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The Diary of Frankie of Avalon, Intro

 

 

Aug 1 – Since having joined with this group of knights for the past few weeks, there has been rather interminable talk of the evil Sir Damas, the object of Sir Hervis’ quest. It wouldn’t be so bad if they had the slightest clue towards the miscreant’s location, but they don’t, so the conjectures they concoct are quite fanciful. In fact, I secretly think they’d have a better shot at the Holy Grail.

 

Besides this though, they are an impressive bunch. Probably not many groups could compare in strength and honor except perhaps King Arthur’s Round Table, and Sir Gareth is purportedly connected to that group somehow. They met at the Tournament in Le Havre this spring, and joined to travel together for a time, nominally under the leadership of Sir Hontzlake, the most senior. But since then, they’ve been more-or-less questing for Sir Hervis. It seems his sister was killed by a dark knight when he was young, and he’s avenging her. It is honorable, really, and it’s a fine season to be questing in Britain.

 

We are heading towards the ancestral home of Sir Gareth near Loughborough. His father will put us up there for a few days whilst we look for the ghostly footprints of Damas.

 

Aug 5 - Yesterday evening we received a new quest, this one quite exciting. After one quiet evening at Sir Gareth’s place, we were invited to visit their local ruler, the Thane of Loughborough.

 

After a fine feast, the elderly Thane confided with us, and the reason for his distraction became clear. He related to us that his daughter has gone missing, and under quite unusual circumstances. Although some hours have passed, I have tried to preserve the details of his tale, and that of his daughter's two handmaids, with my usual precision.

 

It seems that the girl, Eloren, whose beauty was attested to by all present, was in the habit of visiting the eaves of mighty Sherwood Forest nearby. With her two handmaids she would oft pass the day picking wildflowers and observing the small animals which are found only in that strange place. Three days ago, Eloren’s handmaids returned from Sherwood in a panic. They recounted that Eloren had gone into the forest alone, which to the Thane's displeasure, it seems was also her habit. She emerged after only a few minutes riding on a dapple-gray horse behind a remarkable companion, a tall faerie, richly dressed. Probably an elf by the description.

 

Eloren declared to her maids that this exotic companion was her true love, and that she was leaving this mundane realm to live with him in the realm of Faerie, deep in the forest. She thanked them for their care, and bid them tell her father not to grieve for her, as she would be happier now than ever before. And then, with a toss of his head, the stallion turned and leaped away into the forest, disappearing among the trees in an instant.

 

Stunned, the girls followed into the forest short distance, but they found no sign of the horse or its riders. Soon they feared becoming lost, and returned to the Keep. Since that day, the Thane and his two men-at-arms have searched the forest fringes, but they have found no traces, and the men, few and ignoble as they are, have refused to journey deeper into Sherwood, which they consider an enchanted realm. Beside that, the realm of Faerie is notoriously well hidden through the cleverness and magicks of the faeries. It is this very nature that lead many to suspect the girl was tricked into the forest. Quite possible, I suppose.

 

The providence of this happening so near in time to our arrival in Loughborough was apparent to quest-thirsty knights. Sir Gareth immediately proposed that we go after the girl. With a calm look to Sir Hervis’ gentle nod, our leader set just that course.

 

Now we are en route to Sherwood, and we have stopped only to break our fast and allow my companions to decide on the best course of action. The main debate being whether we should go to the last place Eloren was seen, or visit a local druid who may know something about local Faeries.