by Artemus Buttwyler, scribe of Chatwin

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

10th of Patchwall, Moonday

Morning came. The courtyard seemed deserted, especially now that the statue was no longer dominating the area. While some kept careful watch out the now semi- opened door, the clerics and spell casters set about prayer and study for the day to come. All availed themselves of the provisions in the hut, not knowing when another good meal opportunity might come along.

By 9AM they were ready to investigate further, `but where' was the obvious question. Jessa held out a possible answer. She indicated a shaded area across the courtyard, "over there. Follow the other path, the one which branches left from the base of the statue. Unless my eyes are playing tricks with me, there seems to be an opening in the rear there. Looks like a cave mouth or something."

O'Dwyer said, "Well, Lass, wither yee eyes be playin tricks, orrr therrre be soomthin therrre, it seems ta be the oonly place aboot."

The cleric took a careful scan of the grounds, and saw nothing much else as a place to look.

"What say we takes a look at what the fairrr elf `as sighted?"

O'Dwyer began gathering up his belongings in preparation to moving across the courtyard.

"Oh, yes, what shall we do aboot ourrr mounts? I doot we can be bringin `em aloong with oos now, can wee?"

Daltonne figured she may as well go with the others. "As to the mounts -- "Guess we cud tie 'em to some trees and hope they will be here when we git back. Any suggestions?"

"Besides leaving them tied up here with food and water, would it be possible to put a light ward of some kind on them?" the elf asked the magic-users in the group. "So as to make it more difficult for them to be stolen?"

The mounts were tethered in a group in the courtyard, left sufficient food and water, and the group made its way past the base of were the statue had stood. A quick peak down the pit showed the completion of Solace's `beautification' program. The broken satyr lay in peace and pieces.

The path led them to what appeared to be a cave mouth formed by a mass of thickets combined with toppled stone and unearthed ground. The entrance was small, a mere 4', and very dark, indeed. Solace, as was her habit, set a torch alight and offered it to whoever `felt lucky' to lead the way. The group drew straws and Solace won. She squatted down, held the torch aloft, and semi-duck walked into the darkness, followed by O'Dwyer, Daltonne, Black Blade, Morague, Serena, and Jessa. Once each had maneuvered about 5', she could stand up. Within this 10' x 15' cave were signs that some animal had been calling it home. Jessa suggested that it might be whatever raced past her in the darkness last night.

The floor was littered with vegetable matter in various states of decomposition and munching, some rocks, and some old gnawed bones. As well, what appeared to be a jeweled-hilted short sword lay amidst the rubble.

Jessa's expression suddenly became very thoughtful as she looked over the rubble. "Gnawed bones..." She said out loud to no one in particular. "Signs of an animal... and the sword..." The elf looked at the others in the group. "Could it be that our friendly were-cat uses this as a hide out? I highly doubt it's a boar."

BB ventured cautiously to the sword, not quite touching it just yet...

"Maybe a trap," she whispered to more herself than anyone, and began to inspect around the rubble and sword to see if there are any trip wires of any sort. Not finding any, she decided to pull out the sword.

"Hmm, nice weight. These jewels may be worth a couple of hundred gold," she declared. Since it seemed to be an ordinary sword, she sheathed it with her pack, to make damn sure Solace didn't get any sticky fingers around it.

Morague took a careful look around to see if there were are any other exits from this cave, but none were immediately visible.

Solace swept her torch around so as to reveal the rest of the cave. As she watched BB heading towards the sword, she jingled the coins in her pouch, which had come from the metal box, thinking to herself "It's no wonder nobody else gets any loot, with me and BB on the prowl, anything vaguely shinny is fair game"

Solace kicked a tomato across the floor towards Daltonne, and said "I didn't know wild boars grew their own vegetables.... perhaps someone's fattening this one up for the spit. Although after last night, I wouldn't want to be the one who had to inform that creature it was the main course."

"Well I guess we cud look fer a secret passage? Or what about playin' that there flute to see iffin somethin' 'appens? There mus be somethin we can do with it."

Serena produced the flute, and gave it her best toot, but nothing seemed to happen. "Maybe another time, another place?" she wondered?

The elves decided to give the cave a more thorough examination. With the aid of O'Dwyer's lantern it was not long before Jessa discovered a trap door in the ground, lying in the far west end of the cave. The door was carefully examined and nothing amiss was noted. Black Blade lifted it up.

O'Dwyer directed the beam of his light inside. "Stone stairway, goes dune about fifteen steps. Seems ta be a big empty floor dune therrre as well."

Jessa volunteered to go down first. She asked O'Dwyer to follow her with his lantern, and drew her long sword. "Rrright behind yee, Lass," he assured her. She proceeded carefully down the stairs, keeping her sword up, her free hand hovering over the dagger at her waist.

O'Dwyer followed, the lantern the only object in his right left hand for now. He felt confident that he could draw his broadsword if needed, or put the lantern to the ground, if he felt a spell might be more useful.

"Well, what say we go exploring?" BB actually decided to string up her bow and notch an arrow before descending down the stairs third in order.

Morague cast ~bless~ on the party members, then, holding her staff & a lantern she followed the others down, providing as much light for her companions as possible.

Nodding her thanks to the cleric for the blessing and the light, Jessa began her cautious descent down the stairs.

Solace, still holding her torch aloft, took out one of her long swords and pointed it at the open trap door. Through gritted teeth she threatened it, "One move, and your kinling Trapdoor. You hear me Trapdoor? I said just one move and I slice and dice you right off you hinges. Heh heh heh. Too afraid to talk eh? Well you should be!"

Solace felt blessed and thanked Morague. She turned toward the entrance of the cave now and again to make sure nothing came in unannounced , but she never took her eyes off the trapdoor for more than a few moments.

Daltonne and Serena watched Solace's actions with some amusement, trying to decide if they should follow the other.

Those who had descended quickly realized that they were in a major complex, not a simple basement. The area in which they stood was 40' long and 20' wide. What appeared to be a well stood in the middle on this space, but close to the north wall. Along the north wall there was a closed door in the northwest corner, and another closed door in the northeast corner [top right]. The southwest section of the south wall was open revealing a long corridor running south, with a couple of doors along the west side. The southeast corner was also open with a corridor running south for 10' and then turning east . There was a door in the center of the south wall. One more door was on the southern end of the east wall.

"Well blokes, looks like we've just hit the tip of the iceberg."

"Yes, agreed Jessa, "so many places to look. Where should we start?"

"Let's starrrt by gettin the ootherrs dune here with oos," suggested OD.

Morague went back up and got the other three to come down below. They took a few minutes to take in the scene.

"So, what does everyone think?" Jessa queried the group. "Personally, I say look behind the doors in this room first before we go wandering off down any hallways. I prefer knowing whether or not anything can sneak up behind us from behind those doors."

O'Dwyer said, "Me thinks any of these doorrrs would be as good a place as any ta start. "

Then he considered his position in line. "I can hold my lanterrrn aloft. Why don't you two elves take the lead. BB, you'rrre a mooch betterrr fighterrr than I can everrr hope ta be."

Daltonne brought up the rear, with just her sword in hand. He head swiveled in a constant lookout for anything.

Since consensus had it that doors were meant to be open, they turned their attention to the nearest one, that being the one in the west section of the north wall, just a few feet from the base of the stairs.

The door open with a light creak. Inside they found an unusual semicircle room. The far [north wall] was 40' long, straight, and ran diagonally from south west to northeast, with its southern end a mere 5' to the left of the doorway and its northern end maybe 35' away. The door wall was a semicircle, connected to these two ends. Various bottles were scattered about or smashed on the stone floor. In the center of the diagonal wall was a fireplace with a mantle. To the right of the fireplace hung a lantern; to the left was a door. As the lanterns scanned the room, some movement was detected among the glass debris in the far north corner.

Morague, staff at the ready, raised her eyebrow. "Hmm, I wonder what that is? Jessa, can you tell?"

O'Dywer stepped to the right just a bit to get a clear line, and then steadied the beam of his hooded lantern in an attempt to better identfy what was moving about.

Black Blade notched an arrow, trying to focus on the movement.

"Who's there?" she demanded, if indeed the creature was sentien, though she was not much on waiting for a reply...

In reply to Morague's request, Jessa stated, "I'll try." She glanced in the direction of the strange movement, but the heat from OD's lantern threw her infravision off.

Moving among the broken glass was a large, multi legged creature.

"Eee gads, tis a giant centipede, poisonous frrrom what I've `earrrd," delcared O'Dwyer.

Black Blade needed little encouragement. She quickly fired off two arrows, and the centipede lay still. Nothing else moved, not even a mouse.

"Nice work!, BB," Morague said. "Those things are viscous. Let's check out the north corner of this room & then, should we continue on from here or go back & take a look at the other door?"

Jessa agreed that searching the rest of the room before moving on was a good idea. She began to carefully make her way through the broken glass, watching out for any other creatures that might pop up.

"Iffin ye don mind Jessa I'll help ye look around too." said Daltonne. She, too, rummaged through the debris.

With the giant insect gone, O'Dwyer directed his light around the room, hoping to make Jessa and Daltonne's search easier.

He moved over to the fireplace and gave the inside a look see, but kept his head safely outside. "Neverrr know wut might lurrrk within." Finding no sign of fire, recent or otherwise, and nothing else of interest, he moved over to the other door, the one to the left of the fireplace, from where he continued to shine his light, while listening for any sounds suggesting someone or thing might be beyond this door. He heard nothing.

BB made her way cautiously to the centipede, at the ready in case of it playing possum...she searched around the beast for any treasure or trap doors it might have been guarding. It seemed to just have been a wandering creature which nested here.

"At least it's not a damned dragon," she mumbled, kicking the carcass a bit...

She continued looking for secret openings, but found none.

Their search of the room suggested that someone had deliberately broken whatever this stuff had been. Those bottles which had survived were empty except for one which Jessa found. It contained a yellow liquid. The hanging lantern had no trace of oil.

"Looks like piss to me," BB grumbled. "Personally speaking, of course. "We should, however, keep it, just in case it might prove valuable." she shrugged.

There being no other obvious egress, the door to the left of the fireplace was opened, revealing a 30 x 20' deep room. [#2] There was a small bed, one table and a simple wood chair, some brass candle holders, and a battered footlocker with its cover hanging open over the back. The walls were adorned with faded yellow suns in starburst designs which Morague recognized as the symbol of Pelor, her own deity. These old symbols had been both scratched up and defaced with some sort of black substance smeared across them. No doors were visible in here.

Morague was visibly shaken by the scene that confronted her. "Why, why would anyone do this?" she asked herself. Aloud Morague said "I'm going to get whomever did this vile thing! Let's find them!"

"We don't know who did this yet..." BB shook her head. "We need more clues...."

O'Dwyer could feel for his fellow cleric. While not cut from the same cloth, desecration was desecration. He tried to calm his companion, lest she get too far ahead of herself. "Noot to worrrry Lass, we'll find `ooeverr did this, jest you wait an see. But, Black Blade has a point, too. Neverrr know what yee might find till yee looks forr it." He took up a watchful position near the door, so he could see back outside while watching the elf look bout the room.

Black Blade moved over to the foot locker. It was well made, unlocked, and contained male clothing, and some clerical robes. The latter had been sliced up. As she was near the bed, she gave it a toss, just for good measure. She picked up a very nice piece of cloth.

"What does anyone make of this?" she posed as she showed it to the others. On the cloth was the word "Danswaine."

Solace looks at the cloth, and thinks out loud "Hmm Danswain, it kinda sounds like Ethelwain, maybe they were brothers? 'Wain' brothers; perhaps they were 'country and western' bards? Ethelwain did have that flute."

As others pondered Black Blade's question, and Solace's whimsical reply, she and Jessa continued to search the room, looking in particular for concealed or secret areas, but none were found.

"I've had enough of this one," announced Black Blade, and she headed out of this room [#2], though the other room, [#1] and back out into the original hallway where the stairs had originally led them. There were three doors still unopened. One at the west end of the north wall, two at the south end of the west wall, three along the south wall, in addition to the two corridors leading south.

Solace, sword and torch in hands, accompanied BB back out into the main hallway.

Jessa still had the vial from the previous room. She placed it in her belt pouch, until they could further examine it. She followed Black Blade and Solace out.

Deciding to go to the next nearest door, the one below the stairs on the west wall became the object of their interest. By now the other Femmes had made their way out of the inner rooms.

As they approached the portal, Black Blade paused, then whispered, "I think I heard something inside. Forewarned, she put her left shoulder to the door, while her right hand hung ready to grip Fear if needed.

Gripping her sword firmly, Jessa unslung her shield from her back and slipped her left arm into the straps, securing them in a matter of seconds. She silently thanked the goddess that she had remembered to bring it this time.

The room was already lit by torches which seemed set about the room. In the moment they had to take in what they were viewing, the room appeared to have been a library or study. It had been, or was in the process of being, ransacked . Books and shelves lay scattered and overturned. In the far northwest corner there was a large closet. A chest was against the west wall. Atop the chest sat a large, human shaped, ferocious looking creature, with the details of a hyena. It had greenish gray skin, with a short reddish gray mane. It was clad in scale mail, and carried both spear and shield. Three more of these creatures moved about the room. The one on the chest stood up to the fullness of its more than seven feet in height, calling out to the others as it did so. The were equally armed and armored. [room #3]

"I think we have a problem here," she mouthed, setting her bow down so she could fully use her cursed sword. With hurried whispers, she added, "We might still have the element of surprise...rush 'em, or watch 'em..." With a mischievous grin, she concludes, "I'm willing for the rush...."

Black Blade drew Fear and moved in. It was obvious from their reactions that they were neither surprised nor friendly. towards the nearest creature. They all prepared to hurl spears.

"They look ratherrr nasty ta me," declared O'Dwyer. He set aside his lantern, and drew his broadsword and shield, following BB. Jessa swore silently as she, too moved in, and braced herself for the creatures' attack. Daltonne followed.

Black Blade reached the nearest beastie and swiped at it, but missed. It struck back with its spear, but the nimble elf side stepped the thrust. Serena had time to get off a spell, sleep, at the two more distant enemies. Both of them fell into slumber. The one which had been doing the alleged talking threw his spear at O'Dwyer. The missile slid by the cleric's shield and settled in his lower left side. "By Thritheron be dammed," the wounded man shouted, as he rushed the beast and tried run it through, but missed badly.

Jessa joined Black Blade, and Daltonne came to OD's side. Neither had much success in their attacks. Solace began to make her way round to those which napped, to make sure they would not awaken.

Jessa had better luck with her next strike, driving `Wolfwind' through the heart of her assailant, slaying him. Daltonne had two successful attacks, slaying the apparent leader with the second one. OD, his wound obviously bothering him, sat down on the ground. Solace finished up what she had started, and the room was theirs.

Black Blade inspected the dead hyena-likes, who turned out to be gnolls. She was interested in their armor. The scale mail of the one who had given the orders seems in very good condition. The other three wore less than good chain. Their shields were made of wood. She than made a usual round the room, looking for any for any type of treasure and/or secret passage/trap doors. The walls seemed very solid. They all had marks where she gathered, the fallen bookshelves had once been fixed.

Morague surveyed the damage wrought by her friends with a wry grin. "You guys are pretty good!" she exclaimed. "O'Dwyer, that's a little bit if a nick, need a hand with it?"

O'Dwyer looked at his wound, "Not ta worry Lass, seems ta be jest a scratch." Since it wasn't much of wound, he wrapped it up a bit. Then he rummaged through whatever books, and other written material, he could find scattered about the room. From what he could gather, they were mostly over one hundred years old, on a variety of topics, mostly to do with warfare and military tactics.

Solace headed over to the chest. It seemed safe to open, and since it was not locked, she yanked the top up. There was not much within, just three scroll tubes. The tubes were ivory with no marking of any sort upon them. Solace gave them a careful examination, but they seemed safe as well. Inside each was a rolled up, yellowing parchment. She unrolled one. While she could understand a word here and there, much of what was written was had for her to understand. Morague, O'Dwyer, and Serena, gave them their full attention. Serena realized that the writing was the Old Common Tongue. "Ero would have loved to set his eyes upon these," she stated, in reference to her partner at the book shop. This tongue gradually faded away maybe 150 years ago." Even though some of the writing was faded, and in some places the scroll had been damaged, they were able to read most of what was still visible there.

scroll #1

"... so it was a time of great conflict and unrest. The land had fallen to wanton barbarism. Anarchy reigned. The old kings had been thrown down, but one young Prince returned .... is forced exile to reclaim the realm. This young man of stout heart and true spirit, Leefrick the brave, gathered loyal followers of his long dead grandfather and sought to drive out the invading hordes and traitors. One who greatly aided him was Godwin, Lord of the West Country. From Godwin's castle at Gelatint, Leefrick struck ... inst our foes. After five years of was, Leefrick subjugated the realm a ...ablished the Throne of the Gold Swords. Our lord Godwin stoo...side in victory!"

scroll #2

"...28th year, Leefrick had a son through his noble wife, Gwyndolyn. All the realm rejoiced that the King had an heir. Ethelwaine was the son and a fine lad he grew to be! In the King's 31st year, Gwyndolyn bore another son, Cedric. Alas, the birth-giving process proved too much for the noble woman and she died soon after the second prince was born."

Scroll #3

"...Leefrick's 48th year his eldest son , ... set out on a quest across the sea. Saddened at his departure, Leefrick bade the lad ...d for the mission was ... Within a year, news reached the King that Ethelwaine had perished in a far off land. The King was heartsick and fell into deep mourning. Before another year had passed the King died. But true to his noble spirit, Godwin took up the regency of the land and held it safe for the young Price Cedric. When the lad came of age Godwin ensured his safe succession to the throne and so Cedric became ... the Gold Swords. For many years thereafter, .... fought at the young King's side and counseled him wisely until ... death years later. "

Morague took another look at the scrolls. "This is really overwhelming," she declared. "Why don't we go back to a safer," then indicating the dead gnolls," and might I add, cleaner room where we can pour over these documents at our leisure?"

"I wonder what those gnolls were doing?" said Solace. She watched BB removing the armor and, deciding that she didn't want to lug anything like that around, she picked up a spear instead. After feeling it had a good weight, Solace extinguished her torch and returned her long sword to her side, and proceeded to wave the spear around and practice some jabs at the book cases (also attempting some 'Monkey Magic' moves). Although she had no mastery or even a slight knowledge of the weapon, Solace felt it made her look tough; and so with extreme satisfaction she guarded the doorway to the third room with it, awaiting her friends' decision to move on.

Daltonne figured it might be a good idea to spend some time studying the scrolls. Since no one voiced any objection, Morague and Daltonne went back up the hallway to the defaced bedroom.[#2] Serena followed along. O'Dwyer and Black Blade gave this library room a very thorough going over. Once they had assured themselves that there was nothing else of value or importance to be found here, they joined the others. Solace and Jessa came along. For now they stationed themselves in the fireplace room [#1], the hallway door slightly ajar, to listen for, and spy on, anyone who came their way.

"Ethelwaine was the name of the captive in that tower wasn't it? And Cedric was his jailer? If Ethelwaine supposedly died at sea, then who was the captive held by Cedric?" Jessa pondered aloud.

O'Dwyer noted, "Meethinks the two be brotherrrs, and from what that Arrrtemus told us, tis no verrry clearrr whut `appened ta Ethelwaine. Guess it depends on who be telling the tale."

"True," Jessa agreed. "Does anyone else have a theory about the brothers?"

"If you ask me," said OD, "it's that Cain and Able story all over again. I'll bet that one brrrother killed the other. Probably wanted the crown. And, wasn't therrre something about evil priests? Maybe one brotherrr was taken over by evil? From the way the good symbols arrre messed up in this room, someone doesn' t like goodness round herrre."

Solace's head was predictably empty when it came to wondering about complex matters such as these cryptic clues. She took her spear and bound back up the stairs and to the cave entrance to make sure a quick escape was still possible. The cave seemed just as it had been a few hours earlier.

When she returned, the others were ready to explore the next room.

They headed down the hall to the south to what they figured would be the next room. The door was along the west wall, about 20' beyond the last one they had opened. They could see another door 20' beyond this one on the west, and an opening across from it on the east. But for now this new door held their attention. Solace stopped goofing with her new toy long enough to give the wooden door the once over, then Black Blade put her shoulder to it. Everyone was ready for trouble this time round.

The door opened without too much effort. A quick survey with the lanterns revealed that the room [#4] was about 20 x 20. A large throne-like chair sat in the middle of the north wall. In two corners were statues of some sort. Tapestries hung on both the west and south walls. There did not appear to be any living creatures in here, for now .....

Brandishing her 'tough look' with considerably more skill than the spear, Solace kept her eyes on the statues.

Black Blade also approached the statues.

The `statues' turned out to be busts, which stood on stone pedestals. One of the busts was very weathered and of undetermined form. The second one, however, struck a memory cord. Black Blade and Solace looked at each other for a moment. Then, the wily thief rummaged about her pack and proudly produced one of those large coins she had procured in the hut the night before.

"See, BB," she chimed, "I got the coin, and the face on the coin is the same as this guy on this bust her. "

BB considered a derogatory comment about Solace's bust, but resisted the urge. She examined the chair, instead. The chair was made of fine walnut, with padded seat and arm rests. The back of the chair was engraved with a large central crown, and two other smaller ones to the left and right. "Must be the throne," she declared.

Morague reluctantly put the scrolls away for now. "Come on, Daltonne, let see what's up?" Morague said cheerfully as she followed the others into the tapestry room. Daltonne followed, asking the others as she entered, "Anyone find anythin' interestin'?"

Jessa entered the room and glanced around. As she hitched her shield onto her back, she asked the group, "Does anyone no how to check for hidden doors? Royalty usually had at least one hidden door in the throne room so that they could leave without being noticed."

By now Solace had turned her attention to the tapestries. As Morague and Daltonne entered, she was commenting to Jessa on the artist's use of hue and tone. Indeed, the tapestries were impressive. The red one depicted a funeral procession with many Lords and retainers bearing a coffin with a gold crown on it. The blue one showed the coronation of a young king. At the base of this one were the words: "Cedrickus I, Dominus Rex."

Jessa looked at the tapestry of the funeral procession. "Cedrickus... Wasn't the name of the younger brother, Cedric?"

Morague said "yes, Cedric was the name of the younger brother - the funeral must be the father - because Etherwaine was lost at sea - or maybe not if these scrolls are accurate. Maybe there's a secret door by the throne, or under it?"

Solace was so intrigued by the works that she even looked behind them, finding but what appeared to be a solid walls.

Black Blade left Solace to the tapestries. She stepped out of the room, past Serena who stood just inside the door, and past O'Dwyer who guarded the doorway. She stood in the center of the hall, looking up and down the halls on occasion, but saw and heard nothing for now. She waited for everyone to finish, but was ready to head down the hall to the next door. Fear was sheathed halfway, her left hand on the hilt.

"Solace, how do you think we could go about checking for secret passages?" Jessa asked the thief.

"Well Jessa, I guess we could all try to find a hidden door. Might be one behin' those tapestries. Well, maybe Serena will try that there flute agin and see iffin somethin comes to life."

Solace showed Jessa how to run her fingers over the edges of the stones in the wall; how to knock on the stones and listen to them; how to put pressure on certain parts of the stones; how to blow the smoke from an extinguished torch along the base of the walls; and how to whack your spear against the wall in frustration, while shouting expletives, when you don't find anything. "These are many of the aspects of good 'secret door hunting,'" she noted as she did so.

So, the three of them began to make a thorough search of the room, particularly behind the tapestries, for secret or hidden doors, but found none. They proceeded to give the `throne' a complete once, twice, thrice over, only to be disappointed. It, too, seemed solid.

After finishing the search, Solace remarked to Jessa, "It takes years of practice to get good and develop a sixth sense for these things...unless of course you have elf blood, now there's an advantage I'd like to have."

Serena glanced toward O'Dwyer and gave a somewhat bored shrug of her shoulders. Serena brought out the flute, holding it vertically just short of the tip of her nose, with a moment of studied concentration that nearly resulted in crossed eyes. With the other hand she pushed her hair away from her face, giving an upward puff of air at a stubborn strand. " I'm simply not feeling myself at the moment, dear Chisim." she said. "And that means that I'm not at all willing to listen to your feline philosophies...hush now, I must concentrate." Serena brought the instrument to her lips, closed her eyes and played...

O'Dwyer had been standing in the doorway. Reacting to Serena's nod, he kept even more careful watch lest someone be attracted by the tones, and in case something else happened in the hallway as a result of the playing.

Black Blade was not in the mood for a concert. "I'm going down to the next room..." she remarked. "Looks like there's nothing in this room..."

Alone for the moment, thought still in O'Dwyer's line of sight, Black Blade headed down to the next door on the west wall, keeping a wary eye to the shadows. When she got to the door, she tried to ease it open.

*********

The melodious tones of the flute filled the room. Serena played a variation on the piece made famous by the well-known Chatwin flautist, Tanner Elbrum, "The Pirate and the Parrot." While all were moved by the piece, nothing in the room seemed to be affected.

O'Dwyer noted from the hallway, "Sounds grrreat, but noothin happenin oot `ere neitherr. Surin that flute moost `ave suum use. Jest surrr as we be standing `ere, soonerr orr laterrrr, it'll pay off."

Daltonne showed her appreciation of the lesson. "Well Solace, I do thank thee fer thy 'elp. I never did know exactly whar I shud luk fer them secret/hidden doors nor what In was doin'. Now I 'ave a better idea of 'ow to do it. This is a gud thin to know. Now let us be off to where BB has gotten."

*********

Black Blade had walked about 20' south to a door another door along the west wall. From here she gazed down the corridor further to the south. There was a opening to the west, another to the east, some 20' feet further on, and a door at what appeared to be the end of the corridor maybe 40' from where she stood. She also took a peek down the corridor which ran eastward. She saw an opening just in it on the north, and the this corridor proceeded another 30' or so at least.

She turned her attention to the new door. Hearing nothing from inside, she eased open the door, and was suitably impressed with what she saw. A large bed with drawn canopy stood against the north wall. Above the bed was blue velvet tapestry which bore two crossed swords with a large gold crown above. On either side of the bed were night tables. The south wall was lined with richly embroidered chairs. One the east wall was a smaller tapestry showing a man and a woman sitting on two very large chairs. Each of them wore a golden crown. At the foot of the woman was a small child with brilliant golden hair apparently playing with a flute.

"The boy must be Ethelwaine," she whispered, studying the tapestry.

Then, with a soft whistle, BB searched the room, looking back occasionally to see if anyone was at the doorway. She checked the night tables, and under the bed. Then she pulled back the canopy which hid the bed itself. She was somewhat taken aback by what she found there, for resting on a pillow was a hideous looking skull, a skull which showed signs of a deep wound inflicted at the right temple.

She glanced back at the door, and was comforted by the sight of O'Dwyer, who had wandered down to have a look see. "What ya got therrre Lass?" he asked as he entered the room. Then, upon seeing her discovery he noted, "At least `e quit while `e was a head."

Soon enough the others made their way to this chamber, and all saw what Black Blade had discovered.

Black Blade was visual examining the skull. Its mouth was agape and the eye sockets seemed somehow wider, as if in horror, than a usual skull.

"Looks like a sword wound, unless someone fired an arrow and retrieved it soon after." Then after further contemplation, she decided, "No, an ax was the weapon of choice, and from the rear." Black Blade looked around the interior of the bed to find any clue to the identity of the skull. But, alas, there was nothing else. Then, another possibility crossed her mind, she examined the bed sheets to see if there was any indication of blood stains on the sheets... "I wonder how long its been here..." Finding none, and from the musty smell, she concluded, "A long time, I'll wager."

As Serena neared the doorway through which the others had recently entered, she stopped short. Looking down, she spoke to Chisim, " Well Chisim, what piece of fine old furniture shall I be asked to play to this time, do you think?" Her familiar's only response was a very catlike meow and a very catlike look of disgust in anything not catlike.

"Wonderful, I'm giving concerts to chairs and my familiar is giving me the silent treatment." Serena looked into the room. " Aaaah, let's see, Ebrum for the throne, now who for a bed?" .. Better yet, a bed with a head?"

She turned back to the cat. "Chisim, be a good sport and keep a watch here in the hall."

"Meow."

"Oh, why couldn't I've gotten something less temperamental, like a ferret or even a bullfrog?" Moving into the room, Serena puts her disgruntled familiar out of mind; that is, as far as any mage can put her familiar out of their mind, and silently prepared to have to play for some real dead guy.

Daltonne was dismayed by what she saw. "So Black Blade, thou hast found somethin'. Pray tell', what be it besides a skull? And be there more in this room?"

To Serena she said, "Hold thy flute, I think not that a skull would care to hear it. Though I thank thee fer tryin'." Daltonne smiled mischievously to Solace and then turned to Black Blade.

Jessa, upon seeing the gruesome remains, whinced and stated, "Makes you wonder what would inspire a person to put that on their pillow."

Solace took off her helmet and gloves, wiped her brow and exclaimed, "Gods damn it". She took a seat at the foot of the bed, and pulled off her boots to give her feet a rest, cringing at the smell. Solace took a swig from her water bag and offered some to O.D. "Gods damn it" she repeated, sighing heavily as she pulled her gear back on and picked up her spear. "No money, no treasure, no answers... just a god damn skull" she added, falling quickly into a state of depression. Solace smashed her spear into side table nearest her, dragging herself over to the open doorway.

Serena jumped, as Solace took out her frustrations on the very furniture she had been prepared to play for. Serena was also acutely aware of her own need for a thorough bit of bathing, after having been assaulted by the stinch off of Solace's feet. Waving away the lingering fumes, Serena stepped forward, to get a closer view of the skull. Serena picked up the skull, turning it over, scrutinizing it from all sides and then placed it back in it's original resting place. " Odd, that there is only the skull here, where are the rest of the bones? If this person were truly slain here, would there not be old blood stains present upon the linens?" " If he were killed at another locale, why then place the skull here?" Serena took hold of the covers, as if to pull them back..

Morague did not share Solace's frustration, nor her choice of language. She admonished her, "Patience, my fiery companion, patience. And it's not wise to incite all the gods at once." She turned away, looking at the wall hangings.

After Morague's comment to Solace, Jessa retorted,"Yes, I believe we've had enough unfortunate luck in this place, without angry deities to boot."

O'Dwyer took a drink from the water skin. "I hope not all yerrr gods will damn it. Tritheron is not one Fer general damnation. He has more discrrretion than that." His voice was jovial, though he apparently shared the rogue's frustrations. His eyes fell upon the tapestry, the one with the small boy and the flute. He glanced at Morgue, who, too, had noticed this detail. Both smiled and turned to face Serena. "Do ya think, Lassie, that yer could favor us with anotherrr tune. One that a dead head would find inspirrin."

Serena had resigned herself to playing for any audience, even one without much body. So, once again she tried the flute, this time giving a soulful rendition of `Truckin.'" As she hit the third note, the skull showed its appreciation by rising up [no it did not flick its Bic] above the bed. Black Blade retreated into the corner, mouth open. As Serena continued, it slowly moved in the general direction of the doorway where Solace stood, eyes agape. O'Dwyer and Morague exchanged `high five's,' as they watched with glee.

"Holy Taglioni" said Solace, watching the levitating head for a minute before losing interest and walking out the door to make sure 'the cat', as Solace referred to Chism, was keeping a good watch.

Jessa gave the floating skull plenty of room to pass. For once her expression was that of bald-faced astonishment.

Glancing at the two joyous clerics, she asked them, "What made you think THAT would happen?!"

"The persistence of Pelor," proclaimed Morague."

"The trrruth of Tritheron," told O'Dwyer.

"The indigestion of my lunch," BB quipped under her breath.

"Sorry I solicited," said Jessa, who, once she recovered from some of her surprise, hesitantly suggested that they consider following the floating head to wherever Serena's music was sending it. "Maybe this trip isn't so ill-luck ridden after all."

And so, as the pied piper of Gelatint kept up her musical tribute to dead heads everywhere, the skull continued its eerie bobbing dance. It bobbed its way out of the door, over the up reaching paws of Chism, or `the cat' as Solace had come to know her, and across the hall to the passage which went west. It continued into the darkness. Jessa's hesitation now became and urging, "Follow that skull before it gets too far [ahem] _ahead_ of us," she commanded, as she took her own advice and raced towards out the doorway. She was followed in close order by Morague and her lantern, Serena and the flute, O'Dwyer and his lantern, and the rest of the Femmes. The skull continued weaving and bobbing along the western passage, past a northern opening, past a cross corridor which went north and south, till it came to a hover halt, four feet off the ground, staring at what seemed to be a solid and non-descript north wall.

"Hey, Solace," BB smirked, "Think you can show us how to find the trap door?"

Without waiting for an answer, Black Blade began to examine the wall upon which the skull seemed so intent. As Serena continued to play the flute, she and Chisim still behind the party at a disrespectable distance, Black Blade exclaimed, "Here!"

And, with a push on just the correct wall stone, a grinding sound began. Slowly the wall before her moved to the west and a small opening was revealed. The elf peered into the darkness, her natural infravision sensing nothing therein. Then, with the help of the lantern beams, Black Blade and those who gazed over her shoulder saw a narrow passage, 4' wide x 6' high, proceed to the north for 5' or so nad then turn aprubtly to the west. The floor seemed to be stone, but it was covered in a thick layer of dust, which showed no footprints, or other disturbances, of any kind. As serena continued her tune, the skull, too, continued its eerie sway down this new passage, every bob and weave casting an ominous shadow over this new discovery.

"Well, I don't know about you blokes," she commented, "but I'm following Skully..." Carefully, the bold fighter entered the passage, as if drawn by some force, watching out for any trip lines or traps that would cause any of the party bodily harm...

Before she reached the first corner, Solace had moved quickly to the front of the group, holding her spear out in front of BB protectively and moving very carefully, scanning for traps on the dusty floor. An unlikely, but timely, team. "This could be dangerous" said Solace, "It doesn't look as if anyone's been through here in a long time". Solace tried to moderate the forward progress, ... so as not to lose the floating skull, while at the same time being as cautious as possible.

Morague followed these two along, lantern in one had, staff in the other. "I just knew that flute would do something" she said to no one in particular.

Serena and O'Dwyer were close behind, with Jessa and Daltonne guarding the rear.

The narrow passage turned right for 20', with an opening to the left/north near the end. The opening was in fact the entrance to a small, 10' x 10', chamber, with an 8'high ceiling. The air in here was very stale, and the room was very dusty. Against the north wall rested a black, dust covered sarcophagus. In front of it, on a pedestal, stood a large suit of black plate mail armor. Though it, too, was covered in dust, the Femmes could see that its left arm held a black shield. The right arm dangled at its side near a black scabbard which appeared to be empty. The skull hovered just inside the entry way.

Eyes wide, BB advanced toward the suit of armor. It stood stock still for now, but there was something menacing about the entire room. The closeness, the sarcophagus, the dust ... She studied the armor. It seemed like a very good suit of black plate mail, helmed, visor down, gauntleted. The sole oddity, for the moment at least, was the scabbard. It was conspicuous by the lack of any weapon in it. As she examined the armor, she kept an eye on the sarcophagus...just in case something decided to pop out.

O'Dwyer moved in and to the left, and drew his sword. He directed the beam of his lantern beam onto the armor, so as to help Black Blade examine it. The light gleamed dully off the dusty mail. Still, it helped Black Blade in her study of the armor, for, both the breast plate and the scabbard bore identical symbols to the ones etched upon her own `Fear.'

Daltonne followed, ready to fight if needed. She observed, "Well I guess this here fello used to be the proud owner of that there sword or yers, BB. Maybe he kin tell us a story 'bout it?"

"I don't know about him being the owner of the sword, but it certainly appears as if we've found the body that belongs to this skull," offered Jessa. She arched an eyebrow as she entered the room and stated, "How the skull came to be in that bedroom, though, is a mystery."

After looking at the armor a little longer, and seeing the same markings as had Black Blade, Jessa was forced to agree that there was a strong possibility of Black Blade's sword belonging with this suit of armor. While the others examined the room, Jessa moved back next to the doorway, sword drawn, shield at the ready.

"Hmmmm" Morague said "There's no time like the present for a ~Bless~" and so she did, managing to include everyone in her spell.

Serena stopped playing, and with a gasp of inhaled air, inhaled, "Gods but I need a break! " She gasped again, "This air is terrible." -cough-

At this moment, the skull stopped its daring dance and plummeted to the ground, kicking up scads of dust, where it lay motionless.

Morague's light came at the sarcophagus from the other side. From her side vantage point, she saw what appeared to be irregularities upon its top. Inching closer, and peering through some dust, she could discern some scratching which read, "Here lies the Traitor and Murderer, Godwin."

BB looked away from the suit, curious. "Then," her voice was quiet. "Then Fear is the sword of Godwin..."

Wincing, Jessa stated, "No wonder they hid his burial chamber. I'm surprised they didn't burn the body and bury the armor with his ashes." She continued, "'Godwin?' Now why does that name sound familiar..."

With a heavy sigh, Black Blade advanced the sarcophagus and, without so much as a warning, she drew her sword. She spoke "Godwin, Traitor and Murderer, if this dark sword be yours, then tell me why you should lose it so you could pass your curse to me!" Tears started to stream down her cheeks. "Answer me! I want to know why!"

The armor actually seemed to shudder at the appearance of Fear, and the sudden transformation of Black Blade, but it failed to answer her question.

Expecting the worst at the appearance of Black Blade's sword, Jessa flinched. But when neither the sword's powers nor her friend's transformation seemed to affect her-she actually found the presence strangely comforting, the elf left her post at the door and walked up to her long-time friend. A fleeting thought about the significance of this comfort zone flicked through everyone's mind ......

"Godwin?" Morague let the name sink in "Godwin? Hmmm, why Gelatint was his! He assisted Leefrick - even held the throne for Cedric - this is not possible - he was not a traitor! and now this says he was murdered?" Morague looked around at her friends. "Do you suppose the armor belonged to Godwin? This is turning into a real mystery!" She looked about asking, "Anyone want to lift the lid?" She added in a matter of fact tone, " I'm quite curious to see if the corpse has a head or not. No doubt the skull is looking for its body. Perhaps his poor soul can rest once they are united? Anyone?"

O'Dwyer answered, "Well. Lassies. We're herrre. We might as well `ave oos a look see." He placed his lantern on the floor, at a safe distance from the box, yet still with the beam shining upon it. Sheathing his sword, he took a hold of the lid of the sarcophagus. "Anyone want to give me a hand?"

Growling a bit, Black Blade sheathed Fear and helped O'Dwyer with the lid. Daltonne joined them in this effort.

Sheathing her sword as well, Jessa said, "From the way the armor is placed in front of his coffin, it seems likely that it did indeed belong to Godwin."

"One thing puzzles me, though." Turning to Morague, Jessa questioned, "If Black Blade's sword was Godwin's, and Godwin was such a good man, why would it have a curse on it?"

"Purrrhaps `e wasn't," offered O'Dwyer, as he began to look for a handhold on the coffin's lid. "Whilst I cannae recall Arrrtemus' wooords exactly, he did suggest that Godwin was not the grrreat frrriend to Leefrrrick that he purrrrported ta be. Instead, he may a been in league with Cedrrric."

The lid was lifted with just a minor strain on their collective parts. They leaned it against the back wall. Morague shined her lantern in there immediately, overcome by her anxiousness to take a look. "As I expected," she breathed. For there in the coffin lay the bones of a body, a body which appeared to have been male, maybe 5' 8" tall. The bones seemed relatively intact, except for the lack of any skull.

Jessa offered to place the skull in its place on the skeleton, walking over and picking up the skull as she spoke. Since no one objected, she then `reunited' skull and bones. [if Serena was tempted to pipe a rendition of `The head bone's connected to...' she resisted the effort.] It was impossible to say if this skull really belonged to these bones, but they in no way objected to its presence.

As she waited for the lid to be opened by her more well muscled companions, Solace leaned against her spear. She looked up at the ceiling of the room, which seemed to be solid stone, and then at her blistered right hand, picking at some of the lifted skin.

As the others looked into the coffin, Solace kept seeing a familiar motion in her mind, one that had been a constant reminder of at least one supposed purpose of the trip to Gelatint. She hesitantly mentioned, "Black Blade, though I am in no way at all sick of seeing your hands hand either going to, or resting on, Fear's hilt, or the shivers this actions tends to give the rest of us, I was wondering if this curse from which you suffer could possibly be lifted by placing that sword of yours in the empty scabbard?" For Solace, this was certainly a mild mannered approach. She added, "And, if that does not work, at least you seem to have found some new matching armor." She waited for a response from Black Blade. "Heck, I'll even help you try it on if you'd like."

Jessa perked up a little. "Maybe Godwin's sword was only cursed until such occasion as it was returned to him!" she said, realizing hers were convoluted words, but clear of thought, she hoped.

It appeared the ball, or the sword, was now in Black Blade's court.

Black Blade screwed her eyes shut, knowing what she wanted to do and what the sword might want her to do were two separate things...one was telling her to don the armor-and with it the dark mantle-, while the other told her to Fear into the sheathe of the suit of armor...but which was which?

She pondered the consequences...the armor might be cursed as well...bringing her into further stages of lycanthropy...or perhaps to place the sword back into the sheathe would bring Godwin back in unholy glory...

Unsheathing the sword feverishly, she stared at the dark blade.

"I NO LONGER WANT YOU TO BE A PART OF MY LIFE!!!" She screamed at Fear. "I'VE LOST FRIENDS AND FAMILY TO YOU, I TIRE OF YOUR INFLUENCE!!!"

With a bloodcurdling scream, she rushed forward to the suit, thrusting the sword into the scabbard.

As if that had sapped all her strength, she staggered towards Jessa and leaned onto her for support.

"Goodbye, my dark half," she grumbled sardonically.

O'Dwyer had, by now, safely leaned against the wall. He watched in amazement, as Black Blade struggled with the sword, and herself. "That's telling him, Lass!" he yelled encouragingly, as her decision seemed to the one her felt was the better. Still, he edged his way back from the charging elf and the now armed suit of armor. He retrieved his lantern, and readied his sword, in case the armor had a sudden attack of sword rejection.

Jessa caught her friend as she stumbled and helped to steady her. The blonde elf turned her slate-gray gaze on the suit of armor and the now sheathed Fear. Not knowing what to expect after Black Blade's action, Jessa loosened her own sword in its sheath, but did not draw it, yet.

Daltonne, too, expected the worst, and readied her sword as she awaited whatever was going to happen. At the same time she looked around the room to see whether something might come from out of nowhere rather than from the armor itself.

The first sounds were those of a sizzle, as some smoke or steam rose from the scabbard where Fear now rested, as if it was fusing with the armor.

Black Blade gathered herself. A sudden sound, a `shrump' of sorts, startled everyone. Black Blade reached instinctively for Fear's hilt, only to find that scabbard empty. The emptiness was not just of the scabbard, but also of herself, as a part of her was missing. She felt round for a weapon, any weapon, settling for the ordinary long sword she had found somewhere earlier. Though she held it in her hand, the hand felt as if nothing was there. She stared aimlessly at the simple blade, then looked wistfully at Fear, now stuck firmly in the black scabbard.

Jessa blinked with surprise at the now fused sword and sheath. "Well," she shook her head, "That was certainly unexpected."

All eyes searched about for what had made the `shrump.' They were attracted to the lower part of the sarcophagus, where a here to for unseen drawer had `shrumped' open. O'Dwyer's lantern light fell upon some things within, some of which glittered in the beam.

Curiously, or foolhardily, Black Blade headed for the drawer to see what be in there...

Jessa followed her to the formerly hidden drawer, but was wary of any sudden traps. Being her old, suspicious self, the elf refrained from touching anything inside the drawer unless she could be reassured that nothing inside might be cursed like Black Blade's former sword.

After taking a closer look at Fear, Solace walked over to stand beside BB in front of the drawer. "I'm sorry about you loosing you sword... it was pretty good, well evil, you know what I mean, you managed to wield it for good purposes... but I guess it's just as well that you had the will power to overcome the curse, who knows what it could have done to you in the long-term," said Solace, giving BB a sympathetic slap on the back.

BB snorted. "Long term, he?" She stared at the plain-feeling long sword in her hand. "Who knows...maybe the sword still affects me...this one has no life..." Grumbling, she shrugged and walks back over to OD and Jessa, letting Solace to whatever was in there...

Solace took this as a signal to resort to her usual self. She reached into the drawer to pull out and examine one of the glittering things.

O'Dwyer held his lantern aloft, to better illuminate the drawer and its contents. Solace held aloft a box, a gold box studded with red gems, possibly rubies, which glittered in the lantern beam. She examined the exterior and, after pronouncing in, "Safe, I guess," she opened it up. Inside she found a gold chain necklace with a gold medallion bearing the symbol of a falcon. "Looks pretty valuable to be," she declared.

Serena waited patiently at the rears, for any request of her magical abilities. Chisim seemed content to wander the nearby hall. Daltonne kept an ear open for any intruders, but still heard nothing.

O'Dwyer's light fell back on the drawer. There seemed to be nothing more in there.

"Well Lass," he said to Black Blade, "seems therrre was a rrreward fer yourrr bringin` that sword `ere."

"Possibly," she remarked sullenly. Glancing back almost longingly at the fused sword, she shook her head.

O'Dwyer then spoke to everyone. "If we be finished `ere, then shall we be off?" As he let this question dangle, he had another thought, which, perhaps others might have shared, "Course,... we could just leave, now that Black Blade here is rid `o that currr-sed weapon." Again, he let this dangle, till, "Or shall we just continue ta see what we shall see?"

Daltonne said, "Well we've come this fer. I guess it's up to BB, but I'd like to find out what's goin on aroun hier. What say you all?"

"Let's continue in this dungeon," BB retorted. "See what other values there be...and maybe a cause to this lycanthrope mystery."

On second thought, she looked back at Fear, then added, "That sword gave me my name...now that I no longer have the sword, I no longer need the name."

"My name's Zantel..."

O'Dwyer extended a friendly hand, "Pleased ta make yer acquaintance, Lass, again, and ferrr the firrst time as well."

Jessa smiled at the cleric's jovality and gave Zantel a one-armed hug before going over to look at the pendent.

Solace added her own two copper pieces. "If there's more loot like this, which there probably is, and considering we traveled such a long way to get here, I'm all for doing some further exploring. Perhaps we'll find a nicer sword to replace BB's Fear. Anyway I'm more than a little curious about what happened to Gelatint Castle now."

Solace lowered the medallion carefully back down into the open gold box and handed it to Serena. "Can you tell if its magical?" Solace asked.

Leaving Serena to examine the medallion Solace picked up the fallen skull with gloved hands and turning to the party said "I guess before we leave we should at least put this in with the body and refit the lid?"

"That soonds like a good idee. Whoeverrr, or whateverrr, this `ere Godwin feller was, he deserves `is rest like anyoon else." Once Solace had `fitted' the skull, O'Dwyer helped her close this lid. Serena gave the medallion a cursory look for now, but felt no immediate dwoemer of any kind.

Black Blade, or Zantel, suggested going back to the corridor from whence they had come, "We never did get to the south end, did we?"

So, the retraced the skull's path till they found themselves in semi-familiar territory. The corridor ran south for about 50' then seemed to turn to the east. Along the way however, there was a opening on the west wall, just about across form them, and on the east wall, 20' south from where they stood. The opening on the west was for a short corridor with a door in the middle of the south wall.

After examining the door, it was opened. This room [#6] was about 20' x 20' with a large canopied bed surrounded by curtains against the west wall. At various spots around the room were chairs and tables. As they stood in the doorway taking in the scene, the sound of terrible crying, as if someone was in distress, began emanating from within.

At the sound of someone in distress, Jessalynia drew her sword and immediately stepped into the room. She looked around the room trying to discern where the wailing was coming from, using only a fraction of the caution that she usually did because of the sorrowful sound.

Daltonne looked behind her to see if anything or anyone might be coming from the rear. "I'm ready iffin ye need me" she said to her companions ahead of her. Serena collected Chisim and awaited what might be discovered by those first entering the room.

Morague, staff at the ready, followed Jessa into the room, ready to assist with trying to determine the source of the crying.

As they listened more carefully, they figured the voice to be female, and it seemed to be coming from behind the curtains which surrounded the bed.

With the rather lifeless long sword at the ready, Zan headed over to the curtains and drew them open.

Solace braced herself against her spear and waited to see what Zantel had revealed.

Meanwhile, with everyone's' attention now drawn to the bed, O'Dwyer though it useful to cast his light about the rest of the room, in case the sound proved to be a decoy or a distraction.

The drawn open curtains revealed an odd sight, for there on the bed sat a woman, wearing a crown and bloody white robes, sobbing in deepest grief. But, before anyone could get a word out, the woman, or her form, wavered, became transparent, and slowly faded away right before everyone's' astonished eyes.

Solace waved her spear through the air above the bed in disbelief. "Holy Taglioni..." she stammered "that looked like a ghost". Unconvinced by her own words, Solace checked the bed thoroughly for some source of illusion or trickery.

To her practiced hand and eyes, the bed seemed a normal one, though obviously well aged. She found no strings, mirrors, or other signs of chicanery.

Once she recovered from her surprise, Jessa frowned. "How many murders committed in this accursed place?"

"Too many, Lass, too many," said O'Dwyer sadly.

Later, she pondered aloud, "And I wonder what the 'evil priests' who supposedly live here have to do with it all."

Morague nodded in agreement with Jessa "Yes, what of those evil priests? We have not seen or heard any of them! I'm certain this poor woman's ghost has a story to tell - if we could only find her."

With that, they began a search of the room. While no more trace of the woman, apparition, ghost, could be found, Jessa did come across a small compartment in the night stand which stood next to the bed, in which she found a gold ring with a crystal clear gem set in the top. Lantern light reflected within the crystal showed the letter `G' to be floating within. Engraved on the inside of the ring were the words, "To the fairest beauty of all, from you beloved Godwin."

"Godwin's wife? His love at the least." Jessa pondered.

While some pondered the significance of this item, others continued to search the room. Nothing much else was turned up, though they did realize there was a door in the south wall, which had not been noticed till now.

"Maybe the evil prrriests be a hiding behind therrre," O'Dwyer mused with a wry grin.

Jessa smirked at O'Dwyer. "Maybe. Shall we find out?" Jessa hefted her sword and waited to see what the rest of the group wanted to do.

"I neverrr be oone ta turrrn doon an oppoerrtunity," the cleric proclaimed as he accompanied the elf to the southern door. It opened easily in his hand. Beyond, they found a smallish chamber, [#7], maybe 10' x 20'. In each corner there rested a narrow bed each with its own night stand. A single tapestry on the west wall depicted two small boys playing in a lush garden. A falcon flew above their heads.

O'Dwyer stepped towards the tapestry, "Those boys, they don't look mooch alike, now do they?" Jessa could agree with this assertion. "Yet," the cleric went on, "It me memorrry serrves me, I do believe the falcon has been used as a symbol of brotherrr`ood." As he and the elf continued to examine the little room, .....

[Back in #6] Solace, Zantel, and Morague continued to contemplate and/or search.

[in the short hall just by the door to #6] Daltonne and Serena kept watch.

AND, Daltonne and Serena were surprised to find themselves suddenly faced with two men, clad in ring mail, bearing long swords, who just turned into this short hall! One of them looked at the other, then back at Daltonne and Serena, emitted a quick, "Who the blazes?" And, rushed to attack. The other looked behind himself, for whatever reason.

Serena, spotted the armed men, and let out a " whoop!" Backpedaling into the room, she called over her shoulder. " Hey, we've got company and not the friendly type!" Serena stepped clear of the door and prepared a spell to hold the door, if it should come to that.

Daltonne prepared to fight, saying, "Iffin yer finished with that room ye might giv me a 'and ladies, we've got company."

No matter as BB or Zantel, was always willing for a good fight.

Rushing past Serena to Daltonne's, she aimed to test the strength of the new sword she wielded. Used to the now missing Black Blade, she held it aloft with two hands, though one would have been sufficient.

"Hey, there, boys," she smirked, a little of her cynical humor returning. "Looking for a good fight? Look no further."

Again, without the usual transformation that her former sword afforded her, she seemed a mere fighter to these two well armed men. They quickly closed ranks on the two women. The men swung and missed; Zantel managed a strike for the women.

Spear in one hand Solace emerged into the hallway, tightening her helmet strap as she went with the other. In the tight quarters of this small and narrow hallway, the best she could muster was to protrude her spear between Daltonne and Zantel. While she could not strike directly with it, it did serve to distract the armored men somewhat.

In the ensuing fight, Daltonne managed to dispatch her aggressor, and badly wound Zantel's, who then tried to flee but not before the elf finished him with her long sword. "Just not the same," she bemoaned, looking at the simple weapon which now graced her hands, "just not the same."

But there was little time for commiseration. More foot falls from the south were hastily approaching!

Morague joined the fray, staff at the ready. She cast an eye on her friends, and was relieved to see that no one had been wounded, yet.

Hearing the commotion, O'Dwyer rushed from the inner room, sword and shield in hand, ready to fight. He came up behind the better fighters, so he contemplated a useful offensive spell like hold , and waited on the approaching foot steps.

To Solace he mentioned, "Remind me to give you some lessons with that spearrr. We clerrrics of Tritherrron are proficient with `em."

"Later" Solace replied to OD's kind offer of tuition, leaving her spear lodged in one of the bodies as she slipped between Daltonne and Xantel.

Unwilling to let the enemies gain any advantage Solace stole swiftly up to the corner of the approaching footsteps, drawing her trusty long sword on the way. Her keen ears determined that as many as four more adversaries were approaching. Increasing and flickering light allowed her to judge their arrival. As the first one reached their corner, Solace extended her foot, tripping the first enemy that got there. She quickly welcomed him to this area with a sharp stab in the back. He squirmed with pain, then lay still.

Daltonne, Xantle, Morague, and O'Dwyer advanced to the hallway and took on the others. These armed men resembled the others, long swords and ring mail. Two moved forward to engage, fighting well, with a silent grim determination. The third hung back slightly, shouting encouragement while seeming to appraise the situation. Black Blade and Daltonne got in some early blows. The two fighters continued the assault, but our heroines again had the better of the fighting. O'Dwyer'shold went off, and the one at the rear stopped moving. Xantel felled the one in front of her. As he fell, the lone still active fighter looked down at his comrade, glanced behind him, only to see that the other one stood stock still. A fearful look crossed his face as he backed against the left wall. He raised his left hand, palm open, and allowed his sword to point helplessly to the ground.

A quick stock taking showed that while not one of the Femmes had been wounded, they had slain four enemies, one was still ~held~, and the sixth had lost the will to fight. Flickering torches lay along the hall way, and the door at the south/bottom end was open.

Jessa walked up to the group. Seeing that the short-lived battle was long since finished, the elf sheathed her sword and glanced around at the enemy corpses.

"Sorry I missed the party." Looking up at the still currently living enemies, Jessa asked her friends, "So, which one do we want to interrogate first and who wants to do it?"

"Well I don care who does it, but let's git some answers from these 'gentlemen'." said Daltonne

O'Dwyer suggested tying up the one he `held' before his spell wore off. Solace deftly encircled the held fellow, and a rope was pulled tightly around him. He, along with the other survivor, were taken into the room where the party had been, the one with the apparition.

A search of their persons revealed little other than that their under armor was emblazoned with a skull and sickle, which both clerics recognized as the symbol of Nerull, and evil deity. What was more startling, however, was the fact that the one who surrendered seemed mute. An examination of his mouth showed that his tongue had been cut out.

"Won't be getting many answerrrs from `in then, now will we?" reasoned O'Dwyer.

Out of curiosity, the dead men were also examined, and all but one were missing tongues as well. So, only the one who had hung back, and now sat tied up on the bed appeared capable of any speech.

Serena moved through the passageway, carefully stepping around or over the bodies of the soldiers, thinking to herself, "How terrible this is Chisim, if only we could have stayed hidden." Coming back to the " ghost room ", Serena saw that the prisoner was to be interrogated and declared to the group, "Chisim and I will stand watch outside, in the hall." As she stepped out she admitted, "I haven't the stomach for such things."

Solace was content to watch the questioning. Meanwhile she and O'Dwyer began some spearing lessons. The cleric schooled the rogue on the finer points of spearing, starting with, "The pointy end goes in the utherrr guy." From there he moved into such complex subjects as trajectory, wind factors, and how best to brace a spear against a solid object to `take the charge.'

Daltonne wondered, "So what do we ask 'em? How long have ye been 'ere? Where do ye come from? Who and where's the boss guy? Who is this Nerull god anyway? How many of you are there?" She winked in the direction of the clerics and says, "Mayhap one of ye clerics has one of 'em ther 'truth spells' so iffin he thinks of lyin' we know?"

O'Dwyer knew that he could not cast zone of truth, but, he was willing to make it seem as if he could. And with three armed fighters and a spear chucking rogue starring the lone, trussed up, speaker, his tongue loosened somewhat.

"Me and my men are in the service of Wensan, high priest of Nerull, who rules over these ruins. We are but a small guard force of the many men who are in Wensan's service. While you women do fight well, there is no way you can possibly survive the dangers in here."

When prodded to describe some of the dangers, he answered, "Evil spirits, ghosts, walking dead are but a few of them. I do not know most of them. Wensan is not one to divulge too much. As he said, `What if we were captured?' That is why the other men had their tongues removed. I can only tell you what I know, and, as you can hear, I know very little."

Solace leaned on her spear, leaning being the one technique she has no doubt already mastered, and said, "God damn it, I have a few questions I'd like to ask. Firstly; where is your base-camp, what is your patrol area, can you tell us of any booby-traps in this area, and what exactly is it that you are guarding? Secondly; what does this Wensan look like, where is he generally located, do you know anything about the history of Gelatint Castle, and are you aware that your employer is into human sacrifice?"

O'Dwyer took a moment to compliment Solace on the way she leaned on the spear, "Like a rrreal trrooper," he noted. He then turned his attention to the prisoner, apparently casting some sort of spell upon him.

Solace took a break after her lengthy questioning of the captured soldier, permitting O'Dwyer to concentrate, saying aside to the group: "Just reminding you... Wensan was the writer of that letter we found addressed to Coker, demanding the brain of "Arty," Solace looked at OD on account of his nickname for the Heart of the Wood, but the cleric was still concentrating, "be sent to him. As to matters at hand, what pray tell, should we do with these two guys? Truss them up and roll them under the bed?"

O'Dwyer got into this more quiet conversation, "Funny, these fellerrs don't seem all that bad ta me. I `ave `alf `a mind ta let `em go, provided that one gives us some good info."

He turned back to the one who could talk. "`Os aboot ya answer me friend's questions. Maybe we won't `ave to kill yee after all."

Morague nodded, "Yes, and while you're at it, just what did he want with the Heart of Wud anyway? What does this Wensan look like & where do we find him? "

The trussed up one looked at the various fighters, their weapons, and Solace with her trusty spear. "Look you gals got me all wrong. Me and my men, we're not really into whatever's going on here. We're just mercenaries, that's all. It's Wensan you want. I don't even know what a heart of wud is, much less why he'd want it." His voice took on a plaintive tone. "My guys and me, well, we just patrol this floor. Keep quarters down the end there. One a yuse musta tripped a switch, cause we heard an alarm and came to investigate, that's all there was to it. We stay up here pretty much all the time. Once in a while Wensan comes up to check on us, maybe send someone outside to get something. But he's got closer guys for his special errands."

"That is all well and good," confirmed Morague, but you still haven't told us where this Wensan can be found," her tone became more stern.

"OK, fine, he and the others live on the floor below. Has a bit of a chapel there. Maybe he makes sacrifices, what do I care, it's not my business, now is it? I get paid to keep watch, that's all. Look if you want to find him, I can draw you a rough map to where to find the entrance to the lower floor. But there's no way I'm going down there. You'll have to kill me, and I reckon if you had a mind to, I'd be dead by now. So, how's about it. I told you all I know, I'll draw you a map. You can leave us here, "indicating his one surviving companion, "and let us go when you come back."

He looked over to his tongueless buddy, "Right Fritz, that's all we know?"

The other fellow nodded in a positive manner.

"So, how's about it? Deal?"

O'Dwyer said, "Well, that depends. Why don't ya starrrt sketchin the map awhile. We'll let yee know if it be good enou'." With that he gave the man some paper and a scribbler from his pack.

Daltonne said, "Well iffin yer agreabl' I wud like to make this her' deal. We're not after this guy and it's Wensan we want & mor' information. I say let's hav a look at the map and ferget these guys. Keep 'em 'ere 'til we come back and let's git on with this."

Suitable encouraged, the captive began scrawling out some lines on the page.

Jessa nodded in agreement with Daltonne, even though she continued to look at the captives suspiciously.

"I suppose that would be the best plan. The sooner we get rid of these priests the better. Just make sure these two are trussed up really well; I'd rather not have them sneaking up behind us or warning Wensan." She fingered the hilt of her long sword as she spoke.

The captive artist seemed encouraged by this third vote in his favor. His art work took on renewed vigor. It was not long before he presented his captors with a very professional document. It suggested continuing across this level, as the dancing skull had led them earlier, beyond that secret area, which was not noted on his map, to a hallway parallel to the one the Femmes had been investigating. There, the turn was to the north. Along the east side a doorway was marked. "In there, this `ere door [#8] on the right, that's where you'll find a trap door in the floor. It will take you to the lower level." There was another door noted at the top of that hallway.

O'Dwyer suggested that the captives be put in the small room that he and Jessa had examined, and that both doors be then shut. "Doobt anyoone can hearrr any cries they might make. Course we'll stoof sumpthin in their mooths," the remembering that the one was minus a tongue, "well, at least stoof `is mooth then," indicating the one who had drawn the map.

Daltonne said, "Well, I'm not verra tired, so iffin it's up to me, I say lets 'ave a snack and git those priests afore they notice their guards are gone."

Serena agreed, "Indeed, the guards surely have a watch rotation, we should move with all haste."

Jessa nodded and un-strapped her shield from her back, buckling it on her left arm.

"We should probably go before they realize that this patrol is missing and send more out to find them. We'll have to fight them in the end, but I'd rather it was on ground of our choosing." The mercenary elf unsheathed her sword.

Solace, by way of fundamental instinctual urges including and not excluding vibes of a transitive metaphorical nature pertaining to her physical form and in particular her occasionally problematic right knee, agreed that the group may as well proceed.

Solace checked if any of the guard's armor/uniforms would fit her or O.D, suggesting that if people don't feel like its too cliched, a few members might disguise themselves and thereby gain an advantage.

"I agree with Jessa," Zan nodded, readying the sword. "After we get rid of the competition, then we can go searching for goodies and take naps."

"We still `ave most of oor spells, and no one seems wounded, so haste might be the best choice," said O'Dwyer. He saw to the securing of the prisoners in the small back room. Then he spiked this door shut.

As they readied to leave, Morague said, "You know, I think I will sit this one out. I will stay here with the prisoners. You never know that someone else might come along. Maybe I'll catch up with you later on."

So, the Femmes got organized, and with the help of the map, traced their way passed the room where the skull had led them, and found the parallel hall to be much as the guard had drawn it. They headed north along this hallway till they found themselves outside the door which the guard had indicated.

Jessa listened at the door to see if she could hear if anyone or thing might be on the other side. She thought she heard some odd sounds. This possibility attracted Solace's attention and keener hearing, so she gave the door a listen.

"Seems you were right, oh wise and wonderous elf. There are definitely beings in there. Those are voices you heard, and thought I cannot identify them completely, they are definitely not speaking common," she whispered to the group.

Daltonne whisperd, "So 'ave we a plan or are we jes gonna charge in ther and 'ope we can suprise the scum? I'm ready fer anything, what about you?"

Zan tried to recognize any of the words... As best as could be determined, from the guteral sounds, it could have been orcish or goblin.

Hissing slightly as she sucked in a quick breath, Jessa whispered, "That guard didn't say anything about non-humans being down there."

Settling her shield into a more comfortable and battle-ready position, Jessa waits to see what the rest of the group says. This elf, however, votes to open the door and attack.

Turning to the party Solace clenched her fist, then held up two fingers and motioned towards the door, then she makes some circular motions with her hand and various other meaningless army code signals. She then took out her long sword, holding it loosely in her left hand, while ready to throw her spear into the room as soon as the door was opened. She figured what it lacked in accuracy, it would make up for in its effect as a scare tactic.

Seeing the others readying for battle, O'Dwyer whispered, "Guess the guarrrd left out a few details." He readied his broadsword and shield, nodded to Solace to open the door. "If it t'ain't human, it's dead. Let's get `em."

Solace carefully opened the door. Her observation skills allowed her to take in the contents in a moment -four ugly brutes sat around a table in the middle of a 20 x 30 room, apparently playing cards. Solace hurled her spear in their direction. It flew over their heads, hit the wall beyond, and landed on some straw mats. The brutes heard the sound. One who was facing the door started screaming something. Jessa, Daltonne Zan and O'Dwyer rushed in. As the orcs scrambled for their weapons the Femmes were upon them.

All four made successful strikes, with Jessa and O'Dwyer killed theirs in one blow.

"Shoulda been a fighterrr," stated O'Dwyer as he moved to help the others. Before he could do anything, both Daltonne and Zan had finished their adversaries.

"I thin you can keep ta preecherin'. Me an Zan kin handle ourselves," said Daltonne.

The room was fairly bare, with the plain table, four wood chairs, and four straw mats serving as furnishings. There were some cards, coins, and mugs on the table.

"Let's search these bodies and beds and then I say let's put them in their beds so iffin anyone looks in they will thin that these here gents 're jes sleepin one off," Daltonne suggested.

"A fine idee," said O'Dwyer. He and Daltonne searched the straw mats which served as bedding, finding what appeared to be a trap door in the floor beneath one of them.

With a quick hand, Zan scooped the coins into her pocket for old time's sake, then set about searching the bodies for anything useful...especially weapons. Much to her dismay, these creatures were supplied with very shop worn short swords.

O'Dwyer began arranging the orcs on the mats, leaving the floor door exposed.

Serena eased into the room as the dead orcs were being " arranged " in their beds. Looking upon the carnage with undisguised disgust, she stated, "Your idea may fool any humans about, but rest assured, other orcs will smell the blood."

Although Solace would not usually hold such a blanket racist view, being in an evil temple type place, she had to agree with OD.

After watching her comrades decimate the monsters, Solace clapped her hands in applause and proceeded to check the room for hidden doors or compartments. Other than the one I the floor, there seemed to be no others around. She examined this trap door, and pronounced it safe. "Seems to just pull up from the left side," she declared.

"Well shud we 'ave a look thru this door & decide whether to go down?" Daltonne wondered.

"By all means; if there are anymore non-humans down there, they too can have the priviledge of meeting Les Femmes the meat grinder," said Serena, leaving little doubt about the strategy to be employed on the level below.

Solace warned everyone to stand back "The quiet ones are often the worst..." she said, clasping her long sword in two hands and crouching down. "You don't fool me trapdoor" Solace whispered and then with a mighty leap she descended upon the wooden hatch and plunged her sword as deeply into it as possible. Having barely scratched the surface of the solid oak contraption, "It's ok, it's dead now" Solace said sadly, showing a deep respect for her fallen enemy.

The others stood in silence for a moment, no doubt once again in awe of the rogue's ability to deal with inanimate objects. Then the Femmes began a flurry of activity, arranging and rearranging the bedding and the slain orcs so that it appeared as if, tired of their card game, they had decided on nap time.

The trap door was raised, and there being no light below, O'Dwyer fired up his lantern and shone it down. A wooden stairway descended to a small hallway about 15' below. The femmes made their way down.

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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