Episode 18: Part 1

A gentle breeze gusted over the grassy flower filled highlands of Spring within the Faerie Realm. Night had fallen as Leanansidhe and a small platoon of spriggan soldiers made their way to an underground tunnel dug into one of the large hills. They paused and waited at the entrance as they heard the distinct sounds of shuffling and shambling feet come from within the tunnel. Leanansidhe curled her lips into a sour expression and crossed her arms patiently as she saw the battered figure of Seamus emerge from the cave. He was bruised, exhausted, and covered in dirt after spending several days digging himself out of the collapsed tunnel. The redcap grunted and slumped to the ground keeping his eyes fixed on the Fomorian general.

Leanansidhe met his gaze with a look of disdain and shook her head before waving for a couple spriggans to haul the redcap to his feet, "I see you survived your little run in with the knights. I'm not sure I should be applauding you. Underestimating them was a mistake."

"A mistake I will not make again," Seamus wheezed.

The fey sorceress shook her head again and examined her nails in boredom, "You may have lost the harp, but for some strange reason Lord Balor was impressed by your ambition and daring. It would seem he still has some use for you."

"So you're not here to kill me?" Seamus mumbled in defiance.

Leanansidhe gave him a predatory smile and turned away to leave, "Not until you give me reason to… and I'm hoping you do. For now, I'll work on keeping our enemies busy until you recover. Guards, take him."

The redcap simply sighed and slouched over letting the spriggans drag him along. At this point, he was so physically spent, he would spend the time plotting a new way to regain his pride and to take revenge on the human knights who had humiliated him.

A few weeks had passed since the fierce skirmish against the Fomorian redcap named Seamus and the recovery of the Spring Court's mythical harp. Once again, the day to day routine of going to school and studying for exams fell back into it's nice predictable pattern as the Spring semester neared its end. By now, the dormitory had grown a bit empty and quiet as students enjoyed an upcoming week's vacation for Spring Break.

On that particular Friday, Connor Walsh walked down the hallways carrying a notebook and file full of papers until he reached a familiar door. He gave a couple knocks and waited patiently. When the door finally opened, he blinked in surprise at the sight of the girl who emerged.

Standing at the door was Noelle dressed in pajama pants and a baggy orange hoodie. Instead of being tied up in its usual braid, her long brown hair was loose and bedraggled. The Autumn Knight's nose was puffy and red and her complexion was a little off color too.

She immediately pulled her hood over her head and turned away in embarrassment while sniffling, "Oh God! Connor, I'm so sorry. I look like a complete wreck!"

"Ah come on. Between friends, you think that really matters to me?" he replied handing her the papers and notebook, "I heard you were a little under the weather so I came by with all the classwork you missed so that you can study for finals in a few weeks."

Noelle took the study materials and gave a tired but grateful nod, "Thanks. I guess I was asking to catch this flu bug when I got stuck in the recent rainstorm walking back from karate practice, huh? Do I really look as awful as I feel right now?"

"I'm not going to answer that," he replied with a smile while gently poking her forehead, "Just get well soon, huh?"

She nodded again, "I'm surprised you're still here. I thought you'd be heading out tonight or taking a trip for Spring Break."

He shrugged, "Nah. I volunteered to stick around and keep an eye on things. Besides, Kristen picked up a bunch of new items for her store at an auction and she needs me to help her sort through it. Apparently she's doing some personal shopping with Laura tonight. As for why, who knows?"

Noelle gave a disappointed sigh before erupting in a sneeze, "Geez, I picked a bad time to get sick huh?"

The Summer Knight chuckled again and gave a wave, "Like I said, just rest up and work on getting better. I'll see if I can't swing by later this week if I'm not too busy."

Noelle gave a smile watching him go before sneezing again and retreating back into her dorm room with a moan.

Some time later that evening, Stephen Gentum-Smith and Laura Gremory walked into town together and made their way toward the antique shop. While the two freshmen students walked and enjoyed the mild quiet evening, they chatted idly about some of their upcoming plans. "I'm surprised Kristen asked you to come along with her for some dress shopping tonight. I wonder what the occasion is."

Laura shrugged, "I imagine she wants another female's opinion if she wants to look good for the May Festival coming up in a few days. She said her boyfriend was going to take her for a nice night out."

"Hmm, I know it's a big outdoor garden festival for flower and art enthusiasts, but there's also a dance involved with it too, right?"

"Yes," Laura answered absently, "I believe it's what you people here call a Turnabout Dance... where the women ask the men."

Stephen bit his lip and tried to keep his voice neutral, "So Laura… you weren't planning on going, were you?"

The Winter Knight glanced at him with a surprisingly sheepish look before clearing her throat and reasserting her poise, "Well… I suppose this is a little embarrassing to admit, but part of me would actually kind of like to go. Except there's a little problem."

"Oh?"

Laura nodded as they reached the shop and opened the door, "Yes. I'm afraid I don't know of anyone I'd particularly want to go with. At the risk of sounding a bit picky, there seems to be a real lack of real gentlemen on campus... someone with charm and class, a sophisticate who knows how to treat a woman properly."

The Silver Knight swallowed hard and tried to wave it off, "Well, I don't know Laura. Uh… maybe you could go with one of us guys? Your fellow knights? You trust us, don't you?"

"I do," she admitted, "But to go with one of you… well, it would just be a bit weird and awkward, don't you think?"

Stephen sighed in disappointment and shrugged, "Oh... maybe."

As they finished their conversation, they saw Connor dragging in several heavy crates of goods from the back rooms while Kristen stepped out to grab a casual blazer and her purse. Their mentor waved and gestured to the door, "Oh Laura. There you are. Are you ready to head out?"

The Winter Knight nodded and gently clapped Stephen on the shoulder before she walked out the door with the Druid. Stephen sighed and shook his head again before turning to Connor who had taken a moment to sit down and catch his breath.

"Are you okay?" the Silver Knight asked, "I didn't think you'd be working late tonight… and at the start of Spring Break too."

"Well, no good deed ever goes unpunished," Connor shrugged as he gave one of the crates a little kick, "Kristen asked for help and I could use a few extra bucks. I'll be sorting out a bunch of her new acquisitions tonight so things should be kinda dull."

"Mind if I stick around and keep you company then?" Stephen asked as he began to idly pace around. "I kinda don't have anything going on tonight either."

Connor frowned in confusion before pulling out a crowbar and getting to work on some of the boxes, "I guess so. Make yourself comfy. I'll be here a while."

While the Summer Knight worked, Stephen passed by the team's two little gargoyle pets Scratch and Yum Yum. The two creatures were curled up on some nearby shelves taking evening naps and neither one stirred as Stephen idly examined an old antique clock and fiddled with the hands, "No Quinton? You two are usually doing things together... partners in crime."

"Quinton is spending the week in Boston with his girlfriend," Connor replied absently as he opened a crate, "Lucky guy, huh?"

Stephen continued fiddling with the clock, "I guess. Umm…doesn't it bother you a little that Quinton is having more success with women than you and I combined right now? I mean, isn't this the time of year when everyone's getting outside and going on dates and stuff?"

Connor laughed good naturedly, "Well when you put it that way, I guess it is a little unusual. But it's not something I'm going to lose any sleep over either."

Stephen grimaced and turned back to the main floor, "Connor, you know there's that big May Festival and Turnabout Dance coming up right? Noelle hasn't asked you if you wanted to go with her, has she?"

Connor stopped abruptly and looked up at him, "No… but I doubt she'll be going anywhere for a while considering she's down with a bad flu bug. You weren't wanting to go with her… were you?"

The younger knight quickly backpedaled and waved it off in alarm, "No! No! That's not it at all! Honestly… I was actually kinda hoping to go with someone else."

"Oh? Who's that?"

Stephen wrung his hands and kept pacing, "Oh geez Connor. I don't know. It's kinda personal… and I'm a little embarrassed."

The Summer Knight chuckled and idly twirled the crowbar in his hand, "Chill out Stephen. You can tell me. We trust each other with our lives on the battlefield for crying out loud. I promise I won't tell a soul."

Stephen huffed and thought it over before finally relenting, "Well… okay. I was hoping to go with Laura."

Connor dropped the crowbar in surprise before bursting out into a loud fit of laughter, "What? Laura? You've got a thing for the Ice Princess? Lady Fussy Britches? Hahaha! Oh, that's a good one!"

"Hey! Will you keep it down?" Stephen snapped in annoyance amid Connor's laughter, "I'm telling you this because I need your help! I want to figure out a way to get her to like me… maybe to see me as potential boyfriend material."

Connor guffawed once more and tried to stifle his giggles "You could always dress up like a personal butler and wait on her hand and foot."

The Silver Knight shoved him mildly in the shoulder "Connor! I'm serious! Are you going to help me or not?"

The Summer Knight raised his hands and patted Stephen's shoulder, "Okay, okay. Relax Stephen. I'm just messing with you. Of course I'll help."

The Summer Knight headed back over to a new box and began working again, "Tell you what… give me a little while to sit and think about it okay? I've got to get through this work shift first."

Stephen watched his friend pry at another crate lid, before he went to dig around one of the opened boxes. That was when its particular contents caught his eye. Stephen curiously pulled out an impressive uniform coat that looked to be straight out of the Revolutionary War. It was a finely tailored red coat with gold trim and it appeared that it might have belonged to some well off British Army officer. "Wow, check this out!"

Stephen put on the coat as well as the tricornered officer hat and the officer's dress saber at his waist. He stepped over to one of the antique full length mirrors and admired the uniform. His adopted mothers both had some English heritage and he always associated with it too . Even more, he couldn't help but think how perfectly it fit on him. Admittedly, it made him look very dashing and heroic.

Connor gave an impressed whistle and smiled, "Hey, that's pretty cool man. It looks good on you, even if it is the wrong side's colors."

Stephen smiled and kept looking in the mirror, "Well, Laura did say if she was to go on a date, she'd prefer a charming and proper gentleman."

Moments later, Stephen felt a strange tingling and a chilly sensation run through his body. To his shock, the soldier's coat flew off his body along with the hat and the saber. Both knights froze and watched in shocked horror as a nebulous human form began to take shape around the clothes. The coat and hat bobbed in midair and the phantom being reached for the sword at its waist.

"Oh… this is so not happening!" Stephen gasped in terror as the ghostly being swept forward and began swinging the sword around the room. It was hard to tell if the swings were really meant to kill or to frighten, but the two boys decided not to take any chances. Connor grabbed Stephen and pulled him out of the shop, slamming the door behind them. They were both a little embarrassed at having been chased out by some strange phantom from the box and they had been so startled they didn't even think of calling their own armor to combat the ghost.

"What the hell kind of cargo did Kristen buy?" Stephen gasped while catching his breath, "I think she should get her money back."

He pulled out his magic archer's bracer and frowned, "What do you say we go bust a ghost?"

Connor caught his arm and shook his head while pulling out his phone, "No! We call Kristen and tell her what happened. If we go in there and blow up the shop, Kristen's going to go ballistic… then probably turn us into toadstools or something."

Stephen eased up and leaned back against the door, "All right, but she isn't going to be happy about having her night out interrupted… and neither will Laura for that matter."

When the two girls finally returned, they found the boys outside looking a bit tense while they waited. Laura was the first to step forward, "You two had better not be clowning around and playing a prank on us."

"This is no joke," Stephen insisted toward Kristen, "Something freaky came out of one of those crates and tried to kill us. I just hope it's not going to haunt the shop now. Should we arm ourselves or something before going in?"

Kristen eyed the two boys quietly and nodded before opening the door. Connor and Stephen summoned their weapons and held them at the ready while leading the way inside. As they walked into the silent shop, they looked around and waited. Kristen warily peeked around shelves and picked up her Druid staff in the corner while Laura crossed her arms, "I don't see any ghost. You two must have been jumping at your own shadows."

She glanced over toward a nearby mirror and suddenly spotted a second reflection alongside hers. Laura gave a startled shriek and jumped sideways only to bump into another person. To her surprise, she was caught in the arms of someone in an antiquated red coat hearkening back to the colonial days of the British Empire. She looked up to see the soldier was a handsome clean shaven young man with short black hair and piercing blue eyes. He wore a black tricorner hat and a dress sword at his waist indicating he must have been of the officer class.

"Excuse me Miss. Are you all right?" the young man asked as he steadied her.

Laura blinked in surprise before relaxing into a mild swoon, "Oh… I'm fine. Thank you Mister…"

"Bennet. Lieutenant James Bennett," the man replied graciously as he righted her. "His Majesty's 5th Foot Regiment, Royal Northumberland Fusiliers, at your service."

"Are you kidding me? It's him! It's the ghost!" Connor cried as he leveled his sword and Stephen drew back an arrow in his bow.

Kristen extended her hands and gently eased both weapons down before stepping forward slowly, "Excuse me uh… Lieutenant. I'd like to know what's going on here. I am Kristen Bloom and this is my shop."

James straightened up and let go of Laura who gave a disappointed sigh before he bowed his head slightly, "My deepest apologies Miss Bloom. I meant no harm to you or your..."

"Ah… apprentices," the Druid quickly supplied, "Umm… this may sound a little troubling, but I think you may be…"

"Dead? Oh yes. I know," James sighed. "Truth be told, I've been cooped up for so long in that box, I've completely lost track of time. I had been serving in the Boston Campaign when terrible sickness spread through the camp. For a time, I was aware of my passing, but once my gear was stowed away, apparently so was my very being. The next thing I know, I had woken up here and thought to chase these two scoundrels out of the shop."

"Hey! Who are you calling a scoundrel?" Stephen huffed indignantly before the Summer Knight put a calming hand on his shoulder.

"Well friend… I'm sorry to give you the bad news, but it's been a couple hundred years and a lot has changed," Connor said, "For starters, Britain lost the war against the colonies. You're looking at a free and independent America."

The spirit grimaced and gave a disappointed sigh, "I see… well… that's a great pity then."

"Tell me about it," Laura muttered quietly in agreement.

Kristen shook her head and ignored the quip before she spoke again, "Lieutenant, I know this is all a lot to take in but you have to understand, seeing an apparition isn't something that usually happens around here either. Whether it's due to the high concentration of magic in this region, I can't be certain just yet."

The ghostly officer frowned in thought, "Magic you say? How peculiar. You people don't seem as perturbed at my… condition than I originally thought. Do you understand what is going on and why I might be here?"

"That's what I intend to figure out," Kristen answered, "I'll try to find a way to help you, but in the mean time I think it's best you stay around here and keep out of sight so that you don't frighten any more people."

"Thank you Miss Bloom. I think that's a reasonable course of action as well," James said while graciously tipping his cap. "If it's all right with you, I would like to try and learn more about this new modern age."

To everyone's surprise, Laura hooked her arm around James's and gave an unusually sweet smile, "I'd be delighted to help you with that. I'm actually a student of History here at the local university."

"Really? I'd love to hear more. Do go on," James exclaimed as they walked off to do a circuit of the shop.

Stephen watched in shocked dismay while the two walked off and Kristen headed toward the backrooms scratching her head in confusion. He knew he shouldn't have to feel troubled by all this, but for some reason it didn't sit right with him. His idle thoughts were interrupted as he heard Connor give a mild groan beside him, "So much for a quiet Spring Break, huh? Come on Stephen, it looks like we've got some work to do."

A/N:
On the subject of soldiers and the past, a special salute goes out today to all the people serving in the US Navy and Marine Corps. In-universe, I'd like to think Lt. Cmdr. Monroe and the other Ocean Rangers in Hawaii would probably be taking some time out to visit Pearl Harbor and pay their respects. Non sibi sed patriae.