Exton

Three mounted riders wait just on the other side of the Veil. As Keon leads the others through, one rider urged his horse across Keon's path. His hood slides back exposing gnarled features and a ragged beard.

"What say you, Dealg Drubh? Torrent called for an escort."

"Trouble comes upon the winds, Sha'lot. Someone poisoned a Vampyre using Bloodbane."

The Dark Lord moves aside. The other Dark Lords fall in and Keon explains.

A fiery-maned Claurican shakes his head. "She has been whispered about in the shadows of the night. Mab has heard rumors, but nothing concrete."

Ramji leans on his saddlehorn. "Well, she has now committed witnessed crimes. We ride for the Dark Court. She made a mistake. Bloodmane held a Seelie Knight captive, forcing him to aid her by using his paramour as leverage. Only recently has the Knight found she killed his lover the first night."

The Dark Lords become solemn. Their faces drawing into grim lines.

"I am afraid there is more. Lord Twillon rides to the Bright Court with Ambassador Inari. She was also captive to this woman."

Shaggy beard quivering, the Troll turns on Ramji. "Inari? She held Inari? have you proof?"

The Rider nods. "Inari herself."

A low growl vibrates from the Troll. "The Queen will not like this. Bad enough rumors of childstealing..." he looks to the others, nodding to Keon. "On your word, brother, we ride."

Keon reins his mount around and digs in his heels. The Shadow Path echoes with the thunder of hooves.

Within sight of Mab's royal city, the horsemen draw into two lines, Each Rider paired with a Dark Lord. Keon and Ramji take point. Cloaks and hoods are adjusted into place, weapons uncovered, open to sight. All ready, they advance to the gates.

"Hold Dark Lords and Riders of Herne! What business have you in the City of Night and Shadows?"

The city guard calls from the city wall. People move around them where they halt, carrying on their regular business. Keon hides a smile. The city is exactly that; royal or no, it is a city. When they say nothing, there is a conversation on the upper concourse.

The Queen herself looks down upon the eight horsemen. Her words have a singsong cadence, carrying easily to the men below.

"A little warrior brought me word of eight black clad horsemen galloping upon the Shadow Path. Four of Faery, four once Mortal, seeking Justice from the Hunter Herne and Our Royal Person."

She disappears from sight, followed by a large antlered form. Her voice drifts down. "Escort them to the Council Hall. Dare you not take their weapons. We would hear what they have to say."

The men draw murmurs and glances as they march toward the Queen's Chambers. At the Council Hall, a demifae stops their group.

"Begging pardons... Their Lordship and Her Majesty would hear these men elsewhere."

She shows the Queen and Herne's favors, turning to flit down the hall. The men find themselves in a quiet room. The demifae bows and flits out. Moments later a door opens and The Queen slips in, followed closely by Herne.

"Remove your cloaks. I would see who stands before Me."

The men bow and slip their hoods back, sliding their cloaks off. Mab's face lights with pleasure, only to darken just as swiftly. Herne motions to the couches and chairs.

"Put formality aside, gentlemen. I know my men, I assume Mab knows the Dark Lords. What have you to tell Us?"

Ramji leans forward where he sits, knees bracing his elbows. "Morgan Bloodmane has committed several crimes against the Realms. It came to our joint attentions when she, along with a companion, began frequenting a tavern in the Human Realm. This tavern is owned by a very talented Witch, and is a haven for any and all Others who need a place to relax. Her behavior raised flags with some local Fae and Shifters."

Ramji accounts the "stealing" of Gareth, the trailing by demifae, up to the attempted poisoning. If not for the abilities of the demifae, there would have been so many more deaths by her hand. Ramji makes a point of avoiding any mention of Star.

Keon stretches back, relaxing. "Recently, she accosted me, trying to get me to aid her in stealing a very special child. Pandora, the owner, is a wife to a gargoyle. Their child is a very special little girl, as are her cousins, also halfbreed gargoyles. I know of one demifae whose life was ended at her hands."

Mab's eyes harden. She spent many years of her youth in the company of the demifae. Some call them the harbingers of magic. To Mab, they are as much her Kin as the Sidhe.

"These charges are substantiated?" Keon nods. "I know, I know..." She rises and stalks around the room. Her skirts sweep the floor, a slithering sound of satin and silks. "Blackthorn would not bring these charges to either of Us, if there was not proof."

She stops before Keon. "This Morgan Bloodmane is Unseelie? You know where her lands are, her estate?"

"Truant's Trooping Fae aided us. They tracked her to her estate." He smiles very slowly. The white of his teeth gleam eerily in the blackness of his face. "We even know where she buried Gareth's paramour, along with a few other victims."

Mab turns, her dark hair swinging as she lays a hand on Herne's leather covered arm.

"What say You, Lord of the Hunt. If My Sister Crown agrees, I would fain call on the Hunters."

The leaves in his hair move as if rustled by a breeze. He cocks his head, listening. A faraway, almost fey, look blinds his sight to the room. His Hunters kneel, Keon included. After a moment the Sidhe Dark Lords do the same.

Upon the nightwind,
hear the baying Hounds.
Nightmare ride,
called at Horn's sound.
Beware the thundering beat,
when nothing shakes the ground.
Flee while you can,
You shall be found.

Herne turns his head slowly, his distant gaze seeking Keon's bowed head. He looks to Mab, slowly regaining his demeanor. His voice is deep, an echo in the deepest of forests.

"You Majesty, consider that a yes."

Making a dismissing gesture, he settles in a chair. "Rise Gentlemen." As the men resume their seats, he continues. "Keon, this Hunt is not for you to Ride. Your place is among the Taverners."

Mab nods, lost in thought. "I agree, Dealg Drubh. There is something that holds you to the Human Realm. I do not see it fully, but it is there. Please attend me here as I make a call."