Book the Second, Chapter the Second: An Unexpected Arrival

[Mr. Handy]

"We need to mark our trail," says Henry. "We can unravel string or thread behind us as we go, like Theseus in the Labyrinth. This may not be the only intersection in these caves. As for which way we should go, I would not advise splitting up. We should all go one way or the other, and I have no preference. Does anyone have any feeling about either tunnel?"

[SunlessNick]

"I concur," says William. "Your mighty manservant should have little difficulty leaving discernable marks on the walls. If none object, I shall take the right-hand path for now."

[jp1885]

"Old Lepus will also stop us from losing ourselves, if the fine gentlemen care to wait for a moment..."

Fishing around in his noisome frock coat for some bits and bobs, he creates a Know Direction talisman in the form of a small stone rattling around a battered tin cup.

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

With both of these precautions taken, there is no chance that the adventurers will lose their way.

After journeying down the right-hand path for a brief distance, a quiet whining, mewling sound is heard from deep within a dark chamber just off to the left side of the main tunnel. It is of a high pitch, and seems to be composed of more than one voice, although its weakness, and the confusion of echoes within the cavern, make it difficult to determine its exact nature.

[Mr. Handy]

"Probably an animal," says Henry quietly. "A dog, or a cat perhaps? Shall we take a closer look?"

[SunlessNick]

William readies his pistol and slips into the chamber, moving to the side of the door to allow others access. He raises his torch trying to see what might be present.

[jp1885]

If he can reach the good captain in time, Lepus will motion him to lower his torch. If whatever is inside the chamber remains ignorant of their presence, he will listen to the sound.

With his knowledge of Faerie languages, can he ascertain that it is similar to the voice he heard while talking to Poppy? If so, can he work out what's being said?

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

Spoiler:

[dice]0[/dice]

It soon becomes obvious to all that the chamber is inhabited by half a dozen fox kits, barking softly. Their eyes are open, and they are able to move about, stirred to curiosity by the new arrivals, but they are clearly only a few weeks old, not yet fully weaned.

[Mr. Handy]

"They remind me of my wife's pet fox, Lucky," says Henry. "This must be their nest. Their mother won't be far. We'd best be gone before she returns, or she may consider us a threat to her children."

[SunlessNick]

William resumes the lead and continues down the corridor.

[jp1885]

Lepus giggles at the sight of the kits. He waggles his fingers in greeting and, figuring it be best to converse in faerie tongue, bids them good-day.

<<Grow strong oh mischievous ones.>>

And with that he resumes his place in the procession.

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

Proceeding further, the party soon enters a chamber large enough for two or three to stand side by side. Lanterns reveal marks on the walls, some merely long vertical lines, others smaller and more irregular. It is evident that the stone here is not extremely hard. It is also somewhat moist, as water drips, extremely slowly, into this room from minuscule crevices in the roof, which must lead, by some unknown, torturous path, to the surface of the Earth. Close examination of the floor reveals that a tiny rivulet of the water thus collected flows into a small tunnel, into which a person of no great size might squeeze, to an unseen destination. A similar small tunnel emits a very dim, pale green glow, seen only when the light from the lantern is turned away from it, of uncertain origin. To add a third enigma, there is another tunnel, somewhat larger, although capable of admitting only one person at a time, from which comes the unmistakable scent of decaying flesh.

[Mr. Handy]

"That green glow may be phosphorous," says Henry, "though Ivan will never fit in either of those small tunnels. The larger one may be what we seek, anyway. While the massacre victims perished so long ago that I doubt there's any flesh still on their bones, there may be other more recent victims there."

[jp1885]

"Aye, could be..."

Lepus wrinkles his nose, for he likes not the smell (believe it or not).

Finger to his lips, he shambles to each tunnel entrance and listens at each in turn, using his sharp hearing in an attempt to ascertain what lies further in.

[Rooter]

Perturbed, Vincent tries to ascertain whether the direction of the tunnels might run in the same direction as the evil being submerged beneath Highdark Hall.

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

"Aye, could be..."

Lepus wrinkles his nose, for he likes not the smell (believe it or not).

Finger to his lips, he shambles to each tunnel entrance and listens at each in turn, using his sharp hearing in an attempt to ascertain what lies further in.

No sound emerges from the tunnel with the pale green light. From the tunnel into which the water flows one can hear, far off, echoes of splashing. The larger tunnel produces a shuffling, clattering sound, as of something moving about.

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

Perturbed, Vincent tries to ascertain whether the direction of the tunnels might run in the same direction as the evil being submerged beneath Highdark Hall.

It certainly seems possible that any one of these tunnels, or even all of them, might lead in the general direction of Highdark Hall, although at some distance. Who can tell, however, what twists and turns might be found if one were to enter therein?

[SunlessNick]

The larger one may be what we seek, anyway. While the massacre victims perished so long ago that I doubt there's any flesh still on their bones, there may be other more recent victims there."[/color]

"And it hardly seems likely that whoever brought the bodies into these caves would have gone to quite so much touble as the narrower tunnels. But before we go further, we should try to discern whether any of the marks on the walls in here are articial - it may to know whether someone has tried to find their way in here before."

[jp1885]

Lepus relays his findings to the others.

"'tis no surprise there be water down there," he whispers, pointing to the damp tunnel. "But in yonder big tunnel, something be shuffling about, so it does..."

Holding his torch aloft, he follows the gallant soldier's lead and inspects the wall markings.

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

Spoiler:

INT = 15[dice]0[/dice]WIS = 18+1 Esoteric Knowledge = 19[dice]1[/dice]

The large, vertical markings do not immediately suggest anything in particular to Lepus, most likely because his attention is drawn much more closely to the smaller, irregular ones. From his experience with the peculiar, long forgotten -- to most -- rituals of the Druids, he is able to determine that these are roughly carved runes, meant to deter restless spirits.

Spoiler:

int = 9[dice]2[/dice]

If anything, William is even less able to make any particular judgment from the vertical marks.

Spoiler:

Might as well give everybody else a chance at INT rolls

Ivan = 7
Vincent = 9
Henry still at 15, if memory serves
[dice]3[/dice]

The Frenchman is also unable to tell anything from these marks. It is no surprise at all that Doctor North, with his profound knowledge of Natural Philosophy, is able to make some sense of them. It is apparent, from the depth at which they are carved, their length, and their grouping, that they are the work of a burrowing animal of unusual size. Just as he is explaining this to the others, Ivan, to the surprise of the rest, offers his own opinion.

"I know this. I have seen this many times in my own country. Badger. Big badger."

It is evident, if the Russian is correct, that the beast must truly be a prodigious example of its kind.