As summer came to a close, the knights returned to their manors and began to plan for the harvest that would see them through the winter. After a year of relative peace, the peasants were merry and decorated their villages for the upcoming festival of Michaelmas. Giant leather gloves were stuffed with wood chips and hoisted over the manor to symbolize their lord's generosity. In the kitchen, the traditional meal of goose with ginger was prepared. The crops were harvested and everyone was content.
All was not well with Sir Hervis, however. As he made the annual harvest toast with a glass of ginger wine, he couldn't help but note that his sister's chair at the table remained empty. She had been lost for several years now, and the mystery of it all left him confounded. His brother-in-law, Sir Cadmus, had been searching for his wife, but to no avail.
In his manor in Ireland, Sir Carabad feasted with King Anguish. Lady Madule joined him as his guest, and throughout the meal, pressed the virtuous knight for more information about the Perilous Forest and the enchanted creatures found therein. The conversation moved north, to the Wasteland, of which rumor had been circulating throughout Britain. The land, it was said, was dying.
In Bath, the annual Archangel Tournament was held by the King of Somerset, a mere three day's ride from Sarum. Sir Laern of Silchester, ever the jouster, stopped by Sir Carabad's manor in Salisbury to see if he would attend, but found it empty. It was uncertain what Sir Pellandres, Sir Emarouse, or Sir Guy were doing at this time.