Mirrors (Episode 1)

"We do maintain a garden within the domain of the palace." Chamberlin reveals to Radu. "It is there that many of the fresh fruits and vegetables are grown to provide sustenance to the staff and guests who require such." He continues. "I can show you how to access it, if you'd like?"

Scene 5: The Secret Garden

Chamberlin leads Radu and his two constant companions down a hallway and into a small hexagonal room. The walls are painted like a garden. In the center is a gazing ball on a single stone pedestal. Radu is told to lay his hand over the orb. When he does, the three of them suddenly find themselves in a gazebo, in the middle of a walled garden.

Radu grins. "I do like the magic of this place," he says to his companions.

"Quite astounding, my Lord," Ruby says, lightly touching his forearm while Rubie points to the south.

"Oh! Is that a hedge maze? Lord Radu, I have ever wanted to see a real hedge maze. I'd only read about them in storybooks."
 
 
 
 

 
 
"Perhaps we shall entertain that desire, dear one," he says, stepping forth from the gazebo. "Chamberlain said this place was used to grow food, but it appears as much an aesthetic garden. Come, let us circle it and take in the air." He leads along the path, then around to the west, then north, intending to take in the sights and explore the northern reaches of this place.

Curiously, the outside perimeter of the garden is concealed in a dark mist like the city the previous night, but the garden itself is illuminated in the warm light of an orb floating several hundred feet above the ground here.

Taking a stroll through the garden, Radu and his companions note a long row of vegetable plants in beds along the south end, with the outer wall of the hedge maze butting up against them. Turning north towards the exotics trees and the pond area, they spot a lone figure seated at a fountain in the distance.

Radu approaches the figure, a slight smile on his mouth. He has no idea what manner of people or creatures might inhabit this city, and any single one of them might prove to be more powerful than a greater demon. He was quickly learning to temper himself and approach all unknowns with caution. Of course, such powerful entities could make incredible allies or teachers. He cares little for making friends, but he does appreciate the potential to exploit these beings and grow his own power.

As he gets closer, he stops and speaks up, "I hope we do not disturb your peace here. We came to see the gardens."

The masculine figure casually stands as the three approach and gives a slight bow of the head as he is spoken to. Silver-blue eyes in pools of darker blue flicker over the Dhampir and the two females in his wake. His skin seems to scintillate exposed to the light of the orb and is lightly scaled in light grey mottled in places with blue. Shoulder-length tendrils writhe about the atop his head, tipped with slightly glowing globules; not unlike the stalks of a sea anemone.

"Good morrow, Sir...Ladies." He begins. "I always feel at peace here in the tranquility of the garden, listening to the splash and burble of water. It reminds me of home. Ah..but I digress. Talosh Anemonn at your service: Palace physician." He bows a second time and waves Radu and his queens forward if they wish. "I had hopes on meeting all of our guests soon with the council, but is it a pleasant surprise to encounter some of them here in the garden before then."

"You know who we are then?" Radu says, stepping closer. "Either our reputation precedes us, or it is by mere process of elimination due to a lack of new faces in these halls." Radu bows back to the man, then Ruby and Rosie follow suit with a curtsy. "I am Lord Hove, but I find my titles mean little here. I feel as if a child claiming to adults he is the strongest in the play yard. I think, within these halls, I would that you call me simply by my name, Radu." He looks around at the serenity of the landscaping. "Do you come here often, Talosh?"

"Just so, Lord Hove—Radu. Visitors and guests to the palace are not a common sight and we have been expecting the arrival of the champions from the planes." Talosh confirms his suspicions. "Exactly how many, their identities, and their personal retinues I was unsure."

He casually steps forward, offers his hand in greeting to the Dhampir and, then with Radu's permission, does the same to Rosie and Ruby; kissing their hands lightly, as he returns their curtsies with a flourished bow.

"The garden is a favored place for me. I come here often, when duty permits."

"I can see why," Radu says. He considers, then asks, "You said you are a physician. You must know everyone here quite well then. Do you have many patients in the palace? I haven't seen very many people around - few servants or anything."

"There is no one in my immediate care at this time." Talosh answers. "I haven't really noticed an absence of persons in the palace, but then I am accustomed to the numbers and frequency of staff, servants, guards, lords, and their respective personal hangers-ons."

"You have me curious, Talosh, what manner of care to you provide? Where I come from only the most rudimentary of care can be achieved without magic."

"I provide treatment for common maladies, persistent diseases, poisonings, and personal injuries." Talosh reveals. "I employ methods necromantic, alchemic, and physical science in the pursuit of healing my charges. I also treat the mind, as well as the body. As you may well guess, some of my patients require very different methods in seeing to their well-being."

"I hadn't thoroughly considered it, but you're right, of course. If we are wounded in the course of this training and the trials we go through, I assume we would be seen to by your trained hand, yes? Had you any fore-knowledge of the sorts of beings us champions might be? If not, you must be immensely skilled, Talosh."

The Doctor gives a slight nod and grin. "I will take that as a compliment, Radu. My skill and training could be verily tested in the coming weeks, though I will have the benefit of outside knowledge should I need it and assistance in event that also fails me."

"I will be grateful to have your aid, should it come to that," Radu says. "A change of subject - are there any fruits in the garden you are particularly fond of? Anything from your home plane?"

"I cannot say that I have a favorite among the fruit available here in the garden. I enjoy a variety. Alas, none of the offering of edibles here have origins in the realms from whence I came."

"How about yourself? What plant offers the dietary needs or desires of your tastes?"

"Would that a plant could provide all the nourishment I require," Radu says with a sigh, "though I am quite fond of dates, and plums. Do any of those happen to grow here by chance?"

Talosh turns and gestures toward the large circular stone folly across the footbridges to the east. "There are a couple of date palms in that cluster at the corner there beyond the cover of the folly."

With a smile, Radu offers a slight bow. "Thank you Talosh. On that note, my companions and I shall investigate. I'm sure we'll see you on our return." He exchanges finalities with the physician before they make their way east, over the foot bridge seek out the trees that were mentioned.

Radu has no trouble finding the date palms with their clusters of pale yellow dates. Also in the same clutch of trees, he discovers coconut trees.