Summary - 5/13
The Lucky Dog, with Cathena and Eric on it, is greeted cordially as they sail into the protected harbor of Cerelon. Cathena is amazed at the view of the palace, looking paradoxically, both incredibly delicate and strong. She is even more amazed as Eric guides their boat into a private dock that is owned by his family. Eric is well recognized, causing Cathena to hang back and watch, though Eric does not give her much of a chance to do that before he whisks her off the family manor home.

They meet up with Eric's mother, Enya Blake, an Eisen woman who met her husband in just about an unusual circumstances as Cathena and Eric's meeting. Cathena's first impression of the woman is her soundly beating an opponent in a sword sparring match. When done, Enya greeted Eric and Cathena warmly, pleased to see her youngest son home.

Everyone is herded into the sitting room for tea and to catch Enya on up on the couple's recent adventures with the Just Rewards, Graceful Frog and the Lucky Dog, who, in turn, is suitably impressed. Enya then lets Eric know that the Golden Girl and his brother, Mark, will be returning shortly - apparently quite successful against a pair of Montaigne merchant ships. Cathena spends most of the discussion sitting back, listening and watching the interplay between mother and son, smiling at the teasing and easy sarcasm.

Much to Cathena's surprise, she is allowed to stay with Eric in his chambers while they are visiting the family home. Enya bustles off to prepare for her husband's return and dinner, suggesting that the children get washed up and rested for it, knowing that Eric's father will want to hear all of the adventures himself once he returns from the palace.

Eric shows Cathena to their suite of rooms and she is definitely impressed. When she sees that he has his own private bathroom with warm water, she calls dibs on the first bath. The two discuss what they will do while in Avalon and Cathena is shocked to find out that Eric wants to introduce her to Queen Elaine. Cathena protests, reminding him of the last major encounter of a Castillian in the Avalon court ended up with Queen Elaine siding with Montaigne in the war. She does not want to cause another incident.

Eric tells her that all she has to do is be humble and polite. Besides, Queen Elaine would punish him before her. The two banter back and forth about Cathena not being humble and Eric hoping that she visits him in the dungeon before Eric leaves to get her clothing cleaned. Finally, Cathena gets her hot bath, soaking to her chin in the steamy water.

Some time later, Eric enters with fresh towels and is too tempted to join Cathena in the bathtub, promising to scrub her back if she scrubs his. The young lovers do attempt to get clean but all of that is undone when Eric picks Cathena up out of the bathtub and takes her directly to bed where the two proceed to enjoy one another quite thoroughly. They finish up with just barely enough time to get cleaned up again and dressed for dinner with Eric's parents.

Summary - 5/14
Dinner with Eric's parents, David and Enya Blake, is a cheerful affair for the most part with everyone getting to know one another and regaling David with Cathena and Eric's exploits of the past few weeks. The only tense moment comes when David non-to-subtly mentions his hope for his son to settle down soon, to take a wife and begin making a family. This comment puts Eric on edge.

Cathena comes to Eric's rescue, much to David's disapproval and Enya's hidden delight, stating that any woman that Eric chooses to call wife had better be comfortable with the sea as he was as married to it as he could be to any woman. Also, that she did not see Eric 'settling down' until he was in the grave... and that this was not necessarily a bad thing in her book. Once the pair is excused from the table, Eric shows Cathena his deep appreciation for her assistance in the matter.

It seems that as one of two still living sons in the Blake household, David very much would like Eric to settle down with a wife and family instead of running off to dangerous exploits at sea. The elder son, Mark, is already a part of Her Majesty's Navy. So, David wants Eric, and Eric's brood, to follow in his own footsteps and learn the family business. It is an ongoing discussion between Eric and his father.

The next day, while Eric is reporting to the castle to inform various people of his return and his need to report his findings to the Queen and other appropriate people, Cathena spends the day with Enya, shopping and getting to know her. During the afternooon, many topics are discussed: formal customs and courtesies of Avalon, how Enya managed to break most of them when she first arrival, Eric's childhood, Cathena's childhood and the like.

After a day of shopping for various necessities and enduring dress measurements, all on Enya's tab despite Cathena's protests - seems the Castillian Buccaneer had finally met her match of the unyielding wall variety, the two women stop in at a small tavern for a snack and a drink. However, very quickly, Cathena notes that they are the only two females not working in the tavern and that all of the men are giving them the eye. She quietly notes it to Enya and asks if something is wrong.

Much to her surprise, Enya responds, loud enough for everyone to hear, that it simply the fact that these people have never seen obvious refinement before... or that it might be the horrible vinegar that passes for wine in this 'rat hole' of a tavern. Then, Enya raises a delicate hand and dumps her wine onto the floor, giving Cathena a playful wink and a grin.

Cathena, wondering what has gotten into her Eisen company, decides that this is probably going to end in some sort of bar fight and begins looking for both possible weapons and escape routes. Still, she plays along, commenting that she has had worse wine... but only in Montaigne ports, not that this tavern isn't trying to match them.

Summary - 5/16
Spurred on by the insulting comments of Enya and Cathena, one man approaches and blusters at Enya, who stands her ground. Cathena readies for the impending fight; excited, thrilled and nervous. But, much to Cathena's surprise and Enya's disappointment, the man backs down and leaves. Enya decides that the wine really is too rancid in the tavern and the two women return to the manor house for some good wine and more talking.

During the next couple of hours, Cathena learns much about Enya and her former adventures... but also learns that while she very much loves her husband and family, Enya really does miss her adventuring days. She makes Cathena promise not to settle down too quickly with Eric because once you do, you will never be free again. Cathena does promise this to Enya and even comments that, should she and Eric ever marry, there is a good chance that their child will be rocked to sleep by the ocean's waves.

The two women go to their rooms to rest and ready themselves for dinner later. During this time, all of Cathena's new clothing begins to arrive. She is utterly shocked that it seems Enya bought anything and everything that she expressed even a mild interest in. From the work out and fencing clothing, to the most expensive and daring formal gowns. Most of it in the rich royal colors that Cathena preferred.

It seems that in having four sons, Enya has missed the joy of having a daughter and Cathena was to reap the benefits of this maternal love. Cathena is touched by all this and silently admits to herself that she has enjoyed having such an adventuresome maternal figure to speak with. Her thoughts are interrupted by a knock at the door and an announcement that dinner is ready.

Immediately, as soon Cathena arrives, she knows something is wrong. David looks distracted. Enya looks grim and, most disturbingly, Eric is not to be seen. Cathena fires off a series of fear filled, demanding questions wanting to know what has happened and where Eric is. It is Enya who answers, more yelling at her husband than speaking to Cathena before stalking off.

It seems that Eric has been detained, pending an investigation into his recent conduct and no one, not even David, despite his 'friends' in court, is allowed to see him. Apparently, there are some within the court who do not believe that Eric had been acting in the best interest of Queen Elaine and Avalon because he did not stop Cathena from capturing the ship nor did he betray the Just Rewards and assist the Graceful Frog nor did he attempt to make a friend of Duke Anjou nor did he immediately return to Avalon with the book of bloodlines. Instead, he helped Cathena home to Bucca and left the book there.

Cathena is livid. She states that Eric could not have stopped her from capturing the Just Rewards and if he had betrayed them, Avalon would have dead spy on her hands instead of a live one who has returned with information. As for Duke Anjou, he stated upfront that he was going to kill both of them so there was no friendship possible there. Finally, Eric was a man of his word and that was why he got Cathena home to Bucca and if the bureaucrats could not understand that, there was something fundamentally wrong with Avalon's government.

She announces that she is not going to let Eric be in danger because some government type cannot understand love nor honor. Then, Cathena stalks up to her bedroom in a determined but vague intention of saving Eric. While Cathena is packing, she is confronted by Enya who states that no one is going to put Eric in danger except possibly Cathena. This stops Cathena cold.

Summary - 5/17
Cathena demands to know what Enya means by the fact that only she could possibly get Eric hurt or killed. The Eisen woman points out that not only does Cathena not know anything about the castle, but Eric is not held by the enemy. Eric is being held by the rightful and legal government of Avalon and should she actually manage to go break him out, he would be committing treason by going with her.

All of this makes sense, calming Cathena down and making her realize that she cannot go charging off to the castle. This and the fact that Enya is specifically barring her way. Instead, Cathena wants to know what they will do. She cannot do nothing. Enya agrees, but the tact they will not take is martial one. It is time to begin a more courtly battle against Eric's 'superiors' who have made this grave error in judgment. But, for now, Cathena is to go to sleep and rest up because tomorrow is going to be very important.

The next morning Cathena and Enya have breakfast together very early. Both have dressed as elegantly and richly as possible; Cathena in crimson, canary and black and Enya in grays, blues and white. They head to the castle with Enya taking the lead. Entering the castle is not difficult but they are met with the expected resistance to Enya's "request" to see Queen Elaine that day. Instead, they are left in an elegant sitting room.

Enya explains that her plan is simple. Once they are allowed to see Queen Elaine, Cathena is to personally tell the Queen of Avalon their adventures in short facts only. When the Queen asks questions, Cathena is to mention that Eric would have a much better description of the details... but that he is being detained. Thus, alerting the Queen to Eric's plight. Enya is certain that no one has told Queen Elaine of Eric's return.

That is the easy part of the plan. The hard part is actually getting in to see the Queen. They wait in the luxurious room for a few minutes. Then, an older man that is not actually introduced to Cathena, named Roger, comes in and greets the women. It is clear that the two know each other on familiar terms. They chit chat back an forth about mutual friends and acquaintances, this social event and that party. Cathena can feel Enya's charm as she ensnares this 'Roger' person and turns the conversation in the direction she wants. She drops hints about the Queen and how close she and Enya are and how she looks forward to seeing her today. Roger counters with how busy the affairs of state are and how peaked the Queen has looked lately. Never once does the actual asking of an audience take place as far as Cathena can tell. Roger stands and Enya does too, they kiss each others cheeks and bid farewell to each other.

As soon as they are alone Enya sighs and grimaces, telling Cathena that the "bastards" (Eric's immediate supervisors) are already moving to cut her off. Now, it is a game of saving and losing face. If the bastards can prevent Enya and Cathena from seeing Queen Elaine today, they will gain face in the eyes of their peers, making their judgment seem all the more valid. If they cannot, obviously the opposite will occur.

However, it is time to sit back, relax and see who next comes to visit with them since Enya Blake is very rarely in the castle these days and when she -is- there, something interesting -must- be going on. Enya swears to Cathena that she is not leaving until she sees either her son or the Queen. Cathena is certain that just like a Castillian, such promises are not lightly made. She relaxes, listening and learning this new from of battle.

Be it friend or foe, someone else will be calling upon them soon. All they have to do is wait.