-1A/N: I know these first few chapters are slow, and well, blah, but, please bare with me. It will get better soon!
Disclaimer: Criminal minds r not mine.
3. Not a Dream
They arrived at the castle late in the afternoon, tired and thirsty. It had been a long walk, though pleasant. The road had been smooth dirt, with greenery all around. Empty save for the occasional passerby, usually a man in peasants' clothing, a smile on his face, wonder in his eyes as he stared over the BAU team.
It was awkward, being a spectacle to everyone who chanced to look upon them. Yet, it felt good compared to the glares they often received from officers of other police buildings, unhappy to have the FBI in their midst. These people seemed overjoyed.
They had gone through a nice little village before coming into the castle also. Quaint and simple. If only every town or city was like this, they wouldn't even need their jobs. But a thought had crossed over all of their minds as they observed everything they were seeing: Someone had gone to a lot of trouble to abduct them and set all of this up. But why?
They followed Avolrn quietly, contemplating all the way until they reached the castle. It wasn't a building of stone with high towers and blazing trumpets. It was a large manor house, with bright banners billowing from its ceiling and a well tended garden around its corners.
Once inside they were offered water from fine silver goblets and steamed rags to wash their faces with from men dressed in fine tunics and brown silk trousers. They drank deeply and cleaned away the dust and sweat from their faces. Refreshed, they turned toward Avolrn waiting to see what was to come next.
"I have sent a Page to tell the King of your arrival, as soon as he returns, we shall go to the throne room."
"A page?" Emily asked quietly.
"A youth who acts as a personal or household servant to somebody, especially a royal or noble person. They also act as personal servants to a knight while in their first stage to becoming one." Reid replied.
"Thanks." Emily said, turning her attention back toward Avolrn.
Moments later a young boy, probably thirteen entered the room and fine cotton garments with a smile on his lips. "The king will see them now." He said clearly, turning immediately for some unnamed chore.
"Shall we?" Avolrn asked, leading them through the hall decorated with stone sculptures and beautifully woven tapestries toward a room closed off by high oak doors. The doors were opened by tall men in leather armor who waited patiently for the entire team to enter before closing the doors and returning to their posts. Another pair in the same attire waited on the inside.
The room was decorated with plants, paintings and sculptures artistically placed to enhance one another. Servants and various others scurried about, all taking a moment to look over the strangers, with their odd clothes and strange walk.
"Ah, so the gods have finally sent someone." The king smiled gratefully down upon the BAU, standing and stepping forward.
"We need to know what is going on." Hotch said, watching the King's movements.
The king frowned. "I am King Ceptus. Will you at least introduce yourselves?"
Hotch nodded. "I'm sorry. I am SSA Agent Aaron Hotchner, this is Jason Gideon, Penelope Garcia, Jenifer Jarou , Emily Prentis, Derek Morgan and Dr. Spencer Reid."
The King's smile returned, as he extended his hand to each of them. "It is truly a pleasure. A doctor you say, what kind of medicine do you mix?"
"I don't practice medicine, I major in Philosophy."
The King's eyes narrowed as he looked Reid over, thinking over what he had said, then brightened again as he moved to shake hands with Morgan.
"We are truly blessed that the gods have sent you." He chipped, moving back to his throne.
"I don't think we were brought here by any gods, we don't know how we got here, or why." Gideon said, looking around the room, trying to find a sign that this was all fake.
"The gods have brought you all, because we are in need of help." The king insisted. "There have been, murders in our town, horrible. Usually the knights would take care of such a thing, but they cant find the culprit, the murders continue. We prayed for assistance, and we have received you."
"Then why the costumes, why this elaborate setup?" Morgan asked.
"Costumes? Setup? Sir I fear your are mistaken. This is all very much real, maybe different from your realm, but, it is real."
The entire team stood in silence, because, somehow, they knew that his words were true. There was no way this entire thing was some kind of setup, it was too complicated. And how else could they explain just arriving here? Too many questions.
And there was a case, a way to help these people. Even if the rest of it didn't make sense, they could work this case until they figured it all out.
"Can you take us to the first crime scene?"
