Trecastra

It’s not really the name of a place, it’s the name of a district. It means “three castles”. There’s White Castle, Green Castle, and Red Castle, each built with characteristic stone. Red Castle is actually brick and was once more like a hunting lodge. White Castle is faced with marble and is more of a palace or residence. Green Castle is the redoubt.

Livia

Eleven years old, a solemn little girl with wide brown eyes that seem to stare through everything and everyone. She’s extremely shy and doesn’t say much, especially lately.

For, she has recently acquired a magical power, the ability to foresee the future. This ability depends on her knowing or touching or being otherwise closely associated with the thing or person. She first experienced this as a dream in which she foresaw that her brother was going to be sent away to live with an uncle. She came crying to her mother, who was disconcerted because no one had yet been told of the decision. They accused Livia of eavesdropping. She was going to say she dreamed it, but at the last moment held her tongue and took refuge in truculent silence. She knew that children who showed magical promise were sent off to a Collegium.

Livia adores her big brother, Cesare, who is twelve. She is desperately afraid that life is going to tear the two of them apart, and her whole being is focused on preventing that from happening.

Cesare

Twelve years old—almost thirteen, as he will tell you—with dark hair and eyes, and beautiful olive skin. He’s going to be quite handsome one day, though right now he’s a bit skinny. He’s an intellectual at heart, with a fascination for astrology and numerology. His parents’ death liberated him in a way, for he has learned to befriend anyone, from any walk of life, and has learned to judge people by what they know rather than how they speak or dress.

Livia and Cesare

This two lost their parents three years ago, to a fever. Since that time, they have been passed around from one relative to another, sometimes for a good reason, sometimes not. They are not even of the Borromeo clan directly, but the Princess Borromeo took pity on the children and hoped they would prove to be just what her daughter Fiametta needed. While they weren’t what the Princess expected, they have indeed turned out to be boon companions.

Scene

Balian arrives in Trecastra and settles at the White Swan

As the sun dropped into the western hills, people scurried through the Wild Gate of Trecastra, returning from fields and errands and visits, or coming to the town as strangers, to sell or to work. Of these, both Human and Dwarven, only one had been sent by the Emperor to kill a man.

Balian wasn’t there to kill anyone, only to watch. Killing was to be a last resort. Fritz had been quite clear about that.

Scene

The kids learn of a secret troll cave

Scene

At a public function, Livia notices Balian and sees a vision.

Scene

The explorers set out

Ernst and Fiametta are getting ready to explore the troll cave when the other kids show up. Ernst doesn’t want them along, but Fiametta persuades him otherwise.

Scene

Exploring the troll cave

The kids explore the cave and discover a secret entrance.

Scene

Livia’s secret

Livia tells Fiametta about her foresight. Fiametta is beside herself: two mysteries!

Scene

Following the mystery man

The kids snoop around. Fiametta is disappointed because the man seems utterly boring. Ernst declares he’s a routine imperial messenger with perhaps some minor secret mission like delivering a private message. The kids abandon this mystery, but Livia is still troubled and Cesare backs her up.

Scene

Balian investigates the kids

Balian of course knows he’s being followed. It’s Livia who bothers him most, and what bothers him is that he doesn’t know what’s bothering him. He came into this mission antsy and questioning and a little angry with Fritz and with life. Is is affecting his judgment? Something is wrong, that’s for sure.

Scene

Balian makes a decision

The kids have disappeared and Balian realizes he’s their best chance to survive. He sets out to rescue them before Borromeo can mount an assault and spook the Ogres into killing everyone. Trouble is, he needs the help of a little girl.

Scene

The treasure room

The kids finally get through the secret door and discover the treasure room. They also realize that this is an entrance into the Red Castle and that there are others in there besides Ogres.

Scene

Capture

Ogres capture Ernst, Fiametta, Marco, Huldrych and Isolde. Only Livia and Cesare get away, because she saw it coming.

Scene

Revelations

Balian reveals who he really is to Livia and why she’s afraid of him. And then he has to ask for her help.

Scene

Determination

Livia saw what she saw. She’s convinced Balian is dangerous. She persuades Cesare to continue to investigate him.