Episode 9 - Chapter 26

“Game?” the twisted fellow asks, “Why Corvus, whatever can you mean?”

“Oh now don't start with that,” Raven spits, undeterred by the approaching obstacle.

“With what?” the figure asks

“That guileful wordplay,” Raven spits again, “The leading questions that bring us ever closer to your point. That brand of trickery ill fits your irregular frame.”

“Robert is standing by,” Curly announces to no one but himself.

“Trickery?” the contorted man protests, “My point? You're sure you're not mistaking me for one of my wayward off-spring?”

“They're not your off-spring,” Raven corrects him, “And no, I'm not mistaken. Sooner or later you'll lead our conversation to your purpose, so just get to it then kindly step aside.”

Episode 9 - Chapter 25

“Hmmm,” Raven ponders for a moment, “The real question, of course, is where is mankind getting those ideas?”

“My point exactly,” is the spirited reply, and suddenly it seems to Raven his companion is standing a little straighter.

“Ah,” says Raven sadly, a disappointed smile reaching his lips, “I see.” He looks round for Curly, still whistling silently to himself. “Time to go,” Raven nods at him, taking a step towards the house.

“Raven is almost in position,” Curly says, speaking for the first time.

“See what?” the bent man asks, moving to block Raven's path.

“Your game,” the old bird replies.

Episode 9 - Chapter 24

“What do you mean?” Raven asks warily when the fit draws to a close, “Right about what?”

“Mankind, of course,” comes the reply as the fellow straightens itself once more, “The danger they pose to the balance in the Warp.”

“The balance...” Raven begins, but his words are cut short.

“All of those species,” the bent figure interrupts, “All getting along, sharing the same environment, living in harmony, until one gets too uppity and spoils it for all...”

“By which you mean homo sapiens?” Raven asks candidly.

“Who else?” His companion wheezes. “Surely you remember a time when the air was cleaner, the water purer? Then along comes man with his big ideas and his ambitions, his machines and his industrialisation. Goes and mucks it up for everybody.”

Episode 9 - Chapter 23

“The children?” Raven asks, a little confused.

“I don't know what else to call them,” the cripple says. “What name does one give to the rebellious parts of oneself?”

“But they're not actually your children,” Raven says, still a little lost.

“No, of course not,” the bent man replies, “And yet, they are all a part of me. They feel like they still belong to me, even if they have developed personalities that....seem to disagree with me.”

“Disagree?” Raven ponders, “That's putting it mildly.”

“Is it?” his companion asks, “Is it really. And yet, in so many ways, they are right.”

The twisted figure coughs again, long convulsing hacks that shake its' entire bent body. This continues for several moments, before grinding to a halt, the fellow bending forward to spit.

Episode 9 - Chapter 22

“Let's save the chit chat,” Raven replies, “I'm in no mood for having my time wasted, so get on with it.”

“Get on with what?” the crippled creature inquires, “What are you expecting?”

“I expect nothing,” Raven says, “That would be foolish with you. But you'll have....something, tucked up your sleeve. You always do.”

“I think you overestimate my power,” the creature hobbles forward.

“I doubt that,” Raven replies, stepping back to maintain their distance. “You'll call upon your mockeries, or the dead ideas, or....well, I don't know what. Just get on with it.”

“The mockeries are all but retired,” the figure tells him, “Their power long gone. As for the dead ideas, they....well....shall we say they found new life?” The figure pauses, coughs, a dry heaving hack that lasts for some moments. “You'll have to excuse me,” it spits when the fit abates, “My health isn't what it once was. You talked to the children?”

Episode 9 - Chapter 21

“Oh Corvus,” the twisted shadow figure says as Raven steps forward, “You didn't think it would be that easy, did you?”

“Easy?” Raven gasps, suddenly aware how out of breath he is, “I wouldn't describe any of this as having been easy.”

Beside him, Curly comes to a dead halt. An expression close to fear passes across his face before his mouth begins to whistle, through no sound emerges.

“Of course,” the crooked man says, “Being here....well...you're a fish out of water, aren't you?”

Raven stands silent and still, slowly allowing himself to catch his breath.

“Nothing to say,” the bent fellow asks, a bright smile lighting up his shadows, “Perhaps a bird without sky is closer to the mark?”

The smile broadens: cold, clinical, threatening and dangerous.

Episode 9 - Chapter 20

Finally, after what seems like hours of aimless wandering, Robert's body grows weary and he decides he might sit for a while. He quickly finds a suitable rock to hunker down. Mo stands for a moment, looking at him with an air of confusion, before turning his back to sit, pushing his rear into Robert's hip to force him to make space.

“Sorry, little man,” Robert says to him, as he shuffles over to make room, “Wasn't thinking.”

Mo smiles in reply, offering Robert a thumbs up gesture.

“Not speaking?” Robert asks. The midget shakes his head in reply. “Probably best,” Robert continues with a sigh, “That way great confusion lies.”

Mo nods vigorously, adding another smile.

“The thing is,” Robert replies, “I can't help feeling I'm missing something, but I just can't put my finger on what it is.”

Episode 9 - Chapter 19

“Mary....” my husband cautioned in that slow steady voice of his, “What are you doing with that knife?”

I glanced at the blade in my hand, then looked Oak in the eye. “I'm not sure yet,” I said flippantly, taking a step into the room. “I'll let you know when I am.”

“Maybe you should just put it down,” he replied, shuffling towards me.

The sounds from upstairs stopped for a moment, quickly followed by the creaking of the bannister where it meets the landing.

“No,” I said, my eyes once more flicking upwards, “I don't think I should.”

Don't get me wrong, I knew full well how I looked, knife in hand. But I'd had my fill of feeling mucked about, at that point I simply didn't care.

From the top of the stairs we heard a new thud, as whatever was up there began to descend. The sound distracted Edward for a moment, so I seized my chance. I raced forward to Oak's chair, bringing the blade to his neck.

“Tell me now,” I demanded, “Once and for all, is this your doing?”

Episode 9 - Chapter 18

“Good god man,” I hissed at Oak in shock, “Whatever can you mean?”

My wife, meanwhile, continued with her ruckus in the kitchen.

“Just listen to her,” Oak whispered back, “Does that sound like her usual behaviour?”

More noises clumped above us, causing us both to pause and stare.

“Well, no,” I said as the moment passed. “But this isn't exactly what you'd call a normal situation.”

“Exactly,” Oak replied, “Even for the Forest there is something....new....happening here.”

Above us, the clumping got louder, steadier, as if something were making its' way toward the stairs.

I was about to ask him what he meant by that when the kitchen door was thrown open. There stood my wife, framed by the doorway, a murderous look in her eye and the bread knife gripped tight in her right fist.

Episode 9 - Chapter 17

“Right,” I said, as I slammed the kitchen door closed behind me. “I don't know what I'm looking for,” I continued, speaking to myself, “But I'm sure I'll know it when I see it.”

I opened a cupboard door and quickly glanced inside. A box of Cup'a'Soups, a bag of sugar and a big bag of pasta looked back at me. “Nope,” I said, slamming the door shut.

Next I pulled open a drawer. Tea towels. “No, again,” I said, and slammed that shut too. After that I was opening and slamming cupboards and doors, paying scant attention to their contents.

To be honest, I didn't really know what I was doing. I just felt that I had so much energy that had bottled itself up inside me, coupled with the frustration of feeling so powerless and out of control. Things were happening to us, to our family, to our house. I think I just needed to let some of that energy out.

So I did, until my eyes landed on the bread knife sat in the rack.

Episode 9 - Chapter 16

Mary charged out of the living room and into the kitchen, determination etched in her eyes and jaw. “Right,” I heard her say before she slammed the door behind her.

“You've got to help me,” Oak hissed under his breath once she was gone.

“What?” I replied, shocked by his tone.

“Shhh,” he admonished me, “You can't let her hear.”

“Why not?” I whispered back, “She's my wife.”

“Right now, I'm not so sure of that,” he replied. At that moment two more thudding noises could be heard upstairs. Both of us flicked a glance at the ceiling then returned to each other.

“What?” I asked again, no longer whispering. “What do you mean?”

From the kitchen I could hear the banging of various cupboard doors and drawers being opened and slammed shut.

“Whatever's going on,” Oak whispered, “I suspect your wife is no longer in full control of her senses.”

Episode 9 - Chapter 15

I really don't know what had possessed me. I was doing these....things, without any control over myself. It was almost as if I, the real me that is, was standing in the corner of the room, watching this creature that looked like me, behave in ways I could never imagine.

“....Now cut me free, and we'll face it together,” Oak said.

I could feel my blood boiling as I leapt from my chair, grabbing Oak roughly by the shoulders to shake him.

“Are you doing this?” I heard myself scream in his face, “Is it the Forest?” I shook him again, “Another one of your tricks?”

I could feel myself about to slap him when Edward caught my arm.

“Mary,” he said slowly, “Time to take a deep breath.”

“Whatever is happening,” Oak insisted, “I swear to you, by all that is sacred to the Forest, this is not our doing.”

The house creaked again, louder than ever.

“You swear?” I demanded, “You swear?”

Oak nodded.

“We'll see about that,” I replied, before storming off into the kitchen.

Episode 9 - Chapter 14

“What is that?” my wife demanded of Oak. “What's up there?”

She had a look in her eye I've never seen before, or at least if I had, it had never seemed quite so....well, deranged is the word I'd use.

“I'd tell her if I were you,” I said, “There's no telling what she might do now.”

I have to say that by this point I was genuinely worried about Mary, about what she would do next. That look, that really was something new, something I'd never seen in her before. She was never one for rational thinking, not at the best of times. But now it seemed as if the events of the previous twenty-four hours had pushed her over the edge.

A third thumping sound came from the top of the stairs, this one louder, quickly followed by loud creaking, as if the whole house were contracting in a sudden blast of cold.

“I can assure you both,” Oak said, his eyes flashing to the ceiling then back to Mary, “That has nothing to do with myself. Or the Forest. Now cut me free, and we'll face it together.”

Episode 9 - Chapter 13

It was only when I finished speaking that I realised I was shaking. I tried to take a deep breath and gather my wits.

“That's what this is, isn't it?” I demanded of Oak, gesturing at the ceiling above us. “Another trick? More sleight of hand or random distraction to keep us in a state of panic.”

“Why would I do such a thing?” Oak asked calmly. “The last thing I want is for you to panic.”

The creaking, meanwhile, was getting louder. It seemed as though it was moving through our whole house, no longer confined to the upper floor it felt like it had spread to the walls around us and the floor below.

“Really?” I said, trying to keep the shrill tone out of my voice. “This is how you operate, isn't it?”

“You have to admit, she has a point,” my husband added, calmer than I would have expected.

Before Oak could reply, we heard a loud thump coming from the top of the stairs, quickly followed by a second.

Episode 9 - Chapter 12

It began quietly at first, almost a background noise, as if a child were wandering aimlessly in the upper part of the house.

The cats, who by this time had commandeered the sofa, curling up together ying and yang like, both raised their heads in alert curiosity, staring at the ceiling.

“What's that noise?” Mary asked, as the sound began to intensify. The darker of the cats stood and stretched, while the other seemed to simply intensify her gaze.

“Well,” my wife demanded, turning on Oak, “What is that?”

“Dear Lady,” he replied, “I do not know, but now may be an appropriate time to release me from these binds.”

She stared at him for a moment with a mixture of shock and suspicion. “Release you?” she asked, “How do we know that this isn't your doing, just another one of your tricks?”

Episode 9 - Chapter 11

“....I am every tree of that genus, and I am none of them. When I am not here I am forests, breathing the seasons. I simply am.”

Oak finished speaking and....well, just for a moment, it felt as if the world was holding its' breath.

“I'm not sure that makes things any clearer,” my husband said, and the tension shattered around us, “But thanks for trying to put me right.”

Oak bowed his head and shook it, trying to bring his hands to his cheeks as if to wipe away sleep, but the washing line held him fast. “Homo Sapiens,” he muttered to himself, “It's a wonder they...” his words trailed into a mumble and I couldn't catch the rest.

We sat in uncomfortable silence for a while, Edward and I sipping at our tea, Oak seemingly just staring into the distance, regardless of the wall right in front of him. It was only when the creaking started that he stirred at all.

Episode 9 - Chapter 10

Robert and Mo wander aimlessly in silence through the sun drenched meadow. Robert's not sure where he's going or what he's looking for, if in fact he's looking for anything, but he feels a restlessness in the pit of his stomach that prevents him from simply having a seat to wait. There's something he wants to know, he's sure of that, but that's all he's sure of. Something feels wrong, something he can't quite put his finger on, something that wont let him rest. Once or twice he pauses, about to address his midget companion, but each time the moment is quickly lost to a rustle of leaves or the delicate caress of the breeze on his cheek. And so they keep moving,travelling in broad elliptical circles through a familiar meadow, waiting for.....well, Robert thinks, waiting for whatever is going to happen next.

Episode 9 - Chapter 9

The Author frowns, condescension once more heavy on his brow. “Do I really have to spell it out for you?” he asks.

“No,” Fiona replies reluctantly, as understanding slowly washes through her. “Here, a thing can have as many histories as there are stories about it.”

“Very good,” the Author claps his hands with joy, bright smile lighting up his face. “Now,” he continues, “Which of them owns it, and so has the right to sell?”

“Eurymedes the thief?” she asks, “Or Lypaxus the Liberator?”

The Author's smile broadens further, followed by a nod of encouragement.

“Both...” Fiona begins, then stops herself as a new thought explodes in her head. “No,” she says, “Neither. If the God's do exist, as you seem to say, then the bow belongs to Artemis, and is hers alone to sell.”

“Very good,” the Author claps with excitement, “The Gods de certainly exist. Would you like to meet them?”

Episode 9 - Chapter 8

“To me?” Fiona gasps, “What has any of this to do with me?”

“Why my dear girl, it has everything to do with you,” he says, tapping his nose. “Which of these gentlemen has the right to sell it? The decision is yours, and yours alone.”

“Sell what?” she demands, frustration bubbling into anger. “I don't know what you're talking about.”

“The bow of Artemis, of course,” the Author replies condescendingly. “Plundered from a burning Temple by the conquering Eurymedes, paid for with a life time of blood and toil. Or liberated from being mere spoils of war by the brave and loyal Lypaxus. It is you who must decide who rightfully owns it.”

“Hang on,” she says, “How can it be both? Either it was plundered, or it was saved, but surely it can't be both?”

Episode 9 - Chapter 7

“And so they did,” the Author replies. “They sent him a dream, on the eve of the city's fall. A dream that not only told him how and when to leave the city, but what to take with him.”

“What to take with him?” Fiona echoes, intrigued despite herself.

“Indeed,” the Author confirms, “Can you guess what that was?”

“How the hell should I know?” she demands, frustration once more getting the better of her.

“I thought you might be able to guess,” he says, eyes twinkling mischievously. “All the evidence is there.”

“Well you thought wrong,” Fiona scowls, “There is no evidence that I can see.”

“And yet it sits before us,” the Author gestures at the dome dividing the two merchants below them. “Which brings us neatly to you.”

Episode 9 - Chapter 6

“Why do you keep going on about...” Fiona begins, but is quickly silenced by the Author's finger at her lips.

“Now let us turn our attention to the gentleman on the right,” he continues, “Is the prosaically named Lypaxus of the Golden Gate. Lypaxus has lived a life of great adventure, a life blessed by the Gods.”

“There you go again,” she replies with a frustration she can almost taste, “Mentioning the Gods...”

“Why wouldn't I?” the Author asks curiously, “When it's the Gods who granted Lypaxus his great good fortune?”

Fiona frowns, about to speak, when the Author continues.

“Lypaxus was a travelling merchant,” he says, “Not a native of the city at all. He had the misfortune to be visiting when the Greeks arrived, and so got stuck in Troy for nine years.”

Fiona's even more confused now. “But I thought you said these Gods had blessed him.”

Episode 9 - Chapter 5

Fiona is starting to feel a little exasperated at the course of the conversation. “Well what does that mean?” she demands.

“Like many of his countrymen,” the Author says, “Eurymedes never returned home. Considering the fate of those that did, maybe he was lucky. Either way, he lurched from one adventure to another until he finally washed up here.”

Despite herself, Fiona can't stop herself asking “What happened to those that did? Return home, I mean.”

“Nothing good,” he replies, “Ugly, brutal endings, most of which passed into legend in some form or another.” He pauses, then taps his nose. “The will of the Gods,” he says knowingly.

Episode 9 - Chapter 4

“The will of the Gods?!” Fiona exclaims.

“Exactly,” the Author replies, “And after everything he'd already seen.”

“But....the Gods?” she inquires. “Really?”

“Of course,” comes the reply, “They were very active, very hands on, throughout that time.”

“So what did he do?” She can't help stop herself asking.

“When the city fell,” the Author tells her, “He, and many of his countrymen, sacked the Temples along with the Palaces. Our friend Eurymedes took a golden bow and arrow from the temple of Artemis.”

“So what?” Fiona asks, “And what has any of it got to do with me?”

“All in good time,” the Author admonishes, “All in good time. Artemis, of course, wasn't happy, and delivered her punishment as she saw fit.”

Episode 9 - Chapter 3

Fiona nods to acknowledge this information. “Why are you telling me this?” she asks, a little perplexed.

“Bare with me,” the Author replies with a wink, “All will become clear.”

He pauses for a moment, so Fiona nods again to fill the silence. “Okay,” she says, “Go on.”

“Poor Eurymedes,” the Author continues, “I'm afraid he made some unfortunate choices during his career, which has left him ill prepared for his dotage. Now he's forced to eek out whatever kind of life he can, seizing at scraps which he can offer in trade.”

“Unfortunate choices?” Fiona asks, “What kind of choices?”

“Oh, you know,” the Author tells her, “Ignoring the will of the Gods for a start.”

Episode 9 - Chapter 2

Fiona stands on the balcony, overlooking the Market of Fictions. Beside her, the author holds a large quill, made from the feather of some bright exotic bird.

“See here, below us,” he says as he twirls the plume around his chin, “These two stalls to the sides of that white dome.”

Looking down, Fiona sees the white dome in question. It's not too large, maybe a couple of feet in diamater, with ornate silver handles on either side. Flanking it on both sides are two stalls: the one to the left draped in red and silver, to the right green and gold.

“The vendor to the left is named Eurymedes,” the Author tells her, “A Greek veteran of the Trojan war. He would have you believe he's a veteran of a great campaign, a just war. Yet the truth is so much harsher. He was little more than an opportunist mercenary, signed up for Agamemnon's crusade with little more than the spoils in mind.”