Lord Blaine of Mistmoor Manor

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 stairs and deeper down below.

Blaine said, "No doubt what little is left will be from some inferior vintage."

Grummie studied the room with his nightly-sight. As to the wine he commented, "Nae; all win' be goo' wine, an' I be needin' a bottle ta refreshin' me skin wid anyway."

Putting away the sword, the gnome went about the task of studying the bottles on the racks. He held each one up to the light source, to study the sediment in each bottle. He preferred a blended merlot and cabernet; but would settle for anything with a little age to it.

Blaine could not resist the temptation of the grape either. He followed the gnome into the midst of the rows of racks, waving away dusty cobwebs with his gloved hands. He concerned himself more with the labels than the sediment.

While the racks had room to accommodate at least a thousand bottles, there remained but 23 that still had solid corks and wine in them. The youngest bottle they found was dated CY 398. All told there were 7 merlot, 4 cabernet, 4 dry red, 4 Beaujolais, 2 Chianti, and 2 pinot noir. The youngest was dated "CY 398."

Blaine had to sit down for a moment. "Do you have any idea how much these could be worth to the proper wine connoisseur?"

Seeing that the gnome was getting ready to sample one, he leapt up. "Please! At least not here in this cellar." He looked round for some alternative. "The casks. Let's see what the casks have to offer, shall we?" He managed to safely wrestle the bottle away from the thirsty gnome and place it back on the rack.

The two walked purposefully towards a corner where a large cask sat. His lordship fiddled with the side faucet. "Yes, it works, now where's a glass, a container, any old thing." Some pewter mugs rested on a shelf on the west wall.

He dragged one down, blew into it, gasped as the dust and a few spiders exploded into his face, blew again, wiped it with his hand, then with a kerchief, till it seemed clean. "Now, let's see what we shall see." He sampled out a draught of what looked like red wine. He brought the mug to his nostrils and breathed deeply. His pained expression told one tale; his voice told another. "Excellent! A fine bouquet."

He saw doubt on the gnome's face. "Er, well, it has some aroma. But no matter, the real test is the taste anyway." And so he drank. His lips pursed, his jaws expanded. With a squint of both eyes, he swallowed. And swallowed. And swallowed. "AH, now that was a wine experience." He topped up the mug and handed it to Grummie. "Now, you try. But wait for me"

Lord Blaine proceeded to get another mug, go through his careful, sanitization process, and filled it up. This time he dispensed with the smell test. He took a practiced swallow and hardly choked at all this time. "Stuff kinda grow on you."

He encouraged Grummie to follow.

"Rats," Said Gork.

"Where?" Asked Cassandra.

"No rats," said Gork.

"I know, rats," said Cassandra, "but where are they? I can't see any."

"That's right," said Gork, "rats no heeeere."

"Then why did you say 'rats'?" asked Cassie.

Me say 'rats' cause theeere are no rats. Like, 'rats, theeeere are no rats.'"

"And that is a bad thing?"

"Yeeep, sure eeees. Meeee wanna eeeat another rat."

Another example of goblin logic struck the ensemble.

"You should have packed one for lunch," said Cassie.

"Everyone stop moving around for a minute so I can check the floor." Drist began working from the center of the room, back and forth between the two openings, looking for signs.

Drist had time to walk the perimeter of the room. The walls all seemed solid. Both stairways led downward. The sound of water was definitely coming from the one to the south, the one farthest away.

The gnome nodded to the others; "Go 'head, I be catchin' ya." After he guzzled down a mug of the wine and smiled, agreeing with Blain's appreciation for the vine; he uncorked his wineskin, emptied it into a few of the mugs nearby; and refilled it with the much-better compliment of wine they'd discovered in the casks. "I'll be 'ight be'hin' ya, go 'head."

Blaine nodded knowingly, "Kinda grows on you, doesn't it?" Seeing the gnome fixing a carrying version, he began to do the same. "Right behind ya's," he said to whomever.

Something occurred to Drist. He made one more pass of the room, looking for signs of rats - droppings, nesting, gnawed wood. "If there's rats upstairs, there should be rats downstairs, unless something has eaten them already."

A careful search for rat droppings revealed some.

"Guess they heard or sensed Gork coming," noted Cassandra.

"Tooooo bad," said Gork.

"Doubt they would have enhanced the wine," said Blaine, now on his third mug, "but," looking at Grummie, "one never knows, does one?"

Grummie re-corked his newly filled wineskin, now true to its name. He also opted not to continue consuming the refreshing beverage, even though he enjoyed it so much. "Perhaps a'bi' later, but no' a'now," he muttered to Blaine as he joined Drist in his search.

Blaine looked a bit disappointed that his drinking partner was abandoning him. "Oh, well, maybe later." He finished his mug and prepared to move along.

Grummie found nothing more of interest in the room, but made a mental note of the finer bottles. "Well, wh' say yea we go ... dis way," he said pointing to the hallway furthest from the stairs that lead down from the main floor. "We ken 'neak up on' em dis way, eh?" He chuckled lightly as he withdrew his fine short sword and waved at the others to join him.

Dristarian turned around, "This way is fine, but if you're going behind me, stop waving that sword around."

He paused at the opening for a moment to look listen and smell. Unless anyone had anything else to say, which was likely, he would start heading down.

Seth let out a soft chuckle as he heard Gork's conversation about rats. Then he said, "My vote is to follow the sounds of the running water!" He gripped his sun disk with his free hand as he looked around the room waiting on everyone else's response. He also wondered to himself why he hasn't seen his spiritual lady friend since the night before.

Grummie and Drist made their way down the far stairs, followed by the others. The stairs, carved from stone, led down maybe 15'. They found themselves in an irregular shaped room. The west wall ran 20' south, then turned and ran 20' east. The stair wall ran only 10' west. The remaining 'wall' was essentially cave like or carved stone. A small stream ran through the room from north to south, collecting in a pool nearer the north end. It appeared to enter and exit this room via a naturally carved passage that looked to be about 2' wide and 3' high.

The temperature was a bit cooler in here.

The gnome's massive nose instantly went to sniffing the air and a visible shiver erupted over him. "Brrrr! I be sensin' somefin'... creepy in 'ere, I do. Just a feelin' min' ya, but it be a strong one." The gnome stepped into the room, but didn't move far from the entrance. He studied the walls, floor and ceiling, but he did so from afar, just a few steps into the room. "No, me no like 'dis," he added.

Drist looked around, "Blaine, I didn't know your house had a pool." He checked for signs of people or animals passing. He was not expecting to find much, but it was part of his job, and he was the thorough type.

Seth pulled his green wool hooded cloak tightly around his chain mail shirt trying to shake off the sudden chill of the room. Looking at the pool of water, Seth felt his near empty wineskin and started to walk towards the pool. With a smile he said, "Yeah, Blaine, nice pool-ha..ha, wineskin needs a refill!" as he shook his wineskin towards him.

Blaine smiled, "Yes, well, I guess this part of my family had a penchant for swimming. Feel free, you two, to take a dip." He knelt down a put his hand in the water. He removed it and shook it. He mouthed to the others, "Downright cold." He moved back towards the entrance.

Drist's search was a fruitless as he expected it to be. No sign of anything coming through here, though fish would have left little trace.

Seth filled his wineskin with the cold, clear water.

Now that they had been in this chamber for a while, they sensed the full clamminess of it. Dank and damp, with a touch of the old echo.

"That was easy," mumbled Dristarian. He seemed almost disappointed. "Nothing here, it seems. Let's go check the other underground passage, and maybe we'll be back upstairs before lunch."

"Maybe the next area will be more to your liking," noted Cassandra.

Grummie nodded and agreed, for once, saying nothing. He turned, clutching his arms tightly to his sides, as if chilled to the bone; and he headed straight for the exit (do not pass GO, do not collect 100 gold pieces!)

Seth took a large drink of the cold water, hoping that the water tasted fresh. He was overjoyed at the freshness and crispness of it. He wiped his lips dry with a satisfied "aaaaaaahhh". He recapped his water skin and strapped it over his shoulder. Without saying much he started over to the stairs, in effect agreeing with Drist with the search of the next stairs.

So the Seekers returned to the wine cellar and made their way carefully down the other set of stairs. This time they descended twenty feet or so to a wooded door. Cassandra examined it and pronounced it safe to open. Drist did the honors, with Grummie and Cassie right behind.

[#39] This was obviously a large room, thought most of it could not be seen easily. Andremar did his best to guide his light over the shoulders of the three who stood near the doorway. Perhaps they wished he hadn't. For in what became a shaky light beam there stood and enormous black serpent like creature, coiled and ready for the attack. Its eyes glared and gleamed cold black in the even shakier lantern beam. It sat atop a mound of treasure.

Sitting at the feet of this beast was a young girl, semi-familiar, playing with some of the coins. Perched on the beast's neck, or was it a shoulder?, was a raven. The girl spoke in a bratty voice, "Go away. I'm playing."

The lizard's? head reared back and its mouth was thrown open in the classic pose that had been the last sight of too many adventurers. Its arms, or were they wings?, began to open wide.

Being the first through, Drist closes slowly up the middle. "Ladies, I'd recommend one of you on each flank, so you can save my ass in a minute or two."

To the girl he said, "What are you playing? Is it a game?"

The girl declined to answer. Instead she stood up and moved to her right. At the same time, the raven flapped its wings ever so gently, just enough to raise itself above the beast. The beast began to move forward in a slow but methodical manner. As it did, the party realized that it was more like a small dragon than anything else.

Lwcynda prepared to cast prayer. Once that had been accomplished, she readied herself for a fight.

Cassie moved to her left, easing by Drist and slipped into the room. As she did so she mentioned to Grummie, "Either throw the wine at 'em, or get out that sword of yours."

Grummie hadn't realized he'd brought the mug with him; he looked at his hands only to find that his fine short sword was there. He wondered if perhaps Cassandra had snuck a few snorts when no one was looking. Of course, if he did have the semi-flammable liquid it might have offered an interesting alternative. But he did not.

He didn't want to over-react; or cause the girl to get hurt --- not yet. He suspected her position in this might be less-than-helpful, but she was only a child. But, as he considered her, he could see she looked older now, and exactly like her sister.

And so, slowly... he moved along-side of the doorway; keeping with his half of the team; flanking the creature; so the other half of the group could flank the other direction. His attention was on the bird at the moment; it was the most disconcerting member of this strange affiliation; and he'd only hoped he'd been better prepared with his bow for bird sniping!

Blaine heard the rogue's comment and sheepishly disposed of his mug, not that anyone had time to notice.

The dragon-serpent thing continued to lurch forward. The party was now protected and emboldened by Lwcynda's spell. Drist was able to take a good swipe at the beast, as were Cassandra and Grummie. Though each took a very good swing, no successful hits were made. Drist and Cassie came very, very close. Lwcynda managed to get into the fray, but her broadsword was wide of the mark.

The beast struck back. Its left claw gave the elf a terrible swipe along his right side, opening a vicious gash!

The girl seemed entertained by the battle, she pointed and giggled. The raven continued to flap his wings ever so gently. The girl looked up at the bird. "Such fun! Such fun!" she cried.

"Cursed Serpent," the gnome exclaimed! As he began to swap his sword for his bow; the gnome kept a close eye on the bird and called out to this friends. "We be needin' some enchantments. It be protected by magics, I be guesin'." The gnome hurriedly prepared his bow; for he intended to skewer the bird, which he believed to be a devil bird of some kind.

Drist continued his assault on the serpent dragon beast. Apparently suffering from the gashing he had taken, his sword went wide. Lwcynda continued to fight the dragon-serpent thing for now. But her attack also missed. "Hope the spells go better than us," she said.

She would not have to wait long. Seth forcefully yelled out, "MOTHER GUARDIAN OF THE ANIMALS, EARTH AND THE HEAVENS ABOVE CAST YOUR BRIGHTNESS UPON ONE OF YOUR KIND THAT IS FILLED WITH EVIL!" as he pointed his holy iron sun disk towards the black bird. A bright light appeared on the bird's head or thereabouts. At the same time, the gnome's arrow, aided by the light, took flight. It appeared to go right into the well lit head. Momentarily all were blinded by the sudden increase of light

As they waited, Seth brought his other hand high above his head, gripping his silver sickle as he prepared to defend himself.

Cassandra had used all these actions as distractions to allow her to move around to the thing's side and then rear. She could see the light over her left shoulder, and Andremar's lantern over the thing as she prepared to run it through. And then all went dark!

Her sword thrust carried and she felt it hit whatever this thing was. The room fell silent for a few moments. Eyes had to readjust once more to the beam of the lantern. Drist and Lwcynda were still face to face with the dragon, but it seemed somewhat less threatening. It stood stock still. Grummie was loading another arrow, but could not see any target; the bird and the light were gone.

Cassandra could be heard from the other side. "Stuffing. It's filled with stuffing."

Andremar could move up and shine his beam more effectively. He said, "Er, it's a stuffed animal. Ah, a large stuffed animal."

"Where be dat bird, and dat girl," asked Grummie, for indeed, both were no longer around.

"Hrmph.", grumped Drist, "Beaten up by a stuffed animal. That's a new one." After a moment, he seemed to cheer considerably, "Well, when I retell the story it will be a much bigger and tougher stuffed animal."

He got out what supplies he had to patch up his wounds and went to work. He did his best to patch up the gashes in his side. Cassandra gave him a hand.

"How do you think I feel," Cassandra bemoaned. I successfully snuck up behind a big toy. And, stabbed it in the back." She continued, "Yep, snuck up on a deaf thing. What skills. What daring."

Once the gnome was satisfied he would not find the elusive bird he lowered his bow and the confusion was evident on his face. "Wha 'appened?" he inquired as he turned to Andremar for explainations. "Wh' we hallucin'atin' o' somethin', som' kin' o magic o', what?" he was obviously confused.

Then he went to see Drist and his wounds, "Dats no 'lucination!" he exclaimed. He then spun around and took a closer look at the pile of treasure, trying to determine its authenticity. "An wha' happen' to yea light ball?"

Seth was not sure. He tried screaming, "REBECCA, REBECCA, IF YOU WANT TO BE FREE, HELP US NOW FIND THE BLACK BIRD AND YOUR SISTER REGINE!" into the air. But unfortunately, this brought no result.

Seth then looked around the room for anything or anyone that is not part of the group as he said, "Don't know what happened to the light ball or that Evil bird!" Seth still has his iron sun disk in one hand and his silver sickle in the other, gripping tightly on the handle.

All that could be seen now was the large stuffed dragon like thing, a mound of what looked like coins, and an empty room, with a very unusual wall shape all around, and a door to the north.

Drist continued to deal with his gashes, wondering to himself, 'We got a cleric, or am I healing the slow way?'

Cassandra watched as Drist went through the patching himself up process. Perhaps reading his mind she said aloud, "With two clerics, one would think someone would aid in speeding up your healing process."

As Grummie continued his study of the 'treasure' and the unusual wall surrounding it; he awaited an explanation of some kind from the magically inclined. "Gots any guesses' a'what happend? Wha' magic o' some kind, o' one of those 'llusions, mayhaps?" he inquired.

Blaine came in and moved towards the pile which the three original inhabitants had been delighting in. He bent down and began rummaging through it. "Hrumph," he hrumphed, "mostly coppers," as he spilled some coins out of his hand and back into the pile. Some jewelry here though.

Cassandra like the sound of that. "Yes, some attractive pieces, at least to the eye." But as she bent to take a look she added, "Doubt they'd fetch much on the market place however," shaking her head in the negative direction.

Blaine's brief bubble had burst. "You sure? This is not the real treasure then?"

"I'd say the pile is worth maybe 300 gp, that is if you throw in those weapons, and that armor," for there were a couple of long swords and a vest of chain mail. "Grummie, what would a pawn man like yourself give for this?"

The gnome investigated, and like the shrewd businessman he was, he answered cautiously, "Mehaps 300, if I be liken yer face."

Blaine stood up, "Nope, not the real treasure. And that animal, I have seen the likes of it before. It was meant as a trophy, but how it was able to animate is beyond me."

Andremar dealt with Grummie's wonder about illusions. "The stuffed dragon is real. Maybe magic made it animate. The girl seemed to be another of the sisters, likely Regine, the one we have not really meant. Wasn't she the one with the bird?" That seemed to give him another thought. "But, do we not have a stuffed bird with us?" Again he paused, "So, there is the stuffed bird, and the real bird? Unless, as Grummie suggests, that bird might have been an illusion created by the girl?" By this time the poor mage's mind was spinning a bit too much, and he moved to one of the cubby holes across the room and down for a bit.

Gork moved over there and sat with him.

Meanwhile, Seth walked over to the wounded elf. "Let me see your wounds." Upon looking at them, he placed his sickle on the floor between his feet. Seth started to move his hands in a tenderness motion overtop the wounds while saying, "Mother of the earth, animals and air I ask of you to grace me the healing essence of your life force and manipulate the bones, blood and flesh to bind as new." Seth watched the wound start to mend, looking up to the elf's face. "That is the best that I can do!"

He bent down and picked his sickle back up, ready to move on.

Drist sighed as the pain subsided slightly, "Ahh, thanks. Uh, thanks to the Mother of the Earth, too."

Seth nodded in acceptance.

It was a quiet place to rest, this oddly shaped room with the irregular shaped walls. But perhaps they should move on.

Dristarian stood with a grunt, and gingerly twisted and moved. "I can work, and fight if need be. Let me look around and see what I can see, then we can move on."

He looked over the coins where the stuffed creature might have traveled during the fight. He wanted to know if the creature actually moved, or if it was all illusion.

His trained ranger eyes clearly saw footprints, big footprints, in the pile where the beast had stood to begin with, and another set where it had stepped as it had lumbered towards the party. "How it moved, I do not know. But, that it really moved, I am certain."

After a thorough check of that area, he went to look for signs of the girl's passing, then of any other passing. In this arena he was less fortunate. There were no other signs of anyone having been on the pile. Nor were there any bird droppings anywhere to be found. "But, we did all here her speak, didn't we?"

The others reassured him that they had all heard a girl's voice, and those in the front had seen a girl, who looked pretty much like the one they had conversed with late last night.

Grummie wanted to study the walls, floor and ceiling for a moment before they all left. He stayed behind the tracker, so as not to disturb his work, or any evidence that might be found. The shape of the walls, and the general design of the room perplexed him, and peaked his interest. His miner's eyes paid dividends here. For as he examined the cubby hole, alcove where Andremar and Gork rested, he noted something unusual about the wall.

"Here!" He exclaimed, somewhat tripping over the mage. "Me tinks dis be the way dey skedaddled." Andremar and Gork quickly moved into the room to allow the determined gnome to mine the depths of their alcove. Sure enough, as he continued to tap along the back wall of the southern most alcove on the eastern wall, he managed to get it to shift to the left. Andremar's lantern illuminated a fifteen foot corridor which led to a door.

"Seeeeeee," said Gork, "a leeetle rest was a good ideeeee."

Seth snapped his head towards where the gnome has opened the secret passage. As his eyes squinted to have a better look into the passage he said softly to anyone listening, "What about an invisible mage, who is playing with our minds with illusion tricks?"

He gripped his sickle even tighter.

Dristarian sighed, "Then we had best leave, for I doubt we can defeat an invisible mage." He paused to contemplate the edge of his sword, which will need to be sharpened after his bout with the stuffed animal.

"Then again. What about a visible trickster, who can be made to bleed?"

"Both can be dangerous foes," admitted Cassandra who was interested in the gnome's finding.

Grummie backed away from the newfound passage and grinned with self-content. As he listened to Drist's findings on the hill of 'treasure' and the suggestion of an invisible mage or illusions, he added, "Poweful 'llusions, I'd say. 'nough ta make real foot prints, 'n draw blood, eh? Still, dere we ways ta beat 'llusions 'an 'nvisibile mages. Les' nay stop now, for we are so close to da truth, me'tinks. But we should be p'apared for anythin'."

He nodded toward the steps. "Dere may be flour up'n ther, to use on 'nvisibles. And I always heard 'llusions only work on da un'spected. What'els ya think we ken do?"

As they contemplated this new discovery, Cassandra entered the passage and examined the door at its end. "It seems safe enough," she said, "and not locked. We going this way? Before or after you get that flour?"

Dristarian looked ready to go, despite his wounds. "Let's keep moving. See what's on the other side of that door and we can evaluate from there."

Grummie nodded, "Aye, lez move on, but lez me gets some flour." He rushed off up the stairs to get the flour. "I'll be back in a jiffy. Don' wait up, I'll be rig' back." He glanced at Gork as he rushed by, "Come' wid me Gork, an ' gimmie a hand."

Before anyone had time to react the gnome and the goblin had raced away.

As they waited for the return of the two with the flour, Lwcynda said, "If there is an invisible person or creature I'm not sure if he/she/it would stay invisible if he took on any offensive moves. Maybe I can try to dispel magic if there is some. I'm not sure. If that bird is there I could try to command it to stop and then some of you might try to hit it with arrows. Anyway, guess we should go and find out."

Then she asked Drist, "Do you need more healing?"

Drist listened carefully and nodded, "I think we're definitely dealing with magic, and trying to dispel it is probably a good idea. I'm still smarting, but the wounds are no longer bleeding." He stopped talking to check, and confirmed that the bleeding had stopped; Seth's cure had been to good effect.

Stoically he answered, "I think it best if you reserve your healing for now. Someone else might need it more before the day is out. If we live through the day, I would appreciate your help in the evening."

"There's an optimistic way of looking at things," muttered Cassie to Andremar.

Grummie and Gork returned. Each carried several small bags of flour, basically one for each member of the party. They distributed them to one and all, so each of the Seekers was now armed with flour power.

"If only I had trained with flour sacks," lamented Cassandra. Then she noticed something. "Hey, Gork. What's that I smelled on your breath?"

The goblin looked at Grummie, then answered sheepishly. "Ham. Weeee had a queeek ham sandwich. Eeeet was good." Grummie avoided eye contact.

Cassandra could only put her hands on her hips and grin. "OK then, let's open this door," which she did.

This room, [#40] some 30' x 20', appeared similar to the previous room, with recesses every 5 feet in the exterior walls. Four torches were set in wall scones at strategic points around the room, giving some light and creating some shadows. Each recess was barred, as if a cell or something similar. While there were no visible doors, there was a ladder leading straight up to the ceiling in the middle of the south wall. There was a table along the north wall on which seemed to rest some items-clothing of sorts and perhaps a sword.

Drist peered over her shoulder, "Looks like the kind of place that would have some traps."

"Would not be surprised to find some here. Only room we've found that really shows signs of life. I mean natural life," said Cassandra.

Drist scanned the floor for signs footprints. He was rewarded with many, many, scuff marks on the hard stone floor. "Not enough dust in here to tell me much. Course, with no dust, that should tell us all something." It confirmed his earlier fears about traps, for one.

Grummie inquired of the others, taking only a few steps into the room and to one side. "'Tink we shoulds douse da lights in here? Ifen we only hab da lanter, we ken hood it, an' me an' Gork's night-sight migten spot our .. invisible foe. Jus' an idea." He took no action to extinguish the light sources; rather waiting for comment from the others.

Andremar responded, "From what little I know of invisible creatures, they do not give off heat. So, your special sight would not be of much use. Plus, we others would be at the mercy of whatever it might be."

Grummie began making his way around the room, "Gork, com' wid me... So I ken make sure you no' hab any'ee more san'wiches just yet."

The goblin scoffed, and wiped some crumbs from his chin, making sure they all ended up in his mouth.

Grummie slowly, in counter clockwise fashion wanted to study the niches; and identify any alternate means of escape; or passage. He made his way to his right past a couple of niches with the barred doors closed, past the table which did have lots of stuff on it. He debated examining these interesting items, when he noticed something even more interesting.

He stopped short and motioned to the others. He was pointing to the center niche in the east wall. As the others moved carefully to join him they all saw what he had seen. In this 5' x 5' cell, behind a closed set of bars, what sure looked liked a man lay on a cot. He seemed fast asleep.

Grummie moved up quietly, cautiously, [avoiding the deadly black dot left behind by a careless map maker], taking a position near the caged alcove and listening to try and determine of the sleeper were truly alive, and making sounds. He held one finger to his lips and peered at the others as if to request their quiet; but he made no sound, not even a "shush!".

He could see the regular rhythmic rising and lowering of the cover so whoever it was were likely alive [or on Feris Buller's day off]. From his vantage, he studied the bars and latch to see if and how the cage might open, or might be locked.

Cassandra was attracted to these bars as well. She examined the locking mechanism. She indicated with a thumbs up that she could likely pick it.

Having done his job, Dristarian decided to nose in on other people's jobs. He peeked in at the sleeping man.

"Should we throw some flour on him and see if he wakes up?" He suggested.

Lwcynda had other ideas. "Well since we are on this side of the bars we could try to call to him and see if he wakes up and whether he is friendly. I could cast detect evill and check that? What do you say?"

Seth excited to the point where he could not stop smiling, as he kept his eyes fixed on the man behind the bars. Thinking to himself, "Why a dungeon below an old mansion?" He slowly and quietly followed the others on their walk over to the bars.

The being behind the bars and under the blanket began to rouse. He opened his eyes, blinked, then opened them again. He took in the variety of the crew that waited outside his cage. His gaze moved from face to face till it lit upon Seth. "Seth?" he asked.

Seth's excitement rose even more as in this clich� dungeon below and old manse he seemed to recognize this fellow. "Joshua?" hew asked back.'

From over by the item table another voice was heard. "Where?" asked Blaine. "Where's Joshua?"

"Here," said Seth.

"I'm in here," said the man now identified as Joshua.

"Who's Joshua?" asked Grummie.

"Guess he is," said Cassandra.

"Glad to meet you," said Andremar.

"Well met," said this Joshua. "I'd shake hands but I'm kinda locked up in here."

"Lets' get you out of there," said Blaine.

"Wait a second," said Lwcynda. "Just who is this Joshua anyway?"

"Oh, sorry," said Blaine. "Joshua here was one of my companions when I first came to this house. Just like Seth here."

"That's right," confirmed Seth. "His disappearance was one of the reasons we decided to give up on this place."

Cassandra set about the lock, and soon the fellow was free. He moved out into the room. He stood about 5'10", with thick brown hair and deep brown eyes. His clothes were a bit worn, but in good condition.

"So, what happened to you anyway?" asked Blaine.

Joshua looked around as if looking for someone who was not there. He noticed Gork and took a good look, then spoke. "You guys left me downstairs, or I got left downstairs. Anyway, so I heard a noise or something. Thought I'd investigate. Went into a room on the main floor, up there somewhere," indicating the floor above with his right arm. "Saw something moving about that big hall up there. Dressed in white, ghost like in appearance. It took off into another room, so I followed it. Well, this room had a rug and under the rug there was a hole and I took a trip down below. Must o' got knocked out or something, cause the next thing I remember, I am in this cell and this man and woman are out here looking at me. They explained the situation to me real plain like. Seems they came to loot this place. Nothing personal but till they're done they were gonna keep me locked up in here."

"Sounds awful," commented Blaine.

"Not all that bad. They been feeding me all right and all. Promised they let me go when they were finished. Stuff they found so far's over on that table. So's my bow and arrows. But, I am glad who got me out. Was kinda lonely down here all day. The guy comes by sometimes, but never says a word. The woman's OK, actually friendly, but not my type. I believed what they told me."

"Any idea where they are now?" Seth asked.

"Probably upstairs somewhere looking for stuff. Surprised all you didn't bump into them."

Drist grinned, "Excellent. Seems if we wait here long enough, they'll bump into us. Then there will be two fewer sets of tracks to follow."

"Aye! Me likes Drist' idea, me does. Let's us check where dis 'ere ladders goes ta, a room wid' a rug I bets..." The gnome began thinking. "Wait. Goes to da dinnin' room I betya, where dem tracks suddenly stopped." A smile broke across the little gnome's face.

Blaine and Seth both embraced their now found friend. "Joshua, I am so happy to see you. After you disappeared I was sick to myself worrying over you" Seth said while he looked over Joshua's body. As Seth examined Joshua to make sure he was okay he asked, "Are you sure you are okay?"

Joshua said, "Yes, yes, I'm fine. No real damage done, cept to my ego. Can't believe I fell for the old hole under the rug trick."

Now that he was content that Joshua was okay Seth stood next to him with his cross over his chest and a big smile upon his face.

Grummie pointed with his short sword at the ladder then to the secret door. "We ken secure both'em entries real good, and await fer da 'nappers. Den we catch'em, eh? I bets dey be one'o dem wid a lantern," he scowled. He lowered his voice to a whisper, "Best we be keenin' a whisper tone, eh? So we ken catch'm. Anyone hab a net?" He moved over toward the table to inspect the treasure trove.

He moved to the table on the north side of the room. On it he found a long bow and a quiver with 12 arrows, which Joshua identified as his. There was also a jeweled short sword, a fox fur cape, a gem which Cassandra identified as a pretty valuable star sapphire and a pouch containing 33ep, 40gp, and 12pp.

There was also a leather bound book. Andremar recognized it as the type used by wizards such as he to record their spells. He took the time to study it and found some spells which he recognized: detect magic, mount, unseen servant, alter self, and tongues. There were two others slightly above his level of understanding: something to do with a shelter and another which seemed to extend the time a spell lasted, as far as he could make out.

None of the Seekers had a net, nor was one to be found in this room. Cassandra offered a summary of the plan of action. "Guess we could conceal ourselves in the recesses and once either, or both, of 'em shows up, wait till they are well within the room, maybe have Joshua sitting in his cell getting their attention, and then shut the place up with us all surrounding them. As Grummie said, we have to lock up the door we came in, so as not to show our handy work."

Cassandra made sure the secret door was secured and then took cover in the alcove to the right/south of it. Joshua reluctantly returned to his center cell of confinement, directly across from the now closed secret door.

"Everyone else decide where you're going to be, and then we'll just wait em out." She thought for a moment, then asked Joshua, "How soon should they return?"

"Usually one or the other comes by about mid day, so it should not be all that long to wait."

"Sounds good. OK, once whoever is clearly inside, I'll slip out and secure the door. So once the rest of you are in place, decide upon an action as well. Best we know what we are going to do before we have to do it." She sat quietly in her own little cell.

Grummie found the strategic planning of their ambush very appealing. Something about the tactics and the idea of out-witting another humanoid set well with him. He seemed excited about it all. "Cassie, shoulds' ya be ready ta move in' a'hid'em? You be best suited fer dat side, eh? And Andy, Seth, Lwycnda ... Do you's have magics dat ken bind 'em, at least on' o dem? Or pa'haps seal da escape at da top o'da latter, once dey comes in? Best me 'tinks we get da upper hand early, less blood-shed dat way, eh? Maybe none a'tall if we surpris'em good 'nuff. One'o dem could be a mage o'spell kind, eh? Usin' lusions on us, like dat snake'ting. Best we try ta capture dat on' first, eh?"

Grummie moved to hide an alcove at right angles to the secret door so as not to be in their immediate line of sight when they come in. He prepared to contribute to the ambush by way of sword - since he had little else to offer.

Drist moved a little further along the wall, preparing to cover Cassie in case they tried to jump her when she shut the door.

Lwcynda said, "I guess Gork and I can hide in an alcove on the other side of the door. I will try a "Hold person" spell on them and then someone can bind them. I could also try a silence spell on them so they can't cast spells. Then I can fight or help bind them."

Drist shrugged, "That's fine if you want to practice. I figure if they can count, they'll probably look to give up."

Still Lwcynda followed her own instincts and planned on having the spell ready. One never knows.

Seth hid in the alcove behind Cassandra.

"Hey, big boy," she said. "Oh, that's your sickle. Oh well."

Andremar and Gork moved over to the lower of the northern alcoves, the mage preparing a sleep spell.

Blaine went to the alcove on the north side of the secret door.

Joshua returned to his cell and closed the door. He lay down on the cot and waited.

For thirty tense minutes they all waited. Seth held his breath waiting in suspense. He soon began to turn blue and had to at least breathe a bit.

At last some sound came from the secret door. It opened smartly and a female dressed in brow colored leathers walked in carrying what looked like a tray of food. A short sword could be seen hanging from her right side. With little fanfare headed over towards Joshua's cell. "Hey, Joshie boy, I brought you some lunch," she said brightly.

Joshua groggily got up from his cot. "Good. I was getting hungry. Hope you brought plenty."

Cassandra moved easily to the door and, seeing no one else out there, shut it for now.

"I brought the usual," she said, setting the tray down before the cell, and sliding it under the door with her foot.

"Too bad," said Joshua, "cause I was planning on inviting my friends to join me."

"Friends for lunch," she said. "That's a good one." But then she turned back towards the middle of the room and she saw the net of the Seekers closing around her. A simple grin appeared on her face. "Ooops, guess the jig is up. Oh well, too much of a good thing. Have I overstayed my welcome?" she asked of no one in particular.

Now that they had time to take a good look at her, she seemed to be in her early twenties, dirty brown hair, brown eyes, dark kerchief round her neck. A dagger was fixed on her belt near the left hand. She made no move for her weapons. Instead she leaned against the wall next to Joshua's cell, bending her left leg at the knee and placing the foot flat against eh wall. She folded her arms cross her chest and waited for a response.

Taking firm charge of the situation, Drist motioned with his sword, "You probably know the steps. Weapons out slowly. Put 'em on the ground. Kick 'em over here. You treated our friend well, so we'll be willing to return the favor."

To the rogue he said, "Cassie, help me watch her, please. The rest of you keep an ear on that door and be ready."

Cassandra had indeed been watching, somewhat amused and somewhat amazed by this young woman's confidence. She continued to monitor that who she felt might be her counterpart in crime; her if she had not met Andremar and Lwcynda.

The others kept watchful eyes and ears on the two entrances.

The woman continued her relaxed manner, still leaning against the wall. She looked at Drist. "The drill?" She laughed, "Yeah, I know the drill. But I doubt you guys know much about it. Never been on the other side of it now, have you?" She looked carefully at each of them to gage any reaction.

Gork whispered to Andremar, "What dreeeel?"

"Hush," chided the mage.

The woman almost laughed at the exchange. "I've seen enough of you to know that you are here for the same reason as I, to loot this place. Same as I told your friend here," indicating Joshua. "Ain't that right, Joshie?"

He nodded in the affirmative. "Already told 'em that."

"And we only locked you up sos you wouldn't horn in on our game. And as the elf there just said, we didn't hurt you or nothing. We treated you fair."

Joshua looked at his boots.

"And the only thing I ever did to any of you, not that I really done it, was bop the little guy there," indicating Grummie, with my lantern last night." She looked amused at the thought. "Didn't mean it. He just outsmarted me, that's all. Couldn't get out of his way. Didn't mean him no harm."

She waited for any reaction from him on this score.

"And from what I've seen, you guys are here for the same purpose, looting. Now, I know teaming up never works, and there are too many of you for me buddy and me to challenge, so how about this. The stuff on the table over there is what we got so far. I'd say we earned it. We take that as our loot, and we'll be out of your hair. NO need for this drill of yours. Sounds fair to me. Whadaya say?"

Gork piped up again, "Who is theeees dreeeeel?"

"Gork, please," said Andremar.

"Pleeeeese what?" he asked.

"Oh, nothing," answered the exasperated mage.

Drist shook his head slightly, "Maybe you misunderstood. This is not a negotiation. This is you being taken prisoner. We're going to treat you just as well as Joshie. We're going to lock you up and feed you until we're done here. Then you can go. With no loot. We'll give you traveling food, and that's all."

Without taking his eyes off the woman he said, "Someone get out a bow and notch an arrow."

No one made a move to comply. However, Joshua stepped in front of the woman. "No need for bows and arrows, nor cowboys and Indians neither," he declared, holding up a hand in protest. To the woman he said, "Look Psyche, this one seems to have his mind made up. You'd best go along with it. Just get in my cell. I promise you'll be treated as well as you treated me. I promise."

Drist moved up within attacking range, but Joshua stood his ground between them.

Grummie had climbed the first few rungs of the ladder securing the hatch from both entry and escape. At the mention of the lantern encounter, he growled softly in contempt of the woman and her blasted lantern. And of his own embarrassment at having blundered into it.

"We nae be lootin' ya see. We be represent'in da right'fold ownership o'da manse. Hired ta rid it o' haunts and maken' it marketable. So, ya sees... ya claim to co-lootin' is both false and insultin'. We be da Seekers o' Chatwin, an' we now be demandin' ya surrender a'fore we be forced ta harm ya for our own safety. Do da drill as me friend Drist be tellin' ya, wid no more delay, or we just gonna hafta force ya."

The gnome had probably said too much, but his spite for this metal-torch wielding thief had unnerved him beyond simple reason. Perhaps it was good he stood at the ladder and not in her immediate vicinity. He was usually very chivalrous, but not today.

Joshua spoke, "See, even that little guy means business. But you won't be hurt, not if I can help it. Isn't that right Jennison? This is still your party after all, isn't it?" he asked with a bit of pleading in the finishing tone.

Lord Blaine had been silent for some time. He stepped forward now. "Yes, yes, Joshua, you are right. There will be no need for violence." He motioned for Drist to put down his weapon and step back.

With a bow and in his proper arrogant aristocratic charming voice he said, "M'lady, I am Jennison, Lord Blaine, and believe it or not, this mansion is mine, or at least it belongs to my family. These friends and hired companions, and even that ornery elf there, have accompanied me at my bequest to help me find the long lost treasure of my family. Seems I am deeply in debt and I really need all the loot I can get. I have promised them a fair share, so if they do not want to share with you, and you really aren't one of us, now are you, can't say as I blame them."

He shook his head in a negative manner. "So, even though you do make a nice case for yourself, I can see the elf's point, and the gnome's bump. I am afraid you'd best make yourself comfortable in there for while. You have my word as a gentleman that all will be well once we've finished here. Now, what do you say?"

Gork whispered to Andremar, "Heeee sure can make a speeeeech, can't heeeee?"

The woman looked round and about, but all could see her eyes had lost their glow. She knew she was beaten, at least for now. "OK then," she said dropping her sword belt to the floor with a clatter. "Best have this too," she added, offering her dagger to Joshua. "Just make sure supper is on time, and make it hot food, no more of that lousy sandwich crap." She dragged a finger tenderly across Joshua's face. "And don't forget me, Joshie."

Joshua put his hand to his face to hold the feeling there, as Psyche entered the cell.

Cassandra stepped forward. She had been wrestling with herself on this issue. She remembered what it was like to be a lone rogue. But she much preferred the company of her company. "Just one thing before you get too comfortable. Give me your boots."

Psyche turned abruptly. "My boots?" she asked with a bemused smirk.

Cassandra was adamant. "Yes, your boots. And without that tender finger on my face crap. Hand over your damned boots." None of the Seekers had ever heard Cassandra this loud or direct before.

Psyche's shoulders slumped a bit further. She sat on the cot and slowly removed each boot. Cassandra had moved into the cell, one hand outstretched in anticipation.

"How'd you know," asked Psyche, as she handed them and the daggers in each over.

"Honor among thieves, M'dear," Cassie replied as she took them from her. And then she added a stroke of the woman's head. And a second stroke. "You'll get the boots, these daggers, and this," holding up a small metal wire which had apparently been in Psyche's hair "when we leave. Honor among thieves, M'dear."

Psyche bowed in Cassie's direction, lay back on the cot, pulled her feet up, and seemed to fall asleep. Cassie put all these items in her pack, save the wire, which she put in her hair above her right ear.

The door to the cell was shut and Cassandra fiddled with the lock for some time. "That should hold her. The real key won't work in it anymore."

Blaine looked at the prisoner, a twinkle in his eye.

Dristarian wheeled on Joshua, "All right, JOSHIE. Maybe you think you've got romance blooming with the thief who locked you in a cage like an animal. She's smart enough to have kept you around in case she needed insurance, and it paid off. But I'm not taking my orders from suckers. I'm not putting my weapons away when there's an ENEMY standing in front of me, and in all probability her partner sneaking up behind us while no one is watching the doors."

This oration must have seemed odd to Grummie who was up the ladder securing the hatch all this while. Joshua just stared at the elf, not really sure if he was psychotic or what. He looked to Blaine for guidance.

Blaine took Joshua's arm. "Not to worry. Just a bit temperamental I guess. He'll get over it I guess. Anyway, this is getting us no closer to the real treasure. That which sits on that table it nice, but the family fortune should be way more appealing."

By now Drist realized he was waving his drawn sword around wildly, which was probably making his teammates nervous. He got control of his body and voice. "And you.", he said, banging his sword on the bars of the cage, "If I see you out of this cage before we let you out, we will fight. We will fight until one of us is dead. And nothing will stop that."

If Psyche heard his threat, she paid it no never mind. She seemed to be dead asleep.

Cassandra said, "If she does get out of that, I would not mess with her. For it would suggest her powers are far too advanced for us to tangle with."

His tirade finished, he wandered over to the doorway, "I'll be watching for other intruders."

Grummie had been taking the entire situation carefully. "Dere' be sometin' amiss 'ere," he muttered suspiciously under his voice. He moved down to the bottom of the ladder and glanced around the room. He had been paying very special attention to Blaine's, Cassie's and Josh's reactions. "Sometin' bout her name," the little guy pondered.

Keeping a close eye on everyone, Grummie addressed Drist, since he seemed to be unaffected by that lady's charms. "Drist, be onguard. I s'pect foul-play an magics. Dis Psyche gal, be usin' a trick on our friends me'tinks." The gnome drew his sword and spoke very firmly to Blaine and Joshie whom seemed most influenced by the trickery. "Cassie and Drist, I be ta say she be usin' mind trickery on dem. Some psyche trick, I bets. So fer, we be seemin' ta be immune, but I fear she be playin' wid Joshie and Blaine."

Grummie intended to make certain these men were no more affected, and stop this binding of charm before it was too late. Sheathing his sword and drawing forth his wineskin he shuttered to think what he was about to do. A not-so-subtle sigh escaped his lips as he instructed, "Gork, you guard da ladder, and look not upon her, for here eyes bear magic within' dem."

The feisty goblin complies with this request. Andremar moved to the foot of the ladder below him.

Grummie then strode heavy footed to his new male-friends and dowsed them with wine, spraying them in the face, and shaking them slightly, turning them out of line-of-sight with the woman. "We nay hurt her, ifen you listen up." He made sure to break their eye-contact with her, forcing them men to make eye-contact with him, as best as he could. "Listen up, she be-witchen' ya, wide her willey ways."

Blaine was at first taken aback, then broke out laughing. "Gnome, gnome, my little gnome friend. What a waist of good wine. I am no more enthralled by this woman than are you. But, you must admit that she is attractive. Not the sort one expects to meet in a haunted old mansion, now is she?" He took out a cloth and began wiping the liquid from his face.

Joshua again looked at Blaine, convinced that he was in the presence of insanity. "Fine bunch of hired hands you got here, Jennison. Couldn't find any who were not already in the asylum?"

Blaine continued to chuckle. "Now, now Joshua, you have to excuse them. Been a bit tough on them no doubt. I drag them out to this place in the middle of nowhere. We have no luck so far. We meet a ghost. And that ghost has promised to introduce us to another ghost. Then we meet a third ghost. This woman, this Psyche person has been following us and almost beat us to the treasure. You must admit that they have a right to be a bit on edge."

Joshua took the cloth from Blaine and wiped his own face. He looked at the sullen elf and the squirty gnome, and began to smile himself. "Yeah, guess you're right."

Grummie addressed the others, "Best we be bindin' er eyes and mayhaps more, if I be seein' any more twinkles in folks eyes. We ken treat her a'kind, but no more trickery. Be facin' dat back wall or we be havin' ta prevent ya magics, we will!"

Of course, the woman's eyes were closed, as she still seemed to be sleeping.

Seth walked out of the shadows of the alcove, unsure if he even wanted to enter the room yet. He has watched the scene with the strange woman and the threats from the elf, and so far the woman had acted with no signs of violence. Seth moved over to the cell. He called to her, "Where is your partner?"

For now she made no effort to reply.

Lwcynda said to her friends, "Please come over here for a moment. I wish to tell you something." Out of earshot of the woman Lwcynda explains to her friends that she would like to cast Zone of Truth on or around the woman and ask questions about who they have seen here, where her partner is, what they have really found, how long they have been here, about the little girl and the raven and the snake thing, about the ghosts here and anything else they might want to know about to make sure she is telling the truth. What does everyone think about that?

The gnome remained very concerned, and did not like the idea of turning their back on the woman; so he watched her like a hawk while Lwcynda talked. "Aye, tis fine wid me; but look nae inta' er eyes, and be warry o'her magics I say. She be a deceiver me'tinks."

So warned, Lwcynda began casting her spell into the cell. Lwcynda knew that it would cover the entire cell, and would prevent the woman from lying.

"Are you really asleep?" she asked.

Maybe it was the female voice or maybe it was the spell, but the woman acknowledged Lwcynda. "No, of course I am not asleep. Who could sleep with all the racket going on. First that crazed elf and then the gnome's antics. All I could do to keep from bursting out laughing." She sat up and tried to make eye contact with Grummie. "Woooooooo, I am the De_Cee_ver. Woooooooooooo."

With this, Gork tried to climb up through the hatch, only to smash his head on the latched door. Andremar was not sure what to make of it, his eyes darted around the room.

Lwcynda was never one for this sort of thing. She had a black and white approach to things. "Are you a deceiver?"

"No, of course not." Psyche grinned. "I came here to loot this place, just like I said."

"So, where's your partner?"

"You'll excuse me if I refuse to tell you that. Up to him to avoid you. Honor among thieves, as your friend there said." She indicated Cassandra.

Lwcynda continued with her proposed line of questioning and learned that all they had found was on the table. Psyche knew little of the ghosts, had not seen the raven, and was impressed to learn that the party had found some loot of their own.

"You know, Lord Blaine, if you had just asked me, I would have helped you, too. Rather be here in numbers with the hope of a bigger score than the pittance we've managed to get out of it so far. That's why all I asked for was to leave. But, now I am at your collective mercies, so I'll just have to make the best of it. Just don't forget me when you leave."

Lwcynda was convinced that she was being truthful. She had time for more questions if she could think of any.

As they all debated what else to ask and then where to go, a sound broke the silence. Someone or something rattled the trap door once, then twice, then nothing. All eyes, including Psyche's, were drawn to the hatch door. Only silence followed.

Gork, who was positioned halfway up sweated noticeably. "Should I tell them 'Nobodee home?'"

Grummie blushed notably, as once again his superstitious nature had gotten the better of him. He recalled a few old stories he'd heard a gnomeling; about the gnomeling that cried troll once too often; and when the troll really came -- no one believed him.

The mouthy gnome suddenly found himself quiet and withdrawn a bit. Having been reassured by Lwcynda's magic that the lady was truthful at least, he still worried about her partner. And if Cassie thought she powerful, then it would be best to keep her in that cage and under guard. Quite a conundrum had developed; and the gnome didn't have the heart to speak until the trapdoor rattled.

Instinctively, he drew his bow and notched an arrow on the string. He retreated into a shadow, and out of range of anything that might be dropped through the hatch. "No, shhH! But, I tink ya jus' did," the gnome responded to Gork's question about answering the knock. "Bes' we be hidin' and spectin' him ta come da o'er way, aye?" The gnome fanned his hands towards the alcoves, as if to urge everyone to take their hiding places.

Nodding at Lwcynda, the gnome called her close, still making his way to a good hiding place. He had hoped to say something quietly to the cleric, "An' be usin' dat silence spell on her, me'tinks. So she ken no' warn 'em." The gnome pointed at Psyche and her alcove. All the while the woman kept silent on her own.

Some time passed, but no more noise came from the hatch.

Drist had stepped back, so he could cover the woman in the cell and the hatch, just in case.

Now that nothing had occurred, he expressed his valid concern to the priestess. "Lwcynda", he said, "perhaps if your spell is still in effect, you might want to ask her if she's cast any spells on any members of our party, since that seems to be important at this moment."

"Sure thing." Lwcynda asked Psyche if she can do magic, if she is a mage or cleric and/or if she has cast any spells on anyone in this party.

"No," answered the woman with a smile, "I am neither a mage, nor a cleric, nor do I have the power to cast any spells. But," she added nodding at the elf, "thanks for thinking so highly of me."

Lwcynda enquiries continued with pointed questions about the nature of Psyche's partner.

All she was willing offer was his name, "Brock," and that he did not have the ability to cast spells either. "Not that it matters, cause he's likely far gone by now. "Whatever help he might have been is moot now," she added with some sadness.

Lycynda finished up with, "Have you seen anyone else around here besides us here in this room -- if so, who or what? What did they look like. How long have you been here? Where have you searched for this treasure you are looking for?"

Psych had leaned back on the cot. She seemed less self assured now. "Others? No, not really. Heard some noises-that's about it. We've been here about a week. Been through most of the rooms on the main floor, some on the top floor." Her voice trailed off. "Look, you got me looked up. You scared off my friend. So, just go about your business, find whatever it is you're looking for, so I can get outta here." She took a look at the hatch door, and then rolled over facing the wall.

The gnome grumbled under his breath, unhappy with recent events, but unwilling to say much about it. Regardless of the disposition of this Brock fellow, Grummie still found it difficult to trust the young lady in the cage, nor her supposedly elusive partner in crime. He knew that had it been the Seekers that were caught in such a trap they would not so easily abandon one another. At least he hoped that were the case. Albeit, thieves might be more likely to abandon one another, they were also very resilient planners and a cunning sort. Besides, this had been just too easy to suit him.

"Mayhaps we shoulds be leavin' a guard' eh?" he inquired. We ken go searchin' fer our ghostie friends, and finish o' search." The gnome did not looked convinced in his own reasoning, however, as he offered his idea up to the party.

Seth was being cautious, and quiet as he listened to the Seekers talk and plan their actions. His attention was drawn to Psyche, the estrange lady, as she turned her head and body away from them

He moved over to her cell and whispered, "Nobody home???" He let that sink in for a moment before adding, "Maybe your partner is waiting for us, or hiding with the ghost?" with a soft chuckle.

Psyche rolled over facing the cleric. "Perhaps. Then again, maybe he sleeps with the fishes."

Blaine spoke. "If you want to leave a guard down here, that is fine with me. But understand one thing. I am going with you wherever. I have to be there. Matter of personal pride and all. But I must be wherever the action is." His voice contained a simple sincerity.

Cassandra said, "There are two of them. Then there's that weird ghost girl and that bird we met earlier today. Who wants to be left behind to possibly deal with all of them at once?" These ominous words hung in the air like a dark cloud.

Blaine continued. "When we leave here, where to next?"

The gnome appeared very concerned about the situation. He didn't want to say so, not out loud, but he had very serious concerns about leaving just Gork and Josh to guard the lady. Still, he saw little other choice at this point. "Me'tinks we be needin' ta go straightway to dat mirror." he said semi quietly - not wanting to give away too much info, in earshot of Psyhe. "But we' needs ta be careful o' her friend."

He then turned and looked closely at each member of the group, thinking about the fact that Blaine would not stay and they could barely afford to leave anyone else. "Ken Gork 'en Josh guard'er? What do ya's think?" He paused for their reply, but was ready and willing to head-onward as soon as the decision had been made.

For the next little bit, the party reviewed all that had transpired since they had arrived at the manse. [see grummie's excellent OOC summary]

Blaine spoke. "It would not be fair for me to not accompany you. It is, after all, my quest. Now, Josh is my friend and I think he is capable of guarding the lady." He turned to Josh and spoke softly. "Josh, we need you to do this. We also need to know you will do this. If we leave you here with the lady, can we, can I trust you to do a proper job?"

Josh looked over at Psyche, who paid little overt attention to what had been going on. Then he looked Blaine straight in the eye. "Jennison, this is your show. If you want me to guard here I will do so, and to the full extent of my abilities. I do think I could use a companion though, in case Brock shows up. Two of us would be better able to intimidate him." He looked over at the goblin. "As your gnomish friend suggested, that one will do. Would probably scare Brock just by looking at him."

Blaine walked over to Gork. "I have not spoken with you much, but you do seem to know what you are doing. Do you think you could help Joshua keep an eye on the prisoner? Your friend has suggested it."

Grummie nodded that it was indeed his idea.

Gork said, "OK, meee stay heeeere with heeeeem," pointing to Joshua. "Weeee watch the ladeeee. You will all come back, right?"

All assured the little goblin that they would return.

Cassandra suggested a knock count, as in, "Knock, pause, knock, pause, knock knock," so that the two guards would know if it were friend or foe.

With that being settled, it was up to the Seekers to decide exactly where in the manse they were going to go, and by which route.

Grummie suggested, "Les go back da way we came, eh? An' be leavin' da hatch secured. Best to only hab' one way down 'ere, right?" the Gnome imparted his idea on his friends. "Den we go back ups da kitchen, and through dat big foryer were da' viscounts' picture be. We may be need'in dat portrat, but let us check dat last part o' da manse first. Da part on dat we not yet looked at, down dat hallway in da big foryer. Den, we ken tackle dat ..." he paused, lowering to a whisper again, "... dat mirror t'ing. What say yea all? Shall we be off den?"

Lwcynda said, "Alright, I'm with you Grummie, but the sooner we get back to the mirror with the skull and try our plan the happier I will be. I think things will be alright here and Cassandra has fixed it so the cell will remain locked, I think."

"Yes, let's go to the mirror," said Dristarian.

So the Seekers left Gork and Joshua on guard in this room, and closed the door as they left. Cassandra had instructed Gork on the nuances of the secret knock. He seemed to understand.

They went back up through the kitchen and pantry and into the large main open area where the stairs to the upper level were. It was here they were met by not one, but two spirits very similar in appearance. One spoke. "Oh, there you are. Been wondering where you might be. This is my sister Reveri, the poetess I told you about last night. She has agreed to talk with you, but you have to be gentle with her as she is rather shy.

The other spirit had been pretty much hiding behind Rebecca. Once she was introduced, she moved out from the cover of her sister and said softly, "Pleased to meet you. And I think you for protecting my library. That was a nice thing to do." Quizzical looks abounded until someone recalled the worm in the book which had been discovered and destroyed by them the other day.

The preliminary questions were rather obvious. Reveri agreed that the skull was indeed that of their father, the vault was through the mirror, but that merely showing the skull to the mirror would not be enough. "There is a code word, but I do not know it. If only there was some way to ask him."

She seemed willing to answer any other questions anyone might have.

Considering the era from which these ladies originated; the gnome decided it best to "put-on" his best graces and demonstrate himself as 'courtly' and honorable as possible; especially if the lady Reveri were the shy type. He stepped forward ever so slightly and bowed to the floor with a flourish of one arm to the side and a salutation, "Greetin' m'lady. Pleas'd ta meet you, an' grateful for your kin; assistances, we be." The clarity of the gnome's speech improved when he tried hard enough.

Pointing at the skull and glancing at Lwcynda and Andy, Grummie inquired, "Might dere be a way ta speak to him? Be there a spell to be speekin' to da dead, ya tinks?"

Lwcynda said that there was a spell that allowed one to speak with the dead, but it was beyond her level of expertise at the present time. "We have the skull, which I could converse with if I had the power of that spell." Andremar said that such an act was limited to clerics.

The gnome began trying to recount all that they had found. "Wait' let us take inventory quickly. Let us see ifen da ladies 'ere be recognizin' anything, and mayhaps be able to identify dem'." The gnome began looking with a wink at Cassie, cleared his throat and said, "Lez' see dem vials an' dat serpent gem ya founds."

Cassie momentarily feigned ignorance, for she had hoped that her possession of the items might eventually be forgotten. But the persistence of the able minded gnome, his glare was enough, forced her to produce the items, especially the gem.

Reveri looked first at the gem upon which was picture of a serpent. "That belonged to my aunt, Aunt Jocasta. She practiced the magical arts, as does your friends there," she said, indicating Andremar. The gangly mage wondered if his floppy hat or his hourglass wrist watch had given him away. "The serpent is the symbol of what the gem does. It helps protect the wearer against poison, the main danger of the average serpent."

Cassandra muttered, "Too bad it wasn't in my pack earlier in the loft. Those spiders damned near killed me." For in truth she would be dead, had not Grummie generously offered her the party's only poison antidote.

"What about dees others? Dess vials 'o liquid? Any idee what they may be?" the ever curious gnome persisted.

The comely spirit looked them over. "My aunt experimented with magic. I believe these two," somehow identifying two from the four, "are those she made herself. She called them draughts of arcane comprehension. Each allows one who can cast spells to do so from written sources with no chance of error. Of course, the spell must be appropriate to the nature of the spell caster. My aunt, as talented as she was, could not read a scroll of healing. She was no priestess.

Andremar had been struck by the similarities of the sisters--it was obvious that they were twins from the very first sighting.

Actually, triplets, he thought, recalling the third sister, not in attendance.

There was no difficulty telling the spirits apart however, as their mannerisms were nothing alike. It reminded him of his own twin. Reveri seemed to be in her sister's more out-going shadow, much like the mage's relationship with his brother. But there was no reason to think about that now.

The mage stepped forward, slightly away from the rest of the group and toward the spirits.

"Milady," he said, presenting himself to Reveri with a full bow, an action the newly-brave was not accustomed to. That, coupled with the over-sized hat he wore made the action appear rather mechanical, awkward and ridiculous.

This fact unbeknownst to him, Andremar continued. "Miss Reveri," he addressed her again. "I am glad we could be of service in your library and I am equally glad to meet one who loves such tomes as I myself. However much time I would like to spend discussing such things with a kindred spir--err, with one such as yourself, I think there are more pressing matters. We are to aid Lord Blaine here to gather what is rightfully his--but at the same time it seems our quest is to also seek a means to finally allow you and your sisters to, umm, rest."

The mage paused for a moment, almost seeming to have to catch his breath--it wasn't often (was there ever a time before?) he was so long winded or so respectful, but he was trying. Before enough time elapsed for anyone else to speak, Andremar returned to task.

"Now," he began, "I am sure my friends have many more questions of their own, but I would like to interject my own right now. As one converted with the mystical arts, I am very interested in the bird you seemed to believe was evil, at least that was my understanding from your writing."

Reveri almost shook at the mention of the bird!

Realizing what he had admitted to, the mage quickly tried to explain, wishing not to incur the wrath of any spirits, if he could help it. "You see--if you don't already know--I read a few passages from your journal in our search. I must beg your pardon for my transgression and assure you I would have asked permission if I had know you still, ahh, remained on the premises.

"No, it is all right that you read it. I hope it has been of some help. My reaction is to your mention of that creature," she explained.

Andremar, finishing his side track, returned immediately to his original train of thought.

"Again--about the bird," he said. "One of my first inclinations was of a familiar--somewhat of a common occurrence among members of my order, though I have yet to learn of the ritual to summon such a partner. Do you know if your sister dabbled in the arts?" Here Andremar paused, almost giving time for answers. However, another thought reoccurred to him instead. "Also, what about your aunt? She was a practitioner of magic, unless I have misunderstood?"

Reveri spoke firmly. "I assure you that bird had nothing whatsoever to do with my aunt. She hated that thing as much as I did. I am certain it was that bird, Erebus, who caused my sister's insanity." Upon seeing Rebecca look in askance, she clarified, "My sister Regine, the one who killed us all. She was under its influence."

Cassandra spoke. "We met Regine down below. She had a bird with her. We had also found a stuffed version earlier."

"I am not surprised. I am certain that Erebus' spirit still haunts this place. I think it might be trapped within father's vault. I also think his presence keeps us from resting."

Andremar took this in, allowing others time to speak.

Seth spoke. "Rebecca nice to see ya once again, and you brought your sister, how very nice of ya?" He gave each his charming country smile as he spoke. With a dip towards the ladies, Seth brought his arm across his stomach and bowed, while saying "Mi'lady Reveri, my pleasure to have met ya".

Upon standing straight, Seth took a quick look about in search of the missing rogue thief. After he was satisfied he asked Rebecca, "Are you forbidden to enter the basement area, for I had screamed for your help, but I feared that you couldn't hear me or worse was unable to enter below?"

Rebecca smiled. "I, or we, can enter the basement if we wish. You think too highly of us. We are spirits, ghosts I guess, but we do not have super human powers. If you called my name, I assure you I did not hear it."

Reveri spoke, "My sister is right. We only know what we know." She blushed slightly at this confused statement, "I mean, we know nothing special because we are dead, or undead. We know what we knew in life." She turned back towards Grummie. "I know those things are, or were, my aunt's because I was close to her and she taught me about them. I also know that she had another cache of items in the chapel. Don't know what they were, just that she hid stuff there."

"More items?" asked Cassandra.

"In the chapel?" asked Blaine.

"Yes," confirmed Reveri. "The chapel, one of the outer buildings."

"Well, we be best ta find da cache' den. Afor' our missin' robber finds it. Lets go now, case he been listenin' to us, and wid haste."

Meanwhile, Grummie asked of Reveri, "What happen' earlier? Why did ya hab ta leave us, afore?"

Reveri replied softly, "One cannot leave those whom one was not yet with." Philosophical ghosts are the most interesting.

Drist had been hanging back, content to let the more magical members of the party talk shop. He still wasn't content about how things had worked out with the looter, but he was done sulking.

When the discussion came around to exploring a new area, he perked up. Rechecking his equipment, he prepared to take his place at the head of the party.

It was about one in the afternoon, so going about the grounds would be rather easy. The two sisters offered directions to the chapel building, but seemed reluctant to accompany the party outside. "Our fair skin just might get a nasty burn," offered Rebecca. "We will wait right here for you return." she promised, "Anything else before you go?"

Grummie blushed noticeably when he realized how he'd mixed up the sisters. Seemed quite normal when he thought about it. They were sisters, even if their manners distinguished them, their ghostly appearance and similarity of names further complicated things. "Sorry, so sorry. Ms. Rebbecca, I mean. Ken you 'splain why you left us earlier?"

"My dear little fellow, I left you last night to go and find my sister Reveri. You might recall, I was a bit ashamed of my own behavior in regards to your handsome friend there." She indicated Seth. "So, I returned to the manse to recover from my own ordeal, such as it was. And then I had to locate Reveri. She is usually off reading or writing somewhere. And then, we had to relocate you. As I explained, we are dead, ghosts, spirits, but not magically endowed. I cannot see you when you are not in my line of vision. We decided to wait here in a central location till such time as you happened by. It is that simple, or complex, I guess."

Grummie listened to her answer, and then asked Reveri for a thorough description of where to find the cache, before crossing the lawn to the chapel.

Reveri paused in thought, "Hmm," she hmmmed,' "well, the chapel is the building on the far east of the grounds, about mid way between the manse and the old gardener's shed in the southeast corner. The building is usually covered in vines."

"Dees vines, be dey dangerous?" asked the gnome.

"No," assured Reveri, "they are the standard garden variety, well overgrown now due to lack of care. Inside I know there is an altar where services were once held."

"Ladies, ya have helped us with much already, we do owe you much thanks" Seth said as he reached for Rebecca's hand, stopping short as if he was holding her hand.

She went along with the fantasy, allowing as if her hand were really being held. The young cleric was more at easy with his spiritual friend. Seth looked around to his fellow comrades then asked, "Once inside of the chapel, where would we find this 'cache' of hidden treasure?" giving Grummie a wink.

"I do not know the exact location where Aunt Jocasta put her extra things, but she did tell me they were in the chapel. Sorry I cannot be more definite. I have not been in the chapel in many, many years." Reveri answered.

Cassandra assured one and all, "If they are in the chapel, we will find them."

There being only so much conversation to be had with spirits, the Seekers decided it was time to try their hand at the chapel. Cassandra put the vials back in her pack, and the gem in her pocket, 'just in case of spiders,' she explained.

Since they were in the large hall [#10 ground floor] it was easy for them to go outside via the rear doors, down the stairs, and follow the path past the fountain to the chapel. [#1 on grounds map]

They remembered this building as they had entered via the opening in the wall just south of it a few days back. Just as Reveri had described, it was pretty well covered in vines. From what the could see, the building itself was made of stone, stretching some 25' north to south, and extending 20' to the east. The path led to what appeared to be the front door, a wooden door, which they could barely see through the vines.

Cassandra was about to approach the door when she stopped and asked Seth, "You seem to know a great deal about things natural. What do you make of these vines?"

The young priest moved slightly forward and had a look. "I can tell you two things about them. First, they are a fairly common garden variety vine, often found on grounds of great places. Their natural habit is to cling to walls, doors and other rough surfaces. They are not harmful to humans, or animals. Though," he added slyly, "one could get oneself tangled up on one's own if one were not careful."

Cassandra thanked him and was about to go to the door when she stopped again, "Er, you said two things?"

"Yes, the second of which is that those vines near the door have been cut, recently it looks like. See how the outline of the door, top, bottom, and right side, where the door opens no doubt, have been carefully cut?"

The others peered where Seth was indicating with the handle of his sickle. Sure enough, even thought the vine still bloomed, and was reaching across the cracks to renew itself, the cleric's eyes were true. The outline of the door had been revealed. "Vines do no usually cut themselves," Seth added.

"Not unless they have a way of using a knife, cause those ends looks like dagger cuts to me," added the rogue.

Drist stepped forward, checking the grounds for prints. He was most curious to see if there were prints both in and out of the chapel. He turned to the group behind him, "Try not to shuffle around with your feet so much. We may need to try to pick up a trail out of here."

Of course, by walking this far, any tracks leading away would have been well trodden. But the area near the door had been spared. As the wily ranger bent to examine the ground, the ever resourceful rogue rummaged through her pack. "Here. These might be of some help."

Drist looked up to see a pair of boots staring him in the face. "Oh, yes, those which you took off that nasty Psyche person. Yes, let me have one." He returned to the task of examining the ground. "Yes, I'd say she has been here. She and someone else, someone with bigger, wider feet. Likely a man."

"Could have been her companion, er, what's his name." But Cassandra could not recall it.

"Maybe, likely," agreed Drist, "and it seems they both left, or, I guess one could have returned."

Seth stood back and out of the way as the ranger checked for prints or tracks. "Maybe you could check for traps near the door as your looking?" He raised his shoulders as the question was asked.

"Not my job.", Drist muttered, looking at the dirt just around the doorway. "Cassandra's job.", he said, waving his hand.

Cassandra recovered the boot from Drist and moved forward looking at the door, which was closed, and the area around it. "Seems safe to me."

Drawing the quality short sword Grummie had inherited from one of the Seeker's previous adventures, he nodded in understanding of Drists' idea. "Aye, best we be check'n da n'side quickly, but be warned dey may still be in dere." Grummie moved up close and prepared to make the initial entrance, prepared for an encounter. Cassandra joined him.

Seth gripped his silver sickle tightly in his hand as he thought of what might be waiting within the building. His other hand is played with the iron sun disk hanging around his neck.

Cassandra eased the door open, allowing the mid afternoon sun to stream in. Blaine moved up to take a look. The building was indeed a chapel. "Yes, seen many of these in my day. Just a few benches, since only the family and invited guests attended services here." The party stood at the entry way, with an aisle leading them into the building. Four benches, two to a side, took up this lower half of the chapel. At the end of the aisle, they could see what looked like a small alter, still draper with an altar cloth. A candelabra rested at each end of the altar.

The temperature inside was noticeably cooler. Drist noted that some dirt from outside had been tracked in, but only about halfway along before it petered out.

The room gave off a sense of peace and tranquility.

Dristarian slid into the room, "Make sure to wipe your feet, people." He moved slowly around the room, looking for signs of wear in the floor that might give away a secret location or path.

"Yes, Mommie," said Cassie as she dutifully scraped her boots off before entering.

The elf moved forward slowly to where the dirt marks ended. "Seems the might have continued, just ran out of dirt on their boots."

Seth fastened his silver sickle to his leather belt, and started to enter the chapel. He stopped, saying, "Bless thee holy mother," and crossed over the threshold, his sun disk gripped tight within his hand, and his head lowered. He took a deep breath once inside the chapel. The air seemed relatively fresh to him.

Lwcynda followed along as did Blaine.

Grummie moved in as well, but quickly cautioned his companions, "Don' go in fer. Have Cassie be checkin' it. Me worried why dey no take da candle 'olders. An' why da steps stop mid'way? Somefin' stope'm." So saying, he moved in behind Cassie, so as to protect her flanks while she inspected things more closely.

With Drist and Cassandra, now of the spotless boots, leading the way, these three proceed up the main aisle. Drist could find not more definite signs of others having been here, and Cassandra found nothing dangerous about the floor itself.

The three arrived at the altar. The presence of the candelabras was curious indeed. "Grummie makes a good point. If that looter we locked up had been here, why didn't she take them? Unless . . "

So, Cassandra took her time examining each candle holder, the altar beneath them, and the area above them. "I can't find anything wrong. Except maybe the items themselves. They are not likely worth very much. The three could see from up close that both candelabras were extremely tarnished. "But, still, with a little elbow grease, they could be worth something," declared the rogue. She took the chance of hoisting the right hand one. "Has some weight to it," she said. "Could be worth pawning."

Now that Grummie could see it up close and personal he agreed. "Aye, I'd be givin' some golds fer it, if it'wer offered at me shop."

The other one seemed in the same condition and of the same value.

By now the other Seekers had circulated along the aisle and had time to look under and around the benches. They found no sign of anyone.

The altar stood about 4' high, 6' long and 3' deep. It was covered by an old and worn dull blue satin cloth, typical of the type that would be used for such a purpose.

Blaine saw no significance in the color. "Guess they just liked blue. Was probably brighter in its day."

Seth sat down on one of the church's pews deep in thought. He said out loud, "Leave the candle holders in this house of gods. Selling them might bring you a few gold but may also haunt your dreams!" With a deep breath he then said, "we came looking for a hidden treasure not the bounty of this house!"

Blaine looked at his friend. "It is all right, Seth. We do not mean to desecrate anything. If those holders are of no significance, we will not disturb them."

Seth continued to look around the small chapel in search of something missing.

Grummie, too, offered assurance to his clerical companions that he had no intent of taking anything of religious significance, "No, not be takin' just admirin'. Ya t'ink dem robbers had a spiri'al heart, an' be leavin' dem like we are?" He shook his head, almost in the same breath and moment he had considered it, "Naaaah, I be doubtin' it."

"I doubt it as well," said Cassandra, "probably didn't think they were worth it."

The gnome moved in toward the altar and began to study its construction. "Goo' place ta be hidin' stuff, me 'tinks. But how we be openin' it wid'out defacin' da t'ing," he pondered verbally.

Cassandra joined him. "Very likely there is space inside. Just a matter of finding the way in." She glanced over at Seth, "I am just going to carefully lift the cloth. Maybe we can see something underneath." Most of the party gathered round and began to look for any sign of entry.

Andremar examined the altar along with the others, looking intently at the holders. "Perhaps there is something magical around here?" the mage asked rhetorically. "Should I detect for magical energies in the area?" he wondered.

That idea was held back for the moment, but it might became a last resort.

It took some time, but sure enough, there was something different about a certain part of the left side of the alter. Both the gnome and the elf noted this. Again, it took some fiddling, but they were able to shift it downward, then pulled it open.

Inside they found what the spell casters recognized as a scroll case. Cassandra examined it a figured it was safe to open. Inside there was the expected piece of parchment. Old, but not in too bad a shape, the paper was able to be unrolled. The writing on it was examined by those with spell ability.

Andremar could make no sense of it.

Lwcynda and Seth had better luck. After conferring for some time, they announced that there were three spells, all above their normal level. "One has to do with finding the way to something," said Lwcynda, "and the second has to do with restoring lost body parts."

"The third one will help us the most," announced Seth. "We figure it will allow us to converse with the dead."

As eerie as that sounded, it also announced some hope to one and all. And, the candleholders seemed of even less interest.

Moving around had caused Dristarian's wounds to bleed a little, and made them very sore. He decided the best thing he could do was rest. Sheathing his weapon and leaving his shield next to him, he stretched out on a pew and used his pack for a pillow.

"Ah ha! Dat be da magics we be lookin' fer. Best we be headin' into da manse, an talkin' to da Viscount. We ken check wid da ladies ta make'n sure dat skull be whom we be needin' ta talk to."

Grummie began to head for the door when he noticed his friend feeling weak and inquired of the others. "Drist no be lookin' da best. Mayhaps we ken spare da magic, even early for 'em?" the gnome inquired with a sympathetic look.

Drist muttered stoically from the bench, "Thanks for the concern, but I'll be ok. Just give me a few minutes before you conjure up something I'll have to fight."

"Why didn't you say that your wounds were not healed?" Seth asked of the elf. He walked past the gnome and stood over the elf. He placed his hand near the elf's opened wound, and stared at the wound for a moment then his other hand touched his necklace.

Seth then lowered his head and closed his eyes before saying, "Mother of the heavens above and the earth below our feet, use my hands to channel your energy and heal these wounds!"

In moments the reopened wounds began to close, much better than they had been earlier.

"Outstanding.", Drist said, "Still a little sore, but much better. Bring on the stuffed animals."

Grummie chuckled heartily at his elf-friend's humor. "Aye, Drist! Let us be hopin' dat only stuffe't animals be conjured by what we 'bout ta do." The gnome headed for the door, having not heard rebuttle from the others about going back into the manse.

"You're welcome", said Seth below his breath as he heads towards the door, giving Grummie a raised eyebrow with his chuckle.

When he passed Blaine he said, "The city life must not teach manners" and he walked outside.

Blaine replied, "Small town life, or life in the woods effects people differently. I'm sure he appreciated your action. His enthusiasm for renewed battled should suffice."

Lwcynda again follows along. But something was bothering her. "I do have a question."

"Only one?" said a surprised Cassandra.

Lwcynda silenced her with a glare. "We have spoken with the 'ghost sister' but who else among the dead are you wanting to speak with. I don't think that a long dead skull will speak with us unless this spell is very special."

Grummie stopped his progress. He turned to face the others, a somber expression creased his frowning face. He sighed and pouted slightly, "SSSSssss! Bragat! I had hoped da magics be stron' nuf to talk to da viscount hi'self."

He suddenly realized how limited his knowledge of magic truly was. He was very glad to have Lwyncnda and Andy in their group. "How fer back will it go?" he inquired. "I means how old ken da dead be, ya t'inks?"

Lwcynda had to admit that she had never tried to communicate with the dead before, so her experience was limited, "but the spell itself is above my level of expertise. How well it might work? Well, your guess is as good as mine."

The gnome stopped in his tracks. "Wait, me tinks I member somtin." He struck his own forehead. "Yep, I do. Member I be asking da ghost, da new ghost, Miss Reveri bout the tings we find? And she be telling us dat some of dem vial dey be da ones that lets yee read magic with no mistake about it!"

The others looked at him in awe, for indeed that was what the comely spirit had told them.

"Ahem," Andremar ahemed, "And, how long a scroll lasts depends not on the reader, but on the writer. We know not how powerful that scroll is, but since it is quite old, and this aunt of theirs could concoct potions, I would hazard a guess that a scroll made by her is very powerful indeed. We could probably talk to the skull for quite a while."

Excited by this recollection and this conclusion, they hurried back into the manse, to the large open area where last they saw the young ladies. Cassandra excused herself saying she wanted to take a quick trip down stairs to make sure all was well with Gork and 'that other fellow.' Blaine offered to accompany her.

Before long the two spirits came down the stairs. Reveri confirmed what Grummie had recalled. "Yes, two of those vials are of arcane comprehension. Drinking one would allow the imbiber to read that scroll with no chance of error." She did not know exactly how powerful a spell caster her aunt had been, "She was never one to brag," but Reveri's description of things her aunt could do led Andremar to conclude that the spell on the scroll would last for 20 to 30 minutes and allow the asking, with time for answering, of 4-6 questions.

As the discussion as to what questions should be asked, or how they should prepare to ask any, because as Lwcynda did know, only the reader of the scroll can do the conversing, began, Cassandra and Blaine returned to report that all was well down below.

"She's still in the cell, and no sign or sound of her companion," said Cassie.

Lwcynda often had trouble remembering everything so she was grateful to Grummie and the others for their good memories. Now however, "What exactly shall we ask the skull? We have to be pretty precise and we only get a few questions. Sometimes the dead can be a bit cryptic in their messages. I hope you have some suggestions as I tend to ask too many questions and may not ask the right one. And who shall use the scroll?"

Andremar pondered Lwcynda's questions for a moment, then responded. "If I remember correctly, Reveri said there was some password or trick of some sort to getting passed that mirror. Therefore, I believe that we should ask the skull what action we need to take to get passed and into the mansion's vault. As to who should use the scroll, that's more for those who can use it for decide."

Reveri confirmed that she had volunteered that there was a password, not that she knew it.

Drist piped up with his opinion, "Find out what guards the vault."

"What is in the vault? Would hate to go through all this trouble to find a pile of sand." Seth blurted out. His eyes watched the spiritual sisters, their reactions to the questions.

The gnome had been silent in his contemplating of their next task. He cautioned everyone to take their time and make certain of their questions. "Best to be makin' sure o' what we doin'. We ken nae afford a mistake. We ken be preparin' about 10 questions, in da order we wanna dem answered most. I be hatin' ta run out o' questions an' da magics be keepin' on going."

The sisters agreed. Reveri offered, "From what I know of magic and speaking with those long gone, those spirits are not always as cooperative as we are. Any questions should be clear a definite. And, flexibility is also important. You might receive a surprising answer, one not anticipated, and will need to re-think things."

"That's all right," said Andremar, "we do have half an hour to ask our questions."

They discussed several options, and on the matter of "who" would read the scroll. Grummie added only, "Me'tinks dat only Seth n' Lwycnda be able ta use it, right? It be a religious script, no?" he inquired half-way knowing the answer already.

The two clerics confirmed with head shakes that this was so.

"Ifen we be usin' da vial, den no matter who knows scrolls better, right? An' even if Seth be more experienced wid scrolls den Lwycnda, I personally be knowing her longer - an' be knowing what she ken do longer. No offense to ya friend," he turned to Seth, "but I prefer our lady healer to be doin' it, if ya don't mind. Jus' me personal feelin's and all." The gnome hoped he hadn't offended the sickle-bearing man; but he just hadn't known that man as long as he had grown to know, trust and rely on Lwycnda.

At the mention of asking "What was behind the mirror," the gnome interjected a slight opposition. "Eh, hem, well, me be tink' we be going behind da mirror anyway. No matter ifen da skull be sayin' dere be sand in dere, we still be goin' ta look right? Besides, cryptic skull might lie to us; or conceal da fact dat da sand be made o' gold dust, eh? So, me don' agree wid dat question. Me'tinks dat be a waste o' a question." He grimmaced then smiled at Seth; realizing he had twice in the matter of a few minutes stepped on the sickle-wielder's toes. "Just me' thoughts 'bout it." he shrugged.

"Might be best to be stickin' toda basics. Who, How, When, Where." The gnome offered his humble suggestions, "How do we be gainin' access to da vault. Where do we be need to be standin' ta e gainin' access to da vault. Who ken be gettin' access, o' ken anyone be doin' it? Do it be okay to be access'in it any time o' da day, o' only at a certain' time."

The gnome realized his accent only complicated things; but he wanted to lend aid as best he could. "You best be wordin' it da right way; but you see me reasonin' right? An' dependin' on how talkative da viscount's skull be, we might only hab ta ask da first question - HOW - an ke be gibbin' all da details in da first asking. Who'eber be doin' da question askin' best be ready to adjust dey questions to da responses, eh?"

Reveri interjected, "The dead are surprisingly not very talkative. I doubt out father will go on and on about things. Make your questions concise and to the points you really need address. But leave room, at least one or two, for surprises. And just because he is dead, that does not make him all knowing. He will only know in death what he knew in life. We, my sisters and I, know that things have happened over these 200 hundred years, because our spirits still wander this place. His is at rest."

At this point, it seemed that the Seekers had one agreed upon question: What is the password for the vault behind the mirror?

Another uncontested suggestion was: What guards the vault.

The gnome thought again, trying to be logical about this daunting task. "How say you we be very specific. Don' be vague about da 'vault'. Be makin' sure dat you be askin' What guards da vault behind da mirror in your manse?" he shrugged.

"Good idea, said Cassandra who then noted that the words, 'the vault behind the mirror in your manse' could be added to each and every question to make sure there would be no misunderstandings.

"Oder den dat, I kenna' be thinkin' o' any other ... oh." he interrupted himself. "Ifen we be habin' time. And dependin' on what da viscount be sayin'; we should be askin' about dis Bird, and da Girl's aunt, an Reveri." He paused to catch his breath and swallow - having once again begun one of his verbose throat-drying speeches.

"Dese be da only ways we be able to be helpin' dem ta rest. Assumin' he be knowin' anythin' about it. He was da viscount an' Lord o' da manse, eh? I be aa bettin' he knows a bit o' da goins in his house." The gnome waited eagerly, hoping to hear more suggestions and questions.

Seth being still new to this adventuring type of life, stood back and listened to everyone's thoughts and words. He crossed his hands over his arms in front of his chest as looked down upon the gnome, letting him know that he didn't miss the fact that he slashed him twice with his words.

He then asked Rebecca, "Why are you sisters still here in the mansion?"

The two sisters shared a special look, the kind only siblings could share and understand. Rebecca seemed to be the designated responder. "Our deaths were unwarranted, our spirits never laid to rest. As my sister Reveri explained, I think she did at least, she noticed that ever since Regine was given that awful black bird she began to change. We both think that the bird and whatever, or whoever, was behind it, still haunts this place and keeps us from our proper rest. Not that we have ever seen another spirit, besides our other sister, around here." She paused and shared another glance at her sister.

Lwcynda had taken time to compile a list of questions. "Okay here are some samplings of questions we might consider -- - What is the password for the vault behiind the mirror? - Must we do something before saying the password? What? - Who guards the vault? - How do we get past the guard? - Is there a trick to getting out of the vault? -- a password? These may not be worded exactly right, but what do you think?"

"Aye, tis a 'ood lis' o' questions me t'inks. Lets us be addin' a few more an' be about askin' dem." The gnome's belly grumbled, loudly. "Ahhh. Yes, be a goo' time to be askin' da questions, an' mayhaps we ken be habb'n a snack in da' ole vault soon, no?" He cast a hearty smile to those nearby; hoping to defuse the tension he'd created earlier.

"Yep," said Cassie, smacking her lips in anticipation, "Nothing better than breaking into a vault and eating all the food it contains. That is the extent of the treasure, isn't it your lordship?"

Lord Blaine had been following the conversation about the possible entry to the vault with great interest. His hopes, his dreams, his future all depended on the success of the venture. The thought that it all might be done for a salami sandwich? "Huh! Food? What are you -"

But then he saw the broad smile on the rogue's face and he realized he was being had. "Oh, oh yes, and potato salad, rutabagas, all those valuable cash crops. We best bring a wheel barrow in with us."

"Oh, uh, questions," said Grummie, bringing the conversation back to the task at hand. "What happen' da be so tragic dat it be bindin' your daughters souls ta be walkin' Oearth as ghosts, unable to be a restin'?" He shrugged, realising it was a huge question - and likely to get a crazy answer. "Well, how else ya be t'inkin' we ken help da daughters? Somefin' be prevent'in dey rest. Somefin' evil or tragic, me tinks."

Rebecca and Reveri had been locked in that glance. Rebecca spoke. "We are certain that the evil which caused Reveri to go mad and kill us all still lingers here somewhere. Until it is dispelled, destroyed, or dismissed, we cannot rest."

Drist piped up again, "It's only right we try to help them. They've helped us."

Reveri spoke in that comely voice of hers. "You do know that we are ghosts. If you ever touched our more than spiritual form, you would be harmed. Even Regine, for all her past transgressions, chose not to do you any harm. She too wants final rest. She knows she has done wrong, but can do nothing about it. It is up to you fine people to finally put and end to that which has haunted us and this place for almost two centuries."

Blaine stepped forward and 'took' Reveri's hand. At lest she let him look as if he had. "My dear long lost cousins, rest assured that we will do all we can." He turned back to his companions, "Now then, if I may, let me summarize our list so far."

Holding an imaginary pen and paper he acted as if he were noting what he was saying. "Trying to be as specific and as concise as possible, and trying to get the most out of out questions, what say we start with:

What is/are the passwords for entry to and exit from the vault behind the magic mirror in the bedroom on the second floor in the north east of this manse?"

He ticked that one off on his imaginary paper. "Then, depending on his response, we could try, "Who or what guards this self same vault?" He added, "Then, if some form of guard is noted, we can proceed with, "How do we by pass this guard, trap, whatever, depending on the answer to the previous question. This question may not be necessary."

He looked at his imaginary paper and counted, "So, that makes two or three of our five or six. Now, I hate to put my own selfish interests in the mix, but if we end up with a question left over, would it be too much to ask the old boy, 'Where is the true family fortune kept?'" He looked at the faces of his companions. "I know, I know, we are going into this vault no matter what because it is there and even I want to know what we might find. Still, there is always the possibility that the real treasure could be somewhere else." He turned his head roundabout, as if mentally reviewing all the places they had explored, "Though, in truth, I cannot imagine where that might be. It just has to be in the vault," he finished with a breath of exasperation.

"Maybe we could do a little explaining first and then ask the question," suggested Lwcynda. "For example, we could start with something like, 'Something evil has befallen your daughters and has dammed their souls to haunt this house as restless ghosts. We have heard of an evil raven and evil magiks here. How can we help put your daughters souls to rest? How can we banish the evil?' or 'Can you tell us what happened that binds your daughters' souls to Oearth to live as ghosts?' Or something like that. I do also think we should help the ladies as they have helped us."

"Ayea, Goo' ideas both," the gnome complimented both Lwcynda for her idea about briefly explaining the situation to the skull, before asking questions and about Blaine's additional question.

Grummie scratched his beard. In deep thought once again, he pondered the discussion and unable to keep his mind off of the ghosts' unrest. "Dat bird!" he exclaimed. "It all be atied to da bird." He sighed slightly, "Do we 'tink da Viscount be knowin' anytin' about it? Ken we be askin' 'em?"

The gnome shrugged, as was common for him - and he added, "An' wha' did we be doin' wid da stuffed bird, eh? Reckon' da evil be a'tied to da stuff'd remains?" He looked inquisitively at his companions. He knew they wanted questions, formed and ready to ask, he decided to submit the following: "O'ky. Here be a couple more. Do you be knowin' da source o' da bird's evil power over Regine?" He glanced about, "And ifen dat be answer'd to da good, we be askin' How do we be dispellin' da evil magic, so ya daughter spirits ken be a'rest." Grummie awaited approval or disapproval. "O'course, dese be last a' questions me'tinks cause we not sure ifen he even be a knowin' da answers, eh?"

Andremar nodded as the rest of the group discussed the questions. He gave a few murmurs of approval, having nothing further to add to the conversation. The mage merely waited patiently until the others had decided what exactly to do.

Seth's impatience began to get the better of him. Not surprising, since his experiences, being left behind here, then having to dance with a ghost, were certainly disturbing. He blurted out, "That bird, it must be evil!" Looking around to everyone till his gaze stopped at Blaine, "Are we ready to ask the skull?" He asked, raising his eyebrows as he did so.

Blaine consulted his imaginary list. "Ready? Well, let's see what we have here." He must have a great memory as he read from the non existent list. "OK, so far we have agreed upon the first two questions as, first, 'What is/are the passwords for entry to and exit from the vault behind the magic mirror in the bedroom on the second floor in the north east of this manse?' Then we have as second, 'Who or what guards this self same vault?' with 'How do we by pass this guard, trap, whatever,' as a possible third. He took a moment to reflect upon what Lwcynda and Grummie had developed and added, pretending to write as he did so. "Then, third or fourth, we have the speech about the facts of the daughters dilemma as we know them, for information and to get the Viscount's full attention and sympathy, the question would be, 'What is it that holds his daughters to this place, or this world, and what can be done about it?' or, is the bird the source of the evil, and what can be done about it?'" Here he stopped to allow the others to interject or correct him. Then he interrupted before anyone could. "Oh, the bird's name is Erebus. Maybe we should use that name in the question?"

As naturally everyone looked at Blaine as if he had some secret knowledge he reminded them that the spirits had used that name in reference to the bird, "Isn't that correct, Ladies?"

Both confirmed with positive nods that they had. "Yes, we always felt that bird, that Erebus as he was named, was evil. Regine's behavior became more and more erratic after its arrival. Father would certainly know the name. He might know more. He was an adult, we were only children," offered Rebecca.

"We still are," Reveri reminded her sadly.

Blaine, made an erasure on his list. "So, when asking about the bird, we'll use the phrase, 'that bird, Erebus.' We could go with what we have now, and then decide what more to ask once we get a few answers. The girls keep reminding us to be flexible. What does everyone thing?"

Dristarian could think of no more relevant questions, so he continued his resting.

Andremar had nothing to add, so he remained quiet while the others decided. While he waited, the mage slowly went through the pockets of his robe, making a quick mental check of all the materials he would need for his spells if hostilities broke out. Luckily, he thought, Andremar's favorite spell--magic missile didn't need any materials past the mage himself, but it was always a good idea to have enough for all the spells.

With enough searching, the mage finally found in one pocket a few handfuls of fine sand--just what was needed to send his enemies off to slumber land--and that was the preferred way to go about it. Less bloodshed all around.

If that wasn't enough to fend off fighting, then Andremar could always scare away anyone that remained behind those that couldn't be dealt with by other means. It was only rarely useful but when it was, well, it was, he thought, remembering back to an early morning battle with a Yeti that seemed like such a long time ago. The mage finally found one of the most disgusting components he had to carry around, no matter how little the spell was used--chips off of bones from those undead ghasts the Seekers had battled below Chatwin. One had nearly did the mage in, and Andremar was glad the experience had served as something useful now. And, Andremar thought, if all else failed, there would always the reliable magic missile.

The mage smiled ever-so slightly. Everything was in order. For the moment at least.

Cassandra nodded at her friend's smile. She had watched him go through his mental and physical check list, as she had done many times before. It always reassured to know that when the chips were down, when push came to shove, he was always ready. Just as long as he did not have to speak ion public.

Grummie smiled, apparently feeling very good about what they had accomplished. "Let's do it, I be ready. I only be suggestin' we find dat stuffed bird, and bring it wid us to da magic mirror room. Den we be ready, aye?" Having said that, the gnome shifted his belongings and his belt, prepared to venture forth again.

"Actually," said Lwcynda, "we do not have to conduct the ceremony in that room. I can speak with the skull anywhere. Wouldn't it be safer to do it here, just in case something goes wrong?"

"Yes." added Cassandra, "And besides, just because we learn how to get in, assuming we do, would it not be then wiser to rest a bit? Some of the casters have used their magic on this day. Best they get some rest, and time to pray and relearn. Best to enter fully prepared, no matter what the Viscount might tell us." This came from long ago experience of casing a place a good long time before entering.

And so, the skull was brought forth, the stuffed bird as well. All sat behind Lwcynda as she prepared to begin. The two sisters seemed enthralled by the prospect of hearing their father's voice once more.

The comely priestess began by unfurling the scroll. Then she was handed one of the potions which Reveri identified. All fell silent as Lwcynda drank the vial empty. She waited for it to take effect. She suddenly felt more powerful than ever before, as if she'd been elevated to a very high level of power. The words on the scroll seemed so easy to read, everything seemed so clear to her.

In her level voice she read the scroll to the skull. The others looked on in amazement as the empty eye sockets appeared to be full by mist like eyes, which focused in on Lwcynda. As per the plan, she began by introducing herself and her friends. She also noted the presence of the two sisters, mentioning them by name. again, the misty eyes looked almost human, and gazed compassionately on what had once been its flesh and blood daughters.

Lwcynda asked the first prepared question, "What is/are the passwords for entry to and exit from the vault behind the magic mirror in the bedroom on the second floor in the north east of this manse?" she asked of the skull.

Those the mouth remained motionless, words came from the skull. With a somewhat humorous lilt it answered, "A well worded question. My compliments. To get in one must say, 'Medussa.' And, to get out, 'Perseus' will suffice."

That being gained, Lwcynda felt it wise to move on to question two as planned. Thanking the Viscount for his first answer, she continued with, "Who or what guards the vault?"

Here the joy in the skull's voice vanished. His reply was terse, marked with anger and some satisfaction. "Erebus and those who did not question so wisely."

Lwcynda had not anticipated that answer; neither had the others. She paused to contemplate, and looked to her companions, as if asking exactly what to ask next.

The gnome was both surprised and intrigued by the skull's response. Huddling together with his companions, he made a quick inquiry. "Do you be thinkin' dat dose dat do not do it rightly, get trapped i'side da mirror? And dos'ones be inclinded ta defendin' da vault?" The gnome's eyes gleamed with the concept of it all. "Be askin' 'em how to avoid Erebes bird an' d'ose dat be askin' bad questions." He smiled, in anticipation of ideas from the small congregation.

Blaine answered, "Likely not everyone asks of there are two passwords, one for in and one for out, now do they?" He indicated Lwcynda as he added, "Was very wise of her to suggest that as we made our list." He looked at his imaginary paper.

Seth watched the conversation with the skull in awe as his jaw hung opened. He realized he was staring, so he closed his jaw and looked around to see if anyone had noticed him. He said softly, "The bird guards the mirror?"

Lwcynda said to her companions "If Erebus is the bird that guards the mirror, perhaps I should ask the Viscount the next question we thought of about how we might dispatch or kill this Erebus?"

Blaine looked at his imaginary sheet of paper. "That does seem like the next logical question." He acted as if he was ticking off that one on his list. Then his head rose up. "Just one thing. I never heard my great relative refer to Erebus as a bird. He called him only by name."

The gnome smiled, perplexed yet enthralled by the complexity and cryptic little nuances of it all. "Aye, bes' we be clarify who and what Erebus is, and what da name' o da stuff' bird be too, eh? Erebus might be da demon spirit dat once be in da bird, but nae be a bird no more." Grummie eagerly awaited the next series of questions and answers.

"Perhaps I should phrase the question something like, 'We were under the impression that Erebus is/was a bird. Is Erebus a man or bird or both and how can we dispatch him? And how many minions does he have?' Or something like that" Lwcynda looked to her companions for help here.

This approach seemed plausible to Grummie and he nodded excitedly.

Seth nodding his head in agreement with Lwcynda and Grummie then suggested the more succinct, "What or who is Erebus?"

Lwcynda than asked the third question, starting with the bird thing, then getting to the meat of it, "Exactly who or what was or is Erebus, and how might we deal him?"

The Viscount was an agreeable skull. Not all dead are as cooperative when being wakened and interrogated, but since this was for a good and personal cause he obliged. "Erebus was one who came into my house under my trust, corrupted my daughter, and tried to steal my fortune. However, he did not question as wisely as you, and I did not offer any extra. Consequently he got into the vault, but could not get out. His corporal form, though dead, lurks within the vault. His spirit prowls this house, now in the form of a bird, like this open he used to lure Regine into her dastardly acts of violence. Once you enter the vault, you must deal with him the way you would deal with all undead. Once he is vanquished, my daughters will finally be able to rest."

A giant sigh when up from the spirits of Rebecca and Reveri, as the realized that their two century old nightmare could well be over shortly.

And the Seekers still had a few questions remaining.

The gnome nearly clapped with the excitement that washed over him; getting the long-sought answers they had come for. "Aye, good 'dis is. But is da passwor' da only ting' needed ta get out? An' how do one o' us be fightin' wid spirits? Dey like dem ghoulie ting under da monestary?" he inquired, remembering how nasty they were.

He suddenly realized that a few members of the group would not likely know much about their little trek underground back in Chatwin's monastery. He explained briefly, whispering, and trying not to waste too much time, "We run'd inna some nasty ghoulie tings down b'low da monestary. Eeew!" he shivered and grimaced in disgust.

Lwcynda asked Blaine, "What was the next question on the list Lord Blaine?"

Blaine consulted his imaginary list. "Er, ah, well, let's see. Ahm, that's about all we prepared. We know the passwords, the dangers, and some idea about what to do about them. Other than that, well, we could ask if the vault contains the real treasure, though the gnome there already made it clear that we were going in pretty much anyway. And, having come this far I must say I do agree with him, especially since the Viscount suggests that to free the ladies we must deal with Erebus." Here he smiled at the comely spirits, and they smiled back.

"So, what we ask now, and last, is still open to debate, suggestion, or whim." He held his imaginary pen to his imaginary paper, ready to scribe whatever might be suggested.

Lwcynda said, "I guess I could ask something like 'Lord Blaine here is your descendant and on his behalf I would ask you Viscount if the vault contains all the family treasures and secrets and if not where else might we look for it/them.' Or something to that effect. Any other suggestions?"

The gnome nodded in agreement. "Aye, dat be good. Go ahead an' be askin' it. And ifen we have da time, be askin' is da passwor' da only ting' needed ta get out? An' how do one o' us be fightin' wid Erebus. Do he hab a weakness?" He shrugged, "Mayhaps da viscout be in fightin' it himself once."

Dristarian, who has been silently watching the proceedings, pipes up, saying, "Weren't we going to ask about freeing the girls' spirits?"

Lwcynda responded to Drist, "Yes Drist, the Viscount said we have to kill Erebus to free the girls' spirits. I guess we have to figure out how to kill him. If he is an undead behind the mirror then we have to kill him."

Blaine agreed with Lwcynda's assessment. "I do believe my relative said that Erebus must be destroyed for his daughters' spirits to finally rest."

And so, with two questions left, Lwcynda asked what had been suggested. The Viscount confirmed that his real treasure was indeed in this vault, and that the passwords would suffice to get in and out.

The priestess sensed that the spirit of the Viscount was fading, so she thanked him for his cooperation and let him go back to his rest.

Cassandra spoke. "Well, at the very least we have how to get in, how to get out, and some idea of what we have to deal with inside. I suggest we get some rest so that those who have magical powers may regain them fully. I have no idea how much power each of you has remaining on this day. We have been up since midnight, if I count the time correctly. Why don't we rest till then and make or move on the vault at the first moment of tomorrow?"

Grummie agreed that a rest was in order, but insisted that they move the rest location to the crypt room below, "... so we ken be keepin' an eye on dat lady, an' be ready ifen 'er frien' return. We be' be keepin watch while we res' too, so I be volunteerin' for da fir' watch."

Andremar nodded, agreeing with the gnome.

"I'll also volunteer for a watch shift, as my spell potential is still fully intact, in case that would be needed," the mage said. "Thank you for your concern, though," he added, nodding at his long time friend.

"I'd also like to make clear right now I'm going nowhere near that mirror until everything is made sure to be all right." Andremar shuddered. "I've had my fill of the accursed thing!"

"I agree also. A night's rest will be good for us and then we can begin fresh tomorrow. Anyone need healing?" Lwcynda asked.

With everyone talking about rest, and having missed an entire question, Dristarian realized he was very tired. The stuffed animal and encounter with the thief had taken a lot out of him.

He agreed to rest with a yawn, and eagerly prepared for bed.

Cassandra aid something about Gork likely being lonely, so Grummie's idea about bedding down below was a good one to her. There being little more to discuss here, the party headed down to the basement level to the room where they left the woman prisoner and Gork on guard.

Gork seemed very happy to see everyone. "Meeeee veeeereeeee happeeeee to seeee all of you," and he hugged Lwcynda, who had always been his favorite.

He reported that the woman had been a model prisoner. "Sheeee seeeeem to sleeeep most of the time. I give her water once."

Asked if her alleged partner had shown up, Gork reported that all had been pretty quiet. No one had been by.

So the Seekers, now fully healed, ate some late lunch and took some naps. Watches were set, but nothing untoward happened during this time. The woman in the cell had seemingly resigned herself to her fate, ate what was offered her, and slept, or appeared to sleep the rest of the time. She did not even seem to be paying any attention to whatever was being discussed about preparations for the mirror.

And, so, the witching hour was finally upon them. The clock, or at least Andremar's hour glass struck midnight!

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