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[goodwillrising]

[The dinner crowd has cleared and the Mess Hall is quiet and empty. This means it is just perfect for Will and two cat boys to pull up a table and settle down with a book. And a mug of tea for Will, hot chocolate for the boys. There may also be cookies.]

Now, do you want a story from La Morte D'Arthur or one of the stories I know?

Comments

[goodwillrising]

That sounds about right. As it happens, someone tried it. One of Bran's neighbours, a man called Caradog. He was never the same after -- bad tempered, moody, sullen. For some reason he hated Bran. And when sheep on his farm began dying, he blamed Bran's dog Cafall, said the dog should be shot.

[luvernfighter]

But the dog isn't his.

[ear flicks but let's Ritsuka continue. he's used to being touched. ]

[goodwillrising]

Farmers aren't known for their compassion. Their animals are their livelihood. If they're threatened, well. I remember once a fox got in at our chickens once. My Mum camped out in the barn for a week, waiting for him to come back. Smart fox -- he didn't dare.

It wasn't Cafall who'd killed the sheep of course, but the grey foxes, servants of -- guess who?

[luvernfighter]

The grey king person?

[goodwillrising]

You got it. You see, an old and very powerful magic was rising and the Grey King saw a chance to make himself more powerful. He'd been warned that Bran would be a danger to him, so he'd sent his foxes to make things difficult for Bran's father and the other shepherds.

But for all Bran knew, he was an ordinary boy-- well, ordinary's never been the right word for Bran. He spent a lot of time in the hills, exploring with Cafall. He learned all the stories about the land, including the old names for things like the forgotten road that went through the hills. One day when he was out walking, he saw an man with white hair and a hooked nose riding the wind. Bran, naturally, was rather surprised. Who wouldn't be?

[goodwillrising]

I've given away too much already. Yes, it was Merlin.

[luvernfighter]

Ritsuka is smart. [nodding as he finishes half his cookie]

Is Merlin powerful?

[goodwillrising]

You get to the quick of things, Soubi. Yes, he was. He was the oldest too but we won't talk of that now.

"Bran," said Merlin. "I've come a long way to ask your help." And he told Bran of the peril that was approaching. Bran was alarmed, and even more alarmed that this stranger knew his name. But as he listened, he knew he must help.

"What must I do?" he asked.

"Not even a wizard can know the future," Merlin said. "We only have riddles to help us. You must find the golden harp and wake the seven sleepers. But you can't do it alone. We'll send one of our own to help you." And Merlin taught Bran the first line of the riddle so that he might be recognised by the helper Merlin sent.

[goodwillrising]

Bran gave it in Welsh. On the day of the dead when the year too dies, must the youngest open the oldest hills, through the door of the birds where the breeze breaks.

[luvernfighter]

It sounds like a puzzle...