Chapter the Ninth: Paris

[Victoria Silverwolf]

The hired coachman (who had been well paid for his discretion, and thinks this a fine adventure) is able to follow the young man's tracks easily. Evidently he has made little attempt to conceal the direction in which he is riding, and was more interested in haste.

-- If he continues this way, he will soon reach Versailles -- the coachman notes. -- Perhaps Louis is expecting a visitor? --

This possibility present complications. If the young man's intended destination is truly the famed palace of the French monarch, the adventurers may lose him among the hundreds of nobles and others in residence, and may themselves find entry difficult.

[Mr. Handy]

"We must pursue," says Henry. "We cannot turn back now. If the young man truly is dangerous and has gone to Versailles, he could pose a threat to the King. We freed him and restored his memory, and the responsibility is ours."

[SunlessNick]

"Yes," says Ines, sounding fearful.

[Victoria Silverwolf]

It is a short ride to Versailles. The town proper is not so very much different from any community of modest size, save for the fact that many nobles and courtiers maintain a town-house there, as well as apartments in the palace. (The palace itself is home to thousands of residents, all but the most highly placed dwelling in one or two rooms. The exact position one occupies is a matter of much concern, and it is not uncommon to find one not currently in high favor with the royals assigned to a more distant, smaller, and less comfortable place.) Aside from this, there are the many servants, artisans, and tradesmen require to support so large a population. With so many comings and goings, it is impossible to trace the young man's progress any further. An intent single rider, of course, is swifter than any coach, given a good steed, so he must have arrived here some time before the adventurers.

-- Where now, my braves? -- the coachman inquires. -- There are many dens where a hare, or fox, may hide. --

[Rooter]

"What of Henri the servant?" Lila wonders, peering around. "We were not so far behind him and he may have some notion of our quarry's intention here. If we follow him perhaps he will lead us to our goal."

[Victoria Silverwolf]

Spoiler:

WISDOM = 12 for Tracking (assuming training in the art, which seems reasonable), not a supernatural being, so no Demon Hunter bonus, +1 for the True Innocent, but -2 for tracking in a busy area = 11[dice]0[/dice]

So many horses have passed this way that it cannot be determined exactly where Henri may have gone. One can only be sure that it was not among those of the higher classes, given his servant's livery.

"I suppose we shall have to make inquiry somewhere," remarks Mister Witherly. "All manner of humanity appears to be represented among this throng."

[Mr. Handy]

"Miss Davenport is the only one of us who speaks French," says Henry, "so she will need to take the lead. It might be best to ask the servants. Most people don't notice them, but they see everything, and they would probably share what they know for a gratuity. I can supply that."

[Rooter]

Lila agrees with Doctor North's idea. "A man carrying a sabre who presumably intends to make use of it ought to have been observed by at least a few bystanders. Would he be seeking to initiate a duel against some other nobleman with such a weapon, I wonder. Perhaps there is a likely place hereabouts for such occurrences."

[SunlessNick]

Ines agrees also, adding that Henri would likely have to ask the servants too, which means they may have heard of him even if not the young man.

[Victoria Silverwolf]

Some questioning, accompanied by discreet passing of coins, soon establishes the fact that a manservant fitting the description of Henri had recently been in the area. Apparently he had lost track of his master, who was a little drunk.

Much discussion follows among the servants. (Perhaps the combination of easy money and a good excuse to interrupt their chores has led to this result.) It seems there is some disagreement as to the direction in which the tipsy master had fled.

-- He said something about going to see the animals -- remarks one. This is an apparent reference to the famous menagerie.

-- No, no. He was going to take a swim in the canal! -- states another, to much laughter.

A print of a map of Versailles, intended for curious tourists, is produced for a considerable sum.



It is immediately evident that the large, cross-shaped structure is the Grand Canal, and that the menagerie lies to the south of it. (The palace proper is to the east of the gardens, whose geometric forms may be seen next to the Grand Canal.)

[Mr. Handy]

OOC,Where are we on the map now? Are we closer to the Grand Canal or to the menagerie?

[Victoria Silverwolf]

OOC,Where are we on the map now? Are we closer to the Grand Canal or to the menagerie?

Quickly orienting themselves, the party is able to determine that they are currently on the far right border of the map, in the town of Versailles proper. To reach either the Grand Canal or the menagerie, they must first pass by the palace (or, if so inclined, attempt to enter therein) and then pass through the gardens, at which point they will be the easternmost end of the canal, from which a path running southwest leads to the King's collection of rare and exotic animals.

[Rooter]

"Let us head for the canal, from whence we can continue to the menagerie if needed," Lila suggests. "I am not certain if we should attempt to enter the palace or not in order to reach the gardens."

[Victoria Silverwolf]

"By my observation," Mister Witherly observes after close examination of the map, "it is not necessary to enter the palace grounds to reach the gardens. Of course, one may encounter any sort of person within them."

[Mr. Handy]

"I agree with Miss Davenport," says Henry. "I think it might be faster to bypass the palace grounds than to attempt to gain entry."

[Victoria Silverwolf]

The party proceeds through the formal gardens as quickly as the large number of strollers permits. Every social class save the lowest is represented. The gardens themselves are masterpieces of the art of horticulture. Meticulously trimmed lawns and parterres of flowers (although these are somewhat diminished in color by the approach of autumn) and elaborately sculptured fountains delight the senses. Rows of lime and chestnut trees enhance the scene. In such a large and crowded area, one never knows what unusual encounter one may experience.

Spoiler:

[dice]0[/dice]

To the obvious shock and disgust of the respectable members of society enjoying the gardens, a hideously mutilated man, dressed only in filthy rags, has somehow managed to evade the guards, who would never let such a one be seen here. His nose, ears, and lips have been grotesquely deformed; whether by accident, disease, or intention is not immediately evident. At first glance his visage resembles nothing so much as a living skull.

He stands directly in front of the adventurers with his arms wide open, as if to draw their attention.

Spoiler:

cha = 11[dice]1[/dice]

Although horrified by this apparition, Miss Carrow is able to avoid falling unconscious; an advantage indeed, if the party chooses to attempt to evade this person.

He croaks out words which are distorted by an apparent deformity of the tongue; but under this one can detect a surprisingly refined accent.

-- Help! I am not what I seem to be! --

[SunlessNick]

If the man is speaking French, Ines will not know what he is saying, beyond the obvious fact that he is speaking to the company. She will look to Miss Davenport's reaction, though it is obvious she is anxious to press on.

[Rooter]

Lila halts, translating the man's plea for the others. She looks to Doctor North. "Doctor, do you recognize such a physical affliction as this?"

[Victoria Silverwolf]

Spoiler:

INT = 12 + 3 Profession (physician) + 1 TI = 16[dice]0[/dice]

Drawing closer to the distressed man (an unpleasant experience, give the odor that emanates from him), it is possible to detect that the mutilations have been made with surgical precision.

The poor fellow, evidently in a state of complete exhaustion, collapses to the ground insensate.

[SunlessNick]

Ines is still town between this incident and the company's current mission, but in light of Dr North's revelation on top of his collapse is much more loath to bypass the unfortunate man. "Did he say anything else?" she asks Miss Davenport. She crouches down, ready to render what assistance she can.