Lady Catherine's evening at court did not go well for her, as she allowed Sir Michael, of Count Eventide's retinue, to arrange a party to execute the plan for curing Marick of his madness - a party which does not include anyone from Waldren House. Instead she got the responsibility for tracking down Boston, most likely a thankless task.
On the matter of Nirumpam's freehold she fared slightly better, with Sir Chorus being reprimanded by the Chancellor and ordered to ensure Baroness Mordren's presence soon for the resolution of the affair.
Lady Catherine then returned to Waldren House in the early morning to find Stig awake on the Hearthroom couch. Catching up on each other's news, they were later joined by Slim, who noted that Lady Catherine had allowed herself to be bullied at Court, and that it was time she made efforts to made herself a true power. He also asked Stig if he had told Lady Catherine anything, following their conversation the night before, and was responded to in the negative.
During the day Robert made an appearance at the house, bursting in with a tape measure and bodily accosting Lady Catherine with it, intent on measuring her. Lady Catherine became somewhat forceful, restraining the Nocker until he told her that he needed the measurements - quickly - in order to complete the forging of a suit of armour which would prove resistant to the powers of the sword Truth. Lady Catherine then allowed him to continue, though she expressed her doubts as to the beneficial nature of such garb, as it was bound to have some serious drawback. Notably Robert escaped without Lady Catherine saying a word about the events of the last few days.
Early that evening Robert, Stig, Nirumpam, Jacoby and Lady Catherine were all gathered in the Hearthroom, partaking of eggnog. Conversation was muted, and Lady Catherine soon noticed that Jacoby had fallen asleep. So too had Robert; indeed, everyone had fallen asleep, including, she noticed, herself. Not long after, Slim entered the room and expressed how interesting it was that everyone in Waldren House, save himself, was in an unnatural slumber. Noticing the Balefire glowing more than usual, he left the House and went into the garden to speak with the spirit in the statue.
Meanwhile, Lady Catherine and the others found themselves dreaming about, or remembering, a time long distant. The year was 1349, and the Black Death had come to London; over two hundred dead were being buried in one cemetary every day. The Shattering was in its final stages, and the Sidhe had decided to return to Arcadia. To make matters worse, members of the Order of Reason were abroad, using the plague as a cover for the extermination of supernaturals.
[What's his name leader of OoR burning inn with faeries in it, squire going off to report news to Lady Catherine of Trolls being tried by Count Tristran, court scene, Lady Catherine makes case for Trolls, OoR enters, Tristran fights leader, commands others to escape and make for Lady Catherine's holding. Lady Catherine goes to the Wild Run, on the site of Waldren House, where the gate to Arcadia is beginning to fail. Sends most of her and Tristran's people through, but waits for Tristran. He finally arrives, pursued by OoR leader, makes the others go through, gives speech, is grappled by leader and both fall through gate.]
During all of this, strange events were occuring at Waldren House. The vase that was kept in an adjoining room to the Hearthroom began to rock on the mantlepiece, its movements becoming more and more violent until it fell to the carpeted floor. There it rolled into the Hearthroom, whereupon, from its insides, a Sluagh began to climb out. And another. And another. With a single strange gesture, the light of the Balefire was less bright on them, and they crept noiselessly over and around the sleeping bodies to the hearth. In seconds they had opened a secret passage (at the place which Jellybean had long ago been curious about) and were moving through it. Underground, it seemed to lead, and through a trapdoor they came out into the garden behind Waldren House. From there they spread out, searching. They soon came upon Slim, standing beside the statue, and questioned him as to why this was happening so soon, as it was not yet time. Slim made little response, explaining away the statue as a failed project, and pointing out that unless they could stop the spirit, there was little use discussing that further.
One of the Sluagh then suggested that their alternate plan would work, and Slim was asked whether he knew Lady Catherine well enough for him to open a way into her mind for one of the Sluagh to enter. Slim said that he did, but suggested that he be the one to enter, whereupon it was revealed that this was not a short-term matter. So all four Sluagh returned to the Hearthroom.
Standing beside the recumbant Lady Catherine, Slim made a short speech, noting that he had told the Sidhe on her Sain Day that that occasion would be the last on which they would meet in friendship, and thanking her for the ten years that he had known her, in which time she had proved herself of rare nobility. Then, putting aside fondness, he opened a way into her mind, and one of the Sluagh entered - though not before the two Sluagh exchanged a brief, private conversation in which Slim made it clear that the other Sluagh was known to him, and that one in turn said that he knew Slim; only he used the name Streshnev.
The next day those who had slept and dreamed awoke, and spent some time recollecting their shared vision. Only two more events were notable: Jacoby, going to his room, took from the hidden compartment of a large chest that same sword which Count Tristran had fought with and left behind on his way through the gate; with a smile he brandished it before him.
And, in the Hearthroom, now empty, the vase that was still on the
floor suddenly rose into the air and sped across the room, shattering
a window and itself smashing into thousands of pieces on the road. The
colours and shapes that were in the walls fell away, and the spirit's
voice, deep and powerful, intoned two words: I'm back.