The morning sun came all too early as did the butler with coffee, tea, juices, bread, meats, and cheeses. Laurine rolled out of bed, went to the huge window and pulled back the drapes to view the overcast sky; however, beautifully landscaped surroundings of the estate brought a smile to Laurine's lips. She shook Lucile gently and coaxed her to life and said coffee was waiting and the day is long. Both sat silently nursing a coffee and nibbling the pieces of bread proposed before them. Laurine told Lucile she had very interesting conversations with Shiva over the past few days and was told that all would be understood today. Lucile looked into Laurine's eyes, but, found no answers. Lucile said something odd about Ajax: Ajax commented to Lucile last evening that she was the Dragon Warrior that was destined to ride his flanks into combat and alongside Shiva and Queen Laurine. That was a frightening thought and one she did not relish. Lucile commented: "Well, I guess we shall see today what this all about and maybe find out why we are here.

Matt and Henry woke to the butler coming in with breakfast and informed them that they would be on their own for the next few days until everybody returned. They would be free to walk the halls with no restrictions and if they wished they were free to go into town, however, they should be careful as they are not from here. There was already fresh clothes lying on the beds, however, these were entirely different from what they were wearing. These appeared to be of a military-style, well-padded and armored and from a time period 1000s of years in the past! The butler made one final comment before exiting their room: "Your knives, swords, scabbards, and shields are in the armory at the main entrance, it is highly recommended that you take them should you travel into town. Your assigned horses are in the stables and your escorts will be with you at all times. The butler then left. Matt looked at Henry and said he had a chance to read his mind...... Henry said:" And what did you find hiding there?" Matt's comments were astonishing. He stated that the butler was telling the truth and believed that Matt and Henry were Military officers from another castle escorting the ladies who were at the meeting. Henry commented that nothing was making any sense and hoped when the others returned they could shed light on all of this. Matt said to Henry that he did not feel like sitting around and wanted to go into town and do something. If the others were going to be gone for a few days, then we should just relax until they return, Henry agreed. They finished breakfast, cleaned up, dressed and headed down to the main entrance where they were greeted by the armorers. The armorers quickly set about attaching their belts, scabbards, swords, knives and several other forms of body armor and protection and weaponry. Matt commented that he felt like he was going to war. They walked out to the courtyard and were met by the escorts with horses in tow. Matt looked at the size of these horses he had never seen animals so large and the armor they wore as well as the huge broad swords in the saddle scabbards. The escorts stopped, stood to attention and saluted, then brought their two horses forward and assisted the boys in mounting the mighty steeds. The escorts mounted their horses and lead the way to the main gates where guards quickly stood to attention and saluted. The massive gates opened and the huge draw bridge dropped. The group of four slowly rode forward until the bridge was fully downed. As they all crossed the bridge one escort dropped and saluted then requested: "Sir, what is your destination?" All Matt could say was "TOWN" and the guard replied: "Yes Sir" and rode forward again. They rode for about an hour and entered the edge of town; the escorts dropped back and rode to either side of Matt and Henry. Henry looked at Matt and said: "Hey, one could get used to this." Matt smiled and said that he would stay alert and warn of any potential Danger.

Everybody at Blackclaw was now awake and in the parlor sipping Tea or Coffee waiting for the presence of Dr. Phinious and Ageron. There was not much talk this morning after the previous night's festivities, it seemed very peaceful. Dr. Phinious and Ageron walked into the parlor 10 am sharp took seats as the butler served tea to both.

Dr. Phinious began speaking slowly looking into his cup and stated that things would be revealed this afternoon when final investigations had been delivered and reviewed. Let it be known that there have been severe disturbances in The Quantum Equilibrium and the Time Continuum that have caused great concern to both myself and GRANRUL AGERON KRONN OF BLACKCLAW, the strongest most powerful wizard of all time. Things have changed over the past 4-weeks; people have arrived that have been missing for thousands of years and will be identified this afternoon. Many things are changing very quickly and we must all come together, this will be shown this afternoon. We will leave you now as we have much to look at and review and we shall all come together again later, the butler will come for you when we are ready.

Everybody in the parlor looked at each one and other and it was sunbeam silent. All left and went back to their rooms quietly. Laurine and Lucile were silent until they entered their room and Laurine said that she had felt a strong sense of pride and need to get up and talk, she couldn't explain the feeling, and she had gotten it twice in the past since their arrival. Lucile added that she felt very close to Ajax and had a feeling of total fearlessness, and then commented: "I have always been a coward and now suddenly I feel invincible." Lucile looked at Laurine and asked: "What is happening to us?"

The butler came by the girl's room and stated lunch would be served in one hour. Laurine stopped him before he had gotten away and stated that they would prefer dining in the room and would he please deliver lunch here. It seems that they were not the only ones.

Matt and Henry were having a peaceful and rather enjoyable day when a horseman rode up to the guards that were escorting them. Once the rider had departed the Guard came over to Matt and said that they must head back to the castle with great haste as there was a dignitary representing the Lord of Castle Blackclaw and must not be kept waiting. This was an interesting development as Matt had just seen this name "BLACKCLAW" on the map he had been looking at earlier, maybe this would shed some light and begin opening some doors for them.

Upon arriving back at the castle again, the boys quickly dismounted and followed the butler straight for the library where they found the Dignitary waiting for them. He turned quickly on his heel facing the boys squarely gently slapping his riding gloves into the palm of his hand. The gentleman spoke softly and quickly: "My friends, you must make haste and ride quickly with me to the Great Castle of "THE GRAND WIZARD GRANRUL AGERON KRONN OF THE CASTLE BLACKCLAW", there is no time to waste and I cannot answer your many questions now, save them for your meeting. Your things have been packed and saddled to your mounts, we must leave now. Your mongrel will be delivered later. Please, we must go now. He turned quickly exiting the room and we followed. Upon entering the courtyard we were greeted by a small brigade of knights on horseback and our horses had been made ready. We mounted up following the Dignitary and we rode on either side of him with one banner carrier leading our small group. As we left the castle many people were waiting along our route and as we passed they bowed and kneeled at our passing. We rode at a swift pace stopping but a few times to rest and water the horses. We looked on as the knights were ever vigilant as if we were being watched by an unknown shadow in the forest. We mounted up for our final leg of the journey to the CASTLE BLACKCLAW.

Upon arriving to edge of the forest clearing we were greeted with sight as never seen before..... This was massive, the biggest castle we had ever seen in pictures, movies or books. Surrounded by a huge moat, this was a sight to behold. The draw bridge slowly dropped as we approached and a sentinel of guards quickly ran to either side of the bridge as if to welcome us as we crossed into the courtyard. This was a city within itself teeming with shops, craftsmen, food vendors and much more. We rode slowly to the main doors of the castle and dismounted. Standing there we heard a loud screeching and a very familiar sound as we looked towards the stables we could just make out Gronin as they were removing him from the dragons back and escorting him into the stables. Matt looked at Henry and shrugged, "Not like we really need him now!" Matt felt an uneasy presence in the air and asked Henry if he could see anything. Henry's reaction was a blank stare as both boys were escorted to their room. The butler addressed them, "My lords, there will be refreshments in your room and clothes laid out for you. I will come for you later in the afternoon as the meeting will take place then. Please clean and refresh yourselves and enjoy the refreshments awaiting you. Please make yourselves at home. The library is up on the second level for your reading pleasure and the main Parlor is down here to the right, where the meeting will be later today. I shall take my leave now and return for you later as the massive doors closed behind him.