Walking Down the Rabbit Hole....

As the Baron wondered how much farther he would have to walk to the home of the Sleeping Sisters, a line of purple sparkles suddenly appeared on the side of the trail leading off into the undergrowth.  "It's about time," he grumbled hoping this was it.  Without a word, the Dowager started following the sparkles and soon they were standing before a tree house with a small door.

​"Not very big," thought the Baron as his mother started to lift her hand to knock on the door.  But before she could knock the door opened and there stood one of the Sisters.  "Awena awaits you in her chambers."

Unsurprised, the Dowager nodded her head in thanks and the both of them followed the Sister through a series of hallways until they arrived at an ornate set of doors.  "The place doesn't look this big from the outside," the Baron muttered, only to receive a look of reproach from the Dowager.  "Do I need to leave you on the doorstep?" she asked him in a frosty voice.  Realizing he had best just keep quiet and listen with his mouth closed he gestured for her to lead the way.

Sitting in the middle of the room was a Sleeping Sister who was meditating and it appeared she was totally unaware that they had entered.  A flickering magical light was floating above her hands and before it went out it flashed once brightly.  Opening her eyes, the Sister smiled as she saw the Dowager.  "It has been a while since I last saw you," Awena said.  "And this must be your son, the Baron?"

​​Yes, there were a few things he did not know about his mother the Baron was beginning to realize and that maybe there was more to his mother than he thought.  "I must find out more about this," he decided.

"It is a pleasure to meet you." the Baron said as he bowed.  " I am Belvedere Allowishes Theodore Steffon, but you may call me Baron since I am one," he told the Sister removing his hat, "Or by my nickname BATS."  Smiling, Awena introduced herself and proceeded to give Griselda a brief hug.  "It has been way too long," she told the Sister, "but as usual, sadly my coming here is not just a friendly visit."

As the smile left Awena's face and by the look on Griselda, Awena knew that another big event was on the horizon.  "Come, sit with me and we will get reacquainted and then you can tell me what troubles you," she told both of them.  Trying not to be noticeable, the Baron quickly glanced around for a chair as he did not relish the idea of sitting on the floor for any long period of time.  Ignoring him, Griselda lowered herself gracefully to a pillow and waited for the others to join her.  Groaning silently to himself, "I think I have just gone down a rabbit hole here!" and not as gracefully as his mother, the Baron sat on an adjacent pillow.  "I hope I can get up when this is all over.  My knees aren't what they used to be," he continued thinking to himself.

As the Dowager and Baron explained to Awena all that they knew about the tablet, those hunting for it, and the book they borrowed from Atian's library, just like the Baron, Artie was also wondering if she had just come through a rabbit hole???