Episode 2 - Chapter 70

...a place that's not there regardless remains...

...a tired old bird must relearn to fly

spreading his wings in a different sky

this place is not his place, nothing like home

yet spreading his wings he can finally roam...

...having no care if it's there or not there...

...if your enemy's enemy is thus your friend

how will you deal with this difficult trend

with arms open wide, or with nervous pact

for who'll take the spoils after the fact...

...a place that is no place, put simply, is...

...an ageing warrior knows to rest when he can

when battle's not over with prancing dream man...

Episode 2 - Chapter 69

“I'll get that,” said Rose, heading towards the door.

As soon as she leaves, Edward whispers “What does she mean 'structural changes'?”

Mary gasps, clutching her hand to mouth. “They're going to knock down the house, aren't they?”

“They can't do that,” counters Robert. “They'd need a permit of something.”

Fiona can hear Rose conversing with the new arrival in the hall, but can't make out what's said.

“I'm not so sure,” Mary continues. “They're not from the bloody council.”

“Ladies, gentlemen.” An gnarled, ancient stick of a man man enters the room. “Call me Oak.”

Episode 2 - Chapter 68

“KEEP THEM AWAY FROM ME!” Rose screams as they get closer. They flinch at her words, responding with hisses and bared teeth before fleeing the room.

Rose takes a moment to compose herself before speaking. “Is there anything else in this house I should know about before we proceed?”

Fiona exchanges glances with Mary as she replies. “No. Just the cats. I suppose we didn't think they were important. Sorry.”

“Cat's not important? Whoever heard of such a thing?” Rose pats herself down. “You have to realise, their presence changes everything.”

The door bell rang.

Episode 2 - Chapter 67

“What kind of structural decisions? What does that mean?” Her husband's frustration is becoming clear. “Why can't you people ever give a straight answer?”

“There are times,” Rose replies “when it is the question that requires clarification.”

Robert is about to reply when the cats walk into the room. The expression on Rose's face turns to disgust. “How did those creatures get in?” She asks.

“The cats?” replies Mary. “They've been here all along.”

“And you never thought to mention this?” Panic rises in her voice as the cats walk towards her.

Episode 2 - Chapter 66

“What's the difference, then?” Robert leans forward. “Between an operative and a specialist?”

“My services are not usually required until an agent like Raven has failed.”

“He didn't fail!” Mary protests. “He saved Fiona.”

Fiona lays her hand on Mary's shoulder. “That wasn't his job,” she says softly, before looking at Rose. “His job was to restore the balance.”

“Precisely.” Rose returns Fiona's glance with a look of approval.

“So what's the difference” interjects Edward, “between a specialist and an Authority?”

“An Authority is empowered to make structural decisions.”

Episode 2 - Chapter 65

“He?” Mary asks. “Someone like you and Raven?”

“Oh, I'm not like Raven, not at all.”

“But you're both agents of the Forest, aren't you?” Fiona asks.

“We are indeed.”

“So what's the difference, how are you not like him.”

“How shall I put this?” Rose smiles with a wrinkle of scorn. “Raven is, shall we say, a front line operative, while I am more of a specialist.”

“And the agent on his way, is he like you or Raven?”

“Neither, actually. I have had to call in an Authority.”

Episode 2 - Chapter 64

“Don't worry,” chirps Rose, “It's odourless. Wont do any damage at all.”

“Nevertheless,” counters Mary, “I'd rather be consulted before you start setting fires in my home.”

“I am sorry,” says Rose. “But I will do whatever I must in your home to restore the balance. That lot of rubbish was playing merry hell with the readings.”

“Does that mean you know what to do?” Fiona asks.

“Yes. Yes it does. But I'm going to have to get a second opinion. Stick to protocol and all that. He should be here soon.”