Episode 3 - Chapter 74

“To find someone, is it? Who might a wake walker seek in the Weave? A wayward dreamer, perhaps, or an imaginary friend? There would be a great many of both abroad in the Dream Lands.”

“Neither,” she replies, irritated. “I came to find someone who tried to help.”

“Tried? Your tone suggests they failed, yet you seek them anyway? And what would lead you to think they're here?”

“You ask a lot of questions, did you know that?”

“I have the honour of being the voice of the court. The court requires a great many answers.”

Episode 3 - Chapter 73

 “I can assure you, gentle lady, that I speak with the court's full authority. I am bound to inquire, what brings you to our court?”

“We came through a door in the market.”

“We?” asks the doll.

Fiona turns to gesture at the cats and Strauss, only to find she stands alone.

“I had companions,” she replies, “but they must be elsewhere.”

“Indeed they must!” says the doll in a smug tone. “Tell us then, gentle lady, what brings you to the Weave in such a wakeful state?”

“I came to find someone.”

Episode 3 - Chapter 72

“Now I'm going to have a chat with Tiny Tears,” she mutters, before addressing the doll.

“I thank you,” she replies. “And you are?”

“I am the voice of the court.”

Looking closely, Fiona realises she really is talking to a child's toy, obviously made of plastic. Yet its movement is fluid and natural, while the voice is deep and polished.

“I see,” she replies, “and your lord...?”

“Is currently indisposed, attending to other matters.”

“How disappointing.”

There is mumbling in the gallery as she says this, a sense of unrest.

Episode 3 - Chapter 71

The curtain rises to reveal a huge, dimly lit chamber. There are ascending galleries to left and right, filled with all manner of oddly shaped, shadowy courtesans. In front of her is a long walkway leading to a throne, and seemingly at random, doors fill the chamber. Not doors in walls that lead somewhere, but free standing doors, some in frames, more without.

“You are most welcome....” a voice addresses her. At first she thinks it is a child in nappies, but as it climbs from the throne she realises the reality is much more bizarre.

“...to the court of doors” says a child's doll.

Episode 3 - Chapter 70

 “Is that all?”

“No. It feels...”

“Yes?”

“...a little more sinister.”

“In what way?”

“There seem to be more negative omens, more ways for the world to end.”

“It is true there are more apocalypses here than ever before. They built a church for themselves, the church of the forgotten ends.”

“And that, that's different too. Your kind are behaving more like people.”

“But that's what we are, don't you see? We are people.”

“And monsters and aliens and god knows what kind of creature. You're not people, you're ideas. Some good, maybe. Some bad, definitely. But all of this, it's just ideas.”

Episode 3 - Chapter 69

“People do not just disappear. Why are you lying to me? What are you hiding?”

“We're just trying to protect our home!” Mum burst out.

“I am trying to protect your home,” Oak was standing now, towering over all of us. He wasn't shouting, but his tone was very clear. “But I can't do that if you keep things from me.”

Mum was crying now. Dad stood up, standing in front of her, shielding her from Oak.

“Enough is enough,” he said. “She's gone to get Raven. She's gone into the Weave.”

Episode 3 - Chapter 68

Oak looked like he might explode, but his tone remained even. “That's not how they operate,” he told Mary. “They're pure savage energy. There's something else, I can smell it, and you three know more than you're telling.”

“I'm sure I don't know what you're talking about,” Mary told him.

“Mary, I have been part of a force that has kept balance in the Warp for thousands of years and I have never encountered a situation like this. The three of you smell of secrecy. Now where's the girl?”

“We don't know,” said Mary, “She's disappeared.”

Episode 3 - Chapter 67

Oak looked around the room again, almost as if seeing it for the first time.

“And another thing,” he said, turning to Robert. “Where's your wife?”

“Why she's just...” he looked round. “My god where is she?” He jumped to his feet and called her name. “When was the last time we saw her?”

“Sit down,” Oak shouted. “There is too much funny business, and not enough funny business going on here. Now who wants to tell me what's going on? Where is the girl?”

“Could the rainbow assassin have taken her?” I asked.

Episode 3 - Chapter 66

We fell into a rhythm with our search, sweeping quickly through the study and the dinning room.

We quickly ascended the stairs, just as mum and dad came out of the back room. Mum looked a bit flustered.

“Everything okay?” I asked.

“Yes, fine,” she smiled. “I've just been reminded of a dreadful hat I used to wear. What were we thinking back then?”

The two remaining bedrooms were quickly scoured and deemed threat free, and we all trooped back to the living room.

“Something is not right here,” Oak declared as we settled. “A rainbow assassin doesn't just disappear.”

Episode 3 - Chapter 65

“We're going to start upstairs,” I called, “We've got our mirrors.”

Oak appeared in the kitchen door. “Be careful,” he warned, “and check everywhere.”

“Roger,” said Mary, and we started upstairs.

We did the bathroom first, feeling a bit foolish but making as much noise as we could. From there it was into the back bedroom, again making a racket. Mary quickly opened the wardrobe and gasped.

Peering over her shoulder, I saw Fiona's unconscious body curled up, her head resting on an old hat.

Mary slammed the door shut and turned, putting her back to the door.

Episode 3 - Chapter 64

“How could you let this happen?” Edward asked.

“She seemed so sure of herself, said the voice wanted to help. Best thing we can do now is keep it a secret.”

“And how do we do that?”

“By joining the hunt and making sure Oak doesn't see the back bedroom. Come on,” I helped him to his feet. “Grab a mirror and let's go.”

As we entered the hallway we heard a commotion in the kitchen. “Everything okay?” I shouted.

There was a pause before the answer.

“Just attacked by carrier bags,” Robert shouted back.

Episode 3 - Chapter 63

We started in the kitchen, working methodically from one corner to another. Not a cupboard, draw, jar or appliance was left unchecked. Each of us kept an eye on the other, almost like american cops covering one another. When Oak reached the doors under the sink, we were both startled as piles of carrier bags spilled out. He fell backward, almost loosing his footing. I stepped forward, mirror held at arm's length while he regained his balance.

“Anything?” he asked.

Looking closely, all I could see was bottles of bleach and disinfectant. I shook my head and we continued our search.

Episode 3 - Chapter 62

My wife quickly explained where Fiona was.

“She did what?” I asked, flabbergasted.

“Went to find Raven, the cats too.”

“Who's bloody idea was that?”

“It was hers. Well, her decision anyway.”

“Who suggested it?”

Mary looked timid as she replied. “The voice in her head.”

“After everything that's happened?”

“Keep your voice down!”

“Everything that's happened in the last few hours and she does this?”

“There's something Oak's not telling us. We need Raven.”

“Maybe we do, but what do you think will happen when Oak finds out?”

Episode 3 - Chapter 61

Robert and Oak quickly searched the living room, looking under the furniture, in the cupboards and drawers, behind the television. Once they were satisfied there was no danger, they made their way into the hall.

“We do each room together,” I heard Robert say as they departed. Oak grunted in agreement.

Kneeling by my husband, I asked how he felt.

“Bloody sore,” he replied. “And my dignity's taken a knock as well.”

“Hush now,” I said, “Your dignity is fine.”

“Well then,” he looked at me, “You better tell me what's going on. I've seen that face before, you're up to something. And where's Fiona?”

Episode 3 - Chapter 60

 “Well, what of it?”

“It's still here, you know?”

“What is?”

“Atlantis.”

“Why should I care?”

“The Mighty Corvus, Champion of the Forest, defeated by a child's game. The only one of his kind ever to enter the Weave uninvited, turned back by the mockeries. How do you feel about that? Now, I mean.”

“I no longer take that name. What's past is past, not a thing any of us can do about it now.”

“How have you found it, this second visit?”

“Extremely worrying.”

“Why?”

“There's no order to it. No rhyme or reason. No sense.”

Episode 3 - Chapter 59

She's about to ask more when all thought is drowned out by a fanfare.

“Alas, no time,” says the man, “You'll have to do as you are.”

He grabs her arm, half leading, half dragging her to a drawn curtain.

“When the curtain goes back you go first,” he says to Fiona, “Then you two,” to the cats, “And finally you” to Strauss.

There is another fanfare, longer than the first. The crooked man slips away with surprising agility.

The curtain rises theatrically while an authoritative voice booms “We welcome a Wake Walker to the Court of Doors.”

Episode 3 - Chapter 58

Strauss coughs. “I'm not sure this is any better,” he says, turning to leave, but the door they came through has gone.

Moments later, an aging, crooked man presents himself with a deep bow. “Greetings,” he says, “My lord assured me you'd be here, and here you are.” He nods curtly to the cats. “Ladies.”

He looks Fiona up and down, as if sizing up a joint of beef. “Come now, we must get you prepared.”

“Prepared?” Fiona inquires.

“For the ceremony.”

“What ceremony.”

“The ceremony of Presentation.”

Episode 3 - Chapter 57

It's as if the whole market sighs with relief when he disappears.

“We should leave, m'lady” Strauss says to her, “Before the Author changes his mind.”

“Fine,” she replies, “Get me out of here.”

He leads her to the nearest wall and taps it gently. Fiona is dizzy for a moment. Regaining her composure, she realises it wasn't a wall he tapped, but a giant book, which is now opening.

Behind its cover is a short, stone corridor, seemingly part of some ancient castle. There are tapestries on the walls, and a long wooden bench along one side.

Quickly, they step through.

Episode 3 - Chapter 56

They both turn back to the red faced man, but he's nowhere to be seen, nor are his barrels.

The whole market goes quiet at that moment, with everybody looking in their direction.

The Author turns back to her. “See what you have wrought here?” He demands. “There is an unsettled deal now, in my market, and a free entertainment to boot! There will be a reckoning for this, mark my card on that!” He turns to Strauss. “You, take her elsewhere before she brings more chaos.”

He turns to leave, and in turning, disappears.

Episode 3 - Chapter 55

She's really angry now. “Screw your protocols,” she shouts in his face, seeing Strauss cringe in the corner of her eye. “I didn't come here to play games, I've had a lifetime of your interference and games.”

She turns away, but again the Author is in her path.

“I am the Author of the Market,” he tells her, “One of the ancient fears. Thus far I have remained neutral in the machinations of my siblings, but I tell you Wake Walker, it would be unwise to make an enemy here.”

“Fine, I choose the empty barrel. Happy now?”

Episode 3 - Chapter 54

“He was trying to trick me?” Fiona asks.

“Not trick, m'lady,” Strauss tells her, “Merely take advantage of your ignorance.”

“I'd call that a trick. I haven't time for tricks, or entertainments, free or not.”

The Author scowls again when he hears that.

“And you can stop that, as well.” Fiona shouts at him. “Scowling when somebody doesn't know your rules. Get a handbook printed. Come on cats, we're going.”

With that, she turns to storm off, but the Author is unexpectedly in her path.

“An entertainment has been offered gratis. Protocol dictates you must accept.”

Episode 3 - Chapter 53

“Oh yes sir,” replies the red faced man.

“Excellent!” proclaims the Author.

“Sorry, why is that important?” Fiona asks.

Strauss steps forward again when the Author's face turns sour. “This is a market, m'lady. In a market, there must be trade.”

“So?”

“This man offered an entertainment, without stating a price. Should you have accepted, he would be free to name his price later, with you bound by market law to pay.”

“To have a Wake Walker in your debt,” says the Author, “that would be a very valuable thing.”

Episode 3 - Chapter 52

“M'lady,” he begins. “It is my honour to present to you his lordship, the Author of the Market.”

Turning, he continues “My lord, it is my honour to present to you...”he pauses, looks at her.

“Fiona.” She says.

“....to present to you Fiona.”

“Welcome to our realm, Wake Walker” says bowler hat. “You are our honoured guest.”

“Thankyou,” says Fiona, catching a look from Strauss. “The honour is mine.”

“Now then,” says the Author, “I believe there was an entertainment on hand, and one offered gratis if I am to understand correctly?”

Episode 3 - Chapter 51

Fiona is about to ask why when another voice beats her to it.

“To what end?” comes the question. It is being asked by a slight man wearing a three piece suit, with a bowler hat and briefcase.

“J-j-just a distraction, my lord,” the red faced man is very nervous, “t-to entertain your guests.”

“Very well,” says bowler hat, “I will allow it. Proceed.”

“I'm sorry,” says Fiona, turning to him. “Who are you?”

Bowler hat scowls when asked, as if smelling something bad.

Strauss steps forward. “If I may make introductions?”

Episode 3 - Chapter 50

 “Hope? Don't be ridiculous.”

“We come from love as well as fear, from the day as much as night. Every time man saw the sunrise, we were there. Every time they fell in love or made a wish or looked to the horizon with curiosity, we were there.”

“And that's what's changed you, is it? You're all about fluffy bunnies and moonlight walks now?”

“Now who's being ridiculous? Let me ask you something else. You came into the Weave once before, did you not?”

“You know that I did.”

“Oh yes, the fabled Fall of Atlantis.”