<HTML> Raven was just approaching the altar to begin the service when a sudden, familiar voice called out to her. "Raven!" The voice was close at hand and urgent, which seemed out of sorts for the owner of that soft voice. Without even breaking her stride, Raven signaled to the musicians to keep playing, then walked into an adjoining storeroom on the east side of the hall. Keeping her gaze fixed on the shelves, her back turned to the hall, she answered. "What is it, Kyia?" "Great danger, Raven. Your mortal enemy stands ready to attack you this very hour." It was as if an icy hand had wrapped itself around her heart. Choking back the bile that was beginning to rise in her throat, the priestess asked, "Which enemy, Kyia?" "The dark wizard, Ba'al's servant," the unseen nymph replied. "This storm is a creation of his mages, to cover his approach." "But that's insane," Raven murmured, half to herself. "The men he would lose to the cold alone--" "Are insignificant to such as he," Kyia cut her off, her voice unusually harsh. "I know not when they will attack, but they are preparing even now. The assault will come, and soon." The Lightbringer swallowed. "Is there time to warn the Duke?" "The Duke's daughter has been warned," Kyia said. "Your friend the bear-sage has caught scent of the enemy's forces." Raven nodded -- Christopher's nose was excellent, and stronger than ever in his recently altered form. "Who else knows?" "Merai knows to be ready, though I have not told her everything. I have warned my friend Madog, as well." That brought a quizzical smile to Raven's face. "The automaton?" "He has warned the fox-scout and the boy-priest," Kyia assured her. "They will be ready." Raven looked up at the stone walls around her. "What are you going to do?" "Whatever I can. Do not tell anyone until the alarum sounds -- I will protect you and your people." The priestess turned and began to walk out of the storeroom. Her eyes fell on the window at the back of the apse, and the howling winter storm that raged outside. "And what about the others?" she asked softly. There was a pause before Kyia answered. "It will be terrible," the nymph said sadly. "I will help those I can, but many are sure to fall. Do what you can, Raven. I cannot say for certain how this battle will end. I am sorry." Raven nodded, slightly, once more. "I understand," she murmured. Shaken, she made back toward the altar. She was halfway there before she caught sight of someone walking swiftly down the aisle towards her. It was Lurene, Christopher's friend, pupil, and apparent lover, and the young wolven woman looked frightened. The priestess met her halfway. "Lurene," she said, by way of greeting. "Lightbringer," Lurene breathed, drawing close to Raven's ear. "Chris sent me to warn you -- while we were outside, he caught scent of--" "Lutins," Raven finished for her, her voice barely more than a whisper. "Aye, Kyia herself has warned me. Stay calm -- we have prepared for such things as this. We shall be safe here in the temple." Lurene didn't look any calmer. "What should I do?" she asked. "For now, take a seat and try not to start a panic." the priestess said firmly. "The prime minister has been warned; that is all we can do for now. The service will go on as planned." The younger woman looked at her as if she had gone mad. "You're going to hold a service at a time like this?" she demanded. Raven regarded her coolly for a few seconds. "Would it truly make any difference if I didn't?" she asked. "What else can I do, save start a panic and undermine Lord Thomas's authority over his troops? The decision is his, Lurene, and I shall respect that. And as I said, all who remain here shall be safe." Lurene looked at her a moment longer, then nodded. Raven gave her a comforting pat on the shoulder, then turned and walked back to the altar. ** 12/24 - 6pm The dancing had finally worn Rickkter out after about a half hour or so of it, and he and Kayla had retired to the crowd, Kayla acquiring a glass of chilled white wine while Rick took a mazer of fresh ale, and going off to mingle with the crowds. Kayla decided to see if she could find Caroline while Rick went in search of the fox. He found Misha on a balcony overlooking Long Hall. Misha was looking over the room, sort of nodding back and forth as he leaned on his arms for support. "What are you thinking about?" asked Rick. "Entertainment. Need entertainment." Rick pointed over to the band using his mug. "We've already got that." "Nope. Not what I meant." The fox was still rocking back and forth. "So what did you mean?" "Hedgehog bowling." The raccoon blinked a few times then looked carefully at the fox. "Hedgehog bowling?" "Yup." "Bowling? With hedgehogs?" "Yup." Rickkter blinked a few more times and looked out over the room, raising his drink to his lips. When the amber liquid finally reached his mouth, he wound up drinking a little more than he intended. Eventually he emptied the mazer and resumed his study of the hall. His tongue darted out to lick his nose. Misha still hadn't changed position, and seemed to be exhibiting repetitive characteristics of a child's wind-up toy. "We have any here?" "Yup. One. Norman. We all call him Spiny Norman." Misha pointed into the midst of the crowd. "Right there, next to his friend Monty." The raccoon's pink tongue flicked out once more to lick his nose. "Sounds good, let's do it." Misha's voice rang off the walls and high stone ceiling. "HEY NORM!" And Rickkter could swear, even from the distance he was away, and even through the veil of alcohol, that he could see the hedgehog smile. Why, when he must have known what was coming, Rick couldn't say. All that he knew what that as soon as he saw the look on Misha's face, Norman grinned a grin of a man who knows what's coming and cares not a wit. Oh, this was going to be a fun party! But then something occurred to him. "Um, Misha? How do you bowl with hedgehogs?" The red fox stopped his decent down the stairs. He cocked his head to one side a moment before waving a charcoal colored hand in a dismissive manner. "No idea." "Um, so what are you going to do about that?" "Don't know. Probably make it up as we go. It's what we usually do in these situations." "That little saying wouldn't have any bearing on the bean dip, would it Misha?" The fox just gave his masked friend a very ugly look. Rickkter grinned. Yes, this party was finally starting to get fun. ***   End part 7b </XMP> </HTML>