A New Champion Is Named

Writer Lady walks into the kitchen. She has showered and changed into comfy jeans and a t-shirt that reads, “Mess With Me. I Dare You.” She works her way through the crowd and stops in the bonus room. She looks around, finding that everyone is on their way into the kitchen, she takes up the rear and pushes things along. “Has everyone washed their hands? The bathroom is open in case anyone...” she realizes that no one is listening to her, “…would like to wash their hands.”

The Lady With The Long Golden Hair waits for her in the laundry room. “Hello, my sister.”

“You made it.” Writer Lady smiles. “Pirate said that you were having issues with the Treimhse Ar Adoration this year.” Something moves in Writer Lady’s peripheral vision and she glances at the window, long enough to see one of Gordon’s inquiring eyes peeking in.

“I am well my sister. It has been stressful...”

“There’s an eyeball.” Writer Lady interrupts. “Why am I looking at a giant eyeball?”

“Because there is a giant attached to it. Gordon, meet my sister Writer Lady. Writer Lady this is Gordon.”

“Hello?” Writer Lady says.

Gordon blinks one time in response.

Writer Lady pushes through the group assembled in the kitchen to a string of protests. She continues to the living room's picture window and peeks outside to get a better look at “Gordon”. “My Goodness” she pales. “What was that man thinking? I cannot protect you from this.”

“No you cannot.” The Lady With The Long Golden Hair agrees as she follows her into the room.

Writer Lady looks at The Lady With The Long Golden Hair.

“You are not supposed to be here. You are not part of this story.”

“But this is my house!”

“As my sister you are an amplifier for my magic which makes the situation more dangerous. You cannot stay.”

“I am making things worse?” Writer Lady asks.

The Lady With The Long Golden Hair nods solemnly. “Do not forget that I am the one with the most magic. I see both stories and what is to transpire in the coming hours. You are an important part of the expedition to retrieve Excalibur. You never should have left Faerie.”

“That’s what I said.” Writer Lady picks up one of the cat’s stuffed toys and twists it. “Those short sighted, bossy, mean….men.”

“Mom?” Dobby asks. “That’s my toy.”

She looks down to see Dobby’s favorite toy in her clenched hands. She looks at Dobby’s saddened expression. “I’m sorry Kitty. I guess I’m a little bit frustrated. Why aren’t you eating?”

“I’m finished.” Dobby says. “I wanted to find Wormie before Spots Wash can run off with him.”

“Of course. Here you go. I’m sorry Kitty.” She opens her hands and bends down so Dobby can take the toy in his teeth.

The ginger tabby finds a good place near a window to settle in with his toy and drops it on to the floor in front of him. “Thanks Mom.”

Spots Wash walks into the living room just as Dobby settling into a good wrestling match with Wormie. “Wormie.” He says as he watches Dobby and the toy with disappointment.

“Wormie is Dobby’s toy. Go get one of your toys.”

Not moving the kitten looks around. At the ceiling mostly. “I don’t see anything,” he yowls.

Writer Lady looks around a bit and finds Yellow Dog. “Look. Yellow Dog is here,” she says and waves the toy in front of the kitten, “he really missed you.”

“He has to miss me.” Spots Wash announces. “If he didn’t then I’d kick his butt.” The kitten takes the toy into his mouth and runs off towards Writer Lady’s bedroom.

“Spots!” Writer Lady calls.

“Sor-ry.”

“As I was saying, your part of the story is back in Faerie, procuring Excalibur.”

“I’m supposed to leave you here? Alone?”

Several people, animals, magical creatures, enter the living room carrying plates of food.

“I am not alone my sister.”

“Without Pirate you have no champion.”

“That is why I will appoint a new one, temporarily.” The Lady With The Long Golden Hair says.

Carp enters the room as the words are leaving her lips. “A champion? Me? I accept. I can finally get a real test of my skills as an assassin.” He looks at Aunt Purdy. “This is very exciting.”

She nods.

“Thank you for accepting Carp. I am flattered but you are not the champion.”

“They are.” The Lady With The Long Golden Hair says. She looks at Dylan and Furnatche.

Ray comes into the room carrying a plate of food and a bowl of cheese balls. “Duuude...” He says as he looks at The Lady With The Long Golden Hair, “I brought you some food and some cheese balls. I found them in my pocket, they’re still good. There were more of them but I got hungry.”

“He will be my champion’s second.”