Chapter the Ninth: Paris

[Mr. Handy]

Henry also kneels down and does what he can to help the man. "It looks like someone deliberately altered him surgically," he says, eyes wide. "Could this have been the work of Roterstein?" He tries smelling salts to see if he can revive the man, who knows a lot more about what happened than they do.

[Victoria Silverwolf]

The unfortunate victim revives to a limited extent, mumbling a few words in a weak voice.

-- my brother -- the animals -- mother -- water --

He then sits up suddenly, lets out a piercing shriek, and collapses like a child's poppet. Upon examination it is evident that he has passed over into "the undiscovered country from whose bourn
no traveler returns." Guards soon arrive in response to the commotion. There are sufficient witnesses who can confirm the fact that the fellow appeared as if from nowhere, and that the adventurers played no part in his demise. They take the body away, to be laid to rest in some potter's field.

[Mr. Handy]

"Could he be the Chevalier's brother?" Henry wonders aloud. "If so, then the young man could have gone to the menagerie, and their mother to the Grand Canal. We must make haste."

[SunlessNick]

"If he is the Chevalier's brother, was he also being held prisoner in the house when we were there?" wonders Ines. "How else could he know us?" She shakes her head, dismissing her speculations, and makes haste as Dr North says.

[Victoria Silverwolf]

The party arrives at the head of the Grand Canal quickly. It is an impressive structure, nearly a mile long and more than fifty ells wide. Besides the practical function of providing a place where the large amounts of water emerging from the gardens' many beautiful fountains can be collected and recirculated, it also allows for pleasure sailing. There are several small vessels drifting with the breeze. From the center of the cross-shaped structure it is possible to sail south to the Menagerie or north to La Petit Trianon, the small palace often used as a private retreat by the Queen. At the far western end of the canal one with sharp eyes may be able to discern the silhouettes of gondolas, a gift from the Doge to the Sun King; hence the area's nickname of Petite Venise.

After some time spent gazing at this striking landmark, the adventures catch sight of the young man. He is in a large rowboat not far from the party, but well into the water. There appears to be some kind of altercation occurring. The other occupants of the boat are another young man and a young woman. The woman occupies the center of the boat. The two men are on either side of her, and seem to be arguing. The young man who is being pursued by the party is brandishing his saber, although at the moment the conflict is solely verbal. The woman appears to be pleading to both as she turns from one to another. Due to this activity the boat is moving in a precarious manner.

[SunlessNick]

Ines looks to see if any other boats appear to be available.

[Victoria Silverwolf]

There are a few similar pleasure craft in sight, as well as rather bored-looking servants with the task of watching over them.

[Mr. Handy]

"We must rent a boat ourselves if we're to get out there," says Henry, digging into his coin purse again. "Preferably a fast one."

[Rooter]

Lila hurriedly communicates the party's wishes to the watching servants.

[Victoria Silverwolf]

For a considerable payment the servants are able to provide the party with a single rowboat, which will accommodate three persons. Mister Witherly elects to remain on shore and summon aid if necessary. It remains to be determined who shall man the oars, who shall act as navigator (the oarsman, of course, generally required to face away from the direction the boat is moving and thus unable to see where it is going) and who shall be seated between them performing such other duties as may be required.

[Mr. Handy]

"Ivan is the strongest," says Henry. "He would be best suited to row. Miss Davenport, you should be on the boat as well, as you speak French, whether you navigate or not. I should also be on the boat, in case someone needs medical attention - as seems likely."

[SunlessNick]

"If Mr Witherly shall observe and summon help if it is needed," says Ines, "perhaps I should go to the menagerie and see if anything bears out the references to it we have heard. Or at least if I can spot Henri." She glances in Miss Carrow's direction, though it's not really her place to directly ask for the lady's assistance.

[Victoria Silverwolf]

The arrangements apparently settled, the party divides itself as arranged.

Ines and Miss Carrow head in the direction of the menagerie, with Lucky held in the arms of her mistress lest the sight of strange beasts from far parts of the globe alarm her. Among the many exotic animals are such grotesque and fantastic creatures as zebras, monkeys, a rhinoceros, and gaudily colored birds. (The famous elephant of Louis XV died some years ago.) Upon arrival, there does not immediately appear to be anything out of order, merely the ordinary sight of spectators observing these peculiar sights.

Meanwhile, upon the calm waters of the Grand Canal, Ivan is able to direct the rowboat to that of the young man and his distressed companions. Soon the two vessels are very close. As of yet the young man pays the approaching boat no mind, but continues to harangue the other male person aboard.

[Rooter]

-- Mademoiselle, might we be of assistance? -- Lila asks, directing her inquiry to the young woman caught between the two men. Noting the precarious rocking of their vessel, she holds out her hands for the woman to move across the boats out of harm's way if she will.

[Victoria Silverwolf]

Spoiler:

Her DEX = 9[dice]0[/dice]

The young woman is eager to escape the quarreling men. Perhaps too much so. In her haste, she misjudges her step and falls into the water. Her gown quickly becomes soaked, dragging her down.

Seeing her struggles, the young man she was with shucks off his jacket and shirt, obviously intended to leap into the water after her. However, the young man with whom the adventurers are all too familiar keeps him from doing so by holding him at bay with the saber.

Meanwhile, there is a commotion at the menagerie.

Spoiler:

[dice]1[/dice]

A loud squeaking noise emerges from one of the cages holding the exotic beasts. It opens without apparent outside agency, as if some hidden mechanism is controlling it. A monkey about half the size of a small man, with a long tail and a pointed face vaguely resembling that of a dog, rushes out and scurries on all fours among the onlookers, sending many of them into a panic. No doubt they are alarmed by the large teeth which it possesses. It eyes Ines and Miss Carrow, not to mention the little vixen, with a gaze which reveals both curiosity and aggression.

[Rooter]

Spoiler:

DEX 18[dice]0[/dice]

Alarmed, Lila acts on instinct and leaps across to the other boat, interposing herself between the two men. Suddenly her dagger is in her hand, pointing at the familiar young man -- no match for his sabre, to be sure. -- Save her! -- she calls over her shoulder to the other man before fixing their armed quarry with a determined gaze. -- Monsieur, we went to much trouble to rescue you from captivity. Are we not to be offered an explanation? --

[SunlessNick]

Ines interposes herself between the animal and Miss Carrow. While a part of her mind wonders how the gate opened, for the moment, she concentrates on the matter at hand. She slips her fingers into her brass knuckles - she has no idea how well they would fare against such an attacker, but it makes her feel better - but rather than fight it, she would prefer to make it back down if she can.

OOC:   Charisma = 10, + 1 Animal Husbandry, + 1 True Innocent, -3 Fear of Dogs (which this monkey's face unfortunately resembles) SunlessNick rolled 1D20: 6

[Victoria Silverwolf]

Spoiler:

DEX 18[dice]199110:0[/dice]

Alarmed, Lila acts on instinct and leaps across to the other boat, interposing herself between the two men. Suddenly her dagger is in her hand, pointing at the familiar young man -- no match for his sabre, to be sure. -- Save her! -- she calls over her shoulder to the other man before fixing their armed quarry with a determined gaze. -- Monsieur, we went to much trouble to rescue you from captivity. Are we not to be offered an explanation? --

-- I owe nothing to anyone! Ah, if you were only a man, what a duel we should fight! Instead, I take my leave. --

Spoiler:

His DEX=9[dice]0[/dice]

It seems that the fellow is not as surefooted as he would wish, as he loses his weapon and flounders in the water as well, soon disappearing under the surface.

Meanwhile, the other man has managed to convey the wet and sobbing woman to dry land, where they will no doubt seek a safe place to recover themselves.

[Victoria Silverwolf]

Ines interposes herself between the animal and Miss Carrow. While a part of her mind wonders how the gate opened, for the moment, she concentrates on the matter at hand. She slips her fingers into her brass knuckles - she has no idea how well they would fare against such an attacker, but it makes her feel better - but rather than fight it, she would prefer to make it back down if she can.

OOC:   Charisma = 10, + 1 Animal Husbandry, + 1 True Innocent, -3 Fear of Dogs (which this monkey's face unfortunately resembles) SunlessNick rolled 1D20: 6

The animal must have been trained at some time -- no doubt in order to amuse the King -- because it responds to the words and gestures of Ines, becoming calmer and settling down to groom itself. A pair of servants, themselves a bit frightened of the beast, manage to coax it into another cage by offering it certain rare tropical fruits.

They converse between themselves during this procedure. Since this is in French, the ladies can only tell, through tone of voice and gestures, that one asks a question and the other shrugs to indicate that he does not know the answer.

[Mr. Handy]

Holding the rowboat steady, Henry peers over the side through the water and tries to locate the young man.