Chapter the Fourteenth: A Respite From Turmoil

[Mr. Handy]

"Thank you," says Henry. "I'm hopeful that nobody will try anything as long as Mrs. Piper is not alone."

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

That being decided, the party sets out to track Mister Crayle, with the aid of Miss Davenport's experience in such matters.

Spoiler:

WIS = 12 + 2 for an area not heavily traveled + 1 for Demon Hunter tracking; which implies that there is something, not yet fully clear, preternatural about this situation = 15[dice]0[/dice]

Her companions are quite impressed with Miss Davenport's ability to make use of subtle clues to follow Mister Crayle's path, while remaining out of sight of the fellow.

After some time, the adventurers catch sight of Mister Crayle, upon his steed, nearing a natural stone formation, something like a small cave or rock shelter, which lies not far from the Devil's Punchbowl. He dismounts and enters therein.

Spoiler:

General WIS checks for everybody, without adjustments. Doctor North = 11, Miss Davenport = 12, Ivan = 9[dice]1[/dice]

Doctor North and Miss Davenport both catch a brief glimpse of a figure within the cave who matches the description of the flame-haired woman, just before both she and Mister Crayle vanish into the darkness within.

___________________________________________________________________________

All is well at the Piper estate. Mrs Piper engages in pleasant conversation with Mrs North and Ines. It is to be noted that she displays some familiarity with Gypsy lore.

[Mr. Handy]

"We need to hear what they're saying to each other," whispers Henry, "or at least one of us does. Miss Davenport, you're by far the stealthiest of us. Do you think you could get close enough to overhear them unnoticed?"

[Rooter]

Lila nods, and creeps silently toward the mouth of the cave.

Spoiler:

Dexterity 18[dice]0[/dice]

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

Miss Davenport is able to approach the cave without being seen by those within. There is no conversation between the two. Indeed, Mister Crayle seems to be in a somnambulant state, walking very slowly toward the woman with eyes wide open and unblinking. After they stand close together for quite some time, he turns away, now in a more normal mental state, but seemingly quite fatigued, judging by his posture and frequent yawns. The woman retreats deeper into the cave (although it is clear, from its modest size, that she cannot have gone very far.) Mister Crayle prepares to mount his steed.

[Rooter]

Lila hurries back to the others to report what she has seen.

[SunlessNick]

Ines is intrigued as to where Mrs Piper learned of her people. She - perhaps with some help from Mrs North - also relates the events that took place in the Pyrennes. Since she was the one who sent us there, it may be of interest to her.

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

Further conversation makes it clear that Mrs Piper is well acquainted with many different varieties of arcane lore from various parts of the world. She confesses that she directed the party to the Chateau de Hautommes for the purpose of learning more about the phantom said to haunt the place, and to investigate the possibility that Isaac del Zaragoza knew something of the magic of the Berbers. That this exposed the adventurers to unexpected dangers is regrettable, and she requests their forgiveness.

________________________________________________________________________________________

Mister Crayle begins riding back in the direction of the Piper manor, seemingly oblivious to his surroundings.

[Mr. Handy]

"She must have seduced him, after a fashion," says Henry when Lila reports what she's seen. "She is draining him, though not in exactly the same fashion as a vampyre would. If we are to confront her, we may wish to have Miss Ines with us, and to be better prepared. We may also wish to continue following Mister Crayle to see if he makes any additional stops."

[Rooter]

"Indeed, we should know what manner of creature we face before attempting to hunt it," Lila agrees. "It may be wise to confront Crayle with what we know first, for he may yet be a victim of coercion, as you say. Let us follow him."

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

Following Mister Crayle proves to be a simple task. He appears to be nearly unaware of his surroundings, letting his horse find its own way back to the Piper manor, nodding occasionally while mounted, as if asleep. Upon arrival at the manor, he shakes his head several times, as if to clear it, dismounts, turns the horse over to the groom without speaking, and enters.

[Mr. Handy]

"He certainly didn't seem himself," says Henry. "We can ask the head questions, for whatever good that might do, but I think we should talk to Mrs. Piper first. Then we can see if any of the books in her collection have any useful information."

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

Inquiry as to the identity of the mysterious woman seen with Mister Crayle elicits no information from Mrs Piper. Being of a somewhat romantic nature, she suggests that what has been witnessed is no more than a secret rendezvous with a paramour. If anything, she seems to approve of such a possibility.

"As to his weak and distracted condition," she adds, "is not that the normal state of Man when entranced by Woman?"

The guests are certainly welcome to make use of any volumes present in Mrs Piper's library. The books being organized, if such a word can be used, in an unusual, even eccentric manner, if they are able to indicate the specific subject in which they are interested, she may be able to direct them to the appropriate tome.

[SunlessNick]

"I've observed other grow all the more invigorated," says Ines - not quite wickedly enough to glance at Dr North as she does so. More soberly, she adds, "From the tale of the apothecary's boy, she still interfered with Mrs Piper's receipt of treatment. Her intention seems malign, whatever her nature."

[Mr. Handy]

"This is true," agrees Henry. "This woman hid the medicine that, once I discovered it, was able to restore you to health. She is clearly a bad influence on Mister Crayle."

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

"I see," Mrs Piper replies. "I had best give this mysterious woman a strong talking-to. Are you able to tell me whereabouts she might dwell? Surely the cave is merely a fanciful meeting place for the enraptured pair. I cannot imagine that a creature described so eloquently by young Peter as a 'fine lady' could spend much time in such a place."

[Mr. Handy]

"The cave is the only location we know where she might be found," says Henry, "but it would not be wise for you to go there by yourself. She may be more powerful than she looks. I suspect that she has some supernatural ability. We need to discover more about her before we confront her, and find out who - and what - she is."

[Rooter]

"indeed, I was going to suggest that Mr. Crayle himself might be our best source of information, however he may claim it is as Mrs. Piper says, an amorous liaison, even we offered to help him." Lila ponders. "This creature, which the Brazen Head has intimated is no 'fine lady' despite what young Peter might say, is not confined to the cave, since we know that she has been to the house before. I wonder if we could find a way to lure her here again? Also, Mrs. Piper, the Devil's Punchbowl is surely a source of many local legends which may hold some grain of truth. Perhaps you have a volume of such associated local lore in your library which might give mention of some clew since the apparent lair is there or thereabouts?"

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

Miss Davenport is directed to a section of Mrs Piper oddly arranged collection of books and documents dealing with local matters. The majority of these prove to be descriptions of the flora and fauna of the region, local history, and the like.

Spoiler:

INT = 11 + 1 for Demonology + 1 for the True Innocent being about = 13[dice]0[/dice]

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

There is, however, a quaint and curious volume penned by an eccentric clergyman of some years ago. Intuition suggests to the Demon Hunter that it is of relevance to the current situation.

The title of the book is Genesis Decoded; Or, The Hand of the Creator Revealed, With Particular Attention Drawn to a New Interpretation of Certain Landscapes of England. One chapter outlines the author's hypothesis that the natural formation known as the Devil's Punchbowl was, nearly six millennia ago, the site of the Garden of Eden, and that its current condition is due to the Fall of Man and subsequent expulsion from the Earthly Paradise. As evidence, the author points to certain peculiar marks upon the land, which he claims are inscriptions, that indicate that it was here that life was first breathed into dust.