The Third Interlude

Yet again, somewhere else in Washington D.C.

A cold drizzle had begun just an hour before, glossing the pavement of Washington D.C.'s streets mirror black and revealing the reflection of an upside-down world of drowned buildings and careless footsteps leaving endless ripples drifting across the sky. An ominous pall, independent of the emotional events from moments ago, weighed heavily in the air. The city itself, normally bustling and oblivious, seemed poised and shivering in anticipation. Or dread.

Nameless city dwellers hustled past as a crack of thunder threatened a renewed downpour. Nicholas Cooper hunched his shoulders and fixed his gaze on the pavement, setting a mental route for the magisterial chantry. If some unseen and unheard kind of magic was tampering with forces relative to the fae-kind, someone there would be able to spot it. Lost in thought, he hardly even bothered to look up until he had summarily arrived at the easily-forgettable façade of the private library, situated between a coffee shop and physicians' offices, that served as his Order's meeting house.

N'kai, the youngest if not the most taciturn member of the Order, paused, the book in his hand half way to the shelf as the door burst open in an irritable gust of wind that dashed up the staircase and engaged the nearest pile of loose papers at his feet. He didn't seem surprised to see the great coat and shower of droplets that appeared, mumbling something incoherent he could only assume was related to the recent weather.

"Checking in?" He deadpanned, returning to the book and shelves at hand.

"Of course. Lovely evening. Couldn't resist a stroll." Cooper took the dry wit of his apprentice in stride, even as his shoes squeaked against the floor and tracked water behind him.

"Interdisciplinary Studies in Glamoury? Spiritual Thaumaturgy? Someone around here made some sort of study into the matter recently, didn't they?"

N'kai turned and regarded his mentor with typical disinterest. "Alec most likely. As the Order's rite master, that would be something up his alley. Why do you ask?"

Nicholas couldn't resist showing a wry grin in reply. "Pet project. Putting out metaphysical fires, saving the world... The usual. Is Alec in?"

N'kai raised an incredulous eyebrow. "Of course. He's in the Room of Circle Black Ephemera, as always."

"Fantastic. Think I'll knock first, then."

Nicholas continued to speak as he strode past N'kai, shrugging the soggy jacket from his shoulders and folding it over an arm. His voice gradually lifted into a low shout as he moved further from earshot and deeper into the chantry. "I hear you're making friends. That's good! You should get out more often, mingle with peer groups! Did - me - wonders!"

As his mentor strode purposefully past, N'kai turned, his mouth open in the manner of a response before he suddenly snapped his jaw shut; obviously thinking better of whatever it was he was about to say. His distaste of vampires was well known and the fact that his very own mentor – fraternized – with such a creature disturbed him to no end. But he was hardly in a position to make a point of it. Instead, he opted to make the bindings on the dusty bookshelf in front of him the objects of his ridicule for the next several minutes, waiting until he was well beyond his teacher's considerable hearing range.

Outside the door of the Black Circle Ephemera ritual chamber, one of the chantry's many designated mystical research rooms, the bustlings and mumblings of one familiar ritemaster could easily be discerned through the reinforced wood and iron brackets. Alec Hill, already well into his sixth decade and not generally given to a nervous personality, could be heard to quickly move about the room jotting notes, making adjustments, and cursing his own perceived inadequacies.

Noting the heavy construction of the door (and his own lack of physical brawn), Nicholas rapped twice with a considerable majority of his strength.

"Alec? It's Nicholas. Is now a good time?"

A brief pause, followed by the click of well-worn shoes, preceded the massive, ritual room, door swinging wide to reveal a slightly disheveled, if otherwise poised, Hermetic Chantry Ritemaster.

"Dr. Cooper!" Came the ebullient reply. Alec ran one hand absently through his short, gray, hair in an attempt to return it to its normally dapper coif.

"Won't you come in. I was just...well...I was...things are a bit awry you see. Please pardon my unholy mess."

To which it seemed he was not kidding. The Black Circle room was strewn with various chalk and charcoal sketchings, a multitude of books open to various paragraphs, and a staggering array of various mystical implements and components cast about as though Alec and his studies had just managed to survive an unexpected hurricane.

Cooper blinked twice, clearly surprised by the state of the ritual space. But not wanting to be rude, he laughed politely and took two steps into the chamber, appraising what visible work he could amidst the chaos.

"Nonsense, the imposition's mine. Ah, is now a good time? If you need a moment, or perhaps a hand, I could...?"

"What?" Alec glanced about his workspace. "Oh, no, no... I did not mean that the room is awry, I mean that the more supernatural aspects of our dear city have gone awry. I'm afraid the chaos you see is… ritually necessary for the moment. Difficult as that may seem."

Alec took a brief moment to shut and reseal the massive door. "What is it you needed Dr. Cooper?"

Nicholas' face lightened, both surprised and impressed. "Well, actually, that's precisely why I sought you out. I've some interest in the, ah, recent metaphysical fragility of the local tellurian, and I thought you might be the fellow with whom to confer."

He let his gaze wander, allowing a second consideration of the ritual implications to the apparent mess.

"Out of curiosity, do you know anything about the Relative State Formulation?"

Alec picked his way carefully through the nearest pile of papers, gathering what appeared to be a series of charcoal rubbings into his hands.

"Many-worlds interpretations? Why yes, I seem to recall dealing with that quite extensively back in the late 60's in London. Edward Bell is by far the reigning Hermetic expert on the mystical implications of Everett's theories but I always found the idea of non-deterministic events quite fascinating really."

Heaving another large volume from the floor, the elder ritemaster proceeded to unceremoniously dump his cargo onto the central ritual table.

"Dr. Bell recently posited, even, that Everett's theories were not quite right in relation to the idea of reality as a many-branched tree; where all realities are ultimately realized. He has rejected the notion that all outcomes exist in their own version of the past, their 'own world' as you younger scholars now describe it. He has posited, instead, that reality exists in a kind of constantly metamorphosing and distinctly opposing duality, and within and between this duality there exists a binary relation between action and action, and action and outcome."

The elder man paused, but only briefly. "In essence I suppose, he is suggesting that there seems to be a more purposeful, no that is the wrong word, more rule-bound nature to quantum reality that posits each action and decision as a choice between one or two determined outcomes. Now I know that sounds overly simplistic and not a little smacking of predestination, but the particulars of his theory have more to do with a rejection of probability in favor of structured possibility."

Alec finally took a breath, apparently realizing his own rambling demeanor. "Oh, I'm terribly sorry Dr. Cooper, I seem to go on and on these days, and forget myself. What was it you wanted to know?"

The younger Hermetic mage regarded his peer with a somewhat grim expression. "To put it shortly? How, exactly, an individual using True Name Magic, attached to a fetter object, might affect a breach into the other side of this theoretical, deterministic, coin. And by that I mean, the here and now. I have a sneaking suspicion it's the cause for a lot of the recent disruption."

Alec's head immediately leveled to regard his colleague. "Do you think so? Well, I suppose that would answer at least a few of my outstanding questions. You see, I've been using the Black Circle room under the assumption that the issues we were facing were necromantic in nature, seeing as all my will-work and scrying to this point have only gone as far as to demonstrate that standard magical energies have been entirely absent from the problems at hand. Therefore, this is not the work of mages, as far as I can tell. But I haven't come across all that much related to the will-work of the dead either. I was starting to think I had finally lost it."

Alec rubbed at his forehead. "But to your question, I suppose it would be, theoretically-speaking, possible to affect the underlying properties of our world through a combination of very targeted, mystical manipulation via the use of some kind of essence-altering phenomenon combined with some kind of...well...anchoring phenomena. Though, I can't say I can think of anyone off the top of my head with that kind of...I'm sorry to say...particular genius in the ways of mental, spiritual, and metaphysical charisma."

Nicholas folded his arms across his chest. "Not anyone, in that sense. More like, any-fae. What's more important, though, are the methods being employed to facilitate this disruption. Metaphysical anchor points are not unheard of, particularly in necromantic studies, such as the fetter I mentioned... But you say essence-alteration is another major factor? Could you elaborate?"

Alec scratched at his chin, humming absently. "The Fae, you say? That's curious. There hasn't been a fairy sorcerer in an eon or more. Not since the poet-bards of the Druidic Order anyway, and I'm pretty sure that the last of the lines of Taliesin and Amergin died out in the 6th century. Hmmm. Well then, I must preface my response by saying that it's hard to frame the issue in such a way that does not simply come out as potentially mindless jumbles… but I can try. What it sounds like you are asking is whether or not a Name, I presume with a capital 'N' here, could be attached to an object and then used to bring about some world-changing event by adding to the possible choices, or outcomes of choices, any given actor might make?"

"Yes, something like that."

"Well, then I would say that it still has a relation to the deterministic events I mentioned earlier. Call them, oh, I don't know, threads of Fate, if you like. But then, the object in question would also have to be strong enough to contain a Name, and as we're all well aware, such true artifacts are few and far between. Then, the object would need to be in the possession of one who would have the ability to read it, and as I said before, we've not encountered a Veri Nominis, wizard or hearth mage, since the last great philosophical traditions reputed to have been passed down by the Angel of Death himself. Names, despite popular perception, are extremely difficult to master and very few creatures, the Fae-kind included, are capable of using them on anything even resembling a grand scale. I mean, sure, smaller Names gets tossed about willy-nilly sometimes, much to the aggravation of the so Named, but you're implying here that there exists a Name with, shall we say, far broader capabilities? Something that could directly affect the fabric of reality."

Alec furrowed his brow, leaning heavily on the ritual table at his left. "I suppose that would certainly explain much of what I have been seeing tonight, to a greater or lesser degree. Now, may I ask, what is it you believe the Fae are up to, exactly?"

Nicholas paused to chew his lip thoughtfully for a moment. "I'm not entirely certain just yet but I believe that the Seelie kingdoms, or what is left of them anyway, may be in the process of fully reuniting and crowning a new High King. One, specifically, that would have the power to enforce the long-lost treaties and promises made in the time before time. To, in effect, reawaken and rebirth the third edge of the Trismegistusian triangle of Magick. By that I mean, Glamour. I think what we are seeing tonight, is the beginning of that event."

The word that did not pass between them, but hung heavily in implication; that today, this very night in fact, might very well be the first day of - Spring.

Alec made a sound a little like a cough and a little like a squeal. "Dear gods, do you think so? Well, wouldn't that *really* be something. Would definitely give the more macabre magical denizens of this world finally something to reckon with now wouldn't it? There hasn't been balance of the Hermetic Angles in, who knows, millennia. It would certainly put fae-kind and their kith and kin back on a more head-to-head footing with, well, everything. My apologies, I am boggled by the very prospect! I had long thought the fae to be pretty much slated for extinction. 'Winter' was supposed to be the end of them all."

Hesitating only momentarily for fear of providing too much information, Nicholas shot Alec a pointed look.

"Yes, well, I suppose then my next question ought to seem obvious."

"Oh?"

"Indeed. Is this something we need to prevent…or assist?"

Alec shook his head as if to clear a tangent from his thoughts.

"I suppose it should be no surprise that the Fae kingdoms have come to this point, though I am a little surprised that we are only just not finding out about it. They've long been relegated to the shadows, even to mockery, I might say. They're scattered and largely non-threatening, with little to nothing to show for their capable natures. They often fall prey to the Dead, to necromancers hunting for parts, and even, sad as it is, to unscrupulous Hermetics. Not to mention their marginalization from humanity in general for, what is it, just being too weird? I guess this is my way of saying that I am not at all shocked."

"Nor am I." Cooper rejoined. "What would be the results of such an event, so you think?"

Alec pondered for a long moment. "Well, nothing instantaneous certainly. But in all likelihood, it would potentially herald the next great renaissance. There would be a blossoming of new art and artists, new thought, new philosophers, and so on. Maybe even new Magick, if you get my meaning. But it would also be the beginning the fae's renewed dominion over the wilds. There would certainly be death to reckon with as a result. Anyone found disrespecting their domain, trespassing, or even just getting lost would probably not be spared. They might even campaign to expel humans from certain spaces they now occupy. And then there would be the return of the Unseelie to contend with, and all that entrails."

Cooper sighed. "I thought as much. But that doesn't answer my question, I'm afraid."

"No, indeed." Alec paused again to formulate his thoughts. "So, the Fae have chosen a champion, have they? Someone upon whom they intend to bestow this fettered Name of the High King?"

"They have."

"And who is that?"

"Prince Nuada of Bathmoora."

"Oh, dear."

"Yes."

"Well then…"

"Mmhm."

"And how does Prince Nuada of Bathmoora intend to claim this Name?"

"Through victory in a Great Hunt."

"Oh, my."

"Yes."

"Well, I suppose we have something of a conundrum on our hands. The good news is, if Prince Nuada is currently engaged in a Great Hunt that means that two other things are also true. One, the Name has not yet fully taken form in our reality. It has not, broken through, so to speak. And two, it remains fettered. Contained, one might say. What headway have you made into what or where the fetter might be that he is hunting?"

Cooper offered a friendly smile. "Headway? Well, I'm sorry to say I really haven't made much. I'm only just arriving on the scene myself, here, and so far, all I've been able to determine is that the object is small and mobile, probably something worn, like a necklace or a pin. And that it is probably in the hands of someone who doesn't really know what it is."

"That follows. The Fae are notorious for such knick-knack-based chicanery. Bits and bobs and curses and that sort of thing. Great forge-masters, though. Truly great…" Alec's musings were unfortunately cut short as the high-pitched trill of Cooper's cell phone interrupted his thoughts.

Cooper jumped slightly, scowling at the pocket containing the offending device. "How rude of me. Won't you excuse me for just a moment?"

"Oh, not at all. Not at all. I'll look into this some more and call you should I come across anything interesting."

"Thank you, Alec."

Slipping out of the ritual chamber and letting its sizable door close, Nicholas paused to check the phone's display before answering the call.

The phone obliviously chimed again, the screen reading 'N'Kai.'

"As though he couldn't walk a few hundred feet. Honestly."

Nicholas connected the call and lifted the phone to his ear, beginning to walk back towards the chantry entrance where last he saw his apprentice.

"Yes?"

N'Kai's typically deadpan tone was unmistakable. "Normally I would not be doing this, but I'm right in the middle of something."

Cooper sighed. The distinct sound of something electronic could be heard in the background. "What can I do for you, N'kai?"

"So, my sister just called me. You know, the one who works over at the Planetarium? And, yeah, something about the trees in Rock Creek Park…. talking. Thought that might interest you."

"What? Wait. Your sister told you that the trees at Rock Creek Park are doing what?"

"Talking." N'kai repeated distractedly. "You know, like, saying things. Yelling at hikers. Kinda trashing the place, I guess."

Nicholas Cooper froze in his tracks. "When did she call you?"

"Uh, just now."

"I'm on my way there."

He hung up the phone but paused before reaching the chantry's outer doors. It was the middle of the night and he had no idea what he was about to walk into, fae or not. Nicholas Cooper sighed and took one last look behind him to ensure that the hallways were clear before quickly dialing the only number he knew by heart.

"Hello, my love." He smiled into his collar as the familiar, if perpetually concerned, voice picked up the line. "Yes, I'm fine. But I think I'm going to need your help."