Detroit Metro Airport gleams beneath the first thin light of sunrise. Polished floors reflect the terminal signs, while rolling bags murmur across the concourse.
Thadeus Jovanović walks with Elizabeth Bathory, Marcus Thorne, and Elias toward the London terminal, their travel bags in tow. Coffee, jet fuel, and the faint chill of the air-conditioning mingle in the nearly empty hall.
Marcus Thorne
William was prominent in his time. People knew his name, his opinions, his public work. But personally, he kept to himself almost obsessively.
Marcus Thorne
Late in his life, he purchased a castle in Europe. The records call it Proserpina.
Marcus Thorne
It was destroyed during World War Two. At least, that is what the official history says.
Elizabeth Bathory
And the Grimoire showed a castle that should not still exist. Perhaps the destruction was only what someone wanted recorded.
Ahead, the London gate appears on the departure board. Beneath it, a staff member has placed a fresh notice beside the boarding lane, marked with a handwritten reference to the Thorne archive.
+ New Item Acquired
Travel bag
“Thadeus and his party arrive at the boarding gate. As they show their tickets, Thadeus speaks with Marcus, "I did see your ancestor's headstone near the castle. The strange thing is, I don't remember seeing it the first time I saw the castle. Any idea why that would be?" Marcus shrugs, "From what I was able to dig up from old London newspapers, there was this legend of a castle that could move from one part of England to another. But that's all it was - a legend." Thadeus suspects Marcus knows more than what he's saying, but decides to press him on it later.”
At the gate, tickets are scanned without trouble. Thadeus turns to Marcus.
Thadeus Jovanović
I saw your ancestor’s headstone near the castle, but not the first time I saw it. Any idea why?
Marcus Thorne
Old London papers mention a legend of a castle moving across England. But that is all it was, a legend.
Marcus shrugs. The boarding process continues, while the question remains for later.
+ New Item Acquired
Boarding ticket
“The party put their carry on bags away, and take their seats in the airliner, Marcus and Elias in two seats, Thadeus and Elizabeth seated one row behind them. Elizabeth looks over at Thadeus, who appears be a little nervous. "Is this your first time flying?" Elizabeth asks gently. Thadeus thinks, then chuckles, "On an airplane, yes." He thinks back to his encounter with Chaos in the Eternal Corridor, remembering being launched in the air. "Yeah, definitely first time on airplane."”
Carry-ons stowed, the party settles into the airliner. Marcus and Elias take the row ahead, while Thadeus and Elizabeth sit behind them.
Elizabeth Bathory
Is this your first time flying?
Thadeus Jovanović
On an airplane, yes. Chaos once launched him through the air in the Eternal Corridor.
Thadeus Jovanović
Yeah, definitely my first time on an airplane.
“As the plane taxis onto the runway, Thadeus forces himself to look out the window. His head spins briefly from nausea, but he steadies himself and concentrates looking at the view before him. He sees the world divided - one side a combination of woods and farmland, the other side a bustling city, heavy with traffic. Thadeus thinks there's a unique beauty to the world he sees. Soon, he thinks, they will come across an entity looking to destroy that beauty. Soon, Thadeus and his party will encounter the greatest danger they've faced yet.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Willpower, rolled -1)
The plane turns onto the runway. Thadeus braces one broad hand against the window frame and makes himself look down.
Nausea spins through him as the engines rise, but he steadies his breathing and keeps his gaze on the ground below.
Thadeus Jovanović
The world is divided below: woods and farmland on one side, a city and its traffic on the other.
As the aircraft lifts, the division softens into one living pattern. Roads thread through green spaces, and sunlight catches the roofs and fields alike.
Thadeus Jovanović
There is a unique beauty to the world from here.
Thadeus Jovanović
Soon, they will face an entity that wants to destroy that beauty. Soon, this party will meet the greatest danger they have faced.
Elizabeth Bathory
You found your balance. I can see it in your breathing.
The city slips beneath the clouds. For this brief stretch of sky, the danger remains far away, and Elizabeth leaves the silence open for him.