Dover
TimBarnes
2010/10/24 15:06

Table of Contents
Five at the Seven Sisters 	 # 

Five at the Seven Sisters
19th Sep : Picking up the last train from Whitby to York, the intrepid explorers then caught the overnight train to Kings Cross. En route they discussed dealing with Larson and Maskus but Marco persuaded them to not delay, dealing with the americans was only for personal satisfaction and the Golden Dawn agents failure would cause them enough anguish.
It was still dark as the train entered London and the full moon dominated the city.
20th Sep : Early the next morning found them at in impromptu meeting in the Craven Foundation offices in Pimlico Street. Sinclair’s sword was handed to them to make best use of and they discussed the next moves. When they enquired about Dover, Felicity tells them that of rumours of “embroidery” based magic in Dover where Horace Parker of the Foundation is investigating. 

Once in Dover they discover that a local mystic, Marian Simpson, has been locked up for her own safety after going mad. When they talk to her at the local police station, Lyris guesses that the recent increase in magical ability has trapped the doors of her perception open and she is a gibbering wreck. When the desk sergeant, Dobbs, was questioned he informed them that a somewhat suspicious group of ”Harley Street” doctors are examing Ms Simpson.
Lyris played her flute to calm the woman who told them that she saw a winged creature under a hill; an iris of power and group of witches casting magic near the cliffs. Finally she drops in a deep sleep.
Marco and Nell checked on the ”Harley Street doctors” at their hotel, the Royal. A quick check of their rooms by Nell and Sinbad showed them to be cultist agents, most likely of the sinister Golden Dawn. One was a creepy researcher, Thaddeus Icabod Crane, another a trained killer with a beautiful cross bow (and a number of bolts for killing magical beasts) and the last a researcher.
Whilst the rooms were being ransacked, Marco listened into their breakfast converstaion and heard a mention of the ”search for the Trio”. With help from the “loyal and patriotic” Sgt Dobbs, Ms Simpson was moved back to her cottage under the care of Nurse Lyris. At the cottage they reviewed what they knew. During the course of this Icabod came to visist his “patient” but was was unnerved by the rather fearsome Nurse Lyris.
Discussion and scrying about Marge’s magical sites revealed : the Iris is located somewhere inland. The winged creature on a hill was a dragon in a burial mound just beyond the castle and the dragon needs blood and gold. The three witches were casting on the Seven Sisters and were the obvious target for the OGD.
Shakespearean scene on the cliffs   

The team heads up to the Seven Sisters where the Three Witches prepared to complete their usual ritual. However they had other visitors who approached the Witches first : 
”Who approaches?”. “We are friends and allies, Sister!”
”There are many that claim that, who are you.?”. “It is I, Dr T.I. Crane of the Golden Dawn.”
”The Dawn are traitors and renegades! Come no further wretch!”
Nell scouted ahead while Lyris started playing and Marco opens fire! Icabod dives for cover. Johann cages the others. The ancient order of witches that swore to defend England.s shores desperately try to complete their ritual as bullets and cross-bow bolts fly. The thug is shot by Marco as Icabod is pin-cushioned!
After the brief gunfight the Witches completed their ritual and the maelstrum flares could be seen along the coast. Dr Franklin was understandably keen to cooperate and the coven members explain that Mr Templar threatened then back in in the 1880s. Their job has, for many centuries, been to help protect England from invasion.
When questioned about te “Iris”, the maiden of the coven admitted having funny turn at the local RFC base (in approximately the right location), a training airfield that doubles as a place for testing tactics for zeppelin hunting. The Coven and Horace join the party for tea. The story thrills and amazes Horace and he agrees to keep an eye on the dragon. 
In search of the king 

22nd Sep : The party arrive at the RFC base disguised as a delegation from the Red Cross. The children simply extend their plan onto the airfield and explore. French cricket soon attracts pilots. Nell thinks two of the pilots have potential but neither are heroes. 
The Anglo-Saxon Great Hall turns out to have unusual panelling. The fabric of the chamber is partly made of the remnants of the Round Table.
The whole place oozes fellowship! Squadron Leader Duncan Macintyre happy to assist the delegation. The party enquire about locals and when they explore the cottages at the end of the airfield they discover the infant Arthur blissfully watching the aircraft take off. Arthur Drake.
Nell looks him in the eye and delighted when he blinks in recognition and laughs. He is even happier when Nell sings while Lyris plays a ballad.  
Arthur’s mum seems like a nice lady and next door another veteran hero, Regimental Sergeant Major Alan McKay of the Black Watch Rtd (Cai) seems set to become the boy’s protector. Marco buys the cottages to ensure that the rent stays cheap.
As they depart back to London, they check in with Horace to get Dr Franklin sent to the Craven Foundation and the Witches adopted by the Foundation.