle Brita as Brita tries to lift it. She cannot get her feet underneath her and finds herself in a crushing embrace. The Bear knocks her down where the traitorous grass attempts to ensnare her.

In the distance, Brita and Conner hear cries, like the voices of women screaming themselves hoarse.

Behind Conner, Vista, who has begun to stir, reaches for his knife to start freeing himself from the twining vines. He hears the cries too, and curses: "Verde!"

Then: "Maenads! Rangers, fall back! Fall back! Briar, sound the retreat! Now!"

[Brita thinks the Rangers falling back is a good idea...when rationale thoughts get through the red haze. She does not consider herself one of the Rangers that should fall back.]

"Women of the Frenzy?" Conner mutters as the reference filters through his brain. Conner uses Vista's sword to free him and then returns it to him. "Should we retreat as well?"

Somewhere, in another part of the valley, Brennan is conversing with some of the officer staff, and hears Morganstern's scream.

"Oh, that just can't be good news."

Brennan gets on the nearest destrier with a lance and sets out in the appropriate direction at a safe but high speed.

In fairness, GMs probably want to draw a card to see if he was lucky enough to be armored or not.

[GMs]
Brennan is down here on an administrative visit. He's not armored, but he could get into somebody's armor who is down here if he were willing to take the time.

[Brennan]
Not a chance. He'll conjure a shield on the way, though. Horses are convenient, in that things can be stowed on them.

As Conner cuts Vista free, everyone (including Brennan, who still hasn't arrived on the scene) hears the retreat sounded, and the Rangers start to fall back. The air is moist and hazy all around, and it is becoming hard to see, even with the midday sun.

Morgenstern rears, ripping the grass from his forelegs. He turns and gallops in circles, apparently maddened by the screaming sounds.

"We all have to get out of here now," Vista yells over the cries of the approaching Maenads. "They'll tear anybody we leave behind apart. Not Daeon, but you or me for sure."

As he starts to move toward the edge of the camp, shooing younger Rangers before him, Vista grabs a blade from one of Brita's trainees and tosses it, hilt-first, to Conner. "Your sister," he yells to Conner. "She has to come with us, or she'll go with them!"

Conner catches it grimly with a nod and rushes to Brita's side. "We have to get out of here, sister!" He calls trying to get through to her as he cuts her free.

Brita is fighting the foliage, but Conner's "sister" catches her attention and allows her to center her control. She works to help him free her and will follow him out.

Conner breathes a sigh of relief when the word 'sister' snaps her out of it, as he hoped it would. "Remind me never to contradict a goddess again." He murmurs continuing to cut her free.

Brita, Conner, Vista, and a number of Rangers stumble out through the mists into the sunlight. Some of the Rangers are clinging to Morgenstern, who has also joined the retreat.

[Presumably, they meet Brennan here?]

Yeah, seems as likely a place as any. Brennan didn't order anyone to follow him, but how many eager young cavalry officers actually did so?

Vista says to Briar, "Make sure no one's missing," and turns to Brita and Conner (and Brennan, if he's there), indicating they should step away from the others.

Once they have a bit of privacy, Vista says to the royals, "We have to evacuate the camp by nightfall. That," indicating the mists, "won't go completely away. If we have to, we march people out, but we don't leave anyone behind. Give the order and we'll start moving people out at once."

Brennan shakes his head, but it's a shake of agreement-- that nightmare doesn't look to be heading anywhere quickly.

"By the camp do you mean just this area or all of Heather Vale?" Conner asks.

"All of Heather Vale," says Vista.

Brennan nods curtly. He hasn't managed to dismount, and he's still got that lance in his hand, pointy end up, but ready to level or throw as necessary. Shield is on the other arm.

"Difficult, but do-able."

From the mists, all those nearby can hear the cries of the Maenads.

"Those cries provide fine incentive." Conner comments. "I'll get the hospital broken down and the wounded moved on. Where is the closest place to set up a temporary camp?" He asks Brita or Vista.

[Brennan] looks like he's considering conjuring a helmet.

Brita is still fuming over the loss of Daeon. "We can move back to Post 8. We converted an abandoned hunting lodge and there is a nearby glade. The area is not very big, though. We can potentially just squeeze into the two areas without the dragons." Brita is pacing back and forth before the mists. "What about Cousin Daeon? We need to contact Uncle Julian...." Brita is already pulling out her cards with one hand while her sword is now in the other.

When he hears Daeon's name mentioned, a look of exasperation crosses his face. "That boy is going to get us all killed, one day," he mutters to himself. Then, to Conner, "I hesitate to even ask, but can you give me the fifteen second rundown on what the hell just happened?"

"Morganstern returned with a feverish Daeon over his saddle." Conner replies. "Brita trumped me in to tend his wounds and then this near naked woman with a spear showed up. She claimed she was Artemis, Daeon's mother, and that her son was coming with her. Brita, Morganstern, and Vista tried to stop her. We then learned the meaning of the phrase, 'Exercise in futility' as she turned into a giant bear, smacked Brita and Vista around, caused the forest to grow wild and attack us, and then summoned the women of the frenzy in these mists. We ran like Hell and now plan to run farther. Any questions?"

He doesn't want to ask. He really doesn't. But he is compelled by his nature.

"Daeon is back there?"

It's not a judgemental question.

(BTW, are there any wounded about, Family or otherwise, aside from Daeon who isn't actually on scene?")

[Brita's had the crap beat out of her and should be looked over. She's not acting like it hurts yet, but she's going to feel it when she starts coming down from her combat high. Conner expects cracked ribs at least from that bear hug. If this were a comic, she'd have a single drop of blood at the corner of her mouth.]

[It was only a small bear, da! It wasn't even Grandma's size!]

[Vista has the beginnings of some really ugly bruising on his face and should probably be looked over also.

There are no obvious broken bones on either of them.]

Vista says, "Don't even think about going in there. That's no longer Arden, and any man who goes in there won't come back out. Artemis called her Maenads, and they'll kill any man they catch. Prince Julian himself wouldn't go in there now."

Brennan doesn't have Brita's kind of temper, but he does demonstrate that it possible for a man to grind his teeth in frustration hard enough for it to be audible to other observers. Over the distant screams of the Wild Things.

He's got that lance in his hand with a tight enough grip that Vista might think he's about to do something colossally stupid for a moment, but only for a moment.

No, he doesn't have Brita's kind of temper. He has his own kind of temper, and the very brief unholy spark in his eyes says that he may yet live to see some kind of satisfaction.

But not right now.

"Not to mention that he seemed unharmed by it all." Conner replies then looks at Vista and Brtia. "I want you two to stop by the hospital tent before I break it down. No arguments. You'll do us no good straining injuries until you collapse.

"He may be unharmed,"Brita notes, referring to Daeon," but he should be here with us." She shakes her head, her temper finally coming down slightly. With a wince she presses a hand to her side and turns to help Vista to the hospital tent. While they are making their way there, she pulls out Julian's card and attempt to make contact. At the first glimmer of recognition, she states out loud, "Lady Artemis has Cousin Daeon." and then turns back to help Vista, breaking contact.

Brita cannot achieve a contact with Julian; there is no glimmer of recognition at all.

Briar arrives, looking grim. "Spar didn't come out."

Vista's eyes narrow. "He's dead, Lady Brita." Vista looks as if he blames himself. Spar was one of the newer recruits.

"She will pay for his death, then. We will find a way in when Lord Julian returns." Brita states quietly.

Unless there is some obvious reason not to, Brennan wheels his horse around saying, "I'll get the rest of the evacuation off and running. See you both at Post 8, if not before."

He then goes and does that thing.

Conner treats Brita for broken ribs and puts Vista's arm in a sling. He is more visibly bruised than she is.

Brennan moves his troops out with dispatch. Men who were somewhat lackadaisical just hours ago act with alacrity to the commands to move out and away from whatever it was that has the Rangers spooked.

Brennan is the very model of calm and efficiency in the face of a possible catastrophe. For instance, he will cause a catastrophe by calmly and efficiently kicking the butss of any malingerers.

But given the description above, I strongly doubt that will be necessary. The important thing to remember is that as long as Brennan is on scene, everything is Under Control.

Except that green growth in gods' grove. But Brennan isn't on that scene.

Barring further incident, Brennan delegates the organization of the new camp to Lord Hunter-- Hunter knows how he wants it done...

Hunter doesn't give orders so much as nods at people. He has his own little codre of people who want to please him by Getting Things Done His Way, you notice.

Is this largely compatible with Brennan's notions of good sense? He doesn't care how hard Hunter works, or how he delegates, as long as he's gettng it done, and not too blatant in playing politics.

The jobs get done. There are clearly two or three go-to people, but it's hard to tell if it's cronyism or advancement of the competent.

Well, that's good enough for now. It's something Brennan will keep an eye on, out of habit, but it is not cause for paranoia at this moment.

[Brennan also] organizes an impromptu band of Knight candidates (but they don't know it yet; encyclopedia entries this weekend, I hope) to check the perimeter of the new camp for those damned FireLillies, and then meets back up with Brita and COnner...

There are no firelillies at the new camp. when you check.

...Or intends to, anyway.

Vista and Brita direct the Rangers in preparing to depart, first from the hospital tent and then from the camp. In one private moment, Vista asks if they should send a rider or a messenger bird to the castle or if they are better off reporting in person.

"I have to return to the city anyway." Conner replies. "I'll tell his Majesty." Conner says without smiling.

Brita nods in response. She has been directing the Rangers with a cold efficiency. Her concentration remains on the encroaching growth and mists, her senses are tuned for any sense of Daeon and now Spar. As they break camp to leave, Brita gathers a small pile of stones and approaches the edge of the encroachment closest to where they lost Daeon. She arranges the stones in a small pile, leaving the cairn (sp?) to mark the spot for their return.

Conner stuck around to see to the movement of the hospital personally. After that he sought out Brita to see if she had a Trump of the castle or if he needed a fast horse. Let's say [Conner and Brennan] both find Brita at the same time.

Brita is inside the Post building's main room (now command central), working with Ger Milner to hang up the Ranger Roster (a map that keeps track of where everyone is currently assigned).

When Conner arrives, Brita has just managed to kick over a stack of papers as she backs up to look at the hanging. "Thor! Agggh!," Brita kicks at the encrouching pile. "This mess is going to drive me crazy as Uncle Loki, Ger!!.... Conner!," Brita smiles and relaxes somewhat. "Is the hospital all set? Did you have enough room for the tent. I wish we could have put it closer to the well."

When Conner asks about the Trumps, Brita pulls out Uncle Julian's pack and shuffles through to find the appropriate courtyard card for Conner.