by Artemus Buttwyler, scribe of Chatwin

[this being the text of the Femmes Fatales second adventure, or at least the fourth part thereof]

6th of Patchwall, Earthday

A good night’s rest, and some healing, had done all very good. Breakfast was a welcome beginning to the day. Early morning brought Bernadino bursting in on the Femmes. “I think I have found your missing castle,” he announced. He had brought with him a number of parchments, which he proceeded to unroll and ramble on about. From what could be discerned from his rapid fire explanation, the map in the book was about two hundred years old. The names of the regions and points of demarcation had changed many times over the past two centuries. Fortunately, Bernadino had new maps for most of the occasions. Not that any one of the maps had all that was necessary, by going from page to page, he was able to piece together what he insisted was the way to Gelatint.

O’Dwyer was a bit skeptical. “So we’re sapposed ta flip from page ta page, and hope we get the corrrect one at the rrright time?”

Bernadino paused. “Hmm, guess on horseback. Hmm, tell you what. I’ll draw you up a sort of map then. It should be fairly accurate. Shouldn’t take me much more than this afternoon to put it together.”

“Now yerrr talkin’”, said O’Dwyer, as Bernadino hustled off.

This left the Femmes with some time, and the sack of goodies from the cave, on their hands.

The gargoyles’ sack contained 81 gp, a reel of gold thread (15gp), a block of uncarved ivory (25gp), and a statuette of a woman carved in rock crystal (very valuable).

“Now, what shall we do with all this? “ asked OD.

By late afternoon, Bernadino returned. “Here, look here. I think even you,” indicating O’Dwyer, “can follow this one.” He unrolled a small parchment.

He indicated Montelegro. “You are here. Now, there is an easily found roadway that heads into the forest just north of here. Not used much anymore, but still in reasonable shape. It will eventually lead to the old Keep of Alderwig, a place where your recent acquaintance, the Veiled One, had a major adventure some years back. Nothing much there now, though. Least, I don’ think so. Now, the road gets much the worse for wear after that. You must head west, avoiding any of the side trails that you might see, or find. Eventually, you should come to an old fort. Think it was a signal fort of some sort, but not used for a good fifty years. Here,” pointing at the old fort, “you must find a trail heading north. It will bring you through an old cemetery, and eventually to Gelatint.” He stood up, proudly admiring his work.

O’Dwyer was the first to pass judgment. “Yes, good. This’ll do. How long da ya figurre it will take oos?”

Bernadino considered the scale, or lack there off. “Yes, `fraid you might ask that. Alderwig, well day of two, but from then on, assuming you can find any of these lesser paths, could be three days to a week, ..., or , ... two,” he added sheepishly.

Bernadino stood ready for any other queries.

"Well," BB stretched, yawned, and thank whatever deity that had decided to humor itself with her. The intellectual spurt was over. "Let's go find out once and for all what has drawn us here in the first place." With a hearty slap to her scabbard, she prepared for the journey.

"Brother Bernadino this is really a nice piece of work you've done for us! Uncle Vaddyn would love to see your workmanship. The map is really nice. My only concern is about where we are going to go to get supplies! It does not look like there are any towns nearby. Other than that, I agree with Black Blade - let's get going." Morague said.

Bernadino assured her that any supplies were readily available from the monastery, "Just tell me what you need. I know you'll be taking some wine, now won't you."

"Bet yer sandals we will," confirmed O'Dwyer.

Out of curiosity Daltonne asked Bernardino "Would you happen to know anything about cursed swords and such, like the one BB has?"

Alas, swords were an item not on monks agendas. "We no very little about weapons, since we seldom use them," he explained.

7th Patchwall, Earthday

After a night's rest, everyone was ready and raring to go. All standards supplies had been gained. Just before they headed off, Abbot Anselm approached them. "I really must thank you for helping Brother Bernadino, for his life and for the books which you recovered. Here, make sure you take this with you. There might be something in it of use, you never know." He handed over the blue covered tome on Gelatint.

"And these." He gave each party member her own vial of liquid. "This is water from the Well of Wellness. It will cure just about anything that ails you. But, be cautioned. One can only benefit from these magic water once. Use each one wisely."

He stepped back and watched as the Femmes rode off into the daylight.

Following Bernadino's map proved rather easy for the first part of the journey. They rode north along the forest edge till the old road was found. Here they turned into the forest, heading in the direction which they assumed would take them to their first check point, the old keep of Alderwig. They had ridden for maybe an hour, enjoying the usual sights and sounds of an autumn forest, when dark forms appeared in the trees some distance ahead. They slowed their horses, and approached with caution. They pulled up short, some 30' ahead , as both the road, and the trees to either side were littered with giant spider like creatures. Maybe 50 arachnids were about, and all seemed to be watching the Femmes' approach.

Solace's jaw dropped, "Holy crap-a-doodle-dandy," she uttered with the remaining upper part of her mouth. "I don't like spiders, especially big ones. Can we just go home now? I mean we did try to get to the castle. Maybe we could go around them?"

"Grow a backbone, Solace," BB growled, her hand on Fear's hilt. This is one time she had a feeling of needing the cursed sword. "If we don't do anything drastic, they might not attack us. If they do," she half-drew Fear. "Well, can't say we didn't go down fighting."

"Sorry Black Blade, it's hard to be as brave as you are all the time. Perhaps your right, maybe the fifty giant spiders will simply let us pass if we walk into their midst! Good luck in testing your theory. As for me, I'm taking a small detour." said Solace, as she stood on her saddle, scanning for an alternate route.

"BB, Solace may be right. That's a lot of spiders & what if they are the real deadly ones. I can only ~slow poison~ not remove it! Daltonne, what do you think?"

But the brusque fighter remained silent.

"I will follow you, my friends, whatever your decision, but I think we should err on the side of caution." Morague said quietly. "I have no desire to attack these things! I hate spiders. maybe we should look for another way, a way around them?"

O'Dwyer had time to consider the situation, "Aye, Lass, the outherrr Lassies may be rrright, proceed with caution. Therrre arrren't enough slow poisons in the worrrld fer all these beasties."

He pondered the alternate route theory, "Then again, with noumberrrs on theirrr side, if they mean ta have ous, therre's nay much we can do aboout it."

Black Blade moved her steed cautiously forward. Three of the spiders did the same. They met in the middle, some twenty feet from their respective parties. The albino had her hand comfortably upon Fear's hilt. The spiders began jabbering away in some odd tongue. They seemed genuinely upset about something other than the Femmes' presence. The squeaky voices, while unintelligible to BB, were loud enough to be heard by the others.

O'Dwyer offered an explanation to his companions, "Seems they be missing their `arrrt of wud,' whateverrr that might be."

"Yes," agreed Morague, "and I gather they'd give `shinny' for its return."

Black Blade continued to listen to the jabbering till the spiders had apparently had their say, and began to retreat. Soon, all that remained was the mental image of 50 giant spiders, now gone into the woods.

With that over with, the Femmes headed on. Much of the day was spent following the trail, and being careful not to veer off when miss-opportunities presented themselves. Dusk was falling, as time seemed appropriate to set camp. The ground around was rather damp, and the sound of running water came from up ahead. Proceeding, they came to a clearing in the forest where a simple wooden bridge crossed a moving stream. Across the way, the trail led to higher ground, and the hope of a dry campsite.

They rode towards the bridge. As they neared it, they saw a roughly made wooden signpost, on which were the `words' "Dis is da brijj of Woe."

Solace's jaw dropped, "Holy crap-a-doodle-dandy," she said with the remaining upper part of her mouth. "I don't like 'bridges of woe', especially this one. Can we just go home now? I mean we did try to get to the castle. Maybe we could find another bridge?" said Solace, hoping that the bridge didn't turn out to be as civilized as the spiders had been, and make a complete fool out of her once again.

"Bridge of Woe?" BB smirked. "Sounds like my kind of place." Cautiously, she approached the bridge, looking for anything disturbing about the bridge.

Morague dismounted and took a closer look at the sign. Then she turned her attention to the bridge in an attempt to judge its sturdiness. She mused, "Maybe the sign is just to scare us off, maybe there's nothing to it. On the other hand, it wouldn't hurt to be prepared. That high ground on the other side sure looks like a good camp spot. Seems like we could get across it without it falling down."

Daltonne turned to Morague, who she figured had the map, "This bridge, be it on the map Morague?"

"Actually, no, it doesn't seem to be."

"Well, be it or be it not, we must goes across it. I will go first. Do not fear, I will fight whatever is here and iffin I need help I know BB will be there. We must continue ferr good or woe -- I will go! We cannot stop now, 'tis only a bridge; why what will ye do iffin we meet a demon of sorts later; will we turn back on our quest? We must continue fer good or ill. What say you Black Blade?"

"I'm with you, Daltonne," BB nodded, drawing her bow and notching an arrow just in case the Black Knight pops up on the other side or something.

O'Dwyer wondered towards Solace, "Who is this strrrange deity yee worship, thee Crrrapadude? R yee sure he's holy?" while silently wishing he had a hold jaw spell to keep Solace's from falling off so much.

Morague moved back to her horse while Black Blade and Daltonne road towards the bridge. O'Dwyer moved off to the right side thereby affording himself a line a vision and missile attack.

Black Blade and Daltonne's mounts had put two hooves each on the span when scrambling up from below came a 9' tall monstrosity. It had moss green colored rubbery hide with long and ungainly arms and legs, the latter ending in great three- toed feet. A writhing grayish black hairlike mass grew from its skull. Its dull sunken black eyes looked upon the two would-be crossers.

"Dis be da bridge `o Woe. I be Woe. Dis be me bridge. Nobody crosses me bridge lest I get 100 golds each"

It held out one of its leathery hands, waiting for his tribute.

BB relaxed her grip on her bow, though she kept the arrow notched. Calculating, she took a deep breath. "Why, good sir, is this bridge called the "Bridge of Woes?"" She asked.

"Me be Woe, dis be me bridge."

"Sir, we are poor travelers in search of fortune elsewhere. Could we perhaps make a compromise?"

Solace was a little shocked by the monster, but this was overcome by her shock at the inflation of bridge tolls. "In answer to BB, this is the Bridge of Woe because the toll's so damn high. Here's the compromise. Listen leather dude, I'll give you one gold piece, so as I may cross this heap of crap you call a bridge; you can take it or leave it," as she drew her short sword and took the reigns in one hand.

BB growled somewhat, shooting an evil look at Solace. "Wonderful," she muttered under her breath to OD. "Compared to her, I'm a High Court diplomat."

She unnotched her arrow and put away her bow, resting her hand on Fear's hilt, just to show the troll that she was somewhat unarmed.

Morague thought to herself - "He MUST be kidding - we don't have that kind of gold!" as she gently, but firmly retrieved her Quartersatff from her horse, watching BB & Daltonne to see what was transpiring.

Jessa kept her hand on the hilt of her sword, but did not draw it yet. "Sir troll, might I ask what you are going to do with so much gold? Surely half that price would be sufficient."

"Well Mister Troll, I don' hav' that much gold and I doubt my companions do either. We be jes travelers wantin' to git to the other side. Mayhap we kin talk about a little less gold." Daltonne looked to her companions for help here. She whispered to BB "Do ye thin we should offer to do 'im a service or somethin' or are ye lookin' to fight this creature?"

While Black Blade had no response, O'Dwyer said to Daltonne, "Well, Lassie, therrre be five `o us an but one `a him. I'd say odds be in ourrr favorrr."

He readied his spear hoping to get in a good shot before anyone else got too close.

"So, Woe, how's bout` we dickerrr a bit `bout the crossing fee, as some `o me frrriends suggest?" twirling his spear for dramatic effect. I warn yee, Solace herrre," indicating his armed and angry companion, "is a cyclone when rrriled up."

Solace grinned at OD, who knew very well that she was all bark and no bite. She said to the monster: "Well, at the very least, I'm a strong breeze. So you better watch it Gumby."

Woe took count of the six opponents and their various degrees of readiness to take him on. He looked all about, as if waiting for others to come to his aid. When none arrived ... he looked back at the six. "Whoa!" said Woe. "Did me say 100 each? Hee, hee, me make bee mistake. Me meent 100 gold for all to cross." His posture took on a more relaxed tone. Then is voice softened even more, "And, if you act now, mee throw in, at no extra cost, a special treesure. "

"That would be 15 GP each, right?" Morague asks as she searched her pouch for the gold, thinking that it was still a little steep, but she was tired & really wanted to get the camp site set up. "Mr. Woe, what is this special treasure you're speaking of?"

Jessa half-smiled. "Why, that is a much fairer price, sir Woe. And what is this bonus treasure you speak of? I trust that you won't try to trick us into taking anything cursed, though I'm sure you wouldn't do that knowingly." The gray-eyed elf pulled 15 gold out of her belt pouch and hands them to whoever is passing the toll to the troll.

Black Blade relaxed somewhat, her hand still on her hilt.

"Well, blokes," she hissed. "15 gold each to cross plus a little extra on the side. What the hell, for kicks and giggles. And if this mission doesn't profit, I'll just have to go back to my acrobats and dancing for a living."

Seeing as how everyone else seemed amenable to Woe's new offer, O'Dwyer forked over his share. "Aye, a special trrreasurre yee say. Well, let us see this woonderrful item."

Daltonne said, "Well, I still be thinnin' that this be too much to pay fer crossin' this rickety thin, but seein' how everyone is so agreeable I will give 'im the money. But he better not give us any trouble on the way back. This is fer the roun' trip isn't it?" Daltonne grudgingly took out the required gold and handed it to whoever was collecting it.

Just as the others did, Solace managed to produce 15 gold peices, grumbling and hoping Woe wouldn't realise that he was being sold a bit short. Solace decided to keep her weapon handy until she was on the opposite bank.

Serena collected from Solace, and added her own share, and handed the total over to Woe. "One hundred as you requested. Now, let us see this special treasure you offer us. And be quick about it. We have not got all day."

Woe began to count the coins. He got as far as "Eight, er, eight, er, ah, eight," when it became painfully obvious that he couldn't even count his toes. He pondered his `eight' count for a bit, they announced, "OK, mee get treesure." He scrambled down the side of the bridge, and disappeared beneath it. Some anxious moments went by, as the Femmes wondered if they had paid 100, er 90 actually, golds just to make the ugly troll go away.

But, soon, a troll of his word, good old Woe returned. He held out what appeared to be a flute. Slightly gold in color, it seemed made of some base metal, with wooden inlay, and a somewhat poor quality jeweled decoration upon it. On one of the wood inlay was carved the letter `E'. It seemed well the worse for wear, and quite old to boot.

The six companions looked at their newly purchased instrument. They looked at each other. They looked at Woe.

"Aye, I thinks this be not muuch of a trrresurrre. What's so bloomin' special about it?" demanded O'Dwyer.

Woe could not understand the cleric's disappointment. "You can blow it. It makes noise," he voice rose and his eyes lit up at this thought.

"Noise? I'd like ta make soom noise. I'll rrrap this on yer big bulbous nose and we'll see who'll be making noise..." But, before O'Dwyer could make his own kind of music, rap or otherwise, Woe had beaten a quick path beneath the bridge. calling out, "Free to cross, free to cross."

Her interests piqued, BB took the flute and studied it. "Let the music be your master," she comments somewhat as she crossed the bridge...

Jessa followed Black Blade across the bridge to the promising-looking other side.

O'Dwyer spurred his mount across, and was quickly followed by the others. Once the bridge was out of sight, Solace put away her weapon. She asked for a look at the map. "From what I can gather, we are nearing Alderwig." Sure enough, once round another bend, the stone structure that was probably Alderwig loomed up in some mountains beyond. Solace continued, "From this map, there I no reason to go there. It is beyond this road on which we travel, and well up in those hills."

O'Dwyer was quick to agree. "The Veiled One and Andar have been there, and they made no suggestion that it be part of our quest. Neither did the monks. We best camp here in the foothills, just off our chosen path." And so they did. Once settled in, however, the flute became the topic of conversation.

Looking at the tarnished flute, Jessa asked, "So, does anyone know how to play?"

"Actually, I can," admitted Serena. "Ero and I often enjoy an evening of music, he on his pipes, and me on the flute. Though from the looks of this one, I doubt the sound will be very pleasant."

Morague asked, "Serena, can you detect magic on the flute?"

"Yeah," said Daltonne, "either her, or OD, or even you, Morague. One ` ya's give it a shot."

So, one of them did, and the flute did not appear to be magical.

Morague continued, " I wonder what the "E" stands for - evil comes immediately to mind, but it could just as easily be someone's initial. O'Dwyer, you ever hear any legends about a flute?" What was the name of King Leefrick's son - it started with an `E' Ethelwin or Ethelwaine or something like that, I wonder ...........do you suppose it could have something to do with Gelatint?"

O'Dwyer pondered both the possibility and probability, "Aye, Morrrague, tis possible that the `E' could stand fer Ethelwhatever, yee know," as he gazed around to the others, "the son that Arrrtemus told oos about. It definitely began with `n E. Boot, what `er the odds that this fool trrrol woold `ave a piece of the poozle?"

Consensus had it that the king's son was named Ethelwaine.

O'Dwyer continued, "Boot, yee never know, Lass, yee never know. Ooever carries, best not ferget yee've goot it. It joust may cum in`andy. Yee never know."

Daltonne said, "Maybe yer right. This here flute may be the thin we be needin' to open the door or find that there castle. Who knows how the troll got it, and who really cares, wes got it now and it may come in handy. So, Serena, if yee, play the flute, then best yee carry it. It may not matter overmuch who uses it, but we may jes hav' to blow it to either find the place or open the door. Ye never know."

The flute would remain a mystery, for now at least. Camp was set, supper eaten. Before nightfall Solace wandered off on horseback to scout out the area. Upon her return, she reported finding nothing unusual, and took first watch, along with BB. Daltonne and OD took the second, Morague and Jessa the third. A clam and quiet night was enjoyed by all.

8th of Patchwall, Freeday

The road, which had been heading northwest now turned southwest. The Femmes referred to the map regularly, lest they wander off on a wrong trail. They made their way passed the false spur which headed dead south, and continued on through the day. By late afternoon the road led them to a clearing. in which stood a one story building, with a three story tower next to it. The stone building's back had collapsed. The tower had a floor level set of double wooden doors, one of which seemed to hang slightly ajar. Laying in front of it seemed to be a dead animal of some sort. Just past these buildings, the road turned abruptly to both the north and the south.

A look at the map suggested that the proper way was north. However, there was but and hour or two of daylight remaining, and no other landmark on the map could be reached before dark.

Solace took a quick ride around the clearing, looking for signs of an ambush. Meanwhile, Daltonne said, "Guess I'll 'ave a look around iffin we plan to camp 'ere tonight. What say you Jessa or BB, shall we hav' a lookm, we may fin' somethin' interesting?"

"Sure thing," BB joined Daltonne in scouting.

Morague take a look around, looking for anything suspicious. Then she attempted to detect evil on the tower. The building had no innate evil about it.

Jessa said, "I suppose it would be good to stop here for the night. At least we'll know where we are." Jessa wondered, "Does the map say anything about this place?"

"All it seys is old forrrt, though it don't seem ta be mooch a one, now does it?"

Jessa dismounted and moved along the gravel path which led to the double doors. There she examined the dead animal. It appeared to be a large, almost man-sized, cat-like creature, black and white in color, with a very oily coat. It had been ripped apart by sharp claws.

The area in front of the tower appeared normal. Still outside, the door was ajar enough to allow a glimpse of a tattered room within. Soon, Solace returned from her ride noting some "large cat prints," but nothing else.

Curious, BB approached the tower section, looking out for anything out of the norm, hand on the hilt of Fear.

The white-blonde elf glanced around cautiously as she stood up and returned to the others. "We should be careful about exploring this place. Whatever shredded an animal that big has got to be huge and it could still be around." said Jessa.

"Aye Lassies, I'm a fearrred therrre's soomthing bad aboot," noted O'Dwyer, as he followed the two towards the tower.

The tower section, to the right of the double door wall, appeared to be three stories high. The walls were made of rough stone. On this, the ground level, there was but one single door, wood, and closed. On each of the two upper levels there were windows of sorts, shuttered, closed. It was impossible to judge from down here on the ground, whether or not they could be opened from the outside.

"Well," posed OD, "ere we a goin' in? If so, shall it be those doobles therrre," pointing back to where the gravel path had led, "orrr this new one herrre?"

It remained quiet, ominously so, as the Femmes pondered their actions.

"I don't know about you, blokes," BB hissed, "but I'm curious on what lays inside."

Half-drawing her cursed runesword, she ventured toward the closed door, looking for any traps or locks in the way.

"All right BB, I'm right behin' ya. Is everyone ready for this?"

No one dissented. Black Blade noticed nothing amiss about the closed tower wall door. Flipping the latch with her hand, she pulled the door outward. The late afternoon sun allowed enough light to view the 20 x 20 room reasonably well. The floor appeared to be wood. A pile of boxes lay semi scattered across the way from the door. A wooden stairway hugged the south wall and led upward, presumably to the next level.

"Suumthing familiarrr `bout this, now, isn't therrre? Well, Miss Blade, I'm right behind yee. Let's get rrready fer some scarrecrrows and the like." O'Dwyer brandished his broadsword and moved in step behind BB and Daltonne.

Black Blade stepped inside, drawing her sword, but trying to keep it out of view of her companions as best she could. She moved to be about halfway into the room, with Daltonne and O'Dwyer close behind. BB had to snort in response to O'Dwyer's mumbling. "Somehow, I see that unlikely," she smirked. She moved to examine the boxes.

Jessa loosened her sword in its sheath, but drew only one of her daggers, for the moment. She gave a short laugh at O'Dwyer's comment and followed the others in, listening for any signs of trouble from ahead and behind.

"Well, if anyone (or anything) is up the stairs, they should know we're here by now" said Solace. She asked Serena to give the door a slam as if the femmes were leaving, and everyone else to be quiet. Solace took out two daggers and headed for the stairs, apparently trying to beat Black Blade to them.

Black Blade shuffled through the boxes as Serena slammed the door. "Seems to be ratty old clothing," noted BB. "Not really much to find- wait. What's this?" She bent to examine the floor beneath where one of the boxes had lain. "Looks like a trap door to the floor below.

At about the same time, Solace began to ascend the staircase, slowly, silently, and listening intently. As her head reached just above the level of the floor above, she heard a low, snarling like sound. She could see very little, as no light existed up there.

Morague followed the others into the tower & prepared a bless spell, as well as readying her quarterstaff.

"What have you discovered, BB?" she asked.

BB was pondering whether to check out the trap door or go upstairs...trap door or upstairs...

She announced to Morague, "A trap door. I'm going to peruse this here." She tapped the tip of her sword against the trap door, then, sheathing Fear momentarily, she bent down looking for a hand hold. Sure enough there was natural place to fit her hand.

Jessa had heard the snarls from above, so she put up her dagger in exchange for her sword. "Looks like we may have found what killed that cat-thing. Or something worse..."

"Oh crap" said Solace under her breath. She quickly took a few steps back down the stairs, put away her daggers and quickly struck a flint to a torch. With her free hand, Solace motioned to the others, adjusted her helmet, and drew long sword.

Daltonne understood Solace's signal. "Well it be my guess that this here trap door isn't goin' anywhere. Maybe we should help our little friend." Daltonne prepared to follow. Jessa was right behind her.

As Solace ascended again. She wondered whether she should throw the flaming torch into the room above, but wisely decided against possibly setting the tower on fire at this stage.

O'Dwyer's first impulse was the stairs. But, seeing BB fiddling with the trap door, he moved to it. He had the best view of the proceedings above and below him. In his words, "Strrretched ta me limits, I beee."

Solace extended the torch into the darkness above and peered into the room, hoping to only find an angry poodle. If wishes were horses, they say, for what she saw, in addition to stairs which continued upward, was a larger than a poodle. Backing into a corner some 15' away was a leopard, snarling, looking about, and a might angry.

Solace had time to debate- *smack*- the sound of Black Blade opening the trap door echoed about. They say cats are quick. Well, Solace could attest to that. In the time she glanced below, attracted by the sound, the big cat leapt. By the time she turned back, a large blanket that was the leopard enveloped her. She and the cat went ass over tea kettle down the stairs. Daltonne had climbed but a couple of steps. She saw Solace and friend come towards her and reacted quickly enough to leap aside. So did Jessa. With no one to stop their tumble, Solace and her new pet toppled to the foot of the stairs.

O'Dwyer heard the ruckus, as did Black Blade. Before they could move to Solace's aid, however, the leopard abandoned the fallen female and made directly for Black Blade, raking her with one of its paws. O'Dwyer struck at it with his readied broadsword, but missed.

"Bad kitty! No treat!" BB snarled, unsheathing her trusty cursed runesword. Bolting to OD's side, she' took on the cat, but ready to dodge need be.

Daltonne and Jessa went to Black Blade's aid.

Solace said "Oww, that really hurt" and backflipped up off the floor. Her blood flying everywhere, Solace recovered the torch, lest a fire add to the groups present.

The cat got in the first swipe, clawing Black Blade along the lower left leg, and causing the elf to swing high. Daltonne and Jessa followed suit. Morague swung her quarterstaff, praying silently to Pelor that she might give it a good whack. Apparently, the prayer was answered as she brought the staff down upon the cat's head rather soundly. Black Blade shook off the pain in her leg and thrust Fear into the cat's side. Complicating the situation was Black Blade's transformation, as both Daltonne and Jessa began to move away from her. Solace, too, began to pull back towards the main door. The cat seemed unbothered, though it's claws did not make contact this time around.

The three remaining combatants went at it some more. The cat sunk its teeth into Morague who slammed her staff down upon its head once more, forcing it to release it's grip. In fact, the huge feline bolted up the stairs. Black Blade was able to slice one of its rear legs, but it still managed to climb the stairs and move out of sight once more.

Seeing that the cat had beaten a hasty retreat up the stairs, Morague took a quick look around. She noticed that Solace was bleeding rather severely & cast cure light wounds on her.

Solace was grateful for the healing.

"Someone get me a light," BB ordered.

Stoically, Solace ignored any remaining leaks and joined BB on the stairs with the flaming torch, "After you," as she politely gestured up the stairs.

Growling somewhat of her lost prey, BB intended to finish the damned cat off...She stalked up the stairs, grumbling as she did so, waiting at the last minute for someone to join her up.

Daltonne overcome her fear and began to follow.

O' Dwyer lit his lantern and followed the two women up the stairs. He directed the light before BB as best he could.

Solace had cringed as Black Blade passed, but now had space enough to follow. Jessa followed suit, calling up, "We have to kill it now. With out its hind leg, it's going to die anyway, so killing it now will be a mercy kill."

Black Blade led the way up to the next level. Save for some clutter, there was no sign of their feline prey. There were stairs leading up again, and O'Dwyer's lamp light illuminated dark wet splotches on some of them.

Solace advised against searching for trap-doors on this level and suggested the party head straight up the next flight of stairs.

BB methodically ventured up the stairs to the next level, with Daltonne close behind.

With OD's lantern doing a better job, Solace extinguished her torch.

Morague had taken quick look around to make sure the rear was clear & then followed O'Dwyer and Solace up the stairs. Since they were narrow, she had to watch her step, but was able to keep up. They all quickly reached the third level. Black Blade and Daltonne stopped at the opening to allow O'Dwyer's lantern to clearly illuminate whatever was here. It appeared to be a bedroom with a bed and table against the north wall and shelves of books along the south one. Here they found their prey. The wounded leopard cowered across from them. Next to it stood another one, seemingly identical, though unwounded. They both snarled fiercely.

Ready, BB waited for her adversaries to pounce.

Solace was uneased by the situation; she was reluctant to attack the cats. Unsure about how to calm the frightened creatures, Solace asked if anyone has a net.

Daltonne noted, "Well BB, guess you found 'im, it, them. I'm ready."

Then she sided to Solace, "Sorry, I don' hav any net. Best we jes git this over with swords and magic iffin anyone has somethin' to help."

Morague tried to avoid bloodshed, "Can anyone Speak with Animals? Maybe we could talk to them & make a deal. It sure would be a shame to kill such beautiful creatures"

The confrontation reached a temporary standoff. The two felines snarled fiercely; four femmes stood opposed, weapons drawn. With one of the cats obviously badly wounded, the other seemed somewhat unwilling to `pounce. Its eyes sized up the opposition, then scanned the room. In a fluid motion, it stood up on its hind legs. With movement that seemed somewhat human, a front paw pushed a latch on what turned out to be a shutter. Once opened, the two cats fled out the window. Their claws could be heard scratching against the outside wall as they made their way downward.

This left the party in what appeared to be a bedroom. A bed and a table were against the north wall. Shelves of books lined the south wall.

"Best let 'em go fer now. We'll meet them agin later. Since we're her' let's hav a look around."

The Femmes gave the room the once, OK, the twice over, leaving no stone unturned, no tables either. The book shelves contained a few tattered works on geography, and one relatively good book on Gelatint Castle. A quick perusal brought up names and dates similar to those told by Artemus back in Chatwin some time before.

The bed was semi-made, with some half decent blankets. Under the bed was a locked box, which solace deftly opened. Inside was used, yet good, man's clothing. Wrapped in them were three silver tipped swords and ten silver tipped arrows.

On the table was a letter, written in common. Anyone who can read saw the following:

Coker,

Hope you are keeping safe our little `friend' his majesty the "Heart of the Wud." Time has come for him to be brought to visit us up here. No, not all of him. Just extract his brain and bring him to us as soon as possible.

(signed) Wensan, Cleric of Nerull

Gelatint Castle.

"Well, what's ta be made `o this?" wondered O'Dwyer

BB scratched her head, sheathing her sword. A wave of guilt washed over her. "They were just cursed humans," she whispered, following Daltonne on her search.

"What a strange message" Morague said. "I wonder how old it is? These clothes seem to be in pretty good shape, so it is unlikely that it's hundreds of years old. Do any of you know anything about Nerull? & silver on everything! This must be important." Both the note and the clothes seemed in good shape.

With that Solace replied "Hmmm, silver tips on these weapons eh?" She tested one of the swords on the table in the room, "Yep, that usually means something". Solace looked around and started to get bored; so she mock attacked O'Dwyer with the silver sword, and giving him a friendly shove into the book case.

O'Dwyer bounced off the case, head first. He gave Solace a curious look. "So's yee wants ta play does yee?" He seemed about to reach for the wily woman, so as to perhaps bench press her a couple of hundred times, when his eyebrows raised in askance, as his right hand rubbed his head. "Wait. Waaaait. Let me see the note again." He ignored Solace further attempts at horseplay.

"That's it! That bump on the head jogged me memorrry. This notes rrreads `arrt of the wuud' just like those spiderrrs told oos of back sometime yesterrrday. Rrrememberr? They prrromised `shiney' in return. Well wuteverr arrt of wuud is, this Cokerrr must have it. And, if this Wensan, a clerrric of Nerrrull, wants it, I'll become a Cuthbertian afore I lets 'im 'ave it!"

Jessa picked up one of the tattered geography books, looking for anything that might catch her eye. Low and behold, she found many a map, similar to the ones which O'Dwyer had gathered back at the Abbey some days ago. As well, there was a more detailed map of the Welkwood which showed the location of Gelatint, so she was now sure they could find it without any difficulty.

Solace alleviated her boredom by looking through the text on Gelatint. She looked specifically for the names "Coker, " but could not find it. Then she tried "Wensan." Again no luck. There were, however, other clerics' names, all worshipping the faith of Nerull. As she looked though the tenants of the faith, she said to O'Dwyer, "I see what you mean. This Nerull and his followers seems real mean dudes. Says here that Nerull the Reaper is the foe of all good, hater of life, bringer of darkness, reaper of the flesh. According to this part here, the worship of Nerull always occurs in complete darkness. The litany is ghastly, full of death and suffering. Bizarre and terrifying offerings are made on altars of rusty-colored stone."

"That concurrs with what I know of them," said O'Dwyer. "I know they were very prominent in the Grand Kingdom, a thousand miles from here. I also `eard rumors that they `ave subterrrrrranean temples in more civilized areas. I fearrr this Gelatint may well be one."

Solace continued to peruse the tome, searching for anything relating to "cursed swords", "the downfall of Gelatint castle" and "a young prince". While there was nothing about swords, the text did not seem to think Gelatint had fallen. It suggest that since the arrival of the clergy of Nerull, dated some two hundred years ago, the castle was flourishing! And, further reading found mention of a Prince Hengus II, who it appeared was responsible for the arrival of this deity at that time."

A jogging of everyone's collective memory recalled that Artemus had mentioned a Hengus as being the son of Cedric, the one who might have gone insane. "Perrrhaps this `Engus is a couple `a generrrations down the darrrk path," noted O'Dwyer. "And we now know what ta expect at this Gelatint. Doubt it's going ta rival the warrrm reception back at the abbey."

After a few moments contemplation, he added, "Now wherre da ya suppose we can find the `Arrte of the Wuud around `ere?"

Morague snapped her fingers, "Heart of Wud - yes I remember the spiders were jabbering about this - what did they say, O'Dwyer - something like art of wood - could be Heart of Wud?" *you & your accent,* she thought with a smile.

O'Dwyer concurred, "Aye, Arrt o Wooood, tis what I said."

"What does this letter say? They just want the brain of his little majesty? Well - I think Heart of Wud must be the spider king or something like that. Can anyone locate animals? Maybe he's still here!"

"O'Dwyer, kin ye refresh my memory as to what Artemus said, I seem to be havin' a little difficulty with this 'art of wudd' business. Also silver tipped weapons kin only mean that they are meant fer were-creatures or undead, I thin. I guess we are goin' to meet some pretty nasty thins when we git to the castle."

"Aye, Lass, I can. Just `e dinae say nuthing `bout this Arrt `o Woood. T'was from them spidey guys that this terrrm came uup."

Glancing down at her sword hilt, BB pondered the findings. *Could Fear be an instrument of Nerull? The way it sounded to her, it seemed to fit into place. A god, hater of all god, creates a cursed sword. She, being the innocent and naive little half-elf before, comes across this weapon, snatcheds it up, and becomes bonded to it.*

Bummer.

It all made sense.

Solace listened to her companions' short discourses.

As if she read her thoughts, Solace said to Black Blade, "Yes, it seems logical that Fear would be created by a powerful evil, such as this cult Nerull, and it's the best explanation we have so far. I guess we'll find out more when we arrive at Gelatint, if we ever get there".

In response to Daltonne Solace said "We may as well take these silvered weapons, if someone in this area needed them it's likely we will too". Solace picked up one of the swords for herself, and handed the remaining swords and arrows to those who want them.

BB did not take any, but shot a pleading look at OD clearly saying, "I need to talk to you in private".

"On the topic of the 'heart of the wood,'" resumed Solace, looking through the letter once again, "I guess it must be a young prince (or animal), as mentioned in this letter. Perhaps he somehow embodies the spirit of the Welkwood, and it sounds like he might have already been killed. Although those distressed spiders, back on the road, suggested the 'Heart of the Wood' was simply missing. In any case, it appears that Coker is on his way to Gelatint, and by the looks of those spiders, he didn't leave all that long ago. Perhaps we can catch up with him?"

`Blink. ' went Black Blade. *Is this the same annoying Solace we all know and love?*

"Um, yeah," BB was still trying to wonder what had replaced Solace. "Good idea."

As far as courses of action, Solace suggested that the tower and the other building in the clearing be ransacked for items of use or value, before a camp for the night be made or the journey continued, depending upon her companions' reactions to the idea of pursuing Coker. In light of the two big cats, Solace added that a watch be kept even if the party decided to rest in the tower.

It was late in the day, so pursuit seemed a difficult prospect. staying here for the night did seem the safer option, and there was a potential search to be conducted.

O'Dwyer said, "Staying herrre is best, and I can rrrefrresh yee memorries `o what Arrrtemus told us concerning Gelatint."

All squinted at the prospect of wading their way through the cleric's brogue, till he said. "Better yet, as I took copious notes, I'll let you rrread `em."

"I'll be on the watch," BB volunteered coolly. And, as for searching for anything useful...or valuable...she agrees one-hundred percent.

"Well, it's getting late - let's check out that trap door downstairs & then secure this place, so we can get an early start. It would be nice if the Heart of Wud was still here - but that is unlikely - perhaps Coker took him & not just the brain, as the letter suggests. I'd certainly like to put a stop to their evil plans, as I'm sure you would, O'D! Who's got a light for down below?" Morague asked, wondering what on Oerth has come over Solace - but pleasantly surprised.

"All right Morague, I'll come with ye to search the trap door and whats under it iffin that's all right." said Daltonne.

Jessa was silent through most of the conversation, looking through the maps and information in the book she was perusing. After everyone had had her say she looked up.

"I honestly can't imagine what this 'Heart of the Wood' really is, and not quite sure how you came to the conclusion it was a person and not an object or place. I agree with Solace on the fact that it must somehow be connected with Welkwood itself." Asking no one in particular, "Where is the heart of Welkwood?"

Then she had a thought. Jessa smirked. "Don't take this the wrong way, Morague, but wasn't 'Wud' the name of the ogre that gave us the flute?"

And suddenly, a torch went on inside BB's head, lighting up her eyes.

"That's right!" BB snapped her fingers, "The troll guy!"

Morague looked at Jessa with a kind of a grin. "I'm glad that cat didn't get your tongue; you've been awfully quite. I thought the name of the ogre was Woe - right - the bridge of Woe. I still think the Heart of Wud must be the king spider - they sure were upset about something & that letter tells Coker to just extract the little royalty's brain. Too bad it's so far to go back otherwise we could question the spiders. Well, Daltonne - let's check out that trap door. "

O'Dwyer offered to let all read his notes on that encounter as well.

Jessa agreed with staying in the tower for the night and took some of the silver arrows that Solace was handing out. You never know...

Solace followed Morague and Daltonne down to the trap door. There she did a quick scan for signs of traps. "Guess three of us is enough," she declared. "Why don't you others," looking at Serena and Jessa, "take a look round outside?"

Having no experience with hidden traps Jessa figured this to be a reasonable suggestion. She agreed to make a final search outside the tower to see if those cats had left any trail when they left. Serena went with her.

**********

As the others left, Black Blade stayed behind. She feigned interest in the bookcase, slight-of-minding the emerald out of her pocket absently, deciding to skim some texts briefly to see if there are any mention of flickering jewels...

O'Dwyer had caught BB's earlier signal, and lagged behind.

BB gave OD a good hard look, and ordered him as calmly as she could, "If I become..." she sighed. "If I get so far in the curse that it can't be reversed, you've got to put me out of my misery, ok? I know Jessa wouldn't have the heart to, and, hell, you're the only one who knows anyway."

O'Dwyer looked away for a moment, as if there was something interesting out the window. Then he turned back. "Aye, Lass, I knows it. I wouldn't shirk, if that's what concerrrns yee. Boot, I dooubt that's why I been suumoond `ere. I'm sure as I'm standing `erre that this Gelatint will be the solution to yerrr prroblems," though the breaking in his voice made him sound less than fully assured.

"Now no morrre mention `a such things. Lest oos get back ta the oothers. You know what kind a scrrraps they can get inta, now don't yee?" He led the way down the stairs, hoping to catch up with the others. On the way down, they gave the second level the once over, finding nothing of interest.

*******

Solace took a close look at the trap door, and then with her torch first peered down below. "An old wooden ladder leads down to what seems a dirt floor some ten feet below," reported Solace. Checking the rungs she declared them safe enough and carefully climbed down, followed by Daltonne and Morague. Once down below, they saw a 3' wide tunnel which led under the room above began to wind its way. The tunnel was man made with an irregular ceiling about 5' high. Solace poked at the side walls and ceiling. "Don't think it will collapse, and there are footprints, looks like boots actually, going in and out. Single file though. Follow my light. Solace crouched a bit, torch held in one hand, weapon in the other and began to make her way along, followed by Morague, "case we need that holy symbol `a yers," said Daltonne, who brought up the rear."

The tunnel headed straight for about 15', the began a gradual turn to the women's right. It led another 10' or so where they found a sturdy wooden door.

Morague had second thoughts about this door. "Um, I think we need to get the others, we should not split up the party & what if something dangerous is behind that door. The more the better! What do you think, Solace? Daltonne?"

"I thin yer right. Let's go tell the others what we found and see iffin they found anythin else. Then we kin come back here together." Daltonne agreed.

With a whisper, lest something be disturbed behind the door, Solace agreed with Morague and Daltonne's plan of caution. Yawning slightly, she followed them back to the room at the base of the tower.

Solace tripped and banged her knee on the trapdoor as she climbed out in to the room. "Hey watch where you're going Trapdoor!" she said, kicking the trapdoor and hurting her foot. Solace hopped around the room swearing for a minute and then drew her short sword, with which she proceeded to hack at the thing.

********

Jessa and Serena went outside and moved around the front of the tower trying to locate where the cats would have landed. "Right there," said Serena, pointing to a spot some 15' from the base of the tower.

"Yes," agreed Jessa, " and then the ran off that way," indicating the woods from whence the Femmes had originally arrived. The scanned the woods to see if the cats were still near, but caught no glimpse of them.

"There's still those double doors where the gravel path leads. Might as well check them out," suggested Serena. She and Jessa moved over to them, tried to push one, and found it moved slowly open. Looking inside, they saw 10' deep, 20' wide room, with nothing in it. There was a door on the opposite wall, and it was slightly open. They listened, but heard no sound emanating from it.

******

Black Blade and O'Dwyer had lagged behind, presumably following Solace's suggestion to check the second floor where the first cat had been encountered. "Nothing there," declared O'Dwyer as the two of them reached the main floor. They could see that the trap door and the main door were open, and they could hear Jessa and Serena talking outside.

Black Blade followed the sound of their voices, O'Dwyer in tow. They joined the other two ladies and engaged them in conversation, asking first about the cats, then she looked for herself to see if she could detect anything out of the ordinary. But all seemed all right for now.

She was about to return to her original action, that of looking into that rap door, when vile sounds emanated from within. A woman's voice, "sounds like Solace" was spewing an epithet of foul language. As they rushed inside, they found the wiry rogue in hand sword to door combat with the aforementioned trap door. "Hit me in the knee will you? Take that! And that!" Each `that' was punctuated by a jab of her weapon. It did not take her long to finish off the vile beast. She sheathed her weapon and took a few deep breaths.

"Well Lassies, now me thinks I've seen it all. A killer doorrr, or should I say, a doorrr killerrr?"

Morague and Daltonne told of the tunnel passageway, and the door at the end.

Black Blade was quick to suggest this be the next port of call, "Been dying to get down there, that darn panther distracted me. Let's go!" she urged, as she began to make her way down the ladder.

O'Dwyer mumbled, "Hope that `dying' won't be taken too litrrrally." He picked up his lantern and shined it so all could see the way down. Solace was next, then Daltonne and Morague, then Jessa, Serena and OD. They quickly found themselves at the wooden door. It seemed secure, and no traps or tricks were found upon it. BB put her shoulder to it and it gradually opened. "Tight frame," she noted. Then shone what torch and lantern light they had into a dirt walled and floor room, obvious carved out after the fact, about 30' wide. As they looked in from the right/east side of the south wall, they could see an old wood round table in the center. Along the east wall were some small cages from which some scurrying emanated. Against the north wall was a crate and a trough.

"Ladies firrrst?" offered OD.

"Iffy you say it be so, O'Dwyer, then it must be so." And so saying Daltonne looked down at the floor where she saw some footprints, with no clear pattern, coming in and out of the room. She then moved into the center of the room. "Hey," she pointed, "there's another door, a metal one jest there, almost next TA the one we jest come through."

BB, after giving OD a look, cautiously made her way to the east wall to survey what was making the scurrying.

Morague followed the others into the room and like BB, went to investigate the scurrying sounds. She was secretly hoping to find a large caged spider. One that could talk!

The two women found themselves faced with ten small cages, each of which had a 5" square wire door with a hook latch, and each appeared to contain a live rabbit. As they looked in each cage individually BB noted, "Do my eyes deceive me, or is that a key hanging in the back of that one?"

Morague took a close look. "Yes, that is a key all right. Course, we'll have to deal with the rabbit in order to get at it.

Solace said to O'Dwyer, "Thank yea kind sir," with a curtsey, and headed straight towards the trough. Still brandishing her sword, she addressed the trough directly "I took care of your friend the trapdoor, so don't try anything funny". Solace did a bit of fancy sword work in front of the trough. The trough cowered in its place, filled with stale water as it was, and knew better than to challenge the intrepid Solace.

Once satisfied that she had the trough subdued, she headed over to see what Morague and BB were going on about. Her experience assured her, and then everyone else, that there was indeed a key hanging in the back of one of the middle cages, beyond the killer bunny.

Once she entered the room, Jessa headed over to examine the crate. She examined the outside first and found it to be made of wood. The top sat loosely upon it, so she lifted it up. "AH, just as I suspected, dried meat. Man of man, are we gone eat tonight."

Once the trough had been subdued, and the crate examined, O'Dwyer boldly brought up the rear. He saw Daltonne's fascination with the door. Moving to it, he grasped the handle but could not budge the iron closure. "Locked I reckon."

Serena hung back at the passageway listening for any who might approach.

Solace heard the phrases "locked door" and "key in cage" in the span of a few seconds, but failed to put two and two together. Coming up with three, she headed over to the metal door and, taking some tools out of her backpack, attempted to pick the lock.

Meanwhile, the mystery of these cages was addressed. "I don't suppose we have any carrots?" Morague asked. "How about if we just open the cages & let the bunnies out? Then we can get the key - it probably opens that door Solace is working on!" Morague was obviously reluctant to just reach in there, as she knew that sweet, cute, cuddly little bunnies could be viscous.

Black Blade considered the situation. After recalling a warning from her sorcerer friend Tim waaaaaay back in Scene 32, [?????????] BB glanced at her comrades.

"It's probably just a normal bunny rabbit," she shrugged. "Maybe those two were-kitties were keeping him and others for food so that they wouldn't have to attack anyone else outside the area." Daringly, she stuck the pinkie of her off hand into the cage, and wiggled it around, waiting for the devil bunny to grab hold of it and rip it out of its socket.

As happens in life, sometimes one gets what one wishes for, then wishes she hadn't wished in the first place. The bunny struck with the quickness and viciousness of a wolverine, for that was what it now appeared to be, as it bit into the pro offered hairy digit. Black Blade managed to withdraw the bleeding finger, and began to run around the room, screaming, "Run away! Run away!" She cradled her wound.

Solace turned from her lock pick work. "What the?" she wondered. Then. taking in the situation, she said, "This particular lock is very, very tough, indeed. I am not going to get it open. We are going to have to get that key. May I suggest a thin, long stick or cane be used to prise the key." Then, seeing the wolverine in its vicious state, she added, " Or perhaps an unseen servant if Serena can comjure one."

Serena checked her spell supply, but, alas, unseen servant was not included.

The wolverine remained within the open caged, hissing. The `rabbits' in the other cages bolted against the sides in apparent distress.

"Maybe we should just kill the little bastard," she suggested.

Solace helped BB bandage her finger and suggested she dip it in urine, "or visit a cleric, whichever takes your fancy," at some point to disinfect it.

As Solace then set about making key retriever from the wooden crate, Daltonne wondered, "Well kin anyone levitate that there key out of the cage or maybe put that thin to sleep or do we hav to kill the creature?"

Serena answered, "Oh, yes, I do know how to put it to sleep, course will get most of the bunnies, but no harm will come to them. " A few moments later the wolverine was snoozing, as were most of the rabbits, and our heroines had the key.

"Lookie here," said Daltonne, "fits this here lock like a glove."

*Click* the lock opened. Gradually Daltonne drew back the door. "Looks like we gots ourselves `nother carved out passage. Bring that light o're here, will ya?"

A torch was brought to her. Slowly she entered the passage, the others hanging on her words. "Yep, just dirt, that's all. Wait, it seems to open up. Well, well, who'd a guessed it. Think we found supthin. Better get in here."

Jessa looked thoughtful. "I wonder if there's a way we can release all those animals, safetly before we head on our way."

"Not a bad idee, lass, but fer now, be best if youn not so timorous beastie," indicating the wolverine, "stay put." So saying he closed and latched that particular cage.

Jessa shook her head as Solace and Black Blade tended to Black Blade's finger. "We'll have to make sure Black Blade's not around when we release the wolverine, though." She gave her friend a sympathetic smile to show she was joking.

Daltonne was soon joined by all interested parties. Serena stayed by the first/wooden door, while O'Dwyer stayed back at the metal one, "Ta make cerrrtain you ken get oot when yee wants."

As the others proceeded through the tunnel, they reached Daltonne who stood in small, maybe 6' x 6' dirt walled room. On the far wall, all trussed up, hung a rather large spider. It seemed rather the worse for wear, and quite helpless.

Jessa entered the room at Daltonne's beckoning. Seeing the spider, her eyebrows shot up. "Well, Morague, I may have been mistaken. You might be right about the 'Heart of Wud', after all."

Glancing at her companions she questioned, "We should probably untie it, hmm?"

Morague smiled, "All right! Let's get him down & see if there is anything we can do. The other spiders "talked" to us, so perhaps we can get some information from this one."

Jessa moved towards it, unhooked it from the wall, and then removed its bindings, placing it on the ground.

Morague examined the creature as it lay relatively still, breathing slowly. Solace offered the arachnid some water, which it did swallow, and its eyes opened. "Mo-ore," it said hesitantly. More water was offered and accepted. "Thank you," it stuttered.

"Well try talkin' that nice soothin talk you hav there Morague so as we dont scare it while we untie it. I wont say much to not scare it." Daltonne whispered.

Morague decided that though the spider was weak and tired, it was not really injured. She spoke in soothing tones, "I am Morague, priestess of Pelor. These are my friends. We are all good people. Pray tell, are you the Heart of Wood, or some such thing?"

The spider grinned [yeah, like they can do that] . "Ye-es, yes, I am. Heart, meaning king, of the spiders of the woods. Have you come to rescue or ransom me?"

Morague reassured him that the Femmes were not in the ransoming game, and that he was, in effect, rescued, though where his fellows were, she did not know.

"That is OK," he stammered, they will find me once I am outside of this place."

They brought the Heart of the Wood back to the cage room, where O'Dwyer was going from rabbit to rabbit, trying to decide which would make the best tasting supper. Serena sat near the doorway rubbing her forehead. When asked if anything was wrong, she answered, "Hadn't cast a spell in so long, kind of gave me a headache. Take me awhile to get back into the swing of things. "

"Tis OK, Lass," said O'Dwyer, "take all the time yee needs. Just glad ta `ave yee castin spells again."

The spider seemed to be recovering from his ordeal.

Morague addressed the Spider King. "Well, Heart, do we call you Heart? What can you tell us about your captors? We found a letter upstairs that indicated some very unpleasant prospects for you! Were you able to discover any of their plans? Can you give us any information?"

O'Dwyer turned from his examination of supper, er, the rabbits, "Let's call `im Arrrty. Tis what I been saying all along anyways."

The spider seemed to nod his head [another anatomical miracle of fantasy] in appreciation of this moniker.

The Heart of the Wood answered, "I was taken captive by the cat who walked on two feet. Had a pet , a leopard I think it was. Said he could get some money for me, or should I say my brain. Though really don't know what go my particular brain would be to anyone. Been kept prisoner down here for many days now. "

Morague continued, "That reminds me - since the Heart of Wud still has his brain intact - we had better be mighty careful tonight! It means this `Coker' is still here & who knows what he might do, now that we have rescued his prize!

"Then we'd best be on the ready in case anything happens," BB nodded, marching over to where OD stood, as if to stand guard.

O'Dwyer proudly held up two rabbits by their ears. "Aye, best be on guarrrd lest them cats tries ta get my dinnerrr."

Morague spoke to the spider once more, "Heart, or Art, - how do we contact you folk? You'll need to rest before traveling & as we are on a mission to Gelatint we can not escort you back."

Before he could answer, Black Blade blurted, "Um...do you think that's wise, Solace? He could get recaptured again, and tortured just as bad, if not worse. I have a feeling this might have relevance to our mission anyway...I mean, two were-kitties were guarding this place...I think there's a connection..."

Morague responded to BB "You might be right! Perhaps we can escort him back in the morning. I don't know about all of you, but I'm tired & hungry! Let's get back upstairs, have dinner & set up our watches so we can get an early start."

Solace, who had been minding her own business, was surprised to be addressed by BB. She said slowly, "That's Morague" indicating the cleric, "and I'm Solace" pointing to herself, ".....it's really not all that difficult to tell us apart, she's nice and reasonable while I'm completely the opposite."

Black Blade muttered something about `being distracted by hunger pangs.' O'Dwyer said, "Well, Lass, won't be long till dinnerrr's on the table." With that he took off with his prizes, bent on making 'stew for everyone.'

With no real reason to stay down here, the others made their way back to the main level. They heard O'Dwyer outside, apparently wrestling with his catch. "Comon outta them skins. Lorrrd knows yee doesn't needs them anymore."

The others made one last thorough search of the tower, finding nothing that they had not already seen. Gradually a rather delicious aroma began to flow through the windows. A head poked out saw a very content O'Dwyer stirring a ,large pot over an open fire. Won't be long Lass, set the table."

After nightfall, the Femmes were gathered in the upper room, the one from which the cats had jumped, enjoying a very satisfying stew.

Over dinner, Solace asked the Spider King, what he knew about Coker, the letter, the panthers, and his general situation, as well as any possible connection to Gelatint Castle.

Arty was very glad to speak. "Coker! That's the one. He's the cat that walks like a man. He's the one who held me here." When shown the letter, he said, "Wensan. All I know of him are rumors. Supposedly he and his followers reside in that Castle Gelatint you mentioned. Not a very nice crowd from what I hear. Into sacrifice, human sacrifice. Don't usually both the forest animals, so my tribe had no quarrel with him. Course, now we do. Oh, speaking of this castle, you are aware that the upper levels are in complete ruins? All that's left is the underground section?"

O'Dwyer almost spat up his meal. "Underrr grrround you say? Ya mean we'll `ave ta go underground?" He seemed just a wee bit shaken at this prospect.

Solace said that see figured that a connection between the panthers, "cursed bad guys?, perhaps," and the Tower Mystery was `very probable.'

Morague again brought up the issue of how the Heart of the Wood could be returned to his people.

He said, "Once outside of this place, I'm sure they will know it and find me. No doubt you have been watched ever since you first encountered them."

Dinner gradually wound down.

O'Dwyer said, "I'll be taking the firrrst watch. Doubt I'll be sleepin mouch tanight."

"Human sacrifice you say?" put in Serena, belatedly joining in the conversation. "Do you know anymore about this?"

The Spider King had no real answer.

Rubbing slightly at one side of her head, she pondered "But what could they have wanted with a spider's brain? I don't think I am aware of any qualities there for which anyone but yourself - " she cast a polite look towards Arty at this point "- might find useful. At least not that I can recall off hand..." As always when away from home, she felt strongly the lack of the ready-to-hand reference material that she enjoyed back in the book shop at Chatwin.

No one had any idea.

Addressing herself again to Arty she inquired "Now that you do have a quarrel with this Wensen, what do you think you and your people will do about him?"

When the talk turns toward the watch plans for the night Serena raises her head once more, her fingers again coming up to rub at the sides of her temple. "If none of you object, I think I'll skip on the watch this time round - I'm really still not feeling too good..."

Morague barked at Serena " Well, I for one do object! We are all in this as equal partners & if you are feeling "under the weather" I'll gladly assist you to make you feel better, but as far as your turn for watch - just go for it!"

Serena looked down with an expression of vague surprise to the small, black-haired woman. "As you wish," she replied finally, with perhaps the *faintest* trace of martyrdom in her tone.

She held up one fair hand to her brow once more and said, in a somewhat fading voice, "But do not trouble yourself with a healing spell. Why waste one on such a common ill as a headache when it needs only a good nights rest to cure itself?"

"Call me in time for the last shift if it pleases you," she concluded, tottering off to her rest. "Chism?" she added, glancing around her for her sleek familiar. "Come my dear."

Black Blade looked sternly at Morague. "What's the use of Serena if she's not feeling well? Let her rest; she deserves it."

Morague apologized. " I'm sorry, I guess I'm just really tired. We'll probably be OK anyway. Sorry, Serena!"

Solace could not see what the fuss was about. "Who CARES???.....I'm beat, let's get a bit of shut-eye....I'll scout around before hitting the sack....BB can you wake me for second watch? First light we'll see iffin those spiders have come....then we'll go after those big cats....see you chicks in the morning."

Solace took a last bit of dinner with her. Outside, chewing on a rabbit bone, as she skirted the clearing looking for danger and collecting wood to stoke the fire. She found none of the former, but a good supply of the latter.

Morague turned to her nightly oblations & prayers, inviting anyone who was interested to join her.

O'Dwyer finally thought of those who had been injured on this day, and set about healing some wounds Once finished her worship, . Morague followed suit.

Jessa was puzzled by Arty's description of Coker. "'Cat that walks like a man?' Do you mean he changes into a man, or is he a humanoid cat?"

The spider answered, "Some have seen him change form, yes. Which is his true form, we know not for sure.

"Human sacrifice?" The blonde elf shudders and wonders if they sacrifice only members of the _human_ race. "If these rumors are true then it gives one more reason to find Gelatint as soon as possible."

"Aye, Lass, tis right. If only the blighterrrs werrrn't undergrrround."

Jessa noticed O'Dwyer's shaken expression. "Don't relish going underground, hmmm?" Jessa looked thoughtful. "Maybe there's a way we can lure them out of their lair." She shrugged. "I haven't the faintest idea how we could do that at the moment."

"Not to worry, Lass. This moost be me suumoning. If I be suumond ta go doone below, then suumond I am, a below I'll be. Doesn't mean I'll be likin' it mooch, though."

Jessa offered to take a watch tonight, by herself or with someone else.

Daltonne said that she didn't mind watching alone if the others thought it was safe enough.

She also asked the clerics "Mayhap one of you has one of them there 'night watch spells' or somethin that kin alert us iffin those were creatures come a callin?"

O'Dwyer said, "Well, hows about I suumond a wyvren ta cirrrcle this very toower. Doubt many will want ta coom in with one `a them flying about, now will they?"

So, once the dinner dishes were done, and the food put away, the cleric of Tritheron used his power of summoning. soon a large dark gray form appeared and moved slowly over the area. "Guess one watcherrr at a time will be sufficient," he noted with a twinkle in his eyes.

9th of Patchwall, Starday

It was. When morning arrived, those who watched reported seeing nothing except the gray form all night. The morning air was cold and the air was damp and foggy, as the Femmes emerged from the protection of this old tower, and began what they hoped would be the final day of travel before reaching Gelatint.

They bid the Heart of the Wood farewell, but he insisted on traveling with them, "till my friends find me."

The map suggested that their journey should be turning northward, and soon it did. Examination of the dirt road revealed two sets of four large cat like paws leading the way. They had traveled north for about an hour, when they found the path, trees and just about anything else ahead, covered in spiders of all shapes, sizes and colors. Before either side could react, the Spider King crawled forward. He began speaking in a language all his own. The others stood and hung transfixed as he went on. Once he stopped speaking, the mass of spiders came forward towards the Femmes, and lay prostrate at their feet.

Finally the Spider King spoke again, this time in common, directing his words to the Femmes. "You have saved me from the cruelest of deaths. If you will allow, I will adorn each of you with a small web. It will let any spider in this forest know that you are a true friend of our kind, and are not to be harmed.

He crawled up on the shoulder of each in turn and spun an intricate spider web around the left shoulder of each of them. Then another of the spiders came forward. On his back was a small golden object. He said, "As a reward for saving our king, the Heart of the Wood, we want you to have this."

O'Dwyer stepped forward and picked up the object. "A statue," he said, "of what looks ta be a boy, and `e's holding suumthin n `is `and, and therrre's writing on the bottom." He was about to read it when

Morague moved up to his side. "No offense, but perhaps I might read this so all will understand? Your accent, you know?"

"Accent? Why I speak as well as tha next guy. Oh well, then here."

Morague looked at the inscription which was on the bottom. "For my boy Ethelwaine, the sweetest lad in the kingdom and heir to the great realm-King Leefrick" She also noted that the object in the boy's hand appeared to be a flute.

Jessa had agreed to allow `Arty' to weave the web on her. As she did so, a thought crossed her mind.

*Flute?* "Serena, can I look at the flute we got from that troll?" Once it was handed to her, Jessa closely examined the real flute to note any similarities to the one held in the statues right hand. "I am no expert. but I'd say they are as identical as can be. The one on the statue even has the letter `E' on it." She returned the real flute to Serena, "since you do know how to play one," and put the statue in her pack for now.

Serena accepted the spidery gift with every evidence of pleasure.

She was already reaching for the flute when the others asked her for it. "The similarities are decidely marked," she agreed as she returned it to her pack. Her mind turned over the new information.

Seeing as how the spiders sure seemed to be in a friendly mood, the Femmes questions them about Gelatint. It was clear that the spiders were afraid of this place, describing it as "the site for a group of evil clerics who send groups of undead into the forest to kill spiders," not that they could understand any reason for such an action. They also said that Gelatint was once the home of the Kings of the Gold Crowns. Some of the spiders were willing to guide the party to the castle, or what was left of it, but none were willing to go inside under any circumstances.

"Cain't say as I blaame `em," said O'Dwyer.

The Heart of the Woods thanked the Femmes one more time, and bid them `adieu' [multilingual as well as jointed] and he and many of his fellows headed off into the forest. A party of six spiders led the way along the road, or what was left of it.

It took much of the day to finally arrive near where the guides said the castle was. One spoke, "Just through the cemetery and you'll see the bridge," he said in a shaky voice, and just as quickly the guides were gone. In the autumn twilight, then, the Femmes found themselves on the edge of a clearing that looked like and ancient graveyard. The road ran straight through it. Many of the plots had been dug up.

Daltonne said, "Well I guess we be goin' through this here graveyard. I fer one am happy that we have 2 clerics with us. BB, hope that sword of yers kin scare off some of the baddies around here. Anyway, shall we be goin' now?"

BB patted her hilt lovingly. "Not a problem for me," she smirked, wrapping her hand around it in a ready position.

The two fighters, one human one elven, dismounted and slowly made their way across, followed by the others. They had covered about 30 of the 100 yards when they saw half a dozen slow moving figures, carrying an array of objects from clubs to swords, moving towards them and blocking their path to the bridge. The figures were, or at least had been, human, though some of their skin and /or body parts were not completely intact.

"Okay, blokes, you know the drill!" BB cried out to her comrades as she unsheathed her trusty cursed runesword.

To Daltonne, she mumbled, "Shall we have a little fun?"

Daltonne to BB "After you! I'm ready." To the others "Looks like we hav' a welcomin' party."

Passing through the cemetery Serena found herself rather glad of the company of the two clerics and smiled a little at Daltonne's near mirror or her own thoughts. Her recent contact with Maury's ghost had opened her mind to the possibilities of the 'other life' and she found that unexplored kingdom to be one she would rather remain so...

Her face took on a shocked expression as she made out the unnatural forms that suddenly appeared to block their way. Without pondering it, she cast armor upon herself and then wilted slightly as the spell inflamed her receding headache once more. She gasped slightly and Chism, discomforted, slipped off the saddle front and scampered away to one side. Jessa too recognized the danger. Upon seeing the walking corpses, the former mercenary dismounted and drew her sword. She wrinkled her nose and shivered, but silently joined Daltonne and Black Blade in the cemetery.

O'Dwyer realized that that which approached was no longer of the living. He raced forward, holy symbol in hand. "In tha name `o Tritherrron the Suumonerr I command yee evil ones ta get thee hence."

Two of the slow moving creatures reached the bearded cleric and with club and bone pounded at him.

"Holy Crap-a-dap-a-doo! God damn Undead!" said Solace, looking at the figures across the desecrated graveyard. Solace leaves Operaman lightly tethered. Then, wishing chainsaws had been invented, she pulled out a silver sword in addition to the normal length of steel in her right hand.

Solace ran out wide to flank the 'zombies', (and to try to avoid getting scared by BB and her sword). Before leaving (with a friend maybe? OD? Jessa?) she asked the others, "Silver kills undead right?" Consensus had it that the answer was, "Sometimes."

Meanwhile, O'Dwyer screamed at the zombies. "Did nae I tell yee ta get the hence!" he reminded them. But they showed him no never mind at all. The other four continues on with their advance, but Black Blade, Daltonne and Jessa had the drop on them.

Black Blade swung high, but Daltonne connected on one. Jessa felled one with a mighty swoop of `Wolfwind.' O'Dwyer accepted that his powers were not working, or these creatures were in some way special, so he struck with his broadsword, but to no avail. The decaying creatures hit back, clubbing O'Dwyer and Jessa. Undaunted the Femmes continued, with Morague coming to Jessa's side. Black Blade felled one, Daltonne another. O'Dwyer's aim was true this time, and Morague's staff took out another. The one which remained flailed at O'Dwyer, hitting him in the shoulder. The flock of Femmes then descended on this last one, cutting it to ribbons.

A still quiet over took the cemetery.

"Cain't see no more a them," declared Daltonne.

"Me neither," agreed Black Blade.

"I doon't underrrstand. One such as me should be able ta stoop that whoool bunch. I juust doon't underrrstand," bemoaned O'Dwyer.

Jessa suggested moving through the cemetery as quickly as possible. The Femmes gathered in their mounts and strode quickly to the other side. There they found a narrow wooden pathway which led to a ruined portcullis beneath a crumbling archway some 40' away. Standing just inside the archway was what seemed to be an old man. In the gradually increasing light of what would be a full moon, his white hair stood out, as did a long graying beard which fell to his waist. His robe was grayish and old, somewhat in tatters. He appeared to support himself with a long wooden staff.

Serena had watched as her companions went into battle, struggling to get her head clear of the throbbing pain so that she could cast protective spells onto them likewise. But the pounding in her head wouldn't let her focus and with each blow they took it became harder and harder to work past her panic at her failure to help them. The battle was over before she had managed to work past her difficulties.

More than a little mortified that she had been of so little use to the group - and wincing when she looked at the injuries they had taken while she stayed safely magically armored, Serena came forward murmuring apologies and congratulations. Summoning Chism back to her she felt some small reassurance at the silken touch of the black fur at her lower legs. Communion with her familiar soothed her somewhat. She was beginning to wish she had taken that offer from Morague of a healing spell for her head - but now of course there were others who needed those spells far more urgently...

Taking in the sight of the old man she turned again to the others. "What shall we do now?"

Reluctant to sheathe Fear while in the cemetery, BB took a chance. Forcing Fear back into her scabbard, she kept her left hand on the hilt as she called out to the old man.

"'Lo, Grandfather," she remarks. "And what brings you to these cursed ruins?"

Jessa anticipated an response of *"YOUR SOULS!"*

Solace followed the party towards the archway on Operaman, avoiding the pits. Then seeing the figure she pulled out her trusty length of steel. "If anyone sees any trap-doors, let me know," see said in a serious tone, as she hid behind Jessa.

The elf looked back at Solace out of the corner of her eye and gave her a wry look, but remained silent.

The old man spoke slowly, in a voice that had spoken through many years. "It is not what brings me, it is what brings you," his eyes focusing on Black Blade, almost as if he recognized her. As the others looked from him to their companion, a single thought slowly come over them. Solace spoke first, "Hey, just a few minutes ago, during the fight, I don't recall Black Blade transforming, do you gals?"

The others realized that Solace was right. For the first time since the had traveled together, Black Blade had drawn Fear, the black runesword, in battle, and had not gone all hairy on them! The moon continued to rise.

Jessa looked at her friend in surprise, speechless. Then she moved closer to Black Blade so that she would be able to better hear the old man's explanation. By the way he was acting he _must_ have an explanation!

BB raised an eyeridge, her overactive imagination going into overdrive.

Biting her lip, she heaved a sigh.

"I have a veeeeery bad feeling about this." She looked at OD with a pleading look, hoping he remembered their conversation earlier. O'Dwyer offered a reassuring nod.

Black Blade wondered if this was the guy they had encountered waaaaaaaaay back they had first started out. She said, "Father Steif, a follower of Zilchus, I presume?"

The old man looked in askance. "Steif? Zilchus? Hardly. Though the Father part is right. When I have my wits about me, indeed, I am a priest, but not of Zilchus, no, not those money counters. Not I." He raised his staff, as if it would explain things.

O'Dwyer suggested softly across the way, "Staff? Cudgel? Could it be St. Cuthbert?"

The old man nodded in recognition, his ears growing more pointed, and hair beginning to sprout from his. face, which began to contort in pain. "Damn this disease," he cursed, then gasped, "yes, ..., for what it's worth, ....., Cuthbe-".

He feel to his knees. The Femmes were treated to the sight of another awful transformation. His chest heaved and seemed to explode, his arms and legs narrowed, bent, and took on animal appearance. His face shaped into that of a wolf. Before any reaction could take place, the four legged fiend bound out from the portcullis and away across the graveyard to the east.

O'Dwyer watched it bound off. "If that doesn't beat all. We been gone a but a few days, and alrrready we meet two of them wolfmen. Neverrr seen one before, and now two a them just days apart. And both claimin' ta be lawful clerrrics ta boot."

"Two werewolves in such a short amount of time. Three lycanthropes, total, if you count our oh-so-friendly were-cat, as well." Jessa tapped the hilt of her sword. "I wonder if these dark-priests have anything to do with lycanthropy in their spells? Getting rid of the good priests who might oppose them in the bargain."

With nothing better to do, and night closing in, the Femmes moved along the wood plank path to the broken portcullis where the old man had stood. All he left behind was his crooked staff. Looking in through the gate, they realized they stood just outside a broad courtyard, 80-100' wide, 100-120' deep.

Without entering, they tried to make out the pertinent details. To their immediate right and left, some 40' away stood low wooden towers, in a terrible state of disrepair. Straight in front of them, a seemingly dirt path led to a statue of some sort, maybe 60' away. The statue stood atop a pedestal that looked like a fountain.

In the dulling light, they could see that from the statue, two dirt paths led further away at slight angles left and right. The one to the left seemed to lead to the rear wall. The one which veered right led to a thatched cottage of some sort. The rest of the courtyard and low growth vegetation of various common types.

As they debated their actions, Jessa asked O'Dwyer, "What is St. Cuthbert the patron of?"

O'Dywer took a deep breath. "Inaction, if yee asks mee." Then after another, he added, "They bee a basically lawful orrderr, with a penchant fer tha good. They be the sworn enemy of Iuz, the evil one which be terrorrrizin the north, as I keep tellin people. My only quarrel with them be, that they lean morrre towarrrds prrrayer fer their answerrrs. By the time they be finished praying, the worrld could be gone overrr ta evil."

"So, do we explore tonight, or try to find someplace safe to wait until daylight?" Jessa questioned the group. "Personally, I say let's continue. It might be more dangerous to wait, besides the fact that I doubt there _is_ anywhere safe nearby."

No one answered, so Jessa decided to go forward cautiously to examine the statue and its pedestal, sword drawn and shield at the ready. O'Dwyer, 'ratherrr than stand roound like a Cuthberrrtian,' followed. They got within 10' of the statue when the ground went out from under them, and they both disappeared from sight!

********

"What the heck...? " muttered Jessa, as she tried to right herself. She and O'Dwyer found themselves at the bottom of a pit, maybe 8-10' below ground level.

"Tis tha pits, Lass, tha pits," declared her fallen companion O'Dwyer.

********************

"What the hell?!" BB raced over, cautious to stop 15' from the statue and peered around to see what happened to her friends. "JESSA!!! OD!!! You still breathing'?!"

"Dune herrre, Lass. A pit seems tat have befallen oos," came a familiar voice from below.

Daltonne also rushed to where she saw her companions disappear. She edged her way as close as possible. She could see the two missing ones standing and looking upwards. Daltonne got a rope out and throw it down to them.

Serena rushed over as well. She, too, produced a rope, and dropped it down the pit. Slowly, O'Dwyer and Jessa pulled themselves up and out.

Morague and Solace had approached more cautiously, bringing the mounts with them.

O'Dwyer brushed himself off. "Seems like whoeverrr is `ere is well preparrred for visitors. We'd best take better care. It's not a friendly scarrrrecrow we'rrre oop against this time."

The ground was prodded as they moved ahead slowly to the statue. It appeared to be made of stone, maybe 4' high. It had the torso of a human with the hind quarters of a goat. Small horns protruded from its head and it carried a mace, a shield, and in its belt a small set of pipes.

"Can't say I've everrr seen anything like it," noted O'Dwyer.

Jessa nodded here head in agreement. "Neither have I. Heard of something like it, yes, but that was decades ago, and I can't remember what they were called...."

Serena moved closer to the statue, staring at it with great interest. "Yes Jessa - there is something familiar about it," she said looking from the pipes to the horns, to the goats legs and then back to the pipes again, nibbling at her lip in thought as she tried to draw up memories from the many books she had studied over the years. After a moment she raised her eyes.

Solace looked at the statue. "I think it's a fawn. As far as I know most of them are called Pan. They're meant to be mischievous, but not necessarily evil."

The others were both impressed and reminded by Solace's statement. It was a statue of Pan.

"You couldn't see anything down there in the pit then?" Daltonne asked of Jessa and O'Dwyer. Taking a closer look at the latter, she added "You're really not looking too good O'Dwyer y'know. It has been quite a rough day for you so far all in all..."

"It was _dark_ down in the pit." Jessa shook her head. "Probably just a trap to ward off unwanted visitors. And considering the current residents, that's quite a few people."

O'Dwyer took account of himself, "Yer right on that count, Lassie. Meyhaps I best get sum rest, and perrrhaps a bit `o healing might do a body good." He looked round for a suitable place to lay what was left of his weary and battered bones.

Daltonne found the statue interesting. "So what is this thin -- some kind of piper? Do we need to play the pipe to git in or what? What about that flute, Serena? Iffin we play it maybe this little guy will move or somethin? Do ye thin those pipes kin be loosened?"

O'Dwyer figured `what the hey?' and prepared to give a tug on the statue's pipes. "Before you do," said Morague, "it's best I tend to those wounds of yours."

"That's betterrr," he admitted. He gripped the pipes at the statue's belt, but they did not seem to move. "Nae Lass, I cannae remove `em. They seem ta be part o the statue."

Glancing at Daltonne, Jessa stated, "You may have something with the idea of playing the flute, but then again, the statue could just be here to attract the unwary into walking into the pitfall." She shrugged slightly. "In any case, I vote that we move on down one of the paths and continue exploring to that end."

Solace lost interest in the statue, and, waving her sword about in the air, she challenged Daltonne to a mock sword-fight.

"All right Solace, maybe we shud git a little practice." And Daltonne practiced swords with Solace. "Yer sur yer up to this Solace?" she just chuckled, something she doesn't do very often.

"Better her than me, Solace," BB chuckled half-heartedly.

Smiling tolerently as her two companions began a bit of blade sparring, Serena continued to examine the statue of the supposed fawn. Still not really happy about the pit, she then peered down it, taking care with her footing. It seemed to be a dug out hole, probably a trap as Jessa had suggested.

"Well all," she said finally "I guess we should get on with our explorations. As you say Jessa - let's try one of those paths next."

The cottage seemed the more interesting choice, and O'Dwyer had been looking for a place to rest, so they took the right angled path towards it, prodding the ground and looking around as they went. It was a small (10' x 5') wooden cottage with a decaying thatched roof. Solace had a look at the rotting wooden door, and then knocked gently upon it, but there was no answer. The door was carefully pushed inward, a torch lit to illuminate the interior. In one corner was a small wooden bed with a straw mattress. In the center of the wall opposite the door was a fireplace, unlit, with a mantle over it. On either side of the mantle were two rather large gold candle sticks, each with a black star emblem at the base. The was some kind of drawing on the wall above the mantle.

Serena glided forward into the room with Chism not far from her heel. The black cat strolled over to the fire-place, her tail twitching in disgust at finding it unlit. She looked up at Serena in mild feline complaint. There was sufficient wood in the fireplace to start a fire, however.

Serena made her way to the mantle to regard the drawing on the wall there. It appeared to be a charcoal sketch of the courtyard from whence they had just come. Though the artist had embellished upon what remained of once mighty Gelatint. In the drawing the walls, portcullis and other defense points were boldly drawn, as if still there. The statue stood in the center, but in place of the cottage was a long building, probably a stable. Where the path branched off to the left, in the sketch it led to a major building with a large wooden door. Serena knew she had not seen this outside on this night at least.

BB, found the candlesticks fascinating, and strode over there to examine them further...she picked one up and tested its weight, looking at the bottom of the base, thinking back to her thieving days.... She figured the item was made of gold, and probably worth as much as 50 golds.

Shaking her head, after she has examined the candlesticks, she, too, studied the drawing...one of the candlesticks still in her hand... . She also noticed the building with the large door, "Didn't see that one outside, did we?"

Realizing that the floor was made of wood slats, Jessa cautiously follows her friends into the cottage, taking very careful steps as she went, lest another trip befall her. She went up to one of the candlesticks, examined in an attempt to tell if it had been been used recently. She did see signs of melting, though it was cold to the touch at the present time. "Does anyone think they may have an idea about what the black star is?"

Neither of the clerics felt that it related to any faith they new, good, bad, or indifferent. "Mebee it's joost a design," said O'Dwyer, as he moved towards the bed.

After Jessa was satisfied with the outcome of her examination of the candlestick, she proceeded to explore the rest of the room, carefully. Other than a few sacks of meal, there was little that had not been seen already.

Once finished her search, she moved to join the group in front of the design on the wall, fingering her pendent, a strangely patterned black and white teardrop.

Serena moved aside a little to make space for Jessa before the design on the wall. She slanted a curious glance at the unusual looking pendant her companion wore.

Once O'Dwyer reached the bed, he prodded the mattress with his sword, but nothing leapt out at him. He bent down and had a look under the frame, and saw a metal box. Figuring the bed safe, he plopped himself down in it.

"Ah, ta at last rrrest me wearrry bones. Even this old strrraw feels a comforrt tanight." As he tottered off to dream land, he mention casually, "There be a metal box uuunder tha bed, if anybody's interested."

Solace grabbed one gold candle stick off the mantle and tossed it into her backpack. Then, while BB was looking at the drawing, she deftly removed the other one from BB's hand and put it into her back pack as well, "Well your old thieving days may be over Black Blade, but mine are just beginning". Solace looked around at the others and adds: "I'll just hang onto these until we can sell them".

Black Blade grumbled to Solace, "Take it. I don't care. They're probably cursed anyway."

Morague smiled at BB's last remark, and said to Solace "Nice of you to offer to carry those heavy things for us. I wonder what's in the box. oh, by the way, is it my turn for first watch?"

Jessa shrugged as she studied the symbol on the wall. "If you're voluteeing, go right ahead. I doubt I'll be getting much sleep tonight, though. This place gives me the creeps."

Solace began to draw on OD's face while he slept, adding a beard and black eye to his features.

"Metal Box?" O'Dwyer's last words finally sunk in. Black Blade dove under the bed, pushing Solace out of the way. She pulled the box out from underneath.

"God damn it Black Blade," Solace exploded as the diving BB beat her to the box. "Your old thieving days are over. Instead of doing your best to make me redundant; why don't you go slay a dragon or something!"

"I'll always be a thief, whether you or I like it enough!" BB shouted, her cheeks flushing a bit; not much, but enough to put a little color in her white complexion. "And I don't need a child to tell me what to do! AND I DON'T WANT TO HEAR ANOTHER WORD ABOUT DAMNED DRAGONS, EITHER!!!"

Upon hearing the "cursed" comment, Solace went ballistic [a good old medieval term if ever I heard one]. "I'm not the one with the curse problem." Solace stormed out of the cottage shouting "That's it, I've had enough of your chuckling insults. All we do is try to help you with that cursed sword and you don't even want to be helped. Well you can go to hell Black Blade, you spoilt and ungrateful daughter of an orc."

"THAT'S IT!!" BB put a hand on Fear's hilt. "I'm gonna teach that little--" her words trailed off into intangible mumbles as she started to storm off after her.

Solace's voice trailed off into the distance: "Thick-headed, ogre-faced fighter...God damn Xena Warrior Princess....."

Black Blade's did likewise, "Obnoxious little stuck-up turnip faced know-it-all closed-minded...."

O'Dwyer's peaceful repose was disturbed by the wrestling and then the shouting. He groggily wakes up, and rubbed his face. "Aye, who's been foossing wit me whiskers?"

With his uncovered eye, he looked about, "What's all the fooss, anyway?" Then he pondered, "And why do I feel like I should be searrching fer Davy Jone's locker?" Once Morague's mention of watches set in, he says, "Be it me turrrn fer the watch?"

He looked about and finally realized that both Black Blade and Solace were missing.

At Solace's first shouted comment Jessa had turned away from the fireplace. and stared at her and BB.

Morague asked "Serena, I've noticed that you've been rubbing your head quite a bit. Is there anything I can do to help? O'D, how are you feeling?"

Serena smiles back at Morague "Thanks - it seems to be easing. When I cast spells it seems to take it out of me..."

Morague joined Jessa in looking at the drawings above the fireplace, hoping they could make some sense of it.

"I sure hope the 2 of them can work out their differences!" Morague said as she made a mental note to ask for some divine assistance for them tonight

O'Dwyer moved over to the open doorway, and looked out into the darkness. He could see the dark outlines of what he guessed were his comrades as they moved across the filed.

Daltonne moved over next to the cleric. She called out, "Hey BB, what's the matter? Surely you can't be upset with Solace's antics -- ye know she's always up to somethin but she means no harm. Besides we hav more important thins to worry about -- like how to rid ye of that cursed sword. So come on ye two -- call a truce at least 'til we git back 'ome."

Jessa expressed a different opinion. "Normally I'd agree with you, but they really have to work this out. I say, unless it looks like they're going to seriously injure each other, let them fight it out."

Once outside, Solace took a deep breath and tried to calm herself down. As it was quite dark, she wondered about the horses, given the abundance of zombies and werewolves she had seen recently.

Black Blade ran after Solace and drew even with her about the time they neared the statue. She caught Solace's arm and, being stronger, forced her into looking into her crimson eyes. "I don't need you to tell me what to do, child," BB snarled. "Your holier-than-thou attitude is getting on my nerves, and I don't think we need it one bit.

She continued to spit out, "You asked to come along with us; we didn't ask you."

Then she got really angry. "And where the hell did you learn your manners? At least I was taught to respect my elders, even though I usually ended up taking their purses anyway. "The only reason I'm not technically a thief any longer is that it was more profitable to be a fighter. It doesn't mean I'm not still one at heart. I don't need you telling my I'm old. I'm older than you, and I'm barely middle-aged.

She even tried reason with, "For us to survive this ordeal, do all of us a favor and grow up. You're childish actions are delaying us from our goal."

Yet throughout, she spoke through gritted teeth, glaring eyes, and knuckles whiter than usual as her other hand grasped Fear's hilt.

Solace might have wanted to respond, but before she could really get in a word edgewise, or do anything, both were surprised to be in the company of a now seemingly alive statue! Not only that, but it was twice the size it had been in its inanimate form. The statue, as a Satyr, attacked with its mace, somehow missing Solace, but striking Black Blade(*). With a shield to defend itself, it stood ready to swing again. The two women were also aware of some sort of multiple foot falls coming their way.

O'Dwyer and Daltonne saw the two women's shadows get close together near the statue. Black Blade's voice carried across the courtyard. While he and Daltonne could not hear every word, they could gather than BB was berating Solace, and Solace had little chance to speak. Then the noticed something, a larger shadow?

"Er, Lassie. Tis me eyes playing trrricks, orrr is sumpthin else oot there with `em?"

Daltonne turned to O'Dwyer. "Yup, let's go." She added, "Jessa, I thin we may 'ave need of yer blade -- somethin is out there with BB & Solace!"

Daltonne charged out the door, shouting, "Watch out BB, I see some dark shadows comin' toward ye and Solace." O'Dwyer ran after her.

Serena hurried on out after Daltonne and paused to take in the sight. Forcing herself to concentrate past the tightening in her skull she called to mind her phantasmal force spell....just in case....

At Daltonne's shout, the blonde elf turned back to the door. Seeing the others rush out, she noticed the shadowy form in the gloom. She tried her dark sight to better discern what was there. While she could tune it in on her two friends, the shadow figure gave off no heat. However, she did sense something approaching rapidly from beyond them.

Morague quickly made her way outside to assist. Prior to readying her staff, she cast a bless on everyone within range, silently thanking Pelor for the assistance. Most would be aided by the spell. Since Black Blade and Solace were already engaged, it had no effect on them.

Fear flew out of its sheath as BB stood in front of the living statue, glaring up at it... as if threatening to bite its kneecaps off.

Solace couldn't help be amused by the sudden departure of her friend Black Blade. Looking at BB and then the statue, "What is this, an 'authoritarian Fascist' convention?"

*BB politely and painfully flipped the bird, at the statue or Solace, who can tell?

In awe of the statue's size, Black Blade hoped her own quickness would give her an advantage. She tried for off-balancing the giant by darting around it, hacking at the tendons behind its ankles and knees.

The statue's attention followed the fighter. Quickly Solace dropped her sword and back flipped out of mace range; the statue brought the mace down upon BB once again. Daltonne and O'Dwyer were closing in; Jessa followed her eyes towards the source of heat.

Solace took her whip from her belt, and lashed out with it at the mace wielding arm of the statue. The leather strip snapped smartly and locked onto this appendage, disrupting its continued strike at Black Blade. She took the opportunity to slash at its lower legs. She was joined in this effort by Daltonne, who struck it in the left flank, and O'Dwyer, who succeeded with two blows of his own. The statue's only recourse was to slap out with the shield, but it swung widely. As Solace began a circular move, effectively pulling the statue slightly off balance, the three Femmes were able to dispatch the enlarged monster. It fell to the ground, and resumed its normal size, shape.

"God damn what was that all about?" BB grumbled in pain..."Okay, so anyone have any theories...?"

Jessa found herself being set upon by what looked to be a large pig or boar. Her night vision gave her the advantage. She held her sword out and allowed the charging animal to run itself upon it, if it so desired. The animal must have sensed the danger, for at the last moment it veered to its left, zoomed by, and continued off in the darkness.

O'Dwyer looked about searching for other dangers but could see none. Jessa moved over towards the fallen statue. "Whatever that animal was, it's gone now. I can sense no one else around. Least not for now."

O'Dwyer said, "Well, we best get oorselves back inside. And you two, does yee not see oow much betterrr we be when we cooperrrate wi each ooother?" His voice trailed off as he headed back for the small cottage, muttering something about, `kicking both their arses ta Killarny,' wherever that might be.

Solace, although determined not to learn anything from this experience, in spite of O'D's suggestion, did at least let Black Blade go back inside and be the first to the metal box. Instead, Solace flexed her considerable muscle, and dragged the statue to the edge of the pit. Once she had unwrapped her whip from the arm, she pushed the stone fawn over the edge. Slapping her hands together as a sign of a job well done, Solace returned to the cottage.

BB smiled with a sarcastic nod to OD and limped back to the cottage. There Morague treated her wounds with a ~cure~. BB was able to direct her attention to that which had started the fuss- the metal box. It took little effort to open it, and even less to go through the contents. There were five large coins, seemingly gold, each with the bust of a male figure embossed on it.

Solace showed little interest in the coins for now. Instead, she suggested that the party barricade the door and get a bit of shut-eye, before perhaps laying siege to the underground cult in the morning.

Morague still had memories of the statue on her mind. "I've never seen anything like this before!" Morague exclaimed. "I wonder what set it off? You know, I think we should try to play that flute close to it tomorrow morning. Maybe the flute will enable us to communicate with it. Then gain, maybe the flute is what it was after! It was the same flute - same letter "E" & everything. Maybe the soul of Ethelwaine is trapped in that statue & wants to get out. What do you think, OD? Is that possible? "

O'Dwyer confessed, "At this point, Lassie, I `ave no idee. Things I seen taday, well, this place got me completely bambozzeld."

Morague asked Serena, "Serena, I'm starting to get worried about your headaches. How long has this been going on? Is there anything you can recall that started these headaches? Did something bite you or anything like that?"

"Well, ladies - OD, I'm about ready for evening rituals. Everyone's free to join me, if you like." Morague proceeded to complete her evening ritual, and prepared to take her turn at watch, presumably with the door barred.

Jessa shook her head in response to Morague's offer. "No, thank you. Though, I wish I was somewhere I could pay homage to Alaya, but her place is the open fields and forests," glancing towards the door, "not ruins inhabited by evil and carnage."

Before retiring, O'Dwyer, now over his snit about the `fight', realized that he has some spell power remaining. First he made sure that there were no injuries remaining among his party. Then, to make things more secure in the morning, And, he moved to the door of the cottage from where he cast his ~find traps~ spell into the darkness. He spent the next half hour in deep concentration. At one point he moved slowly out of the hut, almost to where the statue once stood. Once his spell ran out, he returned to the cottage. "Me thinks I got as mooch `o that courrrtyard as I could. Nary a rr could me magic sense." He seemed quite pleased with himself, then he added, "Course, should we find anotherr place ta go into, well, who knows what we might find inside."

"Yes, O'Dwyer, what will we find inside the ruins, I wonder? I suspect it's much worse than what we've already encountered." The elf speculated.

Semi-reassured, the Femmes set about the night watch Morague and Daltonne took the first shift, then woke BB and O'Dwyer for the second.

About halfway through their shift, BB moved quietly over to Solace's sleeping spot. She eased her hand inside the rogue's pack, and slowly emerged with candle stick in hand. She returned to OD's side, and tuck the object away in her own. "I found it," she explained to him. He merely raised his eyes to the heavens, "Girrls will be girrls," he noted.

Once their shift ended, they in turn roused Solace, Jessa, and Serena, who stood on guard till dawn. Nothing untoward happened during the night. It seems very quiet indeed.

Should you like any information about the Femmes Fatales, or if you'd like to lurk, email the Game Master via the address below.

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