Book the Second, Chapter the Seventh: Clouds of Battle

[jp1885]

"Old Lepus shall meditate on the subject a short while," sniffs the wanderer. He spends a few moments to study the alignment of the stones (at least an approximation of where they once stood) for any mystical significance.

Int 15 +1 esoteric knowledge?,[dice]0[/dice]

[SunlessNick]

William waits for Lepus's meditations, though Lord Dunwich will observe that he is visibly restraining himself from pacing between the directions of the house and lever.

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

"Old Lepus shall meditate on the subject a short while," sniffs the wanderer. He spends a few moments to study the alignment of the stones (at least an approximation of where they once stood) for any mystical significance.

Spoiler:

Since this was a borderline result . . .

Meditation upon the prior and current positions of the Druid Stones is a difficult task indeed, requiring no little time and concentration. After much effort, Lepus finally comes to the conclusion that the departed spirit moved these ancient monuments in a random fashion, much as a naughty child casts toys about whilst in the grip of a tantrum.

As the wet and weary adventurers finally make their way back to the manor home, they are startled by a series of peculiar sounds, the majority apparently emerging from an elevated position in the westernmost side of Highdark Hall. Although there is much overlapping of these noises, so that one is hardly able to tell which follows which, they may be classified as feminine laughter, of an unrestrained kind; a male gasping and groaning in fear; the inarticulate grunts of some brutish creature; and glass being violently broken, followed by a thumping upon the ground and the sound of heavy but surprisingly rapid footsteps.

[jp1885]

Lepus cocks an ear at the strange sounds.

“Mayhap a certain lady in a certain laboratory be in the grip of her mania and her master be the target? As for t’other sound: a recipient of her potion? ‘tis best we investigate, yesno?”

[SunlessNick]

William accelerates to a run, his soldiers' pride wounded by seemingly having been lured away from another attack. Assumng no other enemy presents itself, he will go first to the chamber of Georgina and the baby and check on their safety.

[Mr. Handy]

Henry runs back with the others, hoping that Ivan has been able to protect Georgina and the baby.

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

William accelerates to a run, his soldiers' pride wounded by seemingly having been lured away from another attack. Assuming no other enemy presents itself, he will go first to the chamber of Georgina and the baby and check on their safety.

Entering by the most direct path -- to wit, the ruins of the ballroom -- the bold soldier rushes up the nearest stairway to Georgina's room. There he finds the loyal Russian, Lady Highdark, and Georgina's brother and husband standing about her bed, where the new mother lies clutching the infant to her breast. (The young twins are, apparently, off to bed, and Lord Highdark is still not to be seen.) There are also a few servants about, but no sign of the midwife, her work being done. All these persons look about Georgina with concern and bewilderment, as that young lady murmurs to no one in particular in a disturbing manner.

"I will not bargain with you. She shall not be yours. Be gone."

Although these words be spoken in a soft, almost calm voice, she clutches the silver cross she always wears upon her person in a grip so firm that her knuckles are quite white. Any questioning of her yields no answer, as if she is unaware that anyone else is present.

"She must have a name," she goes on. "Yes, she must have a true and proper name."

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

Trusting in the bravery of the valiant soldier to guard Georgina from harm, Doctor North and Lepus investigate the disturbance coming from the western side of the manor home. From the top floor, through a window -- the glass of which, by the by, has been visibly shattered by some accident or other -- so high that one would need to have wings to observe the interior, can be seen a sputtering light, far brighter than candle or lantern might provide, and of a whiter shade than either. Its fadings and brightenings are accompanied by a sort of hissing sound, not unlike that produced by water thrown upon a hot stove. No further laughter or groaning is heard from above.

From the stables and kennels, which lie at no great distance to the west, can be heard the howling of dogs and the whinnying of horses. The sound of branches being broken comes from the nearby apple grove.

[jp1885]

Lepus capers and twitches as he deliberates the best course of action. After a few seconds muttering to himself, he straightens up and addresses his companion.

“Mayhap old Lepus should attend to yon animals my lord. Wouldst thou see to the lady Ravenscroft? I fear she has taken against the master of the house. It be my fancy that yonder light and hissing noise be her device put to ill use.”

If Dr. North is in agreement, the wanderer will head towards the kennels and stables, keeping a close eye on the apple grove. He will bid Britches to follow, should the invisible fellow still be about.

[Mr. Handy]

Henry nods and heads to the lab, figuring that William and Ivan are capable of protecting the new mother and baby.

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

Lepus capers and twitches as he deliberates the best course of action. After a few seconds muttering to himself, he straightens up and addresses his companion.

“Mayhap old Lepus should attend to yon animals my lord. Wouldst thou see to the lady Ravenscroft? I fear she has taken against the master of the house. It be my fancy that yonder light and hissing noise be her device put to ill use.”

If Dr. North is in agreement, the wanderer will head towards the kennels and stables, keeping a close eye on the apple grove. He will bid Britches to follow, should the invisible fellow still be about.

The Gypsy blood of the hedge wizard is sufficient to calm the animals somewhat, although they remain in an alert state of alarm. There is no obvious reason for their fright, save for the sounds coming from the apple grove, which continue uninterrupted.

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

Henry nods and heads to the lab, figuring that William and Ivan are capable of protecting the new mother and baby.

Having found the way to that hidden place before, Doctor North is able to make his way to Miss Ravenscroft's laboratory in no great time. Therein he finds a disturbing tableaux, illuminated by the eerily white, flickering light from a device of byzantine complexity, consisting, at a quick glance, primarily of metal wire and glass tubes. Upon the floor lies Lord Highdark. Only the slow, shallow rising and falling of his chest reveals that he is still alive. Standing over him, arms outstretched, eyes wide open and unblinking, a blank expression on her countenance, is Miss Ravenscroft, entirely motionless, as if she were no more than a waxwork.

[jp1885]

Seeing no alternative, Lepus creeps into the grove, peering through the trees in an attempt to discover what kind of being is responsible for the noise.

[SunlessNick]

"The noise we investigated without was a ruse," says William to Henry (the foundling) and Ivan. "What has happened here since? Do you know to whom Georgina speaks?"

[Mr. Handy]

Henry examines Lord Highdark to try to ascertain what has happened to him and find out why he has fallen. though he keeps a wary eye on Miss Ravenscroft in case she becomes manic again - or in case the fae decided to possess her.

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

Seeing no alternative, Lepus creeps into the grove, peering through the trees in an attempt to discover what kind of being is responsible for the noise.

It is impossible not to notice what seems to be a shadowy human figure, of more than common size, crashing its way amongst the trees, with no obvious goal in its wanderings. From time to time it pauses to pick a fruit from the ground, or from a fallen branch, although it comes to mind that, at this time of the year, such produce of Nature is yet unripe. Sounds of chewing and devouring are unmistakable. Given the darkness and the many apple trees, which render moonlight into mere pools of paleness amongst much blackness, it is impossible to tell anything else about the figure from this distance.

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

"The noise we investigated without was a ruse," says William to Henry (the foundling) and Ivan. "What has happened here since? Do you know to whom Georgina speaks?"

All present agree that little has occurred within what has now become the nursery, save for the continuing, soft-spoken ravings of Georgina, which cause much concern. Only the fact that mother and child appear otherwise healthy, and that Georgina cares for her infant with as many tender ministrations as one could ask, subdues these trepidations. As for the matter of to whom her words are directed, there is no answer.

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

Henry examines Lord Highdark to try to ascertain what has happened to him and find out why he has fallen. though he keeps a wary eye on Miss Ravenscroft in case she becomes manic again - or in case the fae decided to possess her.

Doctor North's great knowledge of Natural Philosophy enables him to determine, after careful examination, that Lord Highdark's insensate condition is a result of a combination of extreme terror and exposure to a large quantity of galvanic fluid. Miss Ravenscroft remains in a condition of catatonia, although from time to time she is heard to whisper, in a voice so weak that one can barely detect it, the word "life."

[jp1885]

Knowing the pernicious nature of their enemy, Lepus treads carefully, lest he disturb someone innocent going about their business. He mutters an incantation to see if he can detect any evil ahead of him.

[Mr. Handy]

Once Henry makes sure that Lord Highdark and Miss Ravenscroft are not injured or in any immediate danger, he examines the device carefully. It draws him like a moth to a flame, though he is wary of it, as it may be responsible for their condition. He tries to deduce its purpose and how it works.