Yeah, this ski lodge is really good! It's impressive you're getting the parts out so fast, and they're well thought out too.

Thanks, Hex and Flamie! :) I'm glad you're enjoying the ski-lodge - I'm having fun writing it!

Day 4, Part 3

As the group approached the caslte, Hex tipped her head back to gaze at it. It stood on a hill overlooking the village, and seemed to tower over everything else. Hex could see a few knights standing on the green outside it, but they were tiny figures.

When they entered, there was an argument with the guard.

"My ladyship," he had said sternly to Reuby Moonnight, looking at the wolf following her, "we can't allow a wolf into the palace. Nasty creatures, wolves. I hath never been too fond of them. Thou canst take thy dog and cat," he added to Wolfy.

Reuby Moonnight bent down and whispered in the wolf's ear, "Stay here, Wiccan. Until I come for you." The wolf whined, as if he understood.

The day passed happily. Everyone explored the castle - the tranquil old garden full of herbs and flowers, the quiet candlelit chapel, and the enormous kitchens.

When dark fell, they gathered before an open fire. This was the first opportunity Hex had had to study the knights of the Round Table, for they had been busy jousting all afternoon.

King Arthur sat in the most comfortable chair. He looked just the way Hex had always imagined him - about thirty-two years old, with brown hair and a beard and a wise, kingly face. His blue eyes were usually a ltttle stern, but now they held a kindly look, and a relaxed smile played about his mouth.

Sir Lancelot sat next to him, his eyes fixed on the fire with a thoughtful expression. He was intriguing, Hex thought. He said much less than any of the other knights, but when he did speak, he was witty and insightful. He certainly had charm, but there ws more to him than that - Hex felt instinctively the bravery and strength of this man, the characteristics which had made him so renowned for centuries. Like all the other knights, he had changed his armor for a warm tunic and a cloak, for the night was cold.

Hex managed to turn her own gaze back to the fire, where a minstrel had just sat down.

"Now, good Peter," Lady Elaine said, her golden hair shining in the firelight as she settled herself in her chair. "Sing us a song, and let it be a ballad of romance and adventure."

The minstrel - a handsome, dark-haired man of about thirty - picked up his harp and drew his slender fingers thoughtfully over the strings. It was a small, golden-wood harp.

"An ye ask me it, Lady Elaine, I should sing ye all the songs ye wished," he replied courteously. "I shall sing a song I heard while traveling in Ireland last spring. 'Tis a sad story, but a true one, as I have reason to know, and all comes well in the end of it. It is called The Lay of the Journeying Knight. So, with your Majesty's permission-" he bowed to King Arthur - "I will begin."

Everyone fell respectfully silent. For a moment all Hex could hear was the crackling of the fire. The first few notes fell from the harpstrings like drops of rain into a pool, weaving a tiny introductory tapestry. Hex snuggled down in her seat and drew her cloak around her.

The minstrel began to sing, his clear, tender voice echoing through the firelit hall. The fire leaped and crackled; the harp notes seemed to shimmer in the warm air; and the song lulled Hex and took her away to another time and place. She seemed to see the knight set out on a journey, and find when he came home that his wife and child had vanished; she felt tears come into her eyes as he set out into the wide world to seek them.

Shadows danced on the walls of the room. Lady Elaine, her face lit by the warm light of the fire, had a pensive look in her gray eyes. Eclipse, who sat next to her, was leaning her chin on her hand - there was the slightest of smiles on her face, but you really couldn't tell what she was thinking. Peter's eyes were dreamy and faraway. Yet, as he sang, his gaze went now and again to Lady Elaine and Eclipse.

And then, with a subtle change of voice, he entered upon the last stanza. The knight came to a distant land; he journeyed through and, one day, found at last his wife and daughter. The reunion he had dreamed of for so long was, at last, not a dream, but the truth.

The golden notes ceased to fall. Hex found the real word enveloping her again. She stirred and looked around. 

"That was wonderful!" Pangolin gasped.

Peter put down the harp. "I thank you, my lady."

Sir Launcelot leaned forward, his brown hair falling carelessly over his brow. "I beg thy pardon, minstrel, if this question is unseemly, but - you say this tale is a true one. Hath it ever happened to you?"

The minstrel smiled easily. "In a manner of speaking."

Sir Launcelot sighed as he leaned back, and Hex remembered that he was in love with Guinevere, King Arthur's wife.

"That was a beautiful song," said Flamarestii, stroking Wolfy's cat, who was sitting on her lap.

"And now," Peter went on, picking up his harp again, "I shall play you another song, one to dance to such as they play over the water in France, for of a truth it maketh us all too solemn to hear too many lays."

He struck the harpstrings with a quick touch, and suddenly the hall seemed filled with laughter and gaiety. The tune was lively, quick, springing, and it made Hex feel as if she must move with it. Short, sharp notes called and stopped short, and flickered abruptly together, aand then suddenly blended into one galloping, leaping tune that never stopped, but went on laughing and calling and exulting. Hex glanced around. A young knight was bowing to Amethyst, King Arthur was majestically offering Guinevere his hand, and even Eclipse was standing up. A young squire came over to Hex, and soon the two of them joined the throng of dancers.

Reuby Moonnight was sittingin a corner, watching. A very shy, very fair-haired knight edged up to her and murmured something, but she rose disdainfully and swept out.

Hex glanced at the doorway through which she had gone. It was an ordinary, dark doorway - except - She gasped. Wiccan, Reuby's wolf, stood there, his yellow eyes intent and calm.

Hex looked around. The dance was in full swing - she couldn't just break through it, it would get all messed up. She was glad to see Silver Crystal, who wasn't dancing, stand up and go toward the door.

Silver Crystal stepped into the cold air of the outer hall. Why had Reuby Moonnight gone out? Why had she brought in her wolf, even though the porter had told her not to? She stepped forward. And just then, she felt a blow on her head. She sank down to the floor.

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Dead: 2

Alive: 11

This is one of the best parts yet, I think - it's so well written!! :) "A young knight was bowing to Amethyst"... how nice.

I am not in this Ski Lodge (some never start, and I wasn't sure if I wanted to take the time filling out a form back then...) but I just had to say that what I've read so far is. amazing. I love the whole idea of time-travelling! 

@Lyric, yes, just please fill out the form and I will include you in the story!

@Midnight Phantom, I'm really sorry, but I don't think the story will stretch itself enough to have any more guests. You're welcome to read along and comment, though, and if I ever start another ski-lodge, I'll look forward to having you there if you want to join that one!

That said, here is the next part of the ski lodge!!

Day 4, Part 3

Reuby Moonnight slipped through the dark, winding halls of the castle, Wiccan trotting behind her like a faithful shadow. She didn't feel like being with the others today. They were all different from her. They didn't carry this burden of worry and sadness.

At length Reuby came to a small wooden back door and unlatched it. It swung open with a soft, gentle sighing noise. Cool, sweet air surrounded Reuby - so different from the stale air she was used to breathing in the Nile Corporation's offices. She stepped outside into the dark castle gardens - a slim, fair figure, the moonlight illuminating her upturned face.

For a little Reuby walked to and fro along the garden paths, between sweet-smelling herbs and flowers, letting the night wash her troubles away. She had worked for the Nile Corporation for a long time, always loyal to the only people who had ever paid attention to her. They didn't mind her quirks or occasional bursts of snarkiness, brought on by frustration with her earlier, troubled past. She hadn't really known what the company was for - she only knoew that with Marcus, and Madame Agalier, and Jeff Kiss himself, she had found a home.

Then, before the time-travel journey started, Jeff Kiss had called her into his office.

"Reuby," he said crisply, "we want you to accompany a group of CBers on the latest time-travel journey we arranged. And while you're there - keep an eye on this one." He pulled a photograph out of his desk and showed it to Reuby. She memorized the face it showed, but it was only later that she would come to know the person - Sterling. 

She had been happy at the start of the journey - but then Sterling had been killed. She didn't know why, but she was starting to suspect that Sterling had been an enemy of the corporation, and that was why Jeff had taken such drastic measures. Worst of all, she was afraid. She couldn't remember what she had been doing at the time of Sterling's death. She knew that Jeff was able to make people do what he wanted, using his magic spells. Could she - No, it didn't bear thinking about.

Now, in the gardens, she lay down on the ground, with Wiccan for a pillow. The moon was sailing above her like an ivory lamp hanging in the night sky. She smiled to herself as she gazed at it.

Wiccan licked her hand.

"Oh, Wiccan, Wiccan," Reuby whispered, pressing her face against his thick fur. "You're the only one who cares about me."

Lying there under the stars, curled against her wolf, she began to feel peace entering into her. She closed her eyes. Soon she was asleep.

Day 5, Part 1

pangolin stretched and opened her eyes. She was in a canopied bed in one of the guest rooms of the castle, along with Flamarestii and Artemis. Since King Arthur's knights were staying here, there wasn't much room and the CBers had had to sleep three to a room, but it had been fun to giggle and share secrets in the dark before going to sleep.

The three of them were lucky, pangolin reflected, that they had been able to have fun. Silver Crystal had been attacked yesterday night. Miraculously, she had been saved when Hex went to see what was going on. But now everyone felt uncomfortable, and Silver Crystal had been unconscious the whole evening.

"What are we going to do today?" pangolin asked aloud as she got up.

"See a tournament and have dinner at the castle," Flamarestii answered, "and then we'll go back to the inn."

"Eclipse seems to want to talk to us about something," commented pangolin. "She looked awfully worried about Silver Crystal last night."

Artemis paused in the middle of adjusting her dress. "You're right. I mean, we were all worried," she added dryly. "But Eclipse looked as if she'd been expecting it to happen, only not so soon."

"Well, let's go have breakfast," said Flamarestii cheerfully. Silver Crystal was all right anyway, so why imagine problems that weren't there?

Breakfast was fascinating to everyone. The knights ate bacon, and ham, and cake, and washed it all down with mugs of ale.

"Think of the cholesterol!" whispered Darkvine.

Lady Elaine had made sure, however, that the CBers had eggs and glasses of water - pangolin guessed that Marcus, who was accompanying them on this trip, must have wangled it so that they got different breakfasts.

As they ate, pangolin noticed that Reuby Moonnight still wasn't there. She had disappeared just before Silver Crystal was attacked. And she hadn't turned up when the knights went searching all over the castle for the would-be murderer. It was odd.

After the meal was over, preparations began for the tournament. The CBers went to the tournament area, which was a large grass-covered space filled with horses, knights, and officials shouting at everyone. "It reminds me of equestrian events back home," laughed Flamarestii.

The girls took their seats with the audience. Knights and lords and ladies sat there, along with a few country peasants and squires. There was an excited noise of chattering and gossiping, mixed with whinnies from the horses and occasional cheering when one knight or another walked across the green.

At last a man appeared in the middle of the green.

"Your Majesties all, and my lords and ladies, I have the honour to explain that the tournament, on this the 28th of May in the year 408 of Our Lord Jesus, beginneth. Pairs of knights will joust with each other until one winneth; then shall he come against another; and so it goeth. First Sir Launcelot shall come against Sir John, a new and untried knight."

Flamarestii gazed at the horses of the two knights. They were mostly covered in armor, but they were still beautiful. One was a glossy chestnut color, and the other was black. Their ears flicked eagerly to and fro, and they pawed the ground impatiently.

A fanfare of trumpets cut through the air - shrill, sharp, challenging. The horses rushed toward each other, going faster and faster, their silky tails arched in the wind - until they passed each other. The chestnut was riderless now, and he turned and nosed the fallen knight. Sir Launcelot's horse, the black, cantered around gracefully, whinnying. Sir John got up and, laughing good-naturedly, took a seat next to Amethyst.

"Which knight do you want to have win the tournament?" pangolin asked.

"Sorry? Oh, which knight. I don't mind. Maybe Sir Percival? He seems kind of nice."

"Well, he's never going to win against Sir L," said Artemis. "I wish that knight weren't so perfect."

"I don't see why he prides himself so much on his
strength anyway," said Hex critically. 'I like his bravery and chivalry,
but what's so impressive about unhorsing tons of knights?" All the girls agreed.

The jousting went on. Sir Launcelot got called out after he had knocked down five knights, because everyone knew he would win if he were allowed to keep going. That was when the tournament began in earnest.

At last the final two knights - Sir Percival and Sir Mordred - fought, and Sir Percival won. Flamarestii smiled to herself. She knew Sir Mordred turned against King Arthur later, and though this tournament wouldn't change that, still, it was pleasant that he hadn't gotten away with winning this time.

Just then, Marcus ran up, panting.

"Coome on. Get your things and let's go," he said, scanning the crowd distractedly.

"But what about the dinner?" protested Darkling.

"Yes!" agreed Flamarestii. "We were supposed to eat with Lady Elaine in the castle."

"Never mind that now. I can't stop to explain, but things are looking dangerous, and for your safety you'd better get back to the hotel."

Eclipse opened her mouth, her eyes slightly narrowed. For a moment she and Marcus stared into each other's eyes. It was as if a challenge were being offered - and accepted. Marcus' eyes narrowed ever so slightly in return.

Something pulled at Flamarestii, dragging her along. It was like a strong wind, but far more powerful than any she'd experienced before. She gasped. The tournament was fading away.

"Hey!" she cried. "What's going on?"

"This is an outrage!" exclaimed Nightly.

"Keep calm, guys!" shouted Darkvine. "It'll be okay!"

With a bump, the Cbers found themselves in the Time Travel Inn, the familiar white haze outside the windows telling them they were already time traveling. Something had happened, and whatever it was, it would alter their journey forever.

---------------------------------------------------

I realized I should have put a question mark after the "Dead: 2; Alive: 11" thingy at the end of the part where Silver Crystal got attacked, but oh well.

@Midnight Phantom, I think actually you can join after all. I thought of a way to slip you in! Just fill out the form, please. :)

Cool, than you for re-thinking it!

Name:Midnight Phantom (you can call me Mid)

Age:13 

Pronouns:She/her

Personality:Unintentinally creepy, quiet, amazing at sneaking, tries to smiles..but it...fails.

Appearance:Long, sleek black hair,pale skin, sharp teeth, red eyes, long eyelashes. Wears long, black or white victorian dresses.

Are you dangerous?:...maaaaybee.

Flight or Fight?:FIGHT!

Favorite century:1800s

Other:Boo! Did I scare ya?

Horses! <3