The Celestial Pack XVI
The peaceful serenity of a sunset evening at the Rainbow Bridge was broken by the indignant screams of a certain Duchess, echoing across the Celestial Fields and into the castle from the edge of the Shadowlands. "My roses!!!" the voice decried, "My roses!! This is thrice this week that they have been dug up! If I catch the wretched beast that is digging up my roses, I'll..........." Jafar, Osis and Johannes, ever alert to the cries of a Lady in distress, hurried to the foot of the special Bridge leading to that part of Heaven reserved for the hounds of the SCA and their masters. There, they espied Duchess Ann, stamping her foot in a perfect Royal snit as she viewed the devastation that had once been her rose garden. "Ann, Ann....why do you persist in planting here?" asked Jafar. "Thou knowst that anything growing in the Shadowlands is at the mercy of all the creatures who dwell there. Why do you not plant thy garden on the Celestial side of the Bridge, as Osis did originally suggest?" "Because, thou great galoot, there is no challenge in growing anything here," retorted Duchess Astrith, wiping chocolate off her hands, as she approached the rest of her Celestial compatriots. "Everything that is planted here grows perfect in form, every time. There is no interest in that. The true gardener wishes to know that is by her own efforts that a plant has grown, thrived and flowered. Unfortunately," she added, shaking her head at Duchess Ann, "this means that our plants are food for every herbivore that wanders by. I DO sorrow for you, my sister, although roses were never my main interest." "Still," cried Ann, "will thee tell me that these are not the tracks of a Greyhound?" She pointed dramatically at several neat tracks in the tilled earth that did, indeed, resemble the tracks of a cat-footed Greyhound. Johannes knelt down and examined the tracks carefully. "Indeed," he said, "they would appear to be the footprints of a Greyhound. However," he continued, "I know for a fact that none of the Celestial Pack has ventured in this direction these last several days." "I can vouch for that," volunteered Astrith. "I have been experimenting with a new recipe that gives my chocolate bunnies the speed and agility of true hares. The entirety of the Celestial Pack has been hanging about the kitchen door, waiting for the results." "Well, then," demanded Ann, "who is it that has been tearing up my roses? Hound it would appear to be, and though I wish no hound any harm, I will own that this destroyer of innocent plants tempts me sorely." Johannes straightened to his full height. "I know not the answer to your question, Your Grace," he said, "but with my Lieges' leave, I will undertake to venture into the Shadowlands and trap the perpetrator." Osis whipped around, whilst Jafar sank his head into his hands. "Johannes!" Osis thundered, "Do not even think of it! For have you not almost perished several times, on your foolish adventures into the Shadowlands? Was it for naught that Arawen created Lucinda's Trail, that we might safely traverse the various Celestial realms? I cannot forbid thee," he dropped his eyes, "but I would entreat you not to endanger yourself so." Johannes faced the former King soberly. "My Liege," he said, "I would not undertake such a trip lightly. However, the Greyhound that so destroys Duchess Ann's precious roses has never crossed the Bridge. It is trapped in the Shadowlands, unable to cross and join its friends. I cannot, in all conscience, walk away and leave a hound in such a state, no matter the danger to myself." Duchess Ann set her hands on her hips. "My Lords," she said, "I would ask that you allow Johannes to undertake this quest, if for no other reason that I wish to make a pair of fuzzy slippers out of this miscreant!" Astrith slipped an arm around the shoulders of her Sister of the Rose, whilst Johannes gaped and searched for words. "Now, Darling," she soothed, "you know you don't really mean that. Your roses will grow and bloom again. The castle is warm and snug, and one really has no need for fuzzy slippers there. I warrant that this hound's hide will be far more attractive on its original owner than it ever would gracing even such a dainty foot as yours." As Ann mumbled and allowed herself to be led away by Astrith, Johannes hied himself to the Celestial Stables to saddle Beaux. As Johannes led a prancing Beaux out of the Celestial Stables, Venus and Cisco trumpeted and stamped in their stalls. "Patience, my beauties," Johannes soothed. "Your times will come. For this trip, I need my steady old friend here. Although," and here he looked sternly at Beaux, "I do remember a time that you proved less than steady, my friend. I trust that there will be no such flights of whimsy on this trip." Beauz tossed his head in agreement. Johannes mounted and rode off across the Bridge into the Shadowlands. Several days later (as time seemed at the Celestial Castle), Jafar and Osis were growing exceedingly worried. "Dammit!!" Osis expostulated, "Johannes should have been back days ago. I can't help but think that he has met with some grievous mishap. Even such a cat as he must run out of lives eventually!" Jafar was saved from having to frame a reply by Ann's entrance into the Great Hall. "My Lords," she said, "we have received an invitation from Arawen, King of the Gray Lands, to attend a feast in his hall tomorrow. He terms it a 'Holiday Feast', not wanting offend us by demanding attendance at a Solstice Feast, nor by any other religious observance. I suspect," she continued, "that he also wishes to distract our minds from Johannes' absence. What shall be our answer?" "Jafar rubbed his hand tiredly over his face. "In truth, I feel little inclination towards revelry," he said. "However, I wouldst not offend so great a King as Arawen by refusing His first invitation. Pray tell Him that we shall be four in attendance." The following evening, Anne, Astrith, Osis and Jafar were dining in splendour at Arawen's Great Hall in the Greylands. They had followed Lucinda's Trail to a small turning, marked only by a small lantern. This tiny path had led across a small footbridge to Arawen's mighty castle. They had only advanced to the soup course-and a fine soup it was, rich with ox-tails and succulent vegetables-before the Celestial Horn Sounded the Retraite....not once, not twice, but nigh unto a score of times, until one note could hardly to be told from another. The final notes faded away into a strange, rather bewildered "blat?" "What ho!!??" cried Osis, who had started up from his seat at the first notes. Jafar had also risen from his seat. There came from the other side of the small Bridge a Great baying, as many of the hounds of the Celestial Pack congregated. Stumah was first among them, followed by Swift and Sunni; Colt, the oddest Greyhound of them all, accompanied by his old friend from the Mundane Bridge, Misha Moose; Carl-Ten was there, and Bo and Sissy B. Tasha was there, and Lucy from Calontir. Seldom had there been such a congregation of hounds to greet a new passage! "Truly," Jafar said in amazement, "this must be a momentous passing ! There are hounds from many Kingdoms , all come together at once ." He turned in apology to Arawen. "My deepest apologies, Your Majesty, "he said, "but duty obviously calls us. Never have we heard such a call as this. We cannot deny the call. We MUST see whom it is that passes this day." Arawen silently bowed his head in acknowledgement, and gestured his guests to the path leading back to the Celestial Lands. As the small group stepped off Arawen's Bridge, they could see a cloud of dust approaching from the farthest end of Lucinda's Trail. As the cloud approached more closely, they could discern several Greyhounds, as well as some dogs of other breeding, all hurrying along the trail. At the very end of the procession, chivvying the others along, was a small red and white dog, that looked for all the world like a cross between a fox and a German Shepherd. As the group of dogs met the group of Royals, the small little Corgi sped around the Greyhounds, forcing them to a halt. She then stopped and sat-most smartly-in front of Jafar, her tongue hanging out from her efforts. With a smile, Jafar bent down and cupped the little Corgi's chin in his hand. "Snickers," he said. "Snickers, you have done a wondrous job, bringing all our wandering hounds to us. Yet," he added with a frown, "you are not a Greyhound......" Sunni and Swift moved forward with raised lips at this slight of their old friend. "My Lord," implored Ann, "Snickers was a true SCA dog. She attended many an event with the Greyhounds, and served the Crown of the Midrealm well. Surely Thou wouldst not penalize her for a lack of legs?" "Truly," Osis said, "we do have Graham, and Coco, and others that are not of the Greyhound breed, residing within the realm of the Celestial Pack. And," he continued, "we do indeed have more and more horses coming to occupy the Celestial Stables. What say you Snickers?" he asked, "Wilt thou come and help us herd our steeds home of an eve?" Snickers gave a bounce and a bark and jumped into Osis' arms long enough to lick his chin, before retreating behind the rest of the hounds. "Who else do we have here?" Jafar asked. Stumah forced his way to the forefront and "woofed" imperiously , shouldering another large, blue brindle hound into the fore front. Jafar fell to his knees with tears in his eyes. "Oh, Ambush," he cried, :"What a loss to the Midrealm this is.! I can feel Corin's pain from here, and the pain of countless others as well. Truly, a loss such as yours shall be long felt." Ambush nuzzled Jafar's hand and whimpered, holding his diseased leg in the air. One by one, other hounds came to bow before the two kings and the two Duchesses. Williams's Heidi came alone; Carl-Ten proudly presented his consort, Twilight, assisted by Rebecca's Magic; Bo brought Fie; Tasha defiantly brought her Whippet sister, Jakie, to the fore; and a small terrier stood her ground and defied anyone to say her nay. Then, at he last came Bizness and Crash. Bizness was supporting a young lad, who bowed awkwardly before the assembled Royals. "Begging your pardon, Lords," the boy said, "but this here is Bizness. He was my friend on earth. I died before he did, but he found me anyway. He says he wants to be here with his friends now, but that he'll visit me now and then...at least until my Mom comes to join me," he said wistfully. "My name is Alex," he added. "I hope you'll take good care of Biz. He was a good friend." The faces of every one of the Royals was wet as Jafar knelt before the young boy. "I promise you, young, Alex," he said, "that we will take very good care of Biz and all the rest. And you may come visit him whenever you want. Just follow Lucinda's Trail here, and you'll find us. Astrith makes wonderful chocolates. I imagine you'd like them very much." Straightening up, Jafar looked at his friends. "We've reaped a fine harvest this night," he said. "And I think we had best get our new friends back to the Celestial Fields. Come, let us hasten." The return trip to the Castle was slow, since the newest hounds were not yet recovered to their full strength. As the group approached the Bridge that was only for the SCA hounds, Osis espied the distant figure of Johannes, mounted on Beaux, approaching the Bridge from the other side. Johannes had one Greyhound one a leash, whilst three more trailed behind. "It looks as though Johannes has had good hunting as well," remarked Osis. Shortly, they all met at the base of the Celestial Bridge, where the rest of the Celestial Pack had gathered. "Your Grace," said Johannes, bowing low. "I bring you the despoiler of your roses...one Lucky by name-a famed digger of roses on earth. He belonged to Mistress Elizabeth, as did his sister Charm, and Charm's relation Barrie, who belonged to Lady Caitriona. Also here is Winsome Lass, another Ansteorran hound. I trust," he added, "that you will not insist on having them all made into fuzzy slippers." Ann wiped more than one tear from her eyes. "Good Master Johannes," she said, "There have been far too many hounds arrive this night for me to worry more upon the fate of a few poor flowers. The sight of my beloved Ambush has driven all thoughts of flowers from my head.. I bid thee make our new friends welcome to our home." Johannes drew himself to his full height and drew a deep breath. "O' hounds of the Celestial Pack," he intoned. "I bring you many hounds to join you today. I bid you welcome your new Packmates! And he called them forth, by name: "Aces High, of Midrealm" "Aiden, of Calontir" "A-Me-Go, of Midrealm" "Ariel, of Meridies" "Belle, of Ansteorra" "Belle, of Midrealm" "Bernie, of Meridies" "Blackout, of Atlantia" "Bo, of Midrealm" "Brodie, of Atlantia" "Browning, of Meridies" "By Choice, of Meridies" "Carl-Ten, of Meridies" "Chris, of Meridies" "Christa of Meridies" "Colt, of Meridies" "Cutie, of An Tir" "Damon Fox, of Meridies" "Digger, of Trimaris" "Dixie, of Meridies" "Duncan, of Midrealm" "Ears of Dark Horde" "Emily, of Atlantia" "Erromani, of AEthelmearc" "Et Cetera, of Meridies" "Frankie, of Midrealm" "General, of Midrealm" "Gryphon, of Midrealm" "Harmony, of Meridies" "John Moore, of Meridies" "Keavy, of An Tir" "Lookin, of Trimaris" "Lucinda the Blue, of Trimaris" "Lucy, of Calontir" "Madeline, of Artemesia" "Magic, of Meridies" "Missy, of Meridies" "Muskrat, of Meridies" "Myra, of Ansteorra" "Pat-C, of Midrealm" "Pattycake, of Atlantia" "Pest, of Artemesia" "Ripley, of An Tir" "Ross, of Meridies" "Scooter, of Meridies" "Seeger Rock, of Meridies" "Sha-Kar, of Ansteorra" "Sheba, of AEthelmearc" "Sissy-B, of Midrealm" "Splash, of Meridies" "Storm, of Meridies" "Streaker, of Ansteorra" "Stumah, of AEthelmearc" "Sugar Sweety, of Meridies" "Sunni, of An Tir" "Swift, of Midrealm" "Tasha, of Midrealm" "Tucker, of Meridies" "Velvet, of Midrealm" "Zima, of Ansteorra". As each hound's named was called, he or she came forward to touch noses with the new arrivals.. One by one, they were made well and strong again, and rose to cross the Bridge to the Celestial Fields: CR's Heidi Heidi Ho of Midrealm; Lucky of Ansteorra; Bizness of Meridies; Winsome Lass of Ansteorra; Twilight of Meridies;, Charmchaser of Ansteorra; TK's Barrie, of Ansteorra; Fie, of Midrealm; Crash, of Meridies; Jakie of Midrealm; As they came to the last two waiting dogs, however, most of them turned away. The only ones who would touch noses with the last two were Swifty, Sunni and Lucy. Jafar looked at the members of the Celestial Pack waiting on the far side with sorrowful eyes. "My friends, he said, "I realize that these are not coursing hounds, but they have served the dream-in one way or another-as well as any. I pray thee, do not bar their way." The coursing hounds turned their heads...all but Swifty, Sunni and Lucy, their old friends. However. At their urging, Snickers and Corky staggered across the Bridge, becoming stronger and surer with each step. Astrith, who had crossed before them, fed each one a small bite of chocolate. "Do not fear, little ones," she admonished. "We have many rats infesting the castle who have need of as Terrier to keep them at bay, and the horses of the Celestial stable oftimes need to be rounded up and brought in of an evening. You will find that you have jobs to do here." Snickers and Corky licked her chocolate covered hands and scampered off in search of the warmest and softest beds in the castle. Meanwhile, the newest Greyhounds of the Celestial Pack, having crossed and been cured of their various ills, stretched and roached in the courtyard of the castle. All of a sudden, Ambush espied one of Astrith's famous chocolate bunnies running furtively across the field and gave chase. The rest of the Celestial Pack followed with joyous roos. And HOWL!!!! O Hounds!! Howl mightily to the heavens, for many Greyhounds, a Corgi and a Terrier have crossed this day. THL Samira Umm' al Harith, CE December 6, AS XXXX ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor --------------------~--> Life without art & music? Keep the arts alive today at Network for Good! http://us.click.yahoo.com/7zgKlB/dnQLAA/Zx0JAA/PJ_qlB/TM --------------------------------------------------------------------~-> Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SCA_Coursing/ <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
