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Midnight, 9th of Reaping, 585,
Grummie studied Cassie's map and glanced around the exterior courtyard, then back at the MAP. He pointed to the rectangular square near the bottom of the map, beneath the fountain. "Here," he said, "Cassandra and I coulds' hide near dis lower corner, o' da gargoyly buildin'." He glanced up and refrained from pointing, but glanced at the building in question in the distance. "We would's have ta cover da distance ifen dere be trouble, but wid oder two of you inside, near da ladder, o' Seth might be okay. Wha'ya tink?"
"Wait a minute, I'm hav'en na audience watchen over my back if I even go into that loft!" Seth lipped off to the group. "I would feel much better if everyone would stay back by the barn doors, these things are sacred, ya know?"
No one seemed to disagree with this request, practiced in the art of the tryst as each was. They began to take a walk around the mansion keeping watch as they did to see if anyone was following them. Was at about this time that the realization hit them that Drist was no longer around.
"Funny, first that girl, and now the elf. Guess this place is pretty scary," noted Cassandra.
They entered the rear grounds through the east gate [#8] and followed along a path that had walked before. Nothing seemed different, though it was night now so they could not be positive. They eventually arrived at Grummie's pre-selected point. There, he and Cassandra would take up watch, hoping to spot anyone who might be coming around from the south. Blaine would stay with them. Since Seth had expressed his desire for privacy, Lwcynda, Andremar and Gork would accompany the cleric to the barn door [#9], but not enter. With Grummie in one group and Gork in the other, both had a member with good night vision.
Seth lit one of his candles, bid his three chaperones a fond adieu, and entered the barn. He heard the soft winnies of the horses which were in the stable section to his left, under the loft he was headed for. The sound gave him some comfort under these unusual circumstances. The three at the door saw Seth climb the ladder to the loft. He was heard to mumble, "What I have I gotten myself into, maybe she used to play hiding go seek up here with William�."
Lwcynda and Andremar hoped that would be the case. Gork offered, "If heee gets to play hide and seeeek, me wanna play toooooo." He was promptly hushed.
Seth reached the top of the ladder. He looked back down while saying, "No chance, nice and secluded, comfy straw." From this perch, he looked around the loft, the lower areas of the barn, and the beams of the structure. It seemed to him to be a well built barn.
"Much safer now than we first arrived," Lwcynda mentioned to Andremar, "now that those spiders are gone."
"Er, I ah hope they're all gone," Andremar replied.
Seth was seen to move back into the loft, the light of his candle still up there somewhere.
Grummie and Cassandra were close enough to those at the door to communicate with them if they felt the need. For now they waited in silence.
As the witching hour approached all were somewhat amazed to behold the sight of a nebulous cloud come out the rear door of the mansion. 'It' floated along, oblivious to any landscape difficulties before it, passing right through them rather than going around. As it passed the fountain, those looking could see it seemed to be a young woman, likely the same young woman, Seth had 'danced' with earlier. Neither Gork nor Grummie could pick up the spirit on their night radar. Their view was no better than anyone else's.
As she neared the barn door, she nodded to Lwcynda and Andremar, both of whom stood silently by as Rebecca entered and ascended the loft. They heard her say something like, "William, oh William, so glad you could make it." But she moved into the loft and her voice became lower, so no more eavesdropping was possible under those circumstances.
Grummie had thought about waving to those posted at the door to go inside anyway, just to be safe. He turned to Blaine and said in a whisper, "Do ya think Seth would be.... " he didn't finished the sentence, but instead offered up. "Never mind... bad idea anyway. Ifen I go ta wavin' at'em they might come this way, or think there is ..." he just shook his head, and shut-up, realizing he needed to be more quiet. And so, he just peered quietly in the direction of the barn, then behind them on occasion... then up.. and back at the house... then back at the barn. His head was on a swivel, scanning for any sign of movement, other then the door-monitors.
Cassandra enjoyed being outside, but just standing around bored her. "Hey, your Lordship," she said quietly, "what is this building we're hiding behind anyway?" Blaine reviewed what he recalled from the daylight, and what he knew about manor life. He took a bit of a stroll round the side of the building, Cassie following.
"From what I recall of the front door," he aid as they turned that corner, "Yes, see. I'd guess it is the mausoleum. The whole family could be interred inside. Those gargoyles over the entrance are designed to keep evil spirits away." Cassandra was non-pulsed. "Wonder if there is a crypt keeper?" The sly grin on her face was hidden in the darkness.
Grummie kept watch from his side, but saw nothing.
Over by the barn door the ever inquisitive Lwcynda wondered, "Was Rebecca one of the names of those sisters? I can't seem to remember."
Andremar shrugged and said, "I .. er... I do believe it was! But I need to consult my notes." He began to nervously dig through his belongings when he suddenly realized what a stir he was making. In a even-more-so whispered tone, he added, "Shhh.. I'll check a bit later."
They waited in the silence. Gradually they became aware of some sound from within and above, the sound of someone crying.
Andremar looked to the others with a face that held, both worry and confusion. "It sounds like someone is crying from within," Andremar stated in hushed tones. He looked to the others for reaction and their action.
Grummie heard the faint noises and saw some commotion at the barn entrance. Not sure what was going on, he turned to Cassie and Blaine, inquiring... "What is that sound? Do you think we should advance?" He focused his attention on the doorway to the barn now, trying to discern what was going on, and what the doorkeepers intended to do next.
Cassandra and Blaine were still at the far corner of the building, barely aware of what the gnome was saying.
They moved back towards him. "Interesting building, this," Cassie noted. "Now what's up over there?"
Grummie explained about hearing something or other. Since there seemed to be no one else around the grounds, they moved over to the others at the side barn door. Andremar told them about the crying.
"And he said he had no experience with women. Already made her cry? Sounds like he's been around the block to me," said Cassandra.
They all listened carefully. The sobbing had stopped. They could hear the soft tones of a female voice, though it was too low to make out the exact words.
Grummie whispered, "Sounds like they just be talkin'. Dis mayhaps be good thing, eh?" The gnome crouched and watched the lawns back toward the manse, making sure nothing came up behind them. He also kept a watchful ear toward the loft. Even if he couldn't tell who was talking or what they were saying, he wanted to make sure he heard both female and male voices... otherwise, Seth might be in trouble... unconscious or something.
Andremar responded in whispered tones, "Yeah, it's good that they're talking, I just worry, er about the crying. I hope he don't peeve her off, she might make him cry...that would be bad." Trying to get a better advantage of eavesdropping, Andy moved slightly closer for any sound which might come his way.
He started going over his mental list of spells that may help if they happen to get in a spot.
No more sounds came from above. Perhaps they were �???
Lwcynda knew better. "Maybe he will get some good information and we can figure out what is going on around here. I doubt very much that he did anything to her, after all she isn't corporeal."
Meanwhile, Grummie watched the grounds. Good thing, cause he could see a figure, a seemingly ghostly figure, a seemingly familiar figure, come from around the east side of the manse, move along the path, and come to a stop near the fountain. It seemed oblivious to their presence, for now.
Grummie pulled on Cassie's arm, directing her attention to the new apparition. It seemed to be doing something in, or about, the fountain. Cassandra looked over there, then over her shoulder back in the stable. "She really gets around."
Grummie studied the apparition, but only briefly, trying to make out if it were corporeal or not. He never took his eyes off of it, but spoke softly, and quickly. "Cassie, go yea wi' Andrema' ta check on Seth, an' be sneakin' but swift about it, ok? Gork, Lwycnda and I go now ta check on' dat new one. Dis makes us hab sword an' spell in each group. Ifen yea no disagree, let's go. -- no time to waste."
Grummie was hasty, moving onward, but trying to make sure the others were following (without taking his eyes off of the target ghostie). He obviously thought time was of the essence, and debating the plan might just cause them to lose one of the two apparitions. He thought it was imperative to get to both of them, at the same time... assuming it's not the same one.... Off he went, moving quickly, using cover of buildings or anything else in the area, and trying not to startle ... whatever it is...
Closer and closer the nimble gnome moved, using the trees as cover. Lwcynda flowed as best she could. Gork remained outside the stable door, looking back and forth from one group of his friends to another. They got to a vantage point under a large tree near the rear of the manse. From there they could see what appeared to by the same spirit which had brought Grummie to faint some hours before. She sat on the edge of the fountain dipping her arms in turn into it, though there was no water. After each was dipped, she would rub it eagerly, trying to clean it perhaps, then the other. Then she would start the process again.
Grummie waited for the cleric to join him, and stared in bewilderment at this lady. "How did she get here," he asked in a whisper. "Didn't she go inside with Seth? Did you see her come out?"
Lwcynda merely shrugged her shoulders for she was as surprised as was the gnome by this apparition.
Not that Grummie waited for an answer... He'd only asked to make sure he wasn't dreaming... and that this was all real, or as real as any of this could be! He had no intention of getting close enough to touch her, but he did feel it was necessary to address her. He clutched Lwcynda's skirt-tale and gulped as he stepped out in the open, and called to the ghostly maiden, "Eh... ahem... M'lady Rebecca is it? What is that on your hands, dearie? What have you done?" He inquired, almost scared to hear the answer. The moment he'd asked, he had horrible visions of the girl washing blood from her hands. He peered into her almost translucent face, trying to finds signs of despair or desperation in her face.
She continued to scrub, and scrub. She did not address Grummie directly, but he could clearly here that she was now speaking. "It won't come out," she said, and continued to ring her hands and dip them in the dry fountain. "It just won't come off," and scrubbed her forearms. She continued this dry cleaning for a few more minutes, ignoring both the gnome and the cleric and anything either said. Then, with a sigh and a cry, she broke away from the fountain, and made a hasty run to the rear of the manse where she disappeared through the rear door.
"She's relivin' something, I say," the gnome concluded. There was no need to follow; he felt they would be unable to keep up... especially since she traveled through doors and walls. "Somethin' horrible, I say. Dat be blood she was tryin' ta wash off, I bets." The gnome rounded the well, taking up a position where the ghost had stood. There, he peered down into the water. "Wonder ifen' she dropped somethin here.. years ago... an' left it."
Lwcynda said, "This is certainly strange. She must be another one of the sisters, but I have no idea what is going on. Maybe one killed the other or maybe this one killed William. We have got to get some answers."
Lwcynda moved to the fountain to help Grummie with whatever he was doing.
Grummie reached down and in to the fountain to feel whatever might be there. His touching reminded him of a fact they had all noticed earlier. The fountain was merely damp to the touch, probably because it had rained so much earlier that evening. But the fountain itself had likely not worked in years. What droplets there were seemed to be rain and nothing more. No blood, no stains, save some dirt.
"Me tinks see be washin, but these drips can't begins to cleanse 'er soul," noted the gnome.
Looking round the grounds once more, they could see what seemed to be Gork now standing about halfway between them and the stables.
Meanwhile
Cassandra nodded in agreement. She took her friend's hand and led him silently into the barn. Once there she motioned for him to stay and watch the door while she silently climbed the ladder for a peak.
Andremar did as he was told and waited and watched the door. He could see Grok standing outside the doorway, glancing nervously back and forth. Andremar kept an eye out all around for the slightest bit of danger. In a bit of nervous fashion he started biting his fingernails...quietly.
Cassandra ascended the ladder in relative silence. In only moments she was back at Andremar's side. Softly she whispered, "Seth is still there, and he has his arm around that girl. Well, looks like that girl. All seems well up there." She looked out the door at Gork and then at Andremar. "Should we stay here or go back out?"
Andremar stopped chewing his nails and contemplated their situation. After a moments thought, he replied in whispered tones, "This spot seems to give us a safe...um I mean good vantage point to both of the encounters as they are happening. You can occasionally check on Seth, while I keep an eye out down here on the others. If anything occurs, in either place, we should be in a good position to respond in a timely fashion."
He concluded his profound speech with, "Well, what do ya think?"
Cassandra looked at her best friend. "You know, that does make good sense. Since the gnome gets such enjoyment out of ghosts, let's let him have one of his very own. At least we know ours is nice." So, she spent the next minutes checking on Seth, letting Andremar keep contact with Gork.
With that decided Andremar kept a close eye on Gork and any response that might be considered a threat.
For the next few minutes they both did as they agreed. Cassie made the occasional trek up the ladder, and Andremar shrugged at the goblin for a report. Cassandra noted that the two upstairs were still talking.
Then Gork motioned, calling Andremar towards him. The gangly mage eased his way over to the door. Cassandra glanced over her shoulder as she waited halfway up, or down?, the ladder.
As Andremar reached the doorway he heard, "Look," said the goblin, "meee seeeee something move." Sure enough, as the mage's attention focused on the fountain area, and he followed the goblin's moving point, Andremar caught sight of the apparition moving under a big tree and then up onto the back landing of the manse. Then it disappeared through the rear door of the house.
Stepping back in the door, Andremar motioned for Cassie to come to him and Gork. After updating her on what happened, Andy asked the whereabouts of Grummie. "I know we can't leave Seth, but I really think someone should follow that ghost".
The three of them peered into the darkness. Emerging from beneath a large tree was seemed to be the gnome. He appeared to approach the fountain. He was soon joined by a taller person, likely Lwcynda. They seemed to be poking around in the fountain.
"Why don't you go and have a look," said Cassandra to Gork.
"Meeeeee?" asked the goblin.
"Yes, youuuuuuu," emphasized Cassie. "Andremar and I must stay here with Seth and the ghost."
Gork weighed the options and decided that the grounds in the dark were better than a ghost in the loft. "OK, meeeee go."
Andremar and Cassandra watched as Gork inched his way cross the grounds till he took up a position about halfway between them and the two at the fountain.
About this time they heard some sounds behind them. Turning, they saw both Seth and his lady friends climbing down the ladder.
Meanwhile
Seth had moved into the loft to see what he might see. Other than hay, and some very dead spiders, there wasn't much. Suddenly the hairs on the nape of his neck were aroused. He turned towards the ladder and saw her-Rebecca his dancing partner. She seemed just as before, just as see-through as ever. Though she was rather attractive in the low light of his candle. She spoke, "William, oh William, so glad you could make it." And see moved closer to him. "William, it has been such a long time, and I have missed you, and us so." She smiled the smile of a happy female. She moved closer, her arms open wide, her lips obviously ready.
Watching the female come closer to him, Seth replied, "Rebecca, milady what hav ya been doing since we last met?" He opened his arms waiting for the female to hug him.
And so she did, or at least she tried. But since she was non-corporal, and Seth was all man, her arms went right through him as if he was not there! Seth had learned from his air dance to use his arms gently, as if he was holding her. Her attempted kiss went equally awry as she was halfway through his head, or was it his through hers, before she stopped, pulled back, and realized the futility of her actions.
"Oh, William," she sobbed. "It's no use. It will never be like it used to be. Nothing here will." She moved back a bit, sat down and began to cry.
"Rebecca, please don't cry, it breaks my heart to see you sob" Seth said with sincerity in his voice, and a surprising calm under the circumstances. "As beautiful as your are, why must you be so sad?" Seth sat next to her, wrapping his arm around her the best he could, trying to comfort her.
Seth then said in a low voice, "May I ask what happen, to why it won't be the same Rebecca?"
Rebecca got her sobbing under control somewhat. "Oh, you know, silly boy." But seeing that William did not know, she explained. "Well, for one thing, I am dead. My sister Regine killed me, killed my father, and everyone else. I cannot be with you in your world, and I doubt you want to join me in mine."
She looked at Seth/William just in case he was interested in crossing over. The look one his face was easily read. "No. No, I did not think so. No reason why you should. So, I am stuck in this unrest with nothing to do and no one to do it with."
Trying to comfort Rebecca the best he could, he kept his arm wrapped around the transparent female. After a short pause he said, "Oh my you poor thing, are you the only one who is still here?" With a look of pity upon his face he continued "What happened to your sister Regine? Is she still around as well?" Seth looked at her intently, as his good nature allowed him to feel sad for her.
She seemed more in control now. "Regine? Why yes, she is still around. Both my sisters are. We have no choice but wander here. Some force, evil I think, keeps us here."
Seth thought he heard some movement in the stables, probably the horses.
They continued to make small talk, till Rebecca said, "I am sorry for all this. I mean, now I know you are not even William are you?"
Seth admitted that he was not.
"It's been very nice of you to humor a spirit. What is your name, really?"
He told her it was Seth.
"Well, Seth, I thank you for this night. Let us get down from here."
And with that she moved to the ladder. Seth followed.
As they reached the stable floor they saw Cassandra and Andremar looking out the door. Then these two turned a looked at them.
Andremar quickly and silently dodged out of the line of sight, hoping that he hadn't been spotted and messed up whatever Seth was up to. In the process, Andy tugged on Cassie's arm to do likewise and keep out of sight. Before moving away Andremar stopped and listened for any signs that they may have been seen. Small beads of sweat started to dot his forehead in anticipation for an outcome, as they wait......
Cassandra joined her friend in the nearby shadows just outside the door. Blaine was across the way near the mausoleum, pretty well out of sight. They heard footsteps coming their way, then saw and heard . . .
Seth and Rebecca came down the ladder, looked around the interior, then emerged through the door. "Are your friends around anywhere, Seth?" she asked.
The young cleric looked around, and could make out the outline shadow of some people over by the fountain. "There," he indicated with and outstretched left hand.
Rebecca asked, "Shall we join them or wait for them?"
"Lets wait for them" he said with a friendly smile, "I am enjoying your company right now."
Rebecca seemed pleased by this statement, as she did smile.
With his eyebrows raised he then said to Rebecca, "Do you know if anyone else, other than our small group, that is alive wandering about the estates?" Rebecca responded, "I do think there are others, but I have not interacted with them."
Seth heard this, then turned his head so he could watch the group near the fountain to see what they might be up to. In so doing, he looked past the two who lurked in the nearby shadows.
Andy kept himself and Cassie out of sight. He looked for signs of Seth that might indicate that he was beguiled, charmed, or otherwise not himself. He motioned to Cassie to wait a moment and then they would follow Seth and the apparition if they moved. They would only reveal themselves once he was convinced it was safe. Andy eyed the pair cautiously. Cassie remained silent, as she yielded to Andremar's expertise in the ways of magic.
From what the mage saw and heard, he figured Seth seemed like Seth to him. He appeared to be acting under his own will.
Meanwhile over by the fountain, they could all see two figures, likely Grummie and Lwcynda, gather for a talk. They could not heard from this distance.
Grummie shrugged and exclaimed "Nutses!" He seemed only slightly frustrated not to find anything of long-lost interest remaining at the bottom of the old fountain. "Look! Gork comes dis way. Lets go see wh' is goin' on back a' da barn. Wha'ya say?" He turned to his female companion, awaiting agreement or a better idea, before heading back toward the barn.
"Okay," Lwcynda agreed, "I can't think of anything just now. Let's go see Gork and the others."
As they looked towards Gork, they could see beyond him to the barn. And there they saw a ghostly figure standing with what looked like Seth.
Those near the barn saw the two at the fountain join Gork then move with him towards them. As they got closer they could hear the goblin. "Two! Meee seeee two! Two ghosts, not just one. You had one and weeee have one. Seeee?" he asked as he pointed at the figure next to Seth.
Grummie and Lwcynda joined Seth and Rebecca. The gnome breathed deeply, summoning up new courage, then gazed, glared, intently at the female spirit. "Me bee tinkin' it be dee same one we saw back to the fountain. What tinks yee, Lwcynda?"
Lwcynda, her protection from evil ever ready just in case, looked at Seth's companion. "Meet tinks, er, I think it is the same girl."
Seth smiled, almost giggled actually. The spirit next to him spoke. "I am not surprised you think we are one in the same. That one was my sister, my twin sister, Regine. One way to tell us apart is that her arms, as well as her face and chest, are blood spattered, permanently, and mine," she held out her bare arms, her clean bare arms, "are unmarked and unstained."
Footsteps attracted the groups' attention. Blaine had moved over from the mausoleum.
Seth added, "Seems her sister played ax murderer and wiped out the whole family."
Blaine let out a low whistle, "All my ancestors here are dead?"
Rebecca said, "I am afraid so. No one left here, no one alive that is. My other sister, Reveri is still around, but she is like me. Exactly like me."
A slight rustling was heard nearby as Cassandra and Andremar emerged from the shadows. "Triplets?" she asked, "You and your sisters are triplets?"
"Yes, we are, or were," said Rebecca sadly. "Now we are just ghosts tied to this place, waiting for repose."
Grummie sighed with relief. He was becoming comfortable with the ghost since she was now addressing them casually... instead of half-way assuming they didn't exist. It felt like talking to an elf, or a faerie ... or a squirrel. Most people thought that was weird, but Grummie was becoming more confident with every breath.
The gnome glanced at Lwycnda, but he couldn't wait for her typical barrage of questions. He had his own set of unanswered riddles, and finally they had found someone... er... something .. that could answer them.
"Miss Rebecca... er.. M'lady. My name is Grummie, an' I be needin' ta ask ya' questions. First, can ya tells me whom else might be residing in da manse... be dem of the spirit world or da living. An' where da dey reside. For instances, does some'on like ta be in da library. But mos' portant, is who be leabin' messages in dust, an' in blood. Warnings, scary stuff. Someone living I bet." The gnome realized he might have overdone it with the questions, so he paused, expectantly.
Rebecca smiled knowingly. "There are three residents of this manse, and they are my two sisters and myself. The poetess in the family is Reveri. Though we are triplets, she was always the youngest in certain ways. Each of us has her own room, not that we do much sleeping." Here she paused for a giggle. "And, from what little I have observed, you have visited our rooms, all on the upper floor."
She stopped talking for a moment, as is considering what she had said. "Not that I have been following you or anything. Just, you do make some noise."
Here the gnome blushed, recalling his head first encounter with that lantern and the clanging he had caused.
Rebecca again paused, this time looking at Seth, as if expectantly.
The young cleric read his cue. "Oh, yes, I already asked her about others. She said that she is aware that people sometimes come and go, but she seldom pays them any particular mind."
"That is correct. I was paying little attention to you. You burst into my dance recital, remember?" Rebecca reminded everyone.
Grummie apparently remembered. The gnome smiled sheepishly, but continued with his inquiry, trying to be ever-so-polite, "Aye, and many 'pologies for the interruption; although, might I say, t'was a very nice recital. Seth seemed to enjoy it. I do recall it well, for the sight of a ghost afeared me but for a moment."
"Afeared him?" remarked Cassandra casually. "Kinda out did Andremar in the faint department." But she dropped it here.
The gnome blushed again, but continued, "Pray'tell, do you recall who fled through that very room before we did? A person bearing a lantern, of solid form, perhaps. Or anyone other than those in this group. No doubt, dis person was much taller than I. Twas' only a moment a'fore us. An we are not concerned w' visitors from long ago... just in da last few days an' nights really." Grummie's eyes danced around at everyone else, awaiting their input...
Rebecca replied, "Now that you mention it, someone did pass through, but I paid no mind to it. She seemed to know where she was going."
"She?" Cassandra repeated.
"Yes, it was a female. At least she had longish hair, black, trailing behind her as she ran by. Had a light with her as I recall."
Andremar walked to and fro trying not to stare, and apparently doing a very bad job. He couldn't take his eyes from her. While Grummie was giving her the old twenty questions, Andy was in sheer amazement of conversing with this apparition. Here he was face to face with a spirit. His thoughts were of an afterlife, and what may cause broken spirits to dwell when they should be gone.
Andy mannerly waited for Grummie to finish his line of questioning and chimed in whenever possible. "If I may Rebecca, we have found clues that we have been trying to piece together to explain what has happened. Can you briefly fill us in, and how these clues piece together to complete the story?"
Rebecca smiled. "I too would like to piece together whatever. I think if I did, or you did, then I could rest, permanently." She looked rounds the grounds. "Yes, this is my home but I could use a rest, a long rest. What are these clues you speak of? I might be able to help. What have you found?"
As she waited for an answer, and as Andremar and Grummie debated what clues they did indeed have, Gork began pulling on collective arms. Seems he had followed Rebecca's gaze and seen something.
"Look! Look there. Heeeee's coming. Heeeee's back"
All eyes turned in the general direction of the fountain, for that was where the goblin's arm indicated. Sure enough, someone was walking towards them, someone familiar.
"Hey, hey, it's me. Drist. There you are. Have been looking all over for you."
Sure looked like Drist and it sounded like Drist. Before long he was standing next to them. He said profoundly, somewhat McCarthurian, "I have returned."
Stunned silence overtook the multitude, till Cassandra spoke. "Where the hades have you been."
The elf answered, "I had some personal business to take care of. It is finished and I am now fully free to resume my duties."
"Fully free?" she blurted. "Personal business?" Cassandra was beside herself with emotion, not sure which one. Finally a calm came over her.
"OK, Drist, glad to see you're back. Just one thing."
"What's that?" he asked.
"Next time you have personal business, like a dump in the bush, tell us before you wander off."
Gork added, "Good idea. And watch out for poison ivy."
Grummie the gnome nodded at Drist, but his attention was still drawn to the unique opportunity they had been given to query this ghost. "A girl, eh?" Grummie glanced at Cassie, "Could' be Kellay, or no? Her hair was moreish brown, aye; an' hair nae so long, right?" The gnome began to fathom who the female might be.
"In the dark, brown hair can seem black, but how much longer could it have grown?" offered Drist.
"Unless, of course, she had fake hair. Women can disguise themselves," Cassandra reminded. Then she added. "Of course, could be disguised as a woman to begin with."
This only made a murky situation more murky. Maybe if they met this person, they would get definite answers.
Grummie said, "Ms. 'Becca. I know yea not pay much 'ttention to mortal folk, but dis lady is o' particula' interes' to us. Ifen yea see her again, try ta taken notice, please. An ifen' ya ken recall any o'er times ya seen 'er. When, what she was doin' an how long she's been wanderin' in da manse. Tis 'portant, an' might 'elp us to 'elp you."
She nodded.
The gnome then turned to Blaine and inquired, "An' you sir. Not many fas' runnin' long-black hair'd ladies in yea past, me hopes. Do ya recall anyon' by dis description. 'most specially one who might be interested in da manse for d'selves. Not jus' yea kin, but an'one dat might be wantin' ta enterprise on what ya' gots 'ere."
Blaine just laughed. "Now that's a good one. Women running after me. Unless she was a debt collector, I doubt it very much. And we did not bring a woman with us, did we Seth."
The cleric confirmed that their original group was all male. This line of questioning had been exhausted for now.
Grummie turned and asked Gork to keep a close watch, because they would be concentrating on the clues for little while. He took up a position at the barn door, while the group moved inside. There they drew up hay bales, benches, and anything that could serve as a seat.
Then, the gnome began counting silently on his fingers, trying to recall all the clues they had discovered. He compared his remembrances to Andy and the others. One by one, he asked Rebecca if she knew anything about the foot prints in the dining hall and/or the message scrawled on the floor.
She had no knowledge of these, had never been in the dining hall. "Eating is no longer something I do."
He asked about the portrait and the magic mirror.
She said simply, "The man in the portrait is, or was, my father. He had a way of going through that mirror to get to his vault."
"HIS VAULT!" blurted Blaine, as he vaulted from his seat. "His vault is in there!!!! How'd he get in?"
Rebecca hesitated at Blaine's excitement. "In? Why he, he, had a way of getting in. He could get the mirror to open. I think he had a secret command."
Blaine could not contain himself. "A command?" He stated approaching Rebecca, and grasping at her shoulders. Of course, his hands went right through till they joined near her neck, grasping only themselves. He realized the futility of physicality, but kept talking. "The command. What was it? What was it????"
Rebecca was struck dumb by this display. Her body began to glow. Cassandra and Seth moved quickly to restrain Blaine. Something emanated from Rebecca, and Blaine fell back as if shocked. Cassie got him to sit down while Seth comforted the lady. Lwcynda wondered whether she might have to restrain Blaine magically. He did manage to regain his composure.
Blaine apologized, "Sorry, I am sorry. Lady Rebecca, please forgive me, for my outburst and lack of manners. Just got excited, that's all."
Rebecca seemed a bit shaken, but OK. Seth helped her to seat. "I accept your apology, Lord Blaine. I know you are upset. I am sorry if I hurt you. While I do know that my father had a command to get in, he never shared it with us kids. Why would he?"
Blaine sat silently; so close yet so far.
The gnome continued with his myriad of questions. He asked about the four blue vials and the magnificent serpent gem. He winked to Cassie, letting her know that he hadn't forgotten them. She snapped her fingers.
When told where they were found, she offered, "They likely belonged to my Aunt Jocasta. She had the gift of magic. But I do not know what they are for or do. From I can guess, she died in the laboratory in some sort of explosion. My sister Reveri was closer to Aunt Jay than I was. You should speak with her."
Grummie went on to stuffed bird, the note in the bird, and the skull in that room.
"Ohh, that bird, that evil bird. It had something to do with Regine's madness, but again I am not sure what." Upon being shown the note, she said, "That is Reveri's handwriting. She loved riddles. The skull is my father," she noted sadly.
She had no knowledge of the bloody bedroom message and that bloody dagger.
Grummie assured her they would do all they could to use this information to help her, in return.
"You must," she said, "help rid us of the evil, the curse, so we can rest."
Suddenly, he became concerned about the time, and what limits they might have talking to her, "Miss 'Becca. Is dere any spirit'al limits to da time we ken speak wid' ya? Only a' night? Only when moon is high? Anythin' like that? We be most willin' ta help you any ways we ken, but we might be needin' ya help in return to. Information."
She smiled at this. "You have read too many children's tales. There are no time limits on spirits. We are doomed to roam this place without rest, day and night, rain or shine."
Lwcynda took over. "Rebecca, I am Lwcynda. I guess Grummie has asked you a fair number of questions and we do need information if we are to get to the bottom of this mystery. I too have a few questions if you could try and answer -- Do you know why Regine killed you and your sister?"
"Not really, I can only guess that it had something to do with that raven."
"Who killed Regine or did she kill herself? And if she did then why? I think Grummie and I saw her at the well trying to wash off the blood so we know she is still around."
"I think she killed herself, but I don't know why. That was her at the fountain. She bears the bloodstains of her crime. She cannot wash them away."
"Who was William and was he killed?"
"William was one of my suitors. After the tragedy he stopped coming around. Some men like more meat on their women. Unlike this nice man here, who admires a woman for her spirit," indicating Seth.
"Do you have unfinished business here in the manse and that is why your soul cannot rest? What can we do to help put your soul to rest? Are you and your sisters buried somewhere here on the grounds?"
"No, we are not buried. There was no one left to bury us. I feel some sort of evil haunts the grounds, and it is that which this us to this place."
"Was there anyone else living here with you and your sisters?"
"My mother and father, my Aunt Jocasta, as well as the servants and groundskeepers."
"Were there any evil goings-on here when you were alive, I mean were any of you into sorcery or evil magic? Maybe Regine was bewitched by someone else living here."
Here Rebecca paused, almost gasped, her hand went to her mouth. "Now that you remind me, Regine was sick, very sick, sick in the head. For a year or so she had been acting strange, moody, reclusive. My parents had priests examine her, but none seemed able to help her. Finally they had no choice but to confine her to her room, the one where you found the stuffed bird and the skull. Maybe that was what drove her over the edge."
From this Lwcynda concluded, "Maybe there is some evil artifact that needs to be destroyed in order for you to rest. Can you think of anything that might help us or am I way off base here?"
"All I can suggested is that bird. That bird seemed evil to me. But that is all I know."
Lwcynda took a deep breath. "I could use some water." Some was offered from a wineskin. She waited a bit, hoping that Rebecca wasn't too overwhelmed with all the questions that have been thrown at her from both Grummie and herself.
Rebecca seemed less the worse for wear. "I really think that is all I know."
Andremar heaved a heavy sigh and contemplated all the information that they had been given. "Perhaps that we should seek more information in the sister Reveri, as Rebecca suggested," Andy commented to the group thinking of the next course of action. He turned and asked Rebecca, "This sister will not harm us w--w-w-w-w-will she?"
Rebecca smiled, "No, if she allows you to see her, she will not harm you. She is rather shy, however."
Andy joined in group conversation with his two cents. "It seems as we have two objectives so far. Rid the evil of this place, thereby freeing Rebecca's spirit, as well as locate a way into the vault. Speaking to Reveri is our next natural course of action. The mirror is magical, and Aunt Jay may have left some clues behind that we could help us figure out how the vault works."
"Should we make haste to Reveri?"
Grummie listened intently to Rebecca's dissertation. "Ah, yes, Miss Reveri woulds know more," he agreed with the necessity of visiting her. "Oh, le' me guess, she resid' in da library? no?" he inquired of the ghostly female, as though he had already guessed who said "Thank you" to them earlier. Rebecca replied, "Yes, she does love those books."
Lwcynda was not ready to rush off quite yet. "Just another few questions. Rebecca, do you recall where this bird/raven came from or who might have given it to your sister?"
Rebecca thought about this for a bit. "Actually, last time I saw it, it was alive, a pet of hers. She attracted it somehow. Always seemed to be around her."
"Did your Aunt seem to be fond of this bird or take a special interest in it? We did find a stuffed blackbird somewhere along the line, do you know if it died and was then stuffed or was that a different bird?"
The spirit said that no one seemed to pay any attention to the bird. It was Regine's, and that was about it. How it came to be stuffed she did not know.
"I seem to remember that there was something in that bird. Grummie do you remember what it was or maybe I am misremembering?" Lwcynda asked.
The gnome replied to Lwycnda about the bird. "Twas da note ... {gulp} ... in da bird. Da note about showin' da father to himself. Twas da note dat made me 'tink we should show da skull to da magic mirror. Miss 'Becca just confirm' da skull is 'er fa'der, and derefore it be Regina's fa'der too. So me 'tinks dat might be a clue, fer later, eh?"
"Works for me," said Cassandra. "I keep that one in mind."
The gnome nodded in the direction of the manse and asked "Miss 'Becca, ken you com' wid us along da way? Would' yea join us? We ken talk more whilst we go ta see yea sister, aye?" Grummie mused momentarily at the thought of telling his nephew Rafur, back in Chatwin about the time a ghost joined the Seekers.... He nearly chuckled at the thought and unbelievability of it.
Rebecca cautioned them. "One does not just go see Reveri. One gets to see her only if she chooses to let you. I can speak with her, and see if she will come and see you. Returning to the manse if a good idea, for she does not usually go outside of it."
Grummie turned his attention to the mage in the group and asked, "So, Andy... Wha' make yea o' dis birdie? Som' evil cult 'ting? Possesed bird, drivin' da girl mad? A demon bird, o' sumtin' You see best read on dis kin' o 'tings." He turned back to Rebbecca and added. "Oh, and what makes yea 'tink da bird was evil. Wha, did it do, specific'ly, eh?"
Andremar decided to hedge his bets. He knew things were seldom as simple as they seemed to be. "It's difficult to say at this point Grum. It could be a number of things and maybe some I have never heard of. I want to question Reveri before I start to speculate on the nature of the bird and the evil."
As Grummie prepared to meet Reveri, the gnome's last question was directed at Lord Blaine. "I must a'mit, I too was glad and exited ta hear 'bout da vault in da mirror. I knew dat mirror was 'portant... but you seem'd a'most overcome wid... well... greed it seemed." The gnome paused for the effects of his words to sink in. "I no mean ta accuse yea Sir, but tell us just how yea be related to dis lady, eh? Name da heirs yea both share, startin' wid ye parents, and les' confirm yea identity wid Miss 'Becca, aye?"
The gnome paused again, glancing at the others. He suddenly realized they had never received, nor had they asked for, any proof of Sir Blaine's heritage, or his claim on the manse. Seth's joining the group, and having apparently been a friend of Blaine's offered some credence; but they could both be in on this. Grummie had noticed Blaine's deathly hold on the undead spirit. It was as though he wanted to choke her. What would drive a man to engage in a deadly grapple with a long-lost member of his past; that was already deceased and in spirit form? It just didn't add up.
Blaine looked in askance at the gnome. He recognized the doubt in his eyes. He knew the look only too well, for his father had used it many times, especially relating to his behavior of late, the behavior which got him into his current predicament.
He spoke in a low tone. "My relatives? No, I cannot name any relatives here. And, if this one has been dead for two hundred years, she would not know of any link to one such as me. No, I cannot name my relatives."
He moved a few paces away and sat on the ground. "We could go back to Narwell. My current family is there. But, you would have to settle for their word for it." He looked off into the dark night sky. "I guess even my word isn't worth anything anymore."
Cassandra offered a recollection. "For what it's worth, he did tell us about the family story of one sister going mad and killing the family. He mentioned it back in the inn. Turns out to be true."
Blaine did not react to this. Instead he said, "I noticed that the lock on the mausoleum was broken. Think I'll have a look inside for now. Let you people talk for a bit."
Rebecca sensed something had changed. "It's late. Not that I need a beauty rest. I will try to find Reveri. I will try to bring her to see you in the morning. Don't worry," she grinned, "we will find you." And she vanished!
Blaine began to walk towards the building.
Drist knew a little about being down on your luck and not having people trust you. He offered to Blaine, "Perhaps it would be best not to go alone. I will join you if you want."
Blaine allowed himself a reserved smile. He said to the elf, "Thanks. I'd enjoy the company."
The two continued towards the stone building across from the stables.
Grummie suddenly felt very guilty for what he'd said, and he rushed to catch the somber man, "Await! Await Sir Blaine Sir."
He rushed on little legs to catch and keep up with Blaine, the gnome offered his humble apology. "I mean't nae disrespect to yea. I just had ta ask'en ya. I be su'prise ya be trustin' me, ta be quite honest. I be ownin' a pawn shoppe, adventurin' about in search o' loot ta fill me shelves. I hap me own reasons, and I shouldn'ae question yours."
Blaine stopped and looked at the gnome. The young lord even more the boy. His shoulders sagged; he face was empty.
The gnome paused to catch his breath and to make the pace, "Ya see, ya just startled me da way you's reacted, ya know. What did ya strangle' da lady 'Becca like that, eh? I wanna see wh'a in dat vault a'much too. But we' do dis ta save ya from those dat are after you, right? What ifen ya scared da lady 'Becca away, and we never figured dis out? We may need her, aye?"
Blaine admitted that he did want to help Rebecca. "I guess something good should come of this, even if that damned Scar gets me in the end."
Seeing Lord Blaine depressed Lwcynda said, "Lord Blaine, please, since we still don't know what evil lies here I suggest we all stay together as a group. We can sort this out and I'm sure you are just a little overwrought at the moment. It's not every day that you get to meet an ancestor who is a ghost. Come let us have a snack then go off in search of whatever it was we were going to search for." She rummaged through pouch and produced some dried fruit.
Blaine accepted the snack. They could see his resolve was melting.
Grummie seized the opportunity. The gnome panted slightly and gulped audibly, his throat parched, "An wha'ya know of Me? How ya not know I, bein' a recent member o' da Seekers, not hab' a bad motive o' me own? I guess you been square wid' us so far, an' ya not been question'in us. I hab no right ta question you eid'er. Ifen ya will forgive me Sir Blaine. I admit I be very a'glad ya wid us! I am!"
Blaine smiled. "I know you are a gnome of your word. And, well, I am glad all of you are here."
They all partook of some food.
As Grummie apologized for questioning Blaine's motives, Andy wasn't sure that Grummie was far off the mark. There was no way for them to know for sure, what Blaine's real motives were, if he had any at all. Whatever he felt, was to be put aside for now, as the mystery of this house was starting to unravel. He gave Cassie a concerned look, one that told somewhat of his thoughts with a glance and a raised brow. "We better stay close to the others...", Andy stated as he started in the direction of the building and then realizing that it was a Masoleuom lost his legs for a brief second...."or make sure things are safe out here...as somebody should!!!"
Cassandra grinned at her 'brave' companion. She offered, "Gork has been a reliable lookout so far. I know you'd be disappointed of you did not get to see inside the tomb." She poked him with an elbow, and continued walking over to the others.
As they ate, Lwcynda asked, "I wonder, did we see any portraits of anyone yet -- maybe Rebecca's father? I can't remember just now."
Cassandra had been taking a careful inventory of the art work. "I don't recall a male portrait off hand. The mirror was covered by a female, a woman. From the looks of Rebecca, I'd guess the portrait was of her mother. The other works, those in the upper hall were mostly destroyed. Think one was still sounds, but we never really got the chance to examine them. Every time we get into that upper hall, something happens. Once we met Seth. Then we were drawn by that scream to the bloody dagger. Then the Rebecca dance recital while we were in pursuit of whoever." She took a bite of fruit, then added, "Next time we're there, I wonder what new thing will come along?"
It was about 1AM. Soon, snack time was ended. They walked around to the east side of the crypt [#2]. The architecture of this stone tomb was disturbingly gothic. The outside was ornately carved and decorated with gargoyles. The door was made of iron.
As Blaine had observed, the lock did seem broken. He was about to throw the door open when Cassie cautioned him. "Sometimes that which seems too easy is too easy. Let me look first. But, upon careful examination, there seemed nothing amiss. "Guess someone just broke it some time ago."
They pushed the iron door inward. Andremar highlighted the interior with his lantern. Musty odor, cobwebs laced with dust covered much of the interior. No footprints at all. The side walls were lined with individual crypts, some with their ends or tops broken. Some items seemed scattered about under the layers of dust.
"OK." Said Cassie, "You two watch the outside. Ma and Andy will head on in."
She took a few tentative steps inside. "Er, Andremar. . . Kinda tough for me to see with the lantern beam shaking like that."
She lit a torch and used it to burn off a few of the webs. "Oh, and Grumster, Watch out for those low slung lanterns."
A few more steps, and the rogue asked, "Anyone with me?"
Lwcynda readied her ~protection from evil 10'R~ spell and followed.
Drist drew his sword and poked around at some of the loose objects, expecting something grisly. "Cassie, Do you figure we should worry about the inside being trapped? Seems like the families who lived in the Manor would have kept their valuables in the house."
The rogue paused for thought. "From what I see so far, I'd guess that if there had been any traps, whoever's been in here, and it's pretty obvious someone has, likely set any off."
She continued in. "But, if they've been through, there will likely be nothng much left for us. Still, be careful."
Drist nodded and smiled, "Right. Someone make sure they prop the door open behind us. In all the stories I've heard, the door to a tomb always mysteriously swings shut as soon as the whole party is inside, right Grummie?" The Ranger seemed much more at ease than before he left, as though a great weight had been removed from him.
The gnome "gulped" audibly and said, "I got da door..."
"Mee too," said Gork. Andremar stayed with them, but he did shine his beam about the interior.
As Drist continued to poke around, his discovery was somewhat grizzly. "Hey, this looks like a bone."
Lwcynda and Cassandra joined him. The torch light confirmed the elf's discovery. "That's a bone all right," said Lwcynda, "and that's another one over there," she continued indicating another one nearby.
Blaine spoke from across the room. "Looks like some grave robbers have come through. Some of the crypts are damaged, broken open, but the bodies inside, or skeletons I should say, seem intact. But there is a loose bone or two over here as well."
Continued investigation revealed a few more bone, leg, arm, pelvic, until a small skull was tripped over. Otherwise, the inside seemed as normal as an inside of a mausoleum could seem in the dead of the night.
Grummie kept watch outside and inside. Gork never bothered with the interior. He kept his eyes glued to the grounds, scanning everywhere but in this building. He poked Grummie in the ribs. "Look, over theeeere neeeear the house. Is that something in theeee shadows." His voice was loud enough to be heard inside.
Grummie looked as best he could near the east side of the manse. Indeed, one of the shadows seemed to be moving. Or was it?
Drist wondered aloud, "So do we have an extra skeleton here? Seems like a child, or small person. Sometimes children are buried with a parent. It might have been careless grave robbers. We should see if we can figure out where the skeleton belongs. At some point, we should put it back in order. It's not right to have remains lying about."
Blaine agreed. "Whoever it was, this person might have been a distant relative. We should try to offer some repose." He continued to examine the crypts, those broken open and those intact.
Grummie shivered at Drist's suggestion. He too thought it only right to reseal the tomb and perhaps has Lwycnda to pray and consecrate the remains; however, he couldn't fathom the idea of handling the bones and doing the work. "Eeew," he muttered and cringed.
When Gork noticed movement, Grummie's instinct was to go investigate, but the superficial burn on his cheek helped instill patience within him. "I see's it Gork. Let's hide 'n watch." He kept his eyes peeled and focused on the shadows as he told the others about their discovery. "Psst... Psst," he alerted the group, in a hushed tone. "We sees something beside da manse, in da shadows. But fiend we go chargin' at it, we just gonna scare its away. Goe's head n' finish yer search, den we might need ta use our plan. We ken go back to da manse, or walk around da oder side o' it and lay in wait, quietly for da shadow to follow?"
Grummie studied the shadow, trying to discern whether it was a warm-blooded lantern-wielding long-haired sneaky-lady, or if it were another cold-natured non-corporeal spirit.
While it was beyond the reach of the gnome's infravision, he did get a good enough look at it to notice two things. First, it had no light source. Second, as the shadow crept back to the manse and around the east side of it, it looked human and male in form. With the distance it had on the party, there was little chance of getting to it at the present time. And, before long it was gone round the front of the house.
Andremar was having his usual fun time in front of the mausoleum. "Jeeezzz Cassie, it's bad enough were poking around this crypt, now we have a shadow stalking us." Andy tried to quell his involuntary shaking. He was about to jump into the crypt when he heard of the shadow following them, but thought better of it and hulked behind Gork and Grummie.
From inside the rogue replied, "You got that right," she answered, "sometimes there are no limits to the fun we have together." This was said as she had completed the gathering of the lose bones. She and Lwcynda did the best they could putting the skeleton together. From their vast forensic experience they concluded that it was likely a small woman.
From Blaine's own tour of the room, he wondered who she was, "All those which have been opened still have the bones inside. The others have not been tampered with."
Cassandra agreed with the latter part of his assessment. "Whoever came in, they were clumsy at this sort of thing. Simply settled for smashing things up. So, this poor soul had no business here. Sad"
As per Drist's suggestion the bones were placed together in one of the open tombs. "Whoever's in there might appreciate the company," noted Blaine, a lame attempt at humor under these odd circumstances.
Lwcynda said the appropriate prayers.
"Nothing else for us in here. Now what," asked Cassandra, wiping her hands against each other and heading for the door.
It was now 2AM.
Grummie peered into the mausoleum and studied the outside. He felt drawn to the architecture, and would like to have spent some time, checking for secret compartments and sliding panels; but he couldn't bring himself to go inside. "Eh.. er.. Should we go back to da manse? See ifen we ken find Ms. 'Becca and her sisters? An' we should's be check'in on dat fello' too. Some'on be wanderin' about, and Ms. 'Becca said day only be sisters 'ere, as ghosties." Grummie prepared to head back to the manse; but awaited ideas from the others.
Lwcynda agreed with Grummie to go back to the mansion. The others gathered about. Blaine closed the door to the mausoleum. Cassandra did what she could to secure it.
Drist had stepped out of the tomb and taken a deep breath. "While we're heading back, why don't you two show me where you saw this shadow. I'll see if it left a trail."
They walked across the back area, past the fountain and along a side path till the came to the east rear of the house.
"It be lurkin dere," pointed Grummie. "Then it moved round to the right side."
Drist knelt near the ground. Aided by the rains of the past night, he outline footprints with his index finger. "Looks like boots, the kind worn by humans. Good size too. Not overly heavy, but more likely a man than a woman." It was relatively easy to follow the path whoever had taken round the right side of the house, round the front, and to the front door. Clumps of mud marred the raised stone in front of the door. "Looks like he stopped to kick the mud off before he entered. There are no other prints, cept the ones we made going out before."
The door was opened slowly and they examined the floor inside. There was no hoped for mud trail. Cassandra had some experience in this area. "Probably took his boots off, then went inside. Unless, of course, he flew off," she laughed.
With nothing else to follow, and no sounds attracting them anywhere, it seemed a good time to return to their safe room and settle in for the night. They went through the nearest door on their left, and up through that secret way that had got them there in the first place.
Cassandra examined the door, the floor, and their gear. "If someone's been through here, he or she was very good at it. No sign of anyone that I can see." She began to ready her bedroll for what was left of this night. "I'm gonna get some sleep. Wake me when it's my watch." She lay down in a corner. "Unless one of those ghosts starts screaming 'bout something."
Andy sat and cracked his spell book. He studied over his spells and tried to decide what would be the most effective in the day to come. "I have to be up for awhile, so I don't mind taking first watch. Anyone care to join me?"
Drist removed most of his gear. Drawing his sword, he sat on the floor with his back against the wall opposite the door. Laying his sword on the floor next to him, he said, "I'm with you. The rest of you sleepyheads get some sleep."
As the gnome bedded down for the evening, preparing to take a later watch cycle, he commented, "Me tinks dis workin' in da night be good idea. We seems ta be findin' ore a'night dan in da day, aye? What say ya we's sleeps late; ta 'bouts lunch, an' start den, aye? So we ken work in some day light' an some night too." The gnome found his comfortable spot and snuggled with his backpack.
"Meeee think you right," said Gork, "Meeee likes theeee night." Goblins were notable for their dislike of daylight. Meee sleeeeep now too. Get up and watch with you." He removed his pack and sword, rubbed his eyes a bit, then just tumbles over into sleep.
Lwcynda and Blaine agreed to relieve Andremar and Drist in a few hours. No one objected to getting plenty of sleep, if only the denizens if the manse would let them.
And so, sleeping and watching in shifts the Seekers enjoyed a pleasant and very restful sleep. They almost reached Grummie's target time of noon. Perhaps it was the overall excitement of the place, the air, the floor, whatever, but all were bright eyes and bushytailed by 11AM.
Morning, 11AM, 9th of Reaping, 585,
Grummie snacked on a bit of dried meat as he slung his backpack on his shoulders for another day of plunder. "What'ch say we's checks out da rest'o da manse 'while day light be shinin'. I tink's we should check ou' all da buildin's ou'side too, fore we got tryin' ta get in da vault. I'd feel better 'bout tryin' it after we gets a talk wid 'Rebbecca's sister, an' figure out who been sneakn' round in here."
The gnome paused, glanced around as if he suspected the walls were listening, then lowered his voice to a whisper, "Perhaps we souldn't talk much 'bout da vault, eh. Not mention where it is, an' such, case does lurkin' abouts be lookin' fer it too. Should we guard it, ya tink? Or will dat draw too much 'tention?" The gnome's face wrinked with suspicion and a sudden urge to catch the sneaky lurkers wandering about.
Drist looked up from his morning stretch, "You've got a good plan there, I think. We should investigate the rest of the Manse and the surroundings first. There are questions that need to be answered. I don't think we should split up until we know who's wandering around, though. I shall keep an eye out for signs. It's harder to track someone indoors, but not impossible."
Andy nibbled a bit on some food in his backpack, and gathered his things together. "Yeah, I agree splitting up is a bad idea anytime we're in a spooky place. That's how it always happens in the scary stories they tell by the fire. First they split up, and then a helpless damsel falls while the boogie man is chasing her. We have a better chance for survival by staying together if we can."
Cassandra rolled her eyes as the helpless female of a mage, in his gown and all, prattled on.
"I too say we should stay together, though I doubt that there are too many 'helpless' damsels here." She winked at Cassandra and then smiled at Andremar.
"Yeah," said Cassie, "We best stick together cause if the guys went off on their own, we two would have to come along and bail them out."
"And while we're at it," she continued, "it looks to me like we've pretty much beat this upper floor to death, unless one of you swarthy men wants to go look a himself in the mirror next door, again."
"No, I don't need to check a mirror to know I look perfect.", Drist rose after stretching. He grinned, "Let's go downstairs. I will lead the way and protect our fragile ladies." Cassandra had a vision of the newly arrogant elf leading the way and her right boot helping him down the stairs.
Grummie smiled. "Me tink's de bottom floor needs mor' lookin' at, eh? As for us getti' in trouble, ... well.... " Grummie recalled the incident with Andy at the mirror, and his own stumble in the mud, and the spider, and Drist's disappearance, ... and suddenly realized it always WAS the guys who seemed to get into the most trouble. "Well, er... glads ya wid us, ladies." he said, blushing, and trying to hide the fact that they were right.
So the Seekers gathered their belongings and headed out of their safe room. They moved along the hallway to the wide open balcony area, and seeing no one, hearing nothing, they headed down the stairs.
Once on the main floor they found themselves in a great hall [#10]. A large, sparsely furnished chamber with a high ceiling and the balcony above. Many footprints, some obviously their own ran between the wide northeast corridor, which they knew led to the main door, and the stairs. A large portrait of a man, "First Viscount of Mistmoor" hung over the fireplace in the south wall. A narrow corridor ran north from the left side of the room. It was along this corridor that Grummie had pursued his lantern wielding assailant. Another corridor ran east. There was a double door on the south wall, apparently leading outside. Another door seemed to go straight west.
The gnome studied the portrait for a moment and glanced around the room. He turned to Blaine and nodded toward the wall adornment, inquiring, "Reckon' date be Ms. 'Becca's and her sisters' fader? Dat da one da needs ta see 'imself in ... well, you know... Ya think?" The gnome glanced at the others, seeking their reaction. His previous plan of introducing the portrait of the viscount, to the magic mirror began replaying in his mind, especially now that they seemed to have found a more likely portrait to use.
"But may'haps dat should be later, eh?" the gnome glanced around again, seeing doors that led to areas they had not yet inspected. "What say... lets get dis one first, eh?" he pointed to the door adjacent to the base of the stairs, as he drew for this trusty short sword. The gnome then shrugged and smiled at Cassie. He was obviously willing to follow the others to whichever door they wished to try next.
Cassandra nodded knowingly and moved towards the door to examine it. She said something to Lwcynda about it "needing a woman's touch."
Andy stood without comment, as the conversation was engaged of the battle of the sexes. He knew the women of the group were strong, and more than once was bailed out by Cassie in their misadventures. He gathered with the others to door as Cassie inspected it.
To Cassandra's knowing eyes, the door seemed fit for opening and so it was. Inside [#12] they found the kitchen. Cupboards and counters ran the length of the south and west wall. The counters were replete with the usual clutter of grimy cooking paraphernalia. A small table and two chairs sat center room. A large hearth dominated the west wall.
Off the west wall a hallway ran to the north. In the north east corner there were two door, one north and one west. Sensing the inevitable, Cassandra eased her way along the east wall to these two doors. Checking each in turn she carefully opened them one by one. "Stairs going down, maybe the basement?" she wondered, as she closed the west one for now.
She stood by the one to the north, "Looks like a pantry. [#14] Lots of stored food in here," She said glancing back and forth.
Grummie studied the room; taking measure of the structure, walls, halls, doors and openings. "Makes sense," he commented. "Da halls match da walls. I don' tink there be any hidden passages or open spaces in da walls."
The gnome moved over the cabinets and counters, "Less make a quick check' o da place. Inbentory it, ya? Den we know what be here ifen we need sometin' later." The gnome glanced at the pantry and smiled, "Leas' we know where o' food stuffs be comin' from now." A slightly audible grumbling sound emmitted from the short-fellow's stomach.
Turning his attention back to the kitchen cabinetry, Grummie began searching through the room and its stores, as he said, "Wann'a check da basement, while's we here, for we go anywhere else, o' finish dis floor firs?" He awaited interjection from the others; willing to follow along where ever they wished to go next.
To examine the cabinets it was necessary for the gnome to stretch up on his tip toes. He managed to somehow reach one of the doors and pull it open. The natural light from the room filtered in and a couple of rats filtered out. One seemingly poured from the cabinet shelf to the counter top to the floor, then began scurrying about as it looking for something. A second used the outstretched gnome as a sliding board, zipping down his arm to his shoulder, where it sat perched, its head whirling about and around, amazed by all the bodies. A few others ran back and forth within the cabinet.
"Look," said Gork, "Grummieeeee's found fresh meat." For indeed, any goblin worth his salt knows how good fresh cook rat can be. "Taste just like cheeeeken," he said drooling, as he fell to hands and knees trying to coral the one on the floor.
"Cool friend," noted Blaine indicating the one on the gnome's shoulder.
Andy didn't like hearing about the basement door and whatever lurked down there. "The pantry door sounds good, basement doors seem to give me heartburn." Adding a fake laugh to the joke didn't help, no one found him funny, so he stopped. Andy edged toward the hallway, hoping something interesting would come his way and he would have a legitimate case against going down stairs.
The sight of these rats did little to calm Andremar's already uneasy heart beat. He looked down the north hallway and noticed two more doors. He edged slightly more in that direction.
"After you check the pantry I say let's have a little fun and go down to the basement. As Grummie says, we are here already." Lwcynda smiled in Andremar's direction.
"We may be here, but these doors are here also," he continued shakily. "We don't want to leave them out, now do we?" he added, his voice rising in hope.
Drist offered Andremar a momentary reprieve from the denizens of the deep. He chipped in his two cents, "Sooner or later we're going down those stairs. But let me and Cassie see if there's anything unusual about the pantry."
The two observers did just that. The elf found footprints, boot prints to be exact. "Look familiar in some way. Might be the same ones we saw outside last night."
Cassandra's eyes were trained in other ways. "Certainly foot prints. From the way these foodstuffs have been disturbed, seems like someone came here for food. Nothing messy about it. Not like in the crypt last night. Not robbers, just eaters."
They both came out from the pantry to the sight of the goblin still wrestling with his lunch, "Meee don't want to crush it. Bones get mixed with meat make it tough." And, the gnome and his shoulder pet.
"Could find a dog who'd love you?" asked Cassandra as she passed by in search of Andremar.
Lwcynda stood at the door to the supposed basement, waiting for the inevitable descent.
Andremar tried his powers of persuasion on his best friend. "Two doors?...," he said optimistically, wishfully, wistfully even.
"Aw right Aw ready," said Cassie knowing that he was not going to let these two go. She moved past the pet rat circus and down the hallway. "Drist, Seth, why don't we get these over with. They can sort out the food orders awhile."
As she was checking the first door, she called back to Gork, "I like mine medium, but err on the rare side." She shook her head at whoever was with her. "Goblins. Gotta love 'em." The door seemed OK to her so she opened it slowly. [#15] To Andremar and the others who were observing, it looked like a bedroom or quarters of sorts. They could see a single wardrobe and bunks for six people.
"I'll check the other one while I'm at it." And so she did. From the doorway, this room [#16] seemed very similar to the other one.
"Tasty, tasty. You look soooo tasty," they could hear from back in the kitchen.
Drist strolled into the first set of living quarters [#15] to investigate. He checked the six bunks and the simple wardrobe for signs of recent use. In the wardrobe he found old clothing, dresses and the like in women and child sizes. Running his finger over some of the surfaces to see how much dust had built up, he gathered that someone else had done the same. The floor was relatively clean. "Someone's been in here, but no one is staying here," he noted.
Cassandra entered the next room, [#16]. Her findings were the same as Drist's save for the appearance of old and worn men's clothing. "I'd say someone gave this the once over too. But no sings of permanent residence."
Blaine suggested that rooms such as these, "near the food preparation areas were usually were the servants would sleep."
Grummie's first reaction to the rats was surprise and shock; but once he figured out what it was jumping out at him, he settled down and began to seemingly enjoy the little circus. At one point, the gnome made squeaky little chipmunk type sounds, as he gazed at the rat perched casually on his shoulder. He actually seemed to be trying to communicate with the little rodent.
Hearing the sounds, Gork looked at Grummie in a different light, almost licked his lips in fact. Had to shake himself out of it and settle for the one he had caught.
The gnome seemed oblivious to what the others were doing. He chuckled lightly at their jokes. When he noticed Gork chasing one on the floor, as a meal, the gnome gasped and scolded, "Gork! Please... well.." The gnome really didn't hold these creatures in the same regard as he did nature's squirrels, moles and the like; however, he did feel very squeamish about the thought eating the poor creatures.
This did not deter Gork. He held his catch above his eyes, sniffed the fragrance that is rat, then swallowed the thing hole! He giggles as it squirmed its way down his gullet. "Yummy," he proclaimed.
While the others glanced into the distant rooms, Grummie turned and continued checking the cupboards, using his sword as needed to extend his reach. His findings were basic cooking paraphernalia-plates, bowls, cups, saucers and the like.
He also seemed to be conversing with the rat. Though Grummie spoke with the learned intelligence of a gnome, the rat could only respond with a rat like education. Grummie did gather that the Seekers were not the only humans who had been through here. There were other humans about, but that was the limit of the rat's talent at descriptive narrative.
Gork had digested his rat; he eyed Grummie's anxiously.
Lwcynda reminded one and all, including Andremar, that the basement awaited. Andremar indicated the eastern corner of this floor where they had not yet been.
Hmmmmmmm, . . .
Seth had been keeping his comments to himself. Since his amorous encounter last night he'd just been following everyone around. He was not the kind of guy to kiss and tell.
He listened to the ideas and petty arguments between one another, only to wonder himself why he ever listened to Blaine in the first place.
Seth took a quick peek into the doors that Cassandra and Drist entered, then turned his head back towards Gork as he watched him swallow the rat whole. "AAAAAAAA", he gasp out loud towards Gork, "YOU ATE that rat like a wild beast, not that I like rats or anything, wouldn't a little cooked rat been better?" One of Seth's hands covered his mouth in disgust as the other pointed at Gork.
The goblin looked in askance, then his eyes brightened as he understood Seth's problem. "No worree. I can get another one for you." He began to hunt round for an entr�e for the cleric.
Grummie gasped at the site of Gork's inhaled meal and he swiftly took the rat off of his shoulder and hid it in a cupboard, high above and nearly out of his own reach.
Drist shrugged, "Well, we could be systematic about it and finish searching this floor. If there's action to be had, I'd bet it would be in the basement. I say we check it out."
Grummie turned to Gork and scowled saying to the group, "Yes, let's move on.... before Gork eats our only source of information." The gnome made a hasty exit, hurriedly trying to scare away any rodents still within Gork's reach. He was apparently confident that the northern recesses of the hallway had been adequately checked by the others, and wasted no time getting out of the kitchen; a horrible grimace on his face.
Gork just stared at Grummie.
Drist looked appreciative over to the mage and his suggestion about finishing the search of this floor. "Well thank you Andy. I'm glad you agree with my approach. Once we're done stomping around over their heads, whatever is down in the basement will have time to get themselves together. It wouldn't be fair just to rush down there and catch them by surprise. Better to give them a fighting chance."
Gork looked at Drist and nodded in agreement. "Heee's got a point."
Taken back by Drist's sarcasm, and a little offended, Andy reeled away from the group and headed toward the basement door. "Fine...fine....fine, lets go head first into the darkness, without knowing what lurks around us. Without thoroughly searching this floor we take a risk that someone or something follows us down into the basement or worse blocks us in. Better yet if they catch us on a stairway they get high ground to the advantage of our fighters....good strategy! Oh....and as for the surprise....if you haven't noticed we're being followed. Who or whatever knows we're here...and we can only get glances of them. Did you ever think this could be a trap?"
Andy waited by the basement door tapping his foot impatiently. Though he never raised his voice during his tirade, his face was red and blustered. He was nervous! His thoughts trailed off to his brother, and the feeling of being inadequate came rushing back. He prepared his spells, briefly running over them in his mind, and calmed his shaking hand as he reached for the door to the basement. Closing his eyes as he turned the knob and tried to open the door, he tried to remember if Cassie had checked it for traps. No matter his course was set. If the door would open, his lantern would be out, and he would descend into the basement first. "Come Drist let's find your action, you so desperately seek!!"
Gork moved to Andremar. "Meee wanna go downstairs. Maybe they'll beeee more rats. Big, fat juicy rats.
Drist tried to calm the mage. "Oh, easy Andy, we've got a lot of work to do. No sense getting angry at each other first thing in the morning.", Drist slid to the doorway, drawing his sword and letting his buckler slide around from his back to his front. Pausing a moment to make sure everything that was supposed to be loose was loose, and everything tight was tight, he started down the stairs. "Better let me go first, though. If I'm still alive after lunch, you can be angry at me then."
Gork looked at Drist. "Heeee's got a point, too."
Andremar took a deep breath. "Rest easy good Drist, I'm not angry at you but myself, for not doing this sooner. You just gave me a push."
Gork thought about giving him a real push, but Cassandra waved him off. She moved to this door, one she had examined and opened already.
She looked long and hard at her long time companion. "Had I suspected such hidden spunk, I'd a pushed you long ago. Hey, Lwcynda, who is this masked man?" she asked, indicating the brazen mage who seemed ready to challenge the depths.
Lwcynda shrugged her shoulders, and looked at Andremar in a new light.
Cassandra caught and understood that look. "Hey, he's my friend. I knew him first."
"But you waited all this time," said Lwcynda.
"Weeee going down?" demanded Gork.
And so, after the longest conversation in the history of the Seekers, they headed down these cellar stairs.
Drist led the way, with Grummie and Cassie right behind. Andremar, Lwcynda, Gork Blaine and Seth followed.
Noon, 9th of Reaping, 585, To the Basement
Andremar's lantern cast a beam down the twenty feet of stairs which ran west. At the bottom landing the room opened to their collective left or south.
They found themselves in a large stone room, some 40'S and 20'E. The room was filled [#41] with casks and wine racks, though it seems only a few bottles remained on the dusty shelves.
It was cooler down here, and a bit damp. Did they hear the sounds of moving water? Maybe. There appeared to be two opening back to the east. One was immediate to their hard left. The other was at the south end of the room. Both suggested more stair and deeper down below.
Blaine said, "No doubt what little is left will be from some inferior vintage."
